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Jade plastered an inviting grin on her face as she greeted the newest batch of guests aboard the Royal Seas Cruise Line. There were no kids under eighteen allowed on this ship-- it was an increased incentive for parents to be child-free for a luxurious week of relaxation. She saw dozens of couples, some newlyweds, looking as though they were about to rip each other's clothes off. Jade had heard and seen it all, and had personally caught countless people having sex in every conceivable corner of the ship. She laughed about those sordid moments to Danielle over the phone at night, and to members of her crew. In her two years aboard the ship, Jade had never slept with any of her shipmates or guests, trying to maintain the air of professionalism that had ensured her rapid ascension to the top ranks of the ship.
She gestured each of her guests towards the main dining hall, sighing as her belly rumbled with disappointment and impatience. The stream of people lessened, finally giving her a chance to meander out onto the deck, squinting in the afternoon sun. She leaned over the railing, breathing in the unmistakable aroma of saltwater and fresh air, excited to be leaving port for the open sea again. Jade turned back to make her way back to the dining hall to check on the staff, when she was startled to find the deepest set of caramel-colored eyes staring directly at her, unwavering.
Jade was used to the frequent admiring glances of some of her bolder guests, but she was unaccustomed to burning under someone's gaze. The man's eyes, the exact shade as the clearest blue ocean, caressed the ample curves of her hips and breasts. He met her stare with a frankness that made her tremble slightly. Her breathing quickened, taking in the largesse of him, his tall frame, wide shoulders, his slim waist where his white t-shirt met the top of his jeans, tight in all the right places. He swept the unruly waves of dirty blond hair behind his ears, watching, waiting, unmoving.
"Jade? We need you up on the third floor," said a voice from behind her. She reluctantly wheeled around, her cheeks tinged with pink.
"Yes, thank you, Kyle," she responded. When she turned around again, the man had disappeared.
The ship left the port several hours later, giving Jade some time to prep herself for that evening's festivities. Her job entailed running the bar and restaurant staff, and ensuring all the guests were pleased and had their needs met.
For the next five hours, Jade immersed herself in her work, checking up on her guests and restaurant staff. When the dinner rush was over, Jade checked her watch. There was a half hour until the night's show was scheduled to begin, leaving her about two hours left in her official day's work. She meandered out towards the back of the ship, stepping onto the deck for a breath of fresh air. She stared up at the night's sky, glimmering with its countless stars, the reflection of the full moon off the black water. Smiling to herself, she realized this was one of the reasons she'd decided to go back to working aboard the ship-- the feeling of peace, of being one with nature, so different from the city where she grew up.
Suddenly, Jade froze, hearing someone's footsteps behind her. She turned her head and gasped despite herself. It was the same man from before, his dirty blond hair disheveled by the wind over the open waters, one hand tucked into the belt loop of his jeans, his other hand sweeping the hair from his eyes. He stopped a few feet away from her, seemingly waiting. Something stirred deep inside of her as she struggled to regain her composure and say something.
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