Jack Pickard and Daniel Marven. Apart from them, many of the guests dropped by to chat about what they’d done or what they planned to do while they were here. Quite a few were much-travelled tourists from other countries, who couldn’t resist comparing this place to other getaways they had enjoyed, always favourably, which Elizabeth thought was a feather in Harry’s cap.
He’d carried through his vision for this resort with an attention to detail that was every bit as meticulous as Michael’s in his side of the business. In that respect he was just as solid as his brother. In fact, he really had none of the characteristics of a playboy who cared little for anything except indulging himself with passing pleasures.
He called her each day to check on how she was doing and they had quite long conversations that always left her smiling. Contact with him didn’t make her tense anymore. They discussed many things with an ease that she thoroughly enjoyed. Even the flirtatious remarks that she’d once hated, once left her steaming with anger, now made her laugh and spread a delicious warmth through her body.
It continually amazed her how much her life had changed in such a short amount of time. Giving up the Michael dream that had been gnawing at her for so long and giving in to the attraction Harry had always exerted on her...it was as though a whole lot of inner conflict had been lifted from her. She had set aside worries about the future, letting herself be a happy butterfly. When serious issues had to be faced, she would face them. But that wasn’t yet.
Emails from Lucy were full of dizzy pleasure with her love affair with Michael. According to her sister, he was everything wonderful. Still early days, Elizabeth thought, but hoped the relationship would become what both of them were looking for to complement their lives. And who knew...maybe Harry might turn out to be the right partner for her?
He returned to the island on Saturday morning, strolling into the office, a wide grin on his face, eyes sparkling with pleasure at seeing her again. Her heart jumped. Her feet jumped. She was out of her chair, wanting to skip around the desk and hurl herself at him, driven by a wild eagerness to revel in all the sexual excitement his physical presence instantly aroused in her. Only a sense of decorum held her back. Or rather a very basic female instinct to have him demonstrate his desire for her first.
Her smile, however, was an open invitation to take up where he’d left off last weekend. ‘Hi!’ she said in a breathy rush.
He strode forward, dumped the attaché case he was carrying on the desk and swept her into his embrace. ‘Can’t wait another minute,’ he said and kissed her with a hunger that ignited the same hunger in her.
It was great to feel so wanted.
What made the physical sizzle between them even better was the respect he subsequently showed for her opinion. He’d brought the résumés of the most likely prospects for the position of manager with him and wanted her input on them before deciding on interviews. This sharing on a business level made Elizabeth feel like a real partner, not just for sharing a bed.
They talked about the possibilities for most of the day, weighing up the pros and cons, deciding on who would best deal with the situation. There seemed to be a wonderful, vibrant harmony flowing between them, making their lovemaking that night extra special. It wasn’t until Harry chose to query her choices that the pleasurable flow was broken.
They were lying face to face, their legs still intimately locked together. Harry softly stroked the feathery bangs off her forehead, looking deeply into her eyes. ‘I’d really like you to stay on here, Ellie,’ he said. ‘It’s not too late to change your mind.’
Her chest instantly grew tight. It was difficult to resist the seductive pressure of his words when she wanted to cling onto the sweet sense of everything being perfect. ‘I can’t, Harry,’ she blurted out.
He frowned at her quick reply. ‘You’ve been happy here this past week. I’ve heard it in your voice every time I’ve called. And today you’ve been so relaxed, confident. Why not reconsider?’
‘It’s better that you get someone else,’ she argued.
‘But I like feeling you’re part of my world, Ellie. It’s been great this week, sharing it with you.’
She sucked in a deep breath, needing to hold firm against the persuasive pull of a future that might mean sharing his world forever. It was too soon to know, her mind screamed, too soon to commit to the possibility. She reached up and stroked his cheek, her eyes pleading for understanding.
‘I’m not rejecting you, Harry. I just need to be where Lucy is. Being on this island in a permanent position is too far away.’
He heaved a sigh, his mouth turning into a wry grimace. ‘You have to be there for her.’
‘Yes.’
‘Well, I guess I’ll just have to invade your world in Cairns.’
She relaxed at his acceptance of her decision, smiling as she said, ‘I hope you do.’
* * *
Harry told himself to be content with her apparent willingness to continue their relationship once she was back in Cairns. Separating herself from both Mickey and himself professionally had niggled at him. She’d been so elusive in the past, he wasn’t absolutely confident that he’d won her over into moving forward with him.
They’d certainly gone beyond a one-night stand and he no longer thought this was a rebound situation. The connection between them was too good to doubt it. Still, the fact that she was severing the work connection... Harry shook it out of his mind. There was no point in letting it throw a cold shadow over the warmth of their intimacy tonight.
He had her where he wanted her.
It was enough for now.
The call-tune on his mobile phone woke him to the dim light of dawn.
Elizabeth stirred, as well, asking, ‘Who’d be wanting to contact you at this hour?’
‘Don’t know,’ he muttered, hoping it wasn’t bad trouble of some sort as he rolled out of bed and retrieved the mobile from his shorts pocket. He quickly flipped it open, held it up to his ear and spoke a terse, ‘Yes?’
‘Harry Finn?’ asked a male voice he didn’t recognise.
‘Yes. Who’s speaking?’
‘This is Constable Colin Parker. I’m calling from the Cairns Base Hospital. I’m sorry to say your brother, Michael Finn, was involved in a serious car accident earlier this morning....’
Harry’s heart stopped. Shock and fear jammed his mind for a moment, fear spearing through to force out the words, ‘How serious?’
‘Your brother and two teenagers are in intensive care. I can’t say exactly what injuries were sustained but I’m told they are extensive. Two other teenagers...’
‘He’s not dead.’ Relief poured through Harry. Although there was no guarantee Mickey would pull through, at least he had a chance, not like their parents.
‘Who?’ Elizabeth cried, alarmed by what she’d heard.
It instantly recalled the high probability that Lucy had been with Mickey—a Saturday night—out on the town. ‘Was my brother alone in his car?’
Elizabeth
