“Go back to the ship, Saria. That’s an order.”
“You’re upset and I won’t leave you alone when you’re feeling this way.” She raced around him then hiked it backward, her hand pressed against his chest. “You also don’t have one bad gene in your body. You’re a man who has dedicated his life to helping others.”
“Yeah, to right the wrongs of my stupid father.”
Now she was getting somewhere. “What did your father do to you?”
“Not me. Two days after he was released from the slammer, he raped two eighteen-year-olds. Mary Hammers was one of them, and she had to bear the burden of carrying me.” He fisted one hand and punched his other palm. “I’m surprised I ever survived my birth.”
She covered his fist with both her hands. “So you feel as if you have to pay for what your father did?”
“My birth should never have happened, which means my ruthless father’s line ends with me.” He pulled away, strode up the beach and disappeared into the dark interior of the jungle.
An innocent child, not at fault for how he’d been conceived, shouldn’t have to pay for the sins of his father. No wonder he’d never told anyone the truth. She ran after him, barely catching the crunch of his step somewhere far ahead.
Low branches scraped her shoulders and face as she stumbled in the pitch black. Prickly bracken stung her bare feet, and whatever moonlight shone above, hadn’t a chance of penetrating the dense foliage overhead.
Long minutes passed with no trace of his movement.
She knocked into a trunk, bent and caught her breath. An owl hooted.
“Ben!” She screamed his name. “I need you.”
Crashing surf rumbled close, but he didn’t reply. She trekked toward the roaring ocean, plowed through the tree line and tumbled down a sand dune onto her bottom. Moonlight trickled over the secluded area scattered with driftwood and seaweed.
Clutching her chest, she willed her racing heartbeat to slow. Ben was safe even though running from his problems. She’d find him. She had to. She controlled her breathing, slowly in and slowly out as the therapist had instructed her if panic set in. With no time to lose, she shoved to her feet and set out in pursuit of her bodyguard.
She’d never abandon him as so many others had done.
He was hers to care for.
* * * *
Arms pumping, Ben ran. Voices played in his head, those of the foster parents he’d been shipped from one to the next from. He was the son of a rapist, a man who deserved to die. They’d pitied him, but pity wouldn’t get him anywhere in life. The moment he’d turned eighteen, he’d gotten as far away from anyone who’d ever known the terrible circumstances of his birth as he could. With limited funds, he’d joined the army, and there he’d met Brigs and Tyler. All these years, he’d never spoken a word beyond the bare necessities, and now he’d blabbed every damning detail to Saria. As soon as the knowledge sank in, she too would pity him. He shouldn’t have told her.
Exhausted after crossing a mile of jungle, he stumbled through the trees and onto the white sand beach. The stars twinkled above.
At least he was alone, like he’d always been.
He sank onto the sand and fell back.
Hell, he’d done his best to carve out something for himself, even giving up the dream of having a family. No woman should ever have to bear his children knowing they too would face the same ridicule he had while growing up.
“Ben!”
He sat upright.
Saria ran down the beach, her short white dress illuminated by the moonlight and her dark locks swaying around her waist. She appeared a vision, one he wanted to hold onto, but he had to end their time together. Being with her would never work.
“Here,” he called out, not wanting her running aimlessly around the island in search of him.
“There you are.” She dashed toward him, fell onto her knees then toppled him onto his back as she sprawled over top. “I was so worried. You’ve never run from me like that before.”
“I wasn’t running from you, but letting you go.”
“Right now, I’m not going anywhere.” She kissed him, her breath hot as it mingled with his. “I want every one of those twenty-four hours you promised me.”
“Well, you’re out of luck.” He gripped her arms and instilled some distance, an inch, but one necessary inch. “My father is a rapist, the scum of the earth.”
“And you’re the exact opposite, my thirty-two-year-old virgin.”
“Ex-virgin.”
“Which I’m rather pleased about.” She kissed him again and he wanted to rip her clothes off and take everything she offered except she would never be his. For her own good, he had to let her go.
“I don’t want you, Saria.”
“You’re not responsible for what your father did, or for your mother’s actions when she handed you over into the foster system. I can’t even imagine the pain and anguish she must have gone through, but at least she gave you your life, and for that I’ll be immensely grateful.”
“I said my father was a rapist.”
“I heard you the first time, but that doesn’t change who you are. You would die to protect me. I know your true heart.”
“We’ll never be together. The last thing I want is a relationship.”
“I understand that’s your choice, but before we became lovers, we were friends. If you give me nothing else beyond the day you promised me, I want that friendship back.” She rubbed against him, one eyebrow raised as she encountered his hard cock. “See, and that is what I want right now.”
The need to make love to her one last time thrummed through him, but it would all be for nothing. “You have your whole life ahead of you, and it’s not with me.”
“Ah, but until dawn you’re all mine, and I’ve never known you to back out of an agreement.” Straddling his hips with her knees in the sand, she pulled the ties on the back of her dress and wriggled the fabric down until the soft cotton pooled at her waist. The cool night air tightened her nipples and made him hunger for more.
“You’re using seduction to get your way.”
“I certainly will if it works.” She pressed her breasts together. “Kiss them. I love feeling your mouth on my body.”
Seduction wouldn’t work on him. He rolled her over and came up on top, but when he tried to push up and away, she wrapped her legs around his waist, clutched his head and brought his mouth down to within a breath of those tantalizing mounds.
The sight of her creamy breasts sent his resolve scattering into the wind. He carefully cupped and eased them together then kissed each perfect bud. “I shouldn’t be doing this.”
“That’s your frustration talking. But if you truly want to stop”—she lowered her legs to the sand and spread her arms out wide—“then go. I’d never force you to make love to me. Just know I’ll keep your secret about your father and your birth. I would never judge you.”
“You give so selflessly.” Damn. Walking away from her would be impossible. She’d captivated him from the very beginning. What was one more night? He bent and devoured her breasts, licking and sucking each one in turn. “I wish I could be the man you need.”
“Does this mean you’re giving me a yes?” Arching into him, she stroked his scalp.
“Yes, until dawn, I’m all yours.”
“Thank you.” She unbuckled his belt, slid his zip down and freed him. “Because I want it hard and fast to start with. We could even call this make up sex. I’ve heard it’s fantastic.”
“It better not be.” He didn’t need the sex between them getting any hotter than it already was. He eased the hem of her dress up and rubbed his straining cock against her wet folds. “From now on, you never go out anywhere without any underwear on. That’s an order.”
“If you haven’t noticed, I stopped taking your orders the second I boarded the ship.” She cupped his butt and pulled him into her. “Make me scream, Hammers.
”
“We also need to talk about your desire to take control.” He pushed in deeper, until her hot heat pulsed around him. Ahh, he loved the way she held onto him.
“That feels so good. Don’t forget I want it hard.” Panting, she rocked underneath him. “Like really hard. Move. Now. Make me come.”
He claimed her lips and plundered her mouth while below, he plunged into her again and again.
“Oh, purrrfect.” She pushed her hips forward, meeting every single one of his thrusts. His cock throbbed on the verge of release, and as she cried out, he bellowed and sank balls-deep inside her. He came, pulse after pulse jetting from him until every ounce of his energy was gone.
He tipped to his side, rolled and brought her up on top.
With their bodies still joined and limbs tangled, all he wanted to do was lie like this with her forever.
“Sooo good.” Her eyelids fluttered shut and she sighed with a wide smile. “Make up sex is everything I’d hoped for.”
For him too, not that he’d ever tell her that. He closed his eyes. A few minutes’ rest wouldn’t hurt. Then he’d continue to love her throughout the remainder of the night.
He had until dawn, and he intended to make every moment count.
Chapter 5
The sun’s dawn rays crept over Saria and warmed her, not that she wasn’t already basking in the heat from Ben wrapped around her, and the sandy hollow they’d snuggled into a comfy cushion underneath. She opened her eyes to the new day and held perfectly still.
Ben’s long golden lashes swept his cheeks, and his lips tugged upward as he slept. He’d made love to her twice more during the night, those times achingly slow and with complete devotion.
Gently, she kissed his closed eyelids, cheeks and nose. He stirred and his arms banded tighter around her. “You are courageous and determined, Ben Hammers. Never a burden, only a pillar of strength. My lover, and the only one I ever want to take.”
He blinked, then flopped a hand over his eyes. “Ugh, too bright.”
“Did you hear what I said?” She rose up onto one elbow so her shadow covered his face. “Look at me.”
“I heard you.” He lifted his hand and his blue gaze speared on hers. “I’ll never want a wife, children, and all the trappings a family brings. We’re the exact opposite. You love caring for others. For heaven’s sakes, you’re a trained nurse. You don’t want to just care for those who you’re closest to, but anyone and everyone in your vicinity.”
“Wait up. I wasn’t asking for all the trappings, but stating a fact. I simply wanted you to know how much I’ve loved spending this time with you. And you care for others as much as I do. Putting your life on the line counts, and far more than anything I’ve ever done does.”
“As long as we understand each other.” He hauled the neckline of her white dress up, gripped the trailing ties and made a bow around her neck. Smoothly, he eased her hemline down and brushed the sand from her arms and legs.
“I understand.” No meant no, and he’d stated his preference loud and clear. “Thank you for the past day. It was incredibly special.”
“For me too.” He zipped his pants, straightened his shirt collar then pulled her to her feet. “Let’s get back to the ship. You have a trip scheduled to the mainland today.”
“And you’re going fishing.” She walked beside him along the shoreline. The frothy tipped waves rolled in and lapped her feet. The water both soothed and stung the odd scratch on her feet from her mad dash last night.
“Yeah, after I move my things into Brigs’s cabin. I’ll bunk down with him for the remainder of the trip.” His blue shirttails flapped free in the fresh sea breeze. “You’ll continue on with your life, and I’ll do the same with mine.”
“Ben, you’ve made your point loud and clear.” Heart heavy, she trekked out of the surf toward the tree line where the resort lay not far beyond. Right now, she didn’t care to hear how he wanted to distance himself from her. “I wanted to make an appointment with the doctor yesterday but got sidetracked. I should do that now. Could you let Lydia know I’m okay and I’ll get back to the ship as soon as I can?”
“I’m not leaving you alone in the middle of the jungle.” He lugged his cell phone from his pocket and made a call. “Tyler, it’s Ben. We’re on our way back, or we will be after a quick detour to the resort.” His gruff voice rumbled over her from close behind as she walked. “What time’s the flight?” A pause. “I’ll have her back by then. Talk to you again soon.”
Continuing on, she weaved through the trees.
“Tyler said the chopper leaves at nine sharp, and you and your sister have to check in every two hours.” He passed her then lifted a low branch blocking her way.
“Thanks for calling him.” She ducked underneath.
“Why the rush to see the doctor?”
“I need to get the hormone injection—ouch.” She grabbed her foot. She’d stood right on top of a spiky twig poking through the bracken.
“Here, I’ll carry you. I don’t know how you ran through here last night and didn’t get hurt.” He tossed her over his shoulder and her belly thumped into his rock hard shoulder.
“Ben,” she growled. “I’m sure there’s a better way to carry me than this.”
“Not when I need one hand free to move the branches.” He patted her backside. “Or to ensure you don’t slip out of my hold. You have the sweetest looking bottom by the way.”
“Yours is pretty hot too.” With a hand on each of his cheeks, she stroked his tight butt in slow circles. “More than hot.”
“Stop it.”
“You started it.”
“I’m not in the right state of mind. You’re without panties, and I haven’t forgotten. Let’s talk about something else.” He kept one hand firm around the back of her knees as he walked. “After the wedding, what do you intend to do?”
“That would be sailing back to Auckland. Are you catching a flight or coming with us?”
“Catching a flight. Work calls. What about after you return home?”
“Do you mean where am I going to live?”
“Exactly.”
“I’ve got a bit saved so I’ll find somewhere to rent, and look at you getting all worried about me. You need to snap out of that.” She gripped his back and eased herself up enough to loop her arms around his neck. The move made him lose his firefighter’s hold, and she slid down his chest and into his arms. “That’s better. A girl can get dizzy swinging around like that. Your penthouse apartment is right above your offices, isn’t it?” He’d mentioned it a couple of times.
“Yeah.”
“Your place must have a ton of space. Care for a roomie?”
“I live alone. Always have and always will.”
“Mmm, yet you’ve been living with me for a year.”
“There are times when I go where the jobs are, as in your case. We’re here.” He stepped out of the jungle and into the meadow. Sunshine bathed the tranquil spot. Gently, he set her on her feet.
“Thanks for the ride.” She reached onto her toes and kissed his cheek. “And I mean every single one of them.”
“Quit the sexy talk.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her along the coral sandstone path toward the main four-story building. Others strolled along the nearby trails weaving in and around the thatch-roofed bures.
Inside the main building on the lower floor, the glass fronted pharmacy where she needed to make her appointment held a sign saying it opened at nine. She wandered to the clinic next door, tested the knob and found the door locked.
Ben tapped his thigh. “It opens right when you need to be winging your way to the mainland.”
“Making an appointment will have to wait then. I’m not in a huge rush anyway, not since sex with you is off the cards.” The delicious scents of cooked meats and tropical fruits floated to her on the breeze and distracted her. Her belly rumbled and she rubbed it. “Mmm, I might eat here rat
her than on the ship.”
The open-air restaurant held a large servery in the center, while along the perimeter chefs attended four individual cooking stations.
“It’s busy, Saria. Can you handle that kind of a crowd?”
“Hospitals hold crowds, and I need to get used to being around lots of people.” She ran her fingers through her hair, tidying it as best as she could. Her dress wasn’t too wrinkled, and Ben looked as gorgeous as ever, no matter how he was dressed. “Want to join me?”
“I’m not letting you eat alone.” He set a hand at her lower back and guided her toward the short line of people waiting to be seated.
Two children bounced eagerly on their toes and tried to peer past their mother while their father stood next to them, a baby strapped in a capsule across his back. They were seated, and then the Polynesian woman wearing a yellow ankle-length island floral dress as all the waitresses did returned and welcomed them.
Ben’s voice was firm as he asked for a table in the far corner where it appeared quietest. He gave his name and their ship’s dock number for the bill as they took their seat.
Saria clutched her hands in her lap. This was far more crowded than the bridged walkway where she’d gotten jittery, but she wasn’t boxed in here. She breathed slowly, rolled her shoulders and found her inner peace.
“We can take our time.” Ben edged his chair closer to hers then tipped her chin up so she couldn’t look anywhere but at him. His smile lit his blue eyes. “We’ll go whenever you’re ready and not before. Tell me what your favorite breakfast food is.”
A wave of warmth crashed through her. He knew just how to divert her mind. She loved it when he fired questions at her. “Cheesy omelets. What’s yours?”
“I’m extremely partial to your bacon and eggs. I love the way you fry the bacon until it’s perfectly crispy.” He tucked a loose lock of her hair behind her ear. “My favorite dinner would be your spaghetti and meatballs.”
“You always have so much fun eating that dish. I loved watching you wind the spaghetti on your fork and then try to get it into your mouth without dropping any. Almost every time you took a bite, you’d get sauce right here.” She tapped his chin. “I always wanted to lick it off. I never said, but I did, so bad.”
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