"But I've brought my car," Chantelle replied.
"Fantastic! Then you can drop me off instead!" Ronan joked.
Chantelle began to giggle. Ronan's charms were beginning to pay off.
CHAPTER TEN
THE RIDE OF A LIFETIME
Chantelle walked to her balcony, yawning at the brand new day. Today, she saw wearing a stripy pink mini dress. She was about to walk back into her house, when she caught site of Ronan parked on the road, standing next to a beautiful orange racing car. They both waved at each other, and then Ronan called her down. She got ready and then walked to her doorstep to see a rose petal pathway. Ronan was standing, grinning at the other end. Chantelle smiled and then walked down the pathway, flattered. Ronan took her for a ride in the car and then began to sing to her whilst they drove.
At first sight
What a magic you've done
My heart is yours
My sweetheart
What will happen
Who knows what will happen
Let's live this moment
In which we meet to the fullest, dear
I'm here
You're here
Come into my arms
Come
Oh my dearest love
Forget about
Our worlds
And come into my arms
Oh my dearest love
Forget about
Our worlds
And come into my arms
Baby I love you,
baby I love you,
baby I love you,
baby I love you …
So..
baby I love you
Oh I love you
I love you
I love you so
Baby I love you
Your love is always there when I need it
It's impossible to live a moment separated from you
My heart beats only for you
With you I'm happy
You is what I want
You're love is always there when I need it
It's impossible to live a moment separated from you
My heart beats only for you
With you I'm happy
You is what I want
After I met you that day
I was lost forever ...
CHAPTER ELEVEN
LOVE AT LAST
Over time, Chantelle was slowly but surely beginning to fall for Ronan. Whenever they spent time together, she felt great. They went to watch a movie about a nightclub.
Jane walked into the Marlin Club, a dusky, dingy, dank little nightclub off the beaten path. From around the corner, she could hear the somnolent buzz of the eponymous neon marlin fish out front, providing a back drop for the clinking of glasses and drone like chatter of hundred best friends and ex lovers.
As she entered the joint, the intermingled smells of smoke and sweat and too many people instantly assaulted her nostrils as she inhaled deeply. "Ahhh, it's good to be home," she thought, and pushed her body through the pulsating throng. Finally finding her way to an empty bar stool in the corner, she caught Jack's eye, shook her head and smiled downward. Laughing to herself at the non surprise of running into him here, she motioned to the bartender..."Gin...and Tonic" she mouthed, and he nodded and melted away into the cries of a hundred other thirsty patrons.
By now, her eyes were adjusting to the imminent darkness, tomb like and womb like at the same time. Bright spots of neon beer signs on the wall stood out, illuminating the faces and cleavage and mohawks of the crowd, while others disappeared into the contrasting blackness. "How many of these people had she met before? How many would make love tonight? How many would die tonight?" she wondered.
A moment later, before her thought was even finished, her gin and tonic slid in front of her, and the bartender was gone before she could even look up to mouth the words "Thanks".
"Wouldn't have mattered anyway," she mused, as it is clearly understood that one speaks of gratitude with cash, not words. Everyone's your best friend when you're flying high, you know.
She took her first sip of the simple mixture, cold and icy, slightly sweet and tangy against her lips. She held the drink in her mouth for just a moment and let the ice and gin and slip of lime pulp wallow against her tongue, and she felt like a man in solitary kissing his first woman in ten years.
She felt a pair of hands on her waist then, and jumped at the sensation. Turning quickly, her eyes locked with Jack's, and there were no words that could sum up the intense wave of emotion as looked at this man. His hands fell from her hips, and her skin bristled at the touch. The small hairs on her arms raised, despite the heat. She had felt his touch a thousand times in her dreams, and now she couldn't stand it's reality. Just as soon as as she felt him, he was gone, dancing off into the throng, smiling and touching a dozen other men and women in the same casually, yet oh-so-intimate fashion.
"Bastard," she whispered 'you'll get what's coming."
When they played pool at the nightclub, Ronan would wrap his arms around her waist, helping her pot the balls, and then they'd laugh into each other's eyes. When they went to eat, Ronan would always take her seat from the table and allow her to sit first, and he'd get them both something to eat. When he bought her a hot chocolate, it would have a smiley face imprinted on the top of the froth with chocolate sauce. On the runway when Chantelle was doing her modelling, she received an award and Ronan was called up to present it with her. After the modelling, Chantelle was given a break, so she decided that she would spend this break with Ronan.
They sat down on the backstage chairs to talk.
"You were so great, baby," Ronan grinned. "You completely stole the show."
"Do you really think so?" Chantelle smiled.
"I know so," Ronan confirmed, giving her a cheeky smile. "I love you baby. When I was up there, I was so damn proud of you. You're so beautiful."
Chantelle blushed. "Thank you Ronan."
"How about we celebrate the award?" Ronan suggested. "Let me treat you to a ride on a ship baby. Show you how much I really love you."
"Hmm ... I don't know, Ronan. I - I just don't know," Chantelle bit her lip wistfully.
"You can trust me, baby," Ronan confided. "It's just a little trip on ship, let's run wild, have a bit of fun. What harm can it do?"
Chantelle stared at him for a long moment. "OK," she said finally. "Let's give it a go."
"Yes!" Ronan yelled in delight, throwing his arms around her neck and hugging her whilst she giggled. "You don't know how much this means to me. Don't you worry, Chantelle. I'll make it a day for you to remember. I'll make it a day for you to never forget." He added a sense of powerfulness to his voice when he said the last two sentences. They echoed in her mind. I'll make it a day for you to remember. I'll make it a day for you to never forget. not knowing if he meant these words in a good way, or ultimately, a bad way.
The next day, it was time for them both to go for the ride on the ship. Chantelle put an extra effort into getting ready for Ronan: she wore a low cut shocking pink dress with pink high heels and pink hair accessories to match. She'd matched her make-up too: dark pink lipstick, pink eyeshadow, pink blusher ... She just hoped that she looked good enough for him.
Ronan rang on her doorbell, and she ran to answer it, struggling with her high heels. "Hi Ronan," she said breathlessly.
Ronan stared at her as if she was a goddess that had just fallen from heaven. "Wow Chantelle ..." he murmured, dazzled at how good she looked. "You look nice."
"Nice?" Chantelle repeated, slightly disappointed. "Just nice?"
"I mean ... you look amazing," he grinned.
"You're so easy to tease!" Chantelle smiled, and then he hugged her and planted a small kiss on her cheek. Chantelle began to blush.
"All right, baby, let's go!" Ronan exclaimed. He took her hand and led her to his sports car, which he was now going to drive to the ship. They sat in the car and whilst Ronan drove, he did his best to impress her, by telling j
okes to her which she laughed at a lot. She was finally starting to let go of Noah, and get properly involved with Ronan. Ronan was just too hard to resist.
At long last, Ronan decided to just stick with turning the radio on. Several lyrics blasted, until there was one song that had them both go silent.
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am home again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am whole again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am young again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am fun again
However far away, I will always love you
However long I stay, I will always love you
Whatever words I say, I will always love you
I will always love you
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am free again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am clean again
However far away, I will always love you
However long I stay, I will always love you
Whatever words I say, I will always love you
I will always love you
However far away, I will always love you
However long I stay, I will always love you
Whatever words I say, I will always love you
I'll always love you, I'll always love you
'Cause I love you
When the lyrics were finished, Ronan had his eyes on Chantelle while he was driving. Chantelle blushed even deeper. They remained silent for the rest of the journey.
When they arrived, the mood seemed fine again. Ronan bounded out of the car, taking Chantelle's hand and leading her out with him. The ship was about to leave.
"Come on baby, we've got to hurry up!" Ronan grinned, and then they heard the whistle of the ship, meaning it was about to depart. "Come on, run!" Ronan said, grabbing her hand.
"I can't run!" Chantelle moaned. "I'm wearing high heels!"
Without a word between them, and without warning, Ronan picked her up playfully and ran to the ship with Chantelle in his arms. They just about made it, and the ship began to move. He put Chantelle back down on her feet.
"Damn, Ronan!" Chantelle giggled, breathless.
"Come on, loosen up! That's what I call fun!" Ronan grinned cheekily. "Damn baby, that felt so good, holding you! You're so damn skinny, light as a feather!" He tickled her playfully, and Chantelle doubled over with more giggles. Ronan took her hand in his again and they began to explore the ship. Chantelle walked around happily, gazing outside at the bright sunlight shining on the sea. She leaned across the barrier to get a closer look.
"Look, Ronan - dolphins!" she exclaimed. The dolphins were diving in and out of the sea, their blue noses making singing noises in the water.
"Beautiful, aren't they?" Ronan commented, wrapping an arm around Chantelle's waist. She let out a little sigh.
"Come on, let's go inside the ship," Ronan suggested.
"Okay, sure!" Chantelle agreed. They walked down endless flights of stairs, but Chantelle's feet were aching because of her high heels. Eventually, she just gave up with her high heels altogether and slid them off her feet, making it easier for her to run around with Ronan. They explored the paintings, the many different rooms. Then, they reached a room at the far end of the ship: the kitchen.
There were cooks in the kitchen preparing food for the passengers, and it smelt amazing.
"I've got an idea," Ronan grinned.
"And what's that, may I ask?" Chantelle smiled.
"We steal some food?" Ronan suggested.
"Oh, Ronan, you naughty boy!" Chantelle said in a high pitched voice, playfully slapping his arm.
"Oh, come on baby! Let's rock this ship!" Ronan grinned.
"Stealing food is hardly what I'd call, ahem, rocking the ship," Chantelle remarked., laughing.
Ronan chuckled lightly. "Wanna bet?" he said.
"Bet with what?" Chantelle asked, intrigued.
Ronan touched his nose, smiling, and then tip toed into the kitchen. The cookers were baking frantically, and they didn't notice Ronan's presence - right up until the point that he grabbed two hot chocolate muffins from their tray, and they were burning his hands.
"Aah!" he let out a small gasp of pain. One of the cookers turned around - and saw Ronan. Ronan ran out for his dear life.
"Oi! Come back here!" the cooker roared, trying to chase after him, but failed. Ronan grabbed Chantelle's hand and they both ran for all they were worth, up the countless flights of stairs to the top of the ship once more. When they both stopped, they were both panting, breathless. Ronan still had the cakes in hs hands.
"Now that's what I call fun!" Ronan grinned, and Chantelle nodded, still panting. "Here - have a cake," Ronan offered. "Or, have both cakes, since you're light as a feather!"
Chantelle smiled at him. "You're so nice, Ronan," she said finally. "That's the most fun I've had since ages! But don't worry, I don't want both the cakes."
Ronan ate one of the cakes in an entire mouthful, his lips smothered in cream and crumbs.
"Ronan!" Chantelle giggled.
Ronan opened the next cake, which looked just as tasty as the other one. "Come on, baby, have a taste!"
"It's fine, Ronan, I'm really not that hungry!" Chantelle complained.
"Fine, I'll feed you!" Ronan's eyes sparkled; he was not going to give up that easily. He broke off a piece of the cake and gently put it in her mouth.
Chantelle couldn't help but smile. She swallowed the cake down. Ronan continued to feed her, until the cake was finished and they both had nothing left to do.
“I'm bored,” Ronan stated, his eyes shining under the light. Chantelle recognized that look on his face; it meant trouble for sure. For a twenty one year old, he sure acted like a child a lot. Well, that was probably why she liked him so much.
“Come with me, I have something to show you,” he ordered her, grabbing her hand, forcing her to get up and follow him. She giggled as they passed by other tourists on the ship; some smiled seeing two young people running around, clearly in love, and others just gave them a disapproving look that said they should act their age and not like two teenagers. They didn't care about anything; They were having fun.
Ronan led her through some narrow corridors that freaked her out for a moment because of the dim light. He looked her way over his shoulder every two seconds, making sure she was fine and was catching up with him, When he stopped, he placed his finger in front of his lips, asking her to stay quiet. She did, although she didn't know what the point of all this was, because the engine of the ship was making more noise than she could possibly do. He pushed the door in front of him open and Chantelle had to grab the rail nailed on the side of the corridor so that the air that got in abruptly, wouldn't throw her down. Ronan laughed and closed her hand in his, leading her out.
“Oh my God, Ronan; this so so beautiful!” she shouted, to be heard over the wind and the engine, when they stepped outside to the front of the ship. He pulled her near him, placing his hand around her waist and hid her behind a large crate so that nobody would see them. They weren't supposed to be there, but the unforbidden part was what they both loved so much. He cleared her face from her hair, placing some locks behind her ear and pushed her gently on the crate, to keep her safe, covering her body with his.
“Are you cold?” he asked, seeing her skin shivering. She shook her head, gasping because she had difficulty breathing. It wasn't because of the wind or the fear, it was because of him. He was the reason she couldn't breathe and why she felt dizzy and her knees trembled. He was the one that was making her feel weak and he knew it.
“If you're cold, we can go inside,” he suggested even though his eyes said otherwise.
“No, I like it here with you” she whispered, grabbing his t-shirt with both fists, forcing him to take a step closer.
The wind was making her dress stick on her body like a second skin but she didn't mind because that meant she could feel his body against hers even better. Ronan bit his lip, looking at her with lust.
Kiss me, please kiss me, Chantelle thought with all her strength as his hands travelled on her side, first touching her elbow with his fingertips and then caressing her waist until it rest on her hip. His tongue made a small trip on his lips and Chantelle felt she couldn't take it anymore. Neither could he. He had to kiss her before he lost his mind completely. He took a deep breath, placing his forehead on hers for a moment before his lips touched hers tenderly, for a brief moment that was enough to make her weep for more. The moment her sigh reached his ears, Ronan lost the entire world around him. There was only her and no one else. He pushed her against the crates and kissed her hard, taking her breath away. She held onto him tight, responding gladly to it, and felt his lips tasting hers before he forced her to separate her lips with his tongue. He tasted so good, so familiar because of Noah, but she loved it. The moment it stroked hers, she felt electricity flowing all over her body that was now warm thanks to his body, and his kiss, and she knew she was lost; she was his forever and ever.
"You won't ever hurt me, will you Ronan?" Chantelle asked,
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