Chapter 20

Michael

It’s early morning, and my eyes open, not from sunlight, but from habit. There is a dim glow from the shuttered porthole, and it permits me to look upon Mac, her body free of blankets and clothing. Her skin is unmarred, not even a freckle in view. Her breasts are full and perfectly formed, high and firm on her chest. Her waist is a gradual indent above her hips, and with one leg bent at the knee, I can see her shaved pussy beckoning. I can’t help myself but gently bend lower until I can kiss her there, touching those lips in wonderment at their power. She awakens at the touch, and I push her legs wide and smoothly enter her, already in full arousal. I rock gently inside her as she keeps her eyes closed, her full lips slightly parted and her forehead crinkling as the sensual waves begin to wash over her. We are slow in the building, but I ride her crest and quickly give us both fulfillment.

I hold her in its last wave of passion, and her head is lying in the spot made perfectly for her head just below my throat on my chest. I can smell the scent of our mixed juices and whisper, “Good morning.”

She scoots her hips as though burying herself into the mattress and then rolls against me, looking up, and kissing me on the lips. “Good morning,” she whispers as she breaks away and then cuddles into the side of me. I draw the sheet over us using my foot to peel it loose from the muddled bedding at the foot of the mattress, and at the same time, reach into the nightstand.

“Happy?” I ask. She nods, and I can tell she’s letting the memories of the night before fill her conscious thoughts. “Forgive me?” I ask, and after a moment’s hesitation, she nods silently and wraps her arms around my neck, kissing my artery and then playfully biting it. I bend to kiss her neck, and she nods; we both understand the symbolism in our moves. “Marry me?” I ask next, and she stiffens. I press my chin deep so I can see her face; her big eyes are staring upward at me, amazement in their depths.

“Are you serious?” she whispers.

“If I weren’t, this would be a highly dangerous time for me to ask, don’t you think?”

“Michael?” she gasps, propping herself up on one arm to look at me, trying to gauge whether I’m serious.

“Yes, I know. You know, too. We both swore we’d never do this, but I was so afraid last night would be the last time I’d see you. I hoped against hope, but I couldn’t predict your reaction. It was everything I hoped for, so I’m very, very glad that I took the chance in buying this,” I say, holding out a yellow, emerald-cut diamond engagement ring on my little finger.

Mac snatches it off my finger and slides it onto the ring finger of her left hand, holding it up to study with a huge grin, visible even in the dim light. “Oh, Michael, it’s gorgeous.”

“Would it be safe to assume you’re saying yes?”

Her arms strangle my throat. “Of course! Yes, yes, yes! I can’t believe this is happening!”

“I know … ironic, isn’t it? We both came prepared for the worst, and look at us—self-proclaimed single people to the end, and we can’t be apart for more than a few minutes without losing the ability to think straight.”

“Do you do that, too?” she asks, looking at my face. “Do you think of me all day and all night, first thing in the morning and to the point where you can’t focus on anything else? Because I do you.”

I nod. “Guilty.”

“Oh, Michael, I’m so happy.”

“I give you fair warning, MacKenzie Duncan Daughtry. I’m not perfect.”

“Oh, I already knew that. I think that’s one of the reasons I love you. I’m not perfect either, but I think perfection is a bit overrated.”

I kiss her forehead in response. Yes, although we’re a bit flawed in the length to which we’ll go in pursuit of something we want, it’s better if we’re on the same team.

“Hungry?” I ask.

Nodding, “I’m starved. We never had dinner last night.”

“I did.”

“Oh, you’re awful!” she says, slapping me playfully on the chest.

“The shower’s in there. Pull yourself together, and I’ll meet you on the aft deck for breakfast.”

“Deal,” she says, rolling from the bed without bothering to untangle the sheets. I get a view of her perfect rump as she’s holding up her ring in admiration on her way into the bath. I quickly sneak into the second stateroom and shower quickly, pulling a clean set of clothes from the sparse closet.

“Michael, you know what I just forgot?” Mac asks as we’re finishing our breakfast.

“What’s that?”

“We’re having Abby and Walter for dinner this evening. I’m supposed to cook and to play the piano, and we have neither groceries nor piano. I’m hoping you have at least gotten Walter to come?”

“Oh, yeah, I forgot to let you know. He’s looking forward to it. What about we take them to a nice restaurant this time and do dinner at home another?”

She nods in agreement. “Perfect solution.”

“It feels good, you know?”

“What’s that?”

“Call it ‘home’, and it’s only because you’ll be there. It never has truly been home before.”

“Don’t forget that, you hear?”

“Somehow, I don’t think you’ll let me.” I grin, and she kisses me hard; hard enough to make me want to go back into the stateroom.