Destination Romance

by Barbara McMahon

  "Just how it was furnished. It's very nice," she told him lamely. He stared down into her eyes; she couldn't look away.

  "I don't know who you are, Mary-Kate, or what you're up to. You tantalize me, then retreat. Are you a tease, or genuine?"

  "Neither, just an unwanted guest. I'd better go," she said, pulling ineffectively against his hand.

  Her eyes moved, locked with his. She couldn't look away, couldn't draw back. His fingers gentled against the sensitive skin of her arm. His eyes gazed down into hers, and slowly his head lowered. Involuntarily Mary-Kate rose to meet him. His lips were cool, firm, familiar. With a soft sigh, Mary-Kate gave herself up to the enjoyment of his embrace.

  His hand moved to her back, the slight sting of sunburn was lost in the excitement of his touch. Mary-Kate moved closer, savoring the feel of his hard chest pressing against her, his strong legs braced to hold them both. Her hands crept up to the column of his neck, threading through his thick, sun-streaked hair. Her fingers had a will of their own as finally they could touch as they had longed to. His skin was warm, smooth, and tight over supple muscles, his hair thick and springy.

  Dane released her mouth and placed hot kisses along her neck, tilting her head for the vulnerable pulse in her throat.

  "Are you staying?" he asked softly.

  With a start, Mary-Kate pulled back. Her breasts were swollen with desire; there was a longing deep within her she'd never felt before. It would be so easy to stay, so glorious.

  But she couldn't. She didn't know this man well enough for such intimacy. She'd be leaving soon, and the fewer mistakes she made, the less she'd have to regret.

  "No... I can't..." She stepped back, and his arms released her without protest. Turning, Mary-Kate fled. Gaining her own room, she stood in the dark for long moments breathing fast, fingers across her lips, wondering if he'd come after her. Yearning for him to do so, afraid he would. She was strongly attracted to him. Who wouldn't be? He was sexy, virile, and handsome as the devil, a man of power and direction. Incredibly good-looking, with his dark hair, tanned skin and light eyes, he drew her like a magnet.

  Strong attraction was merely physical. He didn't care for her. Sexual attraction, no matter how strong, wasn't enough for Mary-Kate. She wanted love, and love had to be a two-way street.

  But one night with Dane Carmichael would probably be glorious!

  When Mary-Kate awoke the next morning, she felt better. Her back was still sensitive, but the pain and discomfort had gone. After her shower she dressed in a bright blue and pink sundress. It was slightly snugger than the others she had worn, and fitted her as if it had been made with her in mind. Her hair curled around her face, her eyes sparkled, but she refused to think about why. One cheek was a darker tan than the other, but she'd make an effort to keep the pale side in the sun over the next few days and even it out.

  Dane had finished breakfast and gone when Mary-Kate entered the dining room. Her face lit with a big grin, however, when she saw the hat and sun tan lotion at her place. There was a note.

  Wear the hat if you go out. The lotion should protect you.

  She tried the hat on. It was pink and white and had a wide, floppy brim. Setting it on her head, she looked for a mirror. It was cute. Where had he come up with it?

  She ate breakfast, and went to the study to get another book, one on skin diving. Mary-Kate had read several during the spring, once she had signed up as a tutor for the Lombard’s and known she'd be in the South Pacific. She had wanted to try some diving in Hawaii. The water was clear and warm with hundreds of varieties of fish and plants, ideal for skin diving. But there had never been time. She wondered if Dane had any of the equipment.

  It was pleasant to sit on the shaded lanai, to feel the cool ocean breeze and read her book, or gaze off into the distance. The breeze seemed stronger than usual, blowing straight from the sea it kept her cool. The morning passed swiftly. Before she knew it Nora brought her a fruit salad and some warm rolls for lunch.

  The afternoon stretched out before her, and Mary-Kate debated whether she dared try the beach again, this time lathered up and protected, beneath that umbrella he'd told her about. She heard the jeep.

  She watched as Dane barreled around the last curve and came to an abrupt stop before the lanai, leaving gravel spurting. He climbed down and walked over to Mary-Kate.

  She watched as he approached, suddenly aware of happiness bubbling up within her at the sight of him. Watch it, she warned herself; it would never do to fall in love with him. He'd made his feelings very plain.

  "The surfs up, and some of us are going surfing; want to come?" he asked, pulling a chair up beside her and sitting on its edge.

  "I don't surf."

  "If you want to learn you can try it, if not, you can watch."

  "Are you going now, in the middle of the afternoon?"

  "Sure; the tide is right and the wind's stronger than it has been lately. Should make for good waves for this time of year. Winter's the best time for the big waves. Get on your swimsuit; I'll be ready to leave in a few minutes."

  Mary-Kate hurried to change, startled at Dane's enthusiasm. Gone was the disapproving man she'd last seen. He seemed almost like a kid playing hooky for the day.

  She pulled on her swimsuit what there was to it. She'd never wear it in Iowa. She put on her cover-up, wishing it were longer, thicker. A nice floor-length terry-cloth robe would be just the thing, she thought. But this was Manahakaloi, not Ames, Iowa, and she was on vacation. She grabbed her hat, the sunscreen lotion, a towel, and hurried back to the lanai.

  Dane was already waiting, wearing cutoffs and a T-shirt. He turned when he heard Mary-Kate, his eyes appraising as she walked quickly toward him. His eyes traveled down the length of her, lingering on her long, silky legs.

  Dane reached out and took the lotion from her, gently pushing one shoulder to turn her around. "Take off your cover-up and I'll put lotion on your back here. Easier than at the beach and you don't want to get burned again." His voice was gruff.

  Mary-Kate complied, instantly feeling shy and self-conscious. Her suit was very skimpy. The bra was only small wisps of bright hot-pink material covering her full breasts. The pants were low cut, revealing almost more than they concealed. When swimming, she sometimes wondered if they'd come off. But of course they hadn't.

  The touch of his fingers smoothing on the suntan lotion was soft and gentle. Her skin responded to his touch, nerve endings quivering, clamoring for more. He could smooth lotion all over her body.

  Mary-Kate willed herself to stand still, not to give in to the weakness that invaded her knees, to ignore the sudden increase in her heart rate. Breathe in, breathe out.

  Her senses focused on the feel of Dane's fingers as they traced patterns of delight across her back, along her waist, to the top of her briefs like small flames competing with the fiery heat of the sun. Maybe she should go in and lie down, until this feeling passed. She almost giggled at the nonsense. She had a chance to learn to surf. She wasn't going to mess that up.

  Dane's hands smoothed, soothed, kindled a flame over every inch he touched. Tracing her spine, his touch changed; it no longer soothed, but instead ignited sparks. When his hand continued down, she moved slightly, unable to stand placidly. Had he any idea the torment he was causing?

  "Here." He thrust the bottle into her hand, and moved away, his face averted. "Finish up, and let's go."

  Mary-Kate spread the lotion on her legs and stomach. Conscious of his eyes watching her, she took her time, drawing out the movements, showing off just a little as she propped her foot on the chair, smoothed the lotion slowly over her tanned legs—taking perverse pleasure in behaving as teasing as she knew how. She wondered if he had been immune to the sensations his touch had caused.

  "For God's sake, finish up and let's go!" Dane's voice was ragged.

  Putting on the cover-up as soon as she was finished, she gathered her things and, without looking at Dane, climbed into the jeep, satisfaction de
ep and complete. She needed to remember two could play this game.

  CHAPTER SIX

  "Thanks for the suntan lotion and the hat," Mary-Kate said as Dane joined her in the jeep.

  "No problem. Hope it helps." He gave a piercing whistle, and the two dogs bounded around the corner of the house and scrambled into the vehicle. With a quick glance at Mary-Kate to make sure her seat belt was fastened, he backed the jeep around and started off down the slight hill at an alarming rate.

  From terrific to terror in three seconds, she thought, holding on. The scenery whizzed by at great speed. There were no doors or top to the jeep, and she felt catapulted through air. She pulled her seat belt tighter.

  "Where do you surf?" she yelled over the rush of the wind.

  "Toward the northern part of the island. The waves are bigger there, and the beach smooth and debris free."

  "Do you surf alone?"

  "That wouldn't be safe. A person can wipe out and get hit by his board. There needs to be at least one other person. As it turns out, several of the employees here this summer love to surf. We work pretty much the week around during the peak season, and catch time here and there as we can, when the surf's just right."

  "But winter's better?"

  "Yes, winter's better. The workload's lighter for one thing. We can go surfing for days on end, if we want. Care to try it?"

  "Maybe. I'll just watch, at first." Mary-Kate wasn't sure she wanted to be at the mercy of crashing waves. She liked the idea of swimming under them with scuba gear, but not balancing on a floating board and riding them in. Still, she enjoyed watching people surf, and was intrigued with the thought of watching someone she knew doing it. She suspected he'd do it very well.

  The road split and Dane took the turn to the right. Soon the open fields of pineapple gave way to the high growth of sugarcane. Again, Mary-Kate felt as if they were in a green tunnel, with the roof open to the sky. There was no view, only the road ahead, the sky above, and tall walls of green. Before long, however, they turned on another dirt road, and ahead of them lay a large, wide, white sandy beach. The surf was higher here than in the inlet where she'd first been.

  A dozen or so men and women were on the shore, some wading in the shallows; others were already on their boards, catching waves. Several people waved as Dane drew the jeep up beside others, and he waved back.

  "Where's your surfboard?" Mary-Kate asked, as she stepped down. There must be thirty people or more. Yet the beach went on forever it seemed, so it wasn't crowded at all. She looked to the sea and watched two men skim along the front of a wave.

  "Over there; Mike brought it for me. I keep it at the plant, since I'm usually there when we decide to take off." He paused a moment, looking at her through narrowed eyes. "Come on; I guess I have to introduce you."

  "Don't put yourself out," she muttered.

  "People immediately begin to look for things that aren't there," he said.

  "Shall I just mention I don't like you?" she snapped. It wasn't her fault if people thought things. He couldn't take that out on her.

  "That'd make it worse."

  "Oh, for heaven's sake, so they talk a day or two. Once I'm gone, they'll know their precious boss was in no danger from the Iowa schoolteacher."

  He grinned suddenly, his eyes going silvery. "I don't know about that."

  Mary-Kate was suddenly confused. She looked away, at the people staring at them.

  As Dane made the introductions, the names started to swim in Mary-Kate's head. There were over two-dozen people on the beach and another half dozen still in the water. She smiled and greeted everyone, remembering only a couple of the names.

  She wondered what they did think about her, knowing that, even if Dane had said nothing, Nora would have told her friends about the unwanted visitor, about all the trouble she was causing. What would be the talk at the village tonight? She might already have been the talk of the town. What else did the people who lived here year round have to gossip about?

  There were no sly looks, no knowing glances, and Mary-Kate relaxed. Dane was seeing things that weren't there. She was determined to enjoy the afternoon.

  When Dane took off for the water, she spread her towel near an obviously pregnant woman named Lisa.

  "I love to surf," Lisa said, smiling a welcome at Mary-Kate, "but can't right now. I should be back in shape by the time the good waves come in the winter. That's my husband out there to the right—Mike."

  "He and Dane are friends?" He was the one who had brought Dane's board.

  "Yep. Been friends for years. Dane's a bit of a loner, especially since Melissa left. Mike's about as close as Dane will let anyone get. We live here year round. Though once the baby is older I guess we'll have to move to one of the bigger islands for schools and all. I'm not sure I want to be the teacher."

  Mary-Kate heard the name of Dane's fiancée again, and longed to inquire after her. Would Lisa volunteer anything?

  "Melissa?" she said, pretending she knew nothing about her.

  Lisa flashed her a look, then nodded slowly. "Sorry, you wouldn't have known. Melissa and Dane were engaged once, about four years ago. She broke it off after staying here for a few days. She didn't like Manahakaloi—too boring for her. She wanted to help Dane spend his money elsewhere."

  Mary-Kate kept her eyes on the surfers, afraid to say anything that would stop Lisa recounting things past.

  "Dane loves it here; it's his baby. He inherited the island from an old man who had been a friend of his grandfather's. He started the plantation as a kid, and has really brought the place along. There's no way he'd be a token owner, just stopping by occasionally. He did everything for her—built that house, let her furnish it. But it wasn't enough."

  "Melissa didn't want that?" Mary-Kate looked at Lisa. Was she staying in Melissa's room? Did the coldness of the house reflect Melissa taste? Sounded like Dane was better off without her.

  "Nope, she wanted to live in San Francisco with a house on the French Riviera, travel around the world, buy expensive things. She met Dane through his mother, and wasn't at all content to stay on a slow-moving island. It's the bright lights and excitement for Melissa Hargraves."

  "But it's so nice here."

  "I know; I love it," Lisa said enthusiastically. "Except for no schools here, it's perfect. Some of the parents home school their kids, especially when the kids are young, but once they get older it's time to move to a bigger place that has a good school system or send them off to boarding school."

  "Aren't there enough children to hire a schoolteacher?"

  "Dane's tried it three times, and it's never worked. The teachers he hired either found it too isolated, or there were not enough materials, or nowhere to go for field trips, or not enough salary, or not enough to do. It was just a lot of excuses, if you ask me. I think they thought they'd live in paradise and make a play for our gorgeous boss. When they found him unavailable, they cut their losses and ran for the states."

  Mary-Kate searched the surfers in the sea until she found Dane, out beyond the edge of the breakers, sitting astride his board, waiting for a wave. No wonder he was wary of her motives. To him she was another schoolteacher whom he thought was making a play for him. He had had a bad run of luck where women were concerned.

  She tilted her head stubbornly. She'd given him no reason to suspect she was trying to make a play for him, despite his thinking she had deliberately remained behind when Rob and the others were told to leave.

  She would show him she was one schoolteacher who was immune to his charms!

  "How many kids are on the island?" Mary- Kate asked.

  "We have twenty right now; fourteen are of school-age. I think if there were good schools here some of the older workers that left would return. Everyone likes it here. There's no crime, everyone's friendly. The work is a little monotonous, but the way of life makes up for it. Dane rotates people, gives us different tasks every six weeks. It helps. I'll be sorry when I have to leave."

&nbs
p; "Maybe he should try again, but with a different tack this time. See if he could find an older teacher who is about to retire, who'd love to spend her retirement in this setting."

  "That's a good idea; why don't you suggest it?" Lisa said.

  Mary-Kate didn't think he'd take kindly to any idea from her, but she only nodded, not wanting to have to explain anything to Lisa. If the opportunity came up before she left she would. Otherwise she'd write to Lisa and tell her she hadn't been able to do so, and urge her to talk to Dane.

  "The sun makes me so sleepy," Lisa said, lying back on the towel, pushing her glasses firmly in place. "I'll just doze for a few minutes."

  "Don't get burned," Mary-Kate warned from experience, though Lisa was so brown that she probably had no worry about burning.

  "I know, I've got sunscreen on..." Her voice trailed off.

  Mary-Kate sat back and watched the surfers, fascinated, as they gracefully rose up on the boards and balanced on the moving water. The waves looked large to her, but not as high as in winter apparently. She'd heard that they could get up to twenty feet or more. It would frighten her to challenge waves that size. Yet Dane had said those were the best. He obviously relished the challenge.

  She spotted him as he lithely rose up on his board and began skimming along a wall of water just below the crest of the wave, cutting at an angle, always ahead of the froth as the wave curled over, until, unable to stay ahead, he was enclosed by the curl and the wave boomed on the beach, its spray thrown high into the sunshine. She watched, breath held, until she saw him pushing back out for the next one.

  He was poetry and grace in motion, his body balanced on the board, riding each wave he took from the first swell to the last froth of white water. As he swam back for the next one, Mary- Kate realized why his chest and shoulder muscles were so developed. He'd probably been swimming and surfing since he was a child.

  Mary-Kate grew hotter and hotter as she sat in the sun. The wind from the water was strong, but hot. Lisa was asleep, so Mary-Kate decided to take a quick swim to cool off. She looked up and down the beach and saw a deserted area to her right. Waves peaked and crashed there, but it was out of the line of the surfers. There were no swimmers, either, but Mary-Kate wasn't concerned. She wouldn't go out far and would stay in plain sight of shore.