CHAPTER 29
Cancun
Day Nine
Wearing swim trunks and a muscle shirt, Ryan showed up at my door minutes after we docked. I was wearing a spaghetti strap tank and shorts over my bathing suit. I had a canvas tote that carried all my beach essentials, and a netted bag that had my snorkeling equipment in it. Ryan took both from me.
Then he took my hand. I was nervous, excited, scared, and happier than I’d been the entire cruise.
“Where are we meeting Brooke?” he asked.
“We’re not. She called this morning, and said she had some other plans. Which works for me.”
“Works for me too.” He leaned down and kissed me. “So, are you ready?”
Smiling, I nodded. “Definitely.”
The white sandy beaches and the blue, blue waters of Cancun were just what the doctor and Cupid ordered. We’d spread our beach towels over lounge chairs beneath umbrellas. I set my tote bag nearby. I was wearing a water-repellant wristband with a zippered enclosure inside, which I’d placed anything of real importance: money, the key to my room, my I.D.
“You want to snorkel first?” Ryan asked.
“Sure.”
We got ready. Everything seemed so different this time. Before I’d been a novice, learning the ropes. Not that I was totally experienced but I was more familiar with what I was doing. Plus this time I didn’t have Jake around to distract me. Or Brooke. Or anyone else.
It was just Ryan and me.
My ankle was feeling much better. I tried not to put too much pressure on it, but I was fairly certain it would be fine in the water.
As soon as we were geared up, Ryan and I headed for the water. I still felt funny walking over the sand with flippers, but I was also excited about exploring the corral reefs and seeing the brightly colored sea creatures.
We got to the water’s edge, turned at the same time so we could back our way into the water, and took each other’s hand. Only there was another difference this time. We weren’t holding hands for balance. We were holding hands because we wanted to be connected.
Once we were snorkeling, gliding through the water, we continued to hold hands. We pointed out various fish and crabs and urchins to each other. It was a more deeply sharing experience than we’d had previously. Although we’d shared the world beneath the sea before, it just had a different feel this time that was difficult to explain.
Everything seemed brighter, more colorful, more alive—as though I was viewing every aspect of this special world differently. I wasn’t thinking about my to do list or what I needed to check off.
I was simply enjoying the moment, enjoying being with Ryan. It was so magical, and I was glad that this last day before the ship turned toward home that I had Ryan all to myself.
When we’d seen all we wanted to see, we headed back to shore. As soon as we were out of the water, I sat on the sand and removed my flippers. “That was awesome,” I said.
“I never get tired of snorkeling,” Ryan said. “It’s such a fascinating world.”
He stood and helped me get to my feet. “How’s your ankle?”
“It just has a little twinge, so I might even be able to dance tonight.”
“Great.”
We walked back to where our loungers waited. I dropped my gear onto my bag and stretched out on my stomach so the heat, sun, and breeze could dry me off. It felt wonderful.
“Want something to drink?” Ryan asked.
“Yeah, I’ll take a margarita.”
“I’ll be right back.”
I reached for my sunglasses, put them on, and watched him jog to the thatch-roofed building, where drinks were being made. “Lindsay Darnell,” I murmured, “you were crazy not to have been spending all your cruise with him.”
We spent the afternoon lounging in the sun and sipping margaritas. I was feeling terrific. Lying on my back now, I looked over at Ryan and found him watching me.
Smiling, I crooked my finger and wiggled it, signaling for him to join me. With a grin he got up, came over, and stretched out beside me. Although we were on a crowded beach, we weren’t the only ones sharing a lounger.
Since we were both wearing bathing suits, it felt really intimate. Ryan lowered his mouth to mine. It was wonderful. Hotter than the sand beneath us.
And I couldn’t help but wonder: If this is what the afternoon holds for me, what will the night hold?
The evening was more fun than the afternoon had been. Ryan and I ate dinner at the Hard Rock Café. Drank more margaritas, and talked as much as we could in a place were loud music made it difficult to hear.
“What’s college really like?” I asked.
“Some partying, mostly studying,” he said.
“I hear the classrooms are big.”
“Your core classes are usually held in auditoriums. Upperclassman classes are smaller.”
“I’m nervous.”
“You’ll do great.”
I reached across the table and took his hand. I liked being able to do that without worrying about what he thought or if it was the right thing to do.
“Are you ready to head back to the ship?” he asked.
I wasn’t…and yet I was. It was our last night at a port. In the morning the ship would set sail. We’d spend tomorrow evening on the sea and arrive in Galveston the day after that. It seemed that everything was moving quickly now. Coming to a close.
“I’d like to walk along the beach first,” I told him.
“We can manage that.”
When we reached the beach, I slipped off my sandals. The sand felt wonderful beneath my soles.
The sun had almost set. The sky and the ocean were beautiful. I felt as though I was in paradise. And then Ryan took me into his arms and I knew that I was.
The kiss was slow. Exploring tongues. As somewhere off in the distance, the sun sank below the horizon. A ship’s horn blasted. The roar of the surf filled my ears, or maybe it was simply the rush of my blood.
Our bodies were pressed close. Our mouths closer. I couldn’t have placed the kiss into a category if I’d had to. It was too incredible for words.
Ryan drew back slightly, and pressed his forehead to mine, his arms looped around me, his hands resting against the small of my back. My arms were wrapped around his neck.
“So what did you think?” he asked.
“Spectacular.”
“The day?”
“You.”
“So does that mean that you want to spend tomorrow together as well?”
“Definitely.”
CHAPTER 30
The Enchantment
Night Ten
The last day and night of the cruise were insane, as though everyone onboard could sense the minutes ticking down before the cruise ended. Everyone wanted to cram in one more moment of fun, one more margarita, one more dance, one more kiss.
Our little group had spent much of the day together at the pool and the miniature water park. Riding the waterslides. Playing water volleyball. Soaking up the sun.
The entire time, Ryan was at my side, sneaking in kisses now and then. When we scored in volleyball. When we shared nachos. When we went down a waterslide together.
I suppose it was becoming evident to everyone that we’d hooked up, because none of the other guys were trying to get my attention.
With my back to his chest, his arms around me, I stood on the top deck with Ryan and watched the sun set on our final night of the cruise. Sometime tomorrow we’d arrive in Galveston. I couldn’t believe that I’d been gone for a little more than a week. In a way it seemed like a lifetime.
We weren’t the only ones on the deck. It was crowded up here, and I wondered if Mom was up here with Walter. If she was, I didn’t see her.
“Do you want to hear something totally crazy?” I asked Ryan.
“Shoot.”
“I had all these plans for this to be the very best vacation of my life. Nothing went as I planned. But you know what? I don’t think I
’d trade a single minute of it. Especially the last two days.”
His arms tightened around me. “I’m glad to hear that. And we still have all of tonight. I don’t think anyone is planning to sleep.”
I certainly wasn’t.
When the sky darkened and the stars came out, Ryan and I headed to Cruisin’. We found Brooke sharing a table with our little group. She was sitting between Shooter and Marc. They’d been on either side of her all day. I didn’t want to contemplate that maybe she was planning to spend her last evening with two guys. But if she was, that was totally her business. Not mine.
Although we ordered pitchers of margarita, I only drank one glass. I didn’t want to lose sight of my last night, to get wasted, or to even have a buzz going. I didn’t mind the one drink to relax me, but I wanted to make memories tonight. And margaritas were more for those who might be wanting to forget things.
I didn’t want to forget a single moment of this last night of the cruise. Ryan and I were together. Snuggled up against each other, talking quietly, kissing occasionally, and dancing when the music suited us.
We were so in tuned. As though we were reading each other’s minds, knew what the other was thinking, what the other wanted.
As the night progressed, the party got louder. People got drunk. Chad passed out again. His buddies left him on the floor where he landed.
It was nearly midnight when Ryan said, “I can hardly think in here anymore.”
“Me either.”
“Want to go?”
I nodded. Then I leaned toward Brooke. “We’re going.”
“Okay. See you at the pool tomorrow.”
I walked out of Cruisin’ with Ryan’s arm around me. We walked to the elevator. No one else was inside. When the doors closed, he took me into his arms and kissed me. Hungrily, greedily, as though he couldn’t get enough of me.
Which was fine with me. I couldn’t get enough of him either.
“So you wanna check off that last task?” he asked.
“No.”
His head came up, and I could see the confusion in his eyes. He obviously thought I was rejecting him.
“I want to make love with you, though.”
He furrowed his brow. “I don’t understand.”
“Neither did I. Not at first. I thought it was all about losing my virginity. And that’s really, so totally, not even an issue. I just want to be with you. Virgin or not.”
A slow grin spread across his face. “Let’s make it not.”
The elevator stopped on our deck. We got off. With our arms around each other, stopping every few feet for a kiss, we finally made it to the door to my room. I reached into my purse, pulled out my key, and handed it to him.
With a grin he slipped it into his pocket, and tugged me to his room. Inside he had chilled champagne waiting.
He poured us each a glass.
“What if I’d said no?” I asked.
“I would have gotten drunk.” He tapped his glass against mine. “Here’s to ending this cruise the way you planned.”
But when we set our glasses aside and fell onto the bed together, I knew we weren’t going to end this cruise the way I’d planned.
Because I’d never planned to fall in love.
CHAPTER 31
The Enchantment
Day Eleven
The next morning I went down to the pool. Brooke was already there, lying on a lounger in our favorite area.
I dropped down on the deck chair beside hers. “So how are you this morning?” I asked.
“In love.”
I felt my eyes widen. “With whom?”
She blushed. “Shooter.”
“You’re kidding.”
Grinning she shook her head. “I’m so stupid, Lindsay. I was so caught up with sleeping with every guy around that I totally missed the boat. So to speak. He’s everything Chris isn’t. And get this.” She leaned over and grabbed my arm. “He’s not upset that I slept with all his friends. As long as I don’t do it again.”
“So you’re going to keep seeing him?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Can you believe it? I feel like such an idiot. He was there all along, and I just, like, so did not see him. Which is quite a feat considering how tall he is.”
“I don’t believe this!”
“I’m having a hard time believing it too. I’m just so happy. And Chris. I hope he gets my postcard, and I hope he does go to hell.”
I laughed. This was unbelievable.
“What about you?” she asked.
“What about me?”
She angled her head as though she wanted to study me. “Do I look stupid? I saw the way you and Ryan were looking at each other last night, and kissing every chance you got.”
I felt the heat rush to my face. “We had our own little private party after we left Cruisin’.”
She squealed and squeezed my hand. So un-Brooke-like.
“I knew it. From the moment he brought you your earring. I knew he was your destiny.”
“We’ll be at the same university in the fall, so it’ll work out.”
“This is so totally cool. Who would have thought we’d both fall in love on this cruise?”
“It was definitely the very best vacation I’ve ever had.”
“We’ll be docking in Galveston this evening,” she said. “Want to grab our guys and do a little partying?”
“Can you party with just four people?” I teased.
“Definitely. How about you?”
“When one of them is Ryan, I can party with just two.”
“Speaking of…” She nodded in the direction behind me.
I turned and there was Ryan, striding toward me. I’d certainly seen him looking happier—especially last night.
“Hey, Brooke,” he said without smiling.
“Hey. Think I hear Shooter calling for me. See you when we dock.”
She walked off.
“Why are you going to see her when we dock?” Ryan asked.
“We’re going to party in Galveston with her and Shooter.”
“Shooter? She’s with Shooter?”
“Looks to be serious.”
“Man, I never would have figured that match up.” He sat on the edge of my lounger. “Do you have something against waking me up in the morning before you leave?”
I sat up and pressed a kiss to his lips. “You were just sleeping so soundly that I didn’t want to disturb you.”
He grinned. “So next time, disturb me.”
“What makes you think there’ll be a next time?” I teased, knowing without a doubt that there would be.
“Because I love you.”
I wound my arms around his neck. “That works for me.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. Because I love you too.”
Then he gave me one of those soul-searing, heart-stopping kisses that I’d discovered he was very good at.
I’d cruised the Caribbean. But Ryan was taking me places that I’d never gone to before.
Being with Ryan wasn’t about a task on my to do list.
Being with Ryan was simply about…being with Ryan.
About the Author
RACHEL HAWTHORNE lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband, two sons, and a dog. Before writing full-time, she was a programmer but quickly discovered that creating stories was more fun than creating code.
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Copyright
CARIBBEAN CRUISING. Copyright © 2004 by Rachel Hawthorne. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, n
ow known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
ePub Edition March 2007 ISBN 9780061756320
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