The Pleasure Cruise
By
Raven Starr
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
The Pleasure Cruise by Raven Starr
The Misadventures of Raine Matthews Series: Book 2
Red Rose™ Publishing
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Red Rose™ Publishing
Copyright© 2009 Raven Starr
ISBN: 978-1-60435-298-6
Cover Artist: Missy Lyons
Editor: Savannah Frierson
Line Editor: Zena Gainer
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This is a work of fiction. All references to real places, people, or events are coincidental, and if not coincidental, are used fictitiously. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only.
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The Pleasure Cruise
By
Raven Starr
Chapter One
Raine Matthews smiled as she exited the blue and white shuttle bus. She straightened her back, hoping to relieve some of the tension in her weary muscles. The seats in the shuttle bus weren’t as comfortable as she had hoped. She pulled down her gold shades to take a gander at the huge, beautiful cruise ship docked in the harbor. A long, wide banner on the side read: “Welcome Gala Cruisers.”
As the Miami heat bounced off the crisp blue sea, it tinged the clean air with the slight smell of the salty water. She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes as she listened to the sweet call of the seagulls flying overhead. Walking the growing line, she nodded at the pretty blonde informing everyone about the ship’s history and shook the remnants of the Titanic from her mind.
The massive cruise ship not only amazed her, but from the excited chatter coming from all around her, the other patrons marveled at the luxury liner as well. The entire length of this great ship totaled over eight hundred feet.
During the long, tedious boarding process, she thought of all the entertainment on the ship. It would definitely be more exciting than any place back in her hometown Paris, Tennessee could offer. She loved living in the country, but now she’d finally decided to take a well-deserved vacation.
Besides, the hot, handsome handyman she wrote about in her last book and dreamed of every night had turned out to be a toothless, miscreant drunkard who never truly fixed a damn thing. Swine. She shook the memory from her head. This cruise is exactly what I need. No handymen, no cell phone ringing at all hours, and no deadlines for ten glorious days.
Going on a long, relaxing cruise would be the start of a brilliant way to reclaim her muse and her sanity. How lovely this vacation is going to be! She glanced down at her plastic keycard with her holographic picture on the back. It’s amazing what computers can do nowadays. She looked over her itinerary to make sure the cabin number she’d been given and committed to memory was correct.
Once she approached the wood-paneled door, she slipped in her keycard and walked into her cabin. Her jaw dropped at the marvelous interior of the stateroom. From the off-white walls to the brick-red carpet, the room was immaculate. The queen-sized bed was draped in a white, cotton bedspread. Before the bed were three side-by-side giant mirrors encased in gold, crackled paint. Next to them was a huge closet.
Raine tossed her bag on the chair and then lay on the soft comforter, inhaling the sweet scent of freshness. Her fingers reached out to touch the elephant towel creation left there by the housekeeper.
Amazing what folks can do with towels.
She rolled onto her back, closed her eyes, and exhaled loudly, listening to the sound of waves slapping against the hull of the boat. Feeling the comfort of the Tempur-Pedic mattress underneath supporting her drained muscles, made her soul feel at ease. This cruise will rejuvenate me, I hope. All right, let’s go see what this fun ship has to offer.
Raine sat up. Before standing, she ran her fingers through her hair to fix any puffy bed head she might have. She opened her bag and quickly put her clothes away. Humming a little tune, she walked into the bathroom to refresh herself. Back in the main room, she headed for the chair where her long, black garment bag lay and pulled a yellow, floral sundress from her bag. A smile crept across her face as she donned the sleek dress. The thin, spandex-type material swayed around her shapely hips as she turned from side-to-side.
She ran her hands over the soft fabric, loving the way it felt as it brushed up against her skin. As she slipped her feet into her flat yellow sandals, she turned to admire herself in the mirror. She loved her figure. A flat stomach and large ass made her look like a Coca-Cola bottle from the nineteen seventies. She reached for her matching clutch purse, stowed away her keycard, and turned to take one last look. She adjusted the dress, flashed a smile and went to explore the ship.
Her first stop happened to be the on-board library. The room had checkered floors with eighteenth-century furniture. Several spiral golden pillars decorated it. On the ceiling, yellow and white stained-glass flowers let natural light pour into the room. Stunning, absolutely stunning. Next, she passed a place called the Galleria. It was full of tiny but expensive duty-free shops. She made a mental note to check it out before her cruise ended.
Raine leaned over the railing and looked down at the Atrium. This ship had seven decks full of goodies and she was damned determined to enjoy it fully. She needed to learn to let her hair down. The bells and whistles of the casino teased her as she passed by, but the desire to explore the ship overcame her urge to gamble. Wandering through the dimly lit corridors, she found herself back in the lobby staring at a giant water sculpture.
“Amazing,” she breathed.
She took a quick look around, eyeballing happy couples mingling with new potential friends. All of the happiness around made her smile widened. A waft of something scrumptious tickled the tip of her nose and tempted her hungry stomach. She couldn’t help but to follow the delicious smell. It led her to the Bistro Bar and Grill, which was a cozy open area with a wide range of delectable fare from breakfast to lunch; plus, it had a twenty-four–hour pizzeria, which she couldn’t wait to indulge in.
From there Raine went out on the top open deck. She inhaled the fresh, salty air deep into her lungs as if it could purify the negative energies that resided there. She’d always loved the ocean -- from its smell to the serenity it brought her. Looking overboard, Raine glimpsed the clear, clean water reflecting the picturesque image of the sky above.
Perfect.
The dorsal fins of dolphins flicked out in the open ocean. For a moment, she’d thought they were sharks. She'd been afraid of them since seeing the movies Jaws and Open Water. Being eaten by the predators weren’t high on her to-do list. Nevertheless, she pushed that prospect out her mind and leaned over the railing again, feeling the tiny spatter of water on her skin. For the next ten days this grand vessel would be her home away from home, and she planned on enjoying every minute of it.
The sun deck baked in the hot heat that not even her summer dress could quell. For relief, Raine sat in the shade on a comfy, plush lounge chair by a huge pool with a dual waterslide. She sipped her frozen fruity umbrella drink while admiring the people through her mirrored sunglasses, which shielded her from the sun’s harmful rays and from people she loved to watch.
As she sat there indulging in the ample supply of sea air and alcoholic beverage, a seductive looking man sank down in the chair next to her. She felt his eyes ogling her. Just as the cool drinks were making her head a little fuzzy, she caught a glimpse of this handsome gentleman. She turned her head and smiled politely at him.
“My name is Miguel,” he said. His pronounced Spanish accent sent ripples through her body.
“I’m Raine. Nice to meet you,” she replied, holding out her hand to him.
Miguel’s grip on her hand was warm. She smiled as he ran his fingers across her delicate skin. She took her head back and looked back at the people sliding down the water slide, but Miguel was intent on talking to her.
“Have you ever been on a cruise ship like this one before?” he asked.
“Nope. Is it that obvious?” she asked, not making eye contact with him.
“A little bit,” he teased.
To her surprise, he ran his hand up her arm and gave her shoulder a squeeze. “You’re tight,” he said seductively.
Raine flashed a sexy smile. You have no idea how right you are. She turned her head, looking at his fingers creating tiny unseen circles on her shoulder, shivering as his thick digits toyed with her strap.
His misty, green eyes awakened some dormant passion within her soul. She could tell from this man’s mannerisms and straightforwardness he didn’t often take no for an answer. Being a free spirit, his authoritative role intrigued her very much. It made Miguel very hard to resist.
“So, let me be your guide then,” he offered, leaning over so his hot breath danced on her skin.
Raine looked over the brim of her sunglasses at him. She smiled, fighting the urge to run her fingers over his shiny shaved head. A quick vision of a strong, bald man in a tight, white tee holding a cleaner popped into her mind. Even though her ideal man happened to be the tall, dark, and handsome type, Miguel’s shaved head made him look even sexier. He slouched back in the chair, spreading his broad muscle-bound legs over the sides.
This big, strong man could bench press her over his head fifty times and probably not even break a sweat. Her eyes traced his manicured goatee and sideburns. Sunlight bounced off his bronzed skin. Damn he’s sexy!
“I know you’re thinking about me right now,” he said with a confident wink.
“How do you know that?” she asked coyly.
“Because you’re staring at me with a big-ass smile on your face, that’s how. You’re going to have a good time with me, believe me, mama.”
By the looks of it, this is going to be an adventure of a lifetime.
Miguel flashed a sexy, dimpled smile, then abruptly sat up, cupping her chin in his big hand. His soft touch gliding across her skin felt as if a lightning bolt streaked through her body and pierced her heart with the sensation, spreading to her nether regions. She crossed her legs, trying to hide the warmth growing in between her chocolate thighs. Miguel’s fingers flowed effortlessly along her jaw line, then around her ear to run them through her hair.
“Your hair is beautiful,” he whispered.
“Thank you,” Raine replied, fanning herself slightly. “It’s hot out here…”
“Not as hot as you’re going to be later,” he promised.
This handsome, Spanish beefcake made her body feel like no one had ever before. “So, mamacita, are you going to let me show you around?”
“All right, show me.” She sipped the last of her drink.
Miguel stood. He was at least six feet with big, broad shoulders. He’s definitely the football type. He pulled out gold sunglasses from the breast pocket of his white Phat Farm shirt, which was unbuttoned to the middle of his chest and licked his full lips.
She longed to taste the tip of his pink tongue. Her eyes flickered toward the tribal tattoo running down his left forearm. His fourteen-carat gold chain was visible on the crop of thick, black chest hair. Damn, I can’t stop staring. His dark blue jeans fit him, comfortably accentuating the prominent bulge that arrested her attention. Wow, now that’s what I call a package deal!
“Come on, mama.”
He reached down and pulled her to her feet. His stride doubled hers so it took a minute to catch up. When he looked down at her, her heart melted. “Let’s start here,” he said, walking into the casino. Black bar furniture, neon lights, and a fuchsia carpet set the scene from the early nineteen eighties.
“Okay, but I’m not very lucky,” she joked.
“I’ll show you. Come here.”
Raine adjusted her shades and then followed her hot Spanish guide. She allowed him to lead so she could stare at his ass.
They stopped in front of a slot machine. She felt Miguel’s hard body rubbing against her. Her nether nubbin thrummed as if he’d touched it.
He wrapped his big, bulky arms underneath hers, his hand clasped tightly around the lever and her hand.
“Let’s pull together. I bet we’re lucky,” his deep sultry voice echoed in her ear.
“Okay,” Raine said, smiling, enjoying the warmth of his hand caressing hers. What was it about this man that made her tingle so? A few seconds after pulling the lever, bells went off and coins began to flood the drawer.
“No shit!” she exclaimed, staring in disbelief at the small fortune in quarters.
“I told you we’re lucky together,” Miguel’s voice drifted softly in her ear. He leaned in closer to lightly graze her lips with his own. The near kiss made her cream her panties.
“Here,” she said, pushing the large coin bucket against his chest.
“What’s wrong, babe? Do I make you nervous?”
Raine kept her voice steady. “No, you’re good-looking, Miguel, but I’ve seen better. Let’s go play blackjack.”
Raine turned her back, feeling the heat flush her cheeks. She scooped up the winnings and then followed her new friend to the card table. Miguel moved some patrons to the side to usher her forward. She straightened her back and sauntered to the front of the table. Wow, he has such a commanding presence. She rested her back against his encompassing chest, loving the safety that enveloped her just from being close to him.
She put down two chips as the dealer began to deal the cards. A muffled yelp escaped her lips as Miguel’s hand slipped underneath her dress. Her eyes darted quickly around the table. No one seemed to pay any attention to them. Or maybe they didn’t care. She nibbled the side of her bottom lip as his fingers began to caress her mound.
A server came around and offered them a drink. Picking up a Cosmopolitan, Raine sipped it slowly, hoping the cold liquid would quell the fire between her thighs. All the background chatter began to fade away as he traced her nub through her sheer yellow panties. Her breath quickened with each stroke.
Beads of sweat dotted her brow as she strained her eyes to focus on the game. She held her breath to suppress the moans that begged to be heard. His thick digits fumbled for one second with the band of her undies before slipping inside. She could feel the dampness between her legs.
She opened her thighs, rocking her hips against his hand. Her heart raced as he slid one finger into her wetness, making her quake all over. She squeezed the side of the card table, arching her back. Her heart faltered as she waited for him to tickle her g-spot. He held her waist tightly as she continued to rub her round ass against the hardness in his jeans. Feeling the stiffness of his phallus made her imagination spring to life. With his broad finger moving steadily within her, she replaced his digit with his member in her mind. The mere thought set her body ablaze.
“You’re so tight, mama,” he whispered close to her ear.
W
ords escaped her. Raine’s mind was full of naughty thoughts featuring Miguel bending her over the card table and ramming his cock deep inside her.
“You’re about to cum, aren’t you?”
Raine licked her lips. Never had she experienced anything like this before. Sex in public? Never had the thought crossed her mind, but now, leaning against the blackjack table on the verge of climax, she didn’t care who saw them. In fact she wanted them to see.
“Tell me what you want,” he commanded, pushing up his finger harder.
“I…I…” she stammered, unable to focus.
Miguel forced her body up against the table. “Are you afraid? Do you want me stop?” He began to withdraw his finger.
“I’m not afraid,” she gasped. “And I don’t want you so stop.” She cast her head over her shoulder to stare him directly in the eye.
“Good.” Miguel thrust his digit back into her wet hole. “Your pussy is so wet. I can’t wait for you to sit on my face.”
She couldn’t think of how cocky he was for assuming she would even go that far with him. Raine could only concentrate on how glorious she felt right then. Her breaths were nothing more than shallow huffs as the orgasm crept through her body.
“Winner!” yelled the dealer, pushing a mountain of red and black chips over to Raine. The crowd surrounding them pressed closer. Miguel thrust his finger up harder, shadowing her body with his. As the jubilant crowd laughed and cheered in her honor, her body seized with an orgasm. She clenched the table and bit her bottom lip as her body shuddered.
“You won a hundred thousand dollars!” a strange, pudgy gentleman wearing a cowboy hat said in her ear.
Euphoria ran untamed in her head, making mush of any thought she possessed. Raine just nodded and smiled as her head slowly began to clear.
“You’re so lucky!” giggled a blonde woman standing next to her.
“Yes, she sure is,” Miguel murmured, licking his wet index finger.
The Pleasure Cruise Page 1