“What do you know?” Jeff said to Sarah. “We’ll be celebrating our birthdays soon.” He found himself grinning at her like a loon for the simple fact that their birthdays were only a week apart. Well, actually she was giving him another one of her radiant smiles and he couldn’t help but respond in kind. It was infectious.
“I think March might be too soon to organise an engagement party,” Rebecca said. “Besides, it would be good if we share the day with either Jeff or Sarah. I’d prefer that.”
“Yeah, it’ll be more fun,” Zach agreed.
“Do it on Jeff’s birthday,” Sarah said promptly.
“No, Sarah’s birthday,” Jeff insisted.
“Guys,” Sarah said to engaged couple, “I think you should hold your party on the weekend of Jeff’s birthday. After all, the place is Carmichael-owned. If anyone’s birthday should be celebrated alongside your engagement, it should be Jeff’s.”
“But I already have plans for my birthday,” Jeff said.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Sarah said, blushing prettily. “In that case...”
“In that the case, we’ll hold it on the weekend of the eleventh,” Rebecca finished for Sarah. “That would be perfect. It’ll give us plenty of time to prepare. You’ll be available for our engagement party, won’t you, Jeff?”
“Wouldn’t miss is for the world,” he replied.
“So what have you got planned for your birthday, bro?” Zach asked. “You haven’t told us anything.”
“I was actually thinking of having it at Magda’s Place, too. A couple of my friends are keen to visit there again.”
“Oh, good!” Magda exclaimed. “We’ll have two private events there before it reopens! I’m glad you want a separate party for your birthday, Jeff.”
“Well, it’s not that I want a separate one,” he answered with a grin. “I just wanted Sarah to stop arguing against holding the engagement party on her birthday.”
Sarah gasped loudly beside him. “You sneak!”
“You have to be smart around here,” he said with a wink, which earned him a cute, narrow-eyed frown. Hmm. Sarah was just as beautiful scowling as she was smiling.
He couldn’t wait to show her around their country hotel, vineyard and winery. Magda’s Place was one of his favourite places to stay when he wanted to relax and unplug from the daily stresses. Apart from its peace and tranquility, it was situated in a beautiful part of the world.
He hadn’t had time to check it out since it closed for renovations. They’d upgraded carpets, furnishings and decor, and added three more luxury suites complete with huge spa baths and panoramic views of vineyards and hills. He better make sure he reserved one of those suites for himself—just in case.
Just in case of what, Jeff?
Hell. In his head, a fling with Sarah was already a done deal. Heaven help him, but his mind was already playing images of him doing naughty things with her in one of those suites. Honestly, if she didn’t stop looking so damned cute with those sunshiny smiles, he’d find himself making a move on her.
Well, would that really be so bad?
*****
“We’re going back to our suite,” Zach announced.
Jeff suppressed his snicker. He’d been wondering for the last fifteen minutes when the newly engaged couple would say their goodnights. The two had done nothing but cuddle and kiss since their group had moved to one of the bars for some after-dinner drinks.
“I think I’ll head off now, too,” Magda said, hiding a yawn behind her hand.
“We’ll walk you to your room, Gran,” Zach said, helping Magda get up from her chair.
“Another drink, guys?” Greg asked Jeff and Sarah after the others had left.
“Could I just have water, please, Greg?” Sarah asked.
“Sure. Jeff?”
“Another beer, thanks, bro.”
Jeff raised an eyebrow at Sarah when Greg left for the bar. “Water?”
“Yes, I’ve had enough alcohol, I think.”
“But you’re not laughing like a hyena yet,” he teased.
“I do not laugh like a hyena when I’m drunk,” she protested indignantly, tapping him on the thigh with the back of her hand.
“How does your drunken laugh go then? Like this?” He made a girly hi-hi-hi laugh.
“No!” she said, laughter starting to bubble from out of her.
“How then? Show me.”
“I don’t know,” she said, her giggles getting louder.
“Aha. I see. Like that!” he said with glee.
“Stop it,” she said, giggling some more. “You’re making me laugh, not the alcohol.”
“Wow. I’ve never had anyone truly laugh at my jokes before,” he said with amusement.
For some reason, that set Sarah off even worse. She laughed so hard that she was doubled over. And he couldn’t help but laugh with her.
“What so funny?” Greg asked, setting drinks on their table.
“Sarah’s drunk.”
“I’m... not! Not... yet,” she said in between breathless laughter.
“So why are you giggling uncontrollably, if you’re not drunk yet?” Jeff asked.
“I don’t... know,” she responded, inhaling big gulps of air and trying to control herself.
“Want a sip?” he asked wickedly, offering her his beer.
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“You’re trying to get me drunk!” she accused.
“No. You’re already drunk, so I couldn’t be trying to get you drunk.”
“I’m not already drunk,” she said, her giggles subsiding. “I’m only almost drunk. So you are trying to get me drunk.”
He grinned back at her. Ah, he wanted to kiss that radiant face.
“Excuse me, guys,” Greg said. “I’m just going to say hello to a couple of people I met the other day.”
Jeff nodded to his brother. Heck, he’d even forgotten he was around.
Greg gave him a wink as he left him alone with Sarah. He snickered. His brothers could always tell when he was attracted to a woman. If Zach were around, Zach would no doubt be giving him more of his warning looks.
He knew, without Zach saying it, that his older brother was concerned about him flirting with Sarah. But Jeff couldn’t see the problem with just flirting. That was simply a bit of lighthearted fun. The problem would be if he ended up in bed with her. Yes, that would be a problem, but he bet it would also be super fun.
He shook his head, bemused, and at the same time surprised by the strength of his attraction.
“What?” Sarah asked, raising her eyebrows at his expression.
“You.”
“What about me?”
He smiled at her. “You’re so funny.”
She snorted.
“And cute.”
“Cute?”
“Well, more like pretty. Very pretty.”
“Pretty?” Sarah asked, as if she couldn’t understand what he was saying.
He exhaled loudly. “All right then. I think you’re absolutely stunning. How’s that?”
Even in the muted light, he could see her blush.
“Yeah, sure,” she said lightly. “But flattery wouldn’t get you pouring alcohol down my throat so you could hear me laugh like a hyena.”
“Excuse me,” he said in mock outrage. “How dare you think I’m joking?”
Sarah squinted her eyes at him. “Be careful, Jeff. Or I might think you’re being serious.”
“Who says I’m not being serious?”
Sarah shook her head, rolling her eyes. He could tell she didn’t want to believe him.
“So tell me,” he said, leaning close to her. “What would be the problem if I find you attractive?”
She smiled. “Nothing, I guess. I just don’t know if you’re joking around or if you’re being serious.”
“Being serious,” he said with a deadpan expression.
“Oh, okay.” Sarah seemed flustered now. “So what do you hope to
gain by telling me that?”
He leaned back on his seat. “I don’t know. A kiss?” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. Hell, this banter was getting out of hand. Maybe he was the one who’d had too much to drink?
Sarah was frowning, seemingly trying to figure out if he’d truly meant what he’d said.
“All right,” she said suddenly, looking determined. “Here.” She grabbed his face and kissed him on the lips.
Jeff was stunned for two seconds, but when Sarah tried to end the kiss, he’d recovered. He cupped the back of her head and returned her kiss softly, yet insistently. Before he knew it, their tongues were duelling and he’d grown hard. He’d even started caressing her thigh!
“Whoa,” Sarah said as they came up for air.
“Whoa,” he agreed.
“I’m sorry,” she said, her eyes darting around.
“Why? I’m not.”
Sarah appeared quite embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to kiss you in public.”
“It’s okay.” He should have been more careful himself. But frankly, he wasn’t that worried about having unauthorised photos of them taken by other passengers. He was sure most people on the ship were there to enjoy their cruise, not to stalk the Carmichael brothers and sell their pictures to gossip magazines.
Sarah stared at her glass of water, looking guilty and uncomfortable.
“Hey, I’m sorry that that kiss was terribly disappointing,” he said in a contrite voice.
“What?” Sarah asked with a frown.
“Why else would you look so morose?” he said bleakly. “If you give me another chance, I’ll give you a better one.”
She chuckled and stared back at her glass. “I know how you guys go to great lengths to keep your privacy, and there I was, acting without regard to that.”
He sighed. “Sarah, look at me.”
When she did as he asked, he tilted her face with a finger under her chin and kissed her on the lips again. “There, we’re even,” he murmured.
They stared at each other for long seconds, searching one another’s faces. He tried to read her expression, eager to know if she was up for something more than kisses. Or was she waiting for him to push the envelope? Well, there was only one way to find out.
“Sarah, I really find you attractive.”
“Same here, Jeff,” she said with a hint of shyness.
“You find yourself attractive, too?” he teased.
“You know what I mean!” she said laughingly, relieving some of the tension in the air.
“So what do you think we should do about it?” he asked, looking at her intently.
She gaped at him, then shrugged her shoulders. “What do you have in mind?”
“I have a certain something in mind,” he said quietly. “But I’m afraid you may not be open to it.”
“A one-night stand?” she asked without guile.
He smiled. “Or a brief fling.”
He found himself crossing his fingers that she’d go for it. After their kiss, he knew it would be damned difficult to stop the fantasies of having her in his bed.
“Well,” Sarah said with a deep sigh. “I have been toying with the idea of having a cruise-fling. If I do it with you, I know you’d want to keep it quiet. But I want you to know I’d have to tell my best friends.”
Jeff exhaled the breath he hadn’t realised he was holding, his heart dancing in his chest. “If you trust your best friends, then I trust them too.”
Sarah smiled, her cheeks slightly flushed. “Okay. But only while we’re on this ship.”
“Agreed,” he said, a wide grin forming on his face.
“Do you mind if I ask you something?” Sarah asked hesitantly.
“Sure.”
“It’s a bit personal,” she warned.
“Well, since we’d be getting quite up close and personal soon, fire away.”
“I’m only asking this so we’re clear with our expectations on our... err... arrangement.”
“Our sizzling affair,” he corrected cheekily. “Go ahead.”
“You definitely don’t ever want to get married, right?”
His eyebrows shot up. He wasn’t expecting that question.
“I want to make sure we both won’t hold on to any crazy ideas about where this might lead,” she said hastily.
Hmm. Sarah didn’t sound keen on marriage either. Good. That made him feel much more comfortable about this whole thing. “Yes, I definitely am no longer marriage material.”
“Okay. That’s clear,” she murmured. “So is your experience with your ex-fiancée the reason why you don’t want to get married anymore?”
He rubbed his face. That was another question he hadn’t expected.
“You don’t have to answer that,” Sarah hastened to add. “Sorry, I was just being inappropriately curious.”
“You could say I’ve been there, done that with the whole wanting to get married thing. I’ve since discovered I much prefer casual relationships.”
“Sorry I asked.”
He smiled at her. “Don’t be. I’m glad we cleared that part. I’ve had women complain that I broke their hearts when I’ve been clear from the beginning I’m not into commitment.”
She nodded, seemingly lost in thought. “Can I ask another question?”
“Okay.”
“Um...” Sarah fidgeted in her seat, her discomfiture obvious.
“What, baby?”
She glanced at him in surprise, probably because of his term of endearment. It surprised him, too. But he didn’t see a problem. They’d already laid out the extent of their agreement.
“What is it?” he repeated, squeezing her thigh lightly.
“Well, this vision suddenly popped up in my head and it’s bothering me.”
He waited for her to continue.
Sarah took a deep breath. “When you’re in bed with other women, do you, uh, think about your ex-fiancée?”
“No!” he said with an indignant snort. “I’m very present with whomever I’m with, Sarah. I hardly ever think of Bianca these days. And I most certainly do not think about her when I’m in bed with another woman.”
He was one hundred percent sure all he’d be calling would be Sarah’s name when they got to bed. He was dying to be with her.
Her. Sarah. No one else. Just Sarah.
CHAPTER FOUR
Sarah shook off her irrational worry and smiled at Jeff. “Good. Even though this will all be casual, it will still be the biggest mood killer if you suddenly utter someone else’s name in the middle of sex. That would be such a blow to my ego, you know.”
He chuckled. “I can guarantee you that won’t happen.”
“Okay, that was my last personal question for tonight,” she said lightly.
“Phew,” he said with a grin. “May I ask you one?”
“Sure.”
“Are you the type who approaches relationships with the view of wanting something permanent down the track?”
She inhaled sharply. Yes, she had always been that kind of person. But not this time.
“I’m not against marriage,” she answered, choosing her words carefully. “But I’m not looking for commitment right this moment. I’m more interested in having fun for the time being.” She didn’t add that when she was back on dry land, she’d be working on finding her New Year’s Resolution Guy. Jeff didn’t need to know that.
“Good,” Jeff said with what seemed like a sigh of relief. “So what next?”
“Another drink?” she grinned. “Something with low alcohol content.”
“And you’re trusting me to get it for you?” Jeff asked with a devilish smile.
“Yes,” she said simply.
Jeff grinned and gave her a peck on the lips. “I’ll be back,” he said, then headed to the bar.
The next couple of hours were spent talking about anything and everything. While she couldn’t wait to go to bed with Jeff, she was just as interested in knowing more about hi
m. To her delight, Jeff was an open book about his childhood and his work. She did wonder about his past relationships, but she wasn’t drunk enough to dare ask about those.
In turn Jeff peppered her with questions about herself. Before she knew it, it was way past midnight.
“You’re tired,” Jeff observed.
“It’s the alcohol. If it doesn’t make me laugh, it makes me go to sleep.”
Jeff looked disappointed, but smiled. “Well, off to bed you go then. I’ll see you tomorrow night?”
“Definitely.”
“Make sure you don’t change your mind,” he teased.
“I won’t.”
“Good.” Jeff leaned in and gave her a slow, sweet kiss.
Too bad he couldn’t be the guy she’d be pashing at the stroke of midnight next New Year’s Eve. Oh well, at least, he’d be helping her cross off a particular item on her “to-do” list—to have a fun, temporary fling while under the influence of this romantic, temporary home floating on a vast, alluring sea.
*****
Sarah was almost at the end of her mid-morning thirty-minute jog on the treadmill when a familiar face turned up.
“Hey gorgeous! Glad to see you here.”
Oh no. It was Ron.
She’d been avoiding him. While he’d been a fun companion for most of the trip, he’d started to act like it was a given they’d end up as a couple.
“Hey Ron. How are you?”
“Good. Much better now that I’ve seen your beautiful face again,” Ron said with a grin. “I haven’t seen you for a while. How’s Magda? Looks like she’s keeping you busy.”
“She’s well,” she answered.
“So what are your plans for tonight? I’ve been meaning to call you to see if you’re available for dinner,” Ron said, leaning casually on the side of her treadmill panel as he watched her slow down to a walk to wind down her exercise.
“Sorry, I’ve got other plans.”
She indeed felt a little sorry. Ron was a nice, decent guy, and he’d been a good friend who had helped make this trip extra enjoyable. Unfortunately, the chemistry was not strong enough for her to want to take it further.
“Tomorrow night?” Ron persisted.
She shook her head contritely.
“Having dinner with Magda and your group?”
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