Sea Breeze (4 page)

Each plaza has some sort of music playing, making the crowds of people hard to maneuver. We narrowly avoid our deaths when a taxi almost runs us down. A yelp escapes me, and Eric saves us by coming to a last-minute stop before crossing the street. Keeping me close, he’s basically dragging me through the streets of San Juan. His long strides actually require me to jog in order to keep up.

We pass a local bar playing reggaeton, and I lament our rush. “I wish I could have stayed a couple of days here. I would’ve loved to go dancing.”

Eric looks back at me and smiles, even as he keeps racing forward. “Next time, right?”

I’m able to take two breaths before he breaks eye contact to watch where he’s going, and in that moment, my stomach flips again. He juggles his box of cigars, almost dropping them. I hold my hand out and then stuff the small box into my courier bag. I tie the plastic bag I have my shoes in to the strap. “Right.”

Hand-in-hand, we jog toward the water. My palm starts to sweat, but I keep a firm grip on him so we don’t get separated.

Finally, the pier comes into view and I slow to a walk. “Go ahead. I’m going to take my time from here. I can see the ship, and I still have thirty minutes left. You go get ready for work.”

“Okay. Yeah. Sorry.” Eric finally releases my hand, wiping his on the back of his pants while I do the same. We exchange a smile and he pats the top of my hat. “All right. I’ll see you later.” He takes a few steps and then turns back toward me and winks. “If you’re up to it, stop by Allure tonight for a drink, on me.”

“We’ll see.”

He smiles, turns, and jogs down to the pier while I decide if I have enough room in my stomach for one last snack before I get back on the ship.

Chapter Five

B
ack on the ship, I head to my room to look for Kim. I find a note saying she’s having dinner with her friends if I want to come join them. I’m still full from all my Puerto Rican treats, so instead I opt for my bathing suit and a swim.

The pool is as empty as I’ve ever seen it. Only a few parents, watching their kids in the water. It’s about six in the evening, so everyone must be at dinner.

The ship is still in port, so the wind is minimal as I scoot out of my shorts and step into the pool. The water is warm and I dive to the bottom. Back at the surface, I float on my back and gaze up at the blue sky and white puffy clouds above me. My arms fan out around me and I sigh, content. No worries, no responsibilities. No rushing home. My time is finally mine now. Guilt tightens my chest and a tear forms in the corner of my eye. I dive back under the water to wash it away. I couldn’t stop it, no matter how hard I tried. Nothing I did was ever enough.

I swim around for a while, trying to clear my head, and stretching my leg muscles. With all the walking today, I’m bound to be sore tomorrow. After about thirty minutes, I step out of the pool and sink into the hot tub. I rest my head on the ledge and my eyes close on their own.

A while later, an older couple joins me in the steamy water. I smile at them in turn and lean back, taking in the evening sky. Hints of a beautiful sunset are on the horizon. I’ve been soaking for a while now, and my fingertips are all pruned. I smile again at the couple as they exchange a quick kiss, and take my leave. Drying off, I slip back into my shorts. I can’t help flashing back to the moment I shared with Eric. I really wanted him to kiss me, but it’s probably for the best that he didn’t.

Back in my room, I find Kim lounging on her bed, flipping through a magazine.

“Hey, where have you been all day?”

I take a seat on my bed opposite hers. “I went ashore and spent the day in San Juan. It was amazing. What did you do? Did you go ashore?”

“No. I nursed a horrible hangover until about two in the afternoon. By then, it was too late to consider going. I ended up meeting a couple of my friends for Bloody Marys by the pool, and then we went to dinner.”

“Did you have fun last night?”

“We had a blast. You have to come out tonight, Jordan.”

“What’s on the agenda tonight?”

“We’re all going to meet up at Allure around ten. It’s the nightclub here on the ship. Are you in?”

Allure… That’s where Eric works tonight. He said he’d buy me a drink.
“Yeah. I’m in.”

Chapter Six

A
fter a shower and a quick bite to eat, I follow Kim to Allure on Deck Eight. We meet up with her friends, five other women who all squeal and bounce up and down when they see each other. Kim introduces me, but by the time we head inside I’ve forgotten all of their names, and I’m sure they’ve forgotten mine.

The group heads toward the bar and my eyes immediately start scanning the staff. The women huddle together as I watch from behind, an outsider. I don’t begrudge them for being excited and happy. I’m not that cynical. But I don’t really have those kinds of friendships. I’ve always been too busy taking care of… I don’t want to think about that right now. The bar is packed and it’ll probably be a while before Kim and her friends are served.

I tap Kim on the shoulder and try not to yell directly into her ear. “I’m going to take a look around. I’ll be back.”

She nods her head in agreement and is back to her friends without another glance. They’re playing Top Forty, and the dance floor is packed. People bump and grind, hands in the air as hips sway provocatively to the beat. I’ve always loved watching people dance. It’s one of the best forms of entertainment; sexy, funny. At work, I’m usually too busy to pay attention. I watch as men and women seduce each other, or try to, and I laugh as the free spirits flail about without a care in the world.

At the opposite end of the entrance there’s a stairway, and I wander up to see what’s happening. It’s another dance floor and bar, smaller than the one below, but still quite a big space. The bar lines the far wall, same as downstairs, but the music here is a mixture of Latin pop and reggaeton. The bar seems a little less busy, so I make my way over and stand behind a guy to wait my turn for a drink. This music is exactly what I want after my adventure in San Juan today. I really wish I had more time there. A few days maybe. I’d love to see what the nightlife is like.

The man in front of me leaves with a shot and two beers in his hands, and I take my place at the bar, still keeping an eye on the dance floor. A clank next to where my hand rests alerts me when a tall glass filled with ice and pink liquid is set down. Looking up, I find Eric with a smile on his face.

My cheeks burn as I smile up at him. “Thanks.” I take a sip of my Sea Breeze, extra grapefruity, exactly the way I like it.

“Here for a little reggaeton?”

“Yes, and that drink you offered.”
Am I flirting?
“Too bad you’re stuck behind the bar though.” W
here did that come from?

He grins back at me and winks, then helps the guy next to me who orders a Black and Coke, glancing at me every few seconds while he pours. He’s so handsome. Tall, great build. Brown hair, brown eyes. When he smiles, his whole face lights up.

I gulp down my drink and leave my glass at the bar. I catch Eric’s gaze and motion that I’m going for a smoke. He nods and helps another customer as I try to find my way to an exit door. The smoking section is on the starboard side of Deck 9. Which side is starboard again?

Once outside, I fill my lungs with fresh air and then proceed to fill my lungs with nicotine. I love smoking. I know it’s bad for me, and I don’t want to be a smoker all my life, but I do enjoy it. We’re on the move again, and the lights of Puerto Rico slowly fade into the distance.

“Mind if I join you?”

His voice startles me and I chuckle. “Not at all. Taking a break?” I hold out my pack and Eric takes one. I light his and take another drag of mine.

“Thanks. Yeah, I’ve been here since five-thirty so it’s about time. I confess, I was waiting to see if you’d show up. I had a great time today.”

“Me too.” I keep my eyes on the ocean as we both lean against the railing. “Thanks for showing me around. I wish we had a little more time in Puerto Rico. I would’ve liked to spend a few days there.”

“You’re welcome. I know, it’s hard trying to get to know a place in only a few hours. Most people are left wanting more.”

I look up at Eric. “I definitely was.”

“Yeah. Me too.” His gaze turns serious and I automatically lick my lips, just in case. Keeping his eyes on mine, he brings his cigarette up to his lips for a drag. In the brief second his lips wrap around the filter, I can’t help but imagine his lips wrapping around my nipple. He raises an eyebrow at me and I realize my lips are slightly parted. We’re only about two feet apart, standing side-by-side against the railing, facing the ocean. He leans toward me and my breath hitches, anticipating the taste of him, but right before our lips touch, a voice calls out from behind us.

“Hey, Eric, sorry to interrupt, but we need you back here.”

I turn to see the guy walk back through the door in the same black T-shirt uniform Eric has on, and I clear my throat.

“Sorry. I have to get back to work. Hang out for a while?”

“Maybe. Buy me another drink?”

“Absolutely.” He stubs his cigarette out in the receptacle, smiles, and jogs inside.

That was a close one. I shouldn’t have, but I wanted him to kiss me. I take my time outside, gazing at the stars while I light up a second cigarette. Out here, away from the city lights, the stars illuminate the sky. It’s like that in the desert too. When you drive out of the city, away from the strip, stars as far as the eye can see. That’s one thing I love about Vegas. That might be the only thing. The only thing left.

After a few more drags, I stub my cigarette out and head back into the club. Instead of heading back to Eric’s bar, I return downstairs to check on Kim and her friends.

They’re dancing in a circle, laughing, taking turns moving in the center, as they all cheer each other on. I scoot in next to Kim and move my hips to the beat.

She notices and bumps my shoulder. “Hey. Where have you been?”

“I was upstairs, having a drink. It’s less crowded up there and they’re playing reggaeton.”

“Sweet. Hey guys, let’s go upstairs for a bit.”

Kim’s friends all trail behind her as she leads the way. Following the group, I make eye contact with Eric as soon as the bar comes into view and head out to the dance floor. This is the first time Kim and I have actually spent any time together on the cruise, except for sleeping.

Of the five women with Kim, I’m probably the most conservative in my dance moves. They’re all going for pole dancer, “drop it like it’s hot” status, whereas I’m conservatively swaying to the beat. But it’s all fun, and I laugh, watching as each woman tries to outdo the last. Getting caught up in the music, I let go and close my eyes. Dipping my hips to the sultry rhythm, I imagine dancing with Eric in a small Puerto Rican bar, as the crowd pushes us closer together, sweat dripping, breath mingling, gripping his taut shoulders as his strong arms encircle my waist...

My eyes open and immediately find Eric behind the bar. He watches me intently on the dance floor, lips parted, and my body flushes with arousal. Body language is easy to read. Bartenders are freaking experts at it. Nothing short of screaming “come take me” would be any more obvious to him at this point as I keep my gaze locked on his while rocking my hips side to side. He knows it. I know it. He could crook his finger and I’d be over there in a second, or he could come out here and join me for a grind.