Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
But when it arrived, Hayes felt too guilty and couldn’t take a bite. He sent it back to the kitchen and ordered shrimp instead. Apparently, he was fine with eating creatures that weren’t cute and cuddly.
I ordered a steak once more; I could eat the meat every single day and not get tired of it. As we dined and chatted, Hayes and I split our dinners, along with our desserts of cheesecake and tiramisu.
We took an after dinner walk (which was more of a waddle in my case, given how full my stomach was) along the ship deck, under the sparkling night sky. There were many more people outside than the night before, and they were mainly gathered on the backside of the ship like they were waiting for something.
Hayes must have noticed as well, because he approached a lady and asked politely, “Excuse me, ma’am, is there an event happening tonight?”
“Oh yes,” she replied with a smile. “There’s a fireworks show starting in about…” she paused to check her watch. “Ten minutes. You got here right on time.”
“Thank you.” Hayes turned his excited grin on me. “I love fireworks! How did we not know about this?” I shrugged, but I had a pretty good guess; I for one had been so wrapped up in a certain handsome man that I was oblivious to anything else around me. I was flattered to think that perhaps the same could be said for Hayes. “Will you watch them with me?”
It was a silly question. Not only did I enjoy fireworks too, but I wanted to experience everything with him; especially something so romantic. “Absolutely.”
I led him over to the railing along the edge of the deck and stood behind him, tightly wrapping my arms around his waist. I rested my chin on his shoulder and gently rubbed our bristly cheeks together as we waited for the show.
Just as the lady predicted, it was about ten minutes before the first firework streaked across the sky and exploded with a pop. Red lights scattered amongst the stars, garnering a collective “Oooh,” from the audience.
Bursts of green, blue, red, and white showered over us one by one as the crowd exclaimed their appreciation. The fireworks were so close and loud that I felt each boom resonate in my chest.
But the best part of the show was Hayes’ reaction to it; he gave his ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ along with the rest of the crowd at the array of colors, but he also pointed out to me which ones were his favorites, all while slowly stroking his hands over mine as they rested on his stomach.
It was a peaceful experience of sharing in his joy; to see his smile light up brighter than any firework could. I wanted to share in everything that made him happy; to witness the world through his eyes and by his side. I was dreaming of a lifetime of adventure and together.
But it was more than that. I also craved simple things, like sneaking away from work to meet Hayes for lunch. I wanted to order pizza and watch documentaries (or Disney movies) together. I wanted to have lazy weekends when we didn’t even get out of bed. I could clearly see a life and all it entailed with him. I had no fear or doubt in my heart; only excitement for the future.
It was that excitement which filled my chest with warmth as the firework finale came to an end. It drove me to spin Hayes in my arms and kiss him deeply. It made this kiss feel different than any that came before it; it was a kiss of promise and longevity, and I prayed he could taste it on my tongue.
When our lips parted, they still felt connected by the electric spark between us, which was so thick that I expected the air around us to crackle. It was heavy with emotion and expectation as we looked into each other’s eyes with longing.
I held out my hand and Hayes intertwined his fingers with mine. He nodded, answering the question I didn’t have to ask; his heart understood without having to hear the words.
The message was clear in my own heart as well; I was ready to give myself to this man.
Chapter Seven
When Hayes and I reached my suite, it was a much different scene than we’d shared before. We didn’t grope each other like a couple of horny teenagers, or attack one another’s clothes or bodies. We moved with purpose and patience.
When the door clicked shut behind us, Hayes ran his hands through my hair before tickling them down my fuzzy cheeks. His fingertip traced the curve of my lips, and then slid down the bump of my Adam’s apple.
Hayes plucked at the fabric of my tie until the knot gave way, and he slipped the silk from my collar. I did the same for him, and our hands moved in unison as we slipped the buttons of our shirts free of the fabric.