He rose from his seat. “Count on it.” He treated her to a wink that sent tremors of heated awareness straight to the pit of her stomach.
She watched him leave, his cut-off denim shorts molding to his firm backside and his ragged short-sleeve sweatshirt revealing tanned, muscular arms. Good Lord, the man was sexy.
His character and strength had her stomach twisting in conflicting knots. Safe or not, stupid or not, she wanted all he had to offer. She wanted to attain her deepest desire. And for the moment, her needs were simple.
She wanted to be held in his arms. She wanted him to make her feel, not just desired, but also secure, something she had a hunch he’d do with ease. And she wanted to admit the pain in her life and let him help her heal.
He was the perfect man for the job, considering he knew about sharing and confiding. He’d given her a glimpse inside his soul, something Stuart had never done. In all their time together he’d never once looked at her so intently or discussed anything emotional. Except his campaign, she thought wryly.
Doug was different. He couldn’t possibly be faking the warmth in his eyes or caring in his expression. Although he was here to make her fantasy come true, she sensed she was learning about him as well. And her instincts screamed for her to trust him, stronger and more passionately than her gut instinct had ever believed in Stuart.
Having made a huge mistake last time, Juliette wasn’t planning on rushing into anything now. She had time to learn about Doug and relearn to trust herself as well. She could, and would, test her feminine wiles and her ability to tease and arouse, both Doug as well as herself. And when she finally made love with him-and oh, how she wanted to-the experience would be the answer to her dreams.
In the meantime, anticipation was half the fun, something Doug obviously understood well. He was building their romance slowly, with deep, drugging kisses and intimate gestures like flowers and breakfast.
And she was hoping for much, much more.
DOUG NEEDED a breather. He made his way to the beach and kicked back in a lounge chair, letting the ocean waves and the cooler morning breeze soothe his nerves and his conscience. After leaving Juliette, he’d called home to check on his father.
The older man hadn’t been released from the hospital; in fact, the doctor was running more tests. His mother insisted Doug stay on assignment because his father’s mood had greatly improved since Doug’s departure and promise to return with good news. And, besides, nothing more could be done until the tests came back and they decided whether to treat with medication or surgery. So, for now, his father was resting comfortably. But Doug wasn’t.
Doug had seen Juliette’s eyes light up when she found him on her doorstep, breakfast and flowers in hand. And his own heart had taken a huge leap upon seeing her again after only one short night apart. All real, not part of the fantasy.
“Good morning, Mr. Houston.” Merrilee’s voice sounded from behind him, then she walked around and pulled an upright chair beside his. “Enjoying the peace and quiet?” she asked.
“I’m enjoying everything about this place.”
“Thank you.” Pride infused her voice. “I’m sure you’ve been wondering what my decision is.”
“I trust your judgment. I’m hoping you can bring yourself to trust me.” He wanted to grin, to charm her with a smile, but he couldn’t muster the false sentiment. Damned if he could understand what was overcoming him this trip.
She crossed one leg over the other and rested her weight on one side, facing Doug. “Interesting you should be so astute as to pick up on the fact that trust has to go both ways. I’m counting on you to remember that when you’re with Juliette.”
Doug thought about his discussion with Juliette earlier. “She’s smart. Smart enough to get information out of me without me questioning her in return.” Ever been married before? she’d asked. Ever come close?
Why hadn’t he just asked her those same questions in a natural flow of conversation? He’d never let an opportunity slip by in the past, yet he had now-because he didn’t want to watch a shutter fall down over her honest and expressive eyes again. There it was again, that innocence and naivete that called to him in ways he didn’t understand. If Doug wasn’t careful, he could easily end up wanting her trust more than he wanted information, and that he couldn’t afford. Damn.
Merrilee laughed. “Are you saying you’ve met your match?”
He refused to touch that comment. “Are you telling me I can stay?” He sat up in his seat and met her on level ground.
Her warm eyes danced with delight. “Mr. Houston, I wouldn’t miss this for the world. But make no mistake, if you hurt Juliette Stanton instead of making her happy during her time on my island, you’ll answer to me and my lawyers.”
Doug ignored the unwelcome shaft of guilt over his hidden agenda. He might not understand it, but here on Secret Fantasy, he’d grown used to the sentiment.
He attempted to assuage his conscience by telling the truth instead. “You have my word. I’m not looking to hurt Juliette Stanton.” He extended his hand, gripping Merrilee’s in a strong shake.
She nodded. “Please come to my office and sign the paperwork documenting your fantasy,” she said, her voice softening.
“My pleasure. I noticed some people disembarking from the seaplane. Are you fully booked this week?”
“I’ve been fortunate in that since opening the resorts, I’m booked solid every week, though I’ve fit some people in toward the end of this week who seem more desperate than most. I’ll do that sometimes, if the person strikes a chord with me.”
Doug grasped her hand. “Something tells me most people strike that chord. You’re a rare breed-an honest, caring soul.”
She laughed. “And you’re a charmer. But actually, I’m an old soul. Lived and seen enough to understand other people’s joy…and pain. Enough to make this place a success, I suppose.”
“Forgive me for being blunt but I noticed a sadness in your eyes the first time we met.”
She smiled, the lines around her eyes giving her face more mature beauty and character. “You’re a reporter. I don’t expect much to miss those eagle eyes. But you’re right.” She glanced down, toying with a fringe on her long skirt. “I lost my fiance in the Vietnam War. I married afterward but it wasn’t the same. I spent my life catering to someone else’s needs at the expense of my own.” She looked up, meeting his curious gaze.
“Seems to me that opening these resorts accomplishes the same thing.”
“Ah, but I get pleasure watching other people’s fantasies come to life and play out. Nine times out of ten the end result isn’t what they intended, but often better than they’d hoped.”
Doug laughed, enjoying this woman and her philosophy of life. “Sounds cryptic.”
“Talk to me again when the week’s out.” She rose from her seat and Doug followed. “But don’t hesitate to stop by my office when the whim strikes. I like you, Doug Houston.”
“The feeling’s mutual.”
She patted his hand. “Then don’t disappoint me.”
She ambled off down the beach and he exhaled a groan. She didn’t ask for more than she had a right to expect. Hell, she didn’t ask for more than he demanded from himself. Yet he couldn’t shake the feeling he was treading very shaky personal ground. And Merrilee knew it.
On his way out of the main lobby, he stopped at the concierge to make arrangements for a special evening. When he’d gotten access to Juliette’s Fantasies, Inc. paperwork, he’d discovered more about her than he’d ever dreamed. He knew not only the things she feared, like water skiing, but things she’d love to try, from hot-air ballooning to horseback riding on the beach. In an effort to broaden the possibilities of her guests’ fantasies, Merrilee’s questions were broad and thorough enough to give Doug a boost in his quest to make Juliette’s experience one she’d never forget. Hell, Doug knew he wouldn’t forget one minute of his time here.
After setting up the evening, he headed for the pool. The entire area was already filled with people and towels on the chairs, but Doug had an easy time spotting Juliette in the eclectic mix. No one else had her shade of hair and no other woman attracted him so strongly.
When he joined her at the far end of the free-form pool in a space with ample privacy, he realized she’d fallen asleep. He pulled over a chair from a neighboring table and sat facing her, propping his feet on the edge of her lounge. For the first time in his life Doug, a man always on the move, was content to sit in silence and watch a
