by Milly Taiden
“Oh, my gosh, I’m so sorry,” she gasped.
She took a wobbly step back, but strong hands were grabbing her and holding her steady. She stared into a broad chest in an expensive suit and a beautiful silver tie. A quick glance up and her breath caught in her chest. Wowzers.
The man in the suit was GQ material. Tall, like the man she’d met earlier, but with steely gray eyes and a short beard, which made her swallow back a whimper. His gaze was stuck on her face, searching for something.
He let out a slow breath as if he’d been holding it in and then blinked, still staring at her.
“Um,” she cleared her throat. “I’m very sorry.”
“About?”
His confusion made her smile. “Walking into you? A second ago?”
“Why are you sorry? That’s probably the best thing that’s happened to me all day.”
It was her turn to blink and stare back. Was he serious? The guy was flirting with her? Then, as if he knew she wasn’t sure if he was or not, he smiled, and her knees almost buckled. What the hell was happening today? This was the second gorgeous guy to talk to her that way.
“I’m Ash,” he said, letting her go.
She was a little sad over the loss of his warmth but smiled and offered her hand for a shake. “I’m Valentina. It’s nice to meet you.”
He took her hand and squeezed it, brought it up to his lips, and kissed the back of it. “The pleasure is all mine.”
Hand kissing must be an island thing. She’d never met a man who’d kissed her hand, much less two. And most definitely not in the same day.
“I-I should go,” she told him and took a step back.
“Wait.” He moved closer to her. “I know this might sound strange since I just met you, but I’d like to see you again.”
She laughed. “What?”
What the hell was in the water in this place? He had to be kidding. Was that even possible? Two good looking men in one day? Interested in shy Valentina?
“I said, I’d like to see you again. Maybe we can do something around the island. Have you seen the volcano crater yet?”
“No, actually it’s on my list of things to do, but-”
He shook his head. “Please, allow me to take you up on a sunset tour. You will love it.”
She bit her lip and glanced into his eyes. They were so clear and beautiful. His well-cut dark hair went with his suit, and she wondered if he was a manager at the resort. But two dates with two different guys? She wasn’t that adventurous.
“Um, okay.” She heard herself say and was shocked at the words. Valentina was by no means the type of woman to date more than one guy at a time and for her to want to see them both was already confusing her.
“Where are you staying?”
She told him her bungalow number, and he picked up her hand again and brought it to his lips for another kiss.
In the ladies’ room, Valentina stared at herself in the mirror. Had something changed about her that she hadn’t noticed? Nope, still looked the same as far as she could tell. Maybe it was the tropical paradise atmosphere that made men use the head on top of their shoulders to think, instead of the other way around.
After washing her hands, she headed back to the table and Isadora. The food smelled and looked incredible. She wouldn’t have any problem with going hungry here. Lots of food selection and lots of men selection.
When she sat, Isadora stared at her, her gaze questioning. “What’s wrong?”
Shocked at Isadora’s observation, she placed a hand on her chest. “Wrong? Nothing’s wrong.” Except she felt she’d stepped into the Twilight Zone.
Isadora frowned. “You don’t have to tell me, but if anyone says something to you that’s mean or uncalled for, you let me know. We have zero-tolerance for things like that.”
“Oh, nothing like that,” Valentina replied. “Everyone seems super friendly. Overly friendly, actually.”
“What do you mean, overly?”
She felt her face heat. She put her foot in it now. “Uh, well…” God, how did she say this to someone the age of her grandmother? “Two guys have asked to go on a date with me. Today. Two guys. In one day.”
Isadora put a hand on top of hers, and the wrinkled face lit up. “That’s so exciting,” she squealed like a schoolgirl. “Who are they, if you don’t mind me asking? Employees or guests?”
“Isadora,” she said in a whisper, looking around to see if anyone was listening, “I’ve not dated much since my divorce. I mean, a few blind dates that went downhill fast and not much else. And never two guys at the same time. I can’t do that.”
The older woman’s face fell into a frown. “Why not?”
“Because…” Valentina argued, her face getting hotter. Her scrambled brain couldn’t come up with anything else. This simply didn’t happen to her.
“Well, if I were you,” Isadora said, “I’d go out with both. What if you don’t like one of them? Then you have the other.”
She thought about both guys. Damn, each was hot enough to melt rock. And each had such a dazzling smile that made her feel like they were happy to be near her.
“I don’t know, Isadora.” She stared down at her food. “I’d probably do something stupid like mention one of the guys to the other and end up with neither.”
“I can’t tell you what to do, dear, but let the magic of the island do its thing.”
Valentina laughed. “I could use a little bit of magic. I’ve not had anything worthwhile in my life for a while.”
The older woman smiled with a twinkle in her eye. “Don’t you worry yourself about any of that. I’m sure if something is meant to be, it’ll work out.”
Chapter Eight
Two hours later, full of delicious seafood, Valentina waved goodbye to Isadora as the older woman drove off. She’d told Isadora that she would walk home since they were so close to the beach. She wanted to experience this part of the resort under the moon and cool breeze.
The path that led through the tourist area was lit with small lights shining along both sides. Colorful foliage and grasses filled patches between pools and the buildings. Crickets chirped, reminding her of her childhood spent outside playing alone or with her brother.
She heard music floating in the air. She followed the trail toward the sound. More and more people came into sight. When she saw a cabana bar surrounded by bodies, she stopped. This wasn’t her kind of thing. She was thirty-one, for God’s sake. Not a college student. Drinking and socializing with strangers ranked up there with having teeth pulled.
Turning, she intended to take another path, but she heard a voice stand out from the others.
“Excuse me,” a female said. Valentina didn’t look back, hoping she wasn’t the target of the speaker. “Miss.” Behind her, shoes slapped on the concrete, hurrying toward her. Shit.
A beautiful woman stepped in front of her. Thick dark hair, long legs, perfect boobs. Everything she’d love to have, but then she’d have to put up with catcalls and men staring at her. She didn’t like that idea.
“Are you Valentina?”
Valentina shuffled back. How did this woman know who she was?
“Oh,” the woman said, “I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m Kristin. I’m the office manager and the person who does just about everything here. Isadora told me you were coming in. It’s good to meet you.”
Valentina let out a sigh of relief and shook the woman’s hand.
“I was hoping you’d come out to the bar tonight,” Kristin said with too much enthusiasm.
“Uh, I’m not sure that’s my scene,” Valentina mumbled, with a glance at the crowded bar area. Her anxiety shot up a few notches.
“Aw, come on, let’s get a table and a drink. I can tell you about the island. And we can get to know each other a little better now that we’ll be working together.” Kristin took the lead. They went to a small table in the back of the bar area, away from some of the crowd, which calmed some of Valentina’s anxiety.
<
br /> “How do you like the place so far? Bet it’s different from the cities you’ve lived in.” She waved her hand toward a waitress to come over.
Valentina sat tense, listening to Kristin ramble on about how she loved the island and the sandy beaches. Even the volcano held a fascination with her. After a while, the tension started to drain out of Valentina with Kristin’s warm smiles and soft voice.
A waitress took their orders and both women giggled when they both got virgin drinks. Then Kristin’s face took on a more solemn look. “The island’s changed lately though.”
“How so?” Valentina asked. “What do you mean by changed?”
Kristin took a deep breath and began to tell her about the strange happenings. “The grass in some places seems to be dying, trees are wilting and losing their limbs. Even the beach in places seems…off. We had to discontinue the volcano tours because of the dangers.” She paused when the waitress brought their drinks. “The volcano tours were my favorite tourist options. What’s sad is that no one seems to know why it’s all happening?”
“I haven’t seen any of those things yet, but I only got here this morning. I’ll keep a lookout for it, though. I’ll try to think of what I can do about it.” She turned her glass around in her hand. “Everything I’ve seen so far has been beautiful.”
“Enough about the scenery,” Kristin’s smile turned wide and mischievous. “Tell me all there is to know about you,” she said, her gaze warm. She took a long sip of her drink. “Come on. Tell me about my new co-worker.”
“There’s really not a lot to tell.”
Kristin’s brows shot up.“I don’t believe that for a second. A beautiful city girl has to have stories.”
Did she just call her beautiful?
“Not really. I’m kind of boring. I don’t date much.” Thinking back, that was an understatement. It was just too disheartening. “How about you? What brought you here?”
Kristin shrugged. “Well, my brother’s here and needed my help. I’m not sure, but I think he just wanted me to be closer to him so he could take care of me.” She sighed before continuing. “I’m married. Just not sure for how much longer. Tom didn’t want to come here at first. But the more I told him about the island and the more research he did, he finally relented and here we are.”
“So he’s not happy here?” Valentina asked and drank from her Piña colada.
“Not really. I just wish he could enjoy it as much as I do.” Taking a deep breath, she continued. “He used to help with the volcano tours but since they’ve been discontinued, he just helps with the scuba diving tours now.”
“But I’m sure scuba tours don’t take all that long. You two can take your time and explore the island together,” Valentina suggested with a smile, trying to think of a way to get Kristin to spend more time with her husband. “Maybe that would help you guys reconnect and he can grow to love the island like you do.”
Kristin’s eyes filled with sadness. “He’s always busy. I’m not so sure that it was a good idea for him to do the scuba tours. I see less and less of him, and when I do, he’s just in a foul mood. I feel like things will only get better for me if he’s gone. You know what I mean?”
Valentina nodded. She definitely knew all about that.
“He’s started to ignore me more, and when he’s not he’s mean. More verbal than physical. I think it won’t be long before he calls it quits and files for a divorce.” She shrugged. “But if he doesn’t, I’m not going to wait for ever. I gave myself a three month time frame to see if he changes. His time is about to be up in two weeks. Then I’m the one who’s going to file and tell him to go.”
Valentina couldn’t figure that at all. Kristin was a beautiful, tall, perfectly shaped vibrant woman. She had everything going for her. “I cannot imagine him not wanting to stay with someone as beautiful and lively as you. You’re obviously intelligent too if you manage this place.” If this woman couldn’t keep a husband, what were the chances that Valentina could? This was seriously messed up thinking.
“A lot of people just don’t understand,” Kristin sighed.
“Actually, I do know what you mean, in a way. My ex-husband got to the point he kept telling me I was too fat and quiet to keep him or any man interested in me.” She looked down at her hands on the table. “I guess he was right because I can’t seem to get a guy interested in me for more than one date, and usually not even a callback or good night kiss. I’ve just about decided to give up the whole idea of love and happily ever after.”
That didn’t apply to the two guys on the island. For all she knew, they wouldn’t show up or might call the whole thing off.
“Wow, we should be besties.” Kristin laughed as she took Valentina’s hand in hers. “We seem to be having the same type of luck when it comes to men.”
Valentina’s usually shy demeanor loosened up with Kristin. It was as though they were kindred spirits in some way. She’d never really had a bestie before. And this lovely woman wanted to be her friend. Something about Kristin made her feel emotionally connected to another woman. Like they really got each other. This island was turning out to be a goldmine. It would be nice to have someone to talk to who might be able to understand where she was coming from.
They sat quietly talking about their pasts. It was a while later when she glanced at her phone and realized how late it was getting. “Wow. I’ve had such a great time talking to you that time just slipped by me. I should be getting out of here. I’m not sure what Isadora’s planned for me tomorrow.”
They both stood and were ready to say their goodbyes when they were interrupted.
“What is that delicious scent?” Ash, the hunky guy from the restaurant, asked as he came up behind Kristin, wrapped his arms around her middle, lifted her, and set her down away from Valentina. He immediately moved next to Valentina.
“Ash,” Kristin punched his arm and tried to shove him to the side. He didn’t move. “You can be such a dick sometimes.” Kristin frowned. “Wait, what did you say? Delicious scent?” Her eyes popped wide, and she and Ash stared at each other as if talking telepathically.
Valentina watched them in confusion. What was that all about? What had she missed?
Chapter Nine
Fuck. Ash shouldn’t have said anything about a scent. He’d forgotten his mate was human. She had no idea what he or most of the island inhabitants, for that matter, were. Hopefully, she didn’t catch his little blooper.
He smiled at Valentina. “I see you’ve met my sister.”
His mate’s jaw dropped. She was so adorable.
“I would’ve never guessed,” she replied, her wide gaze swinging back and forth between him and Kristin.
“Yeah, I try not to let others know,” Kristin joked and rolled her eyes. “Then I’d have to claim him as family.”
When he moved toward his mate, Kristin stepped protectively in front of her. “Have you met?”
He met Kristin’s gaze. “Yes and no.”
“It’s okay, Kristin,” Valentina patted his sister’s shoulder and gave him a shy grin. “We met earlier when I was at the restaurant with Isadora. He seems safe enough. For now.”
Kristin stared at him with narrowed eyes. She’d done that to him since they were kids and she was angry with him. It wasn’t like he ever changed his mind when she glowered at him. Ash tried to hold back his laughter but couldn’t. He leaned back and guffawed, anger vanishing. It was good to Know his sister was as protective of his mate as he was. Yeah, his mate would mesh well with the family.
Kristin moved aside. “Fine.” Then she turned to Valentina. “It was so great to meet you and spend some time getting to know each other. Your office will be ready in a few days. So, enjoy your time off before you start. Do the tours. You’ll love them. Drop by if you have any questions. I’m always in the office.” She grabbed her hands and squeezed. “Please call me. Just dial the front desk from your bungalow and they’ll give you my direct line. I’d love to spend more time togeth
er. Maybe have a girls day or do dinner. I’m open to whatever.”
“Okay,” Valentina replied smiling.
Kristin grinned. “I’m holding you too that.” She glanced at Ash. “Later, bro.”
Ash scooped Valentina’s hand in his and placed it on his bent arm. “Would you like a stroll along the beach under the stars?”
Her cheeks turned a delightful shade of pink, and a soft giggle escaped her. “The proverbial long walk on the beach?”
His mate was smart and funny. “I guess it is. ‘Infinite and immortal, the waters of the beaches are the beginning and the end of all things on earth.’”
She stared at him, her eyes wide and full of wonder. “Wow, that’s beautiful.”
He chuckled. “Don’t be too impressed. Heinrich Zimmer said it first.”
She burst into laughter. Her hand tightened around his forearm, sending fire through his veins. Whoa. He had to hold his dragon back from claiming her.
“This is a beautiful island, at least what I’ve seen of it. Must be nice living here year-round,” she said, her voice low and throaty. They continued their walk.
“Yes, it’s beautiful, but I’m afraid of it changing. We rely on tourists for the economy. I just hope that it doesn’t begin to be at the price of our island and way of life. The people who live here have been here for generations. Sometimes it’s more like a huge family than just employees that work here.”
“That sounds so sad,” she told him.
“I guess that every place has its own type of problems. Ours is that we’re beginning to have environmental ones. Just some strange occurrences of vegetation struggling to survive.”
She paused mid-step and turned to gaze at him. “You truly love this island and the people, don’t you? I can see a change come over you when you talk about the place.”
He noticed she moved closer to him and leaned into his arm. That small but meaningful move made his dragon calm.
