Our eyes lock again, and the furious motion of our bodies, tangled together in the heat of passion finally ascends into our first climax together, which we share.

I growl her name and she stammers mine as we both feel something, more than just a climax to our shared arousal.

Something special.

Something magical.

My hands move from her ass to her chest, then to cradle her face as she runs her hands over my arms, quivering like the rest of our two bodies as we enjoy wave after wave of aftershocks of pleasure.

“Did you feel that?” she asks me, her teeth almost chattering and I smile, hearing my voice full of emotion as I answer.

“I sure did,” I tell her, “I sure did.” I feel proud again. Proud of Charlene and of our future. The new life I know we’ll have together, the new life that will bring us closer together than ever.

And I just know her dad Mark is gonna have more than one thing to say about that.

But what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him, for now.

Chapter Nine

Charlene

Lying half asleep in Max’s arms, gripping one of his big strong arms while his other circles me from behind, I decide I could stay like this forever. I know I’ve found genuine peace and happiness.

The knocking at both our doors, plus the chiming of my cell phone reminds me that there’s more going on right now than just Max and me, losing my virginity and finding the man of my dreams.

“I think I should get that,” I murmur, feeling more than chilled air as my body leaves the warmth and safety of Max’s arms.

Phone or door? Which is it to be first?

I answer the phone, pressing it to my ear as I spy a complimentary robe which I slip on before opening the door.

Max does the same, but his low growls and curses under his breath tell me he’s none too happy about it.

Our luggage. We kinda have to receive it and sign for it, along with a welcome basket from the Captain, and something else I don’t catch with my dad in my ear at the same time.

“Honey? Are you alright? I heard there was a near miss in the car on the way over.”

My dad’s voice sounds thin, crackling on an airplane phone. I feel a stab of annoyance, like he’s spying on us or something, but I know he’s just worried about me.

About us.

“I’m fine, dad. How’d you find that out?” I ask, more than curious just how much is being reported back to him directly.

“Oh, I have my sources,” he says jovially, but there’s a serious edge to his voice which is unmistakable.

“Is Max there?” he asks, the same edge getting a little sharper.

Fuck. He knows… How can he know?

“Max is in his cabin, dad, we just got here, our luggage has arrived. I’m signing for it now.”

Dad makes his apologies and excuses himself, telling me he’s only worried and promises to leave me alone, at least until later.

“I’ll call you once I land, just to make sure you’re okay… I wish I was there, honey.”

And I’m so glad he isn’t.

I love my dad, but Max is the best thing to ever happen to me, and our special time alone means more to me than anything right now.

“I’ll talk later, Dad. Gotta go.”

Hanging up, I notice Max in the doorway between our suites, a dark look as he glances at his own phone.

“Fifteen messages?” he growls, and I can tell dad’s being more than just a tad overprotective from a distance.

“He’ll settle down in a day or two,” I tell Max, who knows dad better than me and we both share a concerned look.

“Just… let’s just worry about us, okay?” I suggest, and Max smiles, shaking off his mood and hugging me tight, his newfound appreciation for me already hard again and pressing against me.

“Did you get a gift basket too?” I ask, trying to focus as my eyes naturally close, wanting to leap up into Max’s arms and roll back onto my bed so he can stuff me full all over again.

But I restrain myself. We just did it… I can’t do it again so soon, can I?

Isn’t that slutty?

Max’s growling murmurs answer at least one of my questions.

“Did you get a basket?” I ask him again, giggling as he sucks at my neck.

“Yeah, I got a basket,” he drones, “Booze and nuts plus a bunch of other stuff I never eat.”

“And a personal invitation to the Captain’s table for dinner,” I groan, unfolding the envelope over his shoulder and reading the first few lines of the folded note handed to me by the steward before he left.

“Formal attire,” I murmur, “Do you have a tux in your luggage by any chance?” I ask Max and he pulls himself back, looking at me quizzically.