It was time. Time to move on.

She turned to talk to one of the female dancers at the table, but the girl ducked her head, afraid of talking to her boss.

Am I that scary?

Dylan didn’t seem to think so. She looked over at him again.

Jake, the youngest of the male dancers, came up behind him, and his words drifted toward Michaela. “You poor darling,” the man said. “How are you holding up? Sorry we haven’t rescued you from the cruise director, but no one else wants to sit with her. Thanks for being such a superstar.”

Oh, God. They did all think she was cold and heartless.

“No problem,” Dylan said. His eyes darted in her direction, and she looked away, not wanting him to know she was listening.

“You’re the perfect choice,” Jake blurted enthusiastically. “You can sweep her off her feet with your dashing good looks, despite it being a cruel waste. Kissing her was a stroke of genius—unbelievably risky, but genius. She’ll leave us all alone in case you leap at her again. I almost died at the look on her face. Perhaps she’ll let us get on with our own wonderful pleasure now.”

Dylan simply nodded.

A hard knot of anger slowly built inside Michaela.

“I’m just so lucky that Marvin the marvelous is such a wonderful dancer. I think our timing is going to be perfect.”

“I’m sure.”

Michaela wanted to curl up under the table. It was too much like the conversations the captain would “accidentally” let her overhear. He’d belittle her to other men in his team, but when she confronted him about it, he always claimed to be doing it for her benefit. Michaela had never believed that all the men in his team really needed to be so reassured that having a woman in charge wasn’t a threat to their masculinity. And she’d never believed the captain didn’t derive enjoyment from knowing she overheard.

“It’s so important for one’s lover to be able to dance, don’t you think?” Jake asked. “I don’t think I could ever be with someone who couldn’t dance. I did feel for you, having to dance with the boss. The poor woman has two left feet.”

“Uh-huh. Must be why I’m single.”

“Oh, darling. I think it’s because you’ll never find a woman who can dance like you. Keep up the good work, though. You’re giving us all space to breathe by wooing madam cruise director.”

Michaela had heard enough. She shook off her fury and embarrassment as she stood. “Just remembered some paperwork,” she muttered to the rest of the table and fled the room.

When would she ever learn? Relationships and cruise ships did not mix.

“It’s his damn eyes,” she whispered, and sighed. He’s not all that. So what if I can’t dance? I’m still his boss.

She smiled as she realized the full potential of her own words. She was his boss, and she was going to make sure he knew it.

Chapter Four

“Good afternoon, and welcome to the Pacific Empress!” Michaela’s voice, amplified tenfold, echoed over the speakers around the ship.

This was the first cruise of the season, and everyone had energy to spare. Flashes of navy and white appeared from around every corner as crew did last-minute checks, calmed passengers who’d forgotten things, and watched serenely over the security of the enormous ship. Passengers were still streaming aboard, their faces bright and expectant or harried and red, depending on the state of their luggage and children. She rattled through her standard welcome speech, so used to it that she barely needed to concentrate.

Michaela smiled as she thought of Dylan stuck on the meet-and-greet table. That would show him who needed distracting, thinking he was doing everyone a favor keeping her out of their way.

She’d given him the most exhausting job she could think of, one requiring a constant smile and a bucketload of patience as children and parents alike ran around the ship getting lost and scared and overexcited all day long. And that was only the beginning of what she had in store for him. She smirked.

Michaela looked out the window at the land outside and marveled as she always did at how big the ship was. Dwarfing the terminal they were moored beside, the cruise ship’s twelve floors were significantly higher than most of the structures close by. People lined the harbor, ogling the ship, and Michaela remembered her own awe when she first set eyes on what was to be her home for so many years.

Even from this height, she could see the envy in some of those faces. The ship was a manifestation of travel and adventure, and Michaela allowed the warm glow of pride to settle around her shoulders. This was an amazing job. She wasn’t about to let her strange mixed feelings for some dancer stop her from enjoying every aspect of it.

“Whether this is your first or fiftieth cruise, we know that our entertainment team is going to impress you today,” Michaela carried on. “Tonight we have the first of many wonderful stage shows, with dancers and singers from around the world.” Fabulously rude dancers, she wanted to add. “There are two showings, and they’re always packed, so make sure you get to the theater early to grab a seat. The fun continues after dinner with Dancing Beneath the Stars. This poolside party will kick off at nine thirty p.m. with the band and my entertainment staff. We’ll see you there!” She signed off and flicked the switch on the intercom.

“Should be a good cruise.” Captain Atkinson was suddenly behind her, and Michaela jumped. What was with him and Dylan sneaking up on her? The rebuke that had formed on her lips went unsaid. She could hardly tell the captain off for being here. It was his bridge.

“It’s always a good one,” she said, forcing herself to be chirpy and determined to remain this way for the rest of the cruise.

“Good team by the looks of things. Some of those new recruits are top-notch.”

Michaela looked quickly at the captain, checking to make sure he wasn’t insinuating anything about Dylan, but he wasn’t even looking at her. Of course he wasn’t insinuating anything.

Breathe in, breathe out.

Her mantra only made her think of Dylan and his thoughtful advice. Why did he have to turn out to be playing her just like the captain had?

The rest of the day was a blur. There were so many things to organize for the rest of the cruise, and the buzz of excitement that the passengers exuded like a cloud seemed to infect her staff.

The first night’s party set the tone for the rest of the cruise. Michaela kept busy briefing the band, checking with the various maître d’s that the complimentary fruit kebabs would be ready and with the bar staff that they were primed to serve the night’s special cocktail.




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