Castles Burning Part Two

by Nicole Ryan

  “Oh! No, no we didn’t, but I mean I’ve done crazier things than last night let’s just say that. I’ve been on this ship for a while, this is my second deployment.” She said, taking another drink, and then looking at the hot rocks across from us.

  “Do you and Tyler always hook up on deployment?” I asked.

  “Yes and no… I know you’ve only been here for a couple months, but I’m sure by now you understand. These men we work with, these lost boys… we are all they have out here you know? The married ones have their wives to call and email and get pictures from, but the rest of them are so alone out here, you feel how lonely it is. You’ll see, when something happens, and it will, our job is dangerous and something always happens on deployment that tests our trust in one another.” She took a gulp of her water and looked back at me. “I love each of these men. It might not be the same way I love Tyler, or even the same way I’ve loved men in my past… but it is love. I would do anything to help them in an emergency; I know they would do the same for me. We’re a team and when scary shit happens, I know that I can count on them to have my back, to protect me and to care for me if something happens to me. Does that make sense?” She asked.

  I nodded, looking at my water in my hands. “Yes, it does.”

  “What’s your secret Amber?” She asked, I looked over at her and her face was stone serious, I hardly ever saw her without a smile or grin on her face.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You seem like you’re hiding something. What is it? You can never get past it if you don’t talk about it or get help.” She said softly.

  “Well, I am talking about it.” I snapped at her. “I’m talking about it with the ship therapist three times a week. It’s not about what happened to me.” My voice softened.

  “I’m sorry, it’s none of my business.”

  “No, I’m sorry for being a bitch. It’s not about what happened to me, it’s about what happened to… someone else.” I closed my eyes as tears stung behind my eyelids, the heat from the sauna keeping them at bay for me.

  “Who?”

  “Someone I loved more than life itself.” My voice cracked.

  “I’m sorry for bringing it up.” She said scooting closer to me and putting her hand on my shoulder.

  “It’s okay, you’re right. There is something I need to talk about with someone. I’m just not sure how.”

  “I’m here if you ever need me. I might not be licensed to listen to people talk, but I’m pretty good at it anyway.”

  “Thanks Jess.” I said and smiled at her; she squeezed my shoulder and a grin spread across her face.

  “Come on, let’s go up and get ready to go out it’s almost five.”

  ***

  There was loud, hard rock music thundering around us, the bass vibrating our bones and the guitar tickling our nipples as our bodies moved in front of the stage. We’d had two shots in the bar on the third floor, but when we came to the fourth floor the nightclub we went into was swarmed with people, and free shots we’re going around as much as cigarettes were. The dense smoke caught the laser lights and made my eyes feel like they weren’t focusing. Dean had had two shots of the tequila with the white drop on the bottom, he was dancing with me, sweat on his brow and above his lip, we moved in perfect unison as I unbuttoned his top three buttons and plunged my hands over his hard bare chest. I slowly slid my tongue over his top lip, tasting him as I licked the sweat from his skin, sweet and salty.

  He bent me back as we danced, and kissed the top of my left breast at the seam of my filmy lavender top, which clung to my damp skin. He hooked my right leg up to his hip, his hand felt warm on the soft black fabric of my skirt. I let my head hang back as we moved my head was swimming, the music swirling around me, holding me suspended in the air. Dean’s fingers came up to the base of my neck and lifted me forward. I put my hands in his hair and kissed him, swaying and grinding as the band went into a softer song. It was slow, sexy and dark, I grinned at Dean whose skin looked pink in the club light, and his hair cast off blue and red reflections of light. I leaned close to him and wrapped my arms around his neck and closed my eyes as we swayed and the music touched my soul, spoke to me. I felt Dean’s slick skin against mine; he dug his fists into my hair and kissed me, bowing me back until I staggered against a wall. His kiss was so urgent, and rough that it stunned me, I didn’t notice my hands lying limp at my sides. Finally registering that I still had the use of them I grabbed his hips and hauled them to mine, I slid my hands up his back beneath his shirt and then scratched down. He arched his back and growled, grabbing my throat and kissing me again. My heart began pounding; I rose up on my tip toes, desperately trying not to bounce on them in excitement.

  Suddenly Jessica was yelling in my ear. “Can you come with me?”

  “What?” I asked her, pulling away from Dean.

  “I have to go to the bathroom, will you come with me?” She yelled over the music.

  “Yes! I have to go too.” I kissed Dean and took off with her. I noticed Chief sitting at a table with some of the other guys from our shop and Tyler, Dean joined them.

  My head was swimming as she held my hand and we both stumbled out of the club and took a left into a women’s bathroom. The quiet bathroom left my ears ringing and I went into the stall next to Jessica.

  “We need to get out of here, I’m so fucking horny but Ty doesn’t want to leave yet.” She whined.

  “I am too, I can try and get Dean to get us out of here; he’s on fire.”

  “I noticed, all the guys from the shop were watching you guys when you were dancing.”

  “Oh no.” I moaned as I pulled toilet paper from the roll beside me, my vision was almost wobbling and I felt like I might be swaying in a circular motion on the toilet.

  “No you guys looked hot. They were entertained.” She laughed.

  “I get a weird feeling from Chief.” I told her, my thoughts seemed to be pouring out of my mouth without a filter. I stood and fixed my clothes, stumbling on my heels as I adjusted my bra.

  “Everyone does.” She snorted as we washed our hands.

  “Why?” I asked.

  “I’m not so sure… he’s dark.” She replied, but she was holding something back.

  I sighed and nodded, “That’s what scares me.”

  “Oh he isn’t someone to be afraid of, he’s harmless.” She smiled at me through the mirror.

  This time I laughed, I started giggling madly as we left the bathroom our arms linked like pretzels. As we reentered the club a very tall woman with an Adams apple came to us with a platter of shots.

  “Free shots for pretty girls.” She said.

  Jessica took two and we went to the table the boys were occupying, they were laughing at a story Chief was telling enthusiastically, his charismatic smile turning to Jessica and I as we approached them. His eyes glittered at me over his glass of beer as I sat down on Dean’s lap.

  “Sonny!” Chief said, his maddening blue eyes still holding my gaze as he chewed on an olive. “Where did you go?” He asked his voice reproachful even over the loud music.

  “To the bathroom with Johnson, Sir.” I said automatically.

  Chief grinned as he sat back in the dark wooden booth; one leg crossed over his knee, and brought a small glass of scotch to his lips. He sipped it sumptuously, his eyes appraising me over the amber liquid.

  “Chief.” He said swirling the liquid around in the glass, “I work for my money, Sonny.” He said with a wink as he set his drink back down. I swallowed as Dean’s fingers held my hips tighter. I forced a fake laugh and Jessica followed, looking at me suspiciously.

  “Yes Chief, I’m drunk, sorry about that.” I said with a nervous laugh.

  “Let’s dance some more!” Jessica hollered. “Take these shots with me.” She said elbowing me.

  We knocked them back and chased them with water before we went back to the dance floor, Tyler and Dean following and leaving Chief back at the table with the others.r />
  “Come here.” Dean said after he took a shot from a platter that passed us. “Open your mouth.” He said as he pressed me against the wall we had occupied before.

  I grinned at him as Jessica and Tyler came over to us. He smiled back at me as he tilted my chin up, tossed back the shot, and brought his mouth down over mine, the sharp liquid stung my throat as it trickled down but Dean’s tongue quickly chased it away, seductively lapping all traces of it from my mouth.

  “Ten minutes okay?” Tyler leaned over and asked Dean. He nodded, kissing my fingers and biting the tips of them, his pupils were huge, making his dark eyes look like large black orbs in his skull.

  Dean’s hands scooped my bottom up and I wrapped my legs around his waist, my back pressed firmly to the wall behind me as his hands molded my ass and his fingers trailed to my panties and easily moved his fingers past the thin string, to my labia. I took in a sharp breath and tried to scoop myself up and away from his exploring fingers but he pressed his body against me firmly, one of his knees beneath me pressed against the wall.

  “No one can see.” He said low at my ear before he kissed my neck and dipped his middle finger into me, his thumb pressed against my clitoris. My fingers gripped his shoulders as he stroked inside me and my body came alive. I pressed my nose and mouth to his shoulder as he lazily drew his fingers over my silky wetness.

  “Oh God please no, not here.” I pleaded with him, my lips at his ear as I clung to his shoulders, desperately afraid of gushing all over the place in public.

  He made a low, growling sound and took his hand away leaving me shaking and hungry for more, slowly he brought his hand to his mouth, and sucked each of his fingers slowly, deliberately as he looked at me. He leaned forward and kissed my neck, I noticed that Jessica and Tyler had moved next to us, nearly shielding us from sight of the people around us. Unfortunately the table that our coworkers occupied was still in plain view and my eyes collided with Chief, I yanked my head back to Dean and pulled him close to me.

  “Let’s go back.” I told him. He nodded at me and let my legs slip to the floor.

  I straightened my skirt and walked on wobbly legs back to our table. The four of us gathered our things and Chief put his hand on my arm, I stilled instantly and forced my eyes to his.

  “Excuse me Chief.” I said.

  “You need to make sure you don’t appear drunk, they will cane you here for public intoxication.” He said plainly, looking at the four of us, his hand still on my arm.

  “We’ll be careful Adam.” Jessica said unceremoniously, smiling at Chief.

  “Good. Sonny?”

  “Yes… Adam. We will be careful.” I was still weak in the legs from my near orgasm only moments ago.

  “Oh you have something here.” He suddenly said.

  I watched his hand leave my arm as if it were in slow motion; his eyes were fixed on my legs as his hand reached around the back of my thigh, as if he knew my body already his fingers trailed in between them, resting on my right inner thigh. He slowly swept his fingers along my skin and my mouth fell open in shock and I winced as I felt the unmistakable feeling of my own wetness smearing along with his fingers.

  “Someone spilled something on you out there I think.” He said, turning his glittering eyes to mine again.

  I was horrified, and he was amused at the look of shock on my face. He sat back in his booth in that casual smug way again, and when I saw him rub my liquid between his fingers and thumb, and then bring the same hand to rest beside his mouth as he gazed at me, I couldn’t stop my hand from raising up as if on its own and striking him across the face. Quickly the Chief’s face went from one of shock, to one of amusement and he laughed heartily at the guys around us, and then looked pointedly at Dean and Tyler.

  “Get these girls out of this bar.” He said, popping an olive into his mouth, I stared at him fiercely before I spun on my heel and stomped out, instantly sobered by what had happened.

  ***

  The last day of our port visit to Singapore was spent on the ship; our department had been called to muster early because one of our systems needed to be repaired. When we finished, the ship had been sailing for three hours and it was only four in the afternoon. Chief called our entire division to the CBR shop because it was the largest and it was by the Chief’s and LPO’s offices. We all stood in lines, waiting for the Chief to start talking. He looked at all of us carefully, one at a time and landed on me finally before he began.

  “There are several of you who will be on restriction for a week after what I witnessed happen in this port.” He moved his eyes away from mine and swept them over us, his hands behind his back. “May I remind you that this is the military?” He demanded taking a step away from me and walking down the ranks, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

  I noticed that a few of the guys from the other shops were wearing restriction badges, which meant they had no free time. They had to muster every hour with someone except for when they were asleep. Sawyer had a blue swollen eye, and a reddish bruise on his jaw, he wore a badge. Smith had a large anchor tattoo on his forearm that was obviously fresh and not well hidden when his coveralls were rolled up, he also wore a badge. Chief turned on the heel of his boot and made his way back toward us, my stomach sinking with each foot fall.

  “You will all conduct yourself in a more appropriate manner next port, in a way which represents our country in a positive light! Do I make myself clear?” He yelled over us, his jaw flexing.

  “Yes Chief.” Collectively we all answered him. He turned his back to us to go back to his office, but paused after a step.

  “You’re all off for the rest of the day, work is finished so you should rest up, and we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Fireman Carlson and DC3 Johnson,” he said, turning slightly to glance back at Jessica and me as he squeezed his lower lip between his thumb and forefinger. “Sweep and swab this deck, and then come into my office. The rest of you are dismissed.”

  I looked at Tyler and Dean as everyone climbed the ladder well to enjoy the rest of their free time. Tyler shrugged and shook his head. Dean gazed at the Chief’s office door, his jaw clenching before he put his hand on my side and kissed me quickly before leaving the compartment, Tyler followed him. I looked at Jessica and she and I began to sweep the floor.

  “What do you think it is?” I asked.

  She laughed. “You’re pretty silly you know that?” She asked.

  “What are you talking about?” I asked her holding the broom to the side and straightening up to look at her. “You keep saying all these little weird warning things but you won’t tell me what they mean.” I wiped my brow on my forearm; the heat over in this part of the world was exhausting.

  “Chief wants you, Carlson.” She said, glancing at me.

  “Wants me?” I asked incredulously. I shook my head and began sweeping again, my heart pounding in my chest.

  “I slept with him my first week in this division.” She said shaking her head as if the memory was silly. “He did things to me I didn’t even imagine existed as far as sex was concerned. I can’t believe you’ve held out this long.” She said as she prepared the swab water in a yellow bucket. I grabbed two of the dirty old swabs and dipped them both into the hot soapy water; it instantly turned a grayish color.

  “You’re kidding.” I nearly whispered.

  “I’m not.” She looked at me. “It’s okay. He is a great guy, and so sexy… he’s good too, so good. He isn’t married, not really.” She added when she saw the look on my face.

  “But he said his wife sends him things.” I told her, remembering the chocolate.

  “Yeah but they’re only married for the paycheck. She used to be a first class, stationed on one of the small boys back in port but she isn’t in anymore. She has a girlfriend that lives with them and she knows he isn’t faithful to her, not even when the ship is in port. They have an arrangement.” She hefted the bucket into the compartment and we began to smear the
hot water across the floor, mopping up what we’d missed when sweeping.

  “This is insane.” I said.

  “It isn’t, not really. You should hear about some of the things that happen in Air Department, I’ve got some friends who could tell you stories to curl your toes” She winked at me.

  “Fireman Carlson!” Chief hollered from his office, I stood up straight and looked at Jessica wide eyed. She shrugged and continued mopping.

  “Yell for me if you need me.” She joked. I plopped the swab in the murky water.

  “Not funny.” I told her, but I couldn’t help smiling as I walked to chief’s office.

  I tapped on the door before turning the knob and entering.

  “Come on in.” Chief said.

  I looked at his desk as I entered, and took the seat across from him; the only picture that was on his desk was of a brindle pit bull. I watched as he finished writing something on his computer and then turned to me, folding his hands on the desk in front of him.

  “Now, let’s talk about this office.” He leaned back casually and smiled at me. “It’s filthy isn’t it?” He asked, running his finger along the top of his lip, under his nose. It was the same hand he’d swept along the inside of my thighs. I felt my jaw flex with irritation at the memory of him in the bar that night.

  “Yes, it is Chief.” I said my back as straight as it would be if I had a steel rod for a spine.

  “Clean it up for me please. Cleaning supplies are in the bottom drawer.” He gestured to a large filing cabinet to my left and turned his chair to his computer. He began typing again at a rapid pace as I bent over and pulled rags and a spray bottle with green liquid from the drawer. I stood and began to mist surfaces around the office and wipe them down. The large room was dwarfed by all of the cabinets and storage containers, each littered with piles of papers on top of them and maintenance logs, old oil rags and tools that should be back in the shop. I began to clear things out, and put papers back where they belonged. When Jessica finished swabbing the shop she poked her head in and tapped on the open door. I heard Chief stop typing behind me as she asked if she could go.