Chapter Fourteen #2
Leaning against the doorframe, James watched as she shoved her clothes into her suitcase.
“Did Rosa say if she was up for dinner in the dining room?” he asked.
“She didn’t mention food. Whatever she decides, I really should spend the rest of my time with her. This entire cruise was her brainchild, and she hasn’t been able to enjoy it.”
“She enjoyed it plenty before she got sick.”
“That’s true. But still . . .”
James pushed away from the door. “I know. I have to share you now.”
Mari stopped what she was doing and looked at him. “I didn’t realize I was yours to share.”
“You didn’t?” he asked with a smirk.
Mari would be fooling herself to suggest she felt any different.
Her alone time with James and getting to know him wouldn’t have been nearly as fun with an audience.
Even if that crowd was only Rosa. Just packing her bag, Mari felt her guard slowly going up.
She knew that would only grow when they walked off that ship for the last time.
“It won’t be long before we’re back on the West Coast,” she reminded him. Back to reality.
“I’m not ready to think about that yet,” he said. “Are you planning on going to the farewell costume party?”
“If Rosa is up to it. Not that I have a costume.”
“It’s a ’50s theme. A skirt and bobby socks with sneakers are all you need.”
“I forgot my poodle skirt.” She laughed.
“A pair of rolled-up jeans will work.”
“You like costume parties, I assume.”
James shrugged. “It’s fun being someone else for a few hours.”
Wasn’t that what she’d been doing for the past few days?
Being someone else? Or an earlier . . . younger version of herself?
“Considering the depth of fashion for men hasn’t changed much over the years, you can get away with jeans and a white shirt that you have with you. I’m fresh out of ’50s-style clothing.”
“What about Rosa? Did she bring anything?”
“Yes,” Mari replied. “She was excited about all the events.”
James moved toward the bed where Mari was attempting to close her stuffed suitcase. “Then I’ll see you at the dance party, dressed up or not.”
She stood back and let James wrangle the zipper into place before placing the case on its wheels.
“Did you double-check the bathroom?” he asked.
Mari poked her head into the space and looked around. “I got everything.”
When she turned back around, James had taken a couple of steps closer.
Her pulse quickened.
“I’m going to miss you in my room, Mari.”
“The bed has to be more comfortable than one you pull from a sofa.”
He took another step closer. “I’ll miss you, not the sleeping arrangement.”
A part of her realized she felt the same way, but saying so out loud felt like a confession. One she wasn’t sure she was ready for. “I’m not sure how to respond to that.”
“That’s okay,” he said as he reached out and pushed a strand of her hair behind her shoulder. “There is this one thing I want to do before you leave.”
One more step and James was close enough that she could feel his breath on her skin.
He moved his hand to the side of her face, one finger ran along her jaw.
Mari’s gaze darted to his lips.
Oh, God.
He was going to kiss her. A moment she knew would come. Was she ready? Could she?
She hadn’t been kissed in . . . “I—”
“Shhh. Don’t think.”
She felt herself leaning in.
James pressed his fingers to the nape of her neck and lowered his lips to hers.
Mari literally jolted. Her body stiff. Her mind racing.
Until it wasn’t.
Until her brain took James’s advice and washed away any thoughts that were there before the feel of his kiss penetrated everything.
He was soft, and careful. And he gave her plenty of room to back away.
To Mari’s surprise, she didn’t. She tilted her head back and encouraged James to lean in closer.
His free hand met her hip, and she placed hers on his chest.
Everything fluttered. The vibration inside her stomach, the hum that started somewhere in the back of her throat without her permission, and James’s lips moved over hers.
He tilted his head, parted her lips with his as hot air exchanged between them.
The slight sweep of his tongue pulled her back into her body.
James must have felt her unease, and he ended their moment.
Mari stood there, eyes closed, her breath heavy.
“Are you okay?” James whispered.
“Ah-huh.”
“You sure?”
“Yup.” She swallowed and nodded a couple of times. Her fingers resting on his chest dug into him as she opened her eyes.
She was okay.
The smile in James’s gaze matched the one she felt developing inside of her.
“That was the first . . .”
“I know,” he said without her needing to finish her statement.
He moved the palm of his hand on her face.
She leaned into it.
“You set the pace, Mari.”
She shook her head. “I feel like a virginal teenager.”
“You look like a woman rediscovering herself.”
“Yes. That’s exactly right.” And for the first time since James pulled her into his arms, she thought of Paulo.
“Promise me you’ll try and love again.”
“Let me walk you home,” James said.
Mari nodded and pulled away.
They navigated the small hallways of the ship, down the elevator and to her shared stateroom.
Mari opened the door to see Rosa fully clothed and sitting up in bed watching the TV.
“You look better.”
“I feel alive again,” Rosa responded. She gave a little wave to James. “Hello.”
“Glad you’re among the living again.”
“I’m sorry to put you out.”
Mari noticed the mirth in Rosa’s eyes that didn’t match her words.
“No trouble at all,” James said, his voice low in his chest.
Mari felt her heart kick.
She turned and reached out to take her suitcase. “Thank you again.”
He let his hand linger on the handle of the suitcase, one finger slid along the side of her hand before he let go. “I’ll see you at the costume party, if not before.”
Mari lifted her chin, determined to not let the turmoil he set off simply by looking at her lips show.
“I’ll be the one not wearing a costume.”
He smiled and then waved a hand at Rosa. “I’ll see you ladies later.”
James turned on his heel and let the door close behind him.
The sheer weight of his presence left with him.
“Oh my . . . that looked very—”
“Nothing happened,” Mari barked.
“Then why are you blushing?”
Mari turned to her friend and placed a hand on her cheek. There was no point in lying to her best friend. “Oh, Rosa. I have no idea what I’m doing.”
Rosa swung her legs off the bed and patted the space beside her.
“This I need to hear.”