Note: This story will follow several characters for a while but gradually phase out to follow one story from the male's point of view. At first these stories are not going to be filled with sex. These first few chapters are more about establishing my main four characters over the course of the same day. Later chapters will get more sexually intensive, with the back-story of the four characters I establish here weaving in there as well. Please note that this is intended to be a long story and some things may take several chapters to evolve.
Also thanks luvtaread for the editing.
Chapter 2.2
Brandon and Ashley stood outside of the door for a few uncomfortable seconds, both fully aware of what would soon be going on behind it. It seemed neither was in a great rush to go back to their own rooms on the lower decks. The prospect of facing a drunken Hutch and his gang was not inviting in the least to Brandon, and as for Ashley, he knew that she had spent the better part of the day avoiding her step-father. Being sold off to be the entertainment at a bachelor party had further soured what was already a bad relationship. So they both awkwardly stood there trying to figure out what to do.
It was as Brandon felt his stomach protest at the lack of food it had received, that he remembered Katy's advice. He thought quickly then turned to Ashley and asked her to a late dinner. She accepted and they tried to decide where to go.
As they were both rather formally dressed Brandon decided to take advantage and go to the fancy restaurant one deck below. When they arrived they found very few people there and discovered that it was actually closed except for desserts. Since they were already there they decided to use the chance to order a fancy dessert or two. Chatting while they waited, Brandon found he was again surprised how easy the stunning Ashley was to talk to. He expected a girl like her to be snobby and distant, but she was very down to earth with very simple tastes.
Of course as he had spent the day working with her not all of this was a huge surprise. He had been very impressed with how she had managed to organize the whole idea in such a short time. What was also clear to Brandon was that this girl was intelligent, although maybe not as well educated as Mel or Katy, she certainly had brains to go with her stunning looks. Like he had with Mel, Brandon found this very attractive. He hoped it was not too obvious to those around that he was definitely falling hard for this girl. He had only known her for a day, but already he could see her becoming a permanent part of his life. He just hoped the feeling was mutual.
The pair finished their dessert, Brandon paid, and they left; as they walked they held hands, which Brandon took as a great sign. Brandon found he was still hungry as the desserts while expensive and very rich in taste had been very small in portion.
"So, um, are you still hungry because I am?" He asked hesitantly.
"Yes," Ashley said a look of relief clearly on her face. "I didn't want to sound rude or like a pig or something, but yeah."
"I have got an idea, do you still have that key to the rooms upstairs?" Ashley nodded confused and Brandon continued, "Good, since it appears neither of us wants to spend our night in our own rooms. Why don't we take some room service in the penthouse suites upstairs? From what the girls told us it sounds as if a few of those rooms will be mighty empty tonight."
Brandon did not know what had come over him, as he was ordinarily a strict rule follower, but there was something intoxicating about being with Ashley that brought out a bit of his wild side. Ashley agreed and they set off for one of the suites they were sure would stay empty that night. They decided that Mel's suite would probably serve them best as they were sure she would not need it.
It was where both had changed earlier in the evening so it also contained their clothes from earlier as well as a few other items; not being sure what they would need after the wedding. Mel's suite was not as roomy as Katy's, but still had some nice comforts; foremost was a small hot tub.
After a brief look at the menu Brandon placed their order, being sure to have the charges sent to his room bill. He thought this might have gotten them in trouble, but it was met with no issue at all.
As the only thing available at the late hour had been pizza, they decided they were both a little over dressed. So, as they waited for the food to arrive they changed into more comfortable clothing. Brandon, figuring he would like to take advantage of the hot tub at some point that evening put on the swimsuit he had brought and a t-shirt. He was intrigued a few minutes later to see Ashley emerge from the bathroom wearing a robe; had she been planning a trip into the hot tub as well? There was not much time to think it over as, at that moment, the pizza arrived and he went to the door to retrieve it.
As they ate the pizza they discussed their lives this far with each other. Brandon told her about his life growing up outside Chicago, about his time in college and about his career as a computer programmer. He did however leave out that he had been laid off before the trip and made it seem he was on a much needed vacation.
Ashley in turn gave him a brief version of her not so nice life thus far. She told him the sad tale about how she barely known her real dad, her mother's untimely death, and how she had ended up on the cruise with John, her step-father.
Brandon was deeply saddened by the narrative, but was surprised to see that Ashley was holding together. He also noticed she would not look at him. He got up and crossed over to the couch and after sitting down on it beside her he tilted her head up to meet his gaze. As she looked into his eyes Brandon saw in them the pain she had been fighting back.
"Its okay don't fight it Ashley," he said in a soothing voice, "It's alright to be sad you have faced a hard life, I can only imagine. You don't have to be afraid, I won't hurt you." As he slowly pulled her close and embraced her he felt her head rest on his shoulder. He held her like that for a few minutes trying to soothe her. He was not surprised when he felt her body shake with sobs for a bit. When she finally pulled out of the hug she apologized for losing it.
"Hey, don't worry about it, I'm glad you trusted me enough to tell me," he said and she nodded. He then added, "You don't have to go back to him again if you don't want to, I will help you and so will Mel and Katy. Between the three of us we can find a way to keep you from him, okay? You never have to face him again, if you do not want to." She nodded and said thanks and said she had to go to the bathroom.
As she left the room Brandon cleaned up and reflected on what had just happened. She had exposed herself to him, he did not know what he had done to earn her trust but was glad that he had. He too was saddened by her life and had meant it when he said he would help her. He felt bad pledging Mel and Katy's help, but he was fairly sure they would help. After all Mel had already helped her twice and what little he knew of Katy told him she would help Ashley. The three of them would work something out in the morning until then he would try to give her an evening that would let her forget her troubles.
As he thought this a tool to do so just happened to arrive. He heard a knock on the door and when he answered it found a waiter with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. The man wheeled it into the room and said it was from the tenants down the hall, Brandon tipped the waiter who then left. As Brandon closed the door he noticed that along with the bottle and glasses was a card. Even without opening the card Brandon was pretty sure who it was from and when Ashley came out to investigate who was at the door he showed her the champagne. She asked who had sent it he indicated the card and told her to look.
