“No worries,” I assured Devon.
We followed him to the table, and I noticed it was only set for four. Usually, the captain dined at a larger table so multiple VIP guests could be appeased at once. Maybe, he didn’t plan to join us after all.
An ice bucket was stationed by the seat I was directed to, and Devon popped the cork of the champagne before returning the bottle to the ice and heading back to his station.
“I thought cruises served food on buffets,” Emerson whispered, as she looked over the menu. “Isn’t that what everyone always says? They gain a ton of weight on cruises?”
“Would you prefer a buffet?” I asked, concerned I hadn’t taken her wants into account. “I apologize. I should have asked what you wanted to do for dinner. We can leave.”
“Chase,” she said, a small smile playing at the corner of her luscious mouth. “No. It’s fine. I was just making an observation. Besides, apparently, the captain will be coming to eat with us. It would be rude to abandon him.”
“He’s late,” I pointed out. “So really, who’s being rude here?”
“That would be me,” a voice said from behind me. “Chase, at least, allow me to apologize before you ruin my reputation with beautiful women.”
I stood and shook hands with Captain Jacob Pryor. He’d grayed quite a bit since I’d seen him last, and I had to remember to tease him about it later. I introduced Emerson, and we all sat down together.
“So, you two know each other?” she asked.
“Yes,” Jacob said. “We met a few years ago when Chase helped with the ship’s design. He wanted the captain to have input—which is smart but pretty much unheard of. That’s why he’s the best.”
“The best what, exactly?” she asked. “I thought you and your family built casinos.”
“I’m an architect,” I told her. “Lately, I do a lot of the business stuff for the firm, but design is where my heart is.” I poured her a glass of champagne. “Enough talk about my job. Let’s not bore Emerson, and besides, it’s Christmas, and we’re on holiday.”
The waiter came to take our orders, and as soon as he left, Jacob pulled Emerson into a conversation.
“Sir?”
“Yes, Marco?” I asked, surprised that the porter had come to find me in the dining room.
“There’s a problem with the bed.” He crouched down next to me. “The brackets appear to be broken, and we’re unable to separate them.”
“That’s unacceptable,” I hissed. “This will look orchestrated.”
“I know, and I’m so sorry. There are no vacant rooms on the ship. I’ve also contacted maintenance. They took a look, but they can’t fix it without possibly making the situation worse.”
Worse…as in no bed at all? Damn.
“So I’m not sure how you’d like me to proceed.” He looked worried, and he should be. I’d sworn not to force Emerson to share a bed with me.
“Can you supply a cot?” I glanced over to see Emerson laughing at something Jacob had said to her, and I couldn’t help smiling, despite my frustration.
“Well, no, sir. There’s no way to secure a cot.”
I turned back to him and sighed. “Fine. Please provide extra bedding, and I’ll sleep on the sofa.”
“I truly am sorry,” he said, standing back upright.
“It’s not your fault,” I assured him. There was no point in getting angry with the young man. He wasn’t in control of these things. But I did worry about Emerson’s reaction. I’d promised her separate beds, and now, instead of being apart but close to her at night, I’d be in a completely different room. I’d spent a small fortune to sleep on a couch. So far, this plan wasn’t going well at all.
“Is there anything else, sir?” Marco asked.
“Yes, actually.” I stood up and slid a fifty into his palm. “Thank you for ensuring the gifts were deposited where I requested. Did the wrapped parcels make it aboard?”
“They did,” Marco assured me. “On Christmas morning, we’ll have them arranged beneath the tree while you and Ms. Blake are at the sunrise breakfast.”
Right. The Christmas morning breakfast on a balcony practically hanging over the ocean. The one I absolutely wouldn’t force her to attend.
“There may be a change on our morning activities that day,” I told him. “Can you have them delivered while we’re on the excursion Christmas Eve instead?”
“Of course.” He nodded. “Thank you, sir.”
“Thank you.”
I sat back down and Emerson turned to me.
“What did Marco need?” she asked.
“He was informing me that the sleeping arrangements were…being taken care of.”
She gave me an odd look, but I just shook my head, indicating we’d talk about it later. No need to bring the captain into our strange events.
Dinner was wonderful, and we all managed to keep the conversation light and fun. Jacob regaled us with stories of sailing around the world on a city-sized ship, Emerson shared her shock at winning a trip from her company, and I did my best not to stare at her in a way that would make her uncomfortable. But it was difficult to tear my gaze away.
She was really here. And by the end of the week, I knew without a doubt, she’d really and truly be mine. Forever.
After dinner, Jacob excused himself, kissing Emerson on the cheek and shaking my hand before heading off. I offered Em drinks, but she declined. I could see exhaustion taking its toll on her, so I led her back to the room.
She kicked off her shoes and went to deposit them in the bedroom. When she returned, the heels were still in her hand and her eyebrow was cocked.
“There’s still only one bed,” she said.
“Right,” I agreed. “Well, that’s what Marco came to tell me. They can’t separate them, after all.”
“You promised—”
“I know. And I’m sticking to it. I’ll sleep on the sofa.”
