Paradise Wild (30 page)

Jared sent word to the house, that he wanted to give a Christmas
luau
, and preparations kept everyone busy all week long. After the two days of bedrest the doctor ordered, Corinne joined in the work. Everyone pitched in to help, including the men who worked in Jared’s fields. Kuliano brought a cart filled with bananas down from the hills.

The pig was delivered on Wednesday, a mammoth animal yet to be slaughtered. The fish and pineapple arrived Friday in two wagon loads, with kegs of beer in a third large wagon. Extra chickens were brought in, and coconuts were gathered from up and down the coast, along with seaweed, which would be eaten raw. Corinne was astounded by the mountains of food.

Long, squat tables were brought out of the stable and cleaned, to be set up and covered with
ti
leaves on Christmas morning. Huge pans came out of the storehouse. The cooking began on Saturday, the day before the
luau
. All of the fish,
opihi
, crab, squid, and salmon, would be served raw, but it still took hours to cut up and prepare the fish, especially the
lomi
salmon, which was marinated with chopped onions and spices. The chicken boiled all day long. The pineapple had to be
cut, then packed in ice. Corinne helped make
haupia
, the coconut pudding that would be served as little cakes.

What was most fascinating, though, was the cooking of the pig. This was started early on the day before the
luau
. Akela supervised the men who dug a hole for the back yard oven. Wood was placed in the bottom of the pit, then stones were piled on top, and a fire started. After the stones were hot and the fire died down, hot stones were placed inside the pig, and the carcass, already wrapped in fragrant leaves, was lowered into the pit-oven and covered. Small amounts of water were added from time to time to produce steam that would tenderize the meat.

On Christmas Eve, Corinne and Florence decorated a small pine tree in the living room. Malia helped tie bright ribbon and a few store-bought wooden decorations to the tree.

Wrapped gifts were placed beneath the tree, including a finely worked Spanish saddle for Jared.

Corinne went to bed that night feeling quite anxious. She didn’t even have Michael to soothe her for, thinking Jared might return at night, she had let Florence take him back.

She was afraid. Why had he stayed away so long? Because of his work, or because of her? Would he still be angry?

“Come on, Cori, some of the guests are arriving.”

Corinne stirred in bed and turned to see Florence poking her head in the door. “What did you say?”

“Heavens, it’s almost eleven.”

Corinne grimaced. “I had a bad night.”

“Well, you’ll have a nice day to make up for it, so come on. Some of the neighbors are here, and so is Jared.”

“Jared’s here?” Corinne sat up instantly.

“Yes, and he brought some of his workers with him, about twenty. And his friend Leonaka, too. Just like men, they all headed straight for the liquor. This is going to be some wild party tonight, after they’ve been drinking all day.”

“Come help me, then.”

“Oh, no,” Florence said. “Akela has Michael in the kitchen and I’ve got to rescue him before he falls into one of those vats of poi. My God! She filled five huge pans with that gooey stuff!”

“Oh, stop,” Corinne giggled, excited now. “I’ve seen you eating poi when you thought no one was looking. So you can stop pretending it doesn’t appeal to you.”

“Well, I guess it’s not so bad with a little cream and sugar mixed in,” Florence conceded. “But you’d best hurry, my love. Akela wants you to pick some flowers to put on the tables.”

Florence closed the door and Corinne jumped out of bed. She already knew what she was going to wear. It was the beautiful red, white, and green
muumuu
, Akela’s Christmas gift, that she had presented ahead of time. It fit Corinne snugly and had a low neckline bordered in delicate white lace. And Corinne had the perfect necklace to wear with it, a large single ruby on a long chain. She had rings, bracelets, and earrings to match, but she wore only the bracelet and her wedding ring. Her hair, washed yesterday, sparkled with coppery and golden and lemon highlights. She left it loose and flowing, since that seemed to be the style the local women preferred.

She left her room and went straight to the patio, where she could see outside without being observed. She saw Jared instantly, standing with a group of young
Hawaiians at the end of the yard near the beach. He was wearing a white lawn shirt, opened halfway down his chest, and a tan coat and breeches. He was dusty from the ride, but he looked so handsome her heart fluttered.

This was a man she would never get her way with unless she used all her womanly wiles, a man of strong will, dominating. Yet she was in love with him. What had happened to her?

She knew very well how much love could hurt. But she had never known anything as exciting.

Yes, her feelings had changed. But would his?

A few of the men had already started for the beach, but Jared had yet to get his shirt off. And then Corinne saw Malia run to him and grab his hand. She began pulling him toward the house and Corinne could hear her excited voice.

“Come on! I want to open my presents. Your wife made us wait till you came.”

“My, but you’re in a fine mood, aren’t you?”

“And why not?” she reproached him. “It’s Christmas. Did you bring me something?”

Corinne was suddenly afraid to face him, afraid he would still be angry, even though she wasn’t. She went quickly into the kitchen. It was crowded and bustling with activity. Naneki was there cutting the
haupia
, and some of Akela’s cousins had come from Kahuku to help. Akela was cooking the chicken long rice and baking sweet potatoes.

Corinne was just in the way there with so many already helping. But where else could she go to avoid Jared? And then Malia poked her head inside.

“Aunty, come take a rest,” Malia called excitedly. “Kolina, come, Ialeka’s home!”

Jared appeared in the doorway and their eyes met.
But his expression was unreadable, She still didn’t know how he felt. And then Malia grabbed his hand again and pulled him toward the living room, and Akela was pushing Corinne out of the kitchen after them. Florence and Michael were already there, gazing at the little pine tree.

“Whose idea was that?” said Jared, looking at the tree.

“Kolina suggested it,” Malia supplied. “It’s nice, isn’t it?”

“A tree? In the house?”

“Oh, stop being so gruff,” Malia chided him. “I like it and we’re going to have one every year from now on.”

“And where did that come from?” He pulled the saddle out from under the tree.

“That’s for you, from Kolina.”

Jared straightened up slowly and looked directly at Corinne. His expression was clearly readable—hard and accusing. What had she done wrong? His look brought tears to her eyes and she ran from the room.

A few moments later Jared strode into their bedroom.

When he saw the tears, he said, “Why in damnation are you crying?”

She tried to pull away, but he held her fast. “I don’t know why I’m crying. I thought you would enjoy the Christmas tree, but you didn’t. I thought you would like my gift, but you don’t. And you’ve been gone well over a month, but you didn’t even come to say hello to me when you arrived.”

After a long silence, he said softly, “I didn’t come to you because I wasn’t sure whether you wanted me to.” Jared’s tone surprised her. “And I do like the saddle.” Abruptly his voice grew cold again. “But it’s the
finest leather I’ve even seen and that’s expensive. I want to know how you paid for it.”

Suddenly what he was thinking became clear to her. She gasped. “Do you really trust me that little?”

“I know you didn’t have any money, Corrine, because I have your money. How did you buy that saddle if not—”

“Don’t you dare say it, Jared!” She stopped him furiously. “Don’t you dare! For your information, Florence found the saddle for me because I was bedridden. Are you going to accuse my maid now of bartering herself? Your mind runs to the gutter!”

He flinched at her words. “What do you mean, you were bedridden?”

“Don’t change the subject, I beg you!”

“Answer me!”

“It was nothing. I had a small accident and ended up with a bump on my head, that’s all.”

“And you’re all right now?” He was obviously relieved.

“Yes, but why this sudden concern for my welfare after what you just accused me of?”

“For Christ’s sake, what was I supposed to think? I know you didn’t have money because I took yours out of the bank before you came here.”

“I sold some of my jewels,” she snapped. “I have more than I need, anyway.”

Her words were like a physical blow and Jared paled. “My God! Corinne, I’m sorry.”

She was too hurt to be mollified. “No, you’re not! You’d rather think I sold myself! I wish now that I hadn’t parted with my diamonds, even though I didn’t care at the time. I only wanted to buy you something nice. I guess I’m a bigger fool than you are, Jared Burkett.”

“Confound it, Corinne, how was I supposed to know? I never would have dreamed you would part with any of your jewels. You wouldn’t wear any to the gambling house for fear of losing them. I thought your jewels were important to you.”

“They were once, when my father controlled the purse strings. But I’m rich now. I don’t give a fig about the jewels I have. I can always buy more.”

He let her go and turned away with a strained expression. He left the room and returned quickly with a long box, which he tossed on the bed.

“It’s just something I thought you would like. But I made a mistake. We had the same idea—I’m just sorry they both turned out so disastrously.”

Jared left the room and Corinne walked hesitantly to the bed and opened the box. Brilliant opals gleamed up at her in a rainbow of fiery colors, and tears sprang to her eyes again. Very slowly, she took off her ruby necklace and put the opals on. Then she clasped them in her hands and brought them up against her cheek. They were cold against her skin.

“Oh, Jared, why do we have to have these stupid fights all the time?”

The day had started out so badly. But it was Christmas. She would make the rest of the holiday better. Thinking of Michael and the presents he had yet to open, her spirits began to rise.

Drinking and eating went on all day long, and the guests kept coming. Many went swimming, and there was even a little surfing competition. Corinne met so many people that it was impossible to remember names. She was given
lei
upon
lei
until she was nearly buried under the fragrant wreaths and was forced to take most of them off.

A group of Hawaiians with string instruments played continuously, a steady flow of beer keeping them happy. Everyone was very gay, and Corinne found herself laughing constantly. The actual feast, where everyone sat down to eat together, didn’t begin until late afternoon. Nearly all of Jared’s friends were there, but Corinne didn’t feel awkward. Many looked at her curiously, wondering about her and Jared, but she didn’t let it bother her.

The food rated unanimous praise and Akela beamed proudly. Corinne tried everything, and surprised herself by enjoying some of the raw dishes. The chicken long rice was delicious, but it was the
kalua
pig that Corinne couldn’t seem to get enough of. She went back three times for more of the tender, shredded meat.

Jared sat next to Corinne at the table, but they said almost nothing to each other.

The drinking and merriment continued after the feast. Jared moved on, but Corinne stayed at the table with Florence and Michael. Hawaiians loved children and Michael went from lap to lap, getting enough cuddling in one day to last him several months. Leonaka joined them for a while to watch Malia and some of the younger girls dance the
hula
. They wore skirts made of shredded
ti
leaves and
leis
around their heads and necks. The instruments used for
hula
dancing were gourd drums and coconut rattles.

After sunset, an entertainment in itself,
tiki
torches were set all around the yard and the
luau
went on. Some were still swimming, others surfing by moonlight, and Corinne discovered that a
luau
was an all-day, all-night affair.

While Corinne was watching the surfers, a slightly older woman sat down next to her and introduced herself as Dayna Callan. A few years younger than Jared, she was quite lovely, with light brown hair and blue eyes. Corinne was flustered, wondering what to say, when suddenly Dayna surprised her.

“I suppose you’ve heard that everyone thought Jared and I would marry?”

It took Corinne a moment to answer. “No, I hadn’t heard—”

“Oh dear, I am sorry. You must think I’m terrible to just blurt that out, but I thought surely you must have known. I only meant to get it out of the way, in case you felt uneasy talking with me.”

Corinne tried to find her wits. “Did—had Jared asked you to marry him?”

Dayna smiled. “Heavens, no! Ours was more or less a silent understanding. He always put off asking me. And frankly,” she lowered her voice. “I dreaded the day he would.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You see, I grew up with Jared. My family had a beach house up the coast and we spent half of every year out here. Jared and Leonaka were like my brothers. Can you imagine the prospect of marrying a man you think of as your brother?”

“So you didn’t want to marry him?”

“No. I was relieved when he returned from the mainland and told me about you. I believe I’m the only one he confided in. In fact, he told me all he had done. He was miserable after he returned, and I am sure he regretted his behavior. When the stories reached him about you, I knew he was frantic with jealousy. He tried to hide his feelings, but I knew.”

For the very first time, Corinne felt a hot embarrassment because of her charade. “You must think I’m a horrible woman.”

“I really didn’t know what to think. But you see, I knew what Jared had done, so I couldn’t blame you. And besides, it was only rumor, and one has to be skeptical where rumors are concerned.”

“Jared wasn’t.”

“Well, Jared often reacts with pure emotion instead of sense. I knew the moment I saw you that you couldn’t have done what they say. But Jared doesn’t have a woman’s intuition. And jealousy can distort one’s thinking.”

“You have to care in order to be jealous,” Corinne replied.

“Exactly.” Dayna emphasized the word and smiled. She gazed directly at Corinne.

Corinne understood. “I’m certainly glad I met you. I only wish it had been sooner.” She smiled wistfully and sighed.

“Has Jared been difficult?”

“Oh, it’s not so much Jared’s behavior. It’s the constant doubts and suspicions. I guess I’m prone to jealousy, too.”

Corinne’s eyes moved to Naneki, who was dancing solo now, and Dayna followed her gaze. The Hawaiian girl was dancing beautifully, seductively. Her attention was entirely on Jared, who was standing nearby, watching her.

“Oh dear.”

Corinne turned back to Dayna. “What is it?”

The other woman was frowning. “I assumed Naneki had given up on Jared, but I see she hasn’t.

“She was his mistress, wasn’t she?”

“Well, yes, for a while. But that was before he married you. I would have thought—well” She trailed off.

“Jared and I aren’t a honeymoon couple,” Corinne said.

Dayna faced her squarely and said, “I must be rude now and ask you something that is none of my business. Do you love Jared?”

“Yes.”

“Well then, you will have to fight for him,” Dayna replied, a twinkle in her blue eyes.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re a very beautiful woman, Corinne. If Jared knows you want him, he won’t look elsewhere. Another woman wouldn’t have a chance with him.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Of course. Why don’t you start now? Go get his attention away from Naneki. It’s late, and no one would think it odd if the two of you retired soon.”

Dayna winked and Corinne blushed.

“What about you?” Corinne asked, hoping she would see Dayna again. “Will you be leaving soon?”

“Heavens, no. One of the best parts about a
luau
is finding a place to bunk down for the night. Just about everyone stays until morning and then helps clean up.”

“I didn’t know that.”

Dayna laughed. “You’ll have people sleeping all over your house, and in the stable, too,” she smiled. “Now go on. I’ll see you in the morning before I leave. You can meet my escort, Mark Carlton, then.”

Corinne left the table and approached Jared slowly. She still didn’t know what to say to him. She nervously fingered her necklace, then realized she had the perfect excuse to speak to him.

“Jared.” It took him several moments to take his eyes off Naneki, but he finally turned to her. “I wanted to thank you for the opals. They’re beautiful.”

“If you like them, I’m glad. If not—” He shrugged as if to say he didn’t care.

“I do like them, Jared,” she said quickly, and added, “Honestly.”

He took her arm and walked her to the bench swing, a few feet away. Oh, why was she so nervous?

“The opals suit you,” Jared said casually without looking at her. “They complement your coloring. You have picked up quite a tan while I was gone.”

“I’m sorry if you don’t like it.”

“Oh, but I do. Your skin has darkened, but your hair has lightened. You look very exotic now.”

“Is that good?”

“Good Lord, woman, nothing could hurt your beauty. Are you just being naive, or are you fishing for compliments?” Corinne’s chin rose perceptibly and Jared chuckled. “Don’t get your dander up. I was only teasing.”

She relaxed and decided to broach the subject that
had worried her so often of late. “Why did you stay away so long?”

He glanced at her curiously for a moment, but then looked out over the ocean.

“There was some trouble with the hotel job. One of my workers nearly lost a leg in a bad fall. I couldn’t very well take off with him laid up in the hospital, not knowing whether he would lose the leg or not.”

“Is he all right?”

“Yes. He’ll have a limp the rest of his life, though. A few other things kept me in the city after that.”

“What?”

“It’s personal, Corinne.”

She drew up. “You mean because of me?”

“No, damnit,” he said with exasperation. “If you must know, I was looking for John Pierce. He and I had some unfinished business.”

“Did you find him?”

“He’s left the island.”

“For good?” she asked.

“Apparently,” Jared said, frustrated. “I also learned that his land is up for sale.” Then his tone lightened. “But enough of that. Akela tells me you helped quite a bit with the
luau
. I appreciate it. Things must have been pretty hectic around here all week.”

“I enjoyed it.”

“You must be tired after such a long day.”

He was looking at her again with those piercing blue-gray eyes. Was he asking her or telling her?

“I’m ready for bed.”

She smiled. “I am, too.”

They bade good night to their guests and went inside. Walking through the patio was difficult. Children had already been bedded down there on the big rug and the sofas, and a few adults, too, were already sleeping.
Jared led her over and around little bodies and big ones, and when they reached the top of the patio stairs, they saw that the living room was already filled.

The corridor to the bedrooms was quiet and empty. Florence had gone to bed much earlier with Michael. Malia hadn’t lasted long, either, excitement having caused her to be up at dawn.

Jared stopped at Florence’s door to bid Corinne good night. He had decided not to press her. He had made a terrible blunder that morning, a stupid blunder, and he was sure Corinne was still angry. But Corinne went on to his room and entered. Jared stared after her in surprise. She went to the dresser and lit a lamp, then removed the gardenia from her hair, breathing deeply of it before putting it down.

Jared came into the room slowly, watching her. “You moved back in here?”

She glanced at him demurely. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, of course not,” Jared answered, wondering how on earth he would get through the night without touching her.

Corinne went on nervously as she took off her necklace. “Naneki is back. She has been since you left, so there are no extra rooms. And I don’t think Florence and I would be too comfortable sharing her small bed.”

“Corinne, I said I didn’t mind,” he interrupted. “Anyway, you belong in here.”

She turned away from him, moving her long hair aside. “Would you unfasten my
muumuu?
”

He started to unfasten her gown and slowly her slender back was revealed. Her neck was so tempting, he wanted to lean forward and caress her with his lips, to taste her silken skin. Would she jump away from him
and be enraged? He kept his control and then turned away and began undressing.

Corinne crossed to the closet and stepped out of her
muumuu
and her underthings. Naked, she took a long time searching for a nightgown, hoping Jared would at least look at her. Finally she could stall no more, and withdrew a dark green negligee of luxurious satin.

Corinne turned towards Jared before she put the gown on, and found him staring at her as if mesmerized. She smiled to herself and averted her eyes. Ever so slowly, she slipped the gown over her head and pulled it down.

Jared stood motionless as he watched Corinne walk enticingly to the bed and slide under the covers. Didn’t she know what she was doing to him? She was tempting him beyond endurance.

“Aren’t you coming to bed, Jared?”

Corinne’s voice was seductively sweet, and he realized he hadn’t moved for several minutes. He tore away the rest of his clothes and walked over to the bed.

“Confound it, woman, do you know what you’re doing to me?” he demanded harshly. “I can’t stand it anymore!”

She was silent. Then slowly she wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest.

Corinne thought she would die with wanting him, with the need to have him drive into her, claim her. It was the only assurance she had that he felt something for her, even if it was only desire. She tore off her gown and tried to pull him down with her, but he held her back.

“No,
ánói
,” he said huskily. “I want to savor you. God, how I’ve longed for you, dreamt of you.” Slowly, he pushed her down and lay down by her side with one leg over hers, possessively.

And then he began to torture her with sweet, exquisite kisses that drove her wild. His lips pressed hers with tender passion, while his hand scorched her skin. Her body demanded release, but still he prolonged the delicious torture. At last she could bear it no more and grasped his hot, steel-like shaft and urged him to her.

Jared groaned at her touch and moved on top of her. “Oh, my Kolina—” he breathed.

He buried his lips in the curve of her neck at the same time he buried his throbbing manhood within her. In only seconds Corinne was swirling, spiraling upward to the climactic moment of explosion. Her fulfillment was complete because Jared joined her in that instant of bliss. The shattering moment was theirs together.

Corinne sighed deeply when Jared moved to her side and pulled her close. No words were spoken, but none were needed.