Chapter 16 New start

Cairns, 3 weeks later

Rebecca recovered quickly from her injuries and after a few days at home, she wanted to be back at work, being back out at sea, working with and having chats with Kate and Helen.

She entered the officeof the South Pacific Discovery Cruises. She saw that Kate was staring very gloomy outside the window of the shop."Morning Kate, morning Helen. What's up? You have a face like a thunderstorm."

"Becca, there's a booking for a two-day tour for two people." Rebecca heard a sadness in her voice.

"That sounds good. So what's the problem then?"

"It's a booking for Mr and Mrs Mullholland! Do I need to draw you a picture?"

"Aah, yes, I knew it! I knew there was more between you two. But you always ignored it, hey? That's why you're so upset now."

"Yeah, laugh at me, why don't you?

And, can you imagine, they asked me to be the skipper?" She almost spat it out.

"That's strange. I'm not that bad as a skipper, am I?" Rebecca said, frowning.

"Yeah, 'strange', that's the least you can say! How dare he? First he lets me believe he feels something for me, and then he books a tour for him and his wife with me as the skipper! What is he playing at? Does he have to parade it in front of me? I don't want to watch them kissing. What have I done to him that he thinks I deserve this?" Kate was raging.

"Kate, forget it. Stop thinking, and just do your job. And remember, someone once said to me 'always smile at the customers'." Rebecca had put her arm around Kate's shoulders. Kate was swallowing and did her best not to cry.

"Oh, yes, I'm just wondering which stupid goat said that to you," Kate grumbled.

"Kate, just do your thing and then it will pass quickly. At the end of the tour, I'll wait for you at the quay."

"Yeah, that would be nice," she said softly.

"Shall I bring also a box of tissues?"

"Hmm, there will be a big chance I'll need them," Kate said even more softly.

Two days later.

Kate was already at the boat and she was nervously wandering around. She was wearing the company uniform, cargo pants and polo shirt.

"Kate, be calm. Smile at them. They are customers. But, I want to tell him what I think of him. What a kind of asshole he is! No Kate, you may not. Girl, take a deep breath. Smile. Always smile at the customers. Focus on your job. Tomorrow they leave and you can let out everything with Becca. Hopefully she doesn't forget that bloody box of tissues."

Then she saw Dylan arriving, a sport bag in one hand and a kind of cool bag in the other hand. Alone.

Hmm, there he is. Uh? Alone?

"Morning Kate," he said with a big smile.

"Good morning Dylan." She forced a smile. "I thought you booked for two?" She asked confused, trying to be as neutral as possible.

He entered the boat and put down the bags. He put his hands on his waist and gave her a big conspiratorial smile. "Indeed, I'm alone. I booked for two to be sure I didn't have to share the boat with someone else, you see. I wanted to be with you alone. Our previous date was cancelled and on the island, the date was not perfect, huh?"

All of a sudden all the stress faded away and her heart was about to jump out of her body.

"You're too charming, you're making me blush."

"Again?"

"Don't tease me," she said with twinkling eyes and a smile.

" us out of here, will you?" he asked her.

She stood at the helm and they left just the port when she heard the 'plop' sound of a cork. "Hey, you found your way to the fridge already?"

"Nope, it's mine. Here you go," and he offered her a flute glass of Champaign.

"Normally, I should offer the customers this."

"Well, there are always exceptions. And I'm not a normal customer. Cheers."

Later on, when they anchored the boat near a nice little island, they sat on the couch at the back of the boat. He bent forward and grabbed a parcel in nice paper, from his bag and gave it to her.

"Here, for you."

"Really?"

"Sure, otherwise I wouldn't give it to you."

She unpacked it and held a nice dress in front of her. "Oh, it's lovely, thank you." She turned her head to give him a kiss.

Then she moved closer, her mouth seeking his for another somewhat longer, more passionate kiss. He responded in kind and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Wait!" She pushed herself away with her hand on his chest and disappeared into one of the cabins. A minute later, she returned with the new dress on. "What do you think? Perfect size, design, colour. How did you know that?" she asked him with a smile, while she made a 360-degree turn.

"You look gorgeous. And the size and design? Well, I didn't know anything about them, but Nikki did! I asked her and she assisted me," he said disarmingly.

"What would I do without Nikki?"

"You'd be wearing a dress that's too large and something that you don't like!" he said dryly.

"You're terrible! Do you know you are a handsome man, mister Dylan Mulholland?"

"Yep, you gave me these signals before. I noticed you were looking at me on several occasions when we were on board the Hammersley," he said with a smile.

"Oh, was I that obvious?"

"Hmm, don't know, I felt it and maybe the other female sailors too. They have a sixth sense for that."

She gave him a tap on his shoulder and he grinned.

After dinner they sat at the back of the boat looking at the sunset. He had wrapped his arm around her waist and slowly his hand slid a bit upwards to the side of her chest and he started to caress the side of her boob. That made her moving closer to him and she put her head on his shoulder. When the sun has disappeared under the horizon, she stood up.

"Did I already show you the rest of the boat?" Kate asked seemingly innocent.

"Nope, not yet," he answered knowing what was to come but he didn't want to spoil the game and played his role.

"Come on." And she took his hand and gave him an irresistible smile with twinkling eyes.

They didn't get further than the guest's cabin. Here she started to untie his shirt quickly. That landed on a chair in the corner and her dress and bra followed a few seconds later….

The next day Rebecca had called Maxine to pick up Stephanie. She wanted to take the girl to the port to welcome Kate. Rebecca thought that seeing Stephanie would cheer up Kate after the unpleasant situation with Dylan's booking. When the boat arrived she wasn't a bit surprised to see only two people on board with a smile.

"Hi Dutchy, Kate, welcome back."

Then she pointed to Kate's colourful dress. "Is that the new uniform for us?"

"Nope!" And an even bigger smile was the answer.

"Wasn't this a booking for Mr and Mrs Mullholland? I see only Dutchy," she asked curiously.

"Well, when we left it was not, but now it is." Kate answered while she put her hand around his waist. "Stephanie, I finally found a daddy for you !"