Pleasure Cruise Read online

  It went against every fiber of Clare’s being to have a blast and Kira knew that she had her work cut out for her. The fact that she’d managed to get Clare to dance, even if it was hip-to-hip and a bit forced, was a huge step forward. Too bad that she’d packed the camera away. People at the office would never believe Clare did this much.

  Baby steps, Clare, baby steps. You can do it, girlfriend.

  She hid her laugh, as she thought of what she had to do to get Clare to come on the trip. Kira had been sure she’d end up having to eat the cost of Clare’s ticket right up until the last minute. She’d been shocked when she opened her door a week ago to find Clare standing there holding two bathing suits.

  “Which one?” Clare had asked with a slight roll of her eyes.

  Kira had pulled her into her apartment and laughed at her. “Neither, they both suck. My grandma has better taste than you do. Come to think of it, my grandma probably picks up more men than you do. But don’t you worry, honey. Kira is here to help. Everything is going to be just fine. I know a great little shop down the street where we can find you the perfect ‘please handsome man give me sex because I haven’t been laid since the last millennium’ sexy bikini.”

  Kira laughed out loud, remembering how she’d thought she’d changed Clare’s mind about the trip when she’d convinced her to join her for a day of maintenance care before they had to leave. There was no way in hell that Kira would be caught dead without the proper “spring cleaning” and, as reserved as Clare was, she figured the girl might need an army of spa girls to get through the overgrown thicket. As it was, Clare had done a good job prepping her bikini zone for the trip. However, the waxers did better.

  Kira had spent the entire time on the waxing table watching her waxer’s every move, so as to keep from getting a full Brazilian wax. She liked to keep a very narrow strip of hair guarding her privates. Ingrown hairs were the last thing she needed in that particular place.

  Clare had screamed bloody murder when they’d gone for her upper lip. Kira had expected to see a red, beat-up, blonde girl emerge from the other room. Much to her surprise, she’d found a woman who could have easily been a supermodel. It was a wonder what a little waxing and makeup could do. Clare had never been one to view herself as gorgeous and Kira doubted the woman even thought about how she looked. Anyone who wore as many T-shirts as Clare owned couldn’t be into self-image. Kira sighed. But, despite this, her friend was gorgeous. Kira hoped that this trip would help Clare to see that.

  Kira glanced at Clare and pulled her closer. Her friend was way too uptight and desperately needed this vacation to let loose and have some fun. She hoped that Clare would relax, find a man and get herself laid—in many, many strange ways. That’s why she’d gone out of her way to book this trip to begin with. It had been too long since Mr. Jackass had broken Clare’s heart and her friend had spent enough time avoiding the opposite sex. Clare needed to move forward or risk being forever alone, forever longing for that something else, forever celibate. Kira shivered. To go without sex was like going without chocolate on your period. It was just plain cruel and punishable by death in some countries.

  Kira hummed louder. So what if she got a little hot sex out of it too? Sure, she liked sex, but none of the men ever held her attention and some of them had been real disappointments in the bedroom department. She still didn’t understand how a six-foot giant could have a two-inch little friend. That was just a cruel joke of nature. That poor man probably insulted the gods in his past life or something.

  Kira could honestly say that she’d never had her heart broken because she’d never actually gotten close enough to anyone to let them in. Her parents had been killed when she was young and from that early age she’d erected a wall to keep people from getting too close. She never wanted to feel that pain again. Somehow, Clare had managed to squeak through her defenses.

  Clare often joked about Kira’s uncanny ability to separate love from sex. She claimed that it creeped her out, but Kira often thought she picked up a hint of jealousy in Clare’s voice. That was absurd, especially since it had been Kira who was jealous of Clare’s gift to love with all her heart ever since she’d met her. It was a gift to be able to love unconditionally, without restraint and despite faults. Clare viewed it as a curse and used sarcasm to keep men at bay to protect herself. Kira wished for an ounce of that ability, but knew that it would never come to be.

  “Have a good day,” the lanky porter said as he stopped just outside cabin 2b. He had the pastiest complexion Kira had ever seen in her life and his voice was a dead monotone. She resisted the urge to mimic his flat voice. Clare made a serious face, her pale skin turning red with the effort it took not to laugh.

  Kira glanced at her ticket. “That’s your room, babes.”

  The man moved one door down, never stopping to look at the girls. He set Kira’s bag down. “Have a good day.”

  When they were alone, Kira’s eyes widened and she turned to her friend. “Kind of creepy, don’t you think?”

  “Where did they find him?” Clare asked, laughing now that they were alone.

  Kira put her hands directly out in front of her and walked back and forth mimicking a zombie. In a monotone voice, she droned, “Have a good day. Have a good day. Have a…”

  “Let’s just hope he doesn’t set the tone for the entire trip,” Clare mumbled. She pushed her cabin door open and headed in. “I’ll meet you in an hour for orienta…tion. Oh my gawd, Kira! Did you book us into the honeymoon suites? Look at this place! Are you sure this ship isn’t the USS Hell?”

  “Why? What’s wrong with the room?” Kira peered over her friend’s shoulder and had to blow a strand of Clare’s blonde hair out of the way to see. Her eyes widened as she saw the black walls and large red circular bed. It was the honeymoon suite or a throwback to a seventies porno film, that much was for sure. She laughed hard and laid her head on Clare’s shoulder.

  “Don’t tell me? You picked the decoration out of a brochure.” Clare glanced at her.

  Kira nodded enthusiastically. “Don’t you like it? It makes me think boom, chicka, chickaaaa! Do you think the complementary cocks come with sideburns and gold chains?”

  “You’re a barrel of laughs.”

  “Well, I do try. Besides, how can you not love this room? I’m so tired of those boring executive hotel suites.”

  Kira frowned and touched her shoulder lightly. “Well, think of it this way, if the bed does take quarters and vibrates, it will be the most action you’ve seen lately. Ride ‘em, girlfriend. Ride ‘em hard! Wait, do I have to explain how to ride something to you or did they skim over that in ‘How to be a Prude 101’?” With that, Kira ran into her cabin and shut the door tight behind her, giggling all the way.

  There was a soft clicking noise behind Kira and she turned to see Clare standing in her room grinning from ear to ear. “Hey, Einstein, next time you decide to take pot shots at my lack of sex, make sure that our rooms aren’t adjoining.”

  “Ha, ha. Aren’t these doors supposed to be locked? Huh, strange.” Kira’s voice was soft as she pushed Clare back through the door and locked it. She yelled mischievously, “Be sure to let me know how you enjoyed the ride! Va-rrrroom, Va-room! Do you need me to oil any of your creaky parts or do you think you can manage?”

  Clare banged on the wall and Kira smiled.

  * * * * *

  Dominik Zakharov smiled as he drew in the scent of the woman who was going to be his mate. How the powers that be had made such a choice for him was still unknown. He’d never thought of himself as the marrying type but, when he’d received notification that his mate had been found, he could not resist stealing a glimpse of her.

  He’d taken matters into his own hands, not wanting to wait to see her until it was too late and he was already on the cruise. He had gone to where she lived and watched her from afar. She was far more beautiful than he could have hoped for, but seemed a bit too reserved for his tastes. Maybe she was like the librarian
fantasy—prim and proper until you got into the bedroom. As he made his way quietly into the bathroom, he could smell her arousal and it made his cock jerk with excitement.

  No part of him wanted to scare her, so he stayed as quiet as possible. The need to be near her was too great to keep his distance until the pre-set time. Her very scent drove him mad and he had to stop a moment to relax. Concentrating hard, Dominik centered his supernatural energy, using it to ooze serenity and calmness. At one point in his long existence, he’d believed his gifts to be a curse. His ability to affect others emotions, as well as his own, was a sign he was a born alpha male. Now, if his pack got out of line, he simply lifted his hands and allowed his power to flow freely. It didn’t matter what mood needed to be generated, Dominik could do it. It was a rare talent among his kind. One that was normally found only in vampires and one that he desperately needed while around his destined mate.

  When his erection eased only a tiny bit, Dominik realized that as powerful as he was, nothing would work to calm him. His mate was so perfect, so glorious and so close. Seeing his mate’s slim silhouette through the shower door left him fighting down the beast within him. He would not share this intimate moment with the wolf that resided inside him. No, this would be between his mate and himself.

  She deserves her privacy. I shouldn’t be in here uninvited. I’ll wait until she’s out.

  As Dominik turned to leave her, she yelped. He frowned.

  “This is what I get for buying cheap razors,” she huffed, her voice soft, beautiful.

  Sniffing, he knew his mate was bleeding. The beast within should have attempted to break free at the smell. It didn’t. He wanted to make sure she wasn’t hurt. Making a move to go to her, Dominik stopped. Having a man open the shower door to check on a shaving slip would most likely raise some suspicions, or in the very least a blood-curdling scream. Neither of which he wanted to occur.

  She’s fine. Leave now. You’re overreacting.

  He still didn’t move. Waiting a few moments to assure himself that she would not lose consciousness and drown from a scratch, he finally turned, deciding it really was time to go. He would introduce himself soon enough.

  As Dominik took a step, his mate moaned. The noise didn’t sound like something one would do if still troubled by an injury. She did it again. No. He knew that sound. It was the sound a female made when sexually excited. Taking a deep breath, he took in her scent. His legs almost gave out from underneath him.

  Oh, gods, she’s aroused. Leave! Go now!

  He tried to take another step. It didn’t work.

  Foot, move. I command you.

  His foot didn’t listen. Not that he expected it to. For one thing, he wasn’t able to override his natural instincts. For another, he didn’t really want to leave her presence. Okay, maybe it wasn’t wrong to just take one, small peek—just to be sure she was not really hurt. Technically, by lycan law, she was promised to him and it was his responsibility to look after her.

  Who was he kidding? Her smell entranced him and he didn’t want to go. A slow smile crept over his face as he watched his mate turn around in the water and moan gently. He couldn’t help but reach down and stroke the rock-hard length of himself, imagining her moaning like that beneath him.

  He should have waited until ship orientation to introduce himself, but he’d been too anxious to see her up close. He sensed her arousal, smelling her sweet cream building slowly between her thighs. The very idea of his seemingly mild mannered mate pleasuring herself shook him to the core. He wanted to see it. Needed to see it. Needed to be part of it. He knew that he’d sink his cock into her soon enough and right now he just wanted to kick back on the fainting sofa and enjoy the show. And she certainly did know how to put on a show.

  * * * * *

  The hot water caressed Clare’s skin, easing the tension she carried in her shoulders. The sensations made her moan in delight. The bathroom suite was almost as large as the bedroom in her apartment. She never understood why someone would want a couch in the bathroom, but this one had two of them. That gave it one more than her apartment had. It was a bit depressing and she tried not to dwell on it.

  She and Kira had done well making lives for themselves. They’d come from basically nothing, and now had fabulous educations and great paying jobs. It didn’t matter that work consumed most of their waking hours, or that the only men they met were colleagues who either used them for their position or just plain old used them. Sure, it was lonely sometimes and it hurt each time a relationship didn’t work out. But what could she do? She and Kira had worked too long and too hard to let the men who ventured into their lives interfere with their plans.

  Clare peeked out at the luxurious bathroom one more time from behind the glass door and shook her head, still not believing she was in a place like this. It took her a good five minutes to decide between the large whirlpool tub with interestingly placed massage jets and the gigantic shower. The gaudy little cherubs hugging onto the bathtub faucet had been the deciding factor. As much as she wanted to love the idea of fat little child-like carvings staring at her while she bathed, she couldn’t bring herself to soak in the tub. She chose the shower.

  Clare groaned as the tension continued to melt off her, spilling down the drain with the hot water. If not for her telling Kira she’d meet her in an hour for orientation, she would’ve considered taking a little more “personal” time to really relieve the travel tension from her body. Good thing she brought a little late night backup in her bag. Battery operated pleasures had been the only form of sex she’d gotten lately. It always did the trick, never complained and, most importantly, never cheated on her.

  She frowned at the thought of her last relationship and concentrated on the toy she’d brought on the trip with her. Good thing Kira hadn’t seen it in her bag! Clare would never have heard the end of it. Let her friend think she was completely dead between the legs. Everyone else did. Mr. Jackass—as Kira had so affectionately dubbed him—did. The name fit him perfectly. He was a complete and utter jackass. But damned if he didn’t have a few talents she missed.

  Even alone in the shower, Clare blushed, and then giggled. She worked her hair back, pulling the long wet strands from her face as she rubbed in conditioner. Well, at least the vibrator worked on command and didn’t tell placating lies to lure her to it. Not to mention it always stayed hard.

  A shiver went up her spine. The mood in the room changed and it was as if someone was in there with her. She blinked, turning to quickly rinse the conditioner out of her hair. In her haste, she ended up peering out of one conditioner-filled eye. Clare yelped, shoving her face under the water. The conditioner threatened to burn a hole clean through her head if she didn’t tend to it immediately.

  “Kira? Is that you?” No answer. “Kira, if I end up blind because of you, you’re dead! And you better stay out of my bags!” As soon as she said it, she regretted it. She’d all but told her friend that her bags contained something she didn’t want her to see. It would be too much for Kira to pass up.

  “Kira?” she called, finally able to see out of her right eye again.

  Clare waited for an answer, knowing if Kira had been in her room she wouldn’t have been able to resist the setup to make fun of her choice of wardrobe—blue jeans and T-shirts and, lest she forget, the almighty pajama pants. Should Kira manage to stifle her laughter long enough to get past her drab choice of clothing, she’d never let her live down the cotton “granny undies” she packed too. They weren’t old lady undies so much as they weren’t Kira’s panties. Normally people called thongs and crotchless panties by their given names but Clare just referred to them as Kira-wear.

  If Kira had her way, she’d force Clare to wear dresses—not just any dresses, but ones that just barely covered a thong up her ass. She swore Kira bought her wardrobe at Whores-R-Us and she couldn’t understand her friend’s compelling need to wear nothing but leather and lace. Sure, Kira pulled it off without looking like a hooker, but tha
t was not something Clare could do. The one time Kira was allowed to play dress up with her, she’d been propositioned like a whore by about twelve sweaty guys. She’d ended up hiding the whole night in the dance club’s restrooms. Naturally, Kira had jokingly told her she should’ve taken the money.

  “Kira?” Clare paused. “Are you in here? Can you help me with something?”

  Clare relaxed when Kira didn’t answer, again becoming distracted by the warm water. She moaned, low and throaty, unable to help it as the hip-level showerhead sent a warm sensation between her soaked legs. It was an unexpected, but most welcome, feeling.

  The water’s caress was wonderful. All of a sudden, it felt like strong fingers ran over her flesh in long, tender strokes. She gasped lightly, closing her eyes. One hand gripped onto the shower door, her fingers working absently against the glass, as the other found the far wall. Was it just her imagination or was the shower beating harder against her skin?

  Her breasts strained beneath the hot downpour of water. Pleasurable sensations shot throughout her, raging from her nipples over her body. She gasped for breath. She didn’t know how it happened but she felt her body peaking against the flow of water. The muscles in her lower abdomen tightened, warning of the impending orgasm. She became mindless to everything but the hot, throbbing need for release.

  Clare kept her eyes closed tight, fighting her body as it sought its greedy fulfillment. Not…yet…no. She clutched a rail, pulling at it to keep standing as her knees buckled. Each swipe of the water pushed her closer to that unseen edge. She imagined the feel of lips on her nipples, sucking gently, making a hot shock of desire flood her limbs. She pressed her lips tightly together to keep from crying out—the need to scream so massive that she feared she couldn’t contain it. The last thing she wanted was Kira running in to find her masturbating with water.