Devil in a Dark Blue Suit

by Robyn Grady

  When he joined her amongst the pillows and fresh cool sheets, she welcomed him with outstretched arms and unbidden tears edging her eyes. He might have seen them glistening in the moonlight that streaked through the open window. She thought she saw his expression change and his jaw clench before, kneeling over her, he curled an arm around her head and kissed her…kissed her as if all the demons in hell were driving him on.

  After they’d made love, they had that picnic in bed. They didn’t talk about unwinnable situations, or noughts and crosses or even teasing. They seemed beyond any of that. They’d reached another plane, talking quietly to each other as, outside, the torches one by one flickered and died. And when the smoky mist of early dawn filtered in, Eden tried to stare it down, tried to conjure a spell to will it away.

  She wanted the night back. Not tomorrow exploring the island. Not even tomorrow night when they’d share this bed again and their time left together would be whittled down to hours. She definitely didn’t want to know about Tuesday morning when they’d hear a motorboat return and would politely relay to Gregory and Tianne what a pleasant time they’d had.

  Swallowing against the tears building at the back of her throat, Eden cuddled into the only man meant for her while he ran his fingers lightly up and down her arm and they watched, inch by inch, morning light fill the room.

  Felt, minute by minute, their time slip away.

  When Eden woke, Devlin lay on his side facing away from her.

  Her throat ached at the magnificent sight of him…his broad back moving with the steady rhythm of his breathing, his sexy dark hair adorably mussed, his musky scent so wonderfully male. When she rolled a little towards him, thinking to trail her lips over the much-loved curve of his ear, he didn’t move.

  Strange.

  Whenever she’d stayed at his place, the faintest noise or barest movement would wake him. She’d told him that burglars wouldn’t stand a chance if they dared sneak around Devlin Stone’s house in the dead of night. He thought nothing of his heightened primal instinct to be alert at the slightest provocation. His preparedness, even in a deep sleep, had made her feel so protected.

  She smiled now at the irony of that thought as well as the warmth that washed through her watching him in this curiously vulnerable state. Was it that he’d had so little sleep or the fact that here in this isolated setting it was his turn to feel perfectly safe?

  There wasn’t a sign of movement other than his breathing and the hammer of her heartbeat in response to the urge to trace her tongue down the dent in his back, then curl her hand over his hip and wake him in a manner they’d both enjoy.

  She tilted away.

  To wake him at all would be selfish. He hadn’t had enough sleep. She hadn’t had enough sleep. Difference was her eyes were wide open, and the surf crashing on the shore seemed to call to her with a distant churning whisper.

  One more day, one more day…

  Carefully she slid out from beneath the sheet and slipped a sundress over her head. She brushed her hair and teeth and still Devlin lay on his side.

  The waves called to her again and suddenly she wanted to know the feel of salty wind on her face, savour the heat of tropical sun on her skin. She wanted to capture as much of this place in her mind and with her senses as she possibly could. She never ever wanted to forget this amazing dream of living, even this short time, with Devlin in paradise.

  She moved quietly out to the main room then down the steps, comparing the smell of burned-out torches to the romantic flickering of flames the night before. The most amazing night of her life.

  Her one regret was her comment about ‘some things being unwinnable’. As soon as the words had slipped out, she’d wanted to swallow them back down. She’d meant, of course, that she could never win Devlin’s heart. Not fully. And she was close to certain that Devlin had known it.

  But he hadn’t reassured her. Hadn’t confessed that, now they’d shared this unbelievable time together, he’d fallen hopelessly, irreversibly in love with her. Rather he’d considered her words before letting them slide.

  Her fingertips brushed the dewy leaves as she wandered down the path to the beach, her bare toes digging into the powder-soft sand as her hair gently lifted on the sea breeze. Her stomach jumped when two small gecko lizards scuttled in front her, their skins reminding her of ghosts, their tails leaving faint trails in the sand.

  When she reached the beach, a scattering of seagulls landed nearby. Their pink, or black, eyes studied her as they strutted around, so very comfortable in their world. A world where nothing mattered except—

  ‘See any wild animals on your travels?’

  Heart leaping to her throat, she spun around and let out a gasp. Devlin stood a few feet away, looking more delectable, illuminated in the sunrise, than any man had a right to.

  She smiled. ‘You’re up.’

  Rubbing the back of his neck as if working out a crick, he pretended to scowl. ‘You didn’t wake me.’

  He looked larger than life and, for one more day, he was hers and no one else’s.

  When he looked at her oddly, she slanted her head and remembered to reply. ‘You seemed sound asleep. We were up so late.’

  ‘Or is that up early?’

  He joined her, held her and kissed her until the seed of desire bloomed bright once more and she couldn’t bear the thought of never feeling his skin on her skin again after tomorrow.

  How could she say goodbye?

  As if disgusted by their display of affection, a seagull squawked, swooping close. They broke apart, ducking as they laughed.

  Devlin wrapped his arms around her, one brow lifted. ‘Good thing we went to the lake yesterday or we might’ve been run out of town.’

  When he rotated her in his arms so they both faced the surf, she held onto his hands, linked at her waist, glad he was awake and this wasn’t a dream.

  She rested her head back against his shoulder and gazed off at the peaceful horizon. ‘It’s hard to believe people on the mainland are waking up and getting ready to face the treadmill.’

  His warm lips nipped her ear. ‘Responsibilities do get in the way of a good time.’

  ‘Guess you can’t have fun all the time.’

  She’d wanted to sound flippant, but her voice was thick and her nose stung with the sudden threat of tears. Which was not acceptable. She needed to immerse herself in this atmosphere, be grateful for the chance to finish this—finish them the way they deserved to end.

  With no regrets.

  Not this time.

  His raspy chin snagged over the top of her head. ‘Did Sabrina leave a message for you this morning?’

  At a dig of unease, she worked away from his embrace and faced him. ‘You mean on my cell phone? I didn’t think we’d get reception way out here.’

  ‘Even if we were out of range, R.J. is wealthy enough to have his own repeater station installed.’

  ‘Did Nathan phone you?’

  ‘He left a text message.’

  ‘What did it say?’

  She didn’t mean for her voice to rise. She didn’t want to think the worst.

  Devlin rubbed the back of his neck again. ‘I’m sure it’s nothing.’

  Her hands fisted at her sides. ‘What did he say?’

  He studied her tight lips and exhaled. ‘He asked if you’d heard from Sabrina.’

  Her bunched fingers unfurled as an awful feeling rib-boned through her. She swallowed against the taste of bile rising in her throat and held her suddenly clammy forehead.

  ‘Something’s wrong.’ She just knew it.

  They’d had a fight. He’d made her cry. Maybe he wanted to know where she was to apologise. Or ask her to get her stuff out of his place.

  ‘We don’t know anything’s wrong.’ Devlin shrugged his broad shoulders. ‘It could be good news.’

  But it was clear from his furrowed expression that he hadn’t convinced either of them.

  She wove around him. ‘I’ve got to cal
l her.’

  His hand snapped out and caught her wrist. ‘When she’s ready, she’ll contact you.’

  ‘Aren’t you going to talk to Nathan?’

  He seemed to think it through and dropped her hand. ‘Let’s see if she’s left a message for you first.’

  Exactly her thought. She sprinted off ahead of him.

  ‘Hey!’ he shouted. ‘Wait for me.’

  ‘Don’t worry,’ she called over her shoulder. ‘I’m not afraid of wild animals, remember?’

  The stab in her foot was swift, burning. Unable to stifle a yelp, she fell back onto her rump, holding her heel and biting her lip as searing pain shot an arrow up her leg.

  Before she could figure out what had happened, Devlin dropped onto his knees beside her. All she knew was her foot hurt like blue blazes and her head was beginning to tingle at the pain.

  While she sucked air in between her teeth, his hands went to the foot she cradled. ‘What happened?’

  Her adrenaline levels leapt as the knife in her foot sliced higher, reaching her knee.

  ‘I’m not sure.’ She swallowed water rising in her mouth. ‘I-I think something bit me.’

  He threw an urgent glance around. ‘A snake?’

  Carefully, he eased her hands and tourniquet grip away. A mini river of red was released, denting the soft white sand.

  Cursing under his breath, he searched between long blades of grass and picked something up. The colour edging the offending item matched the changed colour of the sand.

  His mouth pulled unhappily to one side. ‘Looks like you were attacked by a shell.’

  She rocked a little, hoping the motion would counter the sharp edge of pain. ‘Well, that’s got to be better than stepping on a cobra.’

  ‘No cobras around here. I’d thought possibly a brown snake.’

  ‘Are they poisonous?’

  He nodded. ‘Deadly.’

  While she hovered between the need to faint and the urge to run, he gently turned her foot to inspect the wound, then shook his head. ‘That’s a deep gash.’

  ‘I’ll live.’ Just.

  ‘Not if that gets infected. Septicaemia isn’t pretty. We’ll head for the mainland, find a doctor.’

  Along with the pain, she cringed at a stab of guilt. She could barely meet his eyes.

  ‘I’m sorry, Devlin.’

  ‘Sorry for what?’

  ‘I should’ve been more careful, watched where I was going.’ Now he wanted to take her off the island. She’d ruined everything.

  ‘It was an accident.’

  ‘Guess I’m not much good at this adventure stuff, after all.’

  ‘You’re good at being you and that’s good enough for me.’ His gaze deepened before he blinked rapidly, then collected her in his arms. ‘Just do me a favour and promise you won’t take up base jumping or sailing around the Bermuda Triangle.’

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, knowing that after tomorrow it wouldn’t matter to him how she filled her time. She’d say goodbye, he’d make some noise, but ultimately he’d give up. Walk away. They’d done the drill before. It would be easier this time.

  For him, anyway.

  But for now…he was being so considerate and caring. She could placate him by telling him the truth.

  ‘You don’t have to worry. I promise to stay away from anything,’ and anyone, ‘that might cause me harm.’

  When she saw relief flash in his eyes, she’d never felt closer to him…or farther away.

  After Devlin carried her back to the bungalow and dressed the wound, using a well-equipped first-aid kit, Eden checked her cell phone. No message from Sabrina.

  Her foot up on the sofa, her back against a downy pillow, she pressed the phone to her chin and debated aloud.

  ‘I want to phone her.’ Her finger itched to press fast-dial. ‘But I’d rather she contact me again when she was ready.’

  He brought over a glass of water. ‘Good thinking.’

  She stared at the phone, willing it to ring. ‘I’m overreacting, aren’t I?’

  ‘You love your sister. You worry for her.’

  But he seemed distracted. A muscle popped repeatedly in his jaw and his eyes were darker than usual, the fathomless blue full of shadows.

  He handed over the water and nodded at her bandaged foot. ‘That cut needs stitches.’

  ‘It can wait—’

  ‘No, it can’t.’ He crossed to the table and fished out a set of keys from the centrepiece bowl. ‘We’re taking the second boat and finding a doctor on the mainland.’

  She set her jaw but then gave in. When he was in this frame of mind, nothing would dissuade him. She wouldn’t argue. In fact, it was lovely to have him worry over her well-being like this. If she didn’t know better, she might even begin to hope.

  Noosa was the closest town. Devlin steered the six-metre motorboat away from the island’s jetty and set off, eventually crossing the Noosa bar then travelling up the river until they moored at the town’s north shore. He wouldn’t hear of her putting any weight on her injured foot. Instead he lifted her in his arms and carried her in search of a doctor’s office.

  She wasn’t quite certain if she was embarrassed or thrilled that their exhibition won more than a few gaping stares. One group of elderly ladies waiting at a bus stop actually applauded. But Devlin’s focus didn’t shift. He strode into the first doctor’s surgery he found, quizzed the receptionist about the doctor’s qualifications, then announced he had an emergency—a suspect snake bite.

  Everyone leapt into action. The doctor saw her straight away. Her cheeks blazed when the doctor discovered not a snake bite but a nasty cut.

  After the doctor called for his nurse, who cleaned and sutured the wound, she swung carefully out of the back rooms on crutches. Devlin flew to his feet, his ruggedly handsome face lined with concern. Which felt…nice. Strange. Alice in Wonderland upside down. Like yesterday at the lake. She was the one who was supposed to be worried about Devlin. Not the other way round.

  ‘All good?’ he asked, carefully taking her arm.

  ‘Apparently.’ She nodded at the counter. ‘I need to—’

  ‘The bill’s been taken care of.’ Angling his head, he inspected her crutches. ‘I could carry you just as easily.’

  ‘I’d have thought your arms would be falling off by now.’

  His grin was wickedly confident. ‘I was just limbering up.’ He opened the door and she swung out ahead of him. ‘We might as well have lunch here.’

  She gave the tree-lined street a once-over. ‘Noosa’s renowned for its boutique shopping.’

  ‘If you’re up to it, we’ll have a look around afterward.’

  Any other time she’d have jumped at the chance. But today…

  She smiled softly. ‘I’d rather head back after lunch. Do you mind?’

  His hand cupped her face as his dark eyes glittered with a smile. ‘I don’t mind in the least.’

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  THEY had a leisurely lunch at one of Noosa’s alfresco cafés and by the time they tied back up at the island, the better part of the day was lost. Devlin carried Eden to the bungalow, but only to collect the picnic blanket before carrying it, and her, to their lake.

  They made themselves comfortable in a cool, fragrant patch of shade and made love, leisurely, milking out each and every moment. Afterwards they lay naked in each other’s arms, speaking in hushed tones while Devlin peered up at the sky, one hand tucked behind his head while she rested her cheek on his chest, drawing aimless circles through the wiry dark hair.

  Later, he walked with her into the water, holding her in his arms while she held her bandaged foot high. When they were three parts submerged, he kissed her and twirled her around, the rush of the waterfall and cricket song the perfect accompaniments to her burst of laughter before, smiling, he kissed her again.

  They ate back at the bungalow, watching the torch flames flicker until the shadows consumed the light and he carried her to bed.
Devlin kissed her tenderly, held her close to his hard, hot body and a beautiful sense of belonging settled over her.

  Next Eden knew, it was morning. She’d woken to the sound of a boat approaching.

  Her chest tightened painfully and a rush of tears flooded her eyes. She couldn’t remember falling asleep. How could she have nodded off so easily and wasted what precious time they’d had left? She could sleep all day tomorrow, but the hours they’d lost last night she would never have again.

  But when, wrapped in his strong arms, she looked up and saw he was awake and smiling down at her, a little of her upset faded. She didn’t want to hold onto any bad feelings these last few moments. She wanted to cling onto the wonder—cling onto Devlin—for as long and as hard as she could.

  His voice was thick and gravelled. ‘Morning.’

  She swallowed against the lump in her throat and told her mouth not to quiver when she smiled. ‘Morning.’

  ‘Gregory and Tianne are back.’

  She burrowed into the comforting plateau of his chest, clamping shut her eyes, wishing desperately this morning belonged to yesterday.

  ‘I heard,’ she murmured.

  His knuckle found her chin and he lifted her face until she had no choice but to look into his eyes.

  His sombre gaze penetrated hers. ‘We need to talk.’

  Her pounding heart leapt to her throat. She ached to hear what he had to say and at the same time wanted to block her ears. It wouldn’t be what she longed to hear. Nothing to do with ‘love’ and ‘for ever’. Far more likely it’d be a ‘thank you, this has been nice’. She was only torturing herself to even think the other way.

  Her stomach twisted and she dropped her gaze from his. ‘Shouldn’t we get dressed, pack?’

  ‘I don’t want this to end,’ he said simply, and her heart fluttered madly as her gaze shot back to his. ‘I want to see you again, Eden.’

  ‘You do?’ she squeaked, and he nodded.

  But she didn’t see happiness sparking in his gaze. She wasn’t sure what emotion brewed in the depths of his eyes, but, whatever it was, it made her skin goose-bump in an uncomfortable way, as if for some reason she needed to defend herself, or remind him of why she’d buckled and had come away with him. It hadn’t been to trap him.