Free Aboard the Wishing Star by Debra Parmley Page B

Then took a country line dance class."
    His eyes lit. "Practicing your moves?" He winked. "You can show me tonight."
    "It was line dancing," Viv said with a dismissive shrug.
    Nate raised one eyebrow at Viv and directed his attention to Kara. "I'll look forward to seeing what you've learned."
    "Tonight's theme is country western," Kara said. "I'm looking forward to it."
    "Adam and I have plans this evening. You're on your own, Kara," Viv said.
    "Have fun."
    I'm sure I'll have a much better time without you.
    "I'd be happy to take you dancing tonight, or anywhere else you'd care to go," Nate said with a smile, his brown eyes like warm chocolate.
    Just like the chocolate she could never stay away from, his eyes kept drawing her gaze back to him.
    "I'd hoped to see you today," Nate said. "But I'm glad you had fun."
    She smiled. "What did you do today?"
    "Spent my day hoping to catch a glimpse of a beautiful siren I met the other night." Nate watched Kara, smiling when she blushed.
    When her food came out she looked at the green noodles in surprise. She didn't remember ordering green noodles. Nate distracted her, kept her off balance.
    She ate a small bite, but realized she'd lost her appetite. Something about the green just put her off.
    Nate gestured to her plate, "Order something else if you don't like it."
    "Oh no, it's fine. I'm just not as hungry as I thought."
    Their waiter bent near Kara. "Madame, would you like me to bring you something else?"
    "No, really, I'm fine." She gestured for him to take her plate away. "I'll wait for desert."
    The waiter took her plate and she nibbled on her roll. She moved her hand from her lap to her stomach hoping to calm the slight queasiness. Nate's gaze caught the movement. She moved her hand back to her lap and gave him a small smile.
    Desert arrived. Angel food cake, fruit, and whipped crème.
    "Trifle." Nate picked up his fork. "Should be delicious." He lifted the bite on his fork to her lips. "Try some trifle."
    "Are you trifling with me?" she teased in a low tone, the image of him tempting her with the sweet dessert making it impossible for her to say no as a smile crept across her face.
    "Only if you want me to, sweetheart."
    She laughed and opened her mouth. He slid the fork in. Her lips closed over it and he slid it out. The way he looked at Kara made her want to curl her toes. She sat with her lips pursed and her mouth full of sweet trifle. Suddenly she couldn't swallow.
    He's feeding me again. Why does this feel sensual and naughty?
    "Is something wrong? Don't you like it?" A mischievous gleam entered his eyes.
    Oh, he was trifling with her. He knew exactly what was wrong. The look in his eyes said he enjoyed every minute.
    The last time he fed me it was salty as the sea. Tonight he's being sweet.
    She swallowed so she could answer him.
    "It's quite good." He took a bite, leaving a rim of whipped cream on his lip.
    "Yes," she murmured, watching as his tongue slid out to lick the whipped cream off.
    She swallowed again hard as she watched his tongue, remembering what he'd said earlier about whipped cream on heated skin and thinking how his tongue would feel against her skin. The thought made her feel warm and melty inside.
    Her mouth suddenly dry, she took a drink of water to cool down and clear her head.
    "The raspberry trifle is delicious," she said.
    "Whipped cream is delicious." Nate's deep brown eyes crinkled at the corners as he grinned. "You did ask what my guilty pleasure was."
    Oh my. He's not just talking about this dessert.
    She blushed again. She took another drink of water hoping to cool the heat in her cheeks.
    "Kara, I'd like to take you on the Rhino Rider excursion tomorrow," Nate said.
    "What's that?"
    "Adam and I are going," Viv interrupted. "I can't wait."
    "We'll ride a Rhino Rider out to a cove to snorkel," Nate said. "You'll love it. Trust me. You'll be in good hands."
    Kara relaxed her shoulders. A boat ride sounded like fun. She pictured them riding along