I pulled my hair up into a high ponytail, fixed my lipstick and walked out of my room, almost bumping into Howie. I laughed as I clutched his arm and he grinned back.
"Sorry."
"Don't be Theresa. Just that deal of perfect timing." He reached up and rubbed his thumb under my lip. "A smudge." I nodded as I looked into those eyes. Lord have mercy, could I drown in them all day long. I swear, it was like dark pools of…of…hell I couldn't even describe it; I just knew I wanted more, a lot more. And without thinking, I slid my arm around his waist and drew him against me as I quickly pressed my lips against his.
His hands found my waist and his fingers dug in, holding on for dear life. He pressed me against the door and I moaned against his lips, not sure where these urges were coming from, but they were fucking there. He finally broke the kiss and his lips trailed down my neck, finding a spot that made me jump against him even more, letting me feel just how hard he was.
"Oh my God," I muttered, feeling my own desire shoot sky high. How was this fair? Even better, how was this right? The constant ringing, though, quickly broke us apart and we both looked at each other before grabbing our phones. I quickly hit the answer button, not even checking the ID. "Hello?"
"Theresa, is everything okay? You sound breathless." My eyes flew to Howie and shook my head.
"I'm fine, Mike, what do you want?" Howie's eyes narrowed at the name and I had to turn around from the anger in those depths. Aw, he hated the caller as much as I did; wasn't that sweet.
"Uh," he hesitated for a moment, obliviously not used to me being very short with him, but I was done bending over backwards for him. I was seeing myself in a new light and letting him walk all over me was done. "I, uh, wanted to call to say you're looking good."
"That's it?' Howie's arms wrapped around me from behind and I had to grin; Lord he felt good.
"Well, and to see when you were coming home, because I feel like we needed to talk." I giggled as Howie's breath fanned the side of my neck before he started kissing it. "Resa?"
"Howie…okay don't stop. Uh, Mike, I got to go. Bye." And without answering his question, I hung up the phone. And the moment I did, Howie's lips stopped.
"Good, I don't like your attention elsewhere."
"You did on that purpose?"
"Eh," he shrugged and grinned. "Let's just say your neck was calling me and he's now questioning what's going on; oh and him probably fuming is an added bonus." I laughed as I took his hand and lead him to the dining hall.
-----
After dinner, we headed up to the top deck and walked around, comfortable in the moment with the silence. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eyes and had to grin to myself. This trip was half way gone and I had such an amazing time, but I could also admit I was a bit worried about what would happen the moment I walked off the boat.
There was sure something there with Howie, but I also wasn't sure this thoughts; and no matter how brave I was, I was scared shitless to even ask his thoughts, or what he wanted. So, like everything else, I was just going to let this flow, and by the end I will see how brave I am.
"Are you going to keep staring at me?"
"Yup. You are just too good looking not to." He laughed and wrapped his arm around my waist as he stopped and looked over the dark water.
"You know, I like these quiet moments with you. I don't think I've been with anyone and could say there was a comfortable silence."
"I get it, it's very soothing." I looked up at him as he looked down at me and nodded.
"It is. And in its own way, still as sexy." I licked my lips and felt my heart start pounding. Damn, I couldn't agree with him more on that. His fingers softly brushed my chin and tilted my head up as he softly kissed me, and Lord have mercy, did I feel that all the way to my toes. Yup, I knew this man was going to be the death of me. Death by kissing, what a way to go! I pulled away and smiled at him, my hands resting on his waist.
"What's that smile for?"
"You have such incredibly soft lips." He chuckled and pulled me tight against his body, and I sighed, more than content to stay wrapped up in his embrace. In his arms, I felt so safe and so valued, two things I thought I would never feel and they were nice.
"Are you going to talk to Mike?" And why did he have to ruin this serene moment. But when I went to pull away, he kept me locked in his arms and I smiled to myself. God damn, I've been doing that a lot.
"No, there is nothing to say. I know what he wants to discuss and I feel like I'm way past done with him. I was foolish to be holding out for something when I knew deep down nothing was ever going to happen. So, I would love to say he can suck it, but as an artist under contract, I can't lose him." Howie chuckled again and brushed his lips over my head and it was then that I realized how perfect Howie and I fit together, like he was only a couple inches taller than me so really everything fit like a glove.
"Would you like a drink?"
"Yeah, thanks Howie." He smiled and walked over to the bar and returned moments later, handing me the glass. "Oh, this smells strong, must be a different bartender." I took a sip and nodded. "Yup, different."
"Okay, so only a few so you can't get drunk."
"Party pooper." He winked and I felt like I just lost my whole balance. Uh, where has that panty dropper move been? And by the way that sexy as fuck smirk grazed his features, he knew what he did to me. Yeah, how the fuck was I going to be able to walk away when a man can do that to me?