“Since that was a failure, what’s next?” I challenged.
“Wait, I didn’t fail, you did,” he corrected.
I laughed. “I already knew I couldn’t swim. It was you who believed otherwise.”
“Just so you know, I don’t accept failure very well.”
“God, I hope that doesn’t mean we’re going back in the water. If that’s the case, I will assume all responsibility for my lack of swimming ability,” I teased.
“Water activities are off the list.”
“How about horseback riding?” I asked. He hesitated, and I asked, “Unless you don’t know how to ride.”
“I do. It’s…just not something I want to do today.” he replied.
There was something in his gorgeous dark eyes that said there was more to it than that. “So what else would you suggest?”
He smiled. “I’m thinking about a hike and a picnic.”
“Hike?” That does appeal to me. Now if only there also was rock climbing, I’d be in heaven. But I settle for a hike.
“If you follow the beach, about two miles, you’ll come across a path that leads into the woods and to one of the best views around. But I suggest we leave soon, because it’s not something we should be doing in the dark,” James said.
I can think of something I’d like to do in the dark with you.
I couldn’t believe my mind was going there again. This was our first date. Heck, not even a date, really. He had only asked me to spend the day with him. But maybe a picnic turns it into a date? Well, that changed everything, and nothing. It wasn’t like this was going to go anywhere. But was there any reason I couldn’t enjoy myself? That’s why I took a vacation in the first place. I needed to get away, to unwind. Of course, when I planned this trip, I wasn’t thinking about meeting Mr. Sexy and him fucking my brains out. Nothing wrong with a change of plans.
“Earth to Robin?” James teased. “Did my suggestion bore you so much you fell asleep?”
The total opposite. “No. I was just thinking I might need to change first.”
“Good idea. It’ll give me time to have the kitchen pack our lunch.
I stepped back and was about to head back to the hotel but stopped and turned to face him. Damn it. If I don’t start this vacation, it’ll be over.
“Did you forget something?” he asked.
I got up on my tippy toes and kissed him briefly. Then I said, “I’ll bring the dessert.”
I saw him swallow hard as I turned to walk away, but his hand grabbed mine and he spun me around. I slammed hard against his bare chest. “I’ve heard a lot of people like to start with dessert.”
I could feel the bulge in his swim trunks. Smiling, I said, “It sounds very tempting, but maybe we should…work up an appetite first.”
A low growl escaped his lips and he said close to my ear, “Robin, I was hungry the moment I saw you.”
I could see the yearning in his eyes. “Then let me go get ready and you can show me this so-called best view in paradise.”
He released me, and this time when I turned I didn’t look back. I knew if our eyes met one more time, I’d be inviting him to my room instead. That wasn’t a bad idea, either. My body ached for his touch. But why couldn’t I have it all? An adventure, a romantic picnic, and with any luck, some mind-blowing sex.
As I headed for my room, I passed Lily.
“Hello, Robin. Was that Mr. Burke you were swimming with?” she asked.
“He was trying to teach me to swim,” I stated.
“Oh, that explains it. For a minute, I was worried he was trying to drown you,” she giggled. “It helps if you relax, otherwise you’ll sink to the bottom.”
“Thanks for the advice,” I said. “I thought you were going to take some time off?” At least I had hoped they had convinced her to.
“I’m only going to be here a few more days, so I wanted to put in my time before leaving,” she stated.
“Leaving? Where are you going?” God, I hope it’s not back to that house.
She beamed with excitement. “To Boston. Can you believe it? Zoey is flying back home to be with her children and I’m going with her.”
“You deserve a vacation.”
“Nope. This is something so much better. They are sending me to school! Ziva and Zoey said I’d make a wonderful nurse and are going to help me so I can go to school there.”
Even though I was dying to get back to James, I couldn’t ignore what Lily just shared with me. “That’s amazing news.”
“Robin, Zoey told me what you did. How you noticed Vecca and reported it. Thank you. If you hadn’t done that, I have no idea what Vecca would’ve done to me.”
I had a horrible feeling I knew, and I was so damn glad that James had found her. “Lily, you’re about to start a new chapter in your life, but I want you to promise me something.”
“Anything, Robin. What is it?” she asked.
“If you ever feel like something is wrong, or if someone hurts you, find someone you can trust and speak out. You don’t have to live in fear any longer,” I said.
Lily nodded. “I will, but it is so hard. After years of being told to keep quiet, it’s not easy to change. But we…I…am learning. And people like Ziva and Zoey and you, you are helping me too.”
“Before you leave, make sure you see me. I want to give you my phone number. I’d love to visit you in Boston, if you don’t mind,” I said. I easily could have given her my number now, but I wanted an excuse to see her again. Sadly she was leaving before me and I was going to miss seeing her cheerful face each day.
Lily hugged me. “You’d better, because I’m going to need my friends to remind me that I can do this. It’s rare that women from Tabiq get this kind of chance. I just want to make sure I make you all proud. Make Tabiq proud.”
“We already are proud of you,” I said. Then I chucked and added, “I have a feeling Ziva is much better at that than I am.”
“That’s true. So, you said I should speak up if I see something?” Lily said.
I nodded. “What’s wrong?”
Lily said, “Just an observation.”
“Concerning?”
“You. Robin, why are you leaving the beach so soon? You and Mr. Burke seemed to be getting along so well. You should have stayed. I don’t want you sitting alone your entire vacation.”
“I’m not.”
“I have eyes, Robin. You’re here. You’re alone. It makes me sad. You’re such a wonderful person. You deserve to be happy.”
“I’m happy! What makes you think I’m not?”
“You sit on the beach every day, and only stare out at the ocean.”
“Because the view is beautiful,” I said. That wasn’t a lie, but neither was what Lily said, either. I had been lonely. Usually I worked so much I never had time to notice. But here, there was no escaping yourself. Was that what I was doing now with James? Hiding from myself? It was nice not to be Robin Wellington, Esquire, at least for a while. Back home if I went out for dinner with friends, sure enough, someone would ask me for legal advice. Or if I went on a date, it was usually a colleague and he’d bounce theories from his caseload off me all night. With James, I didn’t ask about his job any more than he did mine.
“It would be even more beautiful if you were sharing it with someone,” Lily said.
I chuckled. “You sound like Zoey.”
“Thank you,” she said. “Zoey is a very wise woman.”
And pushy. “Yes, she is. But that doesn’t mean I’m not happy.”
“No, but it would make us both happy if you were enjoying your stay here.”
I looked over my shoulder to see if James had returned. He was nowhere in sight. “Well, if I don’t get going, I will be spending the rest of my day alone.”
“And what is the other option?” Lily asked.
“Going on a picnic.”
“On a date?” she asked, and I nodded. “How come you didn’t mention that last night?” Lily asked.
“Because I didn’t have a date then.”
“Guess things are changing for us both. I want to hear all about it when you get back,” Lily said.
“Deal. Now I’d better go before James thinks I’m standing him up.”
“Then what are you doing talking to me?”
I chuckled. “Right now, getting a lecture. But thank you. I appreciate your concern. It’s just not needed. With or without a date, I’m happy.”
Lily snickered. “But I bet you’ll be even happier after your date.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’d better go change.”
I practically sprinted to the hotel, crossing my fingers that for once I could make it to my room uninterrupted. Once there, I showered and changed. I opened my small toiletries bag and pulled out a condom. I wasn’t positive we were going to have sex, but if it happened, I wanted to be prepared. I headed out to meet James with a little extra swing in my hips.
This wasn’t about happiness. It was about being horny as hell. I wasn’t insecure about my sexual wants or needs. And if my reaction to his kiss was any indication of what it would be like to be with him, then this might just end up being the best vacation I’d ever had.
Shit. Maybe I should’ve grabbed two condoms.
Chapter 11
James
This was not at all what Bennett had in mind when he ordered me to spend the day with Robin. Hell, even I couldn’t tell if I was awake or dreaming. I don’t think I’d ever been on a picnic, and definitely not one that I planned.
Robin emptied the contents of her wine glass, then laid back on the plaid blanket. I couldn’t stand the taste of wine-I was a beer or bourbon guy. Setting my glass off to one side, I took the open spot beside her.
“You know, you can’t actually see the ocean from here,” I said.
“The last few days all I’ve looked at was the ocean,” Robin said. “It’s beautiful, but one wave looks just like another. These trees, however, don’t. They’re huge. Majestic,” she replied.
I looked up and saw a mass of limbs and leaves. “Are we looking at anything specific?”
She snickered. “Let me guess. You never did this as a child.”
“Nope.”
“How about watching clouds and guessing what they were by their shape?” she asked.
“Nope.” I had a normal childhood.
She sat up and looked down at me. “Did you grow up in a box or something?”
I sat up as well and laughed. “No. In Boston. And before that, New York City.”
She sighed and said, “Ah. That explains it.”
“Explains what, exactly?”
“Your lack of enjoying nature,” Robin stated.
“I don’t believe I said I didn’t like it. Actually, I’ve spent many hours sleeping under the stars.” No need to tell her that it was overseas and that for tactical reasons, my unit didn’t put up any shelter.
Her eyes widened. “I stand corrected.”
“Actually, you’re sitting,” I teased.
Robin chuckled. “Wrong again. I’m not used to that.”
“What? Being wrong?” She sounded almost cocky. Like something I would have said.
“Yes. My career depends on my being right. If I make the wrong decision, an innocent person could spend their life in prison.”
“Everyone loses sometimes. It’s part of life,” I said.
“Are you telling me that’s something you were willing to accept as a Marine?” she asked. I smirked, and she said, “I thought not. Good thing you and I are not on opposing sides. Although, I don’t actually know what you did in the Marines. I have a feeling it wasn’t a desk job.”
“No, it wasn’t,” I said flatly, hoping she’d get the hint. I didn’t want to talk about my time in the Corps. All it did was make me miss the fuck out of being with my team.
“Okay, then,” she said. “I’ll cross that topic off the list.” Huh. I should date more bright and intuitive women.
“Thank you,” I said. It was refreshing not being hounded to explain or talk about things that I didn’t want to. It was something my mother never got. ‘Talking will make you feel better’ was her favorite line. All it ever did was leave me feeling angry and bitter. Trying to lighten the mood again, I asked, “What kind of trees did you say these were?”
She nodded and said, “I would say this is a Tectona grandis.”
“A what?” I’d meant it when I said I wasn’t a tree person. They were green and provided oxygen and shade. That was enough for me.
“Let’s just say that if you were a furniture craftsman, you would love to get your hands on these trees. Teakwood is very expensive. Not something I would’ve thought you’d find here. Mostly found in Southeast Asia. These trees can grow up to one hundred and sixty feet and live way over a hundred years.”
She wanted me to be impressed. But the way she lit up when she spoke, well, that made it worth listening, even if I was bored to death by trees.
“You seem to know a lot about Teakwood trees,” I said, hoping she wasn’t going to start naming even more varieties. If she did, I’d listen begrudgingly.
“I’m not an arborist or anything, but my mother has purchases a lot of furniture and things made by these types of trees. When I asked her why, she gave me a long history lesson on them.” She giggled. “And unfortunately, I just gave you one too.”
“I can…appreciate your…knowledge,” I stated. Intelligence and enthusiasm were things I found attractive, even sexy, when it came to Robin.
“James, I think I just figured it out,” she said.
Once again, I was lost. “Are we still talking about the tree?” She nodded. “I was listening. It’s teakwood. Old. Great for furniture.” Blah. Blah. Blah.
“That’s not what I’m talking about.” She got up and said, “We need to go.”
What the fuck did I say wrong? I had heard most of what she had said and even pretended to be interested when I wasn’t. Yet she was ready to bolt, and I had no idea why.
Robin was tossing things into the basket as though time was of the essence. The only way these trees were an emergency was if they woods were on fire. That wasn’t the case. I grabbed her hands and said, “Robin. Stop. Look at me. What the hell is going on?” I could see her mind was running a million different directions. “I can’t help you if you don’t explain.”
Finally, she calmed down, took a deep breath and said, “James, I don’t know why no one’s seen it before.”
“Still lost over here,” I said. Although I might not have a genius IQ, I considered myself an intelligent man.
She plopped herself back down onto the blanket and I knelt, waiting for her to get all wound up again.
“Sorry. I guess after hearing Ziva talk about Tabiq and what a poor country this was, I couldn’t help it. I got a bit overexcited.”
“Just a bit?” I teased. “It was like you just had four espresso shots.”
Robin chuckled. “I kind of get that way when the light goes on. I’m an ‘act now’ type of person.”
I’d enjoy that a hell of a lot more if she was this eager or excited for my touch. “Good to know. Would you care to connect the dots for me?” I asked.
“The teakwood.”
“Yup. One hundred years old. Very tall. Got it. What I’m still trying to figure out is why you consider a tree urgent.” After that kiss earlier, I had other things on my mind. Like the dessert she promised me.
“Are you familiar with the history of Tabiq?” she asked.
This actually might work in my favor. Bennett wanted us to have a discussion, and now was the perfect time. “Somewhat. What do you know?” I asked.
“I’m not able to discuss it with you,” she said.
Good. “Just me or anyone?”
“No one. Ziva and Zoey made me promise that anything I learned about Tabiq, outside of everyday resort stuff, could never be shared. If there is anything you want to know, I suggest speaking to them or Bennett,�
�� she stated firmly.
“I am glad to hear that. If you weren’t trusted, I am sure nothing would’ve been shared with you. And from a security perspective, I’m happy to hear you understand that anything you’ve learned needs to be treated as highly confidential,” I said.
“I can’t believe you think I would discuss something so…private. What kind of person do you think I am?” Robin raised her hand and snapped, “Don’t answer that. I know. Lawyers can’t be trusted. I’ve heard that so much it makes me sick. I just thought you were…different. And today is your lucky day. You just learned that I can be wrong.”
Her gorgeous eyes were dark and filled with anger, and it felt fucking wrong that even when she was pissed, I thought she was hot. It probably was wise to let her believe I was a piece of shit. It would eliminate any complications. Yet I found myself providing an explanation.
“Robin, that is not what I meant. What I was trying to do was reiterate what you already knew.” I kept up my official tone.
She opened her mouth, and I swore she was about to lay into me again. But instead she clamped her lips shut and slumped down onto the blanket. Something else was going on. Asking what was troubling her might just flip the switch all over again. Whatever it was, she’d either tell me when she was ready, or not. I wouldn’t pursue it.
Damn it. I can’t believe I’m going to say this. “Would you like to talk about the tree again?” I’ve given up on the focus being me wood over some piece of lumber.
She raised a brow and said, “I think we should drop that for now. You’re right. A day isn’t going to change anything as far as Tabiq is concerned. Maybe we can find a neutral topic.”
Or not talk at all. My head was still spinning for trying to follow her and yet still really not grasping why she was so…invested in what was going on in Tabiq. It was evident that she was passionate about her idea. Was it too late to redirected that passion onto something we both could enjoy? Damn, I hope not.
Eleven Days in Paradise (Barrington Billionaires Book 11) Page 9
