Warren’s Peace Read online

  FLETCHER HAMMOND exited the airport. The flight had been as stressful as most others, except for the interesting man he’d had the pleasure of sitting next to. He had cropped dark blond hair and the prettiest grayish-blue eyes Fletcher had ever seen. He rarely had such luck. He should have spent more time talking with the man sitting next to him, but Fletcher had a million things on his mind. And he’d only slightly embarrassed himself by panicking over the impending takeoff. As much as he flew, he’d never get used to it: the feeling of leaving the safety of the ground on a flying death trap.

  His company paid him to go on vacations. He reviewed airlines, hotels, resorts, tour companies, and cruise lines. He absolutely loved it, but it wasn’t the greatest job for having a relationship. Alex reminded him of that almost every day. Fletcher understood what his fiancé was talking about when he came home from a trip a day early to surprise him and found him in bed with another man.

  He’d suspected for a while Alex was sleeping around but had never thought he’d do it in the bed they shared together. Could he blame him, though? Hell yeah, he could. Fletcher had never cheated on Alex. He met single men all over the world and never gave them a second glance—or at least a second drink. Until today. But that didn’t count, did it?

  Fletcher hailed a taxi outside of the terminal and headed over to the port, where the cruise ships boarded. This was a Christmas single’s cruise for men and women seeking men and women. Should prove to be an interesting cruise. He wasn’t looking to hook up, of course. But he was sure to meet a lot of interesting people.

  He entered the terminal at Port of Miami and made his way to the VIP lounge. While he grabbed a seat at the bar and ordered a cocktail, Fletcher thought back to the flight and the lovely gentleman sitting next to him, ordering him a drink so he could relax. How thoughtful. Alex had never been so attentive, he thought bitterly. He threw back his martini, tossed some bills on the table, and then stood, picked up his bag, and headed toward his assignment.

  The massive ship came into view. It was stunning. They always were. He approached the desk to retrieve his boarding packet, then headed to the entrance where the crew, including the captain, greeted the onboarding passengers. Fletcher’s company booked anonymous reservations, so the employees had no idea Fletcher was there to rate their service. As far as they knew, he was just another VIP guest. He didn’t want them treating him better or floundering around him; he needed honest-to-goodness service, and then he’d write a detailed report about his experience. His recommendations went on to make vacation spots better for others.

  Fletcher navigated through the swarm of people in the terminal waiting to board the ship. His ocean-view suite gave him VIP check-in and early entry into his stateroom. While the masses made their way through the ship, he’d be snug in his stateroom, sipping a cocktail on his private balcony.

  The best part of his job was traveling in style. Fletcher always received the finest accommodations, and this cruise ship was no exception. He opened the door to his beautifully spacious stateroom and walked over to the king-size bed and smoothed his hands over the comforter. Fletcher dropped his carry-on bag with his laptop on the bed and opened it. Then he threw his suit jacket on top of the dresser. A knock came from the other side of the door, and he opened it to find a well-dressed attendant.

  “Sir, your cocktail.”

  “Thank you,” Fletcher replied. That was the perk of having a VIP suite. He handed the man a small tip. He’d surely be shelling out a lot of money this week; good thing he had a generous expense account.

  With drink in hand, he moved past the roomy sitting and dining areas, and over to the floor-to-ceiling picture window overlooking his private balcony with hot tub. He stepped outside and faced the ocean. It was a beautiful sight. The water seemed peaceful, like it too waited for their voyage to begin.

  The ship’s horn blared, indicating it was almost time for embarkation. Fletcher could have stayed in his room all day and night but decided to mingle with the other guests on the upper deck and watch the ship pull out of the port: seven days and nights and three Caribbean ports. He secured a spot on the bridge and enjoyed watching the city disappear, till he could only see ocean.

  WARREN’S MOUTH hung open as he stood in the massive ship’s foyer, mesmerized by the ornate staircases and chandeliers, all decorated for the holidays. This level alone had a bar, two restaurants, and what appeared to be a minimall—a very upscale mall. The girl at the check-in desk had told him his cabin wouldn’t be ready for a couple of hours, so he decided to take a little tour of the ship.

  He walked upstairs to the main deck where a few people had already taken root in the lounge chairs surrounding the pool, sipping cocktails. Maybe a drink was a good idea.

  Warren returned to the lower level to check out the eateries, wondering when he’d begin meeting people. Everyone he saw so far seemed paired up. He found a pub and walked up to the bartender. “What can I get you?”

  “Tanqueray and tonic, please.”

  The bartender returned with Warren’s drink, and Warren gave him his beverage card to swipe.

  Sitting back, he watched a few people come into the bar, alone. A woman sat next to him and flashed him a pretty smile. She wore a red dress, cut too low for her age. She was pretty, but not his type. Because his type was that handsome man, Fletcher, he met on the airplane. A twinge of regret filled Warren as he thought of the lost opportunity to get to know the man better.

  Warren nodded, picked up his drink, and wandered into the lobby. He didn’t mean to be rude. He was here, after all, to meet people, but he also didn’t want to give the wrong impression or lead someone on. Already back on the pool deck, he committed to his earlier decision and found an empty chaise. Several people were in the pool now.

  “Hi there,” a masculine voice next to him spoke. Warren turned his head to see a very handsome, older gentleman.

  Warren stuck his hand out. “Hi.”

  “Is this your first single’s cruise?”

  “Um, does it show?” Warren chuckled.

  “You look a little terrified.” The man’s warm smile eased him.

  “I’m Warren.”

  “Jack. Nice to meet you.” A young woman carrying two drinks in her hand sat down next to Jack. She handed him one of the glasses. “Thanks, Sam. Warren, this is my daughter, Samantha.”

  “Nice to meet you, Samantha.”

  “Call me Sam. It’s nice to meet you too.” Warren spent the next hour talking to Jack and his daughter, who was in her early thirties. Jack had lost his wife a few years ago, also to cancer, and he and Sam spent a lot of time together doing things like this.

  “This way, we’re together, but we can still do different things. Like, I’m going to the mixer tonight,” Sam said. “Hard to meet someone with your dad next to you.” She laughed. After shooting her a playful glare, Jack added, “And I’ll probably take in the show and then go to bed.”

  They were both lovely, and the time melted away.

  Back in the lobby a couple of hours later, Warren retrieved the key to his cabin, which was now ready. He must have seemed lost, because a young woman in uniform approached him.

  “May I help you find your cabin, sir?”

  “Yes, thank you. This is an enormous ship.”

  She flashed her pearly whites. “I’m Julie, one of the guest services associates. I’d be happy to take you.”

  Warren recalled the TV show the Love Boat. He chuckled at the similarities between that Julie and this one, and the fact that he was old enough to remember the show. “Thank you, Julie,” he replied, still a little overwhelmed at all the activity going on around him. When his daughter told him this was a singles cruise, he’d had his hesitation. His kids didn’t know about his attraction to men, at least he didn’t think they did, but among all the straight men and women, he noticed a fair number of gay men as well.

  The brochure his daughter had handed him said, “New Year’s Singles Cruise. There’s someone
for everyone. Explore and you may find out something new about yourself.” He thought it meant taking up a new interest. Maybe it did. Still following his guide, Julie, Warren passed a flamboyant pair yammering it up like they knew each other. Would he meet anyone on this cruise? Warren had reserved an outside, single room. Although he wasn’t planning on spending too much time in his cabin, he wanted a view of the ocean while he was in there.

  Julie opened the door and Warren peered inside. He began pulling out his wallet, but she waved her hand. “I hope you enjoy your vacation, Mr. Blessing. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.”

  “Thank you, Julie.”

  Then she turned on her heels and shut the door behind her, leaving Warren alone. His suitcase hadn’t been delivered yet, but on the advice from his daughter who’d researched cruising, he’d brought an overnight bag with his swimsuit and clothes for dinner. He quickly unpacked, and then he sat on the bed and pulled out his phone to call his kids. Stephanie answered on the second ring.

  “Dad!— Hey, Dan, it’s Dad!”

  “Hi, kitten.”

  “Are you on the ship yet?” Her bubbly enthusiasm was catching.

  “I just got to my room.”

  “Well, don’t hang out in your room all day. How are you going to meet anyone?” She sounded exasperated.

  Warren had to chuckle at her comment. “I just wanted to call you. Is that all right?” he teased her.

  “Hey, Dad.” Dan had joined on the other line.

  “Hiya, buddy What are you guys up to?”

  “Nothing, I’m hanging out with friends today.”

  “I’m going to the mall later with Janice to get some shoes for my new dress.”

  “I miss you guys.”

  “Have you met anyone yet?” Stephanie asked.

  Had he? He thought back to the flight down to Miami and his seatmate, Fletcher. He hadn’t even gotten his last name, and he had no idea if he lived here in Miami or was here on business. “I just got here, guys.”

  “Well, go on, Dad. Get out there and mingle.”

  “Trying to get rid of me?”

  “Yes, now go have fun.”

  He and Sarah had turned out such fantastic kids. They were kind and caring. He knew they missed their mom. He did, too, but…. They were right. It was time for him to move on with his life and find someone—but on a cruise ship? Well, even if he didn’t find romance, he could still have fun. This was the experience of a lifetime.

  He changed into shorts and joined the other passengers watching the embarkation from the deck, wondering if he could actually meet someone special.

  FLETCHER RETURNED to his room once the ship departed Port of Miami. He needed to do a little work before going to dinner, so he set up his laptop at the small table in the dining area. He wasn’t here to meet anyone; God, that was the last thing he needed. It had been six months since he kicked Alex out after he caught him cheating.

  Maybe I should, then. He deserved to be happy, didn’t he?

  His mind wandered back to the lovely gentleman sitting next to him on the flight to Miami—Warren. Fletcher could have gotten lost in those blue irises while brushing his hands through his hair, fucking him—he blinked, pulling himself from the fantasy.

  Fuck, I don’t need the distraction. I don’t. Not while he was working, anyway.

  After jotting some notes and writing up the draft of the opening remarks on his report, Fletcher set down his laptop and then dressed in a pair of tan slacks and a light blue polo shirt. He slipped on a pair of loafers and left his cabin.

  The large, open dining room was decorated in warm tones, which gave it a romantic ambiance. The hostess showed Fletcher to his assigned table where seven other guests were already seated and engaged in conversation.

  “Hello, everyone,” he greeted them, taking his seat, nodding at their return greetings.

  Fletcher ordered a cocktail and perused the menu, while the other guests talked among themselves. He didn’t pay them any attention, until one of the gentlemen spoke to him.

  “Fletcher?” He recognized that voice.

  Fletcher lifted his gaze and saw Warren’s deep blue pools staring back at him. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of his companion from the airplane. He hadn’t given himself the opportunity of taking him all in before. Mainly because he knew he’d never see him again, but here he was in the flesh: muscled chest and arms, long legs, and handsome face. The man narrowed his eyes, tilting his head, before he realized he’d been staring but hadn’t yet spoken.

  After an uncomfortable pause, Fletcher stood up and shook his hand. “Warren, right? Wow, is this fate?” More like pleasant shock.

  “So, you do remember me.” Warren gave him a sly grin, but his eyes showed vulnerability, like he worried Fletcher hadn’t.

  “Of course, I do. You saved me from an anxious takeoff. I appreciate that. Most times, I get completely ignored by the other passenger when they notice I’m about to rip holes in the seat-slash-flotation device.” He made air quotes with his fingers.

  Warren chuckled deeply, warming Fletcher’s insides, implying he got his humor. You’re not here to meet anyone, remember? Then he told his conscience to shut the fuck up.

  The rest of the table now stared at Fletcher and Warren. A few were smirking. “You two know each other?” a woman sitting on the left of Fletcher asked.

  “We met on the flight to Miami.” Warren never took his eyes off Fletcher, giving him butterflies trickling to his groin.

  The woman who had spoken gracefully scooted over so Warren could sit next to Fletcher. Fletcher was eternally grateful. “I didn’t know if you lived in Miami or were here for business. It never occurred to me that you were on vacation too,” Warren said.

  Fletcher hadn’t planned on telling anyone what he was doing here. Part of his job was remaining anonymous. If the employees got wind of a mystery shopper on board, he’d be in for it from his boss.

  “What made you come on a singles cruise?” His question was innocent enough, and Fletcher had a partial truth already laid out.

  “My boss sent me on this trip.”

  “Oh, and what do you do?” Uh-oh. He hadn’t thought that far ahead.

  “I’m in the travel industry. This is a perk.” See, partial truth.

  “Sounds interesting.”

  “It just got more so, Warren.” Fletcher knew he was flirting, but he didn’t want this guy to get away again, and he needed to change the subject away from his job. He also wanted to get to know him better. Fletcher didn’t even know if Warren was gay. He’d blushed when Fletcher hinted the flight attendant was flirting with him, but that didn’t mean anything. “So, you’re traveling alone?” Now that was a stupid question. This was a singles cruise after all.

  “My kids sent me on this cruise to get out and start dating again.”

  Kids. Well, fuck me. Guess he’s straight.

  Fletcher’s face must have fallen, because Warren began quickly giving him his life story. Fletcher only heard wife, dead, and ready to date again.

  Well, well. I can work with that.

  “I’m sorry to hear about your wife. It must have been so difficult for you.”

  “It was, and my kids too. But it’s been two years, and it’s time to move on.” He seemed cheerful. Not that he should be happy, but Fletcher didn’t want to start a relationship with someone who was still grieving over the loss of a loved one. Whoa, who said anything about a relationship? Alex flashed in his mind. Get the fuck out, Alex.

  “Well, lucky for you, there are a lot of women on this ship looking for love.” Fletcher tried not to choke on his words as he fished for information.

  “I’m not looking for a woman.” Warren stared straight through Fletcher with those intense blue eyes, and his sultry voice went straight to Fletcher’s dick. Bingo.

  “Would you like to go dancing with me after dinner? There’s an LGBT-friendly mixer in one of the clubs tonight.”

  FLETCHER WAL
KED Warren to his cabin so he could change. “Put on your dancin’ shoes, babe.” Wow, babe. Warren hadn’t ever been called that before. He liked it.

  “Ha, not sure I have any of those, but I’ll dig up something to wear.” He hadn’t been dancing in ages. It wasn’t really Sarah’s thing. And he hadn’t been to a gay bar since college.

  “Good man,” Fletcher said, patting him on the back. “Meet me in my suite in twenty minutes?”

  “I don’t need that much time.” Warren chuckled. “How about ten?”

  Fletcher smiled, and sauntered away. Their cabins were on the same level, although Fletcher’s was on the other side of the ship. He was nervous thinking about going to the other man’s room. Fletcher had told Warren he had a suite and private balcony with a hot tub. “Fuck, I wonder if he’s expecting….” Warren gulped and sucked in air. “I haven’t slept with anyone since….” He tamped back those familiar feelings. He had nothing to feel guilty for. But he wanted to take it slow. No rush.

  Warren pulled out a silk dress shirt from his dresser and a pair of tight black jeans. Stephanie had insisted he buy them. “You want to look hot, right, Dad?” He smiled at the memory. He hadn’t tried to look hot in ages, either.

  He freshened up in the restroom and splashed on a dab of aftershave. His nerves were heightened as he thought of being alone with Fletcher. The man was sexy, but what would he expect from Warren? And could he deliver? Well, if the swelling in his pants at the thought of Fletcher was any indication…. He took a deep breath and finished dressing, checking himself out in the mirror. Satisfied, he grabbed his key fob and wallet, and left his room. He’d just met the man. No sense in getting ahead of himself.