Alaskan Exposure Read Online Free PDF

he
sees you, he’ll be overjoyed that you came to his dining room.”
    “What is that supposed to mean?”
    He didn’t have time to answer. The captain returned. “Steven
asks that you arrive at the doors of the main dining room at five fifteen. He
will meet you personally, and you can take your pictures.”
    “Thank you, Captain.”
    He waved off her thanks.
    The knock at the door announced the arrival of breakfast.
The waiter rolled in several chafing dishes on a cart. He set the table and
left the cart to be used as a buffet.
    Charley looked at the eggs, breads, breakfast meats and
fruit that had been delivered. “Do you eat this way every morning?”
    Kyle took a plate from the lower shelf on the cart and
handed it to her. “No. Usually I stick to cereal and fruit. If I ate so much
every day…”
    “Ha, he’d look like me.” Captain Cristou gave a hearty laugh
and rubbed his distended belly.
    Kyle’s grin widened. “Besides, usually I eat in the staff
mess. A meal in the captain’s private dining room is a rare treat.”
    * * * * *
    After the meal, Kyle walked Charley down toward the elevator
bank. He looked at his watch, only ten minutes before his shift started. He had
no idea why he hated to watch her walk away. “Charley, I wonder if I might see
you again.”
    She stopped, turned and stared at him with those huge green
eyes. “I’ll be on the ship for the duration.” Her voice betrayed her wariness.
    “I think you know what I mean.”
    “Are you asking me on a date, Kyle?”
    “I would like to see you tonight after my shift is over.
Maybe you would meet me after dinner, or are you committed to the friends you
made last night?” He was jealous. He had no idea why, but his gut tightened and
his fists balled. He hated the idea that she might reject him for one of those
other men.
    She clutched her coat over her chest as if it were a
talisman against him. “I’m not committed to anyone…”
    “I think I just heard a ‘but’.”
    “Are we even allowed to date?”
    “This ship has a long list of rules of conduct. Most of them
have to do with behavior while on duty or in public areas, drinking to excess
and attitudes toward the guests. I would not enter into a personal relationship
with a crew member who was my subordinate. That would be a breach of my
contract, not to mention unethical. You don’t work for me. You are not even a
crew member. Is that your only concern?”
    Her hip pushed to one side and she looked up at him with
flashing eyes. “How many times a cruise do you ask a woman this same thing?”
    He was caught between annoyance over her question and lust
over how gorgeous she was. “Look if you don’t want to see me socially, just say
no.”
    “You’re angry.” She lowered the coat and her shoulders
slumped. “I’m sorry. I’m not used to this kind of thing. I don’t have casual
affairs. In fact I don’t have any kind of affairs.”
    What was it about this woman? She obviously thought the
worst of him, yet he couldn’t help wanting to know her better. If he was really
honest, he’d admit he wanted to change her opinion of him.
    “I didn’t say anything about an affair. I don’t even know
you. I’m attracted to you and I think you are attracted to me. I hoped we could
have a drink together and talk. That’s all.” His words came out more vehemently
than he’d intended.
    She hiked her camera bag up and clutched the coat tighter.
“You’re the kind of guy who has a lot of women fawning over you.”
    He opened his mouth to contradict her, but she held up a
hand to stop him.
    “And rightfully so. You’re very good-looking. You have an
exciting job and you’re extremely charming. I get it. I’m just not the kind of
girl who ends up a notch on some sailor’s belt.”
    “Your opinion of me is not really flattering.”
    “It’s not a matter of my opinion. I’m not judging you. I
just don’t have casual sex.”
    “I asked you on a date. I didn’t say anything