Читать книгу UP In Flames: Body Heat / Caught in the Act - Lori Foster - Страница 10

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.