In Front Of Me E-Book

Mary E. Thompson

• Herausgeber: BluEyed Press
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Beschreibung

A new job, a new life, a new city. Paige thought she’d be starting over with her ex, but instead he dumped her, leaving her to start over alone. She doesn’t even have her best friends with her. But they have one more trip together before they all go their separate ways. Five whole days of sun, water, and a sea of men to admire. 
Dante is happy to get a break from his ex and the constant reminder that she traded up. A trip with his family should have been the perfect distraction to refocus on his career and get his head straight. Until he sees her. 
The spark between Paige and Dante brings them together for five days of fun, but they agree it’s better to end things with the trip and go their separate ways. 
Paige’s first day at her new job ignites that spark all over again when Dante is not only in the same city, but at the same company. They pretend they don’t know each other, but what happened on deck doesn’t always stay on deck.

Leseprobe

IN FRONT OF ME

LOVE ON DECK

BOOK ONE

MARY E THOMPSON

In Front Of Me

Love On Deck, book one

Copyright © 2013 Mary E Thompson

Cover Copyright © 2020 Mary E Thompson

Cover Photo from depositphotos, Copyright © michaeljung

Published by BluEyed Press, All Rights Reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. All characters, businesses, locations, and events are either products of the author’s creative imagination or are used in a fictitious sense. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

ISBN-13: 978-0-9899954-0-5

Created with Vellum

CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Epilogue

About the Author

1

PAIGE

I hear the beeping but don’t know where it’s coming from. All my boxes are still packed, but somehow my alarm is set. Brooke stirs on the futon and kicks Tiffany, who yelps.

The noise gets louder and more insistent the longer it takes to find the right box. In my desperation to stop the noise, I flip on a light. Finally, I locate the beeping package and dig out my alarm clock. Only six am. We don’t have to be up for four more hours.

I turn the light off and crawl back to my mattress. The sheets tangle around me as I pass out again, returning to a dream hanging on at the edge of my consciousness.

A few hours later the sun streaming through the blinds shines straight into my eyes. When I roll over to block the light, I hear snickering and whispers and peek out from under my pillow.

Brooke and Tiffany are standing over me, phones in hand, snapping photos. I throw my pillow at them, and they squeal, backing away to review their work. “Y’all suck, you know that,” I cry at them, my throat scratchy with sleep I didn’t get.

The only response is their laughter peeling through the small space. Brooke Jeffries and Tiffany Wright are my two best friends. We were in the same University 101 class at USC (the original USC in South Carolina, not that other one in Southern California). We became quick friends and only got closer over the last four years.

It became our tradition to take pictures of each other sleeping when we were freshmen. Brooke and I walked in on Tiffany one morning in Hello Kitty pajamas, an old retainer, and her caramel brown hair rolled up in curlers. Brooke and I almost woke her up from laughing so hard; it was too much. We had to take a picture, and our ritual began.

I finally sit up and search for the sunlight, realizing it was only the flash of their phones. The sun has come up outside, but my first floor apartment is still dark, something I know I’ll enjoy on the weekends.

As I glance around my small studio apartment, I am proud of what I’ve done. It isn’t the greatest place in the world, but it’s mine. The boxes and suitcases littering the space remind me of the work I have to do before it feels like home, but at the moment, I am enjoying that I did it; I have my own place.

I stretch my arms to the ceiling and pat at my snarled hair, wishing for the millionth time I’d had the guts to cut it all off. My chocolate brown hair hangs to the middle of my back, but the waves make it wrap together and leave it tangled most of the time.

Jason loved my hair. He always wove his hands through it when we were together. He tugged at it when we made love and pierced my neck with kisses, pulling my hair from my face so he could control me.

I shake my head and wipe at my neck to stop the phantom sensation of his kisses. It has only been a month since he broke up with me. He is going to grad school in Arizona. Long distance is hard, but I was willing to try. Jason on the other hand... he is more interested in finding someone, or multiple someones, at his new school to fill his needs. What an ass.

Today, I think to myself, is a fresh start. We are leaving for our graduation cruise in a few hours. Tiffany moved home to New York after graduation but is back for the trip. We have one last week together before we head in our different directions.

I roll off my mattress and cross the room to the kitchen to start the coffee maker. The delicious smell overwhelms the room, waking me up even before my first cup. Good coffee is always a priority, even if the place I live in could use some help. I dig three mugs out of the box on the counter and rinse them in the sink. We each pour our cups, and I reach for the French vanilla creamer and add two spoons of sugar. I like mine extra sweet with a little coffee inside. I plop down on the futon with my friends and look at the pictures they took of me sleeping. I have to admit, they are pretty funny.

“So, Tiff, what do you have planned for us today?” I ask her. As the planner of the group, she designated herself to organize shore excursions and keep up with onboard activities. I think she knows the cruise itinerary better than the cruise director.

Tiffany pulls out a green folder from her charcoal messenger bag. Her dark brown eyes light up as she looks over the schedule she has all planned out for us. It always makes me laugh that she gets so excited by order, but it definitely works out for me since I never plan anything.

“Today is boarding. So we will leave here at ten. Check-in is until four this afternoon, but I want to be onboard long before that. There aren’t a lot of activities planned for today since the crew is getting the ship ready to leave, but we can get settled in and learn our way around the boat. Our evacuation drill is at four-thirty, and we go to dinner at six-fifteen. There is a show tonight, but I figured we would just hang out instead of trying to cram too much into our schedule.”

Brooke meets my eye as Tiffany continues pouring over her schedule. We break out laughing at Tiffany not wanting to schedule too much. Brooke doubles over in laughter, her blonde hair bouncing around her face as she struggles to catch her breath. I catch the look in Tiffany’s eye and laugh even harder. She is trying to be mad, but she knows spontaneity does not suit her. After a minute, she joins in our laughter.

I look at my friends and realize why we’ve always worked well together. Tiffany is the brilliant one, organized and methodical. She is going to make a great teacher. Brooke is the calm one, always keeping her cool and helping us to relax, definitely a trait for a psych major. And then there’s me, the wild one. I live with my heart, which is probably why it’s been broken so many times.

But not this trip. This trip is all about fun. I’m going to drown my sorrows in as many free drinks as I can get, flirt with as many hot guys as I can find, and have amazing rebound sex. I vow to return from this trip a new woman, free from Jason and his damn hold over me.

I knew it was a mistake to tell him we could stay friends. He’s from Charleston, South Carolina, which, of course, is the reason I wanted to move here after graduation. I figured if I was here when he finished grad school it would be an easy choice to move back home so we could be together.

When he told me he didn’t want to see me anymore, he actually said he wanted to be friends. God, I was a fool so I agreed. He’s been in Charleston since graduation, but as soon as I moved here he called me. At 2 am. After he’d been at a bar all night. And he wanted a booty call.

And stupid me, I didn’t figure it out until he snuck out early the next morning.

So, I was done. No more booty calls for him. I am going to get him out of my system on this vacation, even if it kills me.

I push Jason from my head again and turn back to Tiffany and Brooke. Tiffany lifts her short brown hair from her neck and rubs at a kink I’m sure she got sleeping on my futon for two nights. The sunlight catches the caramel color and jealousy sweeps through me. Tiffany is one of those women who is effortlessly beautiful. Her natural caramel highlights and darker undertones make her hair shine. Her deep brown eyes bring you in and provide comfort before you know you need it.

Tiffany turns her chocolate gaze to me, a look of sympathy in her eyes, and I inexplicably feel better. It’s like she knows I was just thinking about Jason. I know this is going to be a great trip.

We take turns in my tiny bathroom getting ready. I slip on my lavender triangle bikini under my clothes so I am ready for the pool as soon as we get on board. I throw the last of my things into my suitcase and zip it up.

We lug our suitcases outside to meet the waiting cab. The ride to the cruise terminal is short, but it would have been too far to drag our bags. We climb out of the car, retrieve our luggage, and head toward check-in.

Once we are on board we go straight to our room. Tiffany studied the map ahead of time and leads the way straight there. We drop our carry-on bags off in the room and go exploring. We are on a great floor, about midway up the ship, but not too loud. We chose an inside room so we could sleep any time we want, but we drooled over the suites with private balconies. Maybe one day we will be able to afford one of those!

Brooke and Tiffany go off in search of the spa, but I am only interested in the pool. Boarding only began two hours ago, but the pool is crowded. I find one of the last vacant chairs and settle in, enjoying the sun and the view from behind my dark sunglasses.

I notice three gorgeous guys watching me. They are in the pool, splashing each other and trying to catch my attention. One dunks another and flashes me a grin intended to send panties running. I can’t help but smile at him and am rewarded with another grin before he disappears under the water, compliments of his friend. The water looks good so I head for the pool to take a quick swim. The water is warm but refreshing. My three admirers watch me swim but don’t approach me.

I give them a small wave and smile before climbing out of the pool. The water slowly drips off me, and I squeeze my hair and twist it up, letting the twist fall out and my hair drop over my shoulders again. The guys are watching me, but I turn and walk back to my seat, knowing they’ll come to me eventually.

When I return to my chair, he is sitting in it.

An Adonis if I ever saw one, this guy is H-O-T. His eyes are closed so I take my time admiring him, wondering if he could be my amazing break-up sex. He could make me forget my own name, let alone that jerk who dumped me.

His dark hair is cut long, just enough to brush against his black eyebrows. I trace my eyes across his face and notice his chiseled jaw and perfect bow shaped lips framed by dark stubble that makes him look rough and that much sexier. Watching his lips part as he exhales makes me want to press my lips to his and drink in his breath.

His well-defined arms are resting behind his head, giving me the chance to fantasize about those arms wrapping around me. They look strong enough to hoist me up, and I nearly lose my balance at the thought. His biceps jump as I watch him, but his eyes stay closed. I wonder if he’s asleep.

Continuing my tour, I admire his strong chest and rippled stomach, and every tight muscle around. He has a fine sprinkling of dark hair that thickens as it dances below the vee cut in his hips and under his charcoal gray shorts. Those legs definitely belong to a soccer player, strong and lean, and I imagine them tangled with mine.

I gather my nerve and gently kick the edge of the chair. One eye pops open, and I almost drown staring into an eye that matches the green of the ocean under the boat. He shields the sun from his beautiful face and takes his time looking me up and down. My body shivers from the obvious appraisal. The corner of his mouth turns up and he asks, “Can I help you?”

What a loaded question. I steel myself not to jump him here on the pool deck and instead say, “You’re in my chair.”

“Sorry, I didn’t see a name on this one, but I’m willing to share.” He smirks up at me, raising one eyebrow in question, waiting for a response.

I cock my head to the side and wonder if he’s serious. Before I catch my breath, his head turns at a woman calling out a name. He grins up at me and says, “Well, it’s your lucky day. Duty calls.”

He slides off the chair and brushes past me, running a finger down my arm as his green eyes pierce mine. I collapse onto the chair he’s vacated and breathe his name, “Dante.”

2

DANTE

Why does she have to be here now? That woman is gorgeous. I could feel her staring at me before she kicked the chair, but it felt good to be admired. And then she showed up.

“What’s up, Mom?” I ask when I get closer.

“Hi sweetie, I just wondered if you wanted to join us for lunch. Dad and Mikaela are already headed to the buffet.”

I love my little sister, so I agree. I could definitely do without the parental attachment, but Mikaela is pretty awesome as far as sisters go. This whole trip was her idea, and I want her to have a good time.

I glance back to the stunning woman I just walked away from, but she isn’t looking at me. Her eyes are fixated straight ahead, on some college guys trying to impress her in the pool. She is laughing at them. My blood pounds in my ears. Why am I jealous?

I peel my eyes from her tiny bikini and endless brown hair, knowing I will dream about those chocolate eyes. Even though I was only lucky enough to look into them for a moment, they mesmerized me. I shrug my shoulders and tug my shirt over my head then follow Mom to the buffet.

Even on vacation Dad looks every bit the part of a lawyer. Dressed in his khaki shorts, pressed into perfection, and his navy blue golf shirt, he’s wearing his reading glasses and has pockets stuffed with business cards and, of course, a pen. He bores us with stories about work through lunch. He is still trying to convince me to move back to Tennessee and join his law firm. I know until I make a living with my art, he won’t give up, if even then.

Mom peppers me with questions about Shannon, questions I don’t want to answer. I tell her we are taking a break because I can’t bear to confess that she cheated on me with our boss. It’s hard enough seeing them every day, but I don’t need to get the pity from Mom, too. This trip is supposed to be a chance to relax, not live out my embarrassment. I am not about to give in and tell Mom the truth so I dodge her questions artfully. Twenty seven years has taught me something.

Mom gives me a knowing look, the kind only a mom can give, but she doesn’t press for more information. I can tell she’s working hard at relaxing, already in her sun hat and bathing suit, covered with a cotton dress for the dining room. Mom would never be caught in a bathing suit away from the pool, even on a cruise where nearly everyone else is.

As soon as I get the chance, I turn the conversation on Mikaela, my eighteen year old sister. She just graduated from high school, giving me plenty of ammunition to unload question after question on her. I ask her about graduation parties, summer plans, and college. She enjoys the attention and goes into excruciating detail, but at least the focus is off me.

After lunch I tell them I’m going to go for a swim and take off for the pool deck, hoping she’s still there. I find her chair from earlier, but there is another woman in it now. I scan the crowd and the pool but don’t see her. I tell myself this is a small boat, and we’ll cross paths again in the next five days, hoping it’s sooner instead of later.

I dive into the pool and cool myself off. June in Charleston is always steamy, but thinking of that woman from earlier, and her lavender bikini that just teased me to untie it, makes it even hotter out here. I swim a few laps and climb out of the pool. After grabbing my shirt and flip flops, I walk off toward my room.

Mom and Dad sprung for a suite for Mikaela and I, and another one for them, so at least I have a little space to myself. It would be nice to have my own room, but the trip was free so I won’t complain. I duck into the bathroom for a shower and let the room fill with steam. I think about the brunette, and wish I knew where she was on the ship.

I pull on a pair of plaid shorts and a green golf shirt. I frown at my reflection and the ‘boy next door’ in the mirror. It looks like I just stepped off a golf course, but then again, this is Charleston. I dig back into my suitcase and find a plain white t-shirt. I pull that over my head and leave it untucked. Much better.

I step into my flip flops and reach for the door as it swings open toward me. Mikaela dances inside and throws her arms around me. “I’m so glad you came with us, big brother. I didn’t think you would. After I leave for college I know I’m not going to see y’all much, and I really wanted to have one last trip as a family.”

Any other person would have thought Mikaela was drunk, but I know better than that. She always loved dancing and will hum her own tune to move to when no one is looking. We’ve always had a tight bond, despite our nine year age difference. I peer into her dark brown eyes and realize my little sister isn’t so little anymore. I tell her, “I’m glad I came,” and as the words leave my mouth, I realize I truly meant it.

Mikaela is easily my favorite person. She knows I could never say no to her so when she decided to take this trip, she wouldn’t let Mom call me. She called me herself and asked, and I had to join them.

Now, as I dance around the room with her, I see the woman she’s becoming. Her brown eyes are just like my mom’s, but her thin frame and height come from my dad. Her auburn hair has a little bit of both our parents in it, dark undertones from Dad and garnet highlights from Mom. Mikaela is going to break a lot of hearts.

I know I’m going to need help this trip begging off questions about Shannon. I share my story with Mikaela who agrees to distract Mom if it gets too bad. Then she gives me a conspiring look and says, “You know, there are a lot of gorgeous women on this ship. Maybe you could find a new girlfriend?” Her eyebrows dance above her eyes at me.

I can’t help but laugh at her and reject that notion. “This trip is about you, not me. I’m just glad to get away for a few days. It was getting suffocating at work with Shannon there every day. I’m not looking to dive back into a relationship all over again.”

My mind flashes to the woman from the pool, and I know I would do anything to touch her. I push the thought from my mind, but not quick enough. Mikaela picks up on my expression and teases, “You already met someone didn’t you? Dude, that was fast!”

“Don’t be crazy. I didn’t meet someone. There was just a woman at the pool. But I don’t know who she is. It’s nothing.”

“Nothing doesn’t stop you in your tracks. I know that look. I’ve seen it once or twice over the years. I’ve waited for someone to look at me like that.” Mikaela pouts and reminds me of when we were kids. All she had to do was make that face and I was in trouble. Something tells me some other guy will be in trouble when she makes that face at him one day.

“You are my baby sister, and no guy is allowed to look at you that way,” I tell her, knowing what that look means.

“Whatever, I’m 18. I’m not a kid anymore.” Mikaela rolls her eyes at me.

I raise my eyebrows and know she’s right, but it’s hard to admit. The idea of her doing the things I want to do with that stunning brunette is... it’s unthinkable. She’s my baby sister, even if she is eighteen. I push the thoughts from my head and tell Mikaela I’m heading out to find something interesting. She reminds me about our dinner time. I tell her I’ll meet them outside the dining hall fifteen minutes before our seating time, then walk out the door.

I wander the cruise ship for the rest of the afternoon. I tell myself I’m not looking for her, but I know I really am. I finally give up at dinner time and take the stairs down to the dining hall. I quickly find my parents and Mikaela in the crowd, near the front of the line. I fall in with them as the doors are opened for the guests to find their assigned seats.

At our table is an older couple, close to Mom and Dad’s age. They are enjoying their twenty-fifth anniversary on the ship. Mom starts talking to them, immediately falling into easy conversation. The women talk about kids, relationships, and jobs like they’ve known each other forever. Mom is definitely one of those people who has never met a stranger.

I feel her before I see her. Like a rush of fresh air, she breezes into the room, and her eyes lock onto mine. She’s pulled her long hair up off her neck with tiny curls peeking out all over. Her dress is as tantalizing as her bikini earlier. The light fabric brushes her skin with every step, and I am mesmerized by her walking straight toward me.

Her dress makes me imagine all the ways I could get her out of it. As she gets closer to me I take her in. She’s wearing silver heels, likely bringing her to the right height for kissing. Her long lean legs are already tanned and disappear under the soft lavender fabric, almost the exact same color as her bikini that tempted me earlier. Her hips sway with each step. Her thin waist gives way to her bouncing breasts that pull the fabric tight, and I can see she’s not wearing a bra.

The thin straps of her dress disappear behind her, and I get lost in her neck. A neck that I want run my tongue down. Her smile is focused straight on me, and the sparkle in her brown eyes tell me she is more than happy to be admired.

She pauses behind my chair and dips at her waist. Her breasts dangle against my shoulder, sending a shock through my entire body. Her lips brush my ear as she leans into me and whispers, “At least I know you won’t steal my seat in here.”

As quickly as she arrived, she is gone. I wonder if I imagined her talking to me, but I can still feel the heat of her breath against my neck. I turn to see her taking a seat at a table behind me. She’s flanked by two other women, almost as beautiful as she is, but not nearly as dangerous. I tear my gaze from her and see the guys from the pool earlier sitting across from her, drooling into their waters.

She laughs at a joke I don’t hear and turns her head toward me. She blows me a kiss, and I almost fall out of my chair. Her focus returns to her dinner mates, and I pull myself away, looking back at my own table. Everyone is staring at me, mouths hanging open. Mikaela is the only one who speaks, “I thought you said you didn’t meet anyone.”

3

PAIGE

What are the chances Dante would be seated right next to us? At least I’ll get to see him every night, now if only I can turn it into a regular thing outside the dining room.

Tiffany and Brooke are gawking at me but play it off before our dinner mates notice. Brooke nudges me under the table and raises her eyebrows. Dante looks just as shocked as Brooke is that I blew him a kiss, but he returns his focus to his own table.

The guys sitting across from us are hot. They were flirting with me at the pool today. I considered trying to hook up with one of them, but sharing a table at dinner, that can get messy. I just want someone to help me forget Jason. I don’t want someone who is going to track me down after these five days.

Brooke and Tiffany are totally into Jeff, Greg, and Bob, our dinner mates. It looks as though they’re preparing to pair off, but I’m not going to have that. By the time we’re finished with dinner, Brooke and Greg are talking about grad school, Tiffany and Bob look like they’re getting to know each other, and Jeff is trying to capture my attention.

Just before everyone gets up, I tell them I need to go check on something in our room and bolt. I barely catch the disappointment on Jeff’s face, but I don’t stop. I need to get out of there before he thinks he has a chance.

I make a beeline for the elevator. It’s only three floors down to our room, but my heels are starting to cut into my ankles. They look hot, but, man, heels can be uncomfortable.

I’m grateful that I only have to wait a minute for the elevator to open in front of me. I step into the empty space and breathe a sigh of relief that Jeff didn’t follow me, and that I’m alone for a few minutes. The doors start to slide closed, but at the last second, a hand reaches in and shoves the doors apart.

“Dante,” I breathe. I was hoping he would follow me, but didn’t expect it.

He gives me a questioning look and asks, “How do you know my name?”

“I heard your mother calling you at the pool earlier.”

His cheeks turn crimson at his embarrassment, but he steps inside anyway. The doors slide closed, and we are completely alone. The electricity between us sparks the air. I peek at him from under my lashes, and he turns to me. I’m not shy and damn is he hot.

I lunge at him, catching the surprise in his eyes just before he closes them. He catches me easily and lifts me off the floor quickly. His lips push me back to the other side of the elevator. My hands pull at his shirt, and he reaches down to my ass. There’s no tension, no hesitation, just pure passion between us.