Chapter 4 Captain Clarke

When dinner rolled around, Westly thought about Luka having his first dinner with the other crewmembers on the deck. All strangers. A part of him wanted to take Luka in his arms and tell him things would get better. Just give it time. But that wasn’t his role in this relationship. His job was to mete out the court mandated contract instead of him going to prison. The boy ought to consider himself lucky his father made a deal. He didn’t know much about Luka, but he would not do well in prison. He was too pretty for that. Unfortunately, Westly was attracted to the young man for all the wrong reasons. Before he had seen him, he planned on making his life a living hell for a year, but when he met him in person, something changed. He no longer despised him but felt sorry for him. However, he would not allow his feelings to cause him to make his life easy. Luka’s assignment was a punishment for what he had done. The young man must learn from his mistakes, and Westly was the perfect man for that tutorial.

After Westly showered and dressed for dinner, he opened the adjoining door to Luka’s room. He turned around from looking through the porthole and grinned. The boy wore his G-string and nothing else.The court demanded he do surprise visits.No knocking on the door. No warning. Surprise visits. What a cute ass.

“I hope you don’t plan on going to dinner dressed in your G-string.”

“I would if I was allowed to. I heard passengers have walked around naked and it was okay.”

“I suppose you heard that from Charlie. He’s trouble.”

“I never said I heard that from Charlie.”

“No, you didn’t, but he’s the only one you’ve talked to on this ship besides me.”

“Do I have to wear my uniform?”

“Yes, they’re in your closet. Make sure you wear your lanyard with your uniform. There are several uniforms which consist of navy slacks and blue short-sleeve shirts, navy vest, and a matching tie. The laundry room is at the end of the hall. You’re responsible for keeping your uniforms clean and ironed. All the machines and use of the irons are free.”

Luka checked his closet for his uniforms and his lanyard. He didn’t seem impressed with what he saw or even thank him for getting them for him instead of him standing in line and picking them up at the Crew Store. He might not know all the ins and outs of things on the ship. But still no thank you. Ungrateful rich boy.

“Why did you offer to supervise me?”

“Your father asked me, that’s why.”

“Do you owe him a favor?”

“No. Your father wants to steer you in a better direction. He convinced me you were worth saving.”

“I haven’t seen him in over ten years. I had to commit a crime for him to visit me.”

“He told me about your separation.”

“You look really hot in your uniform.”

“Hot? Well, I suppose that’s a compliment, but highly inappropriate.”

“Sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to come onto you like that. I’m not used to being around people like you.” Luka moved his golden-light brown hair away from his eyes. His hair reached his shoulders. Westly never liked men wearing their hair long, but somehow, Luka looked enticing. He reminded himself the young man was not his type. But something about Luka touched his heart and soul. His deep brown eyes had a hint of mischief in them, hypnotizing him and taking him to places he had never been or felt before. He wasn’t certain, but his black eyelashes seemed thicker. Is he wearing eye makeup?Not my type.

“This cabin has a stunning view.” Luka batted those heavy eyelashes.

“Just a reminder. Dinner is at seven. You have ten minutes to get there.”

“Yes, sir. I know.”

“What you’re wearing now is not casual. It’s indecent. Make sure you dress appropriately. Enjoy your dinner.”

Westly left for the Grand Dining Room. When he stepped inside the room, the place was swarming with officers and VIPs. He passed by a mirror and saw himself in his crisp white uniform gleaming under the crystal chandeliers. Luka had said he was hot. If only he could show him how hot he could be with him. He strode to the head table and took his place. He raised a glass of sparkling champagne, the clinking sound from tapping their glasses with each other echoing off the high, polished mahogany ceiling. The air buzzed with the joyous hum of conversation, punctuated by the gentle clinking of cutlery against china. The scent of grilled lobster and roasted chicken wove a fragrant spell.

“So how did you come by that young man who is under your direction and supervision?” Scott, one of the younger officers sitting at the table, asked.

“I’m doing a favor for a family friend. The young man needs direction, and that’s what he’ll get here.”

“How old is Luka?” Brock asked, pushing his brown hair out of his gray eyes. He was Westly’s best friend and one of the officers.

“He’s twenty-one. Why such an interest in the young man?” Westly asked.

The two officers looked at each other as if they had been talking on the subject before. Both sipped their drinks and avoided answering his question.

“I don’t get your interest in him.” Westly tried to engage them.

“You have never put any new crewmember under your direct supervision. Is he gay?” Brock asked.

“Why do you want to know his sexual orientation?”

“He’s adorable. I wouldn’t mind dating him. This is a gay cruise,” Scott said.

“I’d like to do more than date him,” Brock said.

“Officers don’t mingle with crewmembers. Stay away from him.” Westly stood and left the table. He’d lost his appetite from the conversation about Luka. He had to keep him away from them, but it might be more difficult than he had planned.

He made his way to the deck where the crewmembers were eating. He stood at the side of a pole and scanned the room for Luka. Why was he behaving like this? Spying on a crewmember is so unlike me.

Westly was annoyed when he spotted Luka standing in the dining hall line with Charlie and some other troublemakers. Of course, he would be drawn to them. He had made it clear to all the crewmembers, including Luka, they had to follow a strict dress code for dinner. He wanted them to look professional and respectable, especially in front of the passengers. He had provided them with uniforms, ties, and shoes, and expected them to wear them properly.

But Luka had ignored the dress code even after their recent conversation. He was wearing a black mesh midriff, a pair of short cutoff jeans, and he was barefoot. He’d dressed like a rent boy. Luka stood out among the other crewmembers, who were dressed in tidy uniforms. The boy was disrespectful and rebellious. Westly had his work cut out for himself, but he was certain he could rein in the boy’s behavior. As a matter of fact, he would enjoy making him toe the line.

Westly walked over and tapped him on the shoulder. He spoke in a stern and loud voice, so that everyone could hear him.

“Luka, what do you think you are doing? You’re not dressed appropriately for dinner. You’re violating the dress code, and you’re embarrassing yourself. Go back to your cabin and change into your uniform. And don’t ever show up like this again, or you will face serious consequences. Do you understand?”

Luka turned around and muttered an apology. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry, sir. I’ll change, sir.”

He quickly left the dining hall and headed to his cabin. Westly felt the eyes of the other crewmembers on him, and he didn’t care. He wondered why Luka had disobeyed the dress code. He stood in the dining room and waited until Luka returned. Once he did, Luka stood in line again. He was wearing his uniform and looked exceptionally handsome.

After watching Luka pile desserts on his plate and sit with Charlie, Westly left. He stopped at a vending machine and grabbed a ham sandwich. Part of his duties as ship’s captain was to attend the welcome parties on the first night, but he wanted to take some time getting to know Luka. Rafael only said Luka lived with a man who had a harmful influence on his son’s choices.He also told Westly the boy’s mother was too busy working to supervise him. After many arguments with his mother over Maleko, Luka had left her home and moved in with Maleko. His father explained he could not supervise him from Brazil.

As soon as Westly unlocked his cabin door, he made himself a drink and checked the news. Later, he heard Luka talking to someone. He rushed over to the adjoining door and opened it. Luka and Charlie were standing by the porthole.

“Why do you have a guest in your cabin?” Westly asked Luka.

They both turned at the words and whatever he saw on Westly’s face had Charlie heading towards the door.