It took Charles a few painful seconds to realize that his eyes weren’t playing tricks on him. His disbelieving gaze wandered over Diane from the top of her short, curly hair to her long shapely legs, crossed at the knee. The red dinner suit did marvelous things to her lovely brown skin. She was stunning.
His nostrils flared as if he were attempting to inhale her scent. His physical response to her was immediate. He was hard and uncomfortable. One look at her and he was so damn hungry all he could think about was burying himself in her moist warmth. He trembled with hot expectation. Hell!
Even in the relatively dim interior she created a stir. He didn’t have to look around. He knew she was the recipient of many appreciative male gazes. That was a given with her. Diane drew men like bees to a honeycomb.
In spite of her smile, Charles could see the tremor of her full red-tinted mouth. Lips so sweet that no man could forget the taste. She was dangerous.
He swore beneath his breath as he slowly rose to his feet, buttoning his sports jacket in hopes of hiding his erection.
He’d been too long without a woman. Why else would his pulse beat so wildly in his throat? He attributed the weakness in his limbs to the pain medication he’d taken early that morning.
Diane had come into the lounge after the floor show feeling very lonely and uncertain. She’d been so caught up in her thoughts of him that she couldn’t recall what she’d eaten for dinner or what the show she’d seen had been about. As she looked up to order a glass of wine that she didn’t really want, she saw Charles enter the lounge. It seemed like an eternity since she’d last seen him, even longer since they’d really talked.
The trouble was there was so much about herself he didn’t understand, so much she could not share with him. At fifteen, Diane had lost her baby fat. Her body had ripened into a tiny waist, full curves, and long, shapely legs. Suddenly, she was no longer safe. She was forced to fight to maintain her virtue. She’d learned early that men weren’t to be trusted. It was an unforgettable lesson. Time and experience had served to further narrow her meager supply of trust. It wasn’t until her senior year in college that she felt safe enough to date. During her years away from home, she gained confidence in her ability to take care of herself. She didn’t waste her time with men who could not accept “no.”
Once she’d started teaching, she began dating in earnest. She found safety in numbers. After a few dates she moved on. No serious involvements for Diane. And truth be told, she relished the masculine attention she received. For the first time, she’d felt truly feminine, at ease with her own womanliness. Over the years she’d perfected the art of juggling men. She’d gotten too good at it, according to Charles. Now, she didn’t even have his friendship. He’d turned his back on what they had.
Diane was deeply in love for the first time in her life. Unfortunately, she discovered her feelings long after Charles had issued his ultimatum. He had since quit his teaching job at Lawrence. In fact, she hadn’t seen him since Heather and Quinn’s wedding, a year and a half ago.
It was only recently, since his accident, that she’d come to recognize the full extent of her feelings for him. Oh, she’d been in love with him for a long time. She just hadn’t been strong enough to trust her feelings.
Perhaps she’d let too much time pass? Although he was acting like the most opinionated, arrogant, smart-aleck black man she had ever had the misfortune of meeting, she knew how tender and compassionate and caring he could be. She would make him change his opinion of her, make him give her a second chance. She would!
It had taken all her resolve to send that drink over to him. As he approached her drink in hand, her stomach muscles tightened even more. She felt as if she’d swallowed a mass of silken butterflies. Her heart sank when she saw that his beautiful black eyes were flashing sparks of absolute rage. He might not be what some would call a conventionally handsome man, but she found his strong brown face, high cheekbones, well-drawn African features, and full sensuous masculine lips extremely appealing. He moved with a smooth, athletic grace she’d come to associate with him alone. He was a charismatic man.
His navy blazer, teamed with ivory trousers and open polo shirt, only hinted at the sleek, well-muscled strength of his wide shoulders, long torso, and muscular thighs. But his eyes were his most arresting feature. They were very, very black. When he was pleased, they seemed to twinkle with merriment. When he was aroused, they smoldered with dark flames of desire, and when he was angry they flared with fury, as they were doing right now. He slowly moved toward her table.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were following me,” he said in his naturally deep, gravelly baritone. His eyes mocked the playfulness in his tone.
“Hello, Charles. It’s been awhile. Please... join me.” She smiled, lifting her chin while nervously swallowing the lump in her throat. She’d waited and planned too long for this moment. She didn’t intend to let his anger stop her.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, taking the empty chair across from her. His brow was creased in a heavy scowl.
“Cruising the Caribbean. What else?”
“Yeah, what else,” he repeated. “Well?”
“Well, what?” She tried to laugh, but it came out sounding weak, even to her own ears.
It was clear that this line of questioning was getting him nowhere fast. He wasn’t sure if she’d followed him or not. Yet how could she have known his plans? Heather, he deduced. Who else?
Heather knew how badly Diane had hurt him. Charles didn’t think for a moment that she had betrayed his confidence. They’d been friends too long. He also knew she wouldn’t be above a bit of matchmaking.
Damn! He had told her his plans were confidential, hadn’t he? Maybe not. Why should he? He’d never considered the possibility of Diane being on the same cruise. It could be a coincidence. Yet he had serious doubts about that. There was another very real possibility...
“Where is your man? A woman like you is never without one.”
Diane should have been prepared for this, especially considering the way they had parted with so much bitterness and anger between them.
Charles waited, his eyes never leaving her lovely face. Knowing Diane, a man was always involved. She collected them like trophies. Was there ever a time when she didn’t have a lover?
“It is good to see you again also, Charles.” She smiled while clenching her small evening bag tightly in her lap. This was worse, far worse than she’d imagined.
“Cute, but not very informative.”
“I didn’t see you on the plane. But then, I left on Friday. When did you leave?”
“Let’s stop playing games, doll face.”
“Don’t call me that!” she snapped. “That’s your name for Heather, not me.” She was unable to admit even to herself the jealousy she sometimes felt over the closeness Heather shared with the man of her own daydreams.
“Sorry,” he said. “I forgot for a second that I’m not talking to a friend.”
“That was your choice, not mine. You didn’t want my friendship, remember?” She swallowed the tears burning her eyes. She’d promised herself she wasn’t going to cry.
“Why are you here?”
Diane fingered the rim of her wineglass. She might be foolish for coming, but she was no fool. It wasn’t in her best interest to answer. She didn’t recognize this angry, bitter man. Where was the playful, tender, kind man she had known for so many years?
Forcing herself to smile, she said, “It’s spring break. Even hardworking teachers get time off. My plans are to relax and enjoy myself. I’m sure you’re here to do the same. If you will excuse me, I’ll say goodnight.”
Charles wasn’t ready for the conversation to end. He was no closer to getting a straight answer out of her than he’d been when he’d walked over to her table. “I’ll escort you to your cabin.”
Close to dissolving into tears, she said, “That’s not necessary.”
“I’ll walk you, anyway.”
Diane gave in with a shrug. It was pointless to argue. He was determined to have the last word.
Despite the tears that threatened to flood Diane’s eyes, she noticed it was a lovely night. A soft, warm breeze caressed their faces. The stars seemed much bigger and brighter, in spite of the almost full moon. The sounds of the sea were soothingly close. Despite the lateness of the hour, the deck was crowded.
Diane wondered how many times in the past few weeks as she’d prepared for this trip she’d imagined herself alone with him on a night such as this. In her fantasies, he was always smiling down at her with love in his eyes, the dimples in his cheeks engagingly evident. Tonight, Charles’s features were arranged in distinct displeasure. Evidently, he found nothing positive in her being on board. Even though she had tried to prepare herself for his anger, it hurt deeply.
Charles was oblivious to the pleasant sounds of the ocean as it lapped against the ship. His breathing was quick and uneven, his body was taut with tension and desire. In spite of his anger, he wanted her so badly he hurt.
“Start talkin’,” he said, once they were finally out of earshot of the crowd. His hands were shoved safely into his pockets, where he couldn’t do anything stupid like touch her.
“Will you look at those stars!”
“Diane! I’m having a difficult time believing our being on the same ship is an accident. I think I deserve an explanation.”
“I disagree. But I will repeat the only one I am prepared to give tonight. I’m here on vacation, and I plan to enjoy every second of it.”
A muscle jumped in the side of his neck. He looked as if he might be grinding his teeth.
Diane sighed. “Charles, we haven’t seen each other in so long. Can’t we at least be cordial to one another?”
“Not a damn thing has changed between us.”
Diane’s throat ached from suppressed tears. She was weak with relief by the time they reached her door. “I’m sorry you feel that way. Goodnight.”
“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” Charles studied the soft lush curves of her mouth.
Diane didn’t see the hunger in his gaze, for she concentrated on maintaining her composure. It took her longer than necessary to retrieve the key to her cabin from the bottom of her small evening bag.
Made impatient by her delay, he demanded, “Well?”
“I’m tired. It’s been a long day.” How much more of his anger could she take?
“I have a few things to say that I’m sure you don’t want the good people on this ship to hear. Or is your lover in the cabin? Are you afraid he won’t appreciate you returning with another man?”
Diane gave him the key. “Here, go on in.” She waited until he’d unlocked the door and they were inside before saying, “As you can see, I’m traveling alone.” She stood with her arms folded beneath her breasts.
Charles swallowed with difficulty. He was determined to stare her down. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get past the ripe fullness of her breasts. She was a statuesque woman, tall enough to fill a tall man’s arms to perfection. Her body was wonderfully soft and lush.
But she had never given him the opportunity to prove he could make her forget every man she’d ever known. She’d allowed him a few sweet kisses, nothing more. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that he was man enough to pleasure her in ways none of her lovers had bothered to learn. The difference was the depth of his feelings for her. Naturally, that was all in the past. Unfortunately, his body hadn’t gotten the message. His manhood pulsated with a timeless need. All she had to do was lower her soft brown gaze in order to see what he couldn’t hide.
His voice grated with a disappointment he couldn’t begin to explain. “Heather told you my plans. What I don’t understand is why it would have been of interest to you. Why did you follow me?”
His coldness finally got to her. Diane’s voice was brimming with unshed tears. “Why are you treating me this way? Sure, I’ve made mistakes in the past. But I never deliberately took advantage of our friendship. I have always valued you, Charles. I know there were things you didn’t like about me. But I’ve had time to think. Lots of time. Charles, I’ve changed.”
“Was that little speech supposed to make up for the past?” He leaned against the door, his arms folded against his chest when he really felt like ramming his fist through the damn wall. This woman had managed to turn his emotions inside out with the mere blink of her long, silky lashes. He wasn’t about to open himself up again to her particular brand of torment.
“Neither one of us can change what happened between us. Please, Charles. We were friends once. Maybe someday we can be again.”
Charles reacted as if she’d slapped him. His mouth twisted into a harsh sneer. “When in the hell are you going to get around to acting like a grown-up? Do me a favor, okay? Stay the hell away from me.” He jerked the door open and walked out, slamming it behind him.
She sobbed, tears running down her cheeks as she sank down onto the narrow single bed. She’d gambled and lost. She’d risked all for nothing. Diane cried out her disappointment, burying her face in the pillow. The warm, sweet man she’d grown to love had become an embittered stranger, someone she no longer even recognized.
She’d been so hopeful when she’d boarded the plane, sure she could change his mind. It wasn’t that she thought he would drop at her feet. In truth, she’d been ready for his anger. She’d just expected it to give way once he’d gotten over the shock of seeing her again. Maybe then he’d realize she’d changed.
But his anger had been as hot and cutting as it had been almost two years ago, when he’d told her he never wanted to see her again. For him, nothing had changed. He resented her today as much as he had back then.
(Day 4, Tuesday)
The sun glinted off the water. The air was heavy and fragrant. Birds flapped and called overhead. Diane, like her fellow passengers, was caught up in the excitement of arriving at their first port.
“Can I interest you in sharing a cab?”
Diane glanced back over her shoulder to the woman she had met on the second day out while lounging around the pool. Diane was one of the few women not intimidated by the other’s dark sultry beauty. Jeanette Parks was tall and shapely, with long black hair and exotic African features. They had taken an immediate liking to each other. They’d shared two fun-filled evenings enjoying the ship’s nightlife. Like Diane, Jeanette was traveling alone. Jeanette’s idea of a good time was attracting as many men as she could. There was no shortage of available men. Diane was not the least bit jealous of Jeanette’s popularity. She saw qualities in her new friend that were very familiar.
Since Diane had realized she’d fallen in love with Charles, her whole demeanor had changed. Unfortunately, her appeal to the opposite sex hadn’t diminished. She found herself devoting too much time to avoiding unattached men and their unwanted attention, while being ignored by the one man who mattered.
After two full days at sea, Diane hadn’t caught more than a glimpse of Charles’s strong features across the dining room. He’d gone so far as to change his table assignment. They hadn’t spoken since that first night. Diane’s disappointment and fear had grown with each passing day. How could one perfectly wonderful man turn into the most mule-headed fool on earth?
Seeing Diane’s frown, Jeanette quickly added, “If you have a better offer, girl, you know I’ll understand.”
“Hi, Jeanette. On your own this morning?”
She laughed, linking arms with Diane. “It happens. No luck with tall, dark, and gorgeous?”
Diane shook her head with a dejected little sigh.
“Cheer up, sugar. It ain’t over yet.” Jeanette laughed. Talk about a small world. Jeanette had told Diane about the fine thang she had tried to pick up in the lounge their first night at sea. He’d turned out to be Charles.
“Ready to go ashore?” Diane asked.
“Girl, yes! Aruba, here we come. Shall we shop until our feet are bloody, or go sightseeing, perhaps check out the local men?”
“Both!”
Armed with sun hats, suntan lotion, cameras, and comfortable shoes, the two had no trouble finding a cab ready to take them all over the island. Oranjestad in Aruba was everything the brochure had promised and more. The trouble was, despite her best efforts, Diane couldn’t forget that her daydreams had always included sharing the excitement and adventure with Charles.
On Wednesday, after a marathon round of shopping, Jeanette and Diane had lunch at a quaint outdoor cafe before touring the historic forts in Willemstad, Curasao.
It was later that evening, at the “Singles Get-Together,” that Jeanette had leaned over and whispered in Diane’s ear, “Hey, isn’t that your man at the bar? Girl, he is lookin’ awfully lonely to me. You oughta do something about that.”
Diane looked up from her fruit drink. She’d been absorbed in twirling the orange and pineapple slices on the swizzle stick. They shared a small table with three of Jeanette’s men friends. The band played golden hits from the sixties and seventies.
Charles was seated alone at the bar, his back to the band and the dance floor.
“Stay out of it,” Diane whispered back.
Jeanette laughed. “Will you wake up? There are women all over this room eyeing that tall, sweet thang. But the man spends his time watching you when he thinks you aren’t lookin’. When you goin’ to do somethin’ about it?” When Diane didn’t answer, Jeanette asked, “He’s no stranger, is he?”
“An old friend.”
Jeanette giggled. “He’s certainly not old and definitely not friendly. Give it another shot. What can it hurt?” Diane knew what would hurt... her heart. Nevertheless, she said, “Yeah, I think I will.”
“Good luck,” Jeanette said, giving her hand a squeeze. Diane moved with graceful strides to the end of the bar, where Charles seemed lost in thought. He wore an almond-colored silk shirt and matching trousers. A black sports jacket covered his broad shoulders.
Charles sensed rather than heard Diane’s approach. He didn’t move a single muscle when she took the stool next to his. If there had been any doubt in his mind as to her identity, the sweet fragrance of crushed lilacs mixed with her own unique body chemistry told its own tale. She was breathtaking in a simple white silk sheath. The deep V neck shimmered with sequins. Her feet were encased in white strapless high-heeled sandals.
He signaled the bartender. “The lady needs a drink.”
“I’ll have whatever you’re drinking,” Diane said softly.
“What’s wrong, sweet cheeks? Getting bored with the selection of men?”
“As a matter of fact, I am bored. Haven’t had a good fight in three days. Thought it was about that time, if you know what I mean.”