Holiday Affair (3 page)

Holding her gaze, he reached over and took her hand.

“It’s a deal.”

Over dinner, Nick talked about his trip around the Pacific over the past few years and Lissy laughed at his stories of thrill-seeking adventures. Parasailing, mountain climbing, volcano viewing, and surfing off isolated islands.

If he embellished his adventures a little bit, it was purely for the pleasure of seeing Lissy laugh. He sympathized as she told him about moving from Blackrock Beach to the city and growing up with her mother and first stepfather and then going to boarding school.

“Father?” asked Nick.

“Only Gramps,” Lissy said sadly. “My father was an Irish backpacker who married Mum, but didn’t hang around long enough to meet me. Now she’s sampling a variety of nationalities in the husband category. Started off with the Irish boyo, moved on to an Aussie, then an American, and now she lives in Denmark with her fourth husband.”

“I can understand why you were a little bit aloof from the backpacker crowd, and that stupid bet made it worse.”

“I don’t see my mother very often, and when Gramps died a couple of weeks ago, she didn’t even make the service.” Nick reached out for Lissy’s hand across the table as her eyes filled with tears.

“Gramps was the rock in my life and so proud of me.

I was hoping to have some good news for him about a promotion in a few weeks, but he died suddenly in his sleep.”

Nick rubbed his thumb across the top of her hand and Lissy seemed unaware of it as she stared into the candle flickering in the centre of the table. He couldn’t take his eyes off her face as the love for her grandfather shone from her eyes.

“The last time I visited him, he teased me.” She looked up at Nick and the determination in her face surprised him. “He asked me about my plans, and I can still see his old eyes crinkling at me. He didn’t believe that I’d commit to my career and he always teased me about ending up with three kids, a house with a white picket fence, and a dog named Rex. And, of course, a husband. Gramps was a great believer in love. But nearly thirty years watching Mum search for it taught me that security is far more important. I’m about to achieve a milestone in my career and I’m well on the way to security.”

“What do you do, Lissy?”

“No, no details,” she said. “Let’s just be ships that pass in the night. What about you? Family?”

“Yes. Lots of brothers and sisters, all settled down in the country, producing the required grandchildren for my parents. I’m the son with the wanderlust.” Looking across at her, he raised his wine glass. “I’ll never settle down. I like my freedom too much.” He clinked her glass across the table.

“To a happy life. I hope you find what you’re looking for and it brings you happiness.”

Her brilliant green eyes lit up and a sweet smile spread slowly across her beautiful face as she clinked her glass against his. Sadness lingered in her eyes, making him feel even more of an ass for the way he had treated her. The candlelight formed an aureole of light around her golden curls and she looked back at him, her eyes full of trust.

Eyes that could suck a man right in. It was time to get out of here.

“Right,” he said briskly, reaching for the bill folder.

“My treat. Apology for the last two days?”

“Thanks for listening tonight. You’ve been sweet.” Lissy placed her hand on top of his.

They walked along the path to their cabins, the sweet smell of frangipani blooms wafting over them. Looking up at the white flowers, Lissy stumbled on a thick root at the edge of the path. Nick reached across and placed his arm casually around her shoulders to guide her. Reaching around, he grabbed and twirled a long curl around his finger. He looked down at her and warmth filled his chest.

His hand cupped her shoulder and then he gently skimmed his fingertips down her bare arm. She leaned into him with a long drawn-out sigh and he pulled her close. He sensed her crying silently before he felt the tears through his shirt and he held her as she cried. His gut clenched as he realized his crass behavior had added to her troubles the past couple of days. “I’m sorry, Lissy, for upsetting you so much.” She drew back, looking up at him through her tears. He cupped her jaw, lifting her tear-streaked face so that she was looking directly at him.

“Don’t be silly, I came up here to have a break after Gramps died. No need for an apology. I played the game too.”

When they reached her cabin, Lissy unlocked the door and turned to Nick.

“Thank you for dinner, Nick.”

He leaned down to kiss her cheek and bid her good night. She looked deep into his eyes and the grief and loneliness on her face turned to naked longing. A powerful desire rocked through him as Lissy reached up and brushed a light kiss along his lips.

Nick wanted her with an intensity that shocked him.

For a moment, he stilled, aware of her closeness, her touch, and the soft breath of her gentle kiss. He held her gaze until his mouth covered hers. She slid her hands under his silk shirt and sighed into his mouth as she caressed his warm, bare skin. With a groan, Nick deepened the kiss and his mouth roamed her face and throat as his hands tangled in her luxurious hair. She reached behind her back with one hand, opened the door, and pulled him into her cabin. Her body was quivering and her lips were warm, heat seeping into him, warming a cold place deep within that had been chilled for too long. Struggling against the need to rush and realizing that she needed gentleness, he moved her slowly across the room until the back of her legs pressed against the bed.

“Okay?” he murmured against her mouth. She answered by reaching up and pulling his shirt above his head and then moving down to the buttons on his jeans.

God, am I insane? What am I doing?

For a brief moment, Lissy’s fingers paused in their journey downward. She must be crazy because she didn’t want to stop what she’d started. She reached around and splayed her fingers on the bare skin under his shirt, resting her cheek against his broad chest. Both hands were now under his shirt and his bare skin was warm beneath her fingers.

“Lissy?” he asked softly.

“Shh.”

“Are you sure?”

In an answer, she slid her hands back around to his chest and one hand skimmed over a hardened nipple.

Lissy pressed her face against his chest, feeling the beat of his heart against her cheek.

“I can’t think of a nicer way to end my holiday,” she said.

Nick took her hands in his and gathered her into his arms. His fingers played with her long curls as he held her close. For the first time in a long time, Lissy felt safe and happy.

But he was right—she needed to be sure about this.

Closing her eyes, she came to an easy decision. Despite her doubts, she wanted him. She needed to feel the weight of his body. Needed to feel his warm, bare skin against hers.

She wanted him, of that she had no doubt. Reaching up with one hand, she traced every feature on his face with trembling fingers. “Nick, you’re a great guy. Not many men would be so patient.”

“I wanted you the first moment I saw you, Lissy.” She looked up and saw her own burning need mirrored in those deep blue eyes although she knew he was holding himself back.

Lissy reached up to him and touched her lips to his. Nick’s hold on her tightened, and then he lifted her and placed her on the crisp white sheets of the king-size bed. His head was silhouetted by the bright moonlight streaming through the window, and Lissy shivered with anticipation as he knelt over her, his hands pinning her arms to the bed. He kissed her with a delicious strength that made her forget any lingering doubt.

His hunger excited her.

“You are so beautiful.” His breath whispered along her neck as he unbuttoned the small pearl buttons on her silk dress and pushed it aside.

His gentle voice belied his urgent fingers as the silk fell from her bare shoulders, quickly followed by the brief scraps of her underwear. Within moments, she was entirely naked.

“Sweet perfection,” he said.

His lips returned to her mouth, more patient this time as the heat built between them. When he pulled away to remove his clothes and retrieve a foil packet from his jeans, she whimpered at the loss. He’d ignited a fire in her that had to be quenched.

Teasing her with gentle fingers, Nick drew out the moment and his mouth blazed a trail as he tasted and explored every inch of her body. When Lissy reached down to touch him, his flesh was hot and hard and she relished his groan when her fingers encircled him. He rolled on top of her pinning her body under his.

“I want to see your face.” Nick’s hand slid down over her small breasts and the smoothness of her hips to rest between her thighs, his eyes never leaving hers, challenging her to respond.

She lifted her hips to welcome him. They moved together in a gentle rhythm until she instinctively picked up his rhythm as he thrust harder and faster.

For long moments, Nick didn’t remove his eyes from hers, until finally Lissy closed her eyes as wave after wave of pleasure overtook her. She pulsed with release and Nick shuddered with a harsh groan of satisfaction, and buried his face in her wild hair.

Nick lifted his head and smiled at her, the sexy laugh lines crinkling around his eyes. Lissy caught her breath.

He rolled off and kept her in his arms.

“No regrets, Lissy?” His lips touched hers gently.

“No regrets,” she replied softly.

She closed her eyes and let herself drift off to sleep.

No regrets
.

The faint light of dawn helped Nick search for his clothes that were scattered around the room. Lissy murmured in her sleep. He moved to the side of the bed, and stood quietly looking down at her. A tangle of red-gold curls spread across the white lace pillowcase and her face was perfectly serene. If he was to catch his flight, he had to hurry and he was torn between reaching down and kissing those inviting lips one more time, or leaving quietly.

Love and leave ‘em mate, time to move on.

But his conscience pricked him and he looked for a pen to leave her a brief note.

What do I say? Thanks for the sex, it was great. Have
a good life?

Running his hand through his hair, he glanced down at his watch and realized if he didn’t hurry he would miss his flight. He took one last look at the beautiful woman curled in the king-size bed and moved quietly to the door. Locking it behind him, he stepped out into the early morning.

The resort was already waking for the day and the gardeners were sweeping the fallen blooms from the paths. Nick said a brief good morning to a worker who was trimming the tree between their cabins. He glared at the workman as he noticed the knowing look on his face.

God knows, he was feeling bad enough about leaving without anyone else being judgmental.

In his own room, Nick had a quick shower and threw his casual clothes into his backpack, grimacing as he pulled out trousers and a long-sleeved shirt. He was not looking forward to leaving the tropics. Tossing his bag over his shoulder, he let himself out of his room with one last regretful look at Lissy’s cabin, half-hoping she would be standing at the door so he could say good-bye.

Half an hour later, Nick had checked into the airport on Hamilton Island and was waiting for his flight to board.

He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and dialed, shaking his head in amusement as the cheery voice of his brother answered, even though it was only six a.m.

“Hey, bro,” Nick greeted his older brother.

“What’s wrong?”

Nick smiled. Tomas was the staid one of the three brothers and took life very seriously.

“Something must be wrong. One, you never call, and two, it’s hours before you usually get up.”

“Nothing’s wrong. I just called to say I’m thinking about delaying my trip home until Sunday night.”
Where the hell did that come from?
thought Nick.

“Well, mate, you can’t,” said his brother. “There’s a big barbeque to welcome you home on Saturday and Mama would have your guts for garters if you didn’t show.” Tomas sighed down the phone. “I know you, Nick. There’s a woman involved.”

Nick laughed bitterly. “Yep, bro. You know me, can’t all be perfect like you. Always a woman. Forget it, I’ll be there. I can’t upset Mama.”

“It’s been two years this time, Nick. The whole family is coming and Mama has been running around like a girl all week. Don’t let her down.”

“Okay, I’ll see you Saturday. Tell Mama I’m picking my bike up in Sydney and I’ll be there about six.”

“Be careful on that highway. And Nick, I have a surprise for you. I’ve met someone, and I’m hoping she will come to the barbeque. Look, I have to go or I’ll be late for work. I’ll see you Saturday.
Ciao.”

“
Looking forward to it Tom.
Ciao.”
Nick shook his head. Tomas was organized and lived his life by a strict routine; they couldn’t be any more different. Sometimes it was hard to believe they came from the same family and the news that he had met someone was no surprise. Tomas always said he would marry by thirty-five.

The call came for his flight to Brisbane, and Nick picked up his backpack and headed for the gate.

…

Lissy opened her eyes as sunlight streamed in through the graceful foliage of the tree outside her window, tracing a delicate pattern across the white sheets. Stretching luxuriously, she lay on her back, watching the orange blooms of the poinciana tree sway in the soft morning breeze. If she was inclined to believe that the night’s events had been a fantasy she had conjured up while lying in her bath, the aches and soreness she felt attested to the experience of the night. She remembered the pleasure they had shared; it was the first time she had ever truly let herself go, not hiding behind her cool facade. The whole night took on a dreamy quality as they had pleasured each other. Lissy had fallen into a deep slumber after Nick had reached over and kissed her a lingering good-bye in the early hours.

She lay there, wondering how she would feel when she saw him this morning. Even though it had been a night of passion, she still had to put it behind her. She would pack her bags ready to catch her flight, have a civilized breakfast with Nick, and wish him well as he sets off on his next adventure.