Prologue

“Brynne, you’re late. Hurry!” yelled someone from the walkway of the gigantic cruise ship anchored on the busy New York Cruise Terminal.

LS Ocean Queen

Brynne Emerson read the name before searching the walkway. She rushed across the pier, lugging her trolley case behind her. It was over-stuffed, more than she needed for the 7-day luxury cruise to the Bahamas. It had been on her bucket list for the last three years, ever since she joined the prestigious multinational giant, Sylvester Financial Inc.

Her gaze fell on her best friend and colleague, Daniella Pierce. Both of them had joined Sylvester together and grown with the company. While Brynne was promoted to the position of a Wealth Advisor, Daniella bagged the role of an Accounts Manager. They both earned this year-end vacation, a treat from their new employer, Lucian Sylvester, whom they were yet to meet.

The erstwhile CEO, Benson Sylvester, had just retired handing the reins of the business to his grandson, the infamous Lucian Sylvester! But they would deal with him after the fun trip, a new boss as a New Year's gift! He couldn’t be worse than his grandfather!

“I can’t believe I finally made it. There was such a huge traffic hold-up. I thought you would leave without me.” Brynne gasped for air while her eyes searched for the only person she was here for. It was none other than her boyfriend of two years, Adam Carter.

Where was he? Shouldn’t he have picked her up on his way here? Or had he skipped the cruise altogether?

“I wouldn’t have gone without you, Brynne.” Brynne smiled at her only friend in the world as they rushed up the walkway onto the deck.

“Thanks, Dani. Where are the others?” Daniella smiled, knowing who she was looking for.

“If you mean Carter, I saw him ten minutes ago with a woman.” Brynne’s eyebrows shot up with surprise.

“Who? Someone from our office?” Daniella shook her head and waved at the other colleagues who had just boarded.

“No, someone I’ve never seen before. Maybe his new flavor. Forget him, Brynne. He’s not the right guy for you.”

Before she could react to the newfound information, a crew member approached them for security check-in and verification. He handed them a medallion to wear around their neck in coordination with the app they could d******d on their phones. It would be their guide during their stay on the ship. They thanked the crew member and rushed ahead.

“Let’s get to our rooms and dump this luggage.” Daniella pulled a dazed Brynne along up a flight of stairs. The ship was humongous, almost like a floating city, with people everywhere and shops of all kinds. There were restaurants and even a cocktail bar moving between floors like an elevator with people sitting and drinking.

“Brynne, stop dreaming and get in.” She turned to see several elevators open at once, right in front of them. The crowd pushed them inside and out again on their floor. Brynne had never been on a cruise ship before, and this was Danielle’s third time. She was well-versed in everything and Brynne didn’t have to worry. Although she would have preferred to connect with Adam on this cruise, there was no sign of him so far.

“This is it! So, we’re sharing a room!” said Daniella, checking the cruise ship’s app using the medallion.

“How?” Brynne blinked in confusion. Wasn’t she sharing a room with Adam?

“I have no idea. You can ask Ted. He’s the one who has arranged everything. You can ask him why he paired us.”

“Talking about me, ladies?” Ted Hughes, the HR’s PA, peered from the room next to theirs.

“Yes, can I switch rooms? I’ll move into Adam’s room.” A warm flush crept up her cheeks. Although everyone knew about her on-off relationship with Adam, she never admitted it aloud in front of her colleagues.

“Umm, he has a guest with him, Brynne. Why don’t you sort it out with him and get back to me?”

“Yeah, I’ll do that. Dani, I’ll be right back.” Brynne dumped her luggage and stormed down the corridor.

“Cabin DB6023, High Deck 8.” Ted’s voice echoed after her.

“Thanks,” she replied, storming down the corridor to her destination to demand an answer from Adam. She had high hopes from this year-end trip, wanting to take her relationship to a new level. Adam always wanted physical intimacy while she wasn’t ready, even after two years. It had irked Adam, and he had been avoiding her for the last two months. Maybe it was time to please him and fix her relationship with him.

It took Brynne a lot of effort to locate his cabin. The ship swayed as it started its journey; the movement making her stomach lurch. She grabbed onto the nearest door to get a grip on herself. After five minutes, she could make her way ahead down the corridor.

Counting the cabin numbers, she surged ahead. DB6022, DB6023..

Brynne stopped and knocked loudly on the closed door, but no one opened it. Wasn’t Adam inside?

She was about to leave when the door opened and Adam peered out, clad only in a pair of jeans. His handsome face paled at the sight of Brynne, but she hardly noticed.

“Adam, what a relief to see you here! I thought you missed the cruise. Hang on, I’m getting my luggage. I’ll stay here with you.” He looked ill at ease.

“No, wait. You can’t move in here with me.” Brynne gaped at his flushed cheeks in confusion.

“Why?” He tore his gaze away, eager to escape her probing.

“I’m sharing my room with someone else. You had declined earlier. So..” It was true she had declined to go on this trip, but that was a month ago. Things had sorted out, and she was ready now to embark on her dream cruise with her boyfriend.

“I’ve changed my mind. No worries. I can swap places with your guest. Is he from Sylvester?” Adam hesitated, but the door opened wider and a stunning, svelte woman appeared by his side. Brynne gaped at her and then at her boyfriend. So Daniella was right. He had a female guest with him on board. If she had skipped this cruise, she would never have known or believed the truth.

“Who’s this, baby?” asked the woman, clinging to Adam.

“She’s Brynne.” Brynne blinked and watched Adam place an arm around the woman’s shoulders. It shocked her immensely and her throat felt choked with hurt.

“Oh, your ex?” Brynne came out of her daze and faced the duo.

“No, I’m not his ex. I’m still his girlfriend. What’s going on, Adam? When did I become your ex? How can you do this to me?” Her entire body trembled with rage at his betrayal. Here she was thinking of improving their relationship while he didn’t give a f*ck about her.

“We’re over, Brynne. I don’t need a frozen bitch like you in my life. Look, I have needs and I want a girlfriend to fulfill them, to satisfy me in bed. I’m tired of your excuses, your superficial kisses. Get out of my life and stay out for all I care. Come on, Miranda, I need your sweet pus*y now!” He picked up his wh*re in his arms and kicked the door shut in Brynne’s face.

Tears pooled in her eyes as she stared at the closed door. She had never imagined she would see this day. That too on this special cruise! It was the worst nightmare of her life. Her heart shattered into a million pieces. Now she had no one to call her own.

After her parents’ death in a car accident two years ago, she had been too broken to face her life. It was Adam who had comforted her and accepted her in his life. Now she was all alone in this world with a mountain load of debt to pay off.

No, she wouldn’t shed tears for someone who was never hers. Brynne tumbled down the corridor towards the glass cocktail bar that had stopped right in front of her. She needed a drink badly to give her the strength to face the truth. At that moment, she wanted to get off the cruise ship, but the sun had set and the ship was already surging ahead towards the ocean!

Adam’s betrayal had doused all hopes she had in her life. Maybe she was doomed to live and die alone. She wasn’t capable of loving or being loved in return. Brynne stepped inside the bar and ordered herself a cranberry vodka, her favorite.

After the second refill, she felt euphoric. The mesmerizing lights, and the romantic number playing in the backdrop, made the night magical now that she wasn’t in her senses. She let go of her inhibitions and released a staggering breath. She would enjoy her holiday without Adam.

Her gaze fell upon a man at a corner table, dressed in a black business suit. Flanked by females, drooling all over him, Brynne watched him gulp down his drink in one go. His stunning good looks, and his hypnotic aura made him stand out in the crowd. He seemed to pull her towards him like a magnet.

As if sensing her gaze on him, he turned to look at her. The world stopped revolving around Brynne the moment their eyes met. His eyes, the color of the tumultuous ocean outside, held promises of a different kind. Should she give in to the temptation and live recklessly for one night? Maybe it would help get Adam Carter out of her system forever!

She downed her drink in one go; the liquid burning down her throat. It helped douse the ache inside her heart. But she needed more to get Adam out of her system for good. Her gaze went back to the ridiculously hot guy, only to find him staring back at her! Why couldn’t he concentrate on the females clinging to him instead?

Brynne ignored him and sat watching the dazzling stars up ahead. Were her parents there? Were they watching her struggling to survive? She wished they had taken her with them. There was nothing left on earth for her. No one cared for her.

Her gaze went back to the man, only to find him still watching her. Did he know her? Before she could look away, he flashed her a skew little smile! It was a smile that could make even an inebriated woman like Brynne lose her wit, her senses, and her restraint.