She inclined her head and glanced to her left. A tingle of awareness took hold as she realized she was being watched—studied intently by an intriguing man with dark glasses and even darker hair. A well-toned man in swim trunks and nothing more. She swallowed hard.
He lifted his glasses and met her gaze. Her body grew hot from the inside out in a feminine way that had nothing to do with the humidity surrounding her.
“You’re all set.” Merrilee’s voice surprised her. “We’ve got a secluded section of cottages that I’m sure you’ll find to your liking.”
Juliette regretfully withdrew her gaze from the stranger’s compelling one. “I’m certain I’ll love it and appreciate you keeping me away from prying eyes.” She glanced back again, but he was gone. Disappointment, keen and lingering, settled inside her.
“Not to worry. I have a hunch you’ll see him again,” Merrilee said lightly.
“See who?”
Juliette knew she was playing dumb and Merrilee laughed. “Let me show you to the cottage. Your bags will follow shortly.”
She accompanied the other woman out the open French doors and down a winding path, lined with green foliage and pink flowers Juliette couldn’t name but loved on sight. As she passed the pool and various restaurants, her gaze searched restlessly for him.
Well, she thought, her sister believed she needed to get a life. Apparently she was about to find one.
CHAPTER TWO
AFTER A SHORT NAP and quick unpacking, Juliette changed and headed for the beach, stopping on the way to take in the view. Straight ahead, she glimpsed white sand and endless miles of blue water that stretched to the horizon, meeting an azure sky accented by puffy, white clouds. To her left, she found lush floral gardens and, to her right, a huge free-form pool with a cascading waterfall in its center.
“A veritable Garden of Eden,” she murmured.
“Makes you think man was a fool for ever leaving.”
The deep, masculine voice rumbled in her ear and she knew instinctively who stood beside her. Her heartbeat tripled and excitement churned her insides. “If I remember correctly, man didn’t go by choice. He was banished.”
“For tasting the forbidden fruit.” At his words, a shiver of awareness took hold. She had to look.
And if he’d been sexy from afar, up close he was devastating. Without sunglasses, his eyes were a dynamic shade of blue, his features ruggedly handsome. Unlike her ex-fiancé’s fair, all-American looks, this man was a rogue—from his dark hair, tanned skin and razor stubble, down to his baggy yet still sexy swim trunks.
Her fantasy come to life. In her dreams, this was the kind of man who came to her in the dead of night. The one who’d sweep her off her feet and make her the center of his world. No other agenda in sight.
He extended his hand. “Doug. And you are?”
“Pleased to meet you,” she said with a hesitant smile. Being bold didn’t come easily. “I’m Juliette.” No last name attached, just as he hadn’t offered his.
She placed her hand in his warm palm. The flare of heat was instant and intense. From the flicker of awareness in his eyes, he felt it too.
Startled by the strength of the attraction, she tried to withdraw but he held on tight. “Nice to meet you, Juliette.”
His thumb brushed the pulse point on her wrist briefly before he let go. A rush of pleasure took hold, wrapping around her heart and warming her in ways she hadn’t experienced in too long, if ever.
But she liked what she was feeling. Each tingling sensation in her body, every shimmer of awareness in her brain, she enjoyed. After the pain and heartache of the last few weeks, she realized she desperately needed to feel sexy and desirable. She craved the lavish attention that would assure her she wasn’t second best. This man could provide that proof and be her much-needed diversion.
But one real and nagging fear remained. Although she’d escaped to this island, Juliette couldn’t be certain she’d left the press behind. The last thing she wanted was to bring more scandal down on her father now.
Senator’s Daughter’s Secret Fantasy would be even worse than the Runaway Bride headlines. Thanks to his stellar reputation, the senator had weathered that gossip well and denied he’d been publicly embarrassed or cared about anything more than his daughter’s well-being. But Juliette had no desire to shine more negative publicity on him during the last months of his tenure. The revelation about Stuart would be awful enough and she’d yet to figure out how to handle that.
But she was here, Juliette thought, and she deserved some private time. Looking into Doug’s eyes, she felt his sincerity. The attraction was real, his attention singular and genuine. Unless she wanted to lose this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, she had no choice but to put her fears aside and trust.
Unlike Stuart, Doug gazed at her as if she were special and, with everything inside her, Juliette wanted to grab onto what her sister had so generously given her. Juliette didn’t wonder how Gillian had known what she needed. As twins they shared a bond stronger than anything tangible or understood.
“Where are you off to?” Doug asked, startling her out of her private thoughts.
“I was thinking of hitting the beach.” She gestured towards the umbrellas dotting the sand below.
“And I was thinking of hitting on you.” His lips turned upward in a hesitant grin. “That is if you don’t mind the company.”
She met and held his gaze. When she’d decided to remain on Secret Fantasy, she’d decided to trust. She also had to let go of any inhibitions she normally felt. Upon unpacking, she’d discovered her sister had ransacked her suitcase and replaced the sensible items with impractical things and the conservative ones with sexy substitutes. Juliette was outwardly freed from constraint.
Her attitude had to follow. Easier said than done, and definitely easier to accomplish if she didn’t look down at the cleavage her skimpy bathing suit exposed.
She cleared her throat. “As a matter of fact, I’d love company.” She faltered, then reminded herself this man didn’t know her. She could be anyone she wanted to be, act in new and exciting ways.
She held out her hand. He slid his warmer, larger palm against hers, curling his fingers around her skin. His touch was hot and electric, and like two pieces of a puzzle, they fit together.
Juliette didn’t know if this was the man Merrilee had chosen for her fantasy, but after her lukewarm relationship with Stuart, she did know better than to ignore an attraction this strong and consuming. More than just sizzling chemistry differentiated him from her ex-fiancé. Where Stuart presented a civilized front, too civilized, she realized now, this man exuded a raw power and wilder persona. All of which tempted Juliette on a deeper, more sensual level.
She’d never felt like this before and probably never would again. Why wait for another man to approach her, one who couldn’t compete with Doug? Juliette didn’t want some man that Merrilee had chosen for her. She wanted this man and she intended to put in a specific request of her own. She shivered beneath his potent gaze. Whatever this week had in store, no doubt she was in for a treat.
Doug held Juliette’s hand as they walked toward the beach. Questions assailed him from all sides. Who was this woman who’d blindsided him on first sight? Research, photographs and even distant glimpses when she’d accompanied her fiancé to political functions hadn’t prepared him for reality. For the vibrant, seductive woman with just the right hint of naïveté to charm even a jaded reporter.
But he wasn’t yet free to begin his quest. He was still on probation in Merrilee’s eyes and knew she was concerned about his interest in her client. She’d given him twenty-four hours so she could observe and decide. He respected her reluctance and admired her business sense.