Page 13 of Kiss of the Vampire

Alicia stared blankly at her.

Caitlin frowned, not sure she could handle sitting poolside. She’d so hoped to go to the comedy entertainment.

“What did you want to do tonight, Caitlin?” Ruric asked.

Everyone looked at her, waiting for her to speak.

“I thought the comedy show would be fun.”

Dylan smiled.

“But I’ll watch Alicia swim.”

Instantly, Dylan’s expression turned sour.

Lynne tilted her cosmetically-reduced nose up. “You’re scared of the water.”

Caitlin couldn’t help that she was terrified of the water, but she didn’t want her new friends to know she was seeing a psychiatrist for it. Squaring her shoulders, she said, “That’s old news, Lynne.” She felt Levka and his friends still watching her and felt totally naked, like she could have no deep, dark secrets around them.

Alicia didn’t say anything, which wasn’t like her at all. What was wrong with her? Normally, she would have agreed with Lynne and made a sarcastic comment to back her up.

The waiter came to the table, explained the special for the evening, and everyone ordered their dinners.

When he left, Stasio turned to Alicia. “Wouldn’t you rather see the comedy show following the meal?”

Alicia stared at his entrancing blue eyes, and Caitlin held her breath.

Stasio asked Alicia again, “Wouldn’t you?”

Chapter 4

When Stasio asked Alicia again if she wanted to go to the show, Caitlin was sure she would say no. Instead, Alicia nodded.

Dylan blew out his breath. “You hate those comedy shows.” Putting his arm around her shoulders, he pulled her closer. “We’ll go swimming together.”

Stasio’s blond brows rose. “She wants to go to the show. But why don’t you go swimming with…” He looked over at Lynne. “…her.”

“All right with me.” Lynne raked her fork through her mashed potatoes. “But Alicia’s his girlfriend. So if you think you’re going to make the moves on her…” She shook her head.

“She’s going swimming with me, and that’s final.” Dylan slugged his soda down.

Stasio smiled, the look handsomely arrogant and decidedly menacing. Yet, Caitlin couldn’t help worrying that Stasio was getting way over his head on this. Dylan had tons of mean-hearted friends on the ship, any of whom wouldn’t have any regret about throwing Stasio overboard if Dylan asked them to.

She suspected Stasio was trying to get Alicia to go along with seeing the show so that Caitlin could see it, and not because he was interested in Alicia. There was no way Caitlin wanted him hurt over her. Was he still feeling guilty over dropping the bag on her feet?

“It’s okay, Stasio. I’ll go another night.” Caitlin tried to give him her most convincing smile.

Levka leaned back in his wheelchair and stared at Alicia. “The comedy show sounds good.” He wore a stern face and didn’t seem pleased, more forced into the situation than anything. And he didn’t look Caitlin’s way, just watched Alicia.

Arman shook his head.

Ruric grinned and raised his water glass in a salute. “To stellar performances.”

“Right,” Stasio said. “You know the jesters always performed at medieval castles to entertain, and they’ve found laughter aids the digestion. So after we eat, the comedy show will be perfect.”

Arman set his napkin on the table. “You can drown if you swim right after you eat.” He gave Dylan a pointed look.

“We’re going swimming,” Dylan growled.