Aboard the Wishing Star by Debra Parmley

on one of those glass-bottomed boats, watching the fish and feeling the slow breeze. She wasn't sure about snorkeling. If she didn't feel up to trying, she could always watch from the boat.
    "All right." Kara smiled. "That does sound like fun."
    "Good." Nate smiled back. "It will be."
    After dinner Nate and Kara strolled past the bars, listening to the different styles of music. The piano bar was playing classical music and in one of the show lounges there was big band music. Country music played at the main dance club were they headed.
    They stepped inside and he pulled her closer, raising his voice over the music. "You ready to teach me?"
    "The dances I learned were line dances. Not couple dances." Disappointment threaded through her. She wanted him to touch her.
    "That's just fine, sweetheart. You can teach me those first, then we'll slow dance."
    They moved onto the dance floor, and Nate lined up next to Kara. She looked up into his eyes. "It's really easy," she said. "Just stand by me and follow my moves."
    He smiled down at her. "Stand by you? You bet."
    A song started, and the dancers began to move. Step, slide, step, slide, turn step again. Nate's legs moved in a slow easy athletic slide to the music as he watched her.
    Halfway through the song, Kara noticed he picked up the moves quickly and barely watched her feet. His gaze stayed upon her face, yet he didn't miss step.
    He already knows the steps.
    When they stopped and found a table, Kara asked. "Have you done these dances before?"
    A slow grin spread across his face. "Well, yes. My dad's side of the family is from Texas."
    Kara frowned in confusion. "But you wanted me to teach you. Why if you already knew how?"
    "I couldn't help myself." He grinned deeper. "The thought of you teaching me was enticing."
    "But that's silly."
    Why would he want me to teach him something he already knew? Didn't most men like telling women how to do things?
    "Call me silly," his brow arched up, and he leaned forward, placing his finger beneath her chin. "You can teach me whatever you like."
    His words delighted her mind as his touch ignited her body.
    She swallowed hard. "I like to slow dance best."
    His eyes searched hers. "Then we'll dance really slowly."
    She smiled and he released her chin.
     
    *****
     
    The sun was just rising as Nate climbed the steps to the top deck. Kara stood by the rail watching the ship pull into the dock at St. Martin. Viv yawned at her side.
    Happy to see Kara, he was less pleased to see her roommate. Last night the woman had interrupted them once again in Kara's room, just as they'd begun making out.
    It was as if he was back in high school with a girlfriend he could never be alone with for anything beyond a kiss. Which would have been slightly less irritating if the woman treated Kara better. He didn't care for the way Viv treated her and wondered why Kara put up with it.
    "It's a clear morning," Nate said as he approached them.
    Kara turned to reply, her fair hair blown into disarray by the wind. Her eyes met his and reflected the same startling blue as the sky behind her. She took his breath away.
    "Smashing," Viv said. "Kara was madly keen on getting up early to see this." Viv's tone said she'd rather not be up.
    "I've never seen a ship this size dock before. I didn't want to miss it." Kara looked down at men uncoiling the large ropes before letting them down to where other men fastened them to the pier. The narrow pier stuck out some distance from the shops. A handful of people stood below watching from the pier.
    Kara glanced down at a man who paced below. She frowned. "Something about him seems familiar."
    "Oh my God," Viv said. "I don't believe it." She turned to Kara. "Is that Daryl?"
    Shock crossed Kara's face. "No, it can't be. It must be someone who looks like him."
    Obviously Daryl was bad news. Any man who could cause that look on Kara's face ought to be shot.
    Her hands clenched the rail as she looked down at the man.
    Who is he? And why