CRUISE TO ROMANCE by Toby Poznanski

already
has.”  She climbed to her feet and hurried to the spa, hoping she could catch
him before he disappeared.  The back entrance to the spa opened to the corridor
leading past the massage rooms.  Quickly, she ran through the corridor to the
reception area, past the beauty salon, and onto the outside deck.  No Ryan.
    What in the world was she doing? 
That thought brought her up abruptly.  The answer was embarrassing.  She was
chasing him, for whatever reason, and that was not what she should be doing. 
No.  No.  No.  Wasn’t her new mantra, flirt, don’t chase?  It was time for some
regrouping.  She was sure Helga wouldn’t mind if she skipped the exercise
machines.  Surely the woman had enough company that she wouldn’t feel
intimidated by all those muscle-bound men.
    Slowly she turned and headed back
to the gym to gather her water bottle and towel before heading for her cabin. 
The hallway was cool and quiet.  She could hear the trickling of water coming
from the room where she’d enjoyed the mineral bath.  She paused in the doorway
and looked into the peaceful room wishing she could relax here for a while.
    “Come in all the way,” a
masculine voice coaxed.
    There he was, immersed in the
pool, looking up at her.  “What are you doing here?” Jennifer felt her pulse
begin to race.
    “What does it look like?” he
challenged with a smile designed to melt the coldest heart.
    Cautiously she entered and closed
the door behind her.  “I want to talk to you for a moment.”
    “Only a moment?  Take some time
to relax.  Come in and enjoy the mineral bath with me.”
    “I don’t think so,” she hedged. 
He was entirely too handsome, and much too masculine.  “I remember what
happened the last time I got into the water with you.”  Oh, dear!  Bringing
that up was a mistake, she thought as he climbed out of the pool and stood
before her dripping water, flashing her a wide smile.
    Jennifer’s hungry eyes took him
in from the top of his head to the tip of his toes.  His dark hair was pushed
back, away from his beautifully chiseled face.  His dark eyes sparkled
mischievously, matching the knowing grin on those luscious lips.  Jennifer’s
body tingled with pleasure at the thought of what those lips could do to her. 
She stood entranced as he walked toward her.  Rooted, Jennifer never even
considered running away.  His body, lean and solid, was poetry in motion, speaking
to her very soul.
    Stopping directly in front of
her, Ryan reached up and gently grabbed the front hem of Jennifer’s top,
lifting it until her breasts were exposed to his view.
    “What are you doing?” she gasped.
    “Looking at you,” he answered in
a deceptively calm voice.  “Do you realize how beautiful you are?”  At the
shake of her head, he lowered his mouth and gently sucked her right nipple. 
When she cried out in surrender, Ryan pulled away and smiled.  “Lift your
arms,” his voice low and sultry commanded, before he stripped the top from her
and pulled her close.  “I have some doubts that I want to erase.”  His mouth
found Jennifer’s and he moaned in pleasure at the feel of her body against
his.  Cuddling her close, Ryan wondered what in the world he was doing trying
to prove what a good lover he was.  All his good intentions were disappearing
before his eyes.  But rational thought escaped him when Jennifer grasped his
hips and rubbed her body hard against his.
    Jennifer’s hungry kiss and
writhing sexy body drove him to his knees, taking her with him.  Suddenly he
couldn’t get enough of her, her sweetness, her innocence, her taste.  In an
effort to pull her closer, Ryan managed to settle on his back and position her
over him.  Her hands pressed against him in greedy anxious caresses while she
straddled him.  If he didn’t take control quickly, it would be all over.  But
when her laughing eyes met his, he knew he was doomed.
    Jennifer had other ideas.
    Jennifer was having the