Upside Down (Breaking the Rules #3) - A.M. Madden Page 0,9
was lucky to get four to five straight hours on any given night. And after I stripped down to my boxers, my plan seemed to be on point the moment my body slid in between those heavenly sheets.
That was until what felt like hours later, when I sat up and gasped.
Despite the cool temperature, a thin sheen of sweat coated my body. Searching my thoughts, I tried to remember what I had dreamed about. The way my heart pounded meant it had to have been a nightmare, but I couldn’t remember a damn thing that had freaked me out.
Once the disoriented fog lifted, I grabbed for my phone to see it was only midnight.
“Goddamn it.”
I’d been convinced it was morning and gave the pillow a hard punch before settling back down, hoping to fall right back to sleep. But when tossing and turning ensued for two hours, I finally gave up.
I could always start on grading the papers waiting for me in my bag but being in that cabin wide awake made me claustrophobic. So I threw on shorts and a T-shirt, grabbed my e-reader and a bottle of water from the minibar, and headed out on deck.
All was quiet, no doubt everyone on board lucky enough to be sleeping soundly. Tulle garland had been added here and there in preparation for tomorrow and, along with the decorative deck lights, helped to create an ethereal atmosphere.
For a few minutes, I stared at the almost full moon’s reflection in the inky waters. It was a cloudless night with a light breeze taking the edge off the muggy air. I may not have been able to sleep, but the quietude created a serene bubble that served as the next best thing.
No sooner had I opened my e-reader than I heard something behind me. “Hello?” I called out to the shadow leaning against a darkened corner. Whoever it was said nothing as he stepped forward, revealing himself.
So much for my fucking serenity.
“What are you doing up?”
“I’m always up,” Ricky said, sitting beside me without invite. “What’s your excuse?”
“Couldn’t sleep,” I responded while staring straight ahead. Feeling his gaze drilling into the side of my face, I met it and asked, “What?”
“Just wondering if you’re still upset with me for what I said earlier.” His eyes briefly shifted down to my lips. “And if that’s why you’re out here in the middle of the night.”
“Don’t flatter yourself. My poor sleep habits have nothing to do with you.”
The corners of his mouth lifted into a smirk. “So then you haven’t thought about what I said?”
“There’s nothing to think about,” I barked. “You’re coming on to me, and I’m not interested.”
His laugh was instant. “Coming on to you? What makes you think you’re my type?”
It was my turn to smirk. “The snide comments, the way you’re trying to push my buttons, or even the fact you feel the right to say whatever is on your mind… for starters.” I would’ve loved to have added the way he constantly stared at me… no, no… leered at me… like he could imagine what my body would feel like beneath his hands, or taste beneath his lips.
Admitting to any of that would supply fuel to his fire, and I wasn’t interested in stoking those flames.
“None of which means that I’m coming on to you,” he replied as if it were obvious. “Sure, you’re hot…” He waved a hand between us. “In a bohemian kind of way.”
“Bohemian?” I looked down at my simple gym shorts and basic T-shirt before assessing his attire, which could only be compared to an Ivy League welcome pamphlet.
Our wardrobe choices weren’t the only things that were worlds apart. Except for our matching height and athletic physiques, we couldn’t be more different. Straight blond hair and blue eyes gave him that carefree California look people paid hard cash for. To Ricky, it came naturally. He also had a good five years on me. And I hadn’t even touched on how obviously our personalities clashed.
“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes while hoping he’d shut up.
“But I’m not sure you’d be worth the trouble,” he said, going on as if I hadn’t spoken, never breaking eye contact. “You have a lot of issues to resolve, Cooper. I’d be happy to be there for you as a friend, give you advice even… but romantically?” His pale-blue eyes widened a bit as his head slid from side to side. “No, thanks.”
“Well, that sucks.” I pretended disappointment. “Here I thought you could