by Amy Ruttan
Oh, holy heck.
He’d come down here to collect his thoughts and prepare himself for the charade tonight. To steel himself against doing something crazy impulsive with Lana. And now here she was, coming out of the waves, just like the first time he’d seen her.
The short sleeve wetsuit clinging to her curves, her black hair slicked back from the water. The ocean glistening off her exposed skin like diamonds. It took him back to that day a couple of years ago when he’d first seen her. When he was first enticed by her and then realized she was Jack’s sister and therefore off limits.
Pull yourself together.
As if she knew that he was staring at her, Lana looked up, her dark eyes widening in surprise when she saw him.
“Andrew?”
There was no backing out and running the opposite way. He waved and walked over toward her, but keeping a safe distance so he wouldn’t act impulsively.
“Good morning, Lana. A very nice day, isn’t it?”
A very nice day, isn’t it? You idiot.
What, was he in junior high again? At least his voice didn’t crack this time.
“It is,” she said and looked a bit surprised to see him. “I didn’t expect to see you here. Jack said he had the morning off and was lounging around in my pool.”
“That’s what he does on his day off? I thought he’d at least go to the gym.”
Lana snorted. “With my brother you have to take him there yourself. He’s easily distracted.”
So am I at the moment. Only he didn’t say that out loud. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Lana.”
“I have the day off too. I thought I would clear my head before tonight.” She bent down and undid the strap around her ankle. With her quick movement, he swore he could smell the scent of coconut mixed in with the salt water.
It was intoxicating. It reminded him of summer, sand and surf and all the things he loved.
Get a hold of yourself.
“How were the waves?” he asked, feeling like a complete fool for the asinine conversation. He knew how the waves were. He could see them for himself.
“They were great,” she sighed. “I wish I could spend all day out here, but I have to do some stuff to get ready for the gala tonight.”
“Right, the gala.”
“What time are you picking me up?” she asked.
“I’m picking you up?” he asked, confused.
She smirked at him. “Don’t you think it would be a bit odd if my date and fiancé didn’t pick me up and take me to the gala?”
“I assumed you were going with your father,” he said.
“Usually, but this time wouldn’t it make more sense to go with my fiancé?”
“Right.” He scrubbed his hand over his face. “I’m not used to this.”
“I can see that.”
“I guess I’m just used to you accompanying your father.”
“I told him that I would forgo the big limousine and ride with you. My fiancé. He seemed on board with it.” There was a teasing glint in her eyes. He liked this Iolana. He liked her feisty, just like she had been when they’d first agreed to this marriage of convenience.
The subdued version made him want to shake her. Tell her that she was made of stronger stuff, but that was not his place. This was just a hint of the real Iolana and he didn’t want to scare her away.
“I suppose you have a valid point,” he conceded. “What time would you like me to pick you up?”
“I have to be there early.” She bit that lip, that luscious full lip that he so wanted to bite too. “Seven? Is that good?”
“Seven is perfect, but I still don’t know where you live. I guess I should know since I’m going to be moving into your place after we’re married.”
“Come on, I’ll take you there.” She picked up her board under one arm and headed off the beach. Andrew didn’t see any cars nearby and then he realized she was heading for a set of wooden steps that wound their way through some foliage and up into a house that always reminded him of a treehouse.
He loved this house, but he’d never known who it belonged to. Until now.
“This is your place?” he asked, thrilled and shocked all at once. He’d pictured her living in some quaint little cottage. Neat and tidy. A treehouse was so unexpected. He’d never seen Lana as the free spirit type. The adventurer. He’d seen her as safe and reliable. Sensible. A treehouse was not sensible.
“Yes. My father comes from one of the richest families on the island. This was my grandmother’s place until she died and she left it to me.”
“I’ve always admired this place.”
“It’s a great place.” Lana set her board down on a landing. She unlocked a rack that held many other boards.
“You want me to wipe it down?” Andrew asked; he wanted a closer look at some of her boards.
“I’ll wipe it down later.”
After she locked it up he followed her up the steps again, almost to the treetops as they headed out onto a wooden balcony that had a view of the sea, but was shaded from the hot sun by the thick growth of palms and ferns. Almost like a natural lanai.
“You have a pool up here?” Andrew asked, confused. They were off the ground, in the treetops almost, so he couldn’t figure out where there would be a pool.
“Out front there’s a small lap pool and a hot tub. The kitchen and living room are upstairs, the bedrooms are downstairs, where the pool and the main road is. It’s sort of a bi-level house.”
“I hope Jack is doing laps. He needs to build up his shoulder strength.”
Lana snorted as she put a clip in her wet hair. “I highly doubt that Jack is doing laps. He’s probably in the hot tub.”
Before he could say anything else he realized she was unzipping her spring suit. His blood heated and he tried to avert his eyes as she peeled away the neoprene body suit to reveal a bikini underneath.
Lithe, bronze and curves in all the right places.
Don’t look. Don’t look.
So he started to stare up at the foliage and soon came to the realization the foliage sucked and he’d rather be looking at something more intoxicating.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“I’m good, just checking out the view. Love the canopy you have here. Very natural.”
Andrew heard her chuckle as if she knew he wasn’t checking out the foliage.
“Come on, let’s go see if Jack is doing what he’s supposed to be doing and I can give you a quick tour of your new place.”
He braved a look and saw that she’d thrown on a sundress over her bikini, but still he couldn’t get that image out of his mind.
Why did he have to be so attracted to her? This was just supposed to be a sort of business arrangement.
“There’s an extra bedroom up here. It’s small, but I think it will work for you.” Lana opened the door to a medium-sized bedroom that was off the living room. “It has its own bathroom and faces the ocean.”
Andrew peered around the room. There was a bed and dresser. The bathroom was small, but had a shower and as he wandered over to the window he was impressed by the view. It would do perfectly.
“This is great,” he said. “Thanks.”
“It’s no big deal. We have to live together. I’m not going to make you bunk out in the shed. As much as I’m tempted to.” Her dark eyes were sparkling at the dig.
Andrew chuckled at that. “I’ve lived in worse places. I’m sure your shed is fine.”
“It has spiders.”
“They don’t bug me.”
“That’s a pathetic pun,” she said drily.
“Do you hate insect puns?”
“Yes.”
“Do they bug you?”
“You’
re crazy.” She rolled her eyes. “Come on, I’ll take you out to the pool.”
Andrew followed her and spied the kitchen and sunken living room that was open concept. It was well organized, modern, but definitely feminine. There was a vase full of flowers and other little touches that were not in his home.
He housed the few books he had in a set of plastic milk crates and his futon mattress was raised off the floor by some wooden skids he’d found.
Andrew had the money to buy a nice place, to have nice things, but he preferred living that way. He liked to be able to pack up in a rucksack and leave. He liked that most of his life could fit in the trunk of his car.
Things just tied people down.
They were anchors and burdens. He didn’t want any of it, but as he walked around Lana’s place he felt a twinge of something that he hadn’t felt in a long time. A sense of belonging and it frightened him.
He didn’t deserve it. He didn’t deserve happiness or a sense of security. Andrew often wondered why he’d gone on living when Meghan died. It might’ve been better in the long run if he’d died in that accident and she’d lived.
Their parents wouldn’t have disowned her. She had so much potential.
The steps down from the main level led to the front door. There was another small living area that overlooked the front patio that was fenced by a cement wall and more greenery. Behind him were a couple of doors that he assumed led to where Lana slept.
She slid open the patio door to head out to the pool area. The lap pool was empty. “See, he’s not doing laps. He’s in the hot tub.”
As Andrew’s eyes adjusted to the light he saw at the far end, under another lanai, was Jack, head back, eyes closed and in the hot tub.
“You better be wearing shorts!” Lana called out.
Jack startled and Andrew waved at him. “Hey, Jack. I thought you’d be training, building up your arm strength?”
“You brought Andrew, Iolana?” Jack whined. “And I am wearing shorts. I’ve learned my lesson.”
Andrew turned to Lana. “What did you do to him?”
She grinned. “Had a few girlfriends over. He had his headphones in, listening to music, so I hid his clothes. Made him streak across my yard. Gave everyone a good laugh.”
He chuckled. “That’s evil. Remind me not to get on your bad side.”
“Too late.” Then she laughed and he couldn’t help but laugh with her. “Though you’re safe for now. As long as you don’t annoy me too much.”
“I can’t promise that.” He winked and she laughed again.
Jack wrapped a towel around himself and walked over. “I thought you were out surfing, Lana?”
“I was. I was gone for two hours.” She shook her head. “You know, once I’m married you can’t come here and mooch off me anymore.”
Jack rolled his eyes. “Where else am I going to go?”
“You could use my place,” Andrew offered. “Since I’ll be moving in here.”
“No, thanks, your place should be condemned. No offense, Doc.”
Andrew grinned smugly. “Why don’t you do some laps for me? And I’m going to sit here and watch.”
Jack groaned. “Fine.”
“I’ll leave you two to that. I’m going to take a shower and wash the salt water off.” Lana went back inside and disappeared into the far room, shutting the door. Andrew tried not to think of her in that room, naked and having a shower. Or the fact he wanted to join her.
“You looking forward to the gala tonight?” Jack asked, interrupting his thoughts.
“No. I don’t have a tuxedo.”
“You can borrow mine. After I do my laps I’ll go get it at Dad’s place. It should fit you.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.” Jack dropped his towel and slipped into the pool. “How many?”
“Fifty,” Andrew said, taking a seat on one of the deckchairs. He turned back and looked toward the house. He didn’t really want to go to this gala; he usually avoided them, but he wanted to look good for Lana, who was the Chief of Surgery’s daughter.
He wanted the world to think he deserved her, when that was the furthest thing from the truth.
* * *
Lana loved the dress, but she was so uncomfortable. Usually for the big hospital gala she wore a little black number with pearls and flats—very understated—and she went with her father and stepmother.
Even when she was with David it hadn’t felt like anything romantic. It had been more like a business dinner rather than a date.
“Really, that’s what you’re wearing?”
“What? I like it.”
“Don’t you even want to try? You can be such an embarrassment sometimes. Thank goodness you’re pretty.”
Lana shook away that thought. Angry that she’d let David into her life and let him walk over her, blind to his lack of emotion. Everyone else had seen it but her, which made her all the more pathetic.
Stop thinking like that.
She shook those thoughts out of her head. She had to clear her mind because Andrew was coming over soon to take her to the gala.
It was the first time in a long time she’d been on a date. Period. After David it was hard to trust men and hard to date when she had an orthopedic practice to run.
Men were interested in her looks, her money, but once they discovered she had a brain and that her first love was her career then they realized that money and good looks weren’t enough. She’d been referred to as frigid and cold.
That suited her just fine.
Lana had always lived by the mantra that she didn’t need a man to make her happy. Which was why it disappointed her that her father was so happy about this marriage. He’d never viewed her career with as much enthusiasm as he was showing in her marriage to Andrew. He’d told her that he was proud of her for growing up and settling down.
Why did that have to include marriage?
It frustrated her and also upset her that her father thought so little of her. That he pinned a happy future for her on getting married. He’d done the same when she’d been with David and now he was doing it again.
It’s not real. It’s not real.
And Lana had to keep reminding herself of that fact. This was temporary. It was only for a year. She knew it would crush her father when she came to him this time next year and told him the marriage was over.
Just the thought of his reaction made her dread it, because he would be looking on her with sympathy and she didn’t need that. She would just have to take it in her stride. It would cause a bigger scandal for her father and the hospital if she backed out of it now and Andrew was deported back to Canada.
Her doorbell chimed and she took a deep breath. With one final check in the mirror, she ran her hands down over the form-fitting royal blue dress and headed to the door.
Andrew was late to pick her up, which meant they would be late to the gala and everyone would be looking at them when they walked in.
Her father wouldn’t be impressed with that.
“It’s about time...” The words died in her throat when she saw Andrew standing there, in a tuxedo. His blond hair was neat and combed back. He’d shaved and had put in his contacts. She wasn’t used to seeing him without his black horn-rimmed glasses.
The tuxedo suited him. It was as if it was made for him, even though she knew that it was Keaka’s tuxedo from the gala last year. Only it suited Andrew a lot more than it did her kid brother. And she knew she was gawking at him because she’d totally forgotten what she was going to scold him about.
“Wow,” he said with a tone of awe. “You look amazing.”
A blush crept up her cheeks. “Thanks. So do you.”
He grinned and bowed slightly. “Thank you.”
“So, y
ou ready for this?” she asked, her voice trembling. “I’m nervous.”
“I’m not nervous. I know how to work a crowd.” He held out his arm. “Can I escort you to the limo?”
“You got a limo?” Now it was her turn to be surprised.
“I did,” he said. “Seemed only fitting. Doesn’t seem right for the Chief of Surgery’s daughter to be arriving in my car. And the way you’re dressed, it seems only fitting.”
Lana took his arm and he escorted her down the drive to where a limo was waiting. The chauffeur opened the door and Andrew helped her down inside. She scooted over so he could climb in beside her.
Once the door was shut he pulled out of bottle of champagne and poured her a glass.
“I feel like I’m back in high school and going to prom.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “You had a limo and a glass of champagne for your prom?”
“Well, my girlfriends did. I didn’t go to prom, but I snuck the champagne in out of my dad’s wine cellar. My only real act of defiance.”
“Your only act of defiance?”
“I’m afraid so.”
He winked and grinned, holding up his glass to hers. “Well, then, cheers.”
“Cheers,” she said and took a sip. “What about your prom?”
Andrew chuckled. “I didn’t have a limo. A few buddies and I had a bonfire in the woods with our girlfriends after the dance. Our town was small, there really wasn’t much to do except a bonfire in the woods. We scared the girls into thinking there were bears...got them to snuggle up closer.”
She laughed as he winked. “And were there bears?”
“Probably. I grew up in northern Ontario, but black bears keep their distance for the most part.”
“A bonfire sounds fun.”
“We’ll have to have one after we’re married.”
“You’re making plans?” she asked, surprised again.
“You’re the one that said a bonfire sounds fun and you have the perfect location for one.”
“True.” She took another sip of champagne. “Tomorrow will be a long day that I’m dreading.”
