Page 30 of Not that Sea-Rious

Beau

“H ey,” Tina greeted Beau. “Oh! Wow!”

Her eyes widened as she marveled at the arrangement of multicolored flowers he’d brought for Marissa.

He’d had them delivered to his room so he could officially offer them to her.

Not that he thought anyone else would send flowers to their room, but on the off chance Carolyn’s fiancé, Tina’s wife, or even Joyce’s husband did something nice, he didn’t want there to be questions.

This bouquet was from him, and it was meant for Marissa.

Tina stepped aside, and Beau entered the room. The scent of Marissa’s sweet perfume hung in the air as though she’d recently sprayed it. It delightfully combined honey and musk, offering rich spicy notes. He really liked it. Perhaps he’d ask her about it.

Would it be weird if he bought a bottle and spread it on his pillow or something when he got home?

Yes. It would absolutely be strange.

He wouldn’t do that. It’d be best to not even ask—let it go.

With the clunk of the door shutting behind him, he stopped in the center of the room and shifted his attention to the woman in the pink hibiscus dress, and his jaw nearly hit the floor.

Holy sweet baby Jesus.

Marissa was beautiful in a T-shirt and jeans. He adored her in the bathing suit and life vest while they were swimming with dolphins. Hell, even the lacy black number she wore dancing didn’t prepare him for this sight.

She embodied magnificence.

“Whoa.” The sentiment slipped past his lips as he extended the arrangement toward her.

Her smile tugged at his chest. His heart skipped a beat as she smoothed her hands down the length of the flowing skirt of the dress.

“You like it?” Her question had to be rhetorical. There was no way she doubted how sexy she looked.

“You’re stunning,” he answered anyway.

Dipping her chin with pink cheeks, Marissa fiddled with her earring.

Carolyn stepped forward. “These are beautiful,” she said as she accepted the flowers for Marissa.

“Maybe she should’ve gotten him a boutonniere,” Joyce murmured.

He drew his brows together. “What?”

“Nothing.” Marissa approached him, took his hand, and intertwined her fingers with his. She fit perfectly. “Just something we were talking about earlier. Nothing to be concerned about.”

“You two kids behave.” Tina waggled her finger at them playfully.

Beau chuckled and squeezed Marissa’s hand.

“Have her home by ten,” Carolyn chimed in.

“You can at least give her until eleven,” Joyce said.

Shaking his head, he glanced toward the now ruby-red-cheeked Marissa. He’d miss these women when the cruise ended. Their levity had worked wonders on him.

“I’m so sorry,” she mumbled.

“Don’t worry about it,” he assured her.

“No, seriously,” Carolyn said from behind them. “I want you two at karaoke tonight in the piano bar.”

Tina bumped the bride-to-be’s shoulder.

“What?” Carolyn glared at her. “I do.”

“Let them have their night,” Tina insisted.

“We’ll be there,” Marissa assured as she pulled open the door.

“But don’t wait up.” Beau winked.

Marissa shook her head, but she laughed. When would he ever have this much lighthearted fun again?

On the highest deck of the ship, in a secluded area, accessible by a lone elevator, Beau escorted Marissa to the fancy steakhouse on board.

This was the finest restaurant available to the passengers.

It was a step above the main dining room, and so he’d been told, about five leaps and bounds from the food available at the buffet.

There was no one he’d rather enjoy this experience with than Marissa.

The ma?tre d’ greeted them with a warm smile before escorting them to their small table against the wall of windows overlooking the expansive ocean. A large full moon reflected over the sea. The sparse clouds added to the ambiance and didn’t take away from the exquisite view.

The room was dimly lit with what Beau supposed was to be romantic lighting. An electric faux candle flickered on their table beside a small floral arrangement.

The hostess pulled out Marissa’s chair for her and then offered the menus. She reviewed where the wine list was and explained their server would be by shortly. When she left, Beau licked his bottom lip and peered over his menu at his date.

She skimmed her options, seemingly oblivious to his appreciation of her. She was absolutely radiant. The view of her, with the glow of the moon in her hair, had him captivated. His chest pinched because this was the final occasion where they’d see each other.

“Are you in the mood for a cocktail or wine?” she asked as her soft chestnut eyes glittered in his direction.

For their last night, he wanted to have all his faculties. They’d drunk themselves stupid this past weekend. While he’d had the most fantastic vacation of his life, tonight was different—special. He wanted to remember every moment.

“I dunno.” He shrugged, skimming the list of wines.

Not having something to drink would seem off, considering their history. He’d have to control himself. Beau was a grown-ass man, and despite the previous evenings with Marissa, he was sure he could show some restraint when necessary. One drink should be fine. He could totally do that.

“I’m probably going to have steak tonight, so maybe a merlot or cabernet sauvignon,” he said.

She lifted her brows and grinned. “Oh, Mr. Fancy Pants.”

He grinned, enjoying the effortless banter. “What about you?”

She hummed and pursed her lips. “I don’t know. The martinis we had the other night were pretty good, but if you’re going to be all prim and proper…”

“Get what you want,” he reassured. “We’re celebrating.”

She arched a brow and lowered her menu. “What exactly are we rejoicing about?”

“The best vacation of my life.”