If Not For You (27 page)

“If you keep that up, we’ll never leave this bed today.”

“And the problem with that?” I asked, as I slung my leg over his thighs.

“Oh my God, I’ve created a monster.”

“Mmm…” I purred and locked my lips with his. We rolled around on the bed, nearly falling off the edge, when a knock at the door startled us both.

“I’ll get that, meet you on the balcony,” Gage said, as he kissed the tip of my nose and threw on his robe.

Philippe always had this unwavering grin on his face when he saw us together, he was polite and far too practiced to say a word out of line. But you could tell he had put two and two together more than once in his career. Knowing when and where to tread was his business and he did it well.

“What would you suggest we do today Philippe?” Gage asked, as Philippe emptied his tray of coffee, creamer and sugar onto the table.

“Well Mr. Carter, that depends. If you wish to partake in an outdoor activity, I might suggest shuffle board, golf or a day by the pool. If indoor activities spark your interest, there is the casino, a movie or the spa.”

“We could try shuffleboard,” Gage suggested, “it could be fun!”

“Seriously, you want to play shuffleboard? It’s for old people.”

“Sure why not?” he shrugged. “I’m certain it’s not just for old people.”

“You’re the boss.” I said, with my hands up in surrender.

“You heard that Phil, you’re my witness, I’m the boss!” He said pointing his thumbs at his chest and I sat back in my chair with a snort. Gage and Philippe shared a look, one of those stupid brotherhood bullshit things, no doubt.

I scoffed at the pair of them and stood tightening the tie on my robe meandering off to the bathroom. Leaving them to high five or do whatever the brotherhood protocol called for, the silly bastards.

It wasn’t too long before I had company, company who crushed his pelvis against my butt and pulled my hair off the back of my neck, so he could sink his teeth into the tender flesh where my neck and shoulder met. I let out a squeal.

“You’re killing me, you know this right?” I squirmed, pushing my rear end back against his lovely package.

“Uh huh,” he hummed and sucked my earlobe between his lips.

“Do your damnedest Mr. Carter, we’re still playing shuffleboard.” I informed him and spun around to face him.

“Okay, you’re the boss,” he bent forward and whispered into my ear, “for now.”

Pulling back he narrowed his eyes and smirked. His nostrils flared as he buried his hand in the hair at the nape of my neck and with gentle force, pulled my head back, licking his tongue from the swell of my breast to my bottom lip and kissed me with a fever like he never had before. Sauntering out of the room without as much as a glance, he left me sopping wet and extremely aroused.

This hedonistic darkness he exuded had me breathless and incredibly turned on, I’d have to change my panties again. Perhaps a trip to the boutique was in order, the way I was going through them. Surely the laundry service would have trouble keeping up.

***

“I officially suck at shuffleboard,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest and pouting. I’ll admit it, I’m a terrible loser.

“You don’t suck at shuffleboard, you played better than me,” Gage laughed, trying to get in a hug, but I darted to the left he missed by a mere inch, just skimming the tail end of my t-shirt.

“The old lady in the muumuu played better than you, I at least gave Ernie a run for his money a few times,” I laughed, just dodging his reach each time he attempted to swoop in on me.

“See, by your own admission, you didn’t totally suck.” His hand brushed over the cheek of my ass when I spun like a top, ever so slightly out of range, he growled and I could tell he didn’t like this contest. I on the other hand was enjoying torturing him.

“Come on baby, forget the game. We’ll call it a tie and say we both sucked.”

“Ah suck this,” I said, with a jerking hand gesture at my crotch, pursing my lips together to hold back my smile. Holy shit I couldn’t believe what I had just done and said, and out loud to boot.

Gage grabbed my hand and pulled me into his chest as he howled with laughter, pulling me from my loser mood and out of anyone’s sight.

I blame my lack of sportsmanship on my grade eight lesbian gym teacher, Miss Fellows. It was her stupid belief that girls should give it their all, just like the boys and be truly ashamed if they lost which I did most of the time, having to do extra laps around the football field. Humiliated nearly every night, I ran around that field as the football team barked and howled like the moon was full and the smell of blood was pungent in the air. I hated that bitch.

“I hope no one saw that,” he laughed, looking around as he took my hand in his and dragged me away. Deep down I liked it when he was forceful, I’d have to think of other ways to spark that dominant side of Gage, and then I sighed.

“I’m sorry that wasn’t very lady-like, was it?” I apologized, feeling a bit foolish. It was after all just a game and a pretty poor one at that.

“Not really, sweetheart, it’s a side of you I didn’t expect. Should I be concerned?” he asked, running his hand over the curve of my butt just at the top of my thigh. “Are there other sides that might bite me in the ass later on?

“If you’re lucky,” I teased, enjoying the look on Gage’s face, his brows raised and mouth hanging open in a smile. He stopped dead in his tracks. I could see the wheels spinning behind those sexy eyes of his.

“I think I like this side, this side I can handle,” he smiled, as he stared into my eyes, examining me closely.

“Like the way you handled me this morning in the bathroom?” I asked, not taking my eyes off of his.

I could see a darker side of Gage, not evil dark, but a sexy dark. Like the BDSM books I read on occasion. Wouldn’t that be a delicious unearthing? Uncovering a playfully hidden Dom, behind the pretty blue peepers that now glared at me with want and desire, all mine to discover.

“Did you like that? Did it do something for you?” he asked quietly, moving his lips closer to my ear, being sure to keep our conversation private, as people strolled by us.

“I won’t lie and say it didn’t.” I bit my lip and smiled.

“Mmm…good to know,” he said, releasing his hold and starting to walk again, strolling slowly without a word. I picked up my pace and caught up to him, lacing my fingers through his.

Something was brewing behind those eyes I had no doubt about it, something slightly on the deeper, shadowy side. I suppose this was the part where I sucked in a deep breath and stood quaking in my boots, like in the movies? Yeah well, it was too warm to quake and I wasn’t wearing boots. All I could do was smile as Gage tightened his grip.

“I need to do a little shopping, get a few things.” he said, as we made our way past the crowd gathered around the pool listening to a steel band playing. I wanted to ask what he needed but I left it, I had my own agenda.

“I have a few things I need to do myself.”

“We can meet later for dinner, where do you want to go?” Gage asked.

“I don’t know, nothing too fancy, you pick okay?” I said. I was not in the mood for dressing up and being among a lot of people. I wanted Gage to myself, alone, in our private world. I had tasted what he offered and I wanted more, so much more. I licked my tongue across my lips and Gage’s eyes followed the damp trail my tongue left behind. I heard him sigh.

“Sure, I’ll text you.” Gage said forcing himself to step away. I grabbed his shirt tail and pulled him back bumping our chests together.

“Kiss me you fool,” I said. Gage wasted no time slipping his hand into my hair and giving it a gentle pull, forcing my head to tilt up to him and giving me a long kiss. No open mouth, no tongues colliding, just a sweet long kiss. My heart started to race and my breathing hitched just as he pulled away.

Then he winked and walked off in the opposite direction rounding the corner and I was alone, hot, bothered and breathless. It was kinda weird being suddenly alone after spending so much time with Gage, but it was also kind of refreshing too. God knows I didn’t want to become dependent on Gage and I certainly didn’t want him to get bored with me. A few hours apart were well in order.

A quick visit to the ship’s Doctor was in order too; after all I’d be a fool to leave protection solely to Gage. Therefore it was my duty to get the good Doctors help. I had started taking the pill years ago as a precaution since my father trusted no one, even me. I used the excuse that they helped to regulate periods but never took it seriously, never had to. After a few tests and blood work, Doctor Porter upgraded me to a stronger dose and gave me a supply to last the rest of my trip and then some. Making sure I was still taking my meds every morning, he wished me good luck and sent me on my way.

I browsed around a few high end boutiques full of couture gowns and highly priced shoes and costume jewelry. But it was the back room that interested me, full of night ware, sexy lingerie and the panties I was looking for.

Picking through the racks upon racks of lacy, frilly, satin and silk panties, I had at least two dozen set aside for definite purchase, totally bypassing my usual cotton, sensible panties. I found a few pretty baby doll sets, one solid pink satin, with black satin trim and matching thong. And the second a white stretch lace, just see-through enough to get a certain gentleman’s full attention and keep it.

Paying for my purchases, I had that feeling that someone was watching me again. I looked out the stores plate glass window at the few passersby, not seeing anyone in particular looking my way, nearby or at a distance. I shook my head feeling like an idiot for being paranoid over nothing.

Gathering up my packages I headed to my room to put my things away, pick out what to wear to dinner and email the girls. Walking along the hall it happened again, that feeling, but this time it was so much stronger.

I looked to my left and then my right, no one. A sense of panic came over me and I found myself practically running to my room door. Fumbling clumsily in my pocket for my card key, I finally pulled it out and like the stupid bitch in the horror flicks that I hated beyond belief, I dropped it to the floor.

Finally when the green light lit, I forced the door open, jumped into my room and pushed the piston driven door closed and slid the chain across, just to make myself feel more secure.

I peeked through the peep hole in the door for several minutes until I was convinced that my mind was playing tricks on me. I poured a large glass of wine and sat on the end of my bed. Dumping out the bag of panties onto the bed, I removed the price tags and arranged them into one of the drawers and then hung the baby dolls in the tiny closet.

There was still no text from Gage, so I decided to take the time to email my girls, grabbed my phone, wine and laptop and headed out to the balcony.

A standard email went out to the girls, telling them about my past few days’ events minus of course the losing of the dreaded V, not necessary for all of them to know all the details of my sex life. Holy shit! I actually had a sex life, what a revelation! But Tess, she was my very best friend and after all the firsts we’d shared, this was one hell of a first for me, she had to know.

Hey Tess, the weathers so wonderful, we have been at sea for a few days and I’m having a great time. Speaking of great times, I have to tell you about Gage. He is the guy I met at dinner, the blond with the amazing dimples. Did I tell you about his dimples? They’re great if I didn’t. We have been seeing a lot of each other, we have this great rapport. He’s sweet and sexy and we had sex, it was amazing. I finally said goodbye to the big V! (Scream!!!) Anyway, I’m happy, real happy. Talk to you soon, love you! Tandy Wanton, Sex Goddess!

Almost immediately I was alerted to a new email and laughed at the speed with which my friend could type when she got or needed the latest gossip.

Are you fucking kidding me? You finally let a man blow off the cobwebs and fuck you, HOLY SHIT! Congrats chick! Welcome to the land of the living. So tell me all about it, nice bod, average bod, little dick, big dick? Did you give him a blow job? Better yet did he go down on you? How many times did you orgasm, was it multiple? Don’t hold anything back on me now girl. Tess
.

Tess, nosy or what? Yes I finally had sex, no cobwebs bitch and it was fabulous. He has the body of an athlete, I kid you not, and it’s huge, swear to god, huge! (Crossing my heart) So big I nearly had a heart attack when I saw it. Best part? He knows how to use it. Jealous yet? You should be! Lol Love you, talk soon. Tandy.

Lucky bitch! I’m happy for you. Enjoy the rest of your cruise with Mr. Sexy! Love you too!Tess.

You couldn’t have slapped the smile off of my face. It was great to tell Tess I was no longer a virgin. That I had a man deflower me, nip my bud, pop my cherry, as crude as that all sounded, I was just happy I didn’t have to deal with it ever again.

My phone came to life and startled me with a text from Gage.

Dinner at 7 in our room that okay with you?

Better than okay, I’ll be waiting.

Naked I hope.

Not naked but you’ll like.

Glad that I didn’t have to dress up, I held the new white baby doll up at my front as I looked in the mirror. Another text came telling me he had a surprise for me. I couldn’t wait and jumped in the shower.

I dried my hair and piled it in a messy bun secured with a single clip on the top of my head and dressed in my baby doll, throwing on my robe to disguise my surprise for Gage. I sprayed Roberto Cavalli perfume in the air and walked through the mist, so as not to overdo it and applied a tiny bit of lip-gloss, forgoing the usual mascara and eye shadow.

My mind wandered to Gage’s word ‘our’ when he announced dinner plans. I liked that. There had never been an ‘our’ in my life and I was cozying up nice and warm to the idea. Was there a chance at becoming a couple? I shook the idea free, I was being crazy. In a few short weeks the cruise would be over and we’d go our separate ways. I stood refusing to allow my bad thoughts, that stupid overthinking I did, to shadow the beginning of a great evening.