by Lakes, Lynde
His lips parted, revealing pearl white teeth and the warmest, most engaging and absorbing smile she had ever seen. And there was something else, an unexplainable feeling that he had a secret not yet shared with anyone else.
“My name is Cortz, Cortz Conrad. You may call me Cortz.”
Darli repeated his name over to herself, enjoying the strength of the pronunciation on her tongue.
“And your name?” he asked.
“Doctor Darlene Grenlane. I’m a professor at the university.” Usually the titles of doctor or professor got rid of jerks and she had a hunch that it would be safer to keep this fine-looking stranger at a distance.
“Professor of what?” he asked, apparently not at all put off.
“Astronomy, astrophysics.” She swallowed, and then compelled herself to return his direct look. His brown eye were dark, even in the sunlight, but those unusual ruby flecks, like fire-rubies on a pillow of rich brown velvet—eyes the likes of which she had never seen on a human before—stirred an excitement that lifted the fine hairs on the back of her arms. “You may call me Darli,” she said, barely able to contain her shivers.
“Lovely name. It suits you.”
“Thank you.” Her mind raced ahead. She had to shove aside the effect this man was having on her. Oh, good grief! He was still holding her hand, so she eased it away. “That silver object that fell into the ocean last night…you saw it, right?”
He stared at her a moment without speaking. He dropped his gaze to the lapping water, looking like he might jump in and disappear again.
She gathered her courage and grabbed his arm. “Come on, I know you saw it.”
“So?” he said.
“It wasn’t just a falling star.”
“No?” He lifted a brow; a pulse throbbed in his neck.
“The Navy is interested. It was on the news this morning.”
The ruby flecks in Cortz’s eyes brightened and he frowned. “The excitement in your voice tells me you are interested too,” he said. “But navy has more than one meaning.” Cortz’s eyes looked fuzzy as though he was trying to grasp a concept. Then they began to glint as though his thoughts were tumbling with the speed of a computer. “We are not talking about a color here, are we? No, it doesn’t fit. Navy…water…A nation’s ships of war and of logistic support…”
Oh, dear God, he’s talking like a robot. Is this gorgeous hunk of manhood some sort of nut or is he just putting me on?
“Oh, yes,” he said an instant later, “you mean the protective force of the government. Why are they interested?” he asked.
Darli stared at the bead of sweat glistening at the top of Cortz’s upper lip. “I’m not sure. I heard a newscast about it and called the number they gave to report the sighting. The officer took down the information without reciprocating.”
“Who did you talk to?”
“Let’s see…Fox. Yes, that’s it, Lieutenant Fox.”
“Will you be talking to him again?”
“Maybe,” she said. She was fascinated how Cortz pronounced each word carefully like someone just learning the language. Was he a dangerous foreigner? “The Lieutenant has my phone number.” She was disclosing too much to this man she knew nothing about.
Cortz wrinkled his brow and looked out over the rolling surf toward the horizon, his dark eyes stormy. This potentially dangerous man didn’t fit into the usual male categories. He was like an unidentified star that suddenly appeared in the sky. The same way it would be unthinkable not to want to know more about such a star, it was equally impossible not to want to know more about him. A little voice in her head told her that she was involving herself in something frightening. But she couldn’t just let him disappear again without more information. “Where are you from, Cortz?”
He didn’t answer right away, as if he were regarding his answer very carefully. “I am a traveler. I never stay in one place long.”
“I don’t recognize your accent.”
“I don’t recognize yours either,” he countered.
“Evasive games don’t work for me.” She forced a wry smile as she studied him. He had a light apricot complexion, but if he remained in the morning sun long it would be lobster red. “You must have just arrived in Honolulu.”
“Last evening.” He looked puzzled. “The sun is very hot on my back and there is an electrical storm of rainbow-charged lightning zigzagging inside my head. Something is happening.”
“What?” she asked. Was he going to pass out from dehydration?
He blinked several time. “Perhaps it is you! Your hair, skin and eye coloring are so bright that it is a shock to my senses.”
She laughed. “I’ve never heard that line before. What is your usual type, a dark, shapely exotic beauty?”
“Hardly. I am more used to, and even greatly attracted to, the splinter-thin, colorless woman. I did not expect to have such a strong attraction to an Earth…that is…an earthy woman like you.”
“Earthy? Are you saying I am unrefined and simple?” The nerve of him!
“No. No. It seems I used the wrong term. My apologies. I was referring to your natural beauty.”
Darli backed up a step. Cortz’s relentless stare made her feel self-conscious. She had to swing the subject back to him. “Are you here for business or pleasure?”
His serious look faded and a wide infectious smile took its place. “I hope both.”
“You aren’t in the military?”
“No.” He furrowed his brow. “What made you think that?”
“Your hair is cut regulation short.”
He shrugged. “Is that bad?”
She tilted her head and regarded his curly hair carefully. “No, it looks very neat.” Darli controlled her urge to reach out and smooth a short, tousled strand from his forehead.
“Are you from this region?” Cortz asked.
“Honolulu? Yes. For the last couple of years.” Darli puzzled at the word region. But she was more concerned that he had again directed the conversation away from himself.
“Are you joined?” he asked.
“Am I what?” Darli laughed at the strange term.
“Married…are you married?”
“No, are you?” She held her breath, waiting for the answer.
Grinning, he shook his head.
She intended to keep the subject on Cortz. “What kind of business are you in?” The spying business, maybe?
Cortz paused for a moment, then answered, “Research.”
“Are you a scientist?” Darli asked.
“In a way. I work with the development and perfection of instruments used in long distance recording and transmitting of data.”
She leaned forward, finding herself increasingly intrigued by him. “Sounds complicated.”
“I made it seem that way to impress you. You are impressed, are you not?”
Darli smiled and ignored the question. “Where are you staying?” she asked. Dragging information from him was chancy because his fascinating aura had already gotten to her big time. Could he tell what was happening to her every time she looked at him? Her troubling schoolgirl giddiness was completely out of character, yet she seemed to have no control over her emotions.
“I have not yet found a place,” he said. “I am camping out.”
The words “camping out” broke the trance and she stiffened, once again on guard. “Well, it’s nice weather for it.” So, he’s a scientist, is he? More than likely, he’s a beach bum with his only research being how to pick up women. Spy or not, which she now doubted, she was ditching this guy. “I have to go. Nice talking to you.”
He put his hand on her wrist; his piercing eyes searched hers as if he could see right into her soul. “Please, I’m a stranger here. Maybe you could help me find a place….” His voice, full of hope, trailed away.
The ruby flecks of light in his eyes mesmerized her. She fought the impact. “Sorry. I…I’m rather busy these days. Try the classifieds. Studios are the easiest—” Darli
glanced down at his hand still curled tightly around her wrist then looked unflinchingly back at him. The desperation in his eyes frightened her. “Please,” she said firmly.
He released her. “Will I see you again?”
Darli rubbed her wrist and massaged away his finger marks. Not in this lifetime, buddy. “No, I don’t think so.”
“If you change your mind, I’ll be here tomorrow.”
She stood and backed toward the edge of the deck. “You’re getting sunburned. You shouldn’t stay out too long when you’re not used to it.”
Chapter Five
Without another word, Darli dived into the cool water and swam for shore as if her life depended on it. She had never experienced such an instantaneous attraction to a man before. It was scary. Yet, somehow, it felt wrong to leave him. He didn’t know anyone, and he had asked for help. She had never refused a person in need before; but she feared if she let herself get mixed up with him, she would be the one who would need help.
She thought about him all the way home. What if he was a spy? If she helped him find a place, she could tell the Navy where to find him. Then he would be their problem.
Darli wanted to do her duty but her attraction to him was an obstacle. All the rest of the day, she thought of him and even dreamed about him that night. It was a wild, passionate dream that ended too soon, leaving her frustrated. By the next morning, she was really battling herself. The combination he represented was too intriguing: a sensually stimulating, mysterious intellectual with a quirky side. But, if she showed up at the floating sun deck today, it would be admitting her interest, not only to him, but to herself. Not ready to admit that, she convinced her conscious mind that she was going through some kind of chemical imbalance. Or maybe living alone was getting to her.
Still, up to now she had rather relished the privacy. To be honest though, she had envisioned that she’d be married by the time she reached twenty-seven. But, getting her doctorate and settling into her profession had taken so much of her time that she had neglected the social side of her life. Not that she hadn’t gone out with some great men—she had—but no one she had been willing to sacrifice her career for. Unfortunately, so far she hadn’t met the man who could accept her dedication to her field. That was a must. In the abstract, her dream-man would be intellectual and love astronomy. Anything else would be a bonus.
The new director at the Mauna Kea Observatory on the big island, Dr. Craig, was at least a candidate. They didn’t get a chance to talk much when they met at the San Diego Convention last month, so she didn’t know if they would hit it off or not. But they’d logged online and typed a few field-related messages to each other a couple of times. He said he’d call the next time he came to Oahu. He seemed like a nice enough guy. Funny, other than remembering that he was reasonably good-looking, she couldn’t recall his features. The only image she could conjure up was Cortz, his dark eyes, his infectious smile, and that magnificent body.
After church, she gathered the laundry but lost interest before she even got to the washing machine. After she dumped the bundle of cottons into a chair, Darli got out her checkbook and bills. She tried to concentrate, but nothing kept her mind off Cortz and those flecks of ruby lights in his penetrating brown eyes. Maybe if she baked some cookies….
She went through the motions and finally the apartment smelled like melted chocolate and baked dough. But baking was no use, so she gave in and took her swimsuit and towel off the line. After all, she was just checking him out for the Navy. It was her duty. A duty she could no longer ignore. Darli changed into her swimsuit and covered it with a muumuu. Then she stuffed her towel and extra clothing into her tote bag and briskly walked to the beach.
After securing her things in a locker, she plunged into the azure lagoon. The sudden coolness sent a shock through her body. She rose from the depth to catch her breath. Treading water for a moment, she saw that the floating sun deck was empty. Disappointment washed over her. The deck was her only link to him.
She swam in even strokes to the shore side of the deck. As she climbed the ladder, she fought her rising frustration. Maybe he’d already been there and gone.
The afternoon was long. Each time a swimmer came toward her, she tensed in anticipation. She had used a fourth of a bottle of sunscreen before she gave up and headed home.
When she started up the tree-shaded steps to her apartment, she saw a shirtless man in white trousers sitting outside her door. It was him…lobster red and looking very much in pain. On the nearby railing, an orange fluorescent shirt batted in the breeze.
“I waited on the deck all morning.” He stood. “You did not come.” He folded the shirt over his arm.
Should she be afraid of him? She had never told him where she lived. How had he found his way? Her gaze swept from his serious eyes to just below his hips. She could make out the line of a black bikini underneath his lightweight trousers. She forced her gaze to his shoulders then gasped at the blisters. “My God, you’re badly burned!”
Darli bit the corner of her lip, and after only a moment of hesitation, she said, “Come inside and I’ll put something on that for you. Then, we’ll get you to a doctor.”
“No doctor!”
She unlocked the door and slid her keys into her pocket, keeping them handy in case she needed them for protection from this stranger. Tossing her beach bag on a chair, she said, “You have something against doctors?”
He shifted his weight, then stood with his arms across his chest, formidable as the TV wrestler, Killer Comet. “I like to know a doctor before I put myself under his or her medical care. You are a doctor and I now know you, so, I will let you doctor me.”
“An academic doctor. I’m not a medical doctor.”
“You will do.” He jutted his chin out, signaling that he had closed the subject.
She followed his gaze around her apartment with slightly apprehensive eyes. In a half-circular motion, he gestured toward her lacy curtains, embroidered pillows, and white painted furniture.
“Beyond utility…warm…charming, like you.”
Beyond utility—this guy was full of strange comments. “Thanks,” she said. “It’s small, but it serves my needs.” He looked around the room again and then took a few steps. His stiff movements re-affirmed he was in pain.
“Maybe the best thing for you would be to take a cool vinegar bath.”
“Vinegar?” His eyebrows knitted.
“To absorb some of the heat. It works…trust me.” My God, what am I thinking, encouraging this stranger to take off his clothes the minute he’s in my apartment?
The puzzled look disappeared from his face and he nodded, grinning like a cat who had found catnip. “Don’t get any wrong ideas,” she added.
“I’ll try not to.” He swallowed his smile.
Darli grabbed what she needed out of the kitchen cupboard and headed for the bathroom. She drew a tub of tepid water and added vinegar. She turned and there he was, standing in the doorway, watching her with a dimpled grin on his face.
“All set,” she said, speaking a bit too loudly. Immerse yourself for about fifteen minutes, then get dressed, all but your shirt, and come out and I’ll fix you up.” Grabbing the first aid kit, Darli quickly eased past him and closed the door with a trembling hand. She paused a moment, bracing herself on the knob. There were sounds inside. Shuffling, as if he were balancing on one foot to slip off his trousers, followed by the hollow sound of bare feet meeting enamel. Next there was a rubbing sound, as if his nude body was sliding downward along the hard surface of the tub—then splashing water.
She let go of the door knob as if it were a hot coal. Had she taken complete leave of her senses? This was unthinkable! She’d allowed a total stranger into her home…into her tub. He wasn’t a harmless puppy or kitty, the usual stray she was accustom to rescuing. He was a virile man—maybe even a dangerous man.
Chapter Six
Exactly fifteen minutes later, when Cortz came out of the bathroom, the
clean smell of him floated around her. Suddenly she felt silly for thinking he could be dangerous. Darli took a deep breath, braced herself mentally, and then she grabbed his hand as a concerned mother would with her child and led him to the stool at the breakfast bar. She removed the anti-burn cream from the first aid kit. Cortz winced at her touch, but didn’t complain. She lightened her strokes.
While smoothing lotion over his back and shoulders, Darli marveled at the width. She stroked slowly, letting her hands slip down his sides, absorbed by how his upper body narrowed to a trim waist.
“I’ve seen professors on television,” he said. “They are usually men and older than you seem to be.”
“I’m twenty-seven, if that’s what you want to know. How about you?”
“Thirty-four.”
He looked younger though, closer to her own age.
“You have the gentlest touch,” he murmured. “Like the whisper of the wind across scorching sand. Are you sure you aren’t a medical doctor or an island healer?”
Darli laughed. “Not even close on both counts. I’m an astronomer. I teach at the University of Hawaii.”
“Now I know why I feel so comfortable with you. Your interests span the universe as do mine.”
Yeah, right, she thought. His interest was probably the Miss Universe contest, no doubt. Darli moved to the front of Cortz and tried to ignore the touch of his hands suddenly resting loosely on her hips. She smoothed lotion over an expanse of disturbingly hard muscled flesh. The feel of him beneath her fingers set her heart racing. An upward glance at his strong features only made it race faster. Cortz’s eyes were closed as if he were luxuriating under the rhythm of her hands.
Her gaze lowered to his slender, well-formed lips. What would it be like to have them consuming hers? A wave of heat crept up from her neck to her cheeks. My God, what am I thinking? She stepped back—away from him. “I…I think you can finish the front yourself.”
His chest was hairless. She glanced at his arms. They were also smooth and free of hair. Although different, his smooth skin didn’t detract from his masculinity. Quite the contrary, she found herself wanting to continue running her hands over the sleek hardness of him. He reminded her of the marble statues of Greek gods she’d seen in museums. Only he was real…flesh and blood…and only a half step away from her.
