Falling for The Fallen

Chapter 13

STEPHI

True to his word, Crowley had somehow managed to get the ship management to allow Soul on board.

Sam and I had just arrived on the ship, going over to Crowley and Laura.

Although Sam held Soul's leash, he growled lowly at Crowley, baring his teeth at him.

Yet, he surprisingly had no issue with Laura.

Crowley studied Soul, "What in heaven's name is such a charming little thing like you doing with this absolute beast?"

He didn't say it as if it was an insult, although the hint was there.

Laura knew how I felt about my dog so she quickly cut in.

"He's kidding, he loves dogs."

Sam glanced down at Soul, "Doesn't look like dogs love him."

I nudged him, although I didn't like Crowley, I was trying to be supportive of Laura.

It was strange to me that we were about to go on a cruise, yet Crowley was once again in a suit, even Sam had not ditched his usual leather attire.

"Babe, shouldn't we show them their cabins?"

Crowley nodded, "Right. We have VIP cabins. Right, this way."

We followed him down to the cabins in the huge ship, I was sure that it was big enough to be a small city.

Laura excitedly showed us the cabin they would be staying in before taking us to the cabin across from it, "This is Sam's. Stephi, yours is next to ours."

I was thankful that she wasn't trying to play matchmaker and put us in one room.

Crowley showed us the next cabin, mine, which was larger than I had expected, "I booked two separate rooms for the two of you, Laura says you're not together."

I was sure I detected a hint of smugness in his tone, but I let it go as I dropped my bags onto the double bed.

"This is nice."

"Get your bikini ready, we're checking out the pool."

Trust Laura to start with activities when we had just arrived.

Shutting the door after they had left, I rummaged through my bags for my simple black bikini, putting a sarong over I stepped out.

Sam was standing in the hallway with Soul.

"Crowley already took Laura up, shall we join them?"

I nodded and we went up.

Finding the pool had been easy, it was a huge area with a beautiful white bar and pristine deck.

Laura and I lounged on the cushioned deck chairs while Crowley and Sam got drinks.

"So?"

I turned my head to her, "So what?"

"Oh come on! Have the two of you decided yet?"

"Decided what, Laura?"

She rolled her eyes, "God the two of you are so insufferable. Just start dating already. Or at least take him to bed!"

"Laura!"

"Don't you 'Laura' me, missy, you need to get some and something tells me that Mr. Broody will be more than willing to come to the party."

I shook my head, she knew just what to say to embarrass me.

But the truth was even though I hadn't slept with Donnie, I wasn't a virgin, having had s*x only with my ex before him.

"Don't tell me you haven't thought about doing him."

I glared at her, not about to tell her that she was right, I definitely had thought about it, not to mention the strange dream that I'd had.

Thankfully the guys returned in time to save me from any further conversation on the topic.

"You both look so out of place here," I noted with a chuckle.

Sam handed me my drink and sat down awkwardly on the chair I was laying on.

To my surprise, Sam smiled at me.

Crowley threw an arm around Laura, "They're having a dance on the last night in one of the halls, it's some masked party. Do you feel like going?"

"Absolutely. Stehpi and I can stop by one of the shops they have here and get masks and dresses."

I noticed Sam tense slightly but he didn't speak on the matter.

×

We lounged around the pool for most of the day before heading back to change for dinner.

I was beginning to feel more comfortable around Crowley, even though he was still a bit strange.

We kept a light conversation going throughout dinner before Sam and I broke away from them to go out onto the deck.

It was beautiful at night with tea lights and the natural light of the moon shining down on us.

He walked over to the barrier, placing his hands along the railing, gazing out at the sea.

"I miss this."

I joined him, "What do you mean?"

"I used to have a ship, with a crew. We were notorious on the seas. And then I died."

"Excuse me?!"

He turned, shaking his head, "I, uh, mean a piece of me died when the ship sank."

"I'm sorry, it sounds like you really miss it."

"I do. Things were so simple then, so much easier."

"Would you go back if you could?"

He looked thoughtful for a second, "No. I wouldn't trade this time with you," he took my hand in his, "As I told you, this is all very strange to me, to feel any of this. I don't know why or even how I can feel any of this at all, and although it leaves me confused, I wouldn't change it. And I know that you don't understand what I mean, but I promise you that I will explain everything when the time is right."

"I hope you will, Sam because this hot and cold game is getting old. And I can't allow myself to get attached to someone who is so undecided," I scoffed, "Although I think I'm already getting quite attached to you."

He pulled me closer, kissing me softly on the lips before turning back to the ocean before us.

"When I find the words to explain, I will. You know that I've done bad things and that I know bad people, but that's just the beginning of it, and I am fearful that when you learn more about me, you will never want to see me again."

"Sam, you need to trust me, I wouldn't just leave."

"You don't understand, Stephi. You'd look at me differently."

"I really wouldn't, but I'm not going to push you to tell me anything if you're not ready."

"I've hurt people. Mostly bad people, but sometimes good people too. And I-I enjoy it."

I was sure he felt me shift uncomfortably against him, "Are you like, involved in the mafia or something?"

"Something like that. At my job, I have seen thousands of people, and I have never understood why they do the things that they do. Life is so meaningless to most of you. I've never understood how you are able to form bonds with one another. I've never been fond of people. And then, somehow I became what I loathe. I began to feel the feelings that I thought were stupid. I began to understand how it's possible to feel so deeply that it hurts. And that is all because of you."

"I can't tell whether you're mad or happy about that. And I don't really understand what you mean, but I'll do my best to understand when you're ready to explain it."

He pulled me tighter to him, and I allowed myself to relax, and to focus on the current moment, happy and enjoying my time with him.