Staying on Course (29 page)

“Speaking of Dani and Tommy, what’s going on with them?”

“Rick is the only one I’ve really made an effort to talk to the last few weeks. Tommy cornered me once, not understanding why I was so angry, and asked for me to forgive his comments.”

“What’d you say?”

“I shook his hand and told him there was nothing to forgive. He’s a great sailor with a limitless career ahead of him. I appreciated all he did for me and the good times we had. Our paths will always cross if we stay on the ship, and I’d like it if we could continue the amicable professional relationship.”

“Liza did a good job of putting everyone in the line of fire. Tommy really didn’t do anything.”

“The casualty of our friendship may have been because of Liza, but he knew how much I love you. For him to think I’d cheat with Liza was a hit to my character. I like Tommy, but I thought this was the best way to close down any expectations with Nicole.”

“It is.”

I tell him about her phone call, and he stops running his fingers through my hair and moves me up to him. “Are you okay?” His face is full of concern.

“Yes, Bryce. I handled it. You have to stop thinking I’m going to break. No one’s going to make me doubt you ever again. We’ve had more people plotting against us in a few years than most do in a lifetime. That’s over. I promise you that we’re solid.”

“Thank God.”

“Now, if we’re done talking, it’s way past time for me to thank you for the generous gifts the last two weeks.”

He hardens under my thigh, and his eyes start to heat. “What kind of gratitude did you have in mind?”

I slip my hand under his flannel pajamas and run my thumb over the tip of his erection. His lips part slightly, and I lean in. “My plan was to lick my way down your body until I could suck your dick in my mouth. But, now, I think I’ll let you choose. What do you want?”

His breath hitches, and he closes his eyes, moaning as my nails lightly scratch the underside of his cock. “Y-y-yes, dick in mouth sounds good,” he stutters.

“Then what?” I start to go lower and kiss a trail down his neck and jawline. When my tongue circles his nipple, he moans and grips my scalp.

“You, on top of me.”

“Mmm, sounds nice. Then what?” I lower his pants and graze my tongue over his slit and then the crown.

“I want to bury myself in you for the rest of the night.”

“That can be done,” I whisper seductively against his cock and blow a warm breath. “But we need to discuss something first.” I push up and straddle his lap, bracing my hands on his abs.

His eyes fly open, and he looks at me in horror. “Now? We need to discuss something now?”

“Yep.” I nod. “It’s done. The situation is over. We don’t need to talk about it again. I could feel your guilt in the email. It still stings, but you’ve done everything possible to heal my wounds, including loving me. I need to know my love is enough to heal you, too.”

He moves his hands under mine and links our fingers then kisses my knuckles. “Knowing you love me heals all wounds. I’ll try to let this go.”

“Don’t try. Let it go. We’re here, and we’re stronger than ever. Promise me.”

He stares at me, searching my face for several long seconds. “Promise,” he finally chokes out.

“Good, now for your real surprise.” I pull the shirt off and reach under my pillow. When I drop his dog tags over my head, he moans.

“Now, when you close your eyes on the ship and think of me, you can think of me naked, on top of you, in nothing but your dog tags.”

His eyes grow wide and then deepen to a dark blue. He massages my thighs gently, and the heat of his gaze sets my body on fire.

“Babe, you have blown every dream I’ve ever had of you out of the water. Men would die to see the perfection I have sitting on top of me.”

My breathing picks up as I watch his reaction.

“But, now, it’s time to start the gratitude portion of the night before I explode.”

I grin and move back down his body. “Gladly.”

*****

The minute I walk into the kitchen, all chatter stops. Quinn bites her lip while Dean whistles low then drops his eyes to the floor.

Nate jerks his chin, tugs Jamie to his side, and murmurs, “Stand back. You’re about to get a show.”

Bryce’s face has turned a deep shade of red. “I send you a thousand dollars and she’s wearing a scrap of fabric?” he hisses at Quinn.

“It’s hardly a scrap! She’s covered everywhere that matters,” she replies casually. “Calm your shit. I didn’t spend it all. Your money went to manicures, pedicures, hair styling, and shoes. Don’t forget about the shoes.”

His eyes drop to my feet, and I start to worry if he’s going to literally blow up. “Devon, baby, you have to change. Please tell me you have something else that will work for tonight.”

“What’s wrong with this?” I ask defensively, looking down at the deep purple halter dress Quinn insisted I buy.

“Nothing. You look hot. Give it a twirl. Let us see the full effect.” Quinn spins her hand in a circle.

As soon as I turn, Bryce growls. “Where’s the back?”

Jamie starts to giggle and comes to my rescue. “I think she looks beautiful. The lace overlay gives the dress a very classy edge. If I had legs like hers, I’d show them off, too.”

Nate whispers something in her ear, and she blushes slightly.

“Caveman, I put that thing you wanted in Devon’s top dresser drawer,” Quinn tells him and rolls her eyes. “You’re welcome.”

Bryce gives her a dirty look but comes over and leads me back to my room.

“You’re not going to try to make me change, are you?”

“If I said yes, would you listen to me?”

“Not on your life.”

“Then there’s no point.” He sighs and reaches in my drawer, removing a box. “It’s not that you don’t look exquisite; it’s that you’re going to attract attention tonight. I’ll need to be alert.”

“You’re absurd.”

“Maybe, but I’m also possessive and completely obsessed. Maybe this will help ease my nerves.” He pops open the box to reveal a silver choker with an anchor in the middle.

I momentarily lose my breath. “It’s stunning,” I finally whisper.

“No, you’re stunning.” He goes behind me and clasps it around my neck.

“What is the occasion?” I run my fingers along the smooth metal.

“No occasion. One of the things I thought about on the ship is your anchor tattoo. In my mind, it’s my mark, but its placement is for my eyes only. So I wanted another anchor on your body. It’s a reminder whenever you wear it that you’re my anchor.”

“I love it.”

“I love you.” He kisses a trail from my ear down to my collarbone. “Now, about changing your dress.”

I lean into him, shuttering at the warmth of his breath. He continues to nibble on the sensitive skin below my ear, and I know he thinks he’s won. It takes all the self-control I can find to step away and out of my lust induced fog.

“Not a chance. Come on. We don’t want to be late.”

He sighs and hangs his head in defeat. I stop in my doorway and hold out my hand, which he finally takes and follows me back to the kitchen.

*****

The Fine Arts Building where the exhibit is located has been transformed into an elegant gallery with every wall surface covered with matted frames. I get chills as soon as we walk through the door and see everyone’s hard work on display. On one wall, there’s a flat screen television playing footage of all our video coverage.

I look around and gasp when my eyes land on the wall leading to the main room. Quinn’s piece shines under the large spotlights. Instinctively, I link my arm through hers and walk us over. Our crew follows closely, Dean holding her free hand.

No one speaks as we read it in its entirety. Whoever put this together did a superb job with the captions and the picture placement. Quinn’s whole team has a contribution, but it’s her paper that’s front and center.

“Well, little Quinnie Jackson, how’s it feel to be famous?” Nate breaks the silence.

“Nate,” Quinn’s voice cracks. “You promised never to call me that.”

“It slipped. Standing here, looking at this, I’m so damn proud. It seemed appropriate.” His own voice is thick with emotion, which breaks Quinn.

She turns and hugs him, her body shaking. He hugs her back then transfers her to Dean’s arms. He supports her easily, rubbing his hands up and down her back and whispering his own praises.

She steps away from Dean and looks at all of us but focuses on Jamie. “Jamie, that’s your one and only. I’m not usually a crier. I’m more of a ball-buster.”

Bryce nods his agreement, and we all laugh.

“Okay, time to move on.” Quinn looks around, her eyes landing on the far wall. She grabs my hands and drags me across the room to stand in front of the blue team’s large display.

Once again, we’re quiet as we read all the captions. Bryce slips his arm around my waist and shifts me in front of him.

“Devon.” Nate steps up to us and squeezes my shoulder. “This is beyond incredible. I’m so fucking happy for you.”

“Stop! Nate, stop making us cry.” Quinn slaps his shoulder lazily.

He grins at her then kisses my forehead.

“There you are!” Crystal runs up and almost tackles Quinn and me.

We hug her back, squealing with excitement. When I move, I notice Morgan standing there, his face beaming. I give him a short hug and then introduce him.

We go around the room as a group, inspecting every display and congratulating our classmates. Eric and Kenny join us with their dates, and we move to the main room, claiming a full table.

Bill Thames comes by our table and surprises us by sitting down. Dean scowls when Quinn introduces him as her boyfriend. Bryce notices, too.

“Something I should know?” he says in my ear.

“He doesn’t want to be just the boyfriend anymore,” I answer quietly.

His eyes grow wide, and he nods in understanding.

When Bill leaves to work his way through the room, we resume discussing the upcoming summer internships and Olympics.

The whole table goes quiet, and several people look over my shoulder. Jamie’s eyes bulge and her mouth drops. I turn to see Shana walking toward the table with a wide smile and her arms outstretched.

Bryce gets up to pull out my chair, and I fall into her embrace. She gives me a firm hug then steps back to Professor Grant’s side.

She looks at the table and throws her hands to her hips. “What? Is Devon the only one who still loves me? Come here!” She waves at the table, and Crystal, Eric, and Kenny jump up and come over, leaning into their own hugs.

“I’m so damn proud of you guys,” she tells us and then glares at Quinn. “And you! I understand I lost you to Bill for the summer. What do I have to do to change your mind?”

Quinn’s face turns deep pink, and she slices her eyes to Dean, who kisses her hand sweetly. She looks back to Shana with a sparkle in her eye.

“Atlanta’s where I’m meant to be,” she answers.

Shana smiles widely and nods with understanding.

My heart swells at all the love and friendship surrounding the table. For the first time in a long time, everything is perfect in my world.

Devon,

Sorry it’s been a few days since I wrote. We’ve been working around the clock, but I’m finally confident we have all the kinks out. Nate and I agree that we’ve got a great team of guys (and girls) who have been crucial on this project. As of now, we’re heading back to base tomorrow.

You don’t know how much I miss you. In the future, no snowstorm is going to keep me away. Maybe we should get you a new car that’s safer to drive in the snow? Actually, that’s a great idea—we’ll talk about it next week.

I was able to switch some shifts around, so I’ll have four days off when you come for Spring Break. It’s not the whole week like I wanted, but I promise to plan something special. Even if it’s not beach weather, pack your bathing suit.

I miss you, baby, and every time I close my eyes, images of you in my dog tags fill my mind. Thank you for giving me that.

I love you with all my heart,

Bryce

I re-read the email and type a quick reply, hoping he’ll get it before he goes to bed.

Bryce,

Great news about the project! But I never doubted it would be perfect, with Nate and you on the lead. Have I ever told you how proud I am of you? In my eyes, you’re Superman.

Our parents are still scheduled to fly in next Friday. Quinn’s coming with me, and I’ll be there the minute you walk off the ship. Not even a snowstorm will keep me away.

I love you, Bryce, and I know you worry about me when you’re away but don’t. Concentrate on being awesome and know I’m okay. Each and every time you walk on and off that ship, I will always be waiting for you.

I love you with all my heart,

Devon

PS- you are NOT buying me a new car!

I watch the waves of falling snow out the window and pray we can leave next Friday morning for Norfolk as planned. It’s been four weeks since the exhibit opening, and because of the weather, we weren’t able to see each other before his ship went underway again.

The one weekend it cleared up, I couldn’t go to Norfolk because it was the weekend Dean proposed. I helped him plan an elaborate proposal with the help of Shana and Professor Grant. We got permission to close the exhibit portion of the Fine Arts Building to visitors for one hour.

Dean’s plan had a critical timing element, so I was responsible for keeping everyone busy while he took care of the details. Mid-afternoon that Saturday, Michelle and Paul and Dean’s parents asked Dean to drive them back to their hotel so they could get ready for dinner and our trip to the exhibit that night. I made up a story about having to meet Crystal for class notes and asked Quinn to ride with me, claiming the weather scared me.

Quinn was clueless as I drove up to the building and we went inside to meet Crystal. She looked around, confused, when we got inside, and the lights were dim everywhere except her wall. Dean walked out from a dark corner and surprised her. He crossed the room with a look of pure determination on his face. When he reached her, he wrapped one arm around her waist and leaned down for a deep kiss. As much as I wanted to get closer, I slunk back into a dark hallway, trying to give him his privacy. He led her in front of her wall and took her face in his hands.