by Tina Martin
Kamila opened them when their lips separated. “Now let’s go celebrate.”
“Celebrate where?”
“Let’s go where we first met...at the top deck.”
Donovan followed her up there. Somehow, he felt they’d come full circle, that they returned to the exact spot that started their official introductions to each other.
Kamila twirled around happily and said, “This has been a nice, little vacation...the vacation of a lifetime. Hasn’t this been fun?”
“Did we really just elope?” Donovan asked. “I didn’t really do that did I?”
“Yes you did, hubby.”
“That wasn’t a real ceremony, though.”
“It was. We signed documents.”
Donovan thought for a moment then said, “I mean, it wasn’t real for us...something you just wanted to do, right.”
“Oh stop being a big baby about it.” She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed. “Let’s dance,” she said, swaying her body side to side.
“You’re crazy,” Donovan told her.
“And you’re stiff. Get it together, Donovan.”
He did as she asked, loosened up and spun her around in so many circles, she couldn’t stand up straight.
Kamila pulled herself into his chest and rested her head against him. “This is nice,” she said, but felt herself become sad at the thought of leaving tomorrow without ever seeing Donovan again. He hadn’t bothered to give her his cell phone number or any contact information which led her to believe he only enjoyed her company on the ship, but the chances of them ever seeing each other again after debarkation were slim to none.
Donovan squeezed her, then closed his eyes. Why was he feeling something now? Something that caught him by surprise? What was this woman doing to him?
“Come on. Let’s go,” Kamila said.
“Where are we going now?”
“To my room.”
“You’re tired already?”
“No. I just want to relax for a minute.”
“Okay.”
Donovan followed her to the room, watching the way her hips swayed from side to side when she walked. He wondered what her expectations were, if she even wanted to see him or talk to him again when they went their separate ways and back to their everyday lives. Would he miss her? Think about her constantly the way he used to daydream about Shayla?
She opened the door with her keycard, then walked over to the bed, sitting there while watching Donovan make himself comfortable on the couch.
“Now what?” Donovan inquired, rubbing his hands together.
“It’s our honeymoon night. What you wanna do?”
“Um...” he laughed uncomfortably, not sure of what she was suggesting.
“Come here, Donovan.”
He did as she asked, and sat next to her on the bed.
Kamila stood up, took some lotion from her night stand and said, “Take off your shirt.”
Donovan hesitated for a moment, but when he thought about how good it would feel to have her soft hands rub lotion all over him, he went with it. What did he have to lose? He’d already told her he didn’t want a relationship and she seemed to be understanding and okay with that. So he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it to the couch.
Kamila stared at his bare chest, down to his well-sculpted six pack. He was in excellent physical shape and by the cocky look on his face, he knew it.
“Okay, lay face down,” she instructed.
He did as she asked and when her hands touched the flesh of his back, he trembled. He hadn’t been touched like that in a long time.
“Are my hands cold?”
“No.”
“Okay.” Kamila squeezed some lotion into her hand and massaged it on his back, staring at the diamond ring sparkling on her ring finger. She was surprised he’d bought it for her and she wondered if it meant anything. Or was he just going along with the ceremony, trying to make her happy? Give her memories? Something to share with her girlfriends at brunch? She heard him moan and exhale deeply. “You okay?”
“Uh...uh...yeah.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah...why do you keep asking me that?”
“Because you’re keeping all kind of noises and stuff.”
“My bad...I haven’t been touched like this in a long time,” he said, closing his eyes.
“Liar.”
He grinned. “I’m not lying.”
“Donovan...you don’t remember us getting massages yesterday. I didn’t hear you moaning then.”
“I wasn’t getting rubbed down by my wife either. Forgive me if it feels good.”
Kamila giggled uncontrollably. “You’re impossible.”
“Shh. Your hands feel like silk, girl. Keep rubbing.”
Kamila smiled and squeezed more lotion into her hands, rubbing him down again, pushing her hands down deeply as she massaged him. Then she moved up to his neck, massaging the area around his shoulders, hearing him moan again.
“You want me to massage you anywhere else? I’m taking requests.”
“Uh,” Donovan said, feeling himself so turned on and relaxed, he could barely think. Did he even hear her question?
Kamila lounged on the bed next to him, watching him roll over to face her.
“Your turn,” he said, taking the bottle of lotion from the bed. “Take off your blouse.”
“No, I’m not taking off my blouse.”
“Yes you are. You gave me a massage and I’m giving you one.”
Goodness, he’s bossy, she thought, and she loved every bit of it. “Okay,” she agreed, and undid the buttons on her blouse, exposing a cream-colored, lacey bra underneath. Then she laid face down, cringing when she felt Donovan’s large, strong hands grip her back, sending a shiver down her spine.
In one swift, quick motion he spun her around so she was lying face up. He wanted to see her eyes, scrutinize her actions to determine if his initial thoughts were correct – that this is really what she wanted. If she wasn’t with it, then he wasn’t either.
“Kamila.”
“Yeah?” she answered, softly.
“Are you sure you want to do this? I’ll stop if you want me to.”
“I don’t want you to stop, Donovan,” she responded, gently rubbing her French-manicured fingernails across the back of his head.
Donovan closed his eyes, responding to a touch he missed so much and then they lie in bed together, bodies intertwined, making love.
A while later, Donovan rolled off of her, back onto the bed, then pulled her close to him. Why had he done that? For a man who didn’t want anything serious, he’d made some dumb decisions in the last six hours. He’d married a woman he’d known for less than a week, then made love to her, honeymoon style. He hadn’t made love to a woman since Teresa and had to admit now that he missed the connection of being this close, this intimate with a woman. But still, that didn’t mean he wanted anything long term, because that wouldn’t work out in his mind. It never did, so there was no need in starting over.
He did, however, enjoy the time he spent with Kamila. She was younger than him, but she was carefree and fun to be with. And feeling her naked body against his made him feel whole again, like she was the missing piece of his life. And for the first time in a long time, he could rest and feel happy and wanted, even though he knew a relationship is not what he wanted – at least not now.
~ Chapter Eight ~
Kamila closed her eyes and dreamed about being with him, not just for a few days on a cruise ship but permanently – visiting his home, meeting his family and being his woman. But he’d made it clear that he wasn’t interested in a relationship. She couldn’t tell that by the way he made love to her – so tender, passionate and personal. And he was a family man. She always wanted a family. She wanted a family with Tony, but he was busy planning a family with another woman.
With his arms around her petite frame, Donovan thought about how good this felt. This is what he needed. But f
ear held him back from trying to pursue a relationship with Kamila. And though he didn’t want to, though he had one of the best love-making experiences of his life and though he enjoyed every crazy moment he spent with Kamila on this cruise, he made the decision then and there that he would stay true to his word. He wouldn’t see her again after the cruise was over and that was that.
~ Chapter Nine~
One month later, Kamila found herself back into her regular routine of working. The cruise seemed like a distant memory, but the time she spent with Donovan didn’t. She’d gotten married to the man, still wore the ring he’d bought for her and could still feel his hands on her body. She hadn’t heard from him, not that she expected to. He didn’t bother giving her any contact information, so she didn’t give him any of her contact information. She did, however, find him on Facebook, staring at his profile picture, one showcasing that perfect smile she loved so much. She thought about sending him a private message but refused. A man knew when he wanted a woman. If he really wanted her, he would’ve found a way to contact her somehow.
* * *
Sitting at a bar after work, Kamila braced herself for Lori’s arrival. She was caressing a glass of Moscato, twirling the ring on her finger – the ring Donovan had given her. Why on earth was she still wearing it?
She fantasized about the idea of him going above and beyond to track her down and proclaim his love – things she’d seen on Lifetime movies. But soon, she realized that Donovan was true to his word. He didn’t want a relationship. He told her that from jump. Still, she believed she could change him and their spur-of-the-moment cruise ship marriage would work out in the end. Wishful thinking...
“Hey, girl, “Lori said, squeezing Kamila from behind.
“Hey,” Kamila said dryly. “’Bout time you got here.”
“I was stuck in traffic.” Lori sat on the bar stool next to her. “So what’s up? I haven’t had a chance to talk to you since the cruise. What’s been going on gal?”
“Nothing. Just working. Other than that, nothing’s changed.”
“What’s that you’re drinking?”
“Moscato.”
“Is it good?”
“Yeah. It’s straight.”
“Okay. I’ma order a glass.” Lori waved the bartender her way, ordered a glass of Moscato and took a sip. “Mmm. This is delicious.”
“I told you it was.” Kamila took a sip. “So how’s life in the real estate world?” she asked Lori. Lori had a degree in business administration and once deciding she wanted to be in real estate after graduating, she got her realtor’s license and opened up her own agency.
“Girl, you know how it’s. All they’re talking about on news networks is how the housing market is picking back up now. There’s actually a shortage of homes.”
“Yeah, I bet.” Kamila looked up at the flat screen TV.
“Okay, you seem like you’re in a funky mood. What’s wrong?”
Kamila sighed, then took a sip of wine. “It’s nothing.”
“And we’ve been friends for how long? Go on...tell me.”
She sighed again. “It’s um...well, you remember that guy from the cruise?”
“Oh,” she said. “Donovan, was it?”
“Yeah, that’s him.”
“What about him?”
“Well, I kinda, sorta married him.”
“You did what!” Lori said, forgetting she was in public for a moment.
“Lori, calm down girl, before somebody call the police on you.”
“You got me hearing things up in here ‘cause I know you did not just say you married him.”
“Actually, I did.”
“What!”
“Okay, before you go ballistic, let me explain. We, Donovan and I, were talking about our lives and sounding so miserable that I told him we should do something spontaneous...something wild and crazy to forever mark the cruise in our memories. So I convinced him to marry me.”
“Hold up, hold up...hold...up, stop the presses. First off, if you want to do something spontaneous, go skinny dipping, do some karaoke...don’t get married for goodness sakes.”
“Well, I’m telling you...we got married, but agreed it wasn’t real.”
“Okay, now I’m all confused. Did you marry him or not?”
“We went through the motions. He gave me this ring,” Kamila said, holding up her left hand for Lori to see.
“Wait...and you actually signed documents?”
“Yep.”
“On the cruise ship?”
“Yeah.”
“And did you consummate this marriage?”
“Yes. We did. Twice.”
“I can’t believe what I’m hearing right now,” Lori said, shaking her head.
“I know it was stupid, Lori.”
“What on earth were you thinking, Kamila?”
“That’s the thing...I wasn’t thinking...I was doing what you said...getting Tony out of my system and I got caught up in the moment and Donovan was a distraction from it all.”
“So now what? You’re seeing him?”
“No...haven’t seen or heard from him since the cruise.”
“And you’re good with that?”
Kamila frowned. “Um...I was at first. He told me he wasn’t interested in a relationship.”
“Before of after he slept with you?”
“Before.”
“Oh,” Lori said, surprised that he was forthcoming. “So if you knew that, why did you—”
“Because it wasn’t supposed to mean anything, but—”
“You caught feelings.”
“He’s a good man...”
“How good of a man can he be if he married you, slept with you then split?”
“Like I said, he didn’t hide the fact that he didn’t want any attachments...he told me that upfront. I just thought he would change his mind...but we spent the last night on the cruise together and when I woke up, he was gone.” Kamila took a sip of wine. “In hindsight, I see how stupid the whole thing was now. I should have never done it.”
“But you did, and now you have feelings for him...”
“Yeah, as much as I hate to admit it.” Kamila blew a frustrated breath. “Why do I keep ending up with the wrong man?”
“Because you don’t listen to me. I knew that man was trouble.”
“But he’s not—”
“And, I tried to tell you that Tony wasn’t worth five cents either.”
Kamila grunted. “Ugh. I know, Lori.”
“Now I will say this. Judging from the one-time you introduced me to Donovan, he seemed decent enough. He sure was fine and those muscles...”
Kamila shot Lori a half smile. She remembered those muscles well, how they confined and restricted her, squeezed her tight and caressed her passionately. She got chills thinking about the things he’d done to her body that night.
“You should’ve ran for the hills when he told you he wasn’t interested in a relationship,” Lori said.
“Well, I wasn’t looking for a relationship either, but—”
“But then Donovan made love to you, or what do they say nowadays – he put it down.”
“No...well, yes, but I thought we connected.”
“Oh, you connected all right.” Lori giggled.
“No, not like that. I mean, we had a lot in common, but anyway, it is what it is. I’m good. Let’s just order some food.”
“Hmm...”
Kamila rolled her eyes. “What Lori?”
“If you’re so, good, why do you look like you’re about to cry?”
Kamila dismissed herself to the bathroom, took some tissue and dabbed her eyes.
Lori came into the bathroom shortly afterwards, trying to figure out which stall she was in. “Kamila?”
“I’ll be out in a minute,” Kamila said, sniffling. She blew her nose and stepped out.
“You deserve more than this,” Lori said, embracing her friend. “And you’re a smart, beautiful, amazing
woman. You’ll find a man who’s worth your time one day. We both will. Okay?”
“I know. I’ll be okay.”
“Aw-right. Now stop crying and let’s enjoy ourselves.”
The women returned to the bar together, finished their drinks and ordered dinner.
~ Chapter Ten ~
For the next couple of weeks, Kamila buried herself in her work, traveling rigorously in the surrounding areas, signing new clients up with LightSite Insurance policies.
Today, she walked in her office after a long day, four o’clock in the afternoon to check her schedule for tomorrow. She took her planner from her purse, then looked up when she heard a few taps on her cubicle wall.
“Hi, Johnny,” she told her boss. He was an older man, with blonde, thinning hair, dedicated to his work. “What’s up?”
“A big commission for you, young lady, and new business for this company,” he said cheerfully.
“Really?”
“Yep.”
“Who’s the client?” Kamila asked.
“Zenadel Electronics...out in Norfolk...need you there bright and early tomorrow.”
Kamila frowned, thinking of Donovan right away. “Did you say Zenadel Electronics?”
“Yep.”
“How’d you land that business?”
“Got a call out of the blue from the head honcho a few hours ago...said they were looking for more options to offer their employees and didn’t want to renew the contract with the existing insurance carrier.”
“Really?”
“Yep. It’s so funny how things work out. I’ve tried for years to get LightSite in Zenadel’s hands, and one simple phone call from Mr. Zenadel himself made it happen.”
Yeah, it was one simple call all right, Kamila thought. Donovan Sharper was the only connection between LightSite and Zenadel. But why would he rig this deal on her behalf?
“Johnny, I really appreciate you thinking of me for this deal, but I can’t do it.”
“Darling, you have to.”
“You can get Darlene, or better yet, Alex. He’s not nearly as busy as I am. Besides, I don’t want to drive that far.”
