CHAPTER 8
Mason stood on the villa patio. He glanced inside at Ruth, half-asleep, and pulled some shorts on. `Just going for a run.'
`Uh-huh,' she hummed, rolling over. `Be back in time to see Sally.'
`Will do.' He stepped off the patio and jogged off towards the eastern side of the island. He needed to run. Once in the trees he picked up the pace, moving quickly over the hill to the eastern beach. His mind drifted. Sex with Ruth had been intense but he had still held back, afraid to hurt her.
Renee was standing on the beach.
`Shit.' Mason dived behind a tree. Unsure of what he was feeling, he glanced around the trunk trying to calm his heart. It resisted. Blood warmed his chest as he tensed, trying to take control of his reactions. `Damn it.' He checked the beach again. Renee hadn't moved. She stood facing the ocean, her clothes wet.
Someone moved among the trees. He spotted them. A couple hand in hand, enjoying the view. He flicked his attention back to the beach. Renee had gone; her trail just visible, heading north. Mason followed, keeping his distance but remaining close enough to see her.
Renee moved fast, then stopped, scanning the ocean. She moved, he moved. Mason knew she was patrolling the island, looking for unwelcome visitors. But there was more to it than that.
A tree shattered and crashed down. He fell back, watching as she tore it to shreds. Timber filled the air like confetti. She moved on and Mason followed, beginning to see a pattern. She was patrolling and venting at the same time.
He allowed himself a small smile.
She moved again, a red blur through the trees. He followed until they had gone full circle. He made sure he was downwind and watched her standing on the hill, looking down at the villa. Cold pinged in him and his skin thickened. Was she a threat?
Renee's scent changed, the anger gone. She walked away, down towards the far side of the resort.
He waited. Time passed and he went to the spot where she had stood.
Her scent lingered. Fresh sap tainted it. A tree bore the marks of her nails, then another. And more, leading back towards the resort.
Mason rubbed his nose hard. The sound of surf reached him on the breeze and he agreed with himself. Time for a swim.
Ruth dried herself off, looking at the dress on the bed. The only one she had packed. She returned her towel to the bathroom.
`He's going to recognise it, girl. Why did you pack it?' Ruth said to her reflection, then went back out to the dress. `It's either you or the sundress.' The sundress hung in the wardrobe, its bright colours a stark contrast to the sleek black dress on the bed. `Oh, you're a bad, bad girl.'
She slipped the dress on, turning so she could check in the mirror that the back didn't sit too low.
`Very bad girl,' she muttered, drawing the hem down snug against her thighs, adjusting the tight fabric over her buttocks.
`And, of course, you didn't pack any Hollywood tape.' She looked down at the plunging neckline, making sure the thin fabric covered her nipples. `Like that's going to last.'
Outside she heard Mason arriving. `I'm back.' The outside shower came on.
Ruth shook her head. `He's going to remember it for sure. Shoes?' She pulled out the shoes that `went' with the dress. Diamonds flashed back at her. `Crap. Titty, crap. What was I thinking?'
`What's wrong?' Mason walked in, naked, towelling his head.
`Knock, knock. It's us. You two decent?' Wilson's voice came from the far end of the patio.
`Coming!' Ruth slipped the shoes on. Mason had stopped moving, his eyes on the dress. `Mason, put some pants on. Sally's here. Remember?'
Ruth went out onto the patio, leaving Mason staring. `Hi, Sally. You look great.'
`Wow, Mrs D.' Sally stepped up onto the patio. `You've pulled the bling out tonight. Awesome shoes.'
`Thanks.' Ruth avoided Wilson's eyes. He knew the dress too. `Are you going to the seafood buffet tonight?'
`Yeah, Wilson booked us a table out on the deck.' Sally hugged her, whispering, `You look awesome, Ruth.'
`So do you.' Ruth hugged her back.
`Is Dad here?'
`Inside getting dressed.'
`Hi, Sally.' Mason stuck his head out of the doorway beside Ruth. `Um, I can't find any shirts.'
`Men.' She rolled her eyes at Sally. `I'll get you one.'
`It's okay, Mr D. It's only Wilson who is funny about the clothing thing.'
Ruth nearly snorted at Wilson's expression. She glanced at Mason, who at least had jeans on. `Go and say hi. I'll find you a shirt.' Ruth poked him as she went inside.
`Yes, dear,' he drawled, eyeing Sally. `Hello again, Sally.'
Ruth watched from inside.
Sally beamed as she let Wilson go, then her eyes drifted to Mason's scars. `Hi, Mr D.'
`Mason will be fine, thanks.' He stood, hands behind his back, and Ruth nearly threw a shoe at him. He was doing it — being intimidating without knowing it.
`Okay, Mason,' Sally said and, without hesitation, wrapped her arms around him. `I'm happy to see you again. You probably don't remember me that much but you were very nice to me last time we were here.'
An almost comical surprise touched his face. He hesitated, then put his arms around her.
Ruth found his shirt and joined them. Sally was smiling in Mason's hug and he held her like she was made of glass. Ruth touched him and nodded. He half-smiled. She patted him on the shoulder. `See, a shirt. There's a suitcase full of them.'
Sally let him go and Ruth caught the look on Wilson's face. `Are you going to say hi to your mum or stand there all night?'
`Hi Mum.' He stepped over and looked at his feet, then took Sally's hand. `You look great.' He glanced up with an eyebrow raised. Mason snorted and pulled his shirt on.
`Good god, Wil. Mrs D is hot.'
`Yes, she is indeed, Sally,' Mason said putting his hand on Ruth's bare back. `Lucky we're having dinner with some, ah, friends tonight.' He bumped Ruth with his hip. `Otherwise, we'd be on a double date.'
`Oh god,' Wilson groaned, closing his eyes.
`Stop moaning, will you?' Sally pushed him. `We'll have to do that while we're here. Have some time with your parents. Maybe dinner tomorrow night?'
`Sounds like a plan.' Mason grinned at her.
`Try and stay out of trouble tonight, will you?' Wilson muttered, eyeing Ruth. `Come on, Sal, let's eat.'
`See you!' Sally waved.
`Bye
