“That explains it.” She rested her head on his shoulder. The sound of the surf added a sensuous rhythm to the night. She’d never been this close to Dean before and she inhaled the scent of his aftershave.
His warmth radiated along her side, and her body tingled everywhere they touched.
“It’s going to be hard to top this experience,” she said dreamily to break the silence that had fallen between them. They turned toward the path that led to the condos. When he didn’t answer, she lifted her head and looked at him. He looked grim as he stared ahead of them. She eased away from him and promptly stumbled.
He grabbed her arm to keep her from falling.
“I think you were right about the drinks,” she said ruefully. “I’m beginning to feel the effects.”
He opened the door to the lobby for her and waited until they were in the elevator alone before he said, “I’m afraid you’re going to have a bad headache in the morning.”
They stepped out of the elevator and he unlocked the door to the condo. Once inside, she replied, “Probably. But it will be worth it.”
He nodded. “Hope you feel the same way in the morning.” They walked toward their bedrooms. They reached hers first.
“Thank you for tonight. I hope you weren’t bored,” she said.
“Not at all. I don’t think I gave the business a thought for, oh, at least thirty minutes.” He grinned at her.
She smiled. “I don’t know what I’m going to do about you.”
“A good-night kiss would be nice.”
His comment caught her off guard. It was the last thing she’d expected to hear from him.
“Of course,” she said and leaned toward him. She closed her eyes, expecting a peck on her cheek. Instead he slowly drew her into his arms and brushed his lips against hers. What was happening to her? Was it the rum that suddenly made her melt against him…and put her arms around his neck?
By the time he loosened his grip, they were both gasping for air.
“I’ve wanted to do that all evening,” he said hoarsely.
“I didn’t know,” she murmured and rubbed her finger along his strong jawline and cheek. Jodie attempted a smile. “Well, good night,” she managed to say before she stepped into her room and closed the door.
Dean closed his eyes and stood there. What had he done? Was he out of his mind? He’d taken advantage of the fact that she was there with him, which was unconscionable.
And why hadn’t she slapped his face!
Now he knew exactly how she felt pressed against him, how she tasted as her soft mouth opened to his like a budding flower. He’d not forget it, nor would he forget the fact that they still had five days together before heading back to Chicago.
He shook his head and strode into his bedroom. He stripped off his clothes and headed for a much-needed shower and some stern self-talk. Getting involved with Jodie Cameron would be the height of recklessness.
Unfortunately for his peace of mind, he’d discovered tonight that he’d been involved with her for years.
The first thing Jodie knew the next morning when she opened her eyes was that Dean had grossly underestimated the effect of the mai tais. She didn’t have just a headache; concrete drills were going off inside her head.
The second thing that registered was the heavenly scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting its way into her room. The thought of coffee was the call of the sirens that drew her out of bed. She put on the thick terry-cloth robe that was in the bathroom, carefully brushed her hair—even her scalp hurt this morning—and went in search of the elixir that might help her live.
Dean sat at the kitchen bar, next to the coffeepot, reading the paper. He glanced up when she moved carefully toward him.
“How’re you feeling?” he asked, his voice low.
She almost whimpered. Even that much noise made her head hurt worse. “I should have stopped after the first drink,” she whispered. She filled the large coffee mug sitting beside the pot to the brim and immediately lifted it to her mouth. It was too hot to drink, but she could live off the aroma for a moment.
“Aspirin will help,” he said, nodding toward a bottle there on the counter.
She filled a glass with water, took a couple of tablets and sat down on the bar stool next to Dean.
He wore shorts, a shirt and sandals. He looked rested and fit. She could almost hate a person for that when she felt like something that had washed up on the shore. He continued to read the paper, and for the first time she fully appreciated his taciturn personality.
She sipped her coffee and squinted out the window. The sun had been up for hours, but at this particular moment she didn’t care if she ever saw the sun again.
Dean laid the paper on the counter and got up. He walked over to the expanse of windows and drew the drapes closed.
“How did you know?” she asked with relief when he seated himself once again. He flicked on the small light near where he sat.
“I’ve overindulged myself a few times in my thirty-odd years. I know what it’s like.”
She placed her mug on the counter and rested her head in her hands. “The drinks tasted so innocent. I had no idea…” Her voice faded.
He raised his hand to rub her back in sympathy but thought better of it. He cleared his throat. “I know the idea doesn’t sound appealing, but you’ll feel better once you get some food inside you.”
“You are absolutely right. The idea doesn’t sound at all appealing.”
He grinned and picked up the phone. After ordering them both breakfasts, he hung up and looked at her. “Nibble on some toast, drink some juice—”
“Are you kidding?” she asked in horror, dropping her hands from her head. “I’ll probably never drink another glass of juice again.”
“It wasn’t the fruit juice that caused your pain.”
She groaned. “You’re always so logical.”
“So are you, most of the time. You’ll feel better as the day wears on.”
“That’s a relief. Right now I’d have to get better to die.”
He chuckled but didn’t say anything else.
When their meal arrived, he opened the door and took the tray, giving the waiter a tip before closing the door and bringing the food to the bar.
Jodie eyed the tray skeptically at the same time her stomach growled. Like it or not, she needed to eat something.
Did Dean always have to be right?
Miraculously by midafternoon she was beginning
