“Sure. I’ll put it with Josh and Joanie’s invitation. We’ll have to get a photo of the two of us at a supper or something to balance the picture frame as a vacation memento.”
“It’s all yours,” I say as we step forward to sign.
“We’ll have copies for you before you disembark in Miami,” Captain MacLeod says.
“So, we’re done here?” I confirm.
“You are. Have a good night, folks, and thank you for sailing on the Tropical Wave.”
I bend and toss Melissa over my shoulder. I need to continue what our kiss started.
“Wade, what are you doing?” Joanie asks.
“I’m going on my honeymoon. We’ll see you in the morning. Maybe.”
Melissa throws kisses to them all the way to the door.
CHAPTER 3
MELISSA
“Well,Mr. Prescott, you got me to the door but not over the threshold,” I say when Wade sets me on my feet in the middle of the corridor. I’m glad the champagne has worn off; otherwise, my upside-down trip from the captain’s stateroom would have ended very differently.
“We have a decision to make. Where do we want to start our honeymoon, Trouble?”
“Definitely my room,” I say. “This dress has more layers than Shrek. Tammy helped me into it. I’m going to need a hand getting out of it.”
“Never let it be said that I didn’t volunteer to help a lady in need.”
I fumble my purse as I try to remove my key card. When Wade crouches to grab it, I swear I see Bob staring at me from down the hall. But when Wade stands again, my ex is nowhere in sight.
Wade opens the door and locks it behind us. I don’t blink. I’ve fantasized about him for years, but this is for real. All I can hope is that the real Wade measures up. I pull my highlighted, honey brown hair over my shoulder, exposing the criss-crossed ribbons holding the back of my dress tightly around my waist. Ifeel a gentle tug, and then I can finally take a full breath again. Warm fingers brush my spine before I hear the zipper whisper and feel cold air hit my skin.
“I’ll be right back. Make yourself at home.” It’s a squeeze to fit me and my dress into the tiny bathroom at the same time. Luckily, it’s simple enough to drop the gown to the floor, then pick it up and hang it in the shower. I take a minute to brush my teeth, fluff my hair, and check my make-up. I am a forty-year-old divorcée, and I look damn good. I’m not going to have any regrets. If it’s only one night with my temporary cruise husband, I intend to make the most of it.
I take a breath and step into the cabin. My strapless bra matches my fuchsia panties. I didn’t know what to expect on my first cruise, but I was determined to be prepared for all eventualities.
Wade has flung his jacket and tie over the back of a chair. He’s unbuttoned half of his shirt, revealing a smattering of coarse black and gray hairs across his chest. He looks at me and freezes. “Goddamn, Trouble, you really are making our wedding night one to remember.”
I move toward him, but he holds up his hand. “How are you?”
“Fine,” I say, confused.
“I’m asking you, how drunk are you?”
“The champagne wore off half an hour ago.”
“Are you sure? It matters.”
I love that it does. But he’s put my wedding night on pause, and I’m not having any of that. “I wouldn’t drive, but I’m in full control of my faculties. I promise.”
“Thank fuck. You look delicious.”
“And you look overdressed.” I take another step and grab the hem of his shirt. I pull it apart and the last three buttons pop open until his entire chest is exposed. “I should get some condoms. I’m not going to want to stop once we get started.”
“Trust me, I have that covered.”
And then he kisses me. This time we don’t have an audience. I barely notice him weave his fingers into my hair, but he brings it to my attention when he clenches his fist to hold my head still while he plunders my mouth. Wade is all heat and whiskey and I’m drowning in it.
