It took a little time to get off the ship, since they had to line up with everyone else, but within half an hour of the ship docking they were walking up the pier toward town.
“I took a culinary tour of the area on one of my first cruises,” Devin explained. “I was thinking since you like seafood so much, we could grab something from some of the street vendors to snack on while we walk around. There’s a lot of good shopping, too, if you’re interested. What I really want to show you, though, is the best beach party on the island. It’s mostly locals, and after dark there’s a bonfire on the beach and dancing to steel drums. They have locally made rum and fresh coconut, and there’s more fried fish and steamed shrimp than you can imagine.”
Paul’s eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly. “I’d like that. The ship will be in port overnight, right? So we can stay as late as we want.”
“Yes, we can,” Devin replied, pleased at Paul’s enthusiasm.
When they reached the end of the pier, Devin waved down a taxi, and in short order they were on their way to Harbour Street, the location of a large straw market. Devin paid the driver, then took Paul’s arm as they moved into the rows of brightly colored shacks, where vendors sold everything from handmade leather shoes to the inescapable touristy shirts. They stopped at a vendor who was selling fried shrimp, the scent of it drawing them like a magnet.
“This was swimming in the ocean this morning,” Devin said, handing Paul a large paper cone filled with crisp shrimp. “We can’t even get it this fresh on the ship, alas.”
“Maybe I’ll dangle you over the side with a net.” Paul picked a fat shrimp out of the cone, blew on it, and popped it into his mouth. “Mm….” His eyes went half-lidded as his face suffused with sublime pleasure.
Devin watched, feeling desire coiling within his stomach—and it wasn’t shrimp whetting his appetite. “If it will make you look that happy, you can dangle me wherever you like.”
Paul’s lips curved into a smirk as he ate another shrimp and—slowly—licked crumbs and grease from his fingers. “We can probably find somewhere less public than over the side of the ship.”
Devin’s eyes narrowed, and he stepped closer to Paul, lowering his voice so only Paul could hear him. “I hope if you take me somewhere private, you won’t leave me dangling too long.”
A hint of pink rose in Paul’s cheeks, but he didn’t look away. “No,” he said softly. “I don’t think I would.”
With a smile, Devin leaned in to press his lips to Paul’s flushed cheek, then pulled back and grabbed a shrimp from the cone. He popped it into his mouth, chewing it and humming with pleasure. “That’s good. And the shrimp isn’t bad either.”
Paul glanced sidelong at Devin and snorted. “If I stay around you much longer, my ego will get out of control.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Devin asked. He tilted his head to one side. “You’re a desirable man. You’ve got a right to preen a bit. Even Jill, my partner in crime, said you’re gorgeous. Triton Cruises should give me a bonus for not scratching her eyes out.”
“She might think what she can see is gorgeous, but there’s what can’t be seen to consider,” Paul said, focusing intently on his remaining shrimp.
“Hey.” Devin laid his hand on Paul’s arm, feeling bad for having hurt Paul without meaning to. “Gorgeous is as gorgeous does. I don’t think there’s anything bad enough to make a soul as bright and beautiful as yours any less desirable. You can’t define yourself or your desirability by your injury, okay?”
“My head knows that,” Paul said, his expression rueful. “But after being rejected more than once because of my scars, my heart isn’t so sure. I trust you, but that doesn’t mean I’m not scared too.”
Devin ached for the pain Paul had suffered, and he wanted more than anything to prove Paul was a desirable man, scars or no scars—and that Devin fully understood Paul’s hesitation. “I know what it’s like to have people judge you based on appearances, and to be rejected because you’re seen as inferior. But I’ll prove to your heart that your head has got the right idea,” he said softly. “If I haven’t made it plain enough before, I’ll say it: I want you, Paul. I don’t care about your scars.”
“I want you too.” The words were barely audible over the sounds of the bustling market, but Devin heard them nonetheless. He couldn’t help smiling widely, delighted Paul could say it aloud.
“We’ll have to do something about that soon,” he murmured, then brushed his lips against Paul’s cheek. “For now, though, what do you say to eating shrimp, buying trinkets, then going to a party?”
“I think that sounds like a great idea.” Paul met Devin’s gaze again at last and smiled slightly.
“Great!” Devin plucked another shrimp from the cone and popped it into his mouth before linking his arm with Paul’s. “Let’s see if we can find treasure in one of these stalls.”
They took their time in the market, watching the women who were weaving baskets and stringing beads for necklaces. Devin bought bracelets for his nieces and a large basket for his mother, which she’d specifically requested. They spent some time watching a group of artisans carving bowls from coconut shells, and a woman who was painting a seascape in brilliant colors. Paul seemed to relax and enjoy the outing, watching the production of the crafts with genuine interest and asking insightful questions.
When dinnertime arrived, they went to the kiosk that would deliver their purchases to the ship. Then Devin hailed another taxi, and they rode a couple of miles south of town along the coast. They saw several touristy resorts along the way, but after a few minutes the area became more residential, with the occasional business establishment. The taxi stopped in front of a small hotel and restaurant in an older building of white stucco stopped with a red roof of terracotta tiles.
“This is it. I think you’ll really like this,” Devin said.
The music of steel drums greeted their arrival, along with the scent of cooking spices and wood smoke. As they stepped inside, a dark-haired woman at the hostess station greeted Devin with a wide smile. She came out from behind the podium, revealing she was very pregnant.
“Devin! I heard thePearlwas coming in today, and I hoped you’d show up,” she said, wrapping her arms around him in a hug.
“You know me, Cass. I’m a bad penny,” he replied, hugging her carefully. She stepped back, and he gestured to Paul. “Cass, this is Paul Bailey. He’s on his first cruise with Triton. Paul, this is Cassidy Mason. She was a bartender on thePearluntil she got married and decided to be a landlubber again. At least she had the good taste to hold out for a respectable hotel owner, rather than running off with a beach bum.”
Cassidy held out her hand, not bothering to hide her curiosity. “It’s nice to meet you, Paul.”
“It’s nice to meet you too,” Paul said as he shook her hand. “I can see why you wanted to stay here. It’s a beautiful island.”
