Finding Justus (10 page)

“What did she do?”

“Oh, just the usual, showed up at an inopportune moment, blatantly flirted with Miguel right in front of my face and acted like I was invisible. Like I said, it was the usual routine with her.”

Justus explained how she and Miguel had been deep in conversation when Tam
my had appeared out of nowhere. As if that weren’t bad enough, the trollop had gone out of her way to press her body-and in the process press her giant breasts-against Miguel’s chest.

“
The coup de grace was when Tammy came within a few inches of his face and invited Miguel to stop by a bar for drinks and ‘whatever might follow afterward.’ I swear, I almost pushed her overboard,” Justus said.

“What a whore!” Krystal exclaimed
as she shot the evil eye to an oblivious Tammy.

“She disgusts me. I mean she’s so obvious, you know. As well as being a spiteful, vindictive bitch. I really don’t know why it bothers her so much. Miguel and I being together, I mean. It’s not like she couldn’t get some other good-looking guy.”

“I know why,” Krystal said in a low tone, looking at Tammy. “Number one, you’re not a slut like her and it kills her that Miguel prefers you over her. Number two, the fact that he does resist her is probably somewhat foreign and that makes her even more desperate to have him.”

“You’re exactly right, Krys.”

“Let’s get in the pool now, and let her know we’re not intimidated by her cosmetically enhanced body.”

“And so she can get a glimpse of what a swimsuit is supposed to look like,” Justus said adjusting her red tankini. Her confidence died when she glanced at the shallow end of the pool. Tammy was staring up at Miguel, talking and smiling seductively.

“I know she’s not talking to Miguel with you right here!” Krystal sped up, and pulled Justus with her, more determination in her stride each time her barefoot slapped against the lido deck.

“See, this is what she always does,” Justus said nervously
as she readjusted her bathing suit again. She hoped Miguel wasn’t enjoying the eyeful of cleavage Tammy had on display in her swimsuit. So far he hadn’t looked up to notice her and Krystal’s approach. He had told Justus he wasn’t attracted to obvious-looking women, but you never knew with men. In her experience they seemed to say one thing and do another.

As Justus approached and she saw Miguel’s face clearly, she was sure her shoulders must have sagged with relief when she saw the bored look on his face. His eyes started scanning the deck. His gaze found Justus and Krystal, and he started making his way toward them, le
aving Tammy to stare after him with an open mouth.

“Hi,
muchachas
. I didn’t know you were here,” he said as his eyes looked Justus over. He put his arm around Justus and leaned in to give her a hug and whispered, “You’re the best looking woman out here.”

When he pulled back his e
yes were pure emerald fire and Justus knew he was telling her the truth. She smiled at him with a mixture of pleasure and relief.

“That’s some ‘bathing suit’ Tammy has on, isn’t it?” Krystal asked him.

“Oh, is that what it is? As an employee I really shouldn’t be saying this out loud, but what the hell. In that thing,” he gestured with his index and middle fingers running down his chest for emphasis, “she is the definition of vulgarity. A woman shouldn’t feel she has to display her body that way. And if she does then…” he let his voice trail off.

“Yeah, we get the picture, but enough about her. What are you doing out here?” Justus asked.

“I had a break between classes. I try to come out here and get fresh air and sunshine whenever I can. I don’t want to keep you two from your swimming. I’ll see you later,” he promised Justus. “Bye, Krystal.”

They both told him good-bye and started for the water again.

“He’s unbelievable, a damn dream come true! I mean, he completely snubbed Tammy, made a beeline for you, and then hugged you right in front of her. That was great.”

“I know, on all accounts. Burr! It’s still a little cool this morning,” Justus said as she stepped into the pool.

“Don’t I know it,” Tammy whimpered, as she slinked up the pool steps beside Justus.

She immediately caught Tammy’s meaning, it was diffi
cult not to. Not only could Justus see right through the white bathing suit now that it was wet, but her nipples were dark and protruding from the cold water.

“I think I’m goin
g to vomit,” Krystal said. Tammy continued walking toward her lounge chair, as though she didn’t hear her.

“She disgusts me!” Justus said for the second time that morning. “She’s no doubt out searching for Miguel. Since he didn’t take the bait before, she’s hoping he will now that she’s ‘cold!’”

Krystal started laughing at Justus’ take on Tammy. “Some people will do anything for a little attention. It’s really pathetic, though. I mean, if she wasn’t such an evil wench, I could almost feel sorry for her. It’s apparent the chick has got some issues.”

“See, that’s the difference between
us, Krys .I don’t feel pity for her or her pathetic ways,” Justus said laughing. “Come on, I think we’ve waited long enough to swim.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Justus and Krystal spent their days relaxing. Justus spent her nights with Miguel, and they were anything but relaxing. As Justus lie in bed now thinking about her past nights with Miguel, several words came to mind, none of them implied tranquility. Passionate, feverish, exciting, fun, but relaxing? Definitely not.

Each day she felt closer to Miguel, and to herself. She wanted to know Miguel intimately and personally, and she knew he felt the same way. They had yet to be completely alone and out of a public atmosphere, but Justus knew it was a matter of time.

She also felt like she needed to share something very personal with Miguel. Yet at the same time, she thought sharing too much too soon might turn him off. The last thing a man wanted to hear from a casual fling was her life story, which is what she felt she must do to be truly honest with him and herself. She was being pulled in two different directions, and at any minute she could be torn directly down the center. In so many ways, Miguel and she were very similar, but Justus was also very different from him, and the differences, she feared, would be their demise.

“I’m putting way too much thought into this,” she whispered to herself. She turned to her side to see Krystal sleeping. It was still dark outside, Justus figured it must have been somewhere around four or five in the morning.

She got out of bed, and crept to the patio, being careful where she stepped in the dark cabin. She slid the door open slowly, making as little noise as possible. It was still fairly dark outside, but the sky was starting to lighten up in the east. She sat on one of the lounge chairs and continued her reverie as she watched the sunrise.

Justus hugged herself as she thought about last night. She and Miguel had gone to one of the clubs on the ship for dancing and drinks. It was one of the more sophisticated bars on the ship. It was completely opposite of the funky club they had been to on their first date.

There were no strobe lights or huge speakers. The atmosphere was more intimate and the bar much smaller. Instead, there was a small stage with a live jazz band and a medium-sized dance floor. Each table had miniature candle lanterns that served as a light source. The bar was the single ornate object in the understated club, and it was constructed out from beautifully carved mahogany wood.

“I like this place. I wouldn’t have come here with Krystal, but I’m glad you brought me here. Even though it’s smaller, at least I don’t have to yell to make sure you hear me.” When Justus looked up into his eyes she became almost mesmerized by their color. Because of the candle light, his eyes seemed to be glowing. She felt herself become lost in the green pools, and she decided she needed to steer the conversation somewhere neutral, and fast.

“Do you always teach on this ship, or does it depend? I mean do they just put you where they need you?”

Miguel was nodding his head as he sipped his rum and Coke. “Both, but I prefer this ship. I guess I’m sentimental about this one, because it was the first boat I taught on. I have been on this ship five times. I’ve taught on another smaller boat only twice. I love the size of this ship.”

“So, you have been on this boat five times in the last three years?”

“Last year tourism was kinda slow, so they bounced me back and forth between this ship and the smaller one. It was a really fast-paced summer. I can’
t complain too much, the pay is decent and it’s helping me pursue my dreams.”

“Oh, can you tell me more? If you don’t mind my asking, that is.”

“Not at all. It’s what we were discussing the first time we went out, at the other club. You probably couldn’t hear me in there. Anyway, I hope to open the restaurant, dance studio and nightclub all at once. The dance studio and the club will have Latin music and dancing of course. I want to put it near Ocean Drive, on South Beach.”