Destination Romance

by Barbara McMahon

  'Lexy used to be the right-hand man for one of our eminent marine biologists here in the West Indies,' Dominic interjected smoothly. 'She worked for him for several years, and gained a lot of experience, swimming as well as some more domestic traits, eh, Lexy?'

  Lexy flushed at the veiled insult, but Bob Driscoll didn't appear to find anything amiss.

  'Well, fancy that. I say you must be a good crewman all round, sounds like quite a fascinating occupation.' Bob stopped mixing the drinks while he looked at Lexy, admiration on his face.

  'Hello.' 'Hi.' Sam and Judy Martin joined them on the deck. Sam was the one with the paunch Lexy had seen last evening. He looked a few years older than Bob, whom Lexy placed at about forty-five, Sam's hair was thinning, and his face was pale compared with everyone else's tanned skins. Judy Martin was in her late thirties. Her relationship to her brother proclaimed in her red hair, worn short and curly. She was friendly and warm in her welcome when Bob made the introductions.

  'Dominic Frazer and Lexy, er . . .' He fumbled for her name.

  'Kent,' Dominic said, standing when Judy appeared.

  'Right, my sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Sam Martin. Judy and Sam, Dominic and Lexy. We're all friends now. Sit down, sit down.' He distributed drinks, put peanuts and chips on the low round table and sat down himself.

  'You've been here in this lagoon before, I understand, Dominic,' Judy was interested to know.

  'Yes, several months out of each year,' he smiled. She was sitting on his right side, showing off her tanned legs in a very brief pair of shorts.

  'And you, Lexy, do you come as often?'

  'No, this is my first time here. I'm crewing for Dominic.'

  'Can't handle the boat with only one man, eh?' Bob asked.

  'Not really. In good weather, maybe, but it's best to carry a backup. Lexy's a good sailor, if nothing else, and knows enough to handle the sloop by herself if she had to.'

  Lexy glared at him, why didn't he stop with the hints, the vague insults. Sooner or later one of the others would find something odd in his way of responding.

  This information brought forth a spate of questions from Bob and Sam as to what Lexy had done, where she and Miles had searched for marine data, and how she had adjusted to life on a boat most of the time—usually women had so many knick-knacks, or so Sam said with a fond glance at his wife, that they didn't know how she could do it.

  Lexy was glad to turn the conversation to safer channels and happily related some of her experiences working with Miles, the discoveries they had made, the long, painstaking observation and documentation needed to produce a strong report, acceptable to all as an accurate representation of what they were researching.

  'Her experiences are varied, more so than she is relating now,' Dominic put in silkily as she paused.

  Lexy ignored him.

  'So it is not so unusual for a gal to crew a sail-boat hereabouts, then?' Bob finished.

  'Except perhaps with such an attractive, single man,' Judy threw in teasingly.

  'I shall have to look to my reputation,' Lexy smiled gaily at their banter.

  'Honey-child, you don't have a reputation,' Dominic put in evenly, his eyes glittering as they met hers. 'You lost yours years ago.'

  Lexy flushed scarlet with humiliation. She dropped her eyes, unable to force a sound beyond her tight throat; her chest so constricted she could scarcely draw a breath. She couldn't believe Dominic had said that. The other insults had been obscure to the others, only directed to her. This was a direct thrust, obvious to everyone. If only the boat would sink. She couldn't see her glass clearly now, as tears of shame swam in her eyes. How could Dominic be so cruel to her? Why the need? Just to hurt her, humiliate her before anyone who happened to be near? Doubly hurtful after the words of praise he had spoken only moments before. Why?

  The others sat in an uneasy silence, not knowing what to say to such a blatant insult. Bob Driscoll thoughtfully regarded Dominic while Sam and Judy exchanged questioning looks.

  'Er, Dominic, I heard you typing the last couple of days. You a writer?' Sam asked, breaking some of the tension.

  Dominic lifted his gaze off Lexy's downcast head and turned to Sam, sitting back in his chair, relaxed and seemingly at ease. 'Trying to be. I'm writing something on mines, now. You know anything about mines?'

  Sam shook his head, 'Don't think I do. I always thought it would be great to be a writer. Sit around all day, write when you feel like it, be off when you wanted.'

  Dominic smiled. 'Not really. There’s a long lapse between getting a publisher's nod and the actual publication date of a book. I'd starve if I didn't stick to a strict schedule, and deliver more or less on a regular basis.'

  Bob asked if he had written any books before.

  'Yes, I have one or two published.'

  'Sorry, I haven't read any of your books. Dominic Frazer, no, don't think I've come across any. Publish in America?'

  'For heaven's sake, Bob, you wouldn't read a book on mines if it were on the best-seller list,' Judy put in with sisterly candor. She smiled at Dominic. 'I must confess, I've always thought of writers the same way as Sam, but I guess in the end it's plain hard work like anything else.'

  'Compensations, though,' Bob put in, 'if you get to write in a locale such as this. Take time out to swim or sail when you want a change.'

  'I don't know,' Judy put in. 'Nice, yes, but no parties, no nightclubs, no shows. Must get boring.'

  Dominic slanted a glance at Lexy. 'Not boring,' he stated. 'And you’re right, Bob, I like it here. When I want to party or socialize, it's a short enough sail to an inhabited island. And there are compensations, even here.' He raised his glass to Bob. 'People stopping by.'

  'Nice of you to say so, nice of you to say so.'

  'Are you folks on holiday? Traveling around?' Dominic asked.

  Bob sat back and told them of his traveling, strictly under doctor's orders. He hated leaving things to his managers, but supposed the fools would manage without him for a few weeks. Judy persuaded him that a cruise in the West Indies would be best, especially if she and Sam were to accompany him, for companionship, and so they had. They had been five weeks now, would probably continue four or five more, then head home for Miami.

  The boat was his in Florida, where he used it to cruise the Keys, but he was real pleased with the way she handled in the more open sea and they’d had no difficulties at all.

  Lexy gradually relaxed under the storytelling by Bob. He explained things in a quaint southern way and while his drawl sounded odd to Lexy's English ears, she knew exactly what he was saying and found the manner of speech endearing.

  By the time he finished, she’d regained enough composure to face the others shyly, yet couldn't bear to meet Dominic's eye.

  Judy took up the tale with experiences in the various cities and towns they had visited. Sam groaned and added that his wife thought the sole purpose for her being on the trip was to boost the economy of every island she visited by buying them out. Everyone laughed at this.

  'Refills, everyone?' Bob took glasses and, with Sam's help, refilled them.

  'Where are you from, Dominic?' Judy asked.

  'England, originally. Raised in Barbados, though. Most of my family’s here in the Indies.'

  'Ever been back?'

  'Once, right after I quit school. Cold, I thought.' Again, everyone laughed.

  'And you, Lexy, are you from the Indies?' Judy asked gently.

  'No, England, though I've been out here a number of years.'

  'Did your family move here?' Sam asked.

  Lexy flicked an uncertain glance at Dominic, and saw with a thrill of shock the hard glitter of his eyes. 'No, I have no family,' she replied looking away. 'There's only me.'

  It was growing quite dark, and the evening had cooled down pleasantly. Bob got up and switched on his anchor light and the dim cockpit lights. They cast a warm glow on the aft deck, giving it a romantic touch.

  'Put on some mus
ic, Bob,' Judy suggested. 'He has a nice portable player and we brought lots of CD’s. It is real pleasant to listen to music, especially on such a grand evening like tonight.'

  When Bob brought out the player, Judy turned to Dominic. 'We could dance. It’d be a real party, how about it? With me and Lexy, we could trade off and take turns.'

  'Count me out,' Bob said, 'you young people go ahead. I just want to sit and listen to the music.'

  'Can't let a compliment like that pass,' Sam said heartily. 'Come on, my love. Dominic, you dance the first one with Lexy.'

  Bob started a slow ballad as Sam drew Judy up from her chair. Dominic accepted the invitation, pulling a resistant Lexy into his arms as Sam took Judy, and Bob watched smiling from the deserted table.

  Dominic drew her tightly against him, one hand holding hers up, the other on her back, moving slowly, caressing her, rubbing gently up and down. He went beneath her cotton shirt, his fingers warm against the soft bareness of her skin. Rubbing gently up and down, ignoring her attempts to hold herself aloof, apart, straining to pull back from him. He leaned his head against her hair, and slowly they circled the deck. Lexy swayed lightly to the music, disturbed by Dominic's touch, trying to hold back, yet enticed to continue dancing, his touch a mixed delight to her. If only he meant it, if only they could begin again. But his cutting comment earlier put paid to those dreams. They would never progress from where they were. And she ached with the thought.

  His fingers found, fumbled, and released her bra fastener, pushing it aside.

  'Stop it,' she hissed, drawing back.

  'I have,' he murmured, his hand all over her back now. Up to her shoulders, down her spine to her jeans, fingers slipping beneath the tight cloth and then back up again. Her skin soft, warm. His arm still holding her captive, he released her hand to put his other hand around to her back, his hands sensuous against her sensitive skin.

  'Fasten me up,' she whispered, glaring at him in the dim lights, still swaying to the soft music, conscious of his body against hers, conscious of the rising excitement in her as his hands continued their wanderings.

  'Sure,' he chuckled gently in her ear, leaning over to whisper softly against her hair, 'How Bob and Sam would love that—stop right in the middle of a dance, turn you around and pull your shirt up to search for the straps to fasten up your bra.' He ignored her, moving his hands again, around the side of her ribs and back to her spine. He was tormenting her. She was losing control of her legs, swaying against him, weakening and giving in. He must stop it, it was unfair and he knew it.

  'Damn you, Dominic, don't do this.' Lexy was agonized with the feelings his fingers were causing her. Would he never stop? His hands on her back were torment. He knew what he was doing, the reaction he was causing. She pressed against him. 'Stop, Dominic,' she pleaded.

  He ignored her protest, dropping a kiss on her hair, 'Shall this be the night I make love to you, Lexy?' he softly asked, whimsically. 'Shall we go back. I'll take off your shirt and mine and have our bare skins against each other.'

  'No,' she whispered, close to tears. 'Why do you hurt me all the time?'

  'Shall I caress you, fondle you, kiss you; your mouth, your throat, your small breasts. I've never held your breasts, Lexy, will they fill the palms of my hands, will they be firm and taut against my fingers? Your skin, soft and supple. How do you taste, Lexy love, are you as sweet as you smell?'

  'Please, stop, oh, Dom, stop!' she begged, pressing against him. She was almost in tears. The words a torture to her senses. How she would love to have him carry out his plan, to feel his mouth against hers, hard and probing, evoking feelings she yearned for, craved. Feeling his hands on her skin arousing her to the highest delights. His mouth on her breasts, teasing, kissing. Oh, she shuddered against him. She couldn't endure it because he didn’t mean a word of it. If he made love to her it would only be to score off points. Something to tell his cousin when he returned to Bridgetown. No real affection or caring behind it on his part. But oh how she wished there were…

  'Lexy?' Dominic stopped dancing, both his hands still on her back. He lowered his face, seeking her lips. They opened to receive him, softly pliant to his, responding pressure for pressure, touch for touch. She was lost, she knew it. There was only Dominic, his mouth, his hands, his body.

  The sound of the others talking brought them back. Bob was chuckling at something Judy was saying. She and Sam returned to the table, the dance over. Slowly Dominic released her, reluctantly bringing his hands out from her shirt.

  'Do yourself up,' he commanded tersely. 'I'll block you.'

  They returned to the table, Dominic as if nothing had happened, Lexy almost in tears. How could he be so cool, so controlled? She glared at him. How dared he be unaffected, when her own senses were spinning, her thoughts chaotic! The others looked at each other in puzzlement. On the floor their guests had danced like lovers, yet only a short time ago he had insulted her before all of them. What was their relationship?

  On the ride back to the boat some time later, Dominic broke the stillness of the night by mocking her. 'I won't come to you tonight, Lexy, but when I do you'll be ready for me.'

  'Never.' She was firm.

  'Oh, yes, darling. I felt your responses tonight. When I come, you'll welcome me with open arms. Continence must be wearing.'

  She stiffened at the insult. She would not give in. She was aware her responses tonight had misled him, so that he believed she was the tramp his cousin had denounced. She would be on guard in the future, watch that she did not get caught in a similar situation. She doubted her will power where he was concerned, but had no intention of permitting him to make love to her as if it were his right, as if the lies of Joey Compton were true and she expected it.

  'Leave me alone,' she cried.

  Dominic chuckled, and continued rowing.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The cruiser left the lagoon the next morning, amid horn blowing and friendly waves of farewell. Lexy watched them go, then shook off some of her gloom and went swimming. She did not refer to the small gathering, but was sick at heart for Dominic's cruel cut about her reputation. He not only believed his cousin, he didn't want anyone else to have a good opinion about Lexy Kent, either, if he could help it. She wondered he didn't make her wear a scarlet S for slut, but would not put it past him if she gave him the idea.

  She kept telling herself she could not be in love with a man who was so cruel to her, who had such a low opinion of her, but to no avail. She cherished each kind look, each friendly word, fluctuating in hope that he would come to love her and despair that he would forever think of her as the type of woman Joey Compton had said she was.

  The next two weeks passed much as the first few days had. Lexy swam, read and kept to herself. Dominic worked hard on his book, spending little time away from his computer, the stack of printed pages growing steadily. Meal times alternated between tentative friendship and cold condemnation. Lexy dreaded their encounters more and more, never knowing whether he would be kind and reasonable, or curt and unforgiving. She ate less and less and started losing weight.

  She began having trouble sleeping at night. Dominic's taunts and barbed phrases coming to mind again and again, ringing in her ears as she tossed and turned restlessly. Finally, unable to stand another night of long lonely hours listening to the echoes of his condemnation, she crept into the head while he was still on deck and found the bottle of sleeping pills Dominic had used when she’d been sick.

  Distastefully, Lexy surveyed the small white oval she shook into her hand. She had never had much time for people who used drugs, had never thought she would find a need. Still, for a night or two it couldn't hurt. Once she had a few nights of solid rest behind her she’d feel better. Ordinarily, especially crewing on a boat, she’d never consider such an action. But there was no call to remain alert during the night while anchored in the lagoon. They did not stand watches through the dark; there were no irregular hours to plan for. Lexy popped the pill qui
ckly into her mouth and washed it down with water. At least she’d sleep through tonight.

  And the next.

  She started taking one pill each night to ensure escape from her thoughts, escape from the memory of Dominic's cold blue eyes; the sound of Joey's accusing voice. What she would do when the supply ran out, she didn't know. For the time being she craved the oblivion sleep brought, knowing each morning it would only be a few long hours until she could once again escape. Could once again forget it all in sleep.

  'Lexy, Lexy, wake up!' Dominic was shaking her shoulders, slapping her lightly on her cheeks.

  'Go 'way,' she mumbled fathoms deep in sleep, irritated by his shaking.

  'Wake up, girl, for God's sake you're a heavy sleeper. Wake up.' He pulled her upright in the bed, shaking her again.

  Slowly Lexy opened her eyes and tried to focus. He was swaying before her, dressed in jeans and a yellow slicker, his head wet. Dully Lexy came awake, she still felt the drag of the sleeping drug, but the effects were less severe now. It was still dark, only the dim light on the bulkhead illuminating the cabin. She blinked and looked around. The sloop was rising and falling, hitting the trough with a crash. The bow caught a wave off center and the sturdy boat sluiced sideways, twisting, corkscrewing in the heavy seas. She looked at Dominic, trying to understand what was happening, trying to break through the heavy fog in her mind. Her head ached a little, and her mouth and throat were dry. She ran her tongue over her lips, and blinked again.

  'Lexy, are you awake now?' He shook her again.

  'Yes, I'm awake,' she said carefully, shaking her head to clear it. 'What's wrong? What's the matter?' She frowned, holding her stomach, as the Marybeth seemed to fall away beneath her, smacking hard against the water.

  'A squall's sprung up. Get dressed and come topside. I want to lash the boom to stop its swing, and try to fix the dinghy. I need your help. Hurry up!' He shook her again, then, satisfied she was awake, shook his head wonderingly. 'I don't know how you got up for your watch before–you sleep heavy.' He turned to leave. 'There's foul-weather gear in the locker by the steps.'