The Writers' Circle

Nyah believed a diluted version of love existed to devour women's souls and provide men with faceless, nameless orgasms. She knew firsthand how destructive and consuming love could be after spending countless hours with girlfriends who had been seduced by lyrical men cloaked in promises of 'happily ever after' only to realize too late that their prince charming was anything but.
 
She lay motionless on the bed, staring at the ceiling, acutely aware of the mystery man's arm across her stomach, feeling his warm breath on the side of her face, waiting for him to fall asleep and release her from his hold. She closed her eyes and smiled, replaying the last two delightful hours spent with the handsome stranger. Every inch of her body had responded without reservations to his feathery kisses, probing caresses and she could still feel the tantalizing effects all over. 

The warm fuzzy feeling dissipated quickly and reality crept in. What was she thinking? Lying next to a man, she'd known for only four hours, daydreaming about sex. She needed to get out of his bed and out of his cabin. Holding her breath, she gently lifted his hand and slowly inched her body away from him. He moaned and she froze. She didn't want to wake him and be forced to endure painful after sex small talk. To her delight, he rolled on to his back and turned his face away from her. She slid from the bed and tiptoed around the room gathering her personal belongings then she got dressed and left his cabin without looking back.

The warm night breeze stroked her skin like a million tiny fingers through the long form-fitting beige summer dress she wore as she hurried along the corridor towards her cabin, but the tranquil sounds of soft Jazz lured her to the lounge. She entered the dimly lit room and sat at a round table in front of the stage where the four-piece band played 'Round Midnight'. The pianist, a silver haired man, acknowledged his audience of one with a slight nod and she smiled. They played two more songs before deciding to call it a night and she had to abandon her moment of bliss.
 
Feeling rejuvenated and wide-awake, Nyah walked towards the bow of the ship, she leaned against the rail and stared at the string of lights along the horizon. She knew being alone on the deck wasn't a safe place to be at three in the morning, but she was not going to allow fear to cripple her and prevent her from enjoying the last night of her vacation by forcing her to retreat to her cabin before she was ready.

 When her friend Sheila suggested they take a cruise together, Nyah was skeptical at first, being fearful of water, but when she found out that Leah Blaque would be one of the musicians performing she agreed, offering to pay for both of them. Sheila cancelled at the last minute, citing something about a broken heart, so Nyah decided to travel by herself. She needed the rest and welcomed the opportunity to enjoy some good music.

She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, relishing the fragrance of the ocean, the peaceful hum of the deep, listening to the whirring sound of the ship as it parted the water and forged ahead towards the next port.

"You didn't say goodbye."
 Startled, she turned her head and stared up at the stranger she left sleeping in his cabin. He stood a couple of feet away from her, his back leaning against the rail. The moonlight hugged his shaved head and his olive colored face looked even more handsome than it did earlier in the evening when he approached her table as she ate supper in the dining hall. His light brown eyes sparkled with mischief. Seeing him again sent all her senses into overdrive and certain parts of her body began to tingle. For a brief moment, she knew she would not oppose any suggestions he made, especially if it involved a reprise of their past recent activity.
"You fell asleep so quickly, even if I said goodbye, you wouldn't have heard me." Nyah looked at him through her lashes and smiled.
"I'm ready again, if you are," he moved closer to her but he did not touch her.
"You must be a glutton for punishment, don't you need some time to catch your breath?" she said and he chuckled.
"My power nap did the trick," he said, turning to face her.
"What's my name?" Nyah met his gaze squarely.
 "Is that a test question?"
She smiled, and shook her head. 
"I didn't expect you to remember." She turned and started walking away from him. "Goodnight."
 "Can I call you sometime?" 
"What for?" she snickered softly and continued walking. 
He had to spoil great banter with such a ridiculous request. Sure, he was good, no, amazing in bed, but she knew that when she left the cruise ship later that day, he, along with all her other experiences aboard the ship would be left behind. 
In three steps, he was close enough to touch her arm. She turned around and looked up at him. She could not tell if he genuinely wanted her number or if he simply wanted another romp and frankly, she didn't care either way.
 "I had a great time tonight, but tomorrow we'll go back to our own separate lives and everything will continue being right with the world."
"I guess that depends on your view of the world. So, is that a no?" 
Nyah pressed her hand against his hard chest, reached up on her toes and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
"Thanks for the memories, goodnight." 
As she walked along the corridor towards her cabin, she was relieved, yet slightly disappointed that he didn't follow her.
"Sweet dreams, Tracie," he remembered her name after all, well at least the name she gave him. She glanced over her shoulder for one final look at the handsome stranger but he was already gone.