Alexander climbed the ladder and took his place in the wheelhouse.
Standing on the deck of a storm near Alexander, Lisa breathlessly watched all this stormy activity. The yacht began to move away from the coast in reverse, passing rows of moored ships at the pier. Alexander skillfully maneuvered his large hands confidently and firmly hold the steering wheel.
Lisa saw the twinkling lights of Upper and Lower city. Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Oh, Alexander, it was more fun than I thought! Thank you for taking me for sailing!”, Lisa said.
“Come, I'll show you the wheelhouse.” - Alexander gave her his hand and helped her up the ladder. The glass-enclosed cab was dark.
“Would you like a take a wheel? I'm serious, dear. “It’s really not that hard to drive a yacht. You can drive it yourself. Just take the wheel in your hands.”
“I don’t mind.”
Alexander put his arm around her waist. At first, she was hesitant, but then Lisa graciously obeyed him.
They rode along the river. The wind whipped through her long hair. She spotted the tourists watching them and she had a sense of freedom build up inside of her.
“I think you will be a good Captain, Lisa.”
Lisa backed away. Alexander took her hand and pulled the wheel.
“Go ahead, Lisa. The helm is at your disposal.”
“Is it dangerous? I could get us shipwrecked.”
“Just do what I say, and everything will be fine.”
“Okay.” Lisa put both hands on the wheel. “Just promise not to move away from me, okay?”
“Lady, I just got the yacht back from repair today and I don’t intend to let it break. So don’t worry, I'll stand behind you.”
Lisa stood at the helm. Alexander was standing right behind her, from time to time giving orders: “Keep the steering wheel straight. Good. And now a little turn. Straighten the course. You are doing a fine job, sweetheart.”
“I learned! “ Lisa exclaimed.
The river made a turn and suddenly became visible under a bright light. Lisa gripped the wheel. “Alexander, it seems like another ship is about to meet us. What do I do?”
“Warn them.”
“How? I don’t know…”
“Look.” Alexander pulled her towards the end of a rope. “Pull a few times.”
Lisa almost jumped in surprise when there was a sharp, shrill whistle. When the oncoming vessel responded with the same signal, Lisa went back to the wheel. “What's next, Alexander?”
“Keep straight ahead, and everything will be fine.”
The lights came closer, and every minute Lisa got more and more nervous. She wanted to give the wheel to Alexander, and as if reading her mind, he came closer. Lisa felt her back touch his powerful chest and his chin touch the top of her head. His strong hands covered her trembling fingers. Feeling safe, Lisa smiled. His proximity no longer frightened her. The other ship passed on the starboard side. When the danger was over, Lisa felt very weak, and when Alexander leaned toward her and offered to complete the experience, she willingly handed over the wheel. Lisa cautiously descended the ladder.
“I can show you the cabin. It's just a small cabin, designed for one person.”
Lisa was curious. “Ok. I want to see where you live when you are on the boat. I badly want to see where the captain lives. “
“It’s very romantic here...” She did not manage to finish the sentence. Alexander's eyes turned serious. He slowly leaned over to her and touched her lips with his own. This light touch lasted only a moment.
His lips touched hers again and this time they stayed longer. He kissed her with surprising tenderness, his arm wrapped around her waist. Lisa's eyes were closed, but his face seemed to radiate happiness.
“Oh, Alexander,” she breathed, hugging his neck. He held her tightly so that she felt his muscular body. Alexander again pressed his lips against hers. This time the kiss was more demanding, Alexander parted her lips, and Lisa felt weaker. The longer he kissed her, the more the feeling intensified. When Alexander finally raised his head, a trembling Lisa whispered, “I think I'm going to faint.”
His hands closed tightly around her. Lisa felt comforted by his strong body. “No, dear, you will not fall. I will not let you.”
The ship continued to cut through the dark, cold waters of the river, and for a long time, the two stood on the deck, clinging to each other.
She took his hand and pointed to the admiring people. “Look, everyone is watching us. They think you are a businessman on a boat with his young lover—me.” He laughed and she smiled at the lilt in his voice.
The boat ride was amazing and in the evening, she was invited back to his home. With her consent, Alexander drove her to his house, promising her an evening of home-cooked food and pleasant music. Lisa was starting to feel like she was in a dream. Alexander's home, as it turned out, was as much a mystery as he still remained; she spoke to him on the drive over. But Alexander, it seemed to her, was the embodiment of her list, even as he opened the gates to his Victorian-era estate for her, revealing a well-kept yard with its dock and a boat out on the river.
“Ladies first,” he seemed to be saying, but he didn’t have to say it. He only smiled, and she knew she was welcome.
“Such a beautiful house” She said as she walked in, taking in his large, Victorian-style house.
“Of course. If you’d like, I’ll teach you sometime—it’s not that difficult, really.”
“I would like that.” She smiled, and walked up the path to his front door, stopping and waiting to be allowed inside with a customary invitation, which he graciously provided—everything was like a storybook.
Until she was inside the house.
The luxury she had not seen even in the movies. She was particularly struck by a kitchen equipped with the latest modern design. Lisa felt like Alice trapped in Wonderland. And yet, she thought, how can people live here alone, even among such a luxury?
It was a cozy house; and in front of the fireplace was a round table. In short, it was the perfect ideal of home comfort.
Alexander was putting a Schiller album on his old-fashioned phonograph, as Lisa Lisa half dozed, curled up in one of the luxurious leather chairs, standing in the living room near the fireplace burning. She happened to glance around at the photos in the room, where she saw—over, and over again—images of his cars. Her thoughts revolved around one and the same: how to behave with Alexander?
The fire crackled loudly in firewood, and Lisa opened her eyes. He fought against it, and so such care and attention that every time she was embarrassed.
“Well how are you? Tell me what you want and I'll do it” - there was suddenly the voice of Alexander.
Lisa looked stupefied and Alexander carried a tray on which were all sorts of grilled goodies and drank a cola with whiskey. He walked over to her, put the tray and sat on the stand beside the chair. She felt uncomfortable with her position, and she wanted to pull the legs to the floor, but Alexander smiled and said:
“Feel comfortable as if you were at home.”
Her sleepiness vanished. She happily thought that Alexander house entirely different, simple and friendly.
“Oh, I feel so very comfortable and cozy, but ...cannot get used to it...”
“You always have to think about the good, none of us knows what awaits him in the future.” - He stood up, walked over to the fireplace and began to look thoughtfully at the fire. Then he turned and smiled at Lisa, which at that time reached for the biscuit. Now she was so charming, so home and this seemed so reasonable that Alexander was ready to immediately rush to her and grabbed her arms. And another unexpected for him the idea suddenly came to mind: he did not mind that she always sat in the chair.
“Go ahead and sit on the white couch. I’ll make us dinner,” he said.