Page 64 of Stone
Why did I have the feeling there was so much more he wanted to say, yet had no clue where to start? Time had driven such a tremendous wedge between us.
He nodded toward the front door and I followed him inside. After he grabbed a cooler from the pantry, I pulled drinks from the refrigerator while he headed out the back door. I had no idea what he was doing and the excitement I felt seemed out of place. We weren’t playing house and we certainly weren’t a couple, but at least sightseeing would shield some of the pain that had kept me from any creativity whatsoever.
“Let me grab a couple things before we go,” he told me. “There are plenty of towels in the hall closet.” He moved toward the door, stopping once, but retreating without saying anything else.
Gah, the man was so infuriating.
Still frustrated, I added the drinks to the cooler, even sneaking in some beer and a bottle of wine. For kicks and giggles, I tossed in a block of cheese and a knife, marveling how much being here felt like home.
The house was exactly what I’d imagined an island estate would look like. There were windows everywhere, and doors that slid into walls creating an expansive opening leading to a series of patios and decks. His furniture was modern meets tropical, every wooden surface light in color. The light fixtures were also modern, the kitchen state of the art.
Artwork he’d mentioned purchasing covered several walls, the bold colors depicting the island beautifully. With the palm trees on three sides, and incredible foliage highlighting succulent flowers I’d never seen before, this was truly a tropical paradise.
I’d wanted to venture back to the art studio, spending time with Amanda. She’d been very helpful, answering all my questions. And it had also been obvious she both knew and admired Stone.
I found beach towels in the linen closet and when I pressed them to my chest, I gathered a scent that reminded me of Stone.
Distinctive with a musky fragrance.
As I pulled the terrycloth to my nose, I beaded back to the kitchen. My skin was tingling as if he’d touched me.
When he walked back inside a few minutes later, he stood where he was a few feet away as if uncertain what to say. As usual.
As before, my reaction to seeing him was what I shouldn’t want, the lust creating a sense of warmth between my legs. While his dangerously handsome physique caused my legs to quiver, it wasthe way his eyes flashed in the stream of sunlight that had my stomach all fluttery.
“Did you grab a swimsuit?” he finally asked.
“What good is a swimsuit if I can’t swim?”
“Uh-huh. Don’t try and con me into letting you into the water. However, you’re on a tropical island, Dani. Of course you need one.”
“Then I’ll bring one with me.”
“I’ll wait. For as long as it takes.” His jaw clenched and he forced himself to look away a few seconds later. Only then was I able to force my legs to move.
I grabbed the suit from the bedroom, allowing enough time to take a few deep breaths while reminding myself that this wasn’t a date.
If it wasn’t, then why did I check my reflection in the mirror and even fluff my hair? You’d think I was a teenager getting ready for prom by the way I fussed with the unruly curls. The humidity in Hawaii was a beast.
I shoved my feet into the flat tennis shoes, using them like slippers. I’d sensed he was either eager to bring me out of my obvious funk or simply impatient.
When I returned, he still had the signature scowl on his face I’d seen before. “Are you ready?”
“Absolutely. Let’s get this adventure started, Cap’n Jack. Maybe you can teach me some surfing moves later while you’re at it.” I pretended I was surfing, throwing my arms out and shimmying my hips.
“You’re going to get it for that.”
He’d always been the take charge kind of guy before. His father had instilled in him that men were supposed to be gentlemen. Stone had always opened doors for me, keeping his hand on the small of my back as we entered and walked through a room.
He’d insisted on paying for every meal, even though he could barely scrape up enough money to pay for his truck payment.
I’d adored him for it.
As soon as I walked closer, I was reminded that when I was nervous, I had the grace of an elephant. I stepped on my shoelaces and tripped, pitched forward into his huge, muscular arms.
He caught me with ease, one hand gripping my waist and the other fisting my hair.
I slowly peeked up at him as the force kept our heated bodies together. The bathing suit was dropped, my hands planted against his chest at a point where I could feel his rapid heartbeat.
