FERRY-LOVE-BOAT

Chapter 25

Carina's POV:

I realized that I had made a big mistake when I went to sleep with Maya that night.

Now that I knew what it felt like to have her body so close to mine, it was hard to lie in a bed and not miss her - and I already missed Maya in so many moments of my day, I couldn't believe fate had given me another one. I rolled from side to side in bed, trying to take a late afternoon nap to cure my hangover for good and recharge my energy for my night shift that would start at 10 pm.

I turned my face to my bedside table and sighed heavily as I realized that it was still 6 pm and there was no hope for my sleep with the blonde invading my thoughts every second. I got out of bed and went to my bathroom, stared at the tub for a few seconds, but discarded the possibility of taking a long bath and opted for the shower. Once I was ready and the car by app on the way I went to my balcony and sat down on one of the chairs, letting the cold wind scratch my skin, dry my lips, and make me close my eyes.

It was good to feel cold after the whirlwind of heated emotions I had that morning.

Leaving had been hard, I didn't want to - but I knew I needed to - and although she didn't tell me in full words, Maya's disappointment at my departure was more than evident on her face - inside her beautiful eyes - and I practically had to force my legs out of her apartment, trying to ignore the pain in my chest and the magnetism that was pulling me back to her.

I wanted more of Maya - more time, more contact, more hugs, more kisses, more moments cuddling in bed - and I knew I needed to be patient for that to happen. If all the stories about her Wednesday affairs have taught me anything, it is that the blonde has a certain fear of commitment, and I don't want to get hurt. I don't want to be just one more among so many. I don't want to be just another name.

-To the Ferry Station? - The driver confirmed as I got into the car.

-Yes, please.

I need to buy a car.

I wouldn't be able to sustain my life in Seattle with Ubers, but this time the ride would be more than welcomed because it would allow me to think a little more about the woman who is taking away my sleep.

"Would you like to visit Station 19?"

The notification had made my heart flutter a little, as if I were still a teenager - it was noticeable how Maya made me feel like an inexperienced, no-game woman who was at her mercy - and my fingers were quick to type a response.

"Where did that come from?"

"Well, you are now part of our gang and you haven't met our workplace yet"

"Do you want me to meet your workplace, Captain?"

"You should always call me Captain"

"Maybe one day, if you take me to your bedroom again"

"You know it's always at your disposal"

"Waiting for the day when you'll turn your words into actions"

I laughed at the bold message I had sent, but I knew she would laugh on the other side. It was nice to be able to use my home country as an excuse to let my mind be expressed without so many filters, and I liked that I was raised within a slightly freer context than the American prudes.

"Me too"

Maya amused me even when I knew she had sent me this message with a wrinkle between her eyebrows, without a smile on her face and probably worried about whether I was serious or not.

-We're here! - The driver applied the handbrake.

-Thank you. - I said before walking to the terminal.

Luckily, a ferry was about to leave and my run to the gates was worth it.

I smiled briefly at a security guard and on my way to the third floor of the boat I passed by a few familiar faces; I exchanged glances with these people, nods and smiles, but unconsciously I was looking for Maya because it was her face that I wanted so badly to have in front of me at this very moment.

I passed the coffee stand, looked at it with both nostalgia and happiness on my face.

Perhaps it was our exchange of coffee in the mornings that had allowed us to grow closer ten years ago. Certainly, it was our exchange of coffee after our re-encounter that had brought us together again after those ten years.

I think we owed that coffee stand a lot.

I looked over to the door leading to the outside area of the boat, and before I even took my first step towards the ledge on which I liked to lean to watch the sky and the sea during our usually daytime crossings, a shiver ran down my arms. I closed my jacket tightly, making sure all the buttons were properly buttoned, and bitterly regretted not opting for a scarf that evening.

"I'm thinking about you" - I typed the message before I could give the idea a second thought.

I walked toward the outside with my eyes glued to the screen and the three little dots that waved on the message app indicating that Maya was typing.

"Me too"

More butterflies were rising in my stomach and by now I suspected that there was an overpopulation inhabiting my insides. The current of adrenaline that a simple message was capable of triggering was worrying to say the least - especially for my heart, which was surrendering more and more to Maya.

-I'm sorry! - I spoke hurriedly when I bumped into someone on my way to the ledge.

-Now that explains the "you're thinking about me, and I'm thinking about you" thing. - Her voice broke through me before I could even look at her face, but there she was.

Maya.

-What are you doing here? - I asked, excited and surprised, but she just shrugged. - What?

-Nothing. - She answered. - It's cold, are you sure you want to stay out here?

-Sí. - I nodded a few times. - Well, now I don't know. I had come outside to enjoy the view, but I didn't expect to find you here.

-I was bored at home. - She commented.

-Me too. - I didn't need to tell her that she had stolen my every thought and that I had come to the Ferry to feel closer to her so that I wouldn't have to call and ask her to meet me less than six hours after our earlier goodbye.

We walked together to my original destination, I put my forearms on the ledge and leaned forward slightly. I could see the foam created by the movement of the boat and its propellers, the sea was already dark, but the sky was beautiful, with an inspiring sunset.

-If you were missing me, just say so. - She shoved me with her shoulder, laughing at her own teasing, and I turned towards Maya, standing on my side, leaning on only one of my forearms.

I took my time to admire her face, her rosy cheeks - due to the cold? Due to my presence? I would never know - to the discreet gloss on her lips that indicated that she had just recently applied chapstick. I looked at her mischievous smile, at her provocative eyes, at the involuntary movement her nose made every time a stronger draft of air passed between our bodies. I looked at her long blonde hair flying behind her body.

I wanted her.