After Dinner
Outside a storm raged. She could hear the mixture of rain and sleet as the wind drove it against the hull. Inside the cabin was warm and cozy. Rory was content after the surprise Thanksgiving meal Pacey had prepared for her. Her eyes followed Pacey's every move as he cleaned up after the meal. He reminded her of a boy in her past. Pacey turned and caught her looking at him. He smiled and continued on with his cleaning. Pacey disappeared from view and then appeared holding another bottle of wine and a candle. "Are you up for an after dinner drink?"
"Yes, I'd like that Pacey, but what is the candle for?
Pacey chuckled, "For ambience. We did not have any for our meal at the hotel yesterday."
"So how come now and not while we are eating?"
"The table is too small."
Rory looked at the table that separated her from Pacey. It was quite narrow. "You're right, but I guess now is better than not at all."
Pacey popped the cork from the bottle of wine and poured the pale liquid in to their glasses. Rory picked up her glass and took a sip. "This is very good; where is the wine from?"
"It's a Chardonnay from New York."
"Oh, I didn't realize that New York was a wine producing state."
"Actually Rory it ranks third in the nation. Even your home state of Connecticut produces wine."
"How do you know this?"
"I was delivering a yacht to Fort Lauderdale and forgot to bring some books along. I rummaged through the boat and found a book about wines that belonged to the owner. I was bored so I read it. Actually the book was quite interesting."
An easy silence followed the wine conversation. Finally Pacey spoke. "So how is Josephine Potter doing these days?"
Rory thought for a moment before answering. "As far as I know she is fine. I think she is engaged. Rory watched Pacey closely to see if the announcement of Josephine Potter's engagement would bring a reaction, nothing.
Pacey took a drink of his wine. "I guess I am happy for her."
"Pacey, if you don't mind me asking how serious were the two of you?"
Pacey sighed and put his glass down. "Both times I was with her I guess you could call it serious. Joey, that's what I call her, sort of represented the kind of woman I wanted and knew I couldn't get. So when I did get her I was totally flabbergasted"
Rory gently asked. "What happened to break you up?"
Pacey smiled and took another sip of his wine. Lots of things, sometimes the chase is more romantic then reality. Once we became a couple it was like oil and water. Also she had an old boyfriend, soul mate or whatever. She always ran to him when we had a problem. It was like there were three of us in the relationship."
"So what happened the second time?"
"Basically the same thing; we reunited after seven years and for the first two months it was fine and then all the reasons we broke up the first time were still there. So I left again."
"I'm sorry Pacey"
"Don't be, it's not that big of a deal."
Rory nodded and took a sip of her wine. It was cozy in the cabin and the gentle rocking of the boat was soothing. "Pacey if I am getting to nosey, just tell me, Was Josephine the love of your life?"
Pacey laughed. "You like asking questions don't you?"
Rory smiled back at him. "It's what I do for a living. Plus I am the curious type; which is probably why I read so much."
"Yeah, speaking of reading, I noticed the menu on the chalkboard that was to my back. Think you're slick don't you?"
Rory feigned innocence. What chalkboard? You're just trying to change the subject."
Pacey started laughing. "You're the only person I know that can try and look innocent and look guilty as hell."
Rory started laughing also. "I guess I'm not to convincing. Okay you got me."
"I know." Pacey poured wine into both glasses. "To answer your question Joey was not the love of my life. There was another girl."
"Oh. When was this?"
"We dated in high school." Pacey paused. I didn't realize it at the time how much she would mean to me. She was a remarkable girl.
Rory could see the regret on Pacey's face as thought back about the girl. "So what happened?"
"She cheated on me and I broke up with her."
Pacey's answer took Rory by surprise. That's normal. So I am curious as to why you would call her the love of your life?"
"I really don't want to get into it, but there were a lot of mitigating circumstances. I was just too young and stupid to realize what was really going on. She was the first person to make me believe in myself and to give me a feeling of self- worth."
"Was she before or after Josephine?"
"Before, hey are you going to go back to Joey and tell her about this conversation?"
"Pacey, I don't know her well enough to have a conversation like this with her. I will tell her I met you and you are well and leave it there. I can get you her phone number if you want it."
"No, please don't bother. We've said everything we need to say to each other. You said she was engaged; so just give her my congratulations.
"I will. Was Josephine a rebound girl from your other relationship?"
Pacey looked down at his hands and shook his head then looked up into Rory's clear blue eyes. "I honestly don't know."
Rory held his gaze. "Do you know where she is now?"
'No, not really, the last time I saw her she was attending Harvard Medical School, I suppose she is a doctor now."
I have a friend that attended Harvard Medical, but I know where she is now. I wonder if they were acquainted."
Pacey shrugged. "Who knows?" Then fell silent.
Rory wondered if talking about Pacey's old girlfriends put him in a bad mood. "Look Pacey I'm sorry if I brought up some bad memories."
Pacey smiled. "Don't worry about it. Anyway I'm going to turn the tables on you. You're a very attractive woman. How did you manage to remain single?"
Rory blushed slightly at Pacey's compliment. "Well I did have one marriage proposal."
"Why did you turn him down?"
"Who says I turned him down?"
"I thought you have been single all your life?"
"Actually I did turn him down Pacey. I had many reasons. One being I just graduated college and I wanted to travel and establish a career.
"So how did he take the refusal?"
"He didn't. Basically he told me marry him or the relationship was over."
"That's kind of heavy handed."
"I thought so, but as it turns out I wasn't to broken up over his departure. So I guess I wasn't into him as much as I thought. I had two other relationships. But since college, I've had boyfriends, but nothing serious. In fact Pacey; some things about you remind me of one of my past boyfriends."
Laughingly Pacey replied. "You must be talking about my bad characteristics."
"No Pacey, he was a good guy."
"Do you think about him a lot?"
Rory turned and looked out of a porthole. "You know Pacey, this storm is getting worse. We'll get soaked walking back to the hotel. The boat is rocking more any reason for that?"
"The wind is picking up. I need to check the lines.
"You'll get soaked."
"I have rain gear. I'll be fine. This will take about ten minutes. Pacey rose from the table. "Rory go ahead and turn the radio on." And Pacey pointed to an AM/FM radio was set in a recess in the bulkhead.
Rory watched as Pacey rose from the table and disappeared aft. A few minutes later he reappeared dressed in bright orange rain gear. "I'll be back in about ten. Grab another bottle of wine if you want."
Pacey walked up the ladder that led to the main deck. When he opened the hatch Strong gusts of cold wet wind blew into the cabin. Rory shivered and was grateful when the hatch was closed. She stood up and walked around the small cabin. Everything had its place and she was amazed at how every ounce of space was utilized. Rory was about to turn the radio on when she spied a book, The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. She wondered if Pacey was reading the book. He seemed like a reader. The reporter's thoughts drifted to Pacey. He was an interesting guy and she liked him. Something about him made her feel safe. The memory of their brief accidental kiss entered her mind and she could not shake the thought. The realization dawned on her that she wanted to kiss him again. Rory closed her eyes and thought about kissing him. I'm like a silly young school girl she thought.
Meanwhile up on deck Pacey was inspecting the mooring lines. He made sure that they weren't chaffing and they were holding. Fortunately he had the foresight to double the lines up when he arrived. The boat captain decided to put a few more fenders over to protect the boats hull from banging into the pier. He walked toward the bow bending over as he walked into the wind. He chose three fenders and decided to put one forward, one amidships and one aft. While he was tying the fenders to a cleat his thoughts turned to Rory. There was something about her that drew him in. He liked talking to her. Hell he thought. He liked looking at her. The thought crossed his mind that this storm could last for days. Usually he would be irritated, but not this time. Once everything was to his satisfaction Pacey opened the hatch to go below.
Startled by the blast of cold wind Rory looked up at a dripping Pacey who was stripping off the wet slickers. "Man, its cold out there. Let me hang these up and I'll be right back." A minute later Pacey retuned.
"Was everything Okay?"
"Yes for the most part. I put a few more fenders over."
"Rory was wondering what a fender was. She would make it a point to ask him later. "Pacey are you reading The Fountainhead?"
Was reading I am finished. Look Rory I am going to stay with the boat tonight. This storm worries me a bit. I'll get you a set of raingear and walk you back to the hotel when you're ready to leave and I'll come back to the boat."
"So you're going to walk all the way to the hotel and back in this weather?"
Pacey nodded in the affirmative.
Rory thought for a minute. "That's ridiculous. I'll stay also. There is no sense in walking around in this storm."
Her statement surprised Pacey. "You want to stay here with me?"
"Yes it seems the only logical thing to do. There are sleeping accommodations for more than one. It shouldn't be a problem. You said something about a movie? I noticed the stack of DVD's; now all we need is the popcorn."
Pacey flashed a grin. Actually I do have some microwave popcorn; so why don't you pick out a movie you like while I pop the popcorn."
Going through the DVd's Rory thought to herself that Pacey's taste in movies was not what she expected. Then she realized the DVD's belonged to the owner of the yacht. Thank God no porn. Finally Rory settled on a racy romcon "Saving Sarah Marshall staring Kristen Bell and Mila Kunis. She queued up the movie up and sat on a settee waiting for Pacey. Soon the aroma of fresh popped popcorn filled the cabin. Rory loved trashy movies and popcorn. "Come on Pacey hurry up and put extra butter and salt on the popcorn."
"You're a heart attack waiting to happen; Look I have a little secret spice I am going to put on the popcorn."
Rory twisted in her seat and looked at Pacey. "Don't ruin the popcorn Pacey."
"Come on you're in the hands of a master popcorn popper."
Rory started laughing. "You called yourself what?"
"Master popcorn popper, come on it takes skill." Pacey turned and looked at his tormenter. He liked the merriment in her eyes and the teasing tone in voice. "Look I added some Bay seasoning. I bet you never heard of that."
Giggling Rory replied. "No Pacey I haven't; just put it on yours don't ruin mine."
Pacey walked over and cupped her chin making her look up at him. You'll love it trust me."
Rory put her hand on his arm. "Okay, I'm game so what is this stuff?"
Pacey removed his hand from her chin. Rory did not take her hand off his arm and her hand slid down to his hand. Hoarsely Pacey replied. "Bay seasoning Rory; it is a seasoning that came from the Chesapeake Bay area. Originally it was developed for boiled crabs, but then they found out it worked on just about anything. Such as fried chicken, French fries, Popcorn, Shrimp. Its great Rory try it. If you don't like it dinner is on me tomorrow."
The thought of going to dinner with Pacey tomorrow unexpectedly made her tingle with anticipation. "Deal and I am going to order the most expensive thing on the menu."
Still holding Rory's hand Pacey responded. "Suit yourself Miss Gilmore, but I have a gut feeling that you are totally honest."
"We'll see. Come on bring the popcorn over and why don't you turn the lights down a bit so we can see the TV better."
Pacey poured the popcorn into a bowel and turned down the lights, looked around and the best seat to see the TV was next to Rory on the small couch. "Do you mind if I sit here?"
"Rory looked up. Of course not you have the popcorn. You ready for the movie. I have heard of it but have not seen it."
"What's the name of the movie?"
"The movie is Forgetting Sarah Marshall."
"I've heard of it also. Doesn't the movie star Mila Kunis and Kristen Bell?
Rory agreed. "Yes it does." Then slid her hand out of Pacey's loose grip.
About eight minutes into the movie Pacey and Rory were treated to a full nude front view of Jason Segal. Pacey glanced over at Rory who he could see was glowing red in the muted lights of the cabin. Also her hand was like the little steam engine that could when it came to removing popcorn from the bowl. Pacey reached over and tapped Rory on the shoulder. I win, I don't have to buy you dinner, you're eating like there is no tomorrow." The second the words spewed from his mouth he wished he could take them back. He wanted to take her to dinner tomorrow.
"I hate the popcorn Pacey. This is just a nervous reaction." And Rory removed her hand from the bowl and folded her hands in her lap like a reticent school girl.
"Yeah right; Pacey set the bowl on the deck between them. After a few moments he noticed that Rory once again was dipping into the popped delight. This felt right. It felt more right than anything Pacey had felt in years. Rory leaned back and Pacey without even thinking went to put his arm around her. He was almost there when Rory leaned forward doubled up in laughter. "What am I doing?" Pacey thought to himself. "Hey that was funny?"
"OH Pacey that Russell Brand is insane. I loved the conversation the virgin husband had with Russell about sex. That is funny." Rory looked at her wine glass. "Pacey do mind if we have more wine?"
Pacey rose and walked to the wine cabinet, most owners did not mind if he helped himself to the boats liquor supply, but he had a feeling that he was in the one hundred dollar a bottle section. "You only live once." He told himself. Pacey returned to the couch with the wine and refilled both glasses. "You're still eating the popcorn I see. I must have been right."
Pacey had sat down and Rory looked at him. "You are right. I guess dinner is on me tomorrow." She looked at Pacey who was looking into her eyes as if he wanted to find the secret of her soul. Rory put her hand on Pacey's shoulder by his neck and drew him to her and kissed him. Broke the kiss and looked into his eyes.
After a few seconds Pacey responded to her kisses; he put his arm around her and drew her in.
Rory forgot about the movie. It had been a long time since she felt like this. The fact that she knew him only a little over twenty four hours, did not bother her; in fact she felt a bit slutty. Rory forgot about the movie; all it was now was noise in the background.
Pacey couldn't believe that she was kissing him. The movie was forgotten. She felt good as she snuggled against his body. He had just met her, but it seemed to him that he had known her forever. He then let his mind go blank and enjoy the kissing.
Rory was tingling. She had been kissed on her neck, a gentle nibble on her ear which sent shivers through her body. Pacey was gently kissing her face when his lips met hers again and his tongue parted her lips. Then she felt his hand on her breast. A wave of pleasure came over her. Then Rory started thinking. "Whoa this was going way too fast." And reluctantly she removed Pacey's hand from her breast.
Pacey felt Rory gently remove his hand from her breast. He kicked himself mentally. "What was the matter with him, he just screwed up and she is going to think of him as an animal." Pacey sat up. "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry."
Rory was a little surprised at his reaction. "Don't worry about it Pacey."
A very embarrassed Pacey spoke. "Um, maybe we ought to get some sleep. We've both drank plenty of wine." Pacey pointed to a door. There is a bunk with sheets and blankets in there." Then he pointed to another door. "That is where I'll be."
They both stood up. "Thank you Pacey for an unexpected fabulous night." Rory leaned forward and kissed Pacey briefly on the lips, turned and entered the cabin.
Pacey watched her walk away. He felt like kicking himself. "Boy did he screw that up." The thought kept running through his mind. The boat captain turned and entered his cabin.
Rory found a small made up bunk. She stripped down to her undergarments and slid under the covers. Sleep did not come to her. His hands and lips kept running though her mind. She liked it when he touched her. It took all her will to take his hand off of her breast. "Sometimes things are right." She thought. "Her mother always told her to seize the moment." Rory doubted she meant that in a situation like this. "This is right."
Pacey was lying in his bunk wondering how he could fix his screw up. He then heard a gentle knock on his cabin door. Without thinking he said "Come in."
The cabin door opened and framed in the soft light of the main cabin was Rory standing at his door in her underwear. The sight took his breath away. She took two steps forward and stopped by his bunk. Then she gestured for him to move over. To Pacey's amazement she slid in the bunk next to him.
"Please be gentle Pacey it has been a long time."
To Be Continued…..
