Rebel(17)

Large windows line the opposite wall, framing a door that leads out to a huge balcony. It opens easily, and crisp ocean air fills my lungs as I step out into the night. This close to the city, there aren’t a lot of stars out, but the view from this high up is breathtaking. Not quite as nice as Gavin’s apartment, but close.

I should check out the bedroom, if only to make sure Gavin isn’t rooting through my underwear or something. I peek my head in, but all I catch him doing is lying on the bed without having taken off his shoes. He looks up when he notices me and smirks. “Going to join me on the bed? Plenty of room, though I do like to spread out. You might have to sleep on top of me. Or under.”

God, he just won’t quit. I’m not even dignifying that with an answer.

I kick off my heels. The plush carpet is smooth and soft under my bare feet. Roses and lilies spread in full bloom across the walls, continuing the amazing patterns from the living room. Romantic if, you know, you were actually here for romance. And not stuck here with an idiot stepbrother.

The only real piece of furniture in the bedroom is the bed, but it’s huge. White satin sheets, mounds of white pillows, a thick white down comforter. Everything is white. A white lacy canopy, attached to the ceiling, hangs around it, tied back with satin ribbons. Old fashioned, but in a modern way. Any bride would be thrilled to be here.

“Alright, I’m thirsty.” Gavin jumps off the bed, miraculously not leaving any stains on the sheets. Rooting in the bar cabinet, he examines the bottles carefully before choosing one. The liquor is so dark it’s almost brown. He pauses and arches an eyebrow at me. “You want some?”

“Uh, no. I’ll go with water for now.”

“Suit yourself.” Opening the fridge next to the bar cabinet, he pulls out a bottle of water and tosses it at me. “Think fast.”

I catch it. Go me. “Doesn’t that stuff cost a fortune?”

“What do you think this is, a motel? For what we’re paying I could call that stick-up-his-ass desk jockey up to serve for me.” He grins and screws the cork off the bottle, pouring himself a solid dash in a glass tumbler before recorking it and returning it to the cabinet. “So now what? Christen the bed? Or the couches, maybe? Oh, I know!” He grins over a sip of whisky. “We should do it on the balcony.”

What? “You do realize that we’re not going to fuck, right? And that you’re sleeping on that couch in the other room.” Boundaries. We need them, ASAP.

He eyes me skeptically. “It’s a big fucking bed. Plenty of room for us even without me getting between your legs.”

“Couch.”

“You’re a cruel bitch, Sis.” He sighs melodramatically. “But I suppose I knew that.”

My train of thought as I try to come up with a reply is interrupted when the ship’s horn blows loud enough to make me jump. Three long blasts and then the floor shifts just slightly under my feet. Outside the windows, the city seems like it’s moving very slowly. I want to go look, but I don’t want to act like a tourist.

Gavin solves it for me. “This is your first time, right? Let’s watch.” He grabs his tumbler and heads for the balcony.

I don’t really want be anywhere near him right now, but I do want to see. I might never be on a luxury cruise ship again, so I follow him outside. It’s windy this high up, making me shiver. I should’ve dug my sweater out of my suitcase, but if I take the time to find it now, I’ll miss it.

Gavin sees me shiver and stands behind me. “I’ll keep you warm, if you want.”

Rolling my eyes, I bite back over my shoulder, “Don’t touch me.”

He steps back, raising his hands. “Hey, just offering, Sis. It’s the kinda stuff big brothers do, right?”

Whatever. I know exactly what kind of brotherly love he has for me, and chivalry has nothing to do with it. Besides, I have a luxury liner departure to watch.

It’s not quite like in those old movies with the transatlantic ships setting out and the docks packed with cheering people and streamers, but there’re at least a few people down there under the floodlights keeping the dock lit, waving as the ship pulls out. I wave back, though I’ve no idea who they are. They probably can’t see me up here anyway. Gavin throws me an amused glance before looking the other way, towards the open ocean.

As the ship picks up steam, it’s not long before the only sounds left are seagulls, water streaming by below us and the rumble of engines deep within the ship. It’s beautiful, but watching the shore pull away is a little scary too. There’s no running away now.