Fierce Passion

by Phoebe Conn

  “I suppose it was in poor taste,” Ana remarked.

  “It’s all right in port,” Alejandro replied. “Just don’t do it when the ship’s crowded with passengers who could be frightened.”

  The captain stood. “Good advice. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.”

  “Thank you.” Ana waited until she was certain the man had gone. “He wasn’t flirting,” she whispered.

  Alejandro hauled himself out of the pool and grabbed a towel. “Of course he was, but other than for dinner, we won’t see much of him once the cruise begins.”

  She pursed her lips. “He may not want to flirt after Dr. Hibiscus removes my stitches.”

  “Higareda, wasn’t it? You’ll be a walking advertisement, so he would have done his finest work on you. You’re allowed to worry, but don’t obsess over it.”

  “Do you actually expect to govern my thoughts?” She smiled, and there was no threat in her voice. “We should stay out of each other’s thoughts, Alejandro. Let’s agree to that.”

  “We only argue on Tuesdays and stay out of each other’s thoughts. It sounds reasonable for the time being.”

  “I suppose I could let you in on one thought.”

  He brushed his hair dry with the towel. “Fine. What is it?”

  “There are multiple ways to have sex that won’t leave me more bruised than I already am.”

  “Fascinating. Let’s go to our cabin and try them all.” He scooped her up and placed her in her wheelchair.

  She laid her hands in her lap. “I hope you’re always this agreeable to my suggestions.”

  “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Some men grow deaf to their wife’s voices, or so I’ve heard.”

  “Where would you have heard that?”

  She looked up at him. “A clever woman never reveals her sources.”

  He pushed her to the elevator and pressed the button. “Are many of your model friends married?”

  “None of them are. What are you trying, a process of elimination?”

  “Am I that transparent?” He rolled her into the elevator.

  “You’re very pleasingly solid.” She could almost make out the numbers on the elevator panel. She remembered him very clearly.

  The bed in their cabin had been neatly made and the curtains opened to let in the sun. Alejandro helped Ana from the chair and pulled her close. “You have an energy that makes holding you feel incredibly good.”

  “Tingling chemistry? You have it too.” She raised her arms to encircle his neck and rubbed against his hairy chest. “Everything about you feels better than good. I could stand and hold on to the balcony rail, but we should probably wait until after dark.”

  “Unfortunately, the ship’s lights would prohibit it, but I like the idea.” He glanced around the room. The bathroom mirror showed through the partially open door, and he nodded toward it. “You could hold on to the sink.”

  “Yes, I like watching you. Help me out of my suit.”

  He took a step back but kept hold of her with one hand. “I got you into it, and I’ll be happy to peel it off.”

  Her voice was low and suggestive. “Go slow rather than yank it off.”

  “Peel you like a banana?”

  She licked her lips and rose up to kiss him. “I’d rather think of myself as a peach.”

  “You’d be delicious as a peach or plum or mango. Let’s go into the bathroom first, just to be safe.”

  She held on to his side and hopped through the doorway. “See? I can get around now that I’m no longer dizzy. A ballet dancer has incredibly good balance.” She watched him in the mirror as he lowered the narrow bathing suit straps to uncover her pale pink nipples. Even if his features weren’t distinct, she appreciated his smile, but the bandage on her cheek bothered her. “If I’m not pretty enough to model any longer, you’ll tell me, won’t you?”

  He paused with her suit at her waist. “The scar will barely show, Ana. Wait until Friday, and you’ll see.”

  If she could see clearly, she didn’t add. She placed her hands over his, and he met her glance in the mirror, or at least she thought he did. “I’d been in El Gato a dozen times before I met you.”

  “So had I. The stars must have aligned, or fate filled the other tables so I’d have to share yours.”

  She rubbed her bottom across his erection. “What if I hadn’t come back?”

  He brushed his hand over her breasts and plucked her nipples. “You would have come back.”

  “I wanted to, but I didn’t allow my imagination to go this far. This is all a luscious surprise.”

  “For us both.” He dipped his head to kiss her bruised shoulder.

  She grabbed hold of the sink. His touch always made her feel cherished, and she leaned into his kisses. His hands were callused, and his rough palms tickled as he lowered her suit. He helped her hop out of it and tossed it over the shower door. “I told you I didn’t need a maid.”

  “I may be a rather clumsy maid, but you definitely need me.”

  “You’re my lover, Alejandro, not a maid.”

  He wrapped her in his arms and hugged her tight. “I’m also your husband. How well can you see us in the mirror?”

  “Well enough. You’re tan and I’m pale, and we blend into each other very nicely, harmoniously.”

  “We should have photos made in this pose,” he teased.

  “With a mirror behind us too, the image would repeat like an echo.” She closed her eyes and tilted her head against his shoulder. “Just for us though, no one else.” He slid his hand between her legs and rubbed her gently. “That feels so good, but I can’t touch you while I’m hanging on to the sink.”

  “We’ll take turns,” he promised. He loosened his hold on her to shake off his trunks. He had condoms in his shaving kit sitting on the counter, donned one and eased into her.

  Caught between him and the sink, she could barely move, but the sensations he created with slow, gentle lunges took her to the brink of release before he paused to ease them both down to an anxious calm. It was such delicious torture. She wiggled against him and clenched her inner muscles to pull him deep.

  “Slow is better,” he breathed against her ear. He crossed his hands over her chest and fondled her breasts tenderly. His thumbs brushed her nipples in time with his surging hips.

  She curved her spine to roll her back against his chest, slanted her shoulders to brush against him and closed her eyes to savor the joy they created so easily. It had to be more than mere chemistry and a deeper, stronger link. “Ah, that’s it, stay right there,” she nearly purred. He rocked back on his heels, and a final thrust sent her tumbling into perfect bliss. She locked her arms over his to ride his orgasm and doubled her own. Heat flooded her limbs to her fingers and toes, and it took a long while for her jagged breathing to slow.

  Alejandro carried her to the bed and kept her in a warm embrace until their stomachs began to growl, and laughing, they remembered they had to eat.

  On Friday, Ana had an early morning appointment with Dr. Higareda. His office was located in a medical building adjacent to the hospital, and after parking, Alejandro unfolded the wheelchair and helped her into it. “I don’t think you’ll need this much longer.”

  “I hope not.” Her vision was nearly perfect, but rather than tell him, she waited so she could gauge his true reaction to her scar. She also loved watching him apply her mascara. He moved slowly, as though he were restoring a treasured piece of art rather than helping her with makeup. She shouldn’t have worried, however, because when the physician removed her stitches, Alejandro’s expression was one of mild surprise rather than anguished alarm.

  Dr. Higareda was ecstatic. “The scar is so faint, it will soon disappear. I’ll refrain from asking you for an endorsement of my work, but I’m sorely tempted.” He gave her a hand mirror. “I’m sure you’ll be pleased.”

  She had to gather the courage to look, but the thin pink line on her cheek struck her as a glaring flaw. She
worked in a world where perfection mattered, and when her skin fully healed, she could cover the scar with makeup, but she’d still know it was there. Thinking she was lucky it wasn’t worse, she forced a smile. “Thank you. I’ll talk to you about using my photo when we come back from Greece. Unless it has to be taken right now.”

  “For my files only today,” the physician assured her. He took photos at several angles. “You’re sure to have a wonderful time on your cruise. The pastries on the Ortiz Line are the best I’ve ever eaten. All the food is good, but the pastries are lighter than an angel’s caress. The pestiños bathed in honey syrup are beyond compare.”

  “I can’t wait to taste them,” Ana assured him. She had his card and promised to call when they came home. They returned to the ship before the passengers had begun to board, but there was far greater activity along the dock as the final supplies were loaded.

  She wouldn’t complain in front of Alejandro, but being scarred hurt more than she’d ever reveal. “It was so nice having the ship all to ourselves,” she said. “I brought my red wig as well as the Goth girl. Maybe I should wear a disguise.”

  “You could alternate. People would think I’d brought two women on the cruise.”

  “The wheelchair would give it away. I hope I’ll be enough for you no matter what color my hair.”

  He pushed her chair out on their cabin balcony so they could watch the activity below. “Of course you’re enough. We already agreed we’d be faithful, and you’re far more likely to attract admirers.”

  “They’re drawn to the illusion, not the real me. Do you suppose the chef has already baked the pestiños Dr. Higareda loves?”

  “Yes. Would you like to send him some?”

  “Could we?”

  He kissed her soundly. “I’ll see to it right now. Do you want to send anything to anyone else?”

  She licked her lips to savor his kiss. “No. Just bring a few for me, will you?”

  “Of course. We ought to sample them. I’ll be right back.”

  She blew him a kiss as he left. She raised her hand to her cheek and quickly pulled it away. She’d not expected to remain in modeling many more years, and if the accident ended her career, she’d not waste a minute crying over it. It was just the way life worked. As for acting, special effects created all sorts of magical creatures, and her scar wouldn’t be a challenge to cover. Still, the accident had changed her life so suddenly, it was difficult to cope as easily as she pretended for Alejandro. She wanted the truth from him, but as a woman, she ought to be allowed a few secrets.

  Alejandro was such a good man, he probably wouldn’t even see her scar. She was so lucky to have met him. They’d been together constantly since she’d checked out of the hospital, and she wasn’t in the least bit tired of his company. Things would be different when they came home and resumed their usual lives, but for now, they got along so beautifully, she wouldn’t ruin it complaining about her looks.

  There were eight places at the captain’s table. The chair on Gabriel Reyes’s right had been removed to accommodate her wheelchair, and Alejandro had the seat beside hers. She’d had Fatima pack gowns appropriate for the evenings and wore the silvery white dress she’d traded with Libby Gunderson at the charity benefit. The captain was in his uniform, and the men wore dinner jackets. Alejandro’s fit him beautifully.

  Joseph and Maricela Lopez were seated beside him. Newlyweds in their sixties, they could barely keep their hands off each other. Ana thought it was sweet, but Alejandro looked more distressed than amused. She reached under the table to squeeze his knee, and he caught her hand.

  A married pair of dentists, Olga and Memo Talleda, had blinding smiles, and Linda Suarez was at the Captain’s left. A sultry brunette wearing a low cut red gown, she introduced herself as a psychologist who worked with bright children to ensure they received the finest in education.

  “I’m happy to have all of you at my table,” Gabriel Reyes said. “The Ortiz Line serves quality meals to everyone on board, but I believe the food is even more delicious at my table, perhaps due to the entertaining company. Have you all settled into your cabins?”

  Ana smiled as the others shared more about themselves, but when Gabriel glanced her way, her mind went blank. He’d given her name earlier, and she could not recall the last time she’d had to say anything more about herself. She’d been the first to visit the Siren’s hair salon, caught her hair loosely in a clip at her nape, and left gently curled strands free to cover her cheek, but no one would expect a model to be in a wheelchair. Horribly embarrassed she couldn’t think of anything intelligent to say, she looked up at Alejandro.

  “My wife is too modest to admit to being one of Europe’s most popular haute couture models, but we’ve come on the cruise to relax rather than promote her career.”

  Linda Suarez peered at Ana more closely. “I’m sorry, I must not have been listening when the captain introduced you and your husband. Otherwise, I don’t know how I missed recognizing you. Are you also a model, Mr. Vasquez?”

  “I’m an architect.”

  “How wonderful,” Linda continued. “Two diverse careers will create a nice balance.”

  “We hope so,” Alejandro replied.

  The dentists flashed their sparkling smiles. “This is a second honeymoon for us,” Olga remarked. “How long have you and Alejandro been married, Ana?”

  Alejandro again answered for her. “We were married last week.”

  “Then this is also your honeymoon,” Joseph Lopez exclaimed and hugged his giggling bride.

  Maricela Lopez leaned in to speak to Ana. “You must have had a fabulous wedding. Who designed your gown?”

  Ana whispered to her husband, “What did I wear?”

  Alejandro brought her hand to his lips. “Ana suffered a concussion in an accident last weekend and has a slight memory loss. We plan to be married again soon so she’ll remember the ceremony.”

  Linda Suarez studied them more closely. “You were there. What did she wear?”

  “It was a civil ceremony, and she wore a gray suit.”

  Ana frowned unhappily. “You’re not serious.”

  “I didn’t pick it out, you did,” Alejandro countered. “You were beautiful as always, so what does it matter what you wore?”

  “It’s such an odd choice,” Ana mused aloud. “Captain, could you marry us again so I’ll have something to remember while we plan a formal wedding?”

  “I’ll be happy to conduct a ceremony. Would Sunday afternoon be a convenient time for you?”

  “Could we all come?” Olga Talleda asked.

  “Yes, let’s make a party of it,” Ana replied. “The chef makes the most wonderful pastries. Could he bake us a cake on such short notice?”

  Alejandro squeezed her shoulders. “We won’t need a multitiered cake for those of us at our table, but I’ll ask him to bake something very special for us.”

  “You know the chef?” Linda Suarez inquired.

  Alejandro had given away too much, and Ana quickly covered for him. “He takes special requests, doesn’t he, Captain?”

  “For you, Ana, I’m sure he will.”

  Now that she could see the captain clearly, she had to agree with her husband that the intimacy of his glance went well past friendliness. That he’d flirt with her with Alejandro seated beside her was jarring, but she’d not flirt back. Ever. Memo, the dentist, appeared to be focused on her too. She had beautiful teeth, but doubted her smile had caught his interest.

  When they returned to their cabin after dinner, she hopped out of the wheelchair on her own, but nearly fell into one of the cabin’s comfortably padded armchairs. “You were right about the captain. He is flirting with me. Must we dine at his table every night?”

  “It’s an honor to be seated with him.” Alejandro pulled off his tie and wound it around his hand. “I expected everyone to recognize you, and when they didn’t, maybe I should have kept quiet about who you are.”

  “Someone on board
would soon recognize me, if they haven’t already. It’s your identity you want to hide.”

  “Do you think I should have welcomed everyone on board? ‘Hello, my family owns the Mediterranean Siren. Please come to me if there’s anything you need.’” He removed his white jacket and hung it in the closet. “They’d be after me for extra rolls of toilet paper before we left the dock.”

  Ana laughed before she realized he was serious. “I’m sorry. If the cruise is going to be too difficult for you, we shouldn’t have come.”

  “You needed somewhere to rest and heal, and the man who tried to get into your room at L’Esperanza can’t bother us here.”

  “Whoever was backing Jaime Campos could afford this cruise—but we weren’t going to talk about murder.”

  “No, we weren’t, and I checked for new passengers. The Siren was fully booked more than a month ago. Maybe he was just a burly paparazzo, not anyone wishing you any real harm.”

  “Let’s hope so. A photo of me looking all bedraggled in a hospital bed would be worth quite a bit. The paparazzi don’t believe celebrities deserve any right to privacy. Let’s forget about them. It’s such a beautiful night. Do we have to do anything other than watch the moonlight glisten on the water?”

  He cocked a brow. “There’s a great many things we could do. There are bars with live music, a lavish musical show, as well as a small theater where talented casts perform popular plays. There are first-run movies, and an ice cream parlor where we could sample all the flavors—or I could handle tonight’s entertainment.”

  Ana couldn’t hide a wide yawn. “You sound like the most fun. Could we begin working our way through the rest of the list tomorrow?”

  “Of course, but please tell me when you’re tired.” He helped her stand and hop into the bathroom. She had just pulled the door closed when she opened it again.

  “What about the crew? Was anyone hired in the last week?”

  He swore under his breath. “I’m sorry, I should have thought of the crew. I’ll ask the captain as soon as you’re safely in bed.”