Maybe We Shouldn't...| SCK AU story

22 • Captain of My Heart

Eda

     "Should I put the top up?" Serkan asks, as he meanders through the afternoon traffic, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel to the music and belching out You Sexy Thing by Hot Chocolate.

      "No way. I love having the wind in my face. That's the best part about a convertible."

We're cruising down the freeway once we make it out of the downtown gridlock-the wind from the open top whipping by us.

     "We're going on a boat?"

Serkan pulls into a reserved parking spot at Point Loma Marina and kills the engine.

     "If by boat you mean a 39-foot cruiser-then yes. There she is-Namaka."

I turn to look at him-watching as the warm sea breeze ruffles his hair, that boyish grin spreading across his face. That look says it all-he has something exciting up his sleeve.

     "We have an adventure ahead of us, sweetheart. C'mon, let's go meet the captain. Fun fact-Namaka is the Hawaiian Goddess of the Sea."

It's another glorious afternoon-the heat and humidity cut by the sea breeze blowing in off the water. Serkan steps behind me and before I can utter a word, he swoops me up into his arms. I let out a yelp.

     "Holy shit, Yildiz-you need to ease up on the burger and fries, girl. I hope my back doesn't break carrying you."

     "Who asked you to carry me bridal style? Put me down-I'm more than capable of walking on my own, you know."

     "I'm trying to be romantic, my love. I might have to switch to fireman style in a bit." Serkan lowers me to the ground when we reach the gangplank.

     "Ah-there you are. Welcome aboard."

The captain shakes Serkan's hand and gives me a gentle nod.

     "We couldn't have asked for a better day to be out at sea. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the lunch that's been prepared for you."

I pluck a red juicy strawberry off the fruit plate on the side table in the cockpit and pop it into my mouth. The captain politely excuses himself and we are left alone in this large, impressive yacht. I begin to feel a little queasy with the rolling of the boat and decide to head to the upper deck to take in some fresh air to settle my stomach. Serkan comes up to join me on deck.

     "You okay, kitten? You're looking a little pale."

He rubs between my shoulder blades and kisses me on my neck. Reaching down, he laces his fingers through mine, pressing a kiss on the back of my palm.

     "I just need to put some food in my belly, then I'll be fine. I've never been on a yacht, so this is very exciting for me. So, this is how the rich live, huh?"

     "Yeah. This thing would cost a pretty penny, not to mention the mooring fees. I've been on a yacht double the size of this. Now that's how the super-rich live. You want me to bring the food up here or you okay to go downstairs?"

     Awooga. Just imagine a cartoon character with a dropping jaw and eyes popping out of her sockets. It's not like I was expecting PB&J sandwiches and Cheetos for lunch, but the lunch spread is next level. The seafood tower worthy of a Michelin star restaurant, accompanied by fancy sandwiches with Camembert cheese on crusty baguettes, salad, and mouthwatering assorted fruit tarts lay before us on a glass oval table in the dining area. I wanted to dive in and eat everything but as we started sampling the food, my stomach turned another few ominous flips. I continue to eat, thinking eating would settle my queasiness but I was wrong-it seems to have the opposite effect. The sea may be calm, but my stomach has a different agenda.