Destination Romance

by Barbara McMahon

  Dropping her hat and cover-up, she walked to the water's edge and along the firm sand. The water was cool on her hot feet. It would cool her entire body when she plunged in. The sea tugged at her as if imploring her to come in, to give herself up to its coolness. She waded out and dived through an incoming wave, the water cool and refreshing. Clearing the wave, she swam out a little more, flipping on her back. It was delightful. She would remember this vacation all her life. Next winter, when she sat before her fire, she would remember the warm beach, the fragrant air and the vivid colors of the islands.

  She turned over, glanced to shore, a touch of concern hitting her when she saw how far out she was. She began swimming in. It was like swimming upstream in a fast-moving river. Mary-Kate tried harder, her arms cutting deep into the water, her legs beating hard against it.

  Her concern turned to fear. She was alone, far from the beach, and wasn't getting any closer. The swells rushing to shore only raised her up to glimpse the sandy strip so far away, but they did not carry her closer. She struck off at an angle to see if it would take her closer. It did not.

  Panic coursed through her when a small wave splashed down on her, filling her mouth and nose with stinging salt water. She was growing tired; her arms and legs heavy, ineffectively beating the water. She trod water while she coughed out the salt water. Then started again. Her arms ached with tiredness; her legs kicked each other almost as much as they kicked the water. She was growing weaker. The shore was further away than ever. Was she just to float away? What if she couldn't make it back?

  "Mary-Kate!" The voice was familiar.

  She stopped swimming and looked around. To her right, seemingly miles away, she saw Dane, lying on his surfboard, his powerful arms propelling him along the top of the water. He was coming toward her. Relief washed through her.

  "Swim toward me!" he called.

  She trod water for another minute to catch her breath, to get some strength back into her body, and then she started again, forcing her arms to move, kicking with all she had. Dane skimmed along the surface and in only minutes was beside her. He sat up, straddling the board, and reached over to pull her up before him on it.

  Mary-Kate was tired and scared. Thankfully she leaned back against the hard, solid strength of his chest, gasping for air, her muscles trembling in exhaustion.

  "Now what damn-fool stunt were you trying?" he growled in her ear, as his arm drew her back against him. The heat of his body on her back and the tight band of his arm beneath her breasts penetrated the cold chill of fear. Mary-Kate relaxed against him, feeling safe and secure.

  "I just wanted to go swimming." She tried to keep the tears of relief at bay.

  His arm tightened. "Well, you picked one damnable spot to do it. That's the worst riptide on the island. Didn't you see the sign?"

  She dashed the tears away and shook her head, feeling like a complete fool. "I walked along the beach and it was the one area that was deserted—no surfers, no swimmers, so I thought it'd be a good spot."

  She tried to sit up, to pull away from Dane's disturbing body, but his arms tightened as the surfboard wobbled slightly, then settled down to bob quietly on the water. She was conscious of his legs on either side of hers, the strength of his body behind her, the heat from his skin. Warmth rose within her. The amount of clothing between them would hardly make a good-size handkerchief.

  Dane's legs were muscular and brown, straddling the board, cradling hers. Her hips back against his, she stared off into the vast emptiness of the Pacific, feeling closed in and protected. His arm around her was heavy, his chest hard, secure and warm. She wanted to turn in his arms, press her scantily clad body against his, and feel the heat of his skin on hers.

  Mary-Kate leaned her head back against his shoulder, feeling his muscles tighten. The surfboard floated gently on the sea, riding the swells, quiet and still. She closed her eyes, safe and content in Dane's arms.

  "Do you propose to go to sleep?" his mocking voice asked softly. His fingers gently rubbed the soft skin on her ribs; his thumb skimmed the swell of her breast.

  She opened her eyes, turning her head to see him. His tan was dark, his eyes silvery and soft, his hair light in the sun.

  "Thank you for rescuing me. I was so scared. Now I feel safe."

  "I wouldn't, if I were you." His voice was low, and he turned her slightly, his lips capturing hers in a cool kiss, as his hand covered one breast.

  Mary-Kate was startled into acquiescence, and then sanity returned. They were in plain sight of dozens of people on the shore. She struggled to pull free, upsetting the balance on the board. Dane pulled away at the last second, tried to stabilize the board, but was too late. They both spilled into the water.

  Mary-Kate debated remaining beneath the shimmery sea forever, embarrassment at what the others might have seen overwhelming her. Slowly she broke the surface, nervously searching for Dane. He clung to the board, a big grin on his face as she swam the short distance to him.

  "No kiss?" he teased.

  "We're in front of half the people on the island! I thought you were reluctant for talk." She avoided his eyes, wondering how they would get back on the board.

  "That the only reason?"

  She refused to meet his eyes. "Are we going to be able to get back on the board?"

  He chuckled at her obvious tactics, and effortlessly vaulted onto the board.

  "I'm on; how are you getting on?"

  "Can't you pull me up again?" She met his eyes, which was a mistake. Her heart began hammering in her chest. Involuntarily her gaze dropped to his lips.

  He leaned over, dangerously close. "I can, but it will cost you a kiss," he said wickedly.

  She looked to the shore; it was too far for her to swim back, especially against the current that was taking them farther and farther away. Biting her lip in indecision, she looked up at him. Why was she hesitating? She liked his kisses. Not that they meant anything. He had made that perfectly clear. But she had to get back on the board.

  She nodded, afraid to speak.

  He chuckled again, his eyes laughing at her. Reaching down, he easily drew her onto the board again, but this time he made her sit sideways, and he drew her against him for his kiss. Mary-Kate had been cool from the sea, but when her breasts were crushed to his chest she instantly grew warm. His lips moved over hers, tasting her, moving to open her lips for access to her mouth. His tongue was hot and exciting as he traced the softness of her lips, dueled with her tongue.

  She clung to him in wild abandonment, reveling in his touch. His left arm held her against him while his right hand wandered across her skin, inflaming it, negating the cooling effect of the sea. He moved to her side, to her breasts, slipping beneath the skimpy material that covered her. His fingers brushed her nipple, bringing it to aching awareness of his touch.

  "I've been wanting to touch you for ages," he murmured against her lips.

  She moaned softly, her body on fire, yearnings for fulfillment engulfing her. It was heavenly madness. It must stop. She struggled to sit up, reluctantly pulling away when he let her. Searching his eyes for some sign, she saw nothing but the silvery gray. He turned his head and looked toward the beach.

  Mary-Kate moved cautiously, startled when Dane encircled her waist and moved her exactly where he wanted her, before him, her back to him.

  "Are we all right? Can we make it back?" The distance looked formidable.

  "Sure." His answer was casual, confident.

  He was calm, totally in control of himself and her fate. He acted as if the kiss had caused no reaction, had meant nothing. Yet she was shaken to her soul. Tears blurred her vision and she turned away, never letting him see how she felt.

  He knew the islands, the sea. If he thought they'd make it back safely, then they would. He leached into the water, and turned the board toward shore. "We'll bypass the riptide and shoot in on a wave."

  Before Mary-Kate could say anything, he slipped off the back of the board, kicking to
propel it shoreward.

  "What should I do?" she asked, the board wobbly with his kicks.

  "Get your feet out of the water; they're excess drag. Otherwise, just hang on and enjoy the ride!"

  And Mary-Kate did. Gradually the beach drew nearer. She could distinguish the different people she'd met. The surfers were close now, sitting on their boards, some watching them, others watching for the next perfect wave. She could hear the surf crashing on the shore, muffled a little from the distance.

  The board sank a little, then tipped back as Dane vaulted on again, cool water washing over the surface. Mary-Kate didn't think the surfboard was big enough to move around on, and she held on to the edges tightly.

  "Okay, Mary-Kate; next big wave, we'll ride it in." Dane's voice was calm.

  "I don't know how to surf," she nervously reminded him.

  "All you have to do is stand up when I tell you to, and lean against me, sway with me, move when I do. I'll hold you. Ready?"

  "I can't do this." Her eyes darted here and there, frantically looking for another way.

  "Sure you can. Get up on your knees—easy, now." His hands steadied her as she got to her knees, balancing carefully so not to fall over. She could feel the wave build beneath the board, swelling, rising.

  Dane maneuvered the board with his hands, angling it ahead of the wave, then suddenly he stood, pulled Mary-Kate upright, and held her tightly against him.

  "Relax. Keep the board beneath you. Move when I move. Easy."

  They caught the wave and were away on a thrill ride, better than anything she'd ridden at Six Flags. The sea hissed beneath the board, the threatening rumble of the crest chased them as Dane cut diagonally across the face, heading for the shore at lightning speed.

  Mary-Kate could almost touch the wall of water as it built on her right, while the left side dropped into a trough, the bottom of which she couldn't see. She looked up; the board continued its race toward shore, always at an angle to the beach. The wind blew her hair back; the mist from the wave captured the sunlight and blazed a rainbow of blinding intensity with a million fragmented droplets.

  It was terrifying, terrific, frightening and fascinating. She could scarcely take it all in. She gave herself up to the enjoyment of the ride, trusting in the ability of the man holding her to keep her safe. She could feel him moving, constantly adjusting the board, shifting their weight from side to side, compensating for her extra weight.

  "Hold on—it's catching us," Dane shouted in her ear. The world tilted, and they were plunged into the swirling water, churning and turning as the wave finished its crash on the shore. Mary-Kate caught her breath before going under, instinctively turning to shore, moving with the force of the wave.

  When she felt the firm sand beneath her, she struggled to her feet. She was still waist deep in swirling frothy water, and staggered toward shore against the outward pull.

  Dane was a few yards to her right, pulling in his board. He moved toward her when he saw her. "You all right?" he asked.

  "That was amazing! Thank you!" she exclaimed, exhilarated by the ride, by the day's beauty—and by Dane Carmichael.

  "Stay away from the rip; next time we might not be so lucky," he said, but he didn't seem angry. His eyes were light and sparkling.

  Several of the other surfers rode in on the next wave, stopping near Dane. In only a moment he was surrounded.

  "Some trick, man! You took a chance."

  "You okay, boss? You were a long way out..."

  "Thought we were going to have to go for the launch."

  From those remarks, and others that were called out, Mary-Kate realized she'd been right to be scared. They had been in danger. But Dane had made it seem safe enough, ordinary.

  On shore Marco and Rames were running up and down at the water's edge, barking. They would stop just short of plunging in, tearing back and forth, tails wagging, anxious to see their master.

  She watched as the men and women crowded around Dane. He was well liked, it was obvious. They were concerned for her, too. Complimenting her on her first ride, again warning her about the dangers of the riptide. When Dane headed back to the sea, Mary-Kate turned and walked over the burning sand to drop down by Lisa who was awake and had been watching. The dogs trotted patiently along at her side, running off along the sand once she was seated.

  "You okay?" Lisa asked.

  "I am now; I was scared for a while, though."

  "Sorry I went to sleep. I could have told you about the rip. There's a sign on the beach—not that we need it; we all know about it. Treacherous."

  Mary-Kate shivered despite the heat. "It was." She didn't want to think of what would have happened to her had Dane not seen her and come. She had been getting so tired. Even now her arms and legs felt sort of like wet noodles.

  She donned her hat and settled down to watch the surfers. In the future, she'd swim in the cove near the house; leave the big waves to the group on the boards.

  The future? She didn't have a future here. Either the Lombard’s would return, or the supply ship would carry her away.

  And she'd be glad to go. She had nothing to do on the island. Though she thought there could be work for her here. But Dane had said nothing, and any time she brought it up he got angry. He didn't want her to stay. She'd suit for a casual fling, maybe, while she awaited the supply ship, but that was all. He'd been very clear.

  Some of her enjoyment of the day was dampened. She lay back, idly thinking of some of the changes she'd make, if she stayed.

  It was late afternoon when Dane rode his last wave in, all the way to shore. He drew up his surfboard and hoisted it under his arm. Walking quickly on the hot sand, he made his way to Mary-Kate.

  "Ready to go?" he asked.

  "Sure." She averted her eyes from the strong figure before her, his skin glistening in the sun, water still dripping. She was glad for the excuse to gather her towel, check for her sunscreen, and bid Lisa goodbye.

  "Oh, you'll be seeing me again, I'm sure," Lisa, said in a friendly manner.

  Mary-Kate smiled as she walked across the hot sand to the jeep. She liked Lisa; she felt she'd made a friend on the island. Maybe they could visit each other a couple of times before Mary-Kate caught the supply boat. Dane whistled for the dogs, and they came running. Sand flew everywhere as they bounded into the jeep.

  As they drove across the island, Mary-Kate again brought up the subject of her departure. She was enjoying herself, maybe too much. If she didn't go soon, she wouldn't want to go at all.

  "Dane, Lisa mentioned a short wave radio. Could that contact the Lombard’s? I still can't believe they just left me behind. All my things are on their boat, I was hired for the summer."

  He said nothing at first, but she noticed that his jaw clenched. Finally he answered, "I know you can't wait to get out of here, but you're going to have to wait for the supply boat. We did try to raise the Lombard's vessel when you first arrived. Either they don't have shortwave, or don't care to retrieve you. Can't you keep yourself amused for a few more days? The ship will be here at the end of the month."

  The thought her summer employers had not even thought to retrieve her as he said made her sound like an unwelcome package. She'd done her best to cram information into their son's mind. "That's easy for you to say; you have your work, your friends. I'm not the type to lie around the beach all day and stare at the water."

  "Work doesn't solve everything. I've had dozen of workers who can't stick it. Nothing to do in the way of entertainment is the most common reason given for not staying," he replied.

  Mary-Kate thought of what Lisa had said about the teachers. "Maybe you should recruit older people—ones who are more settled, who don't want crowds and excitement and constant action."

  "Maybe."

  "Though, from what I saw today, most of the people on the beach love it here."

  "Yes, but, even so, there's talk of leaving."

  "Because of schooling for their kids," she guessed.
/>   "Right."

  "But I'd think you'd be able to get a good teacher to handle the number of children Lisa said live here. It's just a matter of finding the right one," she said reasonably.

  "You want the job?"

  For a long moment Mary-Kate considered it. It would be far different from her high school in Ames. More like schoolteachers of old: one room, various ages. A challenge to teach them all, hold their interest, and impart knowledge.

  She stole a quick glance at Dane, her heart beating faster. She couldn't stay. She was growing too interested in the man beside her. It would be safer to go back to the life she'd always known. Not make a fool of herself the way the other teachers had. Not fall in love with the unattainable Dane Carmichael.

  She only hoped it wasn't too late. She could not fall in love with the man.

  Slowly, regretfully, she shook her head. "I don't think I'd be the right one."

  "I don't think so, either."

  He was silent for the rest of the trip back to the house.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Dane pulled the jeep to a stop near the lanai, turned off the motor, and turned to look at Mary-Kate. She met his eyes.

  "Thank you for taking me. And for saving me in the sea and for the ride. It was amazing."

  "Again."

  "Again?"

  "Saving you again. You need a keeper," he said.

  "I do not!" She was proud of leaving Ames, getting to Hawaii on her own, joining the Lombard’s and exploring the South Pacific on her own.

  "Sure you do; you go on a boat, and get left behind. You sunbathe and get burned. You try swimming, and almost drown! You obviously need a keeper. Life must be more dangerous here than in Iowa."

  "And I think you're the most dangerous part of all," she said softly, her eyes dropping to his mouth.