PLEASURE CRUISE
An Ellora’s Cave Publication, March 2005
Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.
1337 Commerce Drive, #13
Stow, OH 44224
ISBN MS Reader (LIT) ISBN # 1-4199-0104-4
Other available formats (no ISBNs are assigned):
Adobe (PDF), Rocketbook (RB), Mobipocket (PRC) & HTML
PLEASURE CRUISE Copyright © 2005 MICHELLE M. PILLOW & MANDY M. ROTH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission.
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. They are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.
Edited by Briana St. James.
Cover art by Syneca.
Warning:
The following material contains graphic sexual content meant for mature readers. Pleasure Cruise has been rated E–rotic by a minimum of three independent reviewers.
Ellora’s Cave Publishing offers three levels of Romantica™ reading entertainment: S (S-ensuous), E (E-rotic), and X (X-treme).
S-ensuous love scenes are explicit and leave nothing to the imagination.
E-rotic love scenes are explicit, leave nothing to the imagination, and are high in volume per the overall word count. In addition, some E-rated titles might contain fantasy material that some readers find objectionable, such as bondage, submission, same sex encounters, forced seductions, and so forth. E-rated titles are the most graphic titles we carry; it is common, for instance, for an author to use words such as “fucking”, “cock”, “pussy”, and such within their work of literature.
X-treme titles differ from E-rated titles only in plot premise and storyline execution. Unlike E-rated titles, stories designated with the letter X tend to contain controversial subject matter not for the faint of heart.
Pleasure Cruise
Michelle M. Pillow & Mandy M. Roth
Dedication
To Briana, our editor, for all you do. To Jaci Burton for your wonderful support (and, yes, you too Charlie).
Prologue
Interoffice Memo
From: The Powers That Be
Re: Pleasure Cruise, Cruise Line Corporation, Pilot Program
TOP SECRET
Due to the dwindling population of certain supernatural factions and the reluctance of the supernatural kind to take mates for all eternity, we will be establishing a comprehensive program to repopulate the various supernatural species. Many of the supernaturals we’ve observed are unwilling to take mates from within their own population. This reluctance has been exacerbated in large part by the old grudges still held from the Middle Ages.
In an unprecedented move, we will now be allowing humans on the Pleasure Cruise, to participate in the preordained mating process. Because of existing prejudices against supernaturals in human culture, some human participants will not be aware of the paranormal elements on the cruise. However, these humans will be blessed with a sixth sense so as to subconsciously recognize their mate upon first sight. We do not wish to have a boat full of frightened humans defying our will. Some resistance is expected, but in the end, we gods know what’s best for them.
It is our hope that, by introducing humans into their bloodlines, the supernatural will be less reluctant to take a mate. All humans who mate themselves to a supernatural will be blessed with eternal life. They will also be given the gift of procreation. If this goes well, we will be slowly introducing humans into our other business ventures as well, including Pleasure Air and Pleasure Island.
Chapter One
Clare grimaced as she looked at the gangway of the cruise ship and took a deep breath, trying to steel herself to get on board. A long strand of wavy, blonde hair worked itself out of her loose ponytail. Kira had talked her into the highlights and every time she saw them it caused her to pause. Frowning, she pushed the lock out of her face and reached down to grab her duffel bag. Slinging the bag over her shoulder, she looked around. This wasn’t something she’d ever imagined herself doing. No, she was a career-driven woman who never thought of anything beyond deadlines and new deals. Clare was still shocked she’d agreed to this trip.
“Welcome to the boat of love. I wonder what will happen on this week’s exciting journey? Will the captain steer the boat off course and into a giant iceberg? Or will the tired executive toss herself overboard due to lack of intellectual stimulation?” she muttered, a little too sarcastically.
“That was the Titanic that hit the iceberg. And for the record, I graduated with honors…summa cum laude, baby. And I’d gloat but you graduated with the same honorable distinction,” her best friend, Kira, answered, smiling.
“I know. If you recall, I was there. Besides, I wasn’t implying that you weren’t intelligent. Though I am happy to see that you’ve decided to admit you’re smart. Why you always feel the need to hide it is beyond me,” Clare said. “You’re the top of your field. You should be proud of it, not ashamed.”
“I’m not ashamed. I just don’t want to be labeled as some boring pinstripe workaholic prude because I happen to be good at my job. I hate stereotypes.”
“We’ve already agreed to disagree on this topic. Because I love you like a sister I’ll let it drop.” Clare did her best to smile.
“Thank you,” Kira answered, grinning. “I don’t complain about your boring life and you don’t complain about my wild one.”
“Kira…”
“Okay, dropped.” Kira winked.
“This is just very different for me. I spent my life avoiding these types of getaways only to find myself here now. Besides, can’t a girl be left in her nice little pessimistic place?” Clare grumbled. “Even you have to agree that drowning might be preferable to learning how to play shuffleboard.”
Kira laughed and winked. “Yes, I totally agree about the shuffleboard thing. Besides, with my lack of grace I’d only end up slipping in front of the world’s sexiest man. Hopefully, he’d be a lawyer. Then he’d want to talk to me about a possible lawsuit. We could discuss it over a lovely night of screwing.”
“Kira!” Clare scolded.
Tossing her hands in the air, Kira snickered. “Just kidding. But thanks for taking on the stern mother role you do so well.”
“Someone has to try to keep you in line.”
“Ah, yes. Considering I’m a grown woman and have a mind of my own, the key word there is try.”
“Believe me, I know.” Clare took a deep breath. This was an old argument. She could no more control Kira than she could the shining of the sun. She loved her friend despite her quirks. The only thing she could do, as a friend, was to be supportive of her. “If one more person tells me to control you I’m going to scream. Short of locking you in the house, I’m screwed.”
“Tell them to kiss your ass. You aren’t my keeper and if they want to try the job on, let them. I could use a good laugh.” Kira’s words were clipped. Clearly she was annoyed with the entire topic.
Deciding to cheer Kira up, Clare changed the subject. “Just think, if you do manage to fall while playing shuffleboard, you may end up with a hot doctor on board to care for you!”
“Oh my… I can’t believe you just said that. There may be hope for you yet, Clare. I’m proud of you.”
Thoughts of the endless times she and Kira had made fools of themselves around hot guys popped into Clare’s mind. Laughing, she took in the sights and sounds of the ship. It was breathtaking, but Clare would wait to admit that to Kira, as she waited to see what her friend would do next to try and cheer her. The woman had an endless supply of one-liners and the dirtiest mind in the world, but that was pa
rt of what made Kira unique. If Kira’s personality had been the same as Clare’s they never would have become friends. Thankfully, it wasn’t and neither one of them could deny how beautifully they jibed. Kira was the yin to Clare’s yang.
“Okay, getting a little touchy-feely,” Kira said, making a face. “Before we grab each other and hug for the entire week can we at least find our room? I love ya to death, babes, but these bags are heavy.”
Clare snickered, knowing that as open as Kira was, she didn’t like to get weepy. “It’s a deal. Besides, some of that body glitter you always wear might get on me. My luck, I’d spend the entire week with hives.”
“I’m willing to risk it. Heck, I’d even sit with you and hand you anti-itch cream as needed.”
Picturing the scene in her head, Clare rolled her eyes. “Thanks for not saying you’d rub it on for me.”
“Ha, I almost said that. Damn, you know me well.” Kira sighed and rolled her shoulders. “Are we there yet, Mom? Seriously though, the boat of love joke sort of fits. It’s a floating paradise. That’s what the brochure claims anyways.”
It was early evening and a purple haze spread beautifully over the rolling waters of the ocean. A cool breeze whipped Clare’s gray T-shirt against her slender frame and a strange feeling unfurled in her gut. Her knees weakened in apprehension, and her feet refused to move from their spot. Slowly, she began to back away from the large ship.
Great, I’ve reached whole new levels of neuroses.
Clare laughed softly and did her best to stay on top of their conversation.
“At least we look good in swimsuits. Unlike,” Kira pointed toward a short man with a gut that hung a good six inches over the top of his tight swimsuit. He glanced in their direction and cast them a smarmy grin.
“Kira, tell me again why I let you talk me into this?” Clare gave her a pointed look.
Grinning, Kira tipped her head, giving Clare an innocent look. Clare wasn’t buying it. “Because you never have any fun, you’re too serious and you’re too polite to say no to a birthday present from your very best friend. Who was very willing to kidnap you if need be to get you on board.”
Clare’s lip twitched as she fought back a laugh. That answer was so very like Kira. Everything she did in her life screamed carefree and confident. She oozed sex appeal from her long, straight black hair to her dark red lips. Her green eyes flashed with constant mischief. Regardless of what she was doing, she always looked like she was up to something sinful. From Clare’s experience, she usually was. Life without her, while quieter, would also be boring.
“Sometimes I really want to bop you over the head with a wet noodle,” Clare mumbled.
“Who says that? Bop me with a wet noodle? What are you? Pushing sixty? Man, Clare, we really need to get you out more. Oh, but if you’re willing to make the wet noodle a dildo, I’ll think about letting you.”
That did it. A steady stream of giggles escaped them both. They’d been friends for a long time and neither one of them took the comment seriously. Sighing again, Clare looked over the ship and shook her head. She’d really hoped that being friends with someone as carefree as Kira would’ve rubbed off on her. So far, unfortunately, none of Kira’s confidence and exuberant behavior had come her way. Next to her friend, Clare knew she looked like the ultimate prude. Just thinking of it caused a wave of sadness to overtake her. Perhaps she was.
Perhaps? I’ve spent the last three weekends alphabetizing my collection of dictionaries from around the world just because it annoyed me that they weren’t in order.
“You’re going to have to select another weapon for me to use. I’d freak out about hitting you with a dildo,” Clare said.
“A flogger?”
“No.”
“A horse whip?”
“NO!”
“A…”
Fearing Kira’s next choice, Clare quickly interjected, “No.”
“You love me and you know it!” Kira returned, ever cheerful. Adjusting her ample breasts beneath her corset top, leaving her cleavage positioned to its full advantage, Kira just smiled and continued walking.
“I love you like I love a hole in the—” Clare began.
“—your—?” Kira tried to interject.
“Don’t even say it, Kira, or so help me I’ll leave.” Clare turned a warning look to her side, but couldn’t help smirking in amusement.
Kira just laughed, unconcerned. She shuffled her feet in excitement as they waited to go up the gangway. “Don’t even bother threatening to leave. You know you aren’t going anywhere. And besides, if you tried to leave, I’d have to hog-tie you. And trust me when I say I’m an expert. You would die of embarrassment when I pushed you buck naked and tied up around the ship in a lounge chair.”
“Hmm, death from embarrassment or death by ballroom dance lessons and shuffleboard?” Clare chuckled. “Shuffleboard sounds more humane. I’ll take that, please.”
“This is going to be so much fun! Aren’t you excited at all? I can hardly wait. I just know there’s a cabana boy with my name tattooed right on his delicious, tanned, firm-yet-supple ass. Yummy! And, if not, he’ll have it by the end of the trip. I can already feel my engines revving up, ready to go. Can you smell it, Clare? The fresh, salty sea air, the fun waiting to be had, the sex, the—”
“—ass-tattooed cabana boys?” Clare rolled her eyes in response. She didn’t doubt for a moment that Kira could smell sex. She seemed to have a sixth sense for it. It was just like Kira to view every moment as an erotic one and to screen every male, or female for that matter, as a potential partner. Though, to be fair, there was more to Kira than just her sexuality. The woman was intelligent, had a passion for art museums and had read nearly every classical author published before the nineteenth century. Thankfully, Kira didn’t spout quotes and act all pretentious. She even managed to squeeze in being a ball-breaking female executive. That in itself was impressive.
“Kira, do we belong here?”
“What do you mean?”
“We’re career women. We aren’t eighteen and on spring break.”
Kira arched a dark eyebrow. “Thank God! I’m damn happy we aren’t eighteen anymore. And so what if we’re career women? Do you see a boardroom around here? No. What you see is the opportunity to loosen up and have fun!”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“You guess I’m right? Honey, who in the hell told you that just because you have a brain, a good job and extra cash that you aren’t permitted to let your hair down, take your suit off and be free? I’m not about to spend my week playing executive. Well, not unless it’s some sort of kinky foreplay—though he better be cute, ‘cause been there, done that. We work our backsides off, Clare. We earned this. Anyone who tells you otherwise is jealous that they’re too trapped in the cycle to break free even if for just a bit. I pity them. Really, I do. Life is too short to worry about keeping up your professional appearance. Even you, Ms. Stuffy Pants, have to agree.”
“Tell me again why you’re my best friend?” Clare asked, managing to keep a straight face. She was taller by an inch and moved to drape a hand on Kira’s shoulder. She turned back to look at the cruise ship.
Kira laughed and tapped Clare playfully on the arm. “Because without me you would just be another boring prude with a very boring, ordinary life. Not to mention you’d be one of those women I was just bitching about. The kind who live only to work. I live to live and with me around you do too. So, as I see it you’re a boring prude with a very interesting best friend. Wait, I prefer eccentric. It has a nice ring to it.”
* * * * *
Kira grinned. What she hadn’t told Clare was that this was a singles sex cruise and they were on their way to meet men—lots of hot, sexy, single, preferably very horny men. It’d been a long time since Clare hooked up with anyone and it was Kira’s self-made mission to make sure her friend had a good time. She really hoped that nature would run its course and do the matchmaking for her.
“Believe me,” continued Kira. “I’m good for your image. I’m good for everyone’s image. You need me. You’re destined for a convent without me.”
Clare chuckled. Kira sighed and grabbed her friend’s hand before she could change her mind about the trip and proceeded to pull her up the gangway of the cruise ship.
“Great, I can feel the hula lessons already,” Clare drawled sarcastically. “Some guy in a gold sequin(ed?) outfit is going to come out here and demand we get jiggy with him, isn’t he?”
“Oh, I hope so,” Kira put forth. “Maybe they’ll be nice enough to provide a sequin(ed?) thong for me.”
“Did I tell you that I had a nightmare about cruise ship entertainers last night? It was horrible. They made me wear a headdress piled high with fruit.” Clare gave a pointed look. “Just direct me to the nearest bar.”
“Trust me, Clare.” Kira turned to walk backward up to the deck. She bumped into the rail and giggled. “This vacation is just what you need. It’s what we both need. You’re going to have the time of your life. I just know it!”
* * * * *
“This way,” a lanky porter said as he picked up their bags. He didn’t even have to stoop down. His arms were long enough to just reach their luggage from his standing position.
Kira shot her friend a wide-eyed look and tried not to laugh as Clare gave in to the giggles. Kira smiled, though she kept a careful eye on the porter. He looked as if he could be supernatural and she did not trust the supernaturals. But, she wasn’t about to let something like a ghoulish porter stop her from having a great time. It felt good to be free and to be sharing the experience with her best friend.
Kira knocked her hip into Clare’s and laughed. They swayed slightly as she hummed Cindy Lauper’s anthem to young women everywhere. In no time flat Clare was humming along with her. It was impossible not to be excited. Kira made a mental note to buy Clare the CD upon their return as a token to remember their trip by.
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