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“I haven’t fucked her, or anyone else for that matter.” His deep voice is thick with emotion as his eyes dart to mine for a beat before landing back on the road.
I quickly realize he’s talking about Cassie. It’s as if I can feel the years of pain and agony in his glare, emotions that I’m far too familiar with.
What is he trying to tell me? Has he not been intimate with another woman in years?There’s no way.
He doesn't give me a chance to respond as he cranks up the volume even louder than before.
I turn to gaze towards the window as I watch the snow and clouds fade away as the memory of that night replays in my mind. I close my eyes, watching it all come to life like a movie.
TEN
Three Years Ago
Skylar
“Well, that was a lovely dinner, but I think we’re going to call it a night.” Claire, Elliot’s mother, flashes a knowing grin at her husband.
“Yeah, I’m beat after today,” Mark chimes in. “You kids have fun tonight, though,” he smiles, agreeing with his wife.
“Let’s all meet up in the morning around nine for breakfast. Sound good?” Mark adds.
“Sounds good, Dad,” Everett responds. He clasps his hand on Mark’s shoulder before glancing between me and Elliot. An unnamed emotion flickering in his sapphire eyes.
“Have fun tonight, we’ll see you guys in the morning.” Claire smiles softly, reaching for her husband’s arm. Her heels click against the marble floor, and her glittery dress shines like water as they retreat back to their room.
It’s formal night on the seven-day Caribbean cruise we’re on, which is why we’re all dressed in our finest clothes. However, Elliot’s sleek, professional look is nothing new to me. I see him in a suit and tie almost every day at the office. Business professional is the norm for him.
But Everett.
Oh my God, Everett.
It’s only been a few days since I first met him, but I know this is not his usual attire. The best way to describe Everett’s style is a mixture of earthy with a little hint of hipster. In other words, he could pass for a rugged mountain man that lives on the west coast of California.
I’ve only seen him wear plaids, loose button-downs, white t-shirts, jeans, and Chuck Taylor’s. Maybe it’s because I’m used to seeing men in three-piece suits every day that I find his style so attractive.
The first time I saw Everett, I immediately thought he was handsome, but nothing could have prepared me for him in a suit.Absolutely fucking nothing.Even his suit style is polar opposite from Elliot’s all-black ensemble.
Everett’s long legs are fitted in charcoal gray slacks, paired with a matching jacket. His lean leg muscles demand attention, flexing with each stride he takes. When we were at dinner, I had to force myself to look away each time he casually leaned back in his chair, exposing the way his slacks deliciously hugged his spread thighs.
The first few buttons of his white dress shirt are undone, revealing his tan chest and defined collar bones. And his hair…God, don’t even get me started on his hair. His honey-brown locks are usually messy, but tonight they’re slicked back, still loose enough for the wavy strands to flop onto his forehead.I have to fight the urge to lift my hand and brush the loose curls away.
When his ocean eyes narrow in on me, my breath hitches as I realize I’ve been caught staring. He runs a hand across the light stubble on his cheek, flashing his pearly whites in an arrogant smirk.He knows.He knows he’s hot as fuck. And he knows that I know it.
I keep telling myself that the attraction I feel for Everett is purely innocent. Even though I have a boyfriend, I can still appreciate a good-looking man. I’m sure there are plenty of beautiful women on this ship that Elliot finds attractive, but that doesn't mean he’s going to go and try to jump their bones.
My gaze snaps to Elliot, praying like hell he doesn't catch on to my ogling. My worries are put to rest when I see him staring down at his phone, giving his full concentration to the email he’s reading.
“Looks like the two of you are distracted for very different reasons,” Everett smirks, nodding his head toward Elliot.
Kill me now. Throw me over the side of the ship.
“Huh?” Elliot asks while typing out an email at the same time.
“You texting your other girl or what?” Everett scoffs, finally catching Elliot’s attention.
“Shut the fuck up,” he snaps. “A high-profile client just emailed me. They need an estimate on a mortgage loan as soon as possible.” He runs a hand through his hair. “Fuck, I have to take care of this tonight.”
Tonight?
