Chapter 17
RAFE
O nce I’d stopped teasing George, we enjoyed our meal and the stellar view of the ocean.
Despite the din of a crowded restaurant, it felt like we were the only two people in the room.
“The food here is great, but not as amazing as Lisette’s,” George announced as we were finishing dessert, a melt-in-your-mouth baked meringue with kiwi and whipped cream.
“I agree, but it was nice to leave the ship for a bit. Not that I don’t love Now, Voyager , but a change of scenery was just what I needed. I only wish I’d brought my camera, the view up here is truly stunning.”
“Absolutely gorgeous,” George replied as he stared into my eyes.
A flush heated my cheeks. You’d think I’d never had a man compliment me on my looks before. But with George, it felt different. I felt different. Because I was pretty sure he wasn’t just talking about how I looked.
I had the urge to touch him again, but I resisted. I wanted him to be comfortable enough to make the first move.
I was about to ask him if we had time to take a walk along the beach, but my mobile pinged, interrupting my thoughts. It was a message from Niall saying they were already at the club and asking us to join. George took care of the bill and we headed back to the car.
Driving back into town, we parked a block from the aptly named Lighthouse nightclub. Overlooking the water, the venue was a sleek showpiece, a modern building that was all angles and glass.
It was the biggest gay club in Townsville, and it was packed. On a Friday night, everyone was ready to let loose and celebrate the arrival of the weekend.
But the closer we walked to the front entrance, the more I felt George tense up. His whole demeanor shifted, and he withdrew into himself. When I asked him if he was okay, he smiled and said he was fine.
I didn’t buy it.
Now that I was attuned to the real man versus the polite, practiced captain, I could tell when he wasn’t telling me the truth.
I would let it go for now, but not for long.
As we entered the sleek building, George placed his hand firmly on my lower back. Like he was claiming me. I liked it and leaned into his touch.
The club was typical—loud, dark, and filled with writhing bodies. The air was heavy with the smell of sweat, sex, and too much cologne.
“We don’t have to stay long. A quick drink and we’re done,” I turned and whispered in his ear.
He nodded rather than replying, tension all over his face. I was about to ask him what was wrong when I heard my name called out loud.
I looked around to find Niall, Willem, and the rest of the models in a circular booth at the back. I gripped George’s hand as we weaved our way through the throbbing crowd. I noticed interested stares as we walked by, but ignored them as we finally made it to the table.
“Rafe’s here!” Niall yelled as he got up and gave me a hug, pulling me away from George. “Now the party can get started!”
“Make room for us,” I said but Niall shook his head.
“Dance! Dance! Dance!” Niall shouted.
“Go on with your friend. I’ll sit this one out,” George yelled out over the music.
He quickly took a seat beside Willem and began to converse with him.
I didn’t like the loss of contact. Not only that, I felt like I’d been dismissed.
Before I could say anything, Niall grabbed my arm and next thing I knew I was dragged onto the crowded dance floor.
“Stop worrying about your man. You can play with him later,” Niall quipped as we began to move.
I hadn’t been to a club since I’d left Miami. Not that I missed it. It was more Niall’s thing than mine. He’d always drag me along even though I’d grown tired of the scene. I wasn’t the greatest dancer, and lately I wasn’t trolling for a hook up, so why bother?
Tonight, I found the men who stared or approached us annoying as fuck.
I didn’t want their attention. I wanted George’s.
I searched over the top of the crowd to find my captain. George looked at ease again, chatting with Willem, leaning in close. Was he sitting like that because he couldn’t hear over the ear-splitting music, or because he wanted to be near the model?
My mind began to spin. George and Willem were near in age and had a lot in common. Willem loved the water, and he was an avid outdoorsman and sailor. Like George.
A bloom of jealousy pulsed inside me. I didn’t like the feeling at all.
Until George looked up from his convo, scanning the crowd. Searching for me?
When our eyes met, I let him see everything I was feeling—lust, confusion, and yes, anger. Suddenly, he got up.
I looked away, distracted by some bloke dancing far too close to me. He began to grind up against me and I turned, pissed as hell. I didn’t want some stranger’s hands all over me.
“Fuck off,” I yelled.
But the bloke wouldn’t let up. He was built like a fucking tank, and his glassy eyes and blown pupils were a clear sign that he was high.
Great, a raging stoner. Just what I needed.
“I said fuck off!” I screamed again and elbowed him, but the man grabbed my arm and wouldn’t let go.
Niall pushed at the man’s chest. “Back off! Let him go!”
“Mind your business!” the man yelled and pushed back, causing Niall to stumble onto the floor.
Suddenly George was in front of me, shielding me with his body and my arm was free.
“Bugger off right fucking now if you know what’s good for you!” George’s voice boomed out over the music.
Now that I was free, I turned to Niall to help him stand up.
“You okay?” I asked my friend.
“Fine, I just fell on my ass. Nothing a hot soak won’t fix.”
The arsehole who wouldn’t take a hint was still standing there, refusing to leave us alone.
“You got nerve interrupting me,” he spat out at George.
“You’ve got nerve touching what’s mine! And not understanding consent. Leave or I’m going to kick your ignorant arse!” George yelled as he got up in the man’s face.
I clutched George’s waist, trying to pull him away. “Don’t. He’s not worth it.”
Thankfully Willem appeared, along with two bouncers who made the dickhead in question look tiny. No words were exchanged, they simply grabbed the annoying bloke and hauled him out of the club.
Willem walked over and wrapped his arm around Niall, murmuring in his ear.
“We’re going to sit out for a bit, make sure Niall is okay,” William commented.
I watched as they made their way back to our table.
Until George pulled me into his arms.
“Are you okay?” he asked me, and I nodded, hugging him tightly.
I didn’t realize I was trembling until he rubbed my back. Breathing in his scent, feeling his body heat, the safety of his arms, I felt my fear recede. My jealousy too.
“I’m sorry that arsehole touched you. Do you want to leave?” he asked.
“No. I’m not going to let him ruin the night for us. But maybe we should join Willem and Niall?”
“Let’s leave them alone for a bit,” George motioned to our table.
I looked around and saw the two of them hugging tightly, whispering in each other’s ear. I felt foolish for my earlier reaction.
“Other than the stupid tosser who wouldn’t take no for an answer, what’s wrong?” George asked.
“I could ask you the same. You hardly said a word since we left the restaurant and then when we got here, you all but dumped me to talk to Willem.”
George shook his head. “I felt awkward. Everyone in this place is looking at us, wondering why you’re here with an old bloke like me.
And I didn’t dump you, I wanted you to be free to be with your friends.
I tend to get…possessive with my partners, and it’s never gone over well. I thought you might want space.”
“Does this feel like I want space?” I asked, burrowing closer.
God, I fucking loved how his bigger body enveloped mine. We didn’t dance so much as grind up against each other.
“And stop thinking of yourself as old. That’s rubbish.
I’m here with you because there’s no one else I want to be with.
Pay attention, George, because lots of men in here see what I see.
And you can be possessive all you want. I feel the same way.
I got so bloody jealous of you talking to Willem, I wanted to walk back over there. ”
“That’s ridiculous. I don’t think of him that way at all.”
“He’s closer to your age and you have more in common than we do,” I replied, using his line of reasoning.
“I don’t fucking care about that. He’s not you.”
“Exactly.” I reached up and slid my hands in George’s hair.
My jealousy was unfounded. I remembered that George needed to feel connection before sex came into play.
And that connection he felt was with me.
My heart was pounding louder than the beat of the music. I wrapped one leg around his waist, and he slid his hand along my thigh, gripping me firmly, lifting me up. He manhandled me so I could slide both legs around his waist. Fuck, the power of that move had my entire body quaking.
He carried me a few steps, away from the dance floor and into a dimly lit hallway around the corner.
He lowered me to the floor, and I slowly slid down. Fuck, I could feel every hard ridge of his body. I leaned against the wall, thankful for the support since my legs were weak.
I glanced up and saw the truth in his turbulent eyes. He was as gone as I was. Lust mixed with relief and something deeper played havoc with my control. I wanted to get out of here.
We needed to be alone.
“I want to kiss you so badly, but not here,” I whispered.
George leaned his forehead against mine. “Let’s go home.”
I nodded and he took my hand. We made our way back to the main room and our table. Willem and Niall were cuddled up together. But everyone else was gone.
“Where did everyone go?” I asked.
“They’ve gone to a pub down the street,” Willem replied. “They want to bar hop for a while.”
“We’re heading back to the ship. Do you need a lift?” George asked.
Niall nodded. “Yeah, we’re done for the night.”
Willem paid the tab and all four of us left.
I didn’t let go of George’s hand as we walked through the crowd. He seemed oblivious to the men who took notice of him, but I wasn’t. So I let my body language speak for me: he’s taken, hands off . All those terms that I had no use for in the past were front and center now.
As soon as we stepped outside, we were hit with the wall of humidity. It was even heavier than earlier in the day. I couldn’t wait to get back to an air-conditioned suite.
“You sure you’re okay, Niall?” I asked, turning around to see my friend.
“I’m fine. Thank fuck I’m not one of the models, because my ass will be sore tomorrow.”
“I think my arm might be in the same state,” I replied.
“Jana can arrange to have a massage therapist come on board,” George suggested. “In fact, I insist.”
“I think that’s a great idea, but only if you get one too,” I whispered. “Wait, how about a couples massage?”
“I don’t know…” George said.
“Or you can watch as I get rubbed down,” I teased him.
“You are so much fucking trouble,” he replied and shook his head.
Back at the car, Niall and Willem squeezed into the tiny backseat, Niall sitting on Willem’s lap. Willem wrapped his arms around Niall and pulled him in closer, kissing him. They were cute as hell, and my heart warmed.
“Everyone buckled in?” George asked as he started up the engine.
“Yes, Daddy,” I joked.
George hit the accelerator. Hard.