Sailing with My Sister’s Best Friend (Cruisin With Curves)

Chapter 2

Aurora

I pretended to sleep through the majority of the flight. Thankfully, it wasn’t that long. I was completely sure I hadn’t fooled Seeley, but he didn’t push. He just sat beside me and let me have the space I needed.

I was going to kill Darby for rearranging my flight. When she messaged me and told me Wade was having problems with the airline I thought she would still be able to get me there early enough for us to get on the ship together. Instead, she had sent over a ticket that didn’t leave until the day of our cruise with a note saying to expect a little surprise on the way. If I had known it would be her brother I would have found a flight myself, and not worried about the first-class upgrade.

Seeley moved in his seat and his shoulder touched mine. Damn, how was it that one touch from him could still send shivers down my spine? Those days were over. He made his decision, and it wasn’t me. Revisiting the past wouldn’t help either of us.

The pilot’s voice came over the loudspeaker letting us know that we were close to landing. I stretched out as if the sound woke me. I ignored the cough of laughter that came from beside me.

“Have a nice nap?”

“I did, thank you.” I gave him a tight smile.

“If you say so.” Neither of us said anything else until the plane landed and everyone clapped.

We taxied over to the gate and Seeley stood to get his bag. “Did you check your suitcase or carry it on?”

“I did both.” I moved to the edge of our seats. “I can get it myself.”

“No need. Just tell me which one it is.” His southern gentleman was showing.

I pointed to the soft pink bag across from us and tried my best not to notice how fit Seeley was. He had always kept himself in good shape, but his arms looked as if he had grown muscle on top of the muscle he already had. Not that he looked like some body builder. He just looked toned in all the right places. His dark brown hair still called to my fingers and begged me to run them through the back to straighten it. And his smell. I would recognize that scent anywhere. It was the same one I had given him as a gift back in the day. Why would he still be using that? It couldn’t be because he harbored any sentimental feelings about it or me.

“Ready?” He held both suitcases along with the bag over his shoulder and waited.

“I can take mine.”

“I’ve got it.” He nodded his head forward. Not wanting to hold up the people behind us I walked ahead of him and off the plane.

We made our way to baggage pick up, and waited for both our suitcases to arrive. I scrolled through my phone in an effort to keep from making small talk and Seeley did the same. The only difference was that he was actually looking at something important if I went by the look on his face.

My phone rang and Darby’s face popped up on the screen. I waved it to let Seeley know I was taking a call and then walked over to one of the corners so he wouldn’t hear me.

“Hello.”

“Hi there, peaches?” I really should have outgrown that ridiculous nickname by now, but Darby insisted on always using it. “Are you and Seeley here?”

“We just landed.” I informed her.

“Perfect. Wade, Aunt Kelly, and I are on our way to the ship now.”

That gave me pause. “I thought there was a problem with both Aunt Kelly’s ticket and mine.” I would have much rather flown down with Darby’s aunt than with her brother.

“Um.” She paused. “We were able to work somethings out with her ticket that didn’t work for yours.”

Her voice sounded off. “When did she get here?”

“That’s not important. What’s important is that we are going to have a wonderful time.” She skirted the question. “There should be someone with a sign waiting and we will see you onboard.” The line went dead.

I looked down at my phone with a shake of my head. What was Darby up to?

“Everything alright?” Seeley was standing beside me with all our luggage.

“Yes, just talking to your sister.” I told him.

His face fell. “Does she have another surprise for us?”

“Another surprise?”

He shook his head. “It isn’t important. Shall we go?”

“Sure.” I took my luggage from him and we found our way out of the airport to the waiting car and the guy holding up a sign with Seeley’s name on it. The ride to the ship was quiet. Both of us enjoying the sun and warm air of the season.

I was so glad that Darby didn’t book this trip during the summer. The heat would have been suffocating. November was still hot, but you could breathe without needing oxygen or sweating through your clothes.

“Oh, good lord.” I whispered when we got closer to the port.

You could see the tops of all the cruise ships standing beyond the buildings. They were massive and for a short moment, I had a touch of fear.

“Hey, you alright?” Seeley reached for my hand and held it. Flashes of memories I thought were buried rose to the surface. My fingers interlocked with his out of instinct.

“They’re so huge.”

“That’s what she said.” He joked. Despite the childishness of his words, I laughed. “Don’t worry, Rory. Everything will be fine.” He squeezed my hand and let go. No one other than Seeley ever called me Rory and the sound of it channeled its way back into my heart.

Shit, what was going on with me? This was not how this trip was supposed to start. I needed to get my head on straight and stay as far away from Seeley Adler as possible until we got back to the airport and flew home. Then everything would go back to normal.

MY CABIN WAS INSANE . Never have I stayed in such a comfortable and open space. Even my apartment didn’t feel as relaxing as the room on this ship. The queen-sized bed was almost as tall as me and the pillows were those wonderful memory foam kind. I would have thought the modern furnishings would make it feel cold and sterile, but it was just the opposite. And those windows. Sweet gracious. You’d have to pay out the ass for a view like that back in Atlanta. I could spin around in a circle and it seemed as if the ocean surrounded me at every turn. Literally, I could spend the whole cruise locked away, but Darby sent me a text letting me know my presence was needed on the upper deck.

I took my time changing into a cream-colored, flowing, gauzy shirt and skinny jeans. I also touched up my makeup and pulled my braids into a low ponytail. Just because I just flew down with him didn’t mean I couldn’t change out of my travel clothes and give him a glance at what he left behind.

I got a little turned around and had to ask one of the crew for directions in order to find Darby and everyone else. They were all gathered in the Stellar Sky Lounge. I put on a smile and walked over to the table where they were sitting. I didn’t mean to stare directly at Seeley, but my eyes couldn’t look away. Damn. He had changed also and why did he look even hotter than he had on the plane? Everything about him screamed at me to slide next to him and feel the heat I knew radiated off his body.

Darby raised her hand and waved me over. Time slowed as Seeley turned to face me as if we hadn’t just seen each other again a few hours ago. The intensity of his gaze went right through me and pulled at my heart the same as it always had. Moisture gathered in my panties, and I had to stop for a quick moment to remind myself that there was nothing between us. He had ruined his chance years ago. It didn’t matter how much I wanted to run my lips along his tanned cheek to his earlobe and pull it between my teeth. Those days were over.

Taking a long breath I straightened my spine, and continued toward them.

“Sorry, I went the wrong direction,” I said when I got close enough for them to hear me.

“Aurora Wagner, as I live and breathe.” Aunt Kelly got up and came toward me with her arms open wide. “You look like a vision.” She wrapped me in one of her signature hugs. “Honey, I just saw your momma the other day and she told me you’ve added a dance class at Soaring Youth Academy. That is just wonderful.” She pulled back with a smile.

“Thank you so much, Aunt Kelly.” I smiled back at her. All of Darby’s friends called her Aunt Kelly. She wouldn’t hear otherwise. “I’m glad the kids seem to like it. You can’t always tell these days.”

“Very true.” She laughed.

“What about your leg?” Seeley jumped into the conversation. His brows were drawn together in what I would have thought was concern before, but I now knew differently.

“It’s fine as long as I don’t do any jumps or grand movements.” I really didn’t want to get into the past. The loss still felt as if it was yesterday.

“Still, isn’t it better to be safe than...”

“She’s fine, Lee.” Darby cut him off. “And when did you become such a worry wart anyway.”

She had him. I bit back my smile. There was no way he could admit why he cared so much without telling her the truth, and I knew he would never do that.

“I’m just glad you are dancing again.” Aunt Kelly broke the tension. “You were always so graceful, and I know how much you wanted to be a ballerina.”

“Some things just aren’t in the cards.” I needed to change the subject fast. “So when do we set sail?”

“It should be really soon.” Wade told me. He stood and gave me a welcoming hug. “It’s good to see you again.” We had met when he came to help Darby move down to his home outside of Shreveport, Louisiana. It was a beautiful house and close to this town called Cherish Springs.

“You too.” I smiled at him.

I liked Wade. He was some kind of video game designer. From what Darby said he was really good at it. The two of them had met earlier this year on a cruise of their own. Since then the two of them have been tied at the waist. I think this was their third or fourth cruise, but the first one on Infinity Voyager. From what Darby told me, Wade was really excited to try a new cruise line and was glad we could all come along.

“Grab a seat Aurora.” Darby pointed to the only open chair at the table that just happened to be right next to Seeley.

I smiled and went over to sit down since there was no way I could refuse without making a big deal about it. Seeley stood quickly, and held the chair out for me.

“Thank you.”

“Always.” He took his seat beside me and, I’m sure I imagined it, pulled close to me.

“I’m just glad you are all here.” The wide smile on Darby’s face fell slightly. “When we celebrated Wade’s parents' anniversary on a family cruise it really hurt that we couldn’t do the same for mom and dad. Wade came up with this idea, and having you all here on what would have been their thirtieth anniversary means everything to me.” She wiped at the lone tear that fell.

“Your parents would be so proud of you.” Aunt Kelly reached over and took her hand. “They would be proud of both of you.” She smiled back at Seeley.

“Thanks, Aunt Kelly.” Darby patted the top of their combined hands.

I felt as if I was intruding on a private family moment. I remember when their parents died, but it wasn’t the same for me. This was about them.

I stood as quietly as I could and went over to the bar to get a drink so I could give them some space. I had just ordered my rum and coke when I felt him behind me.

“You didn’t have to leave.” Seeley’s deep voice cut through the sounds of the band and people standing around. I looked sideways to see his face right next to mine.

“I wanted to give you all a moment.” I took the drink from the bartender.

I turned slightly and found myself chest-to-chest with the only man who had ever owned and broken my heart. His gaze swept over me causing goosebumps to rise and the same desire he always brought forth.

“Are you really okay, Rory?” He had to stop calling me that. It made me want to forget everything except for when he was deep inside me, and the only thing that mattered was the feel of his body on mine.

“Don’t.” I gave my head a small shake.

“Don’t what? Ask how you are doing? Care about you?” There was heat to his tone. “I didn’t realize I got a choice in the matter.”

“You made your choice.” I reminded him.

A harsh chuckle escaped between his beautiful lips. “Funny, that’s not how I remember it.”

“That’s not my problem.” I pushed past him and rejoined the rest of our group.