Do you think she regrets marrying your father?
No. They loved each other. And she understood what she was getting into when they got married. But I do think it might have been easier if they hadnt had children.
How can you say that? You and your siblings are a part of him that lives on.
It was so odd to talk about these matters, especially with a virtual stranger. And yet discussing his father with Amy had already given him new insights. Until now, hed been pretty rigid in his opinions, but he was starting to realize that it was not always black-and-white.
The subject turned to his business and Amy was curious about the expeditions his company offered. Though she knew a great deal about the locations, Mal got the impression that she hadnt done a lot of adventuring herself. Or maybe she was just trying to keep him talking. Either way, he didnt mind. She had a way of making him feel completely comfortable. There was no question she might ask that he wouldnt answer.
Which was dangerous. She was a reporter after all. And he couldnt be completely certain about her motives. Though this flirtation was fun, Mal wasnt sure he was willing to take it to the next level.
But why not? If she was willing, why not enjoy a night of passion before she went home? Having sex with her certainly wasnt going to change his mind. And he was positive theyd have a great time indulging in the desire that was growing more intense with every minute that passed.
He reached out and snagged her hand, hooking his little finger around hers. Why dont we walk off this meal? We can go get your car and you can follow me back to the house. Ill show you my beach.
The waitress brought the bill and though Amy insisted on paying, Mal couldnt agree. He wanted this to be a real date, not just two people sharing a casual meal. Hed follow dinner with a romantic stroll on the beach and that would lead to more kissing and touching. And maybe, after all that, shed end up in his bed.
They walked down the front steps and Mal linked his fingers through hers. He didnt want to let any opportunity slip by, but Amy needed to know that his intentions were purely carnal. That way, shed make the choice.
They got in the Range Rover and he pulled it around and headed toward the pub where theyd met earlier that afternoon. She seemed oddly silent and he risked a glance over at her, wondering if she was reconsidering her choices.
Whats going on in that head of yours? Mal asked.
You mentioned your fathers journals. Have you ever thought of writing your own book about him?
Her reply caught him by surprise. Unlike him, she clearly wasnt thinking about sex. She was thinking about business. I cant write.
Everyone can write, Amy said. Youd just need a good editor to help you put things in order.
Do I know any good editors?
She sent him a haughty smile.
Are you volunteering?
Its just an idea. But it might be good for you. Youd get to know your father again, only this time with an adult perspective.
Why is it that everything you say makes perfect sense to me?
Thats funny, most things I say dont make sense to me.
Hed never considered an autobiography, a project that he and his family could control. Maybe it wasnt a bad idea....
They found her car where shed left it earlier that day. Just follow me, he said. Its not far.
She jumped out of the Range Rover and turned to him. Maybe I should go back to the hotel.
He shook his head. No. I dont want this night to end quite yet. Take a walk with me. Its just a walk.
All right.
He watched as she got into her rental car, a sense of anticipation growing inside him. He had every intention of kissing her again. And if that led to something more, he wasnt going to worry about the future. He didnt need just any woman right now, he needed Amy Engalls. She was the only woman who could satisfy him.
But though she appeared to be quite confident and self-assured, there was an underlying vulnerability to her. He saw it in the way she deftly changed the subject when he tried to get her to talk about herself. At first, hed assumed it was just a reporters method of always turning the question back on the subject. But over the course of dinner, hed begun to believe that she figured her life might seem uninteresting to him.
In truth, he wanted to learn everything about her. What did she do on a normal Saturday night? Where did she live? What kind of music did she enjoy? They were all such insignificant questions, but he was curious.
They reached the cottage and he pulled the Range Rover to a stop in the sandy drive, then jumped out and jogged to her car. Mal opened the door and held out his hand, helping her out. Do you have a cardie or a jacket? Its probably going to be a bit chilly.
I dont, she said.
Ill grab you something, he said. Wait here.
He ran into the house and pulled a fleece jacket from the hook near the door, then grabbed a second for himself. When he returned, she was standing at the bottom of the steps. Mal held out the jacket and she slipped her arms into the sleeves. Then he spun her around and zipped the front.
Cozy, she said, rubbing her arms.
He glanced down at her bare legs. Do you want to put on some pants?
Ill be fine, she said.
A breeze had come up and it whipped her honey-blond hair around her face. He reached out and tucked a strand behind her ear. Lets go, then, he said.
Mal held out his hand and she placed her fingers in his. They walked down a sandy path to the beach. The sun had set a few hours before and the stars had come out, pinpricks of light scattered across the inky black sky.
Waves rolled against the shore and they strolled to the edge of the water. She kicked off her shoe and dipped her toe in. Its cold.
It never warms up enough to surf without a wetsuit. Not like California or Hawaii.
She kicked off her other shoe and waded in, reaching down to run her fingers through the water. She didnt see the wave rolling in behind her, but Mal did. He figured the water was shallow enough that she could maintain her balance, but the minute the wave hit her calves, her feet got swept out from under her and she fell into the water. She screamed as the wave surrounded her.
Cursing softly, Mal reached her in a few short strides and pulled her upright. Amy clutched his jacket, her hair stuck to her face in damp strands, her breath coming in deep gasps.
And then suddenly, she started laughing, a boisterous giggle that came from deep inside of her. What is wrong with me? she shouted. Why cant I stay on my feet?
Mal reached down and scooped her up, then carried her out of the water. Im not sure. Maybe youre better off your feet.
She shivered, crossing her arms over her breasts.
I think wed better go find you some dry clothes.
Well, at least I can say Ive been swimming in the Indian Ocean. Thats a first, she said, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Its actually the Tasman Sea.
Even better, Amy said. She brushed the wet hair out of her eyes. Oh, my shoes!
Dont worry, Ill come out in the morning and find them. Theyll be washed up on the sand.
Im going to need shoes.
Im going to need shoes.
Not tonight, he said. I dont think you should do any more walking. You might end up in the hospital.
* * *
WHEN THEY REACHED the warmth of his cottage, Mal set her down on her feet and quickly stripped off the sodden jacket. The dress she wore beneath clung to her skin, made almost transparent by the damp. Amy plucked at the fabric with her fingers. By now she was cold to the bone and shivering. But the trembles coursing through her body had less to do with the cold and more to do with the way he was looking at heras if he might devour her at any moment.
Why dont you jump in the shower and warm up. Ill get you something to wear. The bathroom is just down that hall, he said.
Amy nodded and turned in that direction. But at the last moment, he caught her hand and pulled her into his arms. His mouth came down on hers, only this time, it felt like he was sending her a message: things were about to get much more intimate. If she wanted to leave, she ought to do it now.
Amy didnt need to think twice. She was sure of what she wanted. And to that end, she reached down and began to unbutton her dress. Mal stepped back, his hands resting on her shoulders, his gaze fixed on her fingers.
When she reached the end of the buttons, she glanced up at him, hoping hed take the next step. To her relief, he did, reaching out and brushing the damp fabric from her shoulder.
His lips found a spot at the base of her neck and Amy tipped her head to the side, enjoying the rush of heat that raced through her body. He caught her fingers in his, raising her hand above her head. Then he reached down, grabbed the hem of her dress and slowly pulled it up and over her arms.
The air hit her damp skin, goose bumps prickling her until she shuddered with the chill. Mal was wet from rescuing her and he kicked off his sodden shoes, then shrugged out of the fleece jacket and T-shirt. Grabbing a faded quilt from the back of the sofa, he wrapped her up in it.
Better? he asked.
Yes, Amy said in a soft voice. Much.
Sit, he said.
She did as he asked and Mal knelt down and took her foot in his hand, brushing the sand from between her toes and then gently rubbing until her foot was warm. He did the same for the other foot, and within a few minutes, Amy was no longer shivering.
Until Mal leaned in and pressed a kiss to the curve of her instep.
Amy drew a quick breath and he raised his eyes to meet her gaze. She sighed softly. That felt good. Do it again. It was the closest she could come to an open invitation. Go ahead, ravish me, was what she really wanted to say. But then, that would be very bold, even given her newfound courage.
His lips found the arch of her foot. Though it was an odd way to begin a seduction, to Amy it seemed even more intimate than kissing her mouth. Slowly, his lips traced a path from her foot to the inside of her calf.
When the quilt got in the way, Mal braced his hands on either side of her and brushed a kiss onto the exposed skin of her shoulder. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Amy wondered about the ethics of what she was doing, about the wisdom of sleeping with a man she still wanted to interview. But hed said himself she wouldnt be able to convince him, and once he touched her, none of it mattered.
Mals lips found hers again and this time his kiss was a lovely mixture of desire and surrender, soft and sweet, yet filled with unrestrained need. He moved his mouth to her neck, pulling the quilt aside to kiss the spot below her ear.
He cupped her face in his hands and moved back to her mouth. Amys fingers clutched at his T-shirt, pulling him closer until he was nearly lying on top of her.
It felt wonderful to have the weight of a mans body stretched out over hers. And though she ought to have considered this more carefully, at this point Amys desire far outweighed her common sense.
Are you warm enough? he asked. Or do you want to take that shower? He paused. Or we could crawl under the covers on my bed and I could
Okay, Amy interrupted. Bed sounds good.
She didnt hesitate and stood up beside the sofa, the quilt still wrapped around her body. Amy could barely catch her breath. It was as if she was tumbling down a mountainside and she couldnt seem to gain a foothold. Things were moving so fast, and she felt as if shed lost all touch with reality. But now that shed gained momentum, she didnt want to stop. She couldnt.
There was no use denying the attraction. It had been there from the moment hed first looked at her. In truth, it had been there from the very first time shed seen his photograph. He was the kind of guy she could only dream about havinghandsome, charming, fearless.
And now shed been handed the chance to be with him, to experience something she might never find in her life again. Sure, shed had lovers in the past, but theyd never lived up to her expectations. Theyd never made her feel wild and uninhibited. Just once, she wanted to be with a man who could make her heart pound and her body ache.
Just a week ago, shed been curled up on her sofa in her Brooklyn flat, eating a pint of cherry-chocolate-chip ice cream and watching a string of romantic comedies. That had been her life, waiting for Mr. Right. Well, it was time to stop waiting. Shed found Mr. Right Now here in a bach on the beach in New Zealand.
This wouldnt be about love or even affection. It would about pure, unadulterated passion. This would be the adventure shed never been brave enough to take, the mountain shed been too fearful to climb. She wasnt about to pass this opportunity by. If she couldnt leave New Zealand with a story, then shed leave with a damn good memory.
Mal stopped at the bedroom door and she glanced inside to see a large, comfortable bed covered with a deep down duvet. Mal grabbed her hands and pinned them above her head against the door frame, searching her gaze intently. Are you sure this is what you want? he murmured, pressing his hips against hers.
The quilt fell away, leaving Amy dressed only in her damp underwear. She could feel his desire beneath the faded fabric of his jeans. He was already completely aroused. Amy wanted to touch him there, to smooth her fingers over the hard ridge of his erection. She could be bold, too. Yes, she said, pushing back with her body.
He kissed her again, his lips and tongue demanding a response. She opened beneath the assault and did her best to match his intensity. And when he groaned, Amy knew that she was exactly what he wanted. Untangling her fingers from his, she let her hands drop to his shoulders and then his chest.
Gently, she pushed him away, then walked into the bedroom and stood at the end of the bed, facing away from him. With trembling fingers, she reached for the clasp of her bra and unhooked it. A moment later, her panties lay at her feet. She couldnt make her need much more evident. She heard his breath catch as she turned to face him.
A tiny sliver of doubt coursed through her. Shed never been more vulnerable than she was now. But Amy didnt care. For once in her life, she had the courage shed always wanted. And, as long as he was there, it wasnt going to leave her.
He approached her slowly and Amys knees began to give way. She wanted to sit down on the end of the bed, but she was afraid to move. As if Mal sensed her distress, he slipped his arm around her waist and drew her against him.
His palms smoothed over her spine, drifting down to her waist and then cupping her backside. The sensation of his touch made every nerve in her body sing with anticipation until she felt as if the tingling would never stop. Gently, he moved her to the bed, then pulled them both down in a tangle of limbs.