Page 46 of It Had to be You

The cruise.

Not their relationship.

At least, that was the plan.

But Tatum was heading out hours after they docked to do some workshops in Los Angeles and then again in Chicago. So, while the day wore on and night began to fall, they moved from activity to activity, not because they were interested in doing what was offered, but because they needed the time to think.

What had started as a good plan was turning into torture.

Thinking was the last thing he needed to do, because that gave rise to doubts and worries.

He didn’t doubt what they felt for each other, but he knew that once they were separated and

didn’t see each other day after day, the world had every opportunity to divide them and weaken their bonds.

As they turned the corner of a path, looking for one of the alcoves where they could find a

stretch of beach to dip their toes in the water, Alex heard a now familiar song begin to play.

Stopping on the path, he brushed his thumb against the tender skin of her palm and turned to

look at her. "If I didn’t know better," he grinned, "I’d say you arranged this."

Tatum listened to the music from a live band and shook her head. "I don’t have the kind of power

you’re talking about, Alex. You’re the one with magic at your fingertips."

He knew what she was talking about, but the images in his head had a slightly different meaning.

They hadn’t made love yet. They’d spent the time on the cruise getting to know each other beyond just fun activities and dinners. Hours and hours of deep conversations had passed between them while they’d been together.

Still, as they stood there on the darkening path, he’d never felt closer to any woman he’d

ever met. He lifted his free hand and slowly brushed her hair back from her face. "You’re right, sweetheart," he felt her shiver from his touch, "there is magic at my fingertips, but it’s all you."

A singer joined the instrumental music and he turned his head slightly to listen to the difference in the song. The voice was seductive and warm. Tender and rough in parts. He could almost understand the words even though they were in a language he didn’t quite understand.

"What is it?" Tatum’s soft entreaty brought his eyes back to hers.

"I don’t quite understand the lyrics. I remember enough to be able to order things in restaurants

and talk to staff in hotels, but I’m hopeless when it comes to actual conversations."

"I’ll make you a deal," Tatum stepped back and off of the walkway and given by the slight buckle

of her ankles, she was on sand, "come with me."

He wasn’t going to argue, even if he filled his shoes with sand, he’d take the chance and manage

with the grains between his toes just to have the time with her. When he stepped off into the sand, she paused and reached down with one hand to slip the straps off her heels and then drop her sandals in the sand.

Shaking his head, Alexander toed off his shoes and didn’t bother moving them away, he had a

feeling they weren’t going to stand around.

He was right.

With a flirtatious look in her eyes, she drew him further out into the sand until he heard the soft lap of the ocean on the sand.

---