Island Nights

by P. J. Mellor

  Reese laughed. “I agree. Trust me, that is not something you want to witness in person. I felt like I needed to wash my mind out with soap.”

  Both friends began nodding emphatically, urging Reese to turn and look.

  Ben was walking toward the door.

  “Ben! Wait!” Reese caught up to him in the lobby. “Where are you going?”

  “Home. Unless you need me to do something else. Cook and clean for you? Maybe run your bath? Or did you have something more intimate in mind? I aim to please.” His smile was frosty. “After all, I’m on your payroll. May as well get your money’s worth, right?”

  Blinking back tears, she could only stare at him. “If this is because of what I said back there, what was I supposed to say? Hey, this is the guy I’ve been boinking for the last few days while everyone was worried about me? Why are you being like this?”

  Taking her elbow, he pulled her into an alcove by the front door.

  “I’m just being myself, Blondie. It’s who I am. I’ll take your loan, but only because I need it, and there is no other option. But don’t expect me to play your lapdog.”

  “You don’t sound very grateful. I am bailing your sorry behind out, and instead you give me grief?”

  “Sorry.” He didn’t sound it, but she let it go.

  He glanced around the lobby and then lowered his voice. “The courthouse opens at eight in the morning. I’ll be here by seven-thirty so we can be there when it opens and get the taxes taken care of before auction time. Be ready.”

  “I’ll be ready and waiting in the restaurant. If you can make it by seven, I’ll even buy you breakfast.” There. If he wanted a free meal, he could put up with her company. Take it or leave it.

  He grinned and her heart fluttered.

  “I’m not easy, but I can be bought. Deal.” His warm lips brushed her cheek as he passed her, heading for the door.

  She resisted the urge to touch her cheek like some lovestruck idiot, but she couldn’t turn and walk away before he was out of sight.

  At the front door, he turned on his heel and strode back.

  “I swore I wasn’t going to do this.” He ran a hand through his tangled hair, the light catching on the sun-bleached strands. “I know you probably want to catch up with your friends and all, but … if you want, you can come back and spend the night with me on the boat.” He bent his knees and looked into her tear-filled eyes and smiled. “If, that is, you can refrain from puking in my bed. Or worse, on me.”

  She slipped her hand into his. “I’ll try.”

  After a step, she stopped. “I should at least tell Paige and Bailey where I’m going. I mean, they came all the way to Sand Dollar because they were worried.”

  Instead of speaking, he pulled her into his arms and covered her mouth with a kiss she’d probably remember the rest of her life.

  He broke the kiss, resting his forehead against hers. “Call them from the boat. I want one more night with you.”

  One more night. Only one. The thought brought a lump to her throat.

  With a curt nod, she allowed him to lead her out.

  “Bailey!” Paige transferred the ice bucket and wineglasses to the hand already holding a bottle of champagne and banged on the door with the hand holding the other bottle.

  Bailey threw open the door. She was obviously not expecting visitors, since she already had on her pink pajamas with the fluffy white clouds printed all over them. Her hair was scraped back into a gelatinous mess, and a shiny green facial mask covered her whole face except her eyes.

  “Hey,” Paige said, hurrying into the room and setting down her burden, “you didn’t say anything about a girls’ night!”

  “I assumed you had other plans. Why aren’t you with Brett?” Her hands went to fists on her hips. “Paige, I’m not a charity case. I’m fine. Really. Go. Have fun.”

  Paige smiled. “I am. I have snack trays too. I just need to run back to my room and get them. I may be a few seconds, though, because I want to put my jammies on too.”

  “What about Brett?” Bailey called after her friend.

  “I left him a voice mail,” Paige called back. “He won’t mind.”

  Maybe I will. She trudged into the adjoining bathroom and twisted the shower control. May as well hurry and wash out the conditioner before girls’ night officially began.

  She wondered if Reese would join them, but she decided with a hottie like Ben, it was unlikely they would hear from their friend before morning. If even then.

  Just as she’d finished applying deep moisture cream to her face, Paige came back into the room.

  “How’d you get in?” she asked, taking one of the two trays of food from her friend.

  “Don’t panic. I talked Rita into loaning me one of her passkeys. Remind me to return it before we leave, okay?”

  “Paige. Stop. Listen to me, will you?”

  Paige paused in the act of opening the first bottle.

  “I’m fine. Really. What happened was just … unfortunate. I made a mistake, and before I realized it, well, it got out of hand. So stop babying me. Please. And if you want to spend tonight with Brett, that’s fine with me.” She winked and picked up some cheese. “But you have to leave the food here.”

  “Not a chance! I’m starving. And I am not checking up on you. Well, not totally.” She poured the bubbly and handed Bailey a glass. “I really do want to relax and celebrate Reese’s safe return. With you. I’m so busy at work these days, Thursday margarita nights are the only time I can even begin to relax. And only then if I’m not on call.” At Bailey’s raised eyebrow, she shrugged, the spaghetti strap of her purple pajamas sliding off one shoulder. “Okay, I might still be a little concerned about you. So sue me. I’m your friend, it’s what friends do.”

  Bailey lifted her glass, mentally shutting down her pity party. “To friendship.”

  “I’ll drink to that,” Paige said, clinking glasses.

  Bailey snorted. “You’ll drink to anything.”

  Paige laughed. “True. Now, let’s put a serious dent in the food! I’m starving! That new chef was pretty skimpy with the portions tonight.”

  Halfway through the second bottle of champagne, they were watching TV and giggling at a romantic comedy, when a loud knock rattled the door.

  “Expecting anyone?” Paige eased from the bed and picked up the empty bottle.

  Bailey shook her head. “Put that bottle down,” she whispered. “You’re liable to hurt someone if you hit them with it.”

  “I’m a doctor,” Paige whispered back, edging toward the door. “If I hurt someone who didn’t deserve it, I can fix them.”

  “Either you two aren’t whispering very quietly or the door is too thin,” Brett’s muffled voice said. “I can hear everything you’re saying. And, for the record, if you brain me with a bottle, Paige, I will not be amused.”

  Laughing at her friend’s stunned look, Bailey opened the door. “Hi, Brett! Come on in!”

  “Thanks.” He walked right to Paige and handed her shoes and robe to her. “Put these on.”

  “How did you get into my room?” Paige’s voice was a little slurred and very un-Paige-like.

  Bailey noticed her friend did as she was told.

  “You left the door open. I would have been concerned, but I could hear you two laughing all the way down the hall.”

  Paige gave a faint nod, then looked confused. “Why—why am I putting on my shoes and robe?”

  “Because you’re coming with me.”

  She snickered. “Usually several times, thank you very much.” Slapping her leg, she dissolved into laughter.

  “Are you s-sure you want to take her anywhere?” Funny, Bailey felt clear-headed, but was surprised to hear her speech was slurred as well.

  “Oh, yeah. I don’t have a choice.” He leaned close and whispered, “I have some stuff I need to tell her before she leaves.”

  “Hey!” Paige walked unsteadily toward them. “What are you two wh-whispering abo
ut? I—oh! Put me down!”

  In response, Brett patted her backside, where it rested on his shoulder. “Soon, party girl, soon.”

  “But I love you,” she blurted out from her upside-down position.

  “That’s what I’m counting on.”

  45

  Reese raised her head from Ben’s slick chest and smiled down at him. “You certainly have a way with curing motion sickness.”

  He ran his hands up and down her sides, then patted her bare hip. “I aim to please, ma’am.”

  The boat undulated with the movement of the gulf. Ordinarily, the action would have made her violently ill. Instead, the slight movement rocked her hips against Ben’s, creating a delicious friction that was already turning her on. Again.

  “You should market it,” she managed to say in a breathy voice. “You’d make a fortune.”

  His hands cupped her breasts, his thumbs idly rubbing the tips of her nipples. “My cure only works for you.”

  “Good,” she said in a growl, grinding harder against him. She bent and nibbled his earlobe. “I think I feel another bout coming on. Let’s do it again.” Stretching, she almost lost their intimate connection in her effort to pull his mouth to her breast.

  He sucked a few times, then released her, his hands bracketing her hips.

  Gazes locked, he moved his hips, burying himself deep in her welcoming body.

  “This has to be the last time, Blondie,” he said through clenched teeth, increasing the pace of his thrusts. “We need to get some sleep.”

  “Maybe I don’t want to sleep!” She panted the words, riding him hard.

  Neatly flipping her on the hard mattress of his bunk, he continued pounding into her. “Maybe I do.”

  Raising her hips, she smiled and ground into him. “I could probably change your mind.”

  The only answer he made was guttural grunts and groans as the sound of their labored breathing echoed in the little cabin.

  Reese found she could stave off nausea if she wedged against Ben’s naked back.

  Sleep eluded her as she lay in the dark, listening to his even breathing.

  She’d told the truth—she didn’t care if she slept tonight. In all probability, it was their last night together.

  Heart heavy, she held him tighter and fought back the tears.

  Desperate. That’s what she was and there wasn’t a dang thing she could do about it.

  What had she expected Ben to do when she’d offered the money? Did she think he’d fall on his knees and profess his undying gratitude and love and beg her to stay?

  Maybe.

  She didn’t really care about the gratitude, but the love part would be a welcome change.

  Instead, though this relationship, if you could call it a relationship, had lasted longer than any she’d had recently, it was going to end too. And it was ending soon.

  And there was nothing she could do about it.

  So she’d listen to the night sounds of the ocean and hold him. Inhale his unique scent. Memorize his body and remember the sound of his breathing for the rest of her life.

  Ben held himself still and did his damn best to keep his breathing even while Reese’s hot little body branded his back for life.

  Would she stay if he asked? Would she stay if he begged? Probably not.

  He had nothing to offer.

  Not even love.

  Tonight, while they’d made love, it had been on the tip of his tongue to tell her he loved her. But he’d never told a woman that, and wasn’t sure the words would come this time.

  Wasn’t 100 percent sure it was true, so what was the point?

  But he did know one thing. He’d never spend the night in bed with another woman. And he’d never take another woman into his bed on the boat. Or at the hotel.

  He just couldn’t.

  46

  Reese shoved a pile of scrambled eggs around on her plate. Ben didn’t seem to have much more of an appetite.

  He set down his mug. “Ready? The courthouse will be open by the time we get there.” Digging in his pocket, he threw some money on the table and stood, offering her his hand.

  Of course, she was perfectly capable of getting up on her own. But she gladly gripped his hand and stood, pleased he didn’t let go as they walked toward the exit.

  The morning sun shone on the white columns of the courthouse, making it glow.

  Paying the back taxes took less than five minutes. It may have been due to the early hour, but within another thirty minutes, Reese’s name was on the deed to Serenity Island, right next to Ben’s.

  They may never be life partners, but at least they were business partners. For now, anyway.

  Mrs. Hamilton, the court registrar, beamed at them. “Congratulations, Benjamin. Your grandmother would have been so proud.”

  “Thanks, Mrs. Hamilton, but I don’t see what there is to be proud of. I should have paid those taxes years ago. I’m just glad I could do it before the auction took place.” He leaned forward on the desk separating them. “It’s canceled, right?”

  “Absolutely. I’ve already typed up the cancelation and entered it.” Now she leaned closer. “By the way, I meant your grandmother would be proud you’ve found a nice young lady and settled down.”

  “What? Oh, I, I—mean, we, we’re not, that is to say we’re—”

  “Business partners,” Reese supplied with a smile.

  “Why didn’t I receive my wake-up call?” Dorinda barreled into the lobby, sliding to a halt at the front desk. “And there was no bill under my door! I left word I’d be checking out this morning.”

  Rick smiled and slid the sheet of paper across the desk to her. “My apologies about the wake-up call, ma’am. Most people don’t request them anymore. It must have been an oversight.”

  “No, it wasn’t,” Rita said, coming up behind her husband. “Your gentleman friend said you didn’t want to be disturbed this morning, so he canceled it.”

  “What!” Dorinda’s screech brought lobby conversations to a halt. “When did he tell you that?”

  “When he checked out and paid your bill last night.”

  “He what?”

  “Checked out and paid your bill.” Rita tapped the paper with her index finger. “Here’s your receipt. Thanks for staying with us.”

  Taking a deep breath, Dorinda stuffed the sheet of paper in her briefcase. “I need a cab.”

  “None available right now, ma’am. I can call one for you, but it might take nigh unto an hour. Jimmy Dean Trumball is the only cabdriver working today, and it’s milking time. He’ll be available after, though, if you can wait.”

  “No, I can’t wait! I have to be at the courthouse in less than an hour!”

  “Rick would be happy to take you, wouldn’t you, sweetie?”

  Rick glared at his wife but nodded. “Let me get my keys.”

  Rita answered the phone as they walked to the door. “Wait! There’s a call for you.”

  Dorinda would like nothing better than to ignore the annoying innkeeper, but she trudged back and grabbed the phone.

  “What?”

  “This is Justin Keys, your pilot.”

  She frowned. Why would the pilot be calling? “Where are you?”

  “Still fueled and waiting on the tarmac for your instruction, ma’am.”

  A sly smile curved her lips. “Oh, really? And what about Mr. Conrad? Have you spoken to him?”

  After a pause, the pilot answered her in a low voice. “Yes, ma’am, extensively. I told him I had express orders, and those orders only come from you. It’s just that, well, he’s getting a little … perturbed. So, I said I’d call. Do I have your permission to take off, or should I wait for further instructions from you?”

  It was all she could do to keep from laughing. It was really too delicious. She could only imagine how pissed off Halston was about now.

  “I’m so sorry…. Justin, wasn’t it?”

  “That’s right.”

  “I’m sorry I
neglected to inform you of my change of plans, Justin.” She waited while Rick opened the door to an old truck for her.

  “Change?”

  “Yes, keep the engine running. I’ll be there within the hour, if all goes well. Regardless, I do have a request. I need you to do something for me.”

  “Sure thing.”

  “Kick Mr. Conrad off the plane.” He can slither his way back to Houston, after all.

  47

  “When are you planning to leave?” Ben rubbed the back of Reese’s hand as it rested on the table in the restaurant.

  “I’m not sure. I thought I’d see when Paige and Bailey were leaving and see if I can get a seat on the same flight. Probably today sometime. Or maybe tomorrow.”

  A commotion preceded Dorinda’s entrance. She tromped over to their table, nostrils flared. “What the hell is going on?”

  “Dorinda! I thought you left.” Reese clutched Ben’s hand, warning him to stay and be quiet. She prayed he could read her silent plea.

  “I just bet you did, you two-timing bitch!”

  “Now, just a minute—” The warning was clear in Ben’s voice.

  Reese tugged on his hand. So much for having any sort of mental connection.

  Dorinda wheeled on him. “And you! You must be her partner in crime. Ben Adams, I presume?” She switched her narrowed gaze back to Reese. “I have to hand it to you, when you spread your legs, you do it in style.” She leaned down until she almost touched noses with Reese. “Tell me, how many times did you have to fuck him to get your name on the deed? I hope he was worth it, because you’re fired!”

  They sat in silence after she flounced out.

  “Reese,” Ben said, grasping her hands, “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault. I’m a grown woman. I make my own decisions.” She forced a laugh. “It’s not like I wasn’t planning to quit, anyway.”

  O.M.G.! I’ve been fired! I lost my job! Now what am I going to do? Don’t panic, don’t panic. You have some money in savings. She took a deep breath, willing the panic away. Crap! Not enough!