“After I got out, I came here and drank a lot of rum. I was living the life of a beach bum,” Carter said, his voice grim. “But then my grandfather arrived on the island and dragged me off the floor of my hut. He told me I had to sober up or get out. He offered me a job. I told him that I didn’t want to be the manager of a second rate Caribbean resort. So he said I could be the janitor.”
Anna laughed. Though she’d only met Oliver for a few moments this morning, she could picture the old scoundrel saying exactly that. In the darkened hut, Anna couldn’t quite make out Carter’s facial expression. He was mostly just a shadow next to her. His warm thigh pressed against hers as they sat shoulder to shoulder on the floor of the narrow storage shed. Underneath the fresh scent of the rainwater, she caught the spicy scent of him but resolutely pushed away the torrent of memories that unleashed.
“So did you become the janitor?”
“I did. I worked my way up. Along the way, I took a few online courses and that’s when my interest in eco-tourism started. In a way, the storm gave me a clean slate to start from, rising from the ashes of disaster.”
“I understand that,” Anna nodded. After a few heartbeats of silence, she added, “I feel the same way actually.”
“What disaster befell you?”
“My divorce.” Anna blurted. Carter shifted next to her, his head inclined, still just a shadow. When he remained quiet, listening, she added, “I had my whole life carefully planned out. Marriage, career, babies. I thought I’d have teenagers by now. Instead…”
“Instead what?” Carter nudged her with his shoulder when she trailed off.
“Instead, I’m about to start my own interior design firm.” Anna confided. She’d never told anyone but Erin that but something about the pattering rain, the darkened hut, and this man beside her made her want to whisper confidences to him.
“Not going to be a bridesmaid anymore?”
“I’m getting a bit too old for it,” Anna shook her head. “So, much like you with your resort, I thought my divorce was the end of the world but it turned out to just be a new beginning.”
“Do you wish you’d stayed married instead?”
“God no. We were so young and stupid. We started dating our first week of college. After he got into graduate school, we got married and headed to Boston. We had nothing in common as adults, other than the shared memories of our past. It wasn’t enough. And he’s happy married to Erin.”
“Erin? Your boss Erin?”
“The very same,” Anna nodded. “She owns the professional bridesmaid business. She got started in Boston but after she met Matthew, she moved the business to Savannah. We kept running into each other at weddings in Savannah, often in the same wedding party, both as bridesmaids. I had a lot of sorority sisters. Eventually, she offered me a job. I took it so I could save up for my own firm.”
“That must have been weird, working so closely with your ex-husband’s new wife.”
“Maybe a bit, at first,” Anna agreed. “But now she’s one of my closest friends. Funny how life works.”
“Like you coming back to the island.”
He turned toward her, his eyes gleaming in the low light, the shimmering memories of all that had passed between them cascading through her mind. Years ago, they’d had a mad, passionate, primal connection. She’d spent many a lonely night indulging in memories of how blazing hot they’d been together.
But back then, she hadn’t known Carter. Now, as she got to know him, Anna found that she quite liked Carter, far more than the sum of his parts.
He leaned toward her and brushed his lips over hers, a slow, gentle kiss. They hadn’t taken the time for such niceties as kissing before. They hadn’t had time for sweetness. Then, it’d been all heat and wild, desperate oblivion.
But now, this gentle kiss undid her. Churning beneath lay the wild, the abandon, all the wicked things he could to her. But for now, the kiss was sweet, edging toward chaste.
And somehow, this sweetness was so much more lethal, so much more dangerous.
Before she could pull him against her, allow this wanton arousal to take over, Anna shifted away, biting her lip, unsure of what she wanted.
“The rain’s stopped,” Carter stood and extended a hand to help her up. “Better get back to it.”
CHAPTER 6
A n hour before sunset, Carter helped his crew stack wood in the beach fire pit as the rest of his crew worked to set up the bonfire beach party Kim wanted to welcome her guests. Tonight was just the casual beach barbecue, instead of the elegant beach reception still to come. Still, Carter wanted every detail to be perfection. He carefully arranged oversized throw pillows a safe distance away from the campfire, resolutely ignoring the fact that the pillows were the exact color of Anna’s hibiscus dress.
He didn’t have time to think about Anna. He hadn’t seen her since his lapse of judgment in the bamboo shack. Despite his determination to ignore his attraction to her and to keep his focus on the wedding, he’d kissed her.
And the hell of it was, he wanted to do it again.
He wanted more than that. He wanted to get to know her better and to learn more about her as a person. He wanted to spend time with her and not just the way they had once before.
But, Carter didn’t indulge himself in wanton, reckless pleasure like that any longer. He simply worked too hard to have time to play or relax. His time with Anna was from another lifetime, full of endless sunsets and hedonism.
His grandfather’d given him a second chance. Now, it was up to Carter to make it work. And he vowed he would, no matter how tempting Anna was.
He’d just ignore it, he resolved for approximately the ten thousandth time as he pummeled the pillows, trying to fluff them into appealing shapes.
“What’d that pillow ever do to you?” His grandfather’s voice came from behind Carter.
“I thought you were minding the front desk,” Carter shook another set of pillows.
“Check-ins have slowed to a trickle now. Still no sign of the groom,” Oliver slid his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels, “I hope he hasn’t done a runner.”
“I’m sure he hasn’t,” Carter answered, still plumping pillows on his knees.
“If he’s met the bride, he may have,” His grandfather chuckled.
“She’s no more demanding than most guests.”
“She’s run your girl ragged today.”
“My girl?” Carter glanced over his shoulder at his grandfather.
“The hired gun bridesmaid lady.”
“Anna? She’s not my girl,” Carter protested.
“Sure, whatever you say,” Oliver chuckled and Carter ignored him as he stood and surveyed the scene.
Glowing lanterns dangled from the branches of the mango trees clustered around the cove they used for private dining events. Twinkling fairy lights wrapped around the palm trees. A long buffet table stretched along the back of the cove. Servers appeared from the hidden path in the trees, carrying heaping silver serving dishes to place on the table. A cluster of round tables, draped in snowy linen glowing blue in the dusk, sat to one side. Candles, sheltered by hurricane globes, burned in the center of the table, surrounded by flowers the color of the sunset that streaked across the sky, all oranges, pinks, and purples. Place settings decorated with seashells and starfish completed the look.
“Looks like a great party,” His grandfather patted his shoulder as the guests arrived, chattering and laughing together.
Anna stood in the center of the pack, helping a tiny woman with bright white curls make her way over the sand. Anna wore a flowing dress, pattered with blue and orange flowers. Though the dress was modest, covering her from neck to ankle, the breeze contoured it against her lush figure, revealing the curves beneath. A matching orange pashmina wrapped around her shoulders and her strappy shoes dangled from her free hand. As she bent to listen to her elderly companion, the last rays of the sunset caught the copper highlights in her hair. Anna r
eally was lovely.
“You’re staring, son,” Oliver nudged him.
“Just going over final details,” Carter wrenched his gaze from Anna as he moved forward to welcome the guests.
The next hour or so passed in a busy blur as Carter worked to ensure that everything went off without a hitch. Every so often, he would catch a glimpse of an orange and blue flowered dress or hear Anna’s laugh over the chatter of the crowd but each time, he resolutely ignored it.
“Your girl hasn’t had a chance to eat yet,” Oliver handed Carter two plates piled high with food. “Why don’t you two grab a bite while I visit with her friend?”
“No flirting, old man.”
“Watch and learn,” Oliver teased as they approached Anna and her companion, seated in blue Adirondack chairs just to the side of the fire pit. Oliver introduced himself to the woman, who turned out to be Kim’s grandmother, Maxine. Though she had to have at least two decades on Oliver, when the old devil gallantly bowed and bussed the back of her hand with a kiss, she flushed a lovely rose color. Carter turned to Anna and held out a plate with a grin.
“Hungry?”
Anna took the plate as Oliver escorted Maxine toward the campfire, with the enticing promise of helping her find the best spot. They tottered away. Carter claimed Maxine’s chair and handed napkin wrapped silverware to Anna, carefully avoiding touching her fingers. He didn’t need to make things any harder on himself.
“Thanks for bringing this over. Looks great.”
“I’m starving,” Carter realized as he speared a chunk of grilled pineapple.
“Didn’t you eat before the event?”
“No, too busy setting up.”
“Rookie mistake. Always eat beforehand. You’ll rarely have time to eat at one of these events,” Anna waved her fork. “Erin always makes us tuck Larabars in our evening bags.”
“I’ll have to remember to stick one in my favorite beaded clutch,” Carter laughed before scooping up more coconut flavored rice.
“I’ve eaten many a Larabar in the best ladies rooms in Savannah as the bride refreshes her makeup,” Anna laughed. “Sometimes, when we all have events, we’ll meet up at our friend Shortie’s restaurant afterwards and he’ll make us omelets.”
“That’s pretty nice of him.”
“Abby, his fiancée, works at Always a Bridesmaid and he makes wedding cakes too.”
“I thought running the resort would prepare me for this but weddings are a whole separate level of stress.”
“You could hire a wedding planner to help,” Anna suggested. “Most of the big wedding places in Savannah have one. Makes our life easier.”
“You want a job?” Carter asked, just as Anna sampled the jerk chicken. She flushed, her eyes watering, and waved a hand in front of her mouth. “Too spicy for you?”
Carter dashed over to the drink table and returned with a glass of coconut milk. Anna swallowed the drink, tears still streaming from her eyes.
“My mouth is on fire,” Anna waved a hand in front of her flushed face, mopping at her eyes and nose. “This is not Savannah barbecue.”
“What’s Savannah barbecue taste like?”
“Sweet and smokey,” Anna answered. “Not like swallowing lava.”
Carter barked out a laugh. Her shawl slipped off her shoulder and he gently tugged it back into place, his fingers brushing against her shoulder, tracing the constellation of freckles blossoming there. Their gazes met and held in the flickering firelight, as shadows shifted on her face, the memory of their earlier kiss blossoming unbiddened between them. Carter wanted nothing more than to lean over and kiss her again.
“We’ve got a problem with going to see the turtles,” Oliver interrupted, shooting Carter a grin as they jumped apart.
“What turtles?” Anna asked, her voice still husky.
“It’s an excursion we do to the southern point of the island,” Oliver answered. “There not enough room in the boat for everyone. Bride’s cousin brought an unexpected plus-one. And her sister brought her kid.”
“I was going to go along, make sure it all ran smoothly,” Carter raked a hand through his hair.
“So you need two seats, right?” Anna asked Oliver who nodded. “Carter and I can stay here, everyone else goes. Problem solved.”
“Didn’t you want to see the turtles?” Carter asked.
Anna shrugged, “I did but it’s more important for the rest of the guests to have a fun time.”
“I’ll go talk to Captain Dave,” Carter started to rise but Oliver waved him back down.
“I’ll go find him. He’s probably holding down his end of the bar.”
He headed off with a wave as the bride approached, “Anna, I’ve decided I’d like to have favors.”
“Favors?” Anna blinked and then, tucking a loose tendril of dark hair behind her ear continued, “What were you thinking?”
“You know those little iced cookies you suggested? What if we did turtle ones? And maybe some hibiscus?”
“Well, the thing is, Kim, the cookie vendor is in Savannah,” Anna soothed gently. “I’m not sure we could get them here in time.”
“Can’t you make it happen?” Kim glanced between Carter and Anna.
“I know just the thing,” Carter smiled, even as he ground his teeth together. Kim headed back toward the campfire, just as the other guests gathered to construct s’mores.
“Do you really know just the thing?” Anna offered. “I might be able to get them expressed here.”
“While they’re off searching for turtles tomorrow, I’ll head over to the big island and see what I can do.” Before he could think the better of it, he turned to her, “Wanna come along?”
CHAPTER 7
A t mid-morning the next day, Anna and Carter waved off the catamaran heading to Turtle Point before boarding the water taxi to the big island of St. Stephen. As soon as the wedding party eased out of sight, the tension along Anna’s shoulders loosened. For now, there was no demanding bride to tend to, no endless wedding details to contend with, and no pressing nuptial emergency. She could simply enjoy the warmth of the sun on her skin and the fresh, salt air. Anna claimed a seat on one of the benches along the side of the small skiff that skimmed the turquoise sea and surveyed the glorious horizon.
“It’s so unbelievably gorgeous here,” Anna said to Carter. “You must feel like you’re living in a postcard.”
“You get used to it,” he shrugged and sat next to her, his strong warm thigh pressed against hers. Underneath the sea air, she caught the scent of him, spicy and enticing. The sun flirted with the platinum highlights in his hair and made his tanned skin glow. Carter was quite simply one of the most gorgeous men she’d ever seen.
She remembered seeing him across the bar on the night they’d once spent together. She’d been in the middle of the dance floor, in the midst of a crush of her sorority sisters—women who she’d since played bridesmaid for and attended their baby showers while huddling in her carriage house apartment with only her electric blanket for company. She’d spotted Carter sitting at the bar. He’d sipped his long necked beer bottle, the lights of the club flashing over his face, creating mysterious hollows in his carved cheekbones. His hair had been much shorter then, his face more lean. But she distinctly remembered the shuddery lust that slammed through her as she watched him swallow his drink. He’d been sexy and dangerously compelling back then. But now that she’d gotten to know him a bit, he was even more alluring.
Carefully, Anna looked away, her heart hammering in her chest. When she was busy rushing about seeing to Kim’s endless demands, Anna could ignore her desire for Carter. Now, alone, with nothing to do but stare at the sea, her inconvenient lust surged through her. She shifted carefully away on the bench, gaining a few precious inches, pretending to peer at the harbor, and took a deep breath. Anna wasn’t brokenhearted any longer and she didn’t want just another empty sexual encounter. Since she’d be leaving Eden Isle in less than 48 hours, nothing could
come of her attraction to Cater. It was best to simply ignore it, no matter how much the thought of leaving made her heart ache.
Eden Isle sat just a few hundred yards off the much larger island of St. Stephen. After a less than ten minute ride, they docked and made their way through the touristy marketplace area at the waterfront, not that crowded yet at mid-morning. At one stall, Anna trailed her fingers over a braided pearl necklace, imagining it on her friend Erin.
“I should get souvenirs for Erin and Abby,” Anna said.
Carter wrapped his hand around hers, twining their fingers together and tugged her away. “I’ll show you where to get the best deals after lunch, okay?”
Anna nodded and allowed him to tug her along. They strolled up the hilly streets, passed townhouses in pastel colors that reminded Anna of rows of Easter eggs, Carter never letting go of her hand, even after the crowds centered around the waterfront marketplace thinned out. They made their way past progressively larger houses until they came to a white picket fence surrounding a tiny pale pink house with black shutters. A profusion of flowers filled the front garden, from blossoming hibiscus in orange, red, pink and white, tall thin birds of paradise, bougainvillea, lilies, and fragrant frangipani.
“It’s like a doll’s house.” Anna exclaimed.
Carter nudged open the gate and led Anna along a brick path to the side of the house, tiny lizards skittering out of their path as they walked along. He knocked once on the door before simply opening it and walking in. Anna tried to tug her hand out of his but he pulled her inside to reveal a large sleek modern kitchen that ran the length of the house, full of stainless steel appliances and smelling like ginger and cinnamon.
“Wendy?” Carter called just as a slim woman with tawny skin bustled out of a side door, her arms overflowing with canisters of baking supplies.
“Thought you’d be here ages ago.” The woman, her movements quick and efficient, shifted to the tall counter running the length of the kitchen and began measuring ingredients into a large, stainless steel bowl. She turned and, after carefully donning large bright red oven mitts, pulled two racks of cookies from the double oven in the wall. She then resumed mixing, a blur of efficient motion. “I’m behind on my baking just for you.”
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