Miami Stopover
1812 Words
The quiet shuffle of cards echoed sharply through the room, cutting through the lively hum of chatter and laughter. The room was packed with people absorbed in their own games, yet none carried the same heavy tension as the table where Chloe and I sat. It was petty to settle our differences with a card game, but I wasn’t one to back down without a fight.
“The cards will be dealt now,” the dealer announced, her voice rising above the buzz as she handed out the cards. “The rules for Christmas Go Fish are just like the regular game. Do either of you need an explanation?” Her gaze flicked between us.
“No, just deal the cards,” Chloe snapped, her eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made her motives all too clear. Whatever she was up to, I wasn’t going to let her rattle me.
“Check your cards,” the dealer instructed as I picked up my hand. Chloe’s face remained unreadable, her expression a flawless poker mask.
It was my turn to start.
I studied my cards, searching for a strategy, but the Holiday Treats-themed deck seemed determined to mock me. My hand was a mess of mismatched suits, not a single pair to be found.
“Do you have Candy Canes?” I asked, locking eyes with Chloe, hoping luck would turn in my favor.
A sly smile tugged at her lips as she glanced up. “I don’t.”
“Please pick a card, Ms. Patterson,” the dealer prompted. I reached for one from the pile, but it didn’t help.
“Do you have Pies?” Chloe asked smoothly, her voice laced with confidence.
My gaze fell on the Pie card sticking out from my hand. I hesitated, glancing at the dealer, who was watching closely. With a sigh, I placed it on the table.
“I do,” I said reluctantly, watching Chloe collect it with a triumphant smirk.
“Let’s make this interesting,” Chloe said suddenly, arranging her cards with an air of nonchalance that made my frustration boil over. “If I win, you break up with Zachary.”
I stared at her, incredulous. “Why would I do that? Just because you say so?”
“Because Zachary and I are getting married. Didn’t you know?” she shot back, her voice rising to draw the attention of the room.
Whispers rippled around us, and I felt heat rise to my cheeks as all eyes turned toward our table. Humiliation settled in like a heavy weight as I dropped my cards on the table with a sigh.
“This is pointless,” I muttered, standing to leave, but Chloe wasn’t finished.
She followed me, grabbing my arm. “Didn’t your boyfriend cheat on you too? How can you flaunt a man who’s about to be married and call him your boyfriend?”
Her voice was loud enough to halt conversations around us. I hated being the center of attention, and Chloe knew it.
“Enough, Chloe,” I said firmly, trying to pull my arm free, but she held on tight.
“Zachary is mine,” she cried, tears spilling down her cheeks as she played the victim. “How can you, of all people, do this to another woman after what you’ve been through? If you want revenge on your ex, fine but leave Zachary out of it!”
The murmurs around us grew louder, filled with judgment and disdain.
“Can you believe her?”
“She’s so shameless.”
“She’s a hypocrite.”
My stomach churned as I realized I’d become the spectacle of the cruise. Meanwhile, Chloe basked in the chaos she’d created, and all I could feel was the crushing weight of embarrassment as I stared around.
Suddenly, a hand appeared removing Chloe's from mine. I glanced up to see Zachary standing in front of me dressed in a white sweater and blue jeans. His hair was slicked back, and for the first time, I saw his ear full of piercings. I didn't know how old he was, but he looked a hell of young and sexy.
“ It's an arranged marriage, Chloe.” Zachary clarified as he pushed Chloe away from me making her stagger back. “ Besides, I've already let our families know I don't want to marry you so stop making a scene,” Zachary said as he took my hand.
Chloe's eyes narrowed and I could see that she was beyond furious as she stared at me and Zachary. Just as she was about to leave, she stopped in front of us glaring at us. “ This isn't over, Zachary.” She said before leaving.
Once she was gone, Zachary's hand wrapped around mine, his hands offering consolation for me. I turned and stared at our hands linked together. A part of me was really questioning if I was doing the right thing.
We settled into the cinema to watch some movies. Despite it being my favorite holiday movie, I couldn't enjoy it because Chloe's words kept ringing loudly in my ears. She was right. After being cheated on by Connor, it wasn't right for me to actually keep Zachary away from her.
“She left him at the altar!” A voice screamed in my head.
“ You don't like the movie? If you don't, we can always request for something else. The entire Cinema is ours for five hours.” Zachary said pulling me out of my thoughts.
I stared around the theatre to see the entire place empty with no one around other than us. My eyes widened as I stared at back at the screen catching an inappropriate part of the movie. Suddenly, the room feels too cold. I try to remove my gaze but I can't. This movie was my favorite movie to watch alone, not with a stranger. And certainly not with my boss!
“Hmmm, seems like you like the movie.” Zachary said catching me off guard as he talks pulling me out of my thoughts.
My cheeks flush with embarrassment and suddenly, I wish we had people around. Zachary's hands reach out and touches my legs making me tense up. A part of me is excited and curious about what he was up to so I didn't dare to move.
“ Cameras.” I said as I stared around the dark room and suddenly, I feel as Zachary's hands move up wandering across my body.
“ They can't see a damn thing.” He replies, his hands busy with his exploration.
Conflicted, I stared around the room and swallow hard. “Are you sure, because…”
He places a finger across my lips. “Shh… They really can't see us.”
The first touch of his lips brings an uproar of heat to my skin that surges down my neck and my chest before hitting me straight in the stomach and coiling downward, causing me to let out an embarrassing moan. I start to recoil, but he only seems more eager to kiss me as his tongue slips deep inside my mouth.
The taste of him is familiar and comforting, yet full of danger, want, and need. I feel the back of my neck grow hot with a fire that rips through my body as a hunger possesses me. My head races a million miles a minute with thoughts of getting closer to him. I clutch onto his arms, digging my nails into his skin, drawing a line of blood as I press my body against his. What the hell is happening to me? I’ve never felt this way before. I need to breathe. I need to run… God, but I want to stay.
His hands wander down my body across my breast to the bottom of my dress. As his fingers graze my bare thigh, he sucks on my tongue and pulls me closer. Gripping my legs, he scoops me up and urges them around his waist. The feel of him pressed up against me makes the fire burn hotter. I’m burning up. I swear I'm literally on fire.
He groans against my mouth, biting at my bottom lip as his hands roam upward beneath my dress and cup my ass. My legs constrict in response and tighten around his hips. His muscles tighten, but his tongue continues to explore my mouth, entangling with my tongue, tasting me, and turning me on in ways I don’t understand. God, I want to understand, though. So badly.
A moan escapes my mouth again and this time, I am not embarrassed at all.
He moves his lips from mine and looks me in the eye as his fingers graze the trim of my panties. As he slips his fingers beneath the fabric, the fear and doubt are immediately replaced by this need to find out what it feels like to be alive and connected. He waits long enough for me to stop him before he slides a finger inside me.
“f**k,” he groans and he lowers his mouth to mine as he begins to move his finger.
It feels so good and my hips start to move against him building my climax. Right as I’m about to reach it he slips another finger in me and his mouth leaves mine. My lips part as my neck arches and my head tips back. He watches me fall blindly into a feeling I’ve never experienced.
As I come back down, he slips his fingers out of me and releases my wrists. I leave my worn-out arms above my head as he props up on his elbows, one on each side of my head. I work to regain control of my breathing and he smoothes my hair back from my damp forehead.
“ Still having second thoughts because of what Chloe said?” Zachary asked pulling me back to reality.
I stand up immediately pulling down my dress as I glanced around. I really hoped no one had seen us because I definitely wouldn't survive it. Zachary's eyes continue to search mine as he watches me tidy myself up.
Just as he is about to speak, the small tap on the door catches our attention making us turn to the crew member waiting. My heart skips a beat and I wonder if he had been there all these while.
“ What is it?” Zachary asked turning to the crew member.
“ The ship has made a port stop.” He replied.
“ Where are we?” Zachary asked.
“ Miami.”
Zachary's gaze locks onto mine, a spark of mischief dancing in his eyes. “Well then, girlfriend,” he says, his voice dripping with charm.“How about making today unforgettable? Will you be my date?”
- Writer
