A Ship in the Night
An Erin Starks Novella
By Samantha O’conna
Copyright 2012 by Samantha O’conna
Smashwords Edition
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I lounged on the deck of the ship, letting the hot sun and the salt tinged breeze play across my skin. Two weeks. A two week cruise, no less. I sighed with discontent and attempted to nestle myself deeper into my lounge chair. I’d never been on a cruise before—in fact I could barely remember the last time I’d been on vacation—and yet here I found myself.
According to my mother, some of my friends, and various co–workers, I was overly stressed and in need of a long vacation. What better place to get it then on a cruise where the blue ocean and sunny sky stretches on for days.
“Some fun and relaxation won’t kill you.” I could still hear the echoes of my mother’s voice as she stood at the security gate waving her goodbyes with little Jake holding her hand tightly.
Dammit, I didn’t need to relax. I was relaxed. Or rather, I would have been if I was at home right now. On board this ship I just felt tense and I couldn’t see what anyone saw in it. I mean back home I didn’t feel like I was stressed, I felt just fine in fact. Maybe not happy, but definitely not miserable either. I loved my son Jake, I loved my job, and I loved my routine. I really didn’t feel the need to change anything —even if it was only for two weeks.
So why am I lounging on this deck? It wasn’t exactly my idea. It was more of a collective decision stemming from the events of Jake’s last football game. I’ll be the first to admit that I may have overreacted a little bit. But really I don’t know what the big deal was. I mean it’s not like tons of parents every day in suburban America don’t slightly lose their tempers and get into screaming matches with their child’s coach. It’s not like I actually hit the idiot in the head with the juice bottle. And even if I had hit him he had it coming. He shouldn’t have pulled Jake out of the game for a third week in a row.
After that game, my mom insisted that I take a couple weeks off. She actually called my boss and got her to insist as well. It was Mom who booked my trip. Only she would think that a two-week long singles’ cruise would be anything but torture to me. She took Jake saying that she didn’t get enough grandma time with him and I’m absolutely convinced she stole my laptop out of my bag where I’d had it packed so I would not be tempted to work. Now, I love my mother and appreciate her concern, and the expense and the sentiment behind the trip, but she’s the biggest busy body I’ve ever met.
A light breeze rustled my wrap as I lay on deck. Okay, the ship was not unpleasant. It was even kind of nice, if a little boring. But I am not the adventurous type. I like my daily schedule. I wake up, feed Jake, take him to school, go to work, go home, eat dinner, help Jake with homework, go to sleep and do it all again the next day. The simple life. After all a routine can’t hurt you. But now thanks to dear old Mom, I was so far outside of my routine it was scary.
So I lay on the deck, the high clouds moving slowly as the ship passed beneath them. A pulsing beat gradually intruded itself into me reverie. It was the deep base of the music and the distant echo of voices coming from the party on the far end of the deck. The party had been on the list of activities the steward had provided me early that morning. It didn’t sound bad, in fact it sounded like it could be fun.
Maybe I should try to have fun during my stay aboard, maybe loosen up a little? I looked in the direction of the party. At the very least I could meet a few new people. After all, this trip would really be dull if I didn’t find a few people to hang out with.
I stood up, steadied myself against the slight swaying of the ship by holding onto the warm, smooth metal railing, and carefully walked toward the sound of the music and laughter that filtered in from the back of the deck.
The space was large, considering the fact that we were on a ship, and yet it was packed, filled with fit (and not so fit) scantily clad twenty and thirty somethings, dancing and laughing as the heavy beat of the music vibrated through the deck. The air held a current of excitement as the singles laughed and danced in the open air of the deck.
Now standing at the edge of the party I pulled my sarong a bit tighter around my waist and headed towards the bar, probably the best place to strike up a conversation with a stranger. As I sat down at one of the stools along the mahogany bar top, the bartender’s eyes fell on me. He was a tall dark man, with medium length black hair, and a broad muscular build. He smiled and walked over to where I sat.
“What can I get you,” he asked in an accent I couldn’t quite place, his dark hair slowly moving in the cool breeze. My eyes wandered from his face and down his hard chest. My mind drifted, wondering how he’d look without that tight cotton shirt that concealed his form. I glanced quickly back to his face as I heard a soft, quick chuckle. His brown eyes twinkled with silent mirth and I blushed slightly trying to remember the question he just asked me. “Oh,” I said, trying to play off my lapse in focus. “Whatever you think is best”
He grinned and leaned forward turning his head slightly to place his lips very near my ear. “I got just what you’d like,” he said. Pulling back he bent down beneath the bar and brought out a dark bottle. I couldn’t read the label but the bottle looked expensive. “What is it?” I asked, somewhat suspiciously, as he poured a generous shot and placed the glass down in front of me. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust the fellow. In fact, for some reason I seemed to like him very much. It was just that I wasn’t much of a drinker. I hated the stuff actually. About the only thing I didn’t mind was vodka.
He smiled again, the twinkle still in his eyes. “It’s something special. Don’t worry, I guarantee you will like it,” he added with a brief chuckle. “So, are you enjoying yourself?”
My own laugh was slightly bitter, slightly mocking. “Trying to, but that’s almost impossible.” I picked up the drink before me and swished the dark liquid inside against the edges of the glass.
“Why’s that? This is a lovely ship, full of beautiful people, at sea surrounded by spectacular view. What more can you ask for?”
“Ah, now if I could answer that question I would not be sitting at this bar right now, would I?” I asked with a wry smile. He shook his head, a slightly bemused expression on his face.
“Well,” he poured himself a drink—were they allowed to do that?—and raised it to shoulder height. “Then here’s to you having some fun on this trip.” I raised my glass to meet his and the distinctive clink of glass on glass echoed dully. He took a short drink and moved on toward a patron who had been clamoring for his attention.
I sighed to myself. This vacation was supposed to be about letting go, having fun. The point of this getaway (according to my mother) was to de-stress myself before I went nuts. Yet here I was dwelling on the probability of a bad time and trying to talk myself into leaving the party.
I looked down at the drink in front of me, picked it up and inhaled the heavy aroma. I couldn’t quite tell what it was, but it smelled amazing, indescribable. I took a long slow sip, felt the smooth liquid slide down my throat. I looked down into the glass with surprise, the alcohol hadn’t burned; it had felt warm but smooth going down.
As I took another sip I contemplated my situation. No matter how much I might wish to have fun, I had no clue how to go about it. I was not a wild, crazy, party girl, no matter how much I might wish I was. And I didn’t.
The bartender came back over and smiled at me. “So,” he said, letting the word linger in the air as leaned down against the bar. “Do you have a boyfriend, married perhaps?
“Neither,” I said, taking another sip.
“Really? I would have thought that you’d have to beat them off with a stick.”
I couldn’t quite read his tone.
“You’re very kind. But, no, I haven’t been in a relationship since my divorce.” Probably because I still have feelings for the bastard, I thought to myself.
“Well maybe you’ll find Mr. Right while you’re here.”
“Maybe.” I gave him a little smile, thinking probably not, at least not if I can help it. Before he could say anything else an overeager customer pulled him away. Sighing, I turned around on my stool and looked over the beautiful bunch of hard sculpted bodies having fun, looking like professional partiers.
I scanned the deck absently, my eyes crossing then returning to a man at the far end of the deck heading toward the bar. Now why did he catch my eye? I wondered. I couldn’t see his face but he looked so familiar, the way he moved, how his body slid in through the crowd, like a lion on the hunt. He reminded me so much of…but no, it could not be him. I mean, why on earth would he be here?
But the sight of him set my skin aflame and filled my mind with half remembered images. I wanted this man, both the man who seemed to be moving toward me, and the man that I remembered and had loved. But of course the man here was not the man I really wanted. My mind was just playing tricks on me.
I took another sip of my drink. The warm alcohol coursed through my body warming my skin. He continued to come, getting closer to me, lithely weaving his way through the crowd and towards the bar. I finally caught a glimpse of his features and my heart stuttered and began pounding hard. That can’t be him! What the hell could he possibly be doing here? I forced myself to calm down, to take a couple of deep breaths. Then I slid off the stool and turned toward the bar to set my empty glass down. I could feel a tingle deep inside me, the longing for him, but I knew what a bad idea it would be to act on it. Right then, I wished I’d never stepped foot on this hateful boat, but at the same time I couldn’t help but wonder if he had seen me?
“Would you like another?” the bartender asked, startling me with his quiet approach. He’d already began reaching down beneath the bar for the bottle.
He stopped, frowning. “Are you alright? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Yes, yes I’m fine,” I said, straining to seem normal, but unable to keep from glancing over my shoulder.
“Would you like another drink?” he asked again, this time with the bottle of alcohol in his hand.
“No, no thank you. I think I’m just going to go back to my cabin and lie down.” I pushed my glass to one side and picked up a pen that lay at the end of the bar.
“Thanks for the conversation, charge the drink and a tip to my room,” I said to the bartender as I quickly wrote my room number down on the card in front of me. I glanced back at the crowd behind me but couldn’t see…him.
“You’re leaving already?” the bartender asked, glancing over the top of my head, a strange look crossing his face.
“Yeah, see ya around,” I called over my shoulder, sliding in between the crowd surrounding the bar and heading to the bank of elevators on the deck.
I headed straight to my room, not paying much attention to anyone or anything. My mind was awash with questions, with doubts and remonstrations, my body burning, and before I knew it I was at the door to my cabin.
I opened the door and stepped quickly into the perfect room. The steward had turned down the king sized bed. The curtains to the large balcony were drawn, allowing light to stream into the room and providing me with a view of the ocean, its waves gently embracing the sides of the ship.
The warm, light-headed feeling I had gotten from the alcohol still lingered. I drew the balcony’s curtains closed immediately plunging the room into darkness. I lay down on the large firm bed, the cotton sheets feeling wonderful against my skin. I let my mind wander. I could see his rugged features coming toward me, his short brown hair, and his hard tanned body. I could remember the look of his grey eyes staring at me, drawing me in. Just remembering him made my heart beat faster, stirring longing within me. The hand that rested on my stomach began to move, wandering up towards my chest.
I longed for him to touch me, for his arms around me, to feel his breath on my skin. My right hand travelled down my body and I started to rub my inner thigh, the heat building within me. I spread my thighs apart slightly and let my hand in under the bottom of my swimsuit. I felt a warm wetness, felt pressure building. My breathing quickened as I reached deep inside myself, letting my fingers caress every fold, imagining that it was his hand and not my own.
I could hear my every breath come in shallow moans and I moved my fingers faster and deeper. I wanted him so much. I wished I hadn’t left the deck, I wished my fears hadn’t won out. I let the sensations crash through me, faster and faster, swelling to a peak.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. I tried to ignore it and just give in to the sensations that coursed through me. But the knock came again, longer this time.
I sat up, not wanting to stop but unable to ignore the door. I subconsciously smoothed down my hair, turned on the lamp and went to the door. Without checking who it was, I opened the door.
Shock flushed my face as he stood before me. Sweat glinted off his chest and he stood before me in nothing but swim shorts. I stood there at the door gaping at him, unable to speak. He chuckled lightly, a smile spreading across his face at my reaction.
“May I come in?” he asked.
I could see him, smell him, and if I could make myself move I could have touched him. Yet I couldn’t bring myself to believe that he was really standing there in front of me. I stepped back into the room as he stepped toward me.
“What are you doing here? How did you find me?” I asked in a voice barely above a whisper. He reached out, one hand gently cupping my face as the other stroked my hair. He moved closer to me, his voice husky and filled with need and desire. “The bartender. I told him I was a surprise,”
“He told you were I was?” Though I was happy with this turn of events, I couldn’t help but think how dangerous this was.
“It took a bit convincing,” he said with a short throaty laugh.
I closed my eyes and gave the bartender a silent thank you as I stood in front of the beautiful man that now stood in my cabin. I wanted him so badly, I wanted him to rip the clothes off of me but still I didn’t move. I pressed my hands against his chest; we were so close, just a breath away and I would be in his arms.
He looked down at me, staring into my eyes, and I couldn’t move. I could barely breathe.
“Do you want me to leave?” he asked, his voice no more than a whisper.
NO, I wanted to scream, but the word wouldn’t come. I shook my head and he pulled me into his arms and against his chest, his head resting beside my ear. I could barely hear the word “good,” before I felt his lips on my neck. My legs felt weak as a throbbing pressure swelled within me and a soft moan escaped my lips. I couldn’t believe that this was actually happening.
He lifted me up slightly, pressing me hard against his chest and slowly pulling off my wrap, letting the soft silken garment caress my skin as it falls to the soft carpet at my feet. I could see the longing on his face just before he pressed his lips to mine.
The soft, sweet pressure set my body aflame, and I opened my mouth slightly to let in his tongue, allowing it to seek and explore. He drew back and his lips made their way to my neck, each gentle wet kiss making me shiver with desire. I could feel my body ache for more and I pulled him closer to me clinging to him like a life raft. My lips kissed every inch of him within my reach. His hands moved up my back and he pulled off the top of my bikini.
I could feel his gentle kisses find their way to my breasts, first the right and then the left, each kiss like electricity on my skin. His mouth found the tip of a hard nipple and drew it in, teasing, sucking, playing. Each movement of his tongue sent a wave of enjoyment flowing deeply through me. My body arched towards him, my breathing coming in gasps and I could barely stand as I clung to him, my ecstasy mounting. He pulled me tightly to him, lifting me off my feet, my breasts touching his hot chest just before he laid me gently on the bed.
My hands gripped at the cool cotton sheets as he settled on top of me. His hands ran down the sides of my stomach slowly, down my thighs and legs as he buried his face is my neck. Slowly, so slowly, his hand moved lower and lower, my mouth on his neck sucking hard. I can hear his breath quicken and it excited me. He pulled back to stare into my eyes, moving his hips slightly, urging my legs further apart as he pulled off the rest of my bikini. As soon as they’ were off his hands returned, stroking my legs and thighs.
I pulled at his trunks wanting them off, wanting him inside me. But he brushed my hands with one of his own as his other continued its slow journey up the inside of my thigh raising goose bumps with every inch. My hands gripped the back of his neck hanging on for dear life as his fingers found the top of my moist slit. He teased and kneaded my center of pleasure, his hand moving slowly. With every movement of his fingers I could hear a moan of ecstasy escape my lips, the pressure building within me.
Just as felt I couldn’t take any more of his teasing, his hard fingers found my deep opening and slid into me. Waves of ecstasy shuddered through my body and I gripped his shoulder and arched toward him. As his fingers teased and thrusted I gave myself over to the moment. My body moved toward him with every one of his thrusts.
He rose up to kiss me and I wanted to devour him, but he didn’t remain there. He moved down to my breast, my hands moving to his head gently urging him down, my fingers tangled in his hair. Lower and lower he moved, each kiss drawing me closer and closer to the edge.
His mouth was on my soft mound, and his fingers withdrew from inside me and he replaced them with his smooth wet tongue. I could hear the waves of the ocean crash against the ship, each crash seeming to coincide with my mounting waves of delight. I could feel every single movement he made, every bit of his saliva dripping inside of me as my own fluids began to rise.
I tried to hold back but his tongue overwhelmed me, and I couldn’t help but release myself onto him in a shuddering scream of ultimate delight. Our chests heaved together and he backed away from me, and I saw his bulging member through the dark fabric of his swim trunks. His lower half was soon bare and he quickly lifted himself on top of me and slid his thick manhood deep inside me.
I gasped in rapture as he drove himself deep into me. This is what I wanted, this is what I had craved from the moment I had laid eyes on him tonight. He thrust himself inside of me faster and harder and I cried out in pleasure and begged him not to stop, to move faster. I could hear his cries join with mine.
Soon his moans reached the level of my own and together the sweet sexual song of intimacy filled the cabin. The sound shot through me and I lost myself in the sound and feel of him. His deep groans made me want him even more. I had him, and yet I wanted more.
He moved faster and faster, harder and deeper. The pressure mounted once more. I wanted him deeper, harder and told him so. The pressure continued to rise with our voices and all I could do was cling to him as he plunged deeper into me. I dug my hands into his back as I let out another cry of intense delight and this time his voice joined mine as he released.
Spent, my beautiful lover falls against my chest panting with exertion. Catching his breath, he kissed my breasts, then my lips, and rolled off of me, pulling me with him so my head rested on his firm chest.
I let my hand drift down his stomach and down further, wishing we could start again. He ran his hand through my hair. I looked up and was greeted with his smile. His smile takes my breath away and I gave his chest a kiss. He laughed lightly.
“It’s really good to be with you Erin.” His voice sounded like silk when he said my name.
I let my hand play against his chest, savoring this feeling. “Thank you, Gary.”
My ex-husband kissed the top of my head as his hand travelled down my back threatening to reignite the fire in me.
“We always were good together,” he said, his voice playful, a mischievous smile on his face.
I nuzzled myself closer to him feeling the peace and his heartbeat. “You’re right. But this was never our problem, was it? By the way, why are you here?”
“Your mom called me. She thought that this week would be a great time for me to take a cruise.”
“Mother knows best,” I laughed drowsily. I’m going to have to find some way to thank her. I could feel his body shake with laughter as he shook his head slightly.
“Sleep now, my sweet angel,” he whispered in my ear as he held me, until I drifted off to sleep.