"Sure I can.” I argued as I poked through my salad in an attempt to not look her in the eyes. The reality was that the reason I hadn't dated was because of Carter. I hadn't realized it until now, but the idea of dating someone else just didn't feel right. Maybe if I allowed myself to go out to meet someone, that would change. Maybe the reason that Carter lingered in my heart, was that I hadn't dated anyone else. At first it was because I was pregnant, and a new mom. Then it was because I was working so hard to move Tanner and I to the West Coast.
"I'm done. Can I go play in my zoo?" Tanner asked. I looked down at his plate. There was still some meat on the bone, but all his potatoes were gone, and he ate one piece of lettuce and his carrots. I figured that was enough for now. I wiped his face and helped him down from the chair and he zoomed down the hall to his room.
"When was the last time you felt the kind of excitement that boy feels every day when he runs off to play?" Reggie asked.
"I know exactly when," I said more to myself, but then realized I actually said it out loud.
“When?” Reggie asks.
I hedged slightly, not wanting to tell her that I'd run into Carter earlier today. At the same time, I’d already told her a little bit about Tanner's father. At the time, I hadn’t known that my Carter from the magical cruise was Carter Strong so I felt safe that she didn’t either. "It was that week on the cruise in Mexico."
Reggie smiled at me, waggling her brows. "I would do anything to have a knight in shining armor on a cruise ship to Mexico. It's just a shame that you didn't know enough about him to let him know about that sweetie pie in the other room."
Up until a couple hours ago, that was true but now I did know. I considered talking to Reggie about this new situation, but then I was sure she would encourage me to do the right thing, because, of course, telling Carter about Tanner was the right thing.
But I couldn't get past Carter's comments about not ever wanting a family, and I didn't want Tanner to have a father who was indifferent to him. So, for now I was just going to keep quiet and hope for a good time to tell Carter about Tanner… Assuming a good time ever came up.
5
Carter
The taste of Jess lingered on my lips as I laid in bed unable to sleep. Now I knew that she looked the same and tasted the same, even if she didn't exactly act the same as she had four years ago. I couldn't decide if she changed, or if she was just uncomfortable because she worked for my father that made her seem a little skittish around me. Four years ago, she'd been open to me and to the adventure we had that week.
Like I’d done so many times before, I closed my eyes and conjured up that week that I'd had with her. It was like a movie I could play through my head anytime that I wanted to remember what it felt like to be completely free, and enjoying it with an equally adventurous woman.
I started from the beginning on the first day of the trip making my way out to the pool. I was twenty-two years old, single, and rich. Perhaps it was arrogant of me, but I also knew I was fit and good looking, and would likely have my choice of women on the ship, single or otherwise. I remembered not feeling disappointed as I looked out along the sea of skimpy bathing suits on voluptuous female bodies spread all around the pool. They all held an appeal, but only one had made my eyes skid to a halt and take in the full length of her body. Thick auburn hair perfect for running my fingers through. Delicious curves, and hips that were built for sex. She was toned and athletic looking, which suggested to me that she would have stamina and flexibility.
With my eyes squarely on her, I'd made my way over and luckily there had been a lounge next to hers. Physical attraction had been the immediate lure, but once we started to talk, I discovered a woman who was eager for adventure. She smiled and spoke freely; unlike many women I'd met who often use guile or would simply say what they thought I wanted to hear.
I tried to play it cool that night, as I maneuvered myself to accidentally run into her at dinner. I was pretty sure I was obvious when she finally showed up for breakfast the next day and I zeroed in on her. Luckily, she seemed as into me as I was to her, and we'd agreed to spend the week together exploring all the stops the cruise made in Mexico, as well as everything the ship had to offer during the journey.
The only part that had been difficult was the deal we made to keep our real lives out of this week. We were just Jess and Carter. There were no last names, no past history, and of course because of that there was nothing I could use to hunt her down after the cruise was over. We were the metaphorical two ships passing in the night, and while we'd enjoyed the days together and a few moments of kissing and groping, I hadn't pushed to spend the night with her because I was concerned that that it might overstep the boundaries we had set. But by the last night, I knew there was no way that I could leave her without one night touching her.
I'd worked to draw out the last
night as long as I could. We lingered over dinner and even danced, but then I invited her to my cabin. Of course, my wish was to get her in bed, but I lured her there by telling her about the private balcony where we could enjoy our last evening together alone. I watched her on the balcony as I poured us champagne. She seemed both wistful and melancholy, making me wonder if she was feeling the heaviness of our impending separation like I was.
"Penny for your thoughts?" I asked as I joined her.
She took the flute of golden bubbly from me. "I'm thinking about how when I wake up the day after tomorrow, in my own bed, I’ll wonder if all this was a dream."
She did feel the same. "Me too." I lifted my glass and clicked it against hers. "To fantastic dreams."
We sipped and then I looked out over the water, my hand sliding low along her back. Longing filled my chest, when she leaned her head against my shoulder.
"I know we have an agreement to keep our emotional distance, but it doesn't feel right to me, to end this cruise without touching you," I said.
She turned and looped her free hand around my neck. "On that point, Carter, we are in complete agreement."
I smiled happy and horny at the same time. I took her glass and set it down with mine on the small table on the balcony. I pulled her to me, my hands sliding down, each one grabbing her ass. "I've been wanting to get you out of your shorts, or your bikini, or your dress practically since the moment I saw you,” I said.
She pressed her hips forward grinding against me, and my dick was at full tilt. "I've been dying to get you naked too."
"This is going to be fun,” I said, scooping her up into my arms and carrying her into my cabin.
I set her down, and undid the zipper of her dress before her feet hit the ground. Like a desperate man, I tugged the straps of her dress down, so fucking pleased to find her braless.
Her tits fell free and I groaned. “I knew you had perfect tits.” I sucked one nipple into my mouth and she clung to my head as I feasted on her sweetness.