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‘Finished? I’ll take care of the bill and meet you at the car.’
She nodded, the loose strands of hair around her face floating in the breeze. The urge to brush them away made his gut clench all over again.
‘Thanks for lunch. It was delicious. Sujit’s a great cook.’
As he pulled out her chair, his hand brushed her bare arm, and he gritted his teeth at the feel of her silky, soft skin. At this rate he wouldn’t be able to walk.
‘See you at the car.’
Her open expression told him she had no idea how much he was struggling with his libido, and he turned away and called out to Sujit, who appeared from the kitchen in an instant.
‘Mr Zac, your friend is special.’ Sujit’s singsong lilting accent held a wistful note. ‘You have known her long, yes?’
‘Not long. Though I agree she’s special.’
So special he’d given up a valuable day to be with her. After last night he’d almost reneged on their tour; he could have spent the day catching up on paperwork and following up that fax pointing to their suspected saboteur.
But his wanting to cancel had been more than business; not only had that jerk of an ex done a number on her for sex, he’d lied to her—and the second Zac had heard that he’d known he shouldn’t get involved.
He was lying to her too.
Every moment he let her believe he was a PR manager at sea he was being dishonest, and while catching the saboteur demanded duplicity—and ultimately making good on his promise to his uncle—it didn’t stop him hating every second of his deceit.
So he’d told her a partial truth to compensate for his guilt—told her how badly he wanted her, expecting her to run at the mention of a date let alone anything else.
Instead, her response to his kiss had shaken him as much as the fact that she’d stood her ground and hadn’t run. And even while he’d planned on begging off the tour today the memories of her fiery reaction had kept him up all night and drawn him here.
‘It must be serious. You have never brought a woman to Sujit’s humble café before. Are you going to marry her?’
Zac laughed. Life was so simple in some cultures. You met a girl, you liked her, you married her. Either that or your parents chose a bride for you.
‘No.’A strange tingle ran up his spine, causing the hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end. ‘I’m just showing her around your lovely island today. She’ll be leaving the ship in a week.’
‘Ah, she lives in Australia. Why should that stop you from marrying? You also live there, yes?’
‘Yeah, but she’s a friend, and I’m not remotely interested in marrying her or anybody else for that matter.’
Been there, done that, never forgotten the folly.
Sujit grinned, his teeth stained an ugly brown from years of chewing betel nut. ‘Whatever you say. Though trust old Sujit—he has a feeling in his bones about this one.’
‘You’re an old degenerate.’ Zac settled the bill and shook his hand. ‘See you next time.’
‘Maybe you’ll both visit on your honeymoon?’
Zac chuckled, amused by the restaurant owner’s one-track mind.
Marriage again? Not for him.
As he caught sight of Lana, casually leaning against the Jeep, the wind whipping her hair away from her face while plastering the dated dress against her shapely body, the faintest niggle of doubt entered his mind.
She was dynamite, packing a stronger punch than TNT and C4 combined. She blew his mind and short-circuited the rest of his body every moment he spent with her, till all he could focus on was how much he wanted her.
He’d been attracted to her mentally at the start, but how quickly that had all changed. Now he wanted her so badly he ached.
Yet for all her surprising bravado last night she was still inherently shy, retreating when he pushed too far, still hiding her sensational body behind those repulsive clothes.
So if they couldn’t have a fling, what the hell should he do? Back off?
‘Mr Zac, I’ve never seen you like this.’
He tore his gaze away from Lana, focussed on Sujit. ‘Like what?’
‘Distracted.’ Sujit pointed to his forehead, imitated a frown. ‘So very serious.’
That’s because his growing feelings for Lana were serious. Even the fact he was using the word ‘feelings’ scared the hell out of him.
Sujit shook his head, his benevolent grin bordering on condescending. ‘I can see you’re making this more complicated than it is. You like this woman, yes?’
He nodded, his gaze inadvertently drawn to her again. Crushing need swamped him, blindsiding him faster than a swinging mast.
‘Well, then, do not over-analyse. Do not worry about the future and what it may hold. Live for the moment. See where the winds of change take you.’
He stared at Sujit as if seeing him for the first time, his words echoing through his head.
Could it really be that simple?
Was he over-analysing, thinking too far ahead, allowing his fears from the past to destroy a possible future with a wonderful woman?
His conscience yelled a resounding Hell, yeah! and just like that a mighty weight lifted from his shoulders and floated away into a cloudless Fijian sky.
‘Thanks, my friend, you’re a genius.’ He pumped Sujit’s hand, his attention still firmly focussed on the woman who’d captured his heart without trying.
Sujit’s grin widened as he placed his palms together and bowed. ‘I know. Now, go.’
He didn’t need to be told twice, and as he headed for the car, refraining from breaking into a run, he knew the decision he’d just made had the potential to change his life. For the better.
Lana squinted into the sunshine, watching Zac stride towards the car. He’d been in a strange mood over lunch and the odd times she’d caught him staring at her it had looked as if he fancied her as dessert.
It had made her uncomfortable, and she’d had no idea how to handle the attention, so she’d focussed on her meal, steered the conversation onto factual topics and muddled through the best she could. She just hoped things weren’t as tension-fraught at the beach.
‘Ready to go?’
‘Sure.’
As he drove along a winding coastal road she focused on the picturesque scenery and replayed their lunch conversation in her head.
There was so much more to him than smooth words and a charming smile. He was well-travelled, articulate and self-assured, with charisma that captured her interest and engaged her mind. It only added to his appeal. But she’d be better off remembering most of what he said was designed to tease her, that words were cheap.
She’d fallen for slick words before. These days a guy’s actions were the only thing that would let him anywhere near her bruised heart.
‘Wait till you check out this beach. I’ve seen a few, but I think this is better than some of the Caribbean beaches—not to mention Queensland’s hot spots.’
‘I love any beach. My apartment’s in Coogee, so you can safely say I’m a bit of a beach babe.’
‘Well, you’re right about one thing. You’re definitely a babe.’
Her measly ego inflated momentarily, before she shot him a disapproving stare. ‘Oh, yeah, I’m sure my designer wardrobe elevates me to babe status.’
He paused, as if searching for the right words. ‘Don’t take this the wrong way, but your wardrobe is a little… ’
‘Boring?’
Her sour interruption had him darting a worried glance in her direction before refocusing on the road.
‘I was thinking more along the lines of sedate for someone your age.’
‘Which is?’
‘Hell, I’m digging myself in deeper, aren’t I?’
She chuckled. ‘Quit while you’re behind, sailor boy.’
She liked her clothes. They might be old but they were safe, familiar, like snuggling into a favourite quilt on a cold winter’s day.
She’d tried a new wardrobe once before, a new look, going the whole way with risqué lingerie. But none of it had made any difference with Jax. He’d hurt her just the same, designer dresses or not. Much safer to stay true to herself, to find a man who wanted her for the real her, not because of how she looked or what she could do for him.
‘Actually, I like what you’re wearing today. That blue brings out the green flecks in your eyes.’
‘My weird eyes change colour according to what I wear.’
‘Not weird. How about alluring?’
She snorted. ‘You could bottle that charm and sell it.’ His bashful smile made her laugh. ‘And I see what you mean. I’m so alluring I have hundreds of men falling at my feet, and it’s all because of my eyes.’
‘You have one.’
‘Who?’
‘I’m a male, in case you hadn’t noticed.’
Oh, she’d noticed, all right—was noticing more by the minute, despite all attempts to the contrary.
Fortunately she was saved from replying as he slowed the car and turned into a narrow dirt track. The Jeep bumped and lurched over rough terrain, the ground scattered with large potholes, and thick foliage slapped against the doors.
Just as her bones started to warn her they’d been rattled once too often the vegetation thinned, and he pulled over into a clearing which overlooked an inviting stretch of white sand, with an aquamarine ocean that stretched as far as she could see.
‘Wow—amazing.’
Zac’s blue-eyed gaze fixed on her, bold, challenging. ‘Sure is.’
He wasn’t looking at the view, and she squirmed under his searing stare.
‘Come with me.’
She stared at his outstretched hand, wanting to take it, but nervous he’d read too much into it.
He took the decision out of her hands by grabbing hers on the pretext of helping her from the car, and she sent him a tremulous smile, wondering if he had any idea what a big deal it was for her to hold hands with a gorgeous guy as they strolled towards a secluded beach.
Holding hands implied trust, implied dependence, implied she believed in him enough to lower her barriers—much more than responding to his impulsive kisses inspired by chemistry and the length of time since she’d last been kissed, and the soul-deep yearning to be wanted by another person.
As her feet sank into the soft sand, and he gripped her hand that little bit tighter, she knew her resistance to this charming man was slipping dangerously.
A loud ‘caw’ captured her attention, and she glanced to her right, at a huge bird perched on top of a towering cliff ending at the lagoon’s edge.
That was exactly how she felt—as if she was standing on the edge of a very steep cliff, torn between wanting to jump into the warm, welcoming ocean below and experiencing the thrill of a lifetime, or letting her feet back her up to the predictable safety of solid ground.
With Zac tugging gently on her hand she had no option but to follow, heading into the unknown with a man who had the power to unnerve her, when every self-preservation instinct screamed at her to dig her heels in the sand.
CHAPTER EIGHT
‘WELCOME to paradise.”
They stopped beneath a coconut tree, the air fragrant with frangipani, the view picture-perfect.
‘How did you find this place?’ she whispered, reluctant to break the tranquility as they strolled towards the beach.
‘Raj brought me here with his family. We had a picnic, swam in the lagoon, lazed around. It’s great being able to relax away from the tourists swarming the island. I come back every chance I get, though I’m usually alone.’
‘So you haven’t brought a horde of women here before me?’
Though she kept her tone light, she knew some of her enjoyment would dissipate if he had brought countless others here.
He squeezed her hand. ‘You’re the first. I wouldn’t share this place with just anyone.’
Oh-oh—there he went with more of that defence-shattering charm. With a nervous smile, she slipped her hand from his.
‘More flattery. Aren’t I the lucky one?’
He laughed. ‘Come on, let’s go for a swim.’ He pointed to a row of palm trees. ‘Let’s dump our stuff over there. You get changed, I’ll test the water.’
A great suggestion, as getting undressed in front of him would have made her beyond uncomfortable. Crazy, as he’d already seen her in bathers, but disrobing in front of someone implied intimacy. Besides, she’d taken another step down the confidence road today and worn the new bikini she’d bought in Noumea, and if the way he’d been staring at her over lunch was any indication, she’d be blushing from head to foot the entire time.
She dropped her bag on the sand and whipped her dress over her head, kicked off her sandals and rummaged in her bag for sunscreen. Just as she started to rub the lotion on her arm, he touched her hand.
‘I can do that for you.’
She squeezed the tube so tight lotion spurted out in a noisy raspberry. ‘I’m fine. You go ahead. I’ll meet you out there shortly.’
He didn’t budge, and held out his hand for the tube. ‘Unless you’re a contortionist I doubt you’ll be able to reach your back. This sun can burn you in less than ten seconds flat, so let me help.’
He was right, but the thought of him rubbing any part of her body was already causing the skin behind her ears to prickle in that annoying way only he and strawberries could elicit.
‘Really, I’m fine—’
‘Damn, you’re a stubborn woman.’
He snatched the lotion out of her hand and squeezed a healthy blob into his palm, raising an eyebrow when she frowned. ‘Now why don’t you play nice and lie face-down on your towel?’
With an exaggerated huff, she plopped on the towel, rested her forehead on her hands and braced herself for the first cold dollop of lotion.
‘I suppose you want me to thank you?’
‘Oh, you will.’
He thoughtfully warmed the lotion between his hands, though his first touch was as shocking, as electrifying, as if he’d squeezed the entire tube onto her back.
She gritted her teeth and tried to relax under his hands, while her skin tingled everywhere he touched.
She’d never been touched by a man like this before. Jax hadn’t been touchy-feely, and his version of foreplay extended to a kiss and wandering hands.
She’d never experienced the luxury of a man’s warm, firm touch gliding over her skin, and as platonic as this was, she couldn’t help but enjoy it.
‘You’re very tense.’
‘Must be the extra aerobic classes.’ As if.
He didn’t let up the pressure, his hands stroking her back in long sweeps designed to be impersonal yet driving her just a little bit mad with the sheer pleasure of it.
‘Try to relax.’
How could she relax when he was stroking her flesh, his strong hands splaying over her back, her defences unravelling as fast as her muscles unwound?
His fingers kept snagging the tie of her bikini bra, though she didn’t dare suggest he undo it. That would be her final undoing. She might be immune to his charms, but her body, long neglected, was enjoying this way too much.
‘Why don’t you turn over, and I’ll do your front too?’
Just like that, her muscles twanged back to tense. The thought of him rubbing her stomach sent heat surging to her cheeks.
‘Not a good idea.’
She flipped onto her back and held out her hand for the tube.
‘Why not?’
‘Because I’m perfectly capable of rubbing lotion onto my tummy.’
His eyes glittered and she shivered at their taunting glint. ‘But where’s the fun in that?’
Her skin prickled some more and she itched behind her ear.
‘Give me the tube.’
He held it overhead and waved it around. ‘Only if you ask nicely.’
Clenching her jaw, she stuck her hand under his nose. ‘Please.’
He chuckled, and dropped the tube into her palm. ‘Actually, it’ll probably be just as much fun watching you do it.’
‘Pervert.’
‘Just interested. But you already know that.’
His low, suggestive tone had her squeezing way too much lotion into her palm, and rather than taking her time to ensure she didn’t miss any spots she slapped the stuff onto her belly and made a few half-hearted circles before leaping from the sand.
‘Right. Hope that water’s warm.’
‘It’s perfect.’
His heated gaze slid over her before meeting hers and she bit the inside of her lip to stop it quivering. He totally unnerved her, from his roguish smile to the devilish glint in his eyes.
He was toying with her, she knew it, but with every compliment she let her guard down just that little bit more.
She wanted to believe him, wanted to believe he thought she was perfect. But she wasn’t a fool. Not anymore. Objectively, how could he find her less-than-a-handful breasts—another Jax-ism she hated—no waist to speak of, and thighs with the first hint of dimples perfect?
‘Oh-oh, you’ve got that serious look on your face. Come on—race you there!’
He flung the words over his shoulder and took off, tearing across the hot sand before she could move. By the time she’d caught up he’d dived into the water.
‘Not fair. You’ve got longer legs.’
‘Nothing wrong with your legs, from what I can see.’
Rolling her eyes, she waded into the cerulean lagoon, sighing at the blissful feel of the water.
‘Now, if you hold off on the flirting for just a few minutes, I might actually enjoy this swim.’
He pushed her head under water in response.
She spluttered and spat salt water as she surfaced, clawing at him, trying to return the favour, only to have him slip out of her grip.
‘You’re in trouble, sailor boy.’
They tumbled in the water for the next few minutes, arms and legs flailing wildly, laughing so hard she got a cramp.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had this much fun. Her long work hours weren’t conducive to play, and when she went to the beach at the weekend it was to swim for exercise rather than leisure.
When they finally emerged, she clutched her side. ‘You’ve given me a stitch.’
‘Good. I’ve never seen you laugh like that.’
He touched her cheek, a brief, fleeting glance that had her fingers digging painfully into her side to stop herself reaching up and touching the skin he just had.
‘That’s because you’re not that funny.’
‘Ouch.’
He laid both hands over his heart and she chuckled. ‘The day I wound that enormous ego of yours is the day I’ll go skinny-dipping in the Pacific Ocean.’
‘I’m wounded! I’m wounded!’
He fell to the sand in a pathetic heap, writhing as if he’d just been stung by a lethal jellyfish, and she laughed.
‘I’m going to dry off. When you’ve finished with the theatrics, I’ll see you up there.’
She pointed to the palm trees and headed off, ignoring his call of, ‘You’re no fun.’
She knew he’d meant it as a joke, a fly-away comment, but the words echoed as she towelled off.
She wasn’t fun—didn’t know how to have fun. Not when she’d spent her whole life trying to do the right thing.
Beth had once called her a nerd, and she’d shrugged, pushed her tortoiseshell glasses up her nose and scuffed her sensible shoes, agreeing with the assessment but hurt all the same.
Everyone saw her the same way: no fun. People at work, her cousin, even Zac—and while his opinion shouldn’t matter, considering she wouldn’t see him after the end of next week, it did. As he joined her, and she watched water droplets run in rivulets down his muscular torso as he bent to pick up his towel, she really, really wished her newfound confidence extended to having a little fun.
‘I’m just going to dry off in the sun for a while,’ she said. And blink away the sudden sting of tears for feeling inadequate and inexperienced and inept.
‘Don’t be too long. These UVs can seriously burn.’
She grabbed her towel and laid it on the sand a few feet away—an ill-chosen spot, considering she had a clear view of him stretched flat on his back—his long, lean body, his abdominals composed of ridges of hard muscle…
She squeezed her eyes shut to blot out the tempting image, and must have dozed, for it seemed like an eternity later when his voice roused her.
‘Excuse me, sun goddess, you should come into the shade now.’
Her eyes fluttered open and she stretched, feeling rested and composed and completely tear-free.
‘Nice of you to be so concerned.’
She picked up her towel and flung it next to his, putting enough space between them to ensure no accidental contact.
‘I’ll admit my concern is altruistic. I don’t want to rub lotion on you again.’
‘Why’s that?’
‘I enjoyed it way too much.’
His gaze trailed over her body, lingering on every area he’d rubbed earlier and everywhere in between, and darn it if that prickly itch didn’t start up again.
She quirked an eyebrow. ‘If you enjoyed something as mundane as rubbing suntan lotion on my back, you must get out even less than I do.’
He leaned forward, too close, too masculine—too everything. ‘Go on—admit it.’
She bit her lip, inched back. ‘Admit what?’
‘You enjoyed it too.’
His grin was pure temptation, and she waved her hand in front of her face as if swatting away a particularly bothersome fly.
‘The only thing I’ll admit is finding your incessant flirting extremely tiresome.’
His smile faded at the same moment the sun ducked behind a cloud. Both left her slightly chilled.
‘Do you really feel that way?’ he asked.
Her heart stuttered as she searched for a suitable answer. What could she say? That she didn’t believe his compli-ments? That her self-confidence was so shot by a guy who’d used slick words before that she couldn’t trust easily? That she wished she could believe one tenth of his attention was real and not just his natural instinct to charm? That she hid behind sharp retorts, using them as a barrier against her insecurities?
She settled for semi-truth, feeling a tad guilty her barb had tarnished what had been an enjoyable day.
‘Honestly? I’m not used to the attention.’
He couldn’t have looked more surprised if she’d stripped off in front of him.
‘You said things ended with your ex three years ago, but you date, right?’
Heck, look what she’d got herself into now. She could lie, but she’d always been lousy at it. Beth said her mouth had pursed into a strange prune shape the few times she’d tried it, and she already had him staring at her as if she was nuts.
‘My last date was with George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon.’
He smiled. ‘Ocean’s Eleven fan, huh?’
‘Oh, yeah.’
He reached out, touched her hand. She flinched, silently cursing her reaction.
‘Hell, Lana, I’m not some kind of monster. I like you. I want to get to know you better.’
She shook her head, using her hair as a shield to hide her face. ‘What’s the point? I’m off the ship next week, so why get to know each other?’
‘Because it could be fun.’
Her gaze snapped to his. She was surprised by the serious glint in those deep blue eyes. She’d seen him cheeky, teasing, even wicked, but it was the first time she’d seen this solemn expression fixing her with concern.
‘Fun? The only fun a guy like you would be interested in over the next week is a fling. And I’m not that kind of girl.’
His eyes darkened to midnight, disappointment flickering in their depths. ‘You don’t have a very high opinion of me, do you?’
She shrugged, hating that they were having this conversation, hating that she’d put a dampener on what had been a lovely day.
‘You’re a guy. You’re a sailor. You meet women all the time. You’re a master at flirting. The only reason you’re paying me any attention is because of that stupid challenge I threw down the first night on the spur of the moment, because I couldn’t think of anything else quick enough to get rid of you.’ She took a deep breath, a steadying breath, clenching her hands to stop them from shaking. ‘It’s nothing personal. I understand that. You see me as some sort of challenge because I’m not falling at your feet like the rest of the female population probably does. You—’