Chapter Three

“Someone you love?” A lone thought seared through Daegen, forcing his breath to freeze. Was she in a relationship? Once he knew she wasn’t married, he hadn’t considered the possibility she might be romantically involved with someone else. Either way, he wouldn’t refuse her request. How could he? It was Rae.

Her shoulders sagged, deflated, and his heart squeezed.

“My father.”

The tense muscles in his jaw unclenched as his breath released in a hiss. “I didn’t know you had a father.”

“Everyone does, Daegen.”

“That’s not the point and you know it.” She’d never once talked in detail about family. If memory served, she’d said her parents were dead. End of subject. She had kept herself closed off then, refusing to tell him anything about her past. Now, she’d returned with more secrets.

On closer scrutiny, the dark circles under her eyes looked as though she hadn’t slept in weeks. Boy, did he feel like an ass for propositioning her.

“Well, I have one now.”

“A man you wish very much to save.” Is that why she kept herself at arm’s length from men? From him?

Daegen didn’t normally have any qualms with no-strings relationships. Except the one woman he’d wanted to get to know better had ditched him.

If he could unlock her past, he might be able to get her to open up a little. Then he would know why she’d walked out without so much as a backward glance. Why do you still care?

She moved on. He should too.

“Not sure if it’s possible but I’d like to try,” she said.

Prudence dictated the necessity to investigate her story fully before he continued. It wouldn’t take long. He needed a few days to be sure. “I’ll help you.”

“Really?” she asked. A glimmer of hope streaked across her tense expression. If this was an act, she had him. Her blue eyes were pale and vivid. Pure. “He doesn’t have much time left.”

“I understand.” If what she said was true, verifying the information should be easy. A phone call to the hospital could verify her father’s admission. It’d take a bit more digging to get personal information like his diagnosis. “And I have conditions.”

She folded her arms across her chest. “Which are?”

“If I give you the drug, you sign a non-disclosure agreement.”

“Done.”

His team was tied up for the next twenty-four hours. He could make the call himself to find out if her father was in the hospital. A thorough investigation would take longer. “You agree to stay here for two days while I make the necessary arrangements.”

She recoiled as though she’d been slapped. “My dad could be gone by then. I can’t do that.”

She looked small standing there. Vulnerable. The urge to reach out to her, touch her, hold her overwhelmed Daegen. He couldn’t allow emotions to color his decisions. “Then there’s no deal.”

Her face was a study in determination. He couldn’t tell which way she’d go. His plan wouldn’t be to keep her from her father. Arrangements would be made to bring him to the island. If she were playing Daegen for an idiot, he wanted her under his roof when his investigator reported back.

“Fine.”

Her favorite word to use when she meant the exact opposite. “You’ll do it even though it makes you unhappy? No sneaking out the back door as soon as my back’s turned?”

“You’re my father’s only hope. I have no other choice.”

****

Two days were all it would take to destroy the rest of Rae’s life. A slow tremor started at her core, rising to her chest.

By the time she made it home in two days, she’d be fired, and her dad would be dead. Her heartbeat quickened.

Her mortgage payment was due in two days. It wouldn’t be long before the bank took her condo. Then she’d be homeless too. The exact center point between her shoulder blades roared with pain.

She picked up her suitcase, walked away from Daegen, and heaved it onto the bed.

Kota appeared in the doorway to let her know food was waiting on the terrace.

Not the least bit hungry, she thanked him anyway. The last thing she could think about was eating. “I’m fine. But thanks.”

He hesitated. His gaze bounced from the floor back to her as he bowed deeply. “Food is good. You not eat enough. If you don’t mind me saying, you look too skinny.”

Even though her stomach roiled at the thought, Rae couldn’t argue it’d do her good. She needed to keep up her strength. “Okay. I’ll come.”

She was rewarded with a show of white teeth. “I make special meal for you.”

The view facing the sunny south side of the island could’ve been out of a travel brochure. The place was everything Rae remembered and more. Her nights spent at the villa had replayed in her dreams a thousand times, which had nothing to do with the landscape and everything to do with the man inside.

Part of her wished she was asleep on a plane heading home. Sleep? She almost laughed out loud. What was that anymore? Because a rebellious piece of her wanted to be here with Daegen just like before. His arms around her. Touching her. Needing her.

She gave herself a mental slap. The only reason she came to the island was to gain his help. He’d agreed. Her father would receive the care he needed. Nothing else mattered. Period.

Besides, maybe she could salvage her job. Maybe she could convince Walt to move the meeting? If not, couldn’t she Skype in? A spark of hope lit in her chest. Why not? She knew all the material by heart anyway. She could give that presentation in her sleep.

When the tiny hairs on the back of her neck tingled, she turned to make eye contact with Daegen. Her radar had sensed his presence before she’d heard a sound.

There he stood. Remarkable. Sexy. She was too drained from their last interaction to be angry. On autopilot, every muscle in her body went on full alert requiring energy she couldn’t afford to lose.

“How was lunch?” he asked, quirking his dark brow as he eyed her mostly full plate.

She pointed to the fruit she’d tucked in her napkin. “Couldn’t quite get past the smell of this one.”

“Durian fruit. Hard prickly skin on the outside and a rather unkind scent.” His hawk-like nose wrinkled as he picked up a piece, peeled the casing back, and brought the flesh to her lips.

She took the bite, clamping down the vibrations caused by his thumb grazing her bottom lip.

“Inside is where the sweet flesh is tender.”

Rae forced her shoulders back and attempted a breezy smile. Was he still talking about fruit? “Mmm. It’s really good.”

The corners of his mouth tilted upward in an otherwise close-mouthed smile. His uniquely sexy smirk. “I need more details about your father. Where is he? How long has he been sick?”

“He’s at Dallas Presbyterian.” The invisible band around her chest tightened. Securing Daegen’s help should make her feel better. And when it came to her father, she was ecstatic. Her thoughts refocused on the ice in Daegen’s glare before. And the bitter words he’d said. Words that had cut through her ribs and punctured her heart. Words that settled sadness in her chest. She reminded herself again she wasn’t in Borneo for a reunion. “I located him six months ago. By the time I found him, he was on his deathbed in a government-run nursing home. My life savings has already bought him an extra six months. He doesn’t like to talk about it. I had to make myself a nuisance to his doctor to get the truth. You know what the medicine treats.”

One brow lifted, increasing the dramatic effect of Daegen’s sharp angled features. The worry lines on his face deepened. “A rare blood disease.”

If he was thinking it, she had to give him credit for not asking. No. She hadn’t been tested. Yes. She knew it was genetic.

She nodded. “With a name too long to pronounce.”

Sympathy smoothed the brackets around his mouth. “Current treatment is costly and ineffective. How are you covering all the bills?”

She stared at him, looking for a chink in his armor. His granite features and high slashing cheekbones gave away nothing more of his emotion.

“I’m keeping things going,” came out on a sigh. The muscles between her shoulder blades pulled taut.

His expression softened as he looked at her. “How are you really?”

Opening up about her true feelings came as natural to Rae as peeling the skin off a live snake. She’d agreed to stay on for two days...there was nothing in the bargain about hanging around Daegen while she was there. “Fine. I’d like to freshen up.”

She pushed her chair away from the table, excused herself, and walked away.

Slipping into the cool spray of the shower, she hoped the water would rejuvenate her tangled muscles.

Her hand shook when she reached for the shampoo. The bottle slipped through her fingers, colliding with her foot. She dropped the soap no less than six times.

She toweled off, pulled her hair in a tight ball, and picked up a rubber band. The band snapped across her fingers, hit the mirror, and landed in the sink in four pieces.

Battling back tears of frustration, she scooped up the fragments and threw them into the trash. She located a new band, tested it, and wrapped it around her loose ends.

Rae settled on her bed and booted up the laptop. She needed to brain dump information to complete a file and e-mail another to her boss. She also wanted to verify her credit limit had been increased so she could schedule a flight home. Two days. She shoved loose ringlets of hair out of her eyes, and powered up her computer. She could endure just about anything for that long if it meant saving her father.

The screen was black. What now?

She unplugged it, pulled the battery out, and tried again.

Nothing.

Damn. Damn. Damn.

She couldn’t boot up her computer correctly anymore?

The third try offered similar results. She searched her bag and quickly realized she didn’t bring the electrical cord either. She’d packed in too big a hurry.

Frustrated, she pressed the heels of her hands against her eyes. Why does everything have to be so impossible lately?

A few calming breaths later, she snagged her cell. Before she could punch in the hospital’s number, Daegen knocked on the open door. His phone was to his ear. Her heart stuttered as she waited for him to say something.

He mumbled a few uh-huh’s into the receiver, then focused on her.

“There’s someone you should talk to,” he said, holding out his cell. “Your father.”

“What? Can’t be. He’s not communicating with anyone.”

“His mind has changed.”

“He blocked phone calls,” she said, still stunned.

“That won’t happen again. I think you’ll find he’s ready to speak to you now.”

How on earth? Rae didn’t waste another second trying to figure out how Daegen had worked this miracle. She accepted the phone.

“Dad, what’s going on?”

A heavy sigh sounded. “I’m sorry about before. Figured you’d hit the door and start worrying about yourself for a change if I pushed you away.”

“Don’t do that to me again. Ever. Okay?”

Another pained breath. “I won’t.”

“I can’t come see you right now. I’m away on business,” she lied, deciding it was best if he didn’t know she spent all her time trying to help him even when she should be at work. “How about you? How are you feeling?”

“Tired. Can’t hold on much longer.”

“Yes, you can. The doctor said you’re one of the strongest men he’s ever seen,” she lied again, figuring he needed encouragement more than absolute truth. Rae didn’t know how to quit. Thank God she hadn’t inherited his defeatist attitude.

Rae couldn’t bear to think about her father giving up. Why couldn’t he fight? If not for himself, then for her. A well of panic rose in her chest. Her throat tightened. The air thinned. She wished for one second Daegen had stayed in the room. His presence provided comfort it shouldn’t.

“I’ve got nothing keeping me here but you. I hate to let you down twice.”

“I need you.”

“No. Dear child. You don’t. I’ll only drag you down. You’re young. Got your whole life ahead. You don’t need someone like me draining your time and cash. Spend your money on yourself.”

“I have plenty,” she said with confidence she didn’t own. At least she knew why he’d tried to push her away before. It was his way of protecting her.

“These bills are too much for anyone to pay. I can’t stand you wasting your savings like you are. If it were up to me, you’d stop. Don’t want to be a burden to no one.”

“You’re not. We’ve already discussed this. I’m helping and that’s final. We’re going to beat this. You’ll be well before Christmas.” What was it about talking to her father that reduced Rae to feeling lost and alone, that same six-year-old who’d kicked, screamed, and begged him not to leave her with the CPS worker? She’d fought to keep them together all those years ago, was still, and he should too, dammit.

Besides, throwing in the towel without giving her all wasn’t in her DNA.

And she wasn’t a little girl anymore. At twenty-eight, she was old enough to have a say in what happened. Rae simply refused to allow anything less from her father. “Now be good. Don’t talk like that. We’re going to get you back on track again soon. You’ll feel better in no time.”

“For what? What reason? What have I got to live for? No job. No way to earn a living. A life like mine ain’t worth saving, girl.”

Tears burned Rae’s eyes. “Don’t say that. I need you. Nothing else matters.” Her voice quivered.

“I didn’t mean to upset you. Think about what you’re doing though. You’ve spent too much on me already.”

She wiped a tear as it streaked down her cheek. You’re all I’ve got in the world. “Get some rest, Dad. Don’t give up hope. Believe you’re going to feel better and you will.”

“If you say so. Doc says I’m getting new medicine. Thinks I’ll be asleep for a few days. I’ll call as soon as I’m able.”

The life drained from her, Rae hung up the phone. Her mind was in chaos. With her laptop battery dead, work was out of the question. She was trapped in between two moods. Not coherent enough to be productive. Not tired enough to sleep.

She took off her suit jacket and plucked at her blouse. The air conditioning hadn’t kicked on in the bedroom since she’d been inside. The humidity had increased to the point of awful. Must be about to rain. Droplets of sweat rolled down her back. She had no business being here on the island when her dad needed her.

If only there was a way to get Daegen to send the experimental drug to Dallas, leave, and get home in time for the meeting. She still had time. Maybe he would listen to reason if she explained how much she needed work and to be near her father.

Then again, she’d asked a lot from him already. He was doing even more than she expected getting her father to speak to her again. She had no right to ask for what she’d received already, let alone go for more.

She managed to put on a blouse and jeans, and decided to leave her room to search for him. If for no other reason than to ask how he got her father to speak with her so quickly.

It didn’t take long to find him in the kitchen. He wore running shorts. His shirt was off. His body glistened with a thin sheen of sweat from a workout.

Awareness skittered across her taut nerves. Warmth circled like a whirlpool, centering between her thighs. Rae struggled against the unwelcomed sexual feelings overpowering her.

In a heartbeat, the distance between them disappeared. A gasp escaped before she could suppress it. Rae needed to maintain control. She willed her body to relax.

Before she could utter a protest, his strong hand closed on hers and pulled her closer.

“You’re different in some ways,” he said. “Not in all.”

His deep baritone stirred her emotions. She struggled against the surge of longing his touch sent. His scent this close amplified the electric impulses that had been lit in every cell in her body.

Oddly enough, the band clasping her chest loosened as his arm slid around her waist until his hand rested on the small of her back.

“I bet you still like it when I kiss the dimple in your chin.” His head dipped, and his lips pressed gently against her electrified skin.

Rae struggled to breathe against the swell of passion filling her chest.

“It’s not your agenda that brought you here,” he said, his husky tone low, raspy. He pinned her with his gaze. The tenderness of his lips in sharp contrast to the fire in his eyes. “It’s mine.”

Peppering a trail of hot, little kisses from her chin to where her pulse throbbed at the base of her throat, he paused long enough to say, “You’re incredible. Sexy. Any man would tell you.”

Alone with Daegen, Rae could not breathe, could not speak as his long lean fingers stretched, stroked, sent devastating chills up and down the length of her arm. All remnants of rational thought dissipated as Rae found herself swimming in the familiar ocean current of desire.

Then he smiled at her. Knowing. Intimate. Hers.

“You’re still beautiful,” he said, and his voice was soft. It sent promises of tender, warm caresses. “Even more so.”

Her eyelids lowered as she gave in to the moment happening between them. A rational thought broke through her sensual fog. She could give him her body and all of her heart as she’d been close to before...and then what? Everyone left eventually. By choice or by force, he would too.

She had to stop this while she still could.

Clearing her throat, she sidestepped his grasp. Breaking contact with Daegen physically hurt. Her body rebelled. “I’m sure you’re busy. I’ve squandered enough of your time.” She’d known this would be hard. What she hadn’t figured was her heart would be ripped from her chest. “First of all, thanks for helping me get through to my dad.”

His gaze penetrated her. “Why didn’t you talk about your family when we were together?”

She couldn’t go there with Daegen.

“How did you get past the switchboard?” she asked, redirecting the conversation. “And how did you convince my dad to talk to me?”

“I’m involved with the hospital he’s staying at. That was the easy part.” He smiled his closed-mouth upturned grin. “The second part took a bit more finesse.”

She had no doubt. Daegen’s skills far outweighed hers. Obviously. “I just don’t understand how you did it.”

“I played hardball.” There came the sexy smirk again.

Damn. She planted her fists on her hips. “What does that mean?”

“I found out what he liked and held it against him.”

Heat rose from her neck. Surely Daegen hadn’t threatened her father or used her against him. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to spell it out for me.”

“J-e-l-l-capital-o. He loves the stuff. The nurse threatened to take it away if he didn’t start behaving.”

Her heart deflated a little at the thought Jell-O was more important than she was. Don’t go there with the self-pity thing. You know he loves you.

“There’ll be no more bills either,” Daegen said.

Shock momentarily robbed her voice. Had she heard correctly? “I’m, um, grateful...I am. So don’t take this the wrong way when I say I can’t let you pay his expenses for me.”

He waved a strong hand. “I won’t. It’s a write-off for the hospital. A benefit of being selected for the study. I’ve made sure he’s not part of the control group. He’ll be given the medicine.”

Words fell painfully short of the gratitude warming Rae’s heart. A selfish thought hit her. She wished she could be there to see for herself. She quickly suppressed her disappointment.

“What is it?” Daegen asked, his gaze intent. A dawn of recognition lightened his features. “You want to be there with him, don’t you?”

“I could never ask that of you. Not after what you’ve done. I’ll stay here as we agreed.”

“I’d planned for this to be a surprise. I can see you won’t be able to relax until you know.” Daegen glanced at his watch. “His flight leaves in an hour.”

“Where?” she asked, stunned.

“I’ve arranged for a private plane to pick him up. He’ll be accompanied by his physician.”

“What? Why? How?” she stammered.

“You’ll be more comfortable when he’s on the same continent.”

“He’s coming here? How’s it even possible? How can he fly in his condition?” Her heart squeezed at his thoughtfulness. She’d done nothing to deserve such kindness. “I’ll never be able to repay you for this.”

“Yes. You will.”

“Name it.”

“I see you’ve changed clothes. What you’re wearing is a better choice for what I have in mind,” he said as he turned his back to her.

“For what?” she asked, glancing down at her jeans and blouse, ignoring the shivers lighting her senses at the sight of his muscled back. Her fingers involuntarily tensed with the need to touch him.

“We’re going into the rain forest. We can talk more there.”

“Why the jungle? Why not here?” Rae asked a little too quickly. Fear gripped her. She didn’t plan on traipsing through that dense forest with anyone, even a skillful naturalist like him. Panic gripped her and her breath caught. She didn’t have a death wish. “You know how I feel about that.”

Daegen glanced at his watch again but didn’t turn as he pulled a T-shirt over his head. “My herbalist has probably just landed.”

“Who?”

“We’re searching for a rare herb. It’s a purple clover the size of a fingernail. A local guy found it while hiking and brought it to me. I want it classified. I need to know its properties. For that, I need an expert.” There was a familiar excitement in his tone. His eyes glittered with enthusiasm. His smile lit up, making his face even more attractive. He came alive in Borneo, left his all-business persona behind.

“Oh.” Rae realized she’d been a little too quick to judge earlier. Until now, she’d been convinced Daegen brought her to the villa for the memories alone. His own particular brand of cruelty to manipulate her emotions like strategic moves on a chessboard. Embarrassing as it was to learn, he was there for business reasons. Flames of shame licked her neck, crawling to warm her face when she remembered most of the herbs that went into his medicine came from his personal expeditions here.

“You didn’t think I came to the island for you, did you?” he asked casually.

Actually, she had believed just that. And she was mortified by the very fact, but she didn’t think it was beneath Daegen to pull out all the stops, bring her to the island to evoke memories and drop her to her knees. She said a silent prayer there was enough distance between them to hide her humiliation.

“Of course not,” she said without conviction. She repressed the joke trying to play out that this place was special to them. Daegen was a rich playboy intent on staying that way. A man like him would take her alone to his personal retreat? Now that was funny.

Her special island was simply another trip home to him. She, another warm body to curl up against, was no better or different than any other woman he brought there, except she’d been the one to tell him no. She’d most likely bruised his ego. Thus, the reason he wanted her again. He felt the burn from her ending it rather than the other way around. Rae was sure women didn’t normally walk out of Daegen Tan’s life.

Besides, Kota had spoken volumes with his reaction to her insistence on being taken to another room. He expected her, like all the others, to sleep with the man of the house.

And why did she care? Why did knowing other women came here twist her insides into a knot? What Daegen did or didn’t do was none of her business. She’d lost the right to know when she marched out the door without looking back.

Under the right circumstances, everyone left. Because of that, she preferred to leave first before her heart got broken.

So why did the air in her chest deflate?