All Hands Below (15 page)

Eli shrugged his shoulders. “Captain’s booty call?”

She stuck her tongue out at him. “Want to come with me?”

He glanced at his watch and said, “Would you look at the time? Can’t. Got some packing to do.”

“Liar. You said you did most of your packing earlier. Well, fine then.”

“Evangeline, don’t be like that. It just feels awkward with what happened between me and his ex.”

“And have you spoken to Kerri?”

“I will, when I’m back in Wyoming.”

She shook her head. “Well that makes perfect sense, Eli, you fool. She seems nice, you know.”

“Yeah. Whatever. Anyway, if you don’t feel safe with Rossi, then I’ll come with you.”

“I am safe with him.” She sighed and rose.
It’s my heart that’s in danger, that’s all.

Fifteen minutes later, Evangeline wondered why he called her up to the bridge at all. He’d ignored her for the past fourteen minutes. Meanwhile, he ordered an area safety check of all stations, consulted with officers and staff in person
and
over the ship’s communication systems on everything from housekeeping supplies to the ship’s football pool!

She whiled away the time and wandered around, finding the bridge a technologically complex and vibrant place to be. Satellite GPS monitors pinpointed the ship’s movement. Voices streamed in through radio transmissions.

There were other officers in the low-lit bridge. Two closely studied computer monitors in the cockpit section and another was logging information onto a clipboard form.

When she had the nerve to put her hands on the ship’s wheel, Liam snapped, “Don’t touch that.”

“Sorry.” She whipped her hands up and away. “It looks so small,” she added lamely, then strolled off. To heck with waiting for an escort! Enough was enough, she fumed, and started to walk out the nearest door.

“Please come here, Evangeline. I have something to show you.”

She followed him into a closed-off area that served as a video or surveillance nook. Partially blocked from view, various monitors were built into shelves that showed areas of the ship where cameras had been installed.

She could see passageways, poolside areas, the dining room, and club entryways. Passengers came and went around interior and exterior staircases. Closed circuit TV showed guests milling around chairs and desks in the Guest Services Lounge.

Uh-oh.

“Come closer.” He tapped in a date and time on a keyboard.

Shots of herself and Kerri strolling into the lounge flashed across the screen. While Kerri distracted the agent on duty, Evangeline flung a Grand Cayman shopping bag behind the Guest Services Desk when she thought no one was looking.

“I can explain that.”

He nodded. “The shore police will be interested, I’m sure.”

“You would have me arrested? Seriously? I didn’t break any laws. You don’t have any proof that I stole those purses.”

“I’ll drag Kerri in here if I have to. What the hell is going on?”

She told him how she ran into Kerri on the way to see Maisy. That Maisy wasn’t inside her stateroom when they found both purses.

“We thought we’d drop the purses off at Guest Services, rather than confront her about them. Our good deed played out well, too, Liam. The missing bags were returned to their owners with all the cash inside, thanks to the purser who found them inside a shopping bag behind his desk.”

“Sounds like you and Kerri have formed a bond over your criminal activity, too,” Liam remarked drily. “The three of you have put the cruise line in a precarious position.”

“Liam, Maisy needs help. I’ve been in contact with her son through the internet. I told him everything, just so he’s not blindsided when he comes to port to pick her up. I was trying to do the right thing, you know? Return the purses and-and maybe keep Maisy out of trouble.”

His brows furrowed. “Even if it doesn’t help her and makes you look guilty?”

She nodded. Even if it meant that a man like Liam could never see her as someone he could love. Twice married, twice widowed, and God only knew whatever else he could think of.

“I don’t care what people think of me. And for the record, this Christmas cruise has really sucked balls!” Tears swirled up in her throat. Angry, she brushed at a rogue tear that plopped down her cheek.

“For God’s sake,” he muttered, looking around, presumably, for a tissue. “You should never have gotten involved with that woman.”

“She’s not all bad. She’s lonely.” Evangeline poked around the contents of her clutch. She found her travel packet of tissues, pulled one out, and blew her nose. “And I was drawn to her because I know what it’s like to be lonely. So if we’re done,” she sniffled, “I’ll go lock myself up in my cabin now.”

“And…are you marrying Eli?” he asked, his gaze grim.

“I’m not marrying anyone. I’d need to get to know someone for more than a week to make a decision like that.”

“Spend tonight with me.”

Her body trembled with want. She shook her head. “You don’t know how badly I want to say yes.”

Liam gathered her up in his arms. He claimed her mouth with his, stealing away her protests and burying it under his questing tongue. His fingers dug into her shoulders, causing pain. And pleasure.

“Then say yes,” he coaxed against her lips.

She inhaled the scent of him, pressing her body against his chest, absorbing its spectacular contours. His body could be hers, his cock
in
her tonight.

It broke her heart to pull back.

“I can’t,” she whispered. “I want more.”

He hauled her up against him for an attack of lusty kisses, but she raised her palms and held them against his chest.

“I need you, Evangeline. Tonight. Damn it, I can’t ignore this—whatever it is—between us.”

“Sex, Liam. And given enough time and enough sex, you’ll forget all about me.”

“What the—? Is that how you intend to forget about me?” His arms stiffened, then fell away as her resolve settled into the tension that hovered between them.

She shook her head. “No. I may be twice married and twice widowed, but I’ve never been loose. I…” she faltered, and sighed. “It’s time to move past this.”

How it hurt to say the words, but she couldn’t tell him the truth. His dream was her nightmare. She’d agonize over him when they weren’t together. She’d miss him with every heartbeat, and she’d wonder about other women.

Evangeline had boarded the ship to find a husband. She found love instead and was coming away from her cruise empty-handed on both counts.

Liam breathed tautly, anticipating the hell he was about to feel watching her walk away.

“Evie, I’m about to assume command of my first ship.” He clenched his fists to keep from reaching for her.

“And you’ve worked hard for it. You deserve it.”

“Then share it with me. Travel with me. We could see the world together—the Mediterranean, Hawaii, Alaska. The Canaries…”

“What about my job, Liam? My life? Do you realize you’ve never even asked me what I do?”

He felt his desires slipping from his grasp. What he’d heard, and seen of her, painted the picture of a well-to-do widow with no children to worry about.

“What is it that you do?” he asked, knowing damn well it sounded like the afterthought that it was.

Liam didn’t know that much about her, other than he found her irresistible. That he loved her fire and wanted her in his life.

“Never mind. What I do changes nothing.”

Harsh truth in that. She’d mentioned being from Portland, Oregon. The cruise lines had a departure port in Seattle for their Alaska cruises and a sales call-center in Portland. Maybe he could visit her there sometime. See where she worked.

It hit him then, the flaw in his dream career. When the everyday cares of guests were cast off for a week or two, he never got to know them. Not their everyday lives, or their dreams.

He greeted them with a smile and ensured their safe passage to ports of adventure. He’d see some them as returning guests. Others he’d never see again.

The reality of never seeing Evangeline again made him realize that his education and maritime training hadn’t taught him to say goodbye to a woman he was falling in love with. To say goodbye to a woman who had no plans to change her life to fit into his world.

She gazed into his eyes. “Merry Christmas, Liam,” she whispered softly, then turned and walked out the door.

Evangeline made it back to her stateroom on legs that trembled in despair.

She wanted more than a baby. She wanted a family to love, to create cherished memories and holiday traditions with. She wasn’t going to get those things sailing the high seas with Liam.

As her dream of finding a husband faded with each nautical mile that brought them closer to Miami, she couldn’t wait for the cruise to be over. Couldn’t wait for the ship to dock so she could catch her flight back to Portland. Back to the life she knew.

Back to reality.

Chapter Sixteen

Portland, Oregon

Springtime

Liam remained tense at the first bitter sip of his second bottle of beer. He glanced at his watch.

Evangeline was a no-show. And, it shouldn’t have taken thirty-seven minutes into the Portland Rose Festival’s fireworks kickoff to make him see he’d made a boner of a move.

He shouldn’t even be here, not after their last good-bye. What he’d offered her had fallen short of her dreams, and they’d made no promises to see each other again.

That should have been the end of it.

He gazed around the crowded tent set up along Portland’s waterfront by Jewel Cruise Line’s sales offices. A bar and a buffet offered up a feast for guests to enjoy while having drinks and watching the fireworks display.

What made him think she’d show up, anyway? She hadn’t replied to his e-mail. Then again, he hadn’t asked for a response. He’d included the time and place to meet when he’d sent it over a week ago, but were the words he’d written enough to get her here?

Evangeline, I thought these past months would bring relief from the memories I carry around of you. Of us. If anything, they’re as vivid and sharp as ever.

I’ll be in Portland for the Rose Festival’s fireworks kickoff. 9:45 p.m. at the waterfront park. The tent will have Jewel Cruise Line’s diamond logo embroidered on the sides. Would love to see you there.

He glanced at the time on his watch again. She wasn’t coming. He finished his beer. Time to call it a night.

Liam made his way through the crowd, exited the tent, and stepped out into the drizzly evening.

The river’s edge brimmed with spectators watching fireworks sputter up into the night. The sprinkle of raindrops took nothing away from the pyrotechnics, and his gaze was pulled to a thunderous surge of lime-green stars that opened into bright umbrellas overhead.

Watching the sky as he crossed the waterfront, he didn’t see the figure cross his path until she bumped into him.

“Excuse me.”

Liam’s gaze whipped down at the sound of that husky voice. He stared into a familiar pair of sensual blue eyes.

“Hi, Liam.”

****

Evangeline gazed up at the man who’d been stalking her dreams. At least, when she could get a decent night’s sleep. Even then, her dreams were scorching. They all involved him, her, and one—or both—of them yanking articles of clothing off the other, and doing all sorts of wicked things…

And while she wore a clingy violet-blue wrap-dress cinched at the waist, she suddenly felt the plunge of its daring neckline in Liam’s presence.

“Hello, Evangeline.”

She stared back at him the way he was staring at her. It couldn’t be helped. Her gaze scaled his features, and a rush of heat flooded her limbs with carnal familiarity.

His alpine scent triggered memories of breathing his essence in when they’d made love in his quarters, how she’d watched him stroke his cock. How he coaxed her to play with her clit while he enjoyed the show.

The lust he commanded made her blood simmer. Her body fought a bone-deep ache to feel him in her arms again. To taste his minty mouth crushed against hers while he pumped his cock between her thighs…

His eyes glittered in response to the flames she was hurling at him. Sparks flew in the look that linked them—sparks that had nothing to do with the pink explosions now blowing up all around them. One of those
booms
broke the intensity of the moment.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, breathless.

“Watching the fireworks. Hoping you’d show. And you?” Liam’s gaze probed her features as she struggled to compose her thoughts.

“I come to watch the Rose Festival’s fireworks kickoff every year. And to eat a crispy, chewy, floppy elephant ear.”

“A what?”

“A circle of pastry dough that’s fried, then sprinkled with cinnamon-sugar. My being here had nothing to do with your invitation,” she quickly added.

“Ah. So you
did
get my invitation.”

“Yes.”

“And you decided to take off without meeting me?” He let her know he’d noticed she was headed the opposite direction of the tent.

“That’s right.”

“Why?”

“Because meeting up with you while you happen to be in town isn’t a good idea, Liam. Why are you in Portland, exactly?”

“To look you up,” he admitted. “I’ve missed you. I wanted to see you. How’s your ankle?”

She stepped out with her right foot inside her black knee-high, peep-toe boots and used her ankle to draw an O in the air with her toes. “All better. How’s your hand?”

Liam smiled and extended the hand that had endured the caramel burn. “Healed.”

All he had left to show for a second-degree burn was a patch of white on his finger where an outer layer of skin used to be. “Thanks for asking.”

“I’m glad. I never meant to hurt you, Liam.”

He reached out and stroked her hair. “Of course you didn’t. You couldn’t hurt anyone, lovely Evangeline.”

She cleared her throat. “So, what else is new?”

A smile drifted across his lips at her let’s-get-down-to-business tone. “Actually, I have something for you.” Liam glanced around. “Are you here alone?”