After One Night with the Alpha Chapter 193

Elle's POV

My heart was pounding as the captain leaned down toward me, his lips inches from mine. At the last second, I twisted my face away, and his kiss landed on my cheek instead.

"What the hell?" I pushed against his chest, anger flaring. "Back off!"

The captain pulled back slightly. "Do you find me repulsive?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of hurt that seemed almost... genuine.

I took a shaky breath, trying to regain my composure. "I already have someone."

"That Alpha?" The captain's tone turned mocking. "Please. You're just a placeholder mate. There's no need to be so loyal to someone who—"

"That's my business!" I cut him off, my voice rising. "It has nothing to do with you!"

The captain stepped back, but his eyes never left mine. There was something almost playful in his expression now, like a cat toying with a mouse. "Do you love him?" he asked suddenly.

The question caught me off guard. "Let me go," I said instead of answering.

"But you came to find me," the captain said, blocking my path to the door.

I tried to push past him, but he moved aside with fluid grace, almost like he was letting me push him.

When I reached for the door handle, it wouldn't budge.

"This room requires fingerprint access," the captain explained lazily, settling into a chair like he had all the time in the world. "No one can get in without my authorization, and likewise, no one can get out."

"You planned this," I realized, fury building in my chest. "The broken bathroom was a setup."

The captain's lips quirked upward. "The bathroom you were looking for is actually on the other side of the ship, third door on the left."

My face burned with embarrassment and anger. I had walked right into his trap.

After using the actual bathroom, I returned to find the captain exactly where I'd left him. There really was no other way out of this underwater viewing room.

"What do you want?" I demanded, crossing my arms.

"Sit down. Let's chat."

I remained standing. "If you have something to say, say it."

The captain tilted his head. "How do you think of me?"

I stared at him. "Are you serious?"

"Answer the question."

"This is ridiculous," I muttered. "Why don't you ask me for Brad's bank account password while you're at it?"

"I don't need his password," the captain said with amusement. "But since you brought it up—do you know it?"

The question hit me like a slap. I realized with a sinking heart that I didn't know Brad's password. I didn't know most things about him, really. We'd been thrown together by circumstances, not by choice.

"You're cute when you're thinking," the captain observed.

"Look," I said, my patience wearing thin, "I don't know what game you're playing, but I'm not interested. If you don't let me out, I'll report you. The Rayne family has influence, and I—"

"You'll what? Fight to the death?" The captain's amusement was evident.

We stared at each other for several tense minutes. Finally, the captain sighed and stood up. "Alright, alright. You win."

He walked to the door and pressed his thumb to the scanner. The lock clicked open.

As I moved toward the door and went through him, the captain suddenly came near me again.

I drove my elbow hard into his stomach. A grunt of pain came from behind me.

"Next time I won't go so easy on you!" I called over my shoulder as I stormed out.

Behind me, I heard a low chuckle.

I didn't look back as I made my way through the ship's corridors, my heart still racing. Something about that whole encounter felt off, but I couldn't put my finger on what.

When I reached the deck, Sophia and Abigail looked up from their fishing lines with relief.

"There you are!" Sophia said. "We were starting to worry. What took so long?"

I was about to tell them about the captain when I realized how insane it would sound. A mysterious captain who trapped me in his private room but then let me go?

"The bathroom was out of order," I said instead. "Had to find another one."

"Well, you missed Sophia catching her second fish," Abigail said with a grin. "The competition is heating up."

"How's the fishing going?" I asked, settling back into my chair.

"I'm winning," Abigail announced smugly. "Three to two."

"It's not over yet," Sophia retorted, casting her line again.

I tried to focus on their friendly competition, but my mind kept drifting back to the captain. Something about his voice, his mannerisms, even the way he'd stepped aside when I pushed him...

"Elle?" Abigail's voice broke through my thoughts. "You seem distracted."

"Just tired," I lied.

"You know," Sophia said, not taking her eyes off her fishing line, "I heard some of the passengers talking about how the captain has been giving you special attention. Apparently, everyone thinks he recognizes your status and is trying to curry favor."

I wanted to tell them that safe was the last thing I'd felt in that room, but how could I explain without sounding paranoid?

"Speaking of the captain," Sophia continued, "what do you think of him? Have you gotten a good look at him?"

My cheeks heated up. "He's... mysterious."

"Mysterious how?" Abigail pressed.

Before I could answer, a commotion erupted from somewhere on the ship. Excited voices carried on the wind, and I could hear people shouting.

"Oh my God, they're so handsome!"

Sophia and Abigail exchanged glances, their fishing momentarily forgotten.

"What do you think that's about?" Abigail wondered aloud.

I had a sinking feeling I was about to find out.