Page 1 of Shipwrecked

Chapter One

Jules

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

I watch in disbelief as my ex, Darren, strolls onto the yacht with Mathieu, the French student. He transferred into my Arts group for our final year and has the most perfect curly blond hair and soulful dark eyes. My then-boyfriend had admired Mathieu any time they crossed paths. I didn’t get mad because I’m pretty sure I was more attracted to Mathieu than him, so I couldn’t throw stones in that scenario.

This scenario, however?

Beyond our yacht, the Thai pier is coming to life, spaces filled with pleasure yachts like the one I’m standing on, service boats, and local fishing vessels. It’s early morning, but the sun is already beating down hot on the back of my neck.

My friend Seán looks up from the deck. “What?” He’s crouched down, coiling rope. Safety something. He graduated the year ahead of us, and I booked with his new touring company for a private holiday to celebrate the end of our exams.

“Darren’s here.”

“Yeah? You knew he was coming.”

“Not with someone.”

Seán peers towards the cabin as Darren and Mathieu duck inside with their bags. “How do you know they’re together?”

“Because I do.” I would have to have been an idiot not to see how Darren laughed in delight at anything out of Mathieu’s mouth. All the while growing increasingly irritated with me, no matter what I did. Apparently, being optimistic or trying to look on the brighter side of things was fake and tiresome. As if Mathieu wasn’t a certified ray of sunshine.

“Whatever. It’s not like he’s an angel, is it? And—what on earth is that?” I stare in horror at the old man who has just come up from the maintenance doorway leading below deck. He’s wearing the bright orange uniform of Seán’s company, but that’s not what has me reeling towards my friend. “You said your assistant for the trip was going to be your hot cousin?”

“I did not call my cousin hot.”

“But you did say he was coming,” I groan. “I have to watch my ex flirt with Mathieu, and I don’t get to check out your cousin?”

Seán’s nose scrunches as his eyes slide past me. I follow his gaze over my shoulder, expecting to see an offended, doddery old man. Instead, I see a broad chest. I have to tip my head back to find a face.

Hot cousin.

Grey eyes, bright as a storm. A wonderfully shaped mouth. Dark, wavy hair, currently tucked under a white baseball cap. His forearms are covered in ink, all the way up to his short shirt sleeves. Every time we’ve met, I’ve wondered how far the ink goes. I wonder the same now.

“Jules,” he greets.

“Cillian.”

“Hot cousin, if you like.”

I shut my eyes and rock back on my heels. Kill me now. “I meant it in a respectful, non-objectifying way.”

I’ve never even talked to Cillian beyond simple greetings. I met him a few times and was so horrendously attracted to the man that I refused to engage in small talk. I was in a relationship, and talking to someone so physically attractive felt…I don’t know. Iffy.

“I see.”

“Excuse me, I’m going to go throw myself overboard.” I leave them sorting the equipment. Following after me is a deep chuckle that warms my neck. I’m fanning my shirt as I duck into the main cabin and stumble into Darren and Mathieu. They’re setting their bags down next to mine against one of the walls. Voices drift through the open door leading to the back of the boat.

“Jules?” Darren sounds surprised. “I thought—didn’t you say—I thought you weren’t coming?”

Did he not see me when he came aboard? He was that engrossed in Mathieu?

“I booked and planned the entire trip.”

“Yeah, but you mentioned…” Darren trails off and slides his attention back towards Mathieu. He smiles, all charm. The performance turns my stomach. “Back in a second.” He takes my elbow, fingers gripping hard enough to sting, and steers me back out on deck, towards Seán and Cillian. I plant my feet.

“What?” I pull my arm from his grip.