She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply; relishing the fragrance of the ocean, the peaceful hum of the deep; listening to the whirring sound of the ship as it parted the water and forged ahead towards the next port.
“You didn’t say goodbye.”
Startled, she turned her head and stared up at the stranger she left sleeping in his cabin. He stood a couple of feet away from her, his back leaning against the rail. The moonlight hugged his shaved head, and his olive colored face looked even more handsome than it did earlier in the evening when he approached her table as she ate supper in the dining hall. His light brown eyes sparkled with mischief. Seeing him again sent all her senses into overdrive and certain parts of her body began to tingle. For a brief moment, she knew she would not oppose any suggestion he made, especially if it involved a reprise of their past recent activity.
“You fell asleep so quickly, even if I said goodbye, you wouldn’t have heard me.” Nyah looked at him through her lashes and smiled.
“I’m ready again, if you are,” he moved closer to her but he did not touch her.
“You must be a glutton for punishment, don’t you need some time to catch your breath?” she asked, and he chuckled.
“My power nap did the trick,” he said, turning to face her.
“What’s my name?” Nyah met his gaze squarely.
“Is that a test question?”
She smiled, and shook her head.
“I didn’t expect you to remember.” She turned and started walking away from him. “Goodnight.”
“Can I call you sometime?”
“What for?” She snickered softly and continued walking.
He had to spoil great banter with such a ridiculous request. Sure, he was good, no, amazing in bed, but she knew that when she left the cruise ship later that day, he, along with all her other experiences aboard the ship would be left behind.
In three steps, he was close enough to touch her arm. She turned around, and looked up at him. She could not tell if he genuinely wanted her number or if he simply wanted another romp and frankly, either way, she did not care.
“I had a great time tonight, but tomorrow we’ll go back to our own separate lives and everything will continue being right with the world.”
“I guess that depends on your view of the world. So, is that a no?” Nyah pressed her hand against his hard chest, reached up on her toes and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
“Thanks for a memorable time, goodnight.”
As she walked along the corridor towards her cabin, she was relieved, yet slightly disappointed that he did not follow her.
“Sweet dreams, Tracie,” he remembered her name after all; well at least the name she gave him. She glanced over her shoulder for one final look at the handsome stranger, but he was already gone.
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