the attention, so she’d focussed on her meal, steered the conversation onto factual topics and muddled through the best she could. She just hoped things weren’t as tension-fraught at the beach.
‘Ready to go?’
‘Sure.’
As he drove along a winding coastal road she focused on the picturesque scenery and replayed their lunch conversation in her head.
There was so much more to him than smooth words and a charming smile. He was well-travelled, articulate and self-assured, with charisma that captured her interest and engaged her mind. It only added to his appeal. But she’d be better off remembering most of what he said was designed to tease her, that words were cheap.
She’d fallen for slick words before. These days a guy’s actions were the only thing that would let him anywhere near her bruised heart.
‘Wait till you check out this beach. I’ve seen a few, but I think this is better than some of the Caribbean beaches—not to mention Queensland’s hot spots.’
‘I love any beach. My apartment’s in Coogee, so you can safely say I’m a bit of a beach babe.’
‘Well, you’re right about one thing. You’re definitely a babe.’
Her measly ego inflated momentarily, before she shot him a disapproving stare. ‘Oh, yeah, I’m sure my designer wardrobe elevates me to babe status.’
He paused, as if searching for the right words. ‘Don’t take this the wrong way, but your wardrobe is a little… ’
‘Boring?’
Her sour interruption had him darting a worried glance in her direction before refocusing on the road.
‘I was thinking more along the lines of sedate for someone your age.’
‘Which is?’
‘Hell, I’m digging myself in deeper, aren’t I?’
She chuckled. ‘Quit while you’re behind, sailor boy.’
She liked her clothes. They might be old but they were safe, familiar, like snuggling into a favourite quilt on a cold winter’s day.
She’d tried a new wardrobe once before, a new look, going the whole way with risqué lingerie. But none of it had made any difference with Jax. He’d hurt her just the same, designer dresses or not. Much safer to stay true to herself, to find a man who wanted her for the real her, not because of how she looked or what she could do for him.
‘Actually, I like what you’re wearing today. That blue brings out the green flecks in your eyes.’
‘My weird eyes change colour according to what I wear.’
‘Not weird. How about alluring?’
She snorted. ‘You could bottle that charm and sell it.’ His bashful smile made her laugh. ‘And I see what you mean. I’m so alluring I have hundreds of men falling at my feet, and it’s all because of my eyes.’
‘You have one.’
‘Who?’
‘I’m a male, in case you hadn’t noticed.’
Oh, she’d noticed, all right—was noticing more by the minute, despite all attempts to the contrary.
Fortunately she was saved from replying as he slowed the car and turned into a narrow dirt track. The Jeep bumped and lurched over rough terrain, the ground scattered with large potholes, and thick foliage slapped against the doors.
Just as her bones started to warn her they’d been rattled once too often the vegetation thinned, and he pulled over into a clearing which overlooked an inviting stretch of white sand, with an aquamarine ocean that stretched as far as she could see.
‘Wow—amazing.’
Zac’s blue-eyed gaze fixed on her, bold, challenging. ‘Sure is.’
He wasn’t looking at the view, and she squirmed under his searing stare.
‘Come with me.’
She stared at his outstretched hand, wanting to take it, but nervous he’d read too much into it.
He took the decision out of her hands by grabbing hers on the pretext of helping her from the car, and she sent him a tremulous smile, wondering if he had any idea what a big deal it was for her to hold hands with a gorgeous guy as they strolled towards a secluded beach.
Holding hands implied trust, implied dependence, implied she believed in him enough to lower her barriers—much more than responding to his impulsive kisses inspired by chemistry and the length of time since she’d last been kissed, and the soul-deep yearning to be wanted by another person.
As her feet sank into the soft sand, and he gripped her hand that little bit tighter, she knew her resistance to this charming man was slipping dangerously.
A loud ‘caw’ captured her attention, and she glanced to her right, at a huge bird perched on top of a towering cliff ending at the lagoon’s edge.
That was exactly how she felt—as if she was standing on the edge of a very steep cliff, torn between wanting to jump into the warm, welcoming ocean below and experiencing the thrill of a lifetime, or letting her feet back her up to the predictable safety of solid ground.
With Zac tugging gently on her hand she had no option but to follow, heading into the unknown with a man who had the power to unnerve her, when every self-preservation instinct screamed at her to dig her heels in the sand.
‘WELCOME to paradise.”
They stopped beneath a coconut tree, the air fragrant with frangipani, the view picture-perfect.
‘How did you find this place?’ she whispered, reluctant to break the tranquility as they strolled towards the beach.
‘Raj brought me here with his family. We had a picnic, swam in the lagoon, lazed around. It’s great being able to relax away from the tourists swarming the island. I come back every chance I get, though I’m usually alone.’
‘So you haven’t brought a horde of women here before me?’
Though she kept her tone light, she knew some of her enjoyment would dissipate if he had brought countless others here.
He squeezed her hand. ‘You’re the first. I wouldn’t share this place with just anyone.’
Oh-oh—there he went with more of that defence-shattering charm. With a nervous smile, she slipped her hand from his.
‘More flattery. Aren’t I the lucky one?’
He laughed. ‘Come on, let’s go for a swim.’ He pointed to a row of palm trees. ‘Let’s dump our stuff over there. You get changed, I’ll test
