Aboard the Wishing Star (13 page)

Yes, it was. She would give herself up to his kisses, his touch and let this night be an evening to remember.

Champagne before dinner on an empty stomach can go to your head quick
, Kara noted.

She'd passed up
hors d'oeuvre,
afraid to ruin her appetite before dinner, and now her stomach butterflies filled her stomach. She couldn't keep the smile off of her face. The smile was as much from the idea of the edible panties waiting in her room as the champagne.

Oh, these long menus.

The menus were doing her in. Or was it Nate's knee touching hers under the table?

There are all these fancy dishes tonight. How can any woman focus while thoughts of strawberry panties for desert run through her head?

For the Captain's Gala Dinner
, the menu read,
Caspian Seuruga Malossol Caviar on ice throne with American Dressing
,
Liver Pate Strasbourg, Petite Marmite Henry IV, Eleonora Salad with Balsamic Dressing, Tournedos of Beef Tenderloin Montmorency
--

She stopped. Just reading a partial list made her dizzy.

Why does every dish have to have a fancy name?

She reached for a roll and leaned toward Nate.

"Pass the butter please."

"Here you are, sweetheart." His intense but tender gaze melted her like butter.

Nate's knee brushed hers then lingered as he leaned down to the floor.

What's he doing? Oh, he dropped his napkin.

His gaze moved up her body past her breasts as he sat up with the napkin. His eyes sparkled with mischief. "Chilly, sweetheart?"

"No. I'm warm."

It's so warm in here. Warm enough to dump a pitcher of water over my overheated body.
She fanned herself with the menu.

Oh, dear. Too much champagne and no food.

The waiter approached again, wanting her order. She, as usual, wasn't ready.

Why does this happen every time I have dinner with him?

"Uh, soup."
No, too hot for soup.
"No. Scratch that. Fruit cup instead."

"And for the main course?"

Her mind went blank, and she had to look at the menu again. "Lobster or Salmon sound good. Which is better?"

"You could always order both," Nate said.

"Yes, both. Why not?"

That made things easier.

She laid down the menu.

"And for a side dish?"

"Potatoes."
Whatever kind they have tonight.

The waiter read back her selections and she nodded, glad to be done. She watched the slow way Nate spread butter over his roll. The thought of his long fingers on her skin started the butterflies inside flitting again.

Her stomach growled, and he glanced up and offered her his roll.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

She nibbled on the roll as she watched him butter another roll and willed the butterflies to stop.

As the courses were served, her mouth watered and she focused on them. She couldn't believe how hungry she was. Everything looked and tasted so good.

"It's good to see you enjoying your food," Nate said. "Fresh air and exercise build up quite an appetite." He winked.

Kara froze with her fork halfway to her mouth. Butter dripped off the lobster portion impaled there.
Appetite. Was he referring to the panties?
"Oh, yes," Kara said, turning beet red. She finished taking the bite and watched Nate eat. Every bite he took made her think of his mouth on her panties. Nate's gaze traveled across her face, neck and shoulders, which felt warmer as the evening went on.

"You got a lot of sun today."

"Yes. Maybe too much."

"You'll need a stronger sun block or to apply more often when we're out on or in the water. The sun here is stronger than you may realize and the ocean wears the sun block away."

"Thank you. I'll pick a stronger bottle."

The waiter approached. "Are you ready to order desert?"

Her gaze flew to Nate as she answered. "I'll pass on dessert for now. I'm not ready for that right now."

They needed to talk. Would he understand her meaning? That she was referring to the edible underpants waiting in her room?

Nate's warm hand closed over hers, sending a tingle up her arm. Her heart raced and the room grew even warmer.

"That was a filling meal. I believe I'll pass on desert too." He gave her a smile and she relaxed.

"Would you care to go for a walk around the deck?" Nate's fingertips did a slow trace across her hand.

"Yes. I'd like that. I'm too full to do much else."

"We have all evening." He winked.

She blushed and grew warmer yet.

"We won't stay out long but the fresh air will be good."

"Yes, I could use some fresh air. It's so warm in here."

"Then shall we?" He stood and pulled out her chair, and they said good night to Viv and Adam, who stayed for desert.

Outside the cool wind blew. Her backless dress wasn't warm enough, despite her sun kissed skin that was turning warmer and redder as the evening went on.

Nate pulled her close. Kara slid her arms around his waist. She snuggled in closer, her breasts against his warm body.

He bent and kissed her ear. "Better now, sweetheart?" His warm against her skin spread tingles down her back.

"Yes," she nodded. "I was feeling overly warm inside. But the wind is cool."

"You feel good, sweetheart. All soft and warm." He kissed her neck. "And you taste delicious."

Her body threatened to turn into a pool of molten lava at any moment.

Delicious. Oh, yes. I am.

She gave a low sexy laugh. One she didn't know she had.

His tongue on her ear caused her to think of other places his tongue could go. Places much lower. He kissed her earlobe, behind her ear, her neck, and a bit lower down as if he followed the direction of her thoughts.

She breathed in each time he placed another kiss on her heated skin. A gust of wind came and goose bumps pebbled across her skin. He stopped kissing her even as her body said
no, don't stop
.

"Let's get out of this wind," he said.

"All right," she said. Though she really wanted the kissing to continue.

They went back in, holding hands and strolling slowly.

Every bar on the ship blared one form of music or another, and even the old folks were dressed for partying to bring in the New Year. Kara and Nate passed a bar where a man crooned an old Dean Martin song at the piano bar.

"Let's go in here till it's time for the midnight buffet," Nate said.

"Oh, yes. I love the piano and he's playing so well."

They listened to a few numbers, but soon it was time to head to the gala midnight buffet. In the grand dining room the maître d' sprayed a mountain of wineglasses down with a light spray of champagne while standing on a tall stool. He poured from the first bottle into the upper most glass. Soon champagne flowed down the tower.

When the fountain was ready and the musicians had taken their places, the captain welcomed them all to the midnight buffet. Musicians began to play.

The countdown to the New Year began.

Kara's heart pounded as she looked up at Nate, watching his lips as he whispered the countdown.

Ten
. Her mouth felt dry and she moistened her lips.

Nine
. He smiled and she returned his smile.

Eight
. She felt giddy.

Seven
. She counted with him.

Six
. He watched her lips and his eyes lit.

Five
.
Almost there.

Four
.
Remember this kiss.

Three
. He drew closer.

Two
. Her lips parted.

One
.

People cheered the New Year all around them, glasses tinkling in toasts.

He pressed his lips to hers, caressing, softly teasing with his tongue as her lips parted wider, giving herself over to the passion of the moment. She wanted more, wanted to give him more, wanted this to be a kiss to remember. Her hands threaded through his hair at the back of his neck, pulling him closer. He deepened the kiss. His hands pressed against the small of her back, bringing her hips next to him. She wanted him close, wanted all of him. Her breathing grew ragged as her whole body responded. The kiss was urgent, hungry, and passionate.

He broke the kiss, and they came up for air. Raising his mouth from hers, he gazed into her eyes. Still he held her close, smiling. "You're so beautiful."

Nate touched her as if she were a treasure, with tenderness in his gaze.

"I feel beautiful tonight."

"As you should, always."

He bent and kissed her again, this time a light, teasing kiss. His mood seemed light. His tongue tickled her lips and her tongue, making her smile.

He pulled back again. "Much as I'd enjoy kissing you all night, you wanted to take pictures of the food displays."

"Yes," she smiled. "I did. And we haven't had desert yet."

Camera flashes went off all over the room as people took photos.

Kara had never seen anything like it. There were carved ice swans and an eagle with wings spread. A swordfish out of ice. Then there were the chocolate sculptures. A ship with sails, a bear, a cowboy riding a bucking horse. The culinary artists carved fruits and vegetables into other arrangements, and desert after desert for passengers to enjoy surrounded the arrangements.

Nate slid his arm around her waist. "Glad you waited?"

"Oh, yes," she breathed. "Good things are always worth waiting for."

"Yes, they are." He smiled.

Anticipation along with the sound of his voice had her all a tingle. She loved the way he teased her without ever hinting at his gift.

They got in line and moved down each row. She put key lime pie on her plate and chocolate covered strawberries. He went for the cheesecake and a slice of rich chocolate cake.

"That looks good," she said, "But I could never eat a whole slice. It's too rich."

"I'll share with you, sweetheart."

The thought of what they would share later on made her blush.

"You're so pretty when you blush"

Of course this made her blush even more. "It's my pale coloring."

"Well, I like it."

She laughed that low sexy laugh again, thinking of how much she'd blush when he saw her in those panties.

They found a table in a quiet corner by themselves and a waiter came by with more champagne. They turned it down and asked for coffee instead.

She took a bite of the pie and closed her eyes.

"I love a woman who enjoys her food."

She opened her eyes and smiled at him. "Key lime pie is my favorite."

"I'll remember that."

He offered her a piece of chocolate cake. "Bite?"

"Yes." She opened her mouth and he slid it in. "Mmm."

He watched with a smile. "I enjoy feeding you, sweetheart."

She laughed, feeling bolder and quite naughty. "I hope you'll let me return the favor."

"Of course."

She picked up one of the strawberries and held it out, imagining his mouth closing over her fingers.

"Sorry sweetheart, no strawberries for me." He shook his head. "I'm allergic."

"What?" She frowned. "Allergic?"

"Yes."

Oh my God.
He didn't send them.

Her stomach flipped.

"Kara? Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

"You didn't send them," she whispered, as the hand holding the strawberry dropped it, sinking to the table, the berry rolling off and onto the floor.

Nate grasped both Kara's cool, limp hands as she stared at him in horror, the chill coming up over her sun kissed back.

If he didn't send them, then who?

The shock hit her hard.

Daryl.

"Kara?

His warm hands rubbed hers. "Sweetheart, talk to me. I didn't send what?"

She forced the words out in a low whisper. "Edible panties."

"What?" He frowned.

She whispered again. "Someone sent me edible panties, but the card wasn't signed."

"And you thought I sent them."

"Yes. But they're strawberry, so you didn't..." Her voice trailed off as she closed her eyes before opening them again to look at him. "You didn't send them."

Nick's face turned from concern to an angry frown. Anger radiated off of him.

"No, I didn't send them but I'd sure as hell like to know who did."

He let loose of her hands and clenched his own as he dropped them out of sight below the table. "It had to be your boss."

She wanted it to be Nate and hadn't entertained the thought it could be anyone else. "I haven't been on a date since Neil died. Until I met you." She pursed her lips, thinking.

"It was Daryl," Nate's tone left no doubt.

It had to be Daryl. Who else? But … he wouldn't do something so inappropriate. Would he?
She hesitated. "No, he wouldn't do something like this."

Nate's hands clenched. "Don't be so sure."

"Well, I don't have any proof it was him."

She couldn't believe Daryl would step over the line like this. He
had
flown to a Caribbean island and interrupted her cruise. That fact was still hard to take in.

She frowned.

Nate stood, the force of the move pushing his chair back. "Let's find your room steward. Whoever sent it, he delivered it. Don't worry sweetheart. I'll get to the bottom of this."

They left their deserts and tracked down the room steward, who'd just come out of another stateroom. He said he'd make inquiries and let them know. Any package could be delivered once it was scanned and cleared through security, but the ship didn't sell edible panties. He seemed offended at the question.

After the room steward left to check, Kara let Nate into her room and handed him the box. He read the card, frowned, and turned it over, but the other side was blank.