Another Chance (Seven Days to Fall in Love #3)

by J. C. Anderson

  “You said it was a kid. I imagined she was more scared than me.”

  Sarah fell heavily into her beach chair, her hand over her heart as it pounded in her chest.

  “Are you sure you’re alright? You don’t look so good.” Charles leaned down next to her chair, brushing her wet hair from her face.

  “Well, thank you for the compliment.” Sarah huffed as she took over, hand-brushing her hair back into order.

  “I didn’t mean it like that, Sarah. I just meant you still look pretty shocked. You’re pale, actually.”

  “I won’t lie, Charles. That experience was pretty scary. I couldn’t stand and water just kept knocking me back down…” Sarah choked, the memory and the subsiding adrenaline bringing tears to her eyes.

  “It’s okay. You’re okay,” Charles said as he pulled her from the chair, taking her place and settling her on his lap.

  It felt like the most natural thing in the world for his arms to be around her. Slackening into his embrace, she took a slow breath, matching Charles’ calm. Her head lay on his shoulder, her hands against his chest as he rubbed warmth into her arms. There was no awkwardness, only a sweet serenity Sarah had missed in her years of singlehood. She enjoyed the moment, dreading its end. When Charles placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, she leaned back and looked at him. He pushed a stray piece of hair behind her ear, caressing her cheek as if they’d been long-time lovers.

  “Thank you, Charles. Really.”

  “You’re welcome, really.”

  “You found me. So, I guess I owe you drinks.”

  Charles’ smile wrestled with the sunlight for supremacy. Dimples puckered the corners of his mouth, and his lips were soft and appealing.

  “This is my lucky day, indeed. I got to hold you, and now I get to spend more time with you.”

  “How did you find me, anyway?” Sarah asked, suddenly suspicious that he was following her.

  His hand slid up her arm, and she shivered. From the water or his touch, she was no longer sure.

  “I was heading back to the ship when I saw you fall. I told you… I believe in fate.”

  Sarah watched his thick lips as he spoke. His words caressed her, replacing her tremors with warmth.

  “Is it weird that I feel like I’ve known you for years?” Sarah whispered, apprehensive but wondering if he felt the same connection she did.

  “I feel the same way. I’m actually fighting my desire to kiss you.”

  Once again, he ran his hand down her cheek, stopping to graze a finger over her bottom lip. Sarah held still, hoping he would give up the fight. She wanted his lips on hers. Charles leaned forward, and Sarah closed her eyes, anticipation taking over where her near-death experience had left her. Increasing heartbeat, tingling fingers, with an added and notable throbbing between her legs.

  “Excuse me. Sorry to interrupt. Can I get either of you a drink?”

  Sarah opened her eyes to the cute server who’d been attending to those seated in the purchased beach chairs. Her cheeks reddened at being discovered in such a compromising position with a man she’d only met a couple of hours ago. The server didn’t have the details of her relationship with Charles, but she knew better. Yet, her libido had taken a backseat to discretion and caution. She sat back quickly, unable to meet Charles’ steady stare. He never took his eyes from her as she answered the server with a quiet “no, thank you”. She slid from Charles’ lap onto the chair and finally met his eyes, still afraid of what she would see in them. He smiled and said,

  “It’s a little early for drinks. Let’s do lunch instead. Where would you like to go?”

  “There’s a little deli I passed close to the dock. It has sandwiches and salads. How does that sound?”

  “Perfect.”

  Charles stood and extended his hand. Sarah grabbed her towel and beach bag, then took his hand. They walked silently, the attraction between them filling their thoughts. Strong didn’t do it justice. It was undeniable. Despite her tiff with Sandra and her trip down memory lane, she’d been unable to get Charles off of her mind. Flashes of his handsome face and his magnificent smile stayed with her as she changed into his swimsuit. She stopped and stared at her naked body, wondering if Charles would like what he saw. Then she imagined him behind her, touching her, drawing moans from her as he memorized her curves with his hands. Then she laughed at her sensual imagination. She remembered her earlier conviction of not wanting to be with a man on this trip. Charles had changed her mind without even trying.

  * * *

  Sarah ordered the caesar salad with chicken, and Charles ordered a BLT with potato salad. Redwood picnic benches matching the ambiance of the small restaurant sat to the side of the small building. They found a bench far away from other patrons, wanting privacy to continue making their acquaintance. For the first few minutes, they ate in silence, sneaking glances when they thought the other wasn’t paying attention. It was childish, but it felt so good. Finally, Charles said,

  “Sarah Gains. Tell me something about you. Anything.”

  Sarah swallowed her last bite of the mid-sized salad and said,

  “There isn’t much to tell. I was born in Louisiana. When I was ten, my father took a job in New York. I’ve been there ever since.”

  “New York? That’s a big jump from Louisiana.”

  “Tell me about it. My father was a pilot. The small town we lived in had an airport, but not too many people were traveling from it. Most people would normally drive into New Orleans. So, the airport was closed down.”

  “New Orleans wasn’t an option? It was closer,” Charles asked as he took a bite of his potato salad, savoring its creaminess.

  “I don’t think so. Plus, I think my parents were tired of Louisiana. It’s a big, little city. So, we moved, and it was good for us. My dad flourished in his new position. My mom was a stay-at-home mom, but she made herself useful at my school.”

  “What about you? How did you do with a big move like that?”

  “It was hard at first. I mean, I was only ten. But I met my best friends at my middle school. We’ve been friends since then, even though we live in different states. You met MaryAnn. She was the one with me at breakfast. You haven’t met my other friend, Sandra, yet.”

  Charles hesitated for a moment, then asked, “So, you’re on this trip with your two best friends? Girls’ trip?”

  Sarah chuckled, then said, “Something like that. We hadn’t seen each other in a while, and… well… some tragic things have happened in the last couple of years. So, this trip was about having a good time and letting loose. You know?”

  “What do you mean, ‘was’? You’re not having a good time?” Charles asked, genuinely interested. His charm and friendliness disarmed any need to hold back from him. Still, Sarah didn’t want to bog him down with the drama between her and Sandra.

  Sarah thought about Sandra’s snippy attitude and how she was behaving, almost as if she was trying to ruin their girl’s trip. But Sandra wasn’t there now, and finally, Sarah was having the good time she promised herself. Maybe that was the secret. Stay away from Sandra. Then she thought about MaryAnn and knew her sweet friend would want all of them to spend as much time together as possible. Even now, MaryAnn was off shopping with Sandra, hopefully having fun, but Sarah knew Sandra’s orneriness would get in the way. Sarah couldn’t deny there was some merit to not being around Sandra for the rest of the trip. Suddenly, Charles was looking more and more like her hero.

  “I’m having a good time, now,” Sarah said, smiling slyly.

  “Me too,” Charles said, reaching across the table to grasp her hand.

  Sarah held his hand, going along with the ease of their new relationship. Chills traveled down her spine at the contact, and her hand heated where he touched her.

  “So, tell me about you, Charles,” Sarah said, attempting to think of anything other than her body’s response to his gentle caress.

  “I’m from Virginia. Been there my entire life. But, lately…
it’s lost its luster.”

  “Why? Just need something new?” Sarah asked, giving him back just as much curiosity and attention as he’d given her.

  “Ah, you could say that. I’ve had some tragic events, as well; and I need a change.”

  Sarah realized he lived so far from her home in New York. Even if the connection between them turned out to be more than sexual, they wouldn’t be able to form an actual relationship with them living so far away from each other. Sarah tried not to think about the future, staying in the moment. Who knew what would happen once the ship completed its seven-day adventure and returned to Athens.

  “How did you end up on a cruise by yourself? I mean, you are by yourself, right?”

  Sarah blushed at her naivety, quickly loosening her hand from his grip just in case someone was waiting for him either on the ship or back in Virginia. She hadn’t even considered that he wasn’t single. He wasn’t wearing a ring, but that meant nothing. She knew that better than anyone.

  “Sarah, I am here alone,” Charles said, pulling Sarah from her self-invoked anxiety. “And no, I don’t have a wife waiting at home for me.”

  For a fleeting moment, Sarah thought she saw sadness in his eyes. Just as quickly as she’d seen it, Charles covered it with a smile before continuing.

  “This cruise is a bit of a tradition. I’ve been coming on them for about five years now. This one was my last. Or so I thought. Then, I met you.” Sarah blushed, loving his transparency and that he was so into her.

  “Should we walk some? I should walk off the potato salad,” Charles said as he rubbed his flat belly. Sarah laughed and nodded yes, thinking there wasn’t an ounce of fat on the man’s body.

  They walked hand in hand like high school sweethearts. Laughter and light-hearted banter consumed their conversations. Hours passed without their knowledge as they walked heedlessly, absorbed in each other. Soon, they found themselves in the city. Music and delicious smells greeted them as if old friends meeting again. Locals and tourists alike crowded the streets, enjoying the offerings and each other’s company. Sarah looked at her watch and saw it was already six o’clock, though it felt as if they’d been together for mere seconds.

  “Oh gosh, Charles. It’s already six o’clock. Where has the time gone?”

  “I guess it’s true time passes quickly when you’re having fun.”

  “I think the ship leaves in a couple of hours.”

  “So we still have time for dinner,” Charles said, pulling her close to his side.

  Any arguments died on Sarah’s lips as she melded herself to his firm body. They strolled, in no rush, as if time was of no consequence. Following the swelling music, they found themselves in Jackie O’ Bar and Club.

  “I don’t think they serve food here,” Sarah said, as she looked around and only saw glasses on the stone white tables, scattered amongst the chatting guests.

  “Then we can have that drink,” Charles said as he pulled her between the tables and the standing crowd to the bar.

  He ordered a jack and coke, and Sarah a glass of white wine. They took their drinks to the outside tables, enjoying the hustle and bustle of the nightlife coming alive. Their conversation continued, flowing easily as if they’d known each other for much longer than a day.

  “Do you have any children?” Charles asked as he sipped his drink.

  Sarah didn’t expect the sharp bite she felt at his innocent question. She’d wanted to be a mother more than anything, yet her ex-husband had taken that gift away from her. Or she’d given the gift away when she allowed herself to love him and his idea for their marriage more than she loved herself and her own ideas.

  “No, I don’t,” she said softly, suppressing the tears that threatened to spill over.

  “There’s still time,” Charles said, sensing her unease.

  “Maybe. What about you?”

  “No. Not yet.”

  “You said, not yet. So, you want kids one day?”

  “Yes. I never thought I’d make it to my thirties and not have kids already. But that’s life, I guess. Unpredictable.”

  “Thirties? How old are you?”

  “Thirty-five. How old are you?” Charles asked, smiling because it didn’t matter.

  “I’m forty-two.”

  “Oh, you’re a cougar,” Charles exclaimed, laughing boisterously at his petty joke.

  Sarah slapped his arm, though she wasn’t the least bit offended. “No, I’m not. Oh, my god.”

  Sarah soon began laughing with Charles, both of them bent over in hysteria. When they settled, Charles pulled Sarah close to his side and said,

  “You know I don’t care that you’re older than me. Right?”

  “I know, now,” Sarah said, flattered that he still wanted to be with her, regardless of the age difference. That she’d attracted a man seven years younger gave her self-confidence a major boost, one she sorely needed after losing her husband.

  “I like what I see and I like how I feel when I’m with you,” Charles whispered in her ear, sending trimmers through Sarah’s body and a pool of wetness between her legs.

  “Me too,” she said while crossing her legs to stay the throbbing in her core. What was this man doing to her?

  The music changed to a slow, Latin tune with heavy bass and an erotic melody playing over the top. Other couples pulled their partners into the open spaces between the tables, sensually dancing to the beat of the music. The rhythm cast a vibe over the room that pulled everyone under its spell, Charles and Sarah included.

  “Dance with me?”

  Charles stood and extended his hand, leaving no room for her to decline. Not that she would. Once she stood, he pulled her tightly into his arms. His mouth-watering scent assailed her. Cinnamon and a hint of the beach swirled in her head like the strongest of drugs. His firm body pressed to her, her breasts smashed into his chest, her core perfectly aligned to the slight bulge between his legs. Heady, drunk on his presence, Sarah closed her eyes, breathing in his potency, giving herself over to the allure of the moment. Soft kisses trailed down her neck as he gripped her hips and pulled her even closer to him. Sarah moaned, drowning in the sea that was Charles, egging him on. She wanted more, a willing accomplice to his every whim. But then Charles whispered,

  “We should go. The ship leaves soon,” halting their loss of control with his rationalism.

  Sarah opened her eyes and looked into Charles’ disoriented face. Realizing how quickly she’d fallen under his enchantment, she righted herself, pushing from his embrace. The walk back to the ship was quick and quiet. He kept his distance, walking to her side, but not holding her hand this time. Their chemistry and connection were as real as anything she’d ever felt. Yet, he kept pushing back from her. On the beach, he didn’t kiss her, although it was obvious she wanted him to. Sure, the server had interrupted, but there had been time for a kiss if he wanted. Just now, she could swear she felt his erection. That was him kissing her neck, right? But just as quickly as he was kissing her, he quickly stopped. Maybe he wasn’t as attracted to her as she thought. Sarah couldn’t deny the cramp of pain in her belly the thought caused. Somehow she knew if she kept pursuing Charles, she’d end up hurt.

  As they boarded the ship, Charles said,

  “I’ll walk you back to your room.”

  Sarah, wrapped in her own thoughts and feelings, hesitantly agreed. The tension between them was thick, palpable. Words seemed to be locked in their throats, and their ability to articulate their feelings stunted by fear of the unknown. When they made it to her room, she pressed the key card against the lock, then turned to Charles as she held the door open.

  “Can I see you tomorrow?” Charles asked shyly.

  “Look, Charles, I don’t…”

  Before she could turn him down, his mouth was on hers, firm and demanding. Resistance melted with the onslaught on his tongue sweeping through her lips. His hands held her head in place before sliding down her back to grip her hips to him. His thick erection
pressed against her belly, and she lifted her leg positioning her warmth, needing to be closer to him. He grabbed her thigh, lifting her to his waist as he pressed her against her open door. Grinding against him, she pressed his thickness against her weeping core, physically begging him for more, beside herself with need. Still, he made no move to push her into the room. He made no move to take what she freely offered. Charles ceased kissing her and helped her to stand, though he remained close.

  “Never doubt that I want you, Sarah. I just don’t want to rush this.”

  It’s already rushed, she thought. We only have a week. She didn’t speak those thoughts, only nodded her understanding. He was right. They’d only met a day ago, and she wasn’t one to jump in bed after so little time. But this man caused her to forget all of her principles. She wanted him, badly. And now she knew for sure that he wanted her as well.

  “Tomorrow? Breakfast?”

  Sarah nodded, agreeing to anything he said, as long as she could see him.

  “Nine o’clock.”

  He kissed her one last time, then rushed away.

  7 - What’s Going On

  “Girl, where have you been?” MaryAnn asked as she pushed herself inside of Sarah’s room.

  “MaryAnn! Oh my god, girl.”

  Sarah embraced her friend. She had missed her and squeezed her a little tighter.

  “Did you forget about me? Where have you been?”

  MaryAnn sat Indian-style on Sarah’s tousled bed, and Sarah took the space beside her. It was like old times. Girlfriends lying around dreaming and chatting about the boys they liked.

  “Well, Charles and I have been spending so much time together.”

  “What?” MaryAnn sang in her sweet, Southern way. “So he’s been taking all my girl time?”

  Although Sarah could never muscle the strength to say she regretted spending all of her time with Charles, she recognized she was neglecting her friends. It was a girl’s trip. A slither of guilt nipped at the toes of happiness that overwhelmed her.

  “I’m so sorry, MaryAnn. I’ve totally flaked on both you and Sandra. Tell me ya’ll are at least doing some fun stuff together?”