Chapter Seven

Arthur

I was either about to be one dumb man or a lucky one, I thought as I secured the door to my suite. I remained against the door and allowed an elderly couple to go by me. Even after I was free to walk, I was too entranced, watching them and the way the man kept a supportive hand at his wife's back. Both had to be in their seventies. I had the urge to ask them how long they had been married, but refrained because the question was too personal to ask two strangers. Something about the bond that emanated from them gripped me.

Was it wrong to want that bond? Was it wrong to go after it, even if it meant doing something unscrupulous?

Shaking off the guilt didn’t work completely as I made my way up the stairs to the deck above where we were informed to report for the muster drill. In truth, I didn’t need the safety drill they had every time a ship went out to sea. The first memory I had of a cruise ship was at four years old. Since that year, my parents and I traveled at least twice per annum on a cruise. I had sailed all five oceans during those cruise trips, and only cut back on the traveling after my parents died. It didn’t seem to have as much significance any more without them. They had both worked so hard but took the time to relax and replenish which always led to another cruise.

I had honored their memory by buying shares into this new cruise line when it first started it sails three years ago to the Caribbean. Now our cruise line also sailed to ports all over the United States and Europe.

I had no intention of going on this seven day Western Caribbean Christmas cruise when I bought Bailey the tickets, but after what had happened between us two weeks ago, I had changed my mind. My personal bar was my favorite part of the house, but Bailey had turned it into torture. Every time I splashed liquor into a glass, I remembered the way he had come hard with me deep inside him. The bar was now the most haunted place in my home.

Although Bailey hadn’t called me or visited since we had sex, I decided that I would be proactive. I couldn’t take full credit as the last time I spoke to Jo, he had encouraged me to go on the cruise. Even if things didn’t work out with Bailey the way I wanted to, he had reminded me that I needed the vacation time to get away. I planned to get away for the Christmas, but not by cruise. Since my parents passed, I never had a Christmas at home. This year I had thought about traveling to Seychelles for two weeks. It was one of those countries that I had visited once already, but planned to visit again.

I groaned when I arrived on the deck and noticed the people milling about the casino waiting to have their cruise pass swiped to mark their attendance at the drill. No one could escape it as they kept a register, and those who missed the drill would eventually have to do it anyway. If I could have escaped it, I would have. It became repetitive after a while, just like the air hostesses recounting emergency responses in an aircraft. I was tempted to drone out the instructor who took center stage and reminded the group that no smoking was allowed in the cabins. After hearing these instructions over a hundred times, I felt like I was a pro without the practical side being explored.

I leaned against a wooden balustrade and people-watched. I was grateful someone had canceled their suite and downgraded their accommodations or I would have been forced to use a cabin with fewer amenities. The premium suites were usually sold out quickly because there were very few of them located by themselves on an entire deck.

As the drill wrapped up, the majority of the group headed for the elevators and stairs at the same time. I hung back, knowing how hectic it tended to get. I had a few minutes to wait until the staircase cleared up before I could set my plan into motion. What exactly was my plan anyway? I went over the idea in my head. I had already located the information desk when I arrived on deck and palmed the young man at the counter a huge sum of money to feed me information about Bailey’s room. As soon as I got off this crazy deck, I would return to my room as the customer service representative had advised he would have the information sent to my room. Well, not exactly using those words, but they basically meant the same, only coded.

Impatiently, I waited until the walkways were clear before dropping by the bar to get a bottle of Bailey’s Rum Cream. This would have to do until I got to my Bailey. As the liquor went down, the ship was replaced by my bar and the sight of Bailey, kneeling, butt naked licking my cock and swallowing. Good god, I had to know if he had boarded this ship. Not that I could do anything about it if he hadn’t, but at least I would be able to stop worrying about it and accept the cruise for what it was. Seven days at sea to relax and maybe talk myself out of actively pursuing Bailey. If only we’d never had sex then it wouldn’t be so difficult. I wanted to experience what we had in the bar again.

Drink in hand, I returned to my suite, juggling by the crew members who were still dropping off suitcases. As a premium passenger, mine should already be in my room. I hoped so as I’d like to change into something more comfortable before I went knocking on Bailey’s door. If he were here.

Once I finally maneuvered myself into my suite, I felt more relaxed. This was one of the reasons I had cut down on the amount of time I spent traveling. With my parents, it had been fun as there were the three of us, but traveling alone could be a reminder of really how lonely life was. At my age, I didn’t contemplate on it that much, but it was only natural for me to feel this way at times. I hadn’t been serious about anyone since my last relationship ended five years ago over a prenuptial agreement pending our marriage. I still refused to take the blame for that relationship failing. If Duane knew he had nothing to worry about, he could have signed the agreement, and that would have been the end of it. Instead, he had created a big fuss about the lack of trust I had in him. That hadn’t stopped him cleaning out the joint account I had set up for us before bailing on me. As had done husband number two. Husband number one had only lasted a week.

I found my carryon in my closet when I checked. I had no plan to join the other passengers on the top deck and take part in the sail away party. I could watch it all from the comfort of my balcony, which had its own Jacuzzi.

I ignored the Jacuzzi, but changed into a casual sophisticated outfit rather than the Bermudan shorts I had on before. I swapped out the shorts for a pair of dark blue linen pants and a short sleeve dress shirt with the top buttons undone. I wanted to make a good impression on Bailey. I might not be as well-defined as he was, but I was hoping based on how he reacted to me, he liked bears. I had no reason to believe otherwise.

I was about to pick up the phone to call the customer service desk to ask about the information I had paid for when I noticed a piece of paper folded on top of the cupboard by the bed. I replaced the phone on its hook and snatched the piece of paper. The only thing written on it was a room number. I frowned, wondering if I had the correct information. The number didn’t correspond with those on my deck. I had bought premium tickets for Bailey, so he should have been situated on this floor.

Frowning, I left the room, locking the door behind me before heading for the information desk. I cursed beneath my breath when I realized a different person had taken over. This woman looked more mature, and I didn’t want to press my luck twice so soon. Not everyone was going to accept a bribe.

I paced a bit before deciding to see what the room number I was given would yield. At best it could be right, and I would locate Bailey. At worse, I would still be in the same situation as now. I really had nothing to lose.

I double-checked the layout of the ship, which was on each floor, to confirm where his room was. Why would he be on the third deck? If someone had cheated him out of the amenities he should have, there would be hell to pay on this cruise.

When I located his cabin, I noticed a lot of families were using these accommodations. I passed kids running along the hall, parents rushing after them. At one point, I had to flatten myself to the wall for a kid to dash by me, the mother not far behind. I scowled at the absurdity of Bailey staying here. If he were pleased to see me, and I hoped he was or I would be sorely disappointed, then he could spend the rest of the cruise in my suite. It was certainly big enough for two. I wasn’t expecting sex either. I wanted to get to know him.

The blast of a horn startled me even though I should have been aware of it. As my heart rate calmed, I double-checked the room number and knocked. Hands stuffed inside my pants, my attempt at appearing cool, I waited for someone to open the door.

The doorknob twisted from the inside and opened. He materialized before me, and I lost my cool. I wanted to back him up against the wall and take liberties I knew he would allow.

“Arthur?”