9
They’d hada whole day to themselves, and it had been a welcome relief after the sessions of filming. No make-up, no cameras, no worrying that every move he made was being captured on film for reality TV junkies to get their fix.Did they even record onto film anymore?Evan could slouch in his chair, scratch his nose, fuck, he could probably scratch his balls, basically do whatever the hell he pleased. He sighed and lay back against the lounge chair, soaking up the warmth. He closed his eyes and let the world pass by as he drifted in that dream state halfway between awake and asleep. The scent of the ocean mingled with the occasional whiff of sunscreen. Music from the loudspeakers—current pop tunes—drowned out the distant buzz of conversation. Occasional bursts of laughter reminded him that others were around, but he basically felt as if he was in his own little relaxation bubble. The sun was warm on his skin, and he knew he should reapply the lotion, but his limbs were heavy and the pull of slumber strong.Just another minute…
The poolside activity on deck faded away, and Evan’s thoughts filled with Harry. Harry’s dark good looks as he sat across the table while they’d had coffee the other morning. Harry’s obvious excitement as he spoke about his career and the role he played in contributing to the success of the start-up. His smile. Harry running his fingers through his dark hair, further messing it up. He refused to think of the sexy tousled look having anything to do with being in bed, because that meant Harry being in bed next to— Too late.Bloody hell!Evan swore under his breath and opened his eyes. Just thinking of John, and worse still, picturing him and Harry together, was enough to snap him back to reality. Plus what the hell was he doing? Harry wasn’t his to fantasise about. What sort of friend am I? Evan hated cheaters with a passion. Fuck, it was one of the reasons he’d come on this cruise; he’d seen what cheating had done to poor Amber.
Disgusted with himself, he lifted his Kindle from where it lay on his lap, determined to get his mind off Harry. The latest political thriller should do the trick.
A couple of chapters in, and his thoughts were back to Harry, this time because John’s voice cut into his consciousness. He glanced up from the Kindle to see John standing at one of the tall round tables near the bar area, accepting a couple of drinks from the bartender. Unfortunately, John chose that moment to look over in Evan’s direction, and their eyes met.Damn!It was too late to pretend he hadn’t seen him, but Evan focused back on his Kindle regardless, hoping John would take his drinks and be on his way, or at least stay where he was. Even that little bit of distance between them was good. Unfortunately, John didn’t share the same idea, and before too long his shadow loomed over Evan. He took a deep breath and blew it out his nose before plastering on a smile and looking up. “Hi, John.”
“Evan, I hope I’m not interrupting.” John didn’t wait for a response, sitting on the next sun lounge before he’d even finished the sentence.
Where the hell are all the people when you need them?It was usually a dog fight trying to find a vacant seat near the pool. “Err… actually, I was just reading—”
“Great. You’re probably dying for some company then.”
“I’m at an exciting part of the story. Perhaps—”
“I bought you a drink,” John said, thrusting the tall plastic glass Evan’s way. “It’s Sex on the Beach. A bit tacky, but you know?” He tilted his head and smiled.
Holy shit! Is he flirting?“Um... No. I don’t know.”
“Or perhaps you’d prefer a Screaming Orgasm?” John winked. Not a fun and open humorous wink, but one full of innuendo.
Well, that answered that question.
Evan looked at the drink in John’s outstretched hand with its graduated shades of orange, garnished with a wedge of orange and a maraschino cherry. He didn’t feel he had much option, putting down his Kindle and taking the cocktail. “Thanks.”
“My pleasure.” John grinned, flashing his ultra-bright teeth. There was no doubt that mouth had seen a great deal of bleach.
Evan took a long sip of the fruity drink, studying John from behind his sunglasses while he did so. He came to the conclusion that John was actually quite good-looking, at least when he smiled—a genuine smile, not the fake grin that was usually pasted on his face. Evan didn’t much like the slicked-back hairstyle, and usually John’s haughty expression made him seem unapproachable, but right now, as he looked at Evan, the upturned corners of his mouth caused crinkles at the sides of his eyes, and he looked… human, not like his usual Ken doll impersonation.
“So, what brings you out here?” Evan asked in an attempt to be friendly. The guy had bought him a drink, after all.
“I needed to get out of the cabin for a bit. Thought I’d check out the scenery.” John’s gaze swept over Evan’s body, his intent obvious as he lingered over Evan’s torso. His eyes finally met Evan’s, and Evan frowned. John must have realised he’d been caught out and that Evan hadn’t appreciated the once-over.
Evan automatically reached for the T-shirt he’d left folded beside him. “Right. And where’s Harry?”
John shrugged. “I’m not sure. I think he was going to check out the library. That’s not really my scene, you know? There are a million other things to do on the ship besides reading. God knows why he wants to waste his time in there.”
Evan placed his cocktail on the small side table, laying his Kindle purposely beside it. John seemed oblivious that Evan had been reading, despite Evan even saying the words.Moron. He unfolded his T-shirt, preparing to cover his body from prying eyes. He definitely wasn’t a prude and certainly spent countless hours at the beach and mucking about in the pool in nothing but Speedos or board shorts, but for some reason John made him feel exposed. Even as he battled the T-shirt to turn it the right way out, he was conscious of John eying every movement.
“I can put some sunscreen on your back and shoulders if you’d prefer not to put your T-shirt on,” John offered.
“That won’t be necessary.” Evan was aware his tone was clipped, but what sort of guy offered to sunscreen another guy, at least without being asked? And didn’t John think Evan was straight? Even if he thought he was bi, he knew Evan was here with Amber. Hell, as far as John knew, he and Amber were together—a dedicated couple. John hitting on him was inappropriate on every level.
“I don’t mind. Honestly. It would be my pleasure.” John was already reaching for the lotion bottle.
“I said no!” Evan pulled his T-shirt over his head.
God, the guy’s a walking cliché, the perfect stereotype of a cheating partner.
When he opened his eyes, John was staring with wide eyes, but he quickly looked away and out to sea. Evan was pleased that he appeared uncomfortable.
“I’m going to head back to my cabin.” Evan stood and plucked his board shorts from the deck chair, quickly donning them along with his thongs.
“Okay.” John looked up at him.
Evan picked up his Kindle. “To read. You know?” He waggled the device.
