CRUISE TO ROMANCE (7 page)

While the women formed two lines
facing Helga, Ryan and Mike sat, spinning on stationary bikes, and watched. 
Pleased with themselves that they had managed to come in unobserved, they
settled back for the show.

“Coming early was a good idea. 
That babe really gets to me,” Mike breathed while spinning slowly.

“Sheila’s cute enough, but she’s
not my type.”  Ryan didn’t want to admit it, but he couldn’t take his eyes off
Jennifer.

“Not Sheila.  Helga,” Mike
confided.  “But for some reason, she doesn’t like me.  I hate to say it, but
whenever we get around each other, we’re like oil and vinegar.  I just can’t
seem to help baiting her.  She’s so pretty.”

“She’s that alright.”

“I wonder how many men she’s been
with.”  Mike increased his speed.  “Considering all the cruises she’s worked
on, it could be in the hundreds.”

“Don’t let your imagination run
away with you, Mike.  I haven’t seen her mixing with the male passengers.  In
my opinion, she’s been rather aloof.”  When Mike didn’t answer, Ryan dismissed
any thoughts of Helga and concentrated on Jennifer who, with legs spread wide,
was bending over to touch her toes.  Damn.  He could almost see past the hem of
her cropped top when she leaned over.  Why hadn’t he taken advantage of what
she offered instead of avoiding her like he did last night?

Instead of joining Mike, Sheila,
and Jennifer at dinner and then the discotheque, he’d made himself scarce,
telling himself he was doing the right thing.  The problem was, to Ryan’s way
of thinking, Jennifer was somewhat inexperienced.  She had to be.  Her total
lack of sophistication came through whenever he was with her.  Before this
attraction between them got out of hand, Jennifer needed to know that he wasn’t
looking for forever.  If he could get her to understand, they could have a
great time together.  He continued to watch her as she bent over and touched
her toe, then straightened, then bent over to touch the other toe.  Watching
her graceful movements and those long bare legs certainly got his motor
running.

Ryan nodded to two of his
salesmen as they entered the gym to get ready for the class on the exercise
equipment.  He might just have to bow out if he couldn’t slow his racing
libido.  A smile teased at his lips when Jennifer sat down.  The ladies were
going to try sit-ups.  This should be good.  Seeing her lying on the floor in
casual disarray, made him want to go over and make love to her.  She would
enjoy his lovemaking.  He wouldn’t be like some of the younger men that had
noticed her—they would overwhelm her and leave her unsatisfied.  He, on the
other hand, was a capable and exciting lover.  If all she wanted was a
shipboard romance, he would be happy to oblige.  Maybe he should just go over
and say hello . . .

Jennifer hadn’t said much, but she
knew Ryan and Mike were watching their class warm-ups.

“You do look good in my short
shorts,” Sheila teased, “and my cropped top is just perfect for exercising.”

Jennifer smiled, her mind on the
sit-up she was trying to execute.  “Thanks for the loan, but I think I’ll have
to find something else.  A pair of shorts that I can button would be great!” 
She uncurled and straightened her back.  If she could just keep her feet flat
on the floor, she would be happy.  “It’s bad enough that part of my butt is showing,
but when I raise my arms above my head, I come dangerously close to exposing my
breasts.  Those guys over there don’t miss a thing.”

Sheila laughed.  “You look fine. 
Let them look.  It makes them want you more.”

“Oh, Yeah?  That’s fine for you
to say, Sheila.”  Jennifer caressed the small round curve of her tummy.  “I’m
tired of men just looking.  I want some real action.  Maybe I should have a
talk with Mike.  I’m beginning to doubt Ryan knows how to please a woman.”

“Uh, oh.  You shouldn’t have said
that, Jenn,” Sheila warned.

“What?”  Jennifer looked at her
in surprise.  Oh, no.  Had Ryan overheard them?  Jennifer looked off to the
exercise machines.  No Ryan.  Then she looked over to the side.  There he was,
standing not more than four to five feet away, looking blind-sighted.  He’d
heard enough to get the wrong idea.  She could feel the blush cover her body as
her eyes met his startled gaze.

Sheila was laughing so hard she
couldn’t stop, but all Jennifer could feel was dismay.  It wasn’t until the
words of the woman behind her penetrated that she was able to tear her gaze
away from Ryan.

“What a hunk!” the woman
laughed.  “No wonder Jennifer was trying to keep him under wraps.”

Jennifer rolled her eyes upward. 
She’d blown it this time.  Ryan probably thought that she wanted Mike.  He
would never want to speak to her again.  Jennifer felt Sheila’s hand on her
shoulder, but she couldn’t bring herself to look at her—she was too busy taking
deep breaths.  Jennifer could tell Sheila was still laughing when she told her
in a broken whisper that Ryan had just left the gym through the spa.  “Go after
him Jenn, before this whole thing gets out of hand.”

Jennifer moaned.  “It already
has.”  She climbed to her feet and hurried to the spa, hoping she could catch
him before he disappeared.  The back entrance to the spa opened to the corridor
leading past the massage rooms.  Quickly, she ran through the corridor to the
reception area, past the beauty salon, and onto the outside deck.  No Ryan.

What in the world was she doing? 
That thought brought her up abruptly.  The answer was embarrassing.  She was
chasing him, for whatever reason, and that was not what she should be doing. 
No.  No.  No.  Wasn’t her new mantra, flirt, don’t chase?  It was time for some
regrouping.  She was sure Helga wouldn’t mind if she skipped the exercise
machines.  Surely the woman had enough company that she wouldn’t feel
intimidated by all those muscle-bound men.

Slowly she turned and headed back
to the gym to gather her water bottle and towel before heading for her cabin. 
The hallway was cool and quiet.  She could hear the trickling of water coming
from the room where she’d enjoyed the mineral bath.  She paused in the doorway
and looked into the peaceful room wishing she could relax here for a while.

“Come in all the way,” a
masculine voice coaxed.

There he was, immersed in the
pool, looking up at her.  “What are you doing here?” Jennifer felt her pulse
begin to race.

“What does it look like?” he
challenged with a smile designed to melt the coldest heart.

Cautiously she entered and closed
the door behind her.  “I want to talk to you for a moment.”

“Only a moment?  Take some time
to relax.  Come in and enjoy the mineral bath with me.”

“I don’t think so,” she hedged. 
He was entirely too handsome, and much too masculine.  “I remember what
happened the last time I got into the water with you.”  Oh, dear!  Bringing
that up was a mistake, she thought as he climbed out of the pool and stood
before her dripping water, flashing her a wide smile.

Jennifer’s hungry eyes took him
in from the top of his head to the tip of his toes.  His dark hair was pushed
back, away from his beautifully chiseled face.  His dark eyes sparkled
mischievously, matching the knowing grin on those luscious lips.  Jennifer’s
body tingled with pleasure at the thought of what those lips could do to her. 
She stood entranced as he walked toward her.  Rooted, Jennifer never even
considered running away.  His body, lean and solid, was poetry in motion, speaking
to her very soul.

Stopping directly in front of
her, Ryan reached up and gently grabbed the front hem of Jennifer’s top,
lifting it until her breasts were exposed to his view.

“What are you doing?” she gasped.

“Looking at you,” he answered in
a deceptively calm voice.  “Do you realize how beautiful you are?”  At the
shake of her head, he lowered his mouth and gently sucked her right nipple. 
When she cried out in surrender, Ryan pulled away and smiled.  “Lift your
arms,” his voice low and sultry commanded, before he stripped the top from her
and pulled her close.  “I have some doubts that I want to erase.”  His mouth
found Jennifer’s and he moaned in pleasure at the feel of her body against
his.  Cuddling her close, Ryan wondered what in the world he was doing trying
to prove what a good lover he was.  All his good intentions were disappearing
before his eyes.  But rational thought escaped him when Jennifer grasped his
hips and rubbed her body hard against his.

Jennifer’s hungry kiss and
writhing sexy body drove him to his knees, taking her with him.  Suddenly he
couldn’t get enough of her, her sweetness, her innocence, her taste.  In an
effort to pull her closer, Ryan managed to settle on his back and position her
over him.  Her hands pressed against him in greedy anxious caresses while she
straddled him.  If he didn’t take control quickly, it would be all over.  But
when her laughing eyes met his, he knew he was doomed.

Jennifer had other ideas.

Jennifer was having the time of
her life and she didn’t intend to let him lead.  Not this time.  With control
she didn’t know she had, she raised herself to a sitting position and rubbed
herself against his wonderful hardness.  Then she leaned over and kissed him,
biting his lips with gentle nips, then plundering to his very soul.  Heat,
intense and raw, infused her body.  She grasped his head while they kissed long
and hard, wanting to hold him there for a lifetime, but, alas, even lovers had
to breathe.

He came in long agonizing pulses
of pure pleasure, crying out in the beauty and intenseness of the feelings
engulfing his body.  Unaware of anything but the rapid beating of his heart, he
tried to fight his way back to reality.  Feeling the weight of her body lifting
from him, he managed to open his eyes only to find her radiant face smiling
down at him.

“Relax for a minute, Ryan, I have
to go.” she whispered, then grabbed her top and slipped it over her head.   She
knelt down and kissed his forehead.  “Guess I won’t be needing to talk to Mike
after all.”  Without another word, Jennifer made her way back to her room.

She felt wonderful.  It was a
heady feeling, being in control and giving someone else pleasure.  Deep within
herself she knew she was falling in love, but she wasn’t ready to face those
feelings yet.  First she had to win her bet with Sheila.  If today was any
indication, it would just be a matter of time.  So far Sheila hadn’t even
gotten to first base.

When she arrived at her cabin,
she turned down the air conditioning and stripped.  After calling room service
and ordering hors d’oeuvres and a pitcher of Margaritas, she headed for the
bathroom.  The plumbing in the shower was of European design with its little
button and knob for regulating the hot water.  After fumbling for a moment, she
had the water running and the temperature to her liking.  She stepped in and
breathed a sigh of relief as water cascaded over her, rinsing away the
perspiration and salt spray from her hair and body.  Once she felt squeaky
clean, she stepped out, wrapped a towel around her, and settled onto a lounge
chair on the balcony.  A quick catnap would help her relax.  Jennifer closed
her eyes and sighed, waiting for room service to show up with her goodies.

*    
*     *

This wasn’t supposed to happen,
these gentle tender feelings of his toward Jennifer.  It was much too
dangerous.  After all he was a sophisticated man of the world.  He knew how to
enjoy women without getting emotionally involved.  He was an expert at it.  Indeed,
women courted him, competed for him, begged him for his attentions.  Being an
expert lover gave him an advantage that he knew he must use with finesse.  So
far, he had, but it seemed that things were getting just a little bit out of
control.  Common sense told him to stop this seduction before it went too far. 
He ignored the quiet little voice that told him he was certainly stretching his
imagination if he believed he was still in control.

With a heavy sigh, Ryan turned on
the shower and stood motionless while water plummeted his weary body.  Surely
he could control himself enough to maintain a pleasant friendship with
Jennifer.  Of course, he could.  He prided himself in his self-control.  No
woman would ever have enough influence over him to make him deviate from his
well-planned goals.  He just needed to explain the relationship to Jennifer. 
All he could offer her was a short-term romance.  She would understand and
accept his terms.   No commitments, no regrets.  Feeling better about the whole
situation, Ryan grabbed a bar of soap and began sudsing his wash cloth. 
Everything was as it should be, he reassured himself.  He could handle any
woman.

The
Ocean Goddess
arrived
off the southern tip of the island of St. Maarten, at sunrise.  Pale pink,
peach, and mango-orange rays of light spread out over the horizon before
reaching upward as the Caribbean sun made its joyful appearance.  The deep blue
of the ocean gradually turned to turquoise while Jennifer watched the mooring
from her balcony.  Dark hills surrounding Great Bay brightened to green and the
sleepy city of Philipsburg, sitting between the hills and the water’s edge,
began to awaken.

Jennifer was excited.  St.
Maarten, the capital of the Dutch Leeward Island group, was the smallest island
in the world to share ownership with two sovereign powers, the Dutch and the
French.  The combination of cultures gave birth to cuisine with an
international reputation.  In the past few years the island had seen an
explosion of building and expansion.  She hoped that she would still be able to
talk to native residents to obtain recipes of authentic island creations. 
Humming softly to herself, she folded directions to the
Guavaberry Emporium
on Front Street, and slipped the paper into her pocket together with her list
of ingredients to purchase.  Famous for its assortment of West Indian rums,
spices, and fruit liqueurs, the Emporium would have a wonderful assortment of
the spices and sauces she needed for her newest creations.

Sheila would be going with her,
but it had taken a bit of a compromise, of course, to convince her.  In
exchange for their morning explorations into island cuisine, Jennifer had
agreed to join Sheila in the
12 metre America’s Cup Regatta
.  The race
was recreated daily.  She had promised to be a working crew member along with
Sheila aboard one of three seventy-foot racing yachts with masts the height of
an eight-story building.  Although it seemed a bit intimidating, since Jennifer
had never been on a sailing yacht before, she was willing to give it a try.

“You’re up early.”  Sheila stood
at the entrance to the balcony, hair disheveled and robe untied.  Her pert
breasts made even the homeliest night shirt look spectacular, Jennifer thought,
with a pang of envy.  She looked away quickly, wishing she could be thin and
sexy like Sheila.

“Jennifer, do you know why men
have such a difficult time making eye contact with a woman?”

“Guilt?”

“Oh, no,” Sheila stated in her
matter-of-fact tone.  “Breasts don’t have eyes!”

Jennifer laughed.  “Cute, now
come sit down.  Breakfast will be here any minute.  I’m looking forward to my
first cup of coffee this morning.”

Sheila settled into a chair across
from Jennifer.  “Me too.  I want my coffee the way I like my men . . . rich and
hot.”

Jennifer laughed again.  “You’re
on a roll this morning.  Did you have a good night last night?”

“Sure did.  Where were you?  Mike
and I looked all over for you.”

“I really believe that one.”  At
the sound of the knock, Jennifer jumped up to answer the door.  A steward from
room service entered and set the breakfast tray on the small balcony table. 
After tipping the man, Jennifer sat down and began removing the covers on the
dishes, setting them aside.  “Mmm.  Fresh fruit.  Care for some?”

“Coffee first,” Sheila answered
in a desperate voice.  “You never did answer me.  Were you with Ryan last
night?”

“No.”  Jennifer lifted the white
porcelain pitcher and poured their coffee.  “I joined some of the women from
the exercise class.  We had dinner then went to the theater for the late
performance.  Afterwards we went to the midnight buffet and pigged out on
chocolate desserts.”  She handed Sheila her coffee.  “What did you and Mike
do?”

“We decided to have an early
dinner and take in a movie.”  Sheila sipped her coffee.  “Then we headed over
to the discotheque for dancing and necking.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“You didn’t see Ryan?”

“No.”  Jennifer wished Sheila
would stop asking about Ryan.  She hadn’t seen him last night, nor did she know
what he was up to today.  She hated to admit it, but she felt hurt because of
his casual indifference toward her.  After kissing him and touching him so
intimately, she had assumed that he felt as close to her as she felt toward
him.  Obviously, he didn’t.  But that wasn’t going to stop her.  She was going
to get her experience and win the bet too.  Sheila wasn’t making any headway
with him, so she felt confident that she still had a good chance.  This was
only the fourth day of the cruise.  Surely she could lure him into her bed
before the cruise was over.  Besides, if he was so casual about sex, he
certainly shouldn’t object to spending at least one night in her cabin.

She glanced over to see Sheila
studying her intently.  “What?”

“Wear something sexy today
instead of those baggy jeans and shapeless top.  After all, you may meet a man
you like.”

“Good grief, Sheila.  Attracting
men is all you seem to think about.  Why is it that most women pay more
attention to improving their appearance in order to attract a man than they do
in improving their minds?”

“Truthfully?  Because most men
are stupid, but few are blind.”

“Sheila!”  Jennifer choked on her
coffee.  Her friend’s dry wit was going to drive her crazy, if not kill her. 
Literally.  She brushed away the spilled drops on her T-shirt.  “You can’t mean
that.”

“Sure I can.  Don’t you realize
why blond jokes are so short?”

Shaking her head, Jennifer
silently admitted defeat.  “No, why?”

“So men can remember them.”

“You’re just angry because you’re
the brunt of so many jokes.” 

Sheila laughed.  “I mean it
Jennifer.  Get into one of those new outfits you bought when you went shopping
with Helga.”

“Okay, okay,” Jennifer agreed. 
“I have a little navy capri outfit with a sailor collar.  Will that do?”

“You’re hopeless.”  Sheila stood
up and rolled her eyes before going back into the cabin.

Shortly, Jennifer heard the
shower running.  Smiling to herself, Jennifer decided to change into her sailor
outfit.  What she omitted telling Sheila was that the pants and top were
stretch material, piped in red. The sleeveless top had contrasting red lacing
in the front to control the amount of cleavage she wanted to bare.  She
suspected that while wearing her new outfit, she would be making eye contact
with very few men.

*    
*     *

Jennifer grabbed her
backpack-styled purse, her camera, and her sun glasses and headed for the
door.  “Come on, Sheila, the Captain just cleared the ship.  The gangway’s
going to be packed.”

“Oh, what’s your hurry?” Sheila
asked while she struggled to get her sandals on.  “We can skip the taxi to town
and take the water taxi instead.  It will let us off at the pier in the center
of town.”

Jennifer considered her options. 
If they walked, it would take too much time away from her exploration.  It
would be hard getting a regular taxi because of the crowds, and they would
probably have to wait.  The downtown pier was a bit out of the way, but Bobby’s
Marina, the only other water taxi stop, wasn’t really any closer.  “Okay. 
Water taxi it is.  Let’s go.”

With cabin cards in hand, they
rushed down the stairs to Deck Four and the gangway.  After going through
security, they walked down the gangway to the pier and headed for the water
taxi waiting a short distance away.  It only took a few minutes for them to be
seated comfortably onboard.  The water taxi pulled away from the pier and they
were on their way.  This time of morning, the waters of the bay were calm.  No
gentle swells or waves to collide with the boat and send salt spray and
droplets of water over them.

As the boat motored toward the
pier, Jennifer breathed in the fresh ocean air.  Not for the first time, she
wondered if Ryan was avoiding her.  Had she been too aggressive, too needy? 
She didn’t think so, but then, she really didn’t have much experience with
men.  What may seem exciting to her, might be quite mundane to him.  But she
couldn’t stop thinking of the hungry look on his face right before he kissed her
and his cries of passion when he peaked beneath her.  Jennifer tried to console
herself that even if she didn’t experience him to the fullest, she would have
beautiful memories of him.  Somehow though, that thought left her feeling
bereft.  Maybe all these well-meaning women were wrong.  Maybe she should chase
him just a little bit.  From what she knew, all men liked the attention.

She wanted him.  The worst part,
though, was that she wanted more than just a night in bed.  She wanted to know
him in the most intimate ways and in the most innocent ways.  They hadn’t
talked about the serious side of life.  Whenever she was with him, their
thoughts and actions were always physical.  At least she felt secure that the
physical attraction was mutual.

If she could just find a way to
spend some time with him without the overwhelming attraction getting out of hand,
they might find they had much more than sex in common.  Of course, they might
also find out they had very little.  Did it matter?  Could they learn to grow
together?  Jennifer sighed.  She was asking a lot from a short term flirtation.

“Hey Jenn, we’re here,” Sheila
called over the roar of the boat’s engines.  “Get a move on.”

“Coming.”  Jennifer climbed the
small stairs to the deck, stepped up onto the pier, and followed the man in
front of her to the sheltered kiosk where Sheila waited.  “Since when are you
in such a big hurry?”

“You’re the one in a hurry and we
have lots of ground to cover.  I don’t want to be late for this afternoon’s
race.”  Sheila adjusted her halter top and straightened her straw hat.  “Which
way?”

“To the right.”  Jennifer and Sheila
walked down Front Street past the casinos, storefronts, and restaurants lining
the narrow stone street.  There were new construction sites everywhere.  Each
establishment exhibited its own unique charm, but none was more charming and
picturesque than the
Guavaberry Emporium
.  According to their brochure,
the Emporium was the most photographed spot on the island.

“Did you know,” Jennifer asked as
they crossed the entrance into the Emporium, “that the guavaberry is not
related to the guava?”  At the shake of Sheila’s head, she continued, “it’s
unique to this island.”  She looked over the shelves for a moment and added,
“Looks like they put the guavaberry flavoring in everything.”

Taking her time, Jennifer browsed
through the busy store.  Finally she stopped to try samples of different sauces
and seasonings.  She handed Sheila a tiny plastic spoon filled with sauce. 
“Try this, but be careful.  It’s called
Liquid Fire XXX Hot Sauce
. 
Obviously, the guavaberry isn’t the sweetest of fruits.  In fact, it tastes a
little bit like a clove.”

“Ah, someone who knows spices.”

Jennifer looked to her left.  An
island woman stood there smiling at her.  “I love to cook,” Jennifer responded.

“I couldn’t help overhearing
you.  Most people who come to the
Guavaberry Emporium
do not know the
secrets it holds.  It appears you will discover some of them before you
leave.”  The woman handed her a small paper cup.  “Try this.  It is the
guavaberry liqueur, made from rum and local wild berries.  Tell me what you
think.”          

Jennifer sipped the liqueur,
surprised at the taste.  “Mmm.  I like it.  I can tell that I was right.”

“Yes.  The guavaberry shares a
family connection with the clove and eucalyptus.  It is a small berry with a
juicy, bitter-sweet taste.  At one time only our people of magic used the
guavaberry in their potions.  After a time, people began to use the berry in
baking and rum.  Now everyone uses the wild berries.  There are many wonderful
recipes containing our modest guavaberry.”

Excitement filled Jennifer.  Was
this a chance to find unique island cuisine?  “Would you know anyone who would
be willing to share some of the older, authentic recipes with me?”

The woman looked around to see if
she was being observed, then nodded to Jennifer.  “Wait here.  I will bring you
an address and directions.  You must tell no one where you got your information
from.  Show the woman at the house the note I give you.  Agreed?”

“Agreed.”

As the woman walked away, Sheila
turned to Jennifer.  “Just what do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m going to get some authentic
island recipes, what else?”

Sheila moved closer to Jennifer. 
“I don’t like it.  You don’t even know who the woman is.  You can’t just take
off in a strange country and not tell anyone.  It’s too dangerous.”

Before Jennifer could answer, the
woman returned, note in hand.  “Buy a bottle of
Sint Maarten Guavaberry
,
there, in the heart-shaped bottle, before you go.  You will need it for your
recipes and spells.”

“Thank you.  I really appreciate
your help.”  Jennifer took the note the woman handed her and smiled as the
woman walked away.

“Recipes and
spells
?  Are
you out of your mind?” Sheila scolded.  “Do you have any idea what you’re
getting yourself into?  These islanders practice voodoo!”