Strangers With Secrets

Chapter 14.

"Are we almost there yet?" I ask after we've been driving for 30 minutes. I'm starting to grow impatient from there only being giant empty fields and tons of trees to look at

"Almost" Damon tells me and I let out a sigh. I'm not familiar with this area at all so I don't even have a clue as to where we're going

"Can you please just tell me where we're going at least then I promise you won't hear another peep out of me" I whine while looking over at Damon. He doesn't look at me but I see the corners of his mouth turn upwards

"You really don't like to be surprised, do you?" he says and I roll my eyes

"No, I thought we've been over this already" I mumble and turn back in my seat. I go back to enjoying the wind and the sunset starting to take place so I don't let my irritation take over

Almost as if Damon could read my mind, he rests his hand on my naked thigh and I tense for a moment at the sudden contact. I glance down at his hand and my muscles start to loosen slowly so I can relax more. His hand was warm and it was hard to ignore the intense feeling of electric currents flowing through my body. I turn my head and pretend to look at the scenery so Damon can't see the smile I can't seem to knock off my face. I didn't want him to know I was enjoying this all too much

Finally, I start to see more than just trees and fields. The ocean is in clear view and Damon gets off on an exit with a sign over it that reads "Docks." As we get closer and closer to the ocean, I see a cruise ship docked and I instantly snap my head towards Damon while trying to contain my excitement

"Are we going on that?" I ask, the excitement seeping into my voice, causing Damon to give my thigh a light squeeze and he flashes me a smile

"We are" he tells me and I almost let out a squeal. This is my first time on a boat and it happens to be a cruise ship. I've always wanted to go on one, I never thought my first time would be on a date with Damon

Damon parks the car and puts the roof back up. I pull the mirror down attached to the top of the window while he does all this to fix my hair from the wind. Somehow, it still looked fine. Damon gets out and runs to my side of the car to open the door for me. The small gesture has me smiling like an idiot, he's too good. I get out and smoothen out my dress and readjust it where it's needed. I can feel Damon's eyes on me the entire time and I look up at him when I'm done

"Ready?" Damon asks, not breaking eye contact

"Ready" I say with a nod. We start walking and Damon has his hand around my side, keeping me close to him

"Good evening sir" a man says while looking at Damon and Damon just gives him a nod of acknowledgement. I give him a small smile as we pass right by him onto the cruise ship where we're greeted by another man

"Mr. Parker, very nice to see you again" the man says holding his hand out to shake Damon's

"Likewise Chandler" Damon says, breaking contact with me and taking the man named Chandlers hand in his. I take the small moment to observe Chandler. He looks to be in his 40's and doesn't have very much hair left. He has a few wrinkles but nothing too noticeable. He's still in pretty good shape and he dresses very nicely

"Who's the unlucky lady" Chandler jokes which causes me to smile and I take it upon myself to introduce myself before Damon can say anything

"I'm Ryan Miles, but please just call me Ryan. People call my mother Ms. Miles, that would make me feel old" I tell Chandler and a laugh escapes his mouth but he quickly recovers

"You found a good one Damon, nice to meet you Ryan" he says holding out his hand and I take it in mine, shaking it. His grip is pretty firm; professional