Prism (Awakened Chronicles Book 3)

by Harley Austin

Mauri nodded. “With Christie—I heard. We talked this morning at breakfast.”

  Parker raised his brow, a new feeling of alarm rising in his gut. He suddenly realized that he was doing the company intern and she’d not even started her new job yet. Or the company intern was doing him; he hadn’t quite sorted that out yet.

  “She said you two were up late, talking.”

  He nodded.

  “What did you two talk about?”

  “I don’t remember talking about much, Mauri. Your sister’s beautiful. Just—being brutally honest.”

  “She did say you ‘might have made-out’ in your cabin.”

  “That would be accurate.” He agreed taking another bite of his sandwich.

  “It’s none of my business, Parker; but if I didn’t know better, it sounds like the two of you made it a litter further than first base last night.”

  Parker put down the sub roll. She watched him grimace. “Probably.”

  “Christie wouldn’t tell me exactly, but I can read my sister pretty well, Parker.”

  “I’m fired, aren’t I?”

  Mauri laughed. “I don’t think so. I brought you on this cruise to introduce you to other people. I sort of hoped the two of you would hit it off, but, this isn’t exactly what I expected.”

  “Yea. Me neither. One thing sort of led to another and we just—” he didn’t finish his thought. “I’m still trying to figure out what happened last night.”

  “Christie can be a little forward. No doubt.”

  “Maybe it’s just the two of us. Bad chemistry.”

  “You don’t end up sleeping with someone with bad chemistry, Parker,” Mauri corrected.

  “No, I guess not. Explosive chemistry?”

  “Obviously.” She smiled.

  “It’s not funny, Mauri. Christie’s your sister and she’s going to be working with me in a few months.”

  “Listen, Parker,” Mauri began, “I think I know what happened last night. Christie had been dating one of the hottest men I think I’d ever seen.”

  “She said he was a supermodel.”

  “He was—is. They broke up just this year. I think she’s still reeling from that. And then you show up, someone’s who’s just as hot as her last boyfriend.”

  “Really? You think I could be a supermodel?”

  Mauri scowled. “Don’t even think about changing careers, mister. I have millions riding on your good looks and personality here.”

  “No worries, Mauri. I’m not going anywhere. I just got a promotion, remember?” Parker picked up his sandwich again.

  “You’re both rebounding.”

  “Is that what this is?” he munched.

  “I’d bet money on it.”

  “Now I really don’t know what to do.” He frowned.

  “Recognize it for what it is. It’s not real, Parker. I’d tell Christie the same thing. In fact, I will later. Now that I know.”

  “She’s going to hate me for telling you what happened last night.”

  “You didn’t tell me a thing, Parker. I wasn’t born yesterday. I read people pretty well. She knows that.”

  He nodded, still frowning. “I’m sorry.”

  “For what? For being Human?”

  “It’s going to make it difficult when we start working together this summer.”

  “Let’s worry about Winter now and let summer take care of itself.”

  “You did not just say that,” he half grinned.

  * * * * *

  Parker opened his cabin door after the subtle knock. Christie stood out in the hall. It was evening and he’d been invited to join the family for a Christmas dinner in one of the ship’s banquet rooms. Dress was casual and Christie had dressed in some nice black jeans and a warm white mock turtleneck that wasn’t hiding any of the curves of her chest.

  “Hey. Mind if I come in?”

  “Sure.” He closed the door after she’d entered.

  “Mauri and I talked this afternoon.”

  Parker nodded. “We did at lunch.”

  “I should probably apologize. Trust me, it will be the first of many.”

  “I didn’t exactly try to stop you.”

  “Parker—I—had a fun time with you last night. But I think my sister is probably right. That’s all it was.”

  He nodded. “We’re both kind of rebounding.”

  “I’m rebounding; I’m not sure what you’re doing. Mauri said you lost someone.”

  Parker nodded. “Four years ago.”

  “I’m sorry. Tell me you’ve dated since then?”

  He shook his head.

  “Really?”

  “I know. I’m a mess.”

  “You are a mess, Parker.” She moved up to him as both just automatically embraced. “A hot mess.”

  “What are we going to do?”

  “You tell me?” Her lips met his.

  It took only a moment before he needed to be tasting Christie’s tongue again; and only a few more before his hand was on her ass and her fingers were unbuttoning his jeans.

  6

  A t 2:00 AM the ship’s interior was night lit with festive decorations. Dinner with Mauri’s family had been casual and fun earlier in the evening, but now everyone had returned to their rooms except for Parker, who’d somehow found himself in Christie’s cabin.

  God, the woman could kiss. This time he’d fucked her screaming into his mouth. Christie was beautiful when she was coming. He needed to make her come. He’d lain in bed watching her sleep afterward. Sore and empty between his own thighs, he’d quietly dressed back into his briefs and jeans again and left the cabin to wander the decorated Christmas-lit decks.

  This was getting out of hand. He’d only met the co-ed yesterday and now the two of them were acting like newlyweds. He was pretty sure this wasn’t going to last. At some point the whole thing was going to somehow blow up in their faces and both of them were going to get hurt all over again. Christie was right about one thing however—the two of them together were totally a hot mess.

  The dance clubs were still open. The music was just as loud and annoying as the people moving in and out of them. Parker wasn’t feeling very festive at the moment. He wandered up to another deck to escape the noise and found a pub with a still open door; although, all of the chairs had been set on top of the tables for cleaning. He wandered into the place and up to the bar anyway.

  “Closed?” Parker asked.

  The bartender turned around. “Two minutes ago. What would you like?” he smiled.

  Parker returned his smile with a grin. The guy was tall, like himself with the same trimmed scruff but darker hair. His eyes were what caught Parker’s attention the most. Piercing blues like nothing he’d ever seen before. The guy looked a lot like himself, broad-shouldered with a thin waist. His tanned skin and dark hair reminded Parker of someone who might be Latino but, then maybe more Middle-eastern ancestry. He didn’t know. He had a calming, smooth voice as well.

  “Nothing, actually. A Coke maybe.”

  “Sure.” It took only a few moments for the bartender to set a large glass of the soda with ice and a black straw in front of him. “You’re up late again.”

  “Again?” Parker looked at him curiously.

  “I saw you last night in the aft lounge with your friend. People leave glasses there all the time. I have to go pick them up. She’s pretty cute.”

  “Yea. Too cute.” Parker took the stool he was standing next to and drew a long drink from the glass. The bartender said nothing as he dry toweled a mug.

  Parker reached into the small pocket of the front of his jeans and removed the gold band with the fine diamond inlay.

  A soft whistle floated from the lips of the bartender.

  Parker smirked.

  “Let me guess? She’s loaded and proposed to you with that?” he nodded at the wide men’s band Parker turned in his fingers.

  “No. Nothing like that. It was a gift from someone else. A few years ago.”

  �
�She proposed to you?”

  “Yea. In a manner of speaking,” Parker grinned.

  “You didn’t marry her?”

  “She—passed away, before I could.”

  “Oh. Jesus,” the bartender backpedaled. “I didn’t mean to open my big mouth. I’m sorry.”

  “No. Don’t worry about it. I’m over it. Mostly.”

  “Sure you are.” The bartender smirked. Twisting the towel around inside the glass.

  Parker met eyes with him. “Doesn’t look like I am, does it?”

  The guy behind the bar shook his head.

  Parker sighed.

  “You—ah. You want to talk about it?” The bartender put away the glass.

  “Not really.”

  “I’m off as soon as I close and lock those doors,” he pointed to the front entrance of the pub. “I usually head up to the pool after work to unwind. There’s never anyone up there this time or year, or night.”

  “Thanks. I’m not sure I’m up for a swim at 2:00 in the morning in forty degree weather.” Parker grinned.

  “Suit yourself. A soak in the hot tub might help clear your head. It does me.”

  “Thanks. I’ll think about it.”

  “I’m Brayden, by the way.”

  “I saw the name tag.” He shook his hand. “Parker.”

  “Well, Parker. I’m out of here. You know where to find me if you want to talk.”

  “Sure. Thanks for the Coke.” Parker slipped off his stool.

  “Parker,” Brayden set the still mostly filled glass of soda in the sink. “Just so you know. That ring you have? This isn’t the first time I’ve seen one of those.”

  Parker’s brows lifted, his eyes staring at the bartender’s for long moments.

  7

  P arker found himself on the outside aft deck of the ship, standing beside a huge illuminated hot tub in a cold wind without a jacket and without a swimsuit. He watched as Brayden snagged a couple of dry but cold towels from a cage rack and then began untying his dress shoes and removing his socks.

  “You’re really going to get undressed in this weather?” Parker looked around the very empty pool area. Steam was rising off the lighted waters, but no one else was on the deck.

  Brayden unbuttoned and slipped out of his satin branded black work shirt, folding and laying it neatly onto the deck next to his towel. Parker was suddenly impressed. Good grief the guy was cut, a lot deeper than he was. He’d obviously spent time in the gym. Parker smirked watching Brayden undoing his work slacks and then slipping them off until he was wearing just some white cotton bikini briefs. The lower half of Brayden was just as thick and cut as the upper; and he was doing a not so bad job of filling out the briefs that covered his front and backside. Was Parker really that enamored with how Brayden’s fully rounded glutes were only half covered by the designer briefs? Brayden folded his pants onto the deck and then slip into the slowly churning, steaming warm water.

  Parker knelt by the edge and immersed his fingers into the pool. The water was definitely a lot nicer than the air above it.

  “You should come in for a dip, Parker. You’ll freeze to death out there.”

  “I want to know more about my ring.”

  “So do I—”

  “You said you’d seen one like it before?”

  Brayden immersed himself to his neck and leaned back into the chair, a warm jet pushing water against his back. “I’ve seen a few of them, actually. Three or four times.”

  “People wearing them?”

  He nodded.

  Jesus it was cold out on the deck. This was going to be a short conversation if he didn’t find a jacket.

  Brayden watched Parker slipping off his casual shoes and then stuffing his socks into them. He drew off his shirt and laid it neatly onto the loafers. Already his nipples were standing on end as he unbuttoned his Levis and stepped out of them. It was fifty-fifty whether or not Parker wore jeans commando or with underwear. He was glad he’d put some on now, but he wasn’t sure if the thin white material was going to stay opaque once it got wet. Probably not. He’d worry about that later. It was freakin’ cold at the moment and the only thought on his mind right now was slipping into the warm water.

  “Better?” Brayden watched him sink down to his neck.

  “Yea.” Parker nodded. “This is really nice.”

  “Told you.” Brayden grinned at him.

  “You do this every night?” Parker moved to a seat next to Brayden’s, feeling a jet of warm water pulse against his back.

  “Almost.”

  “So you’ve seen a few of these rings?”

  “I have, Parker. Usually on really nice-looking people; a couple of guys and a really hot blonde once.”

  “Were they together? Like a family?”

  “No. All different trips. All of them preferred hanging out in the pub. I talked with a few of them.”

  “What were they like, these people?”

  “Nice looking, like you. Intelligent. Nice to talk to. They tipped well.”

  “Do you remember any names?”

  “I don’t, Parker. I see so many people. Even if I thought I remembered someone’s name it would probably be me just thinking I remembered their name. But I never forget a face. I can still see them in my mind’s eye.”

  “I wonder where they got their rings?”

  “I’m sure the same place you got yours.”

  “Carissa gave it to me. Just before she died.”

  “Sorry to hear that. Was it cancer? You don’t have to answer that.”

  “No, it’s fine. It was an accident. A truck driver ran a light. Hit and run. The driver never even stopped.”

  “Jeeze. Did they catch the guy?”

  Parker shook his head. “No. That’s what was so frustrating. Probably why I’m taking so long to get over her. No closure. I doubt they’ll ever find the guy who did it now. It’s been four years.”

  “That’s really sad, Parker; I’m sorry. I bet her family was devastated.”

  “I wouldn’t know. After the funeral they all just dropped me. None of them would even talk to me. Carissa and I dated for almost two years. I knew all of them pretty well.”

  “Wow. I can see why you’re so interested in these rings.”

  Parker closed his eyes and relaxed into the waters churning around him. Brayden was right, the warm water was practically melting him into a puddle. “What about you?” he asked.

  “Me?”

  “Yea. You look like an underwear model; but you’re tending bars on a cruise ship?”

  “You should talk, Mr. Perfect. Why aren’t you modeling?”

  “Because I don’t look like you.” Parker smirked.

  “A couple more days a week in the gym and you would. Easily.”

  “Is that what you do aboard ship? Hit the gym?”

  Brayden nodded. “For the last two years.”

  “I don’t know that I could live on a cruise ship for that long.”

  “It’s not really by choice, trust me.”

  “What do you mean? You can’t just leave?”

  “No. I mean I can, if I want to go to jail. It’s a bit of a short story with a bad ending.”

  “What did you do?” Now Parker was curious and for the moment forgot all about the rings.

  “I—” Brayden sighed with a grimace, “sort of stole some money from the cruise line. They found out.”

  “And you’re still working for them? Don’t they usually fire people for stealing from the till?”

  Brayden chuckled a half smile. “I wasn’t stealing from the till, Parker. I’m a CPA. I used to be an assistant controller in the company’s Victoria offices.”

  “Oh—” suddenly Parker was all ears in surprise.

  “My mom was diagnosed with cancer.”

  “Oh, no.”

  “Her doctor said he could save her, but Canadian Medicare said it had advanced too far for them to do anything about it. They denied treatment.”

  “S
eriously?! What did you do?”

  “We got her private treatments, in Seattle. Until we ran out of money.”

  Parker nodded connecting the dots now. “So you sort of borrowed from the cruise line.”

  “I had every intention of paying it back. It’s not like it was millions.”

  “I guess they found out about it.”

  Brayden nodded. “Yea. Circumstances being what they were, they said I could pay it back. They wouldn’t report it to the police.”

  “What about your mom?”

  “She went into remission for about a year, but then it came back with a vengeance. She didn’t make it.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Yea. It was no fun. So now I’m stuck working on a boat for six years paying back my ‘loan’ from the company.”

  “Six years?”

  “It beats prison, Parker. Besides, it’s not a bad gig. They did have me working in housekeeping. The company didn’t want me working anywhere near money. But the captain’s a good guy. He thought I’d be better suited to bartending. At least I can keep my tips.”

  “Is that why you come up here?” Parker asked.

  Brayden closed his eyes nodding, lowering himself a little deeper into the water. “It helps me relax. It’s no fun being a prisoner. Even if you are serving the time on a luxury cruise ship.”

  8

  B rayden?” Parker left his seat and turned toward him, resting his knees on the bottom of the pool.

  “Hmm?” he watched Parker, his pecs half rising out of the water.

  “Have you ever tried to lookup where these rings maybe come from?”

  Brayden left his seat shaking his head, kneeling in the pool now in front of Parker. “I haven’t seen that many of them to take notice. I just noticed yours tonight.”

  “Sure,” Parker nodded. “I wonder who makes them?”

  “I guess we could look online.”

  “There’s an inscription on the inside of the band, but, I’ve never been able to read it. It looks like Hebrew or something.”

  “You’ve never tried to translate it?”

  Parker shook his head. “Honestly, this is the first time I’ve ever really thought about it.”