Moving Forward - 30. Chapter 30 (7.4)

They sat together, sipping their beers, enjoying the laid back music which filled the air. Roger tapped his fingers on the table top in a restless manner. Just when Marshall was about to ask him what was up, Roger spoke.

“You know, I kinda feel like dancing.”

Marshall began to think of polite ways of saying no. Ever since the fiasco at Partners, he hadn’t danced with anyone but Lee, and wasn’t sure he ever would. Roger continued before he had a chance to think of anything.

“I’m going to go find a partner. I’ll catch you two later.” He gave them a wink and finished what was left of his beer. “Have fun.” And then he was gone. Marshall saw he headed straight to a nearby table, engaging the occupant in conversation. Looked like he’d been scoping out the room and finally made his selection. Marshall had to smile when the second man rose and the two of them made their way to the dance floor. Crisis averted. He felt a little foolish for assuming he was the object of Roger’s intentions, but better safe than sorry.

“Having a good time?” Lee asked.

“The best,” Marshall said sincerely.

“Roger seems like a nice guy.”

“Yeah, he does,” Marshall agreed. “I was worried there for a minute…”

“Kind of thought you might be. I was watching from the bar when I went after the drinks, trust me,” Lee said.

“I do. Implicitly,” Marshall said without hesitation.

Lee took Marshall’s hand in his, lifted it to his lips and kissed it tenderly. “I’ll always watch out for you, I hope you know that.” He leaned toward Marshall and planted a soft kiss on his lips. “Want to do a little dancing, then head upstairs and order that snack we were talking about?”

An inexplicable shiver of anticipation danced down Marshall’s spine. That was the second time Lee had mentioned getting a snack. He just had to believe something was up. Something other than eating.

“Sounds like a plan,” he said, rising as Lee rose, slid his arm around Marshall’s waist and escorted him on to the dance floor.

They danced cheek to cheek to the slow, seductive jazz. As more and more couples joined them, they left the bar and headed to their cabin. Lee placed an order with room service, and then made a second request of housekeeping. Although Marshall was mystified, he asked no questions. He was sure he’d find out soon enough.

“What would you like me to do?” he asked Lee.

“How about you do a quick wash-up?” Lee suggested.

“With you?”

“Without. I’ll clean up separately. No playing in the shower right now. Maybe after.”

“After what?” Marshall wanted to know.

“That’s for me to know and you to find out.” Lee winked.

When Marshall didn’t move right away, Lee arched his brows. “Did I not just tell you to do something, hmmm?”

Damn, he was letting himself get too lax. He knew better. Marshall felt heat flow through his cheeks at the reprimand. He deserved it. “Yes, Sir,” he said with alacrity and moved his ass the way he should have before, without having to be told. Inside the bathroom, he stripped and jumped into the shower. Quick, Lee had said. Not lingering, he did a thorough but fast job. When he was done, he wrapped one of the large towels about his hips and emerged into the cabin.

He thought he’d been fast, but Room Service had been quicker. A cart sat there, but he couldn’t tell what was what, since it was all covered. He glanced at Lee, who was lounging on the bed.

“Nothing had to be cooked,” Lee answered the unspoken question. He stretched out then rose to his feet, shedding his own clothes in an elegant strip-tease. Marshall’s mouth watered at the sight.

“Don’t touch anything,” Lee drawled.

“Including you?” Marshall quipped.

Lee laughed. “Especially me. Behave yourself, I’ll be back.” And he disappeared into the bathroom before Marshall could think of a clever reply.

The door to the balcony was invitingly open. Marshall stepped outside and took a seat in one of the chairs. A warm breeze fanned his cheeks, across his bare belly. Marshall smelled the salt of the sea, as well as other scents he could not identify. The motion of the ship was far more gentle than he’d expected. He could almost feel it vibrate beneath his bare feet, although maybe that was just his imagination.

This was the most exciting thing he and Lee had ever done. Maybe sometime they’d ask Roy to join them for a vacation. They owed him so much, more than they could repay in a single lifetime. They were beholden to him for this life they were enjoying together. That was a debt without price.

Marshall was so relaxed, he started to drift away, when a hand on his shoulder drew him back to the present. Without looking, he rested his cheek on that familiar arm.

“I didn’t wake you did I?” Lee asked.

“Nope, just sitting here thinking,” Marshall said.

“Anything in particular? All good, I hope.”

“All very good,” Marshall affirmed. “Thinking about you and me, and us. And how we should take Roy on a cruise sometime. Thinking about how much we owe him and how grateful I am you found him and he found me.” Marshall took a deep breath. He hadn’t expected to get so emotional, but his feelings had momentarily overwhelmed him.

“Anyway,” he continued, “that’s what I was thinking about.”

“I like that idea,” Lee said. “Next time, let’s ask Roy to come along. This time is ours.”

“All ours,” Marshall agreed. He turned his head and kissed Lee’s arm, then rose. Lee, too, wore only a towel. “I’m all yours,” Marshall whispered.

“Let’s have a snack,” Lee said, pulling him in for a long, lingering kiss.