Ship of Dreams (Dreams Come True Series Book 2) by Rebecca Heflin Read Free Book Online Page B

Italian. The bartender, not the martini. At least she could enjoy the view, she thought, as Sexy Sergio expertly mixed her drink. And what a view it was. Jet-black hair thick with waves, the strong facial features of his Greek and Roman ancestors covered now with a five o’clock shadow, full mouth. Sergio turned to grab a bottle off the mirrored shelf behind the bar. A nice tight ass. And, of course, an Italian accent. What more could a girl wish for?
    Adjusting histie, Nathan stepped into the lounge, and surveyed the crowd, mentally tallying the age ranges of the clientele. It looked like an AARP-convention.
    He halted his survey. “Well, I’ll be,” Nathan muttered to himself. If it isn’t Laura with the kissable mouth. What the hell were the odds? As he stood rooted to the spot, she swung those luscious legs around, crossed one over the other, slow and seductive, attracting the attention of just about every male in the room, and some females, too, before turning back to the bartender.
    The black dress she wore opened down the back almost to her tailbone, offering a delectable view of smooth skin. Her hair, which she wore in the same sleek tail as before, draped over her shoulder, and jet-black earrings dangled from her ears. He’d like to pull that band from her hair and spread it around her shoulders, run his fingers through it. On her feet, hot pink stiletto pumps screamed ‘sex-me-up.’ Hellfire and damnation.
    Giving himself a mental shake, he reminded himself this was a business trip. He started to walk in the opposite direction, then recalled what he’d told Cassie about work and pleasure not being mutually exclusive, and changed course. He could at least buy a beautiful woman a drink. After all, it was the gentlemanly thing to do. He approached the bar just as she reached for her drink.
    “Put it on my tab.”
    Laura recognized thebourbon-infused voice without the need to see its owner, but that didn’t diminish the surprise over its owner’s presence onboard a ship churning through the Mediterranean Sea. Covering her astonishment, she slowly turned to face Nathan. “Well, if it isn’t the Southern Prince Charming. Rescue any more damsels-in-distress lately?”
    “Does the woman who got lost on her way to the dining room count?” His eyes lit on her face, all warm and obliging.
    Her imagination hadn’t run away with her. He stood behind her barstool, looking as handsome and polished as she remembered him from their brief encounter. This time she also got a whiff of his spicy cologne.
    She glanced back at Sexy Sergio. There was something a little dangerous about Sergio. She could see it in the eyes, around the stubborn mouth. More her type than the man who stood behind her. And yet, when she’d heard that voice, her insides had gone a little gooey.
    “Sir?” Sergio of the Dangerous Eyes asked.
    “I’ll have what she’s having.”
    “Thank you for the drink–even if the cruise is all-inclusive.” She raised the glass to her lips, took a sip. “I pictured you as a scotch man.”
    “I like my Macallan as much as the next person, but when you’re surrounded by this much glamour”—he swept his hand around the room, ending with her, as his gaze traveled the length of her—“it only seems fitting to have a martini.” The passenger next to Laura vacated the bar stool, so Nathan claimed it. “I must admit I’m surprised to hear you pictured me at anything.”
    “Well, Nathan, you are a fine specimen of a man.” Black suit, blue shirt, Hermès red and blue silk tie. All on a six-foot-two-inch athletic frame. Oh yes, he was one fine specimen. Too bad he didn’t have the rough-around-the-edges image she preferred.
    He flashed her a grin, acknowledging her compliment.
    “It’d be a cold fish who didn’t picture you at . . . something.” She plucked the olive from her drink, popped it into her mouth, and chewed thoughtfully as she eyed him. “This is quite the coincidence.” Laura