Cruising To Love

By Nailah

When Travel Writer Nia Bradshaw finds herself on the job (writing a travel feature) aboard The Providence, a luxury cruise liner sailing the Caribbean, she's prepared for an exciting adventure.

The adventure she experiences, however, is far more than she bargained for as she unwittingly becomes embroiled in a terrorist plot targeted at the United States.

Along the way she meets two handsome strangers: the charming Glen Dacosta and the abrasive Coltrane Deane. Each, in their own way, "get under her skin". But only one captures her heart.

The question is, can that one save her from the other before it's too late?

This, the fourth novella in the Caribbean Passion series, is the first to venture outside the shores of Barbados, featuring scenes from Martinique, Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago and St. Lucia.

Cruising to Love not only offers romance, but unique glimpses at some of the history and culture of the beautiful Caribbean islands.

Caribbean Passion is the Romance line created especially for the busy reader who loves Romance in exotic settings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nailah
• Release date: Oct 21, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466027947

Nailah

Nailah is a Barbadian/British writer. A teacher by day, she has been published in numerous anthologies and is the author of 13 novellas. These include titles from her Romance Series – Caribbean Passion. One of these short novels, Pick of the Crop, was published by Heinemann Publishing (Oxford) in 2004. Her greatest opus thus far is her daughter.

Book preview

Cruising To Love

by

Nailah

Copyright 2011 Charmaine A Gill

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

EPILOGUE

A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR

CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR

CHAPTER 1

Nia Bradshaw sighed and smiled contentedly as she contemplated the slowly diminishing string of lights that lined the southern coastline of Barbados. She leaned against the rails of the cruise ship, Providence, enjoying the feel of the wind riffling through her short afro.

The streetlights of Barbados began to disappear rapidly as the vessel picked up speed.

Nia had chosen a part of one of the well-lit cruise ship decks which still allowed her to enjoy the night’s natural illumination. She looked up at the sky, a star-spangled blanket airbrushed by the light of the full moon.

Nature’s nightlight, Nia murmured, remembering her childhood nickname for a full moon.

It’s just so beautiful. If I didn’t have a long day ahead of me tomorrow I would stay out here until sunrise, Nia whispered to herself. Can’t afford to lose any sleep though.

Still looking at the stars, Nia sent out a silent prayer of thanks for the opportunity to take the brief Caribbean cruise; thanks for the job – travel writer with The Travel Times, an internationally-popular travel magazine – via which she was taking the cruise and which allowed her to fulfill her dream of being a professional writer and to indulge her love of travelling and experiencing different cultures.

Nia looked up at the stars and breathed another deep sigh of contentment.

Better watch you don’t fall overboard! a deep voice spoke in gruff greeting.

Nia swung around with a start.

Her first thoughts on seeing the man who stood before her were of holiday flings with a handsome stranger. He was that good-looking.

He seemed to be surrounded by a halo of light and for a split second, Nia thought she was being touched by an angel. Light bounced softly from his clean-shaven head. He was dark-skinned with large eyes fringed with the longest, thickest lashes Nia had ever seen on a man. He had high cheekbones, and a firm, square jaw. And his lips. His lips, sensually thick, made Nia lick hers softly as she imagined what his might feel like. Shocked at her train of thought, Nia shook her head.

Her gaze took in the rest of him and, despite his polo shirt and slacks, didn’t miss the broad shoulders, trim waist and the long, lean line of his legs.

Ma’am? the tail end of the man’s question was all Nia heard as she resurfaced from the reflection this stranger’s appearance had evoked.

Sorry, she said. I was distracted. What were you saying?

Why are you out here? Most of the other passengers are in bed. Perhaps you should be too.

And who might you be? The bedtime police? Nia asked rudely, all visions of romance knocked out of her mind by the handsome stranger’s stern attitude.

The man scowled. I’m Coltrane Deane. I’m in charge of security on Providence.

He didn’t offer his hand as he spoke. Nia didn’t offer hers either.

Well, thanks very much, Mr. Deane, but I feel very secure right where I am so I don’t think I’ll be needing any help from you. Good night. Nia turned her back on Coltrane dismissively.

And you are? Coltrane asked brusquely, refusing to be ignored.

Nia swung back to face him.

I am a passenger who would like to be left alone with her thoughts right now. Thanks very much for asking.

Coltrane scowled again. Your name? he said coldly.

May I see some form of identification before I answer that question?

Coltrane removed a laminated card from his pocket and presented it to Nia who took it from his outstretched hand. Unlike most people’s picture IDs, Coltrane Deane looked even better under the laminate. It was all Nia could do not to gasp aloud. She held the card up and was able to read the fine print in the bright moonlight. Verifying the information he’d told her, she handed the card back to the man towering over her.

Okay, Mr. Deane, my name is Nia Bradshaw.

The writer?

Nia nodded.

Well, welcome aboard, Ms. Bradshaw and, like I said before, watch you don’t end up overboard. Coltrane spoke coldly, as if wishing the misfortune on her."

Likewise, I’m sure, Nia responded, bristling at the man’s rudeness and wishing he would disappear as fast as he’d appeared.

Coltrane walked away without another word.

How can someone who looks so good be so unfriendly? Nia wondered aloud glancing over her shoulder at the retreating intruder.

She turned back to the fast disappearing coastline of Barbados, almost invisible except for the blue, black and gold floodlights shining on the Tom Adams Financial Centre which housed the Central Bank in Bridgetown.

Nia was surprised at the progress the ship had made during the short time it had taken her to meet Coltrane Deane. With Barbados practically out of sight and nothing to see but miles of black waters illuminated by the stars and the moon, Nia yawned and turned to go inside, back to her cabin and to bed, trying all the while to get the handsome stranger and his stranger behaviour out of her head.

*******

Coltrane Deane stood in the shadows of the lifeboat and watched the young woman as she contemplated the night sights.

He steupsed softly and mentally kicked himself for speaking to her so curtly. Her presence on the deck had been unexpected and his brusqueness had reflected his surprise.

She looked like a vision to him. Her height was the first thing he had noticed. She was tall for a woman. And shapely. Despite her short hairstyle, he had no problem identifying her, from behind, as a woman. She was fit and the close-fitting blouse and tight jeans she wore accentuated the firmness of her curves. She was leaning casually against the rails of the boat her forearms resting on the top of the rail and her bottom protruding as she bent forward.

As attractive as Trane found her posterior view, he was unprepared for vision he encountered when she turned around, startled by the sound of his voice.

She must be a model, he thought on seeing her face for the first time. Nia’s almond shaped eyes were the most prominent aspect of her fine-featured face. Her dark skin was smooth and Trane found himself wanting to gently stroke it to experience its dark, velvety softness. His eyes swept the rest of her body and didn’t miss the generous curve of her breasts, hips and thighs. His attraction was almost instant and Trane felt a jolt run through his body as he watched her.

Despite the kick of adrenaline he felt on seeing her for the first time, Trane had not been able to put the brakes on his stern words and attitude.

She didn’t help things, either, he muttered to himself. With that ‘bedtime police’ foolishness. Coltrane sucked his teeth again, wishing he had some way of taking back his words, starting over and getting to know Miss Nia Bradshaw.

Despite his suspicions about her being on deck at that hour, he couldn’t deny the attraction he felt.

Just remember you’ve got a job to do Trane, he told himself sternly. This trip is strictly business. No time for pleasure. He felt his masculinity stir as the memory of Nia’s face in the moonlight flashed into his mind. He groaned softly. Especially that kind of pleasure, he muttered gruffly before firmly shutting all thoughts of lust and romance firmly out of his mind.

CHAPTER 2

Despite a peaceful night’s sleep, enhanced by the gentle rocking of the cruise ship as it cut through the midnight-blue waters of the Caribbean, Nia awoke the next morning with thoughts of her encounter