Pleasure Cruise by Mandy M. Roth, Michelle M. Pillow Page B

with a tray and notepad, keeping her from having to answer. Clare looked at him. He appeared a little green in the face, just like the porter had been. She frowned, looking around at the staff. It would appear that most of the crew was supernatural. It wasn’t a big deal, as the supernatural kind had been living quite peacefully amongst humans for nearly half of a century. A lot of the time humans and such creatures didn’t intermingle, each living out their own lives in their own ways.
    “I’ll have a Sex on the Beach to drink, please.” Kira grinned.
    “That can be arranged,” Kira’s cabin boy interjected. Looking at the waiter, he shook his head, refusing a drink. Clare saw him eyeing Kira’s neck with rapt attention. She wouldn’t be surprised if they began making out right there in the banquet hall. Kira would probably enjoy putting on such a show.
    The waiter turned to Clare and Dominik. Clare could’ve really used a stiff glass of Scotch, but she shook her head in denial. If she started drinking before she ate, she’d be drunk in no time flat. The waiter gave her a lingering smile when she didn’t answer. Dominik’s hand lifted to her back in a protective manner. She glanced at him and frowned, stepping away from his possessive gesture.
    “I’ve borne witness to the seductive power of your water,” Dominik put forth, a little dryly. His gaze peered into her, and she could see he was hurt by her open dismissal of him. The fact that she could hurt him surprised her. Up until that moment, she didn’t think he’d ever take anything seriously. “So I’ll have the water, please.”
    The waiter frowned and rolled his eyes slightly. Clare took a deep breath, hoping she didn’t look like she was blushing. The waiter turned to the bar to put in Kira’s drink order and pick up a glass of water.
    The waiter returned, giving Kira a slip to sign.
    “Automatic gratuity?” Kira mumbled to herself. “Gratuity on each drink. Automatic gratuity added to the staterooms for each day we’re here on the ship. You guys sure do have the hidden costs thing down to an art form, don’t you?” Then a little louder, she said, “I don’t mind tipping. I just like it to be my choice according to services provided.” To her cabin boy, she said, “Don’t worry, I would so tip you for services rendered.”
    “Water,” the waiter said, losing his smile. Kira shot Clare a knowing look before rolling her eyes upward. There was no slip to sign and thus no tip.
    Clare stared at Dominik and tried to back away as he flashed a devilishly sexy smile at her. She jolted, feeling that smile all the way to her heating pussy. Wrinkling her nose at him, she tried to pretend she wasn’t affected by him. Bumping into a warm body, she spun around in surprise. The tall porter ghoul grinned lecherously at her. He bowed his head, his pale green eyes raking her over. Clare shivered, left cold by the ghoul’s attention to her body.
    Nervous, Clare backed up again. Dominik’s arm shot out and he caught her as she collided with him, spinning her around so she faced him. He pulled her instantly to his strong chest. Clare gasped. His body was firmer than she imagined—and so very hot. If she wasn’t mistaken, it was his leather-clad erection that rested along her waist. Kira’s comments came back to haunt her, and she couldn’t help but try to gauge if he actually had a roll of dollars stuffed into his pants. Somehow, she doubted it. She felt the tremors his touch caused all the way to her toes.
    Dominik held the water in his free hand while keeping Clare trapped against his chest.
    “See, they should market this as an aphrodisiac. One drink and you fall into my arms.” Dominik smiled. His eyes dipped to her mouth.
    Clare gasped and tried to pull away. The cruise director began speaking to the crowd from the stage, welcoming the guests. She could barely concentrate on what the man said. She couldn’t see anything but the man who held