Pleasure Cruise

Pleasure Cruise © Copyright 2005 - 2012, Michelle M. Pillow & Mandy M. Roth

Cover art by Natalie Winters, © Copyright 2011 - 2012

Second Electronic Printing, April 2012 The Raven Books

First Electronic Printing March 2005

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

All books copyrighted to the author and may not be resold or given away without written permission from the authors, Michelle M. Pillow and Mandy M. Roth.

This novel is a work of fiction. Any and all characters, events, and places are of the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or events or places is merely coincidence.

The Raven Books

Published by The Raven Books

www.ravenhappyhour.com ~ www.theravenbooks.com

Raven Books and all affiliate sites and projects are © Copyrighted 2004-2012

The
Pleasure Cruise
series takes place in an alternate reality much like our own but where supernaturals are known to exist. Also, in real life, please practice safe sex.

To the PTB for letting us get our rights back to this, so we can do what we originally wanted to do.

To the readers—we love you!

Interoffice Memo

From: The Powers That Be

Re: Pleasure Cruise, Cruise Line Corporation, Pilot Program

TOP SECRET

Due to the dwindling population of certain supernatural factions and the reluctance of the supernatural kind to take mates for all eternity, we will be establishing a comprehensive program to repopulate the various supernatural species. Many of the supernaturals we’ve observed are unwilling to take mates from within their own population. This reluctance has been exacerbated in large part by the old grudges still held from the Middle Ages. In addition, the ratio of supernatural females to males have widened considerably. There are significantly fewer females for men to choose from. We assume Global Climate Change is to blame—if not, it does seem a good scapegoat.

In an unprecedented move, we will now be allowing humans on the Pleasure Cruise to participate in the preordained mating process. Because of existing prejudices against supernaturals in human culture, some human participants will not be aware of the paranormal elements on the cruise. However, these humans will be blessed with a sixth sense so as to subconsciously recognize their mates upon first sight. We do not wish to have a boat full of frightened humans defying our will. Some resistance is expected, but in the end, we gods know what’s best for them.

We do expect some opposition amongst the supernatural factions to this plan. Not all species will be happy to have their food source considered as suitable mate material. If questioned, you are authorized to cite declaration thirteen:
The gods have willed it so
. If they continue to question our judgment, turn their names over for possible smiting. We expect banshees and leprechauns to give us the most problems. You all know how they are when dealing with change.

It is our hope that, by introducing humans into their bloodlines, the supernatural will be less reluctant to take a mate. All humans who mate themselves to a supernatural will be blessed with eternal life. They will also be given the gift of procreation. If this goes well, we will be slowly introducing humans into our other business ventures as well, including Pleasure Air and Pleasure Train.

Clare grimaced as she looked at the gangway of the cruise ship and took a deep breath, trying to steel herself to get on board. The walkway looked nothing like she’d imagined. It was a long, plastic-covered hallway leading from the second story of the check-in building.

A long strand of wavy, blonde hair worked itself out of her loose ponytail. Kira had talked her into the highlights, and every time she saw them it caused her to pause. Frowning, she pushed the lock of hair out of her face and reached down to grab her duffel bag. It was the only bag she’d managed to convince the rather pushy bag boys at the port loading zone to leave in her care. Of course, this was seconds before they demanded a tip for carrying her belongings two feet and handing them off to the next person. Already the cruise was starting off on a sour note.

Slinging the bag over her shoulder, she looked around. She felt like a product in an assembly line. First stop, luggage drop-off. Wait in line. Second stop, health declaration. Wait in line. Third stop, check in. Wait in line. Fourth stop, go upstairs to, yep, wait in line. Fifth stop, photographer. Clare sighed. Apparently waiting in multiple lines was a major memorable event on a cruise ship. And finally, wait in line to get on the boat.

Cruising on a luxury ship wasn’t something she’d ever imagined herself doing. No, she was a career-driven woman who never thought of anything beyond deadlines and new deals. Clare was still shocked Kira had gotten her to agree to this trip.

“Welcome to the boat of love. I wonder what will happen on this week’s exciting journey? Will the captain steer the boat off course and into a giant iceberg? Or will the tired executive toss herself overboard due to lack of intellectual stimulation and line waiting?” she muttered, a little too sarcastically.

“That was the
Titanic
that hit the iceberg. And for the record, I graduated with honors… summa cum laude, baby. And I’d gloat but you graduated with the same honorable distinction,” Kira, answered, batting her eyes in a dramatic fashion.

“I know. If you recall, I was there. Besides, I wasn’t implying you aren't intelligent. Though I am happy to see you’ve decided to admit you’re smart. Why you always feel the need to hide it is beyond me,” Clare said. “You’re the top of your field. You should be proud of it, not ashamed. If men are intimidated by that, they don’t deserve you.”

“And then I’d never get laid.” Kira shrugged, as carefree as ever. The line inched forward, winding slowly through the clear plastic hallways. “I’m not ashamed. I just don’t want to be labeled as some boring pinstripe workaholic prude because I happen to be good at my job. I hate stereotypes.”

“We’ve already agreed to disagree on this topic. Because I love you like a sister, I’ll let it drop.” Clare did her best to appear chipper. This was a vacation, after all.

“Thank you,” Kira answered, grinning. “I don’t complain about your boring life and you don’t complain about my wild one.”

“Kira…”

“Okay, dropped.” Kira winked before whispering, “For now.”

“You know I’m not used to taking trips like this. I spend my life avoiding time-sucking getaways. You can’t get more useless than sailing on a boat that goes absolutely nowhere. Does this thing even make port anywhere interesting? Did you even check?”

Kira pursed her lips.

“You didn’t check the itinerary the booking company sent you?” Clare asked, surprised. Kira had refused to send it to her.

Kira shrugged again. “I looked to see what time to board. Don’t worry about it. Anyway, continue, you were on a pretty good rant of some sort.”

 
“Can’t a girl be left in her nice little pessimistic place?” Clare grumbled. “Even you have to agree that drowning might be preferable to learning how to play shuffleboard.”

Kira laughed. “Yes, I totally agree about the shuffleboard thing. Besides, with my lack of grace, I’d only end up slipping in front of the world’s sexiest man. Hopefully, he’d be a lawyer. Then he’d want to talk to me about a possible lawsuit. We could discuss it over a lovely night of screwing.”

“Kira!” Clare scolded.

Tossing her hands in the air, Kira snickered. “Just kidding. But thanks for taking on the stern mother role you do so well.”

“Someone has to try to keep you in line.”

“Ah, yes. Considering I’m a grown woman and have a mind of my own, the key word there is
try
.”

“Believe me, I know.” Clare took a deep breath. This was an old argument. She could no more control Kira than she could the shining of the sun. She loved her friend despite her quirks. The only thing she could do, as a friend, was to be supportive of her. “If one more person tells me to control you I’m going to scream. Short of locking you in the house, I’m screwed.”

“Tell them to kiss your ass. You aren’t my keeper, and if they want to try the job on, let them. I could use a good laugh.” Kira’s words were clipped. Clearly she was annoyed with the entire topic.