Jacquelin Thomas - You and I

He took her by the hand, leading her down the stairs.

Members of her family were already seated when they arrived. She sat down beside her brother. “I haven’t seen much of you and Sherrie,” Cherise chided.

Julian broke into a grin. “We’ve been keeping to ourselves.”

She felt the heat of Steven’s gaze on her and turned her attention to him. He winked at her.

After dinner, Cherise, Steven, Brennen and Elle decided to go dancing.

Walking back to their table, Cherise fanned herself with her hands. “Steven, would you like to take a walk outside? I need to get some air.”

“Sure.” Steven grabbed her gently by the elbow and led her toward the exit doors.

They strolled outside and he took her by the hand.

Cherise closed her eyes, savoring the feel of the night air on her face.

Steven leaned over and whispered, “I’m really enjoying spending time like this with you, Cherise.” He wrapped his arm around her waist.

She glanced up at him. “I am too, Steven.” Cherise felt the heat of desire wash over her like waves.

Turning her to face him, Steven leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. “I’ve been wanting to do that all night.”

In response, Cherise pulled his head down to hers. Their lips met and she felt buffeted by the winds of a savage harmony. Her senses reeled as if short-circuited.

Breaking their kiss, Cherise buried her face against his throat; her trembling limbs clung to him helplessly. She was extremely conscious of where Steven’s warm flesh touched her.

“Why are you so quiet?” he asked after a moment.

“I’m thinking that we just shared a great kiss, and as much as I’d like to do it again, I think that maybe we should head back inside. Elle’s probably looking for us.”

“I love your honesty, Cherise. As for Elle, I don’t think she’s worried, because she knows that we’re together and that I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“You and Steven have been gone for a quite some time…” Elle commented when her husband and Steven went to get drinks for them. She tilted her head in curiosity. “Hmm, I guess you two were really getting to know each other, huh?”

Wearing a look of innocence, Cherise murmured, “I don’t have a clue as to what you mean.”

“Uh-huh,” Elle responded. “Tell that to someone who will believe you. Just a hint—you might want to put on some more lipstick.”

“Okay, he did kiss me,” Cherise whispered. She stole a quick look over her shoulder to see if Brennen and Steven were still at the bar.

“I’m not surprised. The man can’t seem to keep his eyes off you.

Cherise nodded. “I know one thing. He’s a good kisser.”

“Okay, that I didn’t really need to know,” Elle murmured.

“I hope this doesn’t sound insane to you, but I’m crazy about him. I’m not thinking of rushing into anything. I’m just taking it one day at a time. I’m going to enjoy being with him on the ship, and when the cruise is over—I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

Steven was bursting with desire. He wanted to take Cherise back to his suite and make love to her, but he knew her well enough to know that she wasn’t about casual flings. His body was so on fire for her that he’d had to take a cold shower as soon as he returned to his suite.

While he showered, Steven sorted his feelings for Cherise. She seemed almost perfect in his estimation. She was beautiful, intelligent and honest. If his mother and aunt were here they would agree that Cherise was perfect for him.

No drama and no secrets. Nothing like his last relationship.

The dark and gloomy fortress of Castel Nuovo was their first view of Naples, leaving the port by coach. They continued past Piazza della Borsa. Naples, Italy, was everything Cherise had ever imagined and more.

The coach stopped at Piazza Plebiscito, where she and Steven walked hand in hand, following members of her family and other cruise passengers to view the seventeenth century Royal Palace, the San Carlo Opera House and the Church of St. Francis.

“Have you ever been to Italy before?” she asked Steven.

“No, this is my first time. I’d like to see Rome the next time I come.”

“Elle and Brennen visited Rome last year,” Cherise said. “She said it was beautiful, and the perfect place for someone who loves shoes.”

Steven broke into a grin. “Are you that person?”

“I confess,” Cherise said with a smile. “I love shoes.”

He turned on his camera. “Go over there. I want to take pictures of you.”

She did as he requested. “You’re next,” Cherise told him.

Steven took several photographs of the Ransom family with the Church of St. Francis serving as the backdrop.

A couple of times, Cherise caught him staring at her. She wondered what he was thinking during those times but couldn’t summon the courage to ask him.

They enjoyed refreshments at a local café before getting back on the coach for the return to the ship.

On the way back to the boat, they passed by Mergellina and Castle of the Egg in Santa Lucia.

“Have your family been giving you a hard time about me?” Steven asked her, later that evening. They had decided to have dinner alone at one of the restaurants on the ship.

Cherise smiled. “Not really.”

“That’s good. I know that we’ve spent most of this cruise together—I’m not complaining, but this was supposed to be a family trip for you.”

“Ivy and I are the only ones not coupled off, so meeting you has been great for me.”

Steven eyed her. “You’re so incredible.”

Cherise grinned. “I’m just me, Steven.”

“It’s just a relief for me to meet a woman with no drama. I find your honesty so refreshing.”

“Sounds like your last relationship was a total trip,” Cherise commented. She’d definitely had her share of bad ones too.

“It was,” Steven admitted. “I found out that she was married to some man in northern California. We were together for almost a year. I hate secrets.”

Cherise chewed on her bottom lip. Steven noticed he had not seen her do that until now.

She had suddenly grown quiet, prompting him to ask her, “You okay?”

She nodded. “I’m just not as hungry as I thought.”

Steven studied her. “Are you sure everything is fine?”

Cherise reached over and covered his hand with her own, sending tremors of desire through his body. “I’m fine. I think my body’s just winding down from all the walking we did earlier. I hope you don’t mind if I renege on our plans to go dancing. I’m just not feeling up to it tonight.”

“No, not at all,” Steven responded. “I understand completely.”

She gave him a small smile. “Thank you.”

They left the restaurant a few minutes later, and Steven escorted her to the suite.

“Good night,” she said.

Steven pulled her into his arms, kissing her.

She responded hungrily. When they parted, she asked him, “Would you like to have breakfast with me?”

He nodded. “I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do. Sleep well.”

Steven considered going back to Moonstone’s, a club featuring live entertainment, but decided to call it a night. It wouldn’t be the same without Cherise.

Cherise paced back and forth in her bedroom.

Spending time with Steven these past few days had been so perfect. She had strong feelings for him, and for a brief moment she’d allowed herself to consider that they might be able to continue seeing each other once they were back in Los Angeles.

That all changed when Steven announced how he hated secrets. What would he think about the one she was carrying around?