Shelter in the Tropics

by Cara Lockwood

  “Hey,” a voice growled behind her, and without looking she knew it was Tack, could feel his tall presence behind her even before he reached out and grabbed the punk kid’s shoulder. “The lady said she didn’t want to dance.”

  The kid stared down at Tack’s hand, which held a patch of his cheap Hawaiian shirt. Before he could do more than that, Tack yanked him away from Cate with such force he staggered backward and fell with a thump on his butt.

  “On your feet.” Even drunk, the kid managed to pop back up. “You’re out.”

  The kid moved as if to swing at Tack, but Tack did a quick move and suddenly had the kid’s arm pinned behind his back. “Get moving,” Tack ordered, and the kid obliged as Tack pushed him through the crowded dance floor. Shocked, all Cate could do was follow. He shoved the kid past the pool and jammed bar and didn’t stop moving until he’d gotten to the edge of the property near the parking lot. He gave the kid an extra hard shove and he staggered, nearly falling before he righted himself.

  “You’re out,” Tack repeated. “If I see you anywhere near here again, next time, I won’t be so gentle.”

  The kid frowned and considered talking back, but then he took in Tack’s full height, and the size of his enormous biceps and decided against it.

  Then, Tack focused on Cate.

  “Are you all right?”

  Cate nodded. But she felt a little shaken by all the memories of being grabbed and manhandled that had surfaced. The bottomless pit of powerlessness, the hopelessness that strangled her.

  “You don’t look fine.” Tack put his arm around her and brought her around to the lobby of the resort, which was much less crowded. The thump of the music was faded here. “Why don’t you sit down?” He guided her to the small love seat in the air-conditioned nook by the front desk. Cate slumped into it wordlessly. When had her legs turned to jelly? Why were her hands shaking?

  “Do you need some water?” Tack asked, hovering near her.

  “No. Thanks.” Even her voice sounded shaky. What was wrong with her? But she already knew the answer. Rick was what was wrong with her. Rick and all the times he hit her. “I’m sorry. I...I just don’t like being touched like that.”

  Tack frowned. “Nobody does,” he said. “That kid’s a prick, but he’s not going to touch you again.” The way he said it made Cate feel well protected. She was sure Tack had scared that kid to death. Cate nodded and tried to get her breathing back under control. An anxiety attack now wouldn’t help anyone, and besides, she had to get back to that party and help Mark. She’d promised to bring more rum.

  Her hands still shook, and she laced her fingers together to keep them from shaking. Tack noticed.

  “This isn’t about that kid, is it?” Tack said, eyeing her carefully. “This is about something else.”

  How did he know?

  “Why do you say that?” Cate’s guard was up. What did he know? Why would he even ask something like that?

  “I know what post-traumatic stress looks like,” Tack said. “Most of my buddies had it. You show all the signs. Something happened to you that wasn’t this kid.”

  Cate blinked fast, her heart rate shooting up and her breath coming fast. She felt suddenly transparent, as if he already knew all her secrets. She worked so hard to pretend everything was fine, that his calling her out felt like she’d been stripped naked of all her defenses. She knew in an instant that lying would do her no good. Somehow, he’d see through the lie. He seemed to be able to see everything about her in that moment. She wondered how he managed that.

  “I...I don’t like to talk about it,” she said at last.

  “Try me.” Tack studied her, his brown eyes sincere. She suddenly wanted to share, to unburden herself. How long had she carried these secrets? Even Mark and Carol didn’t know them all, didn’t know all of what Rick had done to her. All she had to do was open her mouth and let the words come tumbling out. She wondered what would happen then.

  But she couldn’t. There was Avery to think about it. And the fact that Rick was still looking for her. She didn’t know this man, no matter how well-meaning he seemed. She didn’t trust him. She didn’t know if she could trust anyone.

  “I...I can’t.”

  She shook her head and pressed her lips together, as if worried her past might just leap out of her throat without her permission.

  Tack looked disappointed, and she hated that look.

  “Okay, then. When you’re ready,” he said, and gave her knee a pat.

  I might never be ready, she thought. “I should get Mark more rum.” She stood, despite the fact that her knees felt a little wobbly. When she took a step, one nearly gave out, and Tack grabbed her elbow.

  “Easy. Listen, go upstairs. Rest. I’ll help Mark at the bar.”

  “But...”

  “I can walk you.” Tack gently guided her toward the elevators.

  “I don’t need a chaperone. I’m fine.” Cate felt weak-kneed and weak-headed, but she didn’t want Tack to know that. She felt like she was a kid being sent to bed without dinner.

  “You need to rest,” Tack commanded. “Your body’s feeling shock, so you need to rest.”

  “But... I’m...”

  “Going to rest,” he stressed as he pressed the elevator button.

  “I don’t need to rest. I can help at the party. The resort needs me.” The elevator doors slid open and Cate stood her ground, refusing to get in.

  “God, you may be the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met,” Tack growled, and then, in an instant had swept her up in his arms. Cate was so shocked, she let out a squeal. A few patrons in the lobby turned to stare, and Cate felt her face flush.

  “Put me down!” she cried.

  “I am going to carry you up the stairs and to your room unless you get in this elevator and go.”

  Tack didn’t fight fair. She wanted to go back to the party, but she also didn’t want the scene of this muscle-bound marine carrying her through the lobby. How would she explain that to Mark?

  “Put me down.”

  “Only if you agree to go upstairs and get some rest.” The elevator doors threatened to shut, and Tack stopped them with one well-placed foot.

  Cate saw no alternative. She was beaten, fair and square.

  “Fine,” she said. “I’ll go.”

  Tack put her down, and she moved reluctantly into the elevator. He reached in and clicked the button for the top floor. “I’ll come up and check on you later,” he promised as the doors slid shut between them.

  CHAPTER TEN

  ONCE IN HER ROOM, Cate felt idiotic. She was fine. Sure, her legs were shaky and she felt like she couldn’t quite catch her breath, but other than that she was fine. Then again, as the door slipped shut behind her, she felt suddenly light-headed as she sank onto her sofa, knees wobbly. Her head pounded with an adrenaline headache, and her arms felt tingly and strange.

  This wasn’t the first time she’d had a near panic attack, and probably wouldn’t be the last.

  Post-traumatic stress. Was that really what this was? She’d never served in combat. Then again, as she remembered some of the nights she spent with Rick, it often felt like war.

  She glanced around her living room, which was empty. Carol had told her earlier that Grace would be watching Avery in their suite across the hall, which was fine by Cate. She needed a minute to compose herself.

  I’m fine. I’m not hurt. Rick is thousands of miles away. I’m safe. Avery’s safe.

  She repeated the chant in her head until her breathing calmed. Then, she got to her feet and plugged in the kettle. Moments later she was sipping a cup of tea, trying to unravel the nerves that had bunched up at the back of her neck. After this cup, I’ll head downstairs, she thought, but then found herself staring into space, lost in all those many horrible m
emories of her past.

  Rick’s temper would always flare up when she least expected it, like a storm out of the blue. Sometimes, she’d get hit before she even realized he was angry. That’s how violent his temper became. He didn’t even bother to hide his behavior in front of servants. She remembered the army of maids, the butler, the valet and all the people who stoically turned a blind eye. Cate had been surrounded by people, but she’d been anything but safe.

  That feeling of being completely vulnerable and alone stuck with her, even now. I’m free, she told herself. I don’t live there anymore.

  But the fast rate of her heart told her part of her would always live in that house. She laid down her empty cup and stretched out on the sofa. Without meaning to, she drifted to sleep thinking about her past. She dreamed dark, unsettling dreams until a soft knock on the door brought her to high alert. Her heart leaped to her chest, and for a crazy split second, she thought Rick might be at the door.

  Don’t be ridiculous, Cate. He doesn’t know you’re here.

  Cate glanced at the clock on her wall and saw it was late. She moved to the peephole and glanced through, and saw Carol standing there. Cate swung open the door and glanced worriedly down the hallway.

  “Carol?”

  “Tack told me about...what happened. I just wanted to check on you. See if you’re okay.” Carol bit her lower lip, brow furrowed in worry.

  “I’m okay. Really.” Cate squeezed Carol’s hand.

  “Are you sure? You look so...pale.” Carol leaned in the open door and gave Cate a warm hug, rubbing her back in the way that always made her feel better. “Do you want something to eat? Or drink? Do you need a shot of tequila?”

  Cate laughed a little at her friend’s joke. “There might not be enough tequila in the world. Do you have a Xanax?”

  Carol smiled and hugged her friend once more.

  “You’re okay, you know. You’re not there anymore. You’re here. You’re safe.”

  Cate shook her head. “Why don’t I feel safe?” She couldn’t shake the feeling that Rick was closing in on her, that it was only a matter of time before she was found.

  Before Carol could answer, the elevator down the hall dinged, announcing the arrival of someone new. Both women turned to look, Cate again feeling an unexplained dread. No guests stayed on this floor, at least not this weekend with the hotel half empty. Soon, they saw Tack’s broad shoulders emerge from the elevator. Her heart sped up a little, and her hands flew to her hair. When was the last time she’d combed it? She had no idea. She glanced at Carol, who wore a knowing grin.

  “What?” Cate whispered.

  “You talk to him.” Carol nudged Cate forward.

  “But what about Avery?”

  “He’ll sleep on the couch. It’ll be a sleepover. You know how he loves those,” Carol said as she slipped across the hall.

  Tack was halfway down the hall, a half smile on his face. “Carol, don’t...don’t leave,” Cate whispered.

  “Why? He’s not here for me,” Carol said as she opened her door and sneaked in. She poked her head out. “And feel free to stay out all night. Seriously. Avery will stay with us.”

  “Carol...”

  But Tack was upon her then.

  “Hey.” Tack’s sensual mouth spread into a sly smile. “Where’d Carol go?” He glanced at the closing door and the half wave from her soon-to-be-fired resort manager. Cate couldn’t believe Carol had left her stranded out in the hall alone with this man.

  “Uh, Carol just wanted to check in on Avery.”

  “How is he?”

  “Fine.”

  “I wanted to see how you were.” Tack studied her face, and Cate felt a rush of heat flood her cheeks. She wasn’t used to someone checking up on her. Or looking after her.

  “I’m fine. Really.” But even as Cate spoke, she couldn’t quite meet Tack’s gaze. It wasn’t a lie, exactly, but it wasn’t the truth, either.

  Tack put his finger beneath her chin and tilted it upward, so their eyes met. “You wouldn’t be lying to me, would you?”

  Cate found she couldn’t answer him then. She felt mesmerized by the closeness of him, the fact that if she stood on her tiptoes she might even kiss the man.

  No. What am I thinking? Kiss him right in the hall?

  “Well, if you’re really fine, then you owe me that drink.” Tack held up a bottle of wine and two glasses.

  “Well...Carol did say she’d watch Avery.” Cate couldn’t believe she’d actually said that out loud. She’d meant to keep that thought strictly in her own head, yet it slipped out, unbidden. Tack seemed to have that effect on her. She wanted to simply confess everything when he was around.

  “Why don’t we take this to my room, then?” Tack held up the wine and the glasses.

  She wanted to protest, but the fact was, she wanted that drink.

  “I promise I won’t bite.”

  But what if I want you to? Cate was simply staring at Tack now, she knew it, the white-hot thought suddenly crowding all other logical ones from her head. Maybe Carol was rubbing off on her. Something seemed to be steering her mind decidedly toward sex. She knew exactly why, too. The man was built like a brick wall, a really sexy, really hot, brick wall.

  “Cate?” His deep baritone brought her out of her fantasy. How long had she just been staring at him? And what was wrong with her?

  “Oh, uh, yeah. Sure. Okay.”

  Never mind that going to a strange man’s room was something she never did. But this man rescued Avery. This man saved her from a drunk patron. She couldn’t imagine a predator would go to those lengths just to take advantage of her.

  And could he take advantage if that’s exactly what she wanted him to do?

  They rode the elevator down two floors, and all the while all Cate could think was how close his elbow was to hers, how immensely tall and broad he was in the small space of the elevator.

  “I don’t usually do this,” she blurted.

  “What? Ride elevators?” Tack’s sensual mouth spread into a sly grin.

  Cate laughed. “No. Have drinks. This late.” In a strange man’s room.

  “You don’t usually stay up past ten thirty? Really?” Now Tack seemed to be calling her bluff. The elevator doors dinged, and Tack held them open for her as she scooted out, feeling flustered and off balance. Suddenly, she also wondered what she was agreeing to by going to his room. Did he expect to kiss her? More? Did she want him to?

  She glanced back at his dark eyes, which seemed to be able to read her mind. Oh, yes. Yes, she did.

  Tack slid his key card into his door, then pushed it open with one beefy shoulder.

  “After you.” She went and she could feel his gaze raking over her. She wondered if he approved of the capri yoga pants she’d hastily thrown on this morning. She’d been going for comfort. She hadn’t expected a date. Was this a date?

  The clink of the wineglasses reverberated in the empty but tidy room. Cate was suddenly all too aware that the only real place to sit was the queen bed, made up in the colorful floral aqua pattern.

  This might be more than a date.

  Tack flung open the glass door patio, letting in the warm sea air. “Sit outside?”

  “Uh...yeah.” Cate nodded, feeling relief and disappointment all at once. She took her wineglass and followed him out to the small patio dinette. She noticed that Tack had gotten the seaside room with one of the best views in the resort. The moon hung over the Caribbean, bathing the water in a glistening silver light. This might be less overtly sexual than the bed, but it was no less romantic. Tack uncorked the wine with a reassuring-sounding pop.

  “How did...the party go?” Cate asked.

  “Mark was pretty happy about it,” Tack said. “But I’m guessing you’re not going to like the state
of the pool tomorrow. You might need a sledgehammer to get up all the spilled mai tais.”

  “That bad?”

  “Worse. And some kids broke a few poolside chairs. Turns out the recliners weren’t meant to be danced on.”

  “Oh, no.” Cate pinched her nose, trying to hold a stress headache at bay. “That sounds like a disaster.”

  “Oh, it absolutely was.” Tack grinned as he took a sip from his drink. “And Mark wants to do it again.”

  “Lord help us.” Cate shook her head and took the glass. “Won’t you be gone by then?”

  The realization that his week would be up by then hit her like a ton of bricks.

  “Maybe I could extend my stay,” he said and her stomach did a little flip. “To your resort.” He raised his glass. “I hope it’s back on its feet soon, so you won’t have to throw any more parties.”

  Cate clinked glasses with him. “Cheers to that.” She took a sip. “Thank you. Again.”

  “For what?”

  “For...looking after me tonight.”

  Tack studied her a moment. “My pleasure,” he said after a beat.

  They slipped into small talk for a bit. The wine was going down far too fast, but Cate didn’t seem to mind. Tack refilled her glass even before it was empty, making it even harder to keep track of what she’d drunk. The cool breeze off the sea ruffled her hair, making her feel relaxed for the first time in a very long time. The stress of the day seemed to melt away a little, and she wondered if this was what contentment felt like.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Tack asked after a moment.

  “What? The drunk kid who got handsy?” Cate shrugged. “It was nothing. I just...overreacted.”