Cruising for Love (The Escape Series Book 2) by Ann Omasta Read Free Book Online

shudders after saying the name aloud. "Well, here's hoping Ole' Belchmeister bangs better than he kisses, huh?"
    Giving him an odd look, I say, "We're a long way from finding that out. I just met the man."
    "And married him," Syd interjects.
    "Yeah, but nobody could expect me to sleep with him right away. That's gross." I scrunch my face up at the thought.
    "Hmm." Syd nods noncommittally, making me wonder what he knows. "Let's make you gorgeous for dinner," he changes the subject suddenly.
    I decide not to worry about the whole sleeping together thing. Married or not, they can't make me do anything like that against my wishes. After promising to be back in 'two shakes of a lamb's tail,' which makes Syd look at me like I've grown an actual lamb's tail, I head over to my side of the adjoining rooms to shower off the chlorine from my unplanned post-wedding plunge in the pool.

Chapter 12
     
    As promised, Syd makes me beautiful once more. He has selected an emerald green, beaded full-length gown that hugs my waist and somehow makes me look like I have actual curves. He returns the sapphire and diamond necklace I wore during the wedding to the room's safe and emerges with a stunning emerald choker and matching earrings.
    "Wow!" I gush as he helps me put on the jewelry.
    "One of the many perks of being on television," he reminds me.
    "Me likey," I joke with him, making him smile at my reflection. I take a good look at his perfectly straight, brilliantly white teeth. The man is physically stunning, and it makes me wonder if he has aspirations of being in front of the camera, rather than behind the scenes.
    When I try to ask him, he shoos me away, indicating that I'm going to be more than fashionably late for dinner if I don't get a move on.
    Jamie is waiting just outside the door when I emerge. She looks at her wristwatch impatiently, before tipping her head indicating I should follow her. I scurry to keep up, but my tight dress and high heels aren't conducive to long strides.
    "I noticed your watch," I say to the woman in an attempt to draw her into a conversation as we ride the elevator. When she doesn't acknowledge me, I continue, "Cell phones have all but replaced the classic wristwatch nowadays, huh?" I try again.
    The woman gazes at the lit numbers indicating the floor changes without responding to my attempt at chitchat, so I give up. Turning to face the glass at the back of the elevator, I audibly gasp as we are lowered to the main deck of the ship. The marble floor, enormous crystal chandelier, and brass trim are all pristine and shiny. I feel like I am on a modern-day version of the Titanic. I just hope we aren't headed for a similar fate.
    Jamie leads me into the grand dining hall. The massive room is empty, except for a large round table where the captain of the ship and the other participants in today's wedding are waiting. I'm distressed to find that I am the last one to arrive. I was hoping to stay a little more low-key for a while, since I had been the cause of today's wedding fiasco.
    "Sorry I'm late," I huff as I plop into the vacant chair next to Cam. I'm out of breath from hurrying.
    Cam leans over to give me a sweet kiss on the cheek, which helps calm my jittery nerves significantly, until the Captain sneers, "Well, I guess we can finally get started."
    I am tempted to give him a snippy response, but I suppose he has every right to be annoyed with me. Besides, I am fairly certain that the gorgeous orange hibiscus centerpiece in our table hides several tiny video cameras.
    The waiters zoom in to get our drink orders and deliver our clam chowder crocks and Caesar salads. The table falls into an awkward silence, so I attempt to fill in the void. "Where is everyone else?" I ask the table at large, sweeping my hand out to indicate the empty dining hall.
    Cam leans in to tell me the regular cruise passengers had a dinner seating earlier in the evening. I'm guessing by the way he whispers his answer that this topic was