Playing The Odds

by Nora Roberts

  She pushed firmly away, knowing she was free only because she’d caught him off guard. Slowly, praying her legs would hold her, she bent down to retrieve the dashiki, which had fallen to the deck. Without a word Serena slipped it over her head. It gave her a moment, just a moment, to brace herself before she looked at him.

  She saw desire—a reckless desire that had her heart thudding painfully—in his eyes. And she saw the wariness. It strengthened her to know he’d been no more prepared for the attack on the senses than she had been. Because of it, she had the edge.

  “If and when I decide I want to make love with you, you’ll know.” She said it calmly, then turned and walked away without a backward glance. Her knees were shaking.

  Justin watched her. Oh, he could drag her back, he thought as his hand curled into a fist. He could drag her to his cabin and have her within a matter of moments. He could say the hell with the game plan and assuage this gnawing hunger that seemed to be eating him from the inside out. If once, just once, he was truly alone with her … With care, Justin unclenched his hand. It never paid to let emotions rule your moves. That was something he’d learned too many years ago to forget now.

  Bending, he picked up the bottle of lotion Serena had left beside her chair. She’d been intrigued with his offer, he mused, absently tightening the cap. And while she might try to shrug it off, the idea had been planted. After a year of following orders, the notion of giving them would appeal to her. Having come fresh from a victory, she would consider herself well able to handle him on the personal front. He counted on there being enough MacGregor in her to make a challenge irresistible.

  A slow, cool smile touched his mouth. Justin was just as susceptible to a challenge as Serena. He’d made his bid, he decided. For the moment, he’d let it stand.

  * * *

  Serena’s room was completely dark when the phone beside her bunk shrilled. Blindly, she groped about, fumbling for the button of the alarm. When this did nothing to stop the ringing, she pushed at it in annoyance, then knocked the receiver from the phone. It conked her smartly against the temple.

  “Ouch, damn it!”

  “Good morning, little girl.”

  Hazy with sleep and rubbing her head, she cradled the receiver against her ear. “Dad?”

  “How’s life on the high seas?” he asked in a booming, cheerful voice that made her wince.

  “I—um …” Running her tongue over her teeth, Serena struggled to wake up.

  “Come on, girl, speak up.”

  “Dad, it’s …” She pushed at her alarm again until she could read the luminous dial. “It’s barely six a.m.”

  “A good sailor’s up with the dawn,” he told her.

  “Uh-huh. Good night, Dad.”

  “Your mother wants to know when you’ll be home.”

  Even half asleep, Serena grinned. Anna MacGregor had never been a mother hen, but Daniel … “We’ll be in Miami Saturday afternoon. I should be home by Sunday. Are you going to have a brass band?”

  “Hah!”

  “One Highland chief with a bagpipe?”

  “You were always the sassy one, Rena.” He tried to sound stern and ended up sounding proud. “Your mother wants to know if they’re feeding you proper.”

  She swallowed a giggle. “We get a whole loaf of barley bread a week and salt pork on Sundays. How is Mom?”

  “Fine. She’s already gone to the hospital to cut somebody open.”

  “Alan and Caine?”

  Daniel gave a snort. “Who sees them?” he demanded. “It breaks your mother’s heart that her children’ve forgotten their parents. Not one grandchild to bounce on her knee.”

  “Inconsiderate of us,” Serena agreed dryly.

  “Now, if Alan had married that pretty Judson girl …”

  “She walked like a duck,” Serena reminded him bluntly. “Alan’ll pick his own wife when he’s ready.”

  “Hah!” Daniel said again. “Got his nose buried down in D.C., Caine’s still sowing oats he should’ve been done with, and you float around on some boat.”

  “Ship.”

  “Your poor mother will never live to hold her first grandchild.” With a heavy sigh he lit one of the fat cigars Anna hadn’t managed to confiscate.

  “Did you wake me up at six a.m. to lecture me about the continuation of the MacGregor line?”

  “That’s nothing to curl your lip at, little girl. The clan—”

  “I’m not curling my lip,” she assured him, wanting to avoid a long, passionate diatribe. “And I plan to stay home awhile, so you can start bullying me after Sunday.”

  “Now, is that any way to talk?” he demanded, offended. “Why, I’ve never so much as raised my hand to you.”

  “You’re the best father I’ve ever had,” she said soothingly. “I’ll buy you a case of Scotch in St. Thomas.”

  “Well, now.” Pleased with the idea, he softened, then remembered another promised case of Scotch and his main purpose for the predawn call. “Met any interesting people on the cruise, Rena?”

  “Mmm, I could write a book. I’m really going to miss the rest of the crew.”

  “What about passengers?” he persisted. Daniel puffed on his cigar and tried his hand at smoke rings. “Get any real gamblers?”

  “Now and again.” Her thoughts drifted to Justin, just as Daniel’s did.

  “I suppose you’ve had your hands full with the men.” She gave a noncommittal grunt and shifted to her back. One man anyway, she mused. “’Course there’s nothing wrong with a bit of romance now and then,” he added in a jovial voice. “Providing the man’s got good blood and some starch. A true gambler has to have a sharp brain.”

  “Would you feel better if I told you I was planning to run off with one?”

  “Which one?” he demanded, narrowing his eyes.

  “No one,” Serena returned firmly. “Now, I’m going back to sleep. Be sure to get rid of all that cigar ash before Mom gets home.” Daniel scowled at the phone, then at the butt in his hands. “I’ll see you and Mom Sunday. And by the way, I love you, you old pirate.”

  “Eat a decent breakfast,” he ordered before he hung up.

  Thoughtfully, Daniel leaned back in his massive chair. Rena had always been a tough egg to crack, he mused. As for Justin, well, if Justin Blade hadn’t made it his business to spend a tropical evening or two in her company, then he wasn’t the man Daniel thought he was. He tapped out his cigar, reminding himself to dispose of the evidence before Anna came home.

  Damned if he was wrong about Justin Blade! Daniel MacGregor knew the make of a man. He gave himself a moment’s pleasure speculating about a black-haired, violet-eyed grandchild. A boy first, he decided. Though he wouldn’t carry the MacGregor name—and that was a pity—he’d carry MacGregor blood. They’d name him after his grandfather.

  In a fine mood, Daniel picked up the phone, thinking he might as well badger his other children while he was at it.

  Chapter 5

  As much as she told herself it wasn’t any of her business, Serena couldn’t help wondering what Justin was up to. For two days she hadn’t had a glimpse of him. During that time he hadn’t set foot inside the casino. Nor had he been on the port side of the promenade deck indulging in one of the private games, at least not when she just happened to stroll out there during her break.

  What, Serena demanded of herself as she prepared for her last free day of the cruise, was he doing? A gambler was supposed to gamble, wasn’t he? He wasn’t the kind to settle for a bingo game in the lounge.

  He’s doing it on purpose, she decided as she buttoned up her scarlet romper. He’s trying to get to me. She wouldn’t have been the least surprised if while she had been working and wondering, he had spent his time lazing in the sun somewhere, knowing it. Infuriating. He’d probably had that cozy little drink with Mrs. Dewalter, too, she concluded, and grabbed her brush. Taking it through her hair in hard, quick strokes, Serena scowled at herself in the small mirror.

&nb
sp; “So what?” she said aloud. “If he’s nipping around her ankles, he’s not nipping around mine.” The last thing she’d wanted on her final days on the ship was a constant battle, verbal or otherwise. So it was just as well that he’d found something else to keep him occupied; that saved her the trouble of ignoring him.

  He stirred her up when he was around. He stirred her up when he wasn’t around, too, she thought, and tossed the brush back on the dresser. Where was the justice? I won’t think about it, Serena decided, flopping down on the floor to slip on her sandals. I’m going to do some snorkeling, buy some trinkets—a case of Scotch—and, she added grimly, I’m going to enjoy myself. I won’t give him another thought.

  It’s deliberate, she thought, slapping a sandal against her palm. He dangled that business about managing his casino in front of my nose, then disappeared. He knew it would drive me crazy, she decided with fresh frustration. Well, two can play, Serena reminded herself as she wiggled her foot into the sandal. I’ll stay out of his way for the next couple of days if I have to claim seasickness and lock myself in my cabin. And that, she determined, would be a lesson to him.

  Serena continued to frown when the knock sounded on her door. “It’s open,” she called shortly.

  The last person she’d expected to see in her doorway was Justin. The last thing she’d expected to feel was pleasure. Oh, my God, she realized, I’ve missed him.

  He saw the quick smile light in her eyes before she successfully turned it into a glare. “Morning.”

  “Passengers aren’t permitted on this deck,” she told him in a tone that was both cool and prim.

  “Oh.” He stepped inside, shutting the door behind him. Ignoring her hiss of annoyance, Justin glanced around the tiny cabin.

  It should have been drab and colorless, with its plain bunk and white walls, but she’d given it an odd sort of style with only a few touches. A flashy painting of sailboats, a bottle-green free-form bowl filled with crushed shells, a boldly striped needlepoint pillow that reminded him of Anna. The pantry in Hyannis Port, he mused, was larger.

  “No wasted space,” he ventured, letting his eyes roam back to her.

  “It’s my space,” Serena reminded him. “And it’s strictly against the rules for you to be in here. Would you go away before you get me fired?”

  “You’ve already quit.” Easing between her and the bunk, Justin took a closer look at the painting. “This is very good—the harbor here in St. Thomas?”

  “Yes.” Serena stayed seated deliberately, knowing it was next to impossible for two people to stand in the cabin without touching. “I’m sorry I can’t entertain you, Justin, but I’m just on my way out.”

  With an absent sound of agreement, he sat on the bunk. “Sturdy,” he commented, nudging a reluctant smile from her. It was hard as a rock.

  “It’s great for the back.” They sat eyeing each other for a moment as she fought off the simple pleasure of having him with her. “I thought I was rid of you.”

  “Did you?” Lifting the flimsy teddy she’d slept in, Justin ran the lace through his fingers. Without any effort he could picture her in it, picture the thin, creamy material sliding over her skin as he slipped it off of her.

  “Put that down.” She leaned over to snatch it out of his hands, going across his body to do so.

  “So you have a taste for silk and lace,” he stated, letting the lingerie slip back to the bed before Serena could grab it. “I’ve always admired women who wear things like this, then sleep alone.” Justin looked down at her as Serena knelt on the floor, frustrated. “It shows a certain independence of spirit.”

  Her brows furrowed. “Is that a compliment?”

  “I thought so.” With a smile he leaned forward to wrap the ends of her hair around his fingers. “Why did you think you were rid of me?”

  “I wish you wouldn’t be nice, Justin; it throws me off.” Sitting back on her haunches, Serena sighed. “You haven’t been in the casino.”

  “There are other entertainments on board.”

  “I’m sure.” Her voice chilled. “Like explaining your system to Mrs. Dewalter?”

  “Mrs. who?”

  Her feathers ruffled, Serena got up and began to search for her tote bag. “The divorced redhead with the hen’s egg.”

  “Oh.” Amused and baffled, Justin watched her rummage under the bunk. “Looking for something?”

  “Yes.”

  As he watched, Serena squirmed under the bunk on her stomach. “Would you like some help?”

  “No. Damn it!” She swore as she rapped the back of her head on the bottom of the bunk. When she wiggled back out, Justin was sitting on the floor beside her. Without speaking, he smiled and brushed her mussed hair away from her face. “Justin …” Serena turned away and dumped the contents of the bag on the bunk. “I really hate to say this.”

  Accustomed to her sharp tongue, he shrugged. “Go ahead, say it anyway.”

  “I missed you.”

  Looking back, Serena saw surprise on his face for the second time. “I told you I hated to say it.” When she started to rise, he took her arm and held her still.

  Three words. Three words that brought on a torrent of conflicting emotions that he’d never experienced. He’d been prepared for her annoyance, her coolness, her fury. But not for those three simple words. “Serena.” He laid his hand on her cheek in a rare gesture of complete gentleness. “That’s a dangerous thing to tell me when we’re alone.”

  She touched her hand to his briefly, then carefully drew it away from her skin. “I didn’t intend to tell you at all. I don’t think I realized it myself until you walked in here.” Her sigh was both puzzled and wistful. “I just don’t understand it.”

  “I wonder why it is we both feel we need to,” he said half to himself.

  Abruptly, she jumped up and began dropping what she thought she’d need into the tote bag. “I’m going to the beach for snorkeling and sightseeing,” Serena told him. “Would you like to come with me?”

  She didn’t hear him move—he didn’t make a sound—but she knew he’d risen to stand behind her. For the first time in a year, Serena felt the light panic of claustrophobia.

  Justin placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. Those eyes, he thought. That impossibly rich color. It seemed he had only to look into them for the need to spread to his. “A truce?” he asked.

  She saw, with relief, that he wasn’t going to press the advantage she’d given him. “What fun would that be?” Serena retorted. “You can come with me if you want, but no truce.”

  “Those seem like reasonable terms,” he mused. When he slipped his hands around her waist, Serena stuck the tote bag between them. Justin glanced at it, then at her. “That’s hardly an obstacle.”

  “The offer was for sightseeing,” she reminded him. “Take it or leave it.”

  “We’ll go with that.” With a hesitation so slight it went unnoticed, Justin dropped his hands. “For now.”

  Accepting this, Serena turned and opened the door. “Ever been on a glass-bottom boat?”

  “No.”

  “You’re going to love it,” she promised, and reached for his hand.

  * * *

  Her skin was wet and warm and glistening in the sunlight. Two tiny scraps of material clung to the curves of her breasts and hips. As she stretched out her legs on the blanket, Serena gave a contented sigh.

  “I like to think of the pirates.” She looked out over the magnificent blue water and could almost see the Jolly Roger fluttering in the breeze. High green mountains rose around them, as if floating on the sea itself. “Three hundred years ago.” Shaking back her wet hair, she smiled over at Justin. “Hardly any time at all, really, when you think of how long these islands have been here.”

  A few droplets of water glistened on his dark skin. “Don’t you think Blackbeard might be a bit upset if he saw all this?” He gestured to indicate the people dotting the white sand beach and splashing in the turquo
ise water. Laughter rose with the scent of suntan lotion. “Unlike the rest of us, I don’t think he’d consider these beaches unspoiled.”

  She laughed, both refreshed and exhilarated from their hour of snorkeling. “He’d find another place. Pirates have a knack for it.”

  “You sound as though you admire them.”

  “It’s easy to romanticize after a couple of centuries.” Serena leaned back on her elbows, enjoying the sensation of drying in the sun. “And I suppose I’ve always admired people who lived by their own rules.”

  “At any price?”

  “Oh, you’re going to be practical.” Serena tilted her face toward the sun. The sky was as blue as the water, and cloudless. “It’s too beautiful here to be practical. There’s as much barbarism and cruelty today as there was three hundred years ago, and not nearly as much adventure. I’d love a ride in H. G. Wells’s time machine.”

  Intrigued, Justin picked up the comb she had discarded and began to run it through her hair. “Where would you go?”

  “Arthur’s Britain, Plato’s Greece, Caesar’s Rome.”

  She sighed, finding the sensation of Justin drawing the comb through her hair both sensual and soothing. “Hundreds of other places. I’d have to meet Rob Roy in Scotland, or my father would never forgive me. I’d like to have seen the West before the settlers discovered it, but then, I suppose I’d’ve been on the first wagon to Oregon.” Laughing, she tilted her head back farther so that she had an upside-down view of his face. “It would’ve been worth the risk of being scalped by your ancestors.”

  Justin weighed her hair in one hand. “It would have been quite a prize.”

  “I’d just as soon have kept it,” Serena admitted wryly. “What about you?” she asked. “Wouldn’t you like to go back a couple of centuries and play Red Dog in a Tombstone saloon?”

  “They didn’t welcome Comanches.”

  Reaching back, she brushed damp hair from his forehead. “You’re being practical again.”

  His eyes held hers a moment. “I would have been in the war party, attacking your wagon train.”

  “Yes.” She looked out to sea again. It was foolish to forget who and what he was, even for a moment. He was different. It only added to the attraction. “I suppose you would have. We would have been forging new frontiers; you would have been defending what was already yours. The lines get misted, and you wonder if either side was wrong in the beginning. Do you ever feel cheated?” she wondered aloud. “Your birthright?”

  Justin drew the comb slowly through her hair. As it dried, he could see all the subtle shade variations that merged together to make the rich gold. “I prefer making what I own rather than thinking of inheritances.”

  She nodded, because the words so exactly expressed her own feelings. “The MacGregors were persecuted in Scotland, forced to give up their name, their plaid and their land. If I’d been there, I would have fought. Now it’s just a fascinating story.” She gave a low laugh as her mood shifted. “One my father will tell again and again at the least provocation.”

  A toddler, racing across the sand to escape her mother, landed like a plump ball in Serena’s lap. Giggling, she tossed her arms around Serena’s neck and clung as if they were in the conspiracy together.

  “Well, hello.” With a laugh Serena returned the hug, then she tilted the child’s head back enough to see fun-filled brown eyes. “Making a break for it, are you?”

  The girl grabbed a handful of Serena’s hair. “Pretty.”

  “What a bright child,” she commented, looking over her shoulder at Justin. To her surprise, he hoisted the child onto his own lap and touched a finger to her button nose. “You’re pretty too.” With another peal of giggles she pressed a wet kiss to his cheek.

  Before Serena had gotten over her surprise at the ease with which he accepted the damp greeting, a woman in a trim black maillot rushed to the trio breathlessly. “Rosie!” The frazzled mother held a plastic pail and shovel while her cheeks grew pink. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

  “Pretty,” Rosie claimed again, giving Justin another kiss. This time Serena burst into giggles.

  “Rosie!” Exasperated, the mother ran a hand through her hair. “I really am sorry,” she repeated. “She heads everywhere at a dead run. No one’s safe.”

  “When you run, there’s more time to play once you’re there, isn’t there, Rosie?” Serena stroked the warm brown hair as she smiled her reassurance at the mother. “She must keep you busy.”