The Billionaire's Ball: BBW Billionaire Boss Erotic Romance (Vivian's Desire) Read Free Page B

ballroom was the crown jewel of the ship, but she hadn’t imagined it to be quite as magnificent as it was. It was a scene out of the Titanic , but on a grander scale. The sparkling floors, the luxurious ice sculptures, and a tremendous hanging chandelier hovering over the center of the main area. She let out a little gasp of awe.
     
    “Beautiful!”
     
    Alex nodded in agreement. “Absolutely beautiful.”
     
    “I hope you’re talking about your date,” Robert’s voice sounded from behind them. “Vivian, you look ravishing.” He took her hand gently with a flourish and placed a kiss on it. She blushed.
     
    “Captain, I doubt anyone could steal a girl from you.”
     
    He gave her a lighthearted wink and then exchanged a firm hug with Alex before being called off by a crewmember.
     
    “Our table is right over here, next to Robert’s,” Alex said as he guided them toward a collection of three tables. They sat and sipped on iced water. She adjusted her mask and prayed impression lines wouldn’t set into her soft skin. Her boss nearly tugged his off.
     
    “Too itchy,” he muttered. But, he kept it on after looking around to see nearly everyone was masked but the service.
     
    “After everyone’s drunk, I’m sure you can take it off,” she reminded him. He nodded in agreement with a grateful smile.
     
    “Yes, or I can fake sea sickness!”
     
    Somehow she doubted it would be feigned at the rate he’d been eating on the trip. She was surprised he hadn’t thrown up from eating nearly twice his weight on the first day. She looked out among the crowd. Jealousy bit into her just a bit as she watched the cuddling couples that ran gloved hands over each other at the tables.
     
    “It’s OK to miss him you know,” came the sudden remark from Alex. She turned to him with flushed cheeks to see him looking at her with an amused, but sympathetic smile.
     
    “It’s hard to be away from the ones we love.”
     
    She nodded. “Yes, it is. He hasn’t contacted me at all,” she had finally admitted her worry. Her boss raised his eyebrows, but didn’t seem too surprised.
     
    “Vivian, I’ve never seen Ben more in love than he is with you. I saw it on the first day that you met.”
     
    She felt her heart skip a beat and couldn’t help but pushing for more information. “Really?” it was so unlike her. She felt unprepared, always, now it seemed.
     
    He nodded with a larger grin now. “Yes,” he hesitated. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you, actually.”
     
    But, before he could continue, the lights dimmed suddenly in the room. Robert sat beside them.
     
    “Don’t tell them I’m missing from the Captain’s table,” he whispered playfully to her. She was still reeling from Alex’s last comment. She wanted to ask him what he was going to say, but suddenly an announcer’s voice came over the speakers.
     
    “Ladies and gentleman, we are pleased to announce the first Masquerade Ball on our maiden voyage. Feel free to get up and dance. Your servers will be more than happy to fill all your refreshment requests. Please enjoy the sound of the Third Street Quartet as they perform for your listening pleasure.”
     
    She peered over to a collection of musicians, finely dressed. They gave a little wave at the outburst of applause after their announcement. She clapped politely along with the crowd.
     
    “We have a special surprise tonight, actually,” the announcer continued. There were a few chatters of surprise in the crowd. Robert shifted suddenly beside her.
     
    “What? This wasn’t on the schedule.”
     
    The announcer continued. “One of our finest investors has requested a special first dance for all the couples. He told us that the woman he loved deserved the best.” There was a massive whooping of applause. “We couldn’t agree more, Ben.”
     
    The Captain sighed. “Oh God.”
     
    “Boarding school all over again,” Alex muttered.
     
    “What-?” Her