Destination Romance

by Barbara McMahon

  'I apologize I didn't call you or write you–I just need to be on my own.'

  'Not totally on your own. You’re a part of my life, my family. If you need anything from me, I will provide it.'

  'Thank you, Aunt Margaret.'

  Katie hung up the phone, touched by her aunt's last comment. It was the closest she would come to lending tacit approval to her niece's activities. Katie wished they had been closer. But her aunt was not a very warm, nurturing person, and had never sought close ties with her niece. She was quite self-sufficient and content with her own life the way she had structured it. Katie knew she’d been a disruption to Margaret’s life when she ended up living with her after her parent’s death. She sometimes wondered how life would have been if her parents had lived.

  Katie sank down on the sofa, at a loss as to what to do next. If she ventured out, she could run into Michael. Yet if she didn’t, she was letting him run her life again, and that was something she refused to do.

  Blast Michael. She was making a life without him, was trying to live on her own. How dare he intrude without invitation, entrenching himself in her thoughts, invading her peace and evoking longings she didn't want. Why had he returned to Key West? Just to plague her?

  Lying back against the cushions, she closed her eyes, immediately seeing Michael as she'd seen him today, casually attired, his attention on her. He seemed different. Younger without the stress he lived under.

  His touch brought reactions she'd hadn't had in years–several years actually. His kisses were exciting, had her yearning for more. His very touch brought responses she couldn't deny. Was it Michael, or her, or the magic of Key West?

  Why wouldn't he go away and leave her alone?

  Resting her head back on the sofa, she let the warm afternoon air blowing in from the window calm her. There was a hint of sweet fragrance, drifting on the breeze from the frangipani that grew in abundance, so pleasant, so soothing. It was an idyllic spot—if only Michael hadn't come.

  What was she going to do?

  Determination born of a strong resolve moved her to action. She refused to hide out. She'd do what she damn well pleased and ignore Michael. Or maybe see how far he’d go to infiltrate her new life. Could he stay the course?

  Katie freshened up, changed into her swimsuit and a fresh pair of shorts and top, and wheeled out her bike. She rode slowly up Duval Street. She'd see if she could find any of her friends, and maybe go swimming or just grab a snack somewhere and talk.

  She saw Rick parked in his cab along the curb, and rode over to him.

  'Hi, Katie, what's up?' he called.

  'Hi.' She stopped by his window, keeping a wary eye out for oncoming traffic. 'Looking for something to do; have you seen anyone around? I'm looking for a game of volleyball or someone to go swimming with.'

  'Saw Jim a while ago, walking towards home. He seems down. Don't know why he'd be home so early in the day unless he's sick. I'm off this shift at four; we might get a volleyball game together then.'

  'Okay. I'll find Jim. Look for us when you're off,' Katie told him.

  She waved and pushed off, quickly cycling the few blocks to the two story, spread out apartment house where Jim lived. Locking her bike in one of the bike-racks that were spaced randomly along the pavements, she entered the courtyard and headed for his apartment door.

  'Hi, Katie, what brings you here?' Jim opened the door, surprised to see her.

  She looked at him; he had loosened his tie, shed his suit jacket and looked worn out. 'What's up with you home this early? Are you sick?'

  'My big deal fell through; they decided to go to Miami. The principles decided they wanted a bigger bank, not the likes of little Key West. Dammit'

  He hit his fist against the wall. 'Come in. Maybe you can cheer me up. I'll never get anywhere in this backwater. I worked damned hard on that deal, too. I really thought it was a shoe-in.'

  'Oh, I'm so sorry.' Katie knew how hard he’d worked on that particular piece of business; it was all he’d talked about for the last few weeks. He'd been so proud to be involved on a business venture the magnitude of this one. She sat on the edge of one of his chairs as Jim paced the small living room.

  'Same old story. Everyone wants bigger and better. Our bank just won't make it. I've got to get off this island. I'll go crazy if I don't.' He looked over at her, narrowing his gaze.

  'What about your friend Michael? I heard he was back. He must do okay where he works to afford to stay at the Monarch. Could he put in a word for me somewhere? Does he know any bankers? Networking’s the key.'

  Katie leaned back in her chair, her thoughts spinning. Of course Michael used big banks, and the deals he made put Jim's efforts in the shade. Her husband was used to dealing in tens of millions of dollars, had letters of credit for several of the largest banks in Boston and New York.

  Not that she could ask for his help. She was trying to separate herself from the man, not put herself in his debt. She dare not ask a favor at this point.

  She shook her head slowly. 'I don't think so.'

  'Oh, please, Katie, help me out,' Jim urged. 'I'm dying down here. I've got to get into something better and without some kind of connection I don't have a chance. Can't you at least ask?' His face reflected his desperation, his tone beseeching.

  Katie hesitated. The last thing she wanted was to be in Michael's debt. Yet she didn’t want to explain the situation to Jim–it would be too long and involved. Even then, Jim might not understand. All he wanted was help from any source.

  She knew if Jim had the right connections, he’d go far. He was driven, conscientious and hardworking. To have friends, she needed to be friends. And it wouldn’t take much for Michael to put a good work in at a couple of places.

  'I guess I could ask him,' she said slowly.

  She’d rather do almost anything than ask a favor, but Jim put her on the spot. She glanced at him again. His face lost some of the anger and frustration that had been there moments before. He seemed almost excited again.

  'Great, thanks, Katie. If he knows anyone it would be a help. Will you ask him today?'

  'The next time I see him,' she stalled. Maybe she wouldn't see him for a few days. Maybe Jim would feel better abut things later and it wouldn't be so important to him.

  'Want to go to the beach? Rick's looking for others for a game.' Katie changed the subject.

  'Yeah, might as well. I’ll get on my suit.'

  He talked to her through the open door as he changed, telling her how his deal had fallen through; how the investors at the last moment revealed they’d been unsure about his bank and had already been negotiating with a larger bank.

  'It's the last straw, Katie. I just can't continue to live down here. It's driving me crazy,' he said.

  She'd known he was unhappy and discontent with the slower pace of life in Key West. Ever since she'd met him, he'd been talking of doing big things just to get the recognition he felt he needed to move to a bigger city, a bigger job and a chance at life in the fast lane.

  Michael could definitely help him, if he would. She didn't know how to ask, however. She tried to picture various scenarios for asking. Should she seek him out or wait until they happened to be together? Should she hint around, hoping he'd rise to the bait, or just flatly ask for the favor?

  She sighed; she hated doing it, however she approached it. Would he give her a straight yes or no? Or cross-examine her the way he did the businessmen he dealt with on important issues? Flat out refuse unless she returned to Boston.

  'Ready.' Jim had changed to shorts, a cotton shirt left open covered his shoulders and arms, and he wore sandals on his feet.

  He gave her a hug when she stood.

  'You're great to help me out, Katie. I really appreciate it.'

  'No problem.' At least she hoped it wouldn’t be a problem.

  A horn tooted as they stepped out onto the sidewalk and she turned around, Jim's arm companionably across her shoulder. Rick's cab drew to the curb an
d he grinned at them.

  'Want a ride? Free to friends as of now. I’m almost finished for today. Climb in.'

  Debbie and Marlise were in the front with Rick. When Jim opened the back door, Katie started to climb in, startled to find Michael's dark eyes glittering across at her. She paused, then slid into the back seat, scooting across to the middle to give Jim room. She had to move right up to Michael; the heat of his body felt from shoulder to knee. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, looked quickly away when she saw his penetrating look. He seemed angry.

  Now what had she done? Or was he just mad because she'd escaped his surveillance for a few hours?

  'Hello, Michael,' she said. To remain silent would cause comment from the others.

  'Katie. Jim.' His voice was neutral, but the glitter in his eyes showed strong emotion.

  Katie shivered despite the heat and she looked out of Jim's window. She felt oddly vulnerable, sad almost. She didn't want Michael mad at her. He'd said they should keep their separation friendly; could they do that?

  'Michael's up for volleyball, too,' Rick said as he pulled away from the curb. 'Some of the others will meet us there. If we don't have enough, we'll pick up some players from people on the beach.'

  Jim nudged her; when she looked up at him he nodded towards Michael. Katie gave a quick jerk of her head to indicate she knew what he meant, but she had to ask in her own time. And that time was certainly not now in a car full of people. She wanted to be alone with Michael when she requested his help. There was no telling what he would say and she didn't want to be in front of others when he replied.

  The day was warm, but the heat Katie felt was not due entirely to the weather. The car was close, even with all the windows open, and the side of her body felt scorched by Michael's touch. She swallowed hard, trying to ignore him, trying to listen to the light-hearted banter in the front seat. But every sense was attuned to Michael.

  His legs were slightly spread, his thigh brushing against hers, moving imperceptibly against her soft skin. She tried to move her legs, but the confined space of the car didn't allow much leeway. She threw him a warning look, but he was staring straight ahead, a slight smile on his lips.

  When Rick turned, Michael slid slowly into Katie, his weight resting against her for a minute. She caught her breath, his face only inches from her own.

  'Sorry,' he murmured, moving to the corner, yet letting his arm continue to touch hers, his leg never leaving hers.

  Katie could scarcely breathe. Nerve-endings tingled as her awareness of the body beside her grew. His hands were mere inches from her own tanned legs; he had only to move a fraction and he could caress her.

  She drew in a sharp breath. If this didn't stop, she'd explode. Where were they? How much further to the beach?

  They paid the fee to enter the Fort Zachary Taylor Park—the ruins of the old fort from the Civil War. The beach was one of the favorites around town and they used it often.

  At least she could get out of the car, away from such close proximity to Michael. He hadn't said a word to her since they'd set off. She should be so lucky to have that continue.

  Jim nudged her again, wagging his eyebrows, urging her to talk with Michael.

  She sighed, about to scream with exasperation. She only wanted to get away from Michael, from the suffocation she felt near him, and Jim continued to pressure her. She would do it, but at the time of her choosing.

  'Okay, you guys set up while I turn the cab in. I'll be back as soon as I can get here,' Rick said as he dropped them near the beach. Debbie and Michael hauled the volleyball net and poles from the trunk, Katie grabbed the bag that contained the ball and towels, standing as far from Michael as she could. If she took a few deep breaths her heart rate should settle down–she hoped.

  Following the others to the beach, she was still trying to decide how and when to ask Michael. Jim dropped back.

  'You’re going to ask him, aren't you?' he said.

  'Yes, give me a little time; I want to get a positive answer, not just blurt out the question. I said I'd do it, and I will.' She was abrupt, but her nerves were already stretched tight and she didn't need more pressure from Jim.

  'Okay. It's just so important to me.'

  Katie tried to remember that as she smiled at her friend. 'I know it is. I don't know if he can give any help, but I'll ask when I think the time is right.'

  Katie watched as the men set up the net, standing a bit apart from Debbie and Marlise, her eyes following Michael as he worked. Planting the pole and stringing the nets was short work for a man of his stature. He looked as much at home at the beach as he did in his office.

  What would be the best way to ask him? The question replayed itself in her mind like a broken record. Would he refuse outright? Or make some sort of demand in return? She wished Jim had never brought up the subject. Why couldn't he ask himself? He was the one who wanted the favor, after all.

  When Michael finished setting up the net, he turned, his eyes clashing with Katie's. Holding her gaze, he walked over to her until he stood so close that she had to tilt her head back to see him.

  'What's with you and Jim?' he asked, his voice cold.

  She blinked at him, surprised at the question.

  'He's one of my friends here. You met him before.'

  'How close a friend? You were coming from his apartment with his arm around you when we drove up.'

  'Oh, that.’ She stalled for time. She didn't want to blurt out her request; she wanted time to work up to it gradually. 'I was waiting for him to change. And told him I'd do something for him, and he was glad, that's all. I didn't expect to see you here.'

  He glanced around, looking back directly at her. 'I told you I'd be around,' he reminded her softly.

  He shrugged out of his shirt; his shorts rode low on his hips, his skin still not darkly tanned, but the pink had changed to brown. Katie looked at him, dragged her eyes away and stared at the net. She couldn't think with him so near. Every nerve tingled this close to the man.

  'I don't want to get burned.' He handed her a bottle of sunscreen and turned his back to her.

  She stared at him, her heart starting a slow, heavy pounding. Pouring some of the lotion on her hand, she tentatively reached out and spread it over his shoulders.

  His skin was warm from the sun, the muscles firm and supple beneath her touch. Her fingers smoothed the lotion, reveling in the touch of his skin, the leashed strength she felt. She poured more lotion, dropped the bottle to the sand and used both hands to smooth the sunscreen over his broad back. Her hands moved over his shoulders, down to his tapering waist and to the top of his low-riding shorts; up again, over the muscles beside his backbone, along the powerful ones of his shoulders, down again. She stopped thinking, only felt the pleasure of his skin, the delight her hands enjoyed against him.

  Katie's emotions were in turmoil. Her hands enjoyed touching this man, drawing the heat from his body and the sun into her own, moving over the fine sculpture of his back, touching him, helping him. Yet she dared not let him know it.

  Abruptly, Michael turned to face her, stopping and picking up the bottle. He took her hand and poured more lotion into it.

  'Do my chest,' he ordered.

  She rubbed her two hands together to distribute the lotion, then slowly reached out to spread it on his skin. She knew instantly that it had been a mistake. The intimacy of facing him and spreading lotion on his chest was ten times that of spreading it on his back. She kept her eyes firmly on the task at hand, refusing to look up to meet his gaze, though she could feel his eyes burning down at her. Concentrating on breathing, hoping her erratic heartbeat wasn't clearly visible to him, she reached out.

  She smoothed the lotion over his shoulders, then down again to tangle her fingers in the crisp dark hair covering his chest. When her fingers brushed his nipples, Michael drew in a sharp breath. Startled, Katie's eyes flew up to lock with his. She snatched her hands away as if they were on fire.

&n
bsp; His hands covered hers and drew them back to his chest, while his eyes stared down into hers. Slowly she moved her hands against him, up and down, pulling slightly against the hair on his chest, avoiding his nipples, trying to break the hold he had on her. She felt drawn into a swirling vortex from which she didn't think she could escape.

  Her hands had a life of their own, moving as they willed over his hot skin, touching him, caressing him, conscious that her touch was affecting Michael as much as it was her. Her body longed for his touch, longed for him to caress her–as she was caressing him. Her breathing became restricted and she opened her lips for more breath, her eyes looking at Michael's mouth. Would he kiss her? Her lips tingled in anticipation, in longing.

  'Sweet hell, Katherine, that's what you're putting me through.' His voice was low, soft, carrying only to her ears. 'If there weren't dozens of people around I'd make love to you right here and now.' His hand covered hers, stopping their wanderings. His fingers laced through hers and he held their hands against his skin, his eyes meeting hers again, the longing and desire clearly evident.

  Katie drew a deep, shaky breath, reason starting to penetrate. Slowly she shook her head, wanting to deny her feelings, wanting to deny him. But no sound came to her lips.

  'Hey, you two, are you going to play volleyball or what?' Rick's amused voice carried over the pounding in Katie's ears. Had he returned already? How long has she and Michael been there?

  She snatched her hands back and looked over toward the net. There were several people set up to play. Obvious gaps showed where she and Michael should join in.

  With a quick, uncertain peek at Michael, she moved to join Jim and Debbie’s side near the net. Michael joined the opposing team. Both he and Jim played the game to win. Several times during the game Katie was struck with the similarity between the two of them. Jim was young yet, but determined and competitive. Most of them were playing for the fun of the contest, but not Jim and Michael. Their will to win dominated their game. Jim would easily fit in to Michael's world. She only had to give him the assistance, ask the favor of Michael, and get him to agree.