“Is it the biggest in the world?” she asked.
“No. There is a larger tree in India. There is also a large one in Hawaii, although this one is bigger.”
The leaves were huge and oval, tapering on each end. She stepped forward, ducking under several branches. There were paths through the aerial root system. She could see where others had walked. Reverently she touched the surprisingly smooth bark. This tree had been alive for hundreds of years.
“It feels like it’s a living part of the structure of the island,” she said, glancing back at Mazin.
He shrugged. “There is strength in the tree. Once it gets established, it can survive most any kind of storm. Even if one part is destroyed, the rest survives.”
“I wouldn’t mind being that strong,” she said as she crouched down and picked up a fallen leaf.
“Why would you think you are not?”
She glanced at him. He stood within the shade of the tree. His dark eyes were unreadable. Phoebe suddenly realized she knew nothing about this man, that she was on a strange island and for all she knew, he made a habit of abducting female tourists traveling alone. She should be cautious and wary.
Yet she didn’t want to be. Whatever had drawn her to Mazin continued to pull her to him today. She was foolish to trust him, and yet trust him she did.
“Strength requires experience and knowledge,” she said. “I haven’t lived very much. I never made it to college.” She rose to her feet, still clutching the leaf in her hand. “My aunt got sick the summer after I graduated from high school. She wanted me to go live my life, but I stayed home to take care of her.”
She rubbed the leaf between her fingers, then dropped it to the ground. “I’m not complaining. I don’t have any regrets. I loved Ayanna and would give up everything to have her with me again. I would rather be with her now than be here or—”
Phoebe broke off when she realized what she’d said. Embarrassment gripped her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that I wasn’t enjoying your company.”
Mazin dismissed her apology with a wave of his hand. “It is of no concern. I am not insulted. Your affection for your aunt does you credit.”
He stared at her as if she were some strange creature he’d never seen before. Phoebe touched her cheek with the back of her hand and hoped the shadows of the tree kept him from seeing how she blushed. No doubt he found her silly and boring.
“Are you hungry?” he asked abruptly. “There is a café nearby. I thought we could have lunch.”
Her heart fluttered, her embarrassment fled and it was as if the sun brightened the sky a little more than it had before. Mazin held out his hand in invitation. Phoebe hesitated only a second before placing her trembling fingers within it.
CHAPTER 3
The café sat on the edge of the ocean. Phoebe felt as if she could stretch out her foot and touch the blue water. A soft breeze carried the scent of salt and island flowers, perfuming the air. The sun was hot, yet a large umbrella shielded them so that they felt only pleasantly warm.
She had the strongest urge to bounce up and down with excitement. She couldn’t believe she was really here, on the island, having lunch with a very handsome man. If this was a dream, she didn’t ever want to wake up.
Mazin was being so very kind. Her fingers still tingled from his touch when he’d held her hand as they’d walked to his car. She knew he hadn’t intended the gesture to have meaning. There was no way he could have known how the heat from his hand had burned into her skin or made her heart race so delightfully.
“Have you decided?” he asked.
She glanced at the menu she held and realized she hadn’t read it. She’d been too busy admiring the view.
“Maybe there’s a local dish you would like to recommend,” she said.
“The fresh fish. The chef here prides himself on his preparation. You won’t be disappointed.”
As she knew she wouldn’t be able to taste anything, she didn’t doubt that he was right. He could feed her ground-up cardboard and she would be content.
Their waiter appeared and Mazin gave him their orders. Phoebe picked up her iced tea and took a sip.
“This is such a beautiful spot,” she said as she put down her glass. “I’m surprised it’s not crowded for lunch.”
Mazin seemed to hesitate. “Sometimes it is, but we’re a little early.”
Phoebe glanced at her watch. It was nearly noon, but she wasn’t about to contradict her host. Besides, it might be fashionable to dine late on the island.
They sat on a patio that held about a dozen tables, all protected by umbrellas. In the distance she could see a grove of trees filled with parrots. Small lizards sunned themselves on the stone wall across from their table.
“What do you think of my island?” Mazin asked.
She smiled with contentment. “It’s beautiful. Ayanna always talked about Lucia-Serrat being paradise, but I’m not sure I ever believed her. Everything is so clean. It’s not just the absence of trash on the road, but the fact that plant life grows everywhere. Are there really other people on this island?”
He smiled. “I assure you, my dove, we are not alone.”
Too bad, she thought wistfully.
“There has been much debate about the future of the island. We require certain resources to survive, yet we do not want to destroy the beauty that brightens our world.”
“There’s a lot of that kind of talk in Florida,” Phoebe said, leaning forward slightly. “Developers want to build apartment buildings and hotels. They impact the infrastructure. Growth is good for the economy, but irresponsible growth can be bad for the land itself. It’s a delicate balance. I worry about things like the rain forest. Part of me wants to come firmly on the side of whatever tree or animal is in need, but I know that people need to eat and heat their homes.”
“I would have assumed you were a rabid conservationist,” he said, his voice teasing.
She smiled. “I’m not the rabid type. I care and I do what I can. I don’t think there are any easy answers.”
“I agree. Here on Lucia-Serrat we seek to find a balance. We live in harmony with nature. Yes, we must dig for oil, but all precautions are taken to protect the sea and those creatures who live there. That adds to the cost. There are those who protest, who want more oil and less worry about the birds and the fish.” His brows drew together. “There are those who would influence policy, but so far I have been—”
He broke off in midsentence, then shrugged. “So far I have been happy with the choices the prince has made.”
Phoebe rested her elbows on the table. “Do you know the prince?”
“I am familiar with the royal family.”
She turned that over in her mind. It was hard to imagine. “I’ve never even met the mayor where I live,” she said, more to herself than to him. “Don’t you like him?”
Mazin’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Why do you ask me that?”
“I don’t know. The way you said you’ve been happy with his choices. There was something in your voice. I thought maybe you didn’t like him.”
“I assure you, that is not the case.”
She sipped her iced tea. “Is there a parliament or something to keep the prince in line? I mean, what if he started making unfair rules? Could anyone stop him?”
“Prince Nasri is a wise and honorable ruler. To answer your questions, there is a form of parliament. They handle much of the government, but the prince is the true leader of the people.”
“Is he well liked?”
“I believe so. He is considered just. Two days a month anyone may come to see him and discuss a grievance.”
“What about you? What do you do?” she asked.
Mazin leaned back in his chair. “I am in the government. I coordinate oil production.”
She had no idea what that might involve. If he was in the government and knew the royal family then he had to be a pretty important man. “Is it all right that you’re here
with me now?” she asked. “I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble for taking the day off.”
“Do not worry yourself,” he told her with a slow smile. “I have plenty of vacation days available to me.”
* * *
They walked along the beach after lunch. Mazin couldn’t remember the last time he’d simply gone for a walk by the sea. Although he could see the ocean from nearly every window in his house, the view had ceased to be beautiful. He doubted he even saw it anymore.
Yet with Phoebe, all was new. She laughed with delight as waves rolled close and lapped at her feet. She’d rolled up the legs of her slacks, exposing her slender ankles. He studied the naked skin, amazed that he felt aroused gazing at her. She was completely dressed except for her bare feet and he wanted her.
Twenty-three, he reminded himself. She was only twenty-three. No younger than he had suspected, but younger than he had hoped.
“Is there a coral reef?” Phoebe asked.
“Not on this side of the island, but on the north end. The area is more protected there. Do you dive?”
She wrinkled her nose. “I’m assuming you mean skin diving. I’ve never done it. I don’t know that I could. Just the thought of being trapped underwater makes me nervous.”
As she spoke, she pulled her braid over her shoulder so the length of blond hair lay against her chest. She unfastened the ribbon, then finger-combed her hair so it fluttered loose around her face.
Sunlight illuminated the side of her face, highlighting her perfect bone structure. If she were any other woman of his acquaintance, he would have assumed she was going for an effect, but with Phoebe, he wasn’t so sure. While he still thought she might be playing a game with him, several hours in her company had made him stop wondering about the sincerity of her innocence. She blushed too easily for someone at home in the world. And if she was as inexperienced as he suspected, then she was in danger of being taken advantage of by someone…
Someone like himself, he thought grimly. Someone who could easily pluck the flower of her womanhood, savor its sweetness, then discard it.
He did not consider himself a bad person. Perhaps Phoebe had been sent into his life as a test of that theory. Perhaps he was taking this too seriously. He should simply enjoy her company for the day, return her to her hotel that afternoon and forget he’d ever met her. That would be the wisest course of action.
“The ocean is very different here,” Phoebe said as they continued to walk along the beach. “I don’t have a lot of experience, but I know the color of the water is different than it is in Florida. Of course, the color is often a reflection of how shallow the water is. Around the gulf coast there are places you can wade out forever. Is it deeper here around the island?”
“Three sides are deep. The north end of the island is quite shallow.”
Phoebe sighed softly to herself. Why couldn’t she talk about something more interesting? Here she was strolling along a beautiful beach next to a charming man and she babbled on about ocean depth. Be brilliant, she ordered herself. Unfortunately she didn’t have a lot of experience in the brilliant department.
“Would you like to have a seat?” he asked when they reached a cluster of rocks sticking out of the white sand.
She nodded and followed him to a flat rock warm from the sun. She dumped her shoes and purse on the sand, then slid next to him, careful to make sure they didn’t touch. A light breeze teased at her hair and made goose bumps break out on her wet feet.
“Tell me about your great-aunt,” he said. “What was her life like here on the island?”
Phoebe drew one knee to her chest and wrapped her arms around her leg. “Her mother owned a beauty shop in town and Ayanna learned to be a hairdresser there. When she was eighteen she went to work in the Parrot Bay Inn. Apparently back then it was an international hot spot.”
Mazin grinned. “I have heard many stories about ‘the old days,’ as my father would call them. When people flew in from all over the world to spend a week or two in the Lucia-Serrat sun.”
“Ayanna said the same thing. She was young and beautiful, and she wanted a great romantic adventure.”
“Did she find it?”
Phoebe hesitated. “Well, sort of. There were several men who wanted to marry her. She became engaged to one or two, always breaking it off. One of the men insisted she keep the ring. It was a lovely ruby ring. She wore it often.” She smiled at the memory.
“If she broke the engagements, then they weren’t romantic adventures,” he said.
“You’re right. I know the great love of her life was the crown prince. Apparently they were in love with each other, even though he was married. Eventually people found out and there was a great scandal. In the end, Ayanna had to leave.”
Mazin gazed out toward the ocean. “I remember hearing something about that. Despite being such an old man, I was not alive then.”
“You’re not so very old.”
He nodded regally. “I’m pleased you think so.”
She wasn’t sure if he was teasing or not. “I don’t think Ayanna ever heard from the prince again. She never admitted anything to me, but I have always suspected that in her heart of hearts she thought he would come find her. So her romance has an unhappy ending.”
“She lived in your country for many years. Didn’t she marry?”
Phoebe shook her head. “There were always men who wanted her, right up until she died. But although she enjoyed their company, she never loved any of them.”
“Did they love her?”
“Absolutely. She was wonderful. Charming, intelligent, funny and so lovely in every respect.”
He turned toward her, then placed his index finger under her chin. “I would imagine you look much like her.”
Phoebe’s eyes widened in surprise. “Not at all. Ayanna was a great beauty. I don’t look anything like her.”
How could he pretend to think she could even compare to Ayanna?
“You have a lovely face,” he murmured, more to himself than her. “Your eyes are the color of the sea on a cloudless day, your skin is as soft as silk.”
Phoebe felt heat flaring on her cheeks. Telling herself he wasn’t really complimenting her didn’t stop her from being embarrassed. She felt like some hick straight off the farm, with hay in her hair.
She pulled back slightly so that he wasn’t touching her. “Yes, well, you’re very kind, but it’s hard to ignore facts. I’m too tall and too skinny. Half the time I think I look like a boy more than a grown woman. It’s fairly disheartening.”
Mazin gazed at her. His dark eyes seemed able to see into her soul. “I would never mistake you for a boy.”
She couldn’t look away. Her skin prickled as if she’d been in the sun too long. Maybe she had. Or maybe it was the island itself, weaving a magic spell around her.
“Men don’t find me attractive,” she said bluntly, because she couldn’t think of anything else to say. “Or interesting.”
“Not all men.”
Was it her imagination, or had he just moved a little closer? And was it suddenly really hot?
“Some men find you very attractive.”
She would have sworn he didn’t actually say that last sentence, because his lips were too close to hers to be speaking. But she couldn’t ask, because she was in shock. Tremendous shock. She even stopped breathing, because at that moment he kissed her.
Phoebe didn’t know what to think or do. One minute she’d been sitting on a rock by the ocean trying not to babble, and the next a very handsome, very sophisticated older man was kissing her. On the lips. Which, she supposed, was where most people kissed. Just not her. Not ever. In fact—
Stop thinking!
Her mind obeyed, going blank. It was only then that she realized his mouth was still on hers, which meant they were kissing. Which left her in the awkward position of having no clue as to what was expected of her.
The contact teased, making her want to lean into him. She liked the feel
of his lips against hers and the way he placed one hand on her shoulder. She felt the heat of his fingers and the way his breath brushed across her cheek. She could see the dark fan of his lashes and the hint of stubble on his cheek. He smelled like sunshine, only more masculine.
Every part of her felt extrasensitive and her mouth trembled slightly.
He broke the kiss and opened his eyes, making her think perhaps hers should have been closed.
“You did not want me to do that,” he said quietly.
She blinked several times. Not want her first kiss? Was he crazy? “No, it was great.”
“But you didn’t respond.”
Humiliation washed over her. Phoebe slid off the rock onto the sand, then reached for her shoes. Before she could grab them, Mazin was at her side. He took her hands in his and somehow compelled her to look at him.
“What aren’t you telling me?” he asked.
“Nothing.” Everything, she thought.
“Phoebe.”
He spoke in a warning tone that made her toes curl into the sand. She swallowed, then blurted the truth out all at once, or at least as much of it as she was willing to confess.
“I don’t have a lot of experience with men. I never dated in high school, because I didn’t fit in. Then Ayanna got sick and I spent the four years nursing her. That didn’t leave time for a social life—not that I wanted one. The past six months I’ve been sad. So I’m not really good at the whole kissing thing.”
She stopped talking and hoped he would buy her explanation without figuring out that no man had ever kissed her before.
She waited for him to say something. And waited. A smile teased at the corners of his mouth. His dark expression softened slightly. Then he cupped her face in his large, strong hands.
“I see,” he murmured before once again touching his lips to hers.
It should have been the same kiss she’d just experienced. Weren’t they all the same? But somehow this felt different. More intense. Her eyes fluttered closed before she realized what had happened. Oddly, the darkness comforted her. Her brain shut down, as well, which was nice because in the quiet she could actually feel the contact of skin on skin.
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