Tempted in the Tropics (12 page)

“I wondered if that’s what it was,” Paige said with fake humor, “or if you were just happy to see me.”

Liza and Cole laughed, but Lane’s mouth simply turned up at one corner. “Both,” he said.

Paige held his questioning gaze.

“Look, you guys, it’s time for the flash,” Liza said excitedly.

Paige reluctantly shifted her focus to the last shiny sliver of the setting sun, trying to make sense of Lane’s mixed signals. Just when Paige had lost hope, a brilliant green flash lit the sky where the sun had set.

“Whoa!” Cole pulled Liza close. “I special-ordered that for my bride.” He kissed her as Paige and Lane stood by awkwardly.

“That was the best gift ever,” Liza said to Cole.

He gave her a sly grin. “Just wait until you get your official wedding present tomorrow.”

Paige’s heart split in half. Now she’d managed to wreck whatever temporary connection she’d had with Lane. But he had said he was happy to see her. Was that just a joke, or had he really meant it?

“Let’s eat,” Liza said, loudly enough for most everyone to hear.

Paige winced. As if it wasn’t awkward enough standing here with Lane, now she had to face his parents.

…

Lane glanced at Paige, regretting that he hadn’t just ignored his insecurity and kissed her the way Cole had kissed Liza. It was a missed opportunity he’d probably never have again, since the green flash was such a rarity. So was sailing into the tropical sunset on a kick-ass catamaran with the sexiest girl alive standing next to him, the thong he’d taken off her last night stuffed in his pocket. Who cared if she’d been cozy with a tycoon just minutes ago? He had something to offer her, too. And she’d been eager to take him up on it last night.

“We’re sitting with your parents,” Paige said, but didn’t look him in the eyes. She shrugged one bare shoulder. He wanted to reach out and smooth his hand over it and pull her close, but he didn’t. Despite his bravado, he still had some questions about her and Trent Hawthorne. “Sylvia told me when we were at the spa.”

Liza and Cole had stepped away with the group, headed toward the dining area, leaving them alone by the railing.

“That might be a little tense,” he said, “so I apologize up front.”

She nodded. How could a simple fling have gotten so complicated?

“But before we sit down,” he said, “there are two things I need to know.”

She bit her bottom lip, distracting him. She’d done the same thing last night when they’d been lying naked across the king-size bed, mosquito nets wafting lazily, making everything gauzy like a dream. He tensed with desire to replay that scene. Being away from her all day, and seeing her with Trent Hawthorne, only made him want her more—and he’d wanted her a hell of a lot already.

“All right,” she said seriously.

He loved that she could be playful and fun-loving, but she also seemed to understand that there were places and times for that.

He took a deep breath and exhaled loudly, his pulse picking up pace. “What’s going on between you and Trent Hawthorne?”

She grimaced, yet still managed to look gorgeous. “I realize what that must have looked like up there, but Trent’s just a friend. A guy Liza and I grew up with who was kind of like a brother. He’s a resort tycoon who wanted to be an astronaut. So much so that in second grade he choked himself trying to swallow a Lego astronaut because he thought it would turn him into one. How the guy’s running a resort company now, I have no idea.”

“Maybe he swallowed a Lego resort tycoon,” Lane said, deadpan.

Her laughter wrapped around his heart and squeezed it. He shook his head, reminding himself that she wasn’t Stephanie. Paige hadn’t betrayed him with lies, or with another man, or with a breach of a trust they’d established between them. That mattered to him, no matter the situation.

“He told me about the green flash, and I figured you’d think it was cool.” She gazed up at him seriously. “Know what I told him?”

Lane couldn’t even guess. With her there was no telling. “What?”

“That I had someone special I wanted to lose my green flash virginity to. So I hurried to find you before the sun set.”

Dammit.
He raked his hand through his hair. How was he ever going to move forward if he always suspected the worst?

Steel-drum music wafted from the covered area of the main deck, as if it was a dinner bell.

“Guess we’d better get in there,” he said.

Paige raised her eyebrows. “What was the second thing you needed to know?”

She’d given him the reassurance he needed, so he was finished jacking around. His heart hammered as he pulled her tightly against him, remembering how right it felt to have her in his arms. He kissed her gently, tasting the sweet tang of rum punch with each wisp of his tongue.

“Mmm…” She clutched the back of his neck, pulling him even closer.

Worried that they’d lagged behind a little too long, he reluctantly broke off their kiss. “I’m glad I lost my green flash virginity to you…and Cole and Liza.”

“Nothing like jumping right into a foursome,” she teased.

He chuckled. “No doubt. But I’m kinda focused on a twosome right now.” He traced his finger down the smooth curve of her neck and along the vee neckline of her dress until he came to the tempting swell of her cleavage. “The other thing was…wanna go to your sanctuary after we get back ashore? That way maybe breakfast in bed tomorrow won’t get interrupted.”

Paige furrowed her brow—not the reaction he’d hoped for. “Let’s see how things go with your parents first.”

His stomach sank. “Seriously?”

She flashed him a sexy smile. “No, not really. Tomorrow morning it’s you, me, a king-size bed, and an omelet.”

Chapter Seventeen

Too bad Sylvia hadn’t been joking with Paige about the seating arrangement the way Liza had about the orange bridesmaid dress. The only two seats left available in the dining area were at the Andersons’ table, reserved for Paige and Lane.

Paige took a second to appreciate the beautiful setting as she braced herself for further humiliation with Lane’s parents. Tasteful party lights illuminated the open-air dining area. Beyond, the sea sparkled in the twilight. There was little need for decorating the sleek catamaran with its teak accents and contemporary tables and chairs. Steel-drum music lilted on the tropical breeze as the boat glided through the water.

“Hi, again,” Paige said lightly to the Andersons when they reached their table. Her pulse pounded out of control. If Lane had any idea how fast her heart was racing, he’d probably start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Now there was an idea…

They joined his parents at the table, simply set with a candle flickering in a blue sea-glass holder, and a spray of white orchids at its base. Don and Karen nodded politely, making her feel a little less mortified than she had when she’d left them this morning. Karen looked lovely in a casual butter-yellow sheath dress. Don’s short-sleeved, light-green shirt had a pinstripe the same color, and he wore a nice pair of taupe shorts.

“I barely recognized you without the sheet,” Karen said to Paige with biting humor.

“White’s really not my color, anyway,” Paige said, hoping red was. No doubt her face was five shades of it right now. “If it’s a color at all.” She shrugged, unable to stop her brain from auto-dispensing words out of her mouth. “I think there’s some debate about that.”

Shut up, Paige!

A waiter arrived, setting bowls of soup at each place just as Cole and Liza stood up in front of everyone and the music stopped. “Liza and I are so glad all y’all could make it here to celebrate with us.” Cole gazed at Liza proudly.

Liza looked lovingly at Cole, and seemed to hang on every word he said. No matter how awkward this was for Paige, she was thrilled that it was exactly what Liza and Cole had hoped for—nice and simple, with family and a few close friends.

“Tomorrow’s the big day,” Cole said grinning. “Finally.”

Everyone laughed, since he and Liza had only been engaged for a couple of months.

“Because our time here is short, we thought it’d be cool to give you a taste of St. Lucia tonight,” Cole said. “So we’re having callaloo soup, conch fritters, lobster…” He furrowed his brow as if he’d forgotten the rest of the menu.

“And lots of other delicious surprises.” Liza rolled her eyes, smiling. “He helped pick out the menu, I swear.”

“I just can’t think of much else but saying ‘I do,’” Cole teased. “Can’t come soon enough for me.”

The group murmured a collective “Aw” as Cole kissed Liza sweetly.

Paige’s eyes welled with tears as she watched them. Liza deserved an awesome guy like Cole, and Paige’s heart ached for a man to love her like that. She glanced at Lane, surprised to find his attention focused on her, but he quickly looked away.

Cole picked up his glass of rum punch from a nearby table. “I’d like to take a second to make a couple of toasts. First, to my dad, Frank. It took us a while to get together, but I’m thankful that we did. Here’s to your love, and your support.” His voice started to waver and he paused to collect himself. “I’m proud to have you as my best man.” He raised his glass to the group.

Frank, who was nearly as hulking as Cole, went up and gave Cole a man-hug.

“One more,” Cole said, lifting his glass again. “To love in St. Lucia, and everywhere else. Dig in and enjoy.”

The steel band struck up another tune, as Paige took the last swallow of her second rum punch. Her slight buzz took the edge off her nerves.

“I got a phone call this afternoon from Cecil Garvey,” Don said to Lane. “Remember him?”

Lane narrowed his eyes as if he was trying to place the name. “Family practice guy in Richmond?”

Don nodded. “West of town. His practice is booming. We’ve talked about you before—about your situation.” He shot Paige a cautious glance. “He’s looking for someone young and dynamic to come on board to keep the practice fresh and updated—maybe a couple of partners. Cecil agreed to meet with you after we get back to the States.” He gave Lane a stern-father look. “This could be a plum opportunity for you, but he’s got some questions about what happened in Austin.”

Lane winced.

Paige would’ve expected a more enthusiastic reaction from him, but she was kind of lost without the backstory. She concentrated on her soup, trying to ignore her irrational disappointment that Lane might go practice in Richmond after Dr. Hartley came back to Maple Creek.
It’s temporary,
she kept reminding herself. Even if it wasn’t, who’d want to sign up for stuffy in-laws like the Andersons?

Karen leveled her insistent gaze on Don. “Just explain to Cecil that it was Stephanie who—”

Stephanie?

Lane whipped his head in his mom’s direction, his eyes wide. “Can we please talk about something else?” He yanked his blue napkin from his lap and swiped it across his mouth, but a flash of pink lace caught Paige’s eye, and apparently Don’s and Karen’s, too. Lane must’ve caught the elastic band of Paige’s thong as he’d angrily grabbed his napkin, and it dangled limply from his fingers.

Oh. Holy. Crap.

Karen’s and Don’s faces froze. Absolutely mortified, Paige reached out and bunched the thong in her fist, careful not to spring it into someone’s soup. Lane cleared his throat and put his napkin back in his lap, while Paige stuffed the thong into her purse. Her crazy underwear had probably seen more action today than anyone on this boat.

Paige closed her purse and took a deep breath. No one said a word.
Say something, Paige…anything.
“Did you know ants can survive in the microwave because they’re small enough to dodge the rays?”

Karen, Don, and Lane stared at her blankly.

She forced a half smile, estimating whether she could swim the distance to shore if she jumped off the catamaran right this second and didn’t encounter a shark. “Amazing, huh?”

…

As gorgeous as that catamaran was, Paige had never been more excited to get her feet back on solid ground. After dinner, she and Lane had made the best of the evening, mingling with Liza’s and Cole’s families and friends.

She led Lane into her sanctuary, serenely blue and beautiful, and blessedly private after such a social evening. The chirping of insects was a peaceful lullaby compared to the high-energy music of the steel-drum band. It had been festive and tropical, but enough of the clanging was enough.

Lane stopped her just inside the door, took her in his arms, and kissed her as if it might be the last chance he’d have.
That’ll come soon, too.
She lost herself in the softness of his lips, the gentle scrape of his whiskers, the sensation of falling…for him. She’d thought she could handle a fling with him, but the reality of the conversation at dinner—prior to the thong’s guest appearance—scratched at the back of her mind.

“How about we pick up where we left off this morning?” he whispered in her ear, his breath warm and moist.

Her knees went a little weak, picturing him naked in the pool, water dripping from his hair and streaming in seductive rivulets down his ripped body. “Then we’d have to invite your parents over. And I think the housekeeper took your sheet.”

“I’m perfectly happy for you to go sheetless.” His green eyes glimmered as he gently loosened her ponytail, combed his fingers through her hair, and fanned it across her shoulders. The feathery sensation raised goose bumps on her arms.

“Beautiful,” he whispered.

Paige’s heart hitched. That word was a one-note symphony coming from his lips. She wanted so badly to forget everything else and focus on him, but the question of what had really happened in Austin wouldn’t let her. In the spa today, Sylvia and Liza had given her the feeling there was more to the story than she’d been told.

She led him to the love seat that faced the pool and the view, and they sat down. After kicking off her shoes, she stretched her legs across his lap and clutched his hand.

“No swim?” he asked, his bottom lip sticking out like a pouty little kid’s.

Paige kissed it lightly and was tempted to linger, but forced herself not to. “We’ll swim. I promise. But first I need you to tell me everything that happened in Austin.”

“I told you most of it,” he said guardedly, as if he’d hoped that would’ve been enough. What could be so awful that it had to be such a big secret? He stayed quiet for an uncomfortably long time, smoothing his hand up and down her bare shin, making it hard for her to stay focused.

“I appreciate that,” she said, “but I get the feeling there’s more to the story. I also get the feeling that other people know the rest of it, but they aren’t telling. So if you’ve trusted Liza and Sylvia with some kind of confidence—and your parents, of course—then they’ve obviously got your back, because no one’s betrayed it.” She swept her fingertips across his scruffy jawline and lightly turned his head to face her. “I think I might be the only one who’s in the dark about…something. I’m hoping you’ll let me in on the secret.”

The angles of his face seemed sharper in the shadows, and he looked even more irresistible than he had up until now. Paige took a second to warn herself not to fall so hard that she’d never get up. Their vacation would be over in two days, and he was leaving Maple Creek within weeks. So why was she bothering to get him to fess up to his backstory? She should’ve just stripped and jumped in the pool with him.

“I had a practice in Austin,” he said, “with a partner I went to med school with.” He gazed out at the night sky. “I thought it was going great—we even won the Top Docs of Austin award, kind of unheard of for start-ups like us.”

“That’s pretty cool.”

“It was immensely cool. I had a successful practice going, I got to play some music once in a while, I had my future all planned out.” He clenched his jaw. “But then one of my partner’s patients died from an overdose of painkillers she prescribed. It was awful.”

“That wasn’t your partner’s fault,” Paige said, but he didn’t seem to hear her.

“Odds are that terrible things like that are going to happen, and we were trying to do our best not to let them.” He shook his head ruefully. “But it turns out we weren’t.”

Paige’s stomach knotted.

“Another of my partner’s patients died—another overdose,” he said gravely. “So I’ll give you the condensed version of this horror story.” He pressed his hand against his forehead for a second and dragged it down his face. “Turns out my partner was overprescribing painkillers to her patients. Our practice came under scrutiny. The law got involved. Patients stopped coming. We had to shut down, and she was facing charges.”

The rum punch buzz Paige had sat down with was officially killed. “What about you?” She hated to ask the question, but she had to.

He pressed his lips together tightly.

Please say you weren’t involved.

“I had no idea what was going on, but some people found that hard to believe.”

Paige closed her eyes for a moment, and wondered if she was one of them. She didn’t know much about running a medical practice, but it was hard to imagine that they wouldn’t keep a tight watch over that kind of thing.

“I’m still being monitored very closely by the authorities,” he said, “even though I was innocent. That’s why I said I was in no position to get involved with your Special Recipe program. I couldn’t risk any scrutiny over how patients’ information was being disseminated, and the technicalities that might be involved. Everything is totally legit, I know, but everything I did before was, too.”

Paige sat there dazed, taking it all in.

“I could see where it might be hard to separate you from what your partner did.”

Lane rubbed his eyes. “It was. Still is, I guess.” He faced her with a look of vulnerability that stole her heart. “Because my partner was my fiancée.”

Paige’s stomach leaped into her throat. “No way.”

“Believe it or not, I stood by her, and tried to work through it, which probably made me look even guiltier.”

“That was noble.” Paige would’ve guessed him to be loyal, but that level of loyalty was really impressive—or really naive.

“I loved her,” he said quietly. “I thought we’d get past it eventually and have a life together. I mean, it took a while, but she beat the charges.”

“So why aren’t you with her?”

He leveled his gaze on Paige. “Because the whole time I was standing by her, she was having an affair with her lawyer.”

Paige’s mind was officially blown. She took his hand and kissed it gently. “That. Sucks. You totally didn’t deserve that. And your parents still love her?”

“They didn’t know about the affair until today. I think right now they’re just trying to wrap their heads around it.”

“You protected her even after she did that to you?”

He nodded.

Paige watched as the light in the pool lazily drifted from blue to green, the jealousy she’d felt in the spa rising in her again. Even after Stephanie had cost Lane his practice and his reputation—and cheated on him—he’d loved her enough to shield her from more scrutiny from his parents, and suffer their judgment himself. That said a lot about his loyalty and commitment to her. Paige wondered how he could possibly have moved beyond feelings that had been so deep. She pinched her eyes closed, wishing she hadn’t had that last rum punch.

Maybe all Lane needed was more time to heal, and then he’d want Stephanie back.