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  “Sorry,” Felicity sighed. “It gets to me sometimes. You know, the romantic setting, the heat, the short, tight uniforms…”

  Michaela’s laughter was real this time as her friend fell into a mock swoon. “Come on, let’s get this over with.” She stood, smoothing down her dress uniform, the neat navy blazer with gold braid emphasizing the lean line of her body. “Smiles on.”

  She stole another look at the hottie as she stepped onto the stage and launched into her practiced speech.

  “Good morning, everyone.” One hundred heads turned toward her, one hundred dewy, expectant faces looked up at her, and one expectant face in particular seemed to look with careful interest. A face with green eyes like the clear Pacific Ocean and a slow smile that was making her heart beat far too quickly. Michaela forced herself to take a controlling breath. “Welcome to the Pacific Empress, and welcome—” She paused for effect. “—to our family.”

  As she went through her standard spiel, Michaela kept noticing those emerald eyes on her. Pinpricks of tension again whispered over her skin. Enough already, she scolded herself and turned her head to block any part of him from her view. The tension faded. She stood straighter as she continued.

  This was her sixth year working in the cruise industry, her second year on this ship. Perseverance, skill, and luck had landed her this position. She was the only woman to hold the cruise director job in the entire Adventurer Cruises fleet. The work had taken its toll, though. The hours were long, the focus it required extreme. She knew it sometimes made her snappish—even cold—with her staff.

  When she first started, she’d been after a new challenge—a challenge and a bit of adventure, promising herself she’d stay in the cruise business for five years max. She’d met too many people who had been onboard for too long, and it had sapped something vital out of them. You could see the strain in their faces.

  Now here she was, six years later and with the top job. An international management position back on land was next on her wish list, but it would be hard to leave such a good setup. No one was exactly falling over themselves offering her anything better, and having had a taste of life in the cruise business, Michaela sometimes wondered whether a desk job would be drab in comparison.

  “I know this is the fulfillment of a long-held dream for many of you, and you’re right to be excited. The Pacific Empress is not just any ship,” she said. “This is a new life. A new world. A world where you will be part of other people’s dreams. A world where you’ll see Pacific Island life up close, swim in perfect waters, and work tirelessly with amazing people.”

  “I’ll take over from here. Thank you, Cruise Director.”

  Michaela jumped. The man behind her had appeared out of nowhere. Gold-encrusted epaulettes covered his shoulders, and his white uniform was starched so heavily, it probably stood up all by itself. Damn.

  She covered the microphone. “What are you doing down here? I mean, you’re more than welcome, sir, but are you sure you want to take over? I’ve only just started.”

  The captain nodded tightly and held his hand out for the microphone. His dismissive expression made her wince, but her professional veneer was practiced, and she kept her smile firmly fixed. She turned back to the new recruits. “One of those amazing people, in charge of your safety and mine, is your captain. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Captain Atkinson.”

  A few people clapped as the captain flashed his own brilliant smile at the new crew. “Thank you. You can just stand there for now,” he said quietly before taking the microphone.

  Felicity rolled her eyes behind the captain’s back, but Michaela tried to keep her face neutral. Bastard. Why did he always make her feel small?

  Because he can. Suck it up.

  The captain’s briefing was more an account of his own heroics than anything useful, and Michaela almost itched with the desire to get out of the theater. But he’d told her to stand there, so stand there she would.

  Without her speech to concentrate on, she found her eyes wandering around the lofty theater. As if drawn by some supercharged magnet, they searched out the new recruit again. He was staring at her.

  Shit. She did not need to start anything with one of her crew. She didn’t need to start anything, period. She’d fought hard for her independence and position and had built a reputation for not playing around, which she intended to keep.

  Dragging her eyes away from green depths that promised, well, anything she wanted, she focused on the captain. It didn’t help. Standing in such close proximity to the man who had almost ruined her while feeling the heat of another man’s gaze was enough to make a girl need a drink.

  The captain finished his very abbreviated description of passenger boarding protocol and turned to Michaela. “Anything I’ve missed, Cruise Director?”

  She started to shake her head, then wondered if this was a test. She’d show him. Taking the microphone he proffered, she said, “Thank you, Captain. Just a quick note about onboard romances. Hopefully I won’t ever have to mention this again.” She felt the captain stiffen beside her. It was usually up to team leaders to warn new crew of the dangers of being caught with their pants down, but with the captain beside her she felt she needed to say…something.

  “I cannot stress how seriously breaches of this protocol are looked upon. Relationships with passengers are strictly prohibited by your employment contracts, and affairs with fellow crew usually end badly. Remember, you’re going to be in the middle of the ocean. If you break up, there’s nowhere to go.”

  The crew giggled, but the captain gave her a cold look and grabbed the microphone out of her hand. “Of course we want your time with us to be enjoyable. So remember, if you’re having a bit of good, safe fun, the passengers will be too. Make the most of any shore time you get. Rest when you can, eat healthily and in good time, and remember—” He smiled. “—you’re living in paradise.”

  Everyone cheered and clapped.

  “Dismissed,” he said. The crowd started to disperse, the low drone of all those excited voices echoing around the theater.

  Captain Atkinson flicked the microphone switch to off and handed it back to her. “I’m not sure that was strictly necessary, Michaela. Let’s allow them their moment of romantic bliss for at least one day, shall we?”

  “Certainly, sir.” She bit her lip to stop the words she wanted to say from escaping.

  “I hope that last point wasn’t directed at me? I thought we were beyond all that.”

  “Of course, sir.”

  “Good.” He started to turn away, about to leave, then stopped and raised a dark eyebrow at her. “Sorry I had to take over, but one of the new girls in admin is the daughter of someone at head office. Wanted to make sure she reported back that we’re all shipshape.”

  You don’t trust me, you mean.

  “I would have thought that leaving the cruise director to do her job would have made that impression more effectively than you stepping in. Sir.”

  The statement came from behind her, spoken in a deep, low voice. When Michaela turned to discover its owner, she was hit by a blast of the same green eyes that had been unsettling her all morning. She caught her breath. Close up, he was even sexier than she’d realized.

  The dancer stepped forward so he stood beside her, but she moved just a little to make sure the spark she felt didn’t get any hotter.

  “And you are?” The captain almost spat. He wasn’t used to being spoken to like that. Mr. Green Eyes had better watch it.

  “Dylan Johns, new dancer. I don’t mean to intrude, but I overhead you and couldn’t help myself.”

  The captain bristled, but Dylan seemed almost bored, his face a nonchalant mask Michaela couldn’t read. The newbie was ballsy, she’d give him that.

  “We like to follow the chain of command around here.” The captain turned to Michaela, ignoring Dylan completely. “I happen to know the girl’s father likes a man in charge. I was making sure he’s confident we’ve got everything unde
r control. Cruise Director.” Captain Atkinson clicked his heels together, military style, and spun sharply on his polished white shoe before marching out of the theater, his lurking subordinates following at his heels.

  Michaela’s cheeks burned with indignation. Bloody Atkinson, saying she wasn’t up to the job because she was a woman.

  “Time to go,” she snapped at Felicity. Grabbing her friend’s arm, she practically dragged her out of the theater and away from Mr. Green Eyes before he could add to her embarrassment.

  “What was that about?” Felicity hissed as they left.

  “What was what about?”

  Innocent, much?

  “Your ‘Thou shalt not have a good time, boys and girls’ speech. I know you don’t go there, but that was pretty full on.”

  “Oh.” Michaela shrugged, relieved. “Why not be clear about boundaries from the get-go?”

  “You were thinking of that delectable guy from admin and giving yourself a firm telling off for having unprofessional thoughts, weren’t you?” Felicity’s grin was devilish.

  “Admin?” Michaela blushed, the green-eyed new staff member springing to mind. The green-eyed dancer.

  She almost laughed as the realization hit her. Come on, he’s a male dancer! Might as well be attracted to a tropical palm tree for all the good it would do. “Oh, yes, the dark one from admin,” she said. “I was probably letting him seduce me subconsciously.” She winked at Felicity, hoping that would be an end to it.

  Felicity smiled. “It was a good cover. No one is going to suspect you when he’s found tied up in his stateroom with whipped cream covering his chest.”

  “Felicity!” Michaela felt the blush right down to her toes. “You know very well I would never! And he’s not all that edible, anyway.”

  “Rightio.” Felicity chortled. “If you don’t want him, be sure and let me know. He gave me a filthy little smile in the middle of your tirade. I’m sure I can find space for him within my male menu. And I think his chocolate good looks would go perfectly with cream.”

  Michaela let her jaw drop open in mock horror, then got infected by the glint in Felicity’s eye and laughed. It was good to have a girlfriend on board. Despite Felicity being so much younger and far more of a good-time girl than Michaela, it was fun to laugh with another woman and know she wouldn’t be made to pay for it later in some subtle way.

  Michaela looked at her watch. It was definitely time to be more of a good-time girl herself instead of letting her career aspirations dictate her every move. “Six o’clock. Cocktail hour?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  …

  This first night was a time for the new crew to get adjusted to their onboard surroundings—for people to meet properly, have briefings, and make plans. But Michaela’s core team were all repeat contractors. The only new crew on her staff were the entertainers. Those dancers and singers would be busy for some hours yet, working with the choreographer and checking costumes. Felicity was equally lucky to be working with an experienced crew.

  “I’m thinking a chocolate mudslide might be in order,” Felicity said as she slid onto the bar stool next to Michaela.

  “I was hoping for an Emerald Dream,” Michaela said, picturing the eyes that the fruity cocktail with a generous shot of Midori would perfectly accompany.

  “Whatever takes your fancy.”

  Michaela felt herself relax as the sun started its gentle softening over the edge of the sea, right in front of the poolside bar. “It is beautiful really, isn’t it?” she asked.

  “Living onboard a magnificent cruise ship? Sailing around the Pacific Islands all day? Come on, you know it’s a bit of a gift. How many people get to watch the sun set over the ocean every day?”

  As she took a sip of her drink, Michaela had to admit it was rather magnificent—her drink and the view. She gazed into the cocktail and thought again about the man with the dreamy eyes she’d met in the theater.

  “Cruise Director?” A deep male voice brought her gaze up, and a pair of very real green eyes looked down at her.

  Keep it together, girl. She nodded coolly at Mr. Green Eyes.

  “The others are still in wardrobe, but my costumes are a bit small. Your seamstress didn’t believe how tall I was. They’re letting out the seams.”

  You look the perfect height to me.

  Michaela’s whole body tingled as she gazed up into his strong-featured face. He stood just in front of the setting sun, and the light haloed his hair, but the angelic effect was out of place with the hard jaw, the firm shoulders, and the very male way he looked at her. He pushed his hand through his dark hair, and she had to fight the urge to brush a fallen tendril off his temple.

  Unlike his costumes, his uniform fit perfectly, the tunic emphasizing the broadness of his shoulders, the navy pants accentuating his long legs and smoothing out neat and tight over his obviously very firm butt. The white and navy suited his coloring, too, and after a few weeks onboard the light olive of his face and hands would turn an even warmer tone.

  Damn. Hot.

  His eyes glittered as he waited for her response. If she’d met him in a bar, she would have sworn he was interested. But as he turned his head to watch a male crew member walk by, Michaela reminded herself he was a dancer. She’d met dozens of male dancers in her six years on cruise ships, and she could count the number of straight ones on one hand. With fingers left over.

  He’s almost certain to be gay.

  The shiver of disappointment that ran through her surprised her.

  “You getting on okay with all the boys on board?” Felicity asked innocently.

  “Sure, they seem like a good bunch,” he said, apparently missing Felicity’s barely veiled innuendo.

  Yet there was something in the way he carried himself that defied the stereotype. He had a self-assuredness and something more, a hunger. The way he looked at her…

  No, that’s just your ego looking for a compliment, Ms. Western.

  “I was told to come and find you,” he said. “Anything I can do while they sort out my costumes?”

  “I know what he could do for me,” Felicity muttered under her breath, and Michaela felt the blush rise in her again.

  “Not right now…” She looked at his gold name badge as if he’d never introduced himself. “…Dylan. Just be at the staff meeting seven thirty sharp tomorrow morning.” Michaela turned her back on him and took a long pull on her cocktail straw.

  After a moment, she heard him turn and leave.

  “So that’s Dylan,” Felicity said. Michaela turned to her, confused. “Don’t you remember? You showed me your personnel list. He’s the one who’s thirty-two, isn’t he? Certainly makes a nice change to have a man on your team rather than just boys and girls. Not that it makes any difference to you, of course,” she purred. “As you are a woman of virtue and high morals. Oh, and his boss.”

  Michaela held the shock down in her stomach. Surely her face wasn’t giving her away? But hearing Dylan’s name spoken so lasciviously by Felicity made him sound anything but unattainable. And him in his thirties, the same age as her…

  Oh, stop it.

  She was his boss. Dylan Johns was out of bounds.

  Chapter Two

  Dylan left the pool deck and made his way toward his stateroom at the bottom of the ship. The cruise director certainly had a reputation of being chilly for a reason. The lecture she’d given earlier, and then her abrupt dismissal. What was her problem?

  And what was his? He hadn’t been able to keep his eyes off her in the theater. When she’d stood, her authority had been obvious. The firm set of her luscious mouth announced she was used to people doing her bidding, yet when she’d smiled he’d wanted to sit with her a while and share a joke. Striding forward and speaking into the microphone, she had relaxed her shoulders, thrusting out her small bust, and he’d found himself thinking of how she would feel beneath his hands. Taut and warm.

  Calm down. She was the one who gav
e the “don’t get involved at sea” speech, remember?

  This was a woman who knew how to project confidence and lead a team. Moreover, it looked like she knew what she wanted and was quite capable of getting it. So why had she been so cold to him? All that control seemed at odds with the wall she’d put up when they’d spoken by the pool.

  Something similar had happened with the captain in the theater. His arrival had thrown her for a moment. Interesting.

  There was definitely more going on there. Captain Atkinson had seemed to relish rubbing the cruise director’s nose in it.

  Why do you care?

  Maybe the captain reminded him of Brian.

  Or maybe you’re hoping the cruise director will reward your valiant efforts to defend her.

  Good one. Look how well that had turned out with Lily. He’d gotten his sister-in-law all confused and his brother furious.

  “Shows what good comes from doing the right thing,” he muttered.

  Well, he was here now, giving everyone some space. Including himself. His thoughts flicked back to the hour before. The ship’s auditorium had sparkled under its stage lights, its gold pillars towering above them on each side of the proscenium arch. The new crew standing on stage had seemed tiny in comparison to their setting, and a number of them talked in whispers, awed and excited by the size and grandeur of the five-hundred-seat auditorium.

  Dylan lacked their sense of awe, and his excitement mixed with a hesitation that still scratched at his thoughts. Is this a good idea? For the twentieth time, he wondered if he was doing the right thing taking these three months off and leaving Brian at the helm of the business.

  He’s not at the helm. Mom is there. It’s her company.

  He stopped walking and leaned against a railing, looking out over the harbor. The sun warmed and relaxed him. Yes, he was definitely doing the right thing.

  “You been dancing for a while, then?” asked a new voice from behind him. Dylan turned and recognized another dancer he’d met earlier.

  “No, first contract,” Dylan said, and then added, “on this boat” when he saw confusion play over the remarkably pretty face of the other man. Straightening, Dylan put his business face on, making sure he projected an aura of experience. No one would believe this was the first time he’d done this at his age. Heck, judging by his face, the other dancer couldn’t be much older than eighteen.