Chapter 10
Alex
“Wow. I’ve never slept better than on this ship,” Tuesday shares stretching her arms overhead dramatically as we all sit enjoying a late breakfast. Our table accommodating eight sits beside a large window overlooking the ocean. The buffet is enormous, offering anything one could imagine to start their day. Eggs, sausages, various croissants, pastries, and fruit sit atop our bright-colored plates.
“I need a lot more coffee,” Ricky splutters. He and I stayed up late into the evening, checking out the nightlife onboard the ship. The girls all retired early after a full day of sun and alcohol.
“You feeling your age, old man?” I chuckle.
“Where’s Ainsley?” Julia asks.
“She was still sleeping when I left.” I take another sip of my coffee and have to admit I’m relieved for the non-Ainsley portions of this cruise. This relationship has more than outlived its course. I don’t know what I was thinking, bringing her along. At this point, I’m clearly using her to play interference. How ridiculous is that? Man up, Alex. Sunny T is never gonna happen. You don’t need to drag another girl into this.
The thought has barely left my mind before I notice the faces opposite me all staring over my shoulder, mouths ajar. My eyes follow where they have their gaze trained and observe none other than Ainsley walking down the corridor toward us, dressed for the runway. She’s wearing some sheer floral coverlet over a bejeweled turquoise one-piece, four-inch heels, a rattan purse, and oversized sunglasses. Her platinum blonde hair is tied tightly to her head in an uncomfortable bun. I instinctively look about the café for her paparazzi. Is this chick for real?
She slinks into the seat beside me, and I almost slide down so no one realizes we’re together. The rest of us are wearing T-shirts and cut-off shorts. “Ains, what’s with the getup? It’s kinda early for stilettos,” I whisper.
“I’m on vacation. I want to enjoy myself,” she quips with more than a little attitude. “I have a full day planned. I’m hitting the spa and getting the full package before I spend the afternoon sunbathing.”
So, this outfit is to impress the women at the spa? I mean, you’re just taking all of that off in there, right? I can’t wrap my head around her logic. But it seems neither can anyone else at this table by their expressions.
“Maybe I want to look good for my man?” She croons as she cups my cheeks, and I try not to choke on a cough.
Good grief. This is karma for bringing her here. I’m sure of it.
“Mom and I are going to tour the ship and catch up on some reading on the observation deck before dinner,” Dad says.
“Oh, that’s right. You two have that romantic dinner in the exclusive restaurant tonight,” Tuesday adds. “I’m probably going to spend most of the day sunbathing. But I’m going to take a nap before dinner this time so I can have fun tonight without falling asleep.” She giggles.
I glare at her. Sunbathing nearly did me in yesterday. Maybe I should go to the gym.
* * *
Julia, Ricky, Tuesday, and I relax with after-dinner drinks as the sun sets on another fun-filled day. Ainsley barely made it to the appetizer before the ship started rocking to and fro with a little more turbulence than we’d noticed previously and turned green, excusing herself. Ricky jumped into action, stating his parents had brought some sea sickness medication that would settle her stomach and escorted her back to her room to retrieve it.
“She’ll be out for the count now,” Ricky joked upon his return. “That stuff will keep you from spewing, but it could knock out an elephant.”
I shake my head, trying not to voice what I’m thinking. She and her outfits need a good rest.
As I take the last sip of my coffee, Ricky and Julia spring to their feet, deciding to call it an early evening. I have no doubt what’s on the agenda there.
“See you in the morning,” Tuesday says as she gives them a small wave.
“So, what’ve you got planned tonight?” I nudge her with my elbow.
“Ah, Tuesday. I haven’t seen you all day!” An overly cheerful voice rains down upon us, and my hackles rise as I look up to see the familiar face of her dark-haired dance partner from yesterday. I notice his nametag. Fitting. Rico Suave is actually Ricardo. “Are you coming dancing later?”
“No,” I bark. Her eyes snap to mine, and I don’t even bother backing down. “We’ve got plans.”
“We do?” she whispers, seeming as shocked by my outburst as I am.
“You said you wanted to take in the nightlife on the ship. So that’s what we’re doing.”
“Yes. You should,” Ricardo adds. “Maybe I’ll see you out and about later. Enjoy your evening.”
Tuesday continues to give me a stunned expression.
“Come on, Sunny. It’s just you and me. Let’s live a little.”
What the hell am I doing? Off-limits, remember.
Before I can think better of this and tell her I should probably call it a night and take a cold shower, a bright smile inhabits her face, and any hope of doing the rational thing is completely lost.
“What should we do? It’s still kinda early for the clubs,” she asks.
“Hmm. Why don’t we start at the top of the ship and work our way down?”
“Oh, I love that idea.” She claps in excitement. We stand from our seats, and my skin sizzles under her touch as she grabs my forearm. As we near the elevator, she lets go and reaches for the button, and I instantly mourn the loss of her.
This isn’t good. The night has barely started, and you’re already obsessed with having her hands on you.
The elevator doors open, and we squeeze in with the guests already onboard. “Oh, look. They have a volleyball court on the top floor.” Tuesday points to the picture of the top floor of the ship. “Not that I’d ever be able to beat the local league volleyball champion.” She giggles.
“God. I haven’t played in ages.” Man, I’ve missed it. I felt alive when I was attacking the ball.
The doors open, and we follow the signs to the sports area mid-ship. “I used to love watching you play,” she admits, a slight blush staining her tanned cheeks. Her hair continually whips about her sweet face despite her attempts to tuck it behind her ear. “You were a god on the court.”
Her statement has me standing a little taller. I’m startled by the compliment. Regardless of any infatuation she may have had back then, she never put a voice to it. I thought she was only there to watch Ricky play. Has she had more to drink tonight than I thought?
Reaching for a ball, I start to ask if she wants to toss it back and forth for a bit until I recall we just came from dinner. My eyes trail down her body. Unlike Ainsley, who uses any opportunity to dress to impress, Tuesday is wearing what I think they call a maxi dress and a pair of canvas wedges. Her hair is in loose waves, the strands haphazardly dancing in the wind around her.
“Come on. Lob that sucker, for old times’ sake,” she says as she kicks off her shoes and runs to the opposite side of the court. The grin that overtakes me is instantaneous. I extend my arm to prepare for my serve when she adds, “Be gentle.”
Fuck. I’m going to be hearing that in my sleep now.
* * *
It’s ten o’clock, and we’ve finally made our way down to the floor that houses multiple nightclubs. My face hurts from how much I’ve laughed and smiled tonight. From watching Tuesday chase after each serve, the way her cute nose scrunched up when she’d try my scotch, and the gusto with which she won the trivia game earlier. I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun. The only uncomfortable moment I’ve experienced was when we were eating soft serve ice cream, and a small amount dribbled down her chin. It took all I had not to lick it off of her.
“Oh, this one, Alex.” Tuesday pulls at my arm. This floor has several spots to kick back and enjoy a drink. One is sports-themed, there’s a jazz club, an Irish pub, and this appears to be one of the dance clubs. The room is teaming with people, but she locates an empty booth in the back corner and points, looking in my direction in a silent plea. She’s aware nightclubs aren’t my thing.
We’ve barely taken our seats before a server is at our side. “What can I get you?” he practically yells over the rumbling hip-hop song.
“Whatcha want, Sunny T?”
“I dunno. I want to try something new. How about a mudslide?”
“Nice choice,” the waiter answers with a wink. Watch it, bucko.
“I’ll just have a water.”
The server walks away, and Tuesday blurts, “What?” She looks offended.
“I’m driving, babe.”
She covers her mouth with her hand and giggles, and the sound travels right to my dick. I can’t help but grin as she looks about the club, her face aglow with the flashing lights overhead. But it could honestly be her. There’s a luminosity about this beautiful, sweet girl.
The server returns quickly with our drinks, and I sit back, enjoying the sight of Tuesday tasting her next concoction. Her face becomes animated as the cool cocktail hits her lips. Her tongue darts out, running along her lower lip, and I have to reach down to readjust my pants. I’d give anything to taste those plump lips. Dip my tongue into her mouth and lose myself in her.
“Want some?” she asks, her voice a little raspy.
“Yes,” I answer before I realize what I’m saying. I reach for her drink, having no interest in chocolate in a glass but needing to follow this through so she doesn’t question what I really want to taste. Bringing it to my lips, I take a small sip before sliding it back to her. “Delicious.”
Tuesday suddenly sits up taller in her chair and bounces as the song changes to an eighties dance number. “Oh, Alex, please? Don’t make me dance by myself,” she pleads. That’s the problem. She won’t be. This stunner won’t be out there a hot minute before someone slides in, hoping to keep her company.
“Okay, okay.”
“Oh, yay!” She squeals. She reaches for my hand, dragging me into the center of the heap of warm bodies dancing to the popular song before it changes to an upbeat Andy Grammer song. Tuesday is in her element. A wide smile has permanently taken up residence on my face as I watch her. She dances with a look of glee I’ve never seen on her before. And that’s saying something, given she’s the most joy-filled girl I know. Her mesmerizing green eyes dance with delight as the song changes, and she begins gyrating her curvy body to “THAT’S WHAT I WANT” by Lil Naz X. I instinctively place my hands on her tantalizing hips as we get caught up in the chorus and move to the upbeat song.
With each passing tune, I fall a little more under her spell. I’d normally be running for the table, having done my duty dancing with her for a couple of numbers as requested. But the thought of having to pull away from her keeps my feet rooted to this dance floor.
“Alex,” Tuesday says in a swoony tone as she grabs my shirt and pulls me into her.
“Yeah, baby?”
“This has been the best night of my life.” The radiant spark emanating from her has short-circuited my mind. Any resolve I had left is gone.
I cup her angelic face and crush my lips over hers. The instant heat that spreads from her sweet mouth has me coming undone. I tease her lips with the tip of my tongue, begging for entrance. Once inside, it’s impossible to know whether the moans I hear are coming from her or me. I can feel the current as the glide of her playful tongue connects with mine all the way down my spine. I pull her closer, enjoying the feel of her body engulfed by mine, and pray I can neutralize the electricity building between us.
Yet any hope of fighting this is pointless. No kiss has ever felt like this. All that came before was merely a means to an end. Foreplay to get what I really wanted. But this kiss with Tuesday. It’s intoxicating. She tastes of chocolate, sunshine, and surrender.
I could spend eternity kissing this sweet girl.
This sweet, forbidden girl.