“I’ve got it.” Drake lifted the wagon, cooler and all, and jogged toward the fire.
That was one way. Amanda increased her pace until she joined the others. She took the blankets from the wagon and set them on the ground, choosing to sit on the vacant end of the wagon herself.
The bonfire raged, rising a good ten feet in the air. Young men waved beer bottles while bikini-clad girls danced and giggled around them. Amanda sighed. She was too old for such partying, but a stroll along the water’s edge sounded nice. Grabbing a diet soda from the cooler, she skirted the partiers and headed for the water.
Leaving her flip flops behind, she strolled along the cool sand. Waves licked her feet, occasionally tickling them with strands of seaweed. The stress of working with numbers that sometimes didn’t want to add up melted away. In rare moments of peace, she didn’t feel alone or that she needed romance to be fulfilled. The ocean, the sky, the moon and stars, they were all her lovers, filling her to the point of bursting.
She strolled until she could no longer hear the shouts from those around the fire. Unmindful of the wet sand, she sat cross legged and watched the waves roll in and out. The moon painted the crests and laid a path of silver to the horizon. Maybe Amanda would make this a weekly habit. A time to unwind from the week. She’d like to relax more often, but knew better than to make unrealistic goals.
“Didn’t like the racket either?” Drake appeared from the shadows. “Mind if I sit down?”
“Not at all.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Where did you come from?”
“I stayed to the path instead of walking along the water.” He leaned back on his hands, splaying his legs in front of him. “It’s gorgeous here. The best decision I ever made was to sell everything and move to Maui.”
“Where did you live before?” She studied his profile, etched in darkness, highlighted in light.
“Los Angeles. You?”
“Scottsdale, Arizona. This is very different for me.” No wonder he seemed so at ease with the water. He’d probably grown up on a surfboard. He had the look of a beach bum with his sun-bleached hair and permanent tan. His lips always seemed to be at the point right before smiling like he had a secret he could barely hold in. What would it be like to kiss that mouth?
He shifted his weight, his shoulder brushing hers. Trickles of warmth spread through her veins, and she dragged her attention back to the water. What was she doing looking at his lips? The moon must be affecting her brain.
“Let’s go swimming.” He grinned.
“I’m not in my suit.”
“Then strip to your underwear. What’s the difference? It probably covers more than what those other women are wearing.” He got to his feet and held out a hand. “Come on. I dare you to have some fun.”
She bit her bottom lip. She was wearing a black bra and panties. Nothing that would show through when wet. She’d do it. She’d throw caution to the wind and forget that she was Amanda Samson, uptight accountant. “Okay.” She leaped up before she could change her mind and quickly shed her clothes.
“Nice lace.” He laughed and dashed to the water, sending splashes as high as his waste.
Amanda’s face heated. She’d forgotten she’d worn the panties with black lace up the hips. That’s what she got for trying to be something she wasn’t.
*
Drake’s mouth dried up like the desert she’d come from when Amanda dropped her clothing to the sand. He never thought for a second she’d take him up on his offer. Not fuddy-duddy Amanda. And, while her underwear covered more than most bathing suits, he’d gotten a zap that only the cover of the ocean could hide.
Diving under the waves, he gave her time to enter the water. Anything to spare him from seeing her outlined by the moon like some beach goddess with hair of fire. With her pale skin, the parts of her body covered by cotton and lace stood out more in his mind that if she’d been naked. Idiot! When would he learn not to tease? That sometimes the joke was on him?
When he came up for air, he found himself nose-to-nose with Amanda. Her eyes widened and she stumbled back. He grabbed her to keep her from falling. Their gazes connected. God, help him. He pulled her close and claimed her lips, her skin slippery against his. She may slap him when he released her, but her kisses were everything he’d imagined them to be. Sweet and passionate.
Her arms wrapped around his neck and he lifted her, bringing her closer. Her legs wound around his waist. The waves pulled them back and forth in a slow sensual imitation of an act that they couldn’t indulge in. If the kiss went on much longer, his heart would burst from his chest. Reluctantly, he set her feet back on the ocean floor.
Drake had promised himself a long time ago that he’d refrain from sex. The physical act brought problems of its own. Problems he didn’t want to deal with. Not when indulging, then the inevitable break up afterward ripped away at the soul of each party involved.
His ex-fiancé had done a number on him. Rebecca Barnes was his number one reason for fleeing the mainland. A woman after his money, not his heart.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” He smoothed his hair back, trying to occupy his hands before he grabbed her again.
“Let’s blame it on the moonlight.” Her teeth flashed. “But don’t be sorry. Apologies will only ruin the magic.” She lowered until he couldn’t see any part of her. Truly, she was a siren of the sea. A mermaid by night, a no nonsense accountant by day.
By the time Amanda emerged, she was almost to the bank. She sloshed through the water and back to her clothes. Drake averted his gaze while she got dressed. Why torture himself further? Love and romance were not for him.
Once Amanda was clothed and sitting back on the sand, he made his way to the shore. In an attempt to lighten the mood, he shook his head like a dog, splashing water in Amanda’s face.
“Stop.” She wiped her sleeve across her eyes. “Help me up. We should go back before we’re missed.”
He pulled her to her feet, not meeting her eyes. “Do you want to return separately?”
“It would prevent questions.” She took a deep breath. “I’ll be making a weekly habit of coming here. To this very spot.” She bent and hooked her fingers through her flip flops. Swinging them back and forth, she sashayed down the beach, leaving Drake in physical pain.
Needing a cold shower, he dove back into the ocean, hoping, trying, to wash away the picture of her and the taste of her kiss. Not to mention the not-so-subtle invitation for him to meet her. Would she feel the same in the morning or would she regret her night time actions? He wasn’t sure which he preferred. The regret would be easiest in order to maintain their distance, but his foolish heart wanted another kiss.
By the time he arrived back at the now smoldering bonfire, most of the partiers were gone. A few were passed out under palm trees, a man and woman slept in each other’s arms. Drake grabbed his towel from under them and shook out the sand. He had a week to decide whether to take Amanda up on her soft-spoken invitation.
He spent the next half hour picking up discarded water and beer bottles and discarding them in a nearby trashcan. The party might not have been his idea, but he didn’t care for a littered beach. Not when the island’s beauty is what drew tourists like flies.
Area cleaned up and nerves settled, Drake mounted his bike and headed for the harbor and the one female who never left him confused. His Island Princess.
He parked his bike in his normal spot at the end of the pier. Something didn’t look right about his baby. He sprinted toward his yacht, stopping short when he saw the words painted in red on her white hull. “Bastard.”
Drake clenched his fists, wanting to punch something in the worse way. Lilly had been mad after all. It had to be her. He couldn’t see Amanda doing such a thing after the kiss they’d shared. This was why he didn’t play around with the customers. This is why he kept things to a mild flirtation. Sooner or later, a crazy woman had to show up in his life.
He scraped at the p
aint with his fingernail. At least he had some of the white stored below. He could have the hateful word covered by morning.
After setting up a light and collecting his paint supplies, Drake got to work, each stroke of his paint brush an angry slash against an unreasonable woman. If he were living his old life, he would have taken what she offered and then written her a huge check to get her off his back. He didn’t want that kind of life anymore, and if he were to pay her off, people would suspect he wasn’t the beach bum who’d sold everything he owned to buy a yacht.
5
Amanda glanced up from where she helped organize the snorkeling gear. Drake shuffled in, the bags under his eyes heavy enough to carry enough luggage for an overseas trip. “You look terrible.” Not exactly how she’d thought to begin the morning after a steamy kiss, but he did look awful.
“Up late.” He grabbed the clipboard off the wall. “A party of two? That’s great considering my lack of sleep. Oh. There’s a morning party and an afternoon one.”
“You got here just in time. The makings for a champagne brunch are in the back.”
“Champagne?”
“Honeymooners’ special request.” She shrugged. “I didn’t see any reason to say no.” She kept a death grip on a snorkel mask. Her betraying fingers wanted to smooth a wayward curl out of his eyes. That wouldn’t do at all. After leaving him the night before, she’d vowed to remain professional and not bring up the ocean kiss. The magic deserved to be locked away and savored. Bringing it into the light might sully it somehow.
“How much sleep did you get?” She placed the mask in a plastic crate and set the container on the counter.
“About two hours.” He gave her a sideways glance. “Someone left me a message on my boat in bright red paint.”
She gasped. “Did you call the police?”
“Why? She’s most likely gone by now.”
“The woman from the tour yesterday?” Amanda bit her bottom lip. What kind of person did that? She glanced around the store. Would this be her next target?
“Guests are here.” Cassie rushed through the front door and grabbed the container. “Chit chat time is over.” She dashed out as fast as she’d entered.
“See you later.” Drake hurried outside, leaving Amanda unsettled and worried.
She moved to peer out the window. The sun sat just above the horizon, casting a golden glow across the ocean waves. Hard to believe that bad people existed in such a beautiful place. Hopefully Drake was right and the woman had gone on her way.
Propping the door open in order to attract the breeze, she headed to her office. She’d hear the bell jingle and could wait on any arriving customers if her sisters didn’t return soon. Where were they?
All three of the Samson women had defined jobs, only crossing over when swamped or absent. Amanda did the business end, Bethie handled the sandwich counter, and Cassie, with her bubbly outgoing personality, waited on customers. Where could they be?
She continued through the back door, propping it open to the view of the alley, garbage dumpster, and Cassie leaning against the wall flirting with the young man who had delivered their computer. “Cassie, you’re needed inside.”
She planted a quick kiss on the young man’s cheek, and then bounced inside. “You sure do know how to spoil a girl’s fun.”
“It’s a work day. I can’t do everything myself.”
“Where’s Bethie?” Cassie pulled her long blond hair back into a ponytail. “She left for the farmer’s market an hour ago.”
“Okay.” She should be back at any time. Amanda booted up her computer, eager to see how the business was faring. Last time she’d checked, they were inching across the line into the black. She wanted to make sure they continued to climb upward.
“I’m back!” Bethie called from the front. “Market was crowded, and there’s some woman loitering outside. I asked if I could help her,” she added, poking her head into the office. “But she wants to talk to you.”
Wonderful. Amanda shoved back her chair, knowing before she stepped outside whom it was that wanted to speak to her. Sure enough, Drake’s irate lady friend tapped her foot in front of the store. “May I help you?”
“I doubt it.” The woman turned with a narrow-eyed glare. “But, maybe you can answer a simple question.”
“I’ll try.” Amanda struggled to keep a pleasant tone in her voice.
“Are you really Drake’s boss and is there something between the two of you other than a professional relationship?” She stepped close enough Amanda could smell her coconut scented suntan lotion.
“Yes, I’m his boss, and no there is nothing more than that.” Except for one wonderfully steamy nighttime kiss.
“Is he gay?” The woman’s eyes widened. “I mean, look at me.” She waved a hand in front of her. “Only a gay man would not be interested in this.”
Amanda coughed to hide a laugh. “I’m pretty sure he’s straight, but we do have a policy for our employees not to date the customers. Great, she’d lied, and now she’d have to implement a policy which would most likely upset Cassie.
“I owe him an apology.” Amanda barely made out her whispered words. “I didn’t believe him, and I’ve done something awful.” Her eyes glimmered with unshed tears. “He’ll never care for me now. It’s rare to find such a man of integrity, isn’t it?”
“It sure is.” Amanda smiled. “Are you on vacation, Miss?”
“Call me Lilly. Yes, I leave the day after tomorrow.” She sighed. “I was really hoping for an island romance, and Drake seemed the perfect choice. I’ve read so much about them in novels and thought how exciting having one would be. Oh, well. My husband would most likely have found out, so I’m sure it’s for the best.”
Amanda had to bite her tongue in order not to say something. This spiteful, insane, woman was married? Her gaze fell on the woman’s left hand. Sure enough, she could barely make out the pale outline of a wedding ring. She wouldn’t implement the new policy after all. Most of their customers weren’t piranha-like women out for a sordid affair.
She stared out to sea in the direction of Molokini Island. She couldn’t wait to tell Drake about Lilly’s revelation.
*
Drake returned to the store well past dark to return the cooler and picnic basket. The honeymooners had practically ignored him, wrapped up in themselves, and the small party later in the day, while friendly, pretty much left him to his own devices. Exactly how he preferred things to be. Let him explain the safety procedures and the sights to look for, and then leave him to supervise.
Punching in a code to unlock the front door, he pushed through and set the cooler inside, then turned back for the basket when he caught sight of Amanda sitting at the lunch counter. “You’re up late.” His heart raced.
“I couldn’t go to sleep knowing you were still on the water.” She slid to the floor and padded barefoot toward him. “That’s not what a good employer would do.”
He gripped the basket hard enough to crack some of the woven slats. “No, I suppose not.” The room was dark, but he knew where her lips were and his gaze went straight to them.
“I had a visitor today,” she said.
“Yeah?”
“Your friend, Lilly.” She laughed breathlessly. “Seems she only wanted you for an island fling before returning to her husband. She thought that since you weren’t interested that you might be gay.”
“Husband?” His body wouldn’t react toward Amanda the way it did if he were a homosexual. “What did you tell her?”
She shrugged. “That we had a policy saying employees couldn’t date customers. It seemed to satisfy her.” She brushed past him, leaving a wake of floral scented fragrance. “I love this view. I can step out this door, day or night, and have my breath taken away by the beauty of it. The Hawaiian Islands are definitely some of God’s best work, don’t you think?”
“Absolutely. You need to spend more time outside instead of behind a desk.” He set the basket on the
floor and turned, standing on one side of the doorframe while she leaned against the other. He’d once given business presentations to rooms full of people, why did he suddenly find himself at a loss for words because of a beautiful woman? Well, actually, he had plenty to say, but most of it came out as if he were ridiculing her.
“I don’t have time for frivolous time wasting pursuits, Mr. Thomas.” She crossed her arms. “Not everyone has the luxury of spending their days and nights on a luxury yacht. Some of us actually work for our money.”
“I work.”
“Driving a boat all day isn’t work. It’s play.”
“You try it sometime. Get behind the wheel some morning and watch people play until nightfall. And quit calling it a boat!” How could she go from sweet and pliable to prickly and rigid in the blink of an eye? “I don’t want to fight. I’m too tired.”
“I don’t want to either.” She bent one leg and placed her foot on the wall behind her. “Why do we always disagree?”
“Not always.” He stepped closer and trailed the knuckles of his hand down her jaw. “We aren’t arguing when we’re kissing.”
She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. “Fight by day, whatever this is by night?”
“Maybe.” He tilted her chin up until her lips were close enough to kiss. Last night she’d tasted of the sea, tonight she tasted of peppermint. “Why can’t I resist you?”
“Why do you want to?” She murmured.
“I’m not the settling down type, Amanda. I’m a rogue who doesn’t want ties. I live on my yacht and take low paying jobs to survive so I can be on the water all day.” He stepped back. If he didn’t restrain himself, he’d step over a line he could never cross back from. “Somehow, I don’t think you’re like Lilly. You aren’t the type of woman to be satisfied with a fling.”
“How do you know?” She crossed her arms. “Maybe I’m exactly that kind of woman. Maybe you’re nothing but a play thing to me. Someone to ease my loneliness at night.”
He stared at the moonlight reflected in her eyes. His next sentence might ruin any chance they had of being friends, but he needed her to know she couldn’t play with fire. He’d loved once and been burned, almost losing everything in the process. He wouldn’t allow that to happen again. “Then come back to my yacht and prove it.”
Love Draws Near Page 3