DesertIslandDelight Read online

But he knew her. He’d heard that razor-sharp tongue do its dirty work. He’d witnessed her fileting the competition one of the times he’d come up against her. She’d carved him up like a damn Christmas turkey when she presented after him to the Three Anchor Foods people.

  And then there was that damn date when he’d been dumb enough to kiss her. He’d been sure she was three hundred percent onboard—at first. Then suddenly it was as if she’d flipped off a switch and shut him down. Too bad his hormones hadn’t remembered that humiliating episode when he’d kissed her back there. Didn’t matter that they were stuck together in this harrowing situation. She was off limits. Just because they were attracted to each other didn’t mean it was smart to act on those impulses.

  Hell no. He’d protect her and try to make sure she stayed out of harm’s way the best he could, but it wouldn’t go further than that. He had no idea what had possessed him to ask her out in the first place.

  Might have been those skimpy outfits she wore to work out, not that he’d paid much attention. But she’d been a poor choice when he’d only been looking for a woman to satisfy his physical needs on a short-term basis. She got way too deep under his skin. He reminded himself of his vow to avoid all entanglements except the purely physical kind. And anysort of sexual liaison with a competitor was suicidal.

  Adrienne had taught him that he sucked at relationships. His job always got in the way. Even two years after the divorce, the memories still hurt.

  He checked on Diana again. She was slowing down. He glanced toward the island and grunted. They still had a long way to go. “You okay?”

  She stopped and gave him a thumbs-up but her gasping breaths betrayed how hard she was struggling.

  He eliminated the distance between them and offered his hand. “Grab on. I’ll pull you for a while.”

  “No…way…José.” Her chest heaved and the tops of her creamy white breasts broke through the surface for a moment. But it was her dogged determination that turned him on even more.

  Damn, she’d caught his roaming gaze. She pinched her perfectly arched eyebrows tight. “I’m…fine.”

  Shrugging, he said, “Have it your way.” When he resumed swimming, he made sure he stayed closer. Since there were obviously sharks in the area, he didn’t want her too far away.

  A bubble surfaced a few feet ahead of him. As he got closer, he realized it was a jellyfish. “Look out.” He stopped swimming and pointed it out to Diana. “Keep your fingers crossed that we can avoid the rest of them.”

  She sucked her lips into her mouth and he was sure she was going to burst into tears any second. Instead, she shook her head as if willing herself not to.

  He grabbed her hand and pulled her with him as he made a wide arc around the jellyfish. Trying to see under the water, he led her through the area with no incident. He squeezed her hand before releasing it. “Let’s hope we don’t run into any more.”

  She nodded then swam past him. “Thanks.”

  After what felt like an endless journey, they finally made it into shallow waters and shortly after, to the island. They both collapsed on the shore. He resisted kissing the ground since he didn’t relish a mouth full of sand.

  Diana’s breasts heaved as she greedily gulped in breaths. Since she had her eyes closed, he allowed himself a long look at her body, mentally removing her sexy red lace bra and panties. He could practically make out her erect nipples through the fabric. His mouth watered as he wondered how they’d taste.

  She had her knees bent and he imagined spreading those perfectly toned thighs and sliding between her legs. His cock grew inside his seawater-soaked boxers. There’d be no hiding his reaction.

  The second those lashes fluttered, he rolled onto his side facing away from her. Sex was the last thing he should be thinking about, but damn. This was going to be a challenge.

  I’m alive.

  Diana lay on her back on the hot sand and stared up at the bluest sky she’d ever seen. Puffy clouds lazily drifted past along with occasional clusters of seagulls. The sun warmed her and dried the wetness from her skin, but soon those powerful rays would be her enemy. For the moment, though, the intense heat felt wonderful.

  She glanced at Chase with his back to her and couldn’t help but admire those massive shoulders with their nicely developed deltoids. All she could think of was how he’d handled that shark like an expert. If he hadn’t known what to do they’d be chum for sure. He’d stepped up to the plate and taken charge.

  In some primitive place of her modern, feminist brain, she was not only impressed but incredibly turned on. He’d also shown his protective side in the water taxi, something she hadn’t expected from him.

  She’d obviously misjudged him. A twinge of guilt poked at her for all the times she’d said less-than-kind words about him and to him back in New York. But dwelling on what she had or hadn’t done was totally futile now. They had a serious situation on their hands, although she wanted to take a few moments to appreciate that they’d managed to survive the last couple hours despite all the obstacles the universe had hurled at them.

  She sucked in a breath of salty air. “I can’t believe we made it here.”

  “But we did. And I’ll be damned if it’s not true, what they say about living through an ordeal like that.” He turned onto his back.

  She met his stare and tamped down the powerful spark of desire as she recalled that kiss after he’d fended off the hammerhead. But he was still her most formidable competitor in their real lives. “What are you talking about?”

  He propped himself up on his elbows and his washboard abs rippled with so much raw male power that she nearly moaned aloud. “You know, about colors and smells becoming more vivid after a near-death experience. I feel more alive than I ever have, like I want to take a bigger bite…” He slid his gaze over her body, not even attempting to be discreet. His sexy grin made her insides even hotter. “I want to grab the most I can out of every moment.”

  She lifted an eyebrow but the not-so-veiled implication of his statement intrigued her. That kiss after their shark encounter was hot as hell, but it wasn’t as if they could have stayed in the middle of the gulf making out, getting to shore meant life or death.

  She couldn’t deny her physical attraction to the man and the fact he’d saved her life only intensified her lust. Truth be told, she’d had the hots for him since the first time they’d pitched against each other. She couldn’t recall the client, but she’d recognized in Chase the same drive and determination that she possessed. It wasn’t often that she’d come up against a truly worthy opponent in the advertising field. After only a few years in the business, she’d made a name for herself and very few competitors made her nervous. Chase was definitely one who did.

  The intense attraction didn’t help matters. After one ill-fated date and the most mind-blowing kiss ever, she’d put the kibosh on any possibility of a relationship. Well, after she’d regained her steadiness and could stand on her own. They came up against each other way too often in business. Besides, they were too damn competitive to peacefully coexist.

  If he wasn’t so freaking gorgeous, she’d have never agreed to go out with him in the first place, but she’d mistakenly suspected that she’d found a kindred spirit in him, someone as ambitious and almost as talented as she.

  He sat up and stared at the water. “We need to figure out where the hell we are and what we’re going to do about it.”

  A warm breeze rustled through the foliage on the edge of the beach. Chase stiffened and glanced over his shoulder toward the dense brush. “What was that?”

  She shrugged. “Just the wind.”

  He got to his feet. “We have no idea how big this island is or if it’s inhabited.” He narrowed his eyes and swept his gaze across the landscape.

  “Who in their right mind would live all the way out here?” She hooked her arms around her bent legs and drew her knees in close. “Sun’s pretty strong. We should find a shady spot or put on our clothes.”
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  “We’ll need some sort of shelter. I can put together a canopy with palm fronds after I search the island.”

  The notion of him building something—that hot, toned body working in the sun, every yummy muscle flexing—turned her inside out. A bead of sweat rolled down her chest and she caught his gaze following it to her cleavage. A different kind of moisture pooled between her legs.

  I should be thinking about survival, not what it would feel like to have Chase’s hands…and tongue on me.

  Still, her nipples puckered and hardened to needy peaks. She shoved away a quiver of desire. It was hardly the time. They had to make sure they were safe. But she wasn’t about to hang out on the beach all alone while he disappeared into the woods. “I’ll search with you.”

  “Like hell you will.”

  Chapter Three

  Chase set his hands on his waist and eyed her. No telling what he’d run into in the forest. He refused to put her in harm’s way, regardless of how tough she thought she was. “Stay here in case a plane or a boat comes near. The sheik is expecting us on his island. I’m sure he’ll alert the authorities when we don’t show up.”

  He wanted nothing more than to roll around on the shore with her and make love to her for hours. But figuring out what or who was on the island and how to survive until they were rescued was way more pressing than his hard-on.

  She folded her arms over her breasts and shook her head. “I’m going wherever you go. We’re in this together.”

  He clenched his jaw at her stubbornness, but he didn’t want to argue with her. Maybe he should let her come along…unless he ran into a wild animal or an unfriendly native. And in her sexy underwear she’d be way more distraction than help.

  He scrubbed a hand over his chin. Already she was skewing his rational thinking with her dangerous curves and those amazing sable-colored eyes. Their situation was precarious enough without him muddying the proverbial waters by letting his libido take him over. He glanced toward the line of pine, sycamore and palm trees again but the thick foliage made it impossible to see more than a few feet into the woods. “It may not be safe for you to come. You never know what could be in there.”

  She furrowed her brow skeptically. “Yeah, like what?”

  “I don’t know, scary creatures.” When her complexion paled, he added, “Could be snakes and giant poisonous lizards. No telling what could live here.” His sisters were terrified of such things and with any luck, so was Diana.

  “What?” She darted her eyes all around. “S-snakes and poisonous lizards?”

  “Might be some Saw Scaled Vipers or even a Komodo Dragon. You ever seen pictures of those giant lizards? They’ve been known to eat people. Their venom is poisonous but it takes a full day for it to work. Could you imagine waiting around in a place like this, knowing you’re about to be a lizard’s Christmas turkey?” Who knew his subscription to National Geographic would come in so handy? She stood way too close, so close that he could touch her. There was no hiding his erection in his damp boxer shorts. He cleared his throat and clasped his hands in front of him.

  “Do you really think creatures like that could be on the island?” Her voice trembled.

  He hadn’t meant to frighten her that much. She’d had enough of a scare already today. “Probably not, but I want to know the lay of the land. Just stay here and I’ll check it out. It might be too thick to negotiate with all that palm scrub.”

  She pinched her eyebrows together as she took a step away. “Wait a second. Who said you were in charge here?”

  Had she forgotten how terrified she was of the shark and how she’d been perfectly happy to let him deal with that situation? “I’m bigger and stronger than you. The advantages of that were evident out in the open water.”

  That shut her up, might have even made her a little repentant, judging by her apologetic expression. “And I appreciate that you saved my life out there, I really do.”

  Uh oh. He felt a but coming on.

  “But I’m a grownup and an equal partner in this…castaway situation. I’ll have you know I was a Girl Scout when I was growing up and I’m quite capable of exploring the woods.”

  He held back a chuckle but why did she have to be so damn difficult?

  She marched over to the tangle of their seaweed-covered, saltwater-soaked clothes and rooted through the pile until she freed her skirt. “Just let me get dressed real quick then I’ll join you.” She pulled on the ruined garment then faced him with her hands on her waist and her chin jutted forward defiantly. “I appreciate this macho, take-care-of-the-fragile-woman thing you’re trying on but frankly, I’m not some weak damsel in distress. I’m perfectly adept at handling myself in any situation so I’ll be going with you.” She yanked her blouse free from the bundle then shook it out and slipped it on.

  He couldn’t help but laugh at her in her ridiculously wrinkled outfit. “I think you’re overdressed for this affair.”

  “Affair? In your dreams, buddy.” She huffed then started toward the trees.

  Geez. What was her problem? Didn’t she get that they were in real danger? He’d never understand women. “If you encounter any hostile natives, give them my regards.” Chase followed, keeping a close eye on her rear view, which was almost as spectacular as the front. He hung back a few yards so he could fully appreciate the swing of her slender hips, but near enough to protect her if anything threatened.

  She swatted branches away as she forged through the low scrub. He had to admit—if only to himself—that he admired her chutzpah. But only ten yards into the woods, she screamed then hopped around like a jumping bean. “Shit, son-of-a-bitch. Ouch!”

  Chase eliminated the distance between them in seconds. “What’s wrong?”

  “My feet. Oh God.” Her face was a mask of agony.

  Instinct took over. He lifted her into his arms and carried her back to the beach. Her feet had turned bright red and were already starting to swell. She sobbed like a child.

  “Speak to me,” he ordered.

  “Ants or something. I think I stepped into a freaking nest. My skin is on fire.” She hooked her arms around his neck and howled so loud it made his ears ring.

  He picked up his pace and sprinted toward the shore. She dug her fingernails into his arms as he set her down in the water then kneeled in the surf.

  “Oh God, it hurts.”

  A lone ant disappeared between two of her toes. He splashed water on her feet, washed away the ant along with sand and dirt.

  “Ahhh. That already feels better.” She buried her face in his chest and a jolt of desire caught him off guard. Her skin was soft against his. She looked up at him and parted her lips.

  The expanding bulge in his thin cotton boxers paid no mind to the cool water. Erotic heat ricocheted between them. He took her mouth like a pirate plundering a long-sought treasure. She tasted of the sea and something else—desire.

  He closed his eyes and ran his hands up and down the firm, smooth skin of her back. She curled her fingers into his shoulders and moaned softly as the waves lulled them deeper into the sensuality of the moment.

  He tangled his tongue around hers, recalling the power of their first kiss so long ago, and the last one, earlier in the day. This was even better, more electric.

  A receding wave sank him deeper into the sand and seemed to pull Diana away from him. She must have felt it too because she broke the kiss. He could have sworn he saw fear in her eyes, only for a split second, before she fixed her armor back in place. Their precarious situation definitely should frighten her, but he suspected it was the kiss that had made her uneasy. He remembered that look from their first kiss, in front of her apartment last year.

  She eased away and stood, wiping a hand over her hair. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…rushed off into the woods that way.”

  Dangers could be everywhere. He had to keep a clear head. Good thing she’d stopped them from going any further than a kiss. He had to quit thinking with his cock and start using
his brain. “I survived eleven years of scouting. It probably would’ve been a good idea for me to go first.”

  She started to say something but stopped and nodded. For a woman as strong as Diana, keeping her mouth shut as she ate crow had to be tough.

  “How do your feet feel?”

  Standing, she glanced down at the water. “They burn. But I’m a big girl.”

  He’d had his share of fire ant bites and with so many, it would hurt for a while. Most women would still be complaining. But Diana apparently wasn’t most women. “Come on.” He grabbed her hand and led her back to the edge of the woods, thankful she was okay.

  She didn’t hesitate when they passed the spot where she’d been bitten. He could have been stranded with worse company. “Stop. Listen for a stream or a waterfall.”

  She did as he requested but there was only the rustle of leaves as rodents and insects crawled the forest floor. “The foliage is so lush. There has to be a source of fresh water somewhere here.”

  “What’s that?” She pointed to a clearing ahead.

  He tightened his grasp on her when he noticed a few stumps with smooth, neat tops. Those trees had been cut. He automatically tensed. “Someone was here. Or still is.”

  On the far side of the clearing was a thick tree with uniform cutouts etched into the trunk, some worn down more than others. Someone climbed up the sycamore regularly. He held a finger to his lips then inched closer and tilted his head back to follow the path up the tree.

  He gasped at what he saw.

  Diana snapped her jaw shut the instant she realized it had fallen open.

  Chase eased her back a few feet, which gave her a better view of the tree house looming above them. What if someone was inside? Someone hostile? Her throat constricted.

  She stuck close to Chase as he circled the clearing and darted his eyes all around. He pointed to the notches on the trunk then started climbing. “Stay here.”

  But when he approached the manmade structure, she ignored his whispered order and headed up after him. She winced when her sore feet scraped over the rough bark but she wouldn’t let him leave her alone. For all they knew, the person or people who’d built the tree house could be nearby.