“Morning,” he said, then kissed her mouth softly.
“Good morning,” she replied, face flushed. Then she glanced at the clock and her eyes widened. “Oh, we so missed breakfast.”
He grinned. “We were tired.”
A blush rose on her cheeks, making her even prettier.
“We’d better go reassure my mother we’re alive. I’m surprised she hasn’t come knocking on our door yet.”
“Beautiful, the way we left the dance floor last night, I’m pretty sure your mom knows exactly why we weren’t at breakfast.” Hell, if they hadn’t all guessed he’d dragged Alice off to ravage her immediately, they’d have to be idiots, or not paying attention. And Edna, he suspected, was paying attention and certainly anything but an idiot. A keen mind hid behind her joking attitude, and she seemed to see far more than she let on. Not a quality he normally found appealing in a human, but Edna was an exception to the rule. She was the mother he—everyone—wished they’d been blessed with.
The small flush on Alice’s face grew exponentially and he laughed.
“Oh God, they’re going to all be staring at us this morning. Cindy isn’t so bad, but Mom will—well, prepare yourself for some really awkward commentary.”
“I can handle it if you can.”
She grinned at him. “We should probably get going soon then, before she comes to check on us to amuse herself.”
“I think we should talk first,” he said, and her grin faltered.
“Do we really need to talk?” She looked at her hand on the comforter, as if her fingernails were suddenly doing interesting things.
They had to talk. He had to tell her how he felt. Or at least, tell her that he cared for her, since he wasn’t exactly sure how to identify the emotions swirling through him. It was better to get things out in the open. “I think we do.”
“Look, let’s make a deal. No talking about…anything. Not until we get back to California. Let’s call this a serious talk-free boat.” She wouldn’t look at him as she spoke, and there was a tremor in her voice that he didn’t care for. “Can’t we enjoy ourselves without—” She shook her head. “Without talking about the future until we get back to port?”
He frowned. Something worried her—and he would swear that fear caused the quiver in her voice. But was she afraid he wanted something past this cruise, or that he didn’t? It hadn’t been long since her last—and he suspected only—serious relationship ended badly. Maybe she wasn’t ready to commit to something serious yet. Or even talk about the possibility.
His stomach rolled at the thought and words to convince her were on the edge of his tongue. But that wouldn’t be fair to her. If she wasn’t ready yet, he’d have to spend the rest of the cruise convincing her he was trustworthy, that he wasn’t going to use her like Brent had. For now, he had to respect her wishes.
“Sure,” he replied, and to his relief his voice came out strong. Confident. Not at all worried.
Tension visibly drained from her shoulders and something fisted over his heart, squeezing it. Was she that worried he’d press her for something serious? Did she find the idea of a serious relationship that repulsive? That frightening?
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, wishing he could take his feelings out on someone deserving. Namely Brent. But this was good. He could deal with it. It wasn’t like he was in love. If he couldn’t convince her to be with him seriously by the end of the cruise, he’d survive.
After all, he’d lived for decades without anyone in his life other than Charles and Alex. He could do it again. A sudden pang of loneliness twisted in his gut, and despite what he told himself, he felt unsure. He rolled over and pushed up from the bed.
“Better get ready before they send in the search team,” he said, forcing a smile to his face.
Alice had prepared herself for the knowing looks. But the occasional grins from her mother and sister when they reached the deck for lunch still brought heat to her cheeks no matter how cool she tried to play it. They made her want to run back to her room and hide for the rest of the trip—preferably with Noah in tow—her family’s speculation be damned.
There were so many things they could do alone for the next couple of days. Sexy things. In the shower and the bed. The couch and the floor. The cabin could really use some more rooms. But heck, what they lacked in space they could make up for in other creative ways. A knowing look from her mother brought her out of her speculation, and she kept her gaze from meeting anyone else’s at the table after that.
But Noah handled the knowing looks and suspiciously innocent questions with ease. She watched him from under her eyelashes, and warmth filled her chest.
He was so good with her family. He seemed comfortable with them, even more so than he’d been around her until this trip. And if she wasn’t mistaken, her family was quite taken with her reserved neighbor as well. Why wouldn’t they be? He was genuinely kind. Funny. Strong.
She liked him for all the same reasons her family did. And she liked him for her own reasons, too. The desire in his eyes when he looked at her. The way he held her and guided her across the dance floor. Not to mention the sex. And it was worth mentioning. Last night had been an experience she would never forget.
And that was the problem.
She’d known exactly what he was going to say when that serious expression came over his face after he’d woken her up. The words—even unspoken—reverberated through her mind. First, he’d tell her what a nice time he’d had. Reassure her she was a wonderful girl and that he’d enjoyed their time together. Then his smile would turn grim, and he would bring far too much reality into the conversation.
He’d tell her he wasn’t in a position to make a commitment. His job, his family, his whatever, wouldn’t allow it. And maybe it would be true, if not exactly for the reason he’d specify. He wasn’t a normal man; he was a vampire.
She wasn’t ready to hear it.
In her heart, she knew this wouldn’t be lasting. It felt too perfect. And they were too different. But she wanted—needed—to tell herself they might have a future. Even if it was a fantasy. Just for a little while. A few days.
She deserved that, didn’t she? After Brent, she deserved to at least pretend. And Noah was trustworthy. She felt that down to her bones. He wouldn’t use her like Brent had tried to. Nor would he treat her badly or make her feel like shit.
He just wouldn’t stay.
And she was okay with that. She was. She had to be.
“I’m sorry, what?” she asked her sister as her name being called finally penetrated her brain.
Her face bright with the sunshine streaming in from the window beside her, Cindy smirked at her. “I said, are you still going onshore early so you can cook dinner tonight?”
“Yes, of course.” Noah squeezed her knee, a show of support, and she gave him a small smile.
His plate filled with eggs and sausage from the breakfast buffet, Robert pulled out one of the white chairs and sat next to Cindy.
Her sister clapped, a big smile on her face. “Oh, I’m so excited. You may not know this about my sister, Noah, but she makes the absolute best lasagna. It’s just…” Cindy’s eyes glazed over. “So. Good.”
Noah laughed at Cindy’s expression. “That good, huh?”
“Better,” Cindy assured him. “It’s a family recipe. One our aunt only shared with Alice. She’s got the gift, apparently.”
“Why doesn’t your aunt make it?” he asked.
“She’s retired from making lasagna. Or so she says.” Cindy shook her head regretfully. “But Alice does the lasagna justice.”
“I’ve only gotten to try it once, at Edna’s birthday party a couple of years ago. But Cindy isn’t exaggerating,” Robert offered. He took a bite of sausage, then around the food mumbled, “Best. Lasagna. Ever.”
“I guess it is pretty darn awesome,” Alice said. Her sister and mother laughed and then went on to discuss the new house Cindy and Robert were considering purchasing. Thankful that the attention had moved away from them, she put her hand over Noah’s, which still rested on her knee. “Not to mention that you were able to rent Mom and Dad’s bungalow for us to share this meal in. That’s…” she swallowed down the sudden lump in her throat, “really special.”
Cindy’s eyes were bright, too, and she nodded vigorously without speaking.
It was oddly comfortable, sitting there chatting with her family, with Noah at her side, touching her. But at the same time, she was almost painfully aware of him. Of his every movement and expression.
“So Noah, tell us about your family,” her mom said, cutting into Alice’s reverie.
Alice glanced at Noah and frowned. His smile had disappeared and he shifted his weight and pulled his hand back from her. “My family is a little difficult.”
“Oh, dear. Are your parents still with you?” Her mom asked, concerned.
“My father is still with me, but we don’t talk much,” he said. “I have two brothers. Alice met one of them the other day.”
She had? Oh, of course. “Charles?” The other man’s dark blond hair, easy smile, and light green eyes flashed through her mind. “But you look nothing alike,” she said without thinking.
Noah grimaced and she was flooded with guilt. Of course they looked nothing alike. Noah probably didn’t have any blood relatives still alive, unless they were vampires like him. Was his father really his father, or was that some sort of vampire term? Her brother’s fiancée hadn’t delved into the specifics of vampire society with her and Cindy.
The silence went on for too long, stifled only by the constant murmur of voices coming from the other passengers around them, and the table stilled as discomfort settled over everyone. “We’re all adopted,” he said, finally. “But Charles, Alex, and me…we’re very close.”
