Trey had walked out a while ago and hadnt come back. She thought about going after him, wondering why he wasnt interested in finishing what theyd begun, but Sophie didnt want to hear the answer. Theyd almost done something they could have both been sorry for later. And yet, Sophie was sorry now.
Since their sunset stroll on the beach, something had changed between them. What had begun as a physical relationship was quickly turning into something more. Shed grown desperate to feel him inside her, without anything between them, and not just because it brought physical pleasure. She had wanted him to bury himself deep during his release so that they could share something they hadnt yet experienced, something that would be theirs alone.
It was foolish, Sophie knew. Shed never allowed such an emotional attachment to any other man. But her feelings had somehow become tangled up in all of this and she couldnt help herself. For just a little while, she wanted to believe what she and Trey had was more than just sex.
Ever since her parents divorce, Sophies heart had been left nearly paralyzed. It still beat every day, but shed been unable to feel anything deeper than mild affection for anyone. She couldnt trust herself with emotions that might end up wounding her even more deeply.
Yet the moment she and Trey had faced possible death, the moment theyd stumbled out of the plane and into each others arms, shed felt her heart begin to come alive again. Sophie had tried to tell herself it was just the adrenaline rush of landing safely. But the adrenaline had worn off long ago and she realized she was falling for her fellow castaway.
Sophie drew a ragged breath and moaned softly. Sexual attraction and mutual desire had somehow transformed into trust and affection. And though it was dangerous to even explore such emotions, perhaps it might be worth the risk. Maybe this was just a first step, a way for her to find herself. How much could he possibly hurt her in such a short time? She was stronger now and more able to recover. Why not take a chance?
Reaching up, Sophie touched her lips, still bruised from his kiss. No man had ever made her feel this way. Every moment with Trey was like a carnival ride, a mixture of thrills and fear and exhilaration. She wanted to get off, yet she felt compelled to stay for just a little longer, to see what wonderful experience might be next.
Reaching up, Sophie touched her lips, still bruised from his kiss. No man had ever made her feel this way. Every moment with Trey was like a carnival ride, a mixture of thrills and fear and exhilaration. She wanted to get off, yet she felt compelled to stay for just a little longer, to see what wonderful experience might be next.
Thats the problem, Sophie murmured to herself. Knowing when to get off.
She bent down and picked up her pareu, then wrapped it around her naked body and knotted it under her arm. When she reached the door, she stepped out onto the porch. Trey was bent over the fire hed built earlier, trying to coax a flame to life while shielding it from the rain.
Sophie wrapped her arms around the porch post and watched him, wondering what he was thinking. Its raining too hard, she called. It wont last.
He glanced over his shoulder. If its big enough, I can keep it going, he said. Besides, your father is going to know something is wrong by now. He might send out a search plane. If they see the fire, it may give him cause to hope.
Sophie smiled, grateful that he understood her fathers worries. But she suspected he was working on the fire to avoid talking to her. In the dark, they could miss the island by miles. Theyre not likely to see a fire that small.
Then Ill make it bigger, he snapped. Trey grabbed another branch and tossed it onto the feeble flames, the muscles across his back tight, his fists clenched.
He was angry, Sophie mused. They had let their desire get the better of them, both of them enjoying the feel of each other without a barrier between them. But theyd stopped in time. And it wasnt as if she were trying to trap him with some surprise pregnancy. You dont have to take it out on me, she replied. Whats your problem?
He straightened, as if he were about to turn around and face her. But then, he must have thought better of it, as he continued to stare into the fire. I dont have a problem.
Why are you angry with me?
He drew a deep breath, his shoulders rising. Sophie, just go back inside.
She didnt like being dismissed. And she didnt like being blamed for something she wasnt even sure shed done. With a muttered curse, she hurried down the porch steps and crossed the short distance to Trey, then grabbed his arm and spun him around to face her.
You cant just ignore me, she said. Were stuck on this island together.
Im not trying to ignore you. I-I just need some space right now.
If you didnt want to have sex, you could have just said so.
His sharp laugh split the damp night air. Thats not the problem. All I want to do is make love to you. Its all I think about. I cant get enough of you. The moment I touch you, I lose all capacity to resist. He stopped himself, drawing a deep breath. I dont like that feeling. It scares me.
Its just sex, Sophie said.
No, it isnt. And Im not sure it ever was.
She took a step back. What is that supposed to mean?
Trey shrugged. It means Im not sure we can just walk away from this when it comes time to leave this island. Im not sure I want to. And I dont think you do, either.
Sophie shook her head. Im not going to talk about this, she muttered. We were just having some fun. Theres no need to make a big deal out of it.
Come on, Trey countered. Its more than fun. I feel it. You feel it. I know you do.
Sophie avoided his gaze, as if one look would reveal the truth. Of course she felt it. But that didnt mean it was anything more than just infatuation.
He grabbed her chin and turned her face up to his. Go ahead. Admit it.
What? You want me to say I love you? No, Im not in love with you, Trey. Weve spent a day together. No one falls in love in a day.
I didnt say love. He paused. You did.
Thunder rumbled in the sky and she felt her temper rise. Was this all a game to him? What were you going to say?
He opened his mouth, then closed it again as he measured his words. Ive never felt this way about any woman, he replied. Theres something there. Itsdifferent.
Right. Different. Oh, that tells me a lot. She spun on her heel and stalked back to the porch, cursing to herself in French. That something is lust, pure and simple, she said, shouting through the rain.
She stepped through the door and slammed it behind her, but the moisture had made the wood swell and it refused to close. With a frustrated growl, Sophie shut it, then leaned back against it, her breath coming in tiny gasps, her heart slamming in her chest.
She hadnt meant to say it out loud. All along, from the moment theyd first kissed, Sophie had warned herself against just this moment. Shed been a fool to believe either one of them could keep emotion from creeping into their relationship. And now that it had, everything was ruined.
She wanted to run away, to hide until all these feelings evaporated. But she was trapped here with him, at least until morningand maybe even longer.
A knock sounded on the door. Sophie? He tried the doorknob, then gave the door a push, but she braced her shoulder against it.
Go away, she called.
Let me in.
I just want to be alone for a while. She closed her eyes, trying to stem a flood of tears. Great. Now she was crying over him. What was wrong with her? I need some space.
All right, he finally said. But we are going to talk about this again.
Sophie slid down along the rough wood door until she was sitting on the floor, her knees tucked under her chin. It had been so simple to avoid attachments. Trey had been right, she could have left her father and found a place for herself in the world. But instead, shed hidden from her future, from love, in one of the remotest places she could find. Was it any wonder she had no one to love?
In her mind, she rewound the memories of her previous relationships and Sophie recognized a disturbing pattern. Whenever her feelings became too intense, shed walk away. Her motives werent difficult to interpret. Her father had been a notorious philanderer and though she loved him, shed never really trusted him. But all men werent like her father, were they?
There were people in the world who had wonderful marriages, people who loved the same person for their whole life without infidelity ever entering the picture. Had she already found a love like that and carelessly tossed it aside because of her fears? Or was that man here, on this island, with her?
Sophie covered her face with her hands, trying to restore a sense of order to her crazy thoughts. Someday, shed have to face all her doubts and insecurities about love. But now wasnt that time. How could she afford to risk her heart with a man she didnt even know? Though theyd shared the most incredible intimacy, Trey was a complete stranger. She knew nothing of him beyond what shed learned on this island.
Sophie silently cataloged the things that she did know. He cared about her and in more than just a sexual way. He wanted to protect her. He found her interesting and amusing and attractive. And when he touched her, he made her feel as if she were the only woman in the world he could ever want.
Inside the cottage, it was now dark and she could barely see any light coming through the windows. It would be a long, lonely night with Trey outside and her alone inside. But right now, facing Trey meant facing her feelings. And she just wasnt ready to deal with that. Not yet.
TREY HEARD THE HINGES SQUEAK and the soft footsteps on the porch floor. He lay in the hammock, his arm thrown over his eyes, blocking his view. He slowed his breathing, wondering if she intended to speak first or reach out and touch him.
He felt her fingertips brush his shoulder and he pulled his arm back. He could just barely see her as his eyes adjusted to the dark. Trey held out his hand and she wove her fingers through his, repairing the break between them in that single instant.
He gently pulled her to the hammock and she crawled in beside him, stretching her body along his. They lay together silently, the hammock swinging back and forth, the warmth of her body seeping into his skin. Sophie nestled beneath his arm, then threw her leg across his, wriggling until she was comfortable.