Page 15 of Cruise in Love

As soon as they stepped inside the lift, the doors closed. Immediately, she felt a strong wave of awareness at the close proximity.

“I prefer being at the bottom,” she said.

He looked at her with a slight raise in his eyebrow and his mouth twisted into amusement. A moment later, her cheeks heated realizing how her words could be misconstrued.

“I meant the floor!” she snapped. “I prefer the lower middle floor so I don’t feel seasick.”

He continued to look amused. “Have you been seasick before?”

“No.”

“Then how do you know you’ll be seasick?”

She was annoyed by his assumption.

The lift stopped on the topmost floor. They stepped out and he led them towards the double doors that said ‘Owners’ Suites’. He scanned the card again, which opened the doors to a wide, quiet corridor. The carpet was plusher and large expensive art pieces and paintings decorated the walls of the corridor in between the cabins. Even though the corridor was wide enough, she once again felt the buzzing awareness.

He stopped in front of a gleaming polished wooden door and scanned a card before pushing the door open and stepping inside. She followed him.

The cabin suite was stunning.

From every room, she could see panoramic views of the blue ocean. And the suite was much larger than what she had expected.

It had a huge separate living room and bedroom with attached running balconies on both. There was also a full bathroom attached to the living room and a kitchenette area with a small sink, shiny appliances and a dining set. She could see a small dining set in the balcony as well. Along with the large sofa, there were three more comfortable-looking chairs, side tables and a coffee table in the living room. The décor was stunning and once again it looked more like a luxury star hotel suite. Shiny wallpaper and art decorated the walls and she could see and smell the fresh flowers placed in the gleaming gold-colored vases next to the sofa, on the kitchenette marble counter and on the indoor and outdoor dining sets.

She wanted to explore more, but the looming presence of Aarav Rathod and the strong awareness made her feel conscious.

“I’m tired. I would like to rest for a while,” she said before going towards the bedroom.

Much to her annoyance, he followed her.

“I told you I want to rest!”

“Then rest,” he said before he stepped into the bedroom.

Before she could blast him, she realized he was systematically checking all the places within the large bedroom. One side of the bedroom had a slanting wall with floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking the ocean. The other side had an attached balcony. He looked under the king-size bed, and then went into the walk-in closet area before getting into the bathroom inside. He then came out and opened the wide French doors to the attached balcony and stepped out. She could see that there was a hot tub on the balcony and two lounge chairs. But he barely glanced at them. He was looking below the ship and then he walked the length of the balcony which was nearly the length of the living room and the bedroom. When he stepped back in, he was frowning.

“The balcony can be accessed from the suites below as well as the ones on both sides,” he said.

Her heart thudded. “You are scaring me unnecessarily,” she said. “Dr. Pathak is worried about me, but I doubt if any of those people who broke into the lab will have access to this cruise ship.”

Aarav gave her a long look. “Those were just the minions. The person behind wasn’t the one to break into the lab. That person could still have other paid minions sent to get you.”

She shook her head in denial. “They were looking for some papers in my lab. What can they possibly want from me when I’m on a cruise?”

“That is for you to speculate while staying safe.”

She let out an exasperated breath. “I will of course stay safe! I just don’t need you to protect me!”

She knew she was repeating herself, but her point was once again ignored by the jerk.

“Give me your schedule,” he ordered.

“What schedule?”

“The schedule you must have planned for the cruise.”

She raised her chin slightly. “This is my vacation. I didn’t plan anything as I intend to relax and do things when I feel like it.”

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