“Hey, Lindsay, why didn’t you take your top off?” Cameron asked.
“I’d be afraid a fish would come up and nibble on me,” I admitted.
“It’s not the fish nibbling that you’d have to worry about,” Chad said.
I felt my face grow hot with embarrassment. I definitely hadn’t figure out a flirtation style that wouldn’t get me into trouble.
“Okay. You guys who are renting, if you’ll give me your equipment, I’ll go turn them in for you,” Jake said.
He started gathering things up, and looked over at me with a wink. “Lindsay, would you mind helping me?”
I felt Ryan’s, as well as Brooke’s, gaze fall on me. I decided to ignore them both. “Sure.”
I helped collect the equipment, then followed him back to the diving shop so it could all be returned.
“How’d you like snorkeling?” he asked.
“Loved it,” I said. “I think I’d like to do some scuba diving.”
“You could take a class on Cozumel, get in a little shallow diving maybe.”
“I might do that.”
“Are you sure there’s nothing between you and Ryan?” he asked.
“I’m sure.”
“It’s just that he seems to really keep an eye on you.”
“Friend of the family. That’s all.” Calling Ryan a friend of the family was becoming second nature.
We walked into the shop and returned all the equipment. When we stepped back outside, Jake took my hand and led me around to the side of the building.
“I’m new to the ship,” he said. “I was wondering if you could give me directions to your cabin.”
Before I could comment, he kissed me.
It was a breath stealer. Probably the best kiss I ever had. When we broke apart, I was panting a little.
Jake tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and grinned. “You know I shouldn’t have done that, right?”
I nodded.
“So let’s keep it our little secret.”
“Sure.”
He sighed with obvious regret. “We need to get back to the others.”
I followed him around to the front of the building. We both came to an abrupt stop. Ryan was standing there, feet spread, arms crossed over his chest.
“How would you like to go to Hell?” he asked.
CHAPTER 24
Like so many tourists, we all went to Hell simply so we could say we’d been.
Although I wasn’t a hundred percent sure that Ryan’s question had been completely in reference to the small town in the Cayman Islands. A part of me thought that maybe he’d been issuing a threat.
Jake certainly hadn’t seemed to take it that way though. He’d rounded everyone up, put us on a bus, and took us to Hell.
Hell was located on the north end of the island. It got its name from the unusual jagged, black rock formations that looked like the charred remains of a hellfire, but were actually a type of limestone coated with algae.
Along with other tourists, we stood on a boardwalk taking pictures of the formations. Then we had our pictures taken with a one-dimensional wooden cutout of the devil, dressed in red with a pitchfork and pointed tail. We shopped for T-shirts at the Devil’s Den. Naturally I bought a postcard to send to Julie. I wrote a quick note on the back, “Wish you were here in Hell with me!”
I bought a stamp, and dropped it in the mailbox along with about a thousand other postcards that would be sent from Hell.
That night, after we’d all cleaned up and gotten the sand and surf off, we met up at Cruisin’. It was way different this time than it had been that first night. It was like we were all connected, and it was hard to believe that we’d only known one another for only a few days, a few nights. It was like we were all becoming friends. Real friends.
We’d kinda confiscated one section of the club, pulled tables together, and ordered a pitcher of strawberry margaritas. Ryan was at the far end of the table, talking with Cathy. As a matter of fact the guys had situated themselves so each one of them was sitting beside one girl. I wasn’t sure how they’d managed to do it, but it was like they were settling in, realizing some of them might have a chance of hooking up with one of us before the cruise was over, while the others were destined to simply be along for the fun.
Marc sat on one side of me, Michael on the other. Brooke was splitting her time between Marc and Shooter.
“You know,” Brooke began, “we can say we’ve been to Hell and back.”
“That’s exactly what the T-shirt I bought says,” Shooter announced. “‘I’ve been to Hell and back.’”
“Dog, today was awesome,” Marc said. “I think it was the best so far.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Shooter announced. We all drank to it. Several times in fact. We ordered another pitcher of strawberry margaritas. I was feeling really relaxed and totally happy.
“Wanna dance?” Marc asked me.
“Sure.”
We headed to the dance area. I was feeling so good, and I knew that the margaritas weren’t totally responsible for my attitude. Although I still had items on my list that I hadn’t yet checked off, I was having a great time on this vacation. I’d met some fun people, experienced some new things.
And as I danced with Marc, I was beginning to think that I might have even figured out the flirtation game. Several guys had shown an interest in me. I still hadn’t found the guy who would be my last night fling. But I was more comfortable with looking.
When the music ended, Marc and I walked back to the table. An order of nachos had arrived with the new pitcher of drinks.
I dropped into the chair and reached for a cheese-laden chip. “I’m starving. Whose idea were these?”
“Ryan’s,” Shooter said. “Not only that, he’s picking up the whole tab. Everybody’s drinks. He told us to order whatever we wanted.”
I glanced down the table at him. He was leaning forward, grinning and talking with Donna now.
“Is he, like, rich?” Brooke asked.
“I don’t think so.” I wondered if Walter had given him permission to charge things as well.
“We’ve had a lot to drink tonight,” Brooke said. “It’s going to be an expensive tab.”
“Don’t worry about it. If he says he can pay for it, I’m sure he can pay for it.”
She leaned across the table toward me. “Why don’t you think he’s hot?”
“I do. He doesn’t think I’m hot.”
“That’s bull. You’re the reason he hangs around with us.”
I shook my head. “He’s like all of us. He doesn’t want to be on this cruise alone. That’s why he joins us.”
“I don’t think it’s us at all,” she said. “I think it’s only you. I think you’re crazy to be sitting down at this end of the table.”
“Hey, if he was interested in me, he could come down here.”
“Maybe he feels like he’s been rejected too many times. Guys have really sensitive egos. Tell them no once and they’re, like, bruised forever. Girls heal. We’re tough. We bend. Guys break.”
“Who made you the new Dr. Phil?”
She nudged Shooter out of his chair, and scrambled over so she was sitting beside me.
“‘Girls on cruises who can’t get laid.’ That would be a great show, wouldn’t it?” she asked.
“You’ve hooked up with at least half these guys,” I reminded her.
“And not one has made me forget about Chris. Isn’t that a bitch? I need to find someone who will hang around for more than one night.” Reaching across the table, she grabbed the pitcher and refilled her margarita glass and mine.
“Drink up, Lindsay. It’s the easiest way to forget that we don’t have anyone special.”
“Brooke, you are a total downer, you know that? I’m having a great time. Or at least I was until you got all morbid on me.”
“I’m trying to have a good time, Lindsay. It’s just not working. I miss having one guy.”
“S
top comparing them all to Chris. Find someone totally opposite who doesn’t remind you of him.”
“Totally opposite? That’s a thought.” Suddenly she perked up, and smiled brightly.
I figured she’d determine who would be the right guy for her.
Then I felt a warm hand on my shoulder and heard a familiar voice. “Hey, can I join you guys?”
I glanced up and there was Jake.
“Sure,” I said with a smile. I looked at Brooke, and signaled for her to move over.
Jake sat in the chair beside me.
“So are you off the clock?” I asked.
“Unfortunately, no, although it’s really fortunate.”
“That’s confusing. How can it be both?”
“Well, if I was off the clock, I’d have to be belowdecks. We’re not allowed to fraternize up here. Since I’m on the clock, I thought I’d check on my favorite group of singles.”
“We’re your favorite group?” Shooter asked.
“You bet,” Jake said. “We’ll be in Cozumel tomorrow. I’ve chartered a bus so we can go see some Mayan ruins. How does that sound?”
“Sounds cool,” Brooke said.
“They’re neat to see,” Jake said. He leaned closer to me. “And people will have a chance to go off by themselves. I won’t have to watch everyone so closely.” He lowered his voice. “They won’t have to watch me.”
He leaned even closer to me, and lowered his voice even further. “Thought maybe we could have a picnic. We could discuss the possibilities in about an hour…in your cabin?”
CHAPTER 25
I was pacing in my cabin, trying not to be nervous. Trying not to read more into Jake’s comment than he’d meant.
After I’d whispered my cabin number into his ear, he’d grinned and winked at me. Then he’d stood up, announced that he’d see everyone at nine in the morning, and left.
I’d checked my watch, finished my margarita, danced with Marc again, declared myself wiped out from such a busy day, and returned to my cabin.
I was light-headed from the margaritas, and really wishing that I hadn’t had quite as many to drink. The temptation to simply lie down and take a quick nap was so great.
I dabbed my special love potion perfume that I’d bought in St. Thomas behind my ears, on my wrists, and at the hollow of my throat. I brushed my teeth and gargled.
I turned down the bedspread, decided that was too blatant an invitation, and remade the bed.
He was coming to discuss a picnic. What was there to say about a picnic? Discuss the food? Exactly where to have it? What kind of blanket to sit on?
I tightened my hands into fists, and tried not to get too excited. But it was almost impossible. This could be it. This could really be it.
Jake and I had clicked from the beginning. He was cute. There was a romantic aspect to getting involved with a crew member. Didn’t it happen in the movies all the time?
I knew Jake probably wasn’t supposed to take an interest in the passengers, but when you were soul mates—
The phone rang, nearly giving me a heart attack. I snatched it up. “Hello?”
“Hi, Lindsay, it’s Mom.”
I sat on the bed, wishing I hadn’t picked up the phone, but I’d thought maybe it was Jake. “Mom. Hi.”
“I haven’t heard from you so I thought I’d check in. You’re hard to find, though. You never seem to be in your cabin.”
“I’m usually out having fun, Mom.”
“I’m glad to hear it. What have you done?”
I rolled my eyes. Her timing couldn’t have been worse. I really wanted to be psyching myself up for Jake’s arrival. Still, I couldn’t be rude to my mom. “I’ve snorkeled and shopped and parasailed…so many things, Mom. And I have pictures so I can show them all to you when we get home.”
“Did you want to try to meet up tomorrow—”
“I’d love to Mom, but a group of us have already made plans to go to the Mayan ruins.”
“That sounds like fun. I’m glad you’ve found some friends to hang around with.”
A light tapping on the door made me jump as much as a loud bonging would have. “As a matter of fact, Mom, someone is here now so I need to go.”
“Okay. Tell Ryan that we say hi. Walter is having a hard time getting in touch with him as well.”
“We’re having fun, Mom. I’ll check in with you later.”
After I hung up, I rushed across the room, and opened the door.
I couldn’t stop myself from smiling at Jake. “Hi.”
“Hey.” He slipped inside and quickly closed the door. “Didn’t want anyone to see me or to get the wrong impression.”
“Right. I’m sorry I had to keep you waiting. My mom picked the wrong time to call.”
“Is she on the cruise?” he asked.
“Yeah.”
He glanced around the room. “She’s not going to show up here, is she?”
I laughed lightly. “No. She’s on her honeymoon. I have this room to myself. Did you want something from the minibar?”
“Yeah, a beer would be nice.”
“Okay, sure. Yeah.”
I couldn’t believe how nervous I was. I had all the lights off except for the lamp by the bed. And it was turned on its lowest wattage. I’d wanted a romantic feel to the room.
I took a beer out of the fridge and handed it to Jake. I wiped my hands on the sundress I was wearing.
“You changed clothes,” Jake said.
I nodded. “Yeah. I just…I don’t know. I just thought I should.”
He set the beer aside without even opening it.
“You’re nervous,” he said quietly.
“I’ve never had a guy in my cabin before,” I confessed.
“You can’t tell anyone that I was here.”
“Oh, I won’t,” I promised.
“There’s all these rules,” he said. “No one really pays any attention to them. We all break them. As long as we’re not caught…”
“I understand,” I assured him.
He stepped toward me and took my hands. “It’s really hard when I see a beautiful woman, and I know she’s untouchable.”
I felt the heat burn my face. “I’m not untouchable.”
He grinned. “I’m glad.”
He kissed me, and I decided that my flirtation skills had definitely improved.
The kiss was hot and slow. It left no doubt in my mind what he wanted, and where this kiss would lead.
A loud knocking had us both jumping apart.
I laughed self-consciously, embarrassed to have reacted as though a gun had gone off in the room.
“I think someone was knocking down the hallway,” I said.
He furrowed his brow. “Didn’t sound like it was down the hallway. Sounded like it was for here.”
“That’s impossible.”
But the knock came again, and darn it, it did sound exactly like it was—
I spun around. Ryan was standing on my balcony, pressed up against the glass door.
“What the hell?” I muttered.
I charged across the room and pulled open the door. “What are you doing? How did you get on my balcony?”
“I climbed over from mine. I didn’t figure Casanova here would let you open the door to the hallway.”
He strode into my room as though I’d invited him or worse yet, as though he owned it.
“Hey, Ryan,” Jake said. “This isn’t what it looks like.”
Ryan crossed his arms over his chest. “What exactly is it, Jake?”
“None of your business is what it is,” I said, letting my anger fly. I couldn’t believe that he was here, ruining my perfect night.
“Look, Lindsay—”
“I know Walter wanted you to look after me, but I’m not a child. I can make my own decisions.”
“Walter?” Jake asked.
“And your own mistakes,” Ryan said.
“This isn’t a mistake,” I retorted.
“No? Do you know where he was this afternoon when we were snorkeling? He didn’t stay in the water with us. And he didn’t leave the water alone.”
I felt as though he’d slapped me. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I?” He gave Jake a hard glare. “Tell her, Jake, or I will. Tell her who you were with. You know how I know who he was with? Because I just spent thirty minutes consoling her while she cried.”
He’d been talking with Donna the last time I’d noticed him. Donna who’d been on the excursion with us. I turned to Jake. “Jake?”
“Who’s Walter?” he asked.
“My stepdad.”
“Not Walter Hunt,” he said.
I nodded. “Yeah. So?”
“Shit.” He turned as pale as the underside of a stingray. He looked at Ryan and held out his hands. “I can explain.”
I stared at him, feeling a roiling in my stomach. “Ryan’s telling me the truth. You were with someone this afternoon?”
“It’s a party cruise,” Jake said. “I hang out with singles. Why do you think they’re here? Come on. We all want to have a good time.”
Yes, I’d wanted a good time, I’d wanted to have a fling, but somehow I’d expected more of a commitment from the guy. I didn’t want to be like Brooke, trying every guy out. I wanted one guy who thought I was special. I thought I was going to bring up the nacho I’d eaten.
“I think you should leave,” I said.
“Look, Lindsay, I thought you were looking for a happening time. It would have been good; fun. You know, a few laughs. Some good times.”
“Just leave.”
He took a step back. “You won’t say anything to Mr. Hunt, will you?”
“No! I won’t say anything to anyone.” I was majorly embarrassed, mortified. I didn’t want anyone to know how stupid I’d been. It was bad enough that Ryan was going to know.
Jake shifted his gaze to Ryan. “It’s all about good times, man. You can understand that.”
“I understand that when we dock tomorrow, you better resign, walk off the ship, and not walk back on it. Or I will tell Mr. Hunt.”
If looks could kill, I thought the glare Jake gave Ryan could have stopped his heart.