After a couple of hours of heart-pounding salsa, they took off to a small place called David’s Café for cafecitos and flan before heading back to the port. The small Cuban coffees and sweet custard dessert hit the spot after all the strenuous exercise. Cassie was ready to shower and hit the sheets.
When they were back at the port and boarding the Dolphin, Cassie said, “Beau, thanks for a wonderful evening. I had a great time, but I’m going to sleep in my own cabin tonight. I have to wake up early and pack. We’ll be back in Savannah tomorrow afternoon.” She could see he looked disappointed, but he didn’t say anything—just nodded and kissed her goodnight. The kiss was deep and hot. She was tempted to change her mind about the sleeping arrangements for this last night of the cruise, but she knew this was the better plan. She thought she needed to distance herself a little just in case Beau didn’t make arrangements to see her after the cruise was over. She knew she would be crushed if he didn’t, but she was determined to keep any hurt feelings strictly under wraps. She would be perky and flirty at breakfast and through the remainder of the day until they left the ship.
Devon had a disappointed look on her face when she looked at Sy. “I probably should do the same. My clothes are all over the place, and I have to straighten up before I can even begin to repack. We’ll probably see you guys for breakfast tomorrow.”
Sy leaned in to her and whispered, “I’ll sneak down to your cabin later, okay?” When she beamed at him, he had his answer.
Cassie made quick work of organizing her clothes and makeup, packing, and leaving out just what she would need for the following day before she showered and went to bed. She lay on the luxurious silk sheets wide awake for a while wondering what the next day would bring. Was she done with Beau Bainbridge, or was this just the beginning?
* * * *
Beau had a restless night. He missed Cassie lying cuddled up to his chest. She probably didn’t realize that she latched on to him for dear life after she was asleep. He knew that Sy had made a midnight trip down to Devon’s cabin. He would have done the same if Cassie had invited him. Since she hadn’t, he stayed in the suite tossing and turning. What should he do about Cassie? Should he tell her that he’d fallen in love with her and didn’t want to let her go? Should he give her enough space to realize she loved him? He thought she did but that she didn’t want to admit it to him or to herself. Should he play the Dom card and take control of the relationship? He understood her emotional challenges. He just didn’t know how hard to push her.
At breakfast on deck Sunday morning, Cassie made an effort to be chipper and friendly. She said she planned to spend some time reading by the pool now that her bags were all packed. When she got up from the table, he rose as well and took her hand. “I want to spend some time with you today. Can I join you at the pool?”
“Of course.” She smiled at him, but he didn’t think it went all the way to her heart. He needed to say something else.
When they had settled on neighboring chaises on deck with books and Sunday papers acquired in Miami, Beau took his courage in both hands and said, “I want to see you when we get back home, Cassie. I hope you’ll let me visit you in Savannah.” He held his breath and let it out when she smiled at him.
“I’d like that, Beau. I think we’ve made substantial progress toward settling our issues, and I’d like to see where it goes from here.”
“Me, too.” That hadn’t been so bad. Why had he made such an issue of it?
* * * *
Con and Alex were on the bridge of the Golden Dolphin as they made their way up the wide Savannah River toward the wharf at Le Club Waterfront.
“Well, have you decided what to do about Baylee? You can’t let her get off the ship without saying something. You can’t just let her walk away. You’ll be impossible to work with if you do.”
“You’re right. I just don’t know how to approach her.”
“Come on, Alex. You’ve never been shy before. I can’t believe that little girl has shaken your iron-clad Latin confidence.”
“No. Not exactly. Well, maybe a little. It’s just that what she said was so unexpected.”
“Speaking of unexpected, I am really getting the cold shoulder vibe from Casey. She hasn’t met my eyes in days. What’s up with her?”
* * * *
Baylee looked up from her suitcase when there was a knock on the door to their suite. Barbee was up on the main deck visiting with some of the friends she’d made on the cruise, and anyway she wouldn’t knock. She walked over, opened the door, and found Alex standing there looking uncomfortable.
“Hi. Will you take a walk with me on the deck? I’d like to talk to you for a few minutes. I’ll need to get back to the bridge for the docking procedure in a while.”
“Okay. Just let me finish packing. I’m almost done. Have a seat in the living room.” She walked back into the bedroom and took a moment to gather her thoughts and calm her heartbeat. She had been sure Alex was going to let her leave without saying anything about seeing her again, and her heart had been breaking. Well, she hoped that was why he was here. Who knows with that crazy man.
When she walked back out to the living room, he was standing by the doors to the deck. “Actually, we can talk out here. It will be more private. I really don’t want to be interrupted by passengers wanting to say good-bye right now.”
“That’s a good idea, Alex. Would you like something to drink?”
“No. I’m fine.” He hesitated. “No, I’m really not fine. Your little declaration in George Town threw me for a loop, and I haven’t recovered since.”
“That was not my intention, Alex.” She was smiling on the inside. That was exactly what her intention had been. She’d thought he had needed a good kick in the butt, and she had given him one. She just didn’t want the effects of it to be permanent.
“I think you did, and maybe I needed a shove. I think you were right about me being too judgmental also. I’m sorry about that. As long as you have retired from that life, I don’t see why we can’t let it go. Do you? Do you want to see me again after the cruise is over?” Now he really looked nervous.
“Yes. Maybe we can get together when you have leave between cruises or when the Dolphin is in New York again.”
He looked relieved, and then he took her into his arms for a kiss that rocked her world. She really was nuts about this crazy guy. Maybe they could work something out after all. She would just have to wait and see, but at least she now had something to hope for.
* * * *
Barbee walked up the stairway to the bridge and waited until Con turned around and invited her in. He looked so handsome and in his element at the state of the art controls. The navigation screens and equipment were so up to date that they could have been aboard the space shuttle.
“Hi. I just wanted to say good-bye and thank you for a great trip. Everything was fabulous. I appreciate your agreeing to let us come back aboard.” She grinned. “Given the circumstances.”
“I enjoyed it, too. As long as you don’t revert to your old ways, you are always welcome aboard the Golden Dolphin. Maybe we’ll run into each other in New York. I’d like to take you out to dinner some time.”
“I would like that, Con. Take care.” She reached up and gave him a hot but brief kiss before she slipped out the door.
Neither of them noticed Casey Campbell quietly turn and walk down the stairs to the main deck.
Chapter Twenty
At the wharf behind Le Club Waterfront-Savannah, Savannah Harbor on board the Golden Dolphin, May 25, 2014—Sunday Afternoon, Day Sixteen and Final Day of the Cruise
Stewards were unloading luggage at the dock behind Le Club Waterfront-Savannah as passengers came down the gangplank unto the wharf. The scene was bustling as luggage was being shuttled to waiting vehicles and hugs and kisses and promises to keep in touch with newly made friends from all over the country were being exchanged. The first Golden Dolphin singles cruise had been an unqualified success, and every
one hoped to take another. Cassie was sad the trip was over but glad to be back home.
Out of the corner of her eye Cassie saw a petite woman with long black hair walking toward the ship as she was about to turn and give Beau a hug and kiss. Cassie paid no attention to her until the woman had stopped in front of them, threw herself into Beau’s arms, and kissed him hotly on the mouth. She had seemed to take him off guard. This was not a polite greeting. Then she dropped into the slave position in front of Beau and said, “Master, please allow me to welcome you home. I love you and have missed you terribly.”
Cassie was shocked. Of all the things she had anticipated, this was not one of them. It seemed her uneasy feelings had a basis in fact after all. This was not some stranger who just happened to be on the dock and thought Beau was cute. They obviously had a relationship. What the hell had he been doing on a singles cruise?
She turned to Devon as tears began to gather in her eyes and quietly said, “I’m getting the hell out of here now. I’ll talk to you later.” She gestured the steward with her bags over to the Black BMW convertible she had left in the club’s heavily secured parking lot, had the bags loaded into the car, and was out of the lot in record time. She had to hold it together until she got home. Her shop and apartment were only a few blocks away, and she couldn’t wait to get there where she could break down in privacy.
* * * *
Beau was momentarily stunned before outrage and anger took over. “Stephanie, get up. This is totally inappropriate behavior. I told you we were through weeks ago.”
“But, Master, I thought you would have had time to reconsider by now. I love you. Please give me another chance.”
“Don’t call me Master. I took my collar back. We’re done. You need to leave before I have the stewards call security.” He turned around in time to see Cassie get into a black convertible and peel out of the parking lot. Shit. This could not have happened at a worse time. He knew that Stephanie was just winding up for an emotional scene in which she was the poor mistreated sub who was desperate for her Master’s love and approval. He’d been through scenes like this with her many times before he had finally called it quits and ended the relationship. At least he thought he had ended the relationship.
Beau turned to Devon, who was standing on the wharf with her mouth open in shock. “Devon, this is not what it looks like. You have to believe me.”
“I’m not the one that has to believe you, Beau. And yeah. It really looks bad, really bad. You’re not a stupid man, so there has to be some explanation for this insanity—at least I hope so. Because if you did this to my best friend again, there won’t be any place you can hide. And believe me—I know people.”
“Where is Cassie going? Will you give me her address?”
“I don’t think I can do that. I think she needs to calm down before you see her.”
“Please, Devon. This is life and death here. Just give me the address. Sy can explain the rest to you.”
“Beau, I think you need to go home and straighten out your life before you drag Cassie into your mess. This may or may not be what I think it is—or what she thinks it is—but it definitely is not a coincidence. Cassie can’t take another debacle involving you. She was finally getting over the last one.”
Beau turned to Stephanie, who was standing on the wharf with a satisfied look on her face when she thought he wasn’t looking. “You’d better get out of here, Stephanie. If I see you again, I’ll file for a restraining order. Do you understand?”
She looked heartbroken when she said, “Yes, Master. I understand.” But Beau knew better. It was just another instance of her manipulative personality and passive-aggressive tendencies. She could turn any situation to her benefit, and he’d had enough. He gestured to the steward and stalked toward his car. He might not be able to straighten this situation out right now, but he damn well would straighten it out. He hadn’t worked so hard to salvage his relationship with Cassie to have it go to hell now.
* * * *
Cassie pulled into the driveway of the carriage house and parked the car. She just sat there staring out the windshield at nothing trying to let her mind go blank. She couldn’t believe Beau had screwed her over—again—and just when she had let down her guard. I should have known it. How dumb could I be to think I could keep a handle on the situation? She should have run long and fast the minute she’d seen him again. She forced herself to move. She had to get her bags into the carriage house, check her latest e-mail and voice mail, and go through her snail mail. She had to keep busy, or she would lose her mind. She had to get a grip on herself.
And then there were her parents. She couldn’t put them through this again. As soon as they saw her car, they would be over to hear all about the trip. They had all had a good laugh before she left about her going on a BDSM cruise with Devon. They had thought it was a huge joke and would be eagerly awaiting the details. They loved Devon like their second daughter, but they knew she was a little off the rails sometimes. She’d have to warn Devon not to mention Beau in front of her parents, especially her dad. She didn’t want to be responsible for what he might do if he heard what had happened. It definitely wouldn’t be pretty.
She had been right. She had no sooner dragged her bags into the carriage house than her parents were at the back door with a plate of her favorite homemade chocolate chip cookies and a carafe of hot coffee. They bustled up the stairs into her little kitchen and made themselves at home at her antique oak kitchen table. “So, tell us everything. Did you have fun? Was it as weird as you thought it would be?” Her mother had the light of curiosity gleaming from her hazel eyes. Hedy loved a bawdy joke.
“Hedy, let the girl get through the door before you batter her with questions.”
“Oh, hush, Mike. You know you’re as curious as I am. Well, baby, how was it?”
“It was fine. We had a blast. We went diving in Yucatan, explored some Mayan ruins, visited the Caymans, Jamaica, and the Turks and Caicos as well as Cat Island and Miami. It was a wonderful trip. I’d love to do it again. The ship was extremely luxurious and everything was super top drawer and absolutely five star. I think I’ve eaten my lifetime quota of lobster in the last two weeks.”
“Sounds like you had a good time. What aren’t you telling us?” Mike had X-ray vision where his girl was concerned, and he wasn’t as easily fooled as her mother. She had to buck up and right now or the cat would be out of the bag, not to be crammed back in.
“I’m just tired, Dad. It was a nonstop party from shore to shore. We had a late night out on the town in Miami last night. And then I got up early to pack and spend some time on deck by the pool today. You wouldn’t believe the Golden Dolphin. It has five decks and is three hundred feet long. That’s as long as a football field. I never knew there were private yachts that big.” She knew she was babbling, but she couldn’t seem to help herself.
Help arrived in the form of Devon blowing in the back door and up the stairs. “Oh, great! I could really use a cup of coffee and some of your cookies, Hedy.” Cassie turned her back on her parents, caught Devon’s eye, crossed her eyes, and shook her head slightly. Devon got the message. Don’t say anything about anything. Message received. “So how are you guys? We had a blast. I met a great guy. I’m going to see him again in two weeks. Cassie was sold for five grand at the slave auction. She went for the highest price of the night!”
At Mike and Hedy’s shocked look, she burst out laughing and explained that it had been an event that had raised fifty thousand dollars for women’s and children’s charities, and Cassie had just had to spend an evening with a lovely guy from Atlanta. Before they knew it, she had them laughing, and they had forgotten that Cassie had looked a little stressed. Thank God for Devon. For a sometime ditz, she really got it.
“Well, I can see you guys have been overfed and overwatered, but come to the main house in about an hour and I’ll have some steaks and corn on the cob on the barbeque.” Cassie knew that Mike thought grilling solved all
problems, and that he wasn’t completely sure that everything was all right with her. She would have to be careful around him for a while.
As soon as the parental units had left the kitchen, Devon said, “We have to talk. Don’t be so sure that what you think you saw is what was really happening.”
“What? Have you lost your tiny little mind? What I think I saw was some woman kneeling at Beau’s feet and saying she loved him. That wasn’t too confusing.”
“Sy told me that Beau had broken up with that woman, Stephanie, weeks before the cruise. She had been his collared sub, but Beau couldn’t take her manipulative and scheming ways. He definitely did not ask her to meet the ship. In fact, he told her if he saw her again he’d get a restraining order.”
“Be that as it may—I’m done. I have no intention of going through this crap again. I had a great time on the cruise, had some great sex, I had my revenge on Beau, and now I am Done with a capital D.” And then she burst into tears. Devon hugged her. In the absence of a hug from her mom or dad, this was the next best thing.
“Ah, Cassie. Get it all out. It’s not as bad as you think it is. I’m sure this is not over.”
“It had damn well better be over. I can’t take another round of this crap.” She continued to sniffle and had started to hiccup. “And be very careful not to mention Beau in front of my parents. That’s all my dad has to hear. He’ll go postal.”
“I’ll be careful. I know he wouldn’t take your being upset over Beau Bainbridge again well. Ha! To say the least. That could start world war three.”
Cassandra's Revenge [Golden Dolphin 4] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 17
