Afternoon sunshine slithered between two of the pale blue blinds, which had snagged and not quite overlapped. The light streamed over Saria’s closed eyelids and she blinked and stretched. Muscles she’d never used before ached, but in the best way. Beside her, Ben snoozed, his silky blond hair a rumpled mess and his jaw holding a razz of golden stubble.
Overhead, the distinct whirr of chopper blades drummed then passed toward the resort and faded. Hopefully Lydia and Tyler were back. Eager to check and not sleep her entire first day in the islands away, she snuck out of bed, snagged her denim cutoffs and a lacy yellow-paneled top from the dresser and raced to the bathroom. Dressed, her teeth cleaned and her hair fastened in a high ponytail, she added a smear of lippy and tiptoed back to the bedroom.
Ben had rolled onto his front and lay sprawled across both sides of the bed, his arms crossed under his cheek. The position stretched his broad shoulders and with the sheet pooled at his hips, showed off his muscular back and trim waist. Her mouth watered at the tempting display.
How she wanted to stay, but she needed to make sure Lydia was okay. She picked up the sat phone and forced herself to walk out of the room. After closing the door with a gentle snick, she strolled down the plush-carpeted cream passageway. Halogen lights beamed over vivid blue underwater ocean scenes adorning the length of the caramel-cream walls.
She wandered up the winding stairs to the second floor. Outside the open double glass lounge doors, the crystal blue water beckoned, and beyond, the resort’s white and blue striped sun umbrellas dotting the beach provided shade for families lazing on colorful towels beneath them.
For the first time in what felt like forever, the tension she’d carried in her muscles finally eased away. Ben was close, safe and well, and she could sense her sister’s closeness through their twin bond. Lydia had been on that chopper.
“Hey, you’re up and awake. Did you have a good sleep?” Dylan waved from the long oak dining table past the cozy groupings of four white leather couches. At twenty-seven, Dylan had risen through the ranks of Whitehall Shipping and earned the position of chief engineer, and as she’d learnt yesterday, he played a very analytical game of poker.
“I did. Thanks for asking.” Her rubber-soled sandals squelched as she crossed the polished pine floors. She plopped onto the padded chair beside him. “Where is everyone?”
“Liam and Nico have gone sandcastle building. Luke took his surfboard out to the where the waves are rolling in the sweetest, and Brigs is still napping. I take it Ben is too?”
“He’s completely out of it.” She set the sat phone on the table.
“How are you feeling?” He kicked out his long legs clad in beige cargo shorts and crossed them at the ankle.
“Ben’s here, so much better.” She smiled as her thoughts returned to the man who’d made love to her so passionately. “My fears have eased, and I’m not going to let them rear up again. I’m even going to take a walk. It’ll be my first out on my own in a year without a bodyguard looming over me.”
“I can come if you’d like, and I promise no looming.”
“Thanks, but I need to do this alone.” On its white lace doily, she slid the center fruit bowl closer. Bunches of purple and green grapes were nestled around juicy peaches and apricots. She plucked a grape, popped it into her mouth and moaned as its sweet juice exploded over her tongue. Delicious.
“I’ll drop that sat phone back in the control room if you’d like. I’m heading up to see the captain shortly.” Dylan selected a banana hiding on the other side of the bowl and peeled it. “Where are you headed on your walk? There’s a ton to see.”
“To the pharmacy if there is one.” It wouldn’t hurt to grab some additional protection since her hormonal injection was due again soon.
“There’s one inside the main building, tucked on the lower level next to the doctor’s clinic.”
“There’s a clinic?” Fantastic. She’d make an appointment with the doctor instead. She selected a peach then strolled to the door. “In case Ben wakes up looking for me, tell him I’ll be back before it gets dark.” Which was early in the tropics, about six. She’d have a couple of hours tops.
“You enjoy your walk.”
“I will.” She breathed deep as she crossed the deck and walked down the gangplank onto the wharf. The salty sea breeze ticked her nose and recharged her senses. Now this was life, and she was finally living it again.
“Well, look at you, Miss Independent.” Lydia, dressed in a short floral island skirt and pale pink shirt, released Tyler’s hand and bounced toward her. “Outside, and without a chaperone. I’m so proud of you.”
“I feel exhilarated, and my chaperone’s asleep. Having you and Ben back is exactly what I needed to get back to being my old self. How was your trip? All licensed up?”