Chapter 12

She grabbed a pair of flats and before dashing back downstairs she opened the drawers to see if her underwear had been neatly folded—which would have been a bit on the creepy side. Instead, her small carry-on bag containing her intimates and make-up were sitting untouched next to the dresser.

"Are you ready ma'am?" she heard Gio call.

"Coming." She hurried down the stairs and noted the way that he followed her with his eyes as if he was her man. Maybe for a little while it would be okay to pretend that he was, she thought.

As they headed to the door she saw a bowl of perfect strawberries and a chilled bottle of sparkling water on the table at the entrance of the room. She must have really been tired not to have seen that.

"Mmm," she said after taking a bite of the most perfect strawberry. "That's sweet," she commented, mostly to herself.

The butler held out a small plate for her to place the strawberry stem.

"Are you sure you do not want to muster in the VIP lounge? They will be serving caviar crackers and champagne, while there is no food or beverages allowed during the basic muster."

Sidney opened the bottled water and took a quick swig. "Ahhh. We're going to the basic muster. I will return for this." She continued to the door and Gio smiled. He opened the door for her and was pleased that she didn't reach for it herself. Some people had to learn to allow themselves to be served. His beautiful guest was one of those people and it would be his pleasure to teach her.

II

The basic muster drill was crowded and noisy, but Sidney enjoyed it. She liked to people watch. Gio had led her to a table and when he tried to leave her to stand with the other crew members, she asked him to sit with her. He inclined his head and did. Now when she looked about the large dining room at the other couples she didn't feel like a misfit sitting by herself.

Since the drill change he needed to get her menu selected for tonight's dinner. Also, she didn't confirm her evening's activities. He ran down the options for tonight's dinner. He hated not having a menu to offer her, but this is what it meant to be a butler that sometimes had to fly by the seat of his pants. Luckily, he had the menu already memorized and she selected chef's choice in all categories.

"You have a standing appointment at the spa. Shall I confirm a visit for you?"

"Spa. Yeah that sounds nice. But I might fall asleep if I get a massage."

"There are extended hours for the elite guests. Perhaps after you have rested? But there is also a sail-away party on decks three and four after the drill."

Her brow perked. What the hell! She wasn't here to sleep. "Yes, make an appointment for the spa after the sail-away party. The party is for everyone, right? The basic cruisers?"

He nodded. "Yes, for everyone."

"Good," she replied, remembering the way that she had been gawked at by the older guy and his young wife while in the VIP lounge. It was one thing to be gawked at when you were in a crowd of hundreds, and totally another when you were sitting alone in a VIP lounge with a handful of rich and snooty people.

As the crew began explaining what to do in case of an emergency, Gio made a mental note of his guest's apparent likes and dislikes. She wasn't here to relax, she was here to have fun. She trusted the recommendations of the crew. She liked the strawberries that he had handpicked for her. She liked him—well at least enough to ask him to sit with her.

After the drill they parted ways so that she could attend that over-crowded sail-away party. Maybe she would like such things, he thought. While she was gone he needed to make her appointment for the spa, supervise the evening turndown service and then if there was a spare minute he wanted to hit the gym. The gym was recreation time for him.

Later, after he completed his tasks he sent Paolo a quick text stating that he was on his way to the gym.

The Superior Genies were given greater privileges on the ship than other crew-members. They got use of the gym, as well as other areas designated for the guests. They had the choice of either eating with the rest of the crew, or eating the food that was served to the guests. Their rooms were also similar to those of the guests, albeit not anything like the VIP rooms.

He was just warming up on the treadmill when Paolo appeared dressed in workout shorts and a t-shirt.

"So, you chose the gym over the party." Gio stated a little surprised. There was a separate party underway on the lower decks just for the crew. The crew parties were much crazier, and filled with more debauchery as the tour progressed.

Paolo got on the treadmill next to him. "Yeah. There will be plenty of parties. No one's going to seriously hook up after the first one." He flexed his biceps and placed a loving kiss on each of them. "My priority right now is to keep this body in shape for the ladies."

Gio grinned at his friend. Paolo didn't have to work hard for the ladies. He was handsome with a good disposition, and having a toned, muscular body was just the icing on the cake.

It was Gio that had to keep up with the exercise. He was big and naturally thick. He could easily lose his six-pack abs due to his love of cooking…and then eating what he cooked. His big arms would probably never leave him, even if he decided to become a couch potato in his retirement. But he rather preferred the hard lines and definition that his body showcased due to his love of the gym.