Sin at Sea (12 page)

They went shot for shot while I drank this never ending super strong margarita. After a while, I realized why it seemed to be never ending. The bartender kept filling it. When I looked at him questioningly, he responded, “You’re going to need it.” Then he nodded at the men trying to best each other in a drinking challenge.

Sighing, I said, “You’re right. Thank you.”

By the time we made it back to the boat for dinner, I was stumbling and my stomach was churning. We went directly to the buffet where my husband, in his great wisdom, loaded a plate with food for him and rolls for me. He made me a hot tea, and filled his own glass with this half lemonade, half sweet tea mixture that he claimed was very tasty.

After making our way back to the room, I collapsed on the bed. Though I was sure there was nothing sexy about my posture or pose, my care at the moment was limited to non-existent. Already I was faced with the challenge of getting some much needed sleep when every time I closed my eyes, the room spun out of control.

“I don’t get it,” I mourned. “I’m a responsible drinker. How did this happen?” Then, when I felt my stomach contents threatening to make a return trip, I rushed to the bathroom.

Sitting on the cool floor felt nice, of course it if hadn’t been a bumpy faux tiled floor, it would have been even nicer. In the bedroom, I could hear Mr. BE eating his meal. It didn’t make any sense. He had been drinking longer and harder than I had to win. Yet he seemed completely sober. A minute later, he peeked in to check on me.

“Babe, you okay? You need me to hold your hair or rub your back?” His voice was filled with concern.

Somehow, I managed to shake my head. That proved to be a big mistake that had me scrambling to my knees to launch my stomach contents into the toilet. I’m sure it was really attractive. Only, when I was finally aware of something other than the lurching and cramping of my stomach, I realized that despite my original protest, he was rubbing my back and holding back my hair.

After wiping my mouth with a towel and blowing my nose, I looked at him sadly and joked, “Well, you have the vows down.”

“The vows?” He asked with a confused look.

“Yeah, you know…in sickness and in health.” I gave him a weak smile.

Leaning in, he kissed me on the forehead. “Let’s give you a shower and put you to bed,” he suggested.

After considering his words, I nodded and let him help me out of my clothes. All these other times between us had been so sexy. Every day had been filled with passion and heat. For once, it was nice to experience some tender loving care.

He turned the water on and tested it, showing me yet another facet of his personality. This had been such a revealing day. The more I knew about him, the more I liked him. What wasn’t there to like?

Moments later, he surprised me by undressing and joining me. I started to open my mouth, but he silenced me with a finger to my lips. “This isn’t a time for sex, babe. I just wanted to be in here to help wash you, to steady you, to keep you safe. There will be plenty of time for you show your appreciation later. For now, let me show you how much I care,” he said gently.

It’s a good thing we were in the shower, otherwise he would have known that some of the water running down my cheeks didn’t come from the plumbing.

The drinking seemed like a good idea at the time. Only, now, as I woke back in our stateroom with my head pounding and no idea what time of day it was, I began to reconsider my reasoning. I glanced around with one eye open while holding my pounding head. There he was, the picture of sobriety, sitting on the couch to my left reading a book.

Slowly, I sat up. “How?” I asked.

He chuckled. “How did you get here?” He set the book down and stood to join me in bed. He crawled across the cool white sheets until he was beside me, smiling. “You walked…mostly. I tucked you in after the shower.”

“Mmm…what time is it?” I asked frightened.

“Don’t worry. You didn’t miss much. You woke in time to have breakfast before they close the buffet,” he said as he stroked my back.

Making a face, I said, “I don’t know about that.”

“Trust me,” he said. “You don’t want to skip a meal right now. We’ll get you loads of Coke to settle that stomach and some rolls. You’ll be a new woman.” He nuzzled my neck after brushing some hair away.

Sighing blissfully despite my rolling stomach, I said, “Okay. Talk me into it…but explain one thing first?”

Kissing my ring hand, he said, “Anything.”

“How is it you aren’t sick? You drank way more than I did.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

Mr. BE chuckled. “Did I?” He asked. I looked at him suspiciously. Chuckling harder, he said, “What? You’ve never seen
Coyote Ugly?
I spit it out while drinking my chaser. Don’t worry, Big Dumb and Ugly never figured it out either. He won’t be bothering you anymore.” He winked at me.

“Smart and handsome,” I marveled. “Can I pick a husband or what?” Before he could answer, ruin the moment with some remark, I threw my arms around his neck and pressed my body against him. After a few moments, I finally pulled myself away. There was something so perfect about being in his arms. When he held me at night as I drifted off to sleep, when he hugged me close when I was awake, having his hand on my lower back as we walked along…somehow his touch made me feel complete, like a part of me that I had never realized was missing had at last returned. With a sigh, I threw back the covers and stood as soon as my feet hit the floor. I stretched and said, “So, what shall we do today.”

Smiling wide, he said, “After yesterday, I thought we could use some quiet alone time. Don’t worry; I made sure to make it special.”

Looking at him sideways, I asked, “What have you done?”

Shaking his head, he responded, “It’s a surprise. Go get ready.”

He was right…about everything. For the first time in my life, I lost nothing by someone else being right. Instead, I had everything to gain. The shore excursion in Half Moon Cay was absolutely perfect.

By the time I was out of the shower, Mr. BE had the beach bag packed. “I know that technically the bag is yours, but as your wife, don’t I get some kind of peeking privileges?”

“Not when your peeking interferes with my surprising. I’ve been planning this for two days, don’t ruin it,” he said. “I promise, it will be completely worth your while. Better still, you don’t have long to wait.”

We had a light breakfast, which was just what I needed…some toast on the belly, a lot of tea, and a couple of Ibuprofen. It was well rounded. Then we went to line up for the boat to the private island. In a perfect world, I would own a private Caribbean island…with a dock…for my yacht. In this world, my yacht is a cruise ship and I’m borrowing their island. Still, it’s not a bad way to live.

As we rode the boat over, he shifted the bag a few times. “Want me to carry it?” I asked. “I know how it can cut into a shoulder.”

“Nah, I’ve got it,” he said, but he sounded a bit tired.

“Did you get any sleep, or did I keep you up for all the wrong reasons last night?” I asked as I worried over him.

That seemed to be enough for him to shake off whatever was bothering him. “Nah, I’m good,” he said. Then he reached over and held my hand. “We are going to have such a special day.”

Nodding, I agreed, “We sure are.” Then I felt a little guilty. “Listen, I know our time is limited. I’m so sorry for ruining even a moment of it yesterday.” I looked down, unable to meet his eyes.

A gentle finger lifted my chin and he said softly, “For better or worse, remember?” Then with a chuckle he said, “Or in our case…you promised me the boring stuff, too.”

Naturally, I threw myself into his arms at that point. I had to. Who else would want the boring stuff? I was going to have to make today super special.

When we landed, we checked in and were taken to our bungalow for the day. It had a table and chairs set up, some lounge chairs, an air conditioner and food. There were chips and salsa, which I think is a perfectly yummy snack. There were plenty of other comforts. I looked around and smiled at him in approval.

“Listen,” he began, “I considered going fancier, but it seemed that all the more expensive options came with help and I wanted you all to myself.” He crushed me against his chest.

I was jumping up and down like a kid as I asked the next question. Past experience had taught me that cute…definitely opened doors. In this case, I was hoping it would open bags…the ones he was carrying in particular. “Is it surprise time yet?” I asked. For effect, I batted my eyelashes at him.

Sighing happily, he said, “I suppose so.” Opening the beach bag, he fumbled around. “Here are some extra goodies I had them pack for us.” Then he began pulling out a few containers of food…some grapes, and strawberries. He had a container of whipped cream that made me smirk. Next he pulled out some of my favorites. I had grown really attached to their version of potato salad and seemed to eat it at least once a day. There were sandwiches and pickles. There was even a special chocolate mousse dessert.

“You thought of everything!” I exclaimed happily.

“I did more than that,” he said beaming. “Time for presents.” He pulled out a box that I recognized from the duty free shop in Grand Turk. “I love this perfume on you. Wear it now and then and think of me, okay?” He passed me the J’adore he had sprayed on me the day before. The scent had lingered on me all day. It was absolutely perfect.