Armed & Dangerous (Book 2 Soldiers Series)

4

A relentless knocking roused Desman from his sleep. Daylight was filtering in through the drapes. Through a dazed haze, he looked at the alarm clock on the nightstand. It was nearly noon. Desman tossed back the covers and climbed out of bed. He staggered to the door in his shorts and cracked it open to see who was outside. Just a peek turned into Lamont and Cedric forcing their way into the room.

“Yo D, you know how late it is?” Lamont asked dropping onto the small couch across from the mini-bar.

“Come on, get dressed,” Cedric said picking up his luggage and tossing it on the bed. “We docked an hour ago let’s go check out the island.”

“I’m tired. I had a late night.” Desman complained rubbing the back of his neck. He hadn’t slept well, knowing that Morgan was sleeping just on the other side of the wall. So close yet so far away.

Lamont grinned. “You get lucky with that Latina hottie you left the club with?”

He wished he could say yes. “No.”

“Then what did you do all night?” Cedric queried.

“We played basketball.” Desman said opening his suitcase. Desman dressed casually in a pair of black slacks, a white t-shirt, and his leather jacket. It was as close as he could get to being himself while still observing the ship’s dress code.

“Basketball? You had a smoking hot woman with you on a ship that promotes casual s*x, and you play basketball?” Lamont shook his head. “What’s wrong with you? I would have jumped her faster than a squirrel on a nut.”

“Oh, really and did you get lucky?” Desman shot back.

“Yes, I did.” He said proudly.

“Well, perhaps I prefer a challenge.” Desman said stuffing some cash into his wallet and tucked it into his jacket pocket. “So where did we dock?”

“Coco Cay,” Cedric informed him.

“Well then let’s go do the tourist thing.” Desman said leading the boys out of his cabin and out on the deck. They walked down the gangplank to the dock. It was beautiful, with a floral scent in the air. A cool breeze rolled in off the water. Just down the road was a white sandy beach.

Having grown up on beaches, they decided they would go with other attractions. They went to check out the lighthouse and the seawall. From there they moved on to the Wave Runners, then hit the marketplace to pick up a few trinkets for the folks back home.

That’s where he saw her. Across the street in front of a pirate statue, Morgan and her friends were posing for a picture being taken by one of the locals. She was dressed in a casual baby blue t-shirt, cut-off jeans, and sandals. Her dark hair was left loose, and it fluttered in the breeze. He didn’t think it was possible, but she looked better than the previous night.

She and her friends looked like they were having a blast. He wanted to go over and say hello, but he didn’t want to intrude on their fun. Morgan had already complained about their presence the night before. So, he and the boys stopped in at the bar across the street. Getting a table by the window Desman watched as the ladies killed time at the arcade directly across the street. He almost laughed when Morgan challenged Pat to a dance-off on one of those digital dance games. She was good at it. She barely misstepped.

“So, we have been reduced to stalking.” Lamont teased noticing how distracted Desman was. “Come on D, why not just go over there and say hi?”

“Because she’s already accused us once of intruding. I don’t think she’d like us doing it again.” Cedric sighed as he came to his feet. “Where are you going?” Cedric didn’t answer. Lamont and Desman got up and followed him out of the bar. He was crossing the street heading straight for the ladies. “Cedric no.” Desman called to him quietly so not to draw attention to them. He followed quickly trying to get his tubby friend to stop before he reached the ladies, but Cedric moved fast for a man his size.

He reached the ladies first and greeted them with a pat on the shoulder. It was too late. Desman came to stand beside his friends as they said hello. “How do you ladies like Coco Cay?” Cedric asked politely which for him was out of character.

“We were having fun.” Morgan snarled displeased that they were yet again trying to insert themselves into her vacation.

“Well, then we will leave you to it.” Desman said grabbing his friends by their arms to drag them off.

“Just wait.” Lamont pulled away and grinned flirtatiously at Pat. “Why don’t you ladies join us for dinner tonight in the Vista dining room?”

Morgan opened her mouth to refuse them, but Pat spoke first. “We would love too.” Morgan glared at her friend. “Say seven o’clock?”

“Sounds great,” Lamont said ushering Desman and Cedric down the street.

“Why did you invite them to dinner?” Desman asked annoyed that he was making plans for all of them.

“Because you’re never going to get any traction with that girl if you avoid her. So right now, she has fun with her friends, and tonight she has fun with you.” He said poking Desman in the chest. “You’re welcome.”

***

Morgan slapped Pat in the arm. “What?”

“Why did you agree to dinner with them?” Morgan complained.

“Why not? I think the cute one likes you.”

“I don’t care.”

“Be honest you like him too. Would it be so bad to hook up with someone while we are here?” Pat complained. “Let loose Morgan and have a little fun.”

“Guys like that don’t respect women who have a little fun.” She protested.

“Who cares, once you leave this ship you will never even see him again so to hell with what he thinks. What is important is that you are having fun.”

“Which you’re not,” Vivian added.

“Whose side are you on?” Morgan snapped.

“Hers.”

Morgan threw up her hands. She was sick of everyone trying to hook her up. She had nothing left to say so she walked off leaving her friends behind.

She walked back to the ship on her own showing her passport to board the ship. Morgan went right for her cabin. She wanted some time alone. Reaching her room, Morgan went inside and removed her laptop from her luggage. She hooked it up on the small desk and connected her mobile wireless router and scrambler. She bounced her signal off various networks as her father taught her too.

The ship had internet connections, but you had to pay an outrageous price to use it. Besides her father taught her always to cover her digital tracks so people couldn’t figure out what she was doing and who she was talking too. Her father was paranoid, and she didn’t understand why but it was easier to go along with him than it was to argue the point.

Morgan brought up her Skype and hoped her father was at his computer. She waited a few moments and then her father’s face appeared in the window. “Hello, Peanut.” He smiled warmly at her.

“Am I interrupting you?” She asked knowing he was likely working.

“Nothing I can’t take a break from. How’s the cruise?” She sighed and cast her gaze down. “That good? What’s wrong?”

“I just want to have a little fun with my friends before I move and all they want to do is hang out with these three guys that keep popping up everywhere we go.”

Her father made an understanding sound. “And you don’t like these guys?”

“It’s not that. I don’t get the attraction to wasting my time with someone I’m never going to see again. What is the point?”

He just chuckled. “You’re over thinking it Peanut. You’re supposed to be having reckless, stupid fun. It’s what these cruises are about. For seven days you get to be whoever you want to be without any repercussions because once you leave that ship, you don’t have to face those people again. You can do whatever you want without fear of being judged or labelled. So, go do something stupid. Something you would never do go scuba diving, bungee jumping, sky gliding. Have a little fun with a guy you don’t have to face again.”

“Daddy.” She was shocked. He had always told her to be smarter than that.

“I’m not saying to do it foolishly, still protect yourself, but live a little Peanut. There is more to life than work. You’re too young to be this uptight. Tell me; there is no one on that ship that appeals to you?”

Desman came to mind. If she was, to be honest, he was attractive. Besides their scuffle, in the casino, he had been fun and pleasant. She supposed it wouldn’t be completely horrible to spend a little time with him.

Her father’s grin grew as he watched her. “There is someone, isn’t there?” She didn’t answer there was no point in denying or confirming his suspicions. “Go have fun Peanut and remember not to over think things.”

“Good-bye, Daddy.”

“Good-bye Peanut.”

Morgan reached up and turned off her Skype. Her father always had a way of looking at things that differed from her own. He made her see things from another point of view. She supposed as long as she didn’t get too out of control getting a little wild wouldn’t hurt. She had enjoyed her time with Desman last night, and Pat and Vivian seemed to enjoy his friends. So why couldn’t they have some fun together? He was right it was time for her to shut off her brain and go with it.

***

Seated at a table in the Vista dining room Desman checked his Rolex for the third time. The ladies were late, and he was starting to think they weren’t coming. “I think we have been stood up.” He commented.

“Patience is a virtue. Women are always late.” Lamont said looking over the menu.

It was an all-inclusive ship which meant everything, but the liquor was free. What better way to act like a big shot with the fairer s*x than to have their every whim catered to and not have to pay a cent. He was sure it was the only reason Lamont was going all out. Back home Lamont counted every penny. He was so cheap he made Scrooge look generous. Sure, he spent a lot of his money making himself look good but when it came time to pick up the tab he always seemed to misplace his wallet. Desman was pretty sure that the ladies had paid for the drinks last night.

“When did you become so suave and patient?” Desman teased.

“Where else can I look like a Casanova and not break the bank? This all-inclusive is the shit.”

“There’s the thug I know and love.” Desman laughed.

Cedric whistled and came to his feet respectfully which was unusual for him. Desman looked back over his shoulder and saw the ladies enter the restaurant. They were all decked out for the night in the formal setting.

Desman and Lamont rose respectfully to greet the ladies. Vivian was dressed in a lovely off the shoulder black gown with her hair left loose but curled. Pat was wearing a yellow gown draping one shoulder her light brown hair left down with a diamond clip over her right ear.

They were both very beautiful, but it was Morgan that left him breathless. Her olive skin and dark hair a startling contrast to the white floor-length satin gown she wore. It was sleeveless, backless, tied around the neck. Her midnight mane was swept up off her neck and shoulders, held in place with a set of jewelled five-inch pins that kept the precarious configuration in place leaving Desman with the desire to pull those pins free and watch her silken locks tumble.

She was a vision in white — the kind of woman that wouldn’t normally trouble herself with the likes of him and his friends. He was thankful for the dress code for the first time. Having forced him to wear a suit was now paying off. He looked respectable. Had she seen him in his usual attire she would probably cross the street to avoid him. He didn’t think she was the type to fall for a thug. Which when you got down to the facts he was. He was a rich thug but a thug nonetheless. When was he ever going to be able to impress a woman like this again?

They reached the table and Desman pulled out the seat next to his for Morgan. She smiled, thanked him, and took a seat. It was his lucky night she seemed to be in a good mood. Something, he got the feeling, didn’t happen too often. Desman sat down nervously running his hand over the front of his jacket hoping he looked cooler than he felt.

“You ladies look great,” Lamont said sitting down. He waved his hand showing the wait staff they were ready to order. “I hope you don’t mind, but we took the liberty of ordering appetizers and a bottle of bubbly.”

Morgan looked less than impressed. She didn’t seem like the sort of woman that liked being ordered for. She struck him as a bit of a feminist. “I love Champaign.” Pat giggled as the waiter poured them each a glass. “It’s really good.” She said taking a sip. “Isn’t it good Morgan?” She said nudging Morgan with her elbow, but she didn’t speak a word just cast a nasty glare and took a sip.

“You have to forgive Morgan she’s not the talkative type around new people,” Vivian explained.

“That’s cool with me.” Cedric laughed. “Pretty and silent. Just the way I like them.”

Desman couldn’t believe he had said such a dumb thing in front of the ladies. He shot his friend a ‘what the hell’ look. “What he means is-”

“I know what he means.” Morgan snarled, her brief good mood doused by his friend’s stupidity. “Do I look dumb?”

“No.” Great, now she was on the defensive. It was going to be a long night.

“Well then doesn’t everything on the menu look divine?” Pat said changing the subject and avoiding the brewing fight. “I think I’ll have the lobster for dinner and end with the delectable triple chocolate cake.” She said handing her menu to the waiter.

“Sounds good I’ll have the same.” Lamont agreed with her.

Cedric and Vivian ordered the steak and Desman chose the seafood pasta. The waiter came to Morgan who was still contemplating her options. “And for the lady?” The waiter asked his pen ready.

“Relax,” she snapped, “you get paid by the hour, don’t rush me.” The waiter stood a little straighter annoyed. “I’ll have the chicken.”

“Very good.” The waiter took her menu.

“Actually,” he paused exasperated by this difficult woman, “forget the chicken I can have that anywhere.” She took the menu back and pondered her options again.

Desman took the menu from her hands and handed it to the waiter. “She will have what I’m having?” He said dismissing the waiter.

Morgan glared at him. “Excuse me that was uncalled for. How dare you presume to-”

“Shut up!” He snapped back without thinking. “Why do you got to be so difficult about everything? For god sakes relax a little.” The whole table was watching them, and it finally dawned on him that he should not have lost his temper, but damn she could be annoying. Her aggravated expression turned to one of surprise. Her friends looked at Morgan like they expected her to blow up. Desman wanted to cringe and apologize, but he wasn’t the sort to backpedal. “It’ll be good, just trust me.”

“My father told me never to trust anyone.”

“Well, that sounds like a lonely way to live.” He said looking her in the eye. “Eventually you have to trust someone. If not why go out at all?”

He was having a hard time reading her reaction. She looked like she didn’t know whether to yell at him or not. He was relieved when she just picked up her napkin and placed it on her lap. He couldn’t help but feel like he had dodged a bullet. He wasn’t off to a good start with this woman.

The appetizers arrived, and the group dug in. Pat struck up a conversation about how they enjoyed the day in port. Everyone was talking and laughing… everyone but Morgan who was as silent as the grave just toying with her glass.

It wasn’t long before their entrées arrived. Everyone was enjoying the food commenting about how good it was. Morgan just pushed her food around the plate with her fork and didn’t make a peep. Her mouth set in a firm grim line. He wished she would smile. She had smiled last night, and she was stunning when she did.

Suddenly, without a word or reason, Morgan stood up, tossed her napkin on the table, and left the dining room. The table went silent on the back of her exit. Vivian gave an awkward little giggle. “She must not be feeling well.” She made an excuse for her friend’s rude behaviour.

Desman knew exactly why she had left. It was him or his friends, but most likely him. The waiter came by to clear Morgan’s plate. Desman placed his hand over the server’s hand to stop him. “Would you please wrap up the lady’s meal and mine; I will take it with me. The desserts too please.”

The waiter left and returned quickly with four to-go containers. Desman picked them up and rose to his feet. He excused himself and left the restaurant heading down to the cabins.

Desman reached Morgan’s door and knocked. He waited a moment and knocked again. The door opened, and Morgan stood looking a little confused. He held up her meal. “Seafood pasta,” then he opened the dessert, “chocolate cake.” He waited for a moment, but she did not invite him in as he had hoped. “Everyone has to eat.”

He almost couldn’t believe it when she stepped aside to allow him to enter. Desman went inside and placed the food on the coffee table. Morgan had not changed out of her evening gown. Not wanting to get her dress dirty, Desman went into the washroom and brought her a hand towel to lay in her lap.

Morgan took some plastic forks from the cupboard above the mini-bar then sat down on the small couch. Desman sat down next to her and sorted through the containers. He handed Morgan her untouched pasta and picked up his own. He watched as she took her first bite and frowned. “You don’t like it?” He asked.

“It’s very good.” She said still frowning.

“Then what’s wrong?”

“I didn’t want you to be right.”

Desman laughed and was pleased to see a half-smile curve her lips. She was so much more pleasant when they were alone. He was starting to get the feeling she wasn’t a group sort of person. “You’re very moody in groups.” He commented.

She shrugged her shoulders as she twirled her fork in her pasta. “I don’t get along with most people.”

“Because you’re so moody?”

“Because most people don’t like me.”

“Must be your sparkling personality.” He teased making her giggle.

“In part.”

“Why else wouldn’t someone like you?” She was beautiful, and he found it hard to believe people didn’t like her outside her abrasive behaviour.

“I’m a bit of an overachiever.” She confessed. “People don’t like you when you’re half their age and getting promoted over them. They don’t like you when you’re smarter than they are. They don’t like you when what they have to work at comes easily to you. I can do anything, except making friends.”

“I like you. Why can’t we be friends?”

“Because you want sex.” She smirked, her gaze lifting playfully to his.

“What’s wrong with that? You’re a beautiful woman; I would have to be gay not to want to sleep with you. That doesn’t mean we can’t hang out.” He said placing his container on the coffee table.

“I just got out of a relationship. I’m not looking for another one.”

Desman laughed. “Good cause I wasn’t offering.” She shot him an annoyed look once more. “Look I’m not saying we ought to lock it down forever. It’s six days of getting crazy and having fun. I’m just talking about two people coming to an understanding.”

She shook her head. “Ease up boy; I’m not that easy.”

“Easy, you think this is easy? I got a better chance of getting shot than getting you to smile.” There it was a repressed smile as she looked away. He was making slow progress. He needed some time to close the deal. Which he was sure wasn’t going to happen tonight unless God smiled on him. “I think you should spend a little time with me. I’ll break my back to show you a good time. When you walk away six days from now, it will be a trip you will never forget.”

“Such promises.”

“I never promise anything I can’t deliver. Just give me a chance.” He waited for her answer. It was silent for a long time, and he couldn’t read that blank expression on her face.

“I’m not going to sleep with you.” She stressed.

“We’ll see about that.” He grinned. “I’ll make a bet with you since you like to gamble. I bet that I can get you to want me in say… three days, provided you actually give me a chance.”

She was thoughtful for a moment. “And if not?”

“If I lose I will pay all your expenses for the rest of the trip.”

“If you win?”

“If I win… well, we will see what happens.”

She was quiet for a moment, and then she smiled. “Ok.” She agreed that surprised him.

“Great. You and me tomorrow. When we dock in Lucaya, you and I are going to tour the port.”

She nodded with a smile. “Ok.”

He was pleased by her answer. As much as he would have liked to stay and make a play he had a feeling that tonight at least he shouldn’t push his luck. Desman rose to his feet and took his cake. “I’ll see you in the morning.” He said heading for the door. “Sleep well.” She didn’t even try to stop him. Desman left Morgan where she was and returned to his stateroom. He had to formulate a game plan. Come morning he waged war on Morgan’s iron will.