He kept it up as long as he could bear, but his body demanded he move forward. He pushed himself up, keeping her arms pinned. “Open your legs.”
She bit her lip and swallowed. “No.”
He released her wrists and set his hands on her knees. “Then I’ll open them.”
“You can try.” She pressed her knees tight together, her palms flat on the mattress.
He worked to pry them apart, but she was stronger than he expected. For long minutes she resisted as he applied more and more strength. Finally her knees crept apart. Careful not to hurt her, he levered them wide and pressed them to the bed, his pulse hammering as he stared down at what they revealed. Hoarsely, he said, “Tell me I can come inside you.”
She glared, proud and defiant. “You have overpowered me. I surrender to your superior strength. Take me, you magnificent beast.” One corner of her mouth quirked up, and she murmured, “But put a condom on first.”
“Oh. Yeah.” Ryan shook his head and released her knees to reach for the box. She watched him, her eyes dancing, her legs remaining spread. He forced himself to slow down and give her a show as he rolled the condom on, but the moment it was in place he lurched over her and pressed his mouth to hers as he thrust into her. “You’re mine,” he whispered into her lips, his body roaring with pleasure and need as hers enveloped him.
“Take me,” she whispered back. “Harder. As hard as you can.”
After that, he couldn’t have stopped if he’d wanted to. He thrust with wild abandon, striving with all his strength to give her what they both wanted. She wrapped her arms and legs around him and thrust back with equal urgency. Her fingers dug into his buttocks. She moaned, the pitch rising until she was crying out with every thrust. He held back as long as he could, but at last his control broke and his climax came in a wild surging rush. As it ripped through him, she screamed and convulsed, pulsing around him as he poured into her.
Spent, he sagged onto her. She clung to him, her gasps ragged in his ear. Gradually she let her legs slide down and her muscles relax. He didn’t want to crush her, but when he tried to lift his weight off her chest she pulled him back down, so he gave up and sank into her soft curves. He closed his eyes and floated in an inarticulate sated haze.
After a while she stroked his hair, bringing him back to the present. “That was amazing,” she whispered. “And fun. Thank you for understanding what I wanted and playing along.”
“Any time.” He pushed up on his elbows and brushed a few stray strands of hair from her face. “And thanks for reminding me about the condom. I almost forgot.” He grimaced. “Speaking of which…”
He reluctantly withdrew and went to clean up. When he came out, she was sitting up cross-legged on the bed, still naked, studying the schedule. “There’s brunch until one in the dining room,” she told him. “It’s only ten, so we’ve got plenty of time.”
“Good. I’m starving.” Ryan rummaged in his suitcase for clean clothes, choosing khaki cargo shorts and a plain brown t-shirt. Juanita cleaned up and dressed in a bright blue top and white shorts. Ryan surveyed the wreck they’d made of the bedcovers. Most of them were on the floor. He thought about at least piling them onto the foot of the bed, then shrugged and let them stay. If their cabin steward harbored any doubts about their act, this should allay them.
Not that it was an act anymore.
Ryan followed Juanita out the door and offered her his arm. She took it, and they strolled through the ship and rode down the elevator to the dining room. When the hostess asked, Ryan requested a private table. He always enjoyed chatting with their fellow passengers, but this morning was special, and he wanted to preserve the magical, shining bubble around himself and Juanita as long as possible.
She studied the menu, giving him frequent flirtatious glances over the laminated cardboard. “Eggs Benedict. That sounds wonderful. Although maybe I’ll have pancakes instead.”
“Get them both.” Ryan dropped his voice to a husky growl. “I’ll make you work off the calories.”
She giggled. “What are you getting?”
“The steak and eggs. I need to fuel myself up for what I strongly suspect is going to be a very long, tiring day. Judging by how it’s gone so far.”
“Poor thing. Did I make you work too hard before breakfast?” She reached across the table and patted his hand, running her fingers sensuously over it as she withdrew. “I’ll have to be more considerate from now on.”
“Don’t worry. The exercise is good for me.” He mimed curling a weight. “My trainer says I should get in at least three reps every day. Think you can help with that?”
“I’ll see what I can do,” she answered dutifully, laughter in her eyes. She looked like she was trying to think up a good double entendre in return, but at that moment the server arrived, so they reluctantly abandoned the banter and placed their orders.
While they were waiting for their food, they talked. The conversation wandered from topic to topic. Juanita told him about working with children and adults as an occupational therapist, and he told her about designing highways and bridges as a civil engineer. She told him more about the shows she’d performed in during high school and college, and he told her about the projects he’d undertaken to earn his Eagle Scout rank. She admitted a fondness for celebrity gossip programs, and he confessed his enjoyment of competitive cooking shows. They discovered a shared enthusiasm for baseball, and spent a good half an hour discussing the current fortunes and prospects of the Astros and their various college teams.
At some point their food arrived, and Ryan devoured his perfectly medium-rare steak and sunny-side-up eggs, trading bites for Juanita’s poached eggs in rich, silky Hollandaise sauce and pancakes drenched in melted butter and maple syrup. But their full mouths didn’t slow down the conversation much. One of them was always talking while the other chewed and swallowed. More than once Ryan realized he was speaking around a bite and had to break off so Juanita wouldn’t find his lack of manners disgusting. But she didn’t seem to care, and he caught her doing the same thing a few times without it bothering him in the slightest.
Long after their plates were empty they kept talking, the subjects ranging farther afield. Their political opinions mostly aligned, although there were a few differences that made for some spirited debate. Both of them avoided the topic of immigration. It was too personal for such a public setting. And besides, they each knew where the other one stood on the subject.
A politely cleared throat cut into Ryan’s impassioned defense of public spending on the arts. He looked up to find their server standing by their table. “Excuse me. I hate to interrupt, but we’re about to close the dining room.”
“I’m so sorry.” Ryan jumped to his feet. “We’ll get out of your way.” He extended a hand to Juanita and led her between empty tables and busily cleaning employees to the exit.
“I didn’t realize it was one already,” Juanita said.
Ryan checked his phone. “One fifteen, actually. They must have waited for us to quit being oblivious until they had no choice but to shoo us out. How would you like to spend the afternoon?”
She looked torn, but spread her hands sheepishly. “Actually, I’d really like to play on the water slides some more.”
“Sounds great to me.” In fact, it did. Not that he’d turn down more playing in bed, but they’d have plenty of time for that, too. In the meantime, water and wind and Juanita’s bikini-clad body bathed in sunlight sounded like a wonderful way to enjoy a few hours.
They managed to change into their swimsuits with only occasional lingering touches and a couple of pauses for kissing, although applying sunscreen could have easily led to more if Juanita hadn’t been so determined to get out to the water park. Ryan was pleased to see she’d lost her self-consciousness about the two-piece suit. At least, she didn’t make any move to put a t-shirt over it, and strode beside him through the ship with her towel slung casually over one shoulder.
Ryan loved every minute
they spent laughing and playing together. He loved standing on the platform at the top of the highest slide, surrounded by vast ocean vistas, Juanita snuggled under his arm. He loved swooping and swishing down the the slides and Juanita’s childlike glee as she scrambled out of the water and raced to climb the stairs again. He loved relaxing in the hot tub afterward, Juanita reclining next to him, her hands taking liberties under cover of the screening bubbles and his stealing hidden caresses of her sleek skin.
They were enjoying themselves so much they arrived back at the room with only enough time left to get ready for supper. Tonight the dress was formal. Ryan took his shower first, wishing the tiny stall weren’t so cramped. Inviting Juanita to join him would prove more frustrating than enjoyable. As he went to the closet, she gave him a quick kiss on her way into the bathroom. “After you’re dressed, go out on the balcony. I don’t want you to see me until I’m completely ready.”
“Your wish is my command.” Ryan stroked her breast, slipping his fingers under the bikini top the way he’d been wanting to do all afternoon.
Juanita leaned into his touch with a longing sigh, then set her jaw and pushed him away. “We are not going to be late.”
“Okay.” He gave her nipple a final tweak before he withdrew. Her gasp made him hope she might reconsider, but she shook her head and marched into the bathroom with a look of determination.
Ryan dressed carefully and combed his hair using the mirror over the counter between the cabinets. He thought about shaving but decided against it. He was enjoying the break from his usual daily routine, and his blond stubble was just reaching a flattering length. After a final glance to make sure everything was in place, he grabbed his Kindle and sauntered out to the balcony.
Between thinking about Juanita and gazing at the cobalt ocean and orange-splashed sky, he didn’t do much reading. She took so long that he started to worry that they’d be late after all. But finally her muffled voice called for him to come back inside.
He stepped through the door and froze, arrested by the vision that met his eyes. Juanita looked like a goddess. She was wearing a dark red dress dusted with glittering crimson beads. A tantalizingly low neckline clung to her curves and a daringly high hem revealed her long, graceful legs. Sandals with delicate straps and tall heels enclosed her feet. She’d twisted a portion of her hair into a loose knot, while the rest cascaded around her shoulders. Tiny jewels shone in her ears. Ryan wouldn’t have thought it possible for makeup to enhance her natural beauty, but she’d managed it. Her deep eyes shone among smoky shadows, framed by thick lashes. Her lips glowed rich cinnamon, their slowly spreading smile revealing how much she enjoyed the effect she was having on him.
Ryan cleared his throat, but his voice still came out rough. “You look beautiful.”
Her eyes traveled appreciatively over his dark gray suit, crisply pressed white shirt, and subtly patterned blue tie. Her smile widened. “And you look quite incredibly handsome.”
He extended his arm. “Would you do me the honor of accompanying me to supper?”
“I would be delighted.” She took it, and he escorted her out of the room.
Photographers had set up stations all along the promenade deck. Ryan paused at one with a background of two deck chairs on a sandy beach, shaded by arching palm trees, blue ocean and bluer sky beyond. “Let’s get our picture taken.”
Juanita hesitated. “Do they charge for it?”
“Only if you buy prints.” Ryan fully intended to if the pictures came out well, but he didn’t have to tell her that. “Come on.”
Juanita responded to his urging and they took their places before the backdrop. The photographer posed them with Ryan’s arms around Juanita. Ryan held her tightly while the man took a flurry of shots. Then they moved on to another station with a picture of the Zephyr at night, lit by hundreds of glowing golden lights. The next featured black velvet curtains, and another had pots of flowering bushes. The photographers seemed to appreciate Juanita’s beauty almost as much as Ryan did, moving to catch her from every angle and snapping shot after shot. He hoped they gave a package discount on their pictures, because he knew he wouldn’t be able to pass any of them up.
Eventually they made it to the dining room. Many of the other passengers were also dressed formally, although some were casual. Juanita’s head turned constantly, taking in the dresses and suits, but Ryan only gave them the briefest of glances before returning his gaze to her.
Dave and Nancy were already seated at their table. Nancy raked them with an intent look, then broke into a broad smile. “Both of you look wonderful.”
Dave echoed the compliment. Juanita blushed and thanked them. Ryan pulled out her chair for her and she slid into it. He took the opportunity to admire the length of thigh her dress exposed and glance down her deep cleavage before pushing her chair in and going to his seat.
They studied their menus and discussed the merits of the various choices before both settling on salads, Juanita a kale caesar, Ryan a wilted spinach with bacon. For their entrees he chose the Chateaubriand, while she ordered the lobster. They chatted with Dave and Nancy about their days, although Ryan had to keep censoring his words to avoid revealing too much. He had a feeling he wasn’t fooling them, though. At least not Nancy. She kept giving them smug, knowing looks. She helped steer the conversation to innocent topics whenever it threatened to get too personal, which he appreciated.
Only once during the meal did things become uncomfortable. Nancy was telling them about their eldest daughter and their toddler grandson, who was apparently the brightest, sweetest, most adorable child in all of Texas, if not the whole United States. After the superlatives got so over-the-top even Nancy noticed, she grinned apologetically and spread her hands. “Listen to me ramble on. I’d love to hear about your families.” She turned to Juanita. “What about you, Carmen? Do you have any siblings?”
Ryan saw Juanita tense, but she spoke easily. “I have one older sister, Juanita.”
“Are you close? Do you get to see her often?”
“We’re very close.” Juanita chose her words carefully. “We haven’t seen each other much lately, but hopefully we will again soon, because she’s moving back to Houston after living in Mexico for a while.”
“Oh, that’s lovely.” Nancy beamed at her. “What took her to Mexico, and what’s bringing her back?”
Ryan wished he could step in and rescue Juanita, but it would seem strange for him to talk about her family. Besides, she was handling it well. She only hesitated for a moment before saying, “She was offered a job in Mexico City. It was a good opportunity for her, but now our mother is sick, so she wants to be closer to home.”
“I’m so sorry.” Nancy’s face flooded with concern. “What’s wrong? Although of course you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
“I don’t mind.” Juanita stared at her plate for a second, then took a deep breath. “Mom has breast cancer. It first showed up nine years ago, and we thought she’d beaten it, but now it’s back. Her doctors say she only has a few months left.”
“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up.” Nancy reached over to pat Juanita’s arm.
“It’s all right. We’re all working on coming to terms with it.” Juanita swallowed. “Once Juanita gets home, it will be a lot better. Mom really wants to see her. It means a lot to her to have her family together.”
“Of course it does. You’re going to need each other for support. What about your father? Is he able to take care of her?”
“Yes, but his health isn’t great either, so there’s only so much he can do. We’ve got nurses that come to her house to take care of her, one during the day and one at night, plus one on weekends.” Juanita’s voice was starting to shake. “We bought them chocolate in Roatan.”
“How sweet of you to think of them.” Nancy hesitated a moment, then apparently decided not to ask whatever she was wondering, because she took a bite of lobster.
; But Ryan suspected he knew. He reached for Juanita’s hand and clasped it, trying to convey compassion and support with his grip. “Carmen wanted to cancel our cruise after we found out, but her mother insisted we stick to our plans. She’s doing okay for the moment. Once we’re back in Houston, though, Carmen’s not going to leave her side.”
The crease on Nancy’s forehead smoothed away. “I would have said the same to any of my daughters. Your mother wants you to be happy. The best thing you can do for her is to live your life to the fullest.” She smiled at Ryan. “I bet she’s delighted that you’ve found such a good man.”
Juanita shot Ryan a panicked look. He squeezed her hand. “I hope so,” he told Nancy.
Again she hesitated, but this time decided to plunge forward. “You know, if the two of you are planning on getting married eventually, you should think about doing it while she’s still able to celebrate with you.”
Ryan didn’t look at Juanita, partly to avoid drawing Nancy’s attention to her expression, partly so he wouldn’t have to see what was surely a negative reaction. “We’re considering it,” he assured Nancy. “But we don’t actually know what our future plans are yet. Carmen thinks it’s too soon to talk about marriage, and I agree with her.”
“But not too—” Nancy broke off. “Sorry. It’s none of my business.” She gave Juanita a tender smile. “Tell your mother I’ll be praying for all of you.” She cut another bite of lobster. “Isn’t this lobster delicious? Can you tell what herb they put in the sauce? At first I thought it was sage, but now I’m getting notes of oregano.”
“I think it might be both,” Juanita said. “And there’s definitely some parsley in there, too.”
Ryan’s clenched stomach gradually relaxed as they continued chatting about the food. He took a big bite of his delicious beef as a convenient excuse to drop out of the conversation until he’d fully recovered his composure. Luckily the rest of the meal was spent talking about lighter matters.
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