brother? I remember when you two were dating.”
Ivy nodded. “He’s a sweetheart. Back then, nice guys seemed so boring.”
Cherise went to her room and put away her clothing. When she finished, she walked into Ivy’s room, asking, “Have you looked at our itinerary yet?”
“We’re at sea all day tomorrow, and on Friday we’ll be in Malta,” Ivy responded. “On Saturday we go to Tunisia, and then on to Naples. I really want to see the ruins of Pompeii.”
“I promised Jazz I’d get lots of pictures for her,” Cherise said as she helped Ivy put away the children’s clothing. “I wish that she could’ve come with us.”
Ivy wanted to lie down with her daughters, so Cherise decided to check on her brother. She walked out of her suite and bumped into something muscular and solid.
“I’m so sorry,” she murmured, looking up. Cherise straightened and tried to act normal when she recognized that the fine piece of chocolate standing outside her suite was the man from the elevator.
“No problem.” He flashed a big smile that warmed her all over.
Their eyes met and held.
He’s fine…ooh this man is so fine…those big strong arms and his lips…
Cherise pushed away her lustful thoughts lest she actually verbalize what she was thinking. She cleared her throat awkwardly.
“My name is Steven Chambers,” he told her, holding out his hand. “It looks like we’re going to be neighbors for the next ten days.”
Grinning, she shook his hand. “I’m Cherise Ransom. It’s really nice to meet you, Steven.”
“I’m in the room right there,” he said, pointing.
God was really testing her by putting this man right across from her room. If Ivy and the children weren’t in the suite with her…
Cherise burst into a short laugh, then said, “I’m sorry. I think I’m a little giddy from jet lag.” She wasn’t about to tell him what she’d really been thinking about.
“It’s fine. I love to laugh myself.”
“Well, I guess I’ll be seeing you around,” Cherise said, then groaned inwardly. She hoped she didn’t sound like she was coming on to him.
“I hope so,” Steven responded. He gave her one last look of admiration before walking away.
This cruise was off to a great start, she decided with a grin.
He loved the sound of her laughter.
So far, so good, Steven thought to himself as he watched Cherise walk down the hallway away from the suites. He’d noticed her earlier on the elevator with another woman, and wondered if she was sailing with a friend or relative.
He had noticed that she wore no wedding ring on her left hand, but after what happened before, he wasn’t just going to assume she was single. However, Steven intended to find out the next chance he got. One thing for certain, he would be sure to run into Cherise on several occasions over the next ten days.
He had debated whether or not to take a cruise this year and was glad that he’d decided to do it. He had enjoyed his time in Barcelona, taking in the rich tapestry of the city where the past blended with the future. He found La Sagrada Família, the most ambitious work of Barcelona’s Antoni Gaudí, truly awe-inspiring. Steven had also visited Jean Nouvel’s luminous Torre Agbar, which was considered the most daring addition to Barcelona’s skyline since the first towers of La Sagrada Família went up.
Steven returned to his suite after a short stroll to locate the basketball court and the gym. He stifled a yawn and considered lying down for an hour before going down to the pool for a swim, but then remembered the emergency drill they were required to attend.
Steven picked up the novel he’d brought along with him and settled down on the sofa to read until it was time for the drill.
His mind drifted back to Cherise. He really wanted to have another conversation with her. Steven couldn’t put his finger on it, but there was something special about her.
“You look great, Cherise, so stop worrying,” Elle said, leaning against the rail. “C’mon, everyone is waiting for us at the pool.”
“Where is the baby?”
“With Daisi,” Elle responded, referring to her sister-in-law. “She can’t swim, so she said she’d watch Briana. Kaitlin’s going to take Chandler to her as well.”
As they stepped outside, Cherise beheld her surroundings. It was so amazing the way the sun seemed to wash the ocean in brilliant waves of color.
“Cherise, we haven’t been out here more than five minutes and you’re already getting stares from all of the men out here.”
Laughing, she shook her head. “You’re crazy, Elle. You know you’re the one they’re looking at.”
“I think it’s you.” She stopped walking. “Oh my goodness, I don’t believe it.”
Shading her eyes, Cherise followed Elle’s gaze. Standing nearby was a tall, slender man with a clean-shaven head and dark skin that seemed to glisten in the July sun. Even on his slim frame, muscles bulged everywhere. His swim trunks hung low on his hips. The effect was so devastating—so sexual. It didn’t seem fair. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on Steven’s body, and muscles rippled in all the right places. Her skin began to tingle.
“You know him?”
“Yeah. He did some architecture work for Brennen,” Elle responded. “I’ve only been around Steven a couple of times, but he seems really nice.”
“Elle, he’s the guy I was just telling you about,” Cherise told her. “The one I met in the hallway. His suite is across from mine.”
“He’s the sexy guy you were talking about? It’s a small world.” Grinning from ear to ear, Elle waved. “I guess he is nice-looking. I never really noticed before.”
Steven waved back.
Cherise ran her fingers through her hair. The thought of seeing Steven again made her nervous. “Well, you’re married to Brennen Cunningham—it’s probably hard to see beyond that man. He’s not exactly hard on the eyes.”
Elle cut her eyes at Cherise. “Have you been eyeing my man?”
“Only when you weren’t looking,” Cherise responded with a chuckle.
“Hello, ladies.” Steven’s deep, sexy voice greeted them as they walked up to him.
Elle reached up and hugged him. “I can’t believe you’re here. Talk about a small world. I was just telling my cousin that you and Brennen have worked together in the past.”
Never taking his eyes off of Cherise, he murmured, “It is a small world. Is Brennen here with you?”
“He
