The Lust Boat Read Free Page B

her, if need be, to give him a chance.
    He took the kiss deeper and she followed. He wanted to touch her, couldn’t stop himself from doing so. They were in a public place, more than one set of eyes would be trained on them, it was a given on the Lothario . If he gave in to his desires and fucked her right there on the sofa, no one would stop him. In fact, most of the people in the room would think it fine entertainment. He wouldn’t do that to Candace. The thought of someone else seeing her body wrapped in passion made his blood run cold. One hand snaked around her waist and he lifted her easily into his lap. Her hip grazed his erection sending a desperate signal to his brain. It’s been too long, his cock insisted, straining toward the woman in his arms.
    A sound pierced the lust fogging his brain. Candace pushed away, gasping as the forgotten water glass in her hand tipped sideways, spilling its contents over both their laps. Tendrils of ice on his heated skin sent wild signals firing through his system. Laughter nearby brought his head up. Richard stood in front of them, a shield between them and the room.
    “Dinner is served, Monk, or should I quit calling you that?” He didn’t wait for an answer and crossed the room to usher the guests to dinner.
    Candace blotted water off her legs with the stack of paper napkins Richard had tossed in her lap before he left. “Are you all right?”
    “Yes. It’s just a little water.”
    Ryan stilled her hand, waiting until she looked at him. “That wasn’t what I was referring to.”
    “I know, and the answer is still yes. I don’t usually do this sort of thing in public, but this is the Lothario , isn’t it?”
    “Yes. You’ll see much more than that over the next week. Privacy is a personal choice here.”
    “I see.”
    “I promised you we wouldn’t do anything you don’t want to do. I didn’t give you much choice that time. I’ll do better.”
    “I’m as much at fault as you for that display, so let’s forget about it. Maybe we need a code word.”
    “That’s a good idea. How about ice water?” His eyebrows rose in question.
    Candace laughed, a purely musical sound that swelled to a crescendo inside him. Her face softened, lost the wariness he’d sensed in her from the beginning as she truly relaxed in his company. “That should do it. Okay. Ice water it is.”

Chapter Two

    The dining room, Zeus’ Temple, was a replica of a Greco/Roman palace, fit for the gods. Candace forgot her state of undress as she admired the ornate columns, luxurious draperies and crystal chandeliers. Ryan procured a table for two next to the windows and Candace admired the view of the churning wake and open seas from the bank of floor-to-ceiling windows. The empty seas reminded her she had nowhere to go, so she might as well make the most of it.
    Once she got over seeing the waiters in their shimmering gold body suits, she had to admit the food was excellent. “I had no idea the food would be this good.” Candace closed her eyes and savored a spoonful of Crème Brulee. “I’ll be as big as a house if I eat like this for a week.”
    “I’ll make sure you get plenty of exercise.” His tone warned her he didn’t have traditional exercise methods in mind. The look on his face confirmed her suspicions, causing a hot blush to rise on her cheeks.
    “I think I’ll stick with the gym.”
    “If you want to,” he allowed, “but the gym onboard may not be what you’re used to.” His lips quirked into a wicked grin then eased into a reassuring smile. “However, you can always run on the Odyssey deck. Room service can provide running shoes.”
    “That sounds more my style. Thanks.”
    “No problem. I’d be happy to join you, if you want me to.” The last was spoken with a hint of uncertainty. So far, he’d been the perfect gentleman, except for his kiss, and she’d participated in that of her own free will. She’d come to the conclusion that staying in her cabin