Alaskan Exposure by A.S. Fenichel Page A

orgasmic crème brûlée melted on Charley’s tongue.
It was all she could do to keep from moaning in ecstasy over the sweet, creamy
confection. It was so good she didn’t flinch when Drew asked Kyle if he wanted
to join them in the nightclub for dancing.
    He looked at her as if waiting for approval. “If you want
to,” She said.
    He cocked his head to one side as if he was trying to read
her mind and decipher exactly what she’d meant. “I’d love to, though I have a
duty shift in the morning, so I’ll have to make it an early night.”
    As they were leaving Qsine, she tugged on his elbow to hold
him back where Jules and Drew would not hear her. “You don’t have to come
dancing if you don’t want to.”
    He stopped and turned so that his back was to the other
couple as they walked toward the back of the ship. He stepped closer and looked
down at her, forcing her to crane her neck to meet his gaze.
    Her heart jumped into her throat. Everything about him was
sexy and overwhelming. Her body trembled.
    Kyle touched both of her arms lightly and rubbed from her
elbows to her bare shoulders. “The woman I desire is going dancing in a
darkened room, with hot music. Where else would I want to be?”
    “Kyle, I—”
    His finger pressed against her lips cutting off her
objection. “You’re thinking again, Charley. Don’t think. Just for a little
while.”
    In spite of her resolve not to fall for him, excitement
bubbled inside her. She smiled and nodded saying nothing about the evening
being a big mistake. He took her hand, and she allowed him to lead her to the
nightclub.
    The rest of Drew’s friends were already sitting at a table
against the wall. The club was dark. The dance floor filled the middle of the
room, with a stage on either side. Cocktail waitresses made their way around
the room in short skirts and spiked heels. The wall was lined by a bank of
cushioned benches.
    Once the introductions were made, she thought she would feel
awkward. It was obvious that Bob had been interested in her and she’d forgone
dinner with him and his friends in favor of Kyle. However, he shook Kyle’s hand
giving no indication he was put out. They sat down on the bench, behind a low
table, with a good view of the dance floor and listened to a classic rock band.
    One of the waitresses came over. The tall brunette gave Kyle
a come-hither look. Charley watched him carefully, but couldn’t detect any
sexual interest in the pretty girl. Yet she had looked as if she might rip his
clothes off at any moment. She really couldn’t hold that against the girl. He
made her feel the same way.
    “Hi Varinka. I’ll just have water, please,” Kyle said.
    Charley might have imagined it, but she thought she saw a
hint of malice in the girl’s hazel eyes before she gave her a practiced smile.
    “Vodka martini, please.”
    Varinka nodded and walked away.
    “Are you dating that girl?” Charley asked.
    His eyes opened wide. “No. She’s just a kid.”
    “She’s beautiful.”
    His shoulders lifted in a casual move. “She’s a nice girl,
and it’s her first time away from home. I meet with all the new crew members
once a week to go over ship policy and the captains instructions. Sometimes the
young ones get attached.”
    He turned back to watch the dancers, and Charley watched
him. She could see how a young girl could have a crush on Kyle. Hell, she
wasn’t so young and she was nursing a pretty big crush herself.
    They sat holding hands in the dark listening to the music.
Even with all the people in the club, the atmosphere was intimate. Charley’s
face heated with a blush as if everyone could read her thoughts and knew she
wanted to jump Kyle’s bones.
    It didn’t take the waitress long to return with their order.
    “Not drinking?” Charley asked when the drinks arrived. The
music was loud enough so that she had to get close to his ear to be heard.
    He leaned down until his mouth touched her ear. “I really do
have an early