'This can't be real.' Brenna thought as she sat on the lounge chair, looking up at the stars, wrapped tightly in Howie's arms. She gave a contented sigh and closed her eyes, breathing in the scent of Howie's cologne.
"Are you okay? Is anything wrong?" Howie asked, concerned.
"No. For once in my life, everything is perfect." She turned slightly and looked up at him, smiling softly. He smiled and bent his head, kissing her lips tenderly.
"I know what you mean." He said against her lips. "It's almost as if the rest of the world didn't exist any more." He kissed her again, while running his fingers through her hair.
Brenna shivered as a cool breeze blew off the ocean.
"Are you cold?" Howie asked, pulling her closer.
"A little." Brenna admitted. Howie slipped out of his jacket and draped it around her shoulders.
"Better?" He asked, wrapping his arms around her again.
"Much. Thanks." She said softly, enjoying the security of his strong arms. Suddenly she began to laugh softly.
"What's so funny?" Howie whispered in her ear, causing her to catch her breath at the shivers that ran down her spine.
"This is the last thing I ever expected to happen when I decided to come on this cruise." She replied. "The absolute last thing."
Howie chuckled softly. "I know what you mean. I never expected something like this to happen on this cruise. It really wasn't my idea to come. AJ practically had to drag me. But I'm glad I did come."
"I'm glad you did, too. I've been so lonely the past few days." Brenna murmured.
"But you're not any more, are you?" Howie asked, hopefully.
"No. Now everything's perfect." She sighed softly. "It's getting pretty late. I guess we should go."
Howie sighed, reluctantly unwrapping his arms from around her. "As much as I hate to admit it, we really should go. It's getting kinda cold out here, anyway. Let's go." They got to their feet and Brenna slipped her hand in his and they started on their way to her cabin.
