Aboard the Wishing Star (6 page)

"I'd be happy to teach you."

"Oh, I don't know." She hesitated. "I only recently learned how to swim."

"You'll be fine, sweetheart. You'll wear an inflatable vest, and I'll make sure nothing happens to you."

"Well, maybe. But I'm not a very good swimmer."

"You don't have to be. You just float and hold my hand."

"Oh. Okay, I can do that."

"Good." He smiled. "You're going to love it. All the brightly colored fish and the coral. It's a beautiful world down there. I'm looking forward to showing it to you."

Kara listened as Nate described places he'd gone snorkeling and scuba diving. He'd traveled all over the world.

His confidence and physical strength comforted her. Perhaps that was why she didn't hesitate to share private things with him. He seemed like a long lost friend. Familiar and safe.

Time seemed to stop when he was near, as if they were in a dream on some other plain. One where she belonged. Where she was destined to be.

This isn't logical. This is real life, not a dream.

She pushed her thoughts away and finished her drink.

After she finished, Nate slipped his fingers beneath hers. "I've enjoyed getting to know you better, Kara." His thumbs rubbed the back of her hands. "Thank you for sharing what was troubling you tonight."

Kara blushed.

His gaze held such warmth and tenderness she felt lost within it. Lost and yet found.

"Walk you to your cabin?"

"I'd like that."

"Good."

On the way, they examined the art covering the walls throughout the ship. He knew something of art and though she knew little, he told her she had a good eye.

"I always wanted to paint or draw," Kara said.

"What stopped you?"

"Oh, I don't know."

She'd put away her scribbling when she married Neil to focus on their marriage. Neil wasn't much into artsy things and never understood her "doodles," as he called them.

Maybe she'd take a class when she got back home. Just for fun. Maybe sketch a thing or two. It had been years since she'd thought of doing that.

Somehow she didn't think Nate would find it silly. Still she said nothing of what she was thinking.

They started down the hall toward her stateroom. Something sat outside her door.

"Oh, look," she said. "That could be my luggage."

"I'll bet it is."

They stopped outside the cabin door, and she checked the luggage tags to be sure. "Yes." She sighed with relief. "Oh, good."

"I'm glad. Now you can rest without worrying and get a good night's sleep."

She smiled. "I hope so."

He picked up one of her bags and waited as she opened the door. The sound of Viv's snoring greeted them. They smiled at each other then he set the bag inside for her.

The cabin steward came around the corner carrying an extra blanket. "I can get those for you in a moment," he said.

"Thanks, I've got them." Nate lifted the other.

The steward nodded, moving away to knock on another door, it opened and he handed the occupant the blanket.

Once Nate set the bags inside her room, his hand caught hers. He pulled her closer, letting the door close.

He leaned in as she looked up, the smile still hovering on her lips.

He's going to kiss me.

Butterflies flitted in her stomach as his lips descended and brushed hers, touching hers like a whisper.

Like the whisper of a wish made in the dark of night.

Raising his mouth from hers he gazed into her eyes. "Good night sweetheart," he whispered. "Sweet dreams."

"Good night," she breathed, her lips tingling from his kiss. Still feeling she was within a dream, she opened the door again for him to step outside, and then she eased it closed. She leaned against it on the other side and pressed her fingers to her lips.

Just one kiss. A gentle whisper of a kiss.

A soft kiss that made her wish for more. So much more. But it was just a kiss.

She told herself that as she got ready for bed. Repeated it as she climbed into bed and curled up on her side.

Just a kiss.

Kara touched her lips with her fingertips. If only he'd kiss her again.

Once was not enough.

As she lay in the dark, caught up in the magic of a simple kiss, the magic of a simple wish, there in the dark she sent up another wish. A wish he'd kiss her again tomorrow night and more than once.

Spending time with Nate reminded her of how much she missed having someone in her life and not just someone to talk to. She missed waking in the night and reaching out and touch the man she loved, knowing she wasn't alone.

The small ship's bunk she'd curled up in felt empty even though it was small, though not as empty as her king-sized bed at home.

As the ship rocked her, she lay still, closing her eyes, remembering the sound of Nate's voice, the way his eyes looked into hers and the gentle touch of his lips.

The ship's movements lulled her into sleep. She dreamed. In her dream Nate kissed her over and over.

It was the soundest sleep she had in years.

The next morning, as Kara opened the door to their cabin, Viv squinted at her with one eye. "It's too early to get up."

"I've already been to the gym, the cafeteria and the shops. It's not as early as you think."

Viv groaned but sat up. "What did you get?"

"Those gold sandals."

"I ought to get a pair." Viv swung her feet out of bed and lifted the phone. "I'm ordering room service. You hungry?"

Didn't she hear me say I'd been to the cafeteria? Sometimes I think she doesn't pay attention.

"No." Kara shook her head. "I've eaten. But I do need a shower."

"Oh hey, there's your luggage. Cool. I didn't hear the room steward bring them in."

Kara started to say Nate had brought them in, but stopped.

Viv doesn't need to know everything. It's not like she's paying attention anyway.

"I'm glad they came. Now I can relax," Kara said.

"A day by the pool, that's what you need."

"By the time you get your shower, I'll be ready and we can head up."

Kara waited an hour while Viv fussed over her hair, giving it a few sprays of hairspray and redoing her eye shadow three times as Kara sat flipping through a magazine about the cruise line.

At this rate it will be lunchtime before we get there. Why is she taking so long? We're only going to the pool.

Finally Viv placed sunglasses on her head. "Are you ready?"

"I've been ready."

Up on deck, Kara watched the surrounding sea. The sun had turned it a brilliant shade of blue.

There was so much of it. So very much it seemed to have no end or edge. The ship is far beyond any shoreline. There're no other ships, just this big blue sea.

Kara felt small and cut off from everything she knew.

There's only this ship and the people on it, in the middle of this great big, wide ocean.

"Ladies, would you care for a towel?" An attendant held out a blue and white
Wishing Star
towel for each of them, and then they walked the decks looking for two lounge chairs together.

"Looks like we'd have to get here early to find a good spot," Kara said.

Viv squeezed Kara's arm and pointed. "That woman and child are leaving. Hurry, we'll grab their chairs."

The lounge chairs stood beside the main pool with the waterfall. Kara settled into one, watching the activities director set up a microphone by the pool.

"Hey, girl, front row seats." Viv grinned. "Pool Olympics starts in fifteen minutes."

Male contestants started lining up, and the activities director called for the ladies to join in. None volunteered. The men had well-formed physiques, and each seemed anxious to prove his masculinity to onlookers. Several eyed Kara's red bikini as they strutted past. Each smiled, one winked and flexed his muscles, and a few puffed out their chests.

As Nate walked past, Kara couldn't help but notice the way his powerful, well-muscled body moved with the easy grace of an athlete. He made no extra effort to gain her attention, yet he drew her gaze like a magnet. Kara leaned back in her chair, trying to appear relaxed as she soaked up the sun.

Yes, he looks good.

Nate entered the games.

Kara noticed Nate's glance. A part of her reveled in his open admiration. She felt beautiful. It had been a long time since she felt that way.

The first game was a beer-drinking game and consisted of six players lined up on each side of the pool. When the director asked again if any ladies would join in, Nate's gaze locked on hers and she lowered her lashes. She shook her head.

Silly, overgrown boys. And it's only mid-day.

After the first contest ended and his team won, Nate scooped water, splashed it on his face, then glanced at her and winked.

She couldn't resist a smile.

The two teams lined up for the second game. The first man in each line had to put on a large T-shirt and swim to the other end of the pool, pull himself out then eat a cracker, drink a small carton of creamer before blowing up a balloon and swimming back to hand off his T-shirt to the next teammate.

Nate stood tensed to dive into the pool. Damp tendrils of hair curled on his forehead and around his ears. One dark lock fell a little forward onto his head, and he brushed it back with one hand, his muscles rippling.

"He's a fair treat," Viv said, breaking into Kara's thoughts. "That's one solid man."

"Mm hm," was the best Kara could offer in reply. What was it about the man that turned her brain to mush?

He bent, poised to dive in for his turn, his quadriceps solid as a rock.

"Ooh," Viv squealed. "How'd you like to wake up next to that bloody great hunk of man every morning?"

"Quiet." Kara's face heated. "He'll hear you."

Nate dove in. As he swam, Kara entertained the idea Viv had introduced. It would be heaven to have those strong arms around her every night. She'd sleep like a baby.

She watched him drink the creamer. It coated his lips before he wiped it off with the back of his hand. Watching his lips made her swallow hard.

He blew up the balloon, dove in, swam across, and handed off his T-shirt. His team won again. From the look of triumph on his face, she knew he was a man who enjoyed winning.

The third game sounded easier. One contestant from each team would dive into the pool filled with ping-pong balls and then use his swimsuit to store as many balls as he could get his hands on.

"Ladies, are you sure none of you want to join us for this last game?" the activities director coaxed again.

"Come on, Kara." Viv sat up, but Kara pulled her back. "Are you crazy? I can't do that. Everyone will be watching and I'm not sure I remember much from the swimming lessons."

"Right," Viv said. "We have the best view right here anyway."

"Thank you, Viv," Kara leaned back and exhaled.

"No takers?" The man sounded disappointed. "All right, men. Show us if you have enough balls."

Nate laughed then glanced at Kara. He grinned at her and she glanced down.

No, everything is still where it belongs.

She tugged at her top and saw her skin was getting pink. The mid-day sun reflected off the water. Once the games ended, she'd move into the shade.

"Let's see if Nate and Adam will catch the show with us after dinner," Viv said.

"Okay." Kara felt giddy at the thought of a whole evening with him. Dinner and a show never sounded so good.

Nate climbed out of the water, water streaming down his muscular body and his swim trunks bulging with ping-pong balls. Kara had to put her hand over her mouth to hide her laugh.

He grinned at her as he pulled the balls out for the activities director to count. Nate's eyes sparkled.

"Girl, that man is hot," Viv said.

Kara couldn't reply.

The hum inside began again
. Oh my. It isn't only his voice and his touch. All he has to do was look over and ... The look in his eyes right now ...

She gasped. What was wrong with her? She had to get this under control.

"Breathe, girlfriend," Viv said. She pulled a straw hat out of her beach bag and placed it on Kara's head. "Lean back, stay cool, and don't be obvious. You'll scare him off."

"Let it be, Viv," Kara snapped, irritated.

Maybe she
was
going mad from lack of sex. Viv said it could happen. Kara had never had this problem before. Kara squirmed and hoped she didn't look like she was in heat or something.

The director handed out ribbons and T-shirts; Nate accepted his award then headed toward Kara's chair.

Kara sucked in a deep breath and tried to compose herself, but her poise was only a fragile shell. One more smile, one more touch from this hunk of a man and her peace of mind might well be non-existent, the damage irreversible.

He came closer, his deep brown eyes so intent on her that for a moment she forgot to breathe.

Then he stood at the foot of her lounge chair.

Beneath the warmth of his gaze something deep within her melted, yet she remained frozen, waiting for one word from him, her breath coming shallow while her pulse thundered.

"Hello, sweetheart." His voice held a rasp of excitement.

She ducked her head, shy. "Hello."

He knelt then peeked under her straw hat. His brown eyes met hers. "Care to reward the winner with a kiss?"

She could barely breathe, let alone answer.

Nate winked to let Kara know he was teasing then laid his newly won T-shirt across her legs. "You may not have a prize for me, sweetheart, but I have one for you." He sat on the lounge chair next to her. "There's no way I can wear a medium, and they're out of large."

"Oh. What?" She was disoriented, her mind on the kiss he'd asked her for.

Oh. A tee shirt. He's giving me the tee shirt he won.

"Are you sure?"

His hand closed over her ankle, and he gave it a squeeze. She inhaled at the contact of his warm hand and froze, unable to speak.