Chapter Three
Day 3:Monday
San Juan, Puerto Rico
909.26 Nautical Miles from Fort Lauderdale
Andrew
Last night was nothing short of spectacular. Everything from dinner to body shots and dancing, and then her coming on my fingers. Fuck! It was a very memorable day. I did have to find release in the shower when I returned to my room. It didn’t take long as I was still worked up. For those keeping score at home, this woman has now been the highlight of my last two jerk-off sessions.
“Kristen, can you please work on those projections and send them to Pieter for our nine a.m.? We can review them in our meeting.”
“Are you finding some time to relax?” she asks.
I tread cautiously because she would overreact with excitement if she had the slightest inkling that I had met someone.
“It’s been a good trip so far.”
“Hmmm…I heard it may be a little better than good.”
“Can a man not go on vacation without every detail being reported to the mother ship?” No pun intended.
“It’s just what I heard, Andrew,” she says.
“Let’s just focus on the monthly projections and occupancy figures, please.”
“You’ll have them in thirty. Hold on, your dad wants me to transfer you.”
“Has he heard the same vacation updates as you?”
“Not that I’m aware of, but you know the twins like to gab.”
“Shit! Ok, go ahead and transfer. I’ll talk to you later.”
Terrible hold music begins playing. What the fuck am I listening to? Note to self: We’re updating our phone system as soon as I get home.
“AJ?”
“Yes, sir.”
“How’s it going?”
“I’m meeting with Pieter and senior officers in an hour. Kristen is sending projections and occupancy numbers, and I just responded to several emails regarding the Pearl . ”
Pearl of the Sea s, our newest ship in the fleet, is expected to sail in less than thirty days. Bookings have already sold out for the next eight months. It’s critical that they deliver the ship on time, or we’re going to have to cancel the VIP cruise. It would be a major setback if the media, our travel agent partners, and VIPs didn’t get a first look at the ship. There’s always a ton of excitement and media coverage at the introduction of any new ship. We rely on the travel community’s first impression to build excitement for future bookings.
“As of twenty minutes ago, we’re on schedule to receive the ship in six days in Papenburg, nine days on the water, and six days for final inspections. The team is all set and will be working twelve- to sixteen-hour shifts on the water.”
Our shipbuilder is Meyer Werft, and they’re located in Papenburg, Germany. They’re one of the premier shipbuilders in the world, and this is our first experience with them. From all accounts, they’ve hit on all the deliverables and are now in the final phase of the turnover process from builder to owner. At nearly $1.4 billion, this is going to be the crown jewel in our fleet.
“Good. How are things going there?”
“All is fine here. Ally says hello,” I reply, trying to keep all focus off me.
“AJ, I spoke to her twenty minutes ago.”
“Of course you did. Everything is good, and the ship looks fantastic. Jens did a fantastic job on this new layout. I think the Pearl will even be better. Also, next time you’re on board, have Marcus do the shaved ahi for you. It’s exceptional,” I say, again trying to deflect.
“I’m getting pulled to another meeting. I’ll talk to you in a couple of days. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
That’s one thing about our family, we never hang up the phone without saying, “I love you.”
Next up… meeting with Pieter in thirty minutes and then a fun day in San Juan with DJ.
“Pieter, we’ve had twelve rooms unavailable for the last month. What’s the delay in getting those rooms operational?”
Pieter looks at his chief engineer, Stephan, from Germany.
“Those rooms are all connected, and we found a leak in the waterline that was impacting the water flow and temperature. The situation has been corrected, and the rooms are back to full operational status for our next sailing, sir.”
I look at my watch and notice it’s 11:27. Shit!
Ally notices my facial expression.
“Hot date?” she whispers .
“Drop it.”
“Anything else?” Pieter asks. “If not, you’re dismissed. Have a great day!”
“Thank you, everyone,” I chime in.
I jump up, knowing I’m going to be late. Number one, I hate being late. I find it rude and disrespectful. Number two, I have no way to get ahold of DJ to let her know. Will she wait? If I don’t show, will she think I forgot or stood her up? Ugh! Neither of those is a good outcome. I don’t want to give her any reason to doubt that I’m interested in her. I can feel the anxiousness rise through my core, and I don’t like it. I start pounding on the elevator button. Like that’s going to make it go faster, idiot!
Delaney
I slept so well last night. Erotic images of a gorgeous man filled my dreams. I went to the gym this morning, hoping we would run into each other, but he wasn’t there. I just checked my watch, and it’s 11:36. I know, settle down. It’s only six minutes. I’m sure he’s on…
“Delaney!” I hear from behind me. I turn, and oh, for fuck’s sake!
“Jessica!? How are you? What are you doing here?” I ask as we hug each other.
I’m in deep shit at this moment. I can’t walk away from Jess, and AJ will be walking through the foyer at any minute, still not knowing anything about my gold medal past. What am I going to do?
“Holy shit! What are you doing here?” she asks.
“I’m on a little vacation, and you?”
“I’m actually here with the team. They’re going to go crazy when I tell them you’re onboard.”
I scan the foyer for any signs of AJ. Nothing.
“Are you here with anyone?” she asks.
“No. I’ve done a couple of cruises in the past and thought I would try this one. Plus, I get to see my parents when we get back to Fort Lauderdale.”
I start sweating for a couple of reasons. I still don’t see AJ. And why don’t I see AJ? Is he blowing me off? Anxiety is creeping through my stomach. Is he ok? And how do I introduce Jess if he does show up? Fuck! I really don’t want them to know about each other.
“That’s great. How are your parents?” she asks.
“They’re retired and living their best life ever.”
“Hey, I know the girls would love it if you could join us for a dinner,” Jess suggests.
“I’d love to connect with the team, but I have a full plate. Let’s see how the week goes,” I offer my best noncommittal response.
“Of course, we can touch base anytime. Are you going into San Juan today? ”
“I am.”
“We can go together if you’d like?” Jess probes.
Shit! What do I do now? If AJ is ghosting me, I don’t want to go to San Juan alone. If he’s only running ten or fifteen minutes late, I don’t want to miss AJ’s personal tour. Decisions must be made and made quickly.
“I’m so sorry. I signed up for a personal tour already. A one-on-one experience with a local guide,” I explain, rolling the dice that AJ will show up. After last night, I can’t imagine him blowing me off.
“That sounds fun. Let’s try and catch up later. Just you and I.”
“Absolutely.” I have no idea when, and right now, I want to spend every waking hour with the guy walking at an amazingly fast pace in my direction. Yikes!
Looking at my watch, I say, “I’m late and have to run. Let’s touch base later.” I lean in, hug her, and turn quickly to intercept AJ.
“I’m so sorry I’m late,” he apologizes as he’s approaching.
When he leans down and gives me a big engulfing hug, I’m reassured that last night was not a fluke and he’s happy to see me.
“Really, I’m so sorry. My meeting went longer than expected, and since we haven’t exchanged numbers, I had no way to get hold of you. I hate excuses, but I’m truly sorry. And who was that? The woman you were hugging?”
Damn it!
“Crazy, but I bumped into a friend I met in college.”
“That’s awesome! Do you want to invite her to join us today?”
“I think she already has plans. I might catch up with her later.”
“Then, if you’re ready, let’s go explore San Juan.”
Can we just talk about his outfit for the day? White chino pants accentuate his ass, with a navy-blue button-down linen top, the two top buttons undone, exposing his chiseled chest. He’s left the shirt untucked, giving him a casual but sophisticated look. Not to mention that he has the sleeves rolled up, exposing the muscles of his forearms. Wow! I had no idea forearms could be so delicious. He finishes the look with expensive leather slip-on shoes and no socks. He’s wearing yet another expensive watch, which looks vintage, and a simple navy rope bracelet on the other wrist. I consciously have to close my mouth to avoid gawking.
We disembark and walk along the pier, getting a great view of the ship. He stops us. “Let’s take a selfie,” he suggests. He wraps his arm around my back, sending a wave of excitement through my body, and holds his phone out.
He shows me the photo, and for the first time in my life, I see a picture of what my future could look like. This man is checking all the boxes and is making me feel like I’m the most important person in his world. As we make our way into Old San Juan, he reaches for my hand, and butterflies flutter in my stomach.
“Hungry?” he asks.
“Starving. I didn’t have breakfast. And since I was the only one in the gym this morning… ”
“Ouch!”
I purposely bump into him, playfully jabbing him a little.
“We’re going to start at a local favorite, Raices, for some mofongo.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a local dish made with plantains that are mashed and then mixed with garlic paste and pork skin. Usually, it’s served with beef broth on the side,” he describes.
Obviously, this place is not a secret, as it looks like the entire ship is waiting for a table. He steps into the crowd and instructs me, “Wait right here.”
I sweep the crowd, hoping I don’t see Jess or anyone who may recognize me. He’s inside talking to a local and waves me in.
“DJ, this is my friend, Daniel. He’s the owner.”
Of course, he is.
“Nice to meet you.” I extend to shake his hand. Instead, he embraces me with a big hug.
“Friends don’t shake hands and family hugs. This guy right here is family,” he states, pointing at AJ. “Come back here, I’ve got your table and meal ready as requested.”
He leads us to the back, no wait, no hassle, no problem. We weave past the large wood tables covered in local fare and drinks. Daniel points to a table in the corner, already set up. I look at AJ in disbelief.
“What?” he asks.
“I know there’s more to this story, but I’m just going to let it go.”
“Just a guy honoring the request of a beautiful woman for a personal tour of San Juan.”
We sit and enjoy an authentic taste of Puerto Rico. “Wow, AJ, this is incredible,” I mumble through a mouth full of food, soaking up the last of the mofongo.
“Glad you enjoyed it. We’re going to keep moving because we’ve got a lot to see today. Is there anything on your San Juan bucket list that I need to know about?”
“I’ve got to get a magnet.”
“I got you.”
Not even hesitating, no jabbing me for such a silly request, simply, ‘I got you.’ This man does not disappoint. I started collecting magnets when I was five. It was my first time on a plane, and we went to Disney World. That magnet and about 500 more are displayed on metal trays in my home office.
We hug Daniel on our way out the door. The line to get in is even longer now. How this man continues to bob and weave through crowds, reservations, and floral deliveries is sexy, mysterious, and a major turn-on.
Holding hands, we walk on the narrow cobblestone street, taking in the ornate metal railings on the balconies above us. All the buildings are splashed with assorted colors, creating great picture opportunities. I grab my phone and notice I have cell coverage.
“I have full service?” I say, looking at AJ .
“Of course you do. We may be deep in the Caribbean, but we’re in US territory.”
“Really? So, I can call or text my parents at no additional charge?”
“Phone away.”
I take pictures and another selfie with my tour guide, and then I text my mom.
Delaney
Hey mom! Just got to San Juan and we’re out enjoying the city.
Mom
Who are you enjoying the city with?
Damn it! She’s so observant.
Delaney
Someone I met on the boat.
Mom
A guy?
Damn it! Damn it!
Delaney
Yes, no more questions. You guys ok?
Mom
We’re fine. Be safe and have fun.
“Sorry about that. She asked me to text when I could.”
“No problem at all.”
“What’s that building?”
“Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista. It’s the second oldest church in the Western Hemisphere and the oldest church on U.S. soil. The original building was wiped out by a hurricane, and they rebuilt it in 1540. This goes back to the early beginnings when the Spaniards were colonizing the island.”
Who is this guy? He could be a tour guide with The Travel Channel!
We come up to what can only be described as a large totem pole in the middle of a compass star pattern in a granite courtyard.
“That’s interesting,” I say.
“Plaza del Quinto Centenario, or as the locals refer to it, Plaza del Totem. It was placed here in 1992 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Europeans discovering the island and the Spanish conquest of Puerto Rico and the Americas. The fort is just over there.”
He’s a walking Wikipedia page.
Andrew
I had no idea if she was going to be waiting for me at the piano. I was twelve minutes late, which is frustrating since punctuality is so important to me. It wouldn’t have surprised me if she wasn’t there, as she had no reason to stick around. I briefly wondered who she was hugging but was quickly distracted by how fabulous she looked. Her white linen pants with a deep blue V-neck T-shirt are just so classy. I’ve tried to find a panty line, but to no avail. That image gets my mind racing again. And the perfect accessory, her black belt bag that she wears as a sling, accentuates her boobs even more. Our quick lunch with Daniel made up for my tardiness, and now I’m going to wow her with my local knowledge.
“There it is, Castillo San Felipe del Morro.”
The large grassy area is filled with people walking, sitting, and flying kites. The Atlantic spreads out just over the walls of this magnificent fortress, and the wind creates the perfect kite flying conditions.
“Is that a cemetery down there?” she asks.
“Yes, Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis,” I answer. “Want to sit for a bit?”
“Sure.”
I point to a bench overlooking the vast green landscape with the deep blues of the Atlantic, creating a breathtaking backdrop. Even from here, we can hear the waves crash against the rocky shoreline.
I wrap my arm around her back, and she places her hand in my lap, holding my other hand. This just fits. My arm around her, and her hand in mine. We are both relaxed, and it just feels natural.
“Tell me about your watch,” she requests.
“It’s a 1967 Rolex that belonged to my grandfather, a gift from my grandmother. She engraved the words ‘Mi Prima Amore’ on the back.”
Growing up in an Italian-American family, we affectionately called my grandparents by their Italian names of Nonno and Nonna. I don’t share their story with DJ yet, but the watch was a gift from my grandmother to Nonno when they purchased their first boat. Nonno started as a fisherman, then moved into shipping goods between Italy and Greece in the ’40s. He always wanted more, and as his trade business expanded, so did his desire to introduce people to other cultures. The modern cruise industry, as we know it today, began in the late ’60s, and my grandparents were among the first to expand into this new industry. There’s a picture that hangs in my stateroom of their first ship, Prima Amore , photoshopped next to the ship we’re on, Gem of the Seas, named after my Nonna, Gemma. I think they would be pleased to see what we’ve done to honor their hard work.
“Was he a sailor? ”
“He was. He really loved being on the sea. And then he met my grandmother,” I reply, trying to keep my answer short.
We’ve only known each other for thirty-six hours, and I can’t believe how much we’re sharing. As we sit together in the warm sun, there are so many questions I want to ask her. There’s so much more I want to know about this woman as our connection grows.
“Ok, favorite pizza topping?” I inquire.
“Pepperoni. You?”
“Same.”
“Favorite fast-food restaurant?”
“Chick-fil-A. You?”
“In-N-Out.”
“Favorite condiment?”
“Trojan,” she says, laughing.
“Condiment. Con-Di-Mint,” I emphasize. I love her quick wit.
“I heard you the first time. Ranch. You?”
“Horsey Sauce from Arby’s.”
“Seriously?!”
“What do you have against Horsey Sauce? What did it ever do to you?” I prod with a grin.
“Wow, a little defensive about your Horsey Sauce, aren’t we? I was sure you were going to say cocktail sauce,” she grins, cracking a smile the size of Texas.
And with that, she has turned my world upside-down.
“My turn,” she jumps in. “Have you ever skydived?”
“No. Have you?”
“Yup.”
“Really? Wow! Impressive.”
“Did you ride a bike or skateboard growing up?”
“Both, but I sucked at skateboarding. You?”
“Bike. It was pink and had a basket on the front.”
“Favorite part of the day?” she asks.
“This one,” I respond, looking directly at her.
“This is beautiful,” she says, catching her breath. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
“Again, this is just me trying to keep up my four-star Yelp rating.” I smile.
We catch each other’s eyes, and my hand moves up her back, where I cup the nape of her neck. We haven’t kissed since last night, and I’m dying for another taste. I pull her close, and she meets my lips. Since we’re sitting on a bench in San Juan, I don’t feel like a repeat of our make-out session is appropriate, so I linger on her lips without using my tongue.
We both enjoy the moment. “That was nice,” she whispers .
She rests her head on my shoulder as we just sit and enjoy all the sights and sounds this beautiful place has to offer.
“This is officially our bench,” I declare. “Wherever we are in twenty years, we’ll know we shared a moment on a bench in Old San Juan overlooking El Morro.”
This moment will be permanently engraved in my highlight reel. I can only hope she feels the same.
After nearly an hour of just sitting together, holding hands, and talking, she asks, “What’s remaining on AJ’s personal tour of San Juan? And for the record, you’re sitting at about a 3.5 rating.”
“Oh, ok. Tough crowd today. Better step up my game.”
We continue our tour through the old city, passing cafes, beautiful old buildings with unique architecture, and the original stone walls of the city before finally arriving at a particular shop. This shop is filled with tie-dyed shirts, swim-tops, hats, postcards, and, most importantly, magnets.
“You remembered,” she says sweetly.
“How could I possibly get a four-star rating without ensuring you get your souvenir?”
She finds her treasure and puts it in her sling bag. I hear my phone notification and look to see the message that my driver is waiting for us across the street in a black SUV.
“You got us a car?” she asks, looking surprised.
“The restaurant is not within walking distance.”
We walk across the street and are whisked away to Santaella.
“This place is gorgeous. How did you find it?”
“I know some people,” I respond.
“Is there anyone you don’t know?”
“Hello, old friend,” I hear behind me. I would recognize that voice anywhere.
“Alejandro!” More hugs are exchanged as DJ is at a loss for words.
“Ale, this is my friend DJ. DJ, this is Chef Alejandro, owner of this restaurant.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. AJ, I didn’t know you had a special lady in your life.”
“Oh, we’re not together. We just met on the ship,” she clarifies.
“You still are a special lady since AJ has never brought any friend to visit me. You’re welcome at my table anytime. Please come this way.”
“Is there anyone on this island you don’t know?” she whispers as we weave through the restaurant.
“I don’t know a lot of people. For instance, that table over there. Yeah, don’t know them. And the couple at the bar have no clue,” I playfully answer.
After an amazing meal, we jump in the car to head back to the ship to reboard for our 8:00 departure. It’s 7:20, and I see the ship coming into view. Dinner went a little longer than expected, but we’ll still arrive with…then I hear the distinct sound of a blown tire .
The driver moves over slowly, avoiding other vehicles, and comes to a stop. Yes, I can see the ship in the distance, but we are still at least a mile from the port. Knowing we don’t have many options and that my call to Pieter must be my last option, I look at DJ. “Up for a light run?”
Without hesitation, she replies, “Sure, you think you can keep up?”
Thank God the main road to the port is flat and paved, not cobblestone. We’re obviously both in great shape, but running in leather loafers and her in open-toed sandals is not an easy task. Here’s the thing, there’s a record of every passenger who gets on and off the ship. It’s going to become very clear in about fifteen minutes that I’m not on the boat.
“You trying to break a record?” I shout at DJ as her pace has me out of breath.
“I’m not missing that boat, AJ!”
Did I just feel a drop? No fucking way! And then it happens, like standing under a 40,000-gallon bucket, it begins to rain. Not just a shower, biblical rain. It’s 7:42, and there are no other passengers in sight. Out of pity, the security guard at the end of the port lets us keep running as it is obvious we’re headed to the ship. We get to mid-ship, and I see a familiar face waiting for me.
Looking like we just took a shower with our clothes on, we fumble for our room keys and swipe them at the security checkpoint. Ally is doing everything she can to keep it together. I hear her snicker as she presses her hand to her mouth.
“You guys must have had an adventure,” Ally says.
“That was crazy! A blown tire and running was one thing, but the rain added a whole new level of excitement,” DJ responds. “Told you I’d beat you,” she brags, hitting my stomach.
I catch Ally’s smirk, and she gives me a discreet fist pump as I pass by. DJ and I get in the elevator, and she presses 15. And 15 only. I look at her, and all she does is smile. Her hair is drenched and looks like a complete mess, but she looks at me with those sexy blue eyes, and I’m captured.
While most would be embarrassed or self-conscious, she’s anything but. She leans into the fact that we just ran a ten-minute mile, got caught in a rainstorm, and they look like Noah and Allie in the rowboat scene of The Notebook . But none of it fazes DJ. She’s confident and knows what she wants. I place my hand above her head, lean in, and kiss her hard. I feel her hands wrap around me, pulling me closer so our bodies are pressed together. The elevator doors open, and we head to my room.
Delaney
I have no idea what just came over me. We’re in the elevator, soaking wet, looking like we just came down the log flume at Six Flags, and I make a bold decision to press only one of the floor numbers in the elevator, and it’s not mine. I’m officially sending AJ a clear message that regardless of how I look right now, I’m going to his room.
We walk hand in hand in silence. I think he’s trying to process what’s going to happen next. The problem is, so am I! What am I thinking? I’m not. I just want to spend more time with him. Is he thinking we’re going to have sex? If I were him, that’s what I would be thinking. Shit! I’m not sure I’m ready for that, and I don’t want him to be disappointed or think I’m a tease. That’s the furthest from the truth. The truth is that I’m not nearly as experienced as he is, and after last night, I feel a little intimidated. I can flirt with the best of them, but I may have crossed a line that I’m not ready to cross.
“Can I get you anything?” he asks as we enter his room.
I still cannot get over the size of his stateroom. The massage table that was here yesterday morning is now gone.
“I can order some snacks from the kitchen if you’re interested?” he inquires.
“Do you have a water?”
He’s sizing me up, his eyes trying to figure out if I’m going to make a move. I’m the one who could have easily pressed 10 in the elevator, and I didn’t. Damn it! My heart is racing, and I start fidgeting.
“I’ve got an idea,” he says calmly. “Why don’t you jump in the shower and warm up? I’ll put some dry clothes on the bed and order some snacks.”
This man can read me like a book and knows how to make me feel comfortable. In fact, I’m probably even more attracted to him because of it.
“Thank you for knowing just what I need. That sounds great.” I walk over to him, his eyes glued to my wet T-shirt clinging to my body, and I place my hand on his chest as I lean up to kiss him on his lips. Just feeling his body warms me. At the same time, his tongue is making the rest of my body feel all sorts of crazy.
My bathroom is huge, but this is bigger than my first apartment. The length of the counter is pristine and orderly, unlike mine. There are a few personal items and a green bottle of cologne with an elk head that I can only assume is the source of the sensory overload I experience every time I inhale his unique scent. I strip down, leaving my clothes in a literal puddle in front of the shower. The warm water hits my chilled skin and feels so good.
“Hey, just me. Thought you might enjoy some music,” I hear through the cracked bathroom door. I see a hand slide a speaker on the counter without opening the door but a smidge. A unique drumbeat fills the space, and I recognize it immediately.
I hear the drums echoing tonight, But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation.
Who doesn’t love Toto?
Drying off, I wonder what’s going through his mind. I look at my naked body in the oversized wall mirror. Am I ready? Sex is nothing new, but it’s not frequent. If I’m being honest, my chatte is craving attention from someone other than me. I’m cautious and don’t sleep around just because I’m horny. But after today, the messages between my body and mind are more in sync.
AJ makes me feel like I’m the only woman in his world. You should’ve seen the ladies gawk at him as we walked around San Juan today. He never gave them a second look. His eyes and attention were on me the entire day. And now, I’m standing in his bathroom, naked and trying to figure out my next step.
I step into the bedroom, where I see a pair of his black boxer briefs, a yellow Ms. Pac-Man T-shirt, and a familiar pale thong, which appears to have been cleaned and folded. Seriously? He had my thong cleaned? He never mentioned it today. Maybe he thought I’d be embarrassed? He’s simply the most thoughtful guy I’ve ever met.
“Find everything ok?” he asks when I emerge from his bedroom wearing everything but the thong.
“Yes, thank you. And thank you for having this cleaned,” I nod, holding up my thong. The thought of me not wearing any underwear obviously catches his attention. “And the music was a perfect touch.”
“Toto is one of my favorites,” he stammers as he tries to collect himself.
“Mine too.”
A charcuterie board filled with meats, cheeses, fruit, and crackers stretching to the edge of the large wooden platter sits on the table in front of the sofa. Apparently, AJ grabbed a towel and dried off while I was in his shower. Yup, his shower. And now, I find him sitting on the sofa, staring at me with serious want. He’s wearing a white T-shirt with black elastic gym shorts.
I walk between the table and the sofa, position myself between his legs, and straddle him, slowly lowering myself onto his lap.
“This shirt has never looked better,” he declares, softly pulling on the hem of his shirt.
“I love Ms. Pac-Man, but it has to have the speed chip,” I respond.
“There’s no other way to play.”
“Before we continue, I need to be clear. I realize I initiated coming to your room, and I’m also the one who just straddled your lap, but I’m not sure how far I’m prepared to go tonight.”
“We’ll go as far as you want. No further.”
He stares at me. Deeply. Intently. His eyes are so intoxicating. I wrap my arms around his neck, and I feel his hands around my hips, holding me with a firm grasp that makes me feel secure. I lean down toward his face, our lips barely touching.
“You’re gorgeous,” he whispers on a breath that is heavy with want.
My teeth bite my bottom lip, and I can feel our attraction building. My tongue slips across my lips, preparing for the inevitable.
I feel his lips gently press against mine. I feel him pull me closer, and he holds me tight against his solid chest. I also feel his excitement beneath my hips. He doesn’t try to hide it, and it feels so good against my center. I feel his hands slide under the T-shirt, inching up my sides, and then his thumbs stroking the sensitive skin below my breasts. Our tongues continue exploring each other, darting between kisses. Licking and tasting. His hands now caress and squeeze my naked breast. “Yes,” I moan. It feels so good to be touched like this. My hips start slowly grinding against his bulge. He rolls my nipples between his thumb and pointer finger. The sensation sends thunderbolts of excitement through my entire body. He pinches them. “Oh, my God!” I cry louder than I intended.
“You alright?” he asks without removing his lips from mine.
“Do that again,” I beg, and he does. Holy shit, this feels incredible. I know I’m soaking through his briefs. My grinding intensifies. He places his hands on my waist, guiding me…holding me tight against his sizable erection. My rocking has evolved into a frenzied humping session. Since there’s not a lot of fabric between my center and his large cock, I can feel my chatte burning. Our synchronized motion is hitting the right spot for both of us.
“You’re so beautiful,” he declares, looking right at me. And I believe him. “This feels so good…you feel so good,” he continues, building my confidence.
My movements become sharp, fast, and intentional.
“Are you close?” he asks.
“Yes, are you?”
“Yes. Come with me, baby,” he pleads.
I had no idea I could get off by dry-humping. AJ was right. I haven’t been with the right guy. But then again, I’ve never had a cock this big to rub up against. I can tell he’s close, his hands firmly planted on my waist, gripping me, holding me tight. My hips kick into another gear, and I start grinding him harder. My boobs wildly bounce as I feel the fabric of the shirt rub against my hard nipples. Harder and faster I ride, the thin fabric between us no match for the friction we’re creating. Being on top, in control, and driving my center into his cock creates an excitement unknown to me until this moment. I’ve never felt the need or desire to fuck anything this hard. It feels more carnal, more raw, more everything. My moans become louder, and my breathing is heavy. His hardness is turning me on, and I’m right on the edge with him. We both open our eyes, noses touching, tongues flicking at each other, both breathing heavily, both ready, and I know what he wants. He wants to watch me come. We lock eyes.
“Fuck, yes!” he groans in a deep sultry voice as I feel his hands squeeze my hips harder.
“Yes…almost… fuuuuuck, ” I moan.
We don’t blink. Our bodies tense as we both come. I feel a wave of wet pleasure between my legs, finishing my O as I feel his pole throb beneath me, shooting into his shorts. I fall into his chest and feel his generous arms wrap around me like my favorite blanket.
After several minutes of him just holding me, stroking my hair, and us feeling each other breathe, “I told you that shirt never looked better,” he whispers into my ear. “Thank you. That was sexy as fuck! ”
Peeling off his chest and looking directly at him, I confess, “I’ve never done anything like that in my life.”
“One would never know.” He smirks.
“Seriously, AJ, I don’t know what just came over me.”
“I do. Me.”
We both laugh, and my cheeks blush. His words are kind. He knows I’m not as experienced, but he doesn’t make me feel that way. Every time we are intimate, he continues to build my confidence.
“I don’t know what this is.” I point between us. “But I can tell you that I like it. I like it a lot.”
“Me too. Do you have any plans tomorrow in Saint Thomas?” he asks.
“I was thinking about going up in the gondola. Have you done that?”
“Yes, it’s a great view of the island. My favorite part is seeing all the different colors of the water. From the blues to the greens to the turquoise, it’s spectacular.”
“What are your plans?” I hopefully inquire.
“I have an early morning meeting and then an excursion.”
Since you typically have to sign up early for excursions, I’m slightly disappointed at the thought of not hanging out with him. I’m sure his excursion is already sold out.
“What’s up with all these meetings?” I probe.
“Just finishing up some projects. It won’t take long.”
“What excursion are you doing? Snorkeling? Scuba?” I ask since I’m sure he does both.
“Well, this one’s not offered by the cruise line.”
“Of course, it’s not.”
“Well, I know a place…” he says with a smug look.
“Of course you do.”
“Any interest in joining me for another private excursion?”
Ahh, yeah! Why wouldn’t I want another private excursion with this man?
“I don’t want to miss out on the gondola ride. Can we do both?”
“Absolutely. I’ll make that happen. We dock at nine a.m. Meet me at the piano at 8:30, and we’ll try to slide off a little early. Pack your swimsuit.”
“Where are you taking me?” and what does he mean by slide off a little early?
“Just a secluded spot,” he casually answers, intentionally being as vague as possible. “You’re going to love Saint Thomas.”
Climbing off him, I say, “I think I need to use your shower again.”
“I’ll get you a robe.”
Riding the elevator down to 10, I grin because we’re both wearing robes. AJ didn’t want me to feel awkward or embarrassed, so he put a robe on, making it look like we were returning from the spa. The spa closed two hours ago, but hopefully, no one would ever think differently or consider it odd.
Repeating our previous goodnights, I lean in, and he leans down for a lingering kiss. Then the elevator closes, and he returns to 15 .
I return to my cabin, almost feeling guilty for not spending more time in my unbelievable room, but I really enjoyed spending time with AJ when we returned from San Juan. Tonight’s towel creature is a stingray. In fact, Marisa made two of them side by side. Of course, I take a picture. Then, I look over to the dresser and notice a new floral arrangement with a note.
He must have made the call when I was in his shower. This guy is taking the art of wooing to a whole new level. I grab my journal.
Tomorrow, 11:30, piano, grand foyer, I’ve got another date with AJ! Great day and an even better night!
Day 3: San Juan started crazy. Ran into Jess while anxiously waiting for AJ. He was running late, which was a trigger for all the negative feelings that are associated with being ghosted. I wish I still didn’t have to deal with that drama from the breakup with the guy whose name we don’t mention.
Avoided disaster and they never met. Outside of the day I stood on the podium in Rio with gold around my neck, today could have been one of the best days of my life. San Juan was beautiful. The colorful houses, the cobblestone, the mofongo, the history, the culture, and the people. Two great restaurants.
And AJ…we sat on a bench overlooking the El Morro (don’t know if I’m spelling that correctly) and he declared it “our” bench. Sweetest thing ever! Holding hands, talking, and kissing, this man is all kinds of right for me.
Then running back to the ship in the pouring rain after the tire blows and then wearing his Ms. Pac- Man T-shirt and this evening’s activities, yummy! Then, fresh flowers in my cabin when I returned. He’s got plans for us tomorrow and I can’t wait.