“Bria, so very nice to meet you.What an absolute pleasure to meet the siren behind the voice.”he said, his voice a rich, smoldering baritone.
When he reached for my hand, I braced myself for the heat.With the way his scent unraveled me, I needed armor.
His fingers were warm, his touch deliberate, and I forced myself not to swoon lest I tumble off the stool.He raised my hand to his lips and brushed them over my fingers.The air crackled with energy.
His self-assured expression faltered.
His eyes widened.Nostrils flared.
And in that instant, I knew—he felt it too.
CHAPTERTWO
DARIUS
The ship swayed slowly beneath my feet as I left my luxury suite to explore the decks of the Moonlight Siren.Might as well find some entertainment while I set my plan in motion for the week.If I could land the deal I wanted, it would be even more lucrative than the existing one I had with a smaller cruise line.
I had to make it look like I was on board for pleasure, not business.Although I didn’t see any reason why I couldn’t pursue both.
Stepping outside to cross the deck, I glanced at the pool and smirked.It was designed in a dragon theme with colorful tiles.
They clearly have good taste, my dragon said, smug.
A few dark clouds lingered after the rain earlier tonight, and wisps masked the bottom half of the moon.I could still feel the charge of the storm in the air.The scent of rain mingled with the salty tang of the sea.The deck above, dubbed the Gargoyle’s Perch, was designed for supernaturals like me who’d go for a flight, but that would wait.I wasn’t here for that.
The cruise line already served my rum, but we could partner on much more.With a routine excursion, they could dock at my island not far from their route here in the Caribbean.Passengers would come ashore, spend their time on the beach or tour my distillery, and spend their money on cocktails, cabanas, souvenirs, and more.They’d leave happy.I’d be richer.Win-win for everyone.
Then I heard her.
A woman’s voice—sassy, sultry, with a low edge that curled through the air and stopped me cold.I searched the waves first.Siren?No, it came from the ship, accompanied by the low sound of a piano.
My dragon edged up with interest.
Her voice drew me toward the Celestial Lounge.The moment I stepped inside, the world narrowed.Lights danced over a woman on stage, gold sequins gleaming as she shimmied to a playful, jazz-laced version of “Jingle Bells.”Her velvety smooth voice brushed across my skin, and my instincts sharpened.
Enchanted snowflakes drifted from the ceiling, glowing faintly blue before melting into the air.Their reflection haloed her dark hair in silver light.
And her curves—gods.My gaze roamed each one in that slinky dress that revealed smooth, bare shoulders I had the sudden urge to touch.Attraction hit hard and fast, every muscle tightening as I struggled to maintain control.
When her gaze swept the room and found mine, it lingered.She looked away, but not before I caught the flicker of heat in her eyes and the slight hitch of her breath.
She’d felt something too.
I watched, utterly entranced by this woman with the whiskey voice.My pulse pounded as if I’d flown through a gale.I had to meet her—but not like this, not while struggling for control.I forced my breathing even and schooled my expression back to neutral ground.
When her performance ended and the applause swelled, I made my way to the bar.
I introduced myself to the bartender with blue streaks in her hair and a nametag reading Kylie.
“Welcome aboard.What can I get you, Mr.Morand?”
“Please, call me Darius,” I said, not needing the formality.After pointing to the rum on the top shelf, I mentioned it was from my distillery and my recent partnership with the cruise line.
She nodded.“A popular choice.”
While she fixed my drink, I watched Bria receive her applause.She sparkled brighter than the snowflakes still melting midair.
“She’s got quite a voice, doesn’t she?”Kylie said, sliding my drink across a Moonlight Siren coaster.
