Pleasure Cruise (9 page)

Clare opened her mouth. Kira clamped her hand over it. The explanation did make her feel a little better about the situation, but still, it seemed a little fast.

“That’s all I’m saying, got it?” Kira gave her a pointed look. “And if you promise to let me have this one little indiscretion, I promise not to count how many of the free ice cream cones you eat on this trip.”

“Or buffet trips?” Clare said, her voice muffled by Kira’s hand.

Kira laughed. “Yes, I promise. I will not count calories for you. You can eat as much as you want.

Clare nodded. “Fine.”

“So?” Kira asked, changing the subject as she let go of Clare’s mouth only to playfully nudge her arm into Clare’s side. “That toy really yours?”

“No,” Clare answered weakly.

“Liar!” Kira laughed, falling back on the bed. “You know, I didn’t get the creep vibe off of Dominik. He actually seemed… calm. Considering he thought you were in his room by mistake, any misunderstanding can be reasonably explained.”

Clare was used to her friend’s ways and didn’t pay any attention. Kira was like a piranha when she sensed vulnerability and Clare didn’t want to give her any bait. The dildo was most certainly hers, but saying that aloud was so against her nature that she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

“I am so proud of you, Clare. Though I wish you would’ve told me you were in the market for a vibrator. I know where all the best ones are sold. I’ve got a few sources who call me when new toys come in and I’m always getting them at bargain prices. I got a great deal on a Super-Stimulator 9000 just the other day. In fact… hold on!”

Clare frowned as Kira ran to her room. She contemplated locking the door before her friend came back. If Kira brought that voyeur back into the room with her, she’d kill her.

When Kira came back, she handed Clare a birthday present and tossed a pair of dress shoes on the bed. Luckily, they wore the same size. The wrapping paper had naked men dancing on it. Clare chuckled.
Only Kira!

“Dare I ask?” Clare mused. The present was too small to be a male, unless he came deflated. The thought was funny, to a point. Kira had tried to convince her to get a blow up doll to help her gain access to the car pool lane once before, so it wouldn’t surprise her if she actually carried through on her threat.

“It doesn’t need a pump to work, does it?”

Kira laughed. “Well, pumping could very well be involved. Just open it!”

“I’m almost too afraid.” Clare sighed and tore back the paper to reveal the bold packaging of a Super-Stimulator 9000. She didn’t need to look in a mirror to know her cheeks were bright pink. How could they not be? She was sure she’d never seen a real man quite the size of the new toy she held. If they did come that big, then she was in serious trouble, because there was no way that would fit in her.

“Hey, it was going to be a birthday gag gift of sorts, but now that I know you’ll use it, I’m glad I picked the extra one up.” Kira winked, looking very pleased. “Don’t worry. It’s great.”

“Uh, thanks?” Clare hastily interrupted to stop Kira’s graphic details. She was sure she didn’t want to know what Kira had done the night before. From past experience, she knew Kira would tell her
everything
.

Clare desperately needed to change the subject from her lack of a sex life. It was getting to be beyond pathetic. The best action she had in a year was from a showerhead, and now her best friend was giving her self-pleasuring toys. If the ship didn’t sink soon, she didn’t know how she’d possibly live with the humiliation. It’d just be her luck that the ship really would sink and, when they recovered her dead body, they’d find that damn dildo with her, forever immortalizing her pathetic sexless existence.

“What happened with Dominik?” Kira asked.

“I don’t know. Room mix-up. I think he thought I was his cabin girl. I…” Clare hesitated. “You’re going to laugh, but I really think I do know Dominik from somewhere. I know, I know, it sounds insane. I haven’t met him before today, but I know him. Haven’t you just looked at someone and felt as if you knew everything about them? Maybe we’re just overworked. We both seem to have the same problem.”

“You know.” Kira sat up and pulled her robe closed, cinching the belt tighter at her waist. “Maybe hooking up isn’t such a bad idea. That cutie you found looked to be packing—”

“Ah!” Clare waved her hands. There Kira went again, changing the subject when things got too uncomfortable emotionally. Clare swore half the things Kira said were to shock people into thinking she didn’t feel at all. “No.”

“What?” Kira demanded.

“Now you’re just trying to shock me.” Clare stood, stretching her hands over her head. She looked at the red dress and frowned. “You didn’t have time to see how well-endowed he was. Besides, he was dressed.”

“Are you telling me that you didn’t notice those skin-tight leather pants he had on?
Mm
… Or that deliciously tight black shirt? I know you’re into guys who wear black and look good in it.”

Kira picked up the red dress that held Clare’s attention and absently thrust it at her. Clare swallowed nervously, feeling dangerously out of her league. She had no idea who the dress belonged to. There had to be a rational explanation for him having a woman’s dress with him. For all she knew, it belonged to Dominik’s lover. Could they even take lovers on a singles cruise? The jealous woman would probably attack her the moment she stepped out of the cabin. Clare knew that’s how she would react if she were Dominik’s wife and she found him watching another woman masturbate.

The instant jealousy she felt over a man she barely knew and had no claim to surprised her. She didn’t want to think any harder about it. The last thing she needed was to get attached to a man she knew nothing about.

“He had a really nice butt. Ugh, look, did you notice your room has a mirror on the ceiling?” Kira pointed up.

“Ah no,” Clare broke in softly, holding up her hands for mercy. “How the hell do you do it? You go from normal businesswoman to party girl in like two-point-two seconds.”

“Two-point-two? Are you trying to insult me or does the bitchiness just come natural to you? Please, try point-two flat.” Kira chuckled. “Hum, well, I take it wonder boy didn’t leave you with any underwear. I’ll get you some of mine to borrow. I just bought all new lingerie for the trip, so don’t worry, they’re not used or anything. Oh,
darn it
…”

Clare looked at Kira’s worried face. “What?”

“I don’t own granny panties.” Kira affected a pout. “So you’re going to have to make do with either crotchless, string, or edible.”

Clare’s eyes widened and she choked on air.

“Kidding. Just kidding.” Kira winked, grinning audaciously. “Okay, I’m just kidding to a point. I don’t have edible with me. They tend to melt and can adhere to all the wrong places if you’re not careful.”

Clare feigned annoyance and looked for something to throw. There wasn’t anything handy. “You’re impossible. I don’t know why I bother keeping you around.”

“It’s because you love me.” Kira wiggled her eyebrows. “Hey, what do you think those two are doing in there anyways? You don’t think they’re getting to know each other in the biblical sense do you? Should we take a quick peek and see?”

“They didn’t seem the type to be into
that
sort of thing. They were too manly.”

“And you didn’t seem the type to bring a purple vibrator on vacation. Could be they’d surprise you. I tell you what, that’s one party I’d want to be a part of. I’d sign up in a heartbeat to watch two hot men go at it like jackrabbits. Hopefully, I could be sandwiched in the center of it, but I’m willing to give a little here for the sake of the fantasy. Besides, you’re the type that would never be able to look me in the eye the next morning. Don’t try to deny it. I’m worldly about these types of things.”

“Stop talking, Kira,” Clare said. “You sound like an uneducated twit when you say things like that.”

Clare turned her back and lifted the red dress over her head. With much practiced grace, she dressed without exposing herself. As the silk slid over her skin, the coverlet slid to the floor. The gown was truly beautiful. She couldn’t have worn a bra with it if she wanted to. The low-cut back swooped all the way to the curve of her hips. Her arms were left bare and the neckline scooped low enough to expose her collarbone. The slinky material clung close to her body, swishing tantalizingly against each and every curve as she moved, molding like a second skin.

“I don’t think this qualifies as a dress,” she muttered. “I’ve seen bathing suits with more material—not
your
bathing suits, but bathing suits in general.”

Kira grinned.

“It’s perfect! It’s exactly what I would’ve picked out for you, well, almost what I would’ve picked out for you. The skirt would’ve been shorter with me in charge but it’ll do nicely. So, you want me to send Dominik back in here to see what he thinks of it? Bet ya ten bucks he gives it a
standing ovation
,” Kira said, laughing.

“No thanks,” Clare mumbled. “And you’re still babbling. Stop it. If you keep it up, I’ll assume you’re in love with that man in your room.”

Kira made a choking sound but was quiet.

Clare had seen quite enough of Dominik to last her a lifetime—or, more correctly, he’d seen quite enough of her. Even if he was the first man she found herself potently attracted to in eons, it wasn’t like she could ever look him in the dark, penetrating eyes again. She shivered. “Now go get dressed and try not to come on to anyone until after orientation.”

Kira saluted naughtily and giggled. “Okay, fine! I can’t make you any promises but I will try my best. You’re always sucking the joy out of all my well-laid plans. I swear, Clare, you missed your calling as a nun.”

    
“And you’re lucky tonight is designated as one of the formal nights on this ship,” Clare said. “If I have to dress up, so do you.”

Clare cringed in horror seconds before the hailstorm of camera flashes blinded her. Photographers gathered around them like paparazzi, snapping their mandatory fifteen shots before thrusting tiny scraps of paper in their direction so they could purchase copies later. The luxury ship’s ballroom was an overdone, gaudily romantic affair of gold statues and cherubs, crimson red and gold velvet curtains. Where the deep red carpet filled with dinner tables left off, a long dance floor and stage began. Instruments for an orchestra were set up in the corner, but there were no musicians that she could see. She’d be surprised if they had actual musicians. The soft pop music playing overhead came from a loudspeaker system run by an excitable twenty-something in a short baby-doll dress and insanely high-heeled shoes.

Thankfully, Dominik had not thrown her cosmetic bag overboard and she was able to find a couple of Asian-style sticks to pull her hair back off her neck. The red silk wisped as she walked, making her a little self-conscious. She was aware that gazes turned to her and watched. At first, she thought they were staring at someone walking behind her, until she looked back to see that no one else was there. It took her a minute to realize she’d been the one they were focused on. It made her feel sexy and a bit empowered. She wondered if Kira was always on a natural high because of the amount of heads she turned.

As usual, Kira had been running late and Clare had gone ahead without her. Clare suddenly wished she’d waited for her friend. They could have brought the house down with a grand entrance. But, in truth, she’d gone ahead because she didn’t want to chance running into Dominik in the hallway.

“I absolutely love this ship!” Kira exclaimed, sprinting up and placing her hand on Clare’s arm. She nearly jumped in excitement. “It reminds me of Vegas! I so want to quit the boardroom and move here. What do you say? Should we quit our jobs and become deckhands?” Kira paused and made a very serious face. “Or we could live on cruise ships. We’d just book them back-to-back and jump on a new boat every month. I was talking to someone in the elevator who does that. So they only have to pay for flights once and can take several trips right in a row. Think about how cool that would be.” She began ticking points off on her fingers. “Room service. Internet. Gambling. Coffee bar. Sex toy shop. Gym. Spa. Food. Exotic ports.” Then, grinning, she grabbed Clare’s arm. “And an eternally rotating supply of new men!”