Just One Night

by Pandora Spocks

  He felt the knot in his stomach as a frown crossed his face. “We’re getting off in Mexico. Tommy’s wedding is in Cancun tomorrow night.”

  Her brow wrinkled. “You’re getting off in Mexico? You aren’t finishing the cruise?”

  He shook his head. “No. The wedding is tomorrow night. The next day I fly home and load up the moving truck. I start my new job on Monday.”

  Katie looked down, crestfallen.

  “Hey, you, I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to—“

  Abruptly, she pushed up off the bed. “No, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” Her voice was soft, upbeat. Her eyes betrayed her deeper feelings as her face closed again. “Remember our deal—no strings, no expectations. I just...”

  She snatched up the fluffy white robe from the back of the chair and shrugged into it, stalking to the veranda door and crossing to lean against the railing overlooking the dark sea. He padded out behind her, not bothering with a robe.

  Mac approached her, wrapping his arms around her. “I really am sorry,” he murmured into her hair. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

  “You didn’t hurt me. No expectations, right? It’s my own rule. I just wasn’t thinking. It’s no big deal.”

  He pulled her closer and held her, gazing out over the sea. “Somebody hurt you.” It wasn’t a question. The compassion in his voice caused her stomach to clench.

  “It’s not something I want to talk about.”

  “I understand,” he murmured softly.

  She whirled around. “Just stop! Stop being all...” she waved her hands in frustration, “understanding!”

  Mac threw back his head and laughed out loud. “I could try for asshole,” he laughed, “but it’s not really my style.” He wrapped his arms around her again, drawing her close. “You can tell me anything you want. Or nothing at all. Just know,” he gently kissed the top of her head, “you’re safe here.”

  Katie felt herself soften in his strong embrace. To be safe. Understood. The concept was almost foreign. She sighed deeply and turned away from him to face the ocean again, but she pulled his arms tightly around herself.

  “It’s stupid.”

  He said nothing, just nuzzled her temple, planting tiny kisses behind her ear.

  She sighed again. “I met a guy online. Stupid, I know. Just... I don’t meet many men in my day to day life. So I took a chance. He seemed nice, owned his own business, the sex was—“ She sheepishly glanced up at him. “Until very recently I thought it was great.” She felt the chuckle in his chest as it vibrated against her back. “One day I surprised him with lunch at his office. When I walked in he was standing with his pants around his ankles. A blonde was sucking him off right there in his office.”

  Mac tightened his grip around her shoulders. “I’m so sorry, you,” he murmured against her ear.

  Katie shook her head. “I should have known. I should have seen the signs or something. How can I be so stupid? I can’t make that same mistake again.”

  He turned her to face him, both of them leaning against the railing. “I was dating a psycho. I’m moving partly to get away from her. But I’ll tell you something.” His face was earnest. “I realized that if I shut myself off from love, try to protect my heart, I’m going to miss the real deal when she comes along.”

  He looked at her meaningfully. “I’d much rather take the chance. I didn’t die from a broken heart.” He smiled at her ruefully. “Look, we can take this thing however you want, but I’m telling you, there’s something here. Something more than a ‘one night only’ kind of thing.”

  Katie shook her head dismissively. “No, this is just a vacation romance. Not even romance. Just sex. There’s nothing wrong with that.” There was challenge in her eyes as she met his.

  Mac nodded slowly. “Like I said, we can take this any way you like. But just know, I’m open to more.”

  She tore her gaze away from his eyes, back to the safer region of the sea. Lightly, he twirled a lock of her hair around his finger. “Well, if this is our last night together, I’d very much like to take you back to bed and make love one more time.”

  Katie turned back to face him, placing her hands against his chest for leverage, and leaned up to capture his lips in hers. He opened to her and she explored further, finding his tongue and deepening her kiss. His hands slid inside her robe, seeking and finding her firm, round tits, cupping them, thumbs teasing her sensitive nubs to pert attention. She moaned lightly into his mouth.

  Taking her hand, Mac led her back inside, pausing to slide the robe to the floor. He lay back on the bed and watched as she crawled over him, moving to straddle his lap. He stared up into her face, sliding his gaze to her perfect breasts. “You take my breath away, you,” he murmured.

  Katie leaned over him to retrieve another foil packet, tearing it open and sliding the protection down over his ready member. Then she leaned slightly, reaching down to position him at her entrance. Desire left her ready to accept him and she slid herself onto him, sitting stock still. She gazed at him for a long moment, her sparkling eyes a stormy shade of green, before beginning to roll her hips rhythmically, gripping his cock tightly. Mac let out a groan of pleasure, reaching to fondle her tits, tugging and teasing her aroused nipples.

  “I need to be closer,” he muttered, pushing himself to a sitting position and gripping her hips. She stopped her movements for a moment and smiled seductively. Mac leaned down to capture a pert nipple between his lips. Katie arched her back, giving him more access and he released the nipple to find the other one, pleasuring both of them equally.

  Looking back up at her, he began to slowly thrust from beneath and Katie renewed her movements, guided by his grip on her hips. “Watch me,” he told her. “I want to see you come.” She nodded, tightening her grip on his cock with every thrust.

  Feeling her imminent release, she fought to keep her eyes on his, biting her lower lip in concentration. “Oh...oooh..” Her breaths became faster and shallower. “Oh, God!”

  Mac gave another deep thrust and cried out as his pleasure exploded in time with hers. As her shuddering subsided, he continued to hold her close, whispering softly into her ear. Katie sighed deeply as he gently lowered them onto the bed.

  He pulled her close, arm around her while she rested her head on his shoulder. He could feel her heart pounding against his chest. Lightly, he kissed her forehead.

  They must have dozed because Katie awoke with a start. Mac looked down at her and smiled. “Are you okay?”

  Sleepily, she rubbed her eyes. “I think I fell asleep for a minute.”

  “You’ve had a good workout.” His smile was knowing.

  She couldn’t stop her own smile. “True.” She pushed herself up. “I should probably be going.”

  “Or, you could stay. It’s only a couple of hours until daylight.” As there had been the previous night, there was hope in his eyes.

  Katie’s determined look was back. “No, I should get a little sleep. Our group leaves early for Tulum.”

  “Maybe I’ll see you at breakfast?”

  She shook her head. “Like I said, we’re leaving early.”

  Mac gave a frustrated sigh, but nodded. “I understand. I don’t suppose you’d let me walk you back to your room?”

  Katie smiled as she slid on her dress and zipped it up the side. “You go ahead and get some sleep. You have a big day tomorrow.”

  “Yeah.” Mac stood and walked her to the door. “You should know that this has been special. Spending time with you has meant a lot to me.”

  Katie’s smile turned sad, and the guarded glint was back in her eyes. “You are so sweet. I’ve had a great time, too. Good luck with...everything. Enjoy the rest of your trip.”

  He nodded, resigned. “You, too.” He watched her hurry away down the passageway until she was out of sight.

  Day 3

  When Jayma’s alarm went off, Katie had been in bed for an hour and a half. After returning to her stateroom, she’d gone stra
ight to the shower. Standing under the hot stream, she released the emotions she’d been working hard to suppress. As she cried, she told herself she was being stupid. Her own rules had been no strings, no expectations. She couldn’t bear to admit even to herself that she’d fallen for the handsome man she knew only as ‘you’.

  What if? What if I agreed to keep in touch? What if... She couldn’t follow that line of thought. It was too painful. Better to end it as they had. With great memories of amazing sex.

  It was later that morning, when, dressed in khaki shorts, a purple tank top, and her hair in a ponytail, Katie carried a small floral canvas backpack purse as she and Jayma hurried to meet Michelle and Chelsea at the gangplank. Once they were off the ship, the four made their way to the waiting area for the excursion to Tulum. A rickety-looking, well-used charter bus stood ready and a small group of passengers had already gathered, all wearing tiny round red stickers marked with T, indicating their destination for the day.

  “Do you suppose they’ll stop for coffee or something?” Michelle wondered. “This is very early for a vacation day.”

  “I think they said they’re stopping in a little town on the way,” Jayma answered. She looked to Katie, who was quiet and thoughtful. She knew her friend had had little sleep. She’d been awake when Katie had returned to their room.

  “Hey, Katie, isn’t that your friend?” Chelsea commented.

  Katie looked in the direction Chelsea nodded. There he was across the plaza, and even from her distance, she could see his grin. How could you know someone for mere hours, really, and he gives you such a sense of comfort?

  “I’ll be back in a sec. Don’t let them leave without me.” She didn’t wait for a reply.

  She crossed the plaza confidently and he met her halfway. “Hey, you,” he smiled.

  “Hey, you. I didn’t expect to see you today. Don’t you have a wedding to get to?”

  “I do. My brothers are waiting over there.” Katie looked in the direction he indicated to see the two men standing beside a taxi, both watching the proceedings with interest. A glance in the opposite direction showed her friends watching them as well. “I just thought I’d try to catch you before your group left.” His brow furrowed with concern. “How are you this morning?”

  Katie pasted on a cheerful smile. “I’m good. How about you?”

  “Yeah, I’m good.” He sighed deeply. “Listen, I wanted to say that I meant what I said last night.” He fixed her with an earnest gaze. “I think there’s something here. Maybe we shouldn’t be so quick to walk away.”

  She patted his arm reassuringly. “No strings, no expectations. It’s really better this way.”

  Mac blew out a frustrated breath, nodding reluctantly. “I understand. But before you go, I wanted to give you something.” He reached into the pocked of his tan cargo shorts. “I found this yesterday near the reef. Not surprisingly, I thought of you.”

  He held up a flat pale pink heart-shaped stone about the size of a half-dollar. “It already had the hole in it,” he indicated a small hole near the top of the heart. “Before dinner last night I took it to the jeweler on the ship, had him put it on this chain.” He looked back to her. “I’d really like you to have it.”

  Katie’s resolve nearly melted as she looked at the heart. “It’s lovely.”

  “I would have given it to you last night, but it wasn’t ready until this morning. I had to find you before we parted ways. Will you accept it?”

  She smiled up at him. “I’d be honored.”

  Mac beamed as he fastened the fine silver chain around her neck. The heart hung down to her cleavage. “Just when I thought your breasts couldn’t be prettier...”

  Katie grinned ruefully. “It’s beautiful, thank you.”

  “Are you sure I can’t call you later?”

  She shook her head. “It’s best this way.” She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. He held her waist and deepened the kiss. When they parted, she chewed her lower lip. “Well, you, goodbye. Good luck with your move and your new job.”

  She turned to walk away and had only taken a few steps when he called after her. “Mac.” She stopped dead in her tracks. “My name. It’s Mac.”

  A scowl marred her face as she whirled around. “Why? Why did you do that?” She stalked back to him.

  “Because. When you think about our time together, when you touch yourself...” His voice was dangerously low and he arched his dark eyebrow knowingly. “It’s my name I want you calling out. Mac.” His expression was earnest.

  Katie looked down at her shoes. Finally she looked up. “Katie. I’m Katie.”

  He grinned and nodded. “Katie. I like that. Katie.”

  With one last look, she turned and crossed back to her friends who were in line with the other passengers now boarding the excursion bus. She didn’t look his way again until she was seated. He was rooted where he’d been. As the bus passed, he raised a hand to wave. She pressed her palm to the window until he was out of sight.

  “Oh, my God, are you crying?” Michelle asked from the seat behind Katie and Jayma. “If that guy was ugly to you, I’ll...”

  Katie swiped at her cheek with the heel of her right hand and cleared her throat, stone heart clasped in her other hand. “I’m fine. Just give me a minute.”

  Jayma turned around and glared at Michelle. “Will you please...” she hissed.

  ***

  “Well, well, well, bro, that was quite the PDA.” Danny grinned at him like the Cheshire cat.

  Mac stood watching the bus drive out of sight. “I just made a huge mistake. I never should have let her leave like that.”

  Tommy gripped him by the shoulder. “There’s nothing else you could do, man. She was determined to go. On the bright side, you were able to give her your heart.” Mac looked up to see his little brother suppressing a grin.

  He gave Tommy a playful shove. “It’s not over ‘til it’s over. Come on, we’re getting you married off tonight.”

  ***

  Katie was happy when the conversation on the bus turned to matters at hand. A guide began explaining some of what they would see on their visit to the ancient walled city. By the time they arrived at the ruins, they had a decent working knowledge of the site.

  The first thing that Katie noticed was that the place was crowded. She hadn’t expected there to be so many tourists with their floppy hats and their fanny packs. She and the girls set out on their own, exploring the crumbling structures that had once comprised a bustling port city.

  After about an hour, many of the visitors lost interest in the ruins and made their way down the wooden stairway to the beach. Michelle, Chelsea, and Jayma followed along, happy to kick off their shoes and wade in the surf as Katie stayed in the plaza of the historic site and found a place to herself on a low wall affording her a view of both the ruins and the sparkling turquoise waters of the Caribbean.

  Absently fingering the stone heart around her neck, she thought back to his words. Mac’s words. She shook her head. “I think there’s something here.” What if he was right? She didn’t want to dwell on it too much. She’d felt something, too. Something more than the obvious physical attraction and lust they’d indulged.

  She shook her head more decisively. No. She’d had enough of men breaking her heart. Just leave it at this, they’d had a great time, nobody hurt anybody. They could look back on the experience for the rest of their lives and recall only good things. It was perfect just as it was. Her doubts lingered, though.

  On the bus ride back to the ship, Katie made an effort to be cheerful and talkative, chattering away about their day exploring the ruins and carefully avoiding mention of Mac.

  For dinner that evening, dressed more casually than the previous night, the four women returned to their table ready for another sumptuous meal. Automatically, Katie’s eyes drifted to the table across the room which now sat empty, three pristine place settings waiting for guests who wouldn’t be coming for dinner that night.

&nb
sp; When her attention returned to her own table, all eyes were on her. “So what happened with that guy, anyway?” Chelsea wondered.

  Katie sighed. “Nothing happened.” Unconsciously, she touched the stone heart. “We had a great time and then he left.”

  “In the middle of a cruise, he just left?” Michelle was incredulous.

  “That was their plan all along. The brother is getting married tonight in Cancun. They just spent a couple of days getting there, a brother kind of thing.”

  “And he didn’t tell you that he wasn’t doing the whole cruise?” Jayma had been itching to ask but had tried to respect her friend’s space.

  “He didn’t owe me any kind of explanation at all. We were just going to spend one night together. I pushed my luck with two, truthfully. And it was good. Great, even. Best sex I’ve had in...well, ever. But that’s all it was.”

  The other three eyed her skeptically. “So you don’t have his number?” Michelle asked.

  “No. It’s not like that. I didn’t even want to exchange names, but he told me his at the last minute.”

  Chelsea’s eyes bugged out. “And?!”

  Katie rolled her eyes. “His name is Mac. Are you happy?”

  “Mac,” Jayma repeated thoughtfully. “Did you tell him yours?”

  Katie sighed. “Yes. So there! Now we’re two people who fucked each other’s brains out on a cruise and we know each other’s first names.”

  “What I don’t get is, why all the secrecy?” Michelle wondered out loud. “Why not just take the chance?”

  Katie leaned back in her chair. “This from Ms. My-Rich-Boyfriend-and-I-Have-A-Fabulous-Penthouse-Apartment-In-Dallas. You never have to worry about having your heart broken by some self-serving asshole.”

  Michelle looked down at her plate. “Yeah, well, I’m having to move out of the penthouse apartment. He’s going back to his wife.”

  Katie’s jaw dropped, as did the other women’s. She didn’t know which shocked her more, that Michelle had to move out or that her rich boyfriend was married.