Heartbreaker

by Monica Robinson

  Charity glanced at each of them before picking up her water glass. “I’m a journalist,” she replied and took a sip. “Mostly editorials, but I’m hoping to get into bigger news stories soon.”

  Delia clasped her fingers beneath her chin and nodded. “How exciting. Where’s home for you?”

  “San Rico. It’s a little place outside—”

  Carl, who had been somewhat quiet until this point, brightened at the mention of the small city. “San Diego.”

  Some of her nervousness evaporated and she smiled. “That’s right. Wow. Most people have never heard of it. Have you been there?”

  He nodded. “When my father was in the Navy, my parents opted to rent a home in San Rico when we were stationed in San Diego. I graduated from high school there,” he said while placing his hand over Delia’s. “Small world.”

  “Indeed,” Michael agreed and held her gaze when she peered at him. “So tell me, since you’re a journalist, is this a business or pleasure trip for you?”

  Once more, Charity’s cheeks burned, but this time it wasn’t from embarrassment. It was the man sitting next to her. His dark good looks and flirtatious smile played havoc with her nerves, while his sensual voice and chivalrous manners made her knees tremble. His whole demeanor screamed sex appeal, but something was missing. Something that told her that no matter how well dinner went, she would return to her cabin pitifully alone. She couldn’t quite place what the something was, but it was there and it irritated her.

  “A little of both,” she admitted. “Technically, I’m on vacation. When my editor heard I was going on a singles cruise, he asked if I’d be interested in writing an article about my trip.” Okay, so that part was a lie. It wouldn’t do her any good to tell these people she was researching whether Fantasy Cruises was an ocean orgy waiting to happen.

  Delia chuckled under her breath. “I can only assume he isn’t acquainted with Fantasy Cruises.” She lifted a sculpted eyebrow. “Or is he?”

  “No,” she lied again. “He isn’t. To be honest, I haven’t given the assignment much thought. I’ve been rather…preoccupied.” It was better than saying that she’d spent the better part of the day lusting after her childhood friend and basking in the afterglow of the fabulous orgasm he’d given her.

  “Haven’t we all?” Delia tilted her head to allow Carl to kiss her cheek. “Is this your first time aboard the Hedonna?”

  Charity nodded and sat back as the waiter placed a salad in front of her. After drizzling a small amount of dressing over the crisp greens, she cleared her throat.

  “I guess I made that pretty obvious when I joined you all,” she said in a sheepish voice.

  Delia flicked her hand in a dismissive manner before picking up her fork. “Oh, don’t worry about that, dear. This is my fourth cruise and I’m still tongue-tied when an attractive man approaches me. Why, just this afternoon, I tripped and fell flat on my duff when Carl asked me to join him for dinner.” She peered up at her date and nudged his arm with her elbow. “My bum still hurts from that, you naughty boy.”

  Carl looked her over lazily before moistening his lips. “You can punish me once we get back to your cabin, my dear.”

  “But you’ll like it,” Delia purred.

  Carl offered his companion a slick grin. “So will you.”

  Charity paused with her fork an inch from her mouth and glanced from Delia to Carl with raised eyebrows. Wowsers. After everything she’d seen—and done—over the last twenty-four hours, one would think she’d be used to suggestive comments and gestures. Listening to this couple, however, only served to prove she was still a complete novice when it came to sex.

  So much for being a sex kitten, she thought with an inward sigh and lowered her eyes to her plate. I’m a sexual wallflower. Who was she kidding? She wasn’t the kind of woman who could ask a complete stranger for sex. She’d had three lovers her entire life and she’d dated each of them for several weeks before sleeping with them.

  It didn’t matter how much weight she lost or how many times she took a cruise like this one, she would never be anything other than the sweet girl from San Rico who had a knack for making her friends and family laugh.

  The feel of something brushing against her neck brought her out of her dismal thoughts. She peeked over her shoulder to find Michael draping his arm around the back of her chair and running the rough pad of his thumb up and down the nape of her neck.

  He leaned toward her, his soft breath ticking her ear as he whispered, “Don’t worry about earlier.”

  That was easy for him to say. He hadn’t made a fool out of himself. She drew her head back to look at him better.

  “That may be easier said than done, I’m afraid. I’m usually not this much of an airhead,” she murmured with a nervous laugh. “You simply took me off guard when you kissed my hand.”

  Slowly and seductively, Michael’s gaze dropped from her eyes to her exposed shoulders to her breasts. The nervous tremor returned to her belly as he appraised her features with interest. Uncertainty niggled at her. Would he notice the tiny bulge at her waist, the only telltale sign that she’d once been overweight? Would it matter to him? It hadn’t mattered to Scott. In fact, he’d seemed to enjoy running his hands over her stomach and thighs.

  “And you made my heart stop when you walked into the room,” Michael replied. “I’ve never been a religious man, but when you started for the table, I actually found myself praying you would join us.”

  Oh boy. Why couldn’t she meet someone like Michael in San Rico? None of the men she knew would say something like this. Their idea of impressing a woman consisted of crushing beer cans against their skulls and the occasional remark that the dress she was wearing made her ass look good. Yeah baby, that’s romance.

  “Careful now.” She reached for her water glass. “Keep flattering me like that and I might take you home with me.”

  He lowered his arm from around her chair before laying his hand on her leg. “That could be fun.” He gave her knee a light squeeze. “But I’ll settle for getting your phone number.”

  Chapter Nine

  Charity sat in amazement. Of all the replies she’d anticipated, having him ask for her phone number hadn’t been among them. She’d fully expected him to say he would rather go back to her cabin, but when he didn’t she felt disarmed.

  “You’re not going to ask to come back to my cabin?”

  He shook his head.

  “Really?”

  He laughed. “Yes, really. I believe in getting to know a woman before sleeping with her. That way when I take her to bed, I can satisfy more than just her body. But,” he lowered his voice to a husky whisper, “if you’re offering, I can always make an exception.”

  Heat flushed her body. Every raging hormone inside her was screaming that she should drag him back to her cabin for a little fun. However, as she drew in a breath to make her offer, she paused. She couldn’t do it. No matter how sexy Michael was or how chivalrous and eloquent, there was still something missing. The same damn something that told her even if she could force herself to say the words, the sex would only be mediocre.

  You weren’t complaining this afternoon. That was the odd thing. Scott had made her come in record time and not once had she felt the nagging sense of “something missing.” He’d known where to kiss her, how to touch her, and what to say to break through her sexual barriers. He’d connected with her in a way no other man had and, though she knew it was asking for trouble, she wanted that feeling again.

  Then it hit her. That’s what was missing. The ability to know what the other wanted without having to be told. The special connection two people share when they know each other.

  When they loved each other.

  Charity winced. Scott didn’t love her. At least, not in the romantic sense. He might care for her in a sisterly manner. Well, maybe not sisterly given what they’d done that day, but still it was a platonic affection.

  Great. The story of my life.

&nb
sp; Wait a minute now. After the Hedonna docked in San Diego, she might not see Scott again. Should she sleep with him, his absence would spare them the awkwardness that sometimes accompanies friends who became lovers. Not to mention, she would be free to write about the Hedonna Heartbreaker without guilt. A win-win situation no matter how she looked at it. Now, if only she could rid herself of that nagging feeling she was betraying him.

  She set her glass down and turned her attention to Michael. “Truth be told, I like to know my lovers first, too.” She covered his hand on her knee. “Tell you what, why don’t we exchange numbers and, when we get back to San Diego, we can have dinner before you head home. How does that sound?”

  He offered her a crooked smile and linked his fingers through hers. “I look forward to it.”

  Once dinner was finished—and she’d exchanged numbers with Michael—Charity excused herself. She started for the Cleopatra, but paused when she reached the elevator. What exactly would she say when she found him? I don’t want to ruin our friendship, but I think we should have sex. Boy oh boy, wasn’t that classy?

  With a groan, she stepped onto the elevator and punched the button for the Helios deck. She needed to clear her mind, to think about what she wanted to say before she approached him.

  The doors slid open a moment later and she stepped out. At the late hour, there were few passengers roaming the sundeck and none of them seemed to notice her as she strolled past the unoccupied pool and over to the guardrail.

  Her feet breathed a sigh of relief when she leaned against the railing to glance down at the dark water below. In the moonlight, she could make out the whitecaps and she gripped the bar.

  Now was not the time for her fear to overpower her, but Jeez Louise it sure looked like a long way down. She shivered and tightened her hold on the railing. So much for thinking clearly. Her body went ramrod stiff and her breathing came out in short bursts.

  Images from long ago assaulted her frazzled brain and she swallowed. Closing her eyes, she tried to squeeze off the barrage of unwanted memories, but it was no use. She recalled every terrifying moment and the helplessness that engulfed her when she slipped beneath the water’s surface at Majesty Lake…

  “Cherry?”

  Jolted from her memories, Charity turned to find Scott approaching.

  “What are you doing out here?”

  Strolling down memory lane and giving herself the creeps. But as she contemplated saying this, her traitorous hormones had other ideas.

  “Waiting for you.” He lifted his eyebrows and she nodded. “So we can discuss this afternoon.”

  “Really now?” Scott closed the gap between them and grasped the rail on either side of her. “Funny how great minds think alike. I just came from your cabin in hopes of doing the same thing.”

  Charity swallowed. So much for having a clear mind. How could any woman have a rational, articulate thought when the object of her darkest desires stood less than a foot away, looking good enough to eat, and smelling even better? She didn’t know and, as his eyes appraised her with obvious approval, she didn’t really care.

  “I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t go to the Cleopatra to look for you, huh?” she said with a nervous giggle. “You wouldn’t have been there.”

  He ran the backs of his fingers up the length of her arm. “Why are you nervous?”

  Who her? Nervous? Perish the thought. Just because her pulse was racing faster than even the most skilled racecar driver didn’t mean she was nervous. Right? Right.

  She gestured with her head to the ocean behind her. “I was having a moment. I guess my fear isn’t as under control as I thought it was.”

  He knitted his eyebrows in concern. “Are you okay?” She offered him a weak nod and his frown deepened. “Are you sure? We can go down below if it’ll put your mind at ease.”

  Nothing short of being off the Hedonna would do that. Granted, being below decks would alleviate the overwhelming feeling of panic threatening to engulf her when it came to water, but it would do very little with the maelstrom of sensations being in his presence brought. What his presence had always done to her. Man, she really had lousy choice in fantasy men.

  “It might,” she admitted and straightened her shoulders before walking with him toward the elevators. “I wanted to talk to you and I think it would be better if we were alone.”

  Was it her imagination or did she see a hint of trepidation in his deep brown eyes? Surely, a man like Scott wouldn’t know the meaning of the word. Just the same, there was no denying the distinct movement of his Adam’s apple when he swallowed and gingerly took her hand.

  “What do you want to talk about?”

  She stared at their entwined hands. “Where we go from here, I suppose. I know what I want—”

  “Then that’s all that matters.” She blinked in surprise and he sent her a devilish grin that made her knees quiver. “That’s the point of this cruise. To know what you want and go for it. All you have to do is tell me.”

  They reached the elevator and she turned to him after pushing the DOWN button. “My wish is your command?”

  He winked rakishly. “That depends. I like to think I’m pretty adventurous, but even I have limits.”

  Charity felt her cheeks fill with heat and her jaw dropped. She swatted his arm with her free hand, but he grabbed her fingers and, without taking his eyes off hers, kissed her fingertips. She swallowed and tried to ignore the buzzing in her ears. Tingles shot up her arms and spread to every pleasure point in her body, making her want to lean into him.

  If Scott was fazed by the fact he was now supporting her, he didn’t show it. “Tell me what you want, Cherry.”

  “You.” She let him lead her into the elevator and disentangled herself long enough to press the button for her deck before looping her arms around his neck. “I want to know what it’s like to be with a man who actually cares about my pleasure.”

  Scott’s palms skimmed the span of her waist before sliding around to grasp her ass. He moistened his lips and leaned his forehead against hers. “Are you forgetting that I still owe you two orgasms?”

  She closed her eyes. Screw the consequences. She needed this. All she had to do was figure out how to get the story afterward.

  “Hard to forget someone making your eyes roll back in your head.” She reopened her eyes and smiled perhaps a bit sheepishly. “Or stripping naked in public. I’ve never done anything like that before.”

  Scott offered her a slight smile as the elevator doors chimed and opened. He took her hand and leaned toward her ear. “Truth be known, I prefer a bit more privacy myself.”

  Charity peered at him with a mixture of curiosity and amusement while they made their way to her cabin. “Oh? If that’s the case, what was this afternoon about?”

  He seemed to give her question some thought. “I’m not sure. I’m usually able to control myself around women.”

  “But not with me?” She nearly laughed at the thought.

  They stopped outside her cabin and she hiked up her skirt to remove the keycard from the elastic band of her thigh-high stocking. With her attention redirected, she didn’t see Scott slip behind her. But she felt his arms slip around her as his erection pressed snuggly against her ass.

  “Why don’t you tell me,” he murmured in her ear. “Do you have any idea how difficult it is to work with a raging hard-on? You were all I thought about tonight. Hell, you’re all I’ve thought about since last night.”

  Was it possible to have an orgasm from mere words? Because if it were, she was dangerously close. Her breasts felt heavy and achy, the sensitive tips tight and tingly in anticipation. Meanwhile, her panties were wet with desire, and she was positive a single touch against her skin would send her over the edge.

  “Scott.” His name came out a choked whisper.

  He backed her against the door, ignoring the young couple strolling down the corridor while crushing his lips against hers in a demanding kiss. His tongue thrust into her mo
uth and Charity forgot everything except how good he tasted. She clutched the keycard in her hand and returned his kiss with fervor. She cradled the back of his head, running her fingers through his thick hair and gently raking her nails up the nape of his neck.

  He grasped the back of her knee and lifted her leg, hooking her ankle around his hip. His hand disappeared beneath the smooth material of her dress and her pulse spiked. She felt his palm slide higher up her thigh until his fingers found one bare rounded cheek. If she hadn’t been so caught up in his dizzying kisses, she might have grinned when he discovered that she was wearing a thong. Instead, she merely arched toward him, eager to feel more of him pressed against her.

  Finally, he tore his mouth from hers, his breath coming out in labored pants. “Have I mentioned how much I love your ass?”

  She shook her head, her breathing equally unsteady. “I don’t think so.” She gulped in a deep breath. “I think we should go inside though. If we keep this up, I may have to rip your clothes off.”

  With a chuckle, Scott slid his hand out from beneath her dress and eased her leg down. “You make that sound like a bad thing.”

  Refusing to let on that his comment had surprised her, Charity turned toward the door and swiped the keycard in the lock. “You’re incorrigible.”

  “Nothing new there, baby. You ought to know that.”

  She did and damn if it didn’t make him all the more appealing. Pushing open the door, she flipped on the overhead light and tossed the keycard onto the small table. Turning to Scott with a smile, she gestured to the cabin with a sweep of her hand.

  “Welcome to my home for the next two days. Kinda small, but the steward told me it’s bigger than most of the cabins.”

  Scott hesitated for only a second before entering the room. He glanced around with guarded appreciation and nodded slowly before unbuttoning the first three buttons of his shirt.

  “He’s right. It is larger and you lucked out in having a single occupancy. Most people end up bunking with someone else, usually a friend, but that’s not always the case.”