see the front-row couch where she and Dylan
had fallen into each other the previous night. The thought that someone could have walked in on them
clutched in each other’s arms filled her with a strangely erotic panic. And as to him striding out of the theater with her in his arms, her shirt open, skirt hitched up, and bra undone…
“Oh, God,” she moaned quietly. “It just can’t happen. The ship is too public.”
She left before the end of the show, slipping out so no one would notice her when the lights came up.
But she knew that the real reason she had to disappear was to prevent Dylan from seeing and devouring her with his eyes. Her body wanted him more than her mind could ignore, and under the scrutiny of his full gaze she became more helpless than she cared to admit. She hurried off to the staff canteen, hoping she could eat and leave before the dance team got there.
Despite almost gulping her food, Michaela was still eating when she heard a familiar male voice from
behind her. “Mind if I join you?”
Her heart leapt and fell simultaneously, and she looked to each side of her, making sure no one saw her blush.
by Mgid
Dylan drew out a chair and pushed his tray next to hers. “Don’t worry, the others ate earlier.”
It was true, there were hardly any people left eating at this time. “We can’t do this. I—”
He hushed her with a quick finger to her lips, and just as she feared, she felt herself melting under his intense gaze. “I know this makes no sense, I know we shouldn’t, I know there are a thousand reasons
not to.” He put his other hand on her thigh under the table. She looked around again, checking for
curious eyes. Her leg flared with heat under his touch.
Dylan must have seen her pupils dilate and heard her breath catch. “Don’t tell me you don’t want it.”
Damn him, but he read her like a book.
“We’re two fully consenting adults.” He let the words drift around their heads, their meaning brilliant with promise. “But I’ll give you one chance. Tell me you don’t want me, and I’ll leave you alone.” As he spoke, he worked his hand farther up the bare skin of her thigh, inching her skirt upward. He brushed his fingertips across the crease where her thighs met, then trailed the hand back down her leg to the
comparative safety of her knee.
“We can’t. My stateroom…” The thought of rubbing the captain’s face in her romantic potential was
tempting, but not tempting enough to risk what nasty revenge he would undoubtedly make her suffer.
He was the captain, after all.
“No need,” Dylan said and stood, tugging at her elbow.
Her lips opened to speak, to deny the fever she felt even now building inside, but the words wouldn’t come. Her body wouldn’t let them.
“My roommate is out for the evening. I know I shouldn’t tell you this, but he and Marvin have gotten
together, and Marvin got the only solo room for the team.” A dry smile spread over Dylan’s face.
“I shouldn’t. I don’t do this sort of thing.”
“Shouldn’t is no excuse,” he said. “And you didn’t say no, so I’m taking you out of here. Now.”
She opened her mouth again to protest, to say…something.
“No more excuses,” he said. “Come.”
Michaela watched him push her chair back under the table. Trying to retain a semblance of control, she smoothed her skirt down from where his hand had drawn it upward. His eyes were like fire on her skin.
If it was already organized and there was no danger of anyone finding out, would it hurt to have a little fun?
His hand moved to the small of her back, guiding her away from the smells of food, away from the bright lights and prying eyes of other people. Where he touched her, the warmth spread out, and a hint of
what might be in store for her—coupled with anticipation—clanged at Michaela’s nerves like the ship’s warning bells.
Dylan and Jake’s room was on the fourth floor, almost at the
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