by J. A. Coffey
"I'm going to talk with the doctor," his father said, nodding toward his mother.
"I'll go with you." She got the hint, abandoning her comfy leather-like chair in the corner and following his father out of the room.
Destiny approached the bed and held his hand. "How do you feel?"
Like I've been put through the sausage grinder at Pig and Pancake.
Her pretty lips deepened into a frown. It did nothing to detract from her beauty.
"Don't worry about me," he reassured her. "I can handle myself."
"I'm sorry I dragged you into this."
"Never apologize for something that was beyond your control."
"Yes, but if I hadn't associated with Porter, he would have never come to your house. You would have never gotten hit. I wish I never met him."
For the second time that night, tears pooled in her eyes. This was uncharted behavior for her. Destiny Jackson was tough. He'd seen nothing but spunk and attitude from her. He wasn't about to let her cry over that asshole.
"If you never met him, you would have never gotten in trouble. And I would have never defended you in court. I don't know about you, but I'm kinda glad we met."
"That's so sweet of you to say."
"In fact, you could technically say Porter introduced us."
"I wouldn't go that far."
Cayson chuckled, and then gritted his teeth. He pressed against the bandages of his stomach, trying to staunch the spasms of pain from his ribs. "Ooh, you cannot make me laugh anymore," he instructed. "It hurts too much."
She nodded, a devilish spark lighting up her eyes. "Can I make you smile?"
"Yeah, that'll work." As soon as he was released, he'd tell her exactly how!
His dad peeked his head through the open door. "Son, the police want to get a statement from you."
"Destiny moved toward the door. I'll be waiting outside."
His father stopped her. "They want to talk to you, too."
Cayson's mom entered the room with news of her own. "Destiny, an officer wants to get a composite sketch from you. Do you think you could describe the man who attacked you? Or pick him out of a photo lineup?"
Destiny glanced at Cayson. Fear mushroomed in her eyes. She'd said Porter was dangerous. Well, so was he. He might not own a gun, but he knew some powerful people. Plus, he had the law on his side. And an old college roommate who had connections with the seedier side of this city.
"Don't worry," Cayson assured her. "I can protect you. I'll keep an eye on you twenty-four seven."
"What about Dane's wedding?" his dad asked. "Who will watch over Destiny while you're in the Maldive Islands?"
"Yeah," Destiny scoffed. "Are you going to hire a bodyguard for me?"
His eyes locked with Destiny's. At that moment, he knew what he had to do. "No, I'll take you with me."
"What?" three shocked voices asked in unison.
Cayson stifled the laugh he knew would lead to pain. But the whole thing was funny. His parents and Destiny were acting like Lucy, Ethel, and Fred. Yeah, the idea was outrageous, but since he'd met Destiny, his entire life had taken a turn for the outrageous.
"What do you say?" he asked her. "Are you ready for a trip to paradise?"
"Um...I don't know. Maybe..."
She looked overwhelmed. Her facial expressions morphed from fear to doubt to determination and back. He was not letting her out of his sight. That was all there was to it. He would be worried sick knowing she was here alone and possibly in danger. If she was going to be stubborn about it, he'd have to force the issue.
"Woman, I'm responsible for you. Remember, I gave an oath to look after you. I can't look after you if we're thousands of miles apart. Now, are you going or do I have to kidnap you?"
"Cayson!" his mother admonished.
He didn't know which was worse. The shocked look his mother gave him, or the indignation clouding his father's features.
Great. Now, I'm about to get a lecture from both of them.
"Son," his father chastised, "you can't force her to go with you."
Destiny's eyebrows furrowed, but her pretty mouth was slightly parted, indicating she was still indecisive. When he was younger, his brothers accused him of being the favorite child. He'd used his charm to get him out of plenty of jams. But he could see that charm wouldn't help him today. It would have to be manipulation.
He clutched his side, wincing in pain.
Destiny rushed to him. "Cayson, are you alright? Do you need the nurse?"
He pulled her down low and whispered in her ear. "I could have died tonight. I put my life on the line for you, Destiny. While Porter is out there running scot-free, I'm laying here busted up with bruised ribs. You owe me."
Her eyes bored into his. Destiny did not like to be at the mercy of others. He knew it. He'd purposely backed her into a corner by playing the sympathy card. She straightened, and within seconds, she'd composed herself. She'd even learned to control the impulse to narrow her eyes at him. But he knew there was a wildcat beneath her calm surface.
"Fine, she told him. "I'll go."
A knock at the door interrupted their staring contest. Two police officers strode in. "Mr. Sullivan and Miss Jackson, are you ready to make your statements?"
Chapter Ten
Destiny had never heard of the Maldive Islands until Irene gave her a few brochures to read. Seeing the tropical images splattered across the glossy pages of the brochure was impressive. But nothing prepared her for the breath-taking views she witnessed when she stepped off the plane. A warm, sensual breeze kissed her bare shoulders as she walked to her bungalow at The Anantara Kihavah Villas. The entire wedding party was staying at this resort. She'd also learned from Irene that Cayson's brother, Mark and his wife, Kendra were living here and running an upscale travel agency. Shit, who wouldn't want to live here? With a little slice of Heaven hidden on a sandy, white beach, folks must have a hard time leaving.
Now, she stood in the middle of her bungalow's main room, letting her toes wriggle on the dark, wood floors. The soft breeze made the sheer curtains dance in the long windows. From where she stood, she watched the midday sun as its bright rays rippled on the lazy waves of the crystal blue ocean outside the open patio doors. Cayson was right about one thing. This really was paradise.
She wandered onto the patio to get a better look at the view. The moment she did, she regretted it. Cayson was also on his patio. They had adjoining rooms. She was still irritated with him for forcing her to leave St. Louis. And to make matters worse, he'd gone back to his old sullen behavior since his run-in with Porter two weeks ago. It was as if he was punishing her for what happened. Well, she may have been the cause of the fight, but she certainly didn't deserve the silent treatment.
She retreated back into her room before he noticed her on the patio. She quickly dug through her suitcase and pulled out two swimsuits. One was a classy, white one-piece with a cut-out on the left side. The other was a red bikini, which surprisingly, Phaedra had pushed her to order online last week. Her exact words were, 'Flaunt it while ya got it.' At thirty-five, Phaedra still looked like she had "It." She was the classiest woman Destiny had ever met.
Destiny appraised herself in the bathroom mirror. The bikini left little to the imagination. The halter-top style cupped her large breasts. Her nipples puckered through the thin material as a salt-water breeze brushed over her. The bikini bottom barely covered her ass. No matter. She would wear a cover-up to the beach anyway. She smiled as she patted her new 'do. She'd taken her braids out and now she was rocking a short relaxer. Each day, she grew more fond of the stylish bob. She sported a new manicure too. With her nails clipped short and painted bright red, she felt like a new woman.
She grabbed her towel and slipped into a pair of flip flops. This was the perfect day for lounging beneath the shade of one of the huge umbrellas on the tempting sands. Already, she felt her troubles lifting away. She knew they weren't gone forever. But for the next three days, they'd be put o
n hold.
On TV the beaches were overcrowded with noisy teenagers, loud music, and the inevitable pasty, fat guy smearing tanning lotion all over himself. In contrast, The Maldives was a tranquil paradise of deep blue waters and white sandy beaches. Located in the Indian Ocean, The Maldives were a chain of over a thousand coral islands. Each island had its own colorful reef encircling the island lagoon. Those reefs were jam-packed with all kinds of underwater sea life and vibrant corals. Destiny had plenty of time to read about the islands and the resort's amenities on the plane ride. It was no wonder Dane and Charly had chosen to get married here.
As she chilled on the oversized resort towel, the ocean called to her. She wasn't the best swimmer, but she wanted to dip her toes in that magnificent water.
You only live once!
She padded to the shore and held her breath as the crystal waters lapped at her feet. The ocean was surprisingly warm. Unable to resist, she waded deeper, feeling the warmth against her thighs. Delicious. Like being in an outdoor bath. She stood, thigh-deep, with her toes sunk into the satiny sand.
She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling.
It should be a federal law for all U.S. citizens to do this at least once a year.
As she tilted her chin up to bask in the sun's glow, a strong current made her wobble. She flicked her eyes open in time to see a wave coming at her. She took a step back, feeling like she was walking in slow-motion as she treaded backwards. The wave playfully smacked her in the face. She gasped, and then spit out the salt-water that filled her open mouth. Good thing she'd taken her weave out. This would have definitely ruined it!
She stumbled backwards, and her arms flailed at her sides, splashing water everywhere. This crystal clear water was a lot deeper than she'd anticipated, and with only a few swim lessons at the YMCA, her inexperience showed.
Lord, please don't let me drown in paradise-or anywhere else for that matter!
Seconds later, she felt a reassuring pair of biceps wrapped around her. Her rescuer lifted her as though she weighed no more than a wet rag, and hauled her back to shore. When he fell upon the sand, he pulled her on top of him. Their chests heaved together from the effort. The combination of water and the heat of their bodies sent an electric shock through her.
The dark eyes that stared back were filled with desire. Rivulets of water poured from his bronzed body. Destiny resisted the urge to lick a lone bead of moisture from Cayson's collarbone. If the growing bulge in his swim trunks was any indication, he felt the sexual tension too. Did he think he could simply whistle and then she'd fall back into his arms again? She was not a lapdog waiting for his favors.
She tried to roll away, but he held her wrists tight. His strength only increased her frustration. "Are you happy?" she snapped. "You rescued me again. Add that to the list of things I owe you."
His full lips eased into a frown. "Woman, what's your problem?"
"You're my problem. Why am I here?"
Understanding dawned on his handsome features. "I thought we'd been through this."
"Yeah, you want me here because your neck is on the line with the judge." She tried to wriggle from his embrace, but succeeded only in creating an erotic friction where the tops of her thighs rubbed against his.
"No, Destiny. I brought you here because I want you with me."
"Why?"
He brought her hands to his mouth and tenderly kissed the insides of her wrists. The smoldering look he gave her could melt all the snow in Downtown St. Louis. "Because I care about you."
She paused, not sure she heard him right. "You have a funny way of showing it."
"Me doing all this stuff isn't enough to prove I care?"
"Not if it's court-ordered."
He rolled onto his side, deftly laying her on her back. The smooth sand coated her body as he gazed down at her. "The court didn't order my pulse to race when I see you. Or me to smile whenever I think of you. The court didn't order me to have sleepless nights wishing I could have you next to me in bed."
His bold words stunned her. He was openly admitting his desire for her. "Cayson, I..."
His lips claimed hers. She wasn't sure which intensity was stronger-the fire from his kiss or the scorching heat from the sun. Liquid flames raced through her veins as Cayson threaded his hands through her wet hair. When he shifted his body so he laid directly on top of her, she purred against his mouth. Her legs parted, and she felt his erection straining against her clitoris.
She gasped from the sheer pleasure of it. He grinded his hips against hers. For a few moments, she was lost in the feeling. He felt so good. He dragged his lips from hers and lavished kisses along the column of her throat. He unleashed his passion, licking and sucking her neck.
"Destiny," he said through ragged breaths. "I want you so bad. I've always wanted you."
They were in paradise. She had the freedom to do as she pleased. Right here on the sands. Cayson could have any woman he wanted, and he chose her. He chose her!
As his fingers tugged on her bikini bottom, a sickening fear came over her. He wanted her now, but how about later when he got tired of her? How many women had he casually tossed away? Rumors were rampant at work about his voracious sexual appetite. He flirted. He charmed. He sexed. He dumped. Was she merely another challenge for him? If she was going to give herself to him, she wanted more. She needed time to think. She couldn't do that with his mouth ravaging her.
She slapped his hands away. "I can't do this."
"I have protection in my bungalow."
"No!" She pounded his bare chest with her fists. "Let me up, Cayson."
He backed off immediately. Confusion and regret battled in his dark eyes. "Is there someone else, Destiny? I promise, I can make you forget all about him."
That was the problem. Cayson Sullivan had ruined her for any other man. She would never be able to think of anyone else without using him as a comparison. "There's no one else. There's never been anyone else."
He stood and then helped her to her feet. "Then what is it? Hell, I know you're attracted to me."
She shook her head. "I am, but I won't be another one of your conquests."
"Will you stop saying that? I don't have conquests. Those women I slept with knew what they wanted. And so do you, Destiny. You're just afraid to admit it. In fact," he crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm starting to think you're playing games with me, woman. You enjoy being a tease."
The mention of the word tease struck a nerve. Porter had accused her of the same thing. She wanted to scream. Just because a woman wasn't sure if she wanted to fuck a guy, didn't make her a tease! There were so many complications involved in being intimate. It wasn't simply a matter of following a trail of lust. Men might be able to do that, but she couldn't. Instead of telling Cayson how she really felt, her frustration took the form of anger.
"For a guy who graduated at the top of his class, you can be pretty dense sometimes. You're used to women who bend over backward trying to please you. I'm not doing that. I don't care how much you think I owe you. The fact is, you're not ready for a woman like me."
His penetrating gaze held her captive. "You'll never know if you don't let me try."
"I bet you used that phony line with all of the other women too."
That shut him up. She turned on her heel and stomped as gracefully away as she could through the thick sand.
*****
Cayson stared at the lobster tail on his plate. Usually, his discerning palate never passed up an opportunity to indulge in fine dining. But tonight, his mind was somewhere else. Or rather on someone else. He was still reeling after Destiny dismissed him on the beach earlier this afternoon. The last image he had was of her shapely behind growing farther from him as she flounced away. One moment she was in his arms. The next she was chewing him out. She was the most complicated woman he'd ever met.
"Sweetie, where is Destiny? I hate to start without her."
Cayson tried to ignore his mother's question. She ha
d her bloodhound nose on again, sniffing out the details. He'd left a note under Destiny's bungalow door reminding her about the dinner. He didn't want to admit to his mother that Destiny wasn't speaking to him.
Mark joined the fun. "What did you do to her, Cayson?"
"Yeah," Dane agreed. "We haven't got to meet her yet, and you've already chased her away."
Cayson made a threatening gesture by pounding his fist into his open palm. "You two best calm down or your women might see a side of me they've never seen."
Kendra and Charly, who shared seats at the large table both giggled. He would laugh too if this weren't so embarrassing. Charly's kids were here, as well. Everyone was meeting each other for the first time. Without Destiny, he felt like the odd man out. When had she become such an integral part of his life?
"Here she is," his father announced.
All heads turned toward the mystery guest. Cayson's breath caught. Destiny looked amazing in a pale yellow sundress that contrasted beautifully against her dusky skin. Her short sassy bob showed off her graceful neck. He loved her new hairstyle. It added to her sexiness and her confidence. The spark of attraction inside him felt like it had been doused with gasoline. His eyes dropped to her modest cleavage hidden by eyelet lace. He remembered brushing his thumbs across her nipples. He shifted in his seat. He got a woody just looking at her.
"Damn," Mark nudged him. "You picked a winner this time, boy."
"It's not like that," Cayson answered.
"Yeah, right."
Destiny took the empty seat next to Cayson's mother. He watched as his family members descended upon Destiny, introducing themselves and asking her questions.
Everyone loved her. She bestowed dazzling smiles on each person. But when her gaze landed on him, she rolled her eyes.
Ouch!
He decided to lay low and not make a scene. After all, this trip was about Dane and Charly. He wouldn't be the one to ruin their wedding. He would have his chance to talk to Destiny, and when he did, he'd make damn sure she listened to what he had to say.
*****