together, getting to know each other, lazing by the pool, holding hands while reading, eating every single meal in each other’s company. What would happen now?
Arm in arm they strolled out of the restaurant and down the carpeted hall to a set of double doors leading outside to the promenade deck. She sighed again, walking beside the wonderful man she’d fallen for in a big way. “I can’t believe we’re leaving for home tomorrow.”
“Hmm. Me neither.”
Climbing the stairs toward the front of the promenade deck, she tried to come up with a way to find out where this relationship was headed. She couldn’t imagine not seeing him again. After all, they got along so well, shared so many things in common. “Let’s go over by the railing. The moon is still pretty full.”
“Sure.”
Marin leaned against the rail and peered out at the vast ocean surrounding them. “This has been an absolutely magical week.”
“Yes, it has,” Jason said from behind her.
“I hate for it to end.” Would he know she wasn’t referring to the cruise, but to them?
Jason slid his arms around her waist and drew her against his chest. “This isn’t the end, Marin—it’s the beginning. In fact, I can’t imagine a better beginning.” He kissed her neck. “Can you?”
The sting of tears took her by surprise, and she let out the breath she’d been holding. She shook her head, unable to speak. Placing her hands over his arms, she leaned her head back against his shoulder. Her hero. He didn’t think she noticed when he moved things she was about to spill or steered her around obstacles that might trip her up, but she did.
She could hardly breathe through the lump in her throat. He never said a word, never grew impatient or critical. His thoughtfulness, the tender consideration he showed her, spoke volumes. She wanted to get to know him better, a whole lot better. “Jason…”
“Hmm?” He tightened his arms around her.
“Do you worry that we’ve gotten caught up in the magic of being on a cruise? Like, maybe what we’re feeling right now isn’t real, or it won’t last once we’re back to work and our ordinary day-to-day lives?”
He chuckled. “Nope. I don’t worry.” He gave her a squeeze. “I’ve been thinking.”
“Oh?” She glanced at him.
“I’m not going to renew my membership with SLS. The money would be better spent on a gym or a club where we could play tennis together all year long. What do you think?”
I think I love you, that’s what I think. “I like that idea.” Turning in his arms, she went up on her toes and kissed him. She’d initiated the kiss, but he deepened it. Never had she wanted a man the way she wanted Jason. One hot, brown-eyed look, a single touch, and she went up in flames.
He broke the kiss, his gaze boring into hers. “Do you have any plans for next Friday night?”
She laughed. “No. Not yet.”
“How about Saturday and Sunday?” He kissed her again and murmured into her ear, “And Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.”
“I’m free, and I’d love to spend more time with you.” All the worry left her. What she saw shining in his eyes as he looked at her, and the way her heart filled in response, chased away all her doubts. “You’re right. I can’t imagine a better way to begin.”
5. Once Upon a Night at Sea…
Islands of the east ern Caribbean are close to the U nited States , and they are among the most popular cruise destination s in the world . Colonial architecture and history , pristine white sand beaches, archaeological sites , snorkeling and scuba diving along the coral reefs draw thousands of visitors each year. And i f you’re the adventurous sort, you can always visit the “clothing optional” beaches on the French side of St. Martin/St. Maarten Island. Or not.
One year later
Jason couldn’t wait to get to Crown Grill. It had been a year since they’d embarked on a cruise together on this very ship. “Marin, are you ready to
Arm in arm they strolled out of the restaurant and down the carpeted hall to a set of double doors leading outside to the promenade deck. She sighed again, walking beside the wonderful man she’d fallen for in a big way. “I can’t believe we’re leaving for home tomorrow.”
“Hmm. Me neither.”
Climbing the stairs toward the front of the promenade deck, she tried to come up with a way to find out where this relationship was headed. She couldn’t imagine not seeing him again. After all, they got along so well, shared so many things in common. “Let’s go over by the railing. The moon is still pretty full.”
“Sure.”
Marin leaned against the rail and peered out at the vast ocean surrounding them. “This has been an absolutely magical week.”
“Yes, it has,” Jason said from behind her.
“I hate for it to end.” Would he know she wasn’t referring to the cruise, but to them?
Jason slid his arms around her waist and drew her against his chest. “This isn’t the end, Marin—it’s the beginning. In fact, I can’t imagine a better beginning.” He kissed her neck. “Can you?”
The sting of tears took her by surprise, and she let out the breath she’d been holding. She shook her head, unable to speak. Placing her hands over his arms, she leaned her head back against his shoulder. Her hero. He didn’t think she noticed when he moved things she was about to spill or steered her around obstacles that might trip her up, but she did.
She could hardly breathe through the lump in her throat. He never said a word, never grew impatient or critical. His thoughtfulness, the tender consideration he showed her, spoke volumes. She wanted to get to know him better, a whole lot better. “Jason…”
“Hmm?” He tightened his arms around her.
“Do you worry that we’ve gotten caught up in the magic of being on a cruise? Like, maybe what we’re feeling right now isn’t real, or it won’t last once we’re back to work and our ordinary day-to-day lives?”
He chuckled. “Nope. I don’t worry.” He gave her a squeeze. “I’ve been thinking.”
“Oh?” She glanced at him.
“I’m not going to renew my membership with SLS. The money would be better spent on a gym or a club where we could play tennis together all year long. What do you think?”
I think I love you, that’s what I think. “I like that idea.” Turning in his arms, she went up on her toes and kissed him. She’d initiated the kiss, but he deepened it. Never had she wanted a man the way she wanted Jason. One hot, brown-eyed look, a single touch, and she went up in flames.
He broke the kiss, his gaze boring into hers. “Do you have any plans for next Friday night?”
She laughed. “No. Not yet.”
“How about Saturday and Sunday?” He kissed her again and murmured into her ear, “And Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.”
“I’m free, and I’d love to spend more time with you.” All the worry left her. What she saw shining in his eyes as he looked at her, and the way her heart filled in response, chased away all her doubts. “You’re right. I can’t imagine a better way to begin.”
5. Once Upon a Night at Sea…
Islands of the east ern Caribbean are close to the U nited States , and they are among the most popular cruise destination s in the world . Colonial architecture and history , pristine white sand beaches, archaeological sites , snorkeling and scuba diving along the coral reefs draw thousands of visitors each year. And i f you’re the adventurous sort, you can always visit the “clothing optional” beaches on the French side of St. Martin/St. Maarten Island. Or not.
One year later
Jason couldn’t wait to get to Crown Grill. It had been a year since they’d embarked on a cruise together on this very ship. “Marin, are you ready to
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