“I’m lucky it was a sports car and not an SUV,” he
said to fill the awkward silence. “I didn’t call because I couldn’t talk and I was drugged up until late this afternoon. Besides, Arlene brought me lunch.”
“Really?” Joy asked, intrigued.
“Yes, she was the one who found me. She took care of me and checked on me today too.”
Joy lifted her brows. “I see.”
“Look, I’m just playing my part. I’ve finally found a way to get to her and I’m going to use it.”
“Right.” Joy folded her arms. “Ah, now everything’s becoming clear. I see your problem.”
“You do?”
“Yes, she’s not Harris’s type.”
Michael nodded, glad that she agreed. “Exactly. That’s what I thought.”
“She’s yours.”
Michael froze and blinked. “I don’t have a type,” he said flatly.
A small smile curved her lips. “I think you do now.”
Her superior grin annoyed him. Michael tossed his jacket on the other side of the bed and rested his hands on his hips. “You’ve got it all wrong.” He tapped his chest. “I’m here to do a job and I’m going to do it. I can get any woman I want,” he said, making a broad sweep with his hand to encompass all the women on the ship. “And I’ve gotten plenty. I don’t need to take someone else’s woman.” He lifted his jacket and started to put it on, then took it off and threw it on the bed. “And even if I did, I wouldn’t want one of the dumb, gullible women
Harris uses as his carriers.” He shook his head. “No way. I’m smarter than that.”
Joy gave him a look of pity.
“I am,” he said fiercely. “Don’t you believe me?”
“I thought you said the profile was wrong. That Arlene isn’t dumb or gullible.”
“That’s right. She isn’t. She’s smart and sweet and creative. You should hear the way she tells stories. And she’s not sure how she feels about Harris. I think she’s trapped somehow. Maybe he has something over her and that ties her to him. But I don’t think she’s happy. She’s been hurt and worries a lot, but I seem to be able to make her smile.”
Joy’s look became even more pitying.
Michael frowned. “I’m just telling you the facts. I’m not getting personal. The medication I’ve been on has me a little off my game, that’s all. I am in control of this situation. I won’t fail.”
Joy stood and shrugged. “If you say so.”
“I do.”
“Be careful, Michael.”
He smiled. “Relax,
nena.
I’ve got this. You know I’m always careful.” And he would be. He would be objective and keep his distance. Darren wanted his property back and wanted Harris to pay. He couldn’t mess that up. His reputation, his loyalty and his friendship all depended on his success. He couldn’t let a woman get in the way of that. Not again. He had to be professional.
But over a half hour later as he stood outside the restaurant, he saw Arlene and knew he was in danger of losing all he held dear.
T
he moment Noreen saw Michael she knew she’d worn the right outfit. She didn’t like Clyde, but the man had great taste. The clothes he’d bought Arlene were expensive yet subdued. The antiques business must pay very well, she’d thought when she’d opened a zippered garment bag her sister had made her promise not to open until the night of the captain’s ball. Inside was a two-piece black-and-white ensemble featuring a white silk spaghetti-strap top with lace trimming and a black ruffled suede knee-length skirt—touched off with a pair of open-toed black pumps (which, luckily, were one of the more sensible pairs of shoes her sister had packed). To finish the look, Arlene had packed large eighteen-karat gold earrings shaped like leaves, a snakelike gold bracelet that could fit around Noreen’s upper arm and
a novelty handbag shaped like bright red lips, which would have looked cheesy on any other woman, but complemented her ensemble.
Noreen had spent nearly ten minutes staring at the outfit, debating whether she should wear it or not. Now she knew everything was perfect. His gaze slowly and seductively slid downward, taking in every aspect of her, lingering on her bare shoulders and exposed cleavage. The piratelike air had returned to him with a vengeance that no formal attire could hide. There was something inherently male and dominating in his gaze that exhilarated her.
Was it only last night that she’d stared at him from across a ballroom, wondering if he was a hero or a villain? She still couldn’t be sure, but now she didn’t care.
Noreen had left his cabin that afternoon feeling giddy. She went swimming just to burn up energy. He made her feel as if she could run laps around the ship, swim the ocean, dance until dawn and do two hundred cartwheels. She was falling in love with him but the thought didn’t frighten her. For several days she got to be Arlene and she was going to relish being a little reckless with her emotions. For the duration of the cruise she was going to let herself believe in happy endings and finding Mr. Right.
For her, Michael was Mr. Right Now and that was enough. She couldn’t have imagined a better diversion from some of the mundane activities on board. She’d cared for him, dined with him, laughed with him, been quiet with him and felt closer to him than any man she’d
ever known. What amazed her was how his hazel eyes could easily twinkle with merriment, but just as quickly sharpen with an intellect that continued to surprise her. He smiled easily because he enjoyed life, not because he was shallow.
Noreen admired his easygoing ways and with him she felt free to toss her cares aside and not worry. She wondered how long she’d be able to hold his attention. She’d never held a man’s interest like this. Being Arlene definitely had its perks. Their relationship—or whatever they could call it—was a dream, except when he mentioned Clyde, but she knew he couldn’t help being curious. It didn’t matter, because in a few days it would all be over and she was going to enjoy the now.
Only minutes before, Noreen had come down the elevator wondering if Michael would show up for dinner. Nervous, she’d come up with several excuses for him. Perhaps they’d stayed on the deck too long or he’d grown tired of her fussing over him. He’d been brusque when she’d offered to help him back to his cabin. Maybe he’d taken pain medication and fallen asleep. She sensed an attraction, but wasn’t exactly sure what it meant.
At times he looked at her like an indulgent uncle and she half expected him to pat her on the head like an adult would a child. But then there were the moments when his eyes burned and she felt as if he were melting her clothes away. The second she saw him waiting outside the restaurant, Noreen knew it was going to be one of those latter moments and her heart pounded from relief and anticipation. She was a little late because
Arlene would be. She smoothed her hair to appear more composed than she felt.
“You look like a man who wants to skip dinner and go straight to dessert,” she said then stared at him, surprised by her own boldness.
“Are you a mind reader?”
“Sometimes.”
“Then I’d better guard my thoughts.”
“Don’t.” She grinned, looping her arm through his. “I like them.”
They walked inside and waited to be seated. “Then you know I think you look sensational,” he said.
“I like to hear you say it. The outfit was a gift.”
“From a male friend.”
Noreen looked up at him. “Why do you say that?”
“Because no female would give her friend that outfit.”
“Why not?”
“She couldn’t stand the competition,” he said then followed the maître d’ to a table.
The dinner that evening consisted of grilled turkey with a glazed honey-mustard sauce served over rice pilaf; on the side were a generous helping of seasoned green beans with pineapple bits and freshly baked wheat rolls. While they ate, they watched several couples dancing on the dance floor.
Michael caught her glance. “Sorry, I can’t dance. I don’t think I’m up to it yet.”
“That’s okay,” Noreen said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “I’m just glad you’re here.”
Once dinner was over, Noreen excused herself and
went to the restroom. She touched up her lipstick then stared at her reflection in the mirror. Arlene stared back. She wore an extravagant headband, dangling earrings and glittering eye shadow. “Okay, what do I do now?” The evening was still young and she’d never discussed what would happen next. Did she let him walk her to her cabin or did she go to his?
You worry too much,
she could hear her sister say.
Just play it by ear.
Noreen nodded. That’s what she would do. She took a deep breath and began making her way back to their table. She weaved around the dance floor and was close to where Michael was sitting when a man grabbed her arm and pulled her into a dancer’s embrace.
Noreen stared at him, more outraged than frightened. He didn’t smell of alcohol, so he couldn’t be drunk, but there had to be a reason for his strange behavior. He was middle-aged with small, gray eyes and a receding hairline that didn’t take away from his looks. She tried to pull away. “Let go of me.”
He strengthened his hold. “Give me a minute. I have a message.”
Noreen stopped struggling. “A message?”
“Yes. Watch yourself.”
He had to be drunk or high. She sniffed him but he only smelled of cheap aftershave and steak. “What are you talking about?”
“You’re one of Harris’s girls, aren’t you? You don’t have to answer that. I already know the answer.”
Harris’s girls?
Had she fallen into a B-level James Bond spoof? “Is he spying on me?”
“No, I’m one of Erickson’s men. You’re the deliverer
and I’m the insurance. I make sure the transaction goes through.”
“Why would he need you as insurance? I’m just delivering a ring. Besides I know how to take care of myself and will complete the job.”
“Erickson doesn’t want any interruptions.”
Who was this man and why was he threatening her?
“Well, there won’t be any interruption,” Noreen said, annoyed.
“I’m here to make sure of that. Keep yourself and your property safe. Thieves like ships.”
“I don’t know who you are, but I know what I’m doing. Trust me.” Noreen didn’t like the man’s tone and was confused that the client had sent someone along on the cruise to keep an eye on her.
“Just remember that some people might want more from you than your pretty face.”
Noreen wordlessly stared at him, no longer feeling angry, but a little frightened.
“Like I said. Watch yourself,” he repeated then abruptly released her and disappeared into the crowd.
Noreen watched him go, confused. Why would there be such a fuss over an antique ring? The confrontation reminded her of some of the men she’d met years ago when she’d worked for her uncle. No, she didn’t want to even consider the possibility that her sister was involved in something illegal. This probably had to do with the eccentric client, who was waiting for the ring to be delivered. She didn’t have much time to reflect on it
when she found out the reason for the stranger’s quick departure.
“Who was that?” Michael demanded, staring past her.
It was a simple question, but his harsh tone and the cold look in his eyes revealed a ruthlessness that made her inwardly shiver. “Oh,” Noreen said in a bright voice. “He was just a little drunk and wanted someone to dance with.”
Michael’s eyes fell to her face, dark and probing. “He didn’t look drunk to me.”
“Tipsy then.”
Michael frowned. “He acted like he knew you.”
“Maybe I reminded him of someone,” she said lightly. “Are you jealous?”
“Very,” he said, with a silken thread of warning.
Noreen touched his arm, surprised by the tension in him. “Forget about it. Let’s go sit down.”
Without warning Michael drew her into a dancer’s embrace. She didn’t expect the jolt of awareness when their bodies met. She’d been close to him before and had felt his body against hers, but not like this. Before, their connection had been accidental or necessary, but this was deliberate.
“I thought you didn’t want to dance.”
“I changed my mind,” he said, daring her to challenge him.
She declined and let herself be seduced by the pulsating music and the hard form pressed against her. Their bodies moved to the slow, steady rhythm, his arm around her waist, and she felt a deep, throbbing hunger.
She wanted him. He was the perfect antidote to her malaise. She felt as if she could dance all night. He made her feel feminine and free and strong and beautiful. She rested her head against his chest, wanting the moment to last forever.
“You don’t love him,” Michael said, with a flat note of conviction.
Noreen lifted her head, startled, and looked up at him. “What?”
“You wouldn’t respond to me like this if you did.”
“What are you talking about?”
“My competition.”
Noreen sighed with annoyance. “Why are we back to that?”
“Does he have something over you? If he does, I might be able to help.”
“I don’t need your help. It’s none of your business.”
“You don’t love him.”
Noreen met Michael’s gaze, remembering Arlene. “I do in my own way and I don’t have to explain it to you.”
“I’m not even sure you like him.”
“You’re wrong.”
He slid his hand up her back to her exposed flesh, his palm hot against her skin. “You’re responding to me as if a man hasn’t touched you in months.”
Noreen’s body tingled at his touch, but she kept her voice steady. “That’s your imagination.”
His eyes clung to hers. “I imagine a lot of things, but I’m not imagining this.”
S
he tried to pull away. “I’m leaving.”
He held her still. “Because I’m right?”
“No, because I don’t need another possessive man in my life. I don’t need another man to tell me what I should or shouldn’t feel,” Noreen said, thinking of her ex who told her she was cold. “I want to be free.”
Michael’s hand continued to caress her back, trailing circles that made her aware of no one else but him. “I don’t want to own you,” he said in a husky tone. “I just want you to admit you feel what I feel too.”