Chapter 8

8

Claudia and I became the worst kept secret on the ship. All the staff knew we were together, as I did nothing to hide it and neither did she. She invited me to fancy business lunches. If I was being totally honest, I could understand her work frustration.

Sue seemed overjoyed that I was now a regular at their working dinners. Sue was a big Raven fan.

"I just feel like I am sitting here with actual cruise royalty. I can't contain myself, really. Raven, I just have to know everything about you." She had the softest southern drawl and the warmest open heart I knew.

"Oh, no ma'am. I'm here to observe only. Not a peep from me. I just want to learn how you super talented women get things done around here, because if it were me, I'd constantly be distracted by that buffet." I gave her a conspiratorial wink, and Claudia mouthed a thank you to me.

Sue looked as if she wasn't happy with moving into work talk, but Claudia seized the moment and pounced. "So Sue, as you can see here, the projections show…"

I zoned out, happily distracted by the buffet. I had a secret suspicion that Sue knew exactly what she was doing. You didn't become head of a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate without having your finger on the pulse. However, my instincts told me she wanted to be wined and dined, she wanted to feel special and important, and I think the fact Claudia was here just for her played into her ego. She looked dapper in a masculine suit and tie. Perhaps she felt pushed out since her "retirement." Having Claudia, and now also me, it seemed, chasing her seemed very much to entertain her.

But for all of Claudia's frustrations at the situation, she was the best for a reason. I loved watching her. She effortlessly played into Sue's ego, drawing her in, getting her excited, asking for her opinion and then steering the conversation accordingly so Sue would feel as if it was at her initiation.

As we began our second tour around the British Isles with mostly new guests, the pressure eased. Claudia had done the hard part now, and she could finally relax a little into her time on board. We had ten days. I guess it could feel like a countdown clock, time ticking away until the moment we must part. But I wasn't in that mindset at all. I was enjoying every moment with her.

"Urduja, I need a favor," I said, sliding into her cabin with a big smile and a bag full of sweets for her efforts. She eyed the bag and my smile.

"I'm listening."

And I launched into my plan.

"Here, no, you need to slide under." I held up the rope and giggled as Claudia got tangled in the fastenings. "Here." I turned, lowering, guiding her through the closed-off gate onto the staff open deck.

"Are you sure this is allowed?" she asked uncertainly.

"I'm absolutely sure this is not allowed." I smiled, and she looked uncertain.

"But we can break a couple of rules. Really, it's just the fact you are not staff. Otherwise, we're allowed to be here," I confirmed as she followed me through the narrow gangway to the small staff deck.

I knew I had set Urduja a difficult task, but she'd delivered in the most spectacular fashion.

A small area of the deck had been stripped bare, and she'd hung soft fairy lights around the edge. Laid out on the wooden beams was a warm blanket, and a basket was off to the side, spilling over with treats and goodies.

"Oh," Claudia gasped beside me.

The little deck was isolated from the rest of the ship, barely used anymore. It was more of a hidden quiet spot some of us would sneak off to when the indoors got to be too much. But Urduja had placed a sign on the inside so no one would come out and disturb us.

Even though we were on a ship carrying thousands of people, it was eerily quiet, just the noise of the engines taking us through the channel as water softly lapped at the side.

I'd told her to wear something comfy and warm and she'd listened. Her hair was pulled back in a cute pony, and she was wearing soft gray slacks and a warm cashmere sweater. She looked unbelievably beautiful.

"You can't really say you've been on a ship if you don't spend one evening out on deck under the stars," I said.

I moved the blanket and brought it to my nose. It smelled of cherry blossom soap powder. I smiled at Claudia with a shy smile and spread it out on the deck, watching her as she lowered herself and stretched out, grinning and getting comfy as I took out some speakers. Thank goodness we live in the time of wireless technology. I pressed play.

She settled softly, her eyes warm as she found a comfortable spot. The soft lights only highlighted her beauty, giving her warmth when she smiled. She took my breath away, and I felt the nerves rising up inside me.

As the music started, I suddenly felt shy. The soft blush rose to my cheeks instantly. There was no Raven Ramsey to hide behind here, no big show or stage persona. Just Claudia and I on our tiny spot in the sea. My fingers trembled as I took a tense deep breath, my eyes finding hers. That moment they met, I felt mine well up with tears. Pure uninhibited emotion.

"I was just coastin'. Never really going anywhere."

As the singer's soft sweet voice filled the speaker, my hips started to sway softly. I circled my ankles, shook off my sandals and felt my toes run through the blanket.

The thin straps of my dress rested against my collarbone. My tan was already faded, and my skin was soft and pale now, just the tiniest kiss of the sun still lingering. My dress blew in the sea wind, and goosebumps lined my skin. My confidence grew under Claudia's watchful gaze, and I bit my lip as I pulled the straps from my shoulders, feeling them slip down my arms.

My dress didn't just fall. It clung to my breasts, hugging my body so tight I had to peel it from my skin. The slow reveal of my breasts, my nipples, still soft for a brief moment but hardening almost instantly with the breeze caressing them as I met her eyes. I watched as her gaze trailed the curves of my body, the dip of my waist and the flare of my hips. My fingertips continued their undoing.

As my hands ran down my thighs, my dress finally fell, and I was naked. No panties. Just me. My instinct was to cover myself, my hands already sliding to cover the area between my legs, to cup my shy but wanting pussy, my arm moved across my breasts, grazing my nipples. But her look stopped me.

I lowered myself slowly onto my knees, moving toward her. Making my way up her clothed body, my breasts swayed a little with each movement, I felt my body bared to the elements, nature's gentle kiss on my skin. I wondered if she could see in my eyes how I felt, how she made me feel. I didn't say the words, but they lingered on my lips. All of my emotions were there, on show. She held herself up on her elbows, her thighs together so I could straddle her. My fingers traced up her chest as I burst into a smile.

I rested, hovered slightly above her, my knees bent sliding wider to straddle her hips. My fingers trailed through her hair as my thumb ran over her cheekbone. She was so beautiful. So warm.

So mine.

Cupping her face, I brought her to me as I moved over her. Always in sync, we shared a soft, light kiss. Our lips barely moved, the gentle touch of her breath on mine, just offering each other a tender caress and the promise of more.

We spent the entire night out on the deck watching the stars dance above us as the moon painted our naked bodies in its soft romantic glow.