Alaskan Exposure (2 page)

She could feel his eyes on her before he spoke. “My quarters
are a bit bigger and I have a window. Would you like to see them?”

His lips were so close to her ear that she felt his breath
on her skin. Her clit pulsed and she felt the moisture building in her panties.
What is wrong with you?
She sucked in a ragged gasp of air. “I… No.
Thank you.”

He laughed. “I can show you the bridge if you like?”

She followed him, admiring his long legs and the way his
jacket tapered up from his waist to his shoulders. The hall ended at a door. He
slid a card through a pad on the side of the door and it clicked before he
turned the handle and pushed it open.

He explained the controls to the left. He spoke as if he’d
given the same tour to hundreds of passengers. A young woman came over and said
something close to his ear. He frowned and turned back to Charley. “I’m afraid
I’ll have to cut our tour short for now. You probably want to photograph the
launch anyway. Bridgette will show you the way out, Miss Ballantine. We’ll have
to continue the tour another time.”

“Charley,” she said hoping to make up for being rude
earlier. “Please call me, Charley.”

He smiled and his eyes settled on hers. She felt the blush
return to her cheeks. He put his hand out. “Charley then. I’m sure I’ll see you
again during the cruise.”

She had the distinct feeling that Kyle had said those same
words to countless women on countless cruises and had no idea why that irked
her. Still, the warmth and strength of his hand clasping hers sent a shiver
through her, which landed directly between her thighs.

She practically ran from the bridge. Poor Bridgette probably
thought she had to pee or something. Managing to say a polite goodbye to her
escort at the elevator bank, she headed up the steps.

Switching to her outdoor rig, Charley spent the next hour on
the upper decks taking pictures of the ship pulling out of Seattle harbor.

When she finally made her way down to the martini bar, she
was not surprised to find Jules surrounded by a harem of men all vying for her
attention. Jules had long dark hair, gray-blue eyes, a voluptuous body and a
quick wit. Men couldn’t resist her. But she would never let any of those guys
know she’d spent more than a year recovering from a terrible break-up.

Charley’s plan for her friend to have a good time seemed to
be working quite well.

“Charley,” Jules called. “Check this out. How cool is this?”
Jules touched the top of the bar as Charley approached. Her finger melted a
small spot, revealing the stainless steel beneath. The circular bar had a
frozen top. It was actually covered in a thin film of ice.

There were about a dozen people sitting around the bar, all
sipping martinis of varying colors. Everyone was fascinated by the bar and like
Jules, pressing their fingers in to melt away parts of the ice. Charley made a
mental note to get pictures of the bar when the ice was fresh.

“Who are your friends?” Charley asked close to Jules’ ear.

“Cops on vacation.” She practically preened as she downed
the remainder of a pink-colored martini. “Where have you been?”

“I had to work.”

“What’s the first officer like?”

“He’s an arrogant playboy who probably sleeps with half the
women on the ship.” The description came out more fiercely than she’d intended
as she pushed away the memory of his alluring scent and kind gaze.

Nothing got passed Jules. She narrowed her eyes. “You like
him.”

“No.”

Her friend was nodding in that irritating way she had when
she knew she was right. “You like him a lot.”

One of the men leaned over so that his chest was pressed to
Jules’ arm. “We’re going to get cleaned up. Do you ladies want to join us for
dinner? I can go and change the reservation in the dining room.”

“We’d love to, Drew.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder
exposing the side of her neck to him.

Charley was too intrigued by how well Jules could work a man
to care about her setting them up to have dinner with six gentlemen they didn’t
know.

“Great, what’s your friend’s name?”

Charley held her hand out. “Charlene Ballantine, Charley.”

He shook her hand but barely took his eyes away from Jules.
“Nice to meet you, Charley. I’ll make sure they direct you to the right table
when you arrive for dinner.”

She must have looked as leery as she felt. Another one of
the cops laughed. “Don’t look as if you’re going to the gallows.” He held out
his hand. “Bob Standish.”

She took it. “Charley.”

Bob leaned in. “We don’t bite, Charley. I promise you’ll
have a good time.”

His smile was full of mirth and she couldn’t help smiling
back. “I’m sure you’re right.”

The six men all said goodbye and made their way out of the
large lounge area where the Martini bar sat off in the corner.

Jules watched them leave and Charley could have sworn her
friend was drooling a little at their hard bodies.

“Was there one that you liked or are you planning to date
all six?” Charley tapped Jules on the shoulder to get her attention. She was
still staring at the archway where the police officers had disappeared.

“I don’t know if ‘date’ is the word I’d use. I sure do like
them all. I think Bob liked you.”

Charley shrugged. “I saw him for one minute. He’s charming,
I guess. I’m not really interested in a shipboard romance. I just want to do my
job, get paid and maybe get a recommendation from the cruise line so I can get
my business off the ground.”

“Great, you work, I’ll play. We’re coming back to this bar
after dinner. The bartender told me they put on a great show once it gets
hopping.”

“You know, since you talked me into sinking all my money
into the studio, you could help me with my work.”

“I am helping you. I’m in charge of making sure you don’t
work so hard you forget to live a little. Get a drink and relax a little,”
Jules said. “Hey is that your first officer?”

Charley turned in the direction she indicated. Kyle
Macintyre strode purposefully toward them. She couldn’t help admiring how
graceful he was for a tall man. She wished she could stop her body from humming
every time he came near. “Yes and he’s not mine.”

She stood up as he approached.

“Don’t get up, Charley. I just wanted to apologize for
cutting the tour short earlier.” He nodded toward the exit. “I saw that you
were well entertained.”

Something in the way he said it, made her think he was
jealous of Jules’ police officers. She must have misread his tone. Why should
he care what she did? “Not at all. I’m sure there will be plenty of time to see
the ship and all the views. Besides, the bridge is not what the line is looking
for to attract business.”

His slow smile made her stomach do a flip.

Jules turned on her stool and put her hand between them.
“I’m Charley’s companion for the trip, Jules Masters.”

His eyes shifted toward Jules and he took her hand. “Kyle
Macintyre, a pleasure to meet you. If you need anything during the trip, don’t
hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you.” The breathiness in her voice irritated Charley.

He turned back to Charley. “I think I have a view you would
like to photograph, Charley. If you want to meet me at about six tomorrow
morning, I can show it to you.”

“Six!” Jules was outraged by the suggestion of such an early
hour.

Kyle laughed. “I know it’s early, but the view will be worth
it.”

“I’ll pass,” Jules said. “I’m not even sure the world exists
outside my bed at that hour.”

Charley smiled at the irritation in her voice. “I can be
there at six.”

“Great. I’ll meet you in the same spot we met today.”

“I’ll be there.”

He nodded, said goodbye and sauntered back the way he’d
come. Both women watched his slim hips and wide shoulders as he walked away.

“He’s hot, but six a.m. is above and beyond the call for a
piece of ass if you ask me.”

Annoyance spun her around to face Jules. “First of all, I’m
working. I have absolutely no interest in Kyle. He is only doing his job. I’m
sure the corporate office told him to show me views that will be good in the
catalogue. And second, I didn’t ask you.”

Jules grinned. “For someone who’s not interested and is just
working, you sure did seem preoccupied with his very fine ass as it was walking
away.”

“Stop it.”

Jules held up her hands in surrender and laughed. “Okay,
okay. You’re not interested and neither is he. Even though he came down here,
probably watched until the other men walked away and invited you on an early
morning date.”

“It’s not a date.”

“Yes, I know, it’s work. Work that includes a private tour
with a man in uniform who has the most stunning blue eyes I’ve ever seen, and a
body that even under that jacket made my mouth water.”

“Your mouth waters at the utility workers when we drive into
Tampa.”

She sighed. “True.”

The first night dinner was on the casual side. Charley
changed into black slacks and a white top. Jules went with a skirt that was so
short she couldn’t bend over without exposing her ass. The red blouse she chose
was open enough to expose a full view of cleavage and just the hint of the red,
lace bra.

“Your outfit is drawing attention,” Charley said.

Jules flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Maybe they are
admiring your hair. People love redheads.”

“Yes, that must be it.” Her words dripped with sarcasm. The
dining room was stunning with chandeliers, white tablecloths and brass polished
to a high shine. The tall windows facing forward stretched up to the
thirty-foot ceilings and a balcony area that wrapped around the room and seated
more passengers. A wide set of stairs curled gracefully up to the balcony.

A waiter wearing a red jacket led them down six steps to a
sunken area near the front of the dining room. He directed them to a large
round table filled with men.

To Charley’s amazement, all six men rose as they approached
the table, and Drew held out Jules’ chair.

“And I thought chivalry was dead,” Jules said too loudly.

“Me too,” Charley whispered as Bob held her chair for her.

“You were wrong,” he said in her ear. “We cops are very
chivalrous.”

She smiled. “I stand corrected.”

Bob made the introductions. “You all met Jules earlier. This
is her friend, Charley. Charley, this is Brian M, Joe, Scott, Brian G and you
met Drew.”

She knew she was blushing as all six men stared at her.
Cursing her red hair and fair skin, she tried to smile. “It’s a pleasure to
meet all of you. Thank you for inviting us to eat with you.”

They all nodded and professed the pleasure was theirs.

Bob sat next to her and passed her the basket of rolls.
“What do you do, Charley?”

She turned toward his strong jaw and dark eyes. He was
handsome, rugged and very polite. “I’m a photographer. I just started my own
business. This cruise is actually an assignment.”

He pointed to a man walking around taking pictures of
diners. “Why aren’t you working the way that guy is?”

She laughed. “I’m here to photograph the ship and the views
for marketing material. He’s part of the crew and I’m a contractor. I get to
enjoy nice dinners in the main dining room, while he has to work. Though, he
looks as if he’s having a pretty good time.”

They both watched the slight man with the camera laugh and
joke with the people at the table he was photographing.

“He does. Where are you from?”

“Jules and I live in Florida, just outside of Tampa. What
about you?”

“We’re from New Jersey. We went to the academy together and
now we all work in different police departments around the state. Every couple
of years we get together and go on vacation.”

“None of you are married?”

His eyes widened for a moment and then he smiled. “Both
Brian’s are married and Joe is engaged.”

She had to admit it came out a little abrupt. Another flush
of warmth filled her cheeks. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude.”

“Not at all. I like people who ask what they want to know
and don’t beat around the bush.”

“Then you will love, Jules. There’s nothing shy or devious
about her. She always says exactly what’s on her mind.”

Bob looked over at the brunette. As always, she was bubbling
with excitement over whatever she, Drew and Scott were discussing. Charley
admired how easily Jules could make friends anywhere and charm anyone.

“I do like her.” He grinned and looked down at Charley as if
Jules didn’t exist.

“I have a question.” Jules said loud enough to get the
attention of the table. Once everyone was turned and watching her she asked,
“Are all New Jersey cops gorgeous or is it a requirement to get into your
little group?”

The men all puffed up and laughed. Drew said something in
her ear that made her laugh harder.

Charley shook her head and smiled as the waiter came over to
take their drink orders.

All six men were complete gentlemen and Bob paid her special
attention. He was good company throughout the meal. Anytime the conversation
lagged, he would ask her a question about her work or tell an amusing story.
She couldn’t help liking him. He was nice to look at, but her heart didn’t race
when she spoke to him. When their hands met reaching for the pepper, she wasn’t
assaulted by the heat of the contact. She wondered about how strongly her body
had reacted to Kyle and why this was different. Bob was safe. There was nothing
safe about Kyle.

She shook off the uncomfortable thoughts. “What do you do in
your department?”

“I’m a sergeant. I run a squad,” Bob said.

“Wow, how long have you all been cops?”

“Fifteen years.”

“How old are you?” She didn’t know why she blurted the
question out. She’d thought these guys were in there early thirties but now she
had to rethink their ages.