Page 32 of Eat Your Heart Out
15
Gerard
The salad and baked chicken were perfect and filling without having too many carbs. The chef knew I enjoyed my evening desserts, so if we kept up the schedule, then tonight would be memorable.
Ali patted her stomach the second she finished her last bite. “I don’t know how you eat this much.”
I scooted away from the table. “We can go to the gym now if you want.”
She stood but said, “I’ve never worked out in the gym.”
As we left the dining room, she headed out onto the back patio.
I followed right behind her. “How did you do physical therapy after—”
“I didn’t.” She turned toward me as she stopped. Then she shrugged. “I couldn’t afford the co-pays, and I didn’t want to stay a second longer.”
I tilted my head. “Do you want to see the ship’s doctor? He’s free for you, has everything he needs, and maybe he can recommend some stuff you should be doing.”
Her eyes widened. “There is a doctor?”
I ached to kiss her or hold her again, but that wasn’t wise. I might ruin whatever trust I’d built, so I kept my distance. “I wouldn’t travel the world without health care at my beck and call.”
She let out a small laugh. “That’s a perk.” Then she took my hand. “Okay, I will. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’re doing for me.”
Her touch set off sparks inside me. “I like doing things for you.”
She pressed her hand to my chest, and my heart swelled as she said, “Well, I don’t ever want you to think I’m trading for anything. I’m honestly scared to be near you and scared to be away.”
My body tensed. I wouldn’t push my desires on her or anyone, so I stayed still. “I’m not scary.”
She cupped my face. I was at war with my desire and my plan to be the gentleman as she said, “It’s not you. It’s me. I’m not good at being alone, making decisions that are good for me, or seeing the obvious danger sometimes.”
My heart raced. “What is it you want, Ali?”
She lowered her head and her voice. “Nothing that I should want.”
I pressed my hand on hers and whispered, “There is no ‘should’ between us.”
She went on her tiptoes, holding me. I closed my eyes, then her lips met mine. My hair and skin all buzzed with desire, and I deepened the kiss. I tried to stop myself, but she still tasted like the pomegranate from the salad dressing.
I held her until she stepped back. Then she sucked in her lips and gazed up at me. I refused to take more than what she offered. I waited again.
Then she sighed. “I ached to know what you tasted like. Now point me to the doctor, and I’ll meet you at the gym. We can go to the library after.”
I smiled. “See, you’re making decisions now.”
She shook her head fast and stepped way. “No, I give directions to avoid letting my feelings stir too much. You’re too hot to handle. I’m acting against everything I said or thought or believed. I have to go.”
I quickly said, “Bottom of the ship,” to send her in the right direction, but she ran out the door, and I wasn’t sure she even heard me.
However, I let her go. She’d already given me more than I thought she would, and time was on our side.
