The Lighthouse Siren

Chapter 7 Day #3

I don't know how to begin to describe the passage of time. If there was any conversations today, I don't remember them. I don't recall opening my mouth at all. I don't recall any meals or even drinking water. Normally, I would say I was so wasted I just passed the day in a drunken haze. But that isn't what happened, because I know for a fact I didn't even have a single beer today.

I'm sure I talked to the guys because they aren't staring at me like I'm crazy, and they aren't yelling at me to get my attention. So hopefully whatever we discussed wasn't too important, or I may be in trouble later. Like signing my life away to blind dates for the next 3 weeks straight. Nothing could be farther from what I need right now.

I vaguely remember attaching my line to the back of the boat, but if I ever remembered to check it... well, I have no idea.

The only thing I can remember is blue waves, a soft whisper, and the taste of vanilla and strawberries on my lips.

So, when the sun finally dipped below the horizon, I was shocked.

I take a seat on the deck and gaze up at the stars. The guys are in the galley, and I know because I can hear them rustling around down there. I guess one of us have caught something worth grilling up. The scent from the fish suddenly reminds my body that it has been some time since I've last consumed anything.

But even the thought of food can't keep my attention.

Off in the distance a star glimmers in the fading light. It dances and sways with the rhythm of the boat. My eyes seem locked on the distant light... which seems to be growing slowly, pulling me toward it. I can feel the warmth surrounding me as a distant song calls to my soul. "Come to me."

There is a flash of white and I am sucked into it.

A veiled face is all I see. I vaguely hear soft music in the background. Sea green eyes bore into my soul. Her cheeks are softly flushed. Her lips are painted a soft pink... Lips that I am dying to claim.

Nerves wrack my body as I grasp the sheer material. Reigning in the last of my self control, I gently pull the veil from her face and gaze upon her. My heart is bursting with love for this woman.

"Elaine..." I whisper.

"I love you," she sings sweetly.

I can't wait anymore.

I tenderly gather her soft cheeks in my hands and claim her mouth.

Somewhere in my subconscious I hear cheering in the background, but I ignore it in favor of exploring her mouth with my tongue . She has the sweetest taste of vanilla and strawberries on her lips. I never know that combination could be so arousing.

I swear the whole world has disappeared as I kiss my new bride. I can feel her body shiver in response to my claim. All of a sudden there is nothing more than an image of her on our bed...

Slowly she pulls back from the kiss and smiles up at me. If I thought she was flushed before, she is positively red now.

Desire churns in her eyes and I can't wait to get her home.

A crash on the deck shocks my brain into the present.

"Hey, man. You hungry?" Austin asks as he places the tray on the table.

The fish smells awesome, causing my belly to grumble loudly.

Jordan laughs. "I guess that means yes!"

I don't bother answering and just roll my eyes.

"Dig in!" Austin announces.

I grab a plate and a fork and scoop a large portion of the fish onto my plate. I slather it in butter and lemon and dump some of the steamed vegetables next to it. I tare into the the fish and shove the flakey meat into my mouth. The sizzling flesh, and I smile.

"This is fantastic, guys! I think you just saved my life," I proclaim.

Austin chuckles and slaps me on the back.

"Dude, we weren't sure how you 've survived so long on your own. With no one feeding you, you are wasting away to nothing. We were afraid if we didn't get some grub in you soon, you would be flying away in the wind!" joked Jordan.

"Yep! It's time Jordan and I found you a new woman! Preferably one who can cook, so you don't starve yourself to death!" Austin says.

The change in subject almost gave me whiplash. But I guess I should have expected this. I mean, they've known me forever, and pretty much threatened they were going to bring up women on this trip.

"Hey, how about Shelly? She's cute and works in the galley," suggests Jordan.

I frown.

"The last thing I want is a cook from the galley. I eat there enough, I don't need to come home to it, too," I insist.

Not that Shelly's a bad girl. She's just not...

Jordan laughs at me and smacks me on the back again. "Chill, dude!"

"Don't worry, man! We'll find you someone who will take your sorry excuse for a man," Austin smirks, and takes a bite of his fish.

"Really, guys. I think I can find myself my own woman," I declare.

"You're 3 months past due, dude. Time for some bro intervention. If you don't want Shelly, what about Amber or Stephanie? They are both hot and they both have their eyes on you. I can tell you Amber has been begging me to set you two up," Jordan continues as he shovels a fork full of fish in his mouth.

I groan. Suddenly the fish has lost it's appeal. There is only one girl for me, and I will never be able to have her. But how do I explain that? Answer: I don't.

Frustrated beyond all reason, I growl "There is only one girl I want. She's got sea green eyes and honey colored curls. No one else will do!"

I didn't mean to say it. It just slipped out. But the guys just won't stop!

Austin and Jordan look dumbfounded.

"Since when have you been seein' anyone?" Austin asks in shock.

"Dude, who is she? I don't know anyone like that!" exclaims Jordan.

I groan and scrub my face with my hands. I will never live this down.

I gaze back up at the stars again. "Elaine," I whisper.

"Huh?" asks Jordan.

"Who the hell is Elaine, and why haven't I met her yet?" demands Austin.

Crap. How am I gonna get out of this? I can't exactly tell them the truth. Who would believe me if I told them a dead woman has been haunting my dreams, creating an obsessive need to find her? They'd put me in the loony bin for sure!

Next best thing? Lie!

"She's just some girl I ran into at a bar a few weeks ago."

Jordan gives me the stink eye.

"Since when do you go to the bar to puck up girls all on your own?" asks Austin.

"And since when have you gone to a bar at all in the last few months? Lately you've been at work or your house and no in-between!" accuses Jordan.

They aren't buyin' it. I gotta make this work. I hold my hands up in a calm the hell down sign. "Guys, I just needed a night out on my own..." because I haven't been alone enough lately.

Jordan gets up and grabs a few beers from the cooler and saunters back over.

He hands one to me with a glare. "So, start talkin'!!" he demands.

"About what?" I ask innocently.

I can't keep this up much longer. I'm gonna crack under the pressure. My palms are already starting to sweat.

"Tell us about your new girl," Jordan insists.

"And why you've been holding out on us, man," Austin almost sounds hurt.

What in the heck am I supposed to tell these guys?

Cold sweat drips down my back as I face down my best friends interrogational stares. How did I get into this mess? And I couldn't I just keep my big mouth shut?

I take a deep breath and sigh.

What did I know about her that I could tell them?

Well...

"Her name is Elaine, and her husband recently passed away. She has honey blonde hair, sea green eyes, soft curves. She is sexy and sweet. And her lips taste like vanilla and strawberries," I finish.

Their jaws hit the deck.

Jordan recovers first. "Now that's what I'm talkin' about!" he smirks.

"Where is she from and why haven't I seen her before?" asks Austin.

"She just moved from South Carolina," the words fly out of my mouth, but for some reason I know they are true.

"Huh, sounds like we got ourselves a southern belle," drawls Austin.

A sudden flash fills my mind.

My lips on her mouth. Soft full lips kissing me back in a fever pitch. Every touch of her body screams of passion she has yet to unleash. I want her now more than my next breath.

"I love you, Elaine. And I will always come back for you," I vow.

"Dude!" Austin snaps.

I shake my head.

"Sorry guys," I mutter.

"Man, you kinda zoned out on us there, for a minute," Jordan asks unsure.

"Yeah, sorry guys. I'm beat. I need some sleep. I'll talk to you guys in the morning."

With that, I drop my unopened beer on the table, do an about face and march down to my cabin.

"I will always come back," I whisper.