“I’m sure he’ll need you
for the horse riding portion of the business meeting,” Bailey said
with a straight face.
After their laughter died
down, Amber asked, “Would you believe he actually told me if he
decided to ride a horse on the beach and he fell off, it would be
my fault if I didn’t come with him?” Sarah nodded emphatically,
showing she knew it had happened.
“They’re all crazy!”
Bailey looked toward Steven like she was waiting on him to do
something, but when he didn’t come over, she squared her shoulders.
“I’m sure we can take meals together, or not. Whatever. Steven said
they were having their big meeting tomorrow. Do you guys want to
hang out on the beach during it? Or we could use the boat for whale
watching?” Bailey paused. “Steven said he’d have someone watch the
baby if we wanted to go. It seems strange to let him pay for a
babysitter so his nanny can go for a ride in a boat, but who am I
to argue?”
“That sounds like fun, but
I’m sure Justin will need me during the meeting. I mean, he
wouldn’t have brought me along otherwise, right?” Sarah seemed
genuinely disappointed she wouldn’t be able to join the other
women.
“I have a feeling the only
reason any of us are here is because those men over there thought
we should be.” Amber shook her head. “I still can’t figure out why
I agreed to come here.” Even as she said the words, she knew why.
She was rapidly losing her heart to one of the tall dark men
standing across the beach. She glanced over at Cody and saw all
three men were watching them.
“They’re
certainly….forceful.” Bailey looked at the men. “They’re all
standing there talking to each other, but looking at
us.”
Sarah sighed. “I think
maybe we need to go do something just us women. You’re right
Bailey! Let them have their meeting alone. They don’t need me
there. What do you think we should do? Go out on the boat? Hang on
the beach?”
“I’m open for anything.
Steven also said something about how he could have spa treatments
arranged. It didn’t sound fun when I was the only girl, but having
a spa day could be cool.”
Amber thought about it for
a second and then grinned. “That sounds like fun. Let’s do this.
We’ll spend the morning whale watching in the boat, and then come
back here for an afternoon of spa treatments. I spend so much time
smelling like horses it would be nice to actually have my nails
done and look like a girl for a change.” Even though Cody claimed
the smell of horse manure was an aphrodisiac, she was sure he’d be
thrilled if she smelled good for a change.
Sarah nodded. “I could do
go for that! I’ve never done anything like that. Have you?” Her
voice was filled with excitement at the prospect.
“I did once, when I was a
teenager, but not since. I’ve been too busy trying to save my
family’s ranch so my kid brother would have the life he’s always
thought he’d have.” Amber shrugged. “It’s all been worth it,
too.”
“I’ve been too busy simply
struggling to survive. Who can afford a nice spa day?” Bailey
smiled down at the baby in her arms. It was obvious she loved the
little girl and any sacrifices she made in life were more than
worth it to her.
“What did you girls decide
to do tomorrow while we’re in our meeting?” Steven asked as the men
joined them. He slipped his arm around Bailey’s shoulders as if he
was showing the other men his possession of her. Amber almost
laughed out loud. She couldn’t believe three men who were so
different in some ways were so much alike in others.
Sarah looked at Justin.
“You don’t need me for the meeting?”
Justin shook his head.
“Have fun with the other ladies.”
“They’re all three just
alike, you know.” Bailey acted as spokesman with Steven. “We want
to go whale watching in the morning and then in the afternoon we
want a spa.”
“Sounds good. I’ll make
the arrangements. Why don’t you girls tell me what you want
included in your spa package, and I’ll make the call?” Steven
seemed to take it in stride they wanted to spend his
money.
Amber looked at the
others. “So what are we doing for dinner tonight?”
“Let’s do the Polynesian
dancer thing again!” Cody’s eyes were sparkling as they looked into
Amber’s. “They’ll do a private show for us right here on the
island, and we can have them do a luau-type traditional menu or
anything we want, really. What would you like to have for
dinner?”
“Umm….I think the
traditional thing could be cool. I’ve never been to a luau
before.”
“My lady wants a luau. You
wanna handle it, or should I?” Cody asked Steven, obviously not
caring what anyone thought as long as he made Amber
happy.
Steven shrugged. “I’ll
just add it to everything else I’m calling about.” He exchanged
some whispered words with Bailey before going inside to make the
arrangements.
Cody reached for Amber’s
hand and pulled her one way along the beach while Justin took Sarah
the other way. “Steven claimed the main bungalow for him and Bailey
saying the baby needed the best accommodations. That man is going
to milk having a baby for all he’s worth.”
“What happened to the
baby’s mother? And what’s the baby’s name anyway?”
Cody wrapped his arm
around her shoulders to keep her anchored by his side. “The baby’s
name is Faith. Her mother was killed in a car wreck a month or so
ago. Steven dated her around the time of her conception, but he
swears she’s not his. Bailey thinks he’s the baby’s father. Her
sister was Faith’s mother.”
Amber felt like her head
was swimming at the convoluted explanation and decided she’d ask
Bailey while they were out. “So if they’ve commandeered the main
bungalow, where does that put us? In a tent on the
beach?”
Cody laughed. “Do you
really think I’d bring you to paradise and ask you to sleep in a
tent?” He pointed to a small building hidden by some palm trees.
“This one look good?”
They wandered over to the
small bungalow and went inside. It was a suite with two bedrooms
and a luxurious bathroom. One of the bedrooms had a huge king sized
bed and the other was smaller with twin beds. “I’ll take the
smaller bedroom.” She wondered what had happened to their luggage.
She’d seen someone carry it off the boat, but had no idea where it
went from there.
Cody stepped toward her
stroking her cheek. “You take the bigger bedroom. I don’t mind
sleeping in here.” He leaned down to brush his lips across hers.
“And if you decide you’re lonely in there, all you have to do is
say so.”
She felt an involuntary
grin cross her face. “You’d be kind enough to sleep with me if I
asked?”
He nodded emphatically.
“I’d be happy to!” The anxious little boy expression on his face
made her laugh out loud.
She hugged him quickly,
enjoying being with him. She thought about the boyfriends she’d had
when she was younger, and she couldn’t think of one whose company
she’d truly enjoyed. She’d been attracted to them, sure, but none
of them were people she’d just pick to be her friends. Cody was
someone she would choose as a friend as well as being more
attracted to him than anyone she’d ever met. If only he didn’t have
so much money, she might actually consider spending her life with
him.
Cody buried his face in
her hair inhaling the scent of her. It was nice to get her away
from the ranch so she no longer smelled of horse manure. He hugged
her tightly happy she finally felt comfortable touching him. Maybe
there was some hope for him yet.
*****
After having their luggage
delivered, Cody and Amber changed into their bathing suits and
wandered down to the main beach. No one else seemed to be around,
so they splashed in and out of the waves for a while.
“What do you think of the
island?” Cody asked as they were resting on towels on the
beach.
“It’s amazing. I could
come here every year. I wouldn’t want to live here, because I’d
miss my horses and my home, but it really is wonderful.” She rolled
to her side facing Cody. “Thanks for bringing me here.”
He reached out and stroked
her cheek, his head propped up on one elbow facing her. “Does this
mean dates two and three are a success, and you’ll marry me?” He
didn’t bother to hide the eagerness in his voice.
She laughed. “Now that
we’ve known each other for almost nine days, I guess it’s time to
ask again?”
He brushed a soft kiss
against her lips. “I knew the moment I met you I wanted to spend my
life with you. You’re the only woman on this Earth who was meant
just for me. I’ll ask at least once a day until you say yes. I know
I’ll eventually break you down.”
“I like you. I genuinely
do. I think I could even love you. Honestly? I’m scared. I don’t
want anyone controlling my life like my father did to my mother and
tried to do to me. You’ve already bought me a truck when I didn’t
want you to. Do you think you could just give me some
time?”
He sighed heavily. “As
long as I can make out with you on the beach, I’ll probably agree
to anything.”
Amber laughed again. “I
guess I can allow that!” Reaching out, she wrapped an arm around
his neck. Since they were on the main beach, they couldn’t let it
go too far, but that seemed ideal to her. She wasn’t into public
displays and doubted he was, so they’d have to control
themselves.
Bringing her mouth to his,
she traced the seam of his lips with her tongue. When he opened his
mouth, she took the opportunity to move her tongue inside to
explore. She pressed herself against him, conscious of his nude
torso against her bare stomach and chest. The thin fabric of her
bikini left nothing to the imagination as her nipples pebbled
against him.
He wrapped one foot around
her ankles and locked her body to his. His hand moved along her
side, from her breast to her hip. “You’re so beautiful.”
“So are you,” she
whispered not thinking about how it would sound to him.
He chuckled softly. “Men
aren’t beautiful. They’re ruggedly handsome.”
She brushed another kiss
across his lips. “You’re so ruggedly handsome.” If she kept
agreeing with him, would he kiss her again?
“I like that.” He pulled
her closer so they were touching from chests to feet. She could
feel every inch of his body pressing against her. Abruptly he stood
up and helped her to her feet. He picked up the towels from the
beach, and walked back toward their bungalow.
“What’s wrong?” She
half-ran to keep up with him.
He stopped once they were
out of sight of the main beach out of breath. “Steven and Bailey
were coming out to the beach with little Faith. I heard the door to
the main bungalow opening, and I didn’t want to get caught in the
state I’m in.”
She wrinkled her eyebrows
as she thought about that for a moment, and then her eyes widened
in understanding. “Oh! I’m sorry.” She forced her eyes to stay on
his face and not travel down to look at the bulge in the front of
his swimsuit.
He laughed softly. “You
did nothing wrong. Let’s just get back. We should probably shower
and get ready for dinner anyway.”
“Do we need to dress up
for dinner?” She hoped not, because she’d only brought one dress
and really didn’t want to have to put it on.
He shook his head. “Not
really. Shorts and a shirt are fine, but we probably don’t want to
be covered with sand or still have salt clinging to us from the
ocean. More for our comfort than for any other reason.”
When they got back, he
opened the door for her. “Do you want to bathe first, or should
I?”
“Is it okay if I do? I
want to get my hair washed and it takes forever to dry.” She hadn’t
thought to bring a hair dryer and wasn’t sure if they were
provided.
He nodded. “I don’t have a
problem with that at all. Mind if I watch?” He watched her face for
the blush he knew was coming.
“Not at all.”
“Really?” He sounded
excited.
“Why would I mind if you
watched my hair dry after I’m fully clothed after my shower?” She
deliberately misunderstood his question.
He made a dramatic show of
being disappointed. “Aww, man!”
She laughed. “Maybe after
dinner.” She raised her brows suggestively as she closed the
bathroom door in his face and locked it. The look on his face had
been priceless.
Chapter Six
Amber smiled up at Cody as
they walked slowly along the moonlit beach after dinner that night.
The traditional Polynesian dinner and dance had been absolutely
amazing. The show was so much more than women wiggling around in
hula skirts, which was what she’d expected more than anything. The
athleticism of the dancers had been remarkable.
She’d watched the other
couples at dinner. No matter how much the other women protested,
they were both in very loving relationships. Steven treated Bailey
as if she was some sort of princess. Every time she’d smiled, he’d
smiled.
Justin and Sarah had sat
with their heads together watching the dance, their fingers
entwined. Justin barely watched the show; he was so involved in
watching Sarah’s facial expressions. She didn’t know how Sarah
didn’t realize just how much Justin cared for her. It was obvious
to everyone else there.