Kiss
Meg’s forehead furrowed in confusion. “What? No. I’m not sure I understand what could possibly be so humorous,” she insisted, seeing the amusement playing in the corners of his eyes. “Charlie, I’m serious. There are so many things that you don’t understand—important things.”
Charlie did his best to stifle his laughter, and with both of her hands in his, he pulled her closer, saying, “I’m sorry. I’m not laughing at you. I promise. Just listen, Meg, whatever it is that makes you think you’re not good enough for me, it doesn’t matter. You’re wrong.”
She shifted her position again, pulling back a bit and turning to face him even more. “No, Charlie. That’s just it. Don’t you wonder why I won’t tell you my last name? Or who I was before I got on this boat? Doesn’t it bother you at all that I won’t answer any of your questions about my family or my employment?”
While his tone was certainly more serious now, he shrugged in answer to her questions. “Those inquiries haven’t come from me, Meg. They’ve come from Jonathan. From my perspective, it doesn’t matter,” he replied. Seeing the frustrated expression still on her face, he took a different approach. “You’re not a murderer, are you?”
Meg’s forehead furrowed as she attempted to understand this new line of questioning. “No,” she admitted.
“Or a thief?” he continued.
She shook her head slowly from side to side.
“An arsonist?”
“No, but…”
“Then it doesn’t matter, Meg. Whoever you were before you got on this boat is inconsequential. I know who you are now, and I find you most intriguing. And you can’t tell me you don’t feel the same way.”
“I do Charlie, but…”
Before she could finish, he leaned forward, and placing one hand behind her head, he pulled her toward him. She attempted to fight him for only a split second, but that’s all it took for her willpower to dissipate, and when he pressed his lips against hers, she suddenly felt as if she was floating. His lips were soft and warm, despite the cold night air, and when he began to pull away in an attempt to continue the conversation, she leaned in closer, her hand shooting up to the back of his neck, pulling him in. She could feel his smile at her enthusiasm, and when he pressed her to part her lips, she did, welcoming him into her mouth. Though she was confused by her own behavior--a moment ago, she had been pushing him away and now, she simply could not get enough of him—she was either unwilling or unable to control her desire for him any longer.
After a few seconds, clarity hit Meg again, and she started to pull back, realizing the seriousness of her actions. But this time he pulled her in closer for another kiss, his hand cupping her jaw, his thumb caressing her cheek, and she surrendered to him once again, their tongues intertwining.
Eventually, Meg began to feel her lungs burning and reluctantly pulled away. When Charlie finally released her, his face a fraction of an inch from hers, he said quietly, “You were saying?”
She was caught in those eyes, peering into his very soul, unsure how it was that when he looked into her own eyes, he couldn’t see her for exactly who she was as well. If he could, none of this would be happening. After a moment, she found the words. Dropping her gaze and drawing her hands into her lap, she said quietly, “Just promise me, Charlie, when all of this comes undone, you won’t hold any of it against Kelly and Daniel.”
Charlie was obviously caught off-guard. He leaned back a bit, his eyebrows creasing. “Is that what you’re worried about? That I’ll get angry at you and change my mind about hiring Daniel? I would never….” He paused for a moment, as if contemplating in which direction he wanted to continue the conversation. Finally, he shrugged his shoulders and said, “It doesn’t matter. I’m not even going to ask you to tell me your secrets, Meg. I don’t want to know.”
“But you need to know…”
“We all have pasts.” He was lightly stroking her back, catching the tail ends of her curls as he did so, his eyes fading a bit as if ghostly memories had invaded his thoughts. Momentarily, he continued. “Hell, I was engaged to be married just a few days ago, you know.”
Nodding with conviction, she assured him, “I do know. And there are things about me you need to know…”
“Meg, I’m not asking,” he repeated, placing both hands on either side of her face. “Why won’t you believe me when I say I just want to be with you?”
She realized then, as she studied his piercing green eyes, that short of blurting out her real name, there was no way she could gently reveal her true identity to him. And if he didn’t give her the opportunity to explain everything the way she knew she needed to, she would lose him for certain. Though she knew it was completely and utterly selfish of her to even contemplate attempting to keep him for her own despite her recent transgressions, a life without him at this juncture was quickly becoming inconceivable.
Taking a deep breath, she placed her hands on top of his, pulling them away from her face but keeping hold of them. “Fine,” she said quietly. “If you don’t want to know, then I won’t tell you.”
“Good,” he said, smiling. “Now, let’s get you inside before you freeze.” He leaned in and kissed her softly on the forehead before standing and pulling her to her feet. Taking her right hand in his left, he led her toward the stairwell to her deck, and added nonchalantly, “Oh, and I would be greatly honored if you would accompany me to dinner tomorrow night.”
Meg froze, pulling him back to her as she did so. “What was that?” she asked.
“I said, I’d appreciate it if you’d join me for dinner tomorrow night. I have a friend who will help make sure you have a suitable gown. It’ll be … fun.”
“You expect me to eat dinner with… Madeline Astor, and … Lady Duff Gordon?” she inquired, sheer terror in her eyes.
Charlie shrugged, staring at her quizzically. He had expected excitement, not trepidation. “Well, those particular people don’t sit at the same table, but people like them,” he admitted. Still puzzling over her disposition, he continued, “Meg, darling, you are just as polished and beautiful as any of the women in the Banquet Hall, I assure you. You have nothing to worry about.”
“But… I’m Third Class….”
“They won’t know it unless we tell them. And I don’t mind telling them, but of course I won’t, unless you want me to.”
“It’s just… you don’t…”
“Come on, sweetheart. It’s cold out here,” Charlie said, pulling her along. “You need not worry about it right now. It will be just fine.”
She let him lead her inside, attempting to come to terms with what was inevitably about to happen. At least he’d promised to let Daniel keep his employment. That was the most important thing. Tomorrow, she’d show up to dinner, Madeline Astor or Lucy Duff Gordon, possibly the Strauses, would recognize her, she’d find a way for him to save face, and then he’d probably throw her overboard, a fate she would so very much deserve.
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