Alaskan Exposure Read online

  There were about a dozen people sitting around the bar, all sipping martinis of varying colors. Everyone was fascinated by the bar and like Jules, pressing their fingers in to melt away parts of the ice. Charley made a mental note to get pictures of the bar when the ice was fresh.

  “Who are your friends?” Charley asked close to Jules’ ear.

  “Cops on vacation.” She practically preened as she downed the remainder of a pink-colored martini. “Where have you been?”

  “I had to work.”

  “What’s the first officer like?”

  “He’s an arrogant playboy who probably sleeps with half the women on the ship.” The description came out more fiercely than she’d intended as she pushed away the memory of his alluring scent and kind gaze.

  Nothing got passed Jules. She narrowed her eyes. “You like him.”

  “No.”

  Her friend was nodding in that irritating way she had when she knew she was right. “You like him a lot.”

  One of the men leaned over so that his chest was pressed to Jules’ arm. “We’re going to get cleaned up. Do you ladies want to join us for dinner? I can go and change the reservation in the dining room.”

  “We’d love to, Drew.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder exposing the side of her neck to him.

  Charley was too intrigued by how well Jules could work a man to care about her setting them up to have dinner with six gentlemen they didn’t know.

  “Great, what’s your friend’s name?”

  Charley held her hand out. “Charlene Ballantine, Charley.”

  He shook her hand but barely took his eyes away from Jules. “Nice to meet you, Charley. I’ll make sure they direct you to the right table when you arrive for dinner.”

  She must have looked as leery as she felt. Another one of the cops laughed. “Don’t look as if you’re going to the gallows.” He held out his hand. “Bob Standish.”

  She took it. “Charley.”

  Bob leaned in. “We don’t bite, Charley. I promise you’ll have a good time.”

  His smile was full of mirth and she couldn’t help smiling back. “I’m sure you’re right.”

  The six men all said goodbye and made their way out of the large lounge area where the Martini bar sat off in the corner.

  Jules watched them leave and Charley could have sworn her friend was drooling a little at their hard bodies.

  “Was there one that you liked or are you planning to date all six?” Charley tapped Jules on the shoulder to get her attention. She was still staring at the archway where the police officers had disappeared.

  “I don’t know if ‘date’ is the word I’d use. I sure do like them all. I think Bob liked you.”

  Charley shrugged. “I saw him for one minute. He’s charming, I guess. I’m not really interested in a shipboard romance. I just want to do my job, get paid and maybe get a recommendation from the cruise line so I can get my business off the ground.”

  “Great, you work, I’ll play. We’re coming back to this bar after dinner. The bartender told me they put on a great show once it gets hopping.”

  “You know, since you talked me into sinking all my money into the studio, you could help me with my work.”

  “I am helping you. I’m in charge of making sure you don’t work so hard you forget to live a little. Get a drink and relax a little,” Jules said. “Hey is that your first officer?”

  Charley turned in the direction she indicated. Kyle Macintyre strode purposefully toward them. She couldn’t help admiring how graceful he was for a tall man. She wished she could stop her body from humming every time he came near. “Yes and he’s not mine.”

  She stood up as he approached.

  “Don’t get up, Charley. I just wanted to apologize for cutting the tour short earlier.” He nodded toward the exit. “I saw that you were well entertained.”

  Something in the way he said it, made her think he was jealous of Jules’ police officers. She must have misread his tone. Why should he care what she did? “Not at all. I’m sure there will be plenty of time to see the ship and all the views. Besides, the bridge is not what the line is looking for to attract business.”

  His slow smile made her stomach do a flip.

  Jules turned on her stool and put her hand between them. “I’m Charley’s companion for the trip, Jules Masters.”

  His eyes shifted toward Jules and he took her hand. “Kyle Macintyre, a pleasure to meet you. If you need anything during the trip, don’t hesitate to ask.”

  “Thank you.” The breathiness in her voice irritated Charley.

  He turned back to Charley. “I think I have a view you would like to photograph, Charley. If you want to meet me at about six tomorrow morning, I can show it to you.”

  “Six!” Jules was outraged by the suggestion of such an early hour.

  Kyle laughed. “I know it’s early, but the view will be worth it.”

  “I’ll pass,” Jules said. “I’m not even sure the world exists outside my bed at that hour.”

  Charley smiled at the irritation in her voice. “I can be there at six.”

  “Great. I’ll meet you in the same spot we met today.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  He nodded, said goodbye and sauntered back the way he’d come. Both women watched his slim hips and wide shoulders as he walked away.

  “He’s hot, but six a.m. is above and beyond the call for a piece of ass if you ask me.”

  Annoyance spun her around to face Jules. “First of all, I’m working. I have absolutely no interest in Kyle. He is only doing his job. I’m sure the corporate office told him to show me views that will be good in the catalogue. And second, I didn’t ask you.”

  Jules grinned. “For someone who’s not interested and is just working, you sure did seem preoccupied with his very fine ass as it was walking away.”

  “Stop it.”

  Jules held up her hands in surrender and laughed. “Okay, okay. You’re not interested and neither is he. Even though he came down here, probably watched until the other men walked away and invited you on an early morning date.”

  “It’s not a date.”

  “Yes, I know, it’s work. Work that includes a private tour with a man in uniform who has the most stunning blue eyes I’ve ever seen, and a body that even under that jacket made my mouth water.”

  “Your mouth waters at the utility workers when we drive into Tampa.”

  She sighed. “True.”

  The first night dinner was on the casual side. Charley changed into black slacks and a white top. Jules went with a skirt that was so short she couldn’t bend over without exposing her ass. The red blouse she chose was open enough to expose a full view of cleavage and just the hint of the red, lace bra.

  “Your outfit is drawing attention,” Charley said.

  Jules flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Maybe they are admiring your hair. People love redheads.”

  “Yes, that must be it.” Her words dripped with sarcasm. The dining room was stunning with chandeliers, white tablecloths and brass polished to a high shine. The tall windows facing forward stretched up to the thirty-foot ceilings and a balcony area that wrapped around the room and seated more passengers. A wide set of stairs curled gracefully up to the balcony.

  A waiter wearing a red jacket led them down six steps to a sunken area near the front of the dining room. He directed them to a large round table filled with men.

  To Charley’s amazement, all six men rose as they approached the table, and Drew held out Jules’ chair.

  “And I thought chivalry was dead,” Jules said too loudly.

  “Me too,” Charley whispered as Bob held her chair for her.

  “You were wrong,” he said in her ear. “We cops are very chivalrous.”

  She smiled. “I stand corrected.”

  Bob made the introductions. “You all met Jules earlier. This is her friend, Charley. Charley, this is Brian M, Joe, Scott, Brian G and you met Drew.”
r />   She knew she was blushing as all six men stared at her. Cursing her red hair and fair skin, she tried to smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. Thank you for inviting us to eat with you.”

  They all nodded and professed the pleasure was theirs.

  Bob sat next to her and passed her the basket of rolls. “What do you do, Charley?”

  She turned toward his strong jaw and dark eyes. He was handsome, rugged and very polite. “I’m a photographer. I just started my own business. This cruise is actually an assignment.”

  He pointed to a man walking around taking pictures of diners. “Why aren’t you working the way that guy is?”

  She laughed. “I’m here to photograph the ship and the views for marketing material. He’s part of the crew and I’m a contractor. I get to enjoy nice dinners in the main dining room, while he has to work. Though, he looks as if he’s having a pretty good time.”

  They both watched the slight man with the camera laugh and joke with the people at the table he was photographing.

  “He does. Where are you from?”

  “Jules and I live in Florida, just outside of Tampa. What about you?”

  “We’re from New Jersey. We went to the academy together and now we all work in different police departments around the state. Every couple of years we get together and go on vacation.”

  “None of you are married?”

  His eyes widened for a moment and then he smiled. “Both Brian’s are married and Joe is engaged.”

  She had to admit it came out a little abrupt. Another flush of warmth filled her cheeks. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude.”

  “Not at all. I like people who ask what they want to know and don’t beat around the bush.”

  “Then you will love, Jules. There’s nothing shy or devious about her. She always says exactly what’s on her mind.”

  Bob looked over at the brunette. As always, she was bubbling with excitement over whatever she, Drew and Scott were discussing. Charley admired how easily Jules could make friends anywhere and charm anyone.

  “I do like her.” He grinned and looked down at Charley as if Jules didn’t exist.

  “I have a question.” Jules said loud enough to get the attention of the table. Once everyone was turned and watching her she asked, “Are all New Jersey cops gorgeous or is it a requirement to get into your little group?”

  The men all puffed up and laughed. Drew said something in her ear that made her laugh harder.

  Charley shook her head and smiled as the waiter came over to take their drink orders.

  All six men were complete gentlemen and Bob paid her special attention. He was good company throughout the meal. Anytime the conversation lagged, he would ask her a question about her work or tell an amusing story. She couldn’t help liking him. He was nice to look at, but her heart didn’t race when she spoke to him. When their hands met reaching for the pepper, she wasn’t assaulted by the heat of the contact. She wondered about how strongly her body had reacted to Kyle and why this was different. Bob was safe. There was nothing safe about Kyle.

  She shook off the uncomfortable thoughts. “What do you do in your department?”

  “I’m a sergeant. I run a squad,” Bob said.

  “Wow, how long have you all been cops?”

  “Fifteen years.”

  “How old are you?” She didn’t know why she blurted the question out. She’d thought these guys were in there early thirties but now she had to rethink their ages.

  He burst out laughing. “Well Drew and I are thirty-nine. We both went to a four-year college before the academy. The rest are between thirty-four and thirty-six.

  She gaped. “I would have thought you were five or six years younger.”

  “Thanks. We cops are pretty vain, so I’ll take the compliment.”

  He was too polite to ask her age and she didn’t offer the information. When the entre arrived, she caught a glimpse of Kyle and an older man walking up on the balcony. He looked down and his eyes narrowed on her for a moment before he turned away. The older man who she recognized as the captain looked at her for a moment longer, smiled and nodded. She smiled back and then the two walked away.

  Bob noted the direction of her gaze. “The captain, if I had to guess.”

  “Yes. I saw him briefly yesterday.”

  “How did you and Jules meet? You two don’t seem as if you would swim in the same pool,” Bob asked.

  She guessed that was his polite way of saying that she was boring and Jules was wild and fun. Since they’d met and started hanging out together, they’d fielded the question a lot. Jules usually made up some crazy story. Charley didn’t consider herself clever enough for tall tales. “We had both been through pretty dramatic break-ups. We met at a support group for people getting over relationships.”

  Bob’s eyes went back and forth from her to Jules. She could practically see him ticking off information and storing it. “An interesting first meeting. Did you two hit it off right away?”

  Charley looked across the table at her friend. Jules was in full flirt mode. Her brown waves swept aside to expose a curvaceous neck and she laughed and talked happily. “She and I have been best friends from the first day. I got this job on the ship because she pushed me. I would do anything for her.”

  “How long ago was that?”

  She smiled thinking back to the day she had met her vivacious friend. “Just under a year ago.”

  He frowned. “Not much time to get over someone. How are you handling things?”

  The last thing she wanted to talk about was Pete and the disaster her marriage had been. Her marriage had been over for a long time before the divorce was final, maybe before the wedding. “I’m okay.”

  “I’m glad to hear it,” Bob said.

  As planned, they all made their way back to the martini bar after dinner. Charley went back to her stateroom to pick up her camera before joining them.

  The men were lively guys out for a good time on their vacation. Charley liked Bob. He said all the right things and while he was flirtatious, he never once made an overt pass. She could relax and just have fun with the group.

  The three bartenders from Bali put on a big show every time a group ordered a round of martinis. She watched in amazement while snapping one great shot after another. They had each ordered a different martini, everything from peach or raspberry to dry vodka. Since there were eight in their group, the bartender lined up eight metal shakers. He filled them partway with ice, poured in the respective ingredients and then stacked them together to resemble an accordion.

  Charley stepped back when he then arranged a pyramid of martini glasses on the frozen bar. Her eyes must have been as big as saucers when the energetic bartender jumped up on the bar gripping all eight stacked shakers and proceeded to pour them all at the same time. It was a waterfall of booze. She held down the shutter release. The camera snapped multiple shots so she wouldn’t miss a frame of the action and could pick out the best picture later. The crowd clapped and cheered as each individual cocktail hit its appointed glass.

  As the bartender was pouring the second round, she was clapping and laughing when she caught sight of her watch. Nearly midnight, and she had an appointment at six in the morning. She drank a few sips of her raspberry-flavored martini and told Jules that she was going to bed.

  Ignoring the puppy-dog look from her friend, she snuck away from the crowd and trekked back to their stateroom.

  Chapter Two

  It hadn’t surprised Kyle that she was on time. Charley struck him as the kind of person who had never been late for an appointment in her life. She’d worn a heavy coat. He chuckled to himself. She looked as if she was ready for the tundra. It was a little cold but her hat and lined Gore-Tex coat were a bit much for the fifty-degree morning. August in the Pacific Northwest could go either way. But the forecast for the cruise was excellent. She wouldn’t need her winter wear after the first day.

  He’d taken her to the bow of the sh
ip. It was an off-limits area for passengers. On rare occasions when the weather was very good and the view equal, the captain would open the bow up for short periods of time. He’d particularly liked the expression on her face when he’d handed her through a door that looked as if it belonged on a battleship rather than a cruise liner.

  The mountains and islands of the Pacific stretched out to their right and she had paid him little mind since she saw the snowcapped peaks and rocky shores. She studied the view, taken a few shots and studied it again. She watched the angle of the sun, waited, took a few more shots. He found himself fascinated by the way she worked methodically, even noticing her disappointment when she must have missed the exact picture she’d wanted.

  He waited where he could observe her and not get in the way.

  The hatch opened and closed behind him. He was not surprised when the captain’s stout form appeared next to him. He spoke with a thick Greek accent. “So this is our special guest.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “I received a call from the VP of Marketing. She told me she was sending someone who could make Alaska’s perfect sights look even better and we should take good care of her.”

  The sun began to warm the morning. Charley pulled her hat off and tucked it in her pocket. A tumble of reddish-gold tresses cascaded around her head and shoulders.

  Even the captain’s breath caught. “She is very pretty, no?”

  “Yes.”

  He could feel the eyes of his superior on him. “You could do worse, Kyle.”

  “I do just fine, Captain. I never lack for female company during my time off.” His gut twisted and he stiffened. He didn’t like where this conversation was going. Was his attraction to Charley Ballantine so obvious?

  “No. I know you don’t.” He paused for a long time and they watched as she climbed up a small ladder to a viewing stand. The movement pushed her coat up high enough to reveal a very round ass clad only in leggings. “Perhaps this girl is not that interesting.”