Two days later…
From behind his dark lenses,Garrett glanced at the cabana-style lounges and other beach chairs lining the water’s edge. He told himself he wasn’t looking for Avery, but his subconscious knew he was full of shit.
Just admit it. You were hoping to see her again.
Hell yeah, he was. Especially after last night’s dream.
He’d survived the first two nights on the water, falling asleep to the ship’s rhythmic beat as it moved across the Northern Atlantic. The recurring nightmare plaguing him since his return from Syria had only woken him once these last two days.
A definite improvement from previous nights.
Even better was the dream Garrett had after falling back to sleep last night. One that included Avery.
He hadn’t seen her since their shared pizza and drinks to toast their departure. Yesterday, during their first full day at sea, Garrett had caught himself looking for her within the ship’s bustling crowd. Everywhere he and Colt went, he’d hoped to find her.
But he hadn’t.
Asking for her room number had crossed his mind more than once that first night. Especially after learning they lived in the same damn city. But he hadn’t wanted to come off as a pushy bastard, so he’d held back.
Now here he was, kicking himself for not growing a pair and asking.
Flashes of last night’s dream replayed through his mind as he continued walking the length of the beach.
It had started with a knock on his door. When he opened it, Avery was there. The beautiful brunette had come tohisroom. And she’d been wearing a black dress and fuck-me heels.
In the dream, he’d reached for her hand. The two hadn’t spoken a single word, communicating solely through touch.
His hands on her soft skin. Her lips pressing whispering kisses along his jaw and neck.
Even now, fully conscious and aware, Garrett could almostfeelthe way Avery’s body had fit perfectly with his. As if he were an unfinished puzzle, and she was his final piece.
It was by far, the best dream he’d ever had. And it had left him with a raging hard-on, and Avery’s sultry smile burned into his mind.
So here he was, searching the beach like a heartsick teenager desperate to find his first crush.
What is it about this woman?
Garrett wished he had the answer. All he knew was the connection he’d felt with her had been instant and fierce. That they lived mere miles from each other only added fuel to his need to see her again. He may not understand it, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to fight it.
Garrett scanned the tropical area again.
Sunset Cay, the private island owned by the Sunset Adventures cruise line, was the first of their ship’s two scheduled stops for the week.
In addition to the white sandy beach and incredible turquoise water, the tiny strip of land housed gift shops, jet ski and snorkel rentals, and a handful of two-story houses that passengers could rent for the day.
There was also a bar in the shape of a pirate ship at the top of the hill. Of course, Colt had taken off in its direction the second they’d stepped foot onto the beach.
Garrett, on the other hand, had immediately began his search of the crowd for the brown-haired beauty he couldn’t stop thinking about.
Five minutes later and still no luck. Maybe they’d missed each other in passing.
Or maybe she’d had enough of the crowds and decided to stay on the ship.
It didn’t take a genius to realize Avery was a bit of an introvert. Hell, she’d admitted as much when they’d had dinner together. But when they’d parted ways after the ship had set sail, she’d mentioned looking forward to having a day at the beach.
Maybe it’s for the best.
For once, the voice in his head—the fucker—was wrong.