Maiden Voyage

by Dreama Faire

  The adrenaline careening through her system nourished her courage.

  "Nick, what are we going to do? What if you killed him?"

  He leaned against the door and stared at her for a minute, his features sharp with tension, his mouth a straight, thin line. He exhaled sharply.

  "I don't think I hit him that hard, but when he gets loose, he'll sure as hell come looking for me."

  "You can stay here. He'd never think to look in a passenger cabin."

  He gave her a long, intense look. "I have to go."

  He turned and grasped the door handle, and she sprang forward and clutched his arm.

  "Wait! Tell me what you're going to do."

  He glanced down at her hand, fisted into his shirtsleeve. "I have to leave ship. I won't be back."

  No! I can't let you disappear out of my life! Stunned by the momentous thought, she stared at him. This was the man who'd given her womanhood, made her sing with passion, let her explore the person she really was. She couldn't lose him.

  She reached up and laid her hand lightly against his bruised jaw. "I'm coming, too."

  His gaze softened and he shook his head. "Don't be fool. You have life. Go back to it."

  "No! It's my fault you're in this mess. I'm willing to share the consequences."

  Her own vehemence startled her, but it felt wonderful. She would fight for what she wanted. She held Nick's gaze, daring him to argue.

  He brushed a wisp of hair from her cheek, his fingers softly brushing her skin, setting it afire. She tried to read his expression, feel his emotions. He exhaled deeply, then pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her in a warm, tight cocoon.

  His voice rumbled through her hair. "Not fair. Now you have me breaking the rules."

  She slipped her arms around his waist and nestled deeper into his embrace.

  "We can play a different game," she whispered.

  His arms tightened briefly, then he released her and stepped back.

  "We don't have much time. Night crew will be back soon to start cooking breakfast. They'll find Boxer, and he'll be out for blood."

  Amanda leaped into action. She grabbed her toiletry case from the bathroom, snatched her underwear from the bed, and stuffed everything into her shoulder bag. Her brain was on fire with excitement—the prospect of running away with Nick left her breathless.

  She returned to stand in front of him. "I'm ready."

  An amused smile twitched his moustache as his attention dropped to her feet.

  "You'll need shoes."

  She looked at the cute, strappy sandals she'd purchased for her seduction. He was right. They wouldn't take her far. She grinned at him, then dived into the bottom of the closet.

  A moment later, she spotted the postcard lying on the desk. She scooped it up and, without a backward glance, followed Nick quickly through the door and into the night.

  * * *

  Nick scoured the shadows of the ship, watching for signs of life. Amanda's warm hand distracted his tactical thoughts. What the fuck am I doing? He glanced down at her, feeling as though he'd been out-maneuvered. The schoolmarm had reaffirmed his hunch that she was all woman underneath that bland exterior. He squeezed her hand and returned his attention to the deserted pier. The sounds of the shoreline hummed in rhythm with the low rumble of the ship's generators. Now or never.

  "C'mon. Stay close and keep quiet."

  * * *

  Amanda followed, throwing one last look at the ship that had carried her to worlds she'd never even imagined. She glanced up at Nick, then toward the lights of Caracas. A thrill rippled through her stomach. Let the adventure begin.

  They stepped off the gangplank and moved swiftly along the dock toward the taxi rank. A silhouette emerged from behind a shed and lurched drunkenly toward them. Nick whirled around and scooped her into his arms, burying his face in her neck.

  "Tuck your head down," he whispered.

  His hands moved to her butt and he ground his hips against her. His moustache bristled against her skin, sending tingles through her chest, making her nipples stiffen. Crushed against his body, she could smell the lingering scent of their sex. Her clit reawakened and murmured a come-hither message to her brain, even in the face of danger. Nick's gyrations continued until the tipsy sailor had passed. Though the scene had been a charade, her pussy throbbed with the reminiscent movements of Nick's body. She also noted with delight that his cock had risen to the occasion, the hard bulge adding to her own erotic enjoyment of the brief grapple.

  He released her and stepped back, his eyes focused on the receding figure. A second later, he looked down and smiled.

  "We could work our way across the city like that."

  He rubbed his hand over the bulge in his jeans and shook his head.

  She smiled and reached for his crotch. "Want me to help you with that?"

  He grabbed her hand. "Later. Right now, we need to put some miles between us and ATLAS."

  She suddenly realized that something had changed about him, something she hadn't had time to think about.

  As they walked briskly past the taxi rank, she threw him a puzzled glance, and he jerked his head toward the lights of the city.

  "We'll get a taxi farther from the docks. There'll be less chance of a driver remembering us."

  His speech! The heavy accent and broken English had disappeared, and he spoke with a perfect command of the language. She huffed and puffed with her efforts to keep up with his long strides, her brain working through the revelation. Her dark sailor was seemingly not who he pretended to be.

  He stopped abruptly. "Shit!"

  Amanda followed his gaze to a muscular black man striding toward them. "Who's—"

  "Keep quiet, I'll do the talking."

  Nick's body language relaxed and he stepped forward. "Hey, Switch. All fucked out?"

  The man's glistening face broke into a wide grin, his teeth reflecting the night lights. "Nikko! I thought you didn't like port calls." He bobbed his head at Amanda. "Evenin', Miss. Looks like you've done the impossible."

  Nick threw her a warning glance, then turned to Switch. "I need to talk to you."

  The two of them moved out of earshot, and Amanda had a moment to reflect on the last thirty minutes of her life. She'd jumped ship with a man she barely knew, was now standing in a foreign country with everything she owned in one large shoulder bag, and had no clue where the rest of the night would take her. She glanced at Nick, hunkered over in secrecy as he talked to the other man. What was he saying? As she pondered, Switch slapped Nick on the back and the two shook hands. Nick returned to her side, and Switch headed for the docks.

  Nick's expression told her she needed to keep her mouth shut, so she followed him silently across the street. Eight blocks later, they came upon a lone taxicab idling at the curb outside a swanky-looking hotel. Nick strode over and spoke to the driver in Spanish, then motioned Amanda to climb in.

  Sinking into the cushioned back seat, she closed her eyes and waited for her pulse to slow. Her legs felt weak from the brisk pace they'd kept as the two of them had distanced themselves from the docks. Nick's warmth pervaded her skin and her thoughts returned to the unsettling situation. A stab of anxiety raced through her thoughts. Nick had been lying to her all along, and she'd been naive enough to ignore the signs. His charade on the ship—what was his purpose? Had she tangled with someone dangerous?

  A flashback to Boxer's body in the cold locker answered that question. But...Nick had been defending her. Thank God. Her stomach recoiled at the thought of Boxer sticking his cock into her ass. She pushed away the vile image and returned to her consideration of Nick. Should she find a way to put some distance between them, return to the safety of Caracas?

  No. Running away didn't make any sense. She was a young woman alone in a foreign country. Better to take her chances with Nick, whom she was certain wouldn't hurt her, despite the fact that he obviously was much more than he led her to believe.

  The motion of t
he taxi lulled her senses and she relaxed, fighting to keep her eyelids from closing.

  "Who was that man?"

  "I tell you later. Go to sleep. Caucagua is hour away."

  "Cau...? Okay." Exhaustion took over and she leaned against him. Yes, staying with Nick was the best decision. If he'd wanted to harm her, he'd already had plenty of opportunity. Besides, the thought of leaving him filled her with sadness.

  22

  Amanda lay naked, open and vulnerable, eagerly waiting for Nick to plunge his cock into her. She moved her legs, testing the clutch of the ropes that bound them. A ripple slithered through her pussy, licking at her clit, and she moaned. Heat moved over her neck and she felt the sweat prickle as it beaded on her chest. Now, Nick. Take me now. Don't torture me like this! She pleaded silently with him, knowing he'd be angry if she spoke aloud.

  His hand grasped her shoulder. "Wake up. We're here."

  Crawling up through the fog of desire, she felt the wetness between her legs, and moved her fingers to touch her throbbing lips.

  His large hand covered hers, and he nestled his face into her hair, his voice husky.

  "Don't. Let me do it when we get to the room."

  She pressed her hips against their intertwined fingers and whispered thickly, "Then, please, let's hurry."

  * * *

  The hotel lobby was deserted, except for a dark-skinned man reading a newspaper behind the registration desk. He smiled knowingly as they approached, and Amanda lowered her lids halfway and smiled back. She didn't care who knew she was going to fuck Nick.

  Ten minutes later, Nick closed the hotel door behind them. The room was tiny and somewhat shabby, but appeared to be clean. She dropped onto the single small bed, suddenly aware that they'd be sleeping together. She'd never shared a bed with anyone, and the prospect sent a tremor of both apprehension and anticipation through her stomach.

  Nick went into the bathroom and closed the door. A minute later, she heard the shower. Good idea. I feel pretty sticky myself. Another idea popped into her head and she grinned, amazed at the other persona that had accompanied her on this vacation. She slipped out of her clothes and opened the door to the bathroom.

  Steam filled the warm room, and Nick's sexy voice drifted through the clouds of vapor. "What took you so long?"

  She drew the flimsy plastic curtain aside and stepped into the crude shower stall. Shamelessly, she stared at his perfectly sculpted body, lean and muscular, sheathed in warm brown skin and rivulets of white soapsuds. His shoulders bulged with power, strength built by years of heavy physical labor. Her gaze traveled through the wet, curly mass on his chest, then followed the dark line that drew her attention across a flat belly and into the black mound surrounding his cock. Her pussy muscles contracted and she clenched her thighs while she watched the soft flesh of his penis fill under her gaze, the organ seeming to take on a life of its own, stirring against his leg, then slowly rising. The veins along the shaft filled and stood up in stark relief on the surface. In seconds, his cock poked straight out from his body.

  He chuckled. "You can tell we're glad to see you."

  A flash of embarrassment sent warmth up her neck. It felt so different to be facing him voluntarily, without rules. Her courage failed and she grabbed at the shower curtain.

  His strong fingers closed around her wrist. "Oh, no you don't."

  He spun her around and pushed her back against the wall, pinning both wrists against the slick tile above her head. She gasped and stared into his dark eyes. His gaze was unnerving, a combination of merriment and domination. She made a weak attempt to disengage her arms, knowing it was useless.

  "You want to be fucked again, don't you? You like being helpless. Some fantasy, huh?"

  He dropped his gaze to her nipples, which were now pointing at the ceiling with excitement. The sensations racing through her body were heightened by the hot water coursing over Nick's shoulders and arms, then down onto her body. Her pussy throbbed and she boldly looked down at his cock, just inches from her belly. She wanted to climb onto it, impale herself, feel him again touching her deepest core.

  As though he'd read her mind, he wedged her legs apart with his knees, then leaned into her and dragged the tip of his erection over her belly, tracing a line up and down between her navel and the crease of her pussy. The movement drove her crazy and she pushed her hips forward, silently trying to entice him to slide his cock into her.

  His wicked chuckle bounced off the shower walls. "Yeah, I drive you crazy—no problem."

  She looked up at him through her lashes. "Then do it."

  He released her and stepped back. "When I'm ready."

  Disappointment crashed down on her. With a grin, he handed her the soap and stepped out of the shower.

  Need raged through her body, her clit hardened and pulsed. She slipped her fingers into the wet mound of hair, driven to release the ache in her belly.

  From outside the shower curtain, Nick's tone was firm. "Don't even think about it. You come when I let you."

  She smiled and lathered up. The game is on again…

  23

  Clean and refreshed, Amanda emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, and thinking again about who her dark sailor might be. The puzzle would drive her crazy until she solved it, and she wanted nothing to detract from her erotic adventure.

  Nick lounged in one of the chairs by the small window. Through the gauze curtain, dawn cast its dim light over the countryside.

  He looked up as she walked toward him. "Feel better?"

  She smiled provocatively. "In some ways, yes. Others, no."

  A self-satisfied smirk played across his face, easing some of the tension lines she'd noticed earlier. She moved to the other chair and sat down to face him. How to start? Just come right out and ask?

  She took a deep breath, then wimped out. "Now, where are we, again?"

  "Caucagua. Is a small village. We wait here for few days until ATLAS gone."

  Amanda narrowed her eyes. He'd lapsed back into pigeon English. She'd have to take things slowly.

  "What about your job? And the captain? Won't he wonder where I've gone, send someone looking for me? I am a paying passenger, after all. Would he just sail away?"

  "I told Switch what happened. He will tell captain you decide to go home early. Olsen will not worry about me...I am vagabond."

  "So, now what?"

  He glanced out the window. "After ship leaves port, I take you back to Caracas airport. You fly to Suriname and go home."

  Emotion crowded her thoughts. She'd taken a monstrous leap to be with him, and now he wanted to ditch her. Her lower lip trembled and she struggled to keep the quiver out of her voice.

  "But I don't want to go home!"

  He gazed at her for long moments, then his features softened and he shook his head. "You must. Is no place for woman like you in my world." He rose from the chair and started toward the door. "Get some sleep. I'm going out to get some food. I'll be back in awhile."

  "Nick—?"

  The door closed quietly behind him, and she felt more alone than ever in her life.

  * * *

  The village was beginning to stir as Nick strode along the dirt road toward the farm market. He angrily kicked a clump of dried donkey dung, thinking about the events of the last six hours. He'd forgotten himself, overcome by Amanda's fearless desire to be with him. Briefly removed the mask he'd worn for so long. Maybe she hadn't noticed.

  He picked through a crate of oranges and handed four large ones to a brown-skinned old woman who beamed at him with a toothless grin. He moved to another display of soft round bread loaves, still warm from a brick oven.

  What the hell did she mean, she doesn't want to go home? I can't drag her around with me while I get myself straightened out. And I need to find another job. He snatched up a warm loaf and handed it to the woman waiting patiently at his elbow. She wrapped his purchases in newspaper while he dug in his pocket for coins. Women. So far, they've made
my life miserable. How the fuck did I get myself into this mess? He snorted as he turned back toward the hotel. My cock, as usual.

  A few minutes later, he let himself into the room, then stopped short. Amanda lay on the bed, sound asleep, her face innocent and lovely. The towel had fallen away, leaving her Rubenesque body completely on display. A small stir moved through his belly, followed by a stronger stir in his chest, and he knew that "Lovable" had insinuated herself deeper than his lust.

  * * *

  A slight movement woke Amanda, and she found herself staring at Nick's face. She smiled and stretched the sleep from her limbs, delight slithering through her head as she watched him devour her nakedness with his eyes.

  He sat in one of the two small chairs on the other side of the tiny room. "I've brought some fruit and bread," he said, his attention never straying from her breasts.

  "Mmm. Breakfast in bed."

  She slipped a hand down to her mound, then gazed boldly at him while she circled one fingertip through the mass of soft curly hair. Desire leaped into his eyes, and she responded by moving her finger to the tip of the crease.

  His voice was ragged with lust. "Spread your legs wide so I can see your cunt."

  She did as he asked, while he rose and walked to the end of the bed.

  "Play with your clit," he commanded.

  She loved his tone, filled with authority that promised dire consequences if she didn't obey. Her pussy contracted as she slipped her fingertip into her wet flesh, then found her clit and began to slowly circle her finger around it, teasing herself, sending delicious needles through the hard nub. She watched Nick's face as she pleasured herself. His gaze never wandered from her spread-eagle legs. She began to feel the pressure behind her clit, and she pressed harder and flicked the nub faster. Nick's jeans bulged, and he licked his lips. Seeing his desire made her growing excitement flare even higher, and she moaned and closed her eyes.

  "God, Nick, I want you to fuck me again. I love your cock in my pussy, so deep I can almost taste it in the back of my throat."