by Kayla Perrin
Of course, she knew she was speaking as a woman whose body hadn’t been touched in nine months.
Though she was barely rested, the sun was shining and she was in paradise. She wasn’t going to sit in her room and mope. Besides, staying inside would ensure that she didn’t see Lawrence.
Maybe once he saw her again, in the sexy gold bikini she’d packed, he would change his mind about sharing her bed.
What’s gotten into me? she asked herself. She wanted to bed the man she had left at the altar. It wasn’t natural.
She got up, got dressed, packed a beach bag and took a golf cart to the restaurant for breakfast. She knew she could contact Richelle’s family, see about spending time with them now that Richelle and Roy would be honeymooning. But she preferred to enjoy the morning breakfast alone and then head to the beach or the pool.
She entered the restaurant and looked around with a fluttery stomach, wondering if she was going to see Lawrence. But he wasn’t there, at least not from where she could see. She didn’t even know when he was leaving. For all she knew, he had left the island already.
She continued to look for him as she was escorted to a table, and not seeing him, she felt a wave of disappointment. Then she felt stupid. Maybe the kiss Lawrence had laid on her hadn’t been about closure, as he’d said, but about a sort of payback. One last hot kiss designed to make her remember just how good they’d been in bed—and drive home the point that she would never have him again.
Priya, one of the waitresses she had come to know, greeted her with a warm smile. “Good morning, Melanie. Would you like some coffee?”
“Please.”
Priya filled her cup and asked if she was dining alone.
“It’s just me,” Melanie said cheerfully.
“I hear the wedding was beautiful,” Priya said. “Maria is very pleased with how everything turned out.”
“She was a fabulous wedding planner,” Melanie commented. “Everyone was thrilled with how the day went.”
“Maybe you will come back here one day for your own wedding?” Priya said, her voice rising on a hopeful note.
The very mention of marriage made Melanie’s stomach tickle. Right now, she should be in bed lying in Lawrence’s arms, recovering from a night of wild lovemaking. But to Priya, she said, “Perhaps. But for now, I would love to try the strawberry crepes this morning.”
“Excellent,” Priya said and headed off.
Melanie’s gaze wandered to the view surrounding the restaurant. It truly was magnificent here. But what was she going to do for four days on her own?
Reaching into her beach bag, she found her novel. She opened it to the page where she had left off, and then saw the shadow of a body approaching her from behind. She looked up, hopeful.
And saw Edward.
“Morning, Mel,” he said, smiling brightly at her. Then added, “You don’t mind if I call you Mel, do you?”
“No, it’s fine.”
“You’re not dining alone, are you?” he asked.
“Richelle’s married now, so it’s just me.”
“Dining alone...it isn’t right. Let me join you.”
“Oh, I’m sure you have company already. Don’t worry about me. I was planning on enjoying a quiet breakfast, so I’m perfectly fine.”
“Actually, I came here hoping to see you.”
A beat passed. A beat in which Melanie tried to think of an excuse to send him away.
But then she shrugged. What harm would it do? It wasn’t that she didn’t like Edward, she just didn’t have any romantic inclinations toward him. But a simple friendly breakfast couldn’t hurt. “Sure, join me.”
“Great.” Edward took a seat at the table across from her. Melanie slipped her book back into her beach bag, knowing that she couldn’t very well read with Edward here.
When she raised her head to look at him, she wondered if she’d made a mistake by saying yes to him. His eyes practically twinkled with an obvious attraction to her.
“I know I’ve told you this before, but you are absolutely beautiful. And while we haven’t spent a lot of time together here on this island, I was thinking, hoping, we could change that. Oh—and by the way—the company I work for has an office in New York. I’m thinking I could transfer there.”
Melanie blinked as she stared at him. Had he just gone from A to Z? “I’m sorry. I’m confused.”
Edward chuckled nervously. “Oh, I guess I’m not making myself clear. I’m trying to say that I’d really love to get to know you better, and I’m even willing to move to New York to do so.”
Wow. He had gone from A to Z! The man had barely sat down, and now he was planning a future centered around her?
“Edward, where is this coming from?”
“You must feel it. The romance. Just being here inspires romance. And you’re single, I’m single. Not too many more available people out there.” He chuckled. “I’m just kidding. I know you must have your pick of men. But obviously you haven’t met the right one.” He paused.
Melanie was stunned speechless.
“Am I coming on too strong?” Edward asked. “I don’t mean to. My family says I do that all the time, that I scare women away. But what I’m trying to tell you is that I really, really like you. I don’t think there’s any point in playing games. I don’t know how you feel about that.”
“I agree with you. I don’t agree with playing games, either.”
Edward beamed. “See, something we have in common!” Then he added, “Also, I want you to know that I would never cheat on you. I don’t believe in it. I’m a one-woman type of man.”
Melanie didn’t doubt that. Not for a second. Then when she looked up, her heart began to thud hard in her chest. Lawrence was walking past her table.
“How many kids do you want?” Edward was asking. “I’d like at least two.”
Melanie cringed, hoping Lawrence hadn’t heard that part of their conversation. But he looked over his shoulder at her. His eyes met hers, and then volleyed to Edward, and when they landed on her again, she saw understanding pass over his face.
“You do want children, right?” Edward was asking. “Though I guess I’m getting ahead of myself.”
Melanie watched Lawrence place a hand on Shemar’s shoulder, then lean in to whisper something into his friend’s ear. Then she heard Shemar say to the hostess, “We’ve changed our mind. We’ll come back for something to eat later.”
And just like that, the two of them turned and started walking toward the restaurant’s exit.
“Oh, my God,” Melanie uttered.
“What?” Edward asked.
“He heard what you were saying,” she said more to herself. “And now he thinks—” She craned her neck to see where Lawrence was going, and saw that he was indeed leaving. And this time, he wasn’t stealing one last glimpse of her.
“Mel?”
She turned back to Edward. “Edward, I think you’re a really nice guy. Truly, you’re a sweetheart. But my heart is with someone else. Maybe if it wasn’t, we could see what might develop between us. But like you said, I don’t believe in games. So I can’t lead you on. I’m in love with someone else.”
Edward’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh. The guy who just walked out of here?”
“Yes.”
“Ah.” Edward nodded in understanding. “I saw him come into the wedding reception last night, looking around on the beach. I guess he was looking for you?”
“We used to date,” Melanie explained. “We were engaged, in fact. It’s a coincidence that he’s on this island at the same time we are.”
Priya arrived with the plate of food at that moment, and looked confused when she saw Edward.
“Priya, can you put my food in a to-go container?” Melanie said without preamble
. “Quickly, please?” She wanted to try to catch up with Lawrence.
“Oh. Of course.”
“Thank you.”
When Priya walked off with the breakfast plate, Edward asked, “But if you were engaged, you’ve obviously broken up since. Why? Did he cheat on you?”
“No,” Melanie said, and had no doubt of the verity of her answer. “It was my fault,” she went on. “I was scared. So scared things would fail that I pushed him away.”
The words that fell from her own lips shocked in a way she didn’t expect. Richelle had told her the same thing, and Melanie had denied it. But now, the idea that Lawrence had misconstrued what he’d heard and might write her off forever suddenly made her actions nine months ago as clear as day.
She had been running from the idea of experiencing any pain, but that hadn’t protected her heart. Because here she was, feeling a pang so deep that she knew she was prepared to do everything in her power to win Lawrence back.
And if she didn’t... She couldn’t even begin to imagine how painful that would be.
She rose and got her beach bag in order and slipped it over her shoulder. Priya hurried back to her with the container, plastic utensils, a bottle of Fiji water and the bill.
Melanie signed the bill to charge the food to her room. Then she turned back to Edward, who was watching her. “I’m sorry, Edward. I know I said we could have breakfast. But I have to find Lawrence. I think he heard what you were saying, and he’s going to assume... I—I have to make things right. I hope you understand.”
And showing just how nice of a guy he truly was, Edward offered her a smile. “Of course I do. Good luck.”
She smiled back, and squeezed his hand as a sign of gratitude. “Thank you.”
“And, Mel?”
Melanie had taken a couple steps, but now turned to face him. “Yeah?”
“I don’t believe in coincidence.”
Hearing Edward say the words held even more significance. Again, Melanie grinned at him.
Then she hurried out of the restaurant, in search of Lawrence.
Chapter 9
When Melanie stepped out of the restaurant, she rapidly looked left and right, and didn’t see Lawrence or Shemar anywhere. Darn it, she needed to find him!
She walked along the path for a bit, and saw a golf cart way off in the distance. Could Lawrence be on it, heading back to his room?
He’d been wearing a T-shirt and black swimming trunks. Maybe he was going to the beach. If he were on the golf cart in the distance, she would never catch him. She might as well head to the beach and see if he was there. And if he isn’t, she would leave a message for him at the front desk.
Melanie made her way to the stretch of pristine beach, where half a dozen couples were lazing around on lounge chairs. Some people were frolicking in the water. She didn’t immediately see Lawrence, but searched the beach for an available chair. Maybe if she just waited here...
And it was while she was walking toward two available chairs that she saw him. He’d been swimming at least sixty yards out. His head emerged, and he treaded water for several seconds, and then disappeared under the water again.
Melanie watched the water as she set her bag down. A good ten seconds passed before Lawrence’s head popped up again, this time much closer to shore. Finally, he stood tall and began to walk to the shoreline. Beads of water glistened on his magnificent body. He looked like a god.
Melanie took a tentative step toward the beach, and then paused midstep. She simply stared at him. And thought about how foolish she had been to all but throw him away. And just like the night before, she felt lust burning in her belly. Lust she knew she would never feel for another man.
Not while Lawrence was in her heart.
“Go already,” she told herself, trying to force herself to approach him. But she was afraid. Afraid of what to say to make him realize that she didn’t simply want sex, which is how she had come across the night before.
She saw Lawrence beckon to someone, and followed the direction where he was looking. Shemar was sitting on a lounge chair several feet down the beach from her.
Suddenly, Lawrence was turning and diving back into the water, and in no time at all, he was at least twenty yards out. From behind her sunglasses, Melanie watched him swimming laps in the ocean, clearly having no intention of stopping yet. And she wished she had the guts to just get out there and join him.
What’s stopping you? she asked herself. Just go in the water.
She inhaled deeply. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Lawrence wasn’t going to seek her out, not after what he’d overheard in the restaurant. And not after his comment the night before about finally getting closure.
So it was up to her. She had to prove to Lawrence she still wanted him, and hope that he gave her another chance.
Lawrence turned and began swimming toward the shore again. But he was heading in the direction of where Shemar was seated.
Casually, Melanie glanced toward that stretch of beach. And then her eyes rounded in horror. The two women who had been flirting with Lawrence at the bar the other day were starting toward the water.
Melanie’s stomach twisted painfully. And then she didn’t think—just acted. She threw off her bathing suit cover, and all but sprinted into the water. The two women were heading toward Lawrence from an angle on the right, which gave Melanie the advantage, because he was closer to her. She jogged toward Lawrence, the water splashing around her legs and making noise. It was then that Lawrence’s eyes moved from the women to her. And widened with surprise.
She grinned widely and waved at him as she moved with determination. A quick glance to her right and she saw the other women, steadily making their way in his direction. It was like a race for her, one she was determined to win.
She was out of breath when she got to him—trying to run while waist deep in water was extremely hard. But she said as brightly and as casually as possible, “Hey.”
Lawrence didn’t blink as he stared at her, clearly stunned by her appearance.
“Hey,” he echoed, a question in his tone.
“The water’s lovely, isn’t it?” Melanie asked, barely able to catch her breath.
“Yeah,” he agreed.
“I was watching you for a bit. You’re a really strong swimmer.”
“Yeah, you already know that.”
“Yes, true. But this is the first time I’ve seen you swim in a large body of water.”
Lawrence studied her, and Melanie got the distinct sense that he didn’t know what she was going on about. Heck, she didn’t know, either.
Once again, she looked toward the two women. Were they both after Lawrence’s affection? Were they a package deal?
Melanie took a few steps forward, closing the distance between her and Lawrence even more. The women paused, finally seeming to notice her.
Satisfied, Melanie took yet another step toward him. “Remember you told me you would teach me how to swim one day?”
“Yeah, but you were never interested.”
It was true. Her fear of the water had gotten the better of her. But she said, “This water is so calm and peaceful, I feel safe in it.”
“Mel, what’s up?” Lawrence asked, clearly wanting to get beyond the idle chitchat.
“About last night,” Melanie started. She shuffled her body so that it was in the direction of the line of sight of the women. “I want to apologize for how I came across.”
“No need to apologize,” Lawrence told her. “I kissed you, and understandably, that stirred something. In both of us.”
“But I think I came across as sex starved,” she said with a laugh. Then, realizing that perhaps she was making it seem as if she was far from sex starved, she said, “Not that I’ve been with anyone since you. That’s
not what I’m saying—”
“I have no issue with how you acted last night,” Lawrence told her. He began to move to his left. “Friends, right?”
“No!” Melanie screamed, to which his eyes cut to her. She forced a chuckle. “I—I had something I wanted to ask you.”
She didn’t even know what she would say, she only knew that she didn’t want him leaving her and going over to those two women.
“What is it?” Lawrence asked.
Melanie hesitated. Then her mind came up with something. “Obviously, Richelle has gotten married. Which pretty much leaves me to my own devices for the rest of my stay here. How long are you staying here, by the way?”
“Five more days.”
“Excellent!” Melanie said a little too excitedly. “I’m here for three more days, four counting today. And I was thinking...maybe we could do something. Maybe we could go out boating or something.”
Lawrence’s eyes narrowed in suspicion, as if he had just witnessed her become a different person in front of his eyes. “You? You want to go boating?”
“On a kayak. They have them here at the resort.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“Well, you competed in the Olympics as a kayaker. Maybe you wouldn’t mind taking me on a tour....”
Melanie’s heart was beating at the suggestion she never in a million years would have made before this moment. But she wasn’t about to retract her statement.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained. And what was life if it was always spent in a blanket of security?
“You want to go on a kayak? With me?” The tone of Lawrence’s voice said he couldn’t believe she had asked him to do that.
The truth was, she hadn’t been thinking. But if she had to get into a kayak and fight her fear of water in order to prove she wanted another chance with him, then that’s what she was going to do.
Forget Lawrence looking at her as if she had just sprouted a second head.
“You always told me that I needed to get over my fear of water. And what can I say? In Fiji, I’m inspired.” She threw another glance in the direction of the women and saw that they were finally making their way back to the shore.
