Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

MEMPHIS

Noah looked at the photos that appeared on his cell phone as soon as they started to get within range of the shoreline. They would be pulling into port in a few days. He was more than ready… and dealing with a lot of emotions.

Madeline had told him that she was going to New York for her job, but a part of him had hoped she would dive in headfirst into this whole ‘marriage' thing and come here. Her emails said she would come see him when the carrier fleet pulled into port – and he'd been extremely excited at the chance to see her – only to find out that his mother was coming too.

He dearly loved his mom, but that would severely cramp him attempting to flirt with his new bride, kiss her, or who-knows-what-else. It was hard to be romantic when your ‘mommy' was watching like he was five years old instead of thirty.

How exactly did you tell someone that you registered for on-base housing because you were a couple, when you weren't? And what happened if a spot opened up and Madeline was firmly settled in New York City? Would he give it up and pass on the chance silently, or would he ask her to come to Florida once more?

There were pictures of everything, it seemed. Huge slices of pizza hanging over the edge of a paper plate, photos of the view from her apartment, the skyline, several skyscrapers, and the inside of her tiny apartment that made him smile sadly.

In the picture, Madeline was laughing and sitting on a foam mattress that had just been unboxed, looking awfully nervous yet upbeat. The mattress took up a good size of the floor space, making him realize just how small her place was going to be. There were no chairs in the background, no television, not much else was there – except a lamp, that mattress, and a lot of hope for something better. Maybe that was what he liked so much about her, how she never gave up and always tried to see the bright side of things even during the worst times.

There was another picture of Madeline and his mother standing in front of some fancy building, all dressed up, and yet another of a playbill, making him realize they were at the theater, having fun together. He should be happy that they were getting along so well, but he couldn't help but wish it was him in that photo instead of his mom.

Sighing heavily, Noah climbed into his bunk. Drawing the curtains for privacy, he texted Madeline.

The pictures just came through, and they look great – thank you.

Only to see her texting back and caught his breath.

Heyyy Stranger!

Oh my gosh, how are you doing?

Good – better now? I'm good, just ready to get off of here and eat a half decent meal, you know?

How's New York City?

Crowded and expensive – but I actually just landed in Jacksonville with your mom. We're in a cab on the way to the Navy Lodge.

Seriously? You're here?

Yes – is that okay?

Yeah, it's great! I just didn't think we were pulling into port for two or three more days…

You aren't – but I wanted to see the beach, go to St. Augustine, and look around. As it turns out, there was a plumbing problem at the museum in my wing – so they told me to take another day or two off (paid!). Can you believe that?

Paid vacay – sounds like a plan to me!

Right?

Noah hesitated for a moment. So many things were rolling through his mind right now, and he wasn't sure what to say, what would be crossing a line, or how to make this all work somehow in his favor.

I can't wait to see both of you, but I hope we have some time alone.

Same here. I have so many things I want to talk about.

And he sighed.

I want to talk, too, about us.

Oh? What about?

He swallowed, and it went down the wrong pipe, choking slightly and causing him to cough. What was he supposed to say to her? ‘ Hey, I wanna kiss you for hours on end and hold you close '? They were still practically strangers, and this could be a lot of his imagination. He was lonely and knew it – which made this all so much more difficult. He didn't want to sound pathetic or desperate, but he also didn't want to spring his attention on her either.

Instead of answering, he sent a photo of himself in his bunk, silently hoping she would send one of herself, too. He was lying there in a clean white T-shirt, and his dog tags were visible on his chest, with one arm behind his head.

Was he posing? – Absolutely.

It was almost comical how much he was flexing his bicep in that picture and realized Trophy was right. He should have spent his downtime on the ship in the gym working on looking good for Madeline instead of daydreaming, reading, and writing her a bunch of emails.

Ohhh, hello sailor… nuts!

Two minutes – checking in at the hotel.

He chuckled softly – only to see the curtain on his bunk yanked open, causing him to jump. Trophy was standing there, glaring at him, and then nodded .

"Dude," Noah began, chuckling with amusement that bordered on humor. They all had an unspoken rule – you did NOT open another man's curtains when they were closed because after being on ship for months at a time, you might end up with an eyeful of something you didn't need to witness. "Curtain rule?! Hello?"

"Quit giggling, ya' freak."

"I'm texting my wife."

"Like I said… freak."

"Get one for yourself and see what you think about being married."

"I'm never getting married."

"Whatever, buddy… and don't open the curtains."

"No more giggling."

"I'm not giggling," Noah protested, laughing, only to hear his phone vibrate once more. Trophy's eyes narrowed in awareness, and he snatched the phone – letting out a slow whistle of appreciation and looking at him.

"HEY!" Noah yelled, climbing out of his bunk in record time. "Give me my phone!"

"Boys… y'all take a look," Trophy began loudly. "Memphis actually landed himself a hot-looking sweet thing for his bride. Buddy, I apologize – a few of us thought you were making it up, but dang…"

"I'm not making it up – and give me my phone."

"How'd you land this little number?"

"I was a gentleman – which you could try behaving like one sometime."

"Why bother?" Trophy chuckled, and finally handed Noah his phone back so he could look at Madeline's text privately. "Go chat with your girl and try not to make the rest of us single guys jealous – okay?"

Climbing back into the cramped bunk, Noah yanked the curtain closed again – pointedly looking at his buddy who stood there smirking at him. He turned away from the rest of the room, looking at his phone, and caught his breath.

Madeline had flopped back on the hotel bed, her wavy hair fanned out around her head as she looked at the phone, posing. She had a thumbs-up in front of her chest and was biting her lower lip, smiling. That singular thing made her look almost mischievous, making him wonder what she truly was like deep down inside.

Breathtaking.

You're being nice.

I'm serious. You look beautiful, and I like that little thing you are doing with your lip.

Oh, you do?

And before he could type anything, she'd sent him another photo that instantly made him close his eyes and bite his own lip to keep from groaning aloud. It was like she'd zoomed in, and her lips were much closer on the screen, with that tell-tale bite just off to the side that was sure to drive him crazy.

I can't wait to taste those lips again the moment we have a bit of privacy.

Me neither.

Is it crazy that I miss holding your hand?

Not at all. I do, too.

You should probably rest. I'm sure it's been a long day.

I actually am tired. I was up at four this morning because of traffic to the airport.

Rest – and I'll see you soon.

See you soon.

Noah?

He was just about to set his alarm for in the morning – only to see Madeline texted one more time.

Yeah?

Do we have to wait for privacy to have that kiss?

His heart turned over in his chest at her words. The burst of awareness combined with the emotions building within him was staggering. Oh man, this incredible woman was going to drive him crazy in the sweetest ways possible.

Not at all. See you on the pier… wife.

See you on the pier… husband.