17. Swimming

Levi sat down next to Elise. “What was that about?”

“I hate demons.”

“You hate me?”

“Well, not you, but other ones, yes. They are crude and crass, and I don’t like them at all.”

“It is their nature, Elise.”

“It doesn’t seem to be your nature?”

“Well, maybe that is because I am the oldest. I don’t see the point in all that posturing. With a little patience I can get what I want if I decide to go after it. So, what is the point of acting with no sense of decorum?”

Elise smiled. To her he really was different.

“So, you said something about a dip in the ocean.”

“Yes.”

“Just follow me then. The quickest way down to the stern is just over there.”

“How about we go a different way.”

“What were you thinking?”

She pulled him over to the side of the ship and looked down into the blue water below. Then she looked back at him.

“You want to jump down?"

She nodded.

“Well, well, well. Aren’t you a dare devil?” She smiled almost laughing at the remark.

“Fine then.” He said while taking off his shirt. His muscles rippled as he lifted his arms over his head and brought them down again.

‘This is silly’ She thought. She had seen him shirtless before when he showed her his trident. But just like then she felt a giddy desire stir inside her. She could not quite put a name to this new emotion. She wondered how it would feel to run her hand over his abs, or to have his large muscular arms rapped around her.

Elise’ could feel her face beginning to get hot. “Are you blushing Elise?” Levi asked in an amused tone.

“NO! I just... I don’t know.” She could barely get the words out. She was so embarrassed. She decided that the best way to get over this awkwardness would be to just get on with what they were doing. She shyly turned away as she removed her coverup. Unlike Elise, Levi did not hide the fact that he was checking her out. She had tried to be modest by choosing a one piece, but her blue swimsuit formed perfectly to every curve of her perfectly toned body. When she saw the way that Levi was looking at her, she felt completely exposed. She quickly folded her arms over her breasts and looked away from him again with embarrassment.

He lifted her chin and looked into her sky-blue eyes. “You don’t need to hide from me, little angel. You are beautiful.” She blushed again.

"Now come on.” He hopped up on the side of the deck and dove into the water below. She regained her confidence and followed flipping and spinning gracefully through the air before tucking out into a perfect dive. They had caught the attention of some of the other party goers who watched as they began to tread water, swam, and laughed. They even started having a splash war. Then some of the watchers decided to join them.

Some made their way in off the lowest deck while others followed their lead and dove in. Some did cannon balls some did back flips. Soon the water surrounding them had become full of people. So, they decide to retreat back to the ship. They were enjoying each other's company too much to want other people around them.

The sun was beaming down as they sat air drying in their deck chairs. Elise broke the comfortable silence. “I noticed the name of your boat, Serpent.”

“Yes.”

“I just think it is funny that you play into that title. I mean you have a serpent hair wrap around one of your braids, that large tattoo, and you named you ship serpent. Don’t you think you may be flaunting it a bit much?”

“I don’t think so. It seems like such a small thing to me now, and it was so long ago, but I have enjoyed the notoriety. I just leaned into it.”

“Gotcha.”

Elise decided to people watch with Levi after all. If she was there with him, she could make sure that he did not get to lost in others depravity. She also made a point of sharing with him any time she saw someone acting with chivalry or grace. It wasn’t often, but she thought that it was important that he see it. They snacked on fruit and drank champagne and did nothing until the sun began to set. As the moon began to rise the music playing on the yacht grew louder everyone came in from the ocean and some people started to dance.

Levi looked over at Elise. Her skin was glowing in the moonlight. It wasn’t harsh like a glow stick but a soft light. A slow song began to play, and Levi asked. “Would you like to dance?”

Elise looked over at Levi. He had just asked her to dance.

“I would love to.” She replied.

He stood up and offered her his hand. She took it. Then he helped her up and led her to the dance floor. The song was soft and slow. Levi led her into a waltz. Many of the guests had left the dance floor. Usually only those who have coupled up are comfortable enough to dance to a slow song with their partner. Most singles; who make up the majority of those who attend big parties; are uneasy with the intimacy of dancing slowly with someone they have just met. Many of the guests watched as Levi and Elise danced. Their movement across the floor was so graceful. The other people who had stayed on the floor just held each other close and swayed to the music.

Levi held Elise close as well. Their bodies glided across the floor. Elise was an excellent dancer. She had decades of practice dancing with Michael. For a long time in society, it was essential to know how to dance, and Michael had wanted Elise to experience human culture to understand them better.

Levi had learned to dance for much the same reason. He enjoyed rubbing shoulders with the upper crust of society. Their lavish parties made great sport for his hobbies. He had centuries experience over Elise since he had been dancing since the beginning of the trend. They moved gracefully back and forth across the deck. Both were so focused on each other and the moves of the dance that they were unaware of anyone else there. When the song ended neither of them wanted to stop.

While they had been dancing the yacht had returned and been moored to the dock. Elise's friends approached her while she was still in Levi’s arms. “Elise come on. We are ready to go.” Georgia demanded.

“But I don’t want to go.” she said keeping her eyes on Levi. She was entranced by him. He smiled slightly at her words.

“Well, we want to go.” Georgia wined.

Elise finally broke her gaze from Levi to look at the girls. “Why don’t Ya'll just leave without me.”

Amanda smiled. “Come on girls I am sober. I’ll drive us back to my place.” She gave Elise a wink and a big smile as she led the girls away. Elise watched with Levi from the upper deck as the girls disembarked along with most of the other party goers.

Levi let the party continue for another hour before he asked his underlings to clear the rest of the guests from his yacht. He asked the DJ to set up a playlist of songs to ballroom dance to after which he was to leave the ship. While the DJ was setting it up, he dismissed the rest of the crew as well. Finally, Levi and Elise where the only people left on the whole ship. They continued to dance; the Rumba, Cha Cha, Waltz, Salsa, Tengo, Samba, Paso Doble... You name it they danced it.

At the conclusion of another waltz. Levi brought her in to a close embrace. His face was so close to hers they almost touched. He held her for a moment looking deeply into her eyes. Then he moved closer, pressing his lips to hers. He held her there waiting to feel her kiss him back.

Elise was startled at first. While she had been aware of the growing tension between her and Levi, she had never done anything like this with a man before, and he was a demon. Her mind raced. She didn’t know if she wanted this?

Though she was sure Michael would be displeased with her choice. As he had told her numerous times that she should stay clear of men and princes of hell all together. She decided with an emphatic yes. She wanted him. Then she returned the kiss.