Chapter Thirty-Four
The celebrations continued back on the Serenity. Music was playing, and everyone was drinking and dancing—even the crew. It was a wonderful end to the perfect evening. Everyone important to Aliannah was there. She stood leaning against the side of the deck, smiling at everyone.
“You ok, darling?” Ivan kissed her shoulder as he took up a stance beside her.
“Yes, my love. I'm just taking a moment to remember this night forever.” She looked up at him. Tears flowed down her cheeks again, and Ivan wiped them away with his thumb.
“I am just so happy. To think of what has happened in the past year, how much we have been through, and yet we are still standing here, back where it all started.” Aliannah sniffled. “It was meant to be.” She leaned her head against his arm and continued watching her family dance around the boat's back deck.
The next few days were spent cruising up and down the coast of Croatia, showing her family all her favourite spots and snorkelling around the different bays. It was the best impromptu family holiday that Aliannah could have ever dreamed of. Gavin and her dad were obsessed with the boat and how it ran. Her mom and Michelle loved all the little boutiques in the seaside towns they visited. Ivan and Igor took some much-needed time off business and went fishing with Aliannah's family. ‘Boys day out’ is what they called it, as Damien drove them to the recommended fishing spot while the ladies explored the town.
The girls found a beautiful little restaurant and stopped for some lunch. They sat on the outside terrace overlooking the bay and ordered some grilled sandwiches and iced teas. Aliannah sat admiring her ring sparkling in the sun while her mom and Michelle chatted away.
“So, do you have any plans made for your wedding?” Michelle interrupted Aliannah’s thoughts by nudging her arm, “Hello…..Earth to Ali….” Aliannah jerked and looked up.
“Sorry… no not yet…” Aliannah blushed and sat up to pay more attention to the conversation. Michelle was animated; Aliannah had never seen her so switched-on about something. They discussed possible styles of dress, locations and themes. Aliannah felt very overwhelmed by everything, so she let those two carry on the conversation.
She was relieved when it was time to return to the boat. All she wanted was to shut herself away for a few moments of peace and not be bombarded with more suggestions and ideas for her wedding. She had not had a moment to herself to think of what she wanted; all she heard was what other people wanted.
The boys were not back yet when they boarded the Serenity. Aliannah excused herself, saying she needed a rest ‘after so much sun’ and told her mom and Michelle to enjoy the rest of the sun and the crew would help them with anything they needed. She shut the door of her cabin behind her and pressed the remote to shut the curtains. She lay on the bed in the darkness and the silence. Her family would be leaving in the morning, but she needed the break away from them for an hour or so to recharge her social batteries.
A little while later, there was a soft knock on the door, and Ivan came in.
“Hey darling, why are you in here?” He sat on the edge of the bed and stroked her cheek. Aliannah rolled over and snuggled into his hand.
“I just needed a minute to breathe. All the wedding questions got a bit intense. Michelle is so detail-oriented; it just got a bit too much. I’m ok now, though.” She sat up and stretched.
“The Chef is preparing dinner for everyone on board tonight; it will be ready soon,” Ivan kissed her forehead and headed for a shower. After a few minutes of hearing the water running, Aliannah stripped off and followed him into the shower.
The steam from the running water filled the small shower space. Ivan turned to face her, surprised to see her standing there. Their bodies were inches apart. She could feel his gaze roaming her body; Aliannah blushed, remembering the scars Viktor had left. Their breathing and the shower were all that could be heard—no words needed to be spoken. Ivan reached out and turned them so that they were both under the shower spray. He stroked Aliannah’s wet hair from her face before pulling her closer to him. His lips met hers in a heated kiss. Aliannah moaned as their bodies pressed together. Ivan pulled back and placed a finger on her lips.
“Sshh darling, you have to be quiet; everyone will hear,” he whispered as he kissed along her neck to her collarbone. His fingers explored her body. Aliannah could feel the burn of desire building between her legs. She wanted more. Ivan lifted her, wrapping her legs around his waist, and pressed her back against the cold tile wall. He kissed her before gently entering her. Their bodies found their rhythm and moved in sync. They were one. Every touch, every kiss, every motion was filled with passion. The wet tango they were performing was as hot as the temperature of the water from the shower. Aliannah became lost in the moment as they both reached their peaks. She called out Ivan’s name as her release shuddered through her. Ivan found his moments later. They collapsed to the shower floor in a tangle of limbs as they recovered, with the shower still raining hot water down upon them.
“Let’s get you cleaned up,” Ivan said. He reached for the loofa and the shower gel and worked a lather into Aliannah's skin. He carefully traced every inch of her skin with the loofah. She did not hide her body away this time when it came to washing her scars. She closed her eyes and tried to forget how she got them. She wanted to replace that memory with a positive one.
“My turn,” Aliannah said as she took the loofa from him. She repeated the same motions to him when he had finished washing her. The raw intimacy of this moment would cement with them forever. They washed off the bubbles before towelling off and retreating to the bedroom. Aliannah lay with her head on Ivan’s chest. She embraced the quiet of simply being present. Her fingers traced a lazy pattern across his chest. Every so often, Ivan would twitch when she traced over a sensitive spot. This made her giggle. She sighed as she realised she had to get up and start getting ready for dinner. She gathered her towel and walked to her wardrobe. Aliannah decided on a light blue maxi dress with some flip-flops. Heels were not allowed to be worn on board the boat for fear they would ruin the decks. Ivan was very boat-proud. A trait Aliannah definitely had not foreseen.
They joined everyone on the back deck, sipping on Prosecco. Michelle looked her up and down and laughed.
“I know what you were doing, missus,” Michelle winked. Aliannah’s jaw dropped.
“Thin walls, girl. Thin walls.” Michelle laughed. Aliannah’s eyes shot over to where her parents were sitting on the other side of the deck, talking with Igor and Gavin.
“Don’t worry; your parents did not hear a thing. They were up on the bridge with the captain talking.” Michelle nudged Aliannah in the arm. Aliannah let out a breath of relief.
“Thank God for that!” Aliannah laughed.
“Alright, everyone, let’s take our seats,” Igor clapped his hands together. Everyone took a seat at the large table on the back deck. The chef had prepared a carbonara dish with a side of garlic bread for the evening. Everyone enjoyed the meal. The group moved to the top deck for après-cocktails beside the fire pit. It was a clear sky, and the moon was full. Aliannah lay back on her chair, looking up at the stars. Michelle sat next to her while the rest chatted.
“You ok, doll?” Michelle rested her head on Aliannah’s shoulder as they both star gazed.
“I'm just a bit overwhelmed by all the wedding talk today. It was intense, I won’t lie.” Aliannah sighed and took another sip of her drink.
“Sorry, Ali. I am just so excited for you to marry Mr. Billionaire with a B. You literally have no limits for your budget. You can have the wedding of your dreams if you want, or if low-key is more your vibe, then that’s perfectly fine, too. Whatever you choose to do, I’ll be right by your side.” Michelle sat up and hugged Aliannah. The girls stayed like that for a few moments.
“Ladies, what’s all this? Where is mine?” Gavin drunkenly flopped across the two of them.
“GAVIN!!” the girls cried out as he squashed them. Gavin rolled off them and hit the deck. The three of them laughed.
“Oh, Gavin! Pull yourself together; you complete lightweight!” Michelle tutted and pulled Gavin into a seated position on the floor. Igor and Ivan lifted Gavin onto one of the lounges. A few moments later, loud snores took over the sound of conversations. Michelle slapped her hands to her face.
“This is so embarrassing. I’m gonna leave him out here tonight,” she turned her back to him. Aliannah laughed.
“Mich, is he like that every night?” she asked while bent-double laughing.
“Thankfully, no. He must have taken in a lot of seawater earlier when he fell off the boat they were fishing from,” Michelle rolled her eyes. Aliannah was laughing so hard that tears were rolling down her cheeks.
“Oh, Gavin!” Aliannah looked at her friend, who was snoring even louder now, clearly in a deep sleep. Everyone began to turn in for the night; no one wanted to listen to Gavin and his deafening snores. Aliannah was convinced the people on the shore in the distance could hear him.