Page 45 of Escape to the Sun

‘I can think of worse ways to die,’ he said, kisses punctuating his words as he added, ‘You top the list, Hannah. I was only joking. Best. Sex. Of. My. Life.’

‘I bet you say that to all the girls,’ she said, insecurity battering its way into her thoughts, even as she did her best to sound flippant.

‘I really don’t,’ he said.

‘Well, good,’ she said. ‘Because it’s never been like that for me before…’

Louis didn’t press for an explanation, and for that Hannah was grateful. She didn’t mean she hadn’t had good sex with Ian – some of it had been great, although if she thought about it, generally it had been Ian who had initiated it. She’d never considered it anything other than how it was with them, and yet, all she had to do was look at Louis and she wanted to rip his clothes off and lick him all over.

She grinned, then frowned. Was that the definition of lust? If it was, it was a new sensation for her – and now the roaring fires of desire had begun to quiet down, she wondered if she should be worried by that possibility.

‘I’m glad I could be of service,’ Louis said, cutting through her thoughts.

‘Can you be of service again, really soon?’ Hannah said, pushing the negativity away and focusing on him. ‘After all, you are the captain and it’s literally your job to make sure we all have a great cruise.’

Louis frowned, scrunching up one side of his mouth as he considered her proposal.

‘I mean, there are plenty of “extras” we offer our passengers. But perhaps don’t tell the rest of them about this aspect of customer service. I wouldn’t want to disappoint anyone, and I get the feeling I’m going to have my hands full keeping you satisfied.’

His fingers slid around the backs of her thighs, drawing her against him as he explored her all over again and she responded instantly, her lips against his as she told him she’d do her best to keep quiet but wasn’t making any promises, and maybe he should show her another of his value-added cruise extras, right now, just so she could be sure to write the Ballygowan a great review.

24

Christmas Eve found the Ballygowan docking bright and early at Basseterre, capital and main port of St Kitts. It seemed incredible to Ruth that Christmas Day was literally around the corner. It also weighed heavy on her mind that she had yet to buy the kids anything in the way of gifts.

Ruth cradled a mug of coffee in the Harvest Basket while her children scouted the breakfast counters like locusts. Millie had decided she was going to try something different every day for the remainder of the cruise, returning to the table with a stack of ‘Angelic American pancakes’, topped with crispy rashers of bacon and swimming in maple syrup.

‘This is what Americans eat,’ Millie announced as some of the syrup slopped onto the table from her overfilled plate. ‘Whoops,’ she added, using her finger to wipe up the sticky dribble and licking at it before Ruth could tell her that in a public arena like this, the five-second rule didn’t cut it. The zero-second rule was in operation, regardless of how fastidiously the staff sprayed and wiped down surfaces. Bugs lurked around every corner, and the last thing Ruth wanted was the rest of the cruise ruined by having any of them in constant conversation with the giant porcelain telephone. A reference neither of her kids understood, but one which had stood the test of time, as far as Ruth was concerned.

Nathan padded across to their table, today’s plate brimming with scrambled eggs surrounded by sausages.

‘Going back for toast,’ he muttered as he claimed his spot then headed off again.

‘It’s called “Good tidings toast” I think you’ll find. And don’t forget ketchup today,’ Millie piped up, earning herself a flipping-off by the teenage ball of attitude.

They were expecting Hannah to join them again for today’s excursion, and Ruth hoped they’d have enough time to debrief on the previous day before they got going on shore.

She was hoping the lack of communication after they’d returned to the ship the previous afternoon boded well for Hannah – and when she wandered into the restaurant, joining them with a mug of coffee and a wide smile, Ruth felt all must have gone well.

‘Do you want anything to eat?’ Millie piped up, her expression open as she added, ‘I don’t think I’m going to be able to eat all these pancakes, so you can have some of them, if you want?’

‘Maybe just a couple,’ Hannah said. ‘I’m not very hungry this morning.’

‘Why don’t you pop over and get Hannah a plate and some cutlery, then, Mils?’

With Millie heading away from the table, Ruth leant forward. ‘So?’

‘So, what?’

Hannah seemed to melt against the soft contours of the seating; she looked the picture of relaxation – and Ruth had an inkling as to why.

She raised her eyebrows. ‘I wasn’t born yesterday, Hannah. Did you see Louis again once we were back on board?’

‘I did.’

‘And you’re not going to expand?’

‘Wasn’t planning to.’ Hannah moistened her lips, drawing in a deep breath that she let out slowly as a cat-like smile edged onto her face. ‘I’m sure you don’t need me to paint that picture, Ruth…’