April reclined in a lounger by the pool, in the row farthest away from the commotion of the swimmers. Her large, floppy hat kept the sun from her face, and her sunglasses shielded her eyes as she read.

"Well, you're dressed for the pool. So, why are you back here reading?"

April glanced at the young man who sat next to her. He was probably about her age, not bad-looking, but not exactly her type.

"I'm dressed for sunbathing," she said, "and I enjoy reading."

"Oh, you're one of those, huh?"

She pulled her glasses down a bit to look at him.

"One of those? Intelligent? Well-read?"

"Uhhh… sure."

She pushed her glasses back up and returned to her book.

"So… a buddy of mine is having a party in his cabin tonight. Wanna come?"

"Not really my thing," she said without looking up.

"Look, you're hot. I'd love it if you came."

"Hey, kid, she said no."

April looked up at the new voice. An older man. Extremely good-looking. Water dripped from his hair and down his bare chest, and the muscles in his arm flexed from the towel he held onto, draped around his neck. He'd definitely been swimming.

"I was just—"

"Leaving. She said no."

The younger guy left without another word.

"Thank you," she said.

"No problem. You should be allowed to read your novel in peace."

"It's… not a novel, actually."

"No?"

"It's a biography of Hermann Rorschach." She held up the book so that he could see the cover.

"Oh, The Inkblots." He sat down on the lounger next to her. "That was a great book."

"You read it?"

"I did."

"I'm April."

She sat up and extended her hand. He took it, but didn't really shake it.

"Clint."

"So, you're interested in psychology?"

"You could say that. I take it you are, too?"

"Very."

"I think my favorite discovery from that book is that those guys had groupies."

"I know! Isn't that crazy? I thought only bands had groupies."

He shrugged "People like what they like."

"Very true." She sat her book aside. "So, I guess your wife is probably waiting for you somewhere."

Clint laughed. "Subtle. I'm not married."

"Interesting."

"Is it?"

"It is."

"How interesting?"

"I'm not sure. That might require more research."

Clint smiled. "I have a dinner reservation at seven tonight. How about I see if I can get that for two instead of one, and you join me?"

"That sounds great. Meet you at the elevator on that floor?"

"I'll be there." He stood. "Enjoy your book."

—

Clint was waiting for her when she stepped off the elevator. He wore a suit, but no tie. His collar button was open.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting," she said.

"Not at all." He extended his arm to her. "Shall we?"

She wrapped her arm around his, and they walked the short distance to the dining room.

Once they were seated, and ordered their food, Clint leaned in, arms folded on the table.

"What's your angle?"

"My angle?"

"I've got to be twice your age. You shot that kid down, but struck up a conversation with me pretty quick."

April smiled. "I happen to be attracted to older guys. Always have been. I'm also attracted to intelligence and maturity. That guy wanted to take me to the cruise version of a frat kegger."

Clint chuckled.

"Then a handsome guy, who knows stuff about psychology saves me, and… well, it's the last night of our cruise, and I'd like to enjoy myself."

"So, hold old are you?"

"Old enough to drink, if that's what you're trying to figure out."

Clint smiled. "What made you take the cruise?"

"I'm going into my senior year, and it's going to be crazy busy. I took one last shot at total relaxation."

"Senior, huh?"

"Yep."

"Ok. Look, I'm going to be completely honest here. I think you're gorgeous."

April blushed.

"But, real world… you're young. Once we're off this ship we'll go back to our own lives and you'll probably never think about me again. So, let's keep this simple. I'm Clint. You're April. No last names, no life details, no majors, no jobs, no family. Here and now. Clean break when the ship docks."

"Just enjoy each other's company while we have it?"

"Exactly."

"Ok. I can do that."

"Yeah?"

The waiter sat their plates in front of them.

"Yeah."

"Good."

After dinner they took a walk around the promenade deck. The moonlight glittered off the water surrounding them as they sailed back home.

"I've always been more interested in development than the disorders," she said. "Understanding how we become who we are is fascinating."

"True, but abnormal psychology fits into that. How does someone develop abnormal thinking and behavior?"

"Good point."

April stopped at the stern of the ship, and Clint stepped next to her at the railing. They watched the water churn in their wake.

"I've always loved the open water," she said. "It makes me feel small."

"You like feeling small?"

"It's humbling. It forces me to remember that there are bigger, greater things than me in the world."

"Is that why you like older men?" Clint smiled.

"Oh, you're good." She laughed, and turned to him. "It's a secure feeling. The experience of an older, mature man… I feel…"

"Protected."

"Yes."

"Safe?"

He gripped her waist and pulled her close.

"To an extent."

"Safe enough for me to escort you back to your cabin?"

She put a hand to his chest and stared up at him.

"I don't know. Will you stay close?"

"If you want."

"I want."

Clint smiled. "Lead the way."

They managed to simply hold hands as they rode the elevator to her floor. Once they were inside her cabin, his lips were on hers. She tossed her purse in the direction of the dresser, then wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"No one to interrupt us?" he asked against her lips.

"No."

He let his suit jacket fall to the floor, then pinned her against the door. His lips traveled along her jaw, to her neck. April buried one hand in his hair while the other gripped his arm. She pressed herself as close as she could get, enjoying the feel of his firm body against her, and his confident presence all around her.

Clint backed her toward the bed and lay next to her, hovering over her as they kissed. April unbuttoned two more buttons on his shirt before she stopped and let her fingers trail through the chest hair she uncovered.

He slipped his hand behind her knee and pulled her leg up against his side, grinding his hips against her. April gasped and squeezed his arm. Clint pulled back a little and pressed a kiss to her temple. His lips trailed down her neck and across her collar bone.

"Wait," she whispered.

He let go of her leg and brushed a thumb over her jaw.

"Something wrong?"

"I… I don't think I can…"

Clint buried his face in her neck for a moment, then rolled onto his back.

"I'm sorry," she said.

"Don't be."

"It's just… I don't usually do this kind of thing. I was so attracted to you that I thought I could, but I—"

"Hey. Don't apologize. Truth be told, this isn't my normal thing, either."

"Really?"

He nodded. "You changed your mind. Nothing to apologize for."

April rubbed a hand over her face, then turned onto her side, propping her head up in her hand.

"Thank you."

Clint stared at her, then turned onto his side, mirroring her position.

"I'll just take the coldest shower of my life."

He smiled until April laughed, then he rubbed his thumb over her lips.

"May I?"

She nodded, and Clint pressed his lips to hers, tugging her bottom lip between his as he pulled away.

"I still think you're gorgeous."

He got up and collected his jacket from the floor. He paused with a hand on her door handle.

"Bye, April."

"Bye, Clint."