The Secret Affair(60)

                She met his gaze. “Yes. I accept your proposition and I will hold you to your word, Aidan.”

                * * *

                Later that night, as Aidan changed for dinner, he couldn’t help remembering Jillian’s words.

                “Fine, baby, hold me to my word,” he murmured to himself as he tucked his white dress shirt into his pants. “That’s the way it should be. And that’s the way it will be.”

                Today had gone just the way he’d wanted. After she’d agreed to his proposition he’d been able to talk her into going with him to the Terelle Deck so he could grab breakfast. She’d sat across from him while he ate a hefty portion of the pancakes and syrup she’d recommended. They had chosen a table with a beautiful view of the ocean, and he liked the way the cool morning breeze stirred her hair. More than once he’d been tempted to reach across the table and run his fingers through it.

                After breakfast he had talked her into joining him in the Venus Lounge where a massive bingo game was under way. They had found a table in the back and she’d worked five bingo cards while he worked three. In the end, neither of them had won anything but the game had been fun.

                Later they had gone to the art gallery to check out the paintings on display and after that they’d enjoyed a delicious lunch in the Coppeneria Room. After she mentioned her plans to visit the spa, he’d taken a stroll around the ship. The layout was awesome and the entire ship was gorgeous. Tomorrow morning before daybreak they would arrive in Monte Carlo, France, and from there, Florence, Italy. He’d never been to France or Italy before but Adrian had, and according to his twin both countries were beautiful. Aidan couldn’t wait to see them for himself.

                He smiled as he put on his cuff links. Being around Jillian today had reminded him of how much she liked having her way. In the past he had indulged her. But not this time. While on this cruise he had no intention of letting her have her way. In fact, he planned to teach her the art of compromising. That was the main reason he had suggested she drop by his cabin to grab him for dinner instead of the other way around. Although she hadn’t said anything, he could tell she hadn’t liked the idea.

                He turned from the mirror at the sound of a knock on his door. She was a little early but he had no problem with that. Moving across the suite, he opened the door, and then stood there, finding it impossible to speak. All he could do was stare at Jillian. Dressed in a red floor-length gown that hugged every curve, her hair wrapped on top of her head with a few curls dangling toward her beautiful face, she looked breathtaking. His gaze scanned the length of her—head to toe.

                Pulling himself together, he stepped aside. “Come in. You look very nice.”

                “Thank you,” she said, entering his suite. “I’m a little early. The cabin steward arrived and I didn’t want to get in his way.”

                “No problem. I just need to put on my tie.”

                “This suite is fantastic. I thought my suite was large but this one is triple mine in size.”

                He smiled over at her. “It’s the owner’s personal suite whenever he cruises.”

                “Really? And how did you get so lucky?”

                “He’s a friend. You remember my cousin Quade who lives in North Carolina, right?”

                “The one who has the triplets?”

                “Yes, he’s the one. Quade and the ship’s owner, Dominic Saxon, are brothers-in-law, married to sisters—the former Steeles, Cheyenne and Taylor.