The Alpha's Second Chance

by Jillian Riley

  “We should probably be getting back. Even though we have until 7:30, I don’t want to risk missing the ship.” I stood up, and we walked toward the entrance of the coffee place.

  “You know. I thought I’d see a lot more virgins here,” Sam said.

  “What?”

  “You know. The Virgin Islands. The islands of your people? They should have called them the Charlie Islands.”

  “Wow. Well, I guess the next time I give a talk we can go to the island of your people.” I smiled at her.

  “Which island would that be?”

  “Islay Island.” I pronounced it “eye-lay.”

  “Very funny.”

  I knew she was just being playful, but I was getting a little tired of being the brunt of everyone’s “virgin” jokes. It was definitely time to do something about it.

  .

  14

  Dean: My Fickle Mistress

  That was too close. That woman from last night, what was her name, Sammie? kept yelling at me. It’s one thing to sneak downstairs in the dark for a drink. It’s another thing to be caught off the ship wearing civilian clothes when I’m supposed to be on duty. I definitely couldn’t do that again.

  The other one, Like a Virgin, obviously didn’t want to see me. She kept her head down and was practically hiding under her chair to avoid seeing me. I walked past her after I was in uniform but she never looked up from her phone. I will admit it was pretty funny seeing Sammie staring at the restroom door, looking for the guy in jeans and a hoodie.

  I definitely should have been a spy.

  After putting the legal papers in my cabin, I went back to the bridge. We needed to leave the port by 1945 in order to get into international waters so that the casino and duty-free shops could open.

  I was tired and looking forward to getting home and reading those papers. But, I had work to do, so I distracted myself talking to my colleagues about the mystery shopper. No one seemed to know who it was for sure, but everyone had an idea.

  The only person who seemed to be staying out of the conversation was Carlos. He seemed pretty subdued the whole time, but who could blame him? The cruise life was hard on families, and my guess was that he and his wife succumbed to the same kinds of problems that Gianna and I had fallen into. It was very hard to have a family and be gone for months at a time.

  The ship’s horn honked as we sailed out to sea. On to our next port. Such was the life of a sailor.

  Ciao must have been picking up on my energy because she was a complete freak when I got back to my cabin. Racing around, jumping from couch to table, meowing and howling. It wasn’t until I fed and brushed her that she flopped over on her side and started purring.

  The manila envelope sat on the table. It was time. I needed to see what was inside.

  Crossing the living room, I was almost to the table when my doorbell rang. Who could be here at this late hour?

  For a half-second, I thought it might be Like a Virgin, but as soon as I thought it I remembered that she had no idea that I was the captain. And, she’d have no way of accessing this floor.

  Opening the door, I was surprised to see Carlos standing there. He was wearing a Lakers t-shirt and shorts.

  “Good evening, sir. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

  “No, not at all, Carlos. Come in. And no need for formalities. We’re both off duty.” Technically, I was never off duty, but that wasn’t the point. He was obviously here for a reason and needed a friend, not a boss.

  “Thank you.” He came inside. “Are you all ready for the Captain’s Dinner tomorrow night?”

  “I hate those things.” I went to the fridge to get a couple of beers. Holding one up to Carlos, he nodded, and I popped open the top and handed it to him. “What can I do for you?”

  We went over to the couch and sat down and I waited for him to tell me why he was here. Ciao just looked up from her sleeping position, yawned, and went back to sleep.

  “I wanted some advice.”

  “Okay?”

  “I am thinking about becoming a captain. But, I want to know if you think that the sacrifices are worth it. This whole thing with having Kelly onboard has reminded me of how much I’ve already given up for my career. You and Gianna seem to have a happy marriage. How do you do it?”

  Oh man. I couldn’t look him straight in the face and lie. I was going to have to tell him the truth.

  “Honestly, Carlos, I don’t do it.”

  His facial expression changed to one of confusion. “I don’t understand.”

  “Do you see that envelope over there?” I pointed to the papers on the table. “Those are divorce papers. Gianna filed for divorce.”

  His face fell. “What? Oh my gosh! Captain Luca! I had no idea. You never said anything.”

  I shook my head. “No, I didn’t. It just happened right before we left Miami and, frankly, I wasn’t ready to talk about it yet. But to answer your question, only you can know if the sacrifice is too great. For me, I am getting weary of it. I’m starting to think I want to settle down. Do something more practical where I can be home more often. I love the sea, but she is a fickle mistress.”

  Carlos stayed for about an hour and we talked about his life and his relationship with Kelly and what led up to his divorce. I didn’t talk much about my own situation because we weren’t two friends swapping war stories. I was his boss and his mentor and he’d come to me for advice.

  After he’d left, I finally had the chance to grab the envelope and sit down to look at it. Part of me dreaded seeing what was in it, but part of me was also curious. Which way was Gianna going to go with this? Was she going to be a bitch, or were we going to have one of those “conscious uncouplings” I’d read about in the celebrity news?

  Tearing the thick envelope open, the first thing I noticed was a bunch of lawyer-speak. That was to be expected, I supposed. I was flipping through it, looking for her proposed settlement when a small white envelope slipped out into my lap. It was in Gianna’s handwriting.

  Setting the rest of the paperwork aside, I opened the small envelope. There was a folded piece of white lined paper, and I could see her scrawling penmanship through the thin paper.

  Dear Dean,

  I am so sorry that things ended up this way. When we married, I had hopes that being married to a ship captain wouldn’t be as bad as my friends and family warned me. And, at first, it was fun. We’d meet in all kinds of exotic locations and have romantic weekends. But, that’s not real life or a real marriage. I want more. I want a husband to come home to every day. One who’ll be there to raise children with me and to watch our family grow day by day.

  I know you well enough to know that part of you wants to offer to quit your job and honor your commitment to me. I appreciate and respect that in you. But, if we are both honest, we will admit that our relationship doesn’t have the foundation that would support that. You’d end up resenting me and I’d end up miserably guilty. You can’t leave your career out of obligation. Only passion and the desire to have a life with someone can make that happen. And that someone is not me.

  Let’s just split things 50/50 and go our separate ways. I wish you the very best in life, Dean. You are a good man.

  Warmly,

  Gianna

  I tossed the paper on top of the lawyer’s paperwork. Ciao jumped up on my lap and began licking my chin.

  I wasn’t sure what to feel, but mainly, I felt free. Free of the guilt from not being good enough or there enough. I was free to someday find the kind of love that I wanted. I was ready to leave the cruise line and settle down. But, Gianna was right. I wasn’t ready to do it with her.

  Grabbing the pen that was on the table, I quickly scanned the paperwork and when I saw that everything was as she’d said it would be, a 50/50 split, I signed my name and stuck the papers in the return envelope. I’d send them back in our next port, and in six months I’d be a free man.

  Restless, I went over to check emails and looked over the guestli
st for tomorrow night’s Captain’s Dinner. It was here in my quarters, which I didn’t love, but that was why I had that nice dining room. I wouldn’t have to do anything but just smile and be gracious.

  One name on the list caught my eye. It was a guy named Charlie Miller, he was the one who the book about health and fitness. I’d been meaning to up my fitness game. Maybe I’d get some pointers during dinner. If I was going to be single again, it was definitely time to bring my sexy back.

  15

  Charlie: It’s Going Down

  I finally got the downtime I’d been needing since before we left Parker. Sam had gone out with that guy Josh who came up on stage during my talk. They’d gone to the pool and jacuzzi, and that meant I could lounge around the suite.

  First, I ordered breakfast. It was a healthy bowl of steel-cut oats and fresh fruit that I took out to the balcony. The morning was beautiful and since we were at sea, all I could see for miles and miles was the blue ocean and white clouds.

  I’d brought my journal and after coffee, I spent some time writing in it. I’d been keeping a diary since high school and found it was a great place to vent my frustrations, dream, lament, celebrate, and basically process my emotions.

  Lately, I’d been thinking about still being a virgin. I wasn’t trying to hang on to it for any romantic reason, and in fact, at this point, it was more of a hindrance than anything. When I managed to get a date in my small town, as soon as the guy found out I hadn’t slept with anyone he panicked. No one wanted to be trapped into marriage because he’d been my first. They thought afterwards I’d said, “Now you have to marry me.”

  Sam had suggested that I just hook up with some guy here on the cruise, but this was a work trip. I wasn’t going to risk not getting invited back because I slept with one of the other passengers.

  But, if I were going to do that, it would definitely be UCLA Guy.

  After I’d written in my journal a bit, I went to go take a shower. We were having that spa day later this afternoon, and I wanted to shave my legs and wash my hair and stuff so that I wouldn’t have to do it later.

  The Captain’s dinner thing was at 8, and I was hoping to just get in there, make an appearance and get out. Maybe go hang out in the library and read or something. This was a day to relax, and I just wanted to get the professional obligation out of the way and enjoy myself.

  Getting out of the shower, I wrapped myself in a fluffy towel and checked my phone. We had a couple of hours before our spa appointments. Maybe I’d take a nap…

  I was on my stomach, naked. I hadn’t had too many massages, but this was by far the best I’d ever experienced. The room smelled like warm lavender and the massage table was cushioned so I felt like I was lying on a pillow. My masseuse, Ming Chen was petite, but had incredibly strong hands. Her fingers were working out knots of tension that I didn’t even know were there.

  I felt myself drifting off a bit, and I heard the door to the room open and close. Figuring that Ming Chen must have stepped out to get more oil or something, I just enjoyed the blissful feeling of relaxation. Soon after, the door opened again, and I felt the warm sensation of oil being poured down my spine.

  “Mmmm… that feels so good,” I said.

  Ming Chen didn’t say anything but increased her pressure. Her hands seemed even stronger if that were possible. And, maybe even a little rougher?

  I felt thumbs running up and down my spine and then fingers sliding around my rib cage. I wasn’t a lesbian, but I had to admit I was feeling a little turned on.

  The hands kept massaging me, and each time crept a little closer to my breasts. Long fingers reached almost around to my nipples and I involuntarily spread my legs a little, under the blanket. Yes, I was definitely getting aroused.

  The hands began to work their way down, toward my lower back. They were kneading and massaging me and it was so erotic that my breathing began to speed up. Should I say something? Stop her?

  Just then, a voice said to me, “You like it when I touch you, don’t you?” It was not Ming Chen! It was a man!

  I whipped up and turned around to see who was touching me. It was him! The guy from the piano bar!

  “How…” How did he get here?

  He walked around to the front of the massage table and leaned in and kissed me. Those hands that had been teasing me finally grasped my breasts, and he began gently pinching my nipples. Oh god, it felt so good. His tongue was exploring my mouth, and my body arched toward him. All I would need to do would be to flip over on the massage table and spread my legs and he could have all of me. I was wet and ready to be explored.

  As if he read my mind, he turned me over and threw the blanket on the floor. My belly twitched when he kissed my belly button. He began kissing and licking his way down between my legs.

  Then, he looked up at me and said, “Charlie, is there any kiwi left?”

  What?

  “Charlie. Charlie, wake up. Is there any kiwi left?”

  My eyes fluttered open and for a second I was completely disoriented. Where was Ming Chen? UCLA Guy? Sam was standing above me holding a cardboard box. I wasn’t getting an erotic massage, I was sleeping.

  “Yeah, the second box is in the fridge behind the eggs.”

  “Okay, thanks. Sorry to wake you.” She then leaned in to look at me more closely. “Are you sweating? Your cheeks are flushed. Are you coming down with something?”

  No, but I was ready for someone to go down on me...

  16

  Dean: I Like It Spicy

  I was in the shower, dreading the Captain’s dinner. A couple of the galley chefs were in my kitchen making a special meal for the guests. You’d think that by now I’d be used to these things. After all, they happened every couple of weeks.

  And, honestly, it wasn’t even that big of a deal. I didn’t have to cook or clean, just show up in my own dining room and eat food and drink wine and talk to people who were for the most part pretty interesting. I’d met celebrities and politicians from around the world, as well as artists and athletes, musicians and scientists.

  Tonight we had that guy Charlie Miller (whose book I’m embarrassed to say I never even opened) and his plus one. Sam something or the other. Probably a gay couple, I was guessing. There was an older couple from England who were with the ministry of something-or-other. There was a model and her “agent.” And that was it, I think.

  Shaving my face, I took a good look in the mirror. Those circles were still under my eyes and my skin looked… rough. I needed a vacation. Maybe after this sailing, I’d take some time off. Go to Greece or Brazil and have a fling with a local. That would get my mind off of Gianna and the divorce.

  By the time I finished dressing, I could smell something savory coming from my kitchen, and I made up my mind. It was definitely time for Dean Luca to get back into the game. I’d call tomorrow and arrange some time off to have a sexy holiday. Maybe it was even time to think about a career change.

  Because my quarters were on a secured floor, the guests all met in the lobby bar area and were escorted up by one of the staff. As such, everyone arrived at the same time.

  Riju, the chef, had put out appetizers for everyone. It looked like what I was smelling was Indian food, as there were samosas and papadum and various chutneys. I’d never really had much Indian food before I started working on cruise ships, but the intense flavors of garlic and ginger combined with a variety of spices had become my favorite food. Don’t tell my mother, but I liked it even better than Italian food.

  There was always a flurry of activity when everyone arrived, as we were getting settled in with drinks and introductions. The model was as I’d expected her to be. Tall, thin, blonde and heavily made up. She sounded French, and her name was Zelda. Her agent, Ronaldo, was as I’d expected him to be. Fat, short, and balding. And, clearly sleeping with Zelda. I’d never seen her work, but then again, I am not a reader of fashion magazines. I just hoped that Ronaldo was a good agent and not just a sleaze taking advant
age of a pretty girl.

  The British couple seemed fun. The woman, Mary, had a long face and big teeth and her accent was very “Queen’s English.” “Do I smell curry?” she asked as she walked in. “Oh, I do hope so. I adore curry.”

  Her husband, Stewart, was shorter than her by about six inches and very portly. His face was red, which told me he enjoyed a drink or two, and the way he licked his lips when looking at Zelda told me that Mary probably had her hands full keeping him in line.

  The one thing I didn’t understand was where that guy Charlie Miller was. He didn’t come up with the rest of the group. Part of me was secretly relieved that he was a no-show since I hadn’t even taken his book out of the Amazon envelope.

  As I was answering the question I always get, “So, what made you decide to become a ship’s captain?” my doorbell rang. That was odd.

  Opening it, I saw David, one of our security personnel. “Excuse me, sir. Two of your dinner guests ran late, but it wasn’t their fault. There was some sort of problem at the spa. I told her I would see if it was okay for her to still join the dinner.”

  Her? We didn’t have a “her” missing. Charlie and Sam were the gay couple.

  Just then, someone stepped out from behind David and my jaw dropped. It was most definitely not a man. It was that woman! Like a Virgin! Standing right here in my doorway. And her friend Sam was behind her. Also a woman.

  From the look on her face, she was just as shocked as I was. Not surprising, really, as she’d never seen me in uniform.

  “It’s you!” she exclaimed as soon as she saw me. “You’re the captain of the ship?”