Her cheeks were a delightful shade of pink, and she’d become fascinated with the dew on the outside of her juice glass.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” he said.
She looked up, her eyes sparkling. “Yeah, he showed.”
“And?” God, he was pathetic, but he needed to hear it from her, needed to know.
“And it was wonderful.He’swonderful.” A shadow crossed her face, and she took another quick sip. “For a temporary fantasy, I mean.”
Tony signaled to the waiter, not actually needing anything except an excuse to look away. Damn it all, he was actually jealous.You’re losing it, Moretti. Kyra had the hots for Michael, and Tony was jealous of his own damned alter ego.
Maybe he should have said yes when the city shrink had suggested he go in for counseling. He sure as hell needed someone to pound some sense into his head.
She cleared her throat. “So how about sailing?”
He shook his head, willing to concede the change in subjects, but not the activity. “Wouldn’t you rather relax?”
“What’s a little work for adventure-gal?” She cockedher head, then wrinkled her nose. “Oh, Tony, I’m sorry. I just realized. I bet sailing is hell on your back.”
He bristled, then forced himself to relax. “Not at all,” he lied.
“Really?”
“Really,” he said firmly. “It’s all levers and pulleys. Nothing straining at all.” Another lie.
“Sounds like work. Kevin said the big boat’s going out this afternoon,” she said. “All we’d have to do is hang out on the deck and drink daiquiris.”
“That doesn’t sound very adventurous.”
“Well, no…”
“Let’s go sailing,” he said. “The back’s not a problem.” His nose was going to start growing if he kept this up, but he didn’t want to see pity in her eyes. Not from her, never from her. “I promise.”
The truth of it was, he wanted her time on the island to be special. Maybe he couldn’t confess, but he could damn well try to make her fantasy perfect—her days with him, and even her nights with his damned alter ego. Sensual, erotic, unforgettable.
“You really want to go?” She still didn’t sound convinced. Smart girl, but he couldn’t stomach her thinking him helpless. And so long as the weather cooperated and his back held up, he wouldn’t be. Besides, she wanted this, and in some small way taking her out on a boat might assuage some of the guilt sitting like a lump in his stomach.
“Absolutely,” he said. “We’ll go tomorrow.”
She smiled, and he knew he’d finally convinced her. “Sounds great, so long as you’re sure.”
“Absolutely. We’ll have a blast.” He kept his face calm, hoping against hope the Fates—and his lower lumbar region—were on his side. “I can’t wait.”
* * *
“TELL MEabout your day,” Michael said, his voice softer than the candlelight glowing in the small bathroom.
Sighing, she leaned against the side of the deep tub, sliding down until the bubbles grazed her breasts. Michael balanced on the edge behind her, dribbling warm, soapy water from a sea sponge onto her bare shoulders. Pure heaven.
“It was wonderful,” she murmured, her voice near a purr. And it had been. Tony knew his way around the island better than she knew a radio control booth. He’d shown her all sorts of secret places, and even rescued a baby bird from a tangle of fishing line. They’d forged onward through the humid air, battling the foliage. Even now, she could picture the nape of his neck, the way his sweat-dampened hair curled above the collar of his T-shirt. And the way he’d kept glancing back at her, so protective, had practically given her chills.
They’d finally ended up at a crystal-clear pond, deep in the wilds on the north side of the island, and they’d spent the day skipping rocks and talking about everything and nothing. She’d told him about wanting to make the station a success, wanting to make her fatherproud. He’d told her about his former life as a firefighter, all the lives he’d helped save, and sharing his dream that he’d someday be able to do something else to help protect people.
“A great day,” she repeated.
“I’m glad to hear it.” He slipped his hands down into the water, stroking her breasts until she closed her eyes and arched up, her body silently demanding more. “Let’s see if we can’t make the night just as great.”
“Shouldn’t you be out saving kittens or something? It seems like you’re always with me.” She opened her eyes and grinned. “Not that I’m complaining.”
