by S J Crabb
“Where have you been because wherever it was I want a ticket? You look mightily pleased with yourself.”
Smiling smugly, I settle down beside her.
“Let’s just say this is turning out to be the best trip ever. I am now officially in love with the man of my dreams and may never return home in case the bubble bursts.”
Jo smiles happily.
“Lucky you. You deserve it. He seems really nice, and it’s about time you found some happiness.”
I note the catch in her voice and look at her with a worried expression.
“How about you? Have you forgiven Pete yet? If it’s any of my business, I really think it was just a silly mistake. He obviously idolises you.”
She sighs heavily and looks so sad it takes my breath away.
“I wish I could, Becca. It’s not just about Margaret anymore. If it was, I think I would have forgiven him already.”
Gently I say, “What is it then?”
She shakes her head and looks at me sadly.
“Listen. Don’t tell the others but I think I may be pregnant.”
Well, I wasn’t expecting that and look at her in shock.
“Oh, my goodness, Jo, are you sure?”
She nods. “I’m late and one thing about me is I’m never late in any aspect of my life. Ordinarily, I would be over the moon. I know that Pete and I aren’t married but we live together and it’s just a formality, really.”
I smile softly.
“So, what is the problem then?”
Her eyes fill with tears and she looks out to the Bay with a lost expression.
“It’s this Margaret thing. What if I can’t trust him? You know what the pilots are like. They have many a temptation thrown in their path as soon as they put on that damn sexy uniform. What if he has met someone else and is stringing me along? You know as well as I do that it happens all the time. Even if they’re married, they stray and I don’t want to bring a child into an uncertain future.”
I think about her words carefully. I know she is wrong about Pete. Yes, he’s a good-looking guy who could take his pick. I also know that he is crazy stupid in love with my stubborn friend and his behaviour this trip has just cemented my opinion. I turn to her and smile.
“Why don’t you talk to him? Tell him about your suspicions and lay it all out in the open. At least give him the chance to explain and you will know in his eyes if he is telling the truth. His reaction to your news will speak volumes and then you will have your answer.”
She looks thoughtful as we are interrupted by Rachel and Jenny heading our way.
Immediately, I sense Rachel’s disapproval as they draw near and the look she throws me is one of utter horror. I sit up and watch them approach and look at Rachel with questions in my eyes. She shakes her head and nods pointedly towards Jenny and I wonder what has happened now.
As they spread out their belongings, Jo looks at Jenny and says loudly.
“Good God, Jenny, did something happen? You look as if you’ve had an accident.”
I look at Jenny and notice a large bandage type thing pressed to her upper right arm. She winces and smiles happily through the pain.
“Oh, this. It’s not what you think.”
Rachel looks at her with irritation and says somewhat sharply.
“Tell them what you’ve done, Jenny.”
Jenny grins and slowly peels off the bandage and Jo and I gasp in disbelief. Among the red, sore mess on Jenny’s arm appears to be a tattoo - quite a large one actually, of the letter F surrounded by a wave.
Jo looks at me in horror and exclaims.
“Jenny, you stupid idiot. That had better be a transfer because if its permanent the sun must have gone to your head and rendered you an idiot.”
Jenny just laughs happily.
“Impressive, isn’t it? Flynn and I got these done this morning. He has a J and I have an F.”
Rachel looks at her with irritation.
“And what happens when you return home with this permanent reminder of your trip? How will you explain the F on your arm? F for fling, or F for fucking mad.”
Jenny looks unconcerned.
“It won’t matter because as soon as I get home I’m quitting my job and heading straight back here to run the water sports business with Flynn.”
There is silence. Stone cold disbelieving, what the hell just happened, life-changing moment silence, as we all look at Jenny in total and utter disbelief.
She laughs at our expressions and sinks back onto her sunbed with a sigh of contentment.
“I’ve decided that life is for living and seizing the moment. I’ll no longer be concerned about the mundane and have decided to embrace my wild adventurous side that has been buried deep within me for so long. Flynn has brought that out of me and we have discovered that we are two sides of the same coin. He has begged me to stay, and I didn’t need asking twice. This is my home now and I couldn’t be happier.”
For once in her life, Jo is lost for words and Rachel shakes her head in disbelief. Then I watch in shock as her eyes fill up and she looks at Jenny with admiration.
“Good for you, Jenny.”
Jo looks astonished.
“Don’t encourage her, Rachel. She should be told that this is a very dangerous plan. Flynn could be some sort of mass murderer who lures innocent, unsuspecting, vulnerable girls to his lair. He knows that Jenny is a lost soul and plans on stripping her of her inheritance to feed his obvious drug habit. Mark my words this will end in disaster.”
Jenny looks at Jo with an angry glare.
“Just shut up, Jo. You know nothing. Flynn is the most open, honest man, I have ever met. He is a free spirit of nature and came here from Australia two years ago. He said that when I return we will live here for a few more months until we have saved enough money to move on to the next country. He intends on travelling the world and wants to take me with him. So what if it’s reckless? I don’t care because I have been sensible for far too long. This is my time to shine and I can’t wait to take this journey with the first man I have ever loved.”
She huffs and pulls on her sunglasses and lies back on her sunbed. Jo shakes her head and Rachel sighs sadly.
“Good for you, Jenny. You’re right, life is for living and you should do whatever makes you happy. You have taught me that. I wish I was as brave as you.”
I look at her with a worried expression and say softly.
“Are you ok, Rachel?”
She smiles weakly.
“I will be, Becca. I just need to sort things out at home first.”
~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 21
As I get ready for the evening, I hum a little tune in the shower. I can’t believe how happy I feel. Today has changed my life and what happened at dirty beach will keep me warm on many a cold night. Even if Luke and I fizzle out, nothing can take away the memory of an extremely hot day at the beach.
On the dot of 7, there is knock on the door and I feel that delicious fluttering feeling inside. I wonder if things will have changed between us? Taking a deep breath, I open the door and smile at the extremely sexy man filling my view. Luke grins and my heart beats faster as his eyes almost strip me bare with longing. In just one small move he is before me and takes me in his arms, whispering, “Evening sexy girl. I missed you today.”
Trying to look cool and sexy, I fail miserably as a huge grin breaks out across my face.
“Hi, yourself. How was the boat? They let you leave then.”
He raises his eyes. “Boat!” Shaking his head, he smiles. “The correct term is Ship and you would do well to remember that when you are mingling with the Navy elite at the Captain’s cocktail party tomorrow night.”
Just for a moment, I don’t think I register his words and look at him with a puzzled expression.
“I’m sorry, what did you just say?”
He laughs and pulls me closer, whispering,
“We’ve all been invited to the usual cocktail party
that the ships have when they dock at a new port. The Captain said your crew would be most welcome as it’s normally just local government officials and dignitaries. He said his men would thank him forever for injecting a bit of life into the proceedings.”
I know my face must be betraying the thoughts that are all running through my head at once.
This is a one hundred percent dreams come true, is this really happening? wait until I tell my friends moment.
Squealing, I fling my arms around him, shouting,
"Oh. My. God! I can’t wait. Thank you, Luke, you’re amazing.”
Laughing, he rolls his eyes.
“Just remember I’ll be there to make sure those rampant sailors keep their distance from you. After their lonely nights at sea, they will be hot on the prowl and the sight of a group of gorgeous girls will bring out the caveman in them.”
Shivering with delicious anticipation of a night surrounding by her Majesties finest, I grab his hand.
“Come on, let’s tell the others. You’ll be their superhero after this.”
I drag him to the party room with not a moment to lose.
Marcus actually screams - yes screams - with excitement when I tell the packed crew room what Luke has arranged. The excitement is off the scale as every last person takes in the news of the treat awaiting us. Pete looks amazed and smiles at Luke.
“Thanks, mate. I would love to see around a Navy Ship. Are you sure they don’t mind though? Is there any security clearance we need to go through first?”
Shaking his head, Luke smiles.
“No, usually these things are pretty boring. They invite the local officials in return for docking at their port. Just lots of small talk while sipping wine and nibbling on canapes. It sounds a lot better than it really is.”
I don’t think one person in the room agrees with him. Oh no, this doesn’t sound mundane at all. This sounds like the gods love us and have made all our dreams come true. I can’t wait until tomorrow, it will be the best night of my life - ever!
As nights in Acapulco go, tonight is fairly tame. We all head off to eat and I enjoy holding Luke’s hand and feeling the envious gazes of any female within looking distance. Luke is the hottest guy I have ever met and for the next few days he’s all mine. I’m trying not to let the thought of what will happen when our time is up affect me. I will just enjoy the moment. Jenny and Flynn are as into each other as usual and I wonder if she is really ready to give everything up to return here and be with him. I expect if Luke asked me I would. Maybe it’s true and love does hit you like a lightning bolt, making you do rash, crazy things that have no place in a rational person’s mind.
Catching sight of Jo pointedly ignoring Pete, I worry about her. The pained expression on her face and the hurt in her eyes reveals there’s a lot going on in her mind at the moment. Pete wears the same expression and I hope for both their sakes they work it out. They may have to if Jo is correct and expecting a mini version of the two of them to arrive in just under nine months’ time.
After a calm, enjoyable evening, Luke walks me back to my room. My heart starts thumping as we head upstairs and I wonder what happens now. This is now really awkward. Do we continue where we carried off on the beach, or do we continue as before and just go our separate ways to bed?
I’m not sure what I think about either and worry that whatever decision I make will be the wrong one.
As soon as reach our rooms, Luke looks at me and smiles.
“Thanks for a great evening.”
I smile and he pulls me close and whispers.
“I hope this doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable but I don’t want to let you go. Will you spend tonight with me in my brothel room? We don’t have to do anything, just stare at ourselves in the mirror if you like. I just don’t want to waste a minute of the time we have left without you being by my side.”
I look at him shyly and nod.
“I would like that, Luke.”
As he pushes his key card in the door, my heart starts beating like a drum at a rock concert. Am I really going to do this?”
Once inside the Love Palace, I look at his red bed with horror. All over the bed are rose petals looking like a hurricane has blasted through a rose garden. Luke laughs as he sees my expression.
“Mad isn’t it? I’m not sure why they think this is romantic. It’s just irritating having to remove them from the bed before you can go to sleep.”
He starts to brush them away and I feel my OCD kicking in as I start to remove them carefully. I’m happy to say that once I delve deeper into the floral extravaganza, I find some lovely little chocolate hearts mingling with the horticulture. Throwing one to Luke, I roll my eyes with joy and groan as the sweet chocolate hits my taste buds.
“Hm, this is worth the clean-up operation. You didn’t say you got chocolate. I would have been here much sooner if I knew about these.”
Luke grins and nods towards the bathroom.
“They usually put a few in there as well. First one to find them wins.”
Before he even finishes the challenge, I’m on it. We both race for the bathroom and I push him out of the way to be the first one to reach the sweet reward. As I push open the door, I'm amazed to see candles burning brightly everywhere. There is a bucket of ice holding tightly onto a bottle of champagne, next to a bowl of strawberries by the bath. Luke grins as I clap my hands with girly excitement.
“I love your honeymoon, Luke. I take it all back, Mexicans know the way to a girl’s heart. Look at this place, it’s every girl’s dream.”
As I look at him I do a double take. He is looking at me with such a loaded - lust filled look, that I swear my legs almost give way.
Suddenly, any doubts in my mind are thrown quickly over the edge of the balcony. There is not a woman alive who could resist this. As Luke moves towards me I meet him halfway and then there is no stopping us. Hot nights in Mexico don’t come much hotter than this and now there is no holding me back.
~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 22
Waking up the next morning, I wonder why I am moving. It feels as if I’m on a boat cast out to sea. I’m aware that I’m not alone. As I feel the pressure of a warm body pressed close to mine, the memory of the night before comes flooding back.
I freeze as the morning shame hits me. What did I just do? All of my morals and code of conduct disintegrated as soon as Luke tore off his t-shirt. The sight of that body heading towards me shattered my principles in a heartbeat. I quickly close my eyes as he stirs beside me. What must he think? He must think I’m some sort of hussy who does this sort of thing all the time with random guys I pick up abroad. The worse thing is, I’m sure I have rose petals stuck to every part of my body. I also have bed hair that has no business being seen by a dream god like Luke.
He snuggles into me further and I lie like a stiff board next to him. What on earth will I say to him when we actually have to speak to each other? Will he look at me and regret the alcohol intake that has clouded his mind into believing I’m a supermodel and not some ageing spinster from Crawley who spends her days talking to a potted plant?
The bed continues to rock me on my walk of shame - again! How many more times will I take this walk this week? Will I ever feel comfortable with the decisions my harlot of a mind makes for me when I’m under the influence of lust and alcohol?
I brave a look and wince at the sight that greets me in the mirror above. I’m entwined with a sex god on a bed of roses; one of which appears to be stuck to the side of my face. I can see another one on Luke’s back and feel my fingers itching to pull it off. However, as I take in the sight of his muscled body hugging mine, my inner devil looks at me with admiration and pride. Way to go, Becca. Memories don’t come sweeter than this and who cares about morality anyway? Enjoy every second because life is for living. If I remain alone for the rest of my life, nothing can take away what happened last night.
Luke stirs beside me and whispers sleepily.
“M
orning, gorgeous. Did you sleep well?”
Shamelessly, I snuggle beside him and move even closer.
“Yes, thank you. Despite the fact the bed moved and was the strangest feeling ever I slept really well.”
He pulls me even closer, if that’s possible and says huskily, “Honeymoons are the best, aren’t they?”
Grinning to myself, I nod slowly.
“Well, this one certainly is. That’s for sure.”
After the night of my life, we eat the honeymoon breakfast as if we’ve been starved of food for a week. As we sit on the balcony looking over the bay Luke says with interest.
“What did Marcus arrange for today again?”
I smile and roll my eyes.
“Apparently, Elvis’s cousin runs boat trips out to see the famous Cliff Divers of Mexico. He is taking us all on a trip to see them from the bay. There will be food and drink on board and it should be a relaxing trip while watching brave men jump to their possible deaths for our entertainment.”
Luke grins.
“Sounds good to me. Although, I would be more than happy just to spend the day rubbing suntan lotion on your back and hearing you groan some more.”
He laughs as I look at him with embarrassment.
“You just caught a muscle, that’s all.”
He laughs. “I seemed to catch a lot of them last night if I remember.”
Giggling, I throw a banana at him. “Says you. You added a few groans of your own to join mine if I remember rightly. In fact, it was a groanathon marathon.”
Luke laughs. “Groanathon. I’ve been at sea too long. I have missed this recent evolution of the English language.”
Shaking my head, I grin and once again thank the gods for giving me such a hot groaning partner. Who wouldn’t groan at the sight of this man in their field of vision? Groans must follow him wherever he goes.
As we get ready to leave, I wonder what the day will bring. One thing’s for sure, boats are going to play a large part in it.
