"Belle..." He pressed a short kiss on her lips, and she moaned. Then he petted her hair until she stared at him again. He didn't blink as he said, "You deserve betterthanme."
She sat fast and covered her breasts. She shook her head and refused to look at him. "Everyone always says that about me right before theyleave."
His handwent to her knee again, and he massaged it until she looked at him. Her heart stopped its fast racing as she lickedherlips.
He then whispered, "I'm more afraid oflosingyou."
A surge of something in her blood grew. She leaned into his muscular chest and stared at his big hands. "Really?"
He kissed the top of her head. "Belle, I've never been with a woman who didn't wantme for my money. The price tag meant that no one wanted me for me. I could keep my distance. With you, it's like I'm seeing the worlddifferently."
She sat and kissed him as her pulse quickened. "Peter, that'ssweet."
He winked at her, "Don't do that, sweetheart, or you'll get me excitedagain."
A quiver erupted in her at the thought. She pressed her head on his shoulder."I like you out ofcontrol."
He massaged her shoulders. "Likewise."
Neither of them spoke or moved for a while. They stared out at the ocean. No land was anywhere in sight. They were completely alone, except for his staff. She covered her lips. She had never been so free with herself before. She began tolaugh.
He asked, "What's sofunny?"
She tried to contain her giggling,but it grew worse. Her belly hurt from laughing so hard. Finally she managed, "Everyone always says I'm so wound up with a million things to do that I never let myself go. Clearly I was just waitingforyou."
He hugged her. "Belle, you're the best Christmaspresent."
The telephone in the corner of the room rang. Peter petted her hair and seemed to ignore thephone.
She sighedand sat. "Your phone isringing."
His hand returned to her knee. Her heart was light, as he said, "Letit."
The world was shiny and bright right now, but she shrugged, "No, if someone called the ship, it must be super important, or else the captain wouldn't have let itthrough."
He stiffened. "I guess, but other than you, today has been a day I needed to avoidpeople."
She rubbed his back as he answered, "Hello?"
His face fell as he said, "She's where?" She hugged his shoulders as he continued, "Have all the bills forwarded to me. Give her the best possible care." Her heart hammered in her chest as he then said, "I don't know when I will arrive." She felt how he stiffened under her touch and stood taller as hefinished, "Bye."
He walked awayfrom her, tugged on his boxers, and slumped on the couch. She followed and scooted nexttohim.
"Peter, whathappened?"
He stared at the ocean like he could set it on fire from whatever had just happened. Her heart ached for him, and she placed her hand on hisstomach.
He let out a deep breath and said, "My mother is in thehospital."
Sheswallowed. "What?"
He didn't blink. His shoulders were tense. "She was taken in with pneumonia, but no one is sure. John and Vicki are enroute."
She scooted closer to him and smoothed his hair. "Who calledyouthen?"
He turned to face her, and she could see how his entire face went dark. She hugged his shoulder as he said, "Mystaff."
There was an ache in her throat, but she stayed quiet. "Peter,call the captain. We should go homeatonce."
