Kiss Me Maybe (Princess Cruises Presents: Kindle Love Stories) (5 page)

Megan swallowed.

The arms around her tightened, pressing her closer to him. He smelled like the sea and cologne and the faintest hint of popcorn. Heat rose between them, creating a dizzying euphoria and causing all the scents to meld into something she hoped she’d never forget. It was enchanting.

And yet. It was real. Alexander was real. He wasn’t some Richard-named dream created by Grandma Trini. He was right here. And he was quite possibly the most incredible man she’d ever met. When his tongue darted out to moisten his mouth, her gaze stalled there. She wanted to taste that mouth, to feel those lips, and before she could stop herself, Megan tilted up.

His eyes became fire on her, no hesitation, but a flickering question landed there and disappeared. She knew where his uncertainty stemmed from. She had it herself. He wasn’t Richard. But she wasn’t backing away. Her hand slid up, index finger tracing the line of his lower lip. It was soft, just like she’d known it would be. Before she could stop herself, she gently covered his mouth with hers and there, on the top deck of
Emerald Princess
, she kissed the man she shouldn’t.

It was a gentle brush at first, but, tasting him, she simply wanted more. If she could, she’d climb inside his heart and look around, see just what made him tick. He was the kind of man who would spend a vacation helping a woman fall in love with someone else. He was the kind of man who offered assistance to old ladies. He was the kind of man who knew how to use his mouth like a lethal thing. His tongue grazed hers as he shifted, making an even more intimate place for her against him. Fear of combustion made her drag her mouth from his. She leaned back, feeling both drunk and breathless. When their eyes locked and held, she saw the answers to questions she didn’t even know she’d had. He licked his lips. And she watched helplessly. Already regretting the fact they were no longer kissing.

Something solid hit her from behind, causing her to jolt and Alexander to stiffen territorially. For a moment, she didn’t understand what had happened, but when male voices rose around her, she quickly caught up. Someone had knocked a man into them. He was apologizing, and Alexander was trying to brush it off, brush him off.

When she heard, “Please forgive me, ma’am,” she knew that was her cue to tell him it was okay. Then he’d leave and she could get back to Alexander and the fireworks their lips created. Megan turned—difficult with Alexander’s arms holding her tightly—and glanced up.

To the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. He was tall, Alexander’s height, with blondish-brown hair that curled around his forehead and neck. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. She was stunned. Completely stunned by the ocean eyes and sweet smile. And that’s when she realized. “Rich? Rich Malcolm?”

His face lit. “Megan Cooper? Is that you?”

She shook her head. “I thought . . . I mean, I thought . . .”

He nodded, knowingly. “I know. Everyone did. My plane went down near Cape Horn. I was rescued, but comatose for months. It’s great to see you.”

She moved to hug him. “You too. I’m so relieved. The whole town grieved for you.”

He ran a hand through his hair. “I know they did. I feel terrible about that. My folks couldn’t stay in the area after I went missing. It was too hard on them. How are you?”

A hand tightened on hers. “I’m great.” That’s when the kiss and Alexander and everything that had happened rushed into her mind.

Alexander moved to stand beside her.

“This is Alexander, my new friend.”

He thrust a hand in front of him.

“Alexander, this is Rich—” Her world rocked right off its axis.
This
was Richard. When she realized the ship must have been spinning, she reached behind her for something to grip.

“Whoa there,” one of them said, but Megan wasn’t sure who.

Her gaze dropped to the wooden deck to make sure it was still beneath her feet. But her eyes fell to her forearms. There, on one side, Alexander had a tight grip. On the other, Richard.

“You okay?” That voice she knew. It was Alexander, and the words gave her a bit of strength.

“I’m . . . yes. I’m okay.”

She faced him, but he knew what was coming. She could see it in his eyes, sense it in his posture. “Alexander, I might need to catch up with Richard. It’s been years. He used to drive me to the lake each morning before school.”

Richard grinned. “You’d come running down your driveway to meet me, that copper hair flying behind you. Half the time you’d forget a towel.”

“I was just a freshman and training for the swim team. Rich was a senior with his own sailboat. We were friends.” She directed her next inquiry to the man she hadn’t seen since they were kids. “Are you here alone, Rich?” Her hand glanced down to his ring finger. No band.

He ran the same hand through his hair and Megan could see the strain of sadness in his gaze. “I am utterly alone. Was supposed to be on my honeymoon.”

She pressed a hand to her heart. “I’m so sorry.”

Alexander’s grip tightened on her hand. “I need to talk to you. It’s important, Megan.”

Richard’s voice interrupted them. “We could meet for coffee in the morning, Meg.”

She hesitated for only a second then reached out and touched Richard’s arm. Richard. The only boy she’d ever known who understood her love for the water.

“Richard, please don’t leave, just give me a quick minute, okay?” Words were rushing from her mouth like an overflowing volcano. “I mean, if you’re not on your way somewhere.”

“No, I’m not. Honestly, I’ve spent half my time in my stateroom. I’m not even sure how I ended up out here tonight. Guess I was meant to run into you. Serendipitous, right?” His gaze then flashed from her to Alexander, obviously trying to gauge the dynamic and probably not wanting to squelch a budding relationship. “I’ll just wait over here.”

He walked to the doorway and Megan turned and took Alexander’s hands in hers.

Before she could speak, he said, “I know what you’re thinking.”

She straightened her spine, refusing to admit her heart was cracking in two. “This is what you signed on for, Romeo, remember?” She tried to sound strong.

He threw out a long breath. “Just because you know him doesn’t mean he’s the one.”

“It doesn’t mean he’s not,” she countered.

“Make me a promise.”

“What?”

“No matter what happens, you’ll spend the day with me in Roatán.”

Her mind rushed. “Why?”

“Because I booked us an extreme zip-lining excursion and no matter what, it’s an experience you need to have.”

She hesitated.

“Please, Megan.” His hands squeezed. “If you do, I swear to walk right out of your life the same way I walked in.”

She didn’t know why those words caused her nose to tingle and her eyes to burn. “How’s that?”

“Without any caution and without any thought to what might happen to my heart after.”

A lone tear abandoned her, sliding down her cheek.

Alexander glanced toward the man waiting at the door. “Maybe he’s your Richard, maybe not. But I guess you won’t be satisfied until you know.”

She nodded because her voice would be as much a traitor as her tear.

“I’ll be waiting, Princess. But come the morning when we make port in Roatán, you’re mine for the day.”

She swallowed. Nodded. What else was there to do? “Roatán. I’m yours.” But the words were husky and filled with emotion.

“Meet me on the dock beside the Mahogany Bay sign. If you’re not there, I’ll know that in your heart you’ve made your choice.”

Made her choice? She only just saw Richard. But Grandma Trini was never wrong. “I’ll be there.” There were two more days until they’d reach Roatán. Plenty of time for things like choosing one’s life partner. And if she didn’t choose Richard, where would that leave her? Alexander wasn’t promising a happily ever after. They’d only just met and yes, so maybe there were inexplicable fireworks, and maybe it did feel like they’d already known each other forever. That didn’t mean he was interested in anything more than an onboard romance. She was here to meet her soul mate. Not to have a fling.

Alexander kissed her cheek. For the longest moment, his gaze trailed over her features as if to capture her inside his mind’s eye. A straightening of his spine, a commiserating nod. She watched him walk away, strolling along the deck, and it was the saddest thing she’d ever seen.

Behind her, Richard was waiting.

Once a seawitch makes a place for you in her heart, you will have it for eternity.

Megan opened the balcony door so she could see the glorious landscape of Roatán beyond her cozy stateroom. It was more mountainous than she’d imagined for a tiny island in the Caribbean. Lush, green, dotted with terra-cotta-roofed houses and with a sprawling beach that hugged luminescent blue-green water. Megan crawled back into bed where she could watch the breeze play with the gossamer curtains of her balcony door. Her mind turned to her next-door neighbor, Alexander. He’d been true to his word, leaving her time to reacquaint herself with Richard. They’d spent the first day in port touring the Mayan ruins of Tulum. The second day, in Belize, they’d visited the howler monkey sanctuary. And though it had all been wonderful, her heart ached because at each adventure, she found herself wishing Alexander were there. She’d caught herself glancing around, studying faces, trying to find him in the crowds. Richard had been a perfect host and perfect gentleman. Same Richard she’d known from all those years ago. Sweet, caring, pointing out the baby howler monkey as it climbed down a tree limb to get a better look at the crowd, making a place for her to stand where she could best see the dolphins playing around the bow of the ship as they waited to board, buying her a tiny stuffed monkey at the gift shop in port. But she’d have rather experienced it with Alexander.

Heavens, who knew a cruise could cause one soul so much joy and so much uncertainty? She wished she really were a princess or even a seawitch. All-knowing and hopeful. Then, maybe she’d have some inkling about what to do. Today she’d spend with Alexander and that made her heart swell. Zip-lining, no less. She’d always wanted to try but was scared of heights. Now, she was committed to sailing the jungle canopy on a chain hanging off a wire. Well, that was likely easier than knowing what to do with the Richard/Alexander situation. Megan dressed and made her way to the dock, her heart hammering as she neared.

A large sign with the words
Mahogany Bay
scrolled across it welcomed guests to Roatán. There, beside the sign surrounded by an array of lush green palms and colorful flowers, Alexander was waiting for her.

He lounged against the railing. Hands in the pockets of his shorts, he looked perfectly at ease. Until she got closer and she could see the tension edging his eyes. Before she could get there, he’d glanced at his wristwatch at least three times. He couldn’t see her; she’d tucked behind a family carrying a bundle of beach necessities.

“Don’t you know you’re on Caribbean time now? Wristwatches are useless,” she said as she darted out from behind the group and came to a stop at his feet.

Relief rushed over his features. He snagged her arm, a smile catching the edge of his mouth. “I was scared you weren’t coming.”

“I was scared you might have changed your mind and given my ticket to someone else.” That wasn’t a lie. As she’d left her stateroom, the thought had struck her . . . what if some other single woman had discovered Alexander? What if instantly they’d had a connection and he’d spent the last two days with her? Terribly unfair for her to stake such a claim over the man—especially when she’d spent those two days getting to know Richard again—but she couldn’t help herself.

They worked their way through a stream of shops that she simply had to spend more time visiting after the zip line. She’d purchase Honduran coffee for Grandma Trini, hand-carved bowls for her parents and her sister, Kalie. Kalie was a hoarder when it came to anything and everything that had been carved, created, or stamped outside the US. She’d often drag Megan along on yard-sale adventures. More stuff, she didn’t need, but Megan couldn’t possibly travel the Caribbean and not bring something back for her sis from each of the ports. It would be a travesty. In fact, she’d already decided to send Kalie next year on the same cruise. Or one similar. She could put her tips for the year in a piggy bank and surprise Kalie.

A sexy male voice interrupted her thoughts. “You look like you’re scheming.”

She smiled up at Alexander. “I am.” This was so easy. Her hand in his. His excitement meeting her own. How they seemed to instinctively know which direction the other wanted to turn as they moseyed along the island street. She’d wanted coffee. Hadn’t told him, yet he’d led her right to the awning-covered coffee shop.

While they waited for their hot drinks, he snagged her chin between his finger and thumb. “You look sad, Megan.”

Confused was more like it. “I’m . . . not. I just—”

He stepped closer, gently pressed his body to hers. “You know, my grandmother didn’t want to share the formula with the world.”

Megan blinked.

“She’d created it for my grandfather. He’d come in from his woodworking shop and his hands would be so dry and cracked, they’d bleed in the winter. It was her love for him that drove her to begin blending oils and plant extracts from her garden. It was incredibly healing. His hands recovered in the first few weeks.”

“Why wouldn’t she want to share that?” Megan asked.

“Because she’d created it for
him
. And she was scared. Afraid that if the formula really took off—like she knew in her heart it would—that her life, her world, her very existence would change.”

“How so?”

“My family never had an abundance of wealth, but they did okay. Grandma was a little bit scared of money. Afraid it would change her, change those of us it touched.”

“But it didn’t?”

“Not really. It made paying the bills easier. But the root of who a person is can’t be altered by something like money. My family has good roots, Megan. We’re grounded.”