“As am I. Allow me to escort you to your hotel. The Miami streets can be unpleasant at times, and I would feel poorly if something were to happen to you.”
His hand was entwined in mine before I had a chance to accept or deny his offer. We walked the block back to my hotel hand-in-hand. I was uncharacteristically nervous with Stephan, yet at the same time I felt very safe.
“Thanks for walking with me. You really don’t have to; my hotel is just down the street. Maybe we could get together when I get back, if you aren’t too busy with your club?” I asked, more nervous than I’d been in years. It was as if all my experience with casual flings flew out the window. For some reason, I didn’t want a fling with Stephan; at least, not just that.
“That would be fun. You can reach me there, I have an apartment above the club and am either there or down below.”
“That’s convenient. We’re here. I told you it wouldn’t be far.” I paused, not wanting to say goodbye to him. “I had fun tonight, it was great meeting you.” I wanted to kiss him, but didn’t want to seem like a tramp. It was stupid really, as I’d probably never see him again, and I was accustomed to just taking what I wanted from men.
“Natasha, I hope we do meet again, but if my instincts are correct and you are given a choice, I do not think we shall ever see one another. I do so hope to be wrong about this.” He leaned down and kissed me. It was startling and tentative at first, but as he started to pull away I held him closer. The kiss deepened and quickly became impassioned. His hands slid up my back, one pulling me closer, and the other fisting in my hair. I could feel his reaction to me pressing tightly to my belly, and felt my knees go weak. He nibbled my ear and then began kissing lower down my neck. I could hear myself moaning and only vaguely wished we weren’t on the streets of downtown Miami.
The hand in my hair tipped my head back, and I realized that the hand on my back had slid forward to find my breast. I was whimpering now, a molten body of need when I felt him bite my neck. It was a normal bite that would leave a hickey, but I exploded. It was over in seconds, and I could feel him trembling with need.
“Forgive me; I have taken liberties without your consent. You are an amazing woman, and I do hope to see more of you. Goodnight, Lady Natasha. May the gods bless you with clear skies and strong winds at your back.”
I blinked and he was gone. I don’t know how I made it to my room, but I was in bed within minutes. It took me until I was almost asleep to realize that I’d never told Stephan what my name was.
I took a cab to the ship and arrived just as people were starting to board. Considering I’d only had a few hours of sleep, I felt oddly refreshed. I was also profoundly relieved to discover that Stephan hadn’t left a mark on my neck. The ship came into view and I squealed as the cab driver slowed, honking and yelling at the people milling about. Bouncing in my seat, I leaned my head out the window to get a better look at the first ship I would ever be on. It was so big; it was hard to believe it could float. My cab driver was forced to interrupt my excitement at seeing the boat to remind me to pay him.
I boarded and found my room with little difficulty and again was glad that I spent the extra for the suite. It had a window that overlooked the ocean and was toward the bow of the ship, no looking back for me. The towel on my bed was folded to look like a pair of bears. For a moment I missed Ash so much it hurt—she would’ve loved them. I took a picture for her and reminded myself to get a picture of Stephan when I got back to Miami so I could show Katie. I hurried up to the main deck and waved to the strangers on the pier, pretending they were all here to see me off.
I hadn’t realized how high the ship was off the water until I stood at the railing, looking down at the waves lapping against the side. It was unnerving. Once we were well on our way, I wandered around the different decks. The chlorinated pools on two different levels seemed insignificant with the ocean surrounding us. There was a 24-hour workout room with instructors for the day classes. That was probably the most pointless room on this ship—this was a vacation, right? The kitchen, main dining room, and one ballroom were close together, and there were other places to eat on two levels of the ship interspersed with clubs and fitness centers. I made a mental note every time I saw somewhere serving food, or a place providing entertainment.
Walking up a short flight of stairs, I walked around my favorite deck—it had a pool, was open to the sky, and held lots of places to lounge, sunbathe, and even play shuffleboard. I decided to go back to my room, grab my suit and towel, and sit by the pool.
I was a tad irritated to discover that this was not the singles cruise that I was hoping for, but that there were people on their honeymoon and
