Her spirits rose as she walked along. It was hard to be anything but happy in such a delightful setting. She'd wanted to see the South Pacific all her life, and now she was really here. Seeing it, experiencing it, living it. She was suddenly glad she hadn't been with Rob and the others when Dane had run them off. She wouldn't have missed this experience for anything. For a few days, she'd experience a different lifestyle than anything she was used to. She'd soak up memories to pull out in the winter days and remember how hot it had been on a tropical island once upon a time.
Though she was sure Dane didn't feel the same way. She wondered what he did think. He'd kissed her, rescued her from being hit by the truck, his arm had been around her longer than had really been necessary, her softness held against his strength for endless moments. She touched the place on her ribs where his hand had rested, reliving those few seconds, her heart pounding with the memory. It wouldn't have taken much for him to lean over and kiss her again.
She was getting obsessed with the man. Knowing wisely that it was probably due to the romance of the islands, she let herself extend the fantasy just a bit. No one would ever know and nothing would come of it. Her visit would end soon enough.
CHAPTER FOUR
When Mary-Kate reached the house, she went straight to her room and quickly changed into her swimsuit. The beach beckoned. She'd go to the private beach and swim and sunbathe and forget the disapproving island owner. She'd planned this vacation for months; she'd make the most of the unexpected situation. There was still a chance the Lombard’s would return for her and she’d be able to leave, so she'd better take advantage of the time she had at the beach.
As Mary-Kate approached the sand, her heart raced when she thought of Dane's kiss last night. It had been a surprise, over almost before she knew what was happening. She brushed her fingertips across her lips, remembering the shock of pleasure the kiss had brought.
He didn't seem to be a man of sudden impulse. He also didn't seem to like her. Not if all their subsequent encounters were anything to go by. She wasn't sure she liked him either.
But she was attracted to him. He was the most exciting and baffling man she'd ever met. He constantly filled her thoughts. She frowned; she really was getting obsessed with him.
She spread her towel on the hot sand and shrugged out of her flimsy cover-up. It was pleasant at the water's edge. The light breeze from the sea cooled her skin; the soft slap of the waves was hypnotic. The hot sun shone from a cloudless sky. It was a heavenly day. A travel brochure could not capture a more perfect setting, she thought idly as she absorbed the scene, letting the tranquility and serenity envelop her.
Mary-Kate walked around the curve of the beach, swam in the warm water, lay basking in the sun, totally relaxed. It was much better than being on the Lombard yacht. She'd learned quickly that the tutoring idea had been that of Rob's parents, not the young man in question. All he wanted to do was drink, and chase girls. A child of entitlement, he didn't seem to care about the future, only having fun in the present.
Mary-Kate had been only half a dozen years older than the others on the boat, yet next to them she'd felt ancient. Maybe it had to do with money and that entitlement they seemed to share. She'd worked her way through college and still had to budget carefully to make ends meet. While the Lombard’s had loads of money, they seemed to take on very little responsibility. In a truly hedonistic manner, they moved blithely through life, doing just as they pleased, concerned for no one and certainly not for the future.
As a teenager, she'd fantasized about marrying a rich man, as all girls did, but had changed her mind once she saw how these people behaved. If all rich men were like Rob or his father, she knew she didn't want to know any more. She didn't need wealth; she wanted someone she could depend on, someone hardworking, reliable and honest. Someone who contributed, that didn't just take.
Someone like Dane Carmichael, her traitorous mind suggested.
She pushed the thought firmly away. No way! First of all, he himself had to be rich--he owned an entire island. Then he thought all women wanted the bright lights of a busy city. Had that been his fiancée’s reason for leaving? Nora said she'd preferred Honolulu and San Francisco. Did he condemn all women because of one experience?
Mary-Kate rolled over on her towel and unfastened the back of her top after glancing all around to make sure she was alone. She'd work on her tan, determined to forget all about her reluctant host for the time being. She felt totally daring with her top undone. She wouldn't do such at thing in Iowa. But here, she was free and daring to do a few things differently.
When Mary-Kate awoke, the sun was low in the sky. She'd slept most of the afternoon. Without her watch, she didn't know how late it was, but it must be close to dinnertime. She scrambled up, fumbling with her top, tying the string. Her back was tight and hot. The small grains of sand clinging to her bathing suit scratched the sensitive skin. She'd donned sunscreen, but it apparently hadn't been enough.
By the time Mary-Kate reached the French doors to her bedroom, she knew she had a bad case of sunburn. Her back, shoulders and legs all stung as she walked. The light cover-up felt like sandpaper as it brushed against her skin when she moved. Every step became one of agony.
Quickly stripping, she took a cool shower, the water turned on low, dribbling out. Even the low flow was uncomfortable on her hot skin, but the coolness felt good and she was able to wash away the salt water and sand.
A glance in the mirror when she'd finished confirmed her worst fears; she was as red as a lobster! It would get worse, too, since the full effect usually wasn't realized until several hours later.
She pulled on panties and one of Dane's soft cotton shirts she was using to sleep in. The soft cotton was almost more than she could bear. Gingerly she sat on her bed, the backs of her legs screaming in protest. Carefully she rolled over and lay on her stomach, the relief not total, but it eased the pain a little.
She'd been a fool to fall asleep in the sun with no further protection than a coat of sunscreen. She had no one to blame but herself, which didn't help. It didn't make the pain more tolerable. Mary-Kate wondered how long it would be before the sting left.
Slowly the minutes dragged by. Her whole being was focused on the throbbing sting of the sunburn. She lay still, willing her back to feel better, willing the heat to dissipate and her skin to become less sensitive.
"Mary-Kate?" Dane's voice called through her door. She hesitated to respond, knowing his comments about her foolishness would only add to her own self-condemnation. She debated answering, but the moment passed. He did not call again.
"Missy?" Nora knocked on the door a few minutes later, then cracked it open. Spotting Mary-Kate on the bed, she pushed into the room. She took one look at Mary-Kate and said,
"Oh, you poor child, just look at you! Olihalui, I have something that will help. Hold tight, missy." She shuffled out, leaving the door open.
If she did have something to ease the sting, it would be wonderful. Anything to stop the pain. Mary-Kate was hot, uncomfortable, and thirsty. She was always thirsty here, but now even more so. The effort to push herself off the bed and get a glass of water from the bathroom was almost too much; the soft skin behind her knees seemed to crinkle as she walked. The tap water was warm, but quenched her thirst. She drank it in front of the mirror. One side of her face was flaming red, while the other was pale. She looked a sight.
Dane strode into the room just as Mary-Kate left the bathroom.
"Oh!" she said, embarrassed to face him, conscious of her minimum clothing.
"What in hell have you done now?" he asked, his eyes narrowed as he took in her face.
"I stayed in the sun too long." She had intended to reply audaciously, but her voice cracked and the answer was almost tearful. His face softened slightly and he moved swiftly over the bare floor. His hand on her shoulder to turn her elicited a sharp wince.
"What the...?" He moved behind her. "Oh, honey, I expect you're in a lot
of discomfort."
Mary-Kate's heart lurched at the endearment, at the sympathy she heard. She met his eyes, hers wide with hurt and pain. He wasn't laughing and he wasn't condemning. His voice sounded compassionate, sympathetic. It was totally unexpected. A scathing comment on her stupidity would have been more in character.
"I am. Nora said she had something..."
"Aloe. The plant grows here, and will be wonderful for easing the heat and softening your skin; you'll feel better soon. I'll hurry her up." Dane gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder and left.
Mary-Kate limped to the French doors, looking out on the colorful lanai, but was unable to appreciate the gorgeous view. Once again she'd made a fool of herself before the self-sufficient, competent Dane Carmichael. Any idiot knew the hot tropical sun was dangerous. Earlier he had told her she needed a hat; it would look more like she needed a keeper. Here she was, twenty-seven years old, and acting like an irresponsible little kid. Maybe she should give up her summer plans and return to Iowa. She was never tempted to lie in the sun there.
The soft slap, slap of Nora's sandals sounded as she came down the hall to Mary-Kate's room. "Here, this should help." In her arms she carried a large spiky plant with fat mottled-green leaves. Placing the plant on the bedside table, she broke off one of the long, plump leaves and ran her thumbnail up to the point, exposing the gelatinous pulp.
Scooping some on her fingers, she smiled at Mary-Kate. "Turn around; this aloe will fix you right up."
The goo was cool, cold, bringing instant relief to Mary-Kate's hot, tight skin. Nora coated her legs, up her back, lifting the shirt out of the way.
"Now Mr. Dane's at dinner, you can take this shirt off, and I'll get your back and shoulders, and you'll feel much better. Don't you be worrying; he isn't going to be barging in on us."
Mary-Kate held the T-shirt to her chest, the fresh, cool aloe soaking into her skin: The relief was heavenly.
"Thank you, Nora. It feels better already." Mary-Kate was a little disappointed that Dane himself had not returned. But then, he was certainly too busy to bother with an unwanted visitor who was too dumb to stay out of the hot sun
"You're welcome. Dane told me to fix you up good. He knew you'd be more comfortable with me than him, with the burn over so much of your back. Let this dry, then you can put your T-shirt back on and be able to sit down. I'll bring you your dinner."
"I'm sorry to be so much trouble," Mary-Kate said apologetically to the older woman.
"Don't be thinking that. I'm glad to help. It's a common thing with visitors here on the islands. Everyone wants to get dark as fast as they can, forgetting there's no fast way to get brown."
"Dane must think I'm a fool," Mary-Kate couldn't help saying.
"Now we don't know what Mr. Dane's thinking, do we?" Nora smiled, and went to get Mary-Kate's dinner.
Mary-Kate ate her dinner alone; upset she'd also blown her chance to have dinner with Dane. She ate alone at home, but usually had a book to read or TV to watch. Here she had a beautiful view to look out on. It was totally different from Iowa. She wondered what it would be like to take all the island had to offer for granted, to know it was your home and that you would always have this beauty to enjoy—the soft breezes, endless sandy beaches and swaying palms.
Mary-Kate began to think of what she would do if she lived here. She'd fix up the house first of all, making it more friendly and warm for Dane. Maybe she could help around the office. She was a whiz at math; surely there'd be something she could do with that? Or teach the children? They must have a school. Would there be any job openings?
When it grew dark, Mary-Kate went to bed, carefully lying on her stomach. She fell quickly asleep, but awoke in the night, her back again stinging, hot, hurting, the discomfort waking her. She tried to find a comfortable position, but gave it up as a lost cause.
Flicking on the light, Mary-Kate climbed out of bed and broke off a spike from the aloe plant, copying what Nora had done. She soothed the cool gel on her legs, the pain leaving immediately. If only she could reach her back!
There was a soft knock on her door.
She peeked out, cautiously opening the door when she saw Dane standing before her. He was clad in a pair of hastily pulled on cutoffs. His muscular chest and shoulders were directly in front of her eyes, strong, solid. His face was in shadow and she narrowed her gaze trying to see him. She licked her lips, her gaze drawn to his muscular body. Her fingers tingled in their desire to reach out and touch him, feel his muscles move beneath her hands, feel the warmth of his skin, the springing hair that grew down his chest toward his shorts. She drew a shaky breath, clamping down firmly on her imagination.
"Are you all right?" Dane asked when she remained silent.
"Sure." She forced her gaze up to his strong jaw, faint stubble already showing in the lamplight, up to his silvery gray eyes gleaming in the dim light. Forcing her eyes up, she met the curious, worried look in his.
"Actually, I'm not. The sunburn woke me up," she confessed, hating to do so, but honestly, if he could help, she'd welcome some relief.
"What did Nora do with the aloe plant?"
Mary-Kate turned and gestured to her bedside table. "It's here; I used some of it on my legs, but I can't reach my back."
"Nora's gone home long ago, so it'll have to be me." Dane walked across to her bed and broke off a pulpy spear from the plant. He watched her slowly cross the room, smiling sardonically. "Now this is a dilemma for the old-maid schoolteacher, isn't it? The moral inappropriateness of disrobing before the wild pineapple baron in the middle of the night versus chastely remaining dressed and suffering needlessly."
She laughed at his words. “You make it sound like some gothic novel.” Her heart rate increased, as she considered taking off the shirt in front of him.
"I'll even turn around to keep your modesty intact. Though the way you're always flaunting your near-naked body around me, maybe you don't feel the need?"
"I hardly flaunt anything," she protested as she watched him turn his back to her. Quickly she whipped off the nightshirt and snugly tucked it beneath her arms, chest covered. Turning she took a breath.
"Okay." She kept her back to him, emotions churning at his nearness.
Dane was silent for a long moment, but, just when she was about to look over her shoulder to see what he was doing, Mary-Kate felt the cool, soothing gel from the plant on her hot skin.
His fingers were gentle and smooth as he spread the remedy over her shoulders, over her back. His hand was warm; she could feel his touch through the gelatinous substance. Smoothing over her back, tracing her spine, slipping along the sides where the skin was not burned, his fingers were warm against her heated skin. Tantalizing in their touch, the feel of them skimming across her body caused her breathing to suffer. She forgot about her sunburn, her legs began trembling. She'd never felt so aware of a man as she did him.
Mary-Kate felt ripples of delight through her entire body, though his fingers barely skimmed her back. His touch brought her unknown longings, a strong desire to turn around and draw him to her. To feel his lips against hers again, to feel his lips on her body, kissing away the hurt of the sunburn, kissing her to the heights of passion.
She moved; this had to stop—it was too dangerous to her peace of mind. If she ever tried anything like that, he'd probably laugh himself silly and then accuse her once again of trying to land him as if he were some kind of trophy to win.
"Umm, thank you," she murmured, stepping away, at once both yearning for him to continue and knowing he'd have to stop and leave before she did something she'd forever regret.
"Feeling better?" he said softly, his fingers resting on the small of her back. His hand was warm, his touch burning in a way the sunburn never could.
No, she wasn't feeling better, she was feeling hot and breathless and passionate and shy. But she couldn't tell him that.
"Thank you, my back is much better." Her voice broke and she took another step, breaking
contact. Would he leave now? She needed to pull her shirt on back on, regain some semblance of normality. Impossible with his steady gaze. The silence dragged on and Mary-Kate chided herself for acting like one of the giggling teenagers in her classroom. Heavens, he'd surely seen a woman before. The sight of her would hardly drive him wild with passion and lust.
"Are you thirsty?" he asked.
"Yes, I can't seem to get enough to drink."
"The few times I've been sunburned, I've been very thirsty. I'll get you something."
She heard him move away move down the hall. Darting a glance behind her to make sure she was alone, she quickly donned the T-shirt, her relief almost tangible. For a reckless moment she wished she wore a glamorous diaphanous nightgown that would drive men wild, instead of his huge T-shirt. Sad to say she'd never owned such a nightgown. Wouldn't even know where to go in her hometown to buy one. And it would hardly drive men wild.
She drew the sheets up and moved away from the bed. The proximity of the man and her bed were too tempting. She needed some space. Mary-Kate opened the French doors and stepped out onto the lanai. The air was cool, fragrant with the blossoms surrounding the house. The leaves and petals of the bright flowers cascading from their containers stirred slightly in the nighttime breeze. The bright moon contended with the light spilling from her doorway to illuminate the lanai, giving everything a silver sheen. The tall palms were silhouetted sentinels guarding the island paradise. Mary-Kate took a deep breath, enraptured with the setting. It was so different from Iowa.
Dane found her there, feasting her eyes on the scene, trying to imprint each moonlit detail to memory. She wouldn't always have such sight to enjoy. She wanted to treasure every moment for the long, cold winters of home.
"Here you go—iced tea and hot chocolate."
"Iced tea sounds great, but why hot chocolate?" She reached for the glass and greedily drank down the icy beverage. Who would've thought she'd spend a romantic evening beneath the moonlight in the South Pacific with a good-looking, sexy man while wearing an oversize T-shirt and so hurting from sunburn she could scarcely move, much less conjure up a romantic scene?
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