Cruise Of Desire

Chapter 2: A Dangerous Game

Emma, I do not play fair. And you will have to get used to that if you intend to live here.

The soft, seductive voice of Xavier slithered into my ears and a jolt of fire through my veins. His comments were a warning rather than just a challenge. And for the first time in a very long time, the excitement of risk set something deep inside me alive. Until now, I had not understood how much I yearned for anything—anywhere—that would enable me to seize control of my life once more.

From me, Julian had taken that. Nonetheless, Xavier? He was presenting me something far more addictive and deadly than I could have ever dreamed.

I inhaled deeply and turned to face him. Still standing there, he maintained an absolutely confident posture, as though the entire planet had no option but to follow his will. His eyes fixed on me, a flash of something dark, something profound flickering behind his composed front.

"I don't need you to fight my battles for me," I said, my voice far more steady than I felt. "I could more than take care of Julian personally."

His lips drew into a grin not quite visible to his gaze. Maybe. But why deal with the mess when you might have all you need with a little of my assistance? He moved closer, bridging our divide. "What do you reply?" We both like playing this game.

I turned aside, heart thumping in my chest. The offer piqued too much temptation. But Xavier had something about him that bothered me—something I couldn't really pinpoint.

A sharp chuckle sounded over the deck before I could talk. Just in time, I turned to find Sienna, Julian's new "companion," striding over with an air of dominance. Her eyes moved from me to Xavier, her lips twisting in a knowing, hostile smile.

What do we have here, well? Sienna spoke with a slowness of fake sweetness. "Emma, love, I hardly expected to see you here. Wondering what went wrong, I assumed you would be occupied drowning in your sorrows. Here you are, nevertheless, right next to Mr. Blackstone himself. How handy?

I tightened my hands, the resentment rising once again inside me. Right now, Senna was the last person I wanted to see. But her presence also made me realize how much I yearned to harm Julian and cause him to regret what he had done.

Xavier looked at me, his face insensible. Then he fixed his dark, calculated eyes on Sienna. "You seem terribly interested in something that doesn't concern you, Miss Sienna," he replied, his voice chilly.

Sienna bristled, her face wavering for the shortest of times. She fast got back, though, and turned to face me with a hostile stare.

"You think you could bring him back? Not sure?" Sienna's gaze narrowed. "After everything that has happened, do you really think he will come back to you?" Right now, Emma, he is mine. You vanished him.

Laughing sprang out of me before I could stop it. "You don't know Julian as well as you might think if you believe he belongs to you."

Though her smile wavered, Sienna instantly straightened herself. Her voice full of malice, she added, "We'll see about that, won't we?"

Before I could respond, Xavier entered and positioned himself between Sienna and me with such power from his body language. "I believe it is time you left, Miss Sienna. The game is still under development; hence, I worry you will not enjoy how it turns out.

Sienna straightened her spine instead of lowering her face, which grew darker. She spat, "Blackstone," then turned and swished her hair as she walked away from the incorrect tree.

I watched her withdraw, a whirl of relief and discomfort inside me. This changed from just Julian now. Greater stakes now meant that I wasn't sure I was ready for what was ahead. But Xavier was clearly present, and whether I enjoyed it or not, I was already ensnared in his web.

The cool evening crept in as the faint murmur of the audience blended with the music floating from the great ballroom of the ship. Still, I felt everything but calm. The meeting with Sienna still had my heart pounding, and every time I looked at Xavier, my pulse accelerated.

"Are you terrified of her??" Low and inquisitive, Xavier asked, shattering the stillness between us.

I shook my head, not sure whether it was the truth exactly. Not one. I have no fear of her.

"Good," he replied, his dark and predatory, glistening eyes Still, more is involved here than only her. You know, you never really know?

I paused, then nodded. "Know. Something about you makes me uncomfortable, Xavier. Something I can't fully understand.

His smile widened, a gradual, knowing curve of lips that shot an uncomfortable electric shock through me. Emma, "That's the point." You should not be able to identify me. You will, however. Over time.

I gulped, pushing back the anxiety slinking into my chest. "What from me do you want?"

Xavier's voice dropped even lower as his eyes clouded. "I want you to struggle. Please win.

His weighty words descended on me, and the concept of fighting—of at last grasping control of my own life—captivated me. Still, the cost—what would it be to engage in this risky game with him?

As we headed toward the top deck, the ship's lights twinkled far away. The night air was cold on my skin, yet between us there was an unquestionable tension thick enough to cut. Xavier's presence next to me seemed to be an electrical current, a force I couldn't ignore.

"Tell me something, Emma," Xavier urged, his voice cutting through stillness. "Do you actually think you can bring Julian down without me?"

"I don't need you," I replied, knowing it was untrue. But I was not going to tell him that either. Not exactly yet. "I can do this on my own."

"You're lying," Xavier whispered gently—almost to himself. You are seeking retribution. Your only concern is how much you might love it.

My breath stopped right in my throat. He was in line. Inside me, burning for a reckoning and atonement, was something. Was I, however, truly prepared to engage in this game? Starting to seem frighteningly real were the repercussions.

Stopped at the ship's edge, we gazed out over the sea. The wind pulled at my hair, and I exhaled to help my chest to stop fluttering. Though Xavier and I had an obvious chemistry, it seemed strange. He was a stranger, and yet...

I still couldn't help myself from yearning for him, though.

Heart thumping in my chest, I turned to meet him. "What is this, Xavier?" What from me do you wish?

His eye softened momentarily, and I sensed a flutter of something real in there. But it vanished quickly, and the cold, merciless guy I had initially encountered took center stage.

His voice low and firm, he replied, "I told you, I want you to win."

One loud voice cut us off before I could reply.

"Xavier!"—The piercing and familiar voice chilled me down from the spine.

I turned to find Julian very angry and charging toward us. He was not on his own. Damien, a tall, striking man who collaborated closely with Julian in his firm, stood behind him. Something about Damien bothered me; his icy gaze and his almost constant presence in the background.

Julian halted only a few feet away, his jaw tense. "What the devil is happening here, Xavier?"

Xavier hardly flinches. " Nothing that worries you, Julian."

Julian's face turned angry, and his eyes shot to mine. Emma, do you believe you could simply carry on like this? You believe I will permit you to get away with this?

"I'm done, Julian," I murmured, my voice firm in spite of the emotional tempest within me. "I've finished with you."

Step forward Damien stepped forward, his gaze narrowing to meet Xavier's. "Emma, I would not be quite confident about it. Julian struggles with letting go.

A shudder slid down my back. Damien's comments held weight. Something more was at work here, a game I hadn't really grasped yet.

Xavier's lips opened to a grim grin. Then let him try, he murmured, his voice hardly audible above a whisper.

A great smash sounded across the deck as the three men's conflict peaked. The ship rocked fiercely, causing the audience to go into a frenzy.

"What the heavens was that?" Julian yelled, eyes wide with incredulity.

The lights flickering before anyone could respond finally went out totally. The ship sank into gloom.

And I understood at that moment—this was merely the beginning.