Travels in a Cubicle, Vol. 8

The continuing tale of a woman who escapes her nowhere life by traveling the world of imagination.

Maya looked down from the top deck of the MS Diversion.

Below her stood Pino, garbed in a tuxedo and leaning against the ship’s rail, cooly puffing on a cigarette.

Between them stood a steep side ladder with narrow, grated stairs just waiting to catch one of her three-inch heels in their evil web.

Oh, crap.

Pino fanned his fingers, she waved in turn. He had suggested this secluded deck area because there’d be less chance of detection. Dating the ship’s guests was cause for dismissal, and cavorting with onboard staff definitely went beyond proper FAM protocol.

But what could she do? Pino was the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen. He really did look like George Clooney standing there. No, no, Cary Grant, and she was Deborah Kerr, sealing their fate together with this forbidden love at sea. It was perfect.

Maya looked up at a blanket of stars. Letting out a resolved sigh, she grabbed ahold of the handrail and gingerly placed her foot upon the first step.

You can do this. You can do this.

She felt the warm Caribbean breeze caress her skin, then watched as it caught her evening dress, which billowed just enough so she couldn’t see her feet.

That’s all right. You can do this! Maya smiled at Pino, chuckling nonchalantly as she let go of the rail, reached down and clutched the hem of her dress in her hand. Grabbing ahold of the rail again, her knees buckled. She closed her eyes. You can do this.

Looking down once more, Maya counted the remaining stairs. Nine. Not bad. Just take them one at a time; there was no rush. There was just that gorgeous man waiting at the bottom …

Something on the horizon caught her attention. She turned, gasping as three dolphins sprang from the water in succession. She beamed back at Pino.

“Dolphins!” She squealed. She pointed excitedly, losing her balance.

“Careful!” Pino took a step toward her as she steadied herself.

“There were three of them!” She reached for his outstretched hand as he guided her down the last few steps.

“There are many, many more. They live in the sea, you know.”

“Really? No, I hadn’t heard that,” she blinked coyly as Pino pulled her to him.

“I have been waiting all day for this moment.” He lowered his head and grazed her neck with his lips, lingering to soak in her perfume. Maya’s eyes rolled back in her head as she shivered.

“Oh, you must be cold. Here, let me get you a blanket.” Pino kissed her shoulder and reached for a lounge chair. Maya moved to the rail, leaning over to watch a small pod of dolphins trailing in the ship’s wake.

“There’s a whole family of them!” Maya turned and pointed toward the water just as two drunken passengers fell out through the door. One landed a punch that sent the other backward into Maya, which sent her over the rail.