All the Pretty Poses

by M. Leighton

  I can’t help but grin at his offended expression. “You’re sick, you know that? And what is it with you and fairy tale references?”

  “Don’t change the subject. Now you’ve got me curious. What are you hiding?”

  “Nothing. God.”

  “Good. Then come on. Let’s get naked.”

  He tugs me up to our towels and then releases my hand to start stripping. I watch his unabashed undressing, taking in his fantastic body. It quickly becomes obvious that he sunbathes in the nude quite often. There’s not a white patch of skin anywhere on him.

  “That’s The Bishop,” he says, catching me as I look him over.

  My eyes fly to his and my lips quiver in amusement. “You call your…your…junk ‘The Bishop’?”

  “Hell yeah! If you had junk like that, wouldn’t you give it an awesome name?”

  I let my giggle go and admit to Brian, “Probably.”

  The smile he gives me is happy and relaxed. “Now, your turn.”

  As if he knows his attention might make me uncomfortable, Brian stretches out on his towel, tucks his folded hands behind his head and closes his eyes. I watch him for a few seconds, debating whether to run back to the water or just plop down on my towel, too.

  “Just because my eyes are closed doesn’t mean I don’t know you’re still wearing too many clothes,” he says in a sing-song voice, making me roll my eyes. “And don’t you roll those big green eyes at me.”

  That makes me laugh outright. “Are you sure your eyes are closed?”

  “Just do it, for god’s sake.”

  I exhale loudly. “Fine, but you better never tell a soul about this.”

  “I make no promises. I might have to sell your wares to the clients.”

  “The hell you will!” I exclaim, reaching for the ties to my top.

  Brian laughs this time. “It’s not like that. Unless you want it to be, of course.”

  “Which I don’t,” I assure him as I hurriedly drop my top then my bottoms and flop down on my towel.

  “I doubt that would end well anyway.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “I’d say our fearless leader would draw and quarter any such unlucky bastard and then toss his bits and pieces into the sea.”

  I turn my head to look at Brian. He squints his eyes and looks over at me, too.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Girl, everybody knows he’s got a thing for you.”

  “He does not.”

  Brian snorts. “Whatever you say.”

  When he closes his eyes and turns his face back up toward the sun, I nibble my lip for a minute before asking. “What makes you say that anyway?”

  Brian’s lips curve into a smile. “I know him. I’ve seen him around a lot of beautiful women and I know when he wants one of them. And trust me, that man wants you.”

  That’s not quite the answer I was hoping for. “Well, he’d better get used to disappointment because he’s not going to get me.”

  “Mmmm hmmm,” Brian murmurs doubtfully. “By the way, nice rack.”

  I jerk my head back around to find Brian grinning broadly. I punch his rock-hard arm. “You weren’t supposed to look.”

  “I had to make sure I didn’t need to rent a bushwhacker while we were here.”

  “You’re sick,” I half laugh-half sneer.

  We both fall quiet and I find the combination of easy companionship and warm sun a very effective muscle relaxer. It’s not long before I feel like I might doze off. That’s when I feel eyes on me. Like a little prickle along the nape of my neck. I cross my arms protectively over my chest as I sit up and look around. I don’t see anyone else. It appears we are as alone as ever. But as I lie back on my towel, I wonder if there’s any way Reese could have found us. Reflexively, my nipples furl into tight buds, thoughts of his mouth on me bringing about a very physical reaction.

  That signified the end of any relaxation I might’ve had.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE- Reese

  Whether they know that I know is debatable, but I’m aware of Brian’s relationship with Lee. I’d have to be a complete fool not to notice. A man has a sixth sense about these things.

  I’ve never said anything because it hasn’t become a problem. And I hope it won’t.

  When I went to get Kennedy late this morning and she wasn’t in her cabin, it didn’t take much asking around to find out that she went ashore with Brian. Lee was more than happy to tell me where Brian took her. I don’t know if Brian simply told him or if they have special places they go together when neither is working. Either way, I finally located her.

  I heard talking and hushed laughter as I walked the shaded trail that led through the dense vegetation. I recognized the higher tones of Kennedy’s voice so I knew I was on the right path. I expected to find her when I reached the end of the forest, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the sight of her lying naked on a white-sand beach, bathed in golden sunlight. Or the jealousy that streaked through me when I saw a man at her side.

  The fact that Brian is gay makes no difference to me. I don’t want any man enjoying Kennedy like this unless that man is me.

  As I watch them, fuming and debating how to approach them, Kennedy grows still, her face going lax as though she might be falling asleep. I let my eyes roam her perfect form. High cheekbones turned up to the sun. Graceful arms tucked against her sides. Lush, round breasts standing firm in the center of her narrow chest. Flat stomach and gently flaring hips. Small triangle of short hair between her slim thighs. I’ve never wanted anything more than I want her right this minute. Not ever.

  To touch her…to put my hands on her and my fingers inside her…to taste that creamy skin…to feel her liquid desire bathing my cock from deep inside…

  I see her brow furrow before she moves her head. As though she can sense my eyes on her, she crosses her arms over her chest and sits up to look around. I can’t see her eyes through the slits of her lids, but I imagine she’s scanning the area for someone or something. When she seems satisfied that they are still alone, she relaxes again, letting her arm fall back to her side.

  Saliva pours into my mouth when I think of sucking on one of those pink little nipples. As I watch, they pucker, making my cock jump inside my shorts.

  I bite back a groan as I fight the urge to go to her, to lick her hot skin and suck the moisture from between her legs. But it wouldn’t happen that way today. Not the way things are right now, and certainly not with Brian beside her.

  Besides, I want her begging me for it. And that will happen soon enough. Sooner than she thinks.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO- Kennedy

  I’m pleasantly exhausted by the time Brian and I get back to the boat. A nasty storm rolled in, but we were due back to the boat anyway, so our day wasn’t cut short at all.

  I stretch out on my bed, not quite ready to let go of the boneless feeling that I’ve had since I catnapped on the beach, when someone flings open my door, bringing me to instant alertness.

  Even in the dim light from my single small, high window, I can see how beautiful the woman standing in my doorway is. Her long, wavy hair is the color of cinnamon and frames the pale oval of her face. Her cupid’s-bow mouth is currently forming a small O and I can plainly see her hourglass silhouette, set against the light in the hall behind her.

  “Who are you?”

  “I’m Kennedy,” I answer, still recovering from my shock of being barged in upon.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “This is my room.”

  “Since when?”

  “Since last week when we left Los Angeles.”

  “Oh, well there’s obviously been some kind of mistake,” she says, finally smiling. “I’ll get it straightened out. No big deal.”

  “What kind of mistake?”

  “This is my room. This is always my room.”

  “No one told me that. Karesh just said that this is where Reese wanted me, so…”

&nb
sp; I can see one fiery eyebrow arch. “Reeeally?”

  “Yes, but if this is your room then I’m sure they can put me elsewhere.”

  Just the thought of being stuck in one of those tiny shared rooms with no window is enough to cast a very dark shadow over what was a beautiful day. But it was never my intention to usurp anyone’s place here. I was just doing as I was told.

  “I don’t mean to put you out, but this is the only room with a bigger bed and…well… Reese likes to come and visit me.”

  I can see her suggestive wink. My stomach turns accordingly.

  “Oh. I see.”

  “Yeah…”

  “Well, in that case, let me call Karesh and have him put me in another room. It won’t take me long to get my things together.”

  “Okay,” the girl says happily, rolling her suitcase into the room behind her. “I’m Amber by the way.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Amber,” I say perfunctorily, trying to inject at least a smidgeon of sincerity into my voice, because I feel absolutely none. I cross the room in the wake of her trail of expensive perfume and pick up the phone to dial Karesh.

  “What do you do onboard?” she asks as she leans her case up against the closet.

  “I dance,” I answer as I listen to the phone ring.

  Amber opens the closet and I hear her gasp. “Are these yours?” she asks just as Karesh answers.

  “Hi, Karesh. I’m sure you’re busy right now, but is there any way you could find me another room? Evidently this one belongs to Amber.”

  “No, ma’am. Mr. Spencer wanted you there specifically.”

  I feel tears burn the backs of my eyes when I consider the reasoning that Amber gave me for why Reese puts her in this room. This was all just a part of his plan to sleep with me. That’s it. Nothing more. There was no consideration for the fact that I might have some privacy or that I might have a window or that this room might be more comfortable. There was no special treatment because of what we shared so long ago. No, this was simply a maneuver of convenience on his part.

  Well, I’ll be damned if I’m going to be a foregone conclusion for him!

  “Karesh, I’m not trying to be difficult, but if you don’t move me then I’ll have to find a place on my own.”

  “I’ll speak with him again and let you know. Until then, stay put.”

  He hangs up before I can comment. I stare at the phone for a few seconds before hanging it up and turning back to Amber. She’s still standing in front of the open closet with a slightly agitated look on her face.

  “So you’re the one.”

  “The one what?”

  “You’re the one he’s going to favor next. He did this once before, but it didn’t last long. I was back upstairs with him within a week.”

  I don’t know if Amber is trying to twist the knife, but if she is, it’s certainly working.

  “Well, you needn’t worry about me. I have no intentions of being the next girl in his parade of conquests.” I pause, feeling guilty over how that must’ve sounded. “No offense.”

  “None taken. Reese is the kind of guy that’s worth it. If you don’t know that by now, you will. I’ll tell you up front that I’m willing to fight for him, too.”

  “You won’t have to. I have no interest in Reese. None whatsoever.”

  “Honey, that’s what I thought at first, too. Most of us do. I graduated suma cum laude from Stanford and I come from good stock. Boston stock. I’m no dummy. I could make a very nice life for myself, without a man. Even as a dancer. But when I met Reese…well, you know. He’s the kind of guy that changes everything. I know he’ll settle down one of these days and I damn sure want to be the one he settles down with.”

  “I wish you well, then,” I tell her, fighting the urge to puke down the front of her beautiful violet dress. I walk past her, bending to take my suitcase from its little cubby at the end of the bed. I start opening drawers and haphazardly tossing clothes into my luggage. “I’ll clear out the closet once I find another room.”

  “No rush. I’ll come with you and we’ll try to find an empty room. Maybe you won’t have to share with anyone.”

  Amber gives me a warm smile and cleans out the last drawer for me, neatly stacking my shirts in one corner of my suitcase. I scoop my toiletries off the counter near the sink and dump them inside and zip the case. Amber grabs the handle and slides it into the floor. “Leave it here while we go look. You can come back for it. I’m supposed to be upstairs for dinner in an hour, but that’ll still leave me plenty of time. And then I have to dance tonight.”

  My heart sinks even further when I hear this news. I haven’t been summoned upstairs, nor have I been told I’m dancing. But then, considering her arrival, I’m not surprised. I offer her a shaky smile of gratitude. She returns it, loops her arm through mine like we are the best of friends and we set off to find me a new home.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE- Reese

  Every minute that passes with no sign of Kennedy makes me angrier and angrier. I told Karesh to send her up for dinner, yet she hasn’t shown. It’s getting harder and harder to socialize with my guests and hide my increasing displeasure.

  “Don’t you agree, Reese?” Amber asks from across the table. I focus my attention on her, racking my brain for some clue as to what the conversation was about. She winks one blue-violet eye at me, her lips curving into a smile, but I don’t appreciate it like I normally would. The only woman on my mind is Kennedy.

  “Excuse me,” I say, sliding back my chair and laying my napkin aside as I rise from the table.

  I’m half way across the room when I feel a hand on my arm. I turn to find Amber has followed me.

  “Not now, Amber,” I pre-empt her.

  “Are you looking for Kennedy?” she asks.

  I feel the frown pull at my brow. “You’ve met her?”

  “Yes, earlier.”

  I don’t have to guess what that means. “What did you say to her?” My irritation rises. I know how catty women can be. I feel sure she put things in as unflattering a light as possible and that she is to blame for Kennedy’s absence.

  Amber raises her eyebrows at me. “She was in my room. She offered to find another one so I helped her. No harm, no foul. I didn’t say anything to her.”

  “It’s not your place to change cabin assignments,” I bite testily.

  “I can see that now. I thought there had been a misunderstanding. She was fine with it. It’s not like I kicked her out.”

  “Oh I’m sure she was fine with it.” My jaw aches from clenching my teeth so hard. “What room is she in?”

  “Four. Right beside the kitchen. I tried to find her one she wouldn’t have to share and you know everyone hates being right beside the kitchen.”

  “And of course that’s where you put her.” I squeeze my fingers into tight fists.

  “It wasn’t like that. I was trying to help her,” Amber defends. “Go find her if you’re so worried about her.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m going to do. And from this point forward, you stay the hell away from her.”

  Amber stares at me for several seconds before she nods twice and, without another word, turns to walk away.

  Furiously, I head for the stairs and, beyond them, the crew quarters. When I reach room four, the door is shut. I take a deep breath, doing my best to cool my temper before I break the damn door down with one swift kick.

  I knock and wait for an answer, but I get none. That only makes me madder. I knock once more, but again there is no answer. “Kennedy, I know you’re in there,” I snap. I knock a third time, giving her one more chance. When she still doesn’t answer, I twist the knob. It opens easily and I step inside, giving my eyes a moment to adjust before I let loose. But any angry words die on my tongue when I see Kennedy curled up on her side on the bottom of the bunk bed to the left. Her eyes are closed and, even in the low light, I can see that her brow is wrinkled and that there is an unnatural pallor to her skin.

 
I cross to her, hovering over her where she lies so eerily still on the bed. “Are you okay?” My voice is calm and cool, but my insides are knotted in anxiety. Is she sick? Is something wrong? She doesn’t look well…

  “Go away,” comes her small voice.

  “Kennedy, tell me what’s wrong.” I know my tone is sharper than what I intend, but I want answers.

  “I think I’m seasick,” she moans, still not opening her eyes.

  I didn’t even think that the onset of this storm and the rough seas that resulted would bother her. She didn’t have any problems up until now. Of course, we’ve had smooth sailing until now, too.

  “I’m sure we have something onboard that will help. I’ll be right back.”

  I go in search of Karesh, who I find in the office, working. As usual.

  “Don’t we have something for motion sickness around here?”

  “Yes, of course. Are you ill?” he asks, rising immediately.

  “No, not me. Kennedy.” My earlier pique returns. “Why didn’t you tell me she was in a different room?”

  “I didn’t realize she had moved. I sent word to her room that she be on deck for dinner and Caesar said she agreed.”

  “Does Caesar even know what she looks like? Didn’t he just board in Hawaii?”

  “Yes, he did. I just assumed… My mistake, sir. It won’t happen again.”

  I grit my teeth again. “See that it doesn’t. But right now I need something to give her.”

  “I’ll take care of it, sir. What room is she in?”

  “Just tell me where it’s at. I’ll take it to her.”

  “Yes, sir,” Karesh replies, crossing the room to unlock the second drawer in one of his three filing cabinets. Karesh is a man of many talents. He has a medical background, so he functions as our infirmary staff whenever needed until we can get help from the closest island.

  He takes out a small box and removes an aluminum sleeve of pills to give to me. “She can take one every four to six hours. She might want to keep them on hand for when the sea gets rough. If she needs more, just let me know.”