Read Aboard the Wishing Star Online

Authors: Debra Parmley

Aboard the Wishing Star (7 page)

BOOK: Aboard the Wishing Star
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"Sweetheart, I'm always sure."

Nate's hand on her skin sent energy shooting all the way up her body. That tingling feeling came over her again and like the other night, she felt torn between wanting to run and wanting to stay. His hand gentle and firm on her ankle anchored her.

Viv piped up. "Are you guys having dinner in the main dining room tonight?"

"Wouldn't miss it. That's where the best food is." Nate smiled at Kara and his smile combined with the touch of his hand had Kara melting.

"Jolly good," Viv said. "Meet up with us to watch the show afterwards?"

Jolly good? The British expressions Viv picked up from her latest beau will drive me mad if I have to hear them all week.

Nate tipped his head in an attempt to catch Kara's full attention, which she noted out of the corner of her eye, but her gaze remained riveted on his fingers. The sight of his long tanned fingers against her pale skin made her stomach flip.

He released her ankle and she exhaled. She longed for him to touch her again.

"It's a date," he replied, his attention directed at Kara. "We could go dancing afterward."

"Yes." She breathed the word and heard herself speak before it registered. It wasn't until he'd winked and walked away that she came back to herself.

"Earth to Kara," Viv said. "Girl, you need to get out of this sun."

Back in the room, Kara showered then lay down on the bed to take a nap. But she couldn't relax. Her thoughts wouldn't rest. Thoughts of dancing with Nate and the anticipation of his touch and his kisses filled her with excitement and nervous tension.

Viv came out of the bathroom, combing wet hair, and bent to pick up an envelope off the floor. "This has your name on it."

"The cabin steward must have slid it under the door." Kara reached for it and opened it. "Oh, wow."

"What is it?"

"A gift certificate for the spa." Kara frowned when she saw who sent it, but she remained silent.

"Let's get pedicures."

"Pedicures?"

"Hello, earth to Kara. Pay attention." Viv tapped the bottom of Kara's foot with her comb. "Pedicures. You have winter feet."

What did she mean, winter feet?

Kara looked down at her feet, which appeared fine. She kept her toenails trimmed.

"I have a Pedi every Thursday." Viv displayed her toes. "Just in time for the weekend."

"I've never had a pedicure before."

"Come on, it'll be fun."

Kara hesitated.

I won't tell her it's from Daryl unless she asks.
I don't want to think about my boss right now or my job. I'm here to relax, not stress over things. Cruises are supposed to be relaxing.

"Don't be an old stick in the mud. Come on, Kara."

"All right."

Viv chattered away about pedicures and manicures, but never once asked who gave Kara the gift certificate.

They headed to the spa where an attendant gave them a tour.

Viv pointed to the massage chairs. "You get to sit in the massage chair while they do your feet. It's wonderful."

"It's expensive."

Prices in the spa were higher than pedicures advertised back home. But at sea they had no competition.

"All the good spas charge more. It's worth it."

"All right." Kara handed the attendant her gift certificate. "Two pedicures please."

The pampering would be good. In fact it's long overdue.

Kara sat and slipped her feet into the bubbling water, closing her eyes. Suddenly an image of Nate's hand closing over her big toe filled her mind. Neil hadn't paid any attention to her toes. She'd stopped painting her toenails years ago. She pondered this while the massage chair rumbled up and down her back, her feet soaking in bubbling water.

She didn't realize she'd dozed off until a hand touched her shoulder. "Sorry to wake you, miss, but it's time to dry off."

Kara opened her eyes and glanced at Viv who offered her a big "I told you so" smirk.

"This is relaxing. I can't believe I dozed off though."

"Took you long enough to relax."

If Nate touches my toes again, they'll be baby smooth.

"Thanks, Viv. I'm glad you suggested this."

"You're welcome."

When they left, Kara's toes were a deep, elegant red.

"Let's both get something new to wear tonight," Viv said.

"Why not?" Kara laughed.

They headed to the stores, Viv with a bounce in her step and Kara humming along beside her.

"Kara, do you think Adam and I look good together?"

"Yes, sure."

"I don't know. He's much taller than me. I don't want to be one of those couples people say are mismatched."

"If he's the right guy, I don't see what difference it makes what other people think."

Viv chattered on while Kara's thoughts turned to how wonderful it felt to be with Nate. Too bad he was a scuba diver and had such a dangerous job.

But she wouldn't think of his dangerous job tonight. She'd enjoy the evening.

The deep red halter dress Kara spotted in the shop window fit well. As she paid for her purchase, she realized she'd just bought a dress to match her nail polish. That was a first.

A sexy, red dress.
So unlike her. More like Viv. No wonder Viv was smirking.
Well, this isn't about Viv. It feels good to treat myself.

Kara pulled the red dress she'd wear to dinner on and looked in the mirror. After a moment of contemplation she wound her hair up in a French twist, leaving her back and neck bare.

Viv emerged from the bathroom wearing an orange slip dress.
Only
Viv can carry off a crayon color like that.

"You look like an exotic island girl."

"Let's hope Adam thinks so." Viv slid gold bangles onto her wrists that jangled as she moved. "I'm just glad you found someone so fast. I thought it would take much longer. But this is great! I don't have to spend time worrying about finding you a guy. Now Adam and I can have fun without worrying over you."

Why did she think I'd have trouble finding a guy? Is that how she thinks of me? Poor, sad, Kara, whose husband was shot in front of her and who can't get her own date? That's exactly what she thinks. And it's kind of insulting. I don't need her to "find me a guy". That's not why I came on this cruise.

"Nobody needs to find me a guy." She frowned as she dug through her makeup bag looking for a lipstick to go with her new red dress. "Don't you worry about me." Disgusted that the colors were all wrong and she couldn't find what she wanted, she tossed the bag on the bed. "You and Adam go on and have fun."

Viv chattered on about Adam, but Kara tuned her out.

We've had a nice day, hanging out doing girl things. But maybe we both need some alone time.

It had been years since she and Viv had spent so much time together. Viv was starting to get on her nerves. Tonight, Kara vowed, she wouldn't let Viv dominate the conversation. She'd work at not being shy and tongue-tied.

But she couldn't allow Nate to feed her again. The memory of the simple act still hovered. She'd enjoy it if they were alone, though. But not with the others there. What she needed was...

How many years since she'd been intimate with a man? A small shipboard romance would be okay. She could hardly wait to see Nate again.

Viv primped in the mirror, fussing with her hair.

How long does it take her to get ready? She'll make us late to dinner if she keeps this up. Her hair doesn't look any different than it did thirty minutes ago when she should've been ready.

Why is Viv so obsessed with how she looks? Shouldn't she have outgrown that in high school? If anything it's gotten worse. Takes her twice as long to get ready as it used to. And she never bothered to say thank you for the pedicure I just used my certificate to buy for her. Would it kill her to say thank you?

"Can you hurry up?" Kara paced as she waited.

Viv halted, hair spray bottle in hand and raised one eyebrow. "Oh, you did not just tell me to hurry up." She picked up her room card key and spun on her heel. "Let's go."

Viv did the marching step down the hall that she always did when she was pissed off, fast as her short stride would go, Kara following along behind, her longer legs having no trouble keeping up.

Kara was relieved to see Nate and Adam waiting for them at the table.

"Good evening, ladies," Nate said with a nod and a slow perusal of appreciation.

"Good evening." Kara slid into her seat with smile only for Nate, enjoying the way he looked at her and noting how Viv bristled because neither man paid her any attention.

Was Viv jealous? How much different she behaves now that I'm single again and ready to date.

It was at that moment she realized she truly was ready to date. Nate made it seem easy, less intimidating. Why had she been so nervous about dating?

She sat up in her chair, leaned toward Nate and said, "Please pass the rolls."

"Certainly." He reached for the silver basket and handed it to her, their fingers brushing as their eyes met. "Butter?"

"Yes, please."

Even the most mundane exchange between them held an almost electric charge. It was simply happening and she wasn't even trying.

Vernon and Phyllis, the elderly couple celebrating their anniversary, ordered a bottle of champagne for the table. They'd obviously made up, and the newlyweds had joined them for dinner tonight in honor of the older couple's anniversary.

Once everyone had a glass, Vernon raised his glass in a toast. "To my lovely wife and the happiest years of my life." He glanced around the table. "And to falling in love. May you fall hard and land softly into welcoming arms."

Oh, God, yes. Welcoming arms. Oh, how I wish ... How I want that.

"Hear, hear," William and Beverly, the newlyweds echoed.

The tinkle of glasses rang.

They're lucky to have had so many years together.

Kara blinked through misty eyes as she sipped champagne. Then Nate's warm, strong hand gave her knee a gentle squeeze before releasing it. She set her glass down and sent him a smile. He'd made her feel better with that squeeze as if he'd known she was a little choked up.

The waiter moved to take her order. The menu was a blur through watery eyes, so she ordered the waiters recommendations.

Kara waited for Nate to order before she started a conversation. But once again Viv beat her to it.

"What's your guilty food pleasure?" Viv asked leaning toward Nate.

Kara arched her eyebrows.

What does she think she is doing? Same old Viv, insisting the spotlight be planted firmly on her.

"Mine is Godiva chocolate," Viv purred.

"Pecan pie," Adam said recapturing Viv's attention.

Kara wondered what annoyed Viv more, the men paying attention to Kara or the fact Kara forced Viv to shorten her beauty routine.

"My favorite is tiramisu," Kara jumped into the conversation and gave her whole attention to Nate, ignoring Viv. "It's the one desert I can never pass up, even when I'm full."

"I love tiramisu," Nate said and the smile he sent her warmed her to her toes.

"Is that your guilty food pleasure too?" Kara.

He leaned in close to Kara and said in a low voice, "My guilty pleasure is whip cream on naked skin."

"Oh my." Her eyes widened and the thought of him licking whipped cream off her skin sent tingles down her back. She'd never experienced that. Nate could turn the simplest thing into the most sensual, and he did it in such a playful way. Images of what he'd described now filled her head, making her squirm in her seat as he watched her with mischievous eyes. His gaze deepened as she squirmed.

"Tonight's show is 'In the Mood.' It's love songs from Broadway shows," Viv gushed. "I love musicals and theater."

"How about you?" Nate asked Kara.

Whipped cream or ... no, wait. Theater. He means what do I think about theater. Or does he?

"Viv loves drama. Me, I'm more into old movies."

"You're more of a cuddle up at home to watch movies kind of girl?"

"Well, yes. Though I like going out to see movies and sometimes theater."

"I enjoy watching old movies too."

One more thing we have in common.

"And cuddling."

Oh how good it would feel to cuddle up with him, sharing a bowl of popcorn.

"Mmm, that sounds wonderful." Images of cuddling up next to him filled her head as she directed her attention back to her food, beneath his gaze and warm smile.

Though she may have forgotten how to date, being with Nate was easy. After dinner, the four of them sat together at the show, Nate on one side of Kara and Viv on the other. Viv turned sideways, all her attention on Adam, ignoring Kara.

The glittering costumes and musical numbers dazzled with sequined gowns, lights and great singing. The show would have captured Kara's attention entirely if not for the way Nate's fingers traced the back of her hand.

The touch of his fingers sent tingles all through her body, and the hum, which never faded when he was near, built within her. Thoughts of how they'd dance later and the hope he might kiss her again filled her mind.

Though he didn't look at her, she sensed he paid attention to her reaction, her slightest breath.

After the show, Viv said, "We'll freshen up and meet you guys in the nightclub in thirty minutes."

"We'll be waiting," Adam replied.

"Hurry back." Nate held her hand as Kara looked up into his eyes.

"I will."

Thirty minutes seemed like forever but at least Viv didn't dawdle in front of the mirror this time. She also didn't speak to Kara.

A quick brush of her teeth and a dash of lip-gloss and Kara was ready.

Viv dropped her lipstick into her bag. "I'm ready."

"Let's go."

Heading to the club, Viv walked like a racehorse itching to break stride. The deck was slick, and Kara slid into a bench. "Ouch."

Viv stopped. "You okay?"

Kara rubbed her thigh as the muscle throbbed. "Yes."

BOOK: Aboard the Wishing Star
13.22Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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