"Jay, I told you I would never—"
"But we talked about it. We both knew it was there, is still here," she said. "Yet we continue to see each other, to talk, to flirt with each other."
"Jay, it's completely different."
Jay took a step closer, her bare legs brushing against Drew's, her face—her mouth—only inches away. "Is it different? How? I could get lost in your eyes, Drew. Just being around you, like this, I feel things I haven't felt in so many years, it's frightening. And I can just imagine how it would be to make love with you. So how is that different?"
Drew couldn't seem to catch her breath, Jay's words stealing it away from her. She came so close, so close to pulling Jay to her, so close to kissing Jay senseless right here on the beach. Jay was daring her to do just that. It took all of her willpower to step away, to put a little space between them. "Point taken," she said, swallowing down the lump in her throat. "But if you do that again, I'll forget all about my promise to you."
Jay, too, moved away. For a second, she rested her face in her hands, then looked up. "I'm sorry, Drew. That was uncalled for."
Drew smiled. "You came very close, Jay." It was her turn to move closer, her turn to tease. "I've made love to you so many times in my dreams, I know exactly what it would be like."
Jay's eyes slammed shut, and Drew heard the low moan that escaped from her mouth, saw the rapidly throbbing pulse in her neck. Again, she just barely resisted putting her lips there. "Very mean," Jay whispered.
"In lieu of a cold shower, how about a dip in the ocean?" Drew didn't wait for a reply. She pulled her tank off and tossed it on the sand, her shorts following. She strode into the surf, diving into the waves, letting the cool water soothe her aching, throbbing body, chasing the wanton thoughts from her mind.
Jay stared, watching the tanned, lithe body disappear into the ocean. Only then did she let her breath out, only then did she breathe again.
I've made love to you so many times in my dreams. ..
Jay pulled her shirt off and tossed it next to Drew's. There wasn't any point in hiding, not after the words they'd just exchanged. So she lowered her shorts, pushing thoughts of Katherine aside. As she'd told herself earlier, she wasn't going to worry about it. If what she suspected was true, if Katherine and Jenna were having an affair, were even exploring that possibility, then there was nothing she could do about it.
In truth, she didn't want to do anything about it. It was over. All but the official, verbal declaration... nonetheless, it was over.
So she traced Drew's steps into the water, mimicking her actions by diving headfirst into the wave, feeling refreshed and relieved all at the same time. She surfaced, only to have another wave crash into her. She turned her back to the ocean, letting the wave carry her closer to shore, where she could stand. The soft brush against her leg made her gasp, but through the crystal water she saw Drew come up beside her, her body glistening in the sun.
"You okay?"
Jay nodded.
"Do I need to apologize?"
Jay grinned. "Please don't. It's the most sexual activity I've had in months."
"Really? How wonderful."
Jay's reply was lost in the wind as Drew picked her up and held her above the waves, turning circles, making Jay squeal with laughter before Drew tossed her back into the waves. She came up sputtering, reaching for Drew.
"You are dead, Montgomery!"
"You'll have to catch me first!"
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
"I think I like having Eleu order dinner for us, don't you?" Katherine asked as she passed down the platter of cabbage rolls. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I enjoy a fine restaurant as much as the next person, but can you beat this?"
Jay had to agree. The common area in the garden was alive with a fragrance she couldn't even begin to describe. Everything seemed to be blooming at once and the smells were incredible. Top that off with the water garden nearby, the soothing sound of the tiny waterfall, the mynah birds that still sang from the trees, and the sound of the palm trees blowing in the breeze. It was almost an overload to the senses.
"After the busy day we've had, this is wonderful, Katherine."
I bet it was busy, Jay thought as she glared at Jenna.
"I actually enjoy this much more than a restaurant any day," Drew said. "For one, you don't have to dress."
Jay glanced at her, hiding her smile. Drew was still in her swimsuit, her feet bare.
"Plus, you know, Carlos is still on duty," Drew added, pushing a tiny paper umbrella aside as she brought the glass to her mouth.
"Yes, Carlos tells me you two have been down here for awhile," Katherine said, looking pointedly at Jay. "How was snorkeling?"
Jay glanced at Drew, hating the fact that she felt guilty. They had done nothing wrong. Well, the tiny bit of flirting, that hardly counted. But Drew saved her from answering.
"We didn't make it. Apparently the boat leaves early. Six. So we just hung out here. The water was great, the sun was great, everything was... just great," Drew said, offering a tiny smile to Jay.
"I see. Well, I'm glad you both enjoy the water so much. But I would think you'd get bored just hanging out."
Jay frowned, feeling as if Katherine was on the verge of interrogating them. As if. "And how was the museum?" she asked, looking between Katherine and Jenna. "Did you enjoy your outing?"
"Oh, yes. Although the Royal Palace wasn't all that. Now the Contemporary Museum, that was quite impressive. They have a good display of Asian art." Jenna looked at Katherine. "But after spending three years in New York, everything else pales."
"It was still interesting."
Jay shot a quick look Drew's way, noting her amused expression as she leaned casually back in her chair. They'd spent the better part of the afternoon sipping on fruity drinks and they were both quite mellow by the time Katherine and Jenna had returned. Jay decided she liked Drew's carefree attitude. And really, after their initial discussion that morning, neither Katherine nor Jenna's name had been mentioned. It was just them, enjoying the day, enjoying each other's company. She didn't really care what Katherine and Jenna did.
"Tomorrow is my day," Katherine was saying. Jay looked up in time to catch die unguarded look Katherine and Jenna exchanged.
"That means shopping, I suppose?"
"Honolulu has some amazing little boutiques. And restaurants. We'll grab lunch." She turned to Jay. "What do you guys have planned?"
Amazing, Jay thought. She could at least ask if they wanted to join them. She could at least offer to do a joint excursion. So Jay smiled, settling her gaze on Drew. "Actually, tomorrow is Drew's day. Parasailing? Isn't that what you mentioned?"
"Snorkeling in the morning. Parasailing in die afternoon." Drew sat up. "Which reminds me, five o'clock will come early. I think I'll turn in."
"It's not even nine," Jenna said. "Barely dark."
"My body thinks it's two in the morning," Drew said. "Besides, we've been out playing all day. I'm exhausted." She pushed her plate aside and stood. "Thanks for dinner." As she walked past, she lightly brushed Jay's shoulder. "Don't oversleep."
"I won't. See you in the morning." Jay watched her leave, her gaze lingering until she disappeared into the shadows.
"Well, you two seem to be hitting it off," Katherine said. "I suppose you haven't missed me at all."
Jay was at a loss for words. How did Katherine expect her to answer that? The honest answer would be no, she hadn't missed her. "Missed you? Well, Kath, it's not much different than it's been for the last year, is it? I've gotten used to you not being around." She softened her words with a smile. "Besides, it saves me having to be subjected to all that culture, and saves you a spear fishing event."