Paige laughed aloud, eliciting a frown from Mano. “What’s funny?” he asked.
“You. Since I arrived in Hawaii, it’s like I live in an alternate dimension. Penthouse suites, room service, you offering to buy me anything I want...it’s all kind of ridiculous. Really. You should see my apartment. You’d be horrified.”
Mano sighed and shook his head. “Then consider your time here a little pampering. I mean it—buy something today. I’ll check my charges, and if there isn’t anything on there, I’ll be very disappointed.”
“Okay,” she finally agreed. Paige fully intended to buy a pack of gum at the sundries store just to say she bought something.
He leaned in and kissed her again before whistling for Hōkū. “I’ll meet you for lunch at about noon, okay? I’ll text you to see where you are.”
Paige nodded and watched him walk away. Rolling onto her back, she stretched leisurely across the king-size mattress and stared up at the ceiling. A few hours by the pool might be just what she needed. It was early enough that she might not have to fight for a lounge chair.
She pulled her hair up into a knot on the top of her head and slipped into the bikini she bought for the trip. It was a bright blue and purple design with a halter top and boy shorts for the bottoms. The cut gave her the illusion of curves where she had none.
Before she pulled on her cover-up, she decided to slather on some sunblock so it could soak in. As her hands slid across her belly, she realized she was finally starting to show. The change was subtle, just the slightest curve, but it was enough for her to notice on her slight frame. She turned sideways to look at herself in the mirror and admire her burgeoning baby bump.
At the moment it just looked like a big lunch, but she would be growing at a faster pace from here on out. The baby would be doubling in size every few weeks. It was easy to ignore her situation while her belly was flat, but soon her pregnancy would be common knowledge to anyone who saw her.
With a sigh, Paige slipped the royal blue cover-up over her suit and gathered things to take to the pool with her. She tossed the sunblock, her phone, earbuds and a book in the wicker shoulder bag she bought on the beach and headed downstairs.
It was hard to believe she hadn’t made it to the pool yet. Paige had admired it every time she walked past but hadn’t dipped her toe in even once. It was beautiful, beckoning to her. The pool looked like a natural, sprawling lagoon surrounded by large stone boulders and green, leafy plants, as though it were nestled in a tropical rain forest. Hidden among the boulders was a pair of slides and a couple waterfalls.
Paige found a lounge chair in a corner with a little bit of shade. The touch of sunburn she’d gotten on their first day out had started to fade, and she didn’t want to make it worse. She laid out one of the fluffy pool towels and self-consciously glanced around to see if anyone was looking before she slipped out of her cover-up. The coast was clear, so she whipped it up over her head and settled down into the chair.
One of the poolside servers approached her after a few minutes. “May I bring you anything?” he asked.
She wanted coffee, but that wasn’t on her menu. “Pineapple juice and seltzer water would be great. Thank you.” The fresh juice and bubbles would be a nice change. Decadent, but not too much for the early morning.
The waiter disappeared and Paige relaxed back into her chair. As the sun warmed her skin, she closed her eyes and tried to enjoy it all. Her time in Hawaii had been filled with activity, both in and out of Mano’s bed, so she hadn’t gotten much R&R time. This was her chance. All that was missing was music. She pulled her phone and her earbuds out of her bag and cued up her favorite playlist.
Just before she hit Play, she noticed two women sit down in the lounge chairs nearby. She didn’t pay much attention to them, though; she wasn’t in the mood to chat. But as the first song ended with a short period of silence before the next song, she caught a bit of the conversation beside her.
“That’s the woman I was telling you about,” the blonde said in a harsh whisper that was anything but quiet.
“Her? Really?” Her friend, a brunette, sounded aghast.
Paige knew she could turn up the music and drown out their voices, but instead she hit Pause so she could listen without their knowledge. She was a masochist that way.
“It’s unbelievable, right? I saw the two of them together the other night. Even when they were all dressed up, she wasn’t anything to look at. I don’t know what he sees in her. Oh wait.” The blonde laughed. “He doesn’t see anything.”
The two women laughed, making Paige clench her teeth. She was used to people having opinions about her, but she didn’t like hearing them mock Mano. That was uncalled for.
“She’s got her headphones on, right?” the brunette asked.
“Yes, she can’t hear us. But even if she could...she knows as well as we do that they’re an aesthetic mismatch. There’s no way a rich hunk like that would be with a woman like her if he wasn’t blind.”
Paige struggled not to react and hoped her sunglasses hid away the emotions that slipped out anyway. She never should’ve listened to their conversation. She had known what she was in for and now she’d let it ruin a perfectly good morning by the pool. The most painful part of the whole discussion was the fact that the woman was right. Paige did know they were an odd match, and she agreed with them. She’d had the same thoughts a dozen times since Mano kissed her. Would he feel the same if he could see her? She worried the answer was no, but he was the only one who disagreed.
“Someone sounds jealous,” the brunette taunted her friend.
“I’m not jealous!” the other woman snapped. “I just think that if the guy could stand the two of us side by side and see us to compare, it would be me in the fancy suite with him, not her.”
“Do you really want a blind guy? He wouldn’t appreciate your new boobs.”
The blonde chuckled. “He’s got hands, doesn’t he? And really, who cares? He owns the hotel. He’s filthy rich. I’d happily live my life off his dime while he stumbled around with his dog. I mean, who would be dumb enough to say no to that, even if he’s blind?”
The waiter returned with Paige’s drink and a fruit and cheese plate she didn’t order. “What’s this?” she asked.
“I got orders from Mr. Bishop to bring you a snack. He insisted that the baby needs to eat.” He left the plate on a table beside her and put the pineapple seltzer beside it. He didn’t notice the gasp of the women nearby, but Paige did. If they thought she was pregnant with his child, their heads would probably explode. Let them think it.
“Thank you,” she told the waiter.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” the blonde hissed.
“God, I hope the baby looks like him.”
That was all Paige could take. She cranked up her music and tried to focus on the snack Mano had sent for her. Even though she couldn’t hear any more of their venomous words, she didn’t need to. The damage was already done. What little ego Mano had built up in her over the last few days gave way, and she felt as ugly and unlovable as she had the day she found out Wyatt was with Piper.
She picked at the fruit and cheese because she knew she should, and eventually she tried to read. It was impossible to do with the music so loud in her ears, but she couldn’t risk hearing any more of the women’s conversation.
When she was done eating, Paige decided her time by the pool was over. She might as well go back upstairs to change and go shopping for a while. Maybe a little retail therapy would improve her mood.
Paige started gathering her things into her bag, finally removing her earbuds and noticing with relief that the women were now discussing their extensive grooming habits instead. As she stood up and slung her bag over her shoulder, she heard the brunette speak again.
“Aren’t you going to get in the pool?”
“No,” the blonde said. “I just had my hair colored before we came. My stylist said if I get chlorine on it, it will turn green. I
don’t like getting in pools, anyway. How do I know some kid hasn’t peed in it?”
Paige tried not to roll her eyes as she left. Their chairs were nearer to the pool’s edge than hers, so she had to get close to the water to move past them. Then she paused as she realized that she was leaving and she still hadn’t gotten into the pool. Putting her bag down on another chair, she eyed the distance and slipped out of her shoes. She took a running leap, cannonballing into the pool right in front of the two women.
As she broke the surface, she could hear the women screaming about getting wet. A quick glance confirmed that the blonde was now completely soaked, including her hair. She really hoped that it did turn green.
Paige calmly climbed out of the pool and wrapped herself in a towel. As she left, she turned and gave a little wave to the women.
Damn, she thought as she disappeared down the path. That felt good.
* * *
“Let’s go for a walk on the beach,” Mano suggested. “The sun is about to go down.”
Paige snuggled closer to Mano as they sat on the couch. “I’m happy right here.”
“Perhaps, but in a few days, you can sit on the couch and do nothing whenever you want. You won’t be able to walk along Waikiki beach and watch the sky change colors as the sun sets.”
“Yes,” she countered, “but I won’t be able to do either of those things with you.”
Mano hugged her tighter and placed a kiss on the crown of her head. “If your only requirement is being with me, I say you be with me while we walk on the beach.”
Paige groaned but reluctantly sat up. Mano whistled for Hōkū, and they prepared to go downstairs. He hoped she didn’t notice him slip the gift he bought her into the pocket of his cargo shorts. As he expected, she hadn’t taken advantage of his offer to buy her something, so he’d taken the initiative to choose a gift for her himself. He was certain that he’d selected something far nicer and more expensive than she ever would’ve chosen on her own.
They headed downstairs and through the garden courtyard to the beach, where they slipped off their shoes. Hand in hand, they walked together along the shore. Mano could feel the warmth of the sun move lower as it sank into the sea. The water washed over their feet as they walked, Hōkū’s paws happily splashing ahead of them.
“You were right,” Paige admitted after a few peaceful minutes of walking. “This is better than the couch.”
“I told you it would be. I bet you it will get even better, too.”
Paige didn’t question him, and after they got a certain distance from the hotel, Mano decided it was time to give her the gift. She’d been a little quieter and more reserved than usual today. He hoped that the gift would bring out the excitement in Paige that he was missing. “I want you to close your eyes,” he said.
Paige giggled. “Don’t you think at least one of us should be able to see where we’re going?”
“We’re not going any farther. Just hold still and close your eyes. If you don’t close them, I’ll cover them with my hand.”
“Okay, okay.”
Mano brushed his fingertips across her cheeks and felt her thick lashes resting there. “All right.” Hōkū came to a stop beside them and Mano held Paige’s shoulders steady. “Okay, keep them closed.”
“I am,” she insisted.
Mano reached down into his pocket for the large velvet box he’d gotten from the high-end jewelry store in the hotel. As quietly as he could, he opened it and removed the necklace from inside. He felt the clasp, opening it the way the jeweler had taught him, and then draped it around her neck. “Keep them closed,” he insisted as he fastened the necklace.
“This is killing me,” Paige said.
“I know. Okay, open your eyes.”
Mano held his breath waiting for her reaction. As far as he could tell, there was none. No squealing, no jumping up and down. He was certain the jeweler in his own hotel wouldn’t sell him something subpar. Six figures should at least get him a thank-you, if not an enthusiastic kiss.
“Did you open them?” he asked.
“Yes.” Her answer was barely a whisper.
“And? Do you like it?” He hoped she would. The jeweler had helped him pick out an exquisite three-strand multicolor black South Sea pearl necklace. She’d told him the pearls alternated in size and shade from near black to a silver gray and were separated with ten carats’ worth of small micro pave diamond pearls. The jeweler said the luster on the pearls was remarkable. He knew it was the ideal gift for her—a tiny piece of sand transformed into a beautiful, rare gem. It was the perfect memento of her time here, where he hoped that she, too, saw herself as a precious gemstone instead of a tiny bit of sand.
“I do,” she said after a moment of hesitation.
Mano frowned. “You don’t sound like you do. I thought you’d like it. I told you to pick out something and you didn’t, so I chose this for you. I wanted to get you something nice to help you remember this week.”
Paige put her hands on each side of his face. “I don’t need an expensive necklace to remember this week, Mano. I’m certain I’ll never forget it.”
He was glad to hear that, but it didn’t change anything. “Well, then consider it a thank-you gift. You’ve gotten me out of the hotel, forced me out of my comfort zone and helped me realize that maybe I don’t need to spend every moment of my day at the resort.”
“A simple thank-you would’ve been enough. This necklace is...”
She was resistant, and he was certain she had no idea how much it cost. “No, a simple thank-you is not enough. I bought you this necklace because I wanted you to have it, Paige. I can make up a million excuses you can shoot down, but that’s the long and short of it. What good is all my money if I can’t spend it on the things I want to spend it on? Please humor me and just accept it.”
He heard Paige sigh heavily. “Okay. Thank you. It’s beautiful, Mano.” She leaned in and gave him a soft thank-you kiss.
When they parted again, they turned toward the hotel and started their leisurely stroll back. “How would you like to spend tonight, Paige? The Moonlight Luau is going on at the hotel if you’d like to see that. We could go out to eat somewhere where we could dress up and you can show off your new jewelry.”
“I don’t think I have anything to wear that would do this necklace justice. At the moment, I feel silly wearing it because I’m in denim shorts and a tank top.”
“A beautiful woman wearing beautiful jewelry doesn’t need a fancy dress.”
“There’s an idea,” Paige said leaning in close to him. “How about we stay in tonight, order room service and I’ll wear the necklace. Just the necklace.”
Mano felt his whole body stiffen at her suggestion. His blood started humming through his veins, making him eager to return to the hotel. No matter how many times he had Paige, he wanted more. “A tempting offer.”
He tried not to wish for his vision very often. It was the kind of hopeless yearning that succeeded only in fairy tales. Rapunzel’s tears wouldn’t cure him because this was real life. And yet, Paige painted a picture in his mind that he wished he could see for real.
Paige made him wish for a lot of things that he hadn’t ever expected. She was so many different things in one person, and he’d never imagined he’d find a woman like that. He’d indulged in a handful of affairs over the years, but he’d always been happy to let them come to an end when their time together was up. He’d never been tempted to search one of them out, invite them back for another visit to the island or really even give them much thought once they were gone. They had fun together, but that was all.
Mano had the feeling that it would not be the same with Paige. This week was not enough. Their time together was not enough. Her melodic laughter and tender caresses would haunt him for weeks.
But was it fair to ask more of her? Mano didn’t think so. Would another week be enough to soothe his soul? What if it wasn’t? What if he wanted more? Longer? What if he was thinking ab
out forever?
Mano choked down that thought and wished it away. Those sorts of fantasies were even worse than hoping to see again. Why did he long so badly for Paige? Why did it have to be the one woman whose life was so complicated that their future together didn’t really stand a chance? She had a life in California, one that wouldn’t be so simple to just walk away from. She was certain the baby’s father wouldn’t want to be involved in her life, but what if she was wrong? Paige couldn’t just take the baby out of state, much less half an ocean away.
Lost in his thoughts, Mano stumbled as he stepped into a hole in the sand. He landed face first in the water, soaking his clothes and covering the front of him in wet sand.
Hōkū whimpered beside him, licking at his ear to make sure he was okay.
“Oh, my goodness!” Paige exclaimed.
She crouched down beside him and offered him her arm to get up, but he wouldn’t take it. He pushed himself up on his own and wiped away the sand from his face and chest. His jaw tightened with irritation. It had been a long time since he’d fallen. He wished that it hadn’t happened in front of Paige.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“I’m fine,” he said stiffly. He grabbed Hōkū’s collar and took her hand, continuing down the beach. Anger and irritation coursed through his veins as they walked together. This was part of the reason he didn’t leave the resort. It was a carefully controlled environment that left few hazards for him. Out in the world, anything could happen. Hōkū couldn’t see and avoid every obstacle in life.
It was hardly a major accident, but he knew the moment for what it was: a reminder. This entire line of thought about Paige moving to Hawaii to be with him was ridiculous. Even if Paige would stay, even if she loved him, even if the baby’s father wanted no part in her life...he was still blind. He managed fairly well by himself, but would he be any help to her with the baby? More likely he would be an additional burden she didn’t need.
The Pregnancy Proposition Page 10