Page 26 of Escape to the Sun

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Ash knewhe was playing with fire when it came to Heather, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. Something about her drew him in. He wanted to know her. He wanted to…dammit, he wanted to kiss her again. It was the craziest thing and if he’d stopped to think about it, he might have realized there was more to it than just desire. But he didn’t want to think about it.

Not if he could help it.

What he did want was to get her alone again so they could finish their conversation. And soon.

He didn’t have to wait long. With the new arrivals into the mojitos early on, they were eager to get some sleep shortly after dinner. The romantic couple staying in the far cabin also begged off early, as they did every night, so they could be alone together. Ash and Heather watched the light of their flashlight disappear down the garden path. It wasn’t until the light disappeared into their cabin, and Ash and Heather were finally alone for the first time in a week, that Ash finally spoke.

“Will you let me show you something?”

She burst into a giggle, barely bothering to stifle it with her hand.

“That’s not what I meant.” He shook his head, but it was no use; Heather was in a full blown fit of laugher. The sound was contagious and soon he laughed along with her until she finally exhausted herself.

“You good now?”

She nodded as solemnly as she could. “I am. That just struck me.”

“I can see that.” He shook his head, but he didn’t mind. Not at all. He loved seeing her laugh. “I do want to show you something.” He held up a hand before she could break into hysterics again. “And it’s nothing like that. I promise. This is totally innocent. But it’s pretty amazing. Do you want to see?”

She eyed him, unable to conceal the curiosity from her face. Finally she nodded. “I do.”

It was the response he was hoping for. They took the dishes into the kitchen, leaving them for later. Ash grabbed a flashlight from the shelf by the garden door and led the way to the pathway behind grande casa.

“Where are we going?”

“Not far.”

“Is it safe?”

Thor stood a few steps behind, ready for the adventure that awaited. From the moment she’d arrived, the dog wasn’t far away from Heather, as if he’d appointed himself her guardian. He’d been up at the treehouse for a bit with Sherri, but as if he’d sensed that she wanted to be totally alone, the dog had come back down the stairs with Ash when he’d left the final time.

“We have Thor. I’m sure he’ll save us from any scary jungle creatures.”

Heather shot him a look but he laughed. “I told you, I didn’t know Casa del Sol was on an island before I came here.”

“I know.” He slipped his hand in hers, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “I’m only teasing.” She’d stopped walking at his touch, so he squeezed gently. “Ready?”

Ash could only barely make out her nod in the moonlight, but she walked with him, letting him lead her down the garden path. He hadn’t been lying; they didn’t have far to go. Ash led them, his hand firmly holding hers, to the little walkway that led over the water to a vacant bungalow. Heather stopped hard when she realized where he was taking her and he had to swallow a laugh because by all appearances, it did look a little suspect.

“I promise it’s not what it looks like.”

“Really, Ash? I mean, this is a little…”

He couldn’t help it; he laughed. “I promise.” He released her hand to hold it up in a Boy Scout’s promise. “We’re not even going inside. I just wanted to use the deck.”

She looked at him sideways, but finally agreed. “Okay. But no funny business.”

“You have my word.”

They walked down the dock and skirted around the bungalow to the deck on the far side. Despite the joke, he hadn’t been lying when he said he wasn’t going to try anything with her. Not that he wouldn’t if she wanted him to. But that wasn’t his intention by bringing her to the empty bungalow.

“So, why here?” Heather sat on a bench near the edge of the deck and dangled her feet over the water. She moved over so he could sit, but he had other ideas.

“Don’t get comfortable. We’re going swimming.”

“Swimming?” The moonlight reflected off the smooth surface of the water and provided just enough illumination to see the surprise on Heather’s face. “But I don’t have a bathing—oh. No.” She shook her head. “No way. I am not going skinny-dipping.”

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