Love and Fire (6 page)

Tammy
moved quickly down the main staircase.  She hoped and prayed that Mia was
working.  The gift store had several passengers in it, and thankfully Mia too. 
She came up to the counter quickly and leaned towards her. 

“Well,
hey there!  How did you like the book?” 

“What? 
Oh!  Actually I like it a lot!” 

“Good!” 

“Listen,
Mia, I need help.” 

Her
face became serious.  “What’s wrong?” 

Tammy
looked slightly to her right and left to make sure no one else was in ear
shot.  “I need a dress.  I need something good for dancing and I maybe shoes
too.” 

“Where
are you going?” 

“
Case
de Fuego.
” 

“That’s
a fabulous little place!”  She said and lightly touched Tammy on the arm.  I’ve
never been but I know passengers in the past and some of the crew, have given
it rave reviews.”  She leaned in even closer to Tammy and lowered her voice. 
“Did you find a hook up?” 

“Umm,
not exactly.”  Tammy touched her hand to her forehead.  “I’m not sure what I’ve
found.  I’m going with Jake Butler.” 

Mia
leaned backwards with wide eyes.  “
What?
”  Several customers looked up
after her outburst.  She leaned back to Tammy and waved the stares off.  Her
smile was girlish.  It made Tammy feel like she was back in high school telling
her best friend that her secret crush had finally said hi.  “Girl, how did you
land that hottie?”  She whispered. 

“I
honestly don’t know.” 

“Don’t
get me wrong.  You’re beautiful alright, but his reputation precedes him.” 

Tammy
grimaced.  “I don’t want to know.  Look, can you help me find something to
wear?” 

“You
bet I can!  Give me twenty minutes!  My coworkers are constantly asking for
something, and today is payback time!” 

Tammy
looked at herself in the mirror.  She ran her hands slowly down her sides and
hips feeling the smooth material.  Mia had found a wrap dress made of
polyester, but it was light and smooth enough to feel like satin.  It tied
against her right ribcage and fell to her knees.  The pattern was what had
caught her and Mia’s eyes.  It was a swirl of dark blues, greens, and coral. 
Ironically it was similar to the carpet pattern in her room.  She could lay in
the floor, and it be something like camouflage.  Mia found heels that matched
the green.  Considering how high the heel was, the shoes were comfortable. 

“Women
with legs like yours should always wear heels.”  Mia spoke from behind her.

Tammy
turned and gave her a grateful smile.  “Thank you for helping me.” 

“Girl,
it was the most fun I have
ever
had on one of these cruises.  Most
passengers just look at me like any other nameless and faceless employee.” 

Tammy
sat on her bed next to her.  “I wish you could come too.  Maybe we could find
you a date.” 

Mia’s
eyes took on a mischievous glint.  “Well, I do have a little something going
with one of the cooks in the galley.” 

“Really? 
What’s his name?” 

“Rico. 
He’s a cute little Hispanic man an inch shorter than I am, and five years
younger.” 

“Hmm,
I see.”  They both laughed at the same time.  “Is he working tonight?” 

“He
is, so I’ll have to pass.  What are you so afraid of?  You were out with Jake
Butler all day, why is dinner so different?” 

Tammy
looked at her lap and shrugged.  She couldn’t put what she was feeling into
words yet.  Mia spoke gently beside her. 

“It’s
different now because you’re falling for him.” 

“I
don’t want to.” 

“Ha! 
We never have a choice in the matter.”  Mia stood and looked down at her. 
“Have a good time.  Don’t think about later.  Just enjoy
now.
”  Mia
walked to the desk and opened the drawer.  She pulled the complimentary notepad
from the top drawer and wrote something on the top sheet before ripping it from
the pad and handing the paper to Tammy.  “That’s my cabin and my cell number. 
Call me later if you need to talk, but I’m guessing you will be otherwise
occupied.”  She patted Tammy’s shoulder and winked. 

She
opened the door and let out a squeak, jumping back with her hand to her chest. 
“Good Lord, you scared me!” 

Jake
was standing there with his fist raised to knock on the door.  “Sorry.  Is
Tammy here?” 

“Oh
yeah, she’s in there looking
hot
for her date.”  Jake watched the
strange woman, an obvious ship employee, walk up the hall with her hands in her
khaki pants pockets.  He turned his head to see Tammy leaning against the door
frame staring at him. 

“Who
was that?” 

“Mia. 
She works at the gift shop.  We’ve sort of…developed a friendship.” 

Jake
looked at her appreciatively.  She looked fresh and wonderful.  No one would
have suspected that she had been touring San Juan all day, and tromping around
caves.

  Tammy
was doing the same thing.  Jake had on a grey satin button down shirt with a
charcoal light weight blazer that matched his pants.  His hair was slicked back
and she noticed he was wearing a gold chain and bracelet.  

“You
look great.” He said quietly. 

“So
do you.” 

“Shall
we?” 

Tammy
nodded and shut her cabin door.  She linked her arm through his when he held
his bent elbow out for her.  She hadn’t met a man like him before.  He was
obviously world wise, savvy in many ways; yet there was something old fashioned
and charming there as well.  He seemed to enjoy the part of the gentleman.  She
just hoped it wasn’t an act put on for her benefit only. 

Dancing,
noise, food, laughter; it made the music of the night.  Tammy had never laughed
so much.  After only a couple of dances, she was keeping up, and found that
Salsa was her new passion.  Jake wore out before her and breathlessly dragged
her laughing from the floor.  They fell into the chairs at their table.  Jake
leaned forward suddenly and kissed her on the mouth.  It was the kind of kiss
that was sweet but sexual because it was spontaneous and sincere.  Jake smiled
broadly and brushed a strand of sweaty hair from her cheek, tucking it behind
her ear. 

“Want
something to eat?” 

“No! 
I need drink!” 

“Alright
then, I’ll be right back.” 

He
rose quickly and walked to the bar.  Tammy could see him straining to tell the
bartender what he wanted over the noise.  Tammy felt exhilarated.  She couldn’t
remember a time since her youth, when she had felt so young and free.  It
didn’t last long however as a shadow fell over the table.  Tammy looked up to
see Sloan staring down at her.  She glanced at the bar and her eyes met Jake’s just
as Christy leaned into him at the bar.  She looked up coldly at Sloan. 

“Hello,
Sloan, fancy seeing you here.” 

Sloan
placed a hand on her hip and glanced at bar before focusing on Tammy.  “I think
you’re confused about a thing or two.” 

“And
just what might that be?”  Tammy replied while casually crossing her legs. 

“Women
like you don’t land men like him.  You may be having a good time for now, but
know that it won’t last.  Christy doesn’t even know the real deal.” 

“Please,
tell me, I wait with bated breath.”  Tammy said icily, not taking her eyes from
Sloan. 

Her
eyes narrowed and her dark red lips formed a thin line.  When she spoke, her
face took on a twisted and ugly sneer.  There was rage in her voice, barely
concealed with civility.  “Jake Butler owes me something.  Christy is just my
bait to get it. 
You
are just a temporary setback.  Kind of like a fly
that has to be killed before a picnic can be enjoyed.” 

Tammy
felt heat rising up her neck and into her face.  Who did this woman think she
was?  She stood and stepped to Sloan just as Jake returned to the table with
Christy right on his heels.  He pushed a daiquiri into Tammy’s hands.  She took
it and set it on the table, without releasing Sloan from her hot gaze. 

“Ladies,
it was nice to see you both again, but Tammy and I were just about to enjoy our
drinks before hitting the floor again.” 

Sloan’s
face relaxed a fraction as she forced her usual cool and condescending smile
back to her face.  Her eyes slid to Jake.  “See you around Jake.” 

Tammy
looked at Christy.  She had a deer in the headlights look.  She looked at each
one of them before trailing after Sloan. 

“What
the hell was
that
about?” 

Tammy
took her drink and pulled the straw out.  She tossed it on the table and drank
the daiquiri in three gulps.  She turned to Jake and wiped her mouth with the
back of her hand in what she would normally consider an unladylike gesture. 

“Let’s
dance some more.” 

“Okay.” 
Jake said slowly.  He followed suit and did the same as she had with his drink;
right down to wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.  “Let’s go.” 

Tammy
giggled like a school girl and took his hand, leading him back to the dance
floor.  The rude and intrusive women were already a fading memory as Jake
pulled her roughly to himself and began the rhythmic dance.

They
just made the ten o’clock curfew to board the ship.  Jake and Tammy were tipsy
and walked with unsure steps to her cabin door.  She hadn’t felt the perfect
buzz in years and hoped it would linger awhile. 

“You
know, my cabin is actually on this level.” 

“Nope,
I didn’t know that.”

He
pointed down the hall.  “Go to the end of the hall and make a left.  I’m on the
other side.  I have a suite with a sitting room.” 

“Oh,
I bet it’s nice.”  Her eyes were bright and she smiled warmly.  “But I’m not
ready to see the inside of your cabin.” 

“I
understand.  I don’t want to rush things with you, but I can’t help it
really.”  He leaned towards her, his eyes dark.  They both knew what was going
to happen next.  Jake wanted it badly, Tammy feared it, but she didn’t stop
him. 

She
could smell his cologne, the sweat from dancing; it was an intoxicating
mixture, raw with masculinity.  His hand brushed the side of her cheek as he
leaned closer.  Her breath caught as his hand slid to the back of her neck and
gently pulled her mouth to his.  The kiss was long and deep, yet he was careful
to stay gentle.  The last thing Jake wanted to do was scare her off.  He pulled
away slowly, flicking his tongue over his lower lip. 

“I
hope you’ll let me do that again.” 

Tammy
dropped her eyes and smiled shyly.  She didn’t trust her voice yet, deciding to
nod her head instead. 

“I’ll
see you tomorrow.” He whispered and began walking away.  Tammy watched his
back.  He ran a hand through his hair.  In her opinion he was the sexiest man
alive.

Jake
didn’t go back to his room right away.  His head was too full of Tammy.  The
way she transformed into a vibrant, alive woman on the dance floor was
amazing.  He liked her down to earth qualities, but paired with this other side
of her, made her the perfect woman.  Her ex-husband was a fool. 

He
went to his favorite spot on deck to look out over the dark waters.  Tonight he
wasn’t brooding.  Instead he was rejoicing for finding Tammy.  Turning his head
upward, he closed his eyes and silently prayed. 

I
have never talked to you enough, and I know I don’t deserve a treasure like
Tammy, but please, don’t make me continue to pay for Paola. 

Jake
smiled lightly as a salty breeze began to move over him.  Wasn’t it time to
heal?  Wasn’t it time to stop the self-destruction, and live for more than just
himself?  “Yes, it is.”  He said aloud.     
 
       

Tammy’s
plan for the next day was to sleep in.  She didn’t want to see daylight until
at least nine or ten.  That plan was thwarted by someone knocking heavily on
her door.  She opened it to find Jake standing there grinning broadly.

“Wow,
you look sleepy.” 

“I
am.”  She yawned.  “What time is it?” 

“Eight. 
We’re at Saint Thomas today.  Get a shower and meet me at the breakfast
buffet.  I want to take you out.” 

Butterflies
in Tammy’s stomach went into over drive.  “You don’t have to spend all of your
time with me.” 

Jake’s
face fell a little.  “You don’t want to go out with me?” 

“No…I
mean yes!  What I’m trying to say is, you shouldn’t feel obligated.” 

He
nodded and stuck his hands in his pockets.  “Right.  In other words, I
shouldn’t feel the need to baby sit the poor divorcing woman?” 

“No…not
exactly…”

He
stepped into her room and placed his hands lightly on her hips.  “Not to
mention that the
poor divorcing woman
is beautiful, enchanting, a
great
kisser,
and
…”