by Leslie North
Before he could answer her question, two Love Specialists showed up at their table. His gut twisted a bit. They were dressed in the resort’s standard uniform of white shirt and pants, each wearing a large pink heart nametag covered with glitter.
Ani snorted then winked at him.
“Maybe I spoke too soon. Am I still in trouble for earlier?” she asked the specialists.
“No, ma’am.” One guy, Indian, late-twenties, bowed slightly. His nametag read Ravi. “We were just checking in to make sure both of you were enjoying your time here on the island.”
“Sure.” Ani said, her gaze not leaving Rehaj’s, humor sparkling in their clear blue depths. “What’s not to like? Oh, well, except for the total isolation and no phones or tech policy. You know, if you wanted to kick me off, I’d be totally okay with that.”
The other specialist, a woman named Sal, maybe mid-forties if Rehaj had to guess, with a too-tight smile and bleached blonde hair, gave Ani a flat stare. “This island is paradise, for those who truly open their hearts to the experience.” Her haughty tone reminded Rehaj of his oldest sister, Jessenia, when she got on a rampage about one of her precious causes. “Perhaps a shuffle in the pairings will do the trick.”
Rehaj nearly choked on a bite of swordfish. “Excuse me,” he said, pushing to his feet. Other diners turned to look his direction and he lowered his tone slightly. “I thought everyone else here was paired up already.”
“Most of them are,” Ravi said. “But we do have one other set of guests who are in, shall we say, an open relationship. They have approached us about the possibility of exploring love with others outside their relationship.”
This time, it was Ani who protested. She stood as well, doing nothing to divert attention as she placed her hands on her hips. “Listen, buddy. I don’t know what kind of game you’re trying to pull here, but I’m not about to get involved in some kind of kinky group sex thing. Got it?”
Poor Ravi went white and bug-eyed at that while Sal gasped and clasped her chest like she was clutching her invisible grandma pearls.
“Please, ma’am,” Ravi said, his tone low. “I believe that you have gravely misunderstood me. I would never imply—”
“Damn right you wouldn’t,” Ani said, her tone rising along with her temper. It was a similar show to what Rehaj had seen earlier in the day and he knew that if he didn’t put an efficient stop to it soon, it would escalate and they’d draw even more unwanted attention to themselves. “Now pay attention both of you. I want to talk to your manager right now and—”
Without thinking, Rehaj rushed around the table to take Ani’s hand and pull her tight into his side. “Yes, please let the management know that we have now officially become a couple and we do not wish to partner with anyone else for the duration of this trip.”
Ani spluttered. “We what?” She scowled up at him. “Maybe you’re the one who got too much sun today.”
Rehaj did his best to play off her remarks with a laugh. Ani tried to pull her hand free, but he kept his hold tight. “She’s such a kidder. One of the things I like most about her. So, so funny.”
Ravi and Sal exchanged a suspicious look.
“You do know that the activities will become more intimate from this point forward, yeah?” Sal asked, raising a brow at them. “We make exceptions for those not in a committed relationship, but for everyone else, it’s the standard program.”
“Oh, well.” Ani dug her nails into his hand and Rehaj hissed in pain. Still, he didn’t let go. “I’m sure they’d make exceptions for newer couples, right?”
“Sorry, ma’am. No.” Ravi darted a glance between Rehaj and Ani. “Tomorrow begins the focusing of the love chakras series, which involves sensual massage and aromatherapy designed to fan the flames of desire.”
Inside, Rehaj was a swirling mass of chaotic panic. This was not good. Not good at all. But if he didn’t go through these things with Ani—Ani who knew the score, who was as gun-shy of love as he was, who wouldn’t expect more from him as he wouldn’t of her—then what was his alternative? The swinging marrieds the specialist had mentioned earlier?
Nope, nope, and more nope.
Not happening.
“That’s fine,” he said at last. His voice sounded oddly normal, despite his constricted vocal cords. “We’ll welcome the new challenges.”
“We will?” Ani said, gazing up at him with those clear azure eyes and for some reason the adrenaline zinging through his system calmed. His eyes flickered to her lips.
“Yes,” he said. “We will.”
Time seemed to slow as Rehaj bent his head and brushed his lips over Ani’s. She tasted of salt and spices and pure, sweet sunshine. Before he could stop himself, Rehaj turned slightly and slid his hands into her hair, twining the silky strands around his fingers as he licked his tongue across her mouth. She gasped and he took advantage, sweeping inside to taste the fruity wine she’d been drinking along with a surprising, welcome passion to match his own.
Distantly, he heard the clearing of voices and the steady pound of his own heart, but at that moment, his world zeroed down to just this woman, just this second, just this kiss.
Allah help him, Rehaj knew right then that he was in far more danger of exposing his secrets here on the island than he’d ever been at home. He pulled away finally, staring down into Ani’s flushed face, his pulse racing faster than a thoroughbred as he swallowed hard and said the last words he’d ever expected to say. “Yes, we will welcome the challenge.”
* * *
That kiss knocked Ani off her game for a while. All that evening and most of the next day, to be exact. She went through the motions, showing up to the activities she was supposed to be in with Rehaj, smiling at people and doing her best to respond intelligently. But the whole time her mind stayed focused on those thirty seconds in the restaurant when his lips had been on hers and her world had tilted off its axis.
Didn’t help that each time she bit her lip, she imagined she could still taste him there—bright citrus from the water he’d drank and a hint of salt from his meal. Nor was it good that her skin would tingle at odd times, like when they’d been in the couples’ hot yoga class together sitting back to back in lotus position meditating. Well, Ani hadn’t been able to reach her Zen because all she’d focused on was Rehaj’s heat penetrating through her thin cotton sports bra top and the brush of his spine against hers when he breathed. Talk about major shivers.
Then there was the fact he’d not brought it up at all. In fact, they’d barely talked since leaving the dining room the night before. He’d dismissed her efforts at conversation, saying he had a lot on his mind and just needed some time alone.
Unfortunately, seclusion was hard to come by on an island dedicated to love. So here Ani stood wearing her new yellow ruffled sundress with the flattering halter neckline and handkerchief skirt, hand raised to knock on Rehaj’s door and her heart in her throat. Why she was nervous, Ani didn’t know. The kiss hadn’t meant anything. It had all been for show, to throw the resort staff off and keep them from spending the week with two swingers looking for sexy fun. Rehaj was clearly not looking for love. He was distant and emotionally unavailable, by his own admission. He was polite and kind with her, but nothing beyond that. He’d kissed her because he’d had no other choice, right?
She took a deep breath and knocked with her right hand, her small wristlet and the old flip-style video camera the resort staff had given her to record their activity tonight clutched in her left.
Rehaj opened the door and gave her a slow head-to-toe appraisal. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks,” Ani smiled, the butterflies swarming inside her intensifying. “You look pretty awesome yourself.”
He waved her inside his villa and she took the opportunity to glance around. The layout was basically the same as hers, just opposite—living room, separate bedroom, kitchenette, bathroom.
“Would you like something to drink?” Rehaj asked, reaching down to open his mini-fridge.
“I’ve got water, white wine, or ale.”
“No thanks.” She tucked a stray curl of hair behind her ear and did her best not to stare at him. Man, she’d thought he looked yummy in his bike shorts and T-shirt earlier for yoga, but those black trousers fit him just right, cupping his tight butt like a second skin. Plus that white linen shirt, open at the neck to reveal a tantalizing V of tanned skin, sprinkled with dark hair. Lord help her, the man was smoking hot. He had the cuffs of his shirt rolled up too, to reveal muscled forearms, his gold Rolex sparkling in the late afternoon sun. She licked her lips and didn’t miss the way he tracked the tiny movement with his gaze.
The air between them seemed to crackle with tension.
“Right.” Rehaj said, tearing his eyes from Ani and stalking over to the open sliding doors leading out onto his balcony. She followed. “So, what’s the activity tonight again? I forgot to check my flier this afternoon. All I remember was dinner on the beach.”
“Yep.” She leaned her elbows on the railing beside him and stared out at the horizon. “We’re having dinner at sunset. Just over there.” Ani pointed to a clearing nestled in the palm trees lining the beach where resort staffers were busy setting up a cozy table for two complete with tablecloth and candles. “I had to pick out the menu after our yoga workout. The chef prepares everything, then brings it out to us. I hope you like my choices.”
“I can’t imagine I wouldn’t,” he said, charming as always, but his smile seemed distant. “And what’s that in your hand?”
“Oh, this.” She waggled the little video camera in the air. “I’m supposed to tape it all, so we can re-watch it later and relive the romance.” Ani chuckled and rolled her eyes. “Maybe we can make silly faces and at least have a good laugh about it.”
Rehaj’s smile fell into a frown and Ani had the impression she’d stepped in it somewhere with him but wasn’t sure where exactly. “What’s wrong?”
Cursing under his breath, Rehaj gripped the railing hard. “I don’t like to be filmed.”
“Sorry. I didn’t know. Maybe we can talk to the staff and see if there’s something else—”
“No.” He shoved away from the railing to pace the balcony. “I don’t want to talk to the staff right now.”
“Okay.” She was used to dealing with moody men. Marcus had been a diva extraordinaire when he’d wanted to be, but Rehaj had struck her as different. Then again, her judgment regarding men wasn’t stellar, given the choices she’d made in life thus far. She gave a rueful snort. “Well, if it’s because you have concerns about the way you look, believe me, I get that too. I spent two hours in the bathroom trying to make sure my makeup and hair were just right.”
Rehaj stopped in his tracks and gave her an incredulous stare. “You don’t need to spend two minutes in front of the mirror. You are gorgeous.”
“Thanks.” She sighed. “But when you hear the bad stuff long enough, you start to believe it.”
“Who told you this?” Rehaj demanded, stalking over to her, his dark eyes bright with anger. “Tell me this idiot’s name so I may set him straight.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s over now.” Ani waited for the familiar squeeze of sorrow in her chest that statement always brought, but surprisingly, it didn’t come. Maybe she was more tired than she thought. Recovering love was exhausting work. When Rehaj showed no signs of relenting, she shrugged and shared a little more of her past with him. “The man I dated for almost ten years. He was older than me and much more worldly. He taught me pretty much everything I know about fashion and styling and makeup. He hired the best consultants to work with me on my image. He wanted me to be a jewel on his arm when we went out, Marcus said.” She gave a sad little laugh. “But I’m afraid I was forever disappointing him. Never quite sleek enough, never quite perfect enough. Just never enough, period.”
A low, feral growl escaped Rehaj, and Ani’s pulse kicked a notch higher. “This Marcus person sounds like a complete shit. If he did not value the treasure he had before him, then he never deserved you in the first place.”
Ani took a step back from his vehement statement. “Hey, I appreciate the compliment, but you don’t know me and you didn’t know Marcus.”
“I know you well enough to know that you taste like sunshine and that you are infinitely kind and generous with your time. I know that you are smart and funny and that I like talking to you. And I know that since I kissed you in the dining room last night, I’ve not been able to think about anything else since. If this Marcus was even half the man you imagined him to be, he was a fool to ever let you get away.”
Stunned, Ani sank onto one of the chaise lounges on the balcony and just blinked down at her shoes for a moment, trying to take that all in. So Rehaj had been just as affected by their kiss as she had, but he was standing alone now, on the other side of the deck, looking as remote and untouchable as he ever had before.
Hoping to break the unbearable silence that had descended between them, she asked softly, “Why don’t you like to be filmed?”
At first, she didn’t think Rehaj had heard her, it took him so long to answer. Then, finally, he responded, so quietly that she had to get up and walk over to where he stood in the shadows just to hear him.
“When I was seventeen, I was young and impulsive and believed myself to be immortal. My girlfriend, Ayesha, was beautiful and sweet and we were going to get married someday and rule the world together.”
“Sounds lovely,” Ani said, sensing that thing hadn’t stayed that way.
“It was. We were a month away from graduating and I took one of my father’s sports cars out for a drive. As I said, the terrain of my country is quite varied. We went up into the mountains to spend the day, see the sights. I’d planned on coming home before dark but young love knows no time limits.” His expression grew hazy and Ani’s heart ached for the sadness in his eyes. “The night was dark and I was going far too fast for safety. It had rained and roads were slick and we went into a skid. I couldn’t stop the car, couldn’t control anything that happened. The car flipped three times, landing on the roof. We were both trapped inside. I was able to call for help, but my Ayesha was so badly injured and there was nothing I could do…”
“Oh, Rehaj.” Ani placed her hand on his arm, wanting to embrace him and take that awful, ragged edge of pain away from his voice. “I’m so sorry.”
“The accident was bad enough. The media coverage following was even worse.” He gave a mirthless laugh. “I spent two months in the hospital recovering from my injuries, stewing in my guilt. But the reporters came, with their cameras and their tape recorders and they ruined what little I had left to treasure of my Ayesha. They twisted and turned it all into a sordid mess. They cemented my fault in the accident and reinforced my beliefs that I killed Ayesha. It was my fault. Everything was my fault.”
“Rehaj.” Ani frowned. “Don’t say that. You were only seventeen. You didn’t know any better. I’m sure you never meant to hurt her or anyone else.”
“And yet I did. Ayesha is dead. And I am alive. And that is my burden to bear.” He exhaled slowly. “But it also taught me a valuable lesson. To prize privacy above all else.”
“I see.” She stared down at the camera in her hand then set it aside on the table. “I don’t need to film. We can tell the staff later that the camera malfunctioned and didn’t record.”
“No.” He dropped his head back and stared at the stars. “I am here to change my thoughts about love and it needs to start with this. Bring your camera. Let’s just enjoy the evening. Get to know each other better.” He faced her slightly and smiled. “Thank you for letting me tell you about Ayesha.”
“Thank you for sharing your story with me.” Ani couldn’t seem to tear her gaze from his soft lips and when he leaned into her a bit more, her breath hitched. Perhaps he’d kiss her again.
But the sound of footsteps on the stairs interrupted. One of the staff members who’d been setting up their dinner on the beach walked up the stairs
to the balcony and informed them everything was ready.
“Perfect.” Rehaj turned and offered Ani his arm. “Shall we?”
“Yes,” she grinned up at him. “We shall.”
5
“I have to admit this is very nice,” Rehaj said, sitting back after finishing the last of his chili-and-garlic-rubbed grilled tiger prawns with mesclun salad and tarragon butter. The food was tasty and cooked to perfection and, best of all, authentic to the island. He picked up his club soda and took a sip. “Thank you for planning this dinner for me.”
“My pleasure,” Ani said, smiling from behind her video camera. “You look full.”
“I am.” Rehaj grinned at her through the candlelight and shadows. He’d given in about halfway through the meal, figuring what could it hurt. There was no Internet or other connection to the outside world from the island. He didn’t have to worry about her or someone else uploading it for the world to see. And it would be nice to have a remembrance of all this once he returned to his real life. He sighed and closed his eyes. Plus, if he was honest, there was something about Ani. Something real and true and…well… authentic. Even if she did try to hide it beneath layers of makeup and artifice. He could still see it, plain as day. And he liked it.
Liked that kiss they’d shared too.
Probably too much. Far more than was wise, that was for sure.
He’d thought of nothing else since the moment his lips had claimed hers in the restaurant. Her startled initial response then the moment she’d relaxed against him, eased into his touch and taste. His body hardened just thinking about her sweet surrender to the connection between them.
“Are you ever going to tell me who you really are?” Ani asked, breaking him out of his erotic fantasies. “I mean, you know who I am.”
Rehaj peeked open one eye and saw the camera still pointed at him. He shook his head. “Not with that thing pointed at me.”
She sighed. “Fine.”