He drove sedately back to her cabin where she packed a few essentials and picked up an outfit to wear to the party, then continued to his bungalow. Carrying her bag, Arne led her to the guest room she had previously slept in. Surprised, she turned to him.
“The doctor said you’re to rest this afternoon. No excitement.” He gave her a wicked grin. “So I’m going to sit out here and get on with writing my report.”
Disappointed, she looked up at him sideways. Why couldn’t she snuggle up in his arms? She’d rest, just as the doctor ordered. “What if I promise to behave? Will you lie down with me?”
His eyes narrowed, and he held her shoulders. “You might think you can behave, but I promise you that I won’t be able to. I’ll wake you in time to get ready.” He pushed her gently into the room and closed the door.
How could those words thrill and frustrate her at the same time?
Because they carry a promise.
Chapter 19
Chinese lanterns lined the veranda and pathway leading to Lili’s home. As Arne pulled up under the banyan tree, Lani ran out, squealing, “You’re here. Welcome back, Melie.”
Kevin and Lili followed, calling out greetings too.
“It looks so festive. What a lot of trouble you’ve gone to though.” Kevin and Lili and Arne and Lani exchanged smiles and led her up the path to the house. They paused in front of the double doors leading onto the barbecue area, blocking her view. Then Arne opened the door and gently pushed her ahead. “Surprise!” The cry was echoed by a small gathering of friends who surged toward them.
“We wanted to celebrate your safe return.” Jeff Jessup planted a kiss on her cheek then introduced Mary, his wife of sixteen years.
Arne spoke aloud for the benefit of their guests. “Thanks to your finding that first clue on the video, we’ve been able to stop Sanderson and his development cold. Everyone wants to celebrate. To Amelie.” Glasses were raised in a toast.
It was one of the best parties she’d ever had, surrounded by friends and the closest she had to family. Arne was never more than the touch of a hand from her side and, when the talk inevitably came back around to Tom Whitburn, he put his arm around her, squeezing gently.
Jeff spoke for all of them. “Sanderson’s development is finished. None of us wanted that monstrosity on our harbor front in the first place, but we needed a fresh pair of eyes to show us his deception.”
Rex continued the story. “His backers pulled out as soon as they heard he’d been arrested, and the bank will reclaim the land. It will probably be sold at auction though it’s likely to be offered to the council first.”
Kevin was quick to point out that the council had already put together appropriate by-laws to prevent future development applications detrimental to the reef by closing the loophole exposed by Sanderson’s project. “They’ll be ratified at our next meeting. We’re going to be much more proactive guarding our natural reserves.”
Arne looked at her. “In fact, the marine park boundaries are going to be extended to include all of this area so we’ve had a win for the whole community. Our reefs will be safeguarded for our children and for their children.” Did he really mean
their
children? Her toes curled in anticipation. It sounded like a plan.
Young Joe made a brief appearance with his parents, giving her the chance of another cuddle before he was carried away to Lani’s bedroom.
The moon rode high in the sky as Arne turned into his driveway. He opened her door and offered his hand, threading his fingers through hers as they strolled inside. “How do you feel?”
“Surprisingly wide-awake. That was so much fun, Arne. Lili’s a gem for organizing that party.” Oddly shy now they were finally alone, she perched on the sofa. What was their relationship? Should she just come right out with her declaration of love? He handed a glass of soda to her then sat, arm resting along the back of the seat. She leaned back, resting on his broad, safe shoulder and he played with her curls before burying his face in her hair. His lips brushed her forehead and she sighed. This was where she wanted to be.
Don’t be such a coward, Melie. Tell him.
Holding her courage close, she turned her head so she could read his expression. How would he react? She wanted a lifetime. But did he?
He beat her to it. “I was thinking, you know, that since we met we’ve been in one scrape after another.”
“With you the white knight having to rescue fair damsel in distress–”
“Overcoming the wicked witch and slaying dragons as I climbed the tallest mountain. It wasn’t all fairytale stuff though.”
She shook her head. “No, it wasn’t. But I’d do it all again.”
“I think you would. My brave Amelie. Don’t you think we deserve some quality off-duty time? So we can…get to know one another.” He nuzzled her ear.
Amelie stroked his cheek and then pushed him back. “What do you mean ‘off-duty’? You don’t mean–”
“We’ve been chasing bad guys since you arrived on Kauai. We’ve been stranded at sea in a wild storm, you’ve been attacked–twice.” A pained look flashed through his eyes. He closed them briefly, and then met her gaze. “It’s been chaos and confusion, sabotage and subterfuge. And through all that we’ve been trying to have a relationship. It’s been almost surreal.”
“So?”
“So, I’d like to go back a step or two and do some of the things I would have done if we were getting to know one another in a more–
usual
way. Would you like to try that?”
Intrigued, she agreed. He smiled. And suddenly everything was right in her world.
“Tomorrow morning, I’ll take you back to your cabin. You can rest, catch up on painting, whatever you want. Then, in the evening, we’ll…do something together.”
“Like a date?”
“Like a date. Okay?”
Hope sprang in her chest, lovely as a Hawaiian sunset. They had a future–together.
Chapter 20
The afternoon sun was dipping close to the horizon. Amelie finished tidying away her brushes and went to wash up. Water gushed over her hands as she considered the pattern she was creating. A pair of warm arms slid around her waist and a mouth nuzzled her ear. She jumped, droplets flying from her hands.
“No need to throw cold water over me.” She turned to see Arne wiping splashes from his face.
“You deserve everything you get, sneaking up on me like that.”
His right eyebrow shot upward. He grabbed her and kissed her upturned mouth. Her lips parted automatically and she pressed against him, wriggling closer when his hands molded her bottom. Gently, he nipped her lower lip.
“You know…you’re right.” He rubbed his full lower lip over hers. “I do deserve everything I get.”
He’d been right to suggest this fresh start. His playful mood promised a fun evening…and didn’t they deserve some fun together? What had he planned? Dinner? Amorous pursuits? He reached under her painting shirt, massaging her hips as he pulled her closer still. Oh yeah. She liked his thinking. Her nipples hardened. She yanked the hair tie out of her hair and dropped it on the floor.
Let the fun begin.
He pulled back–again, and she tensed. This couldn’t be happening. Please don’t let it be happening. She’d go crazy trying to keep up with his mood swings. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing. Come on. We’ll be late if we don’t go now.” He tugged off her paint-spattered smock.
“Go where? Late for what? I need a shower before I go anywhere.”
“No you don’t. Just bring your swimming gear.” Suiting action to words, he grabbed her beach bag on the way out, propelling her ahead of him across the grass to his jeep.
She yelped, stubbing her toe on a rock. “I don’t even have a pair of shoes on.”
“Don’t need them, not where we’re going.” He helped her into the jeep and reversed. What was he doing? The palm trees whizzed past as he raced down the narrow dirt track.
“Where are we going? Town’s back thataway.”
“You’ll see.”
He refused to be drawn and pulled up beneath a stand of close growing palms and hibiscus bushes. “Turn around. You can’t look yet.” He slipped a blindfold over her eyes and she stiffened. “Can you see anything?”
“No. Arne, what are you doing?”
Why, tonight of all nights, did he want to play games? What had he planned? Couldn’t they just sit on her veranda and talk over a bottle of wine? This was like stepping into the unknown.
Suddenly, he stopped and turned her toward him. Disadvantaged by not being able to see him, she lifted a hand to remove the blindfold.
“Not yet. Amelie, do you trust me?” He sounded unsure, vulnerable. Didn’t he know how much she trusted him? Maybe not. And suddenly her answer seemed to be about more than this game, more than not seeing the path ahead of her.
It was about them.
“I trust you, Arne. Absolutely.”
She heard the smile in his voice. “Thank you.”
Her foot slipped in loose sand as they resumed their walk. He picked her up by her waist and carried her for the space of a few heartbeats then set her down, standing behind to steady her, hands resting on her hips. She felt around with her foot. The sand was still warm, and she could hear the nearby sound of lapping waves. Further away, breakers crashed over the reef.
“Now…what do you think?” He removed the blindfold and stood, warm hands on her shoulders.
Blazing red and gold clouds spread out before them as the Hawaiian sun set, framed by palms whose fronds almost met from either side of a narrow rush of sea water. They were on the far side of a small lagoon. White sand and lush greenery tumbled down to the water’s edge in fabulous profusion.
“Oh.” She sighed. This was like a scene in a movie, but real. “How beautiful.” He caressed the sensitive skin on her shoulders, bare but for the thin straps of her cami. One hand splayed across her stomach, holding her against his hard body while he ran his fingertips along her neck, around her jaw and played with her ear lobes. Featherlight, his touch roused the fire within her. She leaned back into him.
Warm breath tickled as he whispered in her ear and he turned her to face the way they had come. Candles were set on branches and on the sand, surrounding a feast set on a large, colorful blanket. If he had seduction in mind, he’d outdone himself. This fulfilled every romantic fantasy she’d ever had, and then some. How had he known this secret yearning?
“Hungry? I am.” He nibbled on her neck.
“I haven’t eaten since breakfast.” Her stomach rumbled and he grinned.
“Allow me to offer you an appetizer.”
Having eaten their fill, Arne suggested a moonlight swim. He passed across her beach bag. “You can get changed just in there.”
Several small bushes that didn’t quite meet on one side created a natural changing room. Uh oh. What wildlife was hiding within?
As if reading her thoughts, Arne stepped into it, stomping his feet. “There you are. Safe.”
Amelie giggled. “How do know what I’m thinking?”
“Your face is quite expressive. Besides, I’ve seen you with the spiders back at your cabin.” He chuckled.
She tipped her head at an imperious angle. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
“Oh yes you do, my beauty. Do you want me to come in and keep guard while you get changed?” A wicked glint lit his eyes. She backed into the space and gave him a little push.
“You just go and find your own space or I’ll beat you into the water.”
Quickly, she pulled on her blue and white bikini, reveling in the soft fabric and the way it clung to her slimness. She trailed her fingers across the swell of her breasts and shivered in anticipation.
Would she see desire in Arne’s eyes when he saw her?
Stepping out of her green changing room, she looked for Arne in the flickering shadows of candlelight but he was nowhere to be seen. A little deflated, she wandered to the water’s edge and stood, making patterns with her big toe in the white sand. Wavelets lapped the shore, running over her feet. The water was still warm, enticing her in hip-deep. Splaying her fingers on the surface, she sent out ripples across the lagoon. Arne would come soon. Lazily, she began to breaststroke.
How far she had come in her recovery from Victor. Aside from his unannounced visit, she hadn’t thought about him at all. In fact, she found it difficult to recall his face. Try as she might, it was replaced immediately by a tanned, somewhat imperiously tilted face lit by a pair of deep brown eyes she wanted to look into hers forever. Hawaii had given her so much.
Peace, love, Arne…
With a start, she realized she’d floated a distance from shore, their picnic spot only small pinpricks of candlelight. The blackness of the water unnerved her.
Where was Arne? What was lurking below the surface? Surely this wasn’t a deep lagoon? Could fish swim through the narrow opening from the sea? Darting glances all around, she swam back, guided by the candlelit stretch of beach.
A shadow glided below her, blocking her retreat.
No, not now.
Just when her life had turned around, she was going to be fish bait.