Once Upon A Night At Sea by Barbara Longley Read Free Book Online Page B

she’d left it down. The ends curled, and he longed to run his fingers through the silky ringlets. Her now-familiar scent filled his senses when she passed him. It was too much.
    He caught her hand, drew her into his arms and kissed her soundly, tangling his fingers into her hair. Her arms came around his waist, and she kissed him back. With enthusiasm. “You’re so pretty, Marin,” he whispered, nuzzling the soft, tender spot behind her ear.
    “Mmmm,” she moaned, tilting her head for him. “If you say so.”
    He drew back. “You don’t think you’re pretty?”
    She shrugged. “Cute maybe, but—”
    “You’re going to have to take my man-card-carrying word for it. You’re a heart-stopper.”
    She snorted. “Pulling the ‘man card,’ eh?”
    He nodded. “When needed, I will pull out the card.” Taking her hand, he started them down the corridor toward the elevators.
    Couples and families, all dressed up for formal night, hurried along to one of the many restaurants on board. Jason continued to hold Marin’s hand while they rode the elevator up to the lido deck. They weren’t the only ones who had decided to go casual tonight. The pool was crowded with kids and adults relaxing in lounge chairs. “Pick out a couple of loungers, and I’ll go get the pizza. What kind do you like?”
    “I’m not picky. Get a couple of different slices, and we can—”
    “Share? That’s another thing I like about you, Marin.” He really did. Being with her was so easy, fun. She didn’t get upset about little things or complain. Marin radiated positive energy, and he couldn’t help but bask in her light and warmth. “I’ll be right back.” He left her, the ever-present grin riding his face again.
    A plate of pizza slices and two beers in hand, Jason wended his way through the maze of lounge chairs. Marin had one knee up, and her other leg stretched out before her. Desire slammed into him. Keeping his hands to himself was becoming more challenging by the hour. The need to stake his claim sent his pulse racing.
    He snorted. When had he ever thought in terms like that with a woman? Stake his claim? Had he reverted to machismo? He’d blame it on his mother’s Venezuelan genes, the same genes that had given him his dark eyes and hair. “Would you take the plate so I can sit without spilling the beer?”
    “Of course.” Marin sat up, took the plate and set it on her lap. “Yum. It smells good.”
    Jason stretched out beside her, setting their beer on the floor between their lounge chairs. “It’s amazing how hungry I am right now. Must be from all the swimming and fresh air today.” He reached for a slice and took a huge bite. “Mmm.”
    Once the sun began to set, crew members distributed red fleece blankets with pillows sewn right into them. They laid theirs out on their loungers and settled back.
    Marin turned to him, her face a study in worry. “I have a confession to make.”
    He frowned. What on earth could she have to confess? “Oh?”
    She nodded, biting her lower lip for a moment. “You know how I’ve been saying I’m not clumsy, and that I don’t normally toss lattes and cause accidents?”
    Relief flooded through him, and he had to clamp down on the urge to laugh. She was about to tell him what he already knew, but the vulnerability in her expression warned him to tread carefully. “Yes?” he encouraged.
    “Well, that’s not… entirely true.” Picking at the fleece of her blanket, she glanced at him and then away. “Do you know what my brothers called me when I was growing up?”
    “Tell me.” An aching tenderness filled his chest.
    “They called me ‘Marin the Menace,’ that’s what. I’ve always been accident-prone, a real spiller-willer and… clumsy.” The corners of her mouth turned down.
    Jason’s throat tightened. “Want me to punch their lights out?” he asked, only half teasing. Her sudden smile and the way the tension left her sent he-man urges coursing through his