Aneurin Morgan gave a low growl of displeasure as he arrived to embark on the all-inclusive two-week cruise on the beautiful ship. His displeasure was not directed at the boat, the cruise or being the recipient of such a prestigious gift from his notably ancient and eminent firm of solicitors. The cruise was a reward for the successful conclusion of a particularly gruelling case and Nye felt justifiably proud of his achievement and the generous bonus. However, he was not happy to be sharing it with such an unsavoury companion. Nye ran his hand through straggly, sandy blond hair. He had been somewhat surprised to be allowed to keep his hair so long given the old-fashioned nature of his firm. However he wasn't going to tempt fate by dwelling on it. His hand then rubbed at a clean-shaven chin as he took in the magnificence of the ship before him. //Ok, so I'll share a table with the creep// Nye thought. //There's plenty of space to avoid him for the rest of the cruise.// Satisfied with his own course of action, Nye strode purposefully aboard, determined to make the most of the opportunity.
People queued to be ticked off passenger lists and Nye duly joined one such line. He could see the attractive, slim brunette who was smiling and taking names at the front of the queue he was in, but then Nye heard an almost inaudible gasp and dimly realised he'd been the one to make it. Standing to the side of the attractive woman was an even more attractive young man. The short, silver blond hair lit from behind by the sun, was like a halo. The vision was easily a few inches shorter than Nye's own six feet and slender to Nye's broad. The sculptured features looked to Nye to be the product of a master artist rather than simple nature, however, there was no doubt of their masculinity. A pristine white shirt was tucked into smart black pants. The short shirt-sleeves showed off honey-tinted skin. Nye was treated to an eyeful of how well the pants clung to the younger man's assets as he bent to retrieve a dropped passport. As the document was handed over, the beautiful face lit up in an incandescent smile and the bright blue eyes shone merrily. Nye wondered firstly whether there would be a 'no fraternising' rule and then secondly what made him think a young beauty, like the one before him, would have any interest in a man like him.
Lassiter Williams handed back a dropped passport and smiled widely at the effusive thanks. As he turned to continue directing the people in Liz's queue, his eyes met those of one of the passengers. The man exuded raw masculine power as well as being drop dead gorgeous and Lass knew he'd never been so affected by just sight alone. //Although// he mused ruefully //it's not as though I'm really that experienced in such matters. What could a great-looking guy possibly see in me?// The young man took a fortifying breath ready to meet and greet the new passenger.
"Hi, welcome aboard. My name is Liz and you are?"
"Aneurin Morgan," came the softly modulated reply. He duly shook hands with Liz, but already his eyes were moving to the young man at her side.
"Thank you, Mr Morgan," Liz smiled as she ticked off the name.
"Call me Nye," he replied, his eyes fixed on the now slightly blushing young man.
"Ok, Nye," Liz continued, completely unfazed by his behaviour. "Lass, please give Nye directions to his cabin."
As Liz quoted floor and cabin number, Lass held out a schematic of the ship to show Nye where he would be staying. Nye shamelessly took advantage to stand as close as possible and inhaled the other blond's subtle fragrance.
"I'm Nye," he said and then realised the young man already knew who he was.
"Yes I know," he was teased in return. A mischievous grin adorned the exquisite features. "I'm Lass, as I'm sure you heard. It's nice to meet you, Nye. I hope you have a great holiday with us." Lass gazed into the blue grey eyes of the other man as he extended his hand.
Nye accepted the proffered hand and then wondered who had set off the fireworks. A spark of electricity seemed to travel from their joined hands to send a jolt to his already interested libido. He was certain the attractive boy had felt it too, judging by the nonplussed look. Then he noticed the blush deepening on the high cheekbones and the passenger behind him who was now waiting impatiently for Nye to release Lass' hand.
"Sorry," he muttered.
"No problem." Lass could still feel the aftershocks from their handshake and fought hard to maintain his detached professionalism. Lass had taken advantage of the bigger man's proximity to inhale the clean, male scent and found he could easily want to spend all his time with Nye.
"Will I see you later?" Nye heard himself ask and was at a loss to know where the courage had come from. All he knew for certain was he did not want to fully relinquish the beautiful blond.
"I'll be helping serve dinner," Lass replied. "Perhaps I'll see you then."
"I look forward to it," Nye said smiling and receiving a blinding beam in return. //Who needs the sun, just pass me sunglasses and lotion right now// Nye basked happily in Lass' radiant smile before he wandered off to find his cabin.
As the last of their passengers walked away, Liz turned to regard Lass' glowing face.
"I'm glad someone's managed to cheer you up," she said nudging the slender man. "I know things have been difficult for the last few months, but things are looking up now and you deserve some fun. Nye seemed very much taken with you."
"I'm not sure, Liz," Lass demurred.
"He liked you, you liked him, just take it from there, Lass. He didn't leer or make a crass remark or treat you like a part of the ship's fittings and fixtures. At least I only tend to get the crude offers from the men."
"The men do tend to be cruder," Lass acknowledged sadly.
"A little flirting and making out would do no harm, Lass," Liz said conspiratorially.
"Liz," Lass gave a moue of mock outrage. "You shock me."
"Come on," she said dragging the unresisting blond in her wake. "If you're not already serving Nye's table I need to rearrange things so you do."
"Incorrigible," Lass muttered mournfully.
"Adorable," Liz laughed merrily.
****
Nye didn't know whether or not to be relieved that he was on a small table for four. The young married couple seemed amiable enough, but quite wrapped up in each other. That left him to focus more on Emmet, who he detested. However, he could not let that show in such an intimate setting and perhaps that was for the best. Nye hadn't been brought up to make scenes in public. Emmet seemed to think of himself as one of the firm's 'stars'. Nye was certain the brunette's mediocre performance had made little material difference to the outcome of his case, but the younger man had been quick to paint a much different picture. Being on one of the larger tables might have meant he would have let his true feelings for the other man show. He really didn't want to make small talk with strangers and he knew Emmet saw such opportunities as open offers to network. With just the young couple, there would be no work talk - he hoped. With a small table he could wish for the meal to be served quickly and he could eat and get away from the ambitious and disliked brunette. He looked up sharply with a grimace of distaste as Emmet leant back and snapped his fingers at the waiter attending the nearby table. He saw his look briefly mirrored by the older man before his features were schooled back into neutrality as the waiter turned to regard Emmet coldly.
"Your waiter will attend you in a moment...sir," he informed the impatient younger man.
Nye hid his smirk as Emmet glowered. Then his saw a shift in Emmet's dark brown eyes and his face light up as he stroked his goatee. A lascivious leer appeared and as Nye followed the other man's gaze he felt his stomach clench. Lass was approaching their table and it was clear he was to be their waiter.
"Try not to disgrace yourself any further, Emmet," Nye growled, hoping the other man wouldn't abuse the attractive blond. He had heard rumours about Emmet's behaviour towards both young men and women at his firm. Unfortunately nobody had made any formal complaints although a couple had left. Nye felt a protectiveness he couldn't explain and didn't want Lass to suffer in the same way from the bulky brunette.
