Chapter Thirteen
Kara swam in slow strokes toward the boat.
This isn't so bad. If I had a place at home like this to swim in, I might learn to be less afraid and maybe even become a good swimmer.
Even after she'd taken the class for timid non-swimmers, she still had to fight the phobia. It hadn't cured her. She wasn't sure what would.
Kara reached the Kon Tiki boat and climbed aboard then glanced back at Nate and saw him watching her with a pleased smile as he carried her things.
She beamed back at him, feeling proud as she sat on a bench. Small grains of salt and sand covered her, and she wished they had a place to rinse off, but thrilled to have swum to the boat, the thought barely registered before Nate sat beside her.
"Sweetheart, you did great. I'm proud of you."
Kara beamed and he kissed her cheek.
"I didn't think you saw me."
"I was watching you the whole time. I saw you hesitating and then you faced your fears and swam right over to the boat." He'd seemed nonchalant as if he wasn't looking, but all the time he'd watched her, making sure she was okay. That knowledge warmed her even more than his arm wrapped around her.
He kissed her ear and it sent tingles down her spine. "Let's have dinner alone. Just the two of us."
"Can we do that? Have a table to ourselves?"
"Sweetheart, we can do whatever we want."
"Then yes. I'd like that."
"Good. I think we should celebrate."
"Oh? What are we celebrating?"
"A woman learning to conquer her fear."
She blushed, feeling proud all the same.
On the ride back, the crew covered the glass bottom and set up poles for the limbo contest. Kara clapped with the music as Nate, Adam and Viv all did the limbo. They couldn't convince her to join them. She'd done one daring thing today swimming to the boat and one was enough. She just wanted to bask in that for now.
Watching Nate's strong, sun-kissed body cross under the limbo poles, her heart beat more rapidly. She watched the muscles in his thighs and her heart drummed with the pulse of the music as the passengers sung, "How low can you go, go, go."
Other women watched him with appreciation. But he only watched Kara.
A warm glow rippled through her.
Nate made her feel alive, attractive and desirable. And braver. Already she'd tried things she'd never done before. She had Nate to thank for that.
She hated the thought that the cruise would end and she'd never see him again. She pushed away the thought as she watched Viv do the limbo next. Short and feisty, Viv bounced as she went beneath the bar.
I don't want to be like Viv, moving from one man to another like it's no big thing. I give my heart too deeply to recover and move on to the next guy. I just can't do casual sex. That's not for me. And Viv is wrong. All men are not the same. Just as there'd never be another Neil, there will never be another Nate.
And I think he is the one.
No, I know he is.
One night with him before this cruise is over, that's all I wish for, one wonderful night to remember for the rest of my life. To say goodbye and never to have made love, I think I would die a very slow death. A death of the heart and soul.
The thought brought a tear to her eye, which then tried to roll down her cheek before she brushed it away and forced a smile back onto her face.
How had she gone from elation to tears? Goodness, she had to get a grip on herself instead of letting her emotions take over.
The contest was finished and Viv had won because she was so much smaller than the others. She wore a triumphant smirk and everyone congratulated her.
The boat had been moving along and they were soon back at the pier ready to disembark.
Nate cupped her chin in his hand. His touch was almost unbearable in its tenderness. In the back of her mind, the clock ticked away and reminded her their time together would soon run out.
"Well, sweetheart, time to go clean up for our private dinner. I'll call you once the arrangements are made."
He bent and kissed her in front of the passengers who hadn't disembarked yet. His kiss was tender and light as a summer breeze.
"I'll see you at dinner." The look on his face mingled eagerness and tenderness.
A burning desire, an aching need for another kiss and more than a kiss coursed through Kara. "Yes, I'll see you at dinner," she echoed.
They parted and Kara went to get ready. Tonight's theme was Island Night, and there'd be an island deck party later on. She chose to wear the new yellow sundress and banana earrings.
Viv was still primping when Kara left for dinner.
It was nice not to have to wait on Viv. Tonight they'd barely said two words to each other beyond Viv's comment that Kara looked like a banana in yellow. A comment Kara ignored.
She was ignoring a lot lately. Viv's moods and comments grated on Kara's nerves.
Nate waited for her at the entrance to the private dining room. His look caressed her shoulders, and she sheepishly said, "I got a bit too much sun again today."
His smile curled her toes. "Take care of your skin, sweetheart. It's too beautiful to ruin."
The admiration in his eyes heated her cheeks beneath her already heated skin.
"You look so fresh and pretty in that dress, sweetheart."
"Yellow is my favorite color. It's cheerful."
"It goes with your golden hair.
"Viv called me a banana."
"She's crazy. You look great."
"Thank you. I've never owned a yellow dress before."
"Terrible." He shook his head and smiled.
"That's why I treated myself."
"As you should."
"You remind me of an exotic tropical bird." He winked. "Yes, I think I'll call you yellow bird." His whole face lit with a smile.
Kara giggled. He made her giddy as a schoolgirl. "Yellow bird." She returned his smile. "I like that."
The host seated them at a private table for two off in a quiet corner. They ordered, sipped fine wine, and took turns feeding each other shrimp cocktail, lobster tail and crab legs. Kara had never had such an intimate meal before and anticipated each delicious morsel he fed her.
They decided to share dessert. Their waiter brought out a large slice of chocolate cake drizzled with caramel and two forks.
Kara liked sharing desert.
There was something about the way a man ate, the way a man shared or didn't share his food, which suggested what kind of lover he'd be. Though she'd known only two men intimately, something told her this was a truth. She watched Nate savor his food, and it reminded her of how he seemed to savor her body.
"You can have the last bite, sweetheart." He slipped it onto his fork and held it out to her.
He'd be considerate and generous to his wife, and she'd know she's well loved. It doesn't do to think about the future with a man I've just met. It doesn't do to think of growing old together in some fantasy happy ever after land when you know you could never be with the man you loved. When you knew he would leave.
Why was she thinking such thoughts when the most she could hope to have was one night together, one special memory to hold onto? Kara pushed all those thoughts away.
After dinner they went up on deck, where everything was decorated for a tropical evening. The waiters wore leis and tropical print shirts.
The activities director stood ready to teach a native dance to the passengers.
"Go on," Nate said. "I'll enjoy watching you."
She joined the dancers. Nate's gaze upon her made her feel exotic, like a tropical bird, rare and valuable. She danced only for him, blushing and rolling her hips. His smile deepened.
The conga line around the room was the grand finale. Nate stepped behind Kara and whispered in her ear, "I'm right behind you, sweetheart."
His warm hands slid around her hips and rested there lightly, her body tingling from the contact. She wished he'd pull her back against
his chest so she could feel his arms around her. She hungered from the memory of his mouth, his touch.
The dance stopped and his hands dropped from her hips. She turned to face him. "Are you looking forward to the show?"
"I'm looking forward to the entire evening," he said, his hand closing over hers. "Sweetheart, I'm just happy we're spending it together."
Kara couldn't remember when she'd felt so happy. It was almost a giddiness within that made her want to spin about the room and laugh. She'd been ready to be bold like Viv and suggest they find one of their empty cabins, and he was just happy to be spending time with her. Within her must live a wild and wanton thing. She was a little afraid of that, so she made the decision to follow along where he might lead. The child in her really did want to see the show. Chinese acrobats that she'd heard were fabulous.
They headed to the main stage show. Nate slid into the seat next to her and closed his hand over hers, turning it over. His finger caressed her palm in slow circles and she remained motionless, a warming shiver moving through her.
Breathe. Remember to breathe.
Her skin tingled as he touched her, and the urgent hum built. She glanced at his profile as he watched the show. The beginning of a smile tipped the corners of his mouth. He turned toward her and amusement flickered in his eyes.
"You're going to miss the show," he said in a light, teasing way as his finger continued making a circular pattern.
Kara blushed at her own excitement, glad the semidarkness hid the flush in her cheeks. She turned back to watch the show and tried to ignore the strange ache in her heart. The ache made her want to capture each moment and hold it, along with the knowledge they had so little time. Every moment was precious.
Through the entire show, she half-watched half-dreamed of what his touch could do, was doing. The anticipation of what would happen later hovered in her mind.
The show ended, Nate released her hand, and she tried to get her breath under control.
What is it about him that sends my senses spinning? The slightest touch and she wanted to fall into his arms.
They moved through the crowd and toward the exit, Nate placing his fingertips against the small of her back. Warmth spread through her body like an explosive current.
"I've got you, yellow bird." His breath ruffled her hair. The crowd pushed closer. His hands settled around her waist, guiding her in front of him, pulling her back out of the way of a large, drunk man who stumbled in front of her.
Kara felt treasured. If only she'd relax and stop thinking, but they only had two more days together.
When they reached the poolside deck again, waiters handed out brightly colored leis. Nate draped a red lei over her head before slipping on his own. Couples danced on the deck in front of the band, and Nate pulled her to the front of the stage.
"Wait here, sweetheart," he said.
"All right," she replied, puzzled he'd lead her to the dance floor and expect her to stand waiting. He stepped close to the drummer to speak to him. The man nodded, and Nate returned to gather her in his arms.
They swayed together until the song ended. Nate grinned as the bandleader dedicated the next song to Kara and the band played "Yellow Bird."
Nate sang softly, "Yellow bird, up high in banana tree. Yellow bird, you sit all alone like me."
His husky voice sent tingles down her spine. She'd never had a man sing to her until tonight. Neil couldn't carry a tune.
His eyes looked down into hers with intensity.
"Wish that I were a yellow bird, I'd fly away with you," he sang and pulled her closer.
I wish we could fly away, too.
She closed her eyes, and then the song ended. The band switched to another melody.
"Your skin almost matches this red lei," he said. Lifting one hand, he slipped his fingers under the strap of her yellow dress and lightly grazed her shoulder with a whisper of a touch.
"Does it hurt?"
"Only a little."
His fingers slid slowly down her bare arm, a brief caress.
"You're warm."
That was an understatement.
Nate eased his arm around her back and they moved across the floor in a waltz. It was too easy to get lost in the way he looked at her. She closed her eyes. Ocean breezes blew across her heated skin.
He whispered in her ear, "You look beautiful tonight, yellow bird."
She giggled.
Warmth spread through her body at his words and the way his hand moved up and down the small of her back pulling her closer. He smelled so good, like spices and salty seas. She put her arms around his neck. The longing to be held nearly overwhelmed her.
He danced her away from the other couples. He kissed her earlobe and tingles spread down her spine all the way to her toes.
He released her to look into her eyes then leaned forward and kissed her lips, gentle at first until she parted them.
They stood swaying to the music, locked in a lovers embrace. His tongue slipped inside her mouth, exploring. Her breath quickened as the tip of his tongue met hers in another kind of dance. His heart thudded beneath her palm. She no longer knew if the music had changed and was aware of nothing beyond the two of them.
He cupped her face in his hands and deepened the kiss.
*****
Nate couldn't get enough of Kara. He loved the way she tasted, her scent, the softness of her skin and hair. He loved the sound of her laugh, her giggle.
He didn't want to let her go and wished the cruise lasted longer, that they had more time together.
But more than the physical attraction, more than that pull, he cared about her, wanted to see her happy and wanted to remain in her life, whatever it took.
He wanted to take it slow, though the heat building between them made it harder and harder. Had she been a different women he'd have taken her off to bed already. But spending time with Kara, the woman who made his heart soar, brought him happiness beyond the strong physical attraction that pulled him to her .
Chapter Fourteen
Kara was so swept away by the way Nate kissed her that when he stopped it took her a moment to realize where they were and that there were other people around.
Gazing into his eyes, the realization dawned that he pulled back from taking things further. Her heart sank.
She turned and walked over to the side of the ship and stood gazing out at the water.
"Kara, what's wrong?" He'd followed her and now reached for her hand. "Tell me, sweetheart."
She turned to face him, not shielding or wiping away the tears that gathered in her eyes. "We have so little time." One tear escaped and rolled down her cheek as her voice dropped to a whisper. "And I don't want to go back to my cabin and sleep alone again tonight."
Surprise came across his face. He pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her. "Sweetheart, are you ready for that? You're sure?"
"Yes, yes," she said impatiently. "Please carry me off to your cabin as soon as possible."
He threw his head back and laughed. "You want me to carry you?"
She smiled. "Well it's just an expression..." Her words trailed off as he lifted her up into his arms. "Oh! Oh my."
She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he carried her down below decks, through hallways with her giggling, giddy as a schoolgirl.
When they reached his stateroom he put her down and opened the door for her. "After you."
She stepped inside and looked around.
The cabin was larger than the one she and Viv shared and had sliding glass doors and a balcony. "Oh, this is nice."
"Yes, it is. Perks of my travel agent cousin." He walked over to the doors and slid them open.
A breeze stirred the white curtains as she walked nearer.
"Come out with me." He stepped out onto the balcony.
Kara joined him. It was windy but he pulled her close to keep her warm.
They stood silently watching the sea and then he moved behind her, lifted her hair, a
nd kissed the back of her neck. As he landed kiss after kiss upon her skin, tiny goose bumps rose from the way his lips felt against her heated skin. He moved in front of her and kissed her lips, his hands sliding across her body, from her hips up her rib cage to cup her breasts as he deepened the kiss.
She longed to be free of her clothing, of anything between them and impatience caused her to break off from the kiss.
He watched her, reading her expression, so she gave him what she thought was a sultry smile and slid one strap of her dress off one shoulder and then the other.
His eyes darkened with desire as he watched her.
She let the dress fall to the floor and stood only in white lace panties as the moon came out from behind the clouds bathing her in its light.
His gaze took her in. "Beautiful."
Beneath his gaze and the light of the moon, she felt beautiful.
Her took her hand, lifted it to his lips, turning it to kiss the inside of her wrist, moving closer with each kiss he rained from her wrist to her elbow. Threading his fingers through hers he led her toward the door. She followed wearing nothing but her panties and heels, the dress forgotten on the floor.
Inside the door, he scooped her up in his arms again and laid her on the bed. Giving her a soft kiss on the lips, he stood. "Stay," he said. "I'll be right back."
He strode into the bathroom and returned wearing nothing but boxer shorts and carrying a bottle of lotion. He placed it on the table and reached to lift her heel.
His warm hand wrapped around her ankle. He slipped the heel strap of her sandal off slowly. Then he tossed it over his shoulder.
She giggled.
He bent and kissed the sole of her foot, still holding her ankle, before kissing from the sole of her foot all along the inside of her leg to her knee, watching her all the while, reading the way she reacted to his touch and his kiss, every breath, the way her body warmed, as she felt herself melting into the bed. He did the same with the other foot until he reached her other knee.
He stopped only to breathe one word across her skin. "Beautiful."
She had never felt so adored, so treasured in her life.
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