Chapter 14
Chapter
Fourteen
Russ sat, watching the crowd gathering on the dance floor, sipping his drink as he leaned in toward Malik. Candles flickered down the long table where their guests were laughing and enjoying the feast.
“You’re not being very subtle,” Malik murmured, elbowing him as his gaze cut across the table toward Tessa.
Russ frowned. “I told you—it’ll be fine.”
Malik arched a brow. “Fine?”
Russ kept his voice low. “As far as anyone knows, there’s nothing inappropriate going on.”
But his eyes slid back to where Tessa sat, her smile enchanting. Malik seemed to be on the warpath about Tessa, though. Why couldn’t the guy just let it go? Russ wasn’t going to cause any problems just because he’d developed a crush on a passenger.
Seriously, Malik had known him for years. Had he ever given him a reason not to trust him? Had he ever, once, done this before? No. He shot him a look. Malik directed his gaze in another direction.
After the feast, the beat of Polynesian drums returned and female dancers in short skirts and flower crowns began calling volunteers from the audience. First the men—Russell’s own passengers, and then a handful of strangers—got pulled up and cheered on as they attempted the moves.
The guys surprised him, playing along, because the sight of Kyle trying to mimic the rapid movements had the crowd roaring. He laughed along with the crowd.
Drew was surprisingly good, too, swaying and playing it up, arms flailing with dramatic flair. Russell leaned back, sipping his beer, stealing glances at Tessa, who continued to glance back at him, looking delighted.
The performers clapped and encouraged them, and Russ clapped along as many of the other men in the audience, young and old, lined up in a mock contest. The most enthusiastic dancer was awarded a small carved shell necklace as a prize.
Then came the women’s turn.
Marin and Jenna got swept up to join the male dancers, grinning as they tried their hand at the hip-shaking dance and laughing as they followed their partners’ movements. Then, as expected, the show dancers settled to the background as the public was invited to the dance floor.
Tessa sat with Avery at her end of the table before Avery was quickly snagged up by Nate. Kyle and Marin and Jenna and Drew coupled off next. So, Russ was on his feet quickly, before Malik could stop him, and stopped in front of Tessa. “Dance with me?”
She blinked, glancing around in surprise. “Are you sure?”
“Completely.”
He’d been to this dinner dance many times.
Asked countless passengers to dance. Most of the time, the old guys whose wives he was entertaining were as grateful as the wives themselves, for someone to amuse them.
This wasn’t any different, he told himself.
Tessa was just a charter guest who needed a dance partner.
Not even the other captains, if any were here, would question it.
They joined the others under the stars. The music pulsed with energy, the dancers’ joy infectious.
Russ grinned as Tessa tried the moves, both of them laughing and carefree.
Her cheeks were pink from the exertion and the tropical cocktail, her eyes bright.
He wished he could kiss her right here, right now.
Would he ever have that freedom? Would he ever find a way back to his old world and make this woman a part of it?
Things were still so new between them, but it felt like he’d known her for weeks.
Russ looked up at the musicians as the tempo slowed. A romantic island tune filled the air, and the couples on the floor pulled closer. Russ drew Tessa gently into his arms. Her hand found his, and they moved together in an easy rhythm.
“Are you sure this is okay?” asked Tessa.
“Completely sure.” He wasn’t about to let her go now.
Not that he could if he wanted to. He pulled her in tighter, wrapping his arms around her waist, and she linked her hands behind his neck.
The world fell away as the music played and the ocean shimmered beyond the edge of the pavilion.
Lanterns glowed like fireflies around them, and the soft scent of plumeria drifted on the breeze.
How was he going to drag himself away from her? Tessa was radiant. Warm, tender.
And this moment—it felt real. All too real.
He was falling for her. No—past tense. He’d already fallen.
And she looked up at him like she already knew.
When the song ended, he escorted her back to her seat, her hand warm in his. He returned to his place beside Malik, heart racing.
Malik looked at him, shaking his head.
Russ glared at him but kept his voice down.
“It was just a dance, Malik. Like I’ve done dozens of times at this event, before.
Chill out. Please.” He couldn’t take Malik’s judgment right now.
He just wanted to enjoy the moment. Didn’t he deserve that?
A little break in the lonely life of a sailor? A little off-duty happiness?
Just then, his phone buzzed, distracting him from Malik’s grimace.
Oh, right. This was a port that usually had good cell service. In all the activity, he’d forgotten to check in. Several messages were downloading.
He checked the other apps. Emails were coming in, too. Finally.
Wait—emails? He sat up quickly and watched as his inbox filled .
And there it was. The one from the charter company in Florida.
He took a deep breath, anticipation flowing through him.
Could it finally be the answer he was waiting for? His heart pounded as he tapped the message to open it. It had to be.
He read the first sentence, tried to focus on the letters, the words, the paragraphs, but his heart sank into his gut.
We regret to inform you…
He swallowed.
That you have not been selected for the position…
The rest of the words blurred together. He blinked and read it again.
Was this correct… really? Had they read his qualifications? Noticed the years of experience he’d had at sea? The employee distinctions he’d earned over the years?
Because how could this be? His brows tightened, his pulse pounding.
He’d been so sure. This was going to be it.
Was this some kind of cruel joke? He swallowed, his gut tightening, churning now.
Two minutes ago, everything had felt possible with Tessa. Now, nothing did. He swallowed over the lump in his throat, then threw back the rest of his beer in one gulp.
Clenching his jaw, he shoved the phone back into his pocket.
He sat back in his seat, no longer able to meet her gaze across the long table. The music droned on, almost hurting his ears now.
The next few days flashed in front of his eyes as if he could already see them. Tessa would go back. He would stay here. And what they had tonight… might be all there ever was.
Later that night, the deck was quiet. The moon hung full and luminous above the dark water, painting silver ripples across the lagoon.
Tessa padded up the stairs with a light sweater draped over her shoulders.
Her heart fluttered as it always did now, when she climbed to the upper deck at night, hoping Russ would already be there waiting.
He was. Leaning against the railing, hands in his pockets, gazing out at the endless sea.
“Hey,” she said softly.
He turned and smiled, but it was subdued. “Hey.”
She joined him, wrapping her arms around his waist, and rested her head against his shoulder. “That was fun tonight, huh? The dancing, the music… it felt like something out of a dream.”
“Yeah,” he murmured, looping his arms around her gently. “Glad you liked it.” Something about his tone seemed different, though.
She pulled herself closer and looked up at him as he gazed out to sea. She squeezed him a little. “Everything okay? ”
He nodded quickly. “Yeah, fine. Just, you know, a long day.”
He kissed her, his lips soft but… distracted. Impatient. Like he lacked the spark of the night before. Concern oozed through her.
Tessa pulled back, gazing up at him with concern. “Hey… what’s wrong?” she said gently.
He hesitated. “I, uh…” He sighed. A pained look came across his face. “So, there’s something I should probably…”
She waited and found herself bracing for something.
But he didn’t finish the sentences. He shook his head gently instead. “Nah, it’s nothing. Really. Just tired, that’s all.”
She hesitated, searching his face, but she didn’t believe him.
She’d never seen him like this. Something had shifted, but what? He didn’t seem angry. He wasn’t cold. But there was something he wasn’t telling her. She could feel it.
She reached for him, hugged him tightly. “I’m here, Russ. You can talk to me.”
“I know,” he said, holding her close, but she thought he heard sadness in his tone. “Thanks.”
They stood in silence for a moment. She didn’t want to push him. If he had something to tell her, he would. She’d just have to be patient. A few more moments passed; the only sounds, the ocean lapping against the boat and the gentle night breeze. Then he let go of her waist and stepped back .
“We should probably call it a night,” he said, voice low. “Big day tomorrow.”
Tessa’s heart sank. She gazed up at him. “I know… it’s just—there’s not much time left. I want to make the most of the time we have together.”
He offered her a sad smile. “We will. Don’t worry.”
What was going on with him? She searched his eyes one last time. “Are you sure I didn’t do something wrong? Or did someone find out about us?” Her heart picked up its pace. “Are you in some kind of trouble?”
“No,” he blurted. “Nothing like that.” He kissed her forehead. “I’m just tired. I should head out.” He took a few steps back. “Sleep well, Tess. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
And then he turned and disappeared down the stairs, leaving her standing under the moonlight, the soft breeze lifting strands of her hair, the ache in her chest growing.
Russ kept his steps even as he descended the stairs to his cabin, his heart hammering in his chest. He didn’t look back.