Aboard the Wishing Star by Debra Parmley Read Free Book Online Page A

of blue.
    There was so much of it. So very much it seemed to have no end or edge. The ship is far beyond any shoreline. There're no other ships, just this big blue sea.
    Kara felt small and cut off from everything she knew.
    There's only this ship and the people on it, in the middle of this great big, wide ocean.
    "Ladies, would you care for a towel?" An attendant held out a blue and white Wishing Star towel for each of them, and then they walked the decks looking for two lounge chairs together.
    "Looks like we'd have to get here early to find a good spot," Kara said.
    Viv squeezed Kara's arm and pointed. "That woman and child are leaving. Hurry, we'll grab their chairs."
    The lounge chairs stood beside the main pool with the waterfall. Kara settled into one, watching the activities director set up a microphone by the pool.
    "Hey, girl, front row seats." Viv grinned. "Pool Olympics starts in fifteen minutes."
    Male contestants started lining up, and the activities director called for the ladies to join in. None volunteered. The men had well-formed physiques, and each seemed anxious to prove his masculinity to onlookers. Several eyed Kara's red bikini as they strutted past. Each smiled, one winked and flexed his muscles, and a few puffed out their chests.
    As Nate walked past, Kara couldn't help but notice the way his powerful, well-muscled body moved with the easy grace of an athlete. He made no extra effort to gain her attention, yet he drew her gaze like a magnet. Kara leaned back in her chair, trying to appear relaxed as she soaked up the sun.
    Yes, he looks good.
    Nate entered the games.
    Kara noticed Nate's glance. A part of her reveled in his open admiration. She felt beautiful. It had been a long time since she felt that way.
    The first game was a beer-drinking game and consisted of six players lined up on each side of the pool. When the director asked again if any ladies would join in, Nate's gaze locked on hers and she lowered her lashes. She shook her head.
    Silly, overgrown boys. And it's only mid-day.
    After the first contest ended and his team won, Nate scooped water, splashed it on his face, then glanced at her and winked.
    She couldn't resist a smile.
    The two teams lined up for the second game. The first man in each line had to put on a large T-shirt and swim to the other end of the pool, pull himself out then eat a cracker, drink a small carton of creamer before blowing up a balloon and swimming back to hand off his T-shirt to the next teammate.
    Nate stood tensed to dive into the pool. Damp tendrils of hair curled on his forehead and around his ears. One dark lock fell a little forward onto his head, and he brushed it back with one hand, his muscles rippling.
    "He's a fair treat," Viv said, breaking into Kara's thoughts. "That's one solid man."
    "Mm hm," was the best Kara could offer in reply. What was it about the man that turned her brain to mush?
    He bent, poised to dive in for his turn, his quadriceps solid as a rock.
    "Ooh," Viv squealed. "How'd you like to wake up next to that bloody great hunk of man every morning?"
    "Quiet." Kara's face heated. "He'll hear you."
    Nate dove in. As he swam, Kara entertained the idea Viv had introduced. It would be heaven to have those strong arms around her every night. She'd sleep like a baby.
    She watched him drink the creamer. It coated his lips before he wiped it off with the back of his hand. Watching his lips made her swallow hard.
    He blew up the balloon, dove in, swam across, and handed off his T-shirt. His team won again. From the look of triumph on his face, she knew he was a man who enjoyed winning.
    The third game sounded easier. One contestant from each team would dive into the pool filled with ping-pong balls and then use his swimsuit to store as many balls as he could get his hands on.
    "Ladies, are you sure none of you want to join us for this last game?" the activities director coaxed again.
    "Come on, Kara." Viv sat up, but Kara pulled her back. "Are