His by Christmas

by Teresa Southwick

  “It’s late in the afternoon so the beach will be less crowded. And probably someone will see your leg and wonder about it. But you’ll never see them again.”

  She’d expected something along the lines of You’re beautiful inside and out. Let it go. Don’t think about that because it doesn’t define you. She’d thought for a moment about pushing back that she might return here for another vacation. Then it hit her that he hadn’t meant the statement literally. No one cared about the marks on her body except her. If she didn’t give it a thought, neither would anyone else.

  “You’re absolutely right. Thank you.” She stood on tiptoe again and kissed him.

  “Are you banking another forfeit?” There was laughter in his eyes.

  “No. Work. Work,” she said. “Now we’re back to square one.”

  They changed into their suits and his look said he clearly approved of her bikini. Then came slathering sunscreen on each other. The touching ignited fires for activities that would keep them indoors, but a sincere need to be in the open air put that on hold.

  Justine preferred wearing a sarong, with or without the scars on her leg, unless she was in the water. After putting on her sunglasses, it was time to head out.

  Both of them were limping. Cal’s injured calf was skinny from lack of exercise and the muscles in Justine’s compromised leg protested the exertion of moving through the coarse white sand. They took it slow, and near the water things got easier.

  A small wave lapped at their feet and Cal sighed in ecstasy. “I have taken for granted the sheer pleasure of this all my life. Not having something really makes you appreciate what you’ve been missing.”

  “And here I thought you were shallow. That was an extremely profound statement, Mr. Hart.”

  “I have levels,” he said proudly.

  Justine’s comment was deliberately teasing because it was either that or get serious. And she sensed that was the last thing he wanted. Especially during their final hours here in paradise. But he was right about appreciating something you didn’t have. She’d missed this closeness with a man, and finding it again truly did make her cherish it. For so long she’d felt that dating was a betrayal of the love she’d had for her husband. Now she knew it validated the relationship she’d lost. That had made her who she was, a woman who was her best self when she gave and received love.

  After today she had no idea where this thing with Cal would go. They wouldn’t be living under the same roof or possibly even see each other at all. Nothing future had been defined. The unknown was a big, black void, a perversion of this bright, spectacular day with the sun turning the blue water into a carpet of diamonds. So, she was going to do her best not to think about tomorrow.

  Strolling slowly, Cal took her hand, a small gesture that seemed as natural as breathing. “I was just thinking—”

  “Uh-oh. I thought I smelled smoke,” she teased. “I’m not sure I want to hear this.”

  “Oh, you’ll be all over it, Miss Violating the Spirit of the Wager.” He smiled down at her.

  “I like the sound of that. Continue, please.”

  “If my brother and my mother hadn’t pushed me into this bet, it’s quite possible I would never have slowed down long enough to experience a day like this. And I would really have missed that.”

  “Stop the presses. There’s breaking news. Calhoun Hart is waxing poetic and feeling guilty,” she added.

  “I don’t know if I’d go that far. It’s just that I feel as if I’ve gotten so much already. I don’t need Sam to pay off the bet.” He looked down at her then, but his eyes were hidden by the aviator sunglasses. “This is enough.”

  Justine’s heart pounded and anticipation knotted inside as she hoped he would expand that thought. “Oh?”

  But the moment was shattered when a man and woman jogged past and splashed them.

  “Oh, God, that felt so good,” he said.

  Without warning he picked her up and walked deliberately into the ocean. Justine didn’t know whether to shriek because she knew what was coming or simply hang on, enjoy the ride and savor this moment being close to him. Before she could make up her mind, he tossed her into the water, then dived in after her.

  It was the temperature of bathwater, but salty, clear and beautiful. Cal surfaced, his wide shoulders and broad chest gleaming and gorgeous, wet and wild. What was it about a wet man that made a woman’s mouth go dry? But she knew in her heart not just any man would do that to her. Only this one.

  She pushed dripping hair off her face. “My sarong is all wet. You’re going to pay for that.”

  “I’m sure it will involve work.” He moved in close and put his arms around her.

  “Forfeit,” she cried.

  “You got me.”

  The sun moved lower in the sky and turned the underside of the clouds pink, purple and gold. People walked by but everything disappeared and a perfect moment became the simplicity of their lips touching. It was only the two of them and a balmy breeze caressing their bodies. She could feel Cal’s arms tightening around her and his breath coming faster.

  Reluctantly he pulled back and drew in a deep breath before releasing it. “Walk on the sand—check. Dip in the ocean—check. Kiss a beautiful woman in the water—check. But I think we should head back to the villa.” There was a husky rasp in his voice that said so much more.

  “I’ll race you,” she said. “Last one there is a rotten egg.”

  He laughed. “Good thing no one is timing us.”

  They moved from the water to the shore and slowly walked back, hand in hand. Not many people were out, but an older couple strolled by with their arms around each other’s waists. Hellos were exchanged and the silver-haired man and woman smiled indulgently, the way people did at lovers. Justine smiled back, the way people did who envied a man and woman who had grown old together.

  That’s what she wanted.

  The villa came into view and they headed to it, trudging through the sand. Passing the lounges where she’d first convinced him to relax, she thought about how far they’d come since that day she’d helped him to sit.

  They moved by the low outside wall, onto the decking where the crystal clear pool was.

  Cal stopped and looked down at her. “Lose the sarong. We’re going in. After watching you in there night after night, I want to swim with you.”

  It wasn’t easy to untie the wet knot at her waist with shaking hands, but she managed. Then she dived into the water and glided as far as she could go without kicking. Cal did the same and they ended up in the shallow end, just where her feet could touch bottom.

  His arms came around her and he smiled in the waning light. “I like swimming with you.”

  “Technically this isn’t swimming, but I can show you some exercises to help rehabilitate the muscle tone in your calf.”

  “I bet you could.” His voice was deep, ragged, seductive.

  “However, fair warning,” she said, smiling coyly. “It’s a lot of work.”

  “I really like forfeit.” His smile widened just before his mouth claimed hers.

  Wet man, wet kiss. All wow. She was so caught up in the sensations he was evoking that she hardly felt his fingers unhook her bikini top and strip it away.

  “Oh, Cal—”

  “Hold that thought.”

  He pulled himself out of the pool and disappeared inside, then was back faster than one would think a man who’d recently had his cast removed could go. He had a condom and was ready when he walked back into the water and kissed her again. This time her bikini bottom came off and he lifted her. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he entered her.

  She was so ready. The walk, dip in the ocean, touching—it all turned her desire into a need so deep it couldn’t be denied. Feeling him inside her was all she wanted.

/>   He rocked her against him and kissed her neck, that magical spot beneath her ear. Pleasure exploded inside her and she trembled with the force of it.

  Suddenly Cal went still and groaned, holding her tight against him as his release came. They stayed that way for a long time, wrapped in each other’s arms.

  He cleared his throat. “One more on the list. Making love to you in the pool—check.”

  She was happy and satisfied, more than she’d been in longer than she could remember. So it was a shock when her eyes filled with tears. Bad things happened in life and you never saw them coming, but tomorrow’s departure from here wasn’t a surprise. They were going home. That meant things would be different and it made her sad.

  The month was over and she wished with all her heart that it didn’t have to end.

  * * *

  Late in the afternoon the next day, Cal watched Justine look through every nook and cranny of the villa to make sure she hadn’t overlooked anything while packing. He hadn’t missed the tears she’d tried to hide after making love in the pool last night. Even though her face was already wet, he’d seen that something was bothering her. He was pretty sure it wasn’t something he did, but a guy could never be certain. All he knew was that he didn’t like it when she was unhappy.

  There was a knock on the villa door and Justine answered it. George and William, their room service waiters, had come to tell her goodbye.

  “Thank you so much for everything,” she said, hugging each man. “I think I’ve forgotten how to cook. Maybe you’d like to reconsider my offer to come back to Blackwater Lake with me?”

  The taller man laughed. “It is a very tempting offer. But...”

  “Yes.” She glanced at Cal, then said, “There’s always a but. Just remember to be honest with the ones you love and communicate.”

  Cal walked over to shake hands, then gave each of them a generous stack of bills that made their eyes pop. “Your service was exemplary and you will be sorely missed. Thank you for making our stay one that we will never forget.”

  The shorter man nodded and spoke for both of them. “It has been our pleasure to be of service to you. Please come back and visit with us again soon.”

  “I would like that very much.” Cal watched Justine hug each of them one last time and knew his stay here on the island had been remarkable because of her. She was the light to his darkness. And yesterday she’d cried. Why?

  He had a long plane ride home to find out the answer to that question.

  When goodbyes were over and the two resort staffers left, he met her gaze. “Are you all set?”

  “Yes.” But her eyes said just the opposite, even though everything was in her suitcase.

  With his hand at the small of her back, they walked out the front door together. The crutches he’d gladly abandoned yesterday rested against the entryway wall, and he’d instructed the front desk to return them to the medical facility. He never wanted to see those sticks again, in spite of the fact that he’d met Justine because of his accident. The silver lining, he thought. She would be proud of him for that positive mental energy.

  The town car driver stood by the open rear passenger door. Cal handed Justine inside first, then followed her. The air-conditioning was blasting and took the humidity out of the air, which would make the short drive to the small island airport more comfortable.

  But nothing about the drive was relaxed because his companion was unusually quiet and subdued. Patience wasn’t his strong suit, but he reminded himself that in a little while they’d have a chance to talk this through.

  They exited the car, and Justine looked for a long time at the three-hundred-sixty-degree ocean view. Her eyes were hidden behind large sunglasses, but judging by body language, she wasn’t happily anticipating getting on the plane and leaving this place. Cal shared her reluctance, especially since finding out she was planning to resign from Hart Energy.

  Before she’d revealed her business plan, he’d been okay with ending their vacation because he would see her at work. Now that wasn’t going to be a possibility for very long, forcing a change in his strategy. But every motivational speech he’d ever heard declared that change was just opportunity.

  “So, are you ready to be amazed?” he asked. Did he sound as ridiculously cheerful as he thought?

  She turned to him. “What?”

  “We’re getting on the private jet. Prepare yourself once again for luxury overload.” That’s what she’d said the first day she’d walked into the villa—the plane, the resort. She’d been awed. Her expression didn’t reflect that now. “Hey, I’m trying to lighten the mood. Work with me.”

  She glanced at the Gulfstream waiting nearby, engines at a low hum, then looked back at him and forced a smile. “Very exciting. An adventure.”

  “That’s the spirit.”

  “Let’s roll.” She headed for the portable stairway that had been pushed against the aircraft’s doorway. Then she stopped and looked at him. “What about the bags?”

  “You really don’t have much experience with this luxury thing,” he scolded gently.

  “I promise not to hold it against you that you do.” Her sass was a good sign.

  “The driver and plane personnel will put our things on board.”

  “So we don’t need to watch and make sure?”

  “You can if you want. But this isn’t like flying commercial. I’m pretty certain these guys can handle it. Or we’ll know who to hold responsible if our luggage is lost.” He held out his hand. “After you.”

  She nodded and walked ahead of him, climbing the stairs before stepping through the doorway into the plush interior. There was a configuration of soft, leather-covered benches, tables and captain’s chairs. The galley was in the back and a bar was set up on the port side. A company flight attendant was there to greet them.

  “Hello, Brad,” Justine said and gave him a friendly smile.

  “Good to see you again, Justine.” He held out his hand. “Hi, Cal. Hope it was a good month.”

  The best, he thought. “I have no complaints.”

  “The flight crew are doing precheck. The captain wanted me to let you know the weather between here and Blackwater Lake looks good. It should be a smooth ride.”

  “Excellent news.” Cal glanced at his companion and thought time would tell whether or not it would be smooth in every way.

  “We expect to have clearance soon to take off, so if you’ll buckle up...” Brad indicated the two seats just behind him.

  “Okay.” Cal looked at her. “Window or aisle?”

  “I don’t care. You pick. It’s your plane.”

  “It’s the company plane and I’d really like you to sit where you want.”

  She took off her glasses and met his gaze. “Window.”

  “Done.” He moved so she could get by him and sit.

  She settled in and sighed. “Comfortable doesn’t even begin to describe this. It’s like being cushioned in bubble wrap.”

  “Not quite the visual they were going for, probably, but true,” he agreed.

  Shortly after they buckled in, the captain announced he’d received clearance from air traffic control to take off, and they were ready to go. One advantage of a small airport was no line of planes, so it wasn’t long before they’d taken off and reached their normal cruising altitude. The seat belt sign went off and they were free to move about the cabin.

  “I think we should have a drink.” Cal knew that Brad would be serving dinner soon and Justine was clearly tense. Not good when it was the polar opposite of what she’d preached for the last month. And he expected her to say she was fine—the four-letter word men universally hated—depending on a woman’s tone and expression when she said it.

  “A glass of wine would be lovely,” she said.

  He’
d been thinking a tumbler two fingers full of Scotch, but wine would work. He asked Brad to open a bottle of his favorite red. The other man did as requested, then disappeared after pouring the pinot noir into their crystal glasses.

  Cal held his up. “What should we drink to?”

  She sighed. “I can’t think of a thing.”

  He remembered last night and the sadness on her face when she valiantly tried to hide her feelings. Screw the toast. He couldn’t stand one more second of not knowing what was on her mind. “Why were you crying last night?”

  Her gaze snapped to his, clearly understanding what he was referring to and surprised that he’d noticed. “Would you believe happy tears?”

  “Maybe if you hadn’t looked as if there was a permanent ban on ice cream. This may come as a shock, but you’re not very good at hiding your feelings.” And he was grateful for that. In his experience, that’s what women did.

  “Wow, I thought being in the pool and all...” She tried to smile. “You are quite observant.”

  “I try. So, talk to me about why you’re not anxious to get home.”

  She sighed, then met his gaze. “The island was so wonderful. And everything will change when we get home.”

  “It doesn’t have to.”

  “Correct me if I’m wrong, but the scenery will be awfully different.” Her look was wry. “The lake is beautiful but it’s not the ocean. And the pines are awfully pretty, especially against a clear blue sky. But they’re not palms.”

  He knew when she said “different” she meant their relationship, and talking about the scenery was a way to avoid the subject. “We haven’t discussed you and me.”

  “What?”

  “Us. We haven’t talked about what will happen with us when we get home. And I think it’s time to do that.”

  “You do?”

  “Way past time and completely my fault,” he allowed.

  “I wasn’t sure there was an ‘us.’” The hint of a sparkle was in her eyes.

  “Well, there is.” He took a sip of wine. “In case you couldn’t tell, being with you was the best time of my life.”