‘The world as we know it won’t end if we take time out,’ Miguel relayed quietly.
He was right, it wouldn’t. It was just so…sudden. So unexpected.
Hannah took a sip of orange juice, then another. ‘Where are we going?’
‘Hawaii.’
Oh, my, did he possess some kind of mind-reading gift? She mentally pictured white sand, blue sea, and white-crested surf, sunshine, and tranquillity. Lazy days, long, languid nights. Heaven.
She almost dared not ask. ‘How long?’
‘A week in Honolulu, and a week on Maui.’
‘Honolulu?’ she queried, a slow, sweet smile curving her lips. Maui. She didn’t know which held the most appeal. ‘Really?’ Her eyes acquired a gleam. ‘Today?’
His mouth twitched with wry amusement. ‘Don’t look at me like that. Or we won’t get out of this suite, let alone catch a scheduled flight.’
Hannah laughed, a light-hearted sound that stole round his heart and tugged a little. ‘You think so?’
He reached out a hand and placed a finger over her lips. ‘Breakfast, querida.’
‘Okay,’ she acquiesced. She held up one hand and began counting off her fingers. ‘Hmm. A nine-hour flight.’ Her eyes acquired a devilish sparkle. ‘That gives me plenty of time to plan exactly how I intend to reward you.’
‘Minx,’ he said, tempted to discard breakfast altogether.
‘Pity we need to go home to pack.’
‘No,’ Miguel discounted. ‘We don’t. I have our bags in the boot of the car.’
She couldn’t restrain an incredulous smile. ‘You packed for me?’
‘I have as much as you need,’ he said with musing solemnity. ‘Anything else you can buy there. Besides,’ he added indolently, ‘I don’t plan on having you wear much at all most of the time.’
Hannah leaned across the table and pressed a finger to his lips. ‘Well, I have news for you, amante. I plan to swim, lie in the sun, go for long walks, and read. And a pleasant meal among fellow diners is also a prerequisite.’ Her eyes sparkled and acquired the hue of brilliant blue topaz. ‘If you’ve only tossed briefs and a robe into my bag, you’re in serious trouble.’
‘Try…an evening suit, a dress or two, shorts, a few tops, bikini, shoes…’ Miguel trailed off, then opened his mouth and playfully nipped her finger with the edge of his teeth before releasing it.
‘Food,’ she mocked gently, and began doing justice to cereal and fruit, following it with toast and strong black coffee.
They made the flight with only minutes to spare, and Hannah divided her attention between the pages of a spellbinding murder mystery and the movies offered on-screen.
It was late when they landed in Honolulu, and almost midnight by the time they checked into their hotel.
The luxury suite on a high floor overlooking Waikiki beach was superb, and Hannah crossed to the wide expanse of plate glass and slid open doors onto the lanai.
A gentle breeze wafted in from the ocean, and the air held the fresh smell of the sea. Twinkling lights outlined the mainland arching towards Diamond Head.
Miguel moved in close behind her and linked his arms around her waist. His chin rested on top of her head as she leaned back against him.
‘It’s magical,’ she murmured softly. Melbourne, home, Camille, seemed so far away. Like a bad dream from which she’d just awoken. ‘Thank you.’
‘For what, precisely?’
‘Bringing me here,’ she said simply. Taking affirmative action, believing in me…us, she added silently.
Miguel’s hands tightened fractionally, and he lowered his head to savour the vulnerable hollow at the base of her neck. ‘My pleasure.’
‘I’ve reached a decision,’ Hannah said slowly, feeling the heat slipping through her body at his touch. It was like an aphrodisiac, powerful, potent, and electric. She felt malleable, his. ‘If you approve.’
‘Are you asking, or telling me?’ he teased, aware of her quickening heartbeat, the way her body was poised between want and surrender.
‘I thought—’ She paused, and dragged in a quick breath as his hand cupped her breast and began caressing its vulnerable peak.
‘Hmm?’ he queried musingly. ‘What did you think, querida?’
‘After Christmas might be a good time to promote Cindy.’
‘A sensible decision.’
‘I think I’ll keep Elaine on part-time, just to help out.’
‘I assume this is leading somewhere?’ Miguel prompted leisurely.
‘Babies,’ Hannah ventured with a soft smile. ‘How do you feel about starting our own family?’
He felt as if someone had punched him in the solar plexus. A child? His mind leapt ahead to a blonde angel the mirror image of her mother. Maybe a dark-haired son who would drive his mother mad with boyish pranks… Por Dios, Hannah heavy with child, the birth… He went pale at the thought of her in pain.
‘Are you sure about this?’
She twisted in his arms as she turned to face him.
‘You’re not?’ She searched his features in the half-light, and glimpsed something evident she couldn’t define.
‘I can’t think of anything more special, other than you, that you could gift me,’ Miguel declared fervently.
Hannah felt the slight tremor that ran through his large body, and she wound her arms round his waist and pulled him close.
‘Maybe we should go inside,’ she teased lightly, ‘and practise a little.’ A warm chuckle emerged from her throat. ‘Besides, I have a particular reward to bestow.’
Together they re-entered the suite, closed the door to the lanai, then drew the curtains.
Their own private world, Hannah mused as she removed her outer clothes and entered the shower. Miguel joined her, and they took their time, enjoying the promise, the anticipation of the loving they would always share.
During the following few days they delighted in playing tourist. They rode the tramcar, hired a limousine for the day and toured the island.
Midweek they took a flight out to Maui, and spent a wonderfully relaxing six days in a hotel right on the beach overlooking the ocean. Lovely sunny days walking on the beach, lazing beneath the spread of palm trees reading, listening to music on the Walkman. They swam in the ocean, frequented the hotel pool, played tennis, then dined in one
