Page 33 of Jordan

Feeling hurt and angry, she went straight to their cabin as soon as they boarded the ship, ignoring the sharp pain of rejection when he did not follow her.

She would work, she decided, vowing to forget what had happened between them. She had gathered several materials and needed to create a scene before it disappeared from her mind. The cabin was spic and span, the beds made up and things put away. Dragging off her damp bathing suit, she headed for the bathroom and took a quick shower.

Sliding into a pair of shorts and one of the t-shirts he had bought for her, she put her hair into an untidy bun on top of her head.

Taking her laptop with her, she went out on the deck and settled into one of the deck chairs. The ship was leaving in a few hours and people could be seen coming back from their sojourn on theisland. It would have been a wonderful experience except for the incident at the beach.

She had to admit that she had been wrong to ask him to put the sunscreen on her body. They were caught up in an unusual situation and should stay clear of each other. She stared out sightlessly at the heaving water, the white capped waves and felt oddly mesmerized by the waves lapping against the ship.

She had a scene to write, but her female character had changed directions. She was different. Softer, more malleable. She was supposed to be this kick ass uncaring creature. Go in, take what she needed and be done with it. Emotions would not enter into the equation. She did not have time or inclination for it.

She had been through a hell of a lot. A traumatic childhood. People who had used and abused her. She especially did not like white people. They were to be avoided at all costs. So, the white guy who had shown interest in her was going to feel the full force of her contempt.

She would use and discard him -- or that was the original plan. Except, it had damned well changed. Now she wanted to experience the feel of his lips on hers -- Snapping out of it, Julesa put away the laptop and pushed her hand against her chest. She was hot, even though there was a cooling breeze coming off the sea. And her nipples were tight. The male character's name was Gary, dammit. Not Jordan.

"Oh Lord." Dragging her hands over her face, she took several deep breaths and tried to gather her shattered composure.

*****

He came up hours later while she was in bed. Without a word, he went into the shower and came back out shortly after.

"I'm going down to have a meal. There's a party being held in one of the staterooms."

"I'm not up to it."

"I'm going."

"Of course."

"Have you eaten?"

"I'm still full."

They were so polite and civil, she thought dismally and tried to find something to say to break the tension. "It's our last day."

"Yes." Turning away, he went into the other room to get dressed. When he came back out, he was wearing black dress pants and a silk t-shirt that did wonders to his tan. The hours spenttouring the islands had darkened his skin and made his hair appear even darker. He looked so achingly handsome that it took considerable effort on her part not to just jump him.

"Well, I'll see you later. You might be asleep when I get back."

"I might be."

He hesitated a minute as if he wanted to say something else, and then he was gone.

Pulling the sheets up over her, she reached for the remote and tried to immerse herself in the black and white movie she settled on.

*****

He was miserable. He had been here for ten minutes, and he wanted to leave. The blonde who had worked her way over to where he was sitting and nursing his scotch, had given up in her effort to get him to notice her very impressive bosom. Seeing the wedding band on his finger had not deterred her in the least. But now she was gone, and he was left with his dark thoughts.

Images of her sitting up in bed wearing that scrap of thin green nightgown was etched on his brain. The activities, the rowdiness going on around him did not make much impression. All he wanted to do was to go back into that cabin and rip the nightgown off her.

Then why don't you? The voice taunted him. She's your wife. And this is your honeymoon. March right into the cabin you paid for and demand her attention.

But he couldn't. He had promised to leave her alone. Was the one who had approached her in the first place and promised to stay away from her. He must stick to the bloody plan.

For what reason? The voice continued to haunt him. I don't want to scare her away.

So, you're just going to sit here and torment yourself.

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