Page 5 of Not that Sea-Rious

Marissa

W ith mussy, short red hair, crystal-blue eyes, and a tight beard close to his face, Beau titillated Marissa.

There was something about that smile he offered.

A hint of reluctance—maybe mystery. Marissa couldn’t put her finger on it, but she got the sense he didn’t dole these looks out often.

However, with the limited information she had, she’d decided she definitely wouldn’t kick him out of bed.

How many daiquiris had she had?

No matter. They were on vacation, far from home, and she’d always had a thing for redheads. She could absolutely have impure thoughts about the fella sitting beside her at the roulette wheel offering her blue chips and smiling.

But wait. He only suggested that because he intended to leave the table. At least, at first. It’d be hard to flirt with him if he fled. Thankfully, he stuck around.

Unfortunately, that meant no blue chips for her. Oh well. The sacrifices she made for Carolyn on this trip wouldn’t end here. She was sure of it.

“What are you drinking?” the bride-to-be asked, grabbing his attention.

“Chocolate martini,” he answered.

The group tossed their chips about the table.

“Is it good?” Joyce asked.

“Like chocolate milk with some zest,” he said with a playful shimmy of his shoulders.

Marissa bit her lips together, stifling her snicker. It’d be rude to laugh at him. Not when he seemed genuinely nice.

“We all have to play my wedding date,” Carolyn declared before slapping at his upper arm. “You too.”

His brows rose. “Oh.”

“I’m sorry,” Marissa whispered.

He shrugged as he followed the women and placed a chip on top of the stack on the thirteen.

As the dealer launched the ball to spin around the wheel, one server approached.

“My turn!” Joyce shouted as she fumbled with her wristlet. “The whole table,” she began as she struggled with the zipper. “Everyone gets a chocolate martini. We’re going to switch it up.”

Finally, she produced her card and handed it to the woman responsible for bringing drinks.

“You don’t have to,” their new friend beside Marissa said as he pulled out his own room key.

Joyce held up her hand, preventing him from giving it to the server. “Don’t take it,” she ordered.

Marissa leaned in. Their arms brushed. Damn, he had some firm biceps. She wondered what they looked like beneath that T-shirt. “I fear you missed your window to escape.”

Offering a polite smile, he dipped his chin and tucked his card away.

“Thirty-six,” the dealer announced as he placed the glass marker down on the board.

The women released a collective groan as he swept all the chips toward him. No one hit. Not even a smidge.

Removing the marker, the dealer began sorting. “Place your bets.”

“Okay,” Tina said. “What’s everyone’s favorite number?”

As each person shared, she placed a chip down. After the bridal party went silent, all their eyes landed on the redheaded man beside Marissa. Idly, he fiddled with his chips for a moment, seemingly unaware they waited for him to join in.

Eventually, he glanced in their direction, did a double take when he met Tina’s eyes, and stammered, “Uh. What? Me too?”

“Of course,” Carolyn said. “We can’t exclude you. You’re at the table.”

“Oh, uh.” He furrowed his brows, wearing a slightly confused expression. “Thirty, but I wouldn’t recommend putting any chips there. It came out just before you all got here.”

“But you’re still playing it,” Joyce pointed out as she gestured to his chip.

He lifted his shoulders and made an “eh” sound. “It’s my number.”

Marissa pursed her lips as she placed a chip on top of his. “The ball could still land there. It doesn’t know when we saw it last, but let’s get creative.”

She had everyone’s attention. “Three and zero. That’s thirty.”

Her friends nodded as they leaned over one another to place their chips in the same spots.

Marissa eyed the man beside her expectantly. Would he play along? The dealer launched the ball and it whizzed around the ring.

“Sure,” he said and brushed against her as he placed his bets. A zing shot through her chest from their contact, and she inhaled sharply.

Dismissing the sensation, she lifted a brow when she noticed where he placed his chips. “Why are you putting them on the lines?”

“Spreading the wealth. Basically, playing more numbers with one bet.”

Marissa shrugged and followed along, crowning his chips with hers. What’s the worst that could happen? She’d be out ten bucks? Oh well. She’d spent more on less.

As the ball tinked around, the dealer waved a hand over the table. “No more bets.”

The group leaned closer over the wheel.

What were the odds everyone at the table would win? Slim to none for sure, but the point wasn’t about winning money. They were there to have fun and make memories.

Dink . Tink . Tink .

The ball rattled as it landed in a slot, bounced out of it, and rolled over another one before settling in its spot.

No.

Fucking.

Way.

Blinking, Marissa couldn’t believe her eyes. She had to be seeing things. How many daiquiris had she had?

“Zero,” the dealer announced as he placed the marker on top of the stack of chips.

Screeching filled her ears. The women threw their hands in the air before hugging one another. Marissa joined in on the hooting and hollering and wrapped her arms around the stunned man beside her without a second thought.

Together, the group celebrated their win as the dealer cleared the board of the losing chips.

“How much do we get?” Joyce asked.

“Weren’t you listening before?” Carolyn admonished. “Kenny says we can’t tally it yet.”

“‘There’ll be time enough for countin’ when the dealin’s done,’” Tina sang.

Joyce furrowed her brows. “He’s not even dealing ,” she said and immediately covered her mouth. She glanced toward the dealer as he doled out the stacks. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. What I should’ve said is that you weren’t giving us cards.”

The dealer smiled. “It’s fine.”

As the server arrived and handed out drinks, Carolyn eyed the man beside Marissa. “This better be good,” she threatened.

Chuckling, he raised his hands. “I didn’t order it for you.”

Carolyn narrowed her eyes as she brought the glass, drizzled with chocolate syrup, to her lips. Collectively, the group held their breath, waiting for her verdict.

It was definitely bad form to piss off the bride-to-be during her bachelorette party, but Marissa supposed the guy was aware of that, and considering he shifted with them, he seemed as concerned as the rest of them.

Carolyn’s eyes widened, and her face brightened. “It’s phenomenal. I’m not drinking anything else on the ship.”

The group let out a collective breath of relief as they each took a turn sipping their drinks.

“Thank you so much for recommending it,” Carolyn said before pursing her lips. “I’m Carolyn, by the way.” She jutted her hand toward him.

“Beau,” he said, accepting it and offering a brief shake.

The group went around, introducing themselves before the dealer announced, “Place your bets.”

Beau. Marissa had never met a Beau before. She liked how it sounded.