by Kim Linwood
He shakes it teasingly. “Giving up already?”
“Oh, cut it out. Hand it over.” I glance around to see if anyone’s watching, but this part of the deck is deserted except for us. At least there’s that.
As I stalk forwards with one arm covering my breasts, he stays put, lifting his arm to keep my top just barely out of reach. “I want to see you jump for it.” He grins broadly, his cheeks dimpling. How did I never notice those dimples before?
I glare at him, up at the annoying slip of white cloth and then back at him. There’s no way I’m giving him the satisfaction of watching me bounce around topless. I need a different plan. Work smarter, not harder.
Stepping right up close, I put my free hand softly onto his tight abs, tracing each ridge with my fingertips as I slide upwards to his chest. My breath catches, and I have to remember why I’m doing this. I’m trying to distract him, but that’s not going to help if I can’t focus. “You know, maybe you’re right.”
He looks down at me, not lowering the top an inch. “I know I’m right. What about?” His eyes sparkle with mischief. The game’s still on his terms.
I walk my fingers across his right pec, stopping to swirl my index finger lazily around his nipple. It hardens up immediately, and I get the urge to lick it. To swirl my tongue around it instead of my finger. Angie, stay on target. “Maybe the two of us... you know...”
He laughs, his chest shaking under my touch. “No. I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me, babe?” His voice is teasing, confident. Out of the corner of my eye, I see his arm has come down just a touch.
Sliding my hand up onto his shoulder, I marvel at the powerful muscles underneath. I trace their contours before I continue down his upper arm, following a dark spiral of ink. “I mean, I know you’re going to be my stepbrother and all, but...” I trail off, dragging it out.
“But what, babe?” He’s leaning in just a little, his head coming closer and the arm holding my top lowering.
I go for broke. Pressing my naked torso against his and my cheek against his broad chest, it’s hard to pretend that I’m only doing this to distract him anymore. His nipples aren’t the only ones that are hard, and mine are tight and sensitive as they drag along his stomach. Still, I’ve got my head angled so I can keep an eye on the prize. I just hope he lowers it enough that I can snag it before I throw all my principles overboard and jump him.
I’m not sure if mashing my breasts against him is any better than giving him a quick show, but it definitely feels better to me. I have both hands on him now, playing over his hot skin, down his sides and onto his hips. God, he feels so good against me. I don’t have to pretend to be short of breath. “But maybe, I mean if you don’t think it’s wrong...”
So close now. He looms over me, and I think he’s going to kiss me, but he’s moving slowly. “It’s alright, babe, you can tell me.” Chuckling softly, he puts his free arm at the small of my back, rubbing my skin just above the top of my bikini bottom and holding me in place.
I can’t help it. I nuzzle against his chest, hearing his slow, steady heartbeat. It’s not his arm keeping me trapped. I’m doing a fine job of that myself. Looking for my top, I spot it just within reach. Am I quick enough? I’ll have to be. Otherwise I don’t think I’ll be able to pull away. I put a soft kiss right by his nipple, taking a bit of satisfaction in hearing him draw a sharp breath. I’m getting to him, at least a little. Preparing to leap, I whisper soft words, too quietly for him to hear.
“I can’t hear you, babe.” He leans in so close that I hear his deep voice right in my ear, sending shivers ratcheting down my spine.
“I said...” My whisper trails off, and I go for it. “That you’re an asshole!” I catch him completely off guard, my left hand snagging my top right out of his fingers while my right swings up and leaves a bright red mark on his cheek with a smack, all done in a fancy twirl that puts me facing away from him so he doesn’t get more of a show than necessary. I’ve never put my top on so quickly before.
Behind me, Gavin laughs. “That was so totally worth it. You want me, babe.”
“Fuck you.”
Suddenly he’s behind me, his arms around me and his chest pressing against my back. His voice is a husky whisper right in my ear, “I’d love to.” Something nudges the small of my back. Oh my God, he’s hard.
I tear away from him and spin. The lump in his board shorts is huge, and I miss the feel of it pressing against me. “Not in a million years. No way. Never. Not if my life depended on it.”
His face takes on a mock hurt expression. “Really, Angie? Your very life? I can’t be that fucking bad.” Cocking his arm, he flexes. “I know you like my body, at least. That’s what you wanted the first time we met. You know, when you were just looking for a quick... hard... messy...” Each word brings him a step closer, and each word raises more goosebumps. “...fuck.” He nods. “You would’ve gotten it, too. Remember that. But I guess now you’re too principled.”
“It’s good one of us is. Just leave me alone, Gavin.” He’s an ass. So why does he make my heart pound and my panties so damn wet?
“You know what? I would, but I had a real reason for coming down before we started playing.” He shrugs. “That thing that they keep reminding us about starts now. We’re running a little late, actually.”
Really, it’s almost six already? I look around, finding the sun getting low on the horizon. Amazing how time flies when you don’t have anything you have to do.
I roll my eyes at him, thinking of a million things I’d rather do than attend some function with him. “Can’t we skip it? Or you go, and tell them I have a headache or something.”
Gavin shakes his head. “I think we better show. The way they’ve been going on about it, Dad must’ve set it up, and it’d be pretty fucking weird if we weren’t there.” He shrugs again. “It’s probably something for you.”
That would only make me feel better if I knew what it was. With a sigh, I make sure my suit’s properly back on, then nod. “Fine. This’d better be good, though.”
He leads the way. Up two flights and we’re back at the heavy door labeled UPPER FRONT DECK. When Gavin opens it effortlessly, I glare at him, but at least he holds it for me.
I step through to a deck covered with decorations. I’d seen the balloons earlier, but now there are flowers everywhere, mostly white, but beautifully accented with bright colors. Soft classical music plays from the speakers, setting a solemn mood.
And the people! The deck is packed with what seems like just about every passenger on the whole ship. What are they all doing here? As soon as we stepped through the door, all conversation stopped, and now they’re all staring at us. I glance at Gavin, but he only shrugs.
A red carpet runner starts at our feet and parts the crowd right down the middle towards the front of the deck. I follow it with my eyes to where it ends at an arch covered in vines and flowers. Standing next to it, still in full dress whites, is Captain Chuck, looking smug and distinguished at the same time.
I swallow. That’s an altar. Those are guests. The captain’s officiating. I start to hyperventilate. I glance back at Gavin and I see from his dropped jaw and wide eyes that he’s realized what I just did.
“Oh shit,” we whisper in chorus.
Chapter 20: Gavin
Holy fuck.
Seriously.
Holy.
Fuck.
Dad doesn’t fuck around, but I can’t fucking believe he was actually planning on fucking marrying Marie on the fucking cruise ship.
Fuck.
Now what?
Angie looks like she just had a heart attack. I don’t blame her. Pretty sure mine skipped a beat or two just now. It’s still racing like I’ve run a ten-mile. Giving her a nudge with my elbow, I turn on a smile. It’s fake as hell, but nobody cares so long as the mask is in place. I figured that out long ago.
She glances at me anxiously, her eyes flitting around like a wild animal ready to make its escape. I ho
ld out my hand and she takes it hesitantly, swallowing the biggest lump in history. “Gavin!” she whispers with a hiss. “It’s a wedding. A wedding. For us!”
I step closer to her so we can hear each other more easily, whispering out of the corner of my mouth. “It’s for our parents. It won’t count.”
“We are our parents. At least as far as they’re concerned. We’re not actually going to do this, are we?” There’s panic in her whisper, and for a little thing, she has a painful grip when she’s freaked out.
“It won’t count.” I think. “We just have to fake our way through the ceremony, and then we’ll have a huge meal and it’s business as usual.” I squeeze her hand back, trying to comfort her and hoping she doesn’t feel how I’m shaking. Fuck, this is some crazy shit.
A steward rushes over to take her things, and we start to walk, still wearing just our swimsuits, and not knowing what else to do. The guests applaud as we walk by them, grinning like fucking idiots. It’s the longest walk of my life.
“Are you sure?” Another hiss from Angie. “I mean, what if it does count. What do we do?” She’s wearing a smile as fake as mine now, but in her eyes is pure panic.
“It won’t count. No fucking way. How could it?” Now if only I felt as confident as I’m trying to sound. How does this work? There need to be witnesses and shit, right? Signatures that have to match? Something? Not having any immediate plans of getting married, it’s not something I’ve looked into.
I put an arm around Angie, trying to calm her while I smile and nod to the guests. She’s stiff as a pole, shivering, and there’s not a thing I can do about it. Well, I did want us to spend more time together. Just like Dad to pull a crazy-ass stunt like this.
Fuck you, Dad.
We stop in front of the arch and Captain Chuck takes a step forward. He straightens, and after giving us what I’m sure is supposed to be a reassuring smile, he speaks in a loud voice. “Welcome, everyone. I’m so glad you’re all here to witness this joyful union today.” He looks up at the sky. “And boy did we get some beautiful weather for it, didn’t we? It’s a good thing too, because from the look of them, Herb really went all out keeping it a surprise.”
There’s amused laughter from the crowd and some scattered applause. Angie looks ready to sink through the deck in embarrassment, but he continues like it’s nothing. “Today, I have the pleasure of joining the beautiful Miss Marie Wilson with the love of her life, the handsome Mr. Herbert Caldwell.”
Angie’s hand crushes my fingers. Her whisper is barely audible. “I’m going to faint.”
“You’re going to be fine. Just remember, good food and an open bar, right?” I squeeze her hand back. “We’re going to get through this, and then we’re going to get so shitfaced that we’re going to have to crawl back to our room. Clear?” She nods nervously. For once we seem to be on the same side. It’s a small victory, won under duress, but I’ll take it.
“It’s not often I get to officiate weddings aboard, so this is as exciting for me as it is for the couple, I bet.” Our captain laughs, and the crowd chuckles along.
Laugh it up, Chuck. You have no fucking idea.
He continues, and I hope it won’t be for too long. I think the only reason Angie’s still standing is because her knees are locked. “Did you all know that captains don’t actually have the authority to officiate marriages? It’s a myth, but a so pervasive one that the Navy even has a statute dictating that Naval captains are not allowed to do it.”
I let out a sigh of relief. “I think we’re off the hook. Guess it’s just for show.” Angie nods in response, looking a little less panicked. Fuck, if it’s just for fun, we might as well enjoy it. I pull her closer and place an excited kiss on the top of her head. I half expect her to slap me again, but relief’s a powerful thing. Instead, she puts on a cute little smile. I could get used to that.
“Luckily, I’m retired, and I’m not one to let something silly like statutes stop me anyway. So, in the state of Florida I am a registered public notary. Just in case anyone’s wondering if this is for real, when we’re done, the happy couple will be Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell.” Captain Chuck bows to a smattering of applause.
Fuck.
Angie sags in my arms. Shit, did she faint? I grip hard, supporting her, and whisper to her as loud as I dare. “Angie!”
She steadies, then looks at me. Her eyes shimmer, like she’s about to cry. “We’re getting married.”
I laugh it off. “Relax, babe. It’ll never stick. We’ll pretend to be married, eat and drink ‘till we puke and get it annulled when we’re back on land if we have to. It’ll be fun.” She’s not convinced, but they can’t seriously hold us to this. This isn’t real. Me? I’m already looking forward to the champagne and cigars.
Chapter 21: Angie
Shouldn’t it take longer to get married? One moment, Gavin and I were standing there in shock, then a short speech, a few words and suddenly we’re at the vows.
“I do.” My voice is shaky and I barely get the words out. Gavin’s “I do” is more confident, and he’s grinning like an idiot. What if we’re really freaking married? Doesn’t he get that this is serious?
Married!
Apparently not, from the confident way he takes my hand and turns us to face the crowd. My face burns while they applaud. This is all fake. This is crazy. Ridiculous. But sometimes it’s like you’re stuck in a snowball barreling down a mountain, and everything spins faster and faster until you crash into a million pieces against the bottom.
That’s this trip.
I just got married to my stepbrother. In a freaking bikini. Crash.
The crowd gets up for a standing ovation. I want to shrink away, but instead I stand here with the biggest fake smile ever on my face, doing my best to look radiant or whatever it is brides are supposed to look like. In flip-flops.
My face is burning with embarrassment, and I’m sure I’m blushing all the way down. They could at least have given me time to put on a dress or a shawl or something. Why did I let the steward take my wrap?
Chuck’s voice cuts in behind us. “You may kiss the bride.”
Gavin laughs. “I’ve been waiting for this moment.” Wrapping his arms around me, he dips me deeply like I don’t weigh a thing, and plants his lips right on mine.
I forget about everything around me, about being married, about being nearly naked, about my embarrassment. About everything. Suddenly, it’s just Gavin and me.
Heat surges through us, connecting us in the moment. His bare skin burns where it touches mine. My blood roars in my ears, rushing hotly through me like an overflowing river and I barely hear the loud cheering of the crowd above it. Hooking my arms around his neck, I grip him by the hair and cling to him like a life preserver.
I’m too wound up. That must be it. My body’s on emotional overload right now, and it’s discharging in the kiss. Sense creeps slowly back into my mind, making me realize that I’m clinging like a lovesick bride to her brand new husband. Not for show, but because in that moment, he was the most real and sane thing in an ocean of insanity.
The cheering doesn’t stop until he pulls back, letting us both come up for air. His eyes crinkle in cocky amusement. “Man, if I knew all it would take was marrying you, I would’ve done it long ago.”
“Fuck you.” I say it in my sweetest tone and with a smile on my face.
His smile turns into a predatory grin and his eyes narrow. “Oh, you will. And I can’t fucking wait, babe.” He swings me back up to my feet, then continues loud enough for everyone to hear. “But first, we party!” Another cheer sounds from the crowd.
Captain Chuck appears behind us and puts a broad hand on each of our backs, guiding us towards a long table set up on the deck. His hand is rough and calloused, but that’s it. So why does Gavin’s touch make me feel all tingly and warm when I can’t even stand him?
I try not to think about it too much as servers show us our seats at the head of the table. The guy who took my s
tuff comes back, and I slip my wrap on like a makeshift dress. A little too late after he left me to get married in my swimsuit, but at least now I don’t feel as exposed, and the air’s getting cooler. Gavin sits down in just his board shorts, apparently happy enough with that. Strangest reception ever.
The Captain is seated to my left, and then Joyce and Mabel have places at Gavin’s right.
“I knew you folks had spoken before, so I figured you wanted some familiar faces at the table,” Chuck grinned.
Joyce is bubbling over with excitement, clapping her hands and talking to Mabel, who seems to be looking for the buffet. One of the stewards directs her back to her chair twice before the servers come with appetizers. It’s some kind of sashimi with a delicious dipping sauce, which is melt-in-your-mouth good. I can’t believe I’m even thinking it, but maybe Gavin’s right. Just enjoy the party, and we’ll get everything sorted out when we get home.
A platoon of servers step up, popping champagne bottles at the same time like a twenty-one gun salute. A cheer goes up and flutes are poured. As soon as our glasses are filled, Captain Chuck stands and proclaims a toast to the happy couple. Then someone else does. Then Gavin stands and makes a toast to all the guests, and so on and so on. By the first main course, some kind of fish and crab dish with scallops in an amazing clear sauce, I’m feeling pretty happy, already well into my third glass.
Gavin looks at me curiously when I pop one of the scallops in my mouth and chew it happily. “Babe, didn’t you say you were allergic to shellfish?”
“Yup.” I giggle, and it’s not just the champagne. “I might’ve said those words.”
His eyes widen for a moment, then he laughs. “I’ll get you for that.” The hot promise in his voice makes my breath catch.
Joyce looks at me with a sparkle in her eye and picks up her dessert spoon. Oh no. Gavin spots her and his face breaks into a large grin. When she starts ringing her glass, he’s already leaning in for the kiss. I must be drunk, because I turn to meet him without having to convince myself.
