AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’d like that,” he admitted. “What changed your mind?” he asked.
“You did,” she said. “Spending the morning getting to know you was nice. I learned that you’re not some creep who pays a woman to have dinner with him.”
“Was that the first impression that I gave you?” he asked.
“Unfortunately, it was,” she said. “I hate that I have to admit that, but you kind of freaked me out with the whole paying-for-a-dinner companion thing. I guess that’s why I wasn’t very nice to you. But this morning, I saw a different side of you, and I have to say, I liked it. I like you, Bowie.”
“Good to know, because I kind of like you too, Eden,” he teased. She smiled and nodded as the dining room door opened.
“First course,” Jen said, smiling between the two of them, causing Eden to roll her eyes. Jen quickly left the room and Bowie tried the appetizer.
“Mmm, that’s really good”.
“I’m sorry about my friends. I think that they are going to make this weirder than it needs to be,” she said.
“I don’t feel that this is weird at all,” Bowie admitted. “I mean, I get why you do. You have to continue to work with the crew and I don’t. But I appreciate you having dinner with me, even if it will make your work environment feel, um—weird.”
“My pleasure,” she said.
They talked through dinner, only stopping when Jen came in with their next course. When the night was over, Eden found herself wishing that it didn’t have to end. But that would mean going back to Bowie’s cabin with him and the whole crew watching her take the walk of shame in the morning—the whole crew and her father which was a terrifying prospect to her.
“You’ve been quiet for a whole five minutes and you didn’t laugh at any of my stupid attempts at jokes. Are you okay?” Bowie asked.
“Yeah, I just think that I’m overthinking all of this. It’s been such a lovely night, thank you.”
“What are you overthinking?” he asked. Yeah, that was what she was afraid of—him asking her a question that she’d either have to lie about or give him the truth. Eden wasn’t sure which was worse, lying to Bowie about thinking about spending the night in his cabin or admitting it out loud to him.
“I was thinking about what happens next,” she admitted.
He reached across the table and took her hand into his. It was the first time that he had touched her and God, it felt right. “Nothing has to happen next, Eden,” Bowie whispered. “Well, I would like to kiss you goodnight, and then, I’ll go back to my cabin and think about how great tonight was.”
“You’re not making this any easier,” she admitted.
“I’m sorry,” he breathed. “Would it be easier on you if I admitted that I want you to come back to my cabin with me so that I can kiss you good night and good morning?”
“No,” she grumbled, making him laugh. Nothing about this felt funny to her, still, she couldn’t help her smile.
“You are a very confusing person, Eden,” he said. Right now, she would agree with him. She felt more confused by the second and her heart was racing—not a good combination.
“You make me feel things, Bowie,” she admitted. “Confusion is just one of them.”
“Good to know,” he whispered, pulling her against his body. “Spend the night with me, Eden,” he asked.
“Bowie,” she breathed, “that’s not a good idea.”
“I understand,” he whispered.
“But,” she said, “I’ve never been very good at making decisions. I’d like to spend the night with you, but it can’t affect our working relationship. In the morning, I’ll be your employee again, and you’ll have to accept that.”
“Will you have dinner with me again tomorrow evening—if you don’t have any other plans?” he asked.
She looked down at her body and back up at him. “Um, I’ve worn the only dress that I have on the boat,” she admitted. “I don’t usually have a reason to be out of uniform. I’m afraid that the rest of my clothes are very casual.”
“How about we have casual dinners from here on out? I’d love to ditch the suit,” he admitted. Her brain was suddenly flooded by images of what he might look like out of a suit, and she stifled her moan. Bowie smiled down at her as if he could fully read her mind and she nodded her agreement.
“I’ll have dinner with you,” she agreed. “Can we let the chef know that we’re going casual? I’m sure that he’ll love to make fewer courses and I know that my waist would love that too.”
“Your waist is perfect,” he said, squeezing her close, “but, I’m good with casual from here on out.”
