Kiss Me Maybe (Princess Cruises Presents: Kindle Love Stories) (3 page)

He reached across the table because it seemed important to touch her hand, if only gently. “No, it wasn’t.” He paused. “I’ll help you find him.”

She blinked, once, twice, and again. “What?”

“Your grandmother? You said she’s reliable on these sorts of things.”

Megan squared her shoulders. “Grandma Trini has never been wrong.”

“That’s it, then. I’ll help. Who am I to stand in the way of true love?”

A slight frown bit into the smooth skin of her forehead. “Okay.”

He read the uncertainty. “It’s settled.”

“But why?” As her head shook, a long strand of wavy hair rubbed against her throat and caught on the edge of her scarf.

He inhaled. “Look, I’m a businessman. I’m used to working, well, pretty much eighteen hours a day. To be honest, I wasn’t at all certain how I’d do being cooped up on a ship for a week.”

“Cooped up? I should smack your face for even saying such a thing.”

He held his hands out in surrender. “I know. Trust me. I’m already beginning to relax and just—I don’t know—just
be
for a while. All the stress from my company, all my responsibilities . . . already they are feeling further and further away. It’s good. Great. But I also have an unstoppable amount of energy. I need a goal. Helping you find your Richard may be just the ticket.”

“There have to be things you do to relax at home, right?”

He chewed his cheek. “Not too much, anymore. Just work.”

“That’s sad.” Now it was her turn to plant her arms on the table and examine him with narrowed eyes. “What did you used to do?”

“Horseback riding. And, no, I never fell off to be rescued by a fireman.”

Megan laughed, snorted, and quickly clamped a hand over her mouth. Her eyes were big as saucers.

“My grandfather taught me to ride. Honestly, as a kid, I’d take off from the barn in a dead run. My hair—always overgrown and in need of a cut—flying behind me, my entire body leaning into the breeze. It’s silly, but I always imagined I’d capture the wind. I guess that’s why when I heard the story of Aquanna, it . . .”

Megan leaned forward until she was barely on her seat at all. “It what? What does a seawitch have to do with horseback riding?”

“It’s said that a seawitch can control the winds. If she ties one, two, or three knots in a rope or a scarf, then the power of the wind is trapped there. When the knots were tied in the proper magical way, the wind was bound up in them. Some seafarers believed that the seawitch gave, or sometimes sold, these magic knots to sailors to help them experience safe voyages. And those winds she can give freely to seamen in need.” Without meaning to, Alexander reached over and let his fingertips trail Megan’s scarf.

When she spoke, the words were a whisper. “I like this story.”

His fingers returned to his lap, but the soft, silky feel lingered. “I thought you would. I’ll tell you the rest another time.”

She huffed then eyed him suspiciously over her
Branzino al Forno con Zucchini
. “Why did you come on a cruise if you didn’t want to be cooped up—heavens, I can’t even say it.”

“My assistant sent me. She booked it; she planned every detail. And I’m supposed to return a better boss.”

Megan frowned. “Why aren’t you a good boss?”

She went to spear an olive, but it popped out of its delicate bowl and onto the linen-covered table. She pointed at it. “See, I warned you I’d embarrass you.”

He plucked the olive from the tablecloth and tossed it into his mouth. “Maybe I’ll embarrass you.”

She giggled and the sound rolled over his skin like honey. Sticky. Sweet. And impossible to wash off. Megan pointed at him and closed one eye. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll let you help me find my Richard. But you have to let me help you.”

He liked the sound of that. He liked sitting in Sabatini’s with a gorgeous woman who was not only beautiful, but an absolute breath of fresh air. How long had it been since he’d met someone like her? He ran in the Hollywood set on one coast and the NYC set on the other. But he had humble beginnings. His grandparents still lived on the farm in the middle of Arkansas; their millions had never changed them. He remembered girls back home like this one. But it had been a long,
long
time. And if he was being completely honest, he couldn’t remember one getting under his skin the way Megan already was. “How will you help me?” He also couldn’t explain why spending time with her made him want to kick off his Armani loafers, slip into his cowboy boots, and lie in a hayloft to watch a rainstorm.

“Why haven’t you been a good boss?”

“Six years ago I took over my family’s company. It’s a big company and requires a lot of attention.” Alexander felt his muscles tense at the words. More than anything, he felt the responsibility for his entire family.

“You’ve been a bad boss for six years? Bless her heart for sticking it out. You should give her a raise.”

“Thanks. I’ll do that. I’ve only been a bad boss for the last several months.” Their plates were cleared and Alexander motioned to the door leading to the back of the ship. She nodded, a look of excitement replacing the satisfied one from moments ago. Outside, a gentle wind worked its way over their flesh and the moon cast a silver shine on the water. Below where they stood was a swimming pool.

Megan pointed to it. “Another pool? That makes three that I’ve seen, and I can’t even count the hot tubs.”

They leaned against the railing, but he tilted to look at her. “You’ve already found three different pools? When did you have time?”

“Oh, I make time for the important things. I can show you if you like.”

“I’d love that.”

“But you’re redirecting. Why have you been a bad boss for the last several months?” When he sighed, she placed her hand over his. “What happened to you?”

The gentleness of her touch created a safe haven around him. “That’s just it. I don’t know. I mean, I love what I do, but lately it’s just not satisfying. Like I’m missing this gigantic piece of the puzzle that is my life and it’s nowhere to be found.”

She gasped. “Have you looked?”

“Huh?”

“Have you
looked
for the missing piece? Or are you just one of those people who talk about it and wait for something to change on its own?”

Wow. She’d be a great motivational speaker. Or a terrible one. “I guess I haven’t. How do you look for something when you don’t even know what’s missing?”

“Maybe your company is headed in a new direction.” The wind caught her and like Calypso, rising from the sea, she anchored her feet to the deck, the thin material of her dress clinging to her legs as possibilities flashed across her face as clearly as if they were neon. “Oh, or maybe you’re going to expand your entire business. Or maybe you’re hungry for some real adventure that has absolutely nothing to do with your work. Don’t you see, Alexander? You came on this cruise to find your heart.”

He turned his hand over and grasped hers, suddenly struck by what an unusual woman she must be. “And you came to lose yours.” Seconds ticked by while each of them, complete strangers not twelve hours ago, saw what the other was missing.

She smiled, nodded. Her words were breathy when she said, “Alexander, I’d like to help you capture the wind.”

“I can’t think of a better way to spend the week.” And in her deep green eyes, he saw the sea, the world, the prospects and hopes of a young woman with more passion than patience, with more fire than fierceness. The kind of woman who could thoroughly wreck him. And in fact, he was hoping that exact thing would happen.

It is a well-known fact that a seawitch is half human and half mermaid.

Megan was as nervous as a cat. No. She was always as nervous as a cat; today she was as nervous as a cat loose in the dog pound. She wanted to help Alexander. And she certainly wouldn’t turn down his help in finding her Richard, but breakfast on his balcony? It was only last night after dinner when he walked her to her stateroom that she discovered he was right next door. Right. Next. Door. She stepped out to find a large tray in the hallway. She knocked and tried to breathe.

He pulled the door open and she stepped in, wishing the scent of his cologne wasn’t so intoxicating. Wishing his smile wasn’t so endearing. Wishing his broad shoulders and handsome face were of a more trollish nature. It would make this so much easier. How was she supposed to keep her mind on finding her future husband with a Greek god demanding her attention?

“You look beautiful,” he said and bent to kiss her cheek.

Not helping. “Uh, you look beautiful, too.” He did, dressed in khaki shorts and a white T-shirt. Not the discount-store variety, either. The kind you paid way too much for but that fit like a sculpted second skin. His feet were bare, so she took off her sandals and discarded them in the entryway. She dropped three inches to her normal five feet five.

He grinned down at her. “Come on out to the balcony. This is spectacular, Princess.”

She stopped at the foot of his bed. “Princess, is it?”

From behind her he tilted forward so his breath danced over her shoulders and throat. “Yes. And since you’ve not had the pampering you deserve, I’ve taken it upon myself to correct that.”

She angled to face him. “I really do have to search for Richard.” But even to her own ears, there was little conviction in the statement.

“Of course.” They sat down at the table laden with fresh roses and an array of drink glasses. A server first filled her water glass, then coffee, then popped a cork on a bottle of champagne after showing the label to Alexander.

“Champagne?” she whispered. “For breakfast?”

He took her orange juice. “May I?”

She shrugged and he poured a portion of the juice on top of her champagne. “Oh. Mimosas.” She took a sip and the citrus-sparkly concoction danced along her taste buds. “I could get used to this.”

Alexander stopped with his fork halfway to his mouth and grinned. “You should. It suits you.”

She shrugged. “So does sawdust and barn raising.”

“I understand. Those things actually suit me, too. What do you do, Megan? Besides captivate men on cruise ships?”

She snorted. “Right. Well, you know us princesses, always sipping mimosas and lounging on balconies.”

Alexander dabbed his napkin to his mouth as the main course was served.

She took a bite and closed her eyes to relish the moment. “I work at my family’s hair salon. But my passion is a blog I write.”

“What blog?”

“Miss Megan’s Beauty Secrets. I do hair at the salon, but what I really love is makeup. But, well, not a ton of glamour makeup requests in southern Missouri.”

“My family is from Arkansas originally. I still own a house there. That makes us neighbors.”

“Do you have horses there?” She speared a piece of fruit.

“A few. They stay at my dad’s ranch. Every year I plan to spend more time back home.”

She pointed at him with her fork and closed one eye. “Chasing the wind?”

“Yes, but we were talking about you.”

“I wasn’t getting to practice my makeup skills much at the salon, so I started the blog. It kind of took off. Women started contacting me and telling me about how I boosted their confidence. I’ve even gotten three wedding invitations from readers.”

“You inspire. That’s an incredible gift.” He had eaten most of his breakfast, so he leaned back with a cup of hot coffee.

She was full, too. Not even room for coffee. “This was amazing, Alexander, but I really do have to start searching.”

“Of course we do. I’ve already started.” He pulled a paper from his pocket and handed it to her. “This is a list of some of the men named Richard on the ship. Stateroom numbers, too. I’ve taken the liberty of removing any that are already married.”

“How did you—”

“I’m a businessman, Megan. It’s in my skill set to obtain information. Plus, you’d be amazed at what folks will tell you sitting at one of the pool bars late at night.”

“You did that?” She was stuffed, but when the server arrived to remove their plates, she grabbed the last pastry from the assortment that had arrived with the first course. No sense in letting it go to waste.

“Yes, ma’am. Planted myself at the Mermaid’s Tail. It’s a bar midship.” He leaned forward and winked. “I thought that was a fitting spot, given our goal. Struck up as many conversations as I could. Now, do you want the good news or the bad news?”

She continued to stare at the paper. “Bad news.”

“The Richardsons are having a family reunion on board.”

“Holy cow.” She sank deeper into the cushioned chair. “The good news?”

“They’re hosting a family get-together tomorrow night in Crooners, overlooking the Piazza. I got an invitation. Couldn’t get one for the both of us, but I was thinking you could sneak in and meet up with me.”

“Sneak in?” The wind dried her eyes, so she closed them a little. She tapped the table, thinking of Grandma Trini’s words.
Wars are not won by the fainthearted.
Wars are
won
by those who take the land
by force.
“I’ll do it.”

“Great. We’ll go right after our massages in the Lotus Spa.”

“What?” She planted her hands firmly on the table.

“I said it’s time for you to have some pampering. You did agree to help me while I’m helping you, did you not?”

“Yes, but what does one have to do with the other?”

His smile faded, intensity framing his eyes. “I don’t know, Princess. All I know is pampering you makes me feel . . . like I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Her heart warmed at that little confession.

“Until then, we can search the ship. We’ve got all day today and tomorrow to find a Richard for you. If we don’t find the right one, we’ll assume he’s part of the Richardson family. We’ll have them trapped tomorrow night.”

She’d pull a deep breath if there were any oxygen on the balcony. But there wasn’t. His words and plan had stolen it all. He was throwing away his vacation to help her find her soul mate. As they rose from the balcony with the deep blue sea behind them, Megan had to wonder if the tiniest piece of her heart had slipped away as well—if so, it had gone to the wrong man.