“Short man syndrome,” Dylan said firmly.
“What? He’s not that short.”
“No, but it’s the same thing. He feels like you’ve taken his power away, so he’s going to make damn sure you know he’s in charge. My brother is a bit like that.”
A sense of business. This one was smarter than her usual intake, that was certain. “You sure you’re just a dancer?”
He hesitated before replying. “Of course. There’s politics everywhere.”
True. Michaela shook her head.
“Don’t let him wear you down. He’ll just think he’s won and make things even harder for you. You’re clearly a smart woman. Give him enough rope to hang himself. You won’t have to lift a finger, and you’ll still win.”
“Just suck it up, you mean?”
“I didn’t say that. You don’t have to let him walk all over you. Just politely put him in his place, but not so he loses face.”
It wasn’t bad advice.
“Feel any better?”
Michaela smiled. She did. “You’re a good listener.” A wonderful listener. “Don’t go making the same mistake I did.” She bit her lip and tried to be magnanimous. “And if one of those boys has already claimed you, I don’t want to hear about it.”
“I’m not gay.”
Thank God it was dark, because she was fairly sure her jaw actually dropped. She recovered herself enough to speak. “Of course, I wouldn’t assume…”
“It’s okay. I am a dancer, I know. No one in the dance team believes me, either.”
“I didn’t mean… I hope you don’t think… Well, thanks for listening to me rant on. I better go.” Michaela stood, almost hitting her leg again in her hurry and embarrassment.
Shit. Shit. Oh, shit.
Had she really just offended the guy who now knew her stupid secret? The guy who was a wonderful listener, gave good advice and…and what? And made her feel like more of a woman than she had in a long time.
“Welcome again, anyway,” she said.
Welcome again? What sort of lousy line was that?
Don’t make this more than it is.
“I won’t tell anyone,” Dylan said.
Breathe in, breathe out, you’re in control, you’re in charge. She recited her mantra.
“I should hope not. You promised you wouldn’t.” Michaela tried to convey authority with her tone, but it was a little hard after she’d just spilled her guts to him.
And blushed uncontrollably when you found out he wasn’t gay.
She thanked the gods again that it was dark.
“I never break a promise.”
“Good.”
Deep breath in, deep breath out, no need to go into a spin because he’s a wonderful listener, insanely hot, and apparently available.
“See you tomorrow, first thing.” Michaela threw the comment over her shoulder as she walked off with as much dignity as she could muster. She’d just have to hope he was true to his word—and that, in the future, she could keep her reactions more under control.
Chapter Three
“Stupid, stupid.”
If it hadn’t been sure to make her deputy suspicious, Michaela would have beaten her head on her desk the next morning. Spilling everything to a dancer she’d only just met? What an idiot.
“I’m never drinking again,” she promised.
There was little time to wallow, though. This was a busy job. She hadn’t been laying it on thick for the new recruits for nothing.
“Coming to rehearsal, Michaela?”
George, the choreographer, burst into her office as if he was on stage. Despite her hangover and the mortification of what she’d told Dylan the night before, Michaela couldn’t help smiling.
Buck up, girl.
Dylan had promised he wouldn’t say anything, and the captain couldn’t lord their tryst over her forever. In fact, Dylan’s advice made as much sense in the light of day as it had in the moonlight. Taking this job had been her choice—her choice to try and prove herself in this sea of men. The captain was bound to do something stupid enough to mess up his career all on his own. Time to get on with it and leave the captain to destroy himself.
George did a little dance with a spare chair, and Michaela laughed. He was a hard taskmaster, but he produced wonderful results, giving the Pacific Empress a reputation as the best in the business.
“Sure,” Michaela said. “I’ll come see what the slave master has created.”
He took her hand and guided her around the edge of her desk, spreading kisses from her fingers to her elbow in exaggerated French style.
“Those poor boys and girls, are they exhausted yet?” she asked.
“No, but they soon will be,” he said triumphantly. “These twelve-day cruises are a bit of a killer—so many routines to learn with a show on every night. I almost feel sorry for the poor little babies. But I have a special treat this time. Did you arrange it for me? That Dylan is hardly a baby. And he’s lovely, so big and strong.”
Michaela straightened at the mention of Dylan’s name. “Only the best for you, George.”
“Thanks for trying, but you got it completely wrong. It’s such a shame.” George paused, waiting for her response, but when she said nothing, he clarified, “He’s straight, darling.”
Michaela cocked her head and raised an eyebrow. George didn’t need to know she’d already found that out for herself.
“I knew it as soon as I saw him. I can always tell. Straight as a fence post. But at least he’s nice about it. The other two boys don’t believe him, but they’ll soon be put right. The girls are over the moon, of course.” George sighed. “It’s all going to be in vain, though, you mark my words. This one is a man, and he won’t put up with the pantings of little boys and girls. He’ll need a woman.”
“Not on this ship,” Michaela said despite herself.
“I think you’re absolutely right, my dear. That one’s got a hard edge, despite his floppy touchable hair. He’ll keep himself to himself, and I’ll be mopping up tears from everyone as they work out that he wants none of them.” He raised a hand to his forehead and winked at Michaela.
It was just foolish gossip, but nonetheless she felt a flutter in her heart.
…
“All right everyone, are we ready?”
George and Michaela were up front, viewing from the audience. This was the full dress rehearsal, and George always tried not to interrupt the run if he could possibly help it. The dancers had been taught the routines onshore, but today was the first time that all the elements came together, including the dancers, the live music and singers, and the set.