Chapter 3
Nathaniel found a deck chair right next to the pool. He placed his towel over the cushion, pulled off his shirt, and stretched out in the sun in his red-patterned square-cut bathing suit. He had picked that one out specifically because he’d been told by Karen, his best friend in the world, that he could stop traffic in Times Square when he wore it. Nathaniel pulled his sunglasses out of his bag and put them on before relaxing back, his hands under his head. He had spent the last hour in the small ship’s gym, working himself hard, and now he had earned a little quiet time.
There wasn’t a lot of activity on the pool deck. People lined the relatively large pool in their bathing suits, reading books or with ear buds in. Calypso music played over the speakers to keep up the mood, and waiters wandered around, making sure all the passengers had everything they wanted.
“Can I get you anything, sir?” a server asked in a slight Indian accent just as Randy strode onto the pool deck.
“Him…,” Nathaniel said without thinking.
“Excuse me?” the server asked.
Nathaniel cleared his throat without taking his gaze off Randy and the way he filled out those bathing trunks or how his arms bulged as he spread out his towel. “A beer, please,” he said, very glad his eyes were hidden behind the sunglasses. That way no one could see how they bugged or know his closely he was watching, especially when Randy bent over, the trunks tightening around his hips and thighs. “Thank you.”
His plan had been to rest a while before his rehearsal, but now he had plenty to watch, and damned if he was going to deny himself one hell of a view. Randy settled on the lounge directly in his line of sight, and after a while, though Nathaniel found his attention wandering to the others around him—an assortment of retirees and others all basking in the sun—his gaze kept going back to Randy.
A glint of light off to the left caught his attention as a woman, maybe in her early forties with a tiny bikini on, climbed out of the pool as a man about her same age waited with a towel. He was quite handsome and glinted with almost as many rings as she did. His watch was gold, judging by the way it hung heavily on his wrist, and her wrist glistened with gold and a diamond tennis bracelet. She also had diamonds around her neck. Clearly, these two liked to show off in as many ways as possible and craved attention, because even in this type of gathering, they got it. Nathaniel sighed to himself. The damned watch probably cost what he made in six months, and the rest of it….
He waited for the server to bring his beer and then got up, walked over, and took a seat at the bar right next to them. “It’s a wonderful afternoon.”
“It certainly is,” she agreed in a clear New York accent. “I love this weather and don’t look forward to going back to the loft in Tribecca. It’s so drafty this time of year, if you know what I mean.” She smiled as the bartender delivered her pina colada. The man slid his card across the bar and ordered refill of his dry martini.
“I can see that.” He flashed his best smile.
“Aren’t you the magician guy?” Chris asked. Nathaniel had lifted the name from his card, along with the last three digits of his cabin number.
“Yes.”
“We missed your show last night,” Chris’s wife said before sipping her frozen drink. “But we’re going to the one tonight. The others at breakfast told us it was great. That you got the handcuffs on the cop without him knowing, and that you lifted his wallet.”
“I bet you can’t do that to me,” Chris said with a ton of bravado, even as his gaze raked over him. It seemed Chris wasn’t just interested in his wife.
“It’s all part of the act,” Nathaniel said before leaning closer, holding their attention. “How do you think ship’s security would react if I were to start lifting watches and wallets from passengers on the pool deck?” He could feel the weight of both their gazes on him, like he was being fitted for size… by both of them.
“I suppose not,” Chris said, his gaze growing more heated as he leaned closer toward Nathaniel. “But I’m sure there’s plenty you could do to keep us entertained, if you’d like.”
Nathaniel kept his smile in place. “I’m really flattered,” he said with a smile. Then he pulled out Chris’s watch and placed it on the bar. “But I have a rehearsal for tonight’s show in fifteen minutes.”
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Chris said as he fastened his watch back on his wrist. “Hopefully, we’ll be seeing you later.” He raised his glass, as did his wife, and Nathaniel went back to his lounger, gathered his things, and got ready to leave the pool deck.
“That was quite a trick,” Randy said from behind him. He stood close enough that Nathaniel could feel the heat washing off him. Of course, Randy had been watching. “I was wondering what you were doing there.”
“Just building up a little more interest in the show, that’s all.”
Randy chuckled deep in his chest. “It looked to me like they were interested in a lot more than just the show.”
Nathaniel turned around. “And that’s any of your business because…?” He cocked his eyebrows. “I mean, if I decide to join them for a little extracurricular fun and that’s what they want, who are you to say anything different? The morality police? Maybe you’re the fun police, determined to suck the life out of every situation.”
Randy’s eyes darkened. “I’ll have you know that I’m a great deal of fun, and I certainly know how to give more than I get.”
Did the temperature just shoot up out here? Randy’s skin seemed to shimmer in the sun, and his arms bulged, especially where he had them crossed across his ample chest.
Nathaniel groaned under his breath. “Are you trying to be an ass?” He couldn’t help it. If he got nervous, his mouth kicked in. “Because it isn’t helping your cause.”
“Who says I have a cause?” Randy asked.
Nathaniel rolled his eyes. “Please. I know flirting when I see it, and I also know when someone is being a jerk.” He stepped back. “And just because you look like sex on a stick doesn’t mean you’re going to be getting any from me. I do have standards.”
Randy cleared his throat, and Nathaniel wished he had been able to keep his mouth out of gear. “I’m sure you do, and I’ll have you know that I would meet or exceed those standards in about every way possible.” Randy then backed away and strode to his pool lounger.
Nathaniel took about two steps and nearly tripped over the leg of one of the chairs. Damn it all. The last thing he needed was for Randy to see that he got him off-kilter enough to end up sprawled across the pool deck.
Nathaniel returned to his cabin, changed clothes, and went to the theater for a rehearsal with the band. He didn’t normally work with live music, so this was a treat, and the musicians were very good. They even had ideas to help punch up certain moments, so Nathaniel went with them. After all, this was a much more adult show than the one he had done the previous evening, and the cruise was billing it that way.
It wasn’t like he was going for X-rated or anything, but his jokes were a little less veiled and some of his movements on stage were much more suggestive. And he always wanted to try to find someone in the audience who was willing to play along.
“Is that everything?” the band leader asked.
“Yes. You guys are going to be great. But how can you see what I’m doing?”
“The curtain is such that with the lights, the audience can’t see us, but we can see you. Don’t worry. This will go off great.” He grinned. “We just have one question. How are you going to find someone like the guy from last night? That was amazing.”
“Don’t know,” Nathaniel said, but he already had an idea. “We’ll have to see what happens.” He shook hands with each of the guys, and they called an end to the rehearsal. Now he had the rest of the day and dinner to himself.
When he’d booked this gig, he had requested a cabin in the main portion of the ship. What he had gotten was one on the lowest deck on the inside. Not that it mattered. He just didn’t need to take up area in the crew quarters, and he had found on past gigs that the more he interacted with the passengers, the more excited they became about his show. In his cabin, he showered and dressed before heading to one of the bars for an afternoon cocktail… and got dragged into a trivia contest that went on for nearly an hour. The team he was on won, with each team member receiving a key ring. Everyone rolled their eyes at the prize, but Nathaniel noticed that they all took them along.
“I see you beat us,” Randy said as he sat down across from him.
Nathaniel sipped his mojito. “Are you stalking me?” He was beginning to wonder, with the way Randy seemed to be everywhere he was.
“Please. It’s not that big of a ship, and there aren’t that many passengers.” He shrugged, and Nathaniel got the idea that there was more to it than that. Still, he sat back in the amazingly comfortable chair and tried to relax, or at least look like he was.
One thing Nathaniel had learned a long time ago was to press his advantage. “It’s also not that small. So, Randy the hot cop, what is it about me that has you showing up everywhere I am? Is it my winning personality, or….” He lowered his gaze slightly and his voice right along with it. “Is there something else?”
Randy’s cheeks reddened, and Nathaniel knew he had him. He had waited for some sort of blaze, and he wasn’t disappointed. Randy jumped to his feet, his mouth open as though he were going to yell. Nathaniel cocked his eyebrows and simply smiled knowingly. Whatever Randy was going to say died on his lips, and Nathaniel stretched his legs out, arching his back, and let his eyes drift almost closed. Two seconds after getting himself a good look, Randy stalked away.
Nathaniel missed him almost immediately. There was something about him that got his motor running. He was man enough to admit that, and it wasn’t just the fact that Randy was sexy enough to melt butter in Alaska in January. Behind those eyes was something he couldn’t quite put his finger on, a loneliness… or something. The more he tried to put words to it, the more they seemed to flit away.
He had dinner in his cabin as he prepared for his show. He ran through everything in his mind. It wasn’t like this was new material, but he was aware a lot of people onboard had already seen his previous show, so he wanted to make sure this one was different enough that everyone would enjoy it.
Once he was ready, he carried Brutus, his rabbit, to his small dressing room and got all his props set up. Then he dressed and checked everything over. The last thing he did was get Brutus in place before waiting out his introduction from Icy.
“Please welcome Nathaniel Weatherly.”
He strode out on stage. The small theater was nearly full, and the applause filled the pace. “What a welcome. Thank you.” He made a show of looking out across the audience. “This particular show is billed as for adults. Which means we’re going to talk about sex,” he stage-whispered. “So if any of you happen to serve in Washington, I’m sorry, but you have to leave now.”
That got a comfortable laugh.
“Now, for those of you who saw my last show, you know I’m going to need an assistant.”
He hoped for volunteers. But he didn’t expect a woman to stand about halfway back. “The hot cop is right here,” she said.
“So, Officer Randy….” He paused. “God, we all need one of those, don’t we, ladies? Officer Randy, husband Randy, pool boy Randy.” He fanned himself for a second. “Are you up for it?” That got him a laugh as well. There was an excitement that spread quickly through the room. Without prompting, the room burst into applause. “Don’t be shy. I know you have what it takes.”
Randy stood and slowly made his way onto the stage. His shirt was tight, and his shorts showed off his powerful legs. He was a sight.
“Please reintroduce yourself to the audience.”
“I’m Randy, and I’m a police officer.” His voice was gruff, and Nathaniel loved it. He got sexier every time Nathaniel got near him. This time Randy smiled and held up his wrist. “No watch and no wallet this time.”
“Excellent. You want to make it hard on me.”
Randy’s smile fell slightly, which was exactly what Nathaniel wanted, to put him off-balance just a touch.
“Speaking of hard.” The front of his pants began to move, and the audience tittered. Nathaniel cleared his throat, and his pants moved again. Nathaniel pulled out the front of his pants. “Quiet down in there.” More movement, and Nathaniel played embarrassed. “Okay, you can come out and play.” He reached into his pants and pulled out Brutus.
Everyone laughed with a bit of relief.
He held the rabbit close, as if listening to him, “You do?” he asked. “Not that I blame you. Everyone wants to be held by the hot cop. But okay.” He turned to Randy. “My rabbit has a thing for you.” He handed over the Brutus, and of course, Randy took him. “Isn’t that cute?” The audience applauded their agreement as Randy grew fidgety. “Is something wrong?”
“My pants are falling down,” Randy whispered.
“No problem. Here, I’ll take Brutus.” Nathaniel took the rabbit. “And you can have your belt back.” He handed over the black leather belt with a silver buckle. Randy snapped his head down to see that his belt was truly gone and then quickly put it back on, scowling at Nathaniel in the most adorable way. Nathaniel passed Brutus to a stagehand, promising her plenty of carrots when they were back in their cabin.
“Can we get on with it?” Randy asked.
Nathaniel grinned. “I see. You want to get right to the handcuffs. Okay, Mr. Tie-Me-Up, Tie-Me-Down, we can get to them. Did you bring your set?”
“Yes.” Randy patted his pockets, and Nathaniel pulled out the set he’d already lifted.
“Looking for these?” Nathaniel asked, holding out the cuffs. Randy growled and reached for them. “They are your cuffs?”
“Yes,” Randy answered as he took them.
“And just what sort of fun were you hoping to have on this cruise? Whatever it was, count me in. I always love a man of steel,” he quipped. Randy rolled his eyes, and Nathaniel held out his arms. “You want to put them on me, big boy?” This was just becoming way too much fun.
“I tried that last time, and they ended up on me,” Randy groused.
“Fine. Then let’s make this more fun.” Nathaniel took back the cuffs and fastened them on Randy. “Are they tight enough? They aren’t loose?”
Randy tested them. “They’re on.”
“Excellent. Now I’m going to need another volunteer to come up here and play with the hot cop.” Every female hand in the audience went in the air. Nathaniel chuckled and picked a woman whose wrists and neck sparkled like the stars. She glided up on stage. “What’s your name, and where are you from?”
“Carolyn from Coral Gables.”
“Excellent.” He smiled. “There’s no need to be nervous, because all you’re going to do is unlock Randy’s handcuffs. Unless you’d rather see him keep them on.”
“I love a man in cuffs,” Carolyn said, and the audience laughed. Damn, he loved it when the guests carried the joke forward.
“Me too. But I think Officer Randy is starting to get a little uncomfortable. So let’s get him out of those… for now.” He motioned to where Randy still held out his arms. “What I need you to do is lightly tap each of the cuffs for me and then step away.” He made sure to stay away from Randy.
She did as Nathaniel asked. “Is that all?” she asked.
“Yes. You were amazing. Now, Randy, pull your hands apart.” He did, and the cuffs fell to the floor. Randy looked amazed. “Let’s give Carolyn a big hand for all her help.” One of the attendants helped her down the stairs.
Nathaniel picked up the cuffs and handed them back to Randy. “There are yours, I believe.” Randy looked them over, the astonishment never leaving his face. “And let’s give a big hand to Officer Randy and his handcuffs.” He smiled as the audience clapped loudly. Nathaniel waited while Randy left the stage before going on with his next feat, which involved sausages from the buffet instead of playing cards. It was always a hoot, and the audience definitely got the reference. But the amazing thing was that throughout the show, no matter what he was doing, Nathaniel was keenly aware of where Randy was and that he was watching him. It was a little nerve-racking, but mostly it was one hell of a turn-on. Man, he should have waited a little longer before giving Randy back his belt, just to see what he did or didn’t wear under those tight shorts.