by Lakes, Lynde
“No! I told you before, I didn’t see anything. Can’t we talk about something besides your lieutenant?”
“He’s not my lieutenant.”
“Good.” Cortz lowered his voice to a gentler tone. “May I help with dinner?”
“Not tonight. Enjoy the pampering while you can. Tomorrow, while I’m at the university, you’ll have to hobble around and do for yourself.”
He was watching her every move…studying her. It should have made her nervous but it didn’t. She was too puzzled. Something was out of sync, but she didn’t know what.
Darli covered two trays with bamboo place mats and set them with her Seyei china and sterling silverware. She seldom had company and this special dinner guest reminded her how nice it was to have a man in the apartment. She struck a long match and lit the candles she had placed on the coffee table. “Cortz, would you mind opening the wine?”
He took the bottle and opener from her and turned the metal gadget to several different angles, looking puzzled.
“No.” Darli laughed. “Not that way. Here let me show you. It would be nice if they designed them all the same. I have to figure it out myself every time I use it.”
“I see how it functions now,” he said.
Cortz watched her while she worked. When she sat down next to him, he watched her even more closely. Why was he looking…no, actually studying her…like that? “Tell the truth, don’t you like pineapple chicken?”
He smiled and tried a bite. “It is very sweet.” His eyes brightened. “I have always enjoyed foreign foods.”
“I’ve never thought of pineapple chicken as foreign.”
“You forget I’m new here.”
She sipped her wine. “It isn’t unique to the islands, but the main thing is, you like it.”
Before she could ease the conversation back to the silver streak, Cortz questioned her about Hawaii, her teaching, and one of her favorite topics, her students. Even though he sometimes worded things oddly, he had a way of drawing her out.
It was after nine by the time they finished eating. Darli turned on the television for Cortz while she put everything back in order. She chattered away, sipping her wine and working briskly. His dark eyes followed her every movement. She poured more wine for them and took a big gulp. If she didn’t watch out, she’d get soused. Not a good idea; she had to remember that she was alone in her apartment with a man who seemed to have a strange power over her. After rinsing the dishes, she wiped her hands on a towel. “You’re not watching the television,” she said, trying to distance herself from the excitement building inside of her.
“I’d rather watch you.” His voice was deep and teasing.
Self-conscious and with trembling hands, she flicked off the television and turned on the radio. “Like music?”
“As long as it doesn’t drown out the music of your voice.”
“You really lay it on thick, don’t you?”
A puzzled expression crossed his face. “Did I say something wrong again?”
Darli was fully aware that Cortz frequently sidestepped questions with questions. Trying not to let his scrutiny and evasiveness bother her, she pushed down another uneasy feeling. “Flattery is more believable in small doses.”
“I will try to remember that. So what part of astronomy excites your students the most?”
He knew which buttons to push to switch the conversation back to her. She chattered about her students as she placed the dessert tray on the low table in front of him. His eyes lit up. She was glad she had added the tiny Vanda orchid to the tray. It gave the simple offering of cheese cubes, green grapes and home-baked chocolate chip cookies a festive appearance.
Cortz stuck his finger into the steam that curled above the coffee as if the vapor were there to amuse him. Curious man, she thought, full of wonder on the one hand, yet serious and probing on the other.
She realized the reason the clean-up time had zipped by was that Cortz had encouraged her to talk…and talk. He had been so absorbed in her every word it had been easy to confide in him. He made her feel as if everything she said was fascinating and important. As if her life, her world, was the most interesting world he had ever visited.
She had an urge to kiss him; instead, she began lighting the half dozen scented candles she’d scattered around her living room. When she touched the match to the wick of the last candle, the intoxicating impact of the light jasmine aroma reached her senses. Dazed, she paused and marveled at how the tiny flames cast dancing shadows on the wall. She sensed Cortz was watching it too, and she felt a warm glow from the aura of the room, the rich burgundy wine, and being with Cortz. As she sat down next to him, he smiled, flashing the same heart-stopping smile that he had lavished on her all evening.
“How is your ankle?”
Cortz looked down at his bandaged ankle and then back at her. “I actually forgot about it,” he said in a deep vibrant voice. “Listening to you is good medicine.” He took her hand. “I appreciate what you have done for me.”
She wouldn’t dare tell him that her good deed had given her the happiest evening in…how long? Weeks? Months? She tried to analyze what it was about him that melted her insides every time she looked at him. His quiet strength? Sexual magnetism? Or was it his curious unearthly aura? She smiled. No doubt it was a combination of all those things and…he listened to her…really listened.
Darli relaxed deeper into the cushion. Waves of soft, romantic, piano music floated from the radio and wrapped her in a downy, protective cocoon. She couldn’t keep her eyes off Cortz. Strange, even her coffee tasted better with him next to her. Even if she hadn’t been looking at him, she would have felt his nearness. Electricity crackled between them. Darli glanced at her watch to distance herself from her feelings. “It seems the day has slipped away. I’ll have to get the crutches tomorrow morning before work.”
“I will not need them tonight. Besides, I am good at hobbling.”
She smiled. It was easy to imagine that he would be terrific at anything he attempted. “This is the only bed in the apartment,” she said patting the couch, “so I’ll sleep in the chair.”
“No! I will not let you give up your bed. With that footstool there, the cushioned chair will be perfect for me. I am used to sleeping in tight quarters.”
She started to protest, but he put his fingers to her lips. “Do you know the truly unfortunate thing about my staying here?” he asked.
“No. What?” When his gaze locked with hers, she felt lightheaded.
“How do I justify asking for a good night kiss?” His brown eyes glinted with those damnable ruby lights that seemed to glow just for her.
Captivated, she pointed at her cheek. “There’s nothing wrong with a quick kiss between friends.” Was she insane?
“I’m not sure I can do quick.” He leaned close, but didn’t kiss her. His warm breath whispered against her temple as he drew feather-light tracings on her cheek. His finger was smooth, typical of a man who worked with his brain rather than his brawn. A tingling rippled down her side. “The moment I saw you,” he said, “sitting on the moonlit floating table with your golden hair blowing in the wind, I wanted to know you.”
With every fiber tensed, she waited for his light peck. Now, do it now, her nerves screamed. “You have a unique way of expressing yourself,” she said, her throat dry.
He leaned back and stared into her eyes. “In this light, your eyes are the most delicate green I have ever seen…the color of the eye of a wave on the brightest sunny day.”
“Don’t overdo it,” she said, “or I won’t believe a word you say.” His flattery, though exaggerated, nevertheless succeeded in charming her. She didn’t stop him when he took her into his arms. His mouth came down on hers, gentle, teasing, searching. A fiery sensation slid through her, torching every molecule in its path. Her toes started to burn. He moved closer. No one existed except the two of them drifting through a star-studded universe of longing.
Somewhere, deep in
her mind, she got a signal. It was time to pull away…now, before her emotions got out of control. But how could she stop with Cortz’s hands caressing her, making her aware of her own body…and his body pressing closer? They were two souls soaring through the universe.
Cortz trailed kisses from her mouth to her ear lobe and whispered, “Instead of the chair, do you think you could make room for me in your hide-a-bed?”
“My what?” She tried to repress her laughter—she couldn’t. Hide-a-bed sounded so ridiculous. “You’re outrageous!”
“What did I say?” Cortz asked.
“Using that 1950’s phrase for your brazen pass was like throwing ice water in my face,” Darli said, shaking her head. “Thanks. You’re really out of this world!”
The ruby flecks in his eyes grew brighter and glowed like embers in a hot fire. “I guess I went too far. I apologize. I do not want you to be sorry you invited me to stay.”
“I’m not,” Darli said. “But don’t push your luck. The chair is where you’ll be sleeping!”
“Message received,” he said. He smiled broadly and touched the tips of his fingers to hers. Darli felt the same tingling as when they shook hands the day before. “Everything has to be special between us.” He winked. “But, if you change your mind, I will relent.” Then he laughed mischievously.
Darli lifted a brow. “Enough of that talk, unless you don’t mind sleeping in the street.” She had made light of him trying to kid his way into her bed, but what would have happened had he not made a joke…if they’d continued kissing with the same intensity? “We should call it a night,” she said. “I have to get your crutches before work, and Mondays are always busy, back-to-the-grindstone days at the university.”
She opened a linen cabinet and got out sheets and pillows. “Make yourself at home. If you need anything else, let me know. Maybe I should qualify that…”
He laughed. “It is not required. You’ve made yourself quite clear.”
Darli pulled her pajamas and robe out of the closet, stepped quickly into the bathroom, and closed the door. She wiped at a piece of lint on the bathroom mirror and saw her reflection. Her face was flushed like a guilty child caught with her hand in a cookie jar. Only she wasn’t caught with a cookie; she was caught having a strong physical desire for a virtual stranger.
She heard Cortz hobbling around the apartment. He was whistling. The lilting pitch was high, flute-like, and reminded her of a futuristic Pied Piper.
Furniture scraped across the floor. What could he be doing out there? Considering his uniqueness, almost anything! She laughed to herself and shrugged.
She laughed again when she reentered the room and saw what he’d been doing. He had unfolded the couch that served as her bed and had prepared the cushioned chair with the pillows and sheets she’d put out for him. “Thanks for helping. But, you must stay off that foot!”
“Yes, ma’am. Are you through in there?” he asked, gesturing toward the bathroom.
Darli nodded. After he closed the door, she climbed into bed, pulled the sheet up to her chin and snuggled into her pillow. This was the second time in less than twenty-four hours that this man had gotten naked in her bathroom. And the second time that she’d had to battle vivid fantasies. How would she ever get through this? The ceiling fan rotated slowly above her. Its effect was much like the hypnotic glinting eyes of the nude man in her bathroom. She could hear the shower. He was washing off the lotion she had applied earlier. Should she offer to apply a new layer to his wide firm back, his muscled chest? Only if she had lost every smidgeon of common sense.
She glanced out the window to distance herself from thoughts of him without a stitch of clothes on, showering, lathering himself down. Through the sheer curtains, the moon looked like a shiny silver dollar, a larger version of the object that streaked into the sea. She nibbled on the corner of her lip. The Navy was concerned, concerned enough to send Lieutenant Fox to her apartment. Fox’s grilling had only raised more questions. Had Cortz hidden from him? Was he guilty of something? She trembled, aware that the answers could be even more distressing than the questions. She stared out at the moon, wondering what her next move should be.
Chapter Ten
The large silver duffle bag that they’d picked up at Cortz’s locker was so heavy that Darli had to get a couple of muscled surfers to help her drag it to the car. Then she had to ask Kapono to carry it up the stairs for her.
“Where you want this,” Kapono asked in Pidgin English.
“Let’s shove it here against the wall, out of the way,” Cortz said, hobbling on his crutches to help with the bag.
After Kapono left, Darli expected Cortz to immediately look through his things. Instead, he tossed one crutch onto the couch and used the other to swing himself to her side. He rested an arm on her shoulder; his action drew them close and pressed her firmly against his lean, hard length. Her gasp echoed his. She met his startled gaze. The ruby glints in his earth-brown eyes flickered brighter. He cleared his throat. “I’ve been on my feet quite a while,” he said, “shopping and leading you to my locker.” He winced in pain. “If you don’t mind, I think I should sit down for a few minutes.”
She swallowed to moisten her dry mouth. “Of course. Let me help you.” She placed the burgers they had picked up at the drive-thru on the counter and helped him to the couch. Trying to distance herself from her physical and emotional confusion about her mysterious houseguest, a man she’d oddly felt very protective toward, she forced her mind back to the questions she’d had since they’d picked up the silvery bag. “What’s in the bag, Cortz?” she asked. “And how did you manage to carry it around?”
He gestured with his head toward the food container on the counter. “You’re the one who carried it, Darli, and it looks light enough. Why don’t you bring it over here and we’ll find out what is inside. It smells good, and I’m very hungry.”
She rolled her eyes in exasperation. “That isn’t what I meant, and you know it.” She slammed the sack of food down on the coffee table. “You know I picked up hamburgers. You were there when I ordered.” He looked at her blankly. She tore open the sack and handed him a burger. He waited until she took the first bite before he hesitantly took one. Then, smiling, he picked up the remote control and clicked the television on. Amazing. Men are all the same; the first thing they do to avoid a discussion is reach for a blasted remote control. “Look, we need to talk,” she said.
“In a minute; you’ll like this. It is a special on astronomy. Perhaps you can use some of the data in class tomorrow.”
She shook her head and threw her hands into the air.
“Come on,” he said, winking, “this is great.”
She sighed…then smiled. Cortz really enjoyed television. He’d told her that he watched it constantly while she was at work. She was impressed how he memorized everything, absorbing the knowledge like a sponge. If only her students grasped material half as fast. They were bright, but sometimes it took them longer than she would have liked to grasp new data.
Cortz pointed to the celestial map on the screen. “You notice that Earth’s closest planet, Uraticus, is missing from that chart.”
“Uraticus! I’ve never heard of a planet called Uraticus.”
“That’s because its spatial gases form an electromagnetic field that can’t be detected by most telescopes,” he said. “Few scientists know about it.”
She narrowed her eyes, tilted her head in his direction, and glared at him. It sounded too much like the name of the company, Uratitec, he claimed to work for. “If you’re not putting me on, tell me exactly where this planet fits into the universe.”
“There.” He pointed at the map momentarily frozen on the television screen. “It is in what you call the Local Group—along with the Milky Way, Andromeda, and Triangulum. You cannot see Uraticus with the naked eye as you can Andromeda. Scientists call that galaxy M47. You won’t be able to see Planet Uraticus though, or any star systems in M47.”
There was no hint of humor in his eyes now, no hint of a ruby glint in their depths. What if he were serious? She knew that due to the billions of stars and solar systems involved, numbers and letters identified most galaxies. The sun was Earth’s star and the planets in its system revolved around it. If there were a planet called Uraticus, it would be orbiting its sun star. “Hmm,” she said. “And what is this alleged planet like?”
“Much like Earth, except it has two moons. There is sufficient atmosphere and ozone to shield it from damaging rays. If you view Earth from one of its satellites, the sun appears white and the Earth blue. Whereas, if you could see Uraticus hidden beneath its halo of gases, it would materialize as a magnificent, non-luminous, turquoise green.”
As he expanded his explanation to the galaxies and the significance of their shapes, speaking about the heavens as if he were discussing old friends, her doubt weakened. Cortz knew more about space, the solar system, black holes, and all the galaxies than she did. His descriptions of celestial bodies were spectacular. Like he’d seen it all…close up. Her heart thundered. She glanced at the silver bag, hugging the wall, and forced down a blood chilling suspicion. Surely, his knowledge of space and the fact that the first time they’d met he’d worn a silver diving suit proved nothing.
Later that night, even after she climbed into bed and heard his even breathing coming from the chair he slept in only steps away, she still couldn’t push the growing concerns from her mind. They stayed with her through a restless night where her dreams worked against her, tantalizing her with wild, too realistic love fantasies.
Chapter Eleven
The next day, Darli’s concerns still clung to her like a second skin. She wrote her first classes’ assignment on the board, while thinking of the special she and Cortz had seen on television. And about their enlightening and somewhat frightening discussion. She turned and faced her students.
“The observation of distant supernovae reveals that we live in a non-static universe. This concept of a non-static universe soars in opposition to Einstein’s beliefs and goes a step further than Hubble’s expanding-concept by showing that it is accelerating. This is attributed to dark energy pushing outward with tremendous pressure. As recently as a hundred years ago,” she said, trying to hold her voice steady, “astronomers knew little about the proper motion of the stars. And space travel was unheard of, but each new discovery drives us to investigate further—”
