“How did he save your life?”
“I was trying to make my way on foot over the mountains. I walked at night to keep from freezing and to follow the stars to the sea. I was about one month into my journey when I ran out of food and was overcome by fever and hunger. I was unconscious by the side of the road when he found me. He was returning from selling his pigs in the market of a nearby village and had room in the back of his truck. I don’t remember this because of my condition at the time, but he told me he covered me in blankets and took me to his farm. With his family’s help, I soon grew strong again and I was able to repay my debt with work.
“You were walking to the sea? How many kilometers did you have to go?”
“It was only about a hundred or so. The difficult part was crossing the border without papers. I had no passport at the time. Not even a birth certificate. I had to travel the lesser known mountain passes into Greece from Bulgaria where my journey began to make it to the Aegean Sea.”
“You were bloody determined. How did you get here from Greece?”
“I came to work on a ship that made port in the Aegean city of Alexandroupolis. We traveled to the Adriatic, then to the Mediterranean and Gibraltar, then across the Atlantic Ocean to New York. That’s where I departed the ship. My main goal was to make it to the other side of the ocean. When I had done that, I worked on the docks until I had another goal. I knew my journey was not yet finished.
“I learned English. I worked on the docks there for several months and then in a gym. Finally, I came by bus to Miami. I wanted to be on a ship in the Caribbean. In each place I learned new things and gathered valuable skills. All of that has led up to this moment.”
She gazed at his biceps, wondering if he had developed them from working on farms, ships, docks, or a gym. All of those things seemed like very physical jobs. “So where did you learn to be a fitness trainer?”
“In New York. I needed something to do after the workday ended. I started to learn self-defense because the city was dangerous. But I was so strong, I worried that I might hurt someone in my class, so I did weight lifting and body building, instead. I was given the opportunity to become a fitness trainer at the same gym. I learned everything I needed to know from another good man. I worked for him for one year and then explained that I wanted to work on a ship again, but where it was warm and palm trees grew. He helped me find the job I have now.”
“Oh, that’s wicked. So you’re Bulgarian, originally?”
He shook his head slowly. “My passport says I’m from Greece, but I was born in Romania.”
“So you’re Romanian?”
He shook his head again and smiled.
Vicki was finding this man more fascinating and baffling than anyone she had ever met. She cupped her chin in her hand and rested her elbow on the table. “Well, where is your family, then? Your mother or father?”
“Ah. My mother, father, brothers and sister were in Bulgaria the last time I saw them. They are probably still there. My whole family had a perfect place on a river where we were not bothered. It was near Kardzal, where we could find work. But, as I said, they often move. They may be gone from there by now.”
“You mean, you don’t know where they are for sure? You can’t send them e-mail?”
He shook his head. “No, I can’t even send them a letter. It has been three years since I have seen them. They may be staying there. I will probably find them in or near the area, if I ever go back. It would be easy to find them by their markers. Harder if their markers have been disturbed.
“Markers?” Vicki wondered if they were dead, but why would they be moved? Everything he said confused her. “When are you going back? And why would anyone disturb their markers?”
He turned and looked in another direction. “I don’t know. Perhaps I’ll never return.”
“Really, why not?”
He smiled sadly, then brightened and changed the subject. “Where is your family?”
“In Australia. I may not go back either. Both of our families are very far away, so I reckon it’s important to be friends.”
Her family was effectively removed from her life and had no idea where she was or what she was doing. It still hurt, especially since her mother told her to reason with her father and promised that he’d understand if she just told him the truth. She couldn’t go back. She wasn’t welcome. But why would Miklos forsake his family and home when he seemed almost mesmerized as he spoke of them.
Miklos was a gypsy. She understood that, but she thought they banded together wherever they went. She was older than most Australian girls when it was time to venture out on their own. Even though her mother understood that they couldn’t protect her forever, she hadn’t communicated that to, or convinced, her husband. Then when Vicki did try to explain her needs, he blew up and threw her out on her arse. Even so, she knew where to find them if she ever wanted or needed to.
Since “the incident” she was determined to be bloody independent, and wise and discriminating about her sex partners. She hadn’t slept with anyone since that fateful night, but since this man made her horny as hell with a look, a touch, or a word, she was more than ready to break her abstinence--as long as it was with him. Just thinking about it made her salivate.
“Miklos?” she whispered.
He leaned toward her. “Yes, sweet one?”
She had an overwhelming desire for his mouth on hers that had to be sated. If they weren’t in a roomful of people... His straight nose and strong jaw were inches from her face. His ebony eyelashes made the pure whites of his eyes that much brighter and framed his dark chocolate irises. She could barely speak. She took his hand, and he smiled warmly. Passion swelled inside of her, and she had a barely controllable urge to put that hand where it would do some good.
“Can we go somewhere private? Where we can--talk?”
He nodded. “Of course. I don’t know the private places on the ship yet, but I’ll go where you suggest.”
“There really aren’t very many. We’re not allowed in each other’s cabins, but I know it happens all the time.”
Miklos jerked upright. “How do you know?”
“Simone, my roommate, told me.”
“Ah.” His shoulders relaxed. “But if we’re not allowed to, where else can we go?”
“I don’t know. I wish we could have gone off the ship together in Miami, and I can’t wait any longer to--to talk to you about this.” Oh bugger. She might as well just say what was on her mind.
She flipped her hair behind her shoulder and said, “I’m not used to doing the asking, but do you want to hook up?”
“What to you mean?”
Vicki chuckled and kicked his foot. “You know, make out and see where it leads?” She raised her eyebrows, but his perplexed expression hadn’t changed.
Maybe if she teased him, but in a complimentary way, she could break the ice and get him to relax? It was worth a try. She reached over and rubbed his solid chest. “You’re so sexy. I want to get naked, pull you down on top of me, and have a go.”
Miklos recoiled. His brown-black eyes darkened and grew. “You want to have sex with me? But you just met me!”
She didn’t know why he was acting offended. Most men would be grinning like panting dingoes, if she propositioned them for sex.
Miklos shook his head. “No premarital sex.”
She chuckled. “Right. You’re old-fashioned.” She leaned in and whispered, “Well you never know...we might get married someday.”
“Yes, we may.”
She absolutely couldn’t believe he was serious. He must be trying to act gentlemanly but if she let him know it was really okay... She slipped her fingers around his hand, and lowered her voice. “It’s not like anyone is going to care. We’re far from home. The people who matter won’t even know. So, your cabin or mine?”
He shook off her hand. “No. Neither.” He said it as a firm command, and she could tell he meant it.
Flustered, Vicki mut
tered, “No? But no man ever says ‘no’ to that.”
Miklos stood abruptly. The table tipped and then fell back down with a thump. People were looking up from their conversations and staring. He had turned away from her, yet he didn’t say a word. Vicki couldn’t understand what was wrong with this guy. He seemed to be covering his eyes with one of his hands. Then she noticed the other one clenching into a fist. She sucked in a deep breath as new awareness dawned on her. He couldn’t have expected me to be a virgin. Could he? Oh shit, I did it again. Miklos stormed out of the crew bar leaving the sheet music on the table.
Vicki hoped this wasn’t a fatal mistake. She thought about all of the times she snuck out of her bedroom window. She knew, even at the time, it was just rebellion, a little sexual acting out. So? She wasn’t a whore or a slut. Right? No matter what her father said. That one time had been the result of too much alcohol, so she wasn’t responsible! It took a few more unsure moments before she was able to completely believe her own rationalizations.
I’m just a modern woman with a healthy sexual appetite. That’s normal, right? There’s nothing wrong with that, is there? Her father’s harsh words resurfaced and she had to wrestle them into the back of her mind where they belonged, buried.
She stood, squared her shoulders, and walked out with her head held high. She had almost made it to the stairway when Ron caught up with her.
He grabbed her arm, and halted her proud march. “Hey, Vicki. What did you say to my roomie?”
She rolled her eyes. “Why? What does it matter to you?”
“He looked like he might go back to our cabin and punch a hole in the wall.”
“It was between me and him.”
“Fine. I’ll find out from him.” Ron started down the stairs.
Vicki called out, “Wait. Tell him something for me?”
Ron stopped and spun around scowling. “What is it?”
“Tell him what you think of me.”
He laughed. “I don’t think you want me to do that, sweetheart. He’ll realize he’s wasting his time and move on to friendlier women.”
Vicki smiled. “Just tell him.”
* * *
An hour later, Vicki was lying on her bed trying to read a book about the Caribbean islands, but her mind was unwilling to process the information on the page. She could only think of Miklos. How could she have screwed up again? Now he’d probably avoid her for weeks and she’d be damn lucky if she ever had sex with him.
When she heard a knock at the door, it startled her out of her imagination. It could be Simone. Maybe she forgot her key card. Vicki marked her place and got to her feet. She turned to a statue in the doorway. Miklos was standing there as if she had called him.
“Miklos! What are..? I mean... Would you like to come in?”
“Yes, before someone sees me here.”
Vicki stepped back and let him enter. She hoped and prayed that she would be able to stay out of trouble this time.
He looked at her with the intensity she had seen in the beginning. “So, you waited for me?” he said. Then he looked at the floor and added, “Do you know what I mean?”
Vicki bit her lip and nodded. “I haven’t been able to look at another man since the first time I saw you.” She lowered her voice. Figuring she couldn’t make the situation much worse, she confessed her confusion. “It was before we met, I think. I don’t know why. It’s like there’s something...I can’t explain.”
He looked at her with a smile softening the line of his mouth. “I understand. When was that? The first time you saw me?”
Vicki sucked in a deep breath and hoped she wouldn’t regret this. “Two weeks ago. Saturday. The day I came aboard.”
He nodded and stepped toward her. She wished he’d give her some indication that he knew something had happened between them before they met, and that she wasn’t crazy.
“That’s the day I arrived in Miami.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and leaned forward to kiss her forehead. Vicki lifted her face, and he kissed her on the nose, instead. They both chuckled. Miklos looked at her as if he were holding something back.
“What is it?”
“There is much to explain, but I would prefer to save the details for later. At this moment, I simply want to drink in the wonder of finally finding you.”
Vicki wondered what he meant, but the question evaporated when desire took hold. She wanted to kiss him so much it killed her, and she wanted to plead for something more, but she had already seen what would happen if she were too aggressive. She stayed close to him and lifted her face a little. She didn’t pucker or lean toward him. She simply waited to see what he would do.
Miklos put a finger under her chin. “There is no one else for me, either. You are so precious. I can’t believe you are mine.”
Ordinarily any man who said she was his would require a bit of sorting out, but she managed to keep her mouth shut--or, slightly open as it were.
He bent down and kissed her. She let her fingers glide through his soft, dark hair and settle behind his head. He wrapped his arms around her and his hands moved sensuously over her back causing shivers to vibrate up and down her spine. Her lips were sealed to his, as if fused by the simmering heat between them. After several moments of his hot, enduring kiss, she was trembling with the power of it and became weak in his arms, yet he didn’t release her. Without breaking contact, he swooped under her legs and lifted her off the floor.
She floated and bobbed as if on the calmest ocean. Her mind, blissfully blank, only allowed her to experience the exhilarating sensation.
He opened his mouth wider and slid his tongue between her lips. White-hot need took over, and she pulled herself closer to him as she met his passionate tongue with hers. Thrill after unfathomable thrill rippled through her. She could feel herself moving but didn’t care where he was taking her. As long as he continued to take command of her mouth with his sensuous lips and fill her with this visceral tingling awareness, she was happy to go anywhere with him. Who knew an old-fashioned man would be able to kiss her into blissful oblivion! Nothing in her experience could come close to his searing mouth, melting hers.
Something solid touched her buttocks. Moments later, she was being lowered onto her bed, yet still he kissed her. She wanted him so badly, she hoped this was his way of telling her he had changed his mind about having sex. When she was fully reclined, he broke contact and her eyes fluttered open. He was leaning over her and his eyes glowed.
“I love you, Vicki. You are mine, and I am yours--forever and more.”
Love. The word surprised her. How could he be in love with her already--especially after all her cultural blunders?
She stared into his handsome face and didn’t drop her arms from around his neck. Part of her was relieved to hear kind and hopeful words from the man of her dreams. The other part was trying to be rational, yet none of this made sense to her logical mind. The one thing that crowded out every cogent thought was that kiss. There was an innate knowing in that kiss. It was as if her lips had been fashioned to fit into his. Somehow, she knew love was the right word. Irrational or not, it burned inside of her and ached to be expressed.
He kneeled next her and clasped her hands with his. “How do you feel, Vicki?”
“Bloody marvelous. That was out of the box,” she exclaimed.
Miklos shook his head, but he was still smiling. “I don’t understand your expressions, but we have time to learn each other’s ways.”
“Of course. We have eight months together on the ship.”
“More.” Miklos kissed her again. Long, slow and tender. Then he deepened the kiss and abandoned the gentle approach crushing her to his chest. She answered his fervor. The passion built quickly and so did the heat in Vicki’s body. His kiss made her head spin and her heartthrob. The only thing she wanted now was to meld their bodies, to feel him inside of her. Her cunt was clenching as if grabbing for his manhood.
Their lips could lock in this position a
s far as she was concerned. Whether tender or fiery hot, she needed his mouth on hers and she wanted to let her body overrule her mind.
When he pulled back, they were both panting, and her heart was beating wildly.
He soon recovered and nuzzled her neck. “Vicki?” he whispered. “What was the song you gave me?”
She pushed his hair back, stroked the dark stubble on his jaw, and answered, “Take My Breath Away.”
He grinned. “I think I just did,”
“You’re bloody right, you did.”
Still holding her close, he lightly touched her cheek. “You know, don’t you?”
“Know what?”
His lips brushed her neck, and he leaned in to whisper in her ear. “That we belong together. We are meant to be. Vicki, will you marry me as soon as possible?”
She gasped. Marry him? Her mouth went dry. “But you just met me!” Where had she heard those words before?
“This is fate. You are my destiny, and I am yours. Why do you think we could see one another before we met?”
He had her there. “You saw me too?”
“I’ve seen you for several years. I’ve been searching the world for you. It was only recently that you were allowed to see me.”
“That’s bloody unnerving. What was I doing?”
Miklos chuckled and combed her hair with his fingers. “I would usually see you standing by the ocean. The wind was blowing your beautiful hair, and your hand was shading your blue eyes from the glare of the sun on the sea. I knew I had to find you and love you for the rest of my life.”
She shook her head in wonder. Her mind was whirling. At last, she studied his sincere face, smiled and sighed. “I saw you standing against a wall in the crew bar, and later, sitting in the cyber room. You were staring at me like I was in my birthday suit.”
He kissed her hand. “I want you, Vicki. My body is burning for you. I want you to marry me, so I can have you and wait no longer. You will be treated with love and kindness, always. Rom men believe it’s our duty to please and pleasure a wife in every way possible. All we ask in return is respect and gratitude. If this is fate, it won’t matter what we do. We won’t escape. We are meant to be together, my love, from now on. Marry me.”
Sensation of the Seas Page 4
