Page 11 of Not that Sea-Rious
Marissa stuffed her hand in a pocket.Then the other.She patted her ass, and Beau swiped his tongue along his bottom lip.
“Shit,” she hissed.“I think I left my room key at the roulette table.”
Twisting in his hold, Carolyn cooed.“Ooh.It’s okay, honey.We’ll just go back and get it.”
Struggling to keep his grip on her and prevent her from smashing her face into the wall, Beau glanced at the other women.
Tina stepped up.“Come on,” she said, taking hold of the bride.“I’ll tuck you in.Marissa, do you want me to go with you after I get her to bed?”
“I’ll do it,” Beau said.
The two sober women turned their stunned expressions to him.
“What?”Did they miss how he was a nice guy?
Marissa, hesitating slightly, chewed on her bottom lip as she gazed up at him through her lashes.
Between her innocent expression and the flush in her cheeks, which could be from the drinks or some sort of embarrassment related to losing her room key, she was adorable.The urge to comfort her surged through him, but he kept it at bay.That would definitely come off wrong.
“Give me five minutes,” Tina said as she pushed the heavy cabin room door open.
“No!”Carolyn gripped the frame.“It’s not bedtime yet.It’s too early.”
Beau fought back a laugh.Five minutes his ass.
Waving a hand, Marissa sighed.“No, it’s alright.”Her attention returned to Beau.“You’ll walk with me?”she asked.
“Absolutely.”He turned slightly and placed a hand on his hip so his elbow was out, offering it to her.“I shall escort you, m’lady.”
Snickering, she accepted and rested her hand in the crook of his arm.“Good, because I wouldn’t know how to get back here if I tried.I’d be roaming the ship for the rest of the trip, trying to find our room.I have the worst sense of direction.”
Beau clicked his heels and tipped an imaginary hat.“I’ll be your guide and keep you safe.”
Tina rolled her eyes and finally shoved Carolyn into the room.“Be good, kids,” she called before the door slammed behind her.
7
Marissa
Howcouldshebeso stupid?Marissa silently cursed herself as she walked through the halls with a jaunty Beau.She couldn’t help but laugh at his antics.He walked with a stiff posture, his chin high and his eyes straight.It felt like she was being escorted to some sort of ball despite being dressed in jeans and a T-shirt.
When they returned to the table, the dealer had switched.The new person hadn’t a clue where her card went.They retraced her steps throughout the boat.While they found a bunch of cute little rubber ducks hidden in the alcoves, which they promptly re-hid, assuming that was part of the game, her room key was nowhere to be found.Giving up, they headed to the guest services desk.
With a fresh card issued, the pair stepped into the bustling foyer.At eleven thirty, the ship was in full swing.People were laughing, dancing along with a band, and drinking cocktails.Carolyn was right.Itwastoo early to go to bed, but if Marissa stayed out partying on her own, it’d be weird.Wouldn’t it?This was supposed to be a girls’ weekend.
Glancing over at Beau, she nibbled on her bottom lip.Did he want to hang around?He had to.Why else would he still be with her?Sure, chivalry and all that, but seriously, he didn’t look like he was ready to call it a night either.
“So, did you want me to take you to your cabin?”he asked.
There seemed to be a smidge of hope in his eyes, but for what?To be freed from her company or to keep it?
After swallowing any hesitation, since her nerves had the audacity to bubble up, Marissa decided she was on vacation.What were the odds she’d ever see this guy again?Well, pretty high.The ship wasn’tthatbig, but after they disembarked?Low as hell.
“Didyouwant to call it a night?”she asked, trying to appear nonchalant and confident, though she feared her words came out meek and slightly needy.
“Not really,” he admitted sheepishly.
Why did her stomach swoon?Also, why did he look guilty?Wait a minute.He never said who traveled with him.Not that she asked.She barely knew anything about him.
