Seas of Soul

Chapter 2 - Eyes

Once the ship was finally sailing in open waters, Ali wandered downstairs to the main shopping deck with her family, where a kick-off celebration had begun. An enormous disco ball rotated over the crowd's heads, while music blasted and a small parade of crew members - dressed in fish costumes - danced through the throng of people and clustered shop entrances.

Her grandpa nudged her. "Why don't you go dance?" The parade had ended and a huge congo line comprised of grinning, yelling, semi-drunk passengers filed by. It IS a vacation after all.. Why not?! Ali grinned at her family before jumping right in, between an older man and a smiling girl about her own age.

She laughed and sang along to 'It's 5 o'clock Somewhere', grooving along with the congo line. Ali didn't care about looking goofy; she'd probably never see any of these people again, and a vacation was all about letting loose, right? After a few minutes, the light touch of the girl behind her was replaced with a pair of large, warm hands that encircled her waist tightly. Glancing back in the middle of a verse, Ali got a glimpse of simmering hazel eyes, and caught a wink from the previous girl now behind the man holding her waist. She shrugged it off and continued to sing, not taking much notice of the stranger. Just another passenger, probably drunk, she mused.

She was caught off-guard when a warm breath tickled her ear, sending goosebumps cascading down her arms.

"What's a beautiful girl like you doing here all alone?"

Surprised, she whirled her head around, trying to get a glimpse of the man behind her without breaking the dance line. "I'm not alone!" she blurted. "I'm here with family."

The line dissipated in front of her, so she let go of the elder passenger's waist and turned to face what she expected to be a potential creep.

Ali drew a breath. The man before her was gorgeous; he had short, dark hair, kind hazel eyes, and a tall, broad physique. A lovely smile stretched across his tanned face, and the corners of his eyes crinkled endearingly. He radiated confidence and strength. Oh, those muscles.. His full lips smiled invitingly at her as he looked down on the startled girl.

Ali struggled to control her thoughts. I have a BOYFRIEND! This man IS handsome, but make sure he knows where you stand! He's probably a player, anyway.. seems like the type who's very aware of his good looks. Ali was far from a cheater, and not one to be attracted to looks alone.

"I have a boyfriend, too.." she murmered, feeling a bit bad for the handsome stranger. Noone liked to be turned down.

His smile didn't falter, although she saw the heat in his eyes dial down. "Well, I couldn't help but say hello to a beautiful woman. It never hurts to try." he smiled, his deep voice vibrating through her.

She hesitantly retured his smile. He reached out his hand like a gentleman, and she politely shook it. "I'll be around." the stranger's deep voice hummed, before he turned away.

Ali also turned to leave, searching for her family. Behind her, the handsome man stopped to send one more warm gaze her direction, before he made his way through the masses of passengers.