by Avery Aster
“Is the island everything you thought it would be?”
“Of course. I didn’t think it would be any way,” she said quickly. “I mean, I’d never heard of Eden before.”
“No, maybe not Eden specifically. But the island? It’s everything you’d ever dreamed of in an island, right?”
She nodded. There was no way she could disagree. “It’s amazing. Thank you. I mean...for bringing me here.”
Malcolm stopped walking and grabbed her hand so abruptly, it caused her to spin around until she faced him. The blanket slid from her shoulders.
“Everything about this island, this entire week, is for you and about you.” His eyes were intense and burned a hole through her soul, in a way that Marcus’s never did. The urge to look away and break the intensity was strong, but at the same time there was a pull toward him. It was Malcolm. He was comfortable, familiar. It was safe and she’d always felt safe around him.
Kylie hardly knew what was happening as Malcolm’s other hand reached out and pulled her closer. His hand stroked her cheek and she leaned into it.
“Kylie, I’ve waited a long time to do this. It had to be just right.” His hand tilted her chin up and then the only thing she could feel was the soft, but firm pressure of his lips on hers as he kissed her.
It was too soon. Her brain couldn’t keep up and her mind whirled through everything that had happened. But then, there was an unexpected spark of familiarity as her body remembered the taste of him, the feel of his lips on hers. Automatically, her mouth moved in response, pulled him deeper into the kiss. Her hands slid down his back, and he pulled away enough to whisper her name.
It was his voice that broke the spell. It was Malcolm. There should be no familiarity with him. They’d never kissed before. But then why? How? Nothing made sense. She pushed him away with a solid shove so he stumbled backwards as he tried to regain his footing.
“Kylie, I—”
“Don’t.” She touched her hand to her lips to try to make sense of what just happened. She looked at her fingers before she continued. “Just don’t. You shouldn’t have done that. We…you…we don’t. Malcolm, this isn’t…”
“It is.”
“No.” She shook her head; she tried desperately to pull her thoughts together and still her racing brain. Malcolm. Kissing her? No. That’s not the way it was supposed to happen. It was supposed to be Marcus who was here, who made her body respond like that again after so much time. He’d kissed her like that only once before. Right before he’d left. Everything was wrong. “This is all wrong.”
Kylie spun around in the sand, picked up the fabric of her long flowing skirt and ran in what she hoped was the right direction. Tears stung at her eyes and she swiped at them with the back of her hand. She was not a crier. It was ridiculous. Everything was. The night was black, the moon hiding behind clouds, but she kept moving forward in the blind hope that she went in the right direction. It didn’t matter because she couldn’t stay there with him anymore. She needed to think.
When Malcolm touched her, her body responded as if it was the most natural thing in the world. And for a moment when he’d kissed her, it had felt natural. But it wasn’t. Because it wasn’t Marcus who kissed her. It was Malcolm. Her friend. The same guy she poured her heart out to when his brother left her. The same guy she’d spend hours on the phone with, relaying random details about her life. Malcolm. She didn’t kiss Malcolm.
As she ran, her beach cabana appeared in front of her. It glowed in the darkness although she didn’t remember leaving any lights on. The farther away she got from Malcolm, the more the sense of panic receded until finally, by the time she walked up the wooden steps into her bungalow, Kylie didn’t know what she was feeling.
All she did know was she needed some time to think. It wasn’t necessarily that she rejected the idea of Malcolm out of hand; in fact, she surprised herself by actually considering it. It was just that everything had happened way too quickly and it had been a long day. That was the problem, she decided as she stripped her dress off and replaced it with a tank top and panama shorts. She was tired. Everything would make more sense in the morning.
She left the glass doors open to let the fresh ocean air blow into the room. Suddenly bone weary, Kylie went to turn down the covers on her bed but a small gold box caught her eye. It was small, fitting in her palm perfectly. The word “Trust” was written in script on the top.
“Trust?” Kylie turned the box around in her hand a few times before she opened it. A very delicious looking chocolate truffle was nestled inside. “I know I can trust that this will be delicious.” Kylie took a bite, savored the rich flavor in her mouth. Chocolates, even ones that came with cryptic messages, were fine by her. Because if there was one thing she loved, it was chocolate.
It was perfect, just like everything else on the island. In fact, everything about Eden was exactly how she’d pictured a tropical getaway. Every detail was almost exactly the way she’d dreamt about with Marcus. It had been a special night. The most special they’d shared, if she remembered correctly, and she did. It was their one-year anniversary, and going into the evening, Kylie hadn’t been sure how long she wanted to continue the relationship. It was the exact wrong thing to be thinking on their anniversary, but things with Marcus had been superficial, mostly physical. That night had been different, though. When they curled up on the couch in his living room, and a blizzard snowed them in, together they finally talked. Instead of immediately tumbling into bed, they shared their dreams and wishes, including one day visiting a tropical island just like the one she was on.
Sam wouldn’t believe it when she told her.
Sam! She’d totally forgotten to text her friend when she arrived as she’d promised to do. Kylie hopped off the bed, ran to her purse and fished her cell phone out. Sure enough, her screen lit up with missed calls and texts. Of course her friend would be worried about her. But more than worry, it was probably curiosity. Kylie knew Sam was dying to know who’d sent the invitation. Wouldn’t she be surprised when she found out it was Malcolm.
Kylie punched in a text message.
Here. It’s beautiful.
Almost instantly, the reply came through.
Who is it?
She hesitated a moment as she remembered the way she’d felt when she first realized it was Malcolm, not Marcus who’d sent for her. How it wasn’t the disappointment she would have expected it to be. And when he kissed her, there was definitely something there. More than something. But…
Malcolm
The response from Sam didn’t come through right away the way she assumed it would. Was there a bad connection? Didn’t she get the text? She typed in another message.
Well? Did you get that?
Yes
Kylie almost screamed out of frustration.
And?
Kylie knew Sam well. Too well. So she knew that the delay that followed her question meant only one thing. Sam was trying to figure out what to say, what she knew Kylie didn’t want to hear. Finally her phone beeped with the message.
Good. I think it’s about time you chose the right brother.
Kylie blinked hard and read the message again. What? She knew her friend had never loved Marcus; she’d always been vocal in telling her exactly how she’d felt about the man who’d broken her heart. But Sam had never said anything about her and Malcolm. Or had she? Kylie could remember little comments and suggestions, but Sam had never outright told her she was dating the wrong brother.
But was it really a stretch? Kylie knew it wasn’t. And wasn’t that the reason she’d agreed to Malcolm’s ridiculous deal about not mentioning his brother? Because deep down inside, the idea of her and Malcolm wasn’t too farfetched.
Instead of a smart aleck reply, Kylie typed in an honest message to Sam.
I don’t know what to think.
Sam’s reply came quickly this time.
Don’t think. Just go with it. Trust yourself.
There was t
hat word again. Kylie picked up the now empty chocolate box. Trust.
With nothing left to do, and exhaustion creeping through her body, Kylie put the phone down and crawled into bed. As soon as she closed her eyes, the word floated through her brain. Trust. And as she finally slipped into sleep, Kylie decided that was exactly what she’d do. No more running away scared. She’d trust in herself, Malcolm, and the whole crazy idea of being on the island of Eden.
CHAPTER 4
He’d let her go because what other choice did he have? Kylie needed time to adjust to the idea that he loved her. And she would. As soon as the sun came out the next morning, Malcolm was up, having hardly even slept. He tied his runners and slipped out onto his own beach veranda. He was just around the corner from Kylie’s bungalow. Close enough to know she was there, but far enough to give her the time and space she needed to adjust to everything.
And Malcolm had no doubt that she would. He knew her better than anyone. Certainly better than his self-absorbed brother. Marcus had never deserved Kylie, but like a good brother, Malcolm stepped aside when they’d dated. He’d watched and waited, and even stepped in a few times. Because even Marcus had realized she was out of his league. And twice he’d begged Malcolm to pull the old twin switch trick and fill in for him. And Malcolm had done it. Because he was a sucker for punishment? Maybe. But also because he would have taken any chance he could get to be close to her. Even if it meant she thought he was Marcus. It didn’t matter. Because he’d been stupid and willing to settle for scraps of someone and something he couldn’t have.
But those days were over. He broke into a slow jog, warmed up his muscles to the movement. Running cleared his head and helped him focus and that’s exactly what he needed where Kylie was concerned. He may have let his brother take the lead years ago, but Marcus had his chance and now it was time for Malcolm to finally claim what had always been his—Kylie’s heart. She didn’t know it yet, but those times when he pretended to be his twin, and she spilled her heart out to him, he’d been listening. How else would he know how she’d dreamt of a tropical island? And because he’d dreamt about it alongside of her, he was able to make it a reality for her. He’d make all her dreams a reality.
He picked up the pace, pushed his muscles and felt the burn in his quads as he sped up. The heat of the sun already beat down and warmed his body, so without breaking pace, he reached over his head and tugged his t-shirt off. He tossed it on the ground as he kept moving. Usually a hard run would help him relax, and focus on whatever task he had to deal with. But Kylie was not a business deal, and his mind didn’t relax the way he wanted it to. The way he needed it to if he was to focus on winning her over and open her eyes to what had always been in front of her.
Sweat dripped down his back, and he pushed his body even harder. The island wasn’t huge and he’d happily run around the whole goddamned thing if that’s what it took. When he’d started his run, he’d gone in the opposite direction of Kylie’s bungalow but now he found himself circling around until he knew her grass-thatched bungalow would be right around the next bend. She was a magnetic pull; she drew him toward her like a beacon he couldn’t resist. He’d tried. Lord knew he’d tried. When Marcus pulled the ultimate in selfish moves and ran away from her practically in the middle of the night, to pursue his professional snowboarding career, Malcolm had quickly planned his own departure as well. He’d wanted to be there for her, to hold her while she cried, and tell her it would all be alright. But he was smart enough to know that the second he did that, it would be over. He would forever be her friend, the man who helped her through her heartache, and he’d lose her forever, just by being there for her.
He couldn’t risk it. So even though he might as well have pulled his own heart out with his bare hand, he’d left her. But that was then, and now things were different. Malcolm caught a glimpse of her as Kylie stepped out onto her deck. Even from a distance, she looked beautiful and his heart rate sped up as he sprinted toward her. Yes. Things were different now and there was no way he’d walk away from her again.
* * *
Kylie had always thought it was the fresh mountain air that helped her sleep well, but after a night of the ocean breeze floating over her body and the smell of the sea washing through her bedroom, she woke refreshed, oddly calm and ready for the week ahead. Whatever misgivings she’d had the night before were gone. Sure, she hadn’t expected Malcolm to be waiting for her and yes, everything about the island and the situation was confusing. But she no longer cared. Her dreams had been powerful and a strange sense of peace and acceptance had filled her while she dreamt of exploring the island. She hadn’t been alone either, and although she couldn’t make out who the man in her dreams was, there was a feeling that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. She’d woken up feeling excited about the possibilities; the scared and confused feelings from the night before were gone. And because she had nothing to lose, she would do as Sam and the mystery chocolate suggested, and trust.
A small selection of pastries, tropical fruit and most importantly, coffee was laid out for her when she opened her eyes. The fact that someone had been in her room while she slept didn’t bother her as it should have. And just like everything about her island experience so far, it had been exactly what she needed. Kylie poured herself a cup of coffee, and walked outside to enjoy it in the ocean air.
The sweet scent of tropical flowers floated down from the trees that surrounded her bungalow, and she closed her eyes and took in the music of the birds. It was perfect. When she opened her eyes again, a flash of movement from down the beach caught her attention and immediately her heart stuttered.
Malcolm.
He was running and even from a distance, she could appreciate the movement of his body, the build of muscles that hadn’t been there before. Or maybe they had, and she’d just never noticed. What else hadn’t she noticed about Malcolm?
She certainly noticed now. Her coffee forgotten, Kylie focused on the fine form of Malcolm running toward her. He moved quickly, and as he drew closer, she could see sweat glistened on his hard, bare chest. A flare of desire sparked inside her. The initial feeling surprised her, but then she settled into it and it felt right.
Malcolm came to a stop a few feet away from her. His chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath.
“Good morning.” She smiled a genuine smile, happy to see him despite the way she’d behaved the night before.
He ran his hands through his damp hair and matched her grin with a slow, sexy smile of his own. “It is a good morning,” he said. “Are you feeling better?”
“I am.” She nodded. “About last night. I wanted to ap—”
“No need to apologize. I know this is all kind of unexpected. I’m just glad that you seem to be more yourself this morning.”
“I am,” Kylie said, and meant it. “I had the most amazing sleep and…” She looked down at her hands, suddenly unsure. “Well, I think I feel better about everything. At least more open-minded.”
“I’m glad. Like I said, I know you probably feel like it’s all a bit unexpected, but if you let yourself, I think we might have a really good week.”
She nodded. The idea of spending the week with Malcolm became more and more desirable by the second, especially considering he was half naked and stood so close to her.
He gestured inside to the breakfast spread. “Do you mind?”
“Not at all. Please, join me.”
They sat on the wooden veranda and Kylie marveled at how different this meal was from the one the night before. The night before, she’d been filled with nerves and anxiety and now in the light of the day, she felt exactly the opposite. She put a piece of fresh mango in her mouth; the flavors exploded on her tongue. “Wow,” she managed after a moment.
“Good, right? There’s nothing like fresh tropical fruit.” Malcolm picked up a piece of his own. “The stuff we get at home doesn’t even come close to comparing to this.”
Kylie enjoyed another pie
ce, and then another while he watched and smiled.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it so much.” He laughed. “That must have been a good sleep last night, because you do seem totally different this morning. More…yourself.”
“I told you. It was perfect. Exactly what I needed and now I couldn’t be more excited to explore this paradise.” And you, she wanted to add. The thought popped into her head so quickly, she couldn’t be sure where it came from. It had to be the magic of the island. Instead of dismissing the thought the way she would have in the past, she let the idea float around her brain as she watched Malcolm recline in his chair, his strong arms stretched over his head so the muscles in his abdomen rippled. When had he gotten so strong and so…hot? They may be identical, but Kylie did not remember Marcus ever being so ripped. He was leaner and—no. She wasn’t going to think of Marcus. She’d promised Malcolm she wouldn’t mention him, and if she was really going to stay open-minded, she needed to banish thoughts of him as well.
Malcolm finished his stretch and hopped to his feet. “I was hoping you’d say that.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her up. “I can’t believe you’ve been here so long and you haven’t been for a swim yet.”
She laughed. “I’ve only been here about twelve hours.”
“Exactly. Too long.” He tugged her gently toward the beach.
“I’ll go change. Give me a second.”
A glint of mischievousness flashed in his eyes. “There’s no time.” With her hand still firmly ensconced in his, he broke into a slight jog and Kylie had no choice but to run alongside him or risk falling on her face in the sand. Her bare feet hit the water and still he didn’t stop running; he just pulled her farther into the surf.
“You’re crazy,” she called. “I’m not dressed for it.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Malcolm let go of her hand and dove under the surf.
Kylie laughed again, the impulsiveness of the moment overtaking her. She shook her head and looked down at her tank top and cotton shorts. “What the hell?” Before Malcolm surfaced, Kylie held her hands over her head and dove under as well.
