Secrets Aboard!, page 12
The workday ended, and they separated to their cabins, seeking solitude and relaxation. Luka jumped into the shower and quickly changed into a comfortable pair of shorts and a black lace crop top. He navigated his way to the other side and settled behind Westly’s desk, where he began typing on the laptop to complete his application for citizenship. He pretended he was captain of the ship. Westly must be feeling a rush of power. He was making considerable progress when his phone rang, breaking his focus. Despite not recognizing the phone number, he couldn’t resist the urge to pick up and find out who was calling.
“Why’d you hang up and block me?” Maleko asked.
“Because you’re trying to get me into trouble again. I have a year’s contract on this ship. I’m not going to run away with you, then be thrown into prison after they find me.”
“I want to marry you on the island tomorrow. I set everything up. I’m already here. I flew in this morning.”
“I’m not getting off this ship. I told you not to set up anything.”
“Don’t tell me you fell in love with the captain.”
Luka couldn’t tell if Maleko was kidding. “No. I’m not leaving this ship, so you’re wasting your time.”
“I bet he fucked you already, didn’t he?”
“Just stop. It’s none of your business anymore.”
“You wanted to get married before you were on the ship. He’s not your type. He’d hate how lazy and messy you are. He’s a workaholic. He’ll drop you within a week, if not sooner.”
“I’m not marrying you. And no one is fucking me on this ship. I’m under ship’s arrest after work.”
“I’m going to take care of Westly when I see him. I need you off the ship to do that.”
“Why?”
“To finish destroying him for fucking you and then to marry you.”
“No one is fucking me. And I’m not leaving this ship. We’re not getting married. What’s wrong with you?”
“I need some money.”
“That’s not my problem anymore.”
“When the ship docks tomorrow, I’m going to get on that ship and find you. You need to give me some money. I spent my last buck on the fucking flight here and our room. All for you, my love. If you don’t want me, I need some money to return home.”
“Don’t you dare! And don’t call me anymore.” The door creaked open, so Luka swiftly ended the call. The entrance of Captain Clarke filled the room with his commanding presence. He hadn’t expected him to show up for lunch. Focused on completing the application, he had completely neglected the thought of having lunch.
“What’s going on? I heard you shouting in here,” Westly asked.
Luka shifted uncomfortably under Captain Clarke’s piercing gaze, his palms growing clammy as he struggled to find the right words. The captain’s question probed deep into a wound Luka had tried to bury beneath layers of regret.
“Maleko called me again.”
“I thought you said you blocked him?” Westly stroked his trimmed beard, a big frown across his face.
“He called from a different number.”
“Don’t answer unknown numbers.”
Luka nodded, not wanting a repeat conversation with Maleko. He had meant so much to him at one time, though he’d had his suspicions about Maleko setting his car on fire when he wanted him to quit college. Knowing he had burned Westly’s home; he was now certain he had done that too.
“I’m going to order lunch for us.” With a smile, the captain handed Luka the menu.
“I can’t decide right now. What are you having?”
“Fish and chips.”
“Order me that too. Thanks.”
The captain bent over Luka and inhaled his shower gel. “You smell so good.”
“I didn’t smell good when I was working today.”
“Follow the rules and you’ll get a better job.”
“What kind of job are you talking about?” Luka asked.
“I’ll email you a list of openings for the next cruise, and I’ll see what I can do. Tell me what you want to do.”
“I want to teach swimming.”
“You can’t mix with the passengers.”
“I’d be working, not mixing with them.”
“I’ll think about it. Are you certified?”
“Yes.” Luka widened his eyes, not believing Westly had asked him that question.
“I have to work late tonight so you can order dinner in. I want you to pack up some things for our overnight trip.”
“I will.”
“Don’t worry about Maleko. I’ll handle him if he shows up.”
“He’s going to cause problems. He wanted money.”
“Did you ever give him money?”
“I did. I paid for everything.”
“Why would you support a boyfriend like Maleko?” Westly’s voice was gentle yet insistent.
Luka’s throat tightened. Memories of Maleko’s smooth words and empty promises flooded his mind. “I…I thought he loved me,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I thought…I thought I loved him too.”
The captain’s expression softened, a mixture of sympathy and understanding crossing his features. “But why support him financially? What did he offer you in return?”
The weight of the question bore down on Luka, forcing him to confront the truth he had long tried to evade. “To take care of me and pay me back the money,” he confessed, his voice hollow with shame. “He promised me…he promised me we’d travel the world and never have to work when his insurance money came in. And I…I was foolish enough to believe him.”
A bitter taste filled Luka’s mouth as he spoke, the realization of his own stupidity and Maleko’s betrayal gnawing at him. He had been used, manipulated by Maleko’s cunning schemes and hollow promises, all in exchange for securing Maleko’s attention while enjoying the great sex he had thought was born out of love.
“I know it was wrong,” Luka continued, his voice trembling with emotion. “I know I should have seen through his lies, but…but I was blinded by…by what I thought was love.”
Silence hung heavily in the air as Luka’s words faded into Westly’s quarters. His heart was heavy with the weight of his own mistakes. He wished he could turn back time, to undo the damage wrought by Maleko’s deceit and reclaim the innocence he had lost. Luka’s freedom had been snatched away, leaving him in his current situation.
“I understand, Luka.” Westly’s voice soothed Luka’s wounded soul. “But you’re not alone. We’ll get through this together.”
Tears welled up in Luka’s eyes as he met Westly’s gaze, a glimmer of hope flashing in the darkness of his regret. Despite the pain and betrayal he had endured, the captain’s presence made Luka feel safe.
When their lunch arrived, the captain told the server to bring it to the balcony.
Stepping out onto the private balcony, Luka was greeted by the soothing sounds of the sea and the familiar scent of saltwater in the air. They sat around the table. The gentle caress of the ocean breeze felt good after a long day working in the sun.
“I wish I didn’t have to work tonight, but since we’re leaving the ship tomorrow overnight, I have to make sure everything is in place.”
“You have a lot of responsibility.”
“It’s more of a vacation for me. Life is different on the ship than in the Marines. Instead of dealing with training for war, I’m providing fun on the sea with so many parties and events.”
Luka wondered aloud as he gazed out at the never-ending sea, “Don’t you ever want to retire from being the captain of this cruise ship?”
“As you know, I no longer have a place to call home. I love what I’m doing, especially when you’re right here beside me.”
“I hope things will work out for us.” Luka heard the hint of uncertainty in his voice.
“It will because we both want that.”
Chapter 23 Captain Clarke
Early in the morning, they left the ship together and checked into the hotel for the night; they unpacked and changed. Westly suggested they wear their swimming trunks underneath their jeans.
“We might find a secluded beach.” Westly aimed to ensure Luka enjoyed the island. He continued to scan the area, but Maleko wasn’t anywhere to be seen. They took a hotel taxi to Philipsburg and rented two bright red ATVs; the four-wheelers would be ready for them in an hour.
“Let’s have coffee and a snack while we wait,” Westly suggested.
“That sounds good. I’m really excited about riding the ATVs.”
“Brock and I used to ride them when we stopped here. You’ll love it. Do you know how to ride one?”
“Of course I do. I own a dirt bike and an ATV. We ride them in the desert.”
“I bet you miss California.” Westly wanted to see if Luka’s longing to return to California had diminished. He also wondered who he meant by “we.” Did he mean Maleko and him or some other friends of his?
Luka nodded, too emotional to answer. When he was upset, he withdrew into silence. In the back of Westly’s mind was the knowledge he must find the right time to inform Luka his contract had ended. It was the wrong time now because they needed to bond more, or he would take off for California in an instant upon hearing the news. Westly planned to lighten his workload and slowly give him more freedom to roam on the ship with Charlie or other friends. The last thing he wanted was for Luka to sense anything was amiss.
The salty Caribbean air whipped Luka’s hair around his face as Westly strolled alongside him, hand in hand. Sint Maarten’s vibrant streets, a kaleidoscope of brightly colored buildings and bustling vendors, felt a world away from the cruise ship.
Unexpectedly, Luka’s hand stiffened. A scowl creased his brow as a long-haired, muscular figure rounded the corner and swaggered towards them. Westly recognized him instantly—Maleko. The only difference was his hair, which now reached his mid-back. He had a chip on his shoulder, then and now.
“Luka!” Maleko fixated on them holding hands. “Why did you bring him with you?” Maleko growled, crossing his arms, emphasizing the size of his barrel chest.
His questioning of Luka annoyed Westly.
“None of your fucking business,” Luka shot back, pushing his hair back from his face and letting go of Westly’s hand.
“It is my business. You belong to me, not that bastard.”
“I don’t belong to you after you lied to me so many times.”
“When did I lie to you?”
“You lied to me when you said you didn’t burn the captain’s home. And now I know you lied about everything else. There was never any insurance money. You used me.”
Westly grabbed Luka’s hand tighter this time so he couldn’t release it. The familiar flare of hatred rekindled in his gut as he watched the exchange. Just looking at Maleko’s brutish form brought back memories of the bloodied Marine and the smug indifference on Maleko’s face when confronted.
“I want to marry you. We talked about this back in California,” Maleko spat, taking a step towards Luka and jabbing a finger at him. “You’re just scared to go against your precious captain. But I know you, Luka. That man has nothing in common with you. You’re a pot loving hippie. He’ll never relate to you or you to him.”
Westly shoved Maleko’s hand away from Luka. “Don’t comment on something you know nothing about. Keep away from Luka.”
“You’re delusional if you think I’d ever leave Captain Clarke’s ship and break my contract for a psychopath like you,” Luka said.
“Is that so?” A cruel smirk twisted Maleko’s lips as he leaned in close, his hot breath fanning across Luka’s face. “I bet he doesn’t fuck you for hours like I did.”
Westly’s hand balled into a white-knuckled fist at his side…his vision tinting red. The audacity of that thug to insult Luka like that right in front of me.
“Shut your fucking mouth. I’ll have you arrested,” Westly said, then snapped his fingers and two security guards moved closer to them.
Luka locked eyes with Maleko, his jaw set in grim determination. “You’re really a sick motherfucker. I’m not leaving, especially not with a loser like you. So back off.”
“We’ll see about that.” Maleko straightened. “I’m gonna make you watch while I put that old bastard in his place once and for all. Then we’ll see if you still want to stick with him.”
With that, he shoved past Luka, letting his bulky shoulder slam into him as he stormed off down the crowded street. Luka looked over at Westly helplessly, regret and worry etched across his features.
Westly waved to the security to follow Maleko. After all these years, Maleko’s hatred still festered like an open wound. The threat of violence hung in the surrounding air, making the idyllic island setting seem to darken and fade away.
“What are we going to do now?” Luka asked.
“We’re going to ride.”
They walked back to the ATV rental holding hands and checked out their four-wheelers.
Westly gripped the handlebars of the ATV tightly, feeling the hum of the engine beneath him as he prepared to navigate through the winding roads of Philipsburg. Beside him, Luka sat on his own ATV, his laughter carried on the warm Caribbean breeze.
“Ready for this, Luka?” Westly called out over the roar of the engines, a thrill coursing through his veins at the prospect of exploring the island beyond the confines of their cruise ship.
Luka’s face beamed with joy as he gave Westly an enthusiastic thumbs up. “Let’s do this!”
Luka’s sunglasses drove Westly insane. Damn…he’s fucking gorgeous.
“You look sexy on that four-wheeler.” He was glad he had chosen this activity to entertain his gorgeous Luka, who needed some fun, especially after talking to Maleko. He didn’t want Luka to think he was too old and formal to have fun.
With a nod of determination, Westly pressed down on the accelerator, the ATV lurching forward as they sped off into the bustling streets of Philipsburg. The salty sea breeze whipped their faces as they navigated through the colorful array of shops and cafes, the vibrant energy of the town filling him with a sense of freedom.
“It’s been too long since I’ve taken a day off like this,” Westly admitted, his gaze sweeping over the stunning scenery. “I almost forgot what it feels like to just…relax.”
Luka nodded in agreement, a wide grin spreading across his face. “You deserve it.”
The sun beat down upon them, the warmth of its rays seeping into Westly’s skin as they continued their adventure through the streets. For a moment, he allowed himself to forget about the challenges and worries awaiting him back on the ship and here with Maleko’s potential reappearance at any time. He forced himself to embrace the simple joy of being alive on this beautiful island with Luka though it wasn’t easy erasing the encounter with Maleko. What had Luka ever seen in Maleko? His violent nature was clear in the way he carried himself, a constant aura of aggression surrounding him. He wondered if he had ever physically hurt Luka.
As they rounded a bend in the road, Westly caught sight of a secluded beach nestled against the rocky coastline, its pristine sands calling out to them. He glanced over at Luka. “Want to stop and take a dip?” Westly had a playful grin tugging at the corners of his lips.
Luka’s eyes lit up with excitement, and together they veered off the main road, their laughter mingling with the sound of the crashing waves.
Chapter 24 Luka
The hours slipped away as they explored every corner of Sint Maarten, from its pristine beaches to its hidden coves and picturesque villages. With each twist and turn of the road, Luka felt a sense of freedom wash over him, leaving the weight of his confinement on the ship behind. He enjoyed being there, but the circumstances limited his freedom to explore and socialize.
“Hey, stop,” Luka shouted as he turned off the engine.
Westly stopped his four-wheeler beside Luka’s. “Everything okay?”
Luka nodded. “How about we race to the edge of the water?”
“What does the winner get?”
Luka pushed his hair out of his face. “A blow job.”
“You’re on!” Westly said with a grin.
“Ready…Get set…Go!”
Luka wrestled the handlebars of his ATV, the turquoise ocean blurring at the edge of his vision. He glanced over his shoulder, a grin splitting his face when he saw Westly a good ten yards back, his own red ATV kicking up a ton of sand.
Westly must have picked this deserted stretch of beach on Sint Maarten for a reason. There were miles of pristine sand and not a soul in sight. The perfect location for lovers. Are we still lovers? Luka loved the feel of the wind whipping his face, the roar of the engine vibrating beneath him. But most of all, he loved the playful competition with Westly.
He knew Westly had ridden before, but Luka had the advantage. He was lighter, helping him with the shifting sand. Luka felt the tires bite into a firm patch of sand, and he surged forward. He pushed the engine a little harder, taking a risky line closer to the churning waves. Luka held on, laughing with exhilaration as he wrestled for control.
Luka stole another glance back. Westly was closing the gap, his red machine a blur against the endless blue. A surge of competitive spirit flared in Luka. He wasn’t about to let Westly win. He wanted to win the blow job. Leaning forward, he tucked himself lower, streamlining his body against the wind. The engine whined as he pushed it to its limit, the sand a blur beneath the flying tires.
Within seconds, Westly was at his side, too close. Then victory was taken as Westly crossed the finish line, a triumphant grin plastered across his face as he came to a halt. He leaped off the ATV, the roar of the engine fading into the hiss of the retreating waves.
Moments later, Luka skidded to a stop beside him, a cloud of sand billowing around the red machine.
“I guess you’re going to be the lucky winner tonight,” Luka conceded, kicking at the sand with his dusty boots.
Westly clapped him on the shoulder. “Thinking about the prize pushed me.”
“You know what?”
“What?”
