Her legs were trembling from his closeness, and she tried to keep her eyes from locking onto his bare chest. What on earth was wrong with her? This was her friend Lyle, for heaven’s sake! She cleared her voice and said, “Dinner tonight would be nice, and so far I don’t have plans for the weekend, but I’d like to check with Faith and Shannon first to make sure they haven’t made plans I don’t know about yet.”
“Fair enough. And I thought we could drive over to Beaufort and take a tour on Saturday, check into a hotel, and stay until Sunday. Hilton Head is nice, but I’m beginning to get island fever.”
Check into a hotel... Monique could only assume he meant with separate rooms. Of course he does. He wouldn’t mean anything else, she thought to herself. “A weekend in Beaufort sounds wonderful, and I’ll let you know at dinner if I’ll be able to make the trip with you.”
“All right. I’ll be back in a minute. Make yourself at home.”
The moment she heard the bathroom door close behind him, she let out a deep sigh. Lyle was pushing some buttons that she had deactivated years ago. She needed to talk to somebody and wished Cely was there. God, she missed her friend and felt the familiar loss come over her. She turned back to the window and the warm, light shining through it was a welcoming sign for another beautiful day. She wouldn’t ruin it by worrying about her intense attraction to a certain man.
“I like your new shoes.”
Faith smiled as she glanced up at Shane. “They aren’t as cute as the ones I had on yesterday.”
“No,” he agreed. “But much more practical. Ready for lesson number two?”
“Yes.”
For the next hour or so, Shane went into training mode, and Faith was once again amazed at what a serious instructor he was. Today he had tossed her a few balls so she could get used to the movement of her feet. By the time her lesson was over, she was glad she had taken his advice on the shoes.
“You did a good job today, Faith.”
She smiled, pleased with his compliment. “Thanks, and you’re a great teacher. How did you start playing tennis?”
He grinned. “As a teen, I used to practically live at the park near my home. My mom worked during the day, so we got involved in a lot of the summer programs there. There was this one counselor who’d always wanted to become a tennis player but didn’t. So he spent his time showing anyone interested how to play. I was one of those interested.”
She nodded. They had reached the clubhouse lobby, and then Shane turned to her. “How about lunch again today?”
Faith drew in a deep breath. Having lunch with him again today might not be a smart idea. “Mmm, thanks, but I’m not all that hungry. What I’d like to do is spend a day on the beach. With today being Friday, chances are the beach will be real crowded tomorrow.”
“You’re probably right about the crowds. I have an idea.”
She raised a brow. “What?”
“My place.”
“Your place?”
“Yes, a summer home I purchased earlier this year on a private beach. And it’s really quite nice.”
Faith could just imagine it was, but still. . . “I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Shane.”
His eyes held hers. “Why? Don’t you trust me yet?”
She had to smile. “Technically, we just met.”
“Yes, and more than just technically, I’m trying for us to get to know each other.”
“Why?”
“I think that would be obvious, Faith.” The look in his dark eyes pretty much said it all. He was man, she was woman, and he felt the chemistry just as she had.
“I didn’t come to Hilton Head for an affair,” she said as affably as she could.
“Neither did I. And I don’t recall asking you to engage in an affair with me, Faith.”
She actually had to blush at that. He had definitely put her in her place. “I know that, but—”
“But what? What are you afraid of? I hope it’s not me. Is it getting into another relationship after your divorce?”
Faith could hardly believe that such a question had come out of Shane’s mouth. She’d mentioned her divorce to him over lunch yesterday. What on earth gave him the idea that she was afraid of putting her heart on the line again? “That’s not it,” she said brusquely. “I’ve dated a number of times since my divorce.”
“Oh,” he said. “Then that could only mean you’re questioning my motives as well as my character for some reason.”
Faith shook her head. His motives and character had nothing to do with it. It was all that sex appeal. The man was practically oozing it, and she didn’t know quite how to deal with it.
“I promise I won’t bite.”
Faith couldn’t help but smile. “You promise?”
“Scout’s honor.”
She exhaled shakily. Monique had made plans to go shopping after having breakfast with Lyle, and there was no telling when they would hear from Shannon today. The thought of spending the day on a private beach had merit. “Well, as long as you promise not to bite,” she said as another smile touched her lips, “then I guess you’re safe.”
Faith then found herself wondering which of them she was really trying to convince.
“Ready for that swim?”
Faith turned to the sound of Shane’s voice and had to clear her throat to speak. “Yes, I’m ready.”
He had changed into swimming trucks that left very little to the imagination. He was the perfect male in the body department. She had seen him in denim, khaki, and cotton. Now seeing him shirtless in a pair of short nylon trunks only added to his masculine perfection.
To get her pulse back to normal, she turned and glanced back out the window. “You could have told me what you have here isn’t just a house on a private beach. It’s paradise,” she said softly.
What he hadn’t told her was that in addition to a great view of the ocean, it also had a beautiful winding lagoon embraced by lush foliage and numerous tropical plants. And from where she was standing at the huge floor-to-ceiling window in his living room, what she saw left her breathless. But then all she had to do was turn around and admire the spacious house and beautiful furniture to know that the beautifully restored older home was the most picturesque place she’d ever seen.
She felt the heat of him even before he came to stand directly behind her. She tried quashing the warmth flooding her entire body.
“I thought that the first time I saw it myself. I was fourteen, and my brothers and I had formed this yard service over the summer. The older couple who used to own the house was one of our first clients here on the island.” He chuckled. “I think we stood there a full half hour with our mouths open, we were that much in awe. My mom had dropped us off that morning and made the trip back for us that afternoon, and I remember telling her that first day that one day this house would be mine. I clearly remember her looking at me and saying, ‘If you can conceive it, Shane, then you can achieve it.’“
Faith turned slightly and took a deep breath. He was standing closer to her. If she turned completely around, their bodies would connect. “And you did achieve it,” she said, quickly turning back to the window. “I could stand at this window all day and look out.”
“Yes, but then you wouldn’t get any swimming in, and you’re only allowing yourself two hours to stay here—so let’s go,” he said, gently taking her arm.
As he led her across the living room and out through a pair of French doors, she had to concede that she was more than mildly surprised she was there at all. As she’d told him earlier, technically they were still strangers. Oh, she knew what he’d shared with her that day at lunch and she doubted very seriously that he was an ax-murderer or anything like that, but still, she’d always made it a point to get to thoroughly know the men who asked her out. And although, as Cely would often tell her, you will never, ever know everything because men often had secrets just like women, because of Virgil she’d developed a tendency to be overly cautious. She doubted s
he could handle another heartbreak.
“Shouldn’t I change into my suit first?” she asked him when their bare feet left the last porch step to sink into the beach sand.
He glanced over at her. “You did say you were wearing your swimsuit under that sundress, right?”
“Yes?” She had pulled on a short cotton sundress over the swim-suit, thinking it was more appropriate than the knitted crocheted robe she usually wore.
“Then all you have to do is not be shy and take your clothes off in front of me.” He smiled over at her in a way that gave her the impression he was teasing and dead serious all at the same time. An unwelcome shiver raced through her gut, and she noticed his hands were still holding hers. They were strong hands that felt dependable, trustworthy, and capable of bringing whatever pleasure a woman wanted.
Her pulse leaped at the thought.
“So you did hear from your friend?”
“Yes.” She hadn’t told him the full story, that Shannon hadn’t come home last night. It wasn’t any of his business. What she had told him was that she was expecting a call from Shannon.
Shannon had called from her cell phone, and the only thing she said was that she was on her way home. Faith couldn’t wait until the three of them were together later so they could talk. Although she and Monique never divulged the intimate details of any relationships they were involved in, Shannon was always colorful with information when it came to hers.
“Last one in the water has to cook dinner for the other one tomorrow night.”
Shane’s statement reclaimed Faith’s attention only in time enough to see him head toward the beach. “Not fair!” she screamed. She had to take her dress off first, and he damn well knew it. She quickly pulled the dress over her head and tossed it aside and took off after him, wondering why she bothered, when he was bound to hit the water first. Besides, who said anything about the two of them being together at any time tomorrow for either of them to cook for the other?
“You lose,” he said grinning broadly by the time she made it to the water. Okay, she would admit that she was a sore loser. She frowned over at him, trying not to notice how his nylon trunks were clinging to his wet body.
“Nice swimsuit.”
“Thanks.” She had decided on a floral one-piece, and there was nothing overly sexy or provocative about it. But from the way he was staring at her, she wasn’t so sure of that anymore.
“I meant what I said the other day about your legs. You have such a gorgeous pair.”
“Thanks again.” His fascination with her legs didn’t bother her, since he wouldn’t be the first man who’d been taken with them. To Virgil they had been just an ordinary pair of legs. She should have suspected something then.
“And as far as I’m concerned, there was no contest,” she said, getting into the water. “So don’t expect a cooked dinner from me tomorrow.”
He smiled. “I’m disappointed.”
“You seem to be the type capable of handling disappointments, Mr. Masters.”
“And what about you, Faith Gilmore? Can you handle disappointments?”
She thought of all those she’d endured in her lifetime, especially her marriage. “Yes, I’ve been known to handle a few and still come out kicking. I learned a long time ago to roll with the punches and not to take some things personal. Life is life, and it can’t always be a bed of roses. Besides,” she said, glancing over at him, “my grand-mother would always say that if there’s never any rain in your life, then you won’t have any reason to appreciate the sunshine.”
“Sounds like your grandmother was a very smart woman.”
“She was,” Faith said, immediately feeling the pang of loss she always felt whenever she thought of her. “I used to wonder if she was my father’s real mother or if he’d been adopted. He was always so serious, and I don’t think Nana had a serious bone in her body—at least not around me. She made all my visits to her house an adventure.”
She glanced over at him, grateful that his body was emerged in water. “What about your grandparents?”
“My maternal grandparents died quite awhile back, but my paternal grandparents are still alive and kicking—and when I say kicking, I mean that literally. My grandmother is on her third husband, and my grandfather is on his fourth wife, with rumors floating around he’s already looking for the fifth. I also heard he wants a woman in her fifties this time around.”
Faith’s eyebrows shot up. “How old is this guy?”
Shane smiled. “He will be eighty-four his next birthday, and so far he’s fathered over twenty-five kids from all four marriages.”
“He’s lived a busy life.”
“And a very potent one. He believes in keeping the Masters line growing.”
“Evidently.”
“What about you? Do you want kids someday?”
Faith sighed. Now that was a dreaded question. If he knew how much she wanted a child, he would probably be surprised. Not to have a child had been Virgil’s idea and not hers. He kept putting her off by saying they weren’t ready.
Deciding to give him an answer, a honest answer, she said, “Yes, I want kids, and I intend to be a good mother.” She quickly added, “Not that my own mother wasn’t, but I just want to be a different mother.” And that was all she intended to say on the matter. “What about you? Would you want to be a father one day?”
His face was firmly set in deep thought when he answered, “Yes, but I’m forty now, so if I wait too much longer, I’ll be attending my kid’s high school graduation in a wheelchair. That might have been fine for Grampa Masters, but not for me. So, I guess you can say the next few years will determine if I ever become a daddy or not.”
“Then I wish you the best.”
“And I do the same for you, Faith.”
They ended the conversation on that note and started swimming, making sure they stayed in the not-so-deep section. From the time her parents had begun bringing her to Hilton Head years ago, she’d loved it, even those days she had to sit on the sidelines and watch others in the water because she hadn’t been allowed to go in— all because of her asthma.
“Let me see how good a swimmer you are,” Shane said, interrupting her thoughts. “I’ll race you over to that boat dock.”
She followed his line of vision and thought, Good grief, he’s asking for a lot. “I told you I only started swimming a few years ago, and you can’t get to the pools often in Minnesota.”
“Then this will be great practice for you,” he said. “I’ll even be kind and generous and give you a head start.”
“Then you’re on!” Before he could bat an eye, she’d taken off, refusing to look back. And to her disappointment, it didn’t take him long to catch up with her. His solid, muscled body swam past her with ease.
“Show-off,” she said, smiling into his eyes when she reached the finish line, where he was already waiting.
“Sore loser,” he countered. He then took her hand in his as he led her out of the water. “Come on, let’s go take a shower.”
When she stopped walking, he glanced over at her, read her mind, and grinned. “Separately, of course.”
A few moments passed without conversation, then he said, “You know, you need to stop being so cautious.” His eyes said he was teasing her, but the expression on his face said he was serious.
“Wasn’t it just yesterday you were complimenting me for being cautious?” she said, steadily taking the steps.
“I complimented you on being just cautious, not so cautious. You’re going to have to start trusting me sometime.”
“Do I?”
“Yes.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him that wasn’t the way she particularly saw things. The simple truth according to Faith Gilmore’s world was that trust shouldn’t come easily. She could date a man without trusting him completely, which meant she would always be on her guard. She doubted that she would ever fully trust another red-blooded man with her heart again, and
with good reason.
Instead of telling him that, though, she said, “Trust has to be earned.”
He stopped walking now. “Then will you let that happen, Faith? Will you give me a chance to prove that I can be trusted?” he asked, his voice, deep, low, and serious.
Faith ignored the quick little sensation that suddenly pulled at her heart. Maybe it was the air they were breathing. Maybe it was the aftereffects of an afternoon spent in each other’s company. Whatever it was had her ready to say yes, to tell him he deserved a chance.
Almost.
She knew just how painful a broken heart could be, and that it rendered a person helpless and vulnerable. Trying to keep her voice calm, she tilted her head, forced a smile, and said only, “Be careful of what you ask for, Shane Masters.”
She saw that gleam of interest suddenly revive in his eyes. “When it comes to being careful, I know the score.”
She nodded, and for some reason she believed him.
17
“Are you sure you’re okay, Shannon?” Faith asked, eyeing her friend over her box of Chinese food. When she had returned from Shane’s place, she had found Shannon taking a nap. Then later, when Monique had arrived and Shannon had woken up and got into the Chinese food Faith had ordered, she hadn’t had much to say. In respect for her privacy, they hadn’t pushed the issue.
“Yes, I’m fine.” Shannon looked at both Faith and Monique and fell into silence, keeping her gaze glued to her box of shrimp fried rice.
Monique shifted uneasily beside Faith on the sofa. Something was wrong and they both knew it. After a few more minutes, she couldn’t take a nontalkative Shannon and finally jumped from her seat. “Okay, Shannon, that does it! What did that man do to you?”
Shannon glanced up at Monique. “I beg your pardon?”
“Don’t beg me anything,” Monique snapped, worried about her friend. “I want to know what he did to you. He hurt you, didn’t he? He was too rough. Forceful. A brute.”
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