Arizona Skies: The Muse Read Free Page B

and flirting with Jesse’s blond friend. She was slapping his arm as he pulled her into him by her waist.
She’s already got two of the guys drooling over her, and she’s not a bit uncomfortable
. I wished I had that kind of confidencewith men. I was a work in progress, but Jesse made me feel desirable. I was enjoying myself, and my shyness was slowly beginning to disappear.
    “Look,” Jesse said, grabbing my hand to turn me toward the shoreline. “The coastline looks so small now.”
    “It’s beautiful,” I said, leaning against the railing to look at the little bit of green still visible. And then there was nothing but blue water all around us.
    I noticed Shelly step up to the railing with her two new friends surrounding her. She was still giggling, but the view that she was watching wasn’t the same view I was watching. John leaned on the railing looking out to sea by himself apparently not affected by Shelly’s charms. Jesse slid his arm around my waist to pull me closer to his side. I looked up at him, feeling uncomfortable and took a step away to loosen his grip. My heart was beating so fast.
Too much, too soon
, I thought to myself.
    “Just in case you trip again,” he explained when I stepped away. He smiled and I smiled back as I tried to relax. I turned back to look at the ocean.
    “Thank you for saving me.” I finally said.
    “You know I was dreading this cruise,” he whispered.
    “Really!” I said, surprised.
    “But now I’m really glad that John twisted my arm and made me come.” His green eyes were sparkling in the sunlight. He stepped a little closer to me until I could feel his warm breath on my neck.
    “The view is beautiful,” I said with a sigh, still processing the fact that I was actually on this ship with this handsome guy next to me.
    “You’re the view I’m enjoying, Bailey!” he said, turning me around to face him. His mouth hovered just above my lips. I held my breath wondering if he was about to try to kiss me. He smiled down at me for what seemed like an eternity then he slowly pulled his face away from mine and turned back toward the ocean. I quietly let my breath out as I turned to clutch the railing tight. I was so outof my comfort zone right then. I felt his hand slide around my waist again as he pulled me closer to him. The butterflies in my stomach were fluttering, I was barely breathing as I felt the warmth of his arm around my waist.
    I swept my hair out of my face and let the ocean breeze blow over my heated body to cool me down. My heart was racing so fast as I stood there with this silly grin on my face. I sneaked a peek at Jesse, who was smiling at me. He whispered in my ear.
    “You know, you’re my fantasy girl!”
    If he hadn’t been holding me, I would have fallen overboard with that remark. I was in shock—never in a million years did I dream I’d be this sexy man’s fantasy girl. I was in heaven!
    I wanted to look in the mirror and make sure I hadn’t morphed into someone else’s body. This couldn’t be happening to me.
    “I don’t want to walk away from you for fear this was all a dream,” he confessed turning to look at me. I didn’t know what to say as I turned around to face him. I was feeling the same way, but I didn’t tell him. He was looking directly into my eyes, looking so sincere that a shiver ran down my spine.
I think he really means what he just said
.
    “Bailey, I know we just met, but I would love to spend more time with you and get to know you better. I feel this unbelievable connection with you, I just can’t explain it. Would you have dinner with me tonight?”
    “Umm…sure, I’d like that,” I said, excited that he wanted to spend more time with me. He appeared to be relieved, blowing out his breath and running his hand thru his hair.
    “Well all right then,” he chuckled. How about meeting a six in the main dining hall, do you know where that is?” he asked.
    “Yes, Shelly and I found it when we were exploring