“I’m fine, too, Mr. Morrow,” Cassian said. He threw back the last bit of his whiskey and then leaned forward, extending his hand with the snifter. “Here, take this, though, so that I won’t have to keep holding it.”
James’s eyebrows shot up. Now was his chance. Quickly, he shoved his hand into his pocket to retrieve the note. Keeping it in his palm, he moved to take back the tumbler and somehow transfer the note to Cassian. But he couldn’t manage it. Instead, the note fell to the floor, and then, horrifyingly, Mr. Calbot bent over to pick it up. Fear shot through James’s heart, and he sucked in a breath.
Dear God, the man had better not read it.
Mr. Calbot’s eyes flitted between James and the note once, and then he handed it back.
“Here you go,” he said simply. But then the moment James took the note from him, Mr. Calbot’s face fell and his eyes flashed with something unreadable. He looked back and forth between James, Cassian, and the Goddamned note. “Or maybe this was meant for Mr. Livingston?”
“I... uhm...” James inhaled a shaky breath. He was a writer. Surely he could think of something. “I scribbled down some plot ideas. I wanted Mr. Livingston’s opinion on them.”
“Oh, right, we spoke about that earlier,” Cassian said, snatching the note from James’s hand.
“So, if you could read those... soon...” James checked the closest clock. “Just, well, within the next half hour or so.” He cleared his throat. “Because I have a short reprieve from work at one o’clock. And I thought that I could maybe start my next chapter then. Do you think that would, ah, be enough time for you to look things over?”
“Plenty,” Cassian confirmed. He flicked his wrist, signaling James to leave. “You can resume your work, now, James. I’m sure I’ll manage to find you when you’re free.”
Heart thudding, James turned to leave. He hadn’t a clue how Cassian seemed to constantly remain so relaxed and composed in these situations, but fucking hell, he admired him for it.
***
April 14, 1912
1:10 p.m.
James’s entire body was tense as he waited for Cassian in the temperate room of the Turkish Bath Complex. Hands hooked behind his back, James kept rocking forward onto the balls of his feet, praying that no one else would request his services before Cassian arrived. Only two other men were in the complex right now, both of whom were relaxing in the steam room. One of themhad requested that James bring him an extra towel, but otherwise, he hadn’t needed to help either of them.
After one more minute of waiting, Cassian finally appeared in the entryway. Immediately, James’s chest swelled, and a smile split his face.
“Good afternoon, sir,” he said, fighting to keep his excitement contained. “Are you familiar with the bath complex? I’d be more than happy to offer you a tour.”
“No need,” Cassian replied. “I’ve visited the complex a few times so far, though only to make use of the swimming bath.” He took a couple of steps forward, stopping just shy of James’s reach. “Actually, I’ve been feeling a little stiff. Do you happen to offer massage services?”
Eager excitement bubbled in James’s chest.
“Yes, we do. I’d love to provide one for you, if you’re interested.”
“Oh, I’m interested,” Cassian said with a smirk. “Extremely interested, in fact.”
Heat flooded James’s cheeks.
“Cassian!” he whisper-scolded.
Chuckling, Cassian shrugged. James blew out a breath.
“Well, sir, if that’s the case, then we can make use of one of the Shampooing Rooms. You can change in one of them after I fetch you a pestemal,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”
Cassian nodded cordially, a smile still pulling at his lips. James left to procure him the robe and returned moments later. Afterward, James showed Cassian into one of the Shampooing Rooms, where he would give the man a massage. James waited outside patiently, his heart pitter-pattering fiercely, as Cassian changed.
Soon, James went inside. Once they were alone, Cassian immediately pulled him in for a kiss, and James melted into it. Cassian’s fingers twisted in James’s hair, and James pressed his palms flat toCassian’s chest, relishing the feel of Cassian’s chest hair beneath the silky fabric of the pestemal.
After they parted, they kissed their foreheads together.
“Clever man,” Cassian purred. “Oh, I love how resourceful you are, my James.”
“Shhh...” James hushed him as his stomach swooped from the compliment. “I’d rather not lose my position with the White Star Line if someone overhears.”
“No one else is within earshot,” Cassian said. “Even the other stewards working the bath complex right now are over by the pool. Don’t you trust me to check on these kinds of things before showering you with praise?”
