“It’s difficult to explain.”
“Can you try? And quickly. I’ve gotta get to the airport.”
“So, remember I told you that I’d been to Eden Isle before?”
“Yes.”
“Well, last time I was here, I met someone.”
“And?”
“And, it was just after my divorce became final. So, um—”
“You went a little wild?”
“I guess.” She’d met Carter in the beachside bar, after a day of drinking rum punch on the beach. She’d been dancing with a group of girlfriends, feeling loose limbed and free. Carter sat at the end of the bar, nursing a long-necked beer bottle. She’d gone over to get him to dance, feeling bold after her third rum punch. He’d told her the price for a dance was a kiss. And somehow she’d ended up having the most uninhibited night of her life with him. “We hooked up.”
That simple phrase didn’t encompass the torrent of sensual memories. The passion between them burned white-hot, undeniable, primal lust. Anna squeezed her eyes shut and drew in a deep breath of the delicately scented island air.
“Okay, so you hooked up with someone there five years ago. So what?”
“He’s here. He’s in charge of the wedding chapel.”
“Oh wow,” Erin chuckled. “Well, we do have a non-fraternization policy in place.”
“What are you going to do? Fire me?” Anna chewed her fingernail and then clenched her hand into a fist. She’d quit that habit years ago. “Actually that’s a great idea. Fire me.”
“I am not going to fire you,” Erin said. “You’re great at being a bridesmaid. You can handle this.”
“It’s got nothing to do with being a bridesmaid. I can do that part. It’s the resisting Carter part that might be an issue.”
“Carter, huh? This just gets more and more interesting. Tell me more.”
“I never thought I’d see him again. It was just a quick, anonymous—or nearly so—after my—after—“
“After you and Matthew split up?” Erin asked, her voice calm.
“Right.” Anna drew in a deep breath again. She could do this. She’d just ignore the attraction between them. After all, she spent her life surrounded by hot guys at weddings every weekend. “Never mind. It’ll be fine.”
“What are you going to do, other than him, I mean?”
“Erin!”
“What happens in the islands and all that. When in Rome.”
“Weren’t you just reminding me of the non-frat policy.”
“More like a guideline, really.” Erin teased. “Look, you’re going to be there for three more days—and nights. So long as the two of you pull off this wedding—which I have no doubt you will—well, have fun with it, I say.”
“Who are you and what have you done with my friend Erin?”
“I think you deserve a bit of fun. Now, I’m off to the airport to have a bit of fun of my own. You okay?”
“Yeah, have a great time. Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”
Anna hung up and stared out at the water, watching the sun sparkle on the waves. She’d changed from the hurt, bewildered girl who’d arrived on Eden Isle five years ago, heartbroken and battered from her divorce. Somehow, over the past five years, she’d wrested a new person from the ashes and rubble of her divorce.
She build herself a new life and decided to build her own business. She didn’t want just a one-night stand to leave her empty and cold. She’d just stay strong and stay focused on the job.
Anna strolled back into the lobby. Carter chatted easily with a couple of new arrivals near the front desk, recommending nearby restaurants and local hotspots. He smiled, charming and warm, and her pulse fluttered. Carter really was ridiculously handsome, with his sun-streaked hair and sea-colored eyes. His having dimples was really just unfair, like gilding the lily.
Maybe if she’d met him in Savannah, they could have dated, gone out to dinner, found out if more than passion lay between them. But that just wasn’t possible. He lived on a tiny island in the Caribbean and she’d carefully built her own life in Savannah. Nothing could come of this attraction, no matter how strong it was.
Strong and focused, she repeated her mantra to herself, strong and focused.
No matter how cute his dimples were.
CHAPTER 4
“Did you enjoy your breakfast?” Carter asked Anna as soon as he finished checking in the latest guests. He’d caught the enticing scent of her perfume as soon as she strolled up behind him but steadfastly ignored the distraction. After a poor night’s rest on the sofa and with the stress of the wedding—not to mention Anna’s tempting presence—Carter’s head pounded.
“The coffee was excellent. I think I’m still full from my late night sandwich,” Anna smiled warmly. “Thank you again.”
“Late night sandwich?” His grandfather raised a single eyebrow at Carter.
“Due to some travel mishaps, Anna arrived after the kitchen closed last night.” Carter explained, trying not see the twinkle in his grandfather’s eye as foreboding. His grandfather’s reputation for mischief was exceeded only by his reputation for matchmaking. Carter didn’t need either trait making an inconvenient appearance this weekend. “As Ms. Waters hasn’t arrived yet—“
A tall woman, dressed in white pants and a turquoise patterned blouse, her hair piled high in blonde ringlets, strode into the lobby, pulling two large rolling suitcases behind her. Two bellmen followed, each pushing carts precariously piled high with a mishmash of luggage. The woman, her bangle bracelets jangling and her spiked heels clicking, strode over to the front desk and slammed her hand on the bell.
“May I help you?” Carter asked, his voice cool and polite, even as his temples throbbed. “Do you have a reservation?”
“I hope so. I’m having my wedding here in three days, assuming my useless groom can get here on time. I’m Kim Waters.”
“Ms. Waters, so lovely to have you with us.” Carter moved smoothly around the front desk and grabbed her VIP registration packet. “I’m Carter Prescott. Welcome to Eden Isle.”
“Thanks.” Kim turned an appraising eye on the lobby. “I like this. It’s elegant. I’ll have to get some shots in here.”
“Delighted,” Carter assured her, wondering when he could squeeze a photo shoot into an already overflowing schedule. “Allow me introduce you to Anna Westbrook from Always a Bridesmaid.”
“You’re the hired bridesmaid, right?” Kim glanced at Anna, her gaze raking Anna from head to heel. “You’ll do. Can you head up to my room and get things unpacked and organized?”
“We have staff that can assist with your unpacking, Ms. Waters,” Carter said, his voice coming out harsher than he intended. He should be accustomed to dealing with demanding guests by now. He wished he’d had time for breakfast or at least a cup of coffee. “Anna’s more specialized assistance will be better served helping with last minute wedding issues. In fact, we were just getting ready to visit the chapel, if you’d like to accompany us?”
“That’s okay, sweetie. Just point me toward the spa. I’m dying for a massage after that flight. Sat on the tarmac for ages, contorted like a pretzel into those tiny seats,” Kim smiled widely at Carter, putting him in mind of one of the toothy, grinning sharks stenciled around the pool area. He struggled to return her smile as he summoned one of the bellman to escort Kim to the spa. He rubbed his temples as she clicked out of sight. “Just us to visit the chapel then.”
“Don’t you find it odd that the bride wasn’t hightailing it over to see the wedding spot?” Oliver commented.
“She saw pictures online. Maybe she’s really laid back.”
“I’ve yet to meet a laid-back bride,” Anna laughed. “Maybe she’s just tired from traveling.”
“Perhaps,” Oliver shrugged. “I’ll man the shop while you take Anna over to see the folly.”
“The folly?” Anna glanced between Oliver and Carter, a smile flirting with her full mouth.
“He means t
he chapel.” Carter sighed, raking a hand through his hair before rubbing at his tired eyes. “Let me get a cart and I’ll meet you out front.”
Five minutes later, Carter swung a golf cart around to the front door to pick Anna up. Gracefully, Anna climbed into the passenger seat and handed him a paper travel cup, fragrant steam curling from the top. He took a quick sip of the rich, heavenly coffee, grateful as the caffeine flowed through his system.
“Brought you a bagel too.” Anna carefully unwrapped the paper before handing over the perfectly warmed bagel with melted cream cheese. Their fingers brushed as she gave him the breakfast treat but sunglasses shielded her expression. She twined her fingers on her lap as he eased the cart onto the wide driveway in front of the resort
“You’re a lifesaver,” Carter said between bites of bagel.
“I figured you didn’t get much rest last night, sleeping in the lobby.”
“I won’t until this wedding is over.”
“Me neither,” Anna agreed. “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.”
“Bet you say that to all your jittery brides.”
“Yep.” She shot him a smile that he returned as the tension in his shoulders eased by infinitesimal degrees. “But it’s always true. My boss, Erin, always says that it’s the things that go wrong that are the most memorable.”
“I just don’t want the readers of the Happily Ever After blog to remember how wrong the wedding went at Eden Isle.”
“It’ll be fine,” Anna repeated.
Carter drove the golf cart along a hidden path shaded by dense lush greenery. The turquoise sea peeped through breaks in the foliage, the sun sparkling like a mirror on the waves beyond. Anna seemed content to just enjoy the view so Carter wolfed down his bagel and polished off his coffee. Just the small meal made him feel so much better and more optimistic even through his jangling nerves.
They swung around a curve and the foliage fell away to reveal the curved, thatched walls of the wedding pavilion with a wide driveway of crushed white seashells in front. The non-denominational chapel stood on the tip of the island, with the expanse of the gorgeous turquoise Caribbean sea in full panoramic view beyond. The nearest islands were two verdant green mounds, just visible in the distance. Blooming hibiscus plants and birds of paradise lined the walkway, with cleverly designed photo spots tucked in along the gently winding path. Colorful wind-chimes dangled from the front porch, tinkling softly in the breeze, over the ceaseless waves cresting on the beach below.
“What a stunning spot,” Anna climbed from the golf cart and turned in a circle, taking in the panoramic view. Behind them, high up on the central mountain of the island, a silver ribbon of waterfall splashed amid the lush green foliage--yet another beautiful photo backdrop. “I bet it’s unbelievably gorgeous at sunrise and sunset.”
“Yeah, it is,” Carter grinned at her, happy to share the site with someone who appreciated it for once. “Come on in, let me show you the inside.”
Inside, the stained glass panels set in the walls splashed the glossy floor and simple benches with a bright patchwork of color. Beyond the carved teak alter, paneled windows revealed a soaring view of the sea, the horizon endless and full of promise. Sailboats scudded along the harbor below, some with colorful parasails trailing behind. Behind them, matching windows framed the view of the waterfall amid the lush mountain greenery.
“It’s even more beautiful and impressive in here, Carter,” Anna commented in a hushed, awed tone as she pushed her sunglasses atop her head. She touched one of the stained glass panels, this one of a dolphin in mid-jump before tracing her fingers over a sea turtle image captured in the panel next to it.
“I’ve never seen stained glass like this before.”
“Local artisans make it from glass recycled from the hotel. The wind chimes are their creations too.” Carter stuck his hands in his pockets, enjoying watching Anna discover the space. “The benches and altar were created here on the island from reclaimed wood. Eco-friendly and all that.”
“I saw the wind chimes in the lobby gift shop.”
“I figured that wedding guests might want to take them home as a memento.”
“Clever. It’s gorgeous. You’ve highlighted the beauty of the island perfectly. The weddings here will be amazing.”
“I hope so. If we can get people to come here, instead of the big resorts.”
“The Happily Ever After feature will help with that, right?”
“I hope so. Ms. Waters opted for a candlelight ceremony, just after sunset.”
“I can picture it,” Anna nodded, pausing to examine each stained glass window as she strolled up the side aisle. “These are just amazing.”
He met her at the top of the aisle, where they stood facing each other, the hush of the quiet chapel surrounding them, only the tinkling wind chimes outside breaking the silence.
“I didn’t expect to see you again.” Anna blurted suddenly.
“When you came back to the island?”
“Ever, really.” Anna laughed, her cheeks turning just a shade lighter than her dress. “But here we are. I hope the past won’t--that is, I hope that we’ll be able to work together.”
“If my memory serves, we worked together very well before.” Carter winked at her, noticing the pulse fluttering in her long neck.
“I hope we can do so again,” Anna tucked a loose tendril of hair behind her ear. Carter raised a single eyebrow at her and watched her flush deepen. “I meant--that is--”
“It’s a few days work in each other’s company, Anna Banana.” Carter stuck his hands in his pockets instead of reaching for her. “I think we can do it.”
“Absolutely,” Anna agreed. “I’ve got a job to do here and you do too.”
“So no sex?” Carter joked.
“Of course not.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
She stuck out her hand to shake on their deal and he took it. Instantly, Carter realized that he’d made a terrible miscalculation. Just the press of her palm against his brought an onslaught of sensual memories, of their mad, intense passion, the scent of her warm silky skin as she wrapped around him. He realized suddenly how close they stood in the darkened chapel, their gazes locked on each other. He just had to tilt his head and he’d get to taste those berry red lips again. Instead, drawing on willpower he hadn’t known he had, Carter stepped back. “Let me show you the rest of the chapel.”
CHAPTER 5
When they arrived back at the main hotel, Anna found the bride enjoying a massage in a private cabana on the beach, in spite of the dark storm clouds gathering along the horizon. The white chiffon decorating the sides flapped in the stiff breeze, tangling around Anna’s arms and waist.
“Fill me in on the chapel,” Kim greeted her as Anna freed herself from the trailing tendrils of fabric and stepped inside.
“The candlelight ceremony should be lovely.” Anna spent the next fifteen minutes discussing the wedding details with Kim. They’d just concluded a spirited discussion about flowers when Carter arrived.
“Ladies, I’m afraid we need to move you inside while this storm blows over.”
“I was just about to get my pedicure started.” Kim complained.
“I’m sure we can accommodate that inside, Ms. Waters,” Carter answered smoothly and with a big smile. He reminded Anna of nothing so much as Erin, all sweet politeness and steely determination. With a huff, Kim slipped into a robe and strode toward the back of the hotel without a backwards glance.
“You go on, Bella, I’ll store your table.” Carter waved off the masseuse just as the first raindrops studded the sand. Anna helped Carter fold the table and gathered up the discarded towels. He headed around the back of the massage pavilion to a cunningly concealed bamboo storage shack, Anna trailing behind.
Just as they reached the door, the heavens opened and the downpour began. Raindrops crashed against their skin like tiny, stinging pebbles as sheets of rain came down, obscuring even the back of the hotel.
Carter secured the folded table against the back wall of the hut and grabbed Anna’s hand, pulling her inside, slamming the door shut against the force of nature outside.
They squeezed into the shed, next to piles of folded beach chairs and lounges. Carter grabbed a stack of clean beach towels off a shelf, handing several to Anna. She wrapped her drenched hair in one before pressing a second towel to her face. In less than a minute outside, she’d been soaked to the skin. She wrapped another towel around her shoulders before sitting next to Carter on the small floor space. They pressed against each other, hip to thigh as the rain battered the roof of the hut, darkening the interior to shadows.
“It’s just a squall. It should blow over soon.” Carter reassured her. “You get used to these living here but it always freaks out guests.”
“It’s okay.” Anna reassured him, squeezing the water out of her hair into a towel. “I always loved rain, especially when it’s all thunder and lightning like this. When I was here before, I freaked out my girlfriends by watching a storm from our balcony. I loved watching the way the lightning struck the water and lit up the sky.”
“It can be really beautiful,” Carter agreed, trailing his fingers through the sand gathered on the floor of the hut. “Sometimes we get really bad ones though. We had a hurricane flatten the place and had to totally rebuild.”
“That’s why everything looks so different then.” Anna said. “When I was here before, it seemed much more—umm—“
“Kitschy? Outdated? Singles bar gone haywire?” Carter suggested and Anna chuckled. “I convinced my grandfather to use natural materials and local artisans. I wanted to work with the environment, not against it.”
“You and your grandfather did an amazing job,” Anna said. “Were you always interested in eco-tourism?”
“No, I was never much interested in tourism of any sort,” Carter huffed out a laugh. “I wanted to be a soldier. I came here right after I got out of the military.”
“The military?”
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