Dreams Do Come True (6 page)

Shontell and Nico walked for about ten minutes, but they didn’t really talk. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, and they just held hands like long time lovers. They were enjoying each other’s company. She stopped where there was a beautiful boat docked right in front of them. She had always loved this boat. Nico looked from her to the boat and then back to her again. 

“We are here,” she told him. She laughed as Nico twirled her around. It was a feeling she thought she had forgotten. She was smitten with a person that she never thought she had a chance with. There were a few other couples out enjoying a nice walk as well. He stood behind her, holding her. Looking up, he admired the beauty of the boat.

“She is a beauty. Are we going aboard?”

“Yes, in about ten minutes or so. The captain is doing me a favor. They just finished a concert cruise. They are going to get her ready, and then he is going to take us out for about two hours. I hope you enjoy it. It always relaxes me.” As she was telling him that, the captain waved them aboard. They walked up the plank and were greeted by the captain.

“Good evening, Shon. And who is this young man?” he said, motioning at Nico and smiling at them both. Nico stepped up to him and extended his hand.

“I am, Nico, sir. Nico Baker.”

“Well, nice to meet you, Nico. Welcome aboard! Her name is the Mystic, but I call her the S. A. Lydia. And I’m Captain Banner. Enjoy the tour.”

“It’s nice to meet you, sir. Thank you, and I am sure I will.”

“You guys will be served a light supper and dessert in about thirty to forty-five minutes. Oh, and your friend, the singer, has agreed to stay on board with you two. She did an excellent job with her performance. We will have her back again for sure. The photographer is also at your disposal.” The captain gave his only daughter a stern look and then spoke. “Before we take off, Shon, may I speak to you for a moment?”

“Sure, Captain Darnell,” Shontell said, knowing she was about to get into trouble.  He raised his eyebrow at her.

“Young lady, you want to tell that man who I am before we get going? I have decided that I will be extra nice tonight and give you both some extra boat time. You have to promise to close up and call the car for your friend when we dock again.”

“Yes, Daddy, I will. And come on and let me reintroduce you,” she said, kissing her dad on the cheek and laughing.

“Nico, come here for a second!” Nico walked to where she and her father were standing. Shontell took his hand as she tried not to laugh out loud. Nico gave her a strange look of complete confusion.

Nico watched Shontell walk away. He wondered how she knew the older man, although he did look a little familiar. He watched the exchange between them as he saw a few of the crew members notice him. He heard one of the girls say his name. Shontell motioned him over and took his hand.  He immediately felt warm. 

“Nico, I just got scolded by the captain here,” she told him, smiling. Looking confused, he looked from Shontell to the captain. 

“For what, may I ask?” He looked from one to the other.

“Well, the reason why I was able to get this huge favor is because this grand man here is my dad, Captain Darnell Banner.”

Nico laughed. He suddenly realized why he looked familiar to him. The resemblance was very clear now. He shook his hand again, and then her father turned and began walking into the ship’s foyer. They walked behind him until Captain Darnell turned around. 

“Young man, you take care of my baby girl. Treat her better than the last one did, or I will come looking for you,” he said with a straight face.

His comment shocked them both. Shontell was embarrassed, “Dad!”

“Baby girl, don’t you
dad
me. You know that man nearly destroyed your spirit. I am not going to let that happen again. So Nico, I hope you heard me loud and clear,” he said as he tipped his hat, and gave him a serious look.

“Sir, I heard you. I will take care of her…you have my word. ” Nico put up the scouts honor sign. Extending his hand again, they shook. He wanted her father to know he would keep his word to him.

“Enjoy the cruise, Shon. Your mother and I will see you Tuesday for dinner.” 

“Yes, Daddy, thank you.” He waved to them as he went to his helm. 

“I am sorry about that. I am so embarrassed!”

“Don’t be! He loves you. I hope you will tell me what he was talking about.”

“I will tell you soon, I promise. Come on, let’s take some pictures before we go upstairs.”

“Okay…whenever you are ready, I will be here to listen.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.” She reached up to kiss him. She wrapped her arms around him. She only meant to give him a quick peck, but the simple kiss turned into much more. A noise around them caused them to stop. 

“You are going to get me in trouble with your dad,” he whispered into her neck. She laughed. They headed to the picture area and soon felt the boat in motion.

Nico wrapped his arms around her as they took pictures. He loved the coconut and berries he smelled in her hair. They took a few pictures and then went to the dining area. They took the seats up near the front where a table had been set for them. She noticed the projector was out as she requested. She looked around for her friend and figured she must have still been in the back dressing area. Shontell was just about to inquire when Michael, one of the waiters, came out with a tray. He set it down and began placing their light dinner on the table. 

“Michael, is everything ready?” she asked him in a way so as not to give away her little surprise. He nodded and then motioned for her.

“Shon, I hate to ask this, but the crew has been going crazy because of him.” He motioned toward Nico. “Do you mind if they come out and say hi and get some pics while you talk to Sheléa?” he whispered. She looked over her shoulder and back at Nico. She wondered if this is what she would have to get used to again. When she was with Jesse, it occurred sometimes. Most of the time he kept her out of view, like she asked.  She walked back over to Nico and explained the request to him. 

“Nico, do you mind?”

“If you’re sure you don’t, then it’s okay.”

“Michael, you guys have ten minutes. Nico, I will be back in a few minutes,” she told him. She headed back to the area where Michael had come from. Her father’s staff greeted her warmly as they headed out to where Nico was. Shontell stood there and watched as they made a big deal over him. He took it in stride. He was used to this and much more, she was sure. She didn’t hear Sheléa come up behind her.

“Are you sure you’re ready for that again?” Turning around, she faced her friend and saw the concern that she was wearing.

“I’ve asked myself that over and over again in the last twenty-four hours. I can’t punish him for what Jesse did. I just hope I am not proven wrong,” she admitted to her honestly, as the vision of Tina came into mind. “Anyways, it’s so good to see you. My dad told me how you
wowed
everyone.”

“Girl, I love your dad. He is so sweet. I can’t wait to come back,” she told her as they hugged.

“Okay, they are almost done. It’s up to you how many songs you do, but I want the video to play first. Then you can come on out and do your thing.”

“Okay and I got you. I will rest after that until we dock. I am headed to DC when I leave here to perform with Lalah Hathaway.”

“Alright now. I am so proud of you.” The two women hugged again and promised to catch up later in the week. She walked back out to where Nico was and the lights were dimmed. Nico looked up at the lights and then his glance went to her. He was still standing and smiling. He pulled her into his embrace and kissed her. She was blushing and couldn’t do anything but smile.

“What was that for?”

“Just being you.”

“Well, I should mention something to you; I don’t like being in the limelight. The first quote-un-quote celebrity I dated was awful. He took me to a premiere, and my life after that was an open book. I was always followed by some paparazzi. I ended it because I just couldn’t do it.  So when I dated the next guy in the industry, I asked him to keep me out of it. He did, and it worked better for the most part. So I hope my asking you about this won’t be a problem.”

“No, I understand your concerns, and I will do my best to protect you.” He held out the chair for her, and the projector screen came to life. Nico pulled his chair next to hers and pulled her body closer to his.

“Movie?”

“Nope, just watch.” The music came on over the speaker, and Sheléa’s video
Love The Way You Love Me
played. Nico sat up straighter in his seat but didn’t release her from his embrace, as they continued to watch. Right before Sheléa walked out, Shontell turned to him and asked, “Can you give me that type of love?”

Nico couldn’t believe how good it felt to spend time with Shontell. He watched the video, and he loved the concept. The couple on the screen looked to be so deeply in love. Again he thought about how much he wanted the same type of love. That’s what his parents and David had. So when she asked him that question, he didn’t hesitate in giving his answer.

“Yes, yes, and with everything in me, yes,” he told her as he leaned in to kiss her. But then he was surprised when he heard a woman singing. He looked up at the screen but was amazed to see the girl from the video standing there in person singing the song. He looked over at Shontell and laughed. He pulled her up and brought her to him. They danced while her friend sang…and she could really sing. She looked familiar, but he didn’t know her name.

They danced to one more song and then clapped in appreciation of the personal performance. Bowing, she greeted them both.

“Nico, this is one of my dearest friends, Sheléa Frazier.”

“Nico, it’s a pleasure meeting you in person finally. I am a fan of the group. Be good to my girl here,” she winked at him and smiled.

“That I will do, and thank you. Now you have a fan in me. Didn’t you do something on the
Jumping the Broom
soundtrack?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Okay, okay. I thought I recalled that voice…absolutely fabulous,” he complimented.

“Thank you…I try. I can’t hold a candle to your girl’s octaves here,” she told him, motioning to Shontell. Shontell cleared her throat and placed her fingers to her lips to end the conversation. He saw it but pretended he didn’t.

“What do you mean?” he asked her, playing along, not wanting to give what he saw away.

“Um…nothing…nothing. Ms. Frazier needs to go rest before her flight…don’t you?” Shontell put her arm around her friend. Her friend caught on and laughed.

“Oh, yes. I do. It was nice meeting you, and I hope to see you again.”

“I am sure you will. Why don’t you look me up when you are in LA? I am sure we can do some work together.” Nico never missed an opportunity to work with talented singers, and she was one of them.  She waved to them both and went in the kitchen area.

“So what was that about?” he quizzed.

“What was what about?” Shontell replied, trying to act innocent.

“Okay, I am going to let that go. Do you want to go outside?”

“Sure,” she told him as he took her hand. She led the way.

Michael brought out a bottle of wine and glasses. They spent the rest of the ride watching the scenery and making small talk. They docked and, doing as she promised, she called Sheléa’s car for her. They both waved to her off the side of the rail as they watched her get in the car. Afterwards, they shared a small dessert. The staff had all left, and it was just the two of them. He helped her clean up as they locked the boat down and headed back to the hotel. It was nearly 1 a.m.

“Do you want to come to my room?” Nico asked her.

“As long as you promise to behave.”

He did the cross my heart sign. Then he said, “I promise.”

“Okay. Do you mind if I stop in my room for a second? I will meet you at your room in a few minutes.”  Stepping onto the floor, they walked in opposite directions.

Nico showered quickly and dimmed the lights. He opened a bottle of wine, just in case. He heard the knock and opened his door. His mouth hung open.

Shontell went into her room and sent Sandy a text. She told her to meet her at home in the morning. She showered and put on a silk gown before heading to Nico’s room.  She knocked on the door and waited for Nico to answer. She smiled when she saw his reaction to her gown. It was a deep-fire red, V-neck, silk charmeuse with a robe.  She didn’t even know why she had packed it, but she did on impulse. She was glad that she had. He stepped back and let her in the room. 

“Wow.”

“Thank you.”

“Do you want a glass of wine?”

“Sure, this is the most that I’ve drank in a long time.”

After pouring the wine, they reclined on the bed and began watching a movie. It was just like the first night. It seemed different because things had changed some. They cuddled and laughed at the movie. She didn’t remember falling asleep, but knew the night could not have ended any more perfectly. Nico gave her something she had been missing in her life. He gave her pure intimacy. She awoke and watched him as he slept, tracing his face with her fingers. He smiled as he opened his eyes and looked at her.

“How long have you been awake?”

“For a little while…did you sleep okay?”

“Thanks to you, it was the best sleep that I’ve had in a long time.” They hugged and he rolled her on top of him.  Shontell could feel him rise on her buttocks.

“I thought you were going to behave.”

“What? I thought that I was behaving.” She scooted back so that now she was on his lap, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Ha, you were until I felt that.” She started grinding a little on his erection. He groaned.

“I’ll tell you what…if you do that again, I won’t be behaving.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Good thing it’s almost time for you to get ready. Your bus will be here in an hour and a half. Breakfast is in twenty minutes.” Nico groaned again as he leaned in to kiss Shontell’s shoulder. They straightened up the room. Then Shontell left Nico’s to finish packing and head downstairs.