Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
I t was the last day and night of their cruise and while Alexander might have wanted to remain on board with Tatum, he knew they had to get off the ship, because the only thing he really wanted to do was cuddle up on either one of their beds and hold her tight. Soon enough, they’d be back in Florida and then it would be over.
The cruise.
Not their relationship.
At least, that was the plan.
But Tatum was heading out hours after they docked to do some workshops in Los Angeles and then again in Chicago. So, while the day wore on and night began to fall, they moved from activity to activity, not because they were interested in doing what was offered, but because they needed the time to think.
What had started as a good plan was turning into torture.
Thinking was the last thing he needed to do, because that gave rise to doubts and worries.
He didn’t doubt what they felt for each other, but he knew that once they were separated and
didn’t see each other day after day, the world had every opportunity to divide them and weaken their bonds.
As they turned the corner of a path, looking for one of the alcoves where they could find a
stretch of beach to dip their toes in the water, Alex heard a now familiar song begin to play.
Stopping on the path, he brushed his thumb against the tender skin of her palm and turned to
look at her. "If I didn’t know better," he grinned, "I’d say you arranged this."
Tatum listened to the music from a live band and shook her head. "I don’t have the kind of power
you’re talking about, Alex. You’re the one with magic at your fingertips."
He knew what she was talking about, but the images in his head had a slightly different meaning.
They hadn’t made love yet. They’d spent the time on the cruise getting to know each other beyond just fun activities and dinners. Hours and hours of deep conversations had passed between them while they’d been together.
Still, as they stood there on the darkening path, he’d never felt closer to any woman he’d
ever met. He lifted his free hand and slowly brushed her hair back from her face. "You’re right, sweetheart," he felt her shiver from his touch, "there is magic at my fingertips, but it’s all you."
A singer joined the instrumental music and he turned his head slightly to listen to the difference in the song. The voice was seductive and warm. Tender and rough in parts. He could almost understand the words even though they were in a language he didn’t quite understand.
"What is it?" Tatum’s soft entreaty brought his eyes back to hers.
"I don’t quite understand the lyrics. I remember enough to be able to order things in restaurants
and talk to staff in hotels, but I’m hopeless when it comes to actual conversations."
"I’ll make you a deal," Tatum stepped back and off of the walkway and given by the slight buckle
of her ankles, she was on sand, "come with me."
He wasn’t going to argue, even if he filled his shoes with sand, he’d take the chance and manage
with the grains between his toes just to have the time with her. When he stepped off into the sand, she paused and reached down with one hand to slip the straps off her heels and then drop her sandals in the sand.
Shaking his head, Alexander toed off his shoes and didn’t bother moving them away, he had a
feeling they weren’t going to stand around.
He was right.
With a flirtatious look in her eyes, she drew him further out into the sand until he heard the soft lap of the ocean on the sand.
"Rumba," she whispered and put her hands on his shoulders, and he was only too happy to put
his hands on her hips. The way Tatum moved was a sensual pleasure in itself. To have his hands touching her as she danced was a sensation he’d never forget. "Remember?"
He nodded. "One. Hold two. Three Four."
Nodding, she held still, but he could feel the energy building inside of her. The energy that moved into him through their connection. And when he was ready, he drew in a breath and took a step.
"One. Hold two. Three Four." His voice grew softer as they moved together in the whisper soft
sand. "One. Hold two. Three Four."
Another set and he went silent, even though the words continued in his head.
And when his steps were easier, smoother, he thought she might sing, but instead, they
continued, moving across the sand.
The sky above their heads getting darker and darker as they moved to the music. It was, in a
word, romance.
Love.
He smiled, realizing he’d answered with two, but he wasn’t about to argue.
He meant them both.
When the song ended, he pulled her closer… pulled her against him from their knees to their hearts and brushed a kiss on her lips. "Have I ever told you how amazing you feel when you dance?"
Her laughter was soft, but the way it made him feel was incredible.
"Just when I dance?"
He was momentarily stunned at the husky tone of her voice. "No."
She moved closer, sliding her arms under his and leaning closer until she turned her head and
leaned her cheek against his chest. "Then when?"
He didn’t need anything but the truth. "Every time I touch you. With my hands," he slowly followed the curve of her hip down a few inches and then back again. "When I hold you close, like this."
She hummed and he felt the sensation and vibration of her voice. "I like it too."
"And when I kiss you."
Tatum cuddled closer. "I like that a lot."
"Me too." He touched his cheek to the top of her head. "And you have the most amazing hair."
Her laughter was infectious, as always.
"Anytime I touch you, Tatum. I just want more."
They started moving again, but this time they just rocked back and forth, his hands traveling from her hips to her lower back, higher and lower again, and again.
"I know what you mean," she sighed and adjusted her feet so their legs were tangled together.
"You feel pretty amazing to me too."
The music changed again, but they continued to touch, and sway, and move together almost in their own rhythm.
"I want you to know," Alexander tried to find a way to get even closer to her, but couldn’t
find a way to manage it, "I’ve never been this happy before."
Tatum turned her head, brushing her lips over his heart until she rested on the other cheek.
"It’s the fact that you’re standing here, in paradise."
He stopped moving and leaned back so he could look down into her face. When she raised her gaze to meet his, he smiled. "It’s the fact that we are standing here, in paradise. You and me."
Something changed in her expression. Something deeper than the moment they were in and when she opened her mouth to talk, he kissed her instead.
Alexander kissed her with a passion he didn’t even know that he had. A passion that longed to
burn brighter and burn longer, as long as it was with her.
For her.
Then their kiss subsided, gentled, like the constant tumble of the ocean on the sand a few feet
away. "When we get back…"
She opened her eyes to look at him and smiled. "When we get back…?"
"I know you’re going to be travelling," he smoothed his hands up and down her arms, reveling
in the warmth of her skin, "I’d like to call you."
Tatum nodded, her eyes alight with an emotion he hoped was like his own. "We can Skype and call. I’d like to see your face, Alex. I’m going to miss it while I’m away."
Relief flooded through him. "Anything, as long as I get to talk to you on a regular basis."
"Aww," she smoothed her hands between them until her palms were flat on his chest, "you’re
going to miss me… Which is good since I know I’m going to go stir crazy without you."
Tears sprang to his eyes and laughter vibrated in his chest. "I love you, you know."
Her hands fisted in his shirt front and pulled him closer. She was suddenly a few inches taller, and he had a feeling she was up on her toes in the sand and when she tugged on the fine cotton, he went willingly down to kiss her again.
He let her control the kiss, because there was nothing more beautiful than her soft gasps
and the way her eyelashes fluttered against her cheeks.
She paused for a moment with her lower lip caught on his. "I love you, too, Alex. It’s
incredible how much I feel for you. How amazing it feels that I’ve found you."
"And I’ve found you," he lifted his hands and brushed her hair back from her beautiful face,
"and I’m going to do everything I can to keep this love going between us."
"Good," she nodded, "I’ll help you with that. I think between the two of us, we can figure
it out."
"I know we will."
His phone beeped in his pocket, and he smiled, excited to see her expression. "Look up."
Her eyes narrowed at him as her brow furrowed in confusion. "What?"
"I said," he pressed a quick kiss on the line between her brows, "look up."
Tatum leaned back slightly and investigated the sky over their heads.
A moment later the sky lit up with a brilliant flash of light that broke into hundreds of
swirling sparkles.
"Fireworks?" Her voice was filled with wonder. "I didn’t see this on the schedule."
Alexander smiled and knew she couldn’t see it. It was her expression that mattered to him. Her
eyes and those amazing lips. "It wasn’t on the schedule because they’re for you."
Another rocket burst, sending green trailers through the sky. And then blue.
"They’re for… for me?"
"Yes." He covered her hands with his and gave them a gentle squeeze. "For you, Tatum. This, and
so much more."
She turned around in his arms and laid her head back against his shoulder so that they could
enjoy the fireworks, together.