The Do-Over(44)

Picking up the pitcher of rum and somethings, I filled both our glasses with the slushy concoction.

“To exploring us. And really getting to know one another. Finally.” We clinked glasses, both taking a sip and laughing.

“I’ve never felt more right about anything.” Wes’ smile had the effect on me it had had fifteen years before.

“I’m so nervous.”

He laughed. “I know.”

“Like I don’t know how to do this. I don’t want to mess this up.”

“No pressure. As much time as you need for things to feel right.”

I nodded, glad he wasn’t pushing me into the physical aspects, even though I’d yearned for that from the night I met him. Here I had jumped into things with men around him, but with Wes, I needed to do this right.

“I appreciate that. But there is one thing.”

“What is that?” he asked, his smile warm.

“Your lips. I’ve always been a bit obsessed with them. They look so soft.” Leaning forward on my knees, I raised my right hand to his cheek as I brought my lips to his. I could feel his smile as I softly tasted his rum sweetened lips beneath mine and he began to kiss me back, a soft exploration that grew in intensity, leaving me breathless, as I always knew it would.

Taking my face in both his hands, he covered my lips in kisses. Strong kisses with his full lips, kisses that clearly told me his intentions to make me his lover. Claiming kisses. Now that I’d tasted his lips, he left no question in my mind. Wes Bergman knew exactly what he had just done.

It was finally our time.



Finishing marinated chicken kebobs and foil packets of zucchini Wes had prepared on the little propane grill, I sat back with a smile. “Oh my God, that was delicious. Thank you.” We had stayed docked at the marina and were just enjoying the lights on the harbor and music from other boats.

“So, in that big oversized bag you brought, I’m hoping you’ve got a bathing suit and clothes. Overnight stuff?”

“I do have a change of clothes and a bathing suit.”

“Okay. Well here’s what I’d like to propose. I can certainly lend you tee-shirts, plenty of toothbrushes and toiletries on board. I’ve got two cabins below, so no pressure. If you don’t have plans, we could get out early, at first light, sail east, either a leisurely sailing day or see how far toward the east end of the island we can make it. Just figure it out as we go. Catch a great sunset. If we don’t go as far, we can be back tomorrow night, if we end up out toward Greenport, we’d be back Sunday night. What do you think?”

“I think you’re going to need to lend me a tee-shirt or two.”

His light-hearted laugh made me smile. “My pleasure. I’ll have to pick you out some good ones.”

The thought of sleeping in Wes’ tee-shirts made me smile. Getting up, he quickly bounded down the stairs and was back in a moment, spreading out maps on the teak table. As I slid in next to him on the bench (versus across from him), I couldn’t contain my smile. “This is going to be so much fun.”

Showing me our routes along the shoreline, we talked about all the other possibilities along the Sound, both on the Long Island and Connecticut shorelines and my heart soared that this wouldn’t just be one isolated weekend, but something we could enjoy together, even just an escape dinner cruise out into the harbor to watch sunset. And in that moment, I felt hope that I didn’t realize I’d lost when I’d found out that Frank had been cheating on me, when I had to remain strong for our daughter. I’d spent every day trying to rebuild. But there were two things that had evaded me. Hope and Happiness. And I’d been afraid to feel them because I feared I didn’t have the strength to have them stripped from my heart yet again.

But as I looked at Wes, a man who’d experienced devastating losses, I realized he wanted to take me on a journey with him. A journey where hope and happiness were possible. Because out on the open waters, there was a second wind and I had the choice to let it swirl around my face and blow my hair all askew or not. But I was being given a choice. And that in itself was a gift.

“Okay, daybreak is going to be here soon. Let me get you set-up.”

Going downstairs, he led me to the larger aft cabin, pulling out a fresh toothbrush for me. Disappearing, he arrived a few minutes later with two tee-shirts and a wide-grin. In his left hand was a Ramones shirt, in his right The Clash.

“Hard choice.” I laughed.

“Why is that?” He was being coy.

Looking up at him through my lashes, I reached out and grabbed The Clash shirt. Should I Stay or Should I Go, playing on full blast in my head.

He laughed, “Well, if you get lonely, you know where to find me.” The man was now torturing me.

“Don’t make me be the aggressor.”

He nodded. “Okay, I’ll remember that.”

It was sometime before dawn when I felt him wrapped around me, melted into him and fell back to sleep.

Sunrise and the start of our adventure would be quickly upon us.





Chapter 16


“T.”

I felt his hand brush my hair from my forehead and the mattress depress as he sat down next to me. My nose twitched at the smell of strong coffee and I knew I was smiling before I’d even opened my eyes.