by Demi Alex
This submission thing wasn’t so bad. And Grace and Tyler’s bantering made it fun. “Kind of like a double date.”
* * *
“What was that, chère?” Ford asked as the elevator doors opened and he motioned for her to walk. He turned her slightly to the right and returned his hands to her hips.
“I was thinking that this workshop is fun,” she said. “Sort of like a double date. Grace and Tyler, glad you guys are here with us.”
“Me, too,” Grace said.
Automatic doors slid open and they walked out onto the crowded pool deck. He slowed their pace and halted when Grace gasped and yanked on Tyler’s shirt.
While Ford was more than a little pleased with the confidence in which Charlie had accepted his guidance and seemed to be at ease, he looked at a very pale-faced Grace, whose eyes had gone big with all the activity she observed on the starboard side of the deck. Nude bodies were the smallest part of her shock. There was so much fucking going on around them. All sorts of fucking.
Once again, he dropped his forearm around Charlie’s chest and held her tight. “Let’s take this slow and give Gracie a moment to acclimate to the scene,” he whispered only for his woman to hear.
Charlie nodded and leaned against him, accepting his decision with a very sweet smile. Trusting and comfortable, she lowered her face to kiss his forearm.
Keeping a hold on his beautiful angel, Ford wondered if he should reach out and steady the stunned woman leading her much-larger submissive. But Grace surprised him with a sudden, and very standoffish, glance. She met his gaze with a determined resolve to continue on their mission and shook her head to indicate that he should stop thinking of aborting. Her perfectly straight teeth released her lower lip, and she forced a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Thank you,” Grace said, still shaking her head at Ford and communicating that she didn’t need rescuing. “We’re enjoying this, too. Right, big guy?”
“Right,” Tyler said. He inched up his bound hands, clearly searching for Grace, but the little tease had released her hold on his arms and had moved to his side to get a better look around his massive body and take in the happenings on deck.
“Doll? Where’d you go? I like feeling you against me. Why’d you move away?” Tyler asked. Perhaps Tyler had accepted the blindfold, even insisted on it, but he clearly was the sort of man who liked to know where his woman was and what she was doing.
“I’m right here.” Grace pressed her thin frame against his side and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Just taking a look around, Ty.”
“Fuck. This is pure torture. I smell pussy. I hear skin slapping and dicks pounding,” Tyler said, his pained restraint evident in the set of his jaw.
“Yeah,” Grace confirmed, “it’s a little wild out here.”
“True. But the biggest reason I’m worked up is because you’re with me,” Tyler continued in a low voice, but not low enough to keep his remarks private, “and I want you again. Now. I want to touch and taste you. Take you right here and now. But I’m bound and blindfolded, so I only get what you allow.” Even though he’d dipped his head and spoke against Grace’s hair, he had no way of knowing they were standing too close for any privacy. “Your heart is beating so fast in that pretty chest. I can feel it against my side. But I can’t wrap you in my arms. Can’t see your face. Can’t be sure you’re okay with this.”
Grace reached up and cupped his face. She pulled him down and brushed her mouth over his. “I’m okay, Ty. Just fine. Trust me.”
She gave Ford a second glance. Silence. She was asking for his silence.
The timid woman from dinner was gone, and Grace was doing just fine. She’d see them through the jungle of bodies, deal with the scenes, and make her man proud.
“You wait for our towels,” Grace said, her tone more authoritative with each word. “We’ll get the condoms.”
Surprised again, but in agreement, Ford told Charlie they were walking approximately ten feet straight ahead to stand in line for the towels. “There’s about a dozen people ahead of us. Follow my lead.”
“Yes, sir,” she replied and started forward.
Avoiding the swinging basket between them, he wrapped an arm around her back and rested his hand on her left hip in an effort to protect his balls while keeping Charlie from coming into contact with anyone else.
“Is it as explicit as yesterday?” Charlie asked.
“More,” he replied, remembering how her curiosity had spiked his libido. Then he remembered how she’d pulled away and how he’d decided he couldn’t chance losing the opportunity to know her . . . honestly know her. “Chère, do you really feel like this is a double date?”
“It feels like a double date. Sort of different than everything we saw yesterday,” she explained. “Being with Grace and Tyler makes it interesting, especially since they flipped the tables on the Dom/sub thing. I never would have guessed it would be that way for them.”
Neither would he. But he knew where Tyler was going with this. Understood that Grace required special handling, and Tyler was apparently a master at giving the woman what she needed. Tyler was empowering Grace.
“Yes, it’s interesting for sure,” Ford agreed, not losing sight of his own plan. “Charlie, we need to try something different. A fast-forward button.”
Soft lines marked her forehead in confusion, but she didn’t speak.
“I want many dates with you,” he said, watching the lines of confusion fade and her face relax. “A double date is a good beginning, and while this venue is far from traditional, I want to know you. More than typical vacation know-you. More than work know-you. As much as possible. I want as many dates as we can squeeze in today.”
Confusion appeared again on her forehead, and her body went stiff. Puzzled by her reaction, he wanted to remove the blindfold and read the thoughts he knew he’d find in her eyes. But he wouldn’t satisfy his own need to look into her eyes and break the rules of the event. They were on a fun double date. A date she’d said she liked.
He caressed the curve of her hip, working to smooth away the tension. “Dates? Numerous dates?”
“Okay,” she said, her lips not smiling, but not showing any disappointment either.
“A round of miniature golf after lunch? Maybe a swim or a soak in the hot tub?”
“I’m not up to the lido—”
“No,” he quickly agreed, “not on the anything-goes lido. The aft sun deck, which on most cruises is the adult-only area away from kid activity, is functioning in much the same manner on this cruise. It’s serving as the place to take a break from scheduled events. It’s quiet, and we can relax together and talk.”
This time she smiled. “Okay.”
Ford collected two towels from the young man staffing the booth and thanked the cruise-ship employee. He searched the deck for their friends and spotted Grace carefully choosing condoms off a tray held by a woman wearing only nipple rings and a butt plug. The plug secured a bright yellow paper umbrella above her head, shielding her from the sun. Pretty sight indeed.
The nude event staffer, while professional, appeared extremely friendly with Grace. They chatted animatedly and seemed rather engrossed in their conversation. Then condom girl reached out and pinched Grace’s nipple, forming a large hoop with her thumb and index finger as she tugged. Grace nodded. Next, the nude woman turned and bent slightly, showing Grace exactly how the umbrella was being held in place.
Ford could only see Tyler’s clenched fists and his tense shoulder muscles, but he could imagine what the other man was going through. Pure fucking torture. Poor Tyler. Having to listen to all of that but not being able to see or touch.
“I think Grace is into body jewelry and piercings,” Ford said to Charlie. “Looks like Tyler is about to explode.”
“What do you mean? What’s happening?”
Ford explained about the condom girl and Grace’s interaction with her, and there was no doubt in his mind that his angel l
iked the lust-filled images. Charlie’s nipples strained against the floral dress and her décolletage heated. Ford bent his head and suckled her earlobe. “Do you like body jewelry?”
Nuzzling against his mouth, she shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“We’ll need to find out,” he said and straightened. He took the basket from her hands, placed her solidly before him, and pressed a painfully stiff erection against the lush softness of her ass. “Now keep calm. This is a double date, sweetheart. We have a mission to complete and win us some tandem parasailing.”
And he had to stop thinking with his lower head. He wanted Charlie, really wanted her. Being with her made him feel good. When her beautiful blue eyes met his, happiness soaked his previously apathetic manner. And there was something about Charlie’s spirit that made him want to hold her hand and leap off a cliff into cold waters with her at his side. Simply put, he wanted to spend time with her, learn what made her tick, and make her feel half as good with him as he did with her.
For some unknown reason, and maybe he was being selfish about it, he wasn’t going to walk away from the sunshine she brought him.
“No more talk about nipple piercings or a dainty chain with a strategic charm, much like what you wore last night.” Damn, he really had to stop thinking about sex. “Okay. Subject change. Now.”
“Relax, honey,” Charlie said, turning into his body and skimming her hand over his chest and to his cheek. “We’re on a kink cruise. It’s okay to have a hard-on. It’s okay to be wound up about sex.” She rose onto the tips of her toes and pressed her lips to the underside of his jaw. “I just hope I have something to do with your current condition.”
“All the doing,” he groaned.
“Good,” she cooed on a slow and sexy sigh. “I like that.” She angled her face up at him, smiled so damn brightly, and urged him to come down for a kiss. He did, and she pressed her mouth to his, a wondrous reward for indulging such a sweet request.
Running his fingers through her hair, he cupped the back of her head, and sealed his lips to hers, exploring the warm addiction of her mouth with his tongue. He closed his eyes and inhaled her essence, taking what she offered when it hit him. It wasn’t the delicious kiss, it wasn’t the tempting body, it was everything Charlie. And that had him wanting more.
From the little he knew about her, he knew she didn’t wait for things to happen or accept the status quo. She went for it. Really went for it.
Fuck, he thought, sinking into the kiss.
Chapter Nineteen
Darkness behind the mask was a glorious thing when Charlie was in Ford’s arms, his lips to hers, and she had nothing to worry about but following his directions on how to navigate through the ship. It was an escape from the toll of daily efforts to persevere and get ahead took on her psyche. It was a luxury.
“There are seven more items on the list,” Grace announced, returning to where Charlie and Ford stood waiting. “I get most of them, but not all. It’s like solving riddles for the treasures.” She tucked a handful of condoms into Charlie’s cuffed hands. “The first riddle is kind of weird. It says we need to grab a light from an English statesman.”
“That’s easy. We need a matchbook from the cigar bar,” Ford said.
“Because the cigar bar is named Churchill’s!” Tyler said.
“Yes,” Ford said. “What else?”
Charlie leaned against his chest and smiled. “Told you my man rules.”
“I’m familiar with the ship.” Ford wasn’t taking false credit. “You know I’ve sailed on it numerous times. It’s not a huge deal to know the names of the bars.”
“Someone is honest,” Grace said, continuing in a businesslike manner, “but we have no qualms about using your knowledge to our advantage.”
Ford dropped his chin atop Charlie’s head and held her close. He shrugged.
“We also need the price list for Internet access from the lounge, a toy from one of the vendors in the promenade, something we’ve carried onboard from our stateroom, something borrowed, something blue, and then we’re supposed to take a walk through the city of love and return with any sort of proof we’ve been there,” Grace said, her voice trailing in thought. “I don’t get the ‘city of love’ thing.”
The illuminated Eiffel Tower at the entrance to the dance club and the French theme of the café flashed in Charlie’s mind. “I know that one. It’s the area the disco and café are in. We could grab one of their delicious lattes as proof.”
“Paris, the city of love,” Grace said. “Now I get it.”
“Yeah,” Charlie grumbled. “Everyone equates Paris with love. It’s difficult to beat out Paris for ultimate romance.” And that was the problem with her feature. There was definite romance on the cruise, but Paris was Paris was Paris, the city of love.
“Charlene? Charlene Stanton Norring—”
“No last names,” Ford interrupted, reaching over Charlie’s shoulder and shoving at the voice from the past. Standing taller than usual, Ford pulled her to his side and cradled her beneath his arm, offering her undeniable protection. His voice, low and controlled, rumbled from his chest. “What the fuck don’t you understand about that?”
“Sorry about the slip, Charlene. I was caught off guard.” Will’s voice sounded sincere. Unlike his arrogant piece-of-shit stepbrother, William Norrington was not stupid.
Shit. Shit. Triple shit. She’d confided in him about their lackluster sex life. Hearing his suggestions, she’d also regretted it. They’d managed to stay friends once the divorce was official, but she’d quickly put the brakes on his suggestion of a relationship between them. Now he was on the ship she’d decided to let loose on. What would he think of her choices? Would he remain a confidant or turn on her?
“It’s not the sort of event I thought I’d see you at,” Will said.
“It’s a fucking cruise ship.” That was Tyler’s growl adding to the mix. “What’s it to you?”
“It’s a kink cruise,” William said. “Charlene isn’t meant for such activities.” She heard him shift. Perhaps attempt to touch her? She also heard a thud of sorts stop him from reaching her. “You okay with all of this, Charlene?”
Worrying her lower lip, she wondered how fast news of the kink cruise would get back to the family. Wondered what the family would say.
“Please remove the blindfold,” Charlie said, trying to keep the trembling out of her voice by speaking low.
A soft touch brushed the sides of her head and the mask disappeared. Bright sunshine flooded her sight. She blinked, leaned closer to Ford if that was possible, and allowed her eyes to adjust. Ford had one arm wrapped around her, the other pressing on Will’s chest and effectively barring the man from coming any closer. Tyler stood next to Ford, blindfold off and hands free. Gracie was at Charlie’s other side, the pink satin mask in her hands.
“Charlene?” Will asked, his tone showing more concern than he had a right to.
“She’s with me,” Ford said, his jaw squared. “Her well-being is my concern, not yours.”
“It’s okay.” Charlie shifted and offered her bound hands to Grace, waiting for her friend to release them while Ford pressed her even closer to his side. For some reason, the dread she’d initially felt seemed frivolous. Her being on a kink cruise was no concern of Will’s. She was with Ford. She was his concern. She was safe in his embrace. It didn’t matter what Will or anyone else saw or thought.
The moment her hands were freed, she curled her fingers around Ford’s bicep, and then realized a second tidbit about their situation: She wasn’t the only one on a kink cruise. So was Will. And just like she didn’t care why the wild boy of the family was there, it was none of his business why she was there.
“Charlene?”
“It’s Charlie,” she replied, straightening her back and tilting her chin up. “These are my friends. Friends, this is Will. An acquaintance from back home.”
With that introduction, Will’s brow lifted. Fine, she deserved t
hat challenging look. He was much more than an acquaintance. She met his gaze and held it, unwilling to share details of their past and communicating that she didn’t want his interference.
Ford continued to hold her tight at his side and made it obvious that Will wasn’t getting close to her. No way. A sense of security and belonging washed over her.
“It’s not a big deal,” Charlie said. “Will forgot where we are and made the mistake in using last names.” In all fairness, Will didn’t know her circumstances. He didn’t know she was with Ford. And snug in the crook of his arm, it dawned on her that she was completely his for the duration of the cruise.
“Baby?” Ford asked, his gaze softening as he looked down at her and she smiled.
“Really. It’s fine,” she offered. “He’s okay.”
Ford dropped the hand he had plastered against Will’s chest, but didn’t release her. Instead, he angled his body, making it impossible for the other man to reach her without going through him. He glared at Will. “What part of anonymity don’t you get?”
“Guilty,” Will said, holding his hands up in a sign of surrender. “I didn’t mean to put Charlene—Charlie,” he corrected, “in a difficult spot. Just checking on an old friend.”
“You checked. She’s fine. Now go enjoy your cruise,” Ford said.
In an attempt to end the standoff, Charlie nodded her agreement and smiled as big as she could manage. “Enjoy yourself, Will. This is exactly the type of activities”—she threw his previous description of the events back at him—“you’re into.”
“Touché,” Will replied, grinning as he bowed at the waist. “I’ll be around if you’re so inclined.”
“You’re not so inclined,” Ford said in her ear as Will backed away.
Tension diffused, Tyler extended his arm to Grace, and she stepped closer to him. Ford still held Charlie, but his body relaxed and the veins marking his neck became less pronounced.