Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Zachariah
Lucinda’s breath settled and a small snore escaped her lips.
I held her, knowing I needed to make my escape before she woke up.
It wouldn’t make sense for me to blindfold her again after the scene.
I lifted her and stood. It would take nothing to carry her out of here and into my stateroom.
To lie next to her and hold her all night.
I’d dreamed about it for years, wondering what it would be like. Having Lucinda, my Lulu, all to myself, ready for me at all times.
I’ve been hard since she walked onto my boat. I could have continued our scene, sunk into her depths, but my control had limits apparently. I could foresee losing all type of control with my cock pressed deep inside her. Using my fingers on her was enough of a test.
It wouldn’t be so hard if she wasn’t so responsive, so perfect. So like the young woman I’d left many years ago. She was all I had imagined, and yet the same, albeit maybe less innocent, but I kind of liked that about her, too.
As much as I’d indulged in the thought of her waiting just for me, I was also proud my Lucinda had lived her life.
I refused to break her heart back then and I wouldn’t do it now, either.
Her small body curled up in a ball, and she sank further in the mattress as I tucked the fluffy blanket around her.
“Sweet dreams, Lulu.” I kissed her forehead and stood and left.
I had to get out of here.
I stepped out into the hall.
“Hi Zach.” Marcus approached with a tall blonde in tow. At least he had the forethought to whisper. “Who are you running away from?”
He peeked into the room. I stepped in front of him and closed the door behind me.
“Not running.” I smoothed down my shirt. “Where are you off to this evening?”
The blonde lady caught my eyes and then averted her gaze. She stepped away and stood with her back against the wall.
“On my way to a scene. Would you like to join us?” He grinned. “Or perhaps you’re too tired.”
Marcus chuckled nervously and proceeded down the hall.
“I trust you are being discreet, Marcus, considering our arrangement.”
It got him to stop, but he didn’t answer. To be fair, I didn’t expect him too. I took off down the hall to find Carol and give her final instructions for the rest of Lucinda’s evening.
The next morning, I sipped my coffee and contemplated my next move.
I had instructed Carol to let Lucinda sleep last night and monitored the room by camera until she stirred.
She woke in a slight panic before she realized where she was.
Carol knocked on the door to gather her a minute later.
She walked back to her stateroom on unsteady legs, but a satisfied grin on her pretty little face.
I had another platter of her favorite snacks waiting for her in her room when she returned and she remained inside the rest of the evening.
“Boss.”
I clicked off the stream of Lucinda sitting on the sky deck eating a bagel.
“Come in.” Harold, one of my associates, came in and shut the door behind him. I frowned and my chest tightened. Him showing up on the boat clued me in, something was wrong. “Where did you come from?”
“I flew in with the staff to grab you for a quick matter on land that needs your attention.”
Harold was my most trusted colleague; I’d stolen him from Lucinda’s father, which was part of why the two of us stopped talking. He knew all of Jack’s secrets. Harold being on the boat was problematic. Lucinda would certainly remember him.
“You have to get off this boat, now.”
“I was hurt when you uninvited me from this trip, but now you’re being rude.” He was the only one in my circle I allowed to challenge me, but there were limits.
“If you needed me, why didn’t you just send the helicopter? What are you doing here?” He knew.
“You’re right. I was curious.” He chuckled. “Lucinda is on the boat. How’s it going with her? Must have been quite a reuni…”
His voice trailed off. I stepped behind my desk and lowered myself into the seat, keeping my eyes on him. He knew how I felt about Lucinda and how much regret I had about letting her go.
“How do you know she’s here?”
“I was checking out the sailing manifest, recognized the name.” He leaned forward. “You didn’t invite her?”
“No.”
“This can’t be a coincidence.” He rubbed his chin. His gut was legendary, but it bordered on paranoia.
“I’m afraid it is, my friend.” I gripped the edge of my desk. “Fucking coincidence.”
“Fuck, what happened when she saw you?” He leaned forward, his eyes lit up like a teenager waiting for the hot gossip. “Did she freak out on you? Did she hit you?”
“No, she didn’t freak out or hit me.”
“I remember how broken up she was when you left.” He sat back. “Figured she’d still be hot as a firecracker.” He chuckled. I failed to find the humor in the situation.
“Harold!” He stopped talking. “What are you doing here?”
“The Carson situation needs your attention, ASAP.” Harold taped on his phone and handed it to me.
Two of my partners weren’t playing nice together.
I had warned both to straighten out their shit.
Turns out, they needed additional motivation and my brand of gentle guidance to avoid them taking each other out and fucking with my business.
I stood up and grabbed my cellphone and wallet and shoved it in my pocket, ready to go knock some sense into them if I had to. But I hesitated, not wanting to leave Lucinda on the boat alone without my supervision. With luck, I would return tonight.
I stepped out of my office and Harold fell in step behind me as we took the exit below the helipad. I shuffled up the stairs and climbed into the helicopter.
We were in the air a few minutes later.
The camera feed on my phone was the only access I’d have to my Lucinda today. Hopefully she would behave herself.
Lucinda
The night before had been fun, but I couldn’t shake the feeling I’d ruined it somehow. I’d had the most decadent orgasm and the meal of a lifetime. All my favorites in one sitting. I couldn’t have planned it better, but the scene felt incomplete. I had to find Marcus and see if he felt the same.
I spotted him entering the sun deck as I finished breakfast and waved him over. He looked around but then turned his thousand-watt smile toward me and headed in my direction.
“Good morning, Lucinda.” His words were cut off by the sound of a helicopter leaving the boat from the helipad.
I shielded my eyes and watched it ascend into the sky. It hovered for a few seconds before taking off toward the coastline.
“Who’s that?”
Marcus shrugged. “How are you feeling this morning?”
“I’m good.” I adjusted in my seat; the spanking lingered along with all the other feelings.
Marcus grabbed a slice of pineapple from my plate and popped it in his mouth.
Those were the same fingers that had been inside me.
I shook off the lingering feelings. They were distracting.
“I wanted to speak to you about last night.”
“What about last night?” He blinked, then cut his gaze to the table next to us. “Look, Jalen and Evan are over there. We should join them.” He stood up.
“Master Marcus.” I grabbed his hand, remembering how it felt when he held me. “I really want to debrief about last night.”
He looked around and sat down, then pulled his hand from my grasp and set it on his lap.
“Are you okay?” He leaned in. “Did something happen last night you were uncomfortable with?’
“No.” My eyes narrowed. “I agreed to everything. It was kind of perfect, actually. Especially the aftercare. I like falling asleep in your arms.”
Marcus wouldn’t look me in the eye.
“But I do feel like I derailed your scene again and I didn’t mean to.” I sat back and looked at him, something I wasn’t allowed to do during our scenes. It hadn’t seemed weird, until now. “Are you okay?”
“What?” He looked around, but finally his gaze landed on me. “Listen, last night was fine. It went exactly how it was supposed to go.”
“Why are you so fidgety and nervous?” It was a stark contrast from the demanding Dom behavior he’d exhibited in the scene room. Something was up with him.
“Master Marcus.” A blonde sub who I thought was named Mandy came trouncing over to us. Even while standing over him, she still gave off a submissive air. “I was looking forward to seeing you again today, Sir.”
“Oh, uhm. Mandy.” He turned to me, guilt coming out of his pores. “This is Lucinda. Lucinda, this is Mandy.”
“Hi Lucinda.” She peeked down at me through her blond curls and waved. “Nice to meet you.”
“You, too.” But I couldn’t drag my eyes away from Marcus.
His face had the look of a man caught, which was even more confusing.
I was catching feelings for Marcus, but of course he was sceneing with other people.
It was a BDSM cruise, for fuck’s sake. I willed the pout to leave my lips, but he didn’t notice.
He seemed far more concerned about revealing my existence to Mandy than the other way around.
“Mandy.” He said her name with such reverence. “Please grab yourself some breakfast and meet me inside.” He squeezed her hand and she nodded, waved again and walked away.
“I need to get some air.” I stood up. Never mind we were on an open-air sun deck. Air was all around.
“Lucinda, please sit down and let me explain.”
I didn’t sit. “Explain what?”
“Actually, not here.” He stood. “Later.” With no explanation, he stood, gave me a once-over and then went after Mandy. His sub.
I didn’t want to admit it, but my feelings were hurt.
I turned and found Evan and Jalen staring at me and waving, so I made my way over to their table. They sat next to each other on a bench, Evan’s hand resting on Jalen’s thigh.
“Please join us.” Jalen smiled, but then it faltered as if he’d said something he wasn’t supposed to. Evan gave him a reassuring squeeze.
“You want a drink?” Evan asked.
“Uhm, sure.” I sat, but my brain was stuck on Marcus and Mandy. They looked stunning together.
A waiter approached.