Chapter 1: Dangerous Currents
Remi’s heart thundered in her chest as she stormed away from Ernesto, her sneakers slapping against the polished deck of the cruise ship. His threat echoed in her mind, a dark stain on the glittering promise of the night. She wouldn’t let him intimidate her. No way in hell. She was Remi Willow, and she didn’t back down from anyone, no matter how charming or menacing they seemed.
She needed space, somewhere to clear her head. The upper decks were crowded with laughing passengers and clinking glasses, so she descended a narrow staircase to the quieter hallways below. The hum of the ship’s engines vibrated through the walls, and the dim lighting cast long shadows across the carpeted floor. It felt like stepping into another world, one far removed from the carefree vacation above.
Her breath was still ragged when she heard footsteps behind her. She spun around, her fists clenched, only to see Ernesto emerging from the stairwell, his tall frame filling the narrow corridor. His navy uniform hugged his athletic build, and a smirk played on his lips, but there was a predatory glint in his dark eyes.
“Running away, princess?” he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery as he closed the distance between them. “I told you, there’s nowhere to hide out here. Not from me.”
Remi squared her shoulders, her jaw tight. “I’m not your damn princess, and I’m not hiding. You think you can just grab me and make threats? You’ve got no idea who you’re messing with.”
Ernesto chuckled, a low, dangerous sound that sent a shiver down her spine—not entirely from fear. “Oh, I think I do. A fiery little thing like you? I bet you’re all talk. But I’m gonna enjoy finding out.” He stepped closer, his scent—a mix of saltwater and something musky—invading her space.
She didn’t back down, her green eyes blazing. “Touch me again, and I’ll make sure you regret it. I don’t care if we’re in the middle of the ocean. I’ll scream loud enough to bring this whole ship down on your sorry ass.”
His smirk widened, and he leaned in, his voice a husky whisper. “Go ahead, scream. No one’s gonna hear you down here. But I bet you’d rather moan for me instead. I can see it in your eyes—you’re curious, aren’t you? Wondering what it’d be like to let go with someone like me.”
Remi’s pulse raced, a confusing mix of anger and something hotter, more primal, stirring in her core. She hated how his words sparked a flicker of heat, hated how her body betrayed her with a flush creeping up her neck. “You’re disgusting,” she snapped, but her voice wavered just enough to make him grin.
“Am I? Or are you just scared of how bad you want this?” He reached out, his fingers brushing her arm, not grabbing this time, but teasing, testing. “I can feel your heat from here, Remi. You’re already getting wet just thinking about it, aren’t you?”
Her breath hitched, and she slapped his hand away, her glare fierce. “Keep dreaming, asshole. I’d rather jump overboard than let you anywhere near me.” But even as she said it, her body was traitorously aware of his closeness, the way his chest rose and fell, the hard lines of him just inches away.
Ernesto’s eyes darkened, and he stepped even closer, backing her against the wall. The cool metal pressed into her back, a stark contrast to the heat radiating from him. “We’ll see about that,” he murmured, his lips hovering near her ear. “I’m gonna make you beg for it, and when you do, I’ll have you dripping for my cock. You won’t be able to stop yourself.”
Remi’s hands shot up to push him away, but the contact—her palms against the firm planes of his chest—sent a jolt through her. She could feel the tension building, a dangerous current pulling her under. Her mind screamed to fight, but her body was already buzzing, primed for something explosive. And as his gaze locked with hers, she knew this was only the beginning of a battle she wasn’t sure she wanted to win.
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