Thousands (Dollar 4)

Only, an excited voice rang on the warm sea breeze, breaking the heavy spell and snapping our eyes to the bow of the ship.

“What on earth is she pointing at?” I asked as a staff member with blonde pigtails bounced up and down. Her face was luminous with excitement. Her finger pointed at the water below.

Elder smiled. “Dolphins probably. I don’t know why staff continue to get so excited. It’s not like they’re a rare occurrence.” He said it so matter-of-factly, as if dolphins were as common as house flies.

My eyes widened. “They surf the wake?”

“Exactly. They’re just using us for their own enjoyment.”

“Can I see?”

He chuckled as I drifted toward the girl, becoming intoxicated by her joy. I hadn’t seen a dolphin since my friend had her eighth birthday party at SeaWorld and the dolphins leapt and frolicked with big red balls. At the time, I’d been mesmerised. Now, the place had been shut down for animal welfare.

I couldn’t stop my feet moving, but I didn’t want to leave Elder. “Come with me?” I held out my hand, glancing over my shoulder as I continued to step toward the bow.

His face fell just for a moment.

My throat tightened with questions. I wanted to know what pained him. I needed to know how to fix it.

But then he smiled, shoving aside any hint of melancholy. “I have a better idea.”

I stopped, totally unconvinced. “Better than watching dolphins?”

“Better.” Crooking a finger, he murmured, “Come with me.”

Chapter Seventeen

______________________________

Elder

I DIDN’T KNOW what the fuck I was doing.

Pim would no doubt laugh in my face or, worse, roll her eyes at such a stupid extravagance, or even worse, look at me differently for spending ridiculous sums of money on something no normal person should own.

But as we stepped into the elevator and I pressed the bottom level where the storage rooms, kitchen cold stores, and a motorbike rested, I told myself this was a good decision.

I’d bought it for times like this.

Originally, I thought it would be for my family with young cousins to impress, but that would never happen, and besides…this was even better.

Pim was better.

Pim was everything.

As the elevator doors opened, Pim looked up. Instead of the expected question of ‘why did you bring me to the working part of the ship’, she seemed at ease—as if she’d been down here before.

I frowned.

She had full run of the place—nothing was out of bounds. Well, the level where I argued with Selix yesterday I’d prefer she didn’t see (or anyone else for that matter). I didn’t know how I felt having her snoop, learning pieces about me without me telling her.

“Have you been here before?” I kept my voice light when really my question was heavy. If she had explored, what had she discovered? She wouldn’t have seen what I was about to show her as it was behind a locked door and only I had the key, but still…my privacy had been tiptoed through.

She rubbed her arm, her gaze lighting on the wooden grates with a multitude of languages spray-painted on the front to the strapped and chocked motorbike. “Um, I might’ve explored a little.”

“When?” My nostrils flared trying to taste her truth.

“Yesterday.”

“Did you go anywhere else yesterday?” My back prickled. “Any other levels?”

She shrugged, laughing awkwardly with a guilty ring. “Only a couple. I got hungry and went to the kitchen for lunch then back to my room.” Flashing me a look, she strode ahead, weaving around the strapping holding everything secure. “What did you want to show me down here?” Tossing over her shoulder, deliberately changing the subject, she pouted. “I can’t believe I’m missing dolphins for this.”

I had a good mind to force her back to my interrogation, but after being at odds for days, I wanted to find that happy place again.

I needed it.

The kiss on the deck had been the only good thing in my life, and the craving to continue had blended with the addiction for sex and the comfort of connection.

I wanted to touch her.

I just didn’t want it getting out of control.

“You won’t be missing out for long.” Guiding her around a row of heavy-duty freezers and a huge walk-in fridge, I fumbled for the key chain in my pocket. “You’ll see.”

Pim followed, her face bright and quizzical. “You know…this isn’t the prettiest level, but I find it fascinating.” She trailed her fingers over a crate labelled fragile.

I had no idea what was inside, but I paid my staff enough to figure it out. They had carte blanche to order more, purchase whatever, and stay on top of usage versus expenditure.

“This way.”

She nodded with a soft smile as I marched ahead down the long corridor made up of stacked parcels, boxes, and containers. This level had no individual rooms apart from the area I was about to show her.