An Innocent in Paradise (12 page)

Gripping her behind, he squeezed and kneaded lightly as he moved his mouth to cover hers, kissing her long and hard as he continued to touch her all over.

“I need you, Logan,” she murmured, and stretched her arms around his neck. “Please.”

“I just have to do this first,” he whispered, cupping her breasts in his hands, then bending to taste first one, then the other, taking his time to enjoy her soft fullness. “Now wrap your legs around me, sweetheart.”

She did as he asked, her breasts pressing against his chest, driving him to madness as he eased her down onto him, then held his breath when she drew him in to the hilt.

Her eyes fluttered closed as passion overcame them both. Logan began to move inside her, thrusting faster and harder, plunging deeper, then deeper still. She cried out her pleasure as she moved with him. Her heated need threatened to drive him to completion too quickly, so he willed himself to go slowly, carefully, dragging each second out as he stroked her innermost core.

But need consumed him once more and pure instinct took over. His movements grew faster, deeper, more frantic as his body pulsated within hers. She screamed his name and moments later, he groaned in response as a wild rapture overtook him and he plunged with her over the edge.

 

Spent and sated, they lay sprawled on one of the smooth boulders that lined the edge of the pool.

“You're right—this is paradise,” Logan said, touching her cheek with his fingers. Then he rolled up onto his elbow and leaned over to kiss her.

She stared at his long, powerful body lying next to her, aching to touch him again. She just wasn't sure she had the strength to move a muscle.

They dozed for a few minutes, then slid into the water
again. She swam toward the waterfall, needing the coolness to quench the heat she felt inside her body and out.

He came and stood behind her and let the water cool them both. He smoothed her hair back with his hands. Then she turned and he pulled her into his arms, holding her against his chest, his solid strength a counterpoint to her soft roundness. She ran her hands along his shoulders and down his back, marveling at the silky smoothness of his skin against the solid firmness of his muscles.

Paradise. Against all odds, she'd found it. And her heart stuttered, knowing it was only a matter of time before she would have to leave it forever.

 

Two days later, the twins' father, Tom, arrived with Sally Duke and the three Duke brothers and their wives.

The limousine picked all eight of them up at the airport and delivered them back to the hotel in time to get checked in, then meet Logan and Aidan in the cocktail lounge for drinks before dinner.

As they toasted the cousins' arrival with various cocktails and fruit drinks, Logan spied Grace working at the bar.

She should be sitting here with me and my family,
he thought. The realization caused him to jolt. Had he really been thinking that? No. He brushed the thought away. Grace wasn't a part of his family. She just worked here. Yes, they were sleeping together. And, yes, he liked her. But, damn, he needed to get real.

Not that it mattered, but Aidan would never let him live it down if he ever found out what Logan had been thinking.

“You must get the cream of the crop in terms of workers,” Adam said, glancing around the well-appointed, wide-open room.

“I was just thinking the same thing,” his wife, Trish, said. “Your employees are all such beautiful people, and so accommodating.”

Brandon's wife Kelly smiled. “And who wouldn't want to work in a tropical paradise?”

“It really is a spectacular location,” Sally said, pointing toward the wide wall of windows. “I love this view.”

Julia, Cameron's wife, glanced around, then directed a playful scowl at Logan. “So is everyone on your staff required to be gorgeous?”

Everyone at the table laughed, and Logan said, “I've never considered that a job requirement. But I will point out that serving cocktails and food requires the servers to be on their feet for hours while lifting heavy trays the entire time.”

“You've got to have great upper-body strength for that job,” Brandon said.

“Which means they're all in excellent shape to boot,” Kelly said, and laughed despite her look of dismay.

“Besides being so pretty,” Sally added.

Logan glanced at Aidan, then gazed around the room and realized it was true. They had a darn good-looking group of people working here. Why hadn't they ever discussed that fact? Maybe they could feature it in one of their online newsletters.

Aidan bit back a grin. “Contrary to every human resources dictate ever written, we have a very strict Pretty People policy here at the Alleria Resort.”

“Yeah, right,” Logan said, rolling his eyes. “He's kidding. Our Senior Vice President and most of our managers would have our heads if that were true.”

“Well, the hotel is beautiful,” Sally said, sipping her piña colada. “And everyone has been more than helpful.”

“I'm glad,” Logan said.

“I can't wait to swim in that clear turquoise water,” Julia said dreamily.

“I'm starting with a massage first thing tomorrow,” Sally said, then sighed. “All my beautiful grandbabies are taking a toll on my muscles.”

“Oh, I'll join you,” Kelly said, rubbing her neck. “I'm pretty sure my shoulder was yanked out of its socket when I lifted Robbie yesterday.”

“I know what you mean, sweetie.” Sally cast a wary glance at Brandon. “I'm afraid that little guy is going to grow up to be a linebacker.”

Brandon grinned. “That's my boy.”

“I was hoping to get a golf game in first thing,” Tom said as he grabbed a chip full of guacamole.

“I'll be glad to join you,” Adam said.

“Me, too,” Brandon chimed in. “And Kelly's no slacker on the golf course, either.”

“Massage first,” Kelly said. “But I'd love to play golf the next day.”

“I'll go swimming with you, baby,” Cameron said, wrapping his arm around Julia's shoulder. With a smile, she closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest.

Logan felt a tug of envy at his cousins' good luck at finding three such beautiful, accomplished women to marry. He knew they each had one or two really cute kids, too. So they'd clearly never had a qualm about trusting a woman enough to marry and settle down with her. Of course, they'd grown up with Sally, who was a fantastic mom and must've provided them with a happy home despite her husband's untimely death. The Duke brothers had never known a mother's betrayal or experienced the treachery of a manipulative, lying woman.

Lucky dogs.

 

Logan wiped away the sweat from his eyes as he ran to the end of the peninsula and rounded the slow curve of white-blond sand. He headed back toward the hotel, his heart pounding in rhythm with his feet. He observed a few others out this morning, running or walking to the beat of the music blasting into their heads through tiny earbuds.

He tried to concentrate exclusively on his breathing, but the thought of Grace's lush, naked body still warming his bed caused his body to tighten. It had seemed like a good idea to force himself to get up and go running this morning, but now he couldn't quite figure out why.

Pacing himself, he marked time and distance as he passed the familiar landmarks of life here on Alleria. The paddle tennis courts where he and his brother took turns beating each other. The grassy pavilion where concerts were held during the high season. The tiny marina where the hotel kept a fleet of sleek catamarans for guests to rent and where the brothers docked their sailboat.

Thinking of the sailboat reminded him of Grace and their recent picnic. And her lush, naked body.

“Damn,” he muttered, and tried to focus on the sound of his shoes pounding against the damp, hard-packed sand. The bay water smelled briny this morning and he wondered if the local fishermen might be reeling in more bluefish in the near future.

The colors of the sunrise were muted pink and coral and so rich it almost hurt to gaze at the swirling hues. He would never admit to a single soul that it was those colors and the island scents that brought him out here at this absurdly early hour of the morning. Exercise was simply an excuse.

“Hey, cousin,” a voice called out.

Logan turned and saw Brandon Duke running toward
him and slowed his pace. “Morning, Brandon. You're up early.”

“Couldn't sleep,” Brandon said, then shook his head. “Don't laugh, but I miss my kid.”

“I'm not laughing. That's nice to hear.”

Brandon turned and headed back to the hotel with Logan. “Kelly tells me I'm crazy and that it's good to get away for a few days. But she misses him, too. I caught her staring at all of his pictures on her phone.”

“How old is he now?”

“Just seven months,” Brandon said. “Doesn't seem right to just leave him with the nanny, does it? But here we are.”

“You got pictures?”

“Aw, jeez, don't ask. I've got a phone loaded with his photos, too. And I'm willing to bore—I mean, share them with anyone foolish enough to ask.”

Logan laughed. “You're a good dad.”

“Yeah,” Brandon said, shaking his head in wonder. “Who would've thought.”

“Well, you had a great mom growing up to show you how it's done.”

“Not exactly,” Brandon said, grimacing.

“What do you mean?” Logan asked.

“We all came from different screwed-up families and landed in the foster system around the same time,” he explained. “Sally adopted the three of us when we were all about eight years old.”

Logan stared at him. “I didn't know that.”

“Yeah. Before that fateful day, I'd spent eight years living with a crack addict mother and a subhuman piece of crap I hesitate to call a father. He beat the hell out of us from the first moment I could remember. After a few hundred brutal beatings, dear old mom hit the road, leaving me alone with the monster. Luckily, a good neighbor turned
him in to child services and I ended up in foster care. But I never forgot the lessons his fists taught me. Adam and Cameron had similar experiences. We're all damn lucky Sally found us.”

Logan stopped walking. Troubled, he glanced around the shore, gazed at the hotel in the distance, then looked back at his cousin. “I…I don't know what to say. Last night I was thinking you and your brothers were the luckiest guys on earth for getting to grow up with a mom like Sally. I was feeling sorry for myself, comparing my life to yours. I figured you guys didn't have a care in the world. Guess I didn't know what I was thinking.”

“That's okay,” Brandon said. “Sally really did change everything for us. And I
am
the luckiest guy on earth. But it took a few drop kicks from Sally to get me to realize that.”

“Yeah? What happened?”

“I was ready to walk away from Kelly.”

Logan frowned. “But you two seem perfect for each other.”

Brandon grinned as they began to walk again. “Don't get me wrong. I was crazy in love with her and she loved me, too, in spite of the fact that I was a complete knuckle-head for thinking I wasn't good enough for her. My thing always was, I didn't want to get close to anyone in case I came up short, you know? Sally's the one who finally smacked some sense into me.”

Logan shook his head, pulled a hand towel from his back pocket and wiped more sweat away. “So let me get this straight. You weren't going to marry Kelly because you figured your parents had screwed you up so much that you could never be a decent husband and father?”

“That about covers it.”

Logan nodded grimly. He knew Brandon had spent years
in the NFL as a star quarterback, then worked in broadcasting before joining his brothers in their multimillion-dollar business. He defined the word
successful.
Besides that, he was smart, had a great sense of humor and loved his family. The guy was a virtual paragon.

But he'd grown up thinking he was all screwed up?

And now he was well-adjusted and secure enough to admit the mistakes he'd made? Logan was starting to view his cousin in a whole new light.

Through gritted teeth, Logan said, “Our mom walked out on us when we were kids.”

“Damn,” Brandon said, shaking his head. “Some people are just not meant to have children.”

“No kidding.”

“But look on the bright side.” Brandon chuckled. “At least she did you the favor of leaving you in the hands of a great father.”

“That's true.” Logan hadn't thought about it from that angle. And now he couldn't help but picture Brandon as the kid who'd been used as a punching bag by a vicious man who never should've been allowed to be a father. But he'd survived. No, he'd more than survived. Brandon had thrived. Logan couldn't help but admire the man he'd become.

He shook his head slowly as he realized he'd completely misjudged his cousins. He was also a little stunned to admit that because of his mother, he'd spent most of his life carrying a chip on his shoulder where women were concerned. Now, after talking to Brandon, he was almost glad she'd left them.

“Damn,” he said. “I've been an idiot.”

Brandon laughed and slapped his cousin's shoulder companionably. “Welcome to my world, dude.”

“I
t takes less than two hours to circumnavigate the island,” Logan told his cousins after instructing their driver to take the main highway that looped around Alleria. “But that's with no stopping.”

“We'll be making four stops, right?” Brandon said, paging through the detailed itinerary Logan's assistant had typed up.

“That's right,” Aidan said. “Three possible hotel sites and the proposed sports-center site. Then we'll stop for lunch in Tierra before heading back to our hotel.”

Adam put his arm around his wife, who sat next to him in the spacious limousine. “Glad you ladies decided to come with us.”

“Me, too,” Trish said, glancing around at the other wives. “We can get massages anytime, right? This is much more interesting.”

“We like to think so,” Aidan said with a grin.

“If you're on the lookout,” Logan said, pointing out the window that faced the coast, “you'll be able to see water most of the time.”

“Sometimes the growth gets too heavy to see through,” Aidan said, “but we're still only within a few hundred yards of the shore at all times.”

“That's so cool,” Kelly said.

“It's a really small island,” Aidan said. “But that's part of its charm.”

The first two stops were brief. Everyone agreed that neither of the locations were ideal for the type of hotel that the Dukes specialized in.

“We've got one more spot to look at,” Logan said as they continued driving north.

When the limo stopped a few miles later, everyone stared in hushed silence.

“It's perfect,” Trish whispered before they'd even climbed out of the limousine. The driver had maneuvered the car down a narrow dirt road and pulled to a stop at the bottom of a rugged hill, inches from the edge of the sandy beach. Tropical palm trees lined the shore and swayed in the soft breeze.

Once they were out of the car and walking around, Kelly pointed in amazement at the hillside above them where flowering vines of every color, shade and variety cascaded down the fertile green surface.

“It's like a painting,” she cried, then turned to Brandon. “Isn't it beautiful?”

“Fantastic,” he said, pulling her close to him.

“It's incredible,” Trish agreed.

Logan had always enjoyed this tranquil cove with its flowering cliffs and wondered why he hadn't brought Grace here before. Someday soon he would take her for a drive and show her the beauty of his island.

As he listened to his cousins and their wives, Logan had every confidence that the Dukes would build the perfect small hotel here that would blend in with the beauty of the land and the sea. He wondered if Grace might come back to visit sometime and see the completed project.

He quickly shook his head, wondering where that thought had come from. Once Grace left, she wouldn't be coming back to visit the island unless she needed more spores. It would be smart for him to keep that in mind.

Julia wandered closer to the water, then turned. “Can I live here?”

Cameron laughed, then said to the others, “This beach is perfect.”

“It's on a slight inlet,” Aidan explained, pointing to the land that extended out on both sides of the water. “So you're protected from the stronger trade winds. But you've still got more waves coming in than we have on the other side of the island. And there's a nice breeze, so you'll attract a good sailing crowd.”

“As long as they bring their money along, we're happy to have them,” Adam said with a laugh, always the businessman.

They spent almost an hour exploring the area. They checked the shallow cliffs for erosion and found none. The twins had already commissioned an environmental-impact study and a geological-viability assessment of the land itself. Adam asked how fast and high the tide came in and Aidan had an answer for him.

“But we don't expect you to go by our word alone,” Aidan added. “We welcome your independent surveyors and inspection crews.”

“Dude,” Brandon said, “first of all, you're family, so we're not worried. But, also, you're part of our investment group, so you've got skin in the game, too.”

Logan flashed a grin at his brother, then looked at his cousins. “The truth is, we would be building our own hotel here if you hadn't been interested.”

“We're interested,” Adam said, then glanced at his brothers. “Am I right?”

Cameron and Brandon answered with firm nods, then Cameron said, “Let's have the bean counters work the numbers and we'll draw up the papers.”

 

After a brief stop at the proposed site of the sports center, they had lunch outside on the patio of a small, friendly French bistro that specialized in local fish and shellfish. A colorful market umbrella protected the entire party from the rays of the sun as they enjoyed the views of the lively harbor along with the exceptional food.

“Oh, my God, I'm stuffed,” Trish said, pushing her dessert plate away. “All I'll be capable of doing this afternoon is passing out on a chaise longue on the beach.”

“Me, too,” Julia said, dabbing her lips with her napkin. “But this was lovely. I've never tasted a richer, more delicious sauce than the one on the Coquilles St. Jacques.” She squeezed her husband's arm. “Sorry, sweetie, but I'm going to dream about it tonight.”

Cameron chuckled, then took a bite of the tarte tatin they were sharing. “How in the world did a chef with so much talent for haute cuisine wind up in this tiny place?”

“He's the son of a local family,” Logan said. “Studied in France at several three-star-rated restaurants, then came home to marry his childhood sweetheart.”

“She's our waitress,” Aidan added with a grin.

“That's so romantic,” Kelly said, causing Brandon to smile as he took her hand and kissed it.

As he watched his cousins flirt with their wives, Logan had the strangest urge to drive straight back to the hotel
and find Grace. He missed her and wished, not for the first time, that he'd invited her along, knowing she would fit in perfectly with his family.

“Guess there's not much chance of stealing the guy away, is there?” Adam asked, as he finished the last bite of his chocolate mousse. “We could use someone this talented at the new hotel.”

“Not a chance,” Aidan said firmly.

“We know,” Logan chimed in, chuckling. “Because we've tried.”

“What other secrets does this fabulous island hide from the rest of the world?” Kelly asked, intrigued.

“Well, since you're family,” Aidan said, winking at her, “I guess it'll be okay to disclose a few secrets. For one thing, we've got amazing hot springs up in the rain forest.”

“I haven't read anything about that,” Kelly said, frowning.

“We've never put it in any of the brochures,” Logan admitted. “Don't want anyone trampling on our own little piece of paradise.”

“We won't advertise it, either,” Brandon said.

“It sounds so romantic,” Trish said.

“Definitely,” Julia said, and gave Cameron a playful tap on his shoulder.

Cameron returned her smile, then explained, “We've got a secluded pool and a grotto on the grounds of our resort in Monarch Bay. It's pretty cool.”

“And very romantic,” Julia said.

“Well, our hot springs aren't quite that accessible,” Aidan said, “but believe me, they're off the scale in terms of providing a romantic setting. Lush foliage, waterfalls, completely secluded.”

“Oh, yeah,” Logan said. “It takes some time and exer
cise to find them, but they're totally worth the effort once you're there.”

Aidan continued describing the hike to the hot springs but Logan tuned him out. His mind had already returned instead to thoughts of Grace and the day they'd spent making love in the rain forest. He wished again that she were here with them enjoying the day and realized he hadn't yet brought her into Tierra for lunch or dinner. She would love it here, and he vowed to bring her soon.

Strange that his desire for her continued to grow instead of diminishing as he'd once thought it would. He was beginning to wonder if he would ever grow tired of her.

 

Logan walked into the lounge at five o'clock and was greeted by Aidan, who grabbed his arm and said without preamble, “We need to talk.”

“What's up?” Logan said amiably. He was in a cheery mood, having spent the past two hours with Grace in her room. In her bed, to be more accurate. He followed Aidan to the far end of the bar, where Brandon was sitting alone, nursing a bottle of beer.

“Sit down,” Aidan said to Logan, pointing to the stool next to Brandon. Then he nodded at Brandon. “Go ahead. Tell him.”

Before Brandon could speak, Joey appeared in front of Logan. “What're you drinking, boss?”

“I'll have what he's having,” Logan said, pointing his thumb toward the bottle in front of Brandon. “Thanks, Joey.”

Aidan grabbed his own beer and stood behind the two men. “I want you to listen to Brandon.”

Logan turned and eyed his brother. “I will, as soon as he says something.”

Brandon swiveled his stool around and faced Logan.
“Aidan seems to think you might have a problem. So here's the deal. I want you to look across the room, over by the windows, where my mother is sitting with your father.”

Logan picked out the couple in the crowd, then smiled. “Yeah, I've noticed they've been hanging out with each other, practically since the first day we all got together. You think we'll be hearing some kind of announcement pretty soon?”

“That's not the point,” Aidan said sharply.

Logan whipped around. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Brandon grinned at the two of them. “It's such a kick to see you guys together. How does anyone ever tell you apart?”

“That's not the point, either,” Aidan groused.

Brandon laughed and turned back to Logan. “It's about my mom. She likes to play matchmaker.”

“Are you listening?” Aidan said pointedly.

Logan ignored him. “Go on, Brandon.”

Brandon nodded. “For the past half-hour, while Aidan and I have been talking here at the bar, Mom's been chatting with that pretty redheaded cocktail waitress. She's over there at the bar right now.”

Logan didn't have to look to know he was talking about Grace. “Yeah, I know her,” he said, his voice edged with suspicion.

“When I mentioned to Aidan that Mom had this thing about making sure everyone in her life was happily married and having babies, he thought I should warn you.”

Logan turned his stool slowly around until he was facing Aidan. “You're kidding. That's what the big emergency is?”

To his credit, Aidan held up both hands in surrender. “I admit that hearing Brandon talk about it now makes it all
sound a little far-fetched. But you didn't see the way Sally was talking to Grace. They were tight and it looked serious. They were making plans, I'm telling you.”

“You've lost your mind,” Logan muttered, shaking his head. Joey brought him his beer and Logan took a long, hard drink.

Aidan scowled. “Okay, maybe I got a little carried away in the moment.”

“Maybe?”

Brandon jumped in. “Hey, I'm right there with you, Aidan. Believe me, I watched Sally take down both of my brothers and I was determined not to let it happen to me.”

“But you're happily married now,” Logan said in protest.

“I know.” Brandon laughed. “I'll be damned if Mom didn't show up at my hotel in Napa one day, say a few words, and the next thing I knew I was walking down the aisle, happy as a clam.”

“There she is,” Aidan whispered loudly. “Check it out.”

Logan rolled his eyes again, but turned in time to see Grace walk over to Sally's table and hand her a note. Sally stood and gave Grace a hug, then slipped the note into her small purse. Then Grace walked back to the drink station to place an order.

“Okay, that was weird,” Brandon admitted.

It was, Logan had to admit. Frowning to himself, his gaze locked on Grace, he wondered what the note was all about.

“What the hell is she up to?” Logan wondered aloud.

“Thank you,” Aidan said, gazing skyward, then back at his brother. “I feel slightly vindicated. I hope you're going to get to the bottom of whatever's going on.”

Logan nodded, unsure of what to say or think about what he'd just seen. So, for now, he kept quiet and sipped
his beer as he mulled over the possibilities and considered his next move.

Hell, it wasn't like Sally had magical powers or anything.

Oh, for God's sake. The fact that his mind had actually put those words together in a sentence meant that he had just stepped into the loony zone. Right next to his brother. The difference was, Aidan really belonged there; Logan didn't.

Contrary to Aidan's opinion, there was nothing going on between Sally and Grace. Sally was a lovely lady who took a friendly interest in all the people around her, including Grace. That was all that was going on there. Who knows, maybe Grace gave Sally her phone number so they could keep in touch. Or maybe the note held the name of some store where she liked to shop. Who the hell knew? And who cared? Besides Aidan, of course.

The real problem was that Aidan didn't trust Grace. He thought she might be after Logan's money. Logan knew it wasn't true but he hadn't done a good enough job convincing his brother. But what would be the point? This thing with Grace was temporary and he knew it. All too soon, she'd be leaving Alleria and Logan behind.

But in the meantime, Aidan had glommed on to Brandon's matchmaking conspiracy theory. Great. And Grace wasn't helping matters much since it did look like she really was going to Sally for advice. And Sally seemed happy enough to help Grace. But help her with…what? Perform a voodoo marriage chant? Sprinkle his dinner plate with aphrodisiacs? He almost laughed out loud at the thought. Grace was too down-to-earth, too literal, to buy into anything so absurd. And damn it, Sally was, too. This was all Aidan's crap and Logan needed to call him on it. Besides, the bottom line was, there was absolutely
nothing that Grace—or Sally, for that matter—could do to coerce Logan into marrying her.