by Pepper Pace
“Did he hurt you?”
“No. It wasn’t Wesley. Nicco was waiting for me and Wesley stopped him from coming at me.”
Gio tried to make sense of those words. He stopped glaring at Wesley to look at Sidney.
“What?”
“Nicco tried to get me to have sex with him and when I turned him down he started calling me names. Wesley…stopped him.” She turned and looked back at her ex-fiancé. “Thank you Wesley.”
Wesley nodded and then walked around them wordlessly. He got his laptop and returned to his room. Gio hugged her again as she watched him leave.
“Sidney, are you okay? Nicco didn’t touch you, did he?”
She shivered. “No, he just stroked my arm.” She rubbed it as if trying to erase the memory of his touch.
“Okay, love. Let’s get you inside.” He led her to her room and as soon as the door was closed behind her he held her shoulders and looked into her eyes. “I have to go for a bit, but no one but me can get in-”
“Gio, what are you going to do?” She asked fearfully.
Gio’s teeth clenched. “He touched you. And that’s assault. Your ex-witnessed it. I’m going to deal with this asshole once and for all!”
Nicco Montague burst into the office of Captain Perkins, a white haired Aussie who looked in alarm at the injured man. Nicco’s nose was bleeding and his eyes were wild. Captain Perkins came to his feet and the people in conference with him all turned in surprise.
“I want him arrested!” Nicco shouted frantically. “He assaulted me!”
“Who assaulted you?” The Captain hurried to him and guided him to a chair. Before the man could respond he turned to the crewmembers present and quickly dismissed them. When they were gone he turned his attention back to Nicco. “Who did this to you, son?”
“One of the guests! Wesley Salinger. He assaulted me. I think my fucking nose is broken.” Nicco held his head back as he gently held onto the bridge of his nose.
The Captain hurried to the phone to call for security, but just as he did there was a rapid knock on the door before it was pushed open. Gio entered the room but stopped in his tracks when he saw Nicco there bleeding all over himself. Behind him was Wesley Salinger.
Captain Perkins held onto the phone staring at the men crowded in his small office. Nicco looked over his shoulder and then jumped to his feet in alarm when he saw Gio and Wesley.
Nicco pointed frantically at Wesley. “I want that man arrested for assault!”
Wesley glared at the frantic man. It was Gio that spoke.
“No. He’s the one that should be arrested.”
Captain Perkins blinked in confusion and then he seemed to remember that he was holding the phone. He lowered it back into the cradle.
“Gio, explain yourself.”
Nicco stared frantically from the Captain to Gio, sputtering as if personally insulted.
“Nicco just assaulted my guest. Dr. Salinger witnessed it and stopped him.”
“What?!” Nicco shouted. “That’s a goddamn lie! I never touched that lady!”
Captain Salinger raised his hand to indicate that Nicco should calm down. He turned to Wesley. “Is that true Dr. Salinger?”
“Yes. It’s true. I was in the VIP study working on my laptop. I spotted this man,” he pointed to Nicco, “get off the elevator and step into one of the alcoves. I thought it was strange so I watched him. I don’t think he knew I was there. But about fifteen minutes later I saw Sidney get off the elevator and he began following her. He ran his fingers down her arms and she got mad and jerked away from him. That’s when he started saying vulgar things to her so I jumped up and beat the shit out of him-”
“You’re a liar!” Nicco shouted. “You’re the one that assaulted her days ago. Gio can confirm! He told me about it.” Nicco pointed at Gio whose jaw was clenched. His fists opened in closed in barely contained rage.
Wesley spoke up. “I grabbed her elbow. He’s right. That did happen but my butler and her butler stepped in front of me and stopped me from following her. I regret what I did.” Wesley crossed his arms in front of him and gave the Captain a long stare.
The Captain appraised the man and saw nothing but honesty. He looked at Nicco. “Where’s the report of this assault?”
Nicco’s mouth dropped. “I…but…”
“As the Head Superior Genie, I am sure that you understand the importance of documenting any case of assault. Are you telling me that a member of your crew reported this to you and you did not file a report?” Nicco looked at Gio in desperation. “Did you touch a guest in an unwanted manner the way Dr. Salinger stated?”
“No! Absolutely not! That guest and I had a mutually consensual relationship. He saw us talking and he got jealous and attacked me! He attacked me! But he first attacked her!”
“You’re the liar!” Gio growled. The Captain held up his hand to halt Gio from surging forward. He continued interrogating Nicco.
“So, if I pull the video of tonight’s activities, then you’re saying that I won’t see the events unfold as the doctor states?”
Nicco frowned. This wasn’t going right. He knew how to play this game. He knew about the videos that recorded almost every area of the ship. But he knew that there was no audio. He knew that it appeared that he and that stuck up bitch were just talking casually and then that maniac appeared and attacked him. He knew that it would amount to his word against theirs and it was easy to spin it in his favor. It was obvious that they’d been involved. The man had been jealous and the only reason that she was lying was to protect her sugar daddy. He was the innocent one!
But he’d forgotten one thing. He had touched her arm and she had jerked away. That would be evident even without audio.
The Captain picked up the phone and pressed a button. “Send security to my office immediately.” He hung up and Nicco looked at Gio and then Wesley.
“Captain, you have to believe me that this man attacked me in a jealous rage-”
“Mr. Montague, you and I were going to have a long talk after this tour. You see I’ve received a number of complaints against you-”
Nicco pointed a finger at Gio. “He’s jealous and is making up lies about me because I got the Head butler job and he didn’t-”
The Captain pulled out a file from his desk drawer. “None of the complaints came from Giacomo. In fact, the complaints have been made by other members of your team and there is even one from your guest. “Mr. Westheimer is one of your clients. He came to me and complained that you had been flirting with his wife and that the attention was unwanted on her part.”
“What? No...she and I have a consensual relationship.”
The Captain gave him a sharp look. “Are you referring to a sexual relationship?”
Nicco sputtered. He pointed to Gio. “Yes, but he’s been having sex with his guest-”
The door opened and two security guards entered the room. Behind them were four more members of security.
The Captain ignored them momentarily. “Giacomo’s guest is a single traveler and what she wants to do with another consenting adult is of no concern to me. But Mrs. Westheimer is a married woman that is traveling with her husband and son. Your conduct has been beyond intolerable. I want you off my ship the moment we dock in the morning.”
“But-” Nicco stuttered.
“Place him under cabin lockdown and keep security outside of his door.”
The two security guards grabbed Nicco by his arms and when he tried to jerk away from them he was placed into a painful arm lock by one of the security members.
Once they were gone Captain Perkins sighed and turned to Wesley. “I’m very sorry for all of this Dr. Salinger. Please accept my sincere apologies for the conduct of my crew member.”
Wesley shook his head. “I have no complaints Captain. You have a beautiful ship and a good crew. If you need anything else from me, a statement, please feel free to contact me. Now if you’ll excuse me I have to complete my packing.”
Gio didn’t reply but he let those words sink in.
“Giacomo. I want to talk to you as well.”
Gio approached the Captain’s desk and waited to be told that he too was fired. His mind moved ahead as he thought about how this would affect him being able to get another job as a butler.
“Giacomo, I want to offer you the Head Superior Genie position.” Gio gave him a surprised look. That was the very last thing that he’d expected. “Do you know why I initially gave the job to Nicco?”
“Because he studied with the Guild of Professional English Butlers.”
“No. That was only part of the reason. Nicco came to me at the end of last season and asked what he could do to move up in position. I told him and then he went and did it. You are a superior butler in all ways, Giacomo. And clearly hiring Nicco was a grave mistake on my part. But you didn’t fight for that position. You just expected it. Whenever someone comes to you, Giacomo, you are willing and able to help. But last year Nicco went to Bartholomew and asked for more duties and he shadowed my crew to learn more about the ship. And then on his own during the off-season he studied with the Butler’s Guild. You see he went above and beyond to be considered for that position.”
Gio’s mouth parted but he was too stunned to reply. He hadn’t known any of that. Gio wanted to exclaim that he’d also fought for the position by being the best damned butler possible. He’d worked tirelessly to take the extra steps above and beyond and that was the reason that he should have been given the promotion! Bartholomew had endorsed him and that should have been enough. But then he stopped and really thought about the Captain’s words.
He might be the best, but if he didn’t go out and get what he wanted then it didn’t matter. Had he truly ever fought for what he wanted in life? Whether it be the Head Superior Butler’s position, Francesca or love in general?
“Giacomo? Are you still with me, son?”
He turned his attention back to the Captain. “Yes. I’m sorry sir. I…I can’t take the position. I’ve already made plans for the rest of my life.”
Captain Perkins raised his brow in surprise that the offer had been turned down. “Are you sure, Giacomo? Maybe you should take some time to think-”
“Thank you for the offer, sir. Being the Head Superior Butler would be a great honor and privilege…but it isn’t conducive to a satisfying life.” The Captain nodded reluctantly. “But if you’ll take my recommendation I think Paolo Ruiz would make an excellent Head butler. He’s thorough, fair, conscientious, and above all I trained him.”
Captain Perkins seemed to mull the suggestion over and then he nodded. “Okay. But once I offer the position to him-”
“No. I won’t change my mind, and of course I’ll finish out the season as planned. But if you’ll excuse me Captain, I need to see after my guest.”
“Of course. You may go.”
Gio hurried out the door.
Chapter Seventeen
Gio dashed down the corridor past crew members who were also rushing to and fro in preparation for a successful debarkation.
Once he reached the upper deck he was met by crowds even though it was close to midnight. Guest wanted to spend one last night having fun aboard the ship before leaving tomorrow.
After a long wait, he finally boarded an elevator for the penthouse. When he got to Sidney’s door he knocked rapidly and then opened it.
“Sidney?” He called.
She hurried down the stairs, no longer wearing the red gown. She was dressed in shorts and a shirt and although casual he thought that she was the sexiest thing that he’d ever laid eyes on.
She looked worried, maybe even afraid as she hurried to him.
“Gio? What did you do?”
“I didn’t hurt him.” He hugged her relishing the feel of her full curves in his arms. She held onto him tightly and they stood that way for a while before he explained the events of the last hour.
She looked up at him in shock when Gio described Nicco’s outlandish behavior and lies.
“I can’t believe that he really thought I’d just start having sex with him when I’d never shown him an ounce of interest.”
He ran his fingertips in soothing circles across her back.
“Narcissistic men like that don’t think about how their actions affect others. He’s just out for number on.” He knew it was long over do to explain about what had happened between him, Nicco and Francesca. In telling the story, he was finally able to admit to himself that he’d been too afraid to approach her and because of that Nicco had swept in and taken the opportunity from him. In the end he’d mistreated her and broken her heart.
“I’m sorry, Gio. But Nicco’s a fucking megalomaniac, nutcase. It’s not your fault that Francesca got hurt, honey. It’s his fault for being a dick. I just can’t believe that he’s so jealous of you. And Wesley. He went with you to explain the situation with the Captain. I never expected him to do that.”
Gio nodded in agreement. He decided not to tell Sidney about Wesley’s open invitation to return to him. He didn’t plan for Wes to have another chance with her. Gio took a deep breath. A long time ago he had stopped asking for what he wanted. He had stopped fighting for his heart’s desire. But just like the Captain said, how could he expect to win something that he didn’t make a try for?
He touched Sidney’s chin and then stared into her dark, brown eyes.
“Sidney. I don’t want you to leave me.”
She smiled sadly. “I don’t want to leave you either, Gio. Being with you has been the best thing to ever happen to me.”
“What if we didn’t stop seeing each other? I know that I’m talking about a really really long distance relationship. But I’d rather have a little bit of Sidney Wyatt in my life than none at all.”
Her heartbeat sped up. Was he asking her to be his girlfriend? True, a long distance relationship wasn’t optimum, but…
Sidney jumped up until her arms were wrapped around his neck. He quickly gripped her, holding her up against him as she kissed him excitedly.
“Gio, that’s exactly how I feel! I want to be with you even if its just phone calls and texts.”
He kissed her, happily. “I want to Skype and Facetime you every single day. I want to share your ups and downs and when I’m lonely I want to hear your beautiful voice. I want you to make me laugh and I want to make you happy.”
Sidney began to laugh as they rushed over each other’s words to express all of their wants and desires.
He put her back down onto her feet and then reached up and cupped her face. He stared lovingly into her eyes. “Sidney, you asked me before why I’m single. Relationships for me are hard because I don’t know how to be casual.”
There. He’d said it. He pushed people away by wanting too much at the first sign of love. He had grown content with casual sex because lack of sex never caused a broken heart. But it had created a man that was empty of love and he wanted more than anything in life to love. He needed her to understand exactly what he was saying so that there would be no misunderstanding.
“There’s never been a halfway for me. You can’t just be my girlfriend, Sidney. You’d have to be mi familia. My family.”
She stared into his eyes, feeling her heart melt. She had not been able to tell him what she truly wanted because it seemed too much too soon. But what she wanted wasn’t impossible because he wanted the same from her.
“Gio, I want you--all of you and not just for today. I want to know that you’re mine every single day. When I’m in my tiny kitchen in Cincinnati drinking coffee, I want to be able to hear you call me beautiful Si
dney over the phone. I want to read your texts when I’m on the bus going to work. And when I get a bad caller I want to text you about it right there in the middle of the call.” She nodded as she opened up about her deepest desires. “I just want to know that you’re mine. All mine.”
He touched his forehead to hers and sighed in relief. “Yes honey. I’m yours and you’re mine.”
He took her hand and led her upstairs. Somehow it was different. They didn’t rush, their desire for each other was like a slow burn instead of a wild brush fire.
Gio wanted to undress her and he did so with reverence, removing each article of clothing as if he was unwrapping a present. Once he slid her panties down and she stepped out of them he looked up at her from his kneeling position as if he was worshipping at a throne.
“You are my beautiful Sidney.”
He kissed each thigh and then the V where they met. He allowed his fingers to skim her dark flesh until he cupped an ass cheek in each palm. He kissed a path up her smooth pelvis and then over her stomach where he now concentrated most of his attention.
Sidney never felt self-conscious. She didn’t worry about the roundness of her stomach or the fact that her thighs rubbed together. She was beautiful in his eyes and it was evident to her in the way that he stroked and kissed her skin.
He stood and helped her lay back on the bed. He memorized her image as she watched him in desire before climbing onto the bed. Starting with her feet he kissed a path up her legs, and after spreading them he concentrated on the cleft of her pussy.
Her scent and taste began to act as a drug to his system as he rapidly devoured the tender flesh of her labia. When he slurped at her clitoris Sidney’s body quakes became nearly violent.
She jerked beneath him as she tried to remember to control her loud cries. Gio gripped her thighs, holding her in place so that her uncontrolled movements did not remove the feast before him.
“I can’t!” she finally cried out, knowing that she wouldn’t be able to hold back if he didn’t ease up on her clit.