Throughout their childhood, he’d defended her when others picked on her and had even faced expulsion when he got into a fight during prom. He remembered the horror-stricken look on her face when she’d found her date with another girl and then her bashfulness when he’d complimented her.
He still wasn’t sure why he’d kissed her that night. But the instant his lips touched hers, he’d sensed it was her first kiss and he’d wanted to make it special. Ah hell, who was he kidding? He’d enjoyed it, plain and simple.
And now? Now, he couldn’t seem to get her out of his head. She took his breath away and his gut twisted into knots every time he caught a glimpse of the male passengers ogling her.
Sweet Jesus, was he jealous? The notion made his heart leap into his throat and he swallowed hard. He couldn’t remember ever being jealous, but it was the only explanation he could come up with. He, the original heartbreaker, was jealous.
Get a grip. She needs to be shown a good time, not pick up a new boyfriend. Maybe, but Scott wasn’t so sure. The truth was he cared about her and he had the sinking feeling that if he slept with her, he would never be the same again.
The scary part was he didn’t even mind.
****
Cherry_berry: Is the doctor in?
JMKen: You have Internet service at sea?
Cherry_berry: Yes, but it’s costing me. I need a shrink.
JMKen: What’s wrong? Is the water getting to you?
Cherry_berry: No…the men are.
JMKen: ??
Cherry_berry: Scott Nolan works on the Hedonna.
JMKen: Wow. There’s a name I haven’t heard in a while. And?
Cherry_berry: I almost had sex with him.
JMKen: Wasn’t the point of this trip? To release your…
Cherry_berry: Inner sex kitten? Yes.
JMKEN: *groan* Mental picture, Cherry. Nightmares.
Cherry_berry: Sorry, but I need help. This isn’t like me.
JMKen: No, but maybe this is your way of dealing with your pent up emotions regarding Scott. Or maybe you’ve never really let go of your feelings for him and need to act them out?
Cherry_berry: Could be. What do you think I should do?
JMKen: Hide in your cabin until the cruise is over.
Cherry_berry: Not funny.
JMKen: Sex between friends can be tricky. In some cases, it evolves and makes a relationship stronger.
Cherry_berry: And in other cases?
JMKen: It can drive friends apart.
Charity sagged against the pillows. She didn’t want to hear that. She’d wanted her brother to tell her it would be okay and she should go for it. She wanted to hear that being with Scott would be a wonderful experience and one that could only bring them closer.
Despite the fact that he’d left San Rico so abruptly, she cared about Scott and cherished the friendship they’d once shared. Still, she couldn’t deny the attraction she felt for him or the overwhelming sense of longing that washed over her when she thought of how close they came to having sex on the sundeck.
But what if they slept together and things got weird? What if he decided things were too awkward and avoided her for the rest of the trip? She could certainly finish her story, but the thought of throwing away his friendship left a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Cherry_berry: I don’t want to waste our friendship on sex.
JMKen: There is a God after all!
Cherry_berry: Screw you.
JMKen: Sorry, my inner big brother is showing. To be honest, I know how you feel.
Cherry_berry: Are you talking about Laney?
JMKen: Who else? Doctor, heal thyself, right?
Cherry_berry: No, but we can discuss how to get you two together when I’m not paying a fortune to do it. I’ll call you when I reach dry land. Thanks, Joe. I appreciate the help.
JMKen: Good luck. I hope it works out for you.
Charity closed the dialogue box and leaned her head against the headboard. So do I. More than anything, she hoped she could focus on her story and not on the man who had stolen her heart all those years ago.
The man who still had her heart and didn’t even know it.
She let her eyes roam the interior of the cabin, her gaze landing on the nightstand beside her. Her cheeks warmed at the memory of the toys housed inside. If her brother only knew…She was certain he wouldn’t recommend she remain locked in her cabin.
He’d probably swim out here to get me himself.
She turned her attention to the open closet across from her. Pressing her lips together, she slid the laptop aside and rose to approach the closet.
After a day of single men flirting and trying to engage her in conversation, there wasn’t a doubt she could snag their attention for an evening. Unfortunately, she wasn’t a one-night stand kind of girl. Wasn’t the point of Fantasy Cruises to explore the sides of herself she didn’t know existed?
Like giving your best friend a blowjob in front a hundred other people? Charity winced. She didn’t know what had come over her, but when she’d felt Scott’s erection and had seen his elation when she unzipped his shorts, all conscious thought had fled. She’d wanted to give him the same pleasure he’d brought to her.
“Stop,” she muttered with a stern shake of her head. “No more thoughts of Scott.”
She couldn’t and wouldn’t jeopardize their friendship—not to mention her story—for the sake of a quick fuck. If that meant avoiding him until she could get her hormones under control, then so be it. It would suck, but the alternative was far worse.
With this new mindset, she dressed for dinner. All she had to do was stay away from the Cleopatra. Easy. Or so she hoped.
Chapter Eight
“Thanks again for coming in this afternoon.” Kathy peered up at Scott and flashed him a teasing smile. “What would I do without you?”
Scott tried to force a pleasant expression, but the effort fell short and he shrugged. He stole a glance around the packed lounge, trying for what seemed like the millionth time to catch a glimpse of Charity. She was nowhere to be seen, causing a twinge of disappointment to tighten in his chest.
“Probably find another bartender to use and abuse.”
Kathy harrumphed and reached for a bottle of spiced rum. “I seem to remember a certain young bartender who used to like it when I abused him.”
He removed the cork from a bottle of chardonnay and filled a waiting glass, trying to ignore the heat creeping up his neck. He shot her a quick glance before setting the glass on a waitress’s tray.
Sleeping with Kathy hadn’t been his wisest decision but, like she said, he’d been young. He’d been onboard less than six months when Kathy came to him, offering to teach him how to drive women wild in bed. He hadn’t exactly been a novice when it came to pleasing women, but something in his boss’s husky voice had intrigued him.
Scott shook the memory from his head and cleared his throat.
“That was a long time ago.” He replaced the cork and took the cocktail she was handing him. “Since I came in two hours early, do you mind if I cut out at ten?”
Kathy shook her head and reached into an ice chest to retrieve a bottle of beer. After twisting off the top, she set it in front of the customer. “There you go, sweetie.” She turned to Scott after retrieving their room card. “I doubt that will be a problem. Plans?”
His thoughts drifted to when Charity had sucked his cock damn near to the hilt. Her soft, warm tongue and skilled fingers had brought him dangerously close to his breaking point and, while he prided himself on keeping his composure, he was grateful she’d taken the opportunity to slide up his body.
If he tried hard enough, he could still feel the pressure of her aroused sex against his dick, her hips wiggling to manipulate the head between her wet folds without actually penetrating. The mere recollection was enough to send a rush of blood to his groin, and he was grateful the dim lights hid his hard-on.
“I have some unfinished bus
iness I need to tend to.”
A knowing glint sparkled in Kathy’s eyes. “The twins in cabin 36D?”
Scott rolled his eyes. He wasn’t surprised Justin had told Kathy about the amorous siblings and their invitation, since this was just the sort of thing that would inflate Kathy’s ego. He cringed at the thought of what she might say. That’s right, ladies! I’m the one who taught Monsieur Scott everything he knows about pleasing women.
“No,” he said with a trace of annoyance. “If you must know, an old friend of mine is on board and I want to see her.”
Kathy wrinkled her nose in confusion. “Is that the woman I saw you dancing with the other night?”
Scott nodded.
“I should write you up for that, you know. You were supposed to be making drinks, not chasing tail.” She grinned at his exasperated expression. “Yeah, I couldn’t keep a straight face either. Regardless, you say she’s just a friend?”
Friend wasn’t the word he would use, but he didn’t want to discuss the details with her. One, it wasn’t any of Kathy’s business; two, he didn’t know how to describe his feelings for Charity. It was a muddled combination of friendship, lust, and something else. Something he couldn’t identify, but left him feeling altogether discomfited.
“Officially, yes.”
“Uh oh.”
Scott nodded for the waitress to take the tray and turned to her. “What do you mean, uh oh?” When she didn’t reply, he straightened his shoulders. “You started this conversation, so finish it.”
Finally, she sighed. “In my experience, when someone uses the words ‘technically’ or ‘officially’ when describing a platonic relationship involving the opposite sex, the person in question is usually trying to cover up his or her true feelings. I’m just surprised that it’s you. You’ve always struck me as a straight-shooting kind of guy.”
The subtle accusation made his skin prickle, making his spine go rigid. “So I’m lying now?”
Kathy shook her head before turning her attention to the next customer. “I didn’t say that,” she said so only he could hear. “All I’m saying is I find it odd that you, of all people, would want to hide an attraction of any sort.”
She peeked at him quickly. “I could be wrong and, if I am, I apologize.”
Scott released a troubled breath. After his encounter with Charity that afternoon, it would be difficult to hide his attraction for her. Not that he wanted to. It wasn’t in his nature to be coy. If he wanted something, he went for it.
“Best friends.”
“Huh?”
He snagged a beer glass and placed it beneath a tap before pulling the lever. “Cherry was my best friend when we were kids.”
Kathy made an O with her lips and nodded. “I see. So, you never thought of her as anything else?” She blushed and made slashing motions with her hands. “Never mind. It’s none of my business.”
“You’re right, it’s not.” He ignored her slack-jawed expression and continued, “Since you asked, I suppose at one point I did, but I moved to Vegas before anything could come of it.”
“And her?”
“What about her?”
This was not a conversation he envisioned having with Kathy. Over the course of his employment with Fantasy Cruises, he’d struck up a bizarre friendship with his boss, but they’d never discussed their lives prior to working on the Hedonna.
Well, maybe never was too strong a word. He knew she’d grown up in Stockton, California, before attending college in Sacramento, and she knew he’d been raised in San Rico. Beyond that, they’d kept their personal lives…personal.
So, why was he telling her all of this? Charity. Seeing her again had stirred a sense of nostalgia within him and brought back a maelstrom of bittersweet memories he’d been content to leave buried.
Kathy’s eyes softened. Her expression seemed eerily out of place and sent a ripple of unease coursing through him.
“Did she feel anything for you?”
The short answer would have been yes. He’d known since junior high that Charity had developed romantic feelings for him, but he’d played it off, pretending not to see it until his senior year. Even then, he hadn’t let on that he’d known. Not until prom night when he’d kissed her and it hit him with the force of a thunderbolt. He’d felt it too, strong and fierce like a summer storm. He’d fallen for his childhood companion.
And it had scared the hell out of him.
Instead of letting nature take its course and finding out if what he felt was real, he’d run. He’d taken the scholarship to UNLV, hopped the first bus bound for Las Vegas, and never looked back.
“Yeah,” he mumbled. “She did. It was a long time ago, though. You know water under the bridge and all that.”
Then why did saying the words leave a foul taste in his mouth? Because he didn’t want it to be. Call him a selfish bastard, but a part of him wanted her to still feel something for him.
“Don’t do it, Scott.” He darted a quizzical look in Kathy’s direction and she shook her head. “Don’t sleep with this woman. If you do, someone will get hurt and that someone might be you.”
****
Charity paused outside the dining room and closed her eyes. It’s just dinner, she told herself. Yes, but until now she’d hoped to avoid the formal dining room, preferring to dine alone at the Chinese restaurant than sitting at a table full of people she didn’t know.
That’s one of the reasons why you’re here, to meet people. Nice. What a fine time for logic to rear its head.
She opened her eyes and smoothed her palms over the black, satin material covering her thighs. Though ankle-length, the halter dress had a slit reaching mid-thigh which, when accompanied by a pair of strappy three-inch heels, made walking a bit easier.
Sort of.
When she’d been overweight, she hadn’t owned a pair of heels, fearing her ankles would stage a protest the instant she took her first step. Now that the weight was gone, she was stronger, but her balance remained in question.
With a silent prayer that she wouldn’t trip on her way to the table, Charity entered the spacious dining area. Her breath caught at the massive chandelier hanging in the center of the room. The soft lighting danced off the tiny pieces, giving the crystals the appearance of twinkling diamonds.
Her gaze shifted to the tables. Dressed with tablecloths made of soft butter cream linen, arrangements of fresh cut roses and crystal water goblets, it appeared that Fantasy Cruises spared no expense when it came to luxurious dining. Circular tables gave an air of privacy despite the overall size of the room.
In the far left corner sat an impressive baby grand piano, its skilled player dressed in an ivory tuxedo. Though she couldn’t identify which classical piece the pianist was playing, the soft melody added to the romantic setting and she sighed with contentment.
“Welcome to Escapades,” a deep, yet friendly voice greeted. “Cabin number, please?”
Charity smiled for the maître d’ and stepped closer to the podium. “Cabin 46E. I, um, I hope I’m not overdressed.”
He glanced at the computer screen before offering her a warm smile that reached his pale blue eyes. “You look exquisite, Miss Kendrick. I’m certain your dinner companions will be as delighted to have you in their presence as we are.” He gestured to the dining room with a sweep of his hand. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to your table.”
Ignoring the nervous flutter in her stomach, Charity grasped her skirt and followed him down the carpeted steps leading to the dining area. She concentrated on each step, forcing herself not to look at her feet as she made her way through the maze of well-dressed men and women until they reached a small table with only three occupants, two men and one woman.
“Here we are,” the host declared. “Miss Charity Kendrick will be joining you this evening. If you should need anything, please let us know.” With that, he strode away.
The younger of the two men, a gentleman dressed in a black suit, rose and pu
lled out her chair.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Kendrick,” he said in a honey sweet drawl that made her belly quiver. “I’m Michael.”
Charity returned the smile and extended her hand for him to shake. His large fingers wrapped around hers and her heart pounded in her chest when he lifted the backs of her fingers to his mouth. His mocha-colored eyes never left hers as his warm lips pressed against her knuckles. She swallowed the urge to giggle.
“I’m single.”
Oh God, did I just say that?
“I mean, I’m Charity.” She grimaced and pointed in the direction of the retreating maître d’. “He just said that, didn’t he?”
Amusement sparkled in Michael’s eyes. “It’s okay, darlin’. I’m horrible with names, so don’t be surprised if I ask you to repeat it later tonight.” He released her hand and winked. “Just so you know, I’m single, too.”
Heat flushed Charity’s face and she turned to the other two at the table. The woman didn’t appear a day over forty, with her sun spun blonde hair swept back by two jewel-encrusted clips. Rings with gems from every color of the rainbow covered her fingers, while a single diamond hung just above the ample cleavage emerging from her low-cut gown. A playful smile turned the corners of her red-painted lips and she stretched her hand out for Charity to take.
“I’m Delia,” she said and gestured to the silver-haired man beside her. “And this is my date for the evening, Carl.”
Charity shook Delia’s hand and murmured a shy greeting to Carl before sitting in the chair Michael had pulled out for her. With trembling fingers, she plucked her napkin from the water glass and spread it over her lap.
Better to be prepared now than drip salad dressing on myself later. A whimper stuck in her throat at the thought. Wouldn’t it be just her luck? After all, she’d made a total ass out of herself during introductions, so why not add a case of butterfingers to the mix?
“Prior to you joining us, we were discussing what we do for a living,” Delia announced once they’d placed their orders. “Michael and Carl work in Silicon Valley and I was just telling them about my boutique in Santa Monica. What about you, dear? What do you do?”
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