Chapter 19
RAFE
F or the rest of the week, wherever George was, I was.
Despite our growing affection for each other, we hadn’t gone any further than heated kisses and lingering touches. George wanted to go slow, and I readily agreed. The lusty tension between us kept building and building and I knew that when we finally came together, it would be worth the wait.
And every day, I learned more about him. I was curious about his work, and he showed me how he planned out our routes, read and analyzed the ship’s monitors and sensors, and tracked the weather.
He even let me help him steer the ship as we left the marina and headed up the coast again. We docked near Lewen Island, but this time George and I went diving while others headed back to the beach.
And I had to admit, I enjoyed the way our relationship was evolving. While I hadn’t appreciated our first kiss being interrupted (by my brother no less), I knew there were plenty more to come.
And more than anything, I enjoyed just being with him. Talking about everything and anything, learning about him, and noticing so many new things. Feeling the layers of my old life peeling away as this beautiful new reality took root.
And the way he looked at me and touched me?
He didn’t need to tell others that he was mine and I was his.
As he’d mentioned, he was a man of action.
And he made no secret of holding my hand or kissing me or putting his arms around me.
In front of everyone. He was so bloody protective too, treating me with a reverence I’d never experienced.
“Did you get enough pics?” George asked me. Breaking me out of my musings.
“Yes, so many,” I replied and reached up to take off my tanks.
“I’ll help you.” George stood behind me and gently pulled off the straps. I noticed that he showed his affection this way too. He seemed to enjoy taking care of me. And whether he realized it or not, I planned to do the same for him.
“Did you believe we came that close to a zebra shark? I was scared but so mesmerized by their beauty that I just couldn’t move.”
“I’ve never been that close to one. And I think once is enough,” he quipped.
“And the amount of coral. The textures, the color. It was, without a doubt, the best dive I’ve ever had. Thank you,” I replied.
George removed his wetsuit and moved to stand in front of me as I started to undo mine.
“I love diving with you. We make a great team.”
It was true. I felt connected to him in a way I never felt with anyone.
George placed his hand over mine, and I let go of the zipper. He stood in front of me, his dark grey hair mussed by the salt water, his green eyes so vivid and warm. “Let me.”
He slowly lowered my zipper and despite the water on my skin, I began to sweat.
Then he slipped one hand inside, brushing my nipple.
I was so sensitive that goosebumps erupted all over my skin.
My cock thickened as he continued touching me, moving his hand to slide the material off my shoulder.
He did the same with the other, running his hand over my chest, teasing my nipple, his eyes never wavering from mine.
With the wetsuit now hanging low off my hips, he placed both hands on my exposed collarbone, gently stroking the skin there as my heart pounded faster and faster, my dick growing painfully hard.
His thumbs ran gently along my neck and then lower, rubbing the hollow at the base of my throat.
Up and down, over and over. Fuck, I never knew how erotic such a touch could be.
“I can’t stop touching you. I keep telling myself this is real, but I don’t believe it until I touch you,” he whispered. “Will you stay with me tonight?”
I was ready to take that next step. I nodded and he took my lips in a slow, sultry kiss that had me forgetting we were standing in the rear of the ship, for anyone to see.
I wrapped my arms around his waist and held on tightly. It could have been five seconds or five minutes, I don’t know. I lost all track of time when George kissed me, and breathing was a secondary consideration.
Slowly, he pulled back and licked his lips.
“Unfortunately, I’ve got to get back upstairs. We’ll pull anchor around five and dock in Cairns. Once that’s done, I’m all yours.”
“I can’t wait,” I smiled and kissed him one last time. “Now get going, or we’ll end up naked on the dock where other boaters can see.”
“Maybe someday,” he winked at me as he stood back. “When we have the ship to ourselves.”
“Kinky.”
He laughed and the sound made my heart warm. “It’s all your fault. You make me want to do dirty things, Mr. Carter.”
“Good. Now, go on. I need time to calm down, so I can get the rest of this bloody wetsuit off.”
It was the truth. When my dick finally calmed down, I was able to peel the rest of the wetsuit off my sweaty body. I took a quick shower to wash off the salt water, changed, and went in search of Jana. Charlie mentioned to me that she was up on the sun deck.
I climbed the stairs and found her delivering drinks to Decker and Veroush as they sat in the hot tub. I waved at them.
“Jana, when you’re done here, can I have a word?” I asked.
“Of course. I’m ready now.” She dropped off the drinks and strolled over to me. “How can I help you?”
“George and I will be dining alone tonight,” I replied, my cheeks flushing. “I was wondering if Lisette could cook up something special?”
“Ah, well…” Jana stuttered, which wasn’t like her at all.
“What is it?”
“Don’t say anything please, but it’s already been arranged,” Jana whispered and patted my arm.
Cheeky bugger. He beat me to it.
“And here I wanted to surprise him,” I shook my head.
I’d have to think of something else. Something he wanted but wasn’t expecting.
“He also had me arrange for massage therapists to come on board for you and the rest of the guests. After we dock, but before dinner, at 6 p.m.”
“Looking forward to that. Thanks, Jana.”
In the meantime, I had work to get back to.
Charlie took me in the tender to Lewen Island to join Niall, Willem, Zoe, and Jasmine.
I brought another set of swimwear for them to model and my favorite camera.
Today I wanted to capture shots without lighting, makeup, or any other equipment.
Just the models in their natural state, and the beauty of the beach.
The island was exactly as George had described it.
A perfect horseshoe bay with calm, clear water and soft, golden sand.
Unlike yesterday, the winds were low, and there was less sand and salt flying around mucking up my camera.
The sun and humidity were stifling though, so I wanted to get our work done as quick as possible.
Willem insisted that Niall get changed and be photographed too, and I liked the idea.
“But my ass is bruised,” Niall complained.
“Front or side shots for you, don’t worry,” I replied.
Niall wasn’t a model, but there was something special about him and Willem together that I wanted to capture. I had all the models change, Niall in tight black swim shorts and Willem in white, with mesh crop tops. Zoe and Jasmine matched them in black and white one-piece swimsuits.
“Willem and Niall first. Lie down on your sides and face each other. Nice and tight.”
“That’s what he said,” Niall quipped, and everyone chuckled.
“Focus, Niall. Willem, put your hand on Niall’s chest, under the top. Niall tilt your head, like Willem is pushing you on your back. Look in each other’s eyes. That’s it.”
The two of them together were beautiful. The play of light and dark, hard and soft edges. The passion in their gazes was real and the camera loved it.
I snapped several shots of them, unsure whether they would make the final cut or if I preferred to give them the photos as a private gift, for their eyes only.
“Okay, Willem, grab Niall’s top in your fist and pull him in closer.
Niall, wrap your left arm around Willem’s waist. Move closer, like you’re about to kiss.
Zoe, Jasmine, can you sit down on either side of them?
” Zoe slid behind Niall and Jasmine behind Willem.
“Perfect. Jasmine, place one hand in Willem’s hair and clench your fist. Like you’re about to pull his head back. Zoe, do the same to Niall.”
“This is getting kinky,” Willem chuckled.
“This isn’t going to hurt, is it? Cause I had enough of that last night at the club and it confirmed my belief that I’m not into pain,” Niall quipped.
I shook my head and forced down a laugh. “No and stop talking. I can’t believe I’m the serious one here.”
Niall and Willem were holding tight, fighting off being separated by Zoe and Jasmine. All four of them created a sensual image that was sure to sell.
“Hold it right there,” I demanded as I frantically took more shots. “Zoe, grip Willem’s shoulder with your other hand.”
I took as many shots as I could.
Until an unexpected gust of wind blew over us, blowing sand in their faces. And the moment was gone.
“I got a few good ones. How about we take a break and hit the water?”
I took candid photos for the rest of the afternoon. Nothing posed, just natural reactions from everyone. I liked both sets of photos, but it would be up to my client to see what would make the cut.
After a few more hours of sun and swimming, we had Charlie take us back to the ship.
After pulling anchor, we headed west to Cairns.
The docking was slow and not surprising since our ship was the largest one in port.
Now that I knew all the steps that entailed a proper docking, I marveled at how easy George made it look.
“Rafe, are you okay to have your massage up here, on the sun deck with George, or do you prefer your suite?” Jana asked as we watched the crew securing lines.
“The sun deck works,” I replied.
“The therapists will be on board shortly. In the meantime, can I get you anything?”
“A glass of juice with sparkling water. I feel a bit dehydrated.”
“Coming right up.”
I sat on the lounger, and closed my eyes, enjoying the quiet. Almost nodding off, until a shadow fell over me, blocking off the sun.
I blinked to find George standing in front of me, in nothing but a white towel and a smile. With a drink in his hand.
“Am I dreaming or are you real?” I asked.
Instead of answering, he leaned over and kissed me.
Very real. Suddenly I was wide awake.
“Ready for your massage?” I asked as he passed me the drink.
I was so thirsty I finished it in three gulps.
“Yes, we both need a good rub down.”
Before I could make a smart reply about rubbing, Jana popped up, along with two blokes and their portable tables.
My George wasted no time in taking charge and directing the setup. While he was doing that, I grabbed a towel and headed to the bathroom to take off my swimsuit.
When I headed back outside, the massage therapists had the tables ready, side by side.
I slid onto one under the sheet, then removed my towel.
George did the same. Then I wondered if this was a good idea.
He kept looking at me like he wanted to devour me, and I was likely to pop a boner at any second. I forced myself to look away from him.
The therapists had us lie on our backs first and I took a deep breath.
I stared up at the blue sky instead of the man beside me, even though I could feel George’s gaze on me like a heated touch.
As my muscles got worked over, I tried to relax.
Unfortunately, my body didn’t want a stranger’s hands, it wanted George’s.
Twenty minutes later—it felt like hours—we flipped onto our stomachs.
I gave into temptation and glanced at George.
I wanted everyone else gone.