Body Heat

The last person Melanie Tucker wants to find herself trapped with on a party boat is her nemesis, Adam Stone. As always, he’s too smooth…and a bit too sexy for comfort. But when they both fall overboard—and wind up stranded together—Melanie just can’t resist all the delicious body heat smoldering between them….

Caught in the Act

When a robbery goes bad, undercover cop Mick Dawson can’t believe Delilah Piper (aka mystery writer Lela DeBraye) was just in the wrong place at the wrong time—and neither do the perps. The only way to protect her while he investigates what really happened is to stick with her 24/7—and try not to fall for the object of his investigation!

Praise for New York Times bestselling author

LORI FOSTER

“Foster’s writing satisfies all appetites with plenty of searing sexual tension and page-turning action in this steamy, edgy, and surprisingly tender novel.”

—Publishers Weekly on Getting Rowdy

“Foster’s third Love Undercover novel is a steamy delight

with characters so beautifully and painfully real that every wrenching,

joyful and steamy scene is worth savoring.”

—RT Book Reviews on Getting Rowdy

“Foster hits every note (or power chord) of the true alpha male hero…

a compelling read from start to finish.”

—Publishers Weekly on Bare It All

“A sexy, believable roller coaster of action and romance.”

—Kirkus Reviews on Run the Risk

“Bestseller Foster…has an amazing ability to capture a man’s emotions and lust with sizzling sex scenes and meld it with a strong woman’s point of view.”

—Publishers Weekly on A Perfect Storm

“Foster rounds out her searing trilogy with a story

that tilts toward the sizzling and sexy side of the genre.”

—RT Book Reviews on Savor the Danger

“The fast-paced thriller keeps these well-developed characters moving….Foster’s series will continue to garner fans with this exciting installment.”

—Publishers Weekly on Trace of Fever

“Steamy, edgy and taut.”

—Library Journal on When You Dare

Up In Flames

Lori Foster

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MILLS & BOON

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

Contents

BODY HEAT

CAUGHT IN THE ACT

BODY HEAT

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

CHAPTER ONE

She was the only female fully clothed.

On an enormous party boat filled with people, a dozen half-naked women vying for masculine attention, her subtlety made her stand out. And he wasn’t the only man noticing, a fact that was starting to get to him.

He should thank her. After all, he needed all the distractions he could get right now. Trying to keep his mind off the importance of the deal he’d finalize once they reached Marco Island was making him crazy. He’d worked long and hard for this day, and now it was almost at hand.

She walked to the railing, leaning out over the clear blue Gulf waters, watching the sky and the endless seas; she seemed aloof. A damp, salty breeze picked up and plastered her loose, colorful skirts to her body, emphasizing a sweet little bottom and long legs.

Adam Stone shifted his carry-on bag from one hand to the other, then flexed his fingers. The expensive leather bag, bought for him by his younger brother, Kyle, was a celebratory gift specifically for this trip. The bag was attached to his belt by a long leather strap, securing it to his person. It held important papers as well as a sizable check. Beyond that, the bag held significant sentimental value. This bag was a sign of his future, his family’s future. There was little chance of being robbed on the yacht, but his innate sense of caution was hard to shake off when so much was at stake.

He considered approaching the woman, but held back, mostly because he knew he didn’t have time to get involved beyond small talk. Not only that, she appeared to be ignoring all the males on the boat, himself included. So far, she’d kept her back to him, almost as if she knew of his interest and rejected it out of hand.

The Florida sun was hazy today, the sky overcast, but that didn’t deter the bikini-clad boaters who approached him. They’d been coming on to him since he’d climbed aboard, determinedly seductive, despite his disinterest. All his attention remained centered on that elusive woman as she walked away, separating herself from the crowd once again.

Without his usual charm, Adam excused himself to follow her. It was her glossy black hair he spotted first. Even without the glare of sunshine, that dark hair shone silky soft. The wind ruffled the short, fine curls and sent her colorful skirts billowing like a flag.

Adam swallowed.

Ridiculous that seeing the shape of a slim thigh through a filmy skirt should have such an effect when he’d just walked away from a topless woman, but there was no denying his interest. He felt it clear to the bottom of his stomach, and somehow, the feeling was damn familiar.

Her elbows were braced on the handrail, so he could easily trace the feminine line of her nape, her spine, down to a narrow waist. Her halter top, modest in comparison to the tiny bikinis, still afforded him a teasing view of honey-colored skin and tempting curves. Enthralled, he stepped a little closer, again shifting the bag in his hand.

She hadn’t yet noticed his approach. With a sigh that he detected even over the loud music and the rush of the water against the hull, she lifted her face to the breeze. Adam stepped slightly to the side, curious to see her profile, to decide if her looks warranted all the interest she’d generated in him.

His shock almost knocked him over.

“Mel? Mel Tucker?”

Rather than turning to him with equal surprise, she abruptly stiffened. Her hands gripped the rail a little harder, and she slowly swiveled her head in his direction. Eyes narrow, mouth set, she said, “Old habits die hard, I see. But the name is Melanie. Ms. Tucker to you.”

Adam laughed, his entire mood suddenly lighter. The cursed fate that had put him on this boat no longer seemed so cursed. “You haven’t changed a bit, Mel.” His gaze coasted over her as she turned to face him fully, hands on her slim hips. His voice dropped the tiniest bit, and without his mind’s permission, he muttered, “You’re still sexy as hell.”

Her mouth tightened, and the pale blue eyes that still haunted his dreams looked more ominous than the approaching storm. Lifting her nose slightly in a gesture she’d perfected as far back as grade school, she said, “You obviously haven’t changed, either.”

Her words hit him like a blow—just as she’d no doubt intended. His muscles knotted. The hell he hadn’t changed. He had—in too many ways to count.

Adam held onto the burst of anger by a thread. Always, for as long as he could remember, Mel had been able to rile him with very little effort. The last time he’d seen her back in Brockton, Ohio, his family had been incredibly poor, while her family owned the entire town. She lived on a hill with a view while he lived down by the river in a trailer nearly rusted through. Though he’d gotten a job at a young age, what he made went into helping out his folks—and his father had died anyway. Mel had gone off to an elite college, and he’d dealt with some of the worst grief of his life.

And she dared to suggest he’d survived it all without changing?

Because he was older and wiser and had long since outgrown taunting any lady, he forced a smile. “Seven years have gone by. I think it’s safe to say we’ve both changed.”

She blinked hard and her jaw worked. “What do you want, Adam?”

Incredulous, he stared at her, his mouth open, his brows up. “You’re still angry,” he accused. “After seven years, you’re holding a grudge!” He finished with a short, rough laugh that sent her back straight and her chin up.

Several tense seconds passed, then she abruptly turned away and marched the last few feet to the very back of the boat. She ducked under a slide that sloped from the upper deck to just above the water, opened a double gate and sat on the dive platform. Gathering up her skirts to her knees, she plunked her small feet into the blue water, dismissing him.

Adam fumed. The hell she would dismiss him! He, too, ducked under the slide, sitting cross-legged beside her and propping his bag in his lap. She remained silent and stiff. Too silent. He didn’t like it.

Mel had always had an undeniable effect on him. From the first time he’d seen her, when they’d both been no more than kids, there’d been a chemistry of sorts, something she’d denied and he’d continually struggled with. He felt it still, but he wouldn’t let her know. He wouldn’t let her and her wealth and social position intimidate him after all this time. He’d done all right for himself, though it hadn’t been easy. He had no reason to feel like the poor trash her family had once looked down on.

The boat moved lazily, barely slicing through the Gulf waters, yet the surface was choppy. He glanced at the sky, then frowned at Melanie. Searching for innocuous conversation to show his nonchalance, he murmured, “It looks like a damn storm. I’m going to be late.”

He wanted her to ask him, Late for what? But she didn’t, of course. Nothing with Mel had ever been easy. Instead she said, “You shouldn’t be on this boat, Adam.”

She hadn’t looked at him, and that bothered him even more. All his life he’d thought of her as the one that got away, the one out of reach. There were still nights when he couldn’t sleep for thinking of her, imagining....

When they were younger, he’d teased her unmercifully. Though he was two years older, he’d been held back in first grade after missing too much school due to illnesses that didn’t get treated by a doctor. Real doctors were often too expensive, and trips to the clinic took his parents away from work.

He and Mel saw each other often back then, and her life-style, her obvious wealth, had been like a pounding toothache; it prodded at him always, reminding him of what he didn’t have, while she had way too much. As a kid, he’d almost hated her, at least on some level.

By junior high school, though, he’d learned to hide his feelings...and he’d gradually become aware of her as a female. She represented all the things in life he wanted to obtain; security, comfort, importance. After a while, he’d wanted to obtain her. But that was like wanting the moon in the palm of his hand. Ridiculous.

He’d watched her constantly, dwelling on their differences, feeling equal parts obsessive and possessive. When her innocent eyes began looking more sad, more lonely, he was the first, maybe the only, to notice. In a small, moderate town, her outstanding wealth had isolated her.

He’d wanted to chase that sadness away. It gave them something in common, something he gravitated to.

But that was so long ago. She’d hated him then.

Evidently she hated him still.

“I should have taken a charter,” he growled, ignoring the pang of old regrets and the bite of her scorn that could still bother him regardless of his denials. The wind whistled around them, and a colorful float went flying off the deck to bob wildly in the churning water. “But the damn captain of the charter came down ill. I would have missed an important meeting, but then your buddy, the captain of this boat, saw me and offered a ride. I accepted.”

“He’s not my buddy. I barely know him.”

“Then what are you doing here?”

She stared out at sea, constantly pushing her wind-tossed curls out of her face. Her hair was shorter now, but he liked it. The casual style suited her small features. The hem of her skirt was getting damp, but she either didn’t notice or didn’t care. He noticed. He’d always been painfully aware of every little detail that concerned her.

Ignoring his question, she said, “I saw you earlier.” She glanced at him, then away again, her expression still set. “You’ve had at least two women hanging onto you ever since you stepped on board. Some things, I guess, never change.”

Stunned, he stared at her profile. “You saw me right away but didn’t say hello?”

“Why would I?” She looked right at him, and her eyes blazed. “We didn’t exactly part as friends. You were a mean, petty jerk who enjoyed making my life miserable.”

He searched her face, his frustration extreme. “For God’s sake, Mel, that was seven years ago. We were kids, and when we got older I didn’t...”

“Melanie. My name is Melanie, damn it.”

He couldn’t recall ever seeing her temper before. Mostly she’d been nervous with him, shying away if he got too close, never defending herself, no matter how hard he’d tried to get her to do just that. He lifted one brow, more frustrated by the second. “Well, excuse me all to hell and back.” Then he asked, “You have changed, haven’t you?”

There went that chin again. “If you mean you no longer intimidate me, yes.”

“I intimidated you?” He knew it was true, that he’d played on her vulnerability, but it wasn’t something he wanted to own up to now. Jealousy, need, a very basic emotional hunger, had driven him then. He wasn’t proud of that time in his life. “Honey, you were the one with all the clout. If you’d wanted, you could have had my whole family tossed out of town.”

She blinked, as if surprised by what she’d said, what she’d admitted. A few raindrops fell, lightly at first, but quickly picking up ferocity. Behind them, the partyers began scurrying about, laughing and squealing. Women grabbed for their tops or towels, couples jumped out of the upper deck hot tub. Within minutes, everyone was under cover in the cabin. Everyone except them.

Finally Melanie looked away and Adam drew a deep, starving breath, still watching her. For a minute there, with her gaze locked on his, he’d felt caught, and the feeling wasn’t altogether uncomfortable. She stirred something in him that had been missing for quite some time.

The rain came a little harder, wetting his hair, but Adam ignored it.

He should take her arm and help her into the cabin. But he didn’t want to. He wanted to talk to her, alone, away from the damn drunken crowd. Once they reached the island, he likely wouldn’t see her again. Somehow, he wanted to apologize to her for his behavior of the past. Somehow, he wanted her to know all he’d accomplished since then, exactly how much he’d changed.

He didn’t want her thinking of him as the poor kid down by the river.

The boat was suddenly put in full throttle, and they both lurched, grabbing a section of handrail—and a part of each other. Mel’s fingers clutched his pant leg while he held her elbow. Gently, his heart pounding, he slid his hand down her arm to her slender fingers. Her hold loosened, and when she would have let go, he captured her hand, steadying her. Mel’s eyes widened and she looked behind her, as if only then aware of the storm and the deserted deck. The bouncing boat kept her from shaking him off. Over the roar of the engine, she said, “We should go inside.”

An abandoned beach towel hit him in the back, plastered to him by the rain and wind. He held her just a little tighter while struggling to untangle himself from it. Thank God he had dry clothes in his bag or his meeting would be ruined. He couldn’t exactly make the deal of his life looking like a drowned rat. Another float whipped by, disappearing into the churning waters.

Growing alarmed by the strength of the wind, Adam carefully stood, then helped her to do the same. From the sound of the revelers inside the cabin, the laughing and loud music, no one even knew they were still on deck. And just as Mel got to her feet, the boat veered sharply to port and she lost her balance. With wide eyes and a horrified scream, she crashed overboard. Adam cursed viciously and made a wild grab for her but missed. His bag fell from his grasp, and the strap to his waist jerked him off balance. He, too, went over with a gigantic splash, but more awkwardly than she, his head hitting the slide as he flew past.

Just before he went under, he heard the roar of the receding boat motor, the louder roar of the storm, and worse, Mel’s nearly hysterical screams. Her fear galvanized him. Ignoring his aching head, he pushed himself to the surface and frantically searched for her while wind, rain and waves lashed his face. The side of his head hurt like hell, but he didn’t have time to complain yet. Mel was already several yards away from him, thrashing about wildly as if drowning. Adam felt a crushing fear when he twisted to see the boat going out of sight. Fighting the dragging weight of his heavy bag, he began stroking through the water toward her. Just as she let out another garbled scream, he reached her...and they both went under.

* * *

Melanie felt a slick, sliding movement against her lower body and opened her mouth to scream again. She managed to gulp a mouthful of salt water. Visions of sharks made her panic real and unmanageable.

But then Adam’s blond head broke the surface, and he dragged her upward against his solid body. “Mel!” She felt his legs brush her, tangling with her long skirts, his hard arms around her. Nothing in her life had ever felt so reassuring.

“Oh, God.” She gripped him fiercely, trying her best to ignore the reality of her situation. She loved boats, the sunshine and fresh air, but she had never quite envisioned herself thrown overboard, at the mercy of the Gulf and all its aquatic denizens. “Oh, God, oh, God...”

“Mel, you’re drowning me! It’s okay.”

He tried to ease her away, but she got one hand knotted in his hair and held on for dear life. His familiar scent, one she’d never forget no matter how long she lived, surrounded her, and she crowded even closer. His hair was the same, still too long, too sexy, damn him, and she used it like an anchor, holding him tight. She didn’t want to be shark bait.

Her voice shook uncontrollably when she spoke. “Where’s the damn boat? Where is it!?”

“Sh. It’s all right,” he said. “We need to swim, honey.”

“Swim? Swim!” A vicious wave slapped her in the face, water going up her nose, making her choke and sputter. The furious storm continued, almost pushing them under. Would the turbulent water draw the sharks or chase them away?

Shouting to be heard, Adam said, “The boat is gone. Mel, loosen up, you’re ripping my hair out.”

She tried, she really did. She’d so badly wanted to make a good impression on him, and this surely wasn’t it. But she couldn’t get her fingers to unknot. “This isn’t happening...this isn’t happening....”

“Mel, calm down. The idiots on board are either too drunk or too stupid to realize they lost us. We’re on our own until they dock and count heads.”

If they counted heads. He was right about them all being tipsy, and she’d so deliberately separated herself from them, wanting to be alone, needing the solitude. Would they even notice she was gone? She moaned long and loud. “We’ll drown!”

“No, we won’t.” His voice was calm, sure, just as she remembered it. “We’re not far from shore. Can you swim?”

“What about sharks?” She looked around wildly, terrified, not certain if what she saw were shadows in the water or merely waves.

“There’s no sharks here.”

Her head whipped back around, and she tightened her hand in his hair, making him wince. “How do you know?” she demanded, shaking his head, wanting confirmation. It would be just like Adam to pull her leg, to play on her fear.

“Mel, damn it, turn me loose!”

Through her panic, she read the pain on his face and struggled to relax her grip. Adam circled her waist with his strong arms and held her closer. The contact with his body startled her, despite her predicament. Always, when she’d imagined such a scenario, they’d been on dry land, he’d been filled with abject apologies, and she’d been benevolent in her forgiveness.

Instead, she managed to make a total fool of herself. Not that it mattered if they were going to die, anyway.

Speaking close to her ear, he said, “I’ve got a Florida guidebook, The Key to the Keys. No sharks in these waters, I promise. Now can you swim?”

“Don’t let me go!”

“Honey, I’m right here. But we need—”

Something bumped into them. It was huge and...red. She gasped, again choking.

“A float, surely heaven sent.” Adam smiled at her, his eyes narrowed against the impact of the waves, his lashes spiked with the rain and sea, his blond hair plastered to his skull. But he smiled, and she felt ridiculously reassured as she treaded water. “Mel? Can you climb on?”

She remembered the float blowing off the deck, and he had offered it to her. Lord love him. She gratefully grabbed the rubber edge and with more panic than grace heaved her body mostly upon it. She gripped it so tightly, there was no way she’d lose her hold until she felt solid land beneath her feet. Her wet, clinging skirts were everywhere, and whether or not they covered her backside, she couldn’t say. She felt too numb to know, too frightened to care.

She felt Adam rearrange the skirt, felt his hands on her flesh and merely said a prayer that they’d survive.

“Now just hang on.” Moving to the back, Adam levered himself up over her until his head was even with her derriere. She felt his heavy, sodden leather case placed on the small of her back but didn’t begrudge him that. As long as she was out, she was happy to accommodate him. He began paddling and kicking, propelling them forward.

She felt like an ineffectual idiot, like a hysterical dolt, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. She continued to look around, watching for signs of creatures of any kind. If she spotted so much as a goldfish eye to eye, she’d lose her fragile grasp on control.

A thought occurred to her, and she yelled over the storm, “How do you know which way to go?”

“I’m guessing.”

“What!” He mumbled something she couldn’t hear and his chin bumped her bottom, then he shouted, “The guidebook, remember? I figure we’re still somewhere between the Keys and Marco Island. Trust me, I know what I’m doing.”

She thought to question him further but decided against it. Talking was too difficult at the moment, and her teeth were chattering too badly to make good sense anyway. It was easier to trust him and let him take over.

But when it seemed like an hour had gone by and her lips were numb from the cold rain, she began to panic again. He could well be swimming them farther out into the Gulf, rather than inland. There could be whales as well as sharks, maybe even giant eels— She jumped when he reached up and touched her cheek.

“Almost there, Mel. How’re you holding up?”

For a moment she couldn’t believe what he’d said, then, incredulous, she asked, “Almost where?”

“Shore. Look ahead.”

He had better eyes than she if he could penetrate the sheet of rain, but when she looked as hard as she could, she thought she could see the outline of land. Her breath left her in a whoosh, and her heart began racing. “Where are we?”

“Damned if I know. But if it’ll be solid beneath my feet, then it’s good enough for me.”

Absolutely. She wanted out of the water and she didn’t care where. With a deep breath to fortify her, she released her death grip on the raft. Her knuckles hurt, her fingers felt stiff, but she extended her arms and began paddling.

“Good girl. We’ll get there, Mel. You’ll see.”

She kept paddling, but she closed her eyes, too, saying a silent prayer. Please, please, please let me live long enough to put my feet on land again.

Almost ten minutes later, her prayers were answered.

CHAPTER TWO

When she realized Adam was standing, she almost cried with relief. She wanted to slide off the raft to make it easier for him, but the rain had let up and she could see more clearly. The land they approached looked ominous with an abundance of skinny, mangled palm trees, some practically hanging in the water, and spreading, spidery mangrove trees, making the island look more like a scraggly forest. The ocean floor was visible, and what she saw scared her to death. Shells, small fish, water weeds. She curled a little more tightly on the raft.

“Do you think there’s...anything in the water?”

At first Adam didn’t answer, just kept trudging forward, dragging her along. Finally, with weariness evident in every word, he said, “Nothing’s bit me yet.”

Just the thought made her squeamish. A few more feet, and Adam walked past her, going the rest of the way to shore and collapsing onto his back.

Alarmed, Mel realized the raft couldn’t very well be dragged in with her on it, and if she didn’t move, she’d float right back out to sea. Not that he seemed to care.

Mustering her courage, she jumped off the raft—and sank as deep as mid-shins. The water was so shallow, Adam couldn’t have pulled her any farther along.

Disregarding her blatant cowardice even as she carefully surveyed the shallow water, she attempted to act blasé, to hide her fear. She grabbed the raft and pulled it behind her as she waded out of the water.

Her strappy little sandals were long gone, and her toes sank into the white sand. Her skirts, made to wrap twice around her waist, were sadly tangled, sticking wetly to her thighs, hindering her every movement. She stopped to shake them loose, to squeeze out some of the water, but it was useless. They clung to her like a second skin. She plopped down on the fine sand beside Adam. He didn’t move.

His eyes were closed against the now gentle rain, his clothes every bit as ruined as hers, his mouth tight. And still he looked incredibly gorgeous.

All the old feelings of inadequacy swamped her. For as long as she could remember, Adam had been vital, outgoing, easily the center of attention whenever he entered a room. And she’d been a fading wallflower, crippled by her vulnerability and shyness. When she’d seen him on the boat, she’d begun reviving plans to show him how she’d changed, to prove she wasn’t the little girl he probably remembered with pity. She’d thought to wait until they’d docked, change into something more sophisticated and then approach him.

Instead, he’d approached her, taking her totally off guard, and she’d behaved like an idiot. “Adam?”

“Hmm?” He looked a little pale, his mouth pinched.

“Are you all right?”

“Just dandy. I always take an hour-long swim to get the old blood pumping.”

Her eyes narrowed. Just like him to be so sarcastic at a moment like this.

But then she realized he had to be worn out. To her shame, she hadn’t helped him a bit. She looked at him again and considered apologizing, but couldn’t decide how. He was still her high-school nemesis, yet now he was her hero, as well. The circumstances had her grinding her teeth.

She looked around, up and down the shoreline, and saw nothing but bent and twisted trees, sand, a few pelicans. The island wasn’t large by any stretch, and she wondered how it would fare if the storm returned. “Adam...”

He groaned and reached up to rub at his head. “Talk softly, okay? I’ve got a ringing headache.”

She lowered her voice appropriately. “Do you have any idea where we are?”

“Not a clue.”

She looked around again. It was a safe bet they weren’t on Marco Island, so it had to be one of the smaller islands. She started to stand, her intent to locate people, houses, anything that looked even remotely domestic or civilized. But Adam caught at her arm.

“No, don’t wander off. I don’t want to take the chance we’ll get separated. Just give me a few minutes and we’ll start exploring together.” He said it all with his eyes closed, and her concern for him doubled despite her resentment of the situation.

Sinking into the sand, she looked him over. He lay on the shore like a starfish, arms and legs spread, his posture one of complete exhaustion. His tie remained tight around his throat, his bag still attached to his belt. Melanie figured the least she could do was try to make him comfortable, to prove he no longer cowed her. And he had jumped in after her, had kept her safe. If it hadn’t been for him, the sharks—she gulped—probably would have had her for lunch. Though she hadn’t actually seen any sharks, she was still certain they were there. And if nothing else, his presence had given her immeasurable comfort.

She reached for the strap on his bag, but before she could get a good grip on it, his fingers bit into her wrist.

His eyes opened and they pinned her, hot and intense. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Uh-oh. Melanie remembered those eyes from high school, so compelling, so sexy. Adam Stone had always had the ability to turn females into mush. Though he’d been poor and oftentimes dangerous, women had gravitated to him in hordes. But she’d resisted. She’d had little choice. His only interest in her had been spite.

“I was going to move your bag and undo your tie.”

“Why?” The visible signs of exhaustion momentarily left his body, and he looked ready to attack.

She made a sound of disgust. “You look miserable, that’s why.”

“Like you care?” He snorted. “Aren’t you the same woman who just a while ago was ready to bite off my face?”

She blushed, annoyed that he’d point that out. Damn him, how did he constantly do this to her? They’d only been reunited a very short time, and already she was on the defensive! Since she’d first met him, it had been that way. Right before she’d left for college, he tried to pretend an interest in her, but she’d been wise to him by then. She knew he was only setting her up so he could humiliate her. She’d refused him as quietly and with as little confrontation as possible.

But she’d come home from college a changed woman. Away from her parents’ smothering influence, she’d grown into her own, able to stand up to anyone when the situation warranted. She’d anxiously looked forward to her next meeting with Adam Stone, anxiously practiced all the things she’d say to him, how she’d put him in his place.

How she’d make him see her as more than a pawn.

Only he was gone by then, moved away after his father’s death. And she’d forever felt cheated of her big moment.

She’d never forgotten him; she doubted she ever would. Other than her parents, he’d had more influence in her life than any other person.

Damn him, she would not let him do this to her again! She was a mature businesswoman, and she’d behave as such, no matter his provocation.

With her hands fisted in her ruined skirts, she forced a calm tone and said, “I was trying to be cordial, Adam, considering you played the gallant and rescued me.”

He scowled. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“You dove in after me,” she reminded him. “You didn’t have to do that, all things considered. The least I can do now is try to be nice.”

He stared, his expression stunned. “Nice?” Then he laughed and dropped his head onto the sand with a groan. He was silent a moment before muttering, “Well, what do you know. You owe me.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Didn’t you? It’s appropriate, don’t you think? My clothes are ruined, and it’s for certain I’ve missed my damned meeting.” He cocked an eye open to look at her. “All because I jumped in to save you.”

“Don’t curse.”

Coming up on one elbow, he growled, “I’ll damn well curse if I want to! You have no idea what missing that meeting means.”

She leaned back, away from the force of his anger. Subdued just a bit, she said, “So tell me.”

He glared at her, then turned his head away. After a second, he plopped back on the sand. “Forget it.”

She shrugged, but since he wasn’t watching her, he didn’t see it. Guilt gnawed at her. “I suppose I do owe you. A little.”

“A lot.”

She sighed. “Very well. I owe you a lot. How much money will you be out because of our...misfortune?”

His gaze turned lethal, and the words were little more than a whisper. “You’re not going to offer me money, are you, sweetheart?”

“But you said I owed you.”

“You owe me gratitude, that’s all. I don’t want your damn money.”

“Oh.” The money would have been so much easier.

He shifted, putting one arm behind his head, watching her, a half smile on his sensuous mouth. “Okay, Mel, since we’re agreed, have at it.”

“Excuse me?”

“Go ahead and make me comfortable. That was your original intent, right? I await your efforts.”

He said it like a dare, and her temper pricked. She would not let him, or any other man, intimidate her ever again. So what that he was more muscled now, that maturity made him even more masculine, more sexy? His blond hair was streaked from hours in the sun; his eyes were dark gold. He looked incredible, while she knew she looked a wreck.

It was bad enough that he’d spotted her in the casual outfit she’d chosen for the boat. Her halter and loose, lingerie-style shorts were made of the same silky material, and covered by the long, thin skirts, but she’d still felt too physically exposed to face him. The cabin had been too crowded to hide in, and then she’d realized she didn’t want to hide from him. Not ever again. But she thought he’d be too involved with the women swarming him to notice her.

She’d obviously been wrong.

Now, after her ordeal, she looked wretched. She could feel her eye makeup smeared on her cheeks, knew her short hair stuck out at all angles. She’d lost even more weight over the years; while he was thick with muscle, she was lacking the lush curves men seemed to admire, and in her outfit, there was no way to disguise her figure.

But she couldn’t change any of that, so she’d simply have to make the best of an awkward, unimaginable situation.

Mustering her courage, she again reached for his bag. Unfortunately, it couldn’t be unlatched at the handle; it had to be undone at his belt. The front of his belt. Without looking, she could sense Adam’s smirk. He didn’t think she’d do it; she intended to prove him wrong.

To distract herself from his body, she said, “It’s finally stopped raining.” She slid her fingers under his belt and tried to work the latch.

“It’s going to get hot as hell, you know.”

She felt the heat already. Adam’s stomach was solid rock against the backs of her fingers. And warm. Very warm in comparison to his clammy clothes.

“Humid, too,” he added more softly, his voice a rough growl. “Downright steamy.”

“Will you stop that!”

He gave her an innocent, surprised look. “Stop what?”

“Stop...talking like that. All sexy and low.”

He quirked a brow.

“Oh, forget it. You probably don’t even know when you do it.” The latch came free, and she pulled the strap away, then immediately started on his tie, giving it a good jerk first, making his head bounce in the sand. Before he could reprimand her, she said, “Ever since I’ve known you, you’ve done that. You’re nothing more than walking testosterone, and while some women might like it, I do not.”

She gave the tie another vicious jerk, loosening the knot, and he grabbed her hands. “Will you stop before you strangle me! Damn, woman, I was discussing the weather, and somehow you got on the topic of my hormones!”

Melanie jerked away and came awkwardly to her feet. She shoved her tangled hair out of her face and tried again to untwist her long, wet skirts. After a moment of futile effort, she gave up. Propping her hands on her hips, she said, “I brought it up because that’s all you are! Male hormones waiting to burst.” She threw her arms wide in apt description.

Adam slowly sat up and had his elbows resting on his bent knees, his head cocked to stare directly at her. “Is that right? Well, I’d say that puts you in something of a predicament then, doesn’t it.”

Warily, she asked, “What do you mean?”

“I hate to break it to you. No, actually I’m glad to break it to you. This little island appears to be deserted. We’re all alone—just you, me, and my bursting hormones.” He grinned wickedly. “For who knows how long?”

Frozen for three heartbeats, Melanie stared at him. Then she scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“It’s true.” Adam stood, brushed off his muscled backside and looked around. “You weren’t paying any attention, but when I first spotted the island we were still pretty far out. I could damn near see it from end to end, and not once did I see any sign of life. Not a kid, not a dog, not a single soul.”

“You’re just trying to scare me.”

“Nope. The last thing I want is a hysterical woman on my hands.” He peeled off his suit coat and shook it out, then tossed it onto a clump of dry, prickly-looking grass. He did the same with his shoes and socks. “I’m only hoping we’ll be able to find some kind of food and water.”

“Adam, stop it.” She glared at him from under lowered brows. Her heart raced; her stomach felt queasy. “There are no deserted islands in Florida anymore. It’s a tourist mecca. This is just your way of being mean again.”

He took two quick steps to her and caught her chin in his hand. “I’m a grown man, damn it. I don’t run around trying to frighten women or be mean. Do you honestly think anyone on that boat will notice us missing? Do you think they’ll even know where to look for us? How long do you think it’ll be before we’re missed?”

The second he touched her, her tongue became useless. She couldn’t muster up a single word or protest. Her heartbeat slowed; her breath caught.

Damn, she felt vulnerable! She’d so wanted to make an impression on him after she saw him on the boat. She’d been planning and plotting on when she’d introduce herself, what she’d say, how she’d say it to let him know without a single doubt that she would no longer be bothered by him, that she was a woman now, totally immune to him.

But then she’d gone overboard, and he’d done the unexpected and dove in after her. She thought of how she’d acted in the water and wanted to dig a hole in the sand to hide. Now here she was, insulting him, baiting him, reacting to him.

She jerked her chin away. “I’m sorry.”

“What?”

“I... No one will notice me missing. I came alone and I wasn’t exactly friendly to anyone on the boat.”

“You came alone?”

Oh, why did he have to focus on that one small tidbit? She hadn’t even meant to admit that much. She put her chin in the air and said, “Yes. Alone.”

He looked her over slowly from head to toe, made a grunting sound, then turned away and started unbuttoning his shirt. “I figured you’d be married to some young yuppie executive type by now.”

If all had gone as planned, she would have been. Thank God she’d called it off in time.

When Adam shrugged out of his shirt, at first all she could do was stare at his chest. Hard, lean, covered with a light dusting of hair a shade or two darker than his golden head, it was the type of chest female fantasies were made of. When his hands went to the buttons on his slacks, her mouth fell open, then snapped shut. In a croak, she asked, “What do you think you’re doing?”

Without looking at her, he said, “You don’t expect me to go exploring our little island in suit pants, do you?”

He didn’t wait for an answer. The pants were shoved down, and she whirled around so fast her head swam. But she hadn’t been quite quick enough. She saw snug cotton boxer briefs—wet briefs—molded closely to his lower body. The man was a total fiend.

“Adam,” she said, doing her best to keep her tone calm and reasonable, “put your pants back on.”

“No way. If you had any sense, you’d lose that skirt.”

She clutched her skirts protectively to her body. “I will do no such thing!”

“Suit yourself. But I don’t think it’ll hold up long if you don’t wash the salt water out of it and let it air dry.”

He had a point, not that she intended to disrobe in front of him. It didn’t matter that she wore matching shorts beneath the skirt and underwear under that. Her ex-fiancé had told her numerous times that she needed to put on weight, to gain some curves. And toward the end, she’d finally realized he didn’t find her attractive at all. Oh, he put up a good front, and he tried. Jerry was always pleasant, mannerly, proper. That was one of the reasons she’d broken things off with him; he seemed more emotionless every day, like he had no depth, at least not where she was concerned.

She’d come here to rest, to get control of her emotions after the painful breakup. Ha! Controlling her emotions around Adam had always been impossible.

It was imperative she carry her own weight, that she prove to him her little display in the water was an aberration. She could and would fend for herself.

She was still figuring ways to do that when his warm breath touched the back of her neck. She hadn’t even noticed him approaching!

“One thing hasn’t changed, I see.”

Melanie froze, not daring to move in case his mouth actually touched her skin—in which case she knew she’d likely faint. Her every nerve ending felt stretched tight with him so close. Even her fingertips tingled. “What?”

“You’re still a shy little thing.”

But she wasn’t shy. She was just...affected by him. She’d always been affected by him. He made her nervous and tongue-tied and loopy. From the first day she’d seen him, he’d look at her and her stomach would do flips. Forcing herself to turn, she had her mouth open with a scathing retort when she remembered his state of undress.

Oh, my. Her lips wouldn’t move. As to that, neither would her eyes; they stayed glued on the bare, very male body he presented. Her imagination hadn’t done him justice.

Adam chucked her chin. “Come on. We’ll walk along the shore a bit and see if we can find any signs of habitation.”

He moved away from her, and she stared, heart racing, as he sauntered to his bag and picked it up. He left his discarded clothes lying amid the long, dry grass. As he went past her again, he whistled a jaunty tune.

If she’d found a rock, she’d have thrown it at his head. Frustrated, annoyed and somewhat intrigued, Melanie hurried to catch up.

As Adam had said, many things had changed. But one thing that hadn’t was his appeal. The man still had it in spades. And though she hated to admit it, she’d never been immune.

CHAPTER THREE

“If you’re so sure we’re alone, why drag along your bag?”

Adam smiled slightly to himself. Though she did her best to be cavalier, her voice shook. Good. Let her fret awhile. Misery loved company, and his mind was so jumbled at the moment, it was filled with the worst kind of misery.

He’d missed his meeting. Hiding his reaction from Mel wasn’t easy, but he had no intention of letting her know how important the deal had been for him. Not only that, but it had taken mere moments in her company for him to revert to form, to become the taunting bully she’d always claimed him to be. He hadn’t treated a woman with less than full respect and gentleness since he’d moved away from Brockton.

Except for now. By word and attitude he’d proved Mel right, that he hadn’t really changed at all. And it made him madder than hell. “I have important stuff inside. Where I go, it goes.”

His dark boxers were nearly dry now, but her long skirt was still dripping. He wished she’d lose it. One nice long look at her legs would make his outlook brighter. She was still so slender, so fragile. Seven years hadn’t changed that, but emotionally, she was more sturdy. He laughed. Hell, she was almost mean, as she’d accused him of being.

“Why are you laughing?”

He slanted her a look. “Private joke.” But while he was looking at her, he noticed how fair her skin was. “You got sunscreen on?”

She looked at her body, then crossed her arms over the delicate skin of her midriff. “I did have. But that was before our little dip in the ocean.”

“Damn. Much as I hate to do this...” He stopped and set his bag on the sand, then knelt before it. “I have a shirt you can put on. I don’t want to see you get burned.”

“Playing hero again?”

His jaw locked for a second as her words hit him. He was so far from heroic it was laughable. She knew it too, and probably used the term as more of an insult than a compliment. He surveyed her smug little expression, then shook his head. “No, I just don’t want to hear you whining later if your tender skin gets pink.”

“I do not whine.”

“The hell you don’t.”

She started to stalk away and he called out, “Just where do you think you’re going, honey? If you get lost and a wild boar gets you, it’s no sweat off my nose.”

She halted in her tracks, then slowly turned to him. “There are no wild boars on a Florida island.”

Shoving clothes aside, he lifted out the much acclaimed guidebook and shook it at her. “Says different in here!” So far, he really had no idea what the damn manual said. He hadn’t had a chance to look it over completely.

She stomped back to him, kicking up sand along the way. She had the attitude of a very tiny, very female bull. “Let me see that.”

He held it behind his back. “I don’t think so. It’s mine. In fact, I’ve got a lot of useful stuff here in my bag. Let’s see—” He shoved the booklet under his backside so she couldn’t get to it then began rummaging in his bag. “There’s the shirt you could surely use to protect your delicate hide if only you’d stop being such a witch. Toothpaste and toothbrush. A few candy bars, gum, shampoo and soap. A razor.” He looked at her and grinned his most evil grin. “Clean Skivvies and even a pack of condoms.”

His evil grin was nothing compared to her aristocratic look of disdain. “Well, unless you intend to sweet-talk the boars, I seriously doubt you’ll need the condoms.”

“A smart man is always prepared.”

“Then I’m so surprised you thought of it.”

Her look was so snotty, he grinned, then actually laughed. “Damn, you’re still a world-class snob.”

She gasped at him. “I was never a snob!”

He held up one finger, interrupting her tirade. “But...you’re a snob with nothing more than the clothes on your back. If you want to borrow anything I have, you better start being nice.”

“Go to hell!”

He made an amused tsking sound. “Such language. Should I remind you, Mel, that there aren’t any stores on a deserted island? Your charge cards won’t do you much good.”

“I don’t even have my purse with me. Not that it matters, because we’ll be rescued by dinnertime.”

He shook his head in a pitying fashion. “You’re still so naive.”

“I was never a snob and I was never naive. You were always too busy provoking me to know me at all.”

The words had a grain of truth, at least in regard to their earlier relationship, before high school. But he’d be damned if he’d let her make him feel bad now. “I was provoking because you were such a snob.”

Her face colored in silent rage. “And you’re a pessimist. Keep all your precious belongings. I won’t need them.”

Adam considered her stance; hands on hips, her hair a dark, glossy halo around her head, her wispy, flowery skirt. The island served as the perfect backdrop for her. She looked exotic and desirable and damn sexy. “Wanna bet?”

“What?”

He pursed his lips. “I’ll make you a deal. You’ll get my sincere apology if we’re rescued by dinner.”

“And if we’re not?”

“Well, now, let’s see.” His gaze focused on her mouth, and his voice dropped slightly. “I always wondered what it would be like to kiss you.”

She gasped; her cheeks turned hot for an entirely different reason. “I don’t believe you.”

“Oh, it’s true. I wondered about it. A lot.”

“Well, you can just go on wondering!”

And he would, he had no doubt of that. Even the seven years they’d been separated hadn’t been enough to obliterate the fantasies he had about her. But now here was a chance to live them, at least to some degree. “Chicken?”

Her eyes darkened, brows drew together. “Of course not.”

He stepped closer, whispering, “Then bet me.”

“Jerk.”

“And here I thought I was your hero.”

She made a soft, growling sound, then gave an abrupt nod. “All right. But you’ll be sorry when you lose.”

“Will you be sorry, too?”

She turned her back on him. Smiling, Adam dug out the long-sleeved white dress shirt. Mel was stiff, nearly vibrating with anger. He should have been ashamed for taunting her, a gut reaction he thought he’d lost after high school, but instead, he was turned on. She seemed so sexy with her new outspoken manner.

“Here, let’s get you covered up before you burn. It’s the truth, I don’t cotton to roasted woman. I’d rather kiss you tonight when you’re not in pain from the sun.” He tried his warmest, most sincere expression on her, the one that usually had women agreeing with his every word.

But when he reached to put the shirt on her, she stepped back and swallowed hard. “Adam, I don’t think we should fight.”

“Absolutely not.” He reached for her again, and she caught his hand.

“In all seriousness, we could be stuck here for a few hours.” Her expression was earnest, concerned.

“Could be.” He wouldn’t remind her again just how seriously they were stranded. Tonight, when he kissed her senseless, she’d finally accept the truth. The anticipation was almost enough to soften his disappointment over losing the deal. Almost.

“Could we call a truce?”

“Are you backing out of the bet?”

She sighed. “No.”

“Then by all means, behold a peaceable man. Now put on the shirt.” He slipped it around her, but he had to lean close to do so, and suddenly she gasped.

“Oh, my God! Your head.”

He eyed her cautiously. “I know it hurts like the devil but it’s still on my shoulders, isn’t it?”

“You’re bleeding!”

“Quit squawking, Mel. I’m fine. I just knocked my head on the slide when I went overboard.”

“Here, sit down.” She pushed at his shoulders and Adam stared at her, not budging. Her tiny hands and puny strength were easy to ignore. But her sudden concern... He wasn’t quite sure what to think of it. Over the years he’d imagined many things from Mel, but never genuine concern.

“Mel...”

“Melanie,” she corrected, but this time without heat. “Now sit.”

No woman other than his mother had ever pampered him, except in bed, so he sat and awaited a unique experience. His manly ego, however, insisted that he protest one last time. “I’m fine, Mel, really.”

She leaned over him, and he could feel her soft breath on his shoulder, could smell the woman sweet scent of her. Her slender fingers touched, oh so gently, his scalp.

In hushed, pained tones, she whispered, “You’ve got a terrible gash, Adam.”

He decided a little sympathy from her wouldn’t be a bad thing. As long as he was going to let her believe he’d jumped overboard after her, he might as well go for broke. Besides, he would have come to her rescue—if he hadn’t fallen in by accident. “It’s not still bleeding, is it?”

“A little.”

“Well, see then? It’s almost stopped, so there’s nothing to worry about. And after all that time in the ocean, it’s been cleaned out good.”

She didn’t sound convinced. “I took first-aid classes in college. I think we need to put some pressure on it.”

“Mel, my head hurts enough as it is without you playing doctor.” He heard what he said, knew she’d heard it too, and grinned. “Then again...”

“Just be quiet, Adam.” As she spoke, she came around him and opened his bag. “You must have something in here we could use as a bandage and wrap.”

He caught her hands and pulled them away. “Quit rifling through my things!”

“Stop being such a baby!”

“I’m not....” He hesitated, caught by the worry in her gaze, the near desperation. She truly wanted to help him. Mel Tucker was showing him tenderness.

That fact left him a little shaky. “Oh, hell, go ahead then. Suit yourself. I can see you’re going to be stubborn about this.”

The first thing she pulled out of his bag was his business envelope, thickly padded and sealed. It held the contract of buying terms, a check, insurance papers. Everything he’d needed for his future. Now all wasted.

“What’s this?”

He stared at the blazing sun and silently cursed the ocean, the weather and drunk captains. “Pretty much useless garbage at this point.”

His tone was mean enough to put off more questions.

Of course, that didn’t stop Mel. The rich lived by their own rules and seldom let anything stand in their way.

Still rummaging, she said, “It looks important.”

“Was important. But I missed the deadline by now.”

“Deadline for what? Oh, look. These will do nicely as a bandage.”

Appalled, Adam growled, “I’m damn well not wearing my underwear on my head!”

“Oh, for goodness sake, I’ll rip them up. They’re white cotton and will work perfectly.”

He shook his head. “Hell, no.”

“Adam...”

“If you’re so set on underwear, let’s use yours.”

Her eyes widened, and she sputtered. “I’m wearing mine!”

“So take them off.”

She looked ready to smack him. “Mine won’t do.”

“Why not? You said underwear was perfect and I’d damn sure rather it be—”

“Mine aren’t white and they aren’t cotton,” she blurted, then he watched, fascinated, as her face turned bright red.

He was still cad enough to love seeing a woman’s blush, especially Mel’s. “Do tell.”

She wouldn’t look at him. “Stop trying to distract me.”

“I was distracting myself.” Not that it would take much with her standing there still damp, her skin dewy, her skirt and halter clinging to her body. She was as thin as she’d been in high school, her ribs visible below the halter top, but she looked so soft, too, so damn female.

He cleared his throat. “All right. We’ll skip undies altogether. Find something else. This’ll do.” He lifted out a black T-shirt he’d brought for the trip home, to wear with his jeans. Once the business meeting ended, he’d planned to get comfortable again. He positively hated suits.

Mel shook her head. “Black isn’t good because it’ll be harder to see if you’re still bleeding.”

“It’s either this or your panties. Take your pick.”

She took the T-shirt. “You always were a rotten bully, Adam Stone.”

“So you ought to be used to it, right?” He was done trying to convince her he’d changed. What difference did it make, anyway? When all was said and done, they were still separated by a background that would never alter.

Adam drew his key ring from his bag. It had a small but lethally sharp pocketknife attached. He attacked the shirt with a vengeance.

Staring at the knife, Mel asked, “Why in the world are you carrying that?”

“Old instincts are hard to shake. I got the knife when I was sixteen, when we still lived by the river.” He glanced at her, saw her appalled expression and shook his head. “I’ve never gutted anyone, honey. I’ve just kept it for protection. And because now I’m used to carrying it.”

“Good grief, do you still have your leather jacket, too?”

He grinned. “As a matter of fact, yeah, I do. But it’s too small for me to wear anymore. My mother bought me that jacket by taking in sewing. It means a hell of a lot to me. Of course, if she’d known what a redneck I felt like wearing it, she probably would have taken it back.”

She laughed. “You did have your moments of mischief.”

Adam tipped his head and studied her. “What about you?”

“What about me?”

He tweaked a dark, glossy curl by her ear. “You still got those Minnie Mouse combs you used to wear in your hair, one on each side?”

She looked surprised that he remembered; he could have told her there was little he’d ever forgotten, at least about her. He remembered the cute little dresses she used to wear, how serious she always looked, how alone.

His heart twisted in a familiar pang, and he cleared his throat. He didn’t have the material things she’d had, but he’d had a close group of friends and always knew his family was there to give him as much moral support as he needed. “Do you still have them?”

She dipped her head to hide her face. “I do. I bought them myself when I turned fourteen. My mother thought they were frivolous, but I always loved them.”

“Worth a lot, huh?”

“Worth a lot to me, but not to too many other people.”

Adam felt like they were suddenly on dangerous ground. He knew Melanie had never had the best relationship with her parents. They’d loved her, there was never any doubt of that. But their expectations had always been pretty high. She wasn’t allowed to be a regular kid, with regular faults. She was supposed to be better than that. Maybe those silly little combs had been her first attempt at independence.

Adam abruptly changed the subject. He didn’t like seeing her so melancholy. He’d take her temper any day. “So what are we doing here? Do you want to use this damn shirt or not? Or are you just waiting for me to bleed to death.”

“You said you weren’t bleeding that much anymore!”

He shrugged, which only annoyed her more. He handed her the sliced-up T-shirt, then suffered through her efforts.

Actually suffer was a very apt word. Despite her new pique, she didn’t hurt him. But she was so gentle when she cleaned away the rest of the sand and smoothed his hair, when she held the wadded bandage in place then wrapped a strip of the shirt around his forehead like a headband. Her scent enveloped him again, and twice he felt her breasts brush his shoulder.

Oh, hell. He was wearing no more than snug boxers, and his interest would be blatantly obvious if he didn’t distract himself and quick.

“So what were you doing on this trip, all alone? Very few people vacation without a companion.”

She carefully knotted the wrap. With a shrug in her tone, she said, “I’m used to being alone. And it makes it easier for me to think.”

“To think about what?”

She finished with his bandage and sat back on her heels. The skirt pulled tight over her long thighs and smooth knees. That held his attention for several heartbeats, and when he finally looked at her face, he decided she looked uncertain. Adam thought she’d refuse to answer, but she lifted one shoulder and said, “About what to do with myself for the rest of my life.”

“You couldn’t figure that out back in Brockton?” Adam closed his bag and stood.

She stood also and dusted the sand off herself. “There were...distractions at home.”

He took her hand with his free one and started them down the beach again. Mel didn’t object, and he enjoyed touching her. Her fingers were so slender, her hand so tiny in his large one. “What kind of distractions?”

“Oh, family, friends...an ex-fiancé.”

That last distraction caused his stomach to tighten. Trying to sound only mildly interested, he asked, “Family?”

“Surely you remember my mother and father. They’re a bit...overwhelming. And they like to try to run my life.”

“I remember they did run your life. They pretty much chose your friends, your clothes, your first car.”

She nodded. “But that was before college. I came back a different woman.”

She looked at him, and he could tell his reaction mattered to her. He smiled. “If what I’ve seen so far is evidence, I’d say you’re very different.”

“Yes.” She let out a breath, satisfied. “But they didn’t like it much. They’re constantly trying to make my decisions for me, especially about who I marry. I needed time away from their campaigning.”

“What about your friends?”

“They mean well, but they don’t understand.”

“Understand what?”

“Me.” They walked several yards before she added, “They thought I should go back to my fiancé, that we’d make a perfect couple. Jerry is well established, influential. They all thought he worshiped me, but...”

Again his stomach clenched and his heart thumped awkwardly. The man she described was everything Adam would never be, the perfect cultured mate for a woman of her breeding. Adam had always known when Mel married, it would be to someone exactly like that.

He’d hated it then, and he hated it now.

The rain had stopped, but the humidity was almost choking. He felt he couldn’t get a deep enough breath. “So what happened?”

“I didn’t love him. And he didn’t love me.”

A warmth surged through Adam, making his muscles ripple. He clenched her hand a little tighter. “Your parents and your friends don’t think love matters?”

“They thought I’d grow to love him.”

She looked out over the ocean, avoiding his gaze. But Adam didn’t mind. Just seeing her profile was nice. He liked the upward tilt of her nose, the way her long lashes cast shadows over her cheeks. He even liked her ears.

Damn. “Do you think it’s possible you would have?”

Blue eyes darted his way, incredulous. “No. Not ever.”

“Then you made the right decision.”

“I know. But now what?” With her toes pointed, she kicked up sand and swung his hand just a little. “I mean, I need to find a job of some sort and get my life together.”

Frowning, Adam asked, “You need to find work?”

Her eyes widened. “Oh! I don’t mean that I’m broke or anything like that. But you see, Jerry is a lawyer, and I was his secretary. After I broke my engagement, it didn’t seem right to work for him. And I wanted to do something new, anyway. Besides, work shouldn’t only be about money.”

Adam shook his head in disbelief. “Only the rich could have such an attitude.”

“That’s not true.” She frowned at him. “Don’t you want to enjoy your work? To have goals to reach for and take pride in? Don’t you want to make a difference somehow?”

“I wanted to make a difference to my mother. She deserves some peace now, some time to take it easy. And I wanted to give my brother a chance, lots of chances, to do the things I didn’t get to do.”

Very tentatively, she asked, “You say all that as if it’s impossible now.”

“No. I’ll get to that point eventually. But it should have been today.” He released her hand to run his fingers through his hair, only to encounter the makeshift bandage. His fist dropped to thump against his bare thigh. “If I hadn’t gone overboard, I’d be on Marco Island right now, buying a small resort. My mother and Kyle are probably sitting by the phone, waiting for my call this very minute.”

“Adam...”

He heard her concern but couldn’t bear it if she felt sorry for him. He shook his head, dredging up lost control. “Forget it, Mel.”

“But if you have the money to buy one resort, then surely you could just get another.”

He laughed at her, more aware than ever of the differences in their outlooks. “This particular resort was dirt cheap because it needs a lot of work that Kyle and I could have done after it was ours. Unlike you or your family, I’m well used to working up a sweat. I could have turned the resort around. But the agent, Mr. Danvers, was clear that if I missed the deadline, it would be sold to the next bidder, who was only slightly below me. I scrambled around for two weeks getting things in order—only to fall off the goddamned boat.”

Adam abruptly shut his mouth, disgusted with the situation and with himself. Why had he opened up to her like that? The details of his real estate deal were none of her business. Hell, he’d wanted to impress her, not drive home how shaky his financial position still was.

“Tell me about your family, Adam.”

He scrubbed at his face, then twisted to see her. She knelt in the sand beside him, her expression sincere, curious. Adam shrugged. “Kyle is totally different from me, more like my mother. He smiles all the time, and nothing gets him down. When we were younger, and things got rough at home, I’d always end up in trouble, fighting with someone or mouthing off at school. Not Kyle. Everyone likes him.”

“And your mother?”

“She’s the strongest person I know.” His eyes narrowed and he looked out at the endless expanse of sea. “Even when Dad died, she held up, doing what had to be done, getting through each day. As soon as I could make enough money, I moved them away from Brockton, so we could all have a new start. We didn’t go far, even stayed in Ohio, but now they were looking forward to Florida.” His jaw tightened and he threw a fistful of sand. “Damn, I hate to let them down.”

Mel’s hand touched his, and she whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Her soft apology made him realize what a heel he’d been. It wasn’t her fault he’d lost his balance, but he let her believe he’d jumped in to rescue her. Oh, hell.

“I fell in, Mel.”

She touched his shoulder. “I know. Trying to save me.”

He glared at her over his shoulder. “Didn’t you hear me? I fell in. Yes, I made a grab for you, but no, I did not leap in to rescue you. Hell, that would have been an idiotic thing to do. If I hadn’t lost my balance I would have just told the captain to turn the stupid boat around.”

She looked confused. “You lied to me?”

“No, I didn’t lie. You just assumed.”

“And you didn’t correct me!”

Shrugging, he said, “You were so anxious to...comfort me. I didn’t want to miss the experience.”

She fumed in impotent silence for three seconds, then kicked sand at him and stalked off.

“A repeat performance, Mel!” he shouted to her retreating back. “You keep playing the same scene—get mad and walk away. Only here, there’s no place to walk to.”

“Go to hell,” she yelled without turning.

She took off at a furious trot, and she was nearly out of sight around a cove heavy with mangrove trees when Adam decided he’d have to apologize “Mel? Come on, Mel, wait up.”

No answer. Grabbing his bag, he headed after her, calling her name. “Mel!”

The sun hung low in the sky, a heavy red ball turning the water in the cove crimson with its reflection.

He picked up his pace, his injured head pounding with every step, then almost ran into her when he rounded the bend she’d taken. “Damn it, you could have...”

His words dropped off. Ahead of them, some hundred yards up the beach, was a house. Well, sort of a house, more like a ratty shack. It was almost in the ocean because of the eroded shoreline. Exposed pilings beneath the structure showed how precariously it stood, and to Adam’s mind exemplified the seriousness of their situation. If folks were anywhere about, they would have knocked such a dangerous eyesore down. Oh, they were stranded, all right. He wondered how often, if ever, people visited this damn island.

He took a step forward just as Mel took one back, closer to his side. “Do you think anyone is around?” she asked in a whisper, and he realized she was nervous. And in being nervous, she’d automatically come to him. The man.

He felt like Tarzan, ready to defend her against all predators. He wasn’t rich, but for now, he was all she had. He grinned with the image. “Come on. Let’s go exploring.”

He led her to the front door of the house, but the steps were broken and separated from the main structure by the shift of the land. He set his bag on the sand and said in his best macho voice, “You probably should wait here.”

“Adam, be careful.” She fretted behind him, twisting her hands. “You don’t know what could be inside there.”

Wild boars? He grinned and glanced at her while shoving the door open—and got bombarded by a flurry of large flying insects.

Startled, Adam yelled, then fell backward into the sand, hitting his head once again.

CHAPTER FOUR

Melanie ran halfway down the beach before she realized what a coward she’d been. The bugs, giant roaches of some kind, were gone, their dark cloud moving far away.

Adam still lay where he’d landed, and she grew immediately concerned. She sprinted toward him. “Adam!” She came to a rushing halt beside his prone body, accidentally kicking sand over his chest and shoulders. He looked like a downed warrior in his headband and dark, snug underwear, with the rest of his magnificent, tanned body bare. She took a moment to observe him unaware, grew even more breathless, then shook herself.

Her pulse racing at Mach speed, she knelt gingerly beside him. “Adam?”

He groaned.

Her heart seemed to drop to the pit of her stomach. “Oh, thank God. Are you all right?” She cradled his head on her lap and touched his jaw. “Adam, can you answer me?”

He cocked one eye open, stared at her breast near to his face and closed his eye again. “Nice, Mel, real nice.”

“Adam,” she warned.

“No, don’t slug me. There’s already a rusty marching band playing on my brain.” He sighed, then added, “Oh, hell, I feel like a fool.”

Stroking his jaw and chin, she asked, “Why?”

“It was just a few bugs, Mel.”

“Ha! They were giant cockroach-looking bugs, and I almost fainted!”

“Yeah, well, having grown up by the river, I’ve seen plenty of bugs.”

She shuddered. “Not me.”

“I know.” He made a smirking face, as if it was a crime not to have lived with bugs. Then he added, “But don’t pass out on me here, because I’m not up to lugging your dead weight up and down this damn beach.”

Only the very real pain she could see in his eyes kept her from dumping his head off her lap. That, and the picture in her mind of where Adam had lived. Once, when she’d been around sixteen, she’d snuck down by the river to spy on him. Driven by some inner demon, she’d wanted to look at him, to see him. He’d been especially provoking that day, and she’d had some far-fetched idea of finding out more about him so she’d be better prepared to deal with him.

She’d gotten the shock of her life.

The outside of the trailer had been as tidy as anyone could make it, almost hiding the fact that it was falling apart. Wildflowers had been planted around the skirt of the trailer in an attempt to hide holes. Melanie, in her misconceptions of the world, had wondered why they didn’t move. It wasn’t long after that she found out Adam’s father had cancer, causing him to miss more and more work.

Some of the area residents had taken up a collection for the family, and she still remembered feeling ashamed when her parents donated so little, when she’d wanted to give so much.

It was no wonder he’d always resented her.

To hide her sudden discomfort and the pity she still felt, she quipped, “You know something, Stone? You’ve got worse mood swings than my mother when she went through menopause. And frankly, she was a royal bitch.”

He chuckled. “That bad, huh? Well, considering I missed the most important meeting of my life, I spent an hour in the ocean using muscles I’d forgotten I had, my brains have been scrambled twice now, and I’m presently in a position I’ve fantasized over but can’t do a damn thing about, then I’d say I’m justified.”

Melanie’s heart gave an excited stumble over his words. What had he fantasized? Certainly not about her. He’d never shown her anything but disdain. Sure, today he’d joked about kissing her, but that was just his way of making her uncomfortable. Yet the way he’d said it while eyeing her breasts...

Carefully, measuring every word, she said, “I can easily take care of your missed meeting, your muscles look...unforgettable to me, your head will feel better soon. Oh, and what did you fantasize about?”

Her nonchalance didn’t fool him. He slowly sat up to face her, his large body too close, his gaze too intent on her face. She felt herself blushing without knowing why.

He worked his jaw in thought, then said, “I don’t need you to do a damned thing about the missed meeting, so forget that. But I am glad you noticed my muscles—especially since I’ve more than noticed your soft little body. My head is going to fall off my shoulders long before it stops aching.” He touched her cheek, the line of her jaw. “And you,” he whispered. “I’ve fantasized about you, Mel, about touching you, kissing you.” He leaned closer, his mouth only an inch away from hers. “Those last few years all I could think about was how damned exciting it would be to get you under me.”

Oh, wow. Her vision clouded, and she had to part her lips to breathe. The heat wasn’t only surrounding her now, it was inside her, a part of her. No man had ever talked to her this way, not even Jerry, and she’d been engaged to him. It was exhilarating and stimulating and...this was Adam. She narrowed her gaze.

“Are you trying to humiliate me again?”

He drew back just a bit and stared at her. “Again?”

“Like in high school, when you asked me out. Oh, don’t look so innocent! I know what would have happened if I’d been dumb enough to say yes. You’d have laughed and told everyone what a fool I was. That’s the only reason you asked me in the first place, isn’t it?”

He looked equal parts frustrated, angry and hot. “I asked you out because I wanted to.”

“Oh, sure. And that’s why you suggested we go driving instead of to a school dance or the movies where someone might have seen us.”

“You’re the one who would have cared, Mel. My reputation was already shot. Folks saw me as dirt poor, no-account, and a troublemaker.”

“You were a troublemaker.”

He ignored that little truism. “And you were the town princess, too good for the humble masses. Hell, your mommy and daddy had nothing but contempt for the rest of us, and they would have had me shot if they knew I’d asked you out.” He shrugged, looking awkward for just a moment. “I figured you might go if no one would ever know about it.”

She stared at him, appalled at his perceptions, feeling sick deep inside herself. He was right in predicting her parents’ reactions. They wouldn’t have been pleased. But to think of Adam as sincerely wanting to date her... Well, that would take a major attitude adjustment. He’d been so cocky back then, as if he’d been unaware of his poverty, of his social circumstances. He’d always seemed so self-contained, unaffected by others, especially by her.

Could he have felt as vulnerable as she did?

“Why?” She asked it simply, the question uppermost in her mind. “Why would you have wanted to go out with me?”

His expression became almost ruthless. With the black headband wrapped around his fair hair, his bare shoulders glistening in the hot evening sun, he looked like a savage.

His golden eyes glittered with intent, and then without a word he grabbed her by the back of the neck, pulled her closer and pressed his mouth to hers.

For a mere second he was still, the pressure firm. They both seemed frozen, afraid to move. Then he groaned and twisted and gathered her closer, his mouth opening, devouring. She felt the hot stroke of his tongue, urgent and deep, the sharp touch of his teeth, and she gave a small groan of her own.

His arms closed around her, bringing her as near as he could get her. Everything about him seemed to be hot and hard, like a steel inferno. Pressed against his damp chest, she felt every ragged breath he drew.

Being alone with Adam like this, hearing the things he claimed, was a fantasy come to life. As a young woman, she’d built a world around the idea of luring in the irresistible Adam Stone. Everything about him had excited her, and compared to him, other men had seemed lacking—including her fiancé. “Adam—”

His teeth nipped her earlobe and made her gasp. “Sh,” he whispered, barely breathing the word so that all the fine hairs on her body stood at titillated attention. Her body felt ripe, hungry.

“Tell me that you want me, too, Mel.”

Oh, she did. She really did. “We...we need to talk, Adam.”

He leaned back to give her a warm smile, his gaze searching, pleased. “But you’re not denying you want me.”

She started to, only the words wouldn’t come out, not with him looking at her that way. His hands stayed busy, slowly pushing the white shirt open and brushing over the exposed skin of her shoulders, arms and throat as if he couldn’t quite touch her enough. Everywhere his fingers trailed, she felt gooseflesh rise, making her more sensitive. He appeared almost reverent, his gaze so hot she felt the touch of it against her skin.

She’d secretly dreamed of being with him like this, and she wanted so badly to give in. But she knew she’d caused him a lot of grief, and first she had to remedy that. She leaned away from the temptation he offered. “I want to buy the resort, Adam. I owe it to you.”

Very slowly, he released her. His expression was cold, blank. “There was a bidder right behind me.”

“So I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

He jerked to his feet, then stared at her. “I don’t want your charity, Mel.”

“Charity?”

“I don’t live on the riverbank anymore. I can damn well take care of myself, without your interference.”

His attitude stunned her. “You’re being unreasonable, Adam. I can afford to do this—”

“And I can’t. Just like old times, huh?”

They stared at each other in heavy silence. He was so distant, so sarcastic, it was as if the delicious kiss had never happened. Melanie bit her lip to keep her emotions in check. His feelings were plain, but then, so were hers. She knew what she needed to do, she just didn’t know how Adam would react. “You’re a bullheaded jerk, Adam Stone.”

He turned away to observe the shoreline. After several more seconds, he said, “It’s going to be dark soon. We should finish checking out the house to see if there’s anything in there we can use.”

The setting sun cast everything in shadow, lending an eerie quality to the island. Adam disappeared behind the house, and she didn’t bother to follow him. How had everything changed so suddenly?

“I’ve found us some food.”

She stared at him, carefully hiding her hurt. He held out two withered oranges.

“Behind the house.” He watched her as he spoke, and she had the feeling he was trying to gauge her mood. “The orange tree isn’t much to brag on, but next to that is a palm tree loaded with coconuts. We won’t starve.”

Fighting with him wouldn’t solve anything, so she tried for a look of enthusiasm. “I can live with fruit.”

He looked relieved, and even smiled at her. “They were probably planted by whoever used to live here. According to the guidebook, citrus trees are usually only on the mainland. There’s even a wild strawberry patch here, though it looks like the bugs have gotten to most of them. And some thorny blackberries.”

He dropped the fruit in the sand by her feet, then went around to lever himself into the front door again. Watching Adam climb wearing no more than form-fitting Skivvies was a unique experience. Muscles and tendons flexed and pulled tight across his back and shoulders. His thighs were long, athletic. She crept closer to the house to peek inside.

It had obviously been no more than a functional fishing cabin. There were no separate rooms, just a few dividing walls. At the back of the house were an old porcelain tub and toilet, a broken mirror still on the wall. Various broken tools, dishes and garbage littered the inside.

“It’s not exactly cozy.”

Adam snorted. “If it rains again, and it will, at least we’ll be able to keep dry. And I think I might be able to drag that tub outside to collect the rainwater.”

The tub was dirty, chipped and rusted. “Pray, for what?”

“To drink and bathe, sweetheart. Unfortunately, there’s no catering service here, no ice machine right around the corner, no hot showers. Or haven’t you accepted yet that we’re stuck here?”

She really wanted to smack him. “We’ll be rescued soon.”

“Dream on.” He began heaving at the tub. A large slithery snake glided from beneath and slipped across the dusty floor to disappear into a crack between the wall and the baseboard. It moved so quickly, neither of them had time to react. Adam turned to her, one brow raised, and she quickly ducked out of sight.

Sometimes, she thought, life was hardly fair. She’d come on this stupid trip to get away from meddling friends and family, stress and pressure. She’d wanted peace and quiet, but instead she’d gotten stranded on a damn bug-and-snake infested island with the one man who’d always made her crazy. Now it seemed that so many things she’d thought about Adam were wrong, but it didn’t matter, because he still despised her inherited wealth.

“Come here and give me a hand.”

Melanie turned, saw Adam struggling to lower the tub to the ground through the open doorway and applauded. “Bravo, Stone. Anything else I can do for you?”

He mumbled something she didn’t hear and let the tub drop with a thud. After jumping off the doorstep, he dragged the tub straight past her and right into the ocean.

“Adam! What are you doing?” She envisioned him climbing inside the tub and somehow sailing away—without her.

But the tub immediately sank, and he only went out knee deep, just enough to swish the salty sea water inside it.

“I’m washing it. Something’s been nesting inside it.”

Shuddering in distaste, Melanie stood fretfully just outside the touch of the foaming tide and watched, praying no sharks would eat Adam, because she really didn’t think she could stand being stranded alone.

But when he waded out and she saw that his snug boxer briefs were once again soaked and clinging to his very male body parts, she began to wonder if being stranded alone might be safer than being with Adam Stone.

* * *

The sun was nearly down, the air cooler, and Adam felt ready to burn up. On every imaginable level, he was painfully aware of Melanie. He could smell her warm, female scent, could hear her occasional movement, feel the touch of her gaze on his body. In a burst of frustration, he growled, “Stop ogling me.”

Affronted, Melanie exclaimed, “I’m not!”

“Ha.” He wanted an argument, a way to vent. When he’d kissed her, he’d nearly lost his mind, she tasted so good. He’d wanted nothing more than to lay her down in the sand and make love to her. Then she’d offered him money, and he’d gone cold inside. She couldn’t know what it was like to take charity, to be dependent on others to get by. But he knew. And that was one more major difference between them.

She had spunk, he’d give her that. Most women would be carping and crying and complaining right about now. Their prospects for the coming night did not look good. But not Mel. No, she didn’t complain, she just went on insisting everything was dandy in that damn annoying Pollyanna way she had of looking at everything. Even with bedraggled clothes and ruined makeup, she managed to appear regal and in control. She sat before him, her legs crossed just so, her shoulders straight.

She was staring at him again.

“Damn it, Mel.” He dropped to his knees in front of her, at the end of his control. “Do you want me to pick up where we left off?”

She looked at his mouth, then slowly shook her head. “I want to talk to you.”

“That again?” He plopped down, feeling the gritty sand on the back of his thighs, his palms. Damn sand everywhere. “All right. Let’s get it over with.”

She drew her knees up to her chest and carefully arranged her skirt over them. “Whether you deliberately jumped in to save me or not, the result was the same. You did get me to dry land, and I do owe you.”

“That attitude ought to at least make our stay here interesting.”

She drew a deep breath, and he had the feeling she was reaching for calm. “I intend to buy your resort, whether you like it or not.”

He eyed her militant expression and shook his head. “No. Now would you like to wash all that paint off your face? It’s pretty much a mess.”

“Oh.” She pressed her palms to her cheeks and looked a little embarrassed. He hoped that would be the end of it, that she’d get sidetracked with appearances and quit poking holes in his self-esteem.

Not Mel.

“I can wash up later.”

“Not unless it rains again tonight. Already the puddles of fresh water are starting to disappear.”

She blinked slowly, as if barely comprehending his words. “You expect me to wash my face in a puddle?”

“Well, honey, your options are somewhat limited right about now. It’s either salt water, which is pretty sticky when it’s drying, or a fresh rainwater puddle. The sand is clean, so the water is, too. And I can even loan you some of my soap—for a fee.”

In the fading light, her pale blue eyes looked almost iridescent. He’d always thought she had the sexiest and most expressive eyes he’d ever seen. She didn’t need makeup.

“What fee?”

“Another kiss, that’s all.” He could still taste her, and he wanted more.

“Bargaining away your goods? A real gentleman would just share.”

“But we both know there’s no real gentlemen on this island, don’t we?” Provoking her seemed his only defense. If she was mad, she wouldn’t talk about owing him. “Now what’ll it be? You want the soap or not?”

Indignation made her eyes bright. “Oh, all right.” Taking him by surprise, she leaned forward, grabbed his face in both hands and gave him a hard, dry smooch. He didn’t even have time to pucker. “There. Now where’s the soap?”

“That’s it?” He had to fight to keep from laughing. Her averted gaze told him what that impromptu kiss had cost her in the way of nerve.

“That’s it.” She tried to look smug, but she avoided his gaze so the effect was minimal. “You didn’t say what kind of kiss.”

“I see I’ll have to word myself more carefully in the future.” Still smiling, Adam dug through his bag and pulled out the scented bar of green soap. It smelled like Brut cologne.

Melanie stared at it. “Is that all you have?”

“Sorry, but I didn’t take into account feminine bathing preferences when packing it. It’ll do the job. And you better hurry up before all the water either evaporates or sinks into the ground.”

She took the soap and moved only a few feet away to where a shallow puddle had formed in the sand between some scrub grass and a young mangrove tree. On her knees, she bent forward and splashed her face. The position put her shapely rump up in the air, and Adam had to choke back several comments that tripped to the tip of his tongue.

Worse than that, he had to sit on his hands to keep from touching that sweet little bottom. He’d felt its softness when they were swimming to shore, had twice rested his head against her delicious buttocks. He’d had to fight the inclination to explore that area further while the opportunity presented itself. He’d even considered taking a few small nibbles, he’d always had a certain fondness for feminine posteriors, and everything about Melanie Tucker had always been a source of fascination.

She’d been too frightened of the ocean to notice his interest; he doubted that was the case now. But the woman obviously had no idea of her own charms. If she did, she sure wouldn’t offer up such an irresistible temptation.

Hadn’t her fiancé ever told her what a great bottom she had?

When she lingered, splashing again and again, he finally turned away. He wasn’t into torture, and tonight his control seemed precarious, at best.

A few minutes later, face freshly scrubbed and even more appealing, Mel returned his soap to him. She sat beside him, looking more self-conscious than ever, but also a lot more determined. “Now, about the resort.”

“Do you want a comb or some lotion?”

“Does the lotion smell like the soap?”

He grinned. “Sure does.”

She stuck out her small hand, palm up.

Adam held the bottle out of reach. “You know you’ll owe me again, only this time it’ll be my choice.”

She sighed. “And what exactly would your choice be?”

After looking her over from head to toe, he locked onto her gaze. Her eyes were wide and wary, and he thought he might be content to simply look at her all night. “It’s a warm evening.”

“Yes.”

“I don’t relish sleeping on this sand.” He picked up a handful and let it sift through his fingers. “It sure as hell won’t be very comfortable.”

“We’ll be rescued before it’s a problem.”

He grunted. Damn persistent witch. “Maybe, but if we’re not, I want you to lose the skirt.”

Her back snapped straight, and she glared at him. “This time you have to be joking.”

“Nope.” He enjoyed watching the flush bloom over her face and upper chest. He imagined her breasts rosy and warm, and shifted uncomfortably. “It’s the only piece of material we have that’s big enough to serve as a sheet. We can both snuggle up on it.” When she looked furious, he asked softly, “What’s the matter, Mel? If you’re so sure we’ll get rescued, then it won’t be a problem.”

He’d caught her and he knew it. His motives were twofold. If he could keep her mind on sex and off his personal business, she’d likely forget his financial confession. At the same time, he knew he’d gladly be stranded for a month if it meant he could fulfill his fantasy of being with her. Like an obsession that wouldn’t go away, he wanted her as much now as he ever had. Maybe more, because he’d kissed her and knew how good she tasted, how perfect it had felt.

They had a staring contest going, one he knew he’d win because he enjoyed looking into her blue eyes.

“Oh, all right. But you’re being outrageous and making me dislike you immensely.”

He shrugged. “You’ve always disliked me. Not surprising. We’re from different worlds.”

Her mouth tightened. “I disliked you, Adam, not because you didn’t have as much money as me. But because you were as provoking then as you are now.”

Without a word, he handed her the lotion.

If she only knew how difficult it was for him to smell his favorite scent on her. It felt as if he’d branded her somehow, made her his by giving her his scent. It turned him on.

The entire atmosphere of the island was conducive to primal needs, reducing a man to his basic instincts. He wanted to protect her, provide for her. He wanted to claim her as his own in the most elemental way.

Damn, the coming night would be torture.

He was looking forward to it already.

CHAPTER FIVE

They had fruit for dinner, but Melanie could barely eat as she watched the island grow darker and darker. Nervousness set in whenever she thought of the night to come, of being alone with Adam on a deserted island.

After cracking a couple of coconuts open and using his knife to slice up several oranges, he’d gone back up the beach to fetch the clothes he’d left behind and the raft they’d floated in on. Adam made the decision that they should stay by the house in case it rained again, but for now, they remained outside.

The heat had settled in like a damp blanket. A slight, balmy breeze barely stirred the air, rustling the dry grasses and fringed palm leaves. She got to her feet to gather the remains of their meal and put the scraps out of the way in a tidy pile. She knew Adam watched her every move, could feel his hot gaze touching on her everywhere. Earlier, before the sun had gone, he’d entertained himself by perusing his damn Key to the Keys, where he’d found the idea for scraping the coconut shells clean and filling them with the remains of the rainwater.

She bent to rinse her hands in one of the few remaining puddles and nearly jumped out of her skin when he shifted.

“Mel.”

She slowly closed her eyes at the husky way he’d said her name. She swallowed hard, then whispered, “Yes?”

A long moment of silence had her nerves pulled taut, when he finally said, “Come here.”

With her back still to him, she sat on her heels, trying to calm her racing heart. Never had she been so conscious of another human being, but she should have suspected it would be this way. Good or bad, she’d always held a fascinated awareness of Adam that wouldn’t go away, not even with the passing of seven years.

She was a grown woman, free to do as she pleased, and though she’d never really believed in casual sex, situations like this one just didn’t happen often. And in truth, there was nothing casual in what she felt for Adam.

She turned her head to look at him. “Why?”

Lazily, his voice nearly drugged, he said, “You’re keyed up. I can feel it. Come here and I’ll comb your hair.”

She lifted one hand to her tangled curls. That’s all he wanted to do? He leaned against a palm tree, looking utterly relaxed, but she could feel his tension washing over her in waves. Her heartbeat doubled. “I...I can do it.”

“I want to do it for you.” When she started to protest, he said, “It’s the price for using the comb. Now come here.”

On legs that felt much too wobbly, she stood and walked to him until only a foot was between them. Adam took her hand, turned her around, then tugged her down between his thighs. Taking his time, he situated her just so. Melanie stared straight ahead at the silhouette of a palm tree against the dark gray sky. Adam’s breath touched her neck when he whispered, “Relax, Mel. I won’t hurt you. Ever.”

She had no response to that. Her senses rioted, her mind numb against everything but the feel of his fingers in her hair, gently untangling every curl.

“I like your hair short.”

Conversation. Innocuous, innocent conversation. She grasped it like a lifeline, trying to hide the mixed jumble of emotions she suffered. “I cut it after college. Jerry didn’t like it. He thought it looked too unruly.”

The comb stilled for the slightest moment, then Adam laid it aside. “You always had beautiful hair. I remember when you went from braids to barrettes to those pretty combs. I used to imagine your hair trailing over my chest.”

“Adam...”

“And my stomach.”

She bit her lip, the imagery crystal clear in her mind.

“Jerry must have been a damn fool.”

Her heart was already racing when the weight of Adam’s hands settled on her shoulders. “It’s getting late.”

Not knowing what to say to that, she simply nodded.

“No one’s coming tonight to rescue us, honey.”

She nodded again. Even if a rescue crew tried, finding them in the darkness would be nearly impossible.

“We had a deal.”

There it was—the thing she had dreaded most, and yet strangely hungered for. At least it was dark enough that he wouldn’t be able to see her clearly. She knew what she looked like, knew she was too thin, too gangly. A man like Adam, who’d had more than his fair share of feminine attention, might very well be disappointed. The thought made her stomach churn.

He stood and pulled her up with him, then stepped in front of her. Heat seemed to pour off him in waves, bringing with it his heady scent—not of the now familiar cologne, but of the man. Breathing deeply, she drew that scent into herself. She felt drunk with the pleasure and nervousness of the moment.

“Mel?” He touched her cheek, smoothed his hand over her skin. “It’s okay, honey.”

She nearly collapsed. He wasn’t going to pressure her. It was still her choice, and for that reason more than any other, she wanted to prove herself. She’d made a deal and she would stick to it. But when her fingers went to the tie at her skirt, he brushed her hands away and did the unwrapping himself, gently easing the knot apart and revealing her with slow anticipation as if she were a long-awaited gift.

Holding the skirt open with clenched fists, Adam simply looked. Melanie was grateful for the added shadows of the trees behind them, but then Adam dropped the skirt and took her hand, easing her into the moonlight. She held her breath, keeping her head high, refusing to show her uncertainty. She locked her thighs and waited.

For long, agonizing moments, he stood there, saying nothing, barely breathing. When she saw the beginning of his slow smile, she almost crumbled inside. “Don’t...don’t you dare laugh at me, Adam Stone.”

His eyes glittered in the darkness, and his hands cupped her hips, gently squeezing. “Honey, I’m so far from laughing right now, I couldn’t even work up a chuckle.” He gave her a light, barely there kiss on her lips, then dropped to his knees in front of her.

Alarmed, she started to step back, but he held onto her.

“This has been coming a long time, Mel.” His fingers on her hips flexed, caressing her. “Damn, I’ve wanted you so long, I can’t remember when I haven’t wanted you.”

“You...you didn’t even like me.”

“I liked you too much.”

Not giving her time to mull that stark confession over, he slid his hot palms up and down the backs of her thighs. He made her knees weak, her stomach jumpy. “You’re perfect, Mel. Sleek and sexy.” He glanced up at her, his expression fixed. “How the hell did you disguise yourself so well?”

He evidently didn’t want an answer. He leaned forward and placed a warm, damp kiss on her navel. Stunned, she braced her hands on his shoulders and drew in a shaky breath. “Adam, I feel...funny.” She could barely get the words out around the tightness in her throat.

“It’s the coconut,” he whispered, nibbling on her belly with his lips and rubbing his cheek against her. “It’s an aphrodisiac.”

“Don’t...don’t be ridiculous.” She moaned when his hands glided higher, coasting over her bottom, then gripping her tight, pulling her closer to his kiss. His tongue dipped into her navel.

“True,” he countered, concentrating his kisses over the low-riding waistband of her silky tap pants, “it’s in the guidebook.”

“Adam...”

“Aren’t you turned on just a little, Mel?”

Oh, yes. But what she felt had nothing to do with coconut and everything to do with Adam Stone. It seemed he knew exactly how to touch her, where to kiss her, how to make her frantic with need. She’d pictured being with Adam many times, but she’d never imagined anything quite this intense.

Grasping her waist, he lowered her slowly, trailing kisses up her body as she sank onto her knees in the sand. His mouth lingered at her midriff; his tongue licked a hot path from rib to rib. He nudged aside the halter and placed damp, openmouthed kisses on one tingling breast, only inches away from her painfully tight nipple. He nuzzled into her cleavage. “I’d like to eat you up from head to toe, Mel. You taste so damn good.”

This time she couldn’t stop the groan. Embarrassed by her unrestrained response, she tried to add a bit of jest to the moment. “Did...did you feed me the coconut on purpose?”

He drew the tender skin of her throat against his teeth, leaving his mark behind and eliciting another raw moan. “Right now, I’d do whatever it takes. God knows we’ll never have another opportunity like this one.”

He didn’t say it, but she knew that once they were rescued, he’d consider their time at an end. If this was all she would ever have, she didn’t want to waste it.

Both his hands cupped her head, and he gently touched his mouth to hers. “Tell me you want me, too, sweetheart.”

She gasped out a resounding, “Yes.”

Before the agreement had finished leaving her mouth, Adam devoured it, sucking it from her, his tongue searching for and finding hers. This wasn’t to be a slow interlude, evidently, given his feverish pace. But she didn’t mind. She felt ready to fracture with need. With each new touch, each deeper kiss, she wanted him more.

He pulled away to shake out her skirt across the sand. Then, staring into her eyes, he shoved down his boxers. Mel swayed on her knees, he was so perfect, so sexy.

Blindly, she reached out to cup him in her palms. He made a deep sound of pleasure and pain, fisted his hands on his thighs and tilted his head back. His eyes were tightly closed.

She wrapped her fingers around his throbbing erection and stroked. When her thumb glided over the tip of him, she found a drop of moisture. Fascinated, she gently spread it around and around, until his entire body trembled.

“Enough.” He gripped her wrists and pulled her away. “I can’t take it, Mel. Not yet. Maybe after...”

She started to protest, but he didn’t give her time. His hands cupped her breasts; his thumbs brushed her nipples. When she groaned, he said, “You’re wearing too many clothes, honey. I want to see you naked. I want to kiss you everywhere.”

Everywhere? It took him mere seconds to untie her halter and bare her breasts. She felt another stab of vulnerability, until he bent to greedily suck one nipple. There were no preliminaries, no forewarnings. Just the hot, moist pull of his mouth and the rough stroke of his tongue. It was so intense she tried to draw away with a short, startled exclamation. But he held her close, his callused hands spread wide on her back, gently refusing to let her retreat.

After long minutes he released her, only to switch to her other nipple.

“Adam...”

“It’s the coconut, sweetheart.” He nipped her with his teeth, and she trembled, tangling her fingers in the silky hair over his nape, trying to bring his mouth to hers. But he didn’t budge. “I intend to drink my fill, Mel, so quit fighting me.”

His fill turned out to be long minutes of sheer agony. Before he finished she was spread on her back, half on, half off the skirt, and he had settled comfortably between her thighs. She couldn’t keep her hips still, thrusting up against him, but that only seemed to encourage him, to make him more ruthless. When she tugged on his hair, hurting his injured head, he captured both her wrists in one hand and pinned her arms over her head.

Leaning back on his knees, his eyes glowing in the darkness, he whispered, “It feels like a lifetime I’ve been waiting to see you like this.” The atmosphere vibrated with his potent sexuality, making her feel decadent and drunk with erotic need.

“I can’t tell you how many times I imagined coming after you, forcing you to help me get over my obsession. I wanted you just like this, open to me, accepting me.”

As he spoke, he kept her arms immobile, stroking his free hand slowly down her side, closer and closer to the notch of her thighs. Tingling from the inside out, she opened herself a little wider, making it easy for him, trying to hurry him.

“That’s it, Mel. Show me that you want me.”

“I do.”

“Not enough. Not yet.”

His long fingers slid over the soft material of her shorts, right where she needed his touch most. No man had ever done this to her, and it seemed so right that Adam would be the first to make her feel this way. She had the vague impression of knowing this was what she’d waited for. He was what she’d waited for.

“Please...” She felt so close to something she’d never experienced, and she desperately wanted it. She strained against him, lifting her hips as high as she could.

He pulled back. His eyes were midnight dark as he looked at her, seeing everything. With a slight shake of his head, he whispered, “Not yet, baby.”

Gasping, she scrambled up and reached for him. Adam let her get as far as her knees, then caught the waistband of her shorts and started working them down. She tried to kiss him but he dodged her mouth, chuckling softly.

“It’s okay, Mel. I promise. I’ll take care of you.”

“I want you to take care of me now.”

He smiled, amused by her sudden lack of inhibition and uncharacteristic brazenness. “So impatient,” he chided.

“You’re the one who fed me the damn coconut!”

He slid her shorts and her panties down to her knees, then eased her onto her back to slip them the rest of the way off. He tossed them aside, and with a hand on each knee, spread her thighs wide. “Such long, sexy legs, Mel. Not at all what I imagined. Even better...” He bent to kiss the inside of one knee. “Hell, I’m glad I went overboard.”

“Really?” She tried to keep her mind clear, to be coherent, but the cool brush of his silky hair on the sensitive inside of her thigh was startling. The fact that this was Adam, the town bad boy, the man who’d taken over her dreams, made it all the more incredible.

He kissed her belly a few inches below her belly button, then licked the spot. “Absolutely,” he said with a throaty groan, then started licking his way downward.

“Adam.”

His mouth closed over her, and she stiffened at the acute pleasure. Never in her wildest imagination had she been able to aptly prepare for such a thing. Her muscles went taut while her insides seemed fluid. His rasping tongue delved and stroked and licked, and when he slipped one long finger inside her she climaxed with a raw groan that ripped from her throat and echoed around the quiet island. Adam held her there, insatiable, refusing to let the pleasure dwindle until her body went utterly limp.

He released her, gently lowering her thighs and moving to her side. She felt so drained, she didn’t at first realize that he had separated himself from her. Then she felt his hand cup her breast.

“Your heart is still pounding,” he said with deep satisfaction.

“That’s...that’s good.” A heartbeat, considering she felt like she’d died, was definitely a promising sign.

She could hear his smile in the way he spoke. “You didn’t do a very good job of staying on the skirt. You’re more in the sand than out of it.”

What was he babbling about? What difference did it make if she was in the sand? Blindly, she reached out to him, wanting to draw him close again. He caught her hand and held it. “Mel, I lied about the coconut.”

He obviously thought her beyond naive, bordering on stupid. But she played along. “No aphrodisiac?”

“Of course not. But you did want me.”

Very slowly, his words sank in. She heard the wonder and the insistence. She turned her head to face him. “I still do, Adam.”

“Are you sure?”

He sounded uncertain, and for a man like Adam, that had to be unique. It was her turn to smile. Despite the lethargy that tried to rule her body, she rolled on top of him. He gladly went to his back and helped hold her in place, his hands firm on her bottom. She kissed his nose, his bristly chin. “No woman needs an aphrodisiac when you’re around. You breathe and women want to jump your bones.”

“You were never interested, Mel.” He stroked her hair and gave her a slight smile. “No matter what I did, you managed to turn up your nose at me like I didn’t exist.”

Her eyes widened. “You really think that?” Then another thought invaded her fogged brain and she asked, “Do you mean to tell me you constantly provoked me just to get my attention?”

She might not have believed him, despite the recent display of his desire, if she hadn’t seen the look in his eyes. But there was so much feeling there, so much raw emotion.

His hands cupped her head, his thumb brushed her cheek. “I’m sorry I was sometimes mean. As a kid, it seemed so damn unfair that you had everything, even things I hadn’t dared dream of. You sort of represented everything that was missing in my life, all the stuff my parents worked so hard for but could never get.”

She felt the prickle of tears and knew he wouldn’t appreciate her sympathy. She swallowed hard.

“But somewhere along the way,” he continued, “I started wanting you, not the material things you had. I’d stopped being mean by the time we were thirteen, Mel, but you didn’t notice. You still avoided me.” With a smile, he said, “You could get that pretty little nose so high in the air, I could have thrown myself at your feet and you wouldn’t have seen me.”

He was so wrong, but how could she explain all the various things he’d made her feel over the years? Yes, she’d often been angry at him, but she’d also felt alive whenever he was near. Adam never ignored her like the rest of the town did. He didn’t give her only distant politeness. And he didn’t hide what he felt behind proper manners, as her parents were wont to do. Her mother and father loved her, she’d never doubted that. But they considered an excess of emotion uncouth. They’d always been careful in how they expressed their feelings.

Not Adam. No, he teased and harassed and provoked—and she’d always responded to him, whether he knew it or not. In many ways, she’d equally dreaded and looked forward to her daily confrontations with him.

Twining her fingers in his chest hair, she said, “I was never...indifferent to you, Adam.”

He gave her a crooked smile. “No, most times you hated me. And all I could think about was getting you out of your dainty little pants. Hell, there were days I’d get hard just seeing you in town or in school. You had a way of walking, like a queen, that drove me crazy. Even when I thought you were skinny—”

“I am skinny.”

He shook his head. “No. You’re thin, but you’ve got all the right curves in all the right places. If I’d known what you were hiding under those schoolgirl jumpers, I’d never have survived puberty.”

She felt her cheeks heat, and Adam hugged her closer. His gaze was hot, probing. “I wanted you so bad, Mel, it’s a wonder I survived. But I always knew you were out of bounds.”

Daringly, she slipped her hand down his side to his hip. Hard muscle and bone moved as he shifted from her touch. “I’m not out of bounds now.” His eyes closed; his breathing came faster. Melanie leaned forward and kissed his chin. “Now, there’s just you and me—and I want you.”

He gripped her buttocks even tighter and rocked her against the long length of his erection. “I need to be inside you, sweetheart.”

She wasn’t experienced and couldn’t tease as well as he. Already she wanted him again and felt no shame in admitting it. “Yes, please.”

He laughed on a shaky breath. “You always were so damn proper.”

“What we’re doing now is far from proper, Adam Stone, and you know it.”

His hands shifted, stroking her thighs. “All right, not proper. But you have to admit it feels damn right.”

Nothing had ever felt more right in her entire life. Being with Adam seemed totally natural, because Adam was so natural. Loving him would be so easy. But nothing for the future had changed, and she doubted it ever would, not with the way Adam resented her background. But for right now, it just didn’t matter.

Quickly rolling her onto her back, Adam sat up and reached for his bag. He lifted out a small foil pack and hastily tore it open with his teeth.

Melanie watched him in fascination. “Are you really such a hound dog that you carry condoms everywhere?”

Sitting by her side, he placed one hand on her belly and stroked. “Mel...I travel a lot, honey. And I avoid commitments like the plague.”

Her eyes closed, both from the pain of his admission and the gentle stroking of his rough palm.

“I’m a man,” he continued. His control seemed tightly leashed, but ready to break at any moment. “I enjoy sex, I won’t lie about that. But as a rule, I don’t believe in one-night stands.”

She shifted, not really wanting details, unable to imagine him with someone else in just this way.

“Melanie, look at me.”

She did, surprised by the use of her full name.

“I quit prowling after high school, sweetheart. But I am human, so I carry protection whether I plan on doing anything or not. I guess I’m old-fashioned enough to think if you make a baby, you should be a father, and I’m not ready to take a chance on that yet.”

Melanie turned her face away. He couldn’t have been more blunt, and while his words hurt, she understood. Adam had been given very little in life, and his attitude was actually commendable.

If only her heart weren’t already involved.

“Mel?”

Choking back the hurt, she looked at him and smiled. “You talk too damn much, Stone, you know that?”

“And you’re just a bit demanding.” He pulled her on top of him again and situated her until she sat astride his hips. “I like it.” Automatically, Melanie braced her hands on his chest and tightened her thighs. Slowly, he entered her.

She groaned at the incredible tightness.

“Mel?” His voice was strained, filled with disbelief.

“Not now, Adam.” Later, when she could catch her breath, she’d explain to him why she’d waited so long to experience sex. But now the experiencing was at hand, and she didn’t want to be distracted for a single moment.

Adam’s chest rose and fell with his labored breaths. He pressed deeper. “Damn, you’re snug.” Every muscle in his arms and shoulders pulled taut with restraint.

She tipped her head back and concentrated on relaxing, on accepting him.

“Yeah. All the way, honey,” he urged. “All the way...”

The natural resistance of her body gave way, and he buried himself completely inside her.

Mel dropped forward against his chest, overwhelmed with his size and strength. His fingers bit into her buttocks, holding her and his control tightly. Then he broke.

“I’m sorry,” he growled through clenched teeth, even as he rolled her to her back. He thrust smoothly, deeply, lifting her hips high into the rhythm of his. Heat poured off his body.

Stunned, Melanie felt the pressure building again and she held on tight. His sudden fierceness fired her own. The friction was exquisite, the weight of his body on hers, his scent. As she started to climax, Adam pressed his face into the side of her neck and groaned out his own release.

Afterward they lay limp, both overheated, their limbs tangled. Melanie thought it was the most wondrous experience imaginable. Finally, as if the effort cost him, Adam shifted to her side, then tucked her close again. “Sleep.”

She didn’t need to be told twice. There in the tranquillity of the island, the moon shadows of palm leaves dancing over the white sand, the salty breeze from the ocean touching her skin, she felt more peace than she’d felt in all her life. Sleeping there with Adam was the easiest thing she’d ever done.

Loving, and leaving him, would be the hardest.

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.