Chapter 7
Nathaniel had volunteered to help with the preparations for the poolside calypso party the following evening, so he spent a few hours assisting some of the staff with setting up the stage area, while others got the food and tables set up that lined the deck. The sea was calm, and the sky clear, so the stars were out in abundance, and the pool surface shimmered with floating lights. It was a real spectacle, and when the captain dimmed the deck lights, everything took on an air of magic.
Just before eleven, the band started to play as servers wandered with trays of umbrellaed drinks. Passengers gathered around the pool, some eating and talking, while others danced in the open area in front of the band. Nathaniel, now that his tasks were done, stood near the railing, watching the activity.
“Is everything okay?” he asked when Randy approached. He seemed in a hurry, and for a second, Nathaniel wondered if his sister might have snuck back on board the ship and was up to her mischief again.
“Yes. No further reports of anything missing, and all the merchandise recovered has found its way back to the owners or was returned to the ship inventory.”
Nathaniel was relieved, to say the least. He had managed to scare his sister into getting off the ship and had arranged to get all of the things she had taken returned without anyone suspecting that he was involved. That was all he wanted, to mitigate the impact of his family and to be able to go on with his life without them. And it looked as though he had done just that. “That’s great. I’m glad Carolyn got her jewelry back.” He had to remind himself that beyond that, he didn’t know exactly what had been returned, at least as far as Randy was concerned. He turned to look out over the dark sea. Other than their bubble of light, there was nothing but darkness that stretched to where the sky and horizon mingled in the darkness.
“There’s something calming about all that water,” Randy said softly from next to him.
Nathaniel nodded. “It can be that. But it can also be angry and churn the boat and everyone on it. The sea definitely has her moods, but tonight I’d like to think that she’s happy and content. A few weeks ago, she was all wind and high waves, like she was angry and as confused as a teenager. But not tonight.” He raised his gaze to the stars. “Come on.” He took Randy’s hand.
“I think you’re forgetting that I don’t dance,” Randy told him.
“You did the other day,” Nathaniel countered, and tugged Randy around. “Just relax and go with the music. There isn’t anything hard or engineered about it. Dancing is just movement to music.” He drew Randy closer. “Think of it as having sex while clothed and standing up. It’s about the rhythm of two people, together, under the stars. That’s all there is to it.”
Randy chuckled. “I always thought I looked like a flailing duck when I danced.”
“Maybe you do,” Nathaniel whispered. “But for tonight, you’re my flailing duck. So don’t worry about it. That’s the hardest thing. Your body knows that to do…. After all, I’ve been in bed with you, and you definitely know what you’re doing. So just relax and enjoy it.” The beat of the music was amazingly easy to move to. They carved out a place of their own, near the railing, under the stars. “See, you have it.”
Randy hummed, and Nathaniel rolled his eyes. “What?”
“I can see you trying to count. Just relax and have fun. That’s what this is supposed to be. We aren’t on stage, and no one is watching us, because all the other guys are counting in their heads, too, trying not to step on their wives’ or girlfriends’ feet.” Nathaniel smiled, and his movements became more fluid and easier.
“Did anyone ever tell you that you talk too much?” Randy fake growled.
“All the time. I think that’s one of the pitfalls of being a performer. I always think I have to be on.” He took a deep breath and forced himself to stop talking. The nice thing was that the music took over the quiet as he led Randy though the dance.
“Can I cut in?” one of the ladies asked, making huge moon eyes at Randy. Nathaniel stepped back and watched from the rail as Randy did his best not to step on her feet or manhandle her over the side of the ship. How could a man who was so strong and rhythmic in bed be so completely… not… on the dance floor?
Nathaniel rescued her after a few minutes and got Randy under control. “I was afraid she was going to go overboard at any second,” Nathaniel teased.
“Hey, I managed to not step on her feet, so I’m taking that as a win,” Randy said as they stood at the rail, looking up at the stars. “What a perfect night.”
Nathaniel lightly bumped Randy’s shoulder. “It definitely could be.”
Randy took his hand and slowly led him to the doorway off the deck and into the much quieter interior of the ship.
Nathaniel lay still in Randy’s bed, breathing deeply, covered in a sheen of sweat as he wondered what he was going to do once they each reached their last port of call on this Caribbean joy ride. They’d spent the last few nights together, and Nathaniel could easily get used to this. Randy was an amazingly generous, intense lover, and Nathaniel was quickly getting hooked on his athletic brand of romance.
“Do you have plans on St. Lucia tomorrow?” Randy asked quietly.
Nathaniel hummed his negative answer. “Why?”
“There’s a great beach that’s a little off the beaten path. It’s a beautiful cove with silky sands and a few shops and things. I could take you there if you wanted to come with me.”
“I’d need to check to make sure I’m not needed, but otherwise, I can do that. I have another show tomorrow night. It’s different from the others.”
Randy chuckled. “Let me guess, you put half the audience in handcuffs,” he said with a snicker.
“No. Actually, that’s something I only do to you. And apparently it’s a big hit, because we’re getting a lot of requests for me to do the tricks with the hot cop. So if you don’t want the audience to volunteer you to come on stage, you might be wise to skip this show.”
“You’re kidding,” Randy countered.
“I’m not. Icy says that getting you on stage is becoming a spectator sport on the ship. It seems they all want to see what I’m going to do to you this time. The belt bit was particularly popular. I think the ladies want to see what you have under those jeans.” Nathaniel growled. “But they don’t get to know that. Only I do.” He slowly climbed on top of Randy. “Right?”
“Yes. So no more with stealing my belt… or my wallet… or taking my watch.”
“What fun is there in that?” Nathaniel asked.
“How are you able to do those things anyway?” Randy asked.
Nathaniel shrugged. He didn’t want to get into that part of his past. “All it takes is practice. Picking locks is pretty danged easy, especially the kind that take a key. Those take just a second or two. Houdini used to do this trick with a safe. He’d get locked inside and then he’d get himself out. The thing is that a safe isn’t designed to keep anyone inside it from getting out, so breaking out of a safe is a lot easier than breaking in. You just have to know what you’re doing.”
“I suppose. But my handcuffs are regulation…,” he began.
“True. And usually you’d cuff someone with their hands behind their back. And I could get out of them that way as well, but with them in front, it’s just that much easier.” Nathaniel kissed Randy deeply, wanting to change the subject, and judging by the way Randy held him and rolled him onto his back, it was already working and would for a good, long, passionate while.
The beach of St. Lucia was everything Randy said it was and more. “Have you been here before?” he asked, stretching out under the shade of an umbrella.
“No. But one of the guys on the force and his wife came here for their honeymoon a few years ago. They told me about this place and how quiet it was. Apparently, it used to be part of a resort that never got off the ground.” The water sparkled in the sun, and Nathaniel watched every second as Randy pulled off his shirt, then walked into the water. The view was amazing, including Randy, and he couldn’t seem to pull his gaze away.
He was tempted to go in the water, but stayed where he was instead, closing his eyes as the warm breeze washed over him. What more could he ask for?
Drops of water fell on his face, and Nathaniel opened his eyes. He hadn’t even realized he’d dozed off until he blinked up at Randy, all wet and glistening in the sun. “Do you want to come in? The water is perfect, and there are just enough waves to make it interesting.”
“I suppose that’s not a bad idea.” He got up and followed Randy into the water and out to where it was almost over their heads. They bobbed in the waves, and Randy tugged him close, holding him up with his hands under his butt. Nathaniel wound his legs around Randy, wishing they were alone. The heat of Randy’s skin against his got him going. He rubbed against Randy, who let go with one hand, reaching between them, cupping him with the other.
“Something has you all excited,” Randy said softly, slipping his hand inside Nathaniel’s suit, gripping him tightly. “That’s so good, because I am too,” he whispered. “I love it when you’re hard for me. It’s hot as hell.” He stroked slowly, and Nathaniel ground his hips to the motion.
“Randy…,” he whispered, leaning back to get his hair wet.
“Yes. That’s it.” He stoked firmly, movements achingly slow. Nathaniel whimpered under his breath. There weren’t many others at the beach, but he didn’t want them knowing what they were doing. “Just let it go for me. I can tell you’re right there, so let it go.” Nathaniel bit his lower lip, his eyes already unfocused as his attention centered on where Randy stroked him. “That’s it, sweetheart, you let go and come for me, show me just how you like what I’m doing.” Randy slid a finger along his crack and then into him, gripping him hard, and Nathaniel lost the last shreds of his control, coming hard as the water ebbed and flowed around them. Finally, he came back to himself, his breathing returning to normal.
“You’re naughty, you know that.”
“And you’re stunningly, absolutely beautiful.” Randy let him go, and Nathaniel went under the water, pulling his suit back up before breaking the surface with a smile.
It took only moments for the sun to go under a cloud, and then, almost like someone turned on a tap, it began to rain. Nathaniel hurried out of the water. “Where are you going? We’re already wet,” Randy called from behind him, laughing.
Nathaniel grabbed their bags and pushed them under the chair under the umbrella to keep everything dry. Then he returned to the water, swimming out to where Randy waited. “Just making sure out stuff stays dry.” The rain didn’t matter in itself, but when Nathaniel went under the water, it sounded like a million small drums beating above him. It was so cool that he had to hear it again.
The rain lasted maybe ten minutes and then the sun broke through again, heating up the air, but they didn’t mind. The water was delicious, and the sun only made it sparkle.
“Are you hungry?” Randy asked after a while.
“A little, and I’m starting to get pruny.” They left the water, and Nathaniel got their towels, tossing Randy his. He dried off quickly and sat back in the shade as Randy hurried off in search of something to eat from the little stand at the edge of the boardwalk area. There wasn’t much, and Randy returned with drinks and some chips. It was enough to satisfy their hunger for a while. Then their taxi returned, and the two of them packed their things for the return trip.
“Have you ever thought about living down here?” Randy asked during their ride back to the port.
Nathaniel nodded. “I have. I think I would love to have a place where it’s sunny and warm all year round. Come down here and live a simpler life. Everything back home is very hurry up and rush. When I’m on board the ships, I know what to expect and where I should be. My world becomes that floating city, and the rest of the world….” He shrugged. It was hard for him to explain. “I have a tiny apartment in Miami, and I stay there when I’m on land. But other than that, I travel a lot. What about you?”
“I guess I never gave it all that much thought. I have a small house in Frederick, and one of my fellow officers stays with me to help with the mortgage and stuff. I have a good life and a job that I like, but I’m always running from one place to another. And there’s pressure and lots of ‘get here nows’.’ I had honestly never thought of leaving, but being here… these places have their charms.”
They watched out the window as they passed densely forested mountains. Then they approached the port, and the driver let them off near the straw market, where they did some shopping to see who could find the goofiest T-shirt, before heading back to the ship with plenty of time to spare.
“Did everyone have fun?” Nathaniel asked at dinner, looking around the table.
It seemed the others he was eating with tonight hadn’t had the best day. “Harold got a call, and he spent most of the day on the phone while I sat at the beach waiting for him.” It seemed those two were not in a happy mood, and Nathaniel figured he’d make an early night of it, so he ate his dinner without trying for additional conversation and then excused himself from the honeymooners across the table. Once he left the dining room, he headed for the bar.
“I take it dinner didn’t sit well with you,” Randy said as he perched himself on the stool next to his.
“No. They sat me at a table with another couple, which is fine, except they decided to have a nearly silent fight all through dinner. The tension was so thick, I swear the captain was going to have to deploy the fog horns. Maybe they do this all the time, but it was uncomfortable to say the least. How are things with you?”
“Good. I checked in with Lars, and he says that everything is great other than a couple who decided to get it on in one of the hot tubs. They managed to get them cooled down before anything really happened, but apparently, that’s the most exciting thing to occur in the past few days. Not that I’m complaining.” They each ordered their drinks, with Nathaniel getting a martini with extra olives.
“That’s really good.” He bumped Randy’s shoulder and sighed softly. This particular cruise was coming to an end. A stop in Bonaire and then Curacao were his final ports before he got off in Aruba to transfer to another ship.
“What is it?” Randy asked.
“Nothing all that important. I know it’s dumb, because we’ve only known each other for six days, but I’m going to miss you. I’ll go onto another ship and perform my various shows, but it’s not going to be the same. And, well… everything is just going to be different.” He knew that.
“I know how you feel. I didn’t come on this cruise to meet someone, but then there you were, and…. If we had more time… or something.” He sipped the drink as a momentary pall came over them. “I wish I had some sort of answer.”
“Me too,” Nathaniel said as he turned to watch people as they wandered through the ship. This particular bar offered a great chance to watch people as they passed, and he took advantage of it, half paying attention as he thought about how things were going to be different.
A man exited the elevators and walked past the bar. As he turned toward where Nathaniel sat, the glass Nathaniel was holding slipped out of his hand. It was like he lost control of his fingers. The glass shattered as it hit the floor, but Nathaniel barely noticed it as he stared into his father’s stern eyes. Shit, how could everything go so much to hell in a matter of seconds?