Maybe, Trey said. He shook his head. At least he tried.
Just because he failed doesnt mean you will. With enough money, you can do almost anything.
My father is the one with money, Trey said. I was thinking if he doesnt approve of my plan, then I might strike out on my own. You know, build the resort anyway. I could find investors or take out a loan against my trust-fund money. He drew a deep breath. Then again, maybe I dont know what the hell Im doing.
She reached out and grabbed his hand. It seemed to help, for as soon as she touched him, he glanced over at her and smiled. I think its a great idea, Sophie said. She pulled him along toward the cottage. Come on. Lets go find something for dinner.
They walked past the fares into the grove of trees and she led him up the steps of the weather-beaten cottage. The flowers on the vines created a thick scent in the air. Trey stopped to pick one and tucked it behind her left ear.
There, he murmured. I like that. Its perfect.
She reached up and plucked it out, then drew a deep breath of the scent. You have to learn the meaning of the flower, she said softly as she ran it along his bottom lip. When you wear it behind your left ear, it means youre taken. When its behind your right ear, youre available.
He reached to take it from her, but she shook her head and held it back. Theres more. If you wear flowers behind both ears, it means youre taken, but available for the right person. And when you wear the flower backward, it means follow me and youll have a good time.
With a playful smile, Sophie turned the flower around and put it behind her right ear, the bloom facing backward. Then Trey pulled another flower off the vine and did the same. Now we know where we stand, he said with a rakish grin.
Sophie opened the door to the cottage and stepped inside and he followed her into the dark interior. Light filtered through the slats of the shutters, creating an odd pattern on the floors and walls. Trey pulled her into his arms and kissed her, his hands running freely over her body. Alone in a dark room. Is this what you mean by a good time?
Theyd gone past the point of denying themselves pleasure, Sophie mused. Now, it was possible to act on their urges without a second thought. If she wanted to touch him, she could. If he wanted to kiss her, hed do just that.
The kiss was slow and delicious, his hands making her body come alive with wonderful sensations. He cupped her bare backside and pulled her against him, the evidence of his arousal growing hot and hard between them. Sophie sighed, desire aching deep inside her. Though they were still new to this passion, it didnt make it any less powerful. Instinctively, she reached down and ran her fingertips along the length of his shaft, the thin fabric of the pareu providing little protection from her touch.
Slowly, they explored each other, using touch instead of sight to guide them. Sophie wondered if she should be playing harder to get. But why deny themselves the pleasures? They were both consenting adults and they only had a limited time on the island. Besides, she had every intention of keeping her emotions in check. This was about sexual gratification and nothing more.
If she had learned anything from her parents relationship, it was that love couldnt be trusted to last. As a small child, Sophie had looked at her mother and father as a fairy-tale king and queen. But her innocence was slowly stripped away by her fathers infidelities and her mothers abandonment.
Shed never be able to trust a man with her heart and soul. But she could give him temporary custody of her body. Passion and desire didnt need to transform into an emotional connection.
Do you have any idea how beautiful you are? Trey whispered.
You cant even see me, she said, his touch sending a rush of sensation through her body.
But I can feel you. And you feel beautiful.
He kissed her again, Sophie melting into his arms. Shed grown so familiar with this, the way his tongue invaded her mouth, the way he tasted. It felt good to know a man again. But then, she didnt really want to know him. Sex with a stranger was so much less complicated.
Sophie drew back. This is kind of silly, dont you think?
Kissing you?
No, hiding in a dark room while you kiss me. Theres no one here to see us. We dont have to sneak around.
He chuckled softly. Youre right. Old habits, I guess.
Sophie wanted to ask what hed meant by that, but she bit her tongue and stepped out of his embrace. Light poured into the room as she threw open a set of shutters. When Sophie turned back around, she found Trey surveying the interior of the cottage with a look of amazement.
What the hell is this? he asked. Crossing to stand next to one of the windows, he frowned as he read. This is really weird. Who wrote all of this?
Passing sailors, Sophie said. From all over the world. Its like a diary of this island. Thirty years worth of visits. And look what they left. She crossed the room to the small counter and picked through the assortment of canned goods. Spam, she said, holding up a square tin. Its some kind of canned meat, I think.
Ah, no thanks.
Artichoke hearts?
Trey shook his head, wrinkling his nose. Only in a nice parmesan sauce over pasta.
Baked beans. Men always love baked beans. She grabbed another tin. And smoked oysters.
Ive heard those are an aphrodisiac, Trey said, sending her a playful leer. I dont think we need any more help in that area, do you?
Probably not, Sophie said, pleased that he found no fault with their sex life. She bent down and opened the cabinet beneath the counter, curious to see what there was in the way of cooking utensils. She gasped in surprise. Oh, my! Look at this. I think Ive found something we can both agree on. She grabbed one of the bottles lying on the shelf and held it up. Wine.
Really? Trey strode across the room and knelt down beside her. There were five or six bottles lying inside the cabinet including a couple of French vintages and a Merlot from the Napa Valley. Nice. Although in this heat, the bottles might have gone bad. Well need a corkscrew.
I think there might be one in the pocketknife you were using from the plane, Sophie said.
Trey sat back on his heels. Instead of carting this stuff over to the other side of the lagoon, maybe we should just move camp, like you suggested. This cottage seems pretty weather tight. And the food and water are here.
But what about your shelter?
I think my ego will give way to comfort, Trey admitted. It did the trick for a while, but this seems to be a much better place to spend the night, dont you agree? He slowly stood and glanced around the room. So this isnt really a deserted tropical island. And we could have company at any minute.
I suppose we could, Sophie said. But its not likely. There arent many sailors whod brave the typhoon season in the South Pacific. It would make for miserable sailing.
Good, he murmured. I dont want any company. Im enjoying the relaxed dress code.
Sophie rearranged the cans on the counter. After we move over here, Ill make us a Christmas dinner and well settle in and wait to get rescued.
Just the word rescue brought a flood of regret. As much as Sophie wanted it to last, this time on the island would come to a very quick end. It would be over before she knew it, and all shed be left with was memories. She let her gaze drift slowly down Treys body, then back up again. She had grown so used to having him near, and in such a short time.
Theyd tossed aside the last of their inhibitions when theyd discarded their clothes. Now, there was nothing but a bit of fabric between her touch and his body, between his hands and her bare skin. If she wanted him, all she had to do was reach out and untie the knot in the pareu.
Theyd tossed aside the last of their inhibitions when theyd discarded their clothes. Now, there was nothing but a bit of fabric between her touch and his body, between his hands and her bare skin. If she wanted him, all she had to do was reach out and untie the knot in the pareu.
Temptation was always there, just within her reach. She could be naked in a matter of seconds and so could he. Both of them knew they wouldnt be able to keep their hands off each other for very long. But it was an arousing game to try.
Sophie stepped toward him, tempted to pick up where theyd left off. But she twisted her fingers together in front of her. They had a lot of work to do and the sooner they got it done, the sooner they could relax. If you could go gather our things from the other camp, Ill get wood for the fire, she said.
I can help you with the wood, he countered, grabbing her hand and placing it on his chest.
Just a simple touch sent a shiver of desire through her, strong enough for Sophie to realize that, from now on, working together was impossible. No doubt theyd find some excuse to touch each other again and then work would be forgotten in favor of sex.
Ill be fine, she said. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we canrelax.
He gave her a look, as if he knew exactly what she implied with the word relax. All right, he said.
They strolled out of the cottage and stood on the porch. Go on, she said. Ill be here when you get back.
He took her hand and pressed a kiss to the middle of her palm, drawing his tongue along her index finger, before putting her fingertip in his mouth. It was a provocative gesture and one that made her heart skip a beat. You promise?
Where am I going to go? Sophie teased. Its an island.
Trey nodded reluctantly. Yeah, I guess youre right. He kissed her hand again, then stepped off the porch. So, Ill see you in a little while.
Yes, you will.
They made a good team, Sophie mused as she watched Trey walk away. He was so even-tempered, so unselfish, that she couldnt imagine them ever disagreeing. And even though they didnt know each other at all, she couldnt imagine having a better companion on a deserted tropical island.
Maybe working for him wouldnt be such a crazy idea. If he really was going to build his resort, then she could be a valuable help to him. And it would add a lot more excitement to her life. Plus, there was the benefit of spending more time with Trey once they got off this island. And more time meantwell, more sex, didnt it?