Jilt Trip. HEATHER MACALLISTER
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swallowed, his mouth dry and cottony. He wanted a drink of water, but his stomach immediately rebelled. Hunger…no, seasickness. Seasick? Carter Belden was never seasick.
He would will this away. He visualized a grilled rib eye, charred on the outside, bloodred on the inside—and was immediately sorry.
What had happened to his sea legs, or rather his sea stomach? Just how long had it been since he and Nikki had been aboard the Honey Bee? Weeks? Months?
Years. The knowledge came to him accompanied by a great sadness. Something had kept him away from the boat. So why was he aboard it now? He cracked open his eyes just enough to see yellow and closed them again. Yes, he was aboard the Honey Bee.
But he didn’t remember getting to the boat. In fact, the last thing he remembered was…
“Nikki!” he bellowed, to his instant regret.
Pain ripped through his head and exploded behind his eyes with such ferocity that he actually opened them to verify that he still had his sight.
He wished he hadn’t. The hideous decorating scheme Nikki had chosen for the craft—black, yellow and white stripes—assaulted his vision.
Head throbbing anew, he shut his eyes against the garish yellow walls Nikki thought would add light to the cabins below deck.
He’d indulged her because they were newly married and because the wall covering, yards and yards of it, was fabric, not vinyl. But instead of disintegrating the way he’d expected—and hoped—the heavy canvas had worn like iron.
She’d even had matching swimsuits sewn out of the leftovers, for God’s sake. He’d refused to wear his in spite of the hurt looks she’d cast him.
He’d given her a little diamond bee pin to make up for it.
He hadn’t seen her wear it in a very long time.
“Carter?” Nikki’s voice sounded above him.
“Go away and let me die in peace.”
“Hold these.”
He felt her take his hand and plop something into his palm. “Does this involve putting anything in my stomach?”
“Aspirin.”
“Forget it.”
“Carter, having a headache is normal. Aspirin will help.”
“Normal? You drugged me.”
“Yes.”
“There’s nothing normal about drugging someone. Therefore, the resulting headache is abnormal.”
“Impeccable logic. You’re right, as usual,” she agreed, cheerfully unrepentant.
“Ha!” He groaned. Being right hurt his head.
“Take the aspirin, Carter.”
Moaning piteously, he struggled to sit up. Leaning against the bulkhead, he blindly shoved the pills into his mouth. Nikki practically drowned him with the glass of water. Justice would only be served if he puked all over her, he thought, managing to swallow the pills.
They sloshed around in his stomach as he tried to counter the movement of the boat. “What are we in, a hurricane?” he grumbled.
“No, seas are calm.” Nikki maintained that irritatingly serene voice adopted by those who were dealing with grouchy people.
He opened his eyes. The room spun, but he focused on the waistband of her shorts, then tilted his head back and squinted at her.
Kneeling, she tugged away his bow tie and unbuttoned his collar button. She had started on the second button, when he covered her hands with his.
She raised her eyes and he was hit by the force of her green gaze. His pulse drummed in his ears as she awakened feelings long dormant, feelings he thought were dead, not just asleep.
Feelings he had no right to be feeling.
“I’ll be right back,” she whispered, rocking back on her heels and withdrawing her hands all in one graceful movement. She disappeared out the doorway, returning within moments.
“Don’t walk so loud,” he mumbled.
Nikki sat on the edge of the berth, doing horrid things to his equilibrium. “Sip some of this. You need lots of liquids.”
She wrapped his hands around a warm mug and, only because he knew she’d nag until he cooperated, Carter brought it to his lips.
“Good God almighty, what’s this?”
“Defatted chicken broth,” she replied in that same conciliatory voice. “It’s good for you.”
He rolled gritty eyes toward her. “You’ve shanghaied me. Don’t pretend you’re concerned about my health.”
Her lips drew together in a thin line, her most unattractive expression. “It’s your own fault. I had no idea you had become the sort of man who would guzzle champagne moments before he was to walk down the aisle.”
“I was provoked. Set up.” Since there was nothing else, he drank more broth. Not bad. In fact, the rancid taste was beginning to leave his mouth. He swallowed again, noting that he didn’t feel as queasy. The stuff even muffled the drums in his head, allowing a few thoughts to filter through. “I’m not too clear on recent events. Am I married?”
Nikki gazed at him steadily. “It’s a little complicated, but, yes. You are most definitely married.”
“Damn.” Carter drained the last of the chicken broth. “I don’t remember the ceremony. I do remember passing out,” he said sternly. “I don’t remember when I came to. What did I do then, dance on the pews? Insult the bride’s mother?”
Nikki avoided his eyes as she took the mug.
That was a very bad sign. “If I’m married, what am I doing here? Where’s Dee Ann? Is she topside?”
“No.”
“Still at the reception?”
“I doubt it.”
He tried to visualize Dee Ann in her wedding dress and couldn’t. Another bad sign. “What have you done to her?”
Nikki glared at him. “Nothing.”
He folded his arms and focused his eyes until her two images merged into one. “All right, Nikki. Talk.”
Her gaze turned wary, her eyes assessing his mood.
His mood was black, but what did she expect? Focusing was too much trouble. He closed his eyes. “You might as well tell me everything.”
“I will when you’re ready.”
He felt her weight leave the berth and grabbed for her hand, missing but catching her leg instead. “I’m ready now.”
“I’m not,” she said, pulling free. “Wait here and I’ll be back with the stats.”
Stats. And he’d so hoped he wouldn’t be required to open his eyes again anytime soon.
While he waited for her return, he peeled off his socks, removed his cummerbund and undid the button Nikki had started to undo, as well as two more.
He was removing his cuff studs by the time she returned.
“All comfy now?” she asked.
Rather than respond, he tossed the studs toward the built-in dresser. One made it, one didn’t.
Instead of picking up the stud, Nikki ignored it. “Do you want to look at the papers here, or in the dinette?”
“Here.” He watched her carefully as he rolled up his shirtsleeves.
She was doing a good job of maintaining her business persona. Did she find it difficult to do