The Devils Triangle

Praise for the writing of Alyssa Brooks

Spell of Love: Lust Upon Roses

Once again, Alyssa Brooks creates an enchanting and erotic tale with a hero that is truly a sweetheart... They are truly a wonderful pair and their bed exploits are very sensual and loving. This reviewer is eagerly looking forward to reading the other stories of Edmund's brothers to see how Ms. Brooks continue building upon the exciting paranormal elements laid down in this tale -- Sarah W., The Romance Studio

Lust Upon Roses is a sensuously sweet romantic tale about two people who aren't looking for a commitment but find that together forever sounds like heaven… Alyssa Brooks has written a charming, bewitching romance that this reviewer totally enjoyed. -- Sinclair Reid, Romance Reviews Today With an exciting plot, witty characters, and scorching scenes, Spell of Love: Lust upon Roses made this reviewer stop a few times to catch her breath. I highly recommend this book and demand a sequel! -- Mila Bean, Just Erotic Romance Reviews Alyssa Brooks’ Spell of Love: Lust Upon Roses is an exceptional tale that should not be missed. The author has created characters that you hate to say goodbye to as the story ends. -- Tewanda, Fallen Angel Reviews

Spell of Love: Lust Upon Roses is now available from Loose Id.

THE DEVIL’S TRIANGLE

Alyssa Brooks

www.loose-id.com

Warning This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Loose Id e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

***** This book is rated:

For substantial explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable (ménage, BDSM).

DISCLAIMER: Many of the acts described in our BDSM/fetish titles can be dangerous. Loose Id publishes these stories for members of the community in which these acts are known and practiced safely. If you have an interest in the pleasures and pains you find described herein, we urge you to seek out advice and guidance from knowledgeable persons. Please do not try any new sexual practice, whether it be fire, rope, or whip play, without the guidance of an experienced practitioner. Neither Loose Id nor its authors will be responsible for any loss, harm, injury or death resulting from use of the information contained in any of its titles.

The Devil’s Triangle Alyssa Brooks This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Published by Loose Id LLC 1802 N Carson Street, Suite 212-29 Carson City NV 89701-1215 www.loose-id.com

Copyright © June 2005 by Alyssa Brooks Excerpt of Handle Me With Care copyright May 2005 by Diane Charles Linford All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing, photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC.

ISBN 1-59632-136-9 Available in Adobe PDF, HTML, MobiPocket, and MS Reader

Printed in the United States of America

Editor: Ansley Velarde Cover Artist: Christine M. Griffin

www.loose-id.com

Chapter One

The controls blinked in and out, flashing a subtle red glow through the cabin. Around and around, the compass on the dash spun wildly, its needle out of control. The power to the small aircraft threatened to shut down, the lights dimming then bursting back on. The clouds had grown thick around them, like their plane had landed on giant, fluffy white marshmallows. The sky was swallowing them up, smothering them in its heaviness. The Devil’s Sea was disappearing, less and less visible with every moment. Above them, through the weighty white puffs, brilliant orange and purple gleams of light streaked across the horizon. A little bubble tickled her stomach, her breath taken away by the beauty and adventure of it all. “We need to turn back.” Stern seriousness turned Matt’s voice to steel. His baby-blue eyes pleaded with her, fear exhibited in his flattened lips. “Now, Mom.” “No.” Flicking her gaze toward her son, she gave him a look. He was so cute that she couldn’t help but tease him. “Chicken.” His glare insisted she was crazy.

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“This isn’t funny.” He gritted his teeth, groaning. His large, balled-up hand smashed against the dash. “Holy hell! What is wrong with you? Don’t you see? It’s sucking us in!” She couldn’t help but laugh. The stories about the Bermuda Triangle were myth and nothing more. She would prove it. There was a perfectly good scientific explanation for all the disappearances. For one, different magnetic fields could cause power failures and throw off compasses. Not to mention the Gulf current, which caused sudden storms and strong weather. Once a plane or boat went down, the area’s powerful current would sweep it away and under. The only reason their plane was behaving so funny was because of its reaction to the strong magnetic field. Simple environmental science. Once they got to Puerto Rico, she’d rent a villa and write a book about it. Matt groaned again, sinking into his seat. To see a man his size, with his brawn and build, squirm ... Unreal. She almost laughed again. But then she remembered why fear so easily overtook him: An accident had killed his father while he’d watched. “Matt, you didn’t have to come. You never have to come.” Softness smoothed her tone. “You can have your own life, as safe as you’d like.” The plane gave a sudden jolt. Fudge! Matt’s eyes widened, then shut. He ran his hand through his thick, tousled blond hair. “And let you go off and kill yourself?” She pulled back as stronger turbulence began to shake them. “Having some adventure never hurt anybody.” She sighed. This was always their fight. He hated to go on her explorations, but he’d insisted on following her around like a lost puppy dog since he was eleven. Except now he was grown up. No longer a pup but an oversized watchdog, with a mean bite and nasty growl. “It killed Dad.” Anger flashed in his eyes. “Turn back, Mom.”

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Fudge. Cheri turned away and looked to the side. Ever since her husband, his father, had died in a parachuting accident, he’d been like this. He didn’t understand -- she couldn’t just stop. If she did, she might as well have died with Josh. She’d be left with but a shell of a body on this earth. She just couldn’t stop. Josh wouldn’t have wanted her to. Josh had always wanted to fly over the Triangle. Now she was doing it for him. She swallowed a large knot in her throat. “Do you think Dad would have wanted us to stop enjoying life because of that?” She shook her head. “I need to do this, Matt. I need to live. I can’t wallow in a pool of self-pity, missing him. He’s gone. I’m still here.” “You ...” Matt words trailed off as a bright light illuminated the cabin. “Holy hell!” Cheri raised her head to the blinding light. As if a star had fallen through the sky, a brilliant ball of heat radiated before them. Purple and orange clouds floated around it. It was almost as if the atmosphere had split open. Suddenly the shaking increased, all power failing. Cheri gasped. “What the --” Her gaze flashed to Matt, whose mouth started to open as if to say something. But in that second, their plane started spinning out of control. It plummeted hard, whishing in circles. Their screams filled the air, fading as everything turned black.

***** Cheri couldn’t believe it. Her mind was spinning as quickly as the plane had on its way down. She sucked in a deep breath, just to be sure she was still alive. She cracked open one eye, then the next.

Fudge! How the hell ...? Not only was she still alive, she was fine.

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With shaking hands, she unsnapped her seatbelt and clambered over to her limp son. He slouched in the seat, his eyes closed almost peacefully. “Matt? Matt!” She shook him. Hard. He did not move except from her shaking, his flaccid body swinging about. Utter terror overtook her. Failing to beat, her heart stopped and fell like a rock in her chest. Her bloodcurdling scream filled the air as she shook his body.

Oh, fudge. No, no, no! She couldn’t breathe. She was suffocating. “Matt! Matt! No!” Suddenly, the muscles of his arm contracted under her hands. She jerked back as he opened his eyes. “Serves you right,” he snapped. “Scare me. I scare you.” She yanked her gaze away. “I wasn’t scared, Chicken.” She pretended to scratch the side of her nose, really wiping away tears. “Sure.” His tone was even. “Well, I hope you’re happy. You’ve crashed us somewhere. It’s a miracle we’re alive.” He shook his head. “I suppose I should be used to this shit.” Cheri looked out the window, her eyes wide. “What’s amazing is how we landed.” High atop a bluff, overlooking lush green tropical trees, their plane had landed flat and, somehow, in a clearing. The pale blue sky above them was dotted with innocent fluffy white clouds. Gulls soared. The storm that had hit them had suddenly vanished. Clambering from her seat, she climbed through to the back and opened the hatch door. She stepped down, the immediate song of tweeting birds filling her ears. Their whistle was high-pitched, yet floated through the air in a delicate melody. She’d never heard anything like it before. A crisp, exotic floral scent rushed her senses. So sweet and airy, it was irresistible. Inhaling, she drew several deep breaths as she turned to look at the plane.

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What she saw freaked her out.

Matt leaned his head back against the seat. Holy hell. The woman never stopped. Ever. It was one thing after the next. Skydiving. Flying around the world. Searching ancient ruins. After Dad had died, she’d gotten worse, not better. Anything and everything she could do for a thrill, she did. And he was pulled along, no other choice than to try to shield her from herself. Not that he was doing much good. Now, from the looks of things, they were in real trouble.

Holy Hell. Leaning forward, he put his head in his hands and rubbed his temples. He had a hell of a headache. Like someone was in his brain with a nail gun, having a party. His thoughts were literally squeezing the fight from him. Yet, he couldn’t have just let her go off alone on her crazed ventures. As much as he wanted to live his own life, she needed to be protected. He couldn’t lose his mom like he’d lost his dad. Despite all her wild ways, he loved her too much for that. Damn it! Damn her. Why the hell couldn’t she listen to him? To common sense? Once again, he’d have to dig or fight their way out of some huge mess she would shrug off. If they got out of this, he was finding a good girl, settling down, and going to college for marine biology like he wanted to. Maybe some grandkids to love on would make the perfect chill pill for her. No. She couldn’t chill, even for her only child. She’d been dragging him around the world since he could walk. If having him didn’t slow her down, nothing would. He shook his head, peering out the window. From the looks of it, they were stranded high atop some damn island. Pristine blue waters surrounded them, crashing on white beaches below the many green trees they sat above. And they were in the Bermuda Triangle.

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Unfastening his seatbelt, he crouched and scooted into the pilot’s seat. Time to see what the damage was. He cranked the engine once, then twice. Nothing. It didn’t choke. Or try to turn over. Dead silence laughed at him. Somewhere deep inside of him, he knew. He could replace every part in the engine -not that he had them -- but it wouldn’t matter. This plane would not start. Not here. Something extraordinary had made it crash. Wrenches and screwdrivers couldn’t fix that.

She took several slow steps back as Matt’s head popped out the door. “What?” Utter impatience snapped in his voice. “The landing gear is out.” Her eyes traced the circle they had landed in. “It’s almost as if ...” He wrinkled his brows in acute disbelief. “What?” Her eyes followed the dirt circle. “It’s like this is a landing pad.” The edges were bordered with lush green grasses and ferns, tall and wild. Below, a forest of trees and vines stretched all around them until they reached beaches of pristine white sand and sparkling blue waters. “We couldn’t have crashed like this. We were spinning and ...” She turned, her eyes following the beaches. Water surrounded them. They were definitely on an island. She kept turning, taking it in. “Are we dead?” Matt stepped in front of her, his baby-blue eyes narrowed. “If we are, there’s fire in heaven. It’s incredible.” He pointed down toward the north beach, “Look, smoke.” Cheri stared at the swirling gray smoke, her mind racing. Something wasn’t right. Where were they? What had happened? One thing was for sure: They weren’t on this island alone. Was that good? Or bad?

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Turning, she scanned the dirt circle again. Her eyes searched for anything. Everything. What she found was a trail. Cut through the tall yellow-green grass was an overgrown path. Biting her lip, she stared at it. Matt stepped forward, his heavy blond eyebrows furrowed. “Someone’s coming up here.” Cheri said nothing. Just stared. A dark, coffee-colored man climbed the trail with ease, taking one slow step at a time. Like he had no cares. With each stride, his body eased farther up the steep slope with seemingly no exertion. Nothing more than an almost white leather breechcloth covered him, leaving very little to the imagination. Rippled in sinewy strength, his body was husky yet slim. His large hand was raised in the air, pink palm turned toward them. As if he had zapped her with some sort of strange force with that wave, lust and longing spread through her in a warm rush. Her eyes swept over him, unable to look away. Long and braided, his silky black hair fell in hundreds of strands over his broad, muscled shoulders. Grey wisped into it, creating a silvery shine. His dark, nearly black eyes gleamed as he looked at her, raw sex seeming to emanate from their depths. They were huge, thickly lashed, and full of a seductive, charming glare. The kind of gaze that easily turned a woman to mush and could convince her to do just about anything. Right about now, she was putty in his hands. For one kiss, there was no telling what she might do ... His bedroom eyes studied her, sweeping up and down. Up and down. Not ashamed or bashful, but, rather, bold and lust-filled. To her surprise, she started to tremble. Not from fear. Not from anticipation. From desire so immediate, she nearly fell backwards.

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She couldn’t look away; she was captured by the fullness of his lips. Never had she seen a mouth so lush and kissable. Never had she wanted to be kissed more. What he could do to her with that mouth ... that tongue. Heat curled in her lower regions as she imagined his mouth clamping over her nipples.

Fudge! For the first time in her life, she was speechless. Matt stepped in front of her, always her protector. “Who the hell are you?” The man simply smiled, his broad lips curling into two adorable dimples. A few wrinkles creased his forehead, like badges of earned wisdom. Not that he was old. He just wasn’t young. In fact, he was probably right around her age, forty-one. Maybe a few years younger, but when it came to ... Well! Then it didn’t matter, certainly didn’t matter. Fudge! Where was her head? She was married -- widowed, really, but keeping her vows. Until this very minute, it had been easy. Always the snarling watchdog, her son took another step forward. “I said --” Cheri laid her hands on Matt’s squared shoulders, pulling him back. “Son, I’ll handle this. No need to berate the man.” She stepped forward, little bubbles of nervousness invading her. “Hello, I’m Cheri. This is my son, Matt. I’m afraid we crashed. Is this your island?” “Mine? Oh, no. Paradis belongs to us all, sugar.” Deep, the lowness of his voice reverberated down her spine. A Bahamian accent touched each of his words, only adding to the man’s attractiveness. “Gage, by the way.” Slowly, he walked around the plane. He shook his head, stopping to place his hands on his hips. His dark gaze flashed over the plane, surveying it. “And you didn’t crash. Bet it felt like it, though, in a plane as small as this one.” Cheri followed him, Matt breathing down her neck. Without him saying a word, she could hear his defenses roaring. Hers were beginning to, as well.

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Crossing her arms, she fought confusion. “I’m sorry. Perhaps you could explain better.” Her tone was firm. Demanding. But he looked unaffected. “‘Paradis’ is French for ‘paradise.’” Pieces of his speech were so touched by the unique Bahamian-accented tone that she almost couldn’t understand him. With one giant step, the man pulled himself right into their plane. Oh, the nerve. Cheri crossed her arms, frowning. “Hey!” Matt snapped, charging forward. The man tossed him a dark “not now” look. “The team likes to see the planes out of the way as soon as possible. You just never know when another will come along, and moving a plane by hand is one hell of a job. Not that we’re that busy, but you never know, sugar. In a matter of hours, they begin stripping whatever we need of it and pushing the remainders off the back side of the cliff.” Placing a hand to his chest, she stayed a charging Matt. “Let me handle this, son. That man is not touching our plane.” Taking the few steps, she leaned in the door, arms still crossed. Despite herself, she couldn’t help but sweep her gaze over his firm, bent rear and long, muscled legs. The damn thing was so there. So exposed ... and oh, so fine. She gulped and tried to pay attention to the point at hand. The man was rummaging through her belongings, grabbing stuff and tossing it like feathers toward the door. “Gage. What are you doing?” Really, she’d meant to sound firm. Instead her voice had come out in a small, trailing squeak as she caught a slight glimpse of his balls. Covered in black hair, they were quite the handful, and the dark skin was slightly pink. Instead of worrying about what he was doing, she found herself imagining how tight they’d grow in her hands. The way she would suck on them as she stroked his rod in her tight grip. Caressed his soft tip across her lips, tasting the saltiness of his skin.

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Licking it. Swallowing it. Feeling his come fill her mouth, sliding down her throat as he jerked against her teeth.

Fudge! Why the hell wasn’t he wearing decent clothes? He walked toward the back of the plane, taking long strides. “It’s hotter up here, and I’m not into getting shit on by a longtail, sugar. They hover over, just looking for a victim.” He grabbed her suitcase and tossed it over as if it weren’t jam-packed full. “You won’t need all this junk. The team will bring down the rest eventually, but for now, forget it.”

Junk? Her stuff was not junk, and she was not leaving anything behind. Not to mention, she wanted some answers. Now. Whether his ass was hot or not. “Look. Fudge!” She pulled herself up, her hands flying to her hips. “Put my stuff down. What in the hell is going on here? Don’t think you’ll get away with this. You will not do any such thing. And I’ll tell you another thing, I --” She stopped, it hitting her very suddenly. It was all too strange. From the way he talked, she was beginning to think the unimaginable. “I’m not ... we’re not ... dead?”

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Chapter Two

The demanding confusion in her sweet but haughty voice stopped him. He dropped the bag, swinging around. “So sorry, sugar. I get carried away. It’s one of my lesser points, rushing. I used to be a businessman. Now bringing in newbies is my only real job, and not a busy one.” He shook his head, unconsciously licking his lips. Damnation. The truth was, she had him stumbling like a fool. He’d given up the hurry years ago. Jenny would’ve liked that. They’d never really had time to enjoy their marriage. Right before she’d died, she’d started pleading with him to be home more. He should have listened. It had been a long time since he’d seen such a pale woman. Her soft, delicate skin reminded him of porcelain; her blond hair was nearly white. Like an angel, except an angel wouldn’t have such a hellcat body. Once again, his eyes swept over her. She curved in all the right places, in all the right ways. Her tits were more than a handful, her hips wide. But best of all, she had an ass. He liked a woman with shake. A lot of it. Most white women were flat or fat. Not her. He could grab on to her. Hold her hips, knead the soft flesh as he drove into her.

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His tongue stroked his lips. It was so easy to imagine her bent before him, her sex fully displayed and glistening with need. It was all he could think about. Even now, when he should be continuing to explain himself. Shaking his head, he took a step closer. “Dead? No. Though you’re probably about as close to heaven as you could get.” He drew a deep breath. He hated explaining this. The truth was, he still didn’t get it. But how could anyone get something with no true explanation? “Under Paradis, there’s a natural magnet. We’ve never quite figured it out all the way -- lack of scientific means -- but the strange magnetic fields create a pull. It’s the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle, solved, but then, not. Whatever, whyever, some of the happenings are too strange to even account to a magnet. At least now you know what happens to everyone in the Triangle. The large majority of people lost are right here, stuck, but not really minding it a bit. It’s too nice. But anyway, you were literally sucked right down when your plane flew over the magnet. The strongest point seems to beam from this spot here. Almost like a landing pad.” Her head cocked to one side in a sweet, more than kissable manner. Dangling, her blond hair swayed across her shoulders. Pleasure danced on her face, lighting silver streaks in her baby blues. Her thick eyelashes fluttered, reminding him of Marilyn Monroe. “Magnetic field? You’re kidding?” The sweet satisfaction in her voice puzzled him, yet he could guess there was all too much about this woman that would. Something about her was different. Strong. Wild. A deep groan made him look past her, toward her son. Matt paced back and forth at the bottom of the plane’s steps, looking ready to scream. Or punch someone. “Fudge! I knew it!” Cheri suddenly burst out. “I knew it. I told Josh it was no supernatural mystery.” She whirled around toward Matt. “I told you so, Chicken!” “Oh, yeah, Mom. You’re right again! Wonderful!” Anger burned in his voice. Matt ceased his pacing and whirled around. His lips were flattened, his hands balled in fists.

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“Wonderful. We’re stuck on some dumb island and you’ve proved your point. Well, at least your adventures are over. No more seeing the world, Mom. You’ve stranded us here! Thanks. A lot.” Cheri snapped back like she’d been slapped. For a moment, she appeared stunned by shock. The pale brows over her cerulean eyes furrowed, their depths fading into almost silver. She crossed her arms once again, right under her breasts so it lifted them high. Their voluptuousness swelled, creating a most distracting site. “Is he right? We’re not leaving here?” His cock jerked as he stared at the creamy white breasts peeking from the neckline of her white tank top. Oh, he couldn’t wait to see her do away with the restricting lace bra she wore, or clothes, for that matter. He wanted -- no, needed -- to know what color those nipples were. His hardened cock tented the leather flap he wore. Nothing was left to the imagination. Thank goodness she hadn’t noticed. Yet. Gage tore his eyes away and went back to gathering her belongings. “Leaving here? Don’t know about that, sugar.” “Well, I don’t accept that!” Despite the explosive comment, Gage retained his calm. He simply shrugged. “Accept what you want. Doesn’t change a thing.”

Holy hell! She was lucky she was his mom and he loved her so damned much. Because he was ready to strangle someone. Of course there was no out. Wasn’t that what the Bermuda Triangle was all about? People who went in never came out. A few lucky souls had missed the magnet, sure. But the seas were rough; no manmade boat could withstand them. And planes wouldn’t work.

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So how could anyone leave? There went his life, or any chance of it. Right down the toilet. “Face it, Mom. You’ve screwed us permanently this time.” She had that look. The shimmer in her blue eyes. The set of her fragile jaw. She wasn’t prepared to give up. She’d fight to the bitter end. She’d have her way. She always did. “Not this time, Mom.” He shook his head, wishing he could shake her. “Not this time.”

“Has anyone ever tried to leave here?” Desperation filled her tiny voice. Everything in Gage tugged at him to turn around and kiss her pouting lips. “No, at least not once they got to know the place. Sure, everyone panics when they first arrive. But that’s not the point. The point is, no one has ever left here.” His gruff reply was husky, and he knew his accent was making his speech almost unintelligible. It was always that way when he got frustrated. Boy, she was persistent. It wasn’t like she was asking if he had the time right on the next ship coming in. This was the Bermuda Triangle. Enough said, really. “Why not?” she demanded. Fiery anger burned in her sparking blue gaze. He had to give it to her. She had passion. It was obvious right from the start. He licked his lips, picking up the last of her suitcases. “Because once you get used to the place, you don’t want to.” He knew he had. Who wouldn’t? Paradis was a place of pleasure, of freedom, of love. Paradis was the way life was meant to be. Here, it was all about pleasure. From great food and dancing, to open sex and peaceful harmony.

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Who wouldn’t want to live in a world where only three simple rules were necessary? Not to mention that the beaches were always white and the clean water always perfect. Incredibly, her tiny voice got even louder. “What about all the boats, the ships that disappeared?” The expression on her face said it all. She wouldn’t accept anything but what she wanted to hear. Even if it killed her. Holding a bag in front of his hard, jutting cock, he turned toward her. “Some were drawn here by malfunctioning compasses. Others, for no reason having to do with the island. Bad weather. Human error. Not everyone who’s disappeared in the Triangle ended up here; just most.” Her jaw hardened sternly, her arms still tucked up under her chest in a most tantalizing manner. “I’m not staying here.” He couldn’t help but smile. She just had no idea what she was talking about. “Sure, sugar, sure.”

***** The trail down was rocky and treacherous. Yet, like always, his mother refused a bit of help. For once, though, something had gotten her goat. She was being told no. She was being told she was stuck. He shook his head, watching the way she carried her squared shoulders and held her head. She’d even insisted upon leading them down, though she didn’t have a clue. Not where she was going, not even what she was headed into. The woman was as claustrophobic as they came. To be contained for even a day tortured her. Much less the idea of spending a very, very long time on a secluded island.

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He, on the other hand, might not mind the prospect of being stranded, if only he weren’t so skeptical. This island. Gage. It was a little too bizarre for him to accept with open arms. Something was going on here. Weird. The whole damn thing went beyond comprehension. Lifting his head, he stared at the brilliant horizon. The bright ball of fire was definitely gone, the clouds were beautiful pinks and whites. The sun hung high in the sky, shining down on them with brilliance. Thankfully, the temperature was fairly comfortable. About an even eighty degrees or so. Not hot. Not cold. But perfect. He liked that. Some of the countries Mom had dragged him to were hotter than hell. He scanned the island below them. They were only about fifty feet up on the winding trail. Thick, tall trees knotted in all shapes and sizes around them. Vines wrapped around them, creating a jungle-like appearance. Here and there, he noted brilliant flowers amongst giant ferns on the forest floor. The village, though, was hidden now. He could no longer even pinpoint the spiraling smoke through the thick trees. And that was what he really wanted to see. Hopefully, the inhabitants weren’t cannibals.

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Chapter Three

She was getting sunburned. As surely as she breathed, she could feel the brilliant rays sinking into her pale skin like poison. A gnat landed on her arm and she swatted it away. All around her, men of all different origins, shapes, and sizes ceased their business to stare. Lust and curiousness burned in their watchful eyes. But no one spoke to her. No one even waved. They just stared, as if in shock. As if terrified, when it should have been vice versa. She fell back further. Once they’d reached the village, she’d finally given up the lead. Or rather, Gage had brushed her aside as if she were a tiny mouse in his way. That was better, though, since she didn’t really know where she was going. Following him, they marched through lines of huts built from bamboo and fronds. Tall green grasses and ferns popped up here and there amongst palms. The hot sand warmed her feet, and the slight breeze tickled her nose with the scent of the ocean. She walked slowly, taking it all in, trying to figure it all out. The first things she noticed were the dark, wooden barrels, mud filling their cracks. They were old, almost to the point of rotting. Each hut sported one on the front, with slit-

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open bamboo serving as makeshift rain gutters. The barrels sat under them, clearly there to collect rainwater. Then there were the racks. Square, and several feet wide, wooden pegs fastened them to the ground. Hides of strange, pink-spotted skin stretched across them. Occasional breezes wafted the scent of the dead flesh to her nose. She remembered having seen a demonstration of how American Indians tanned hides. Presumably, that was what the men were doing. To her, there was only one question: Why the men? In other cultures, this would be considered women’s work. So, where were all the women?

Fudge. There’d better be women here. If she were the only one ... well, that was not an adventure she wanted to go on. Once again, she raised her chin and studied their destination. In front of them loomed a large, intricate building of bamboo and palm thatch. Complete with porches, doors, and windows, the two-story complex appeared to center around something. Almost like a tropical castle of sorts. Hanging here and there, seashell and bamboo wind chimes jingled in the air. She could even make out coconut cups abandoned on ledges. But she saw no women. Not one.

Fudge. It would be just her luck. Or maybe something else, something weird, was going on. Cannibalism. Or sacrifices. Who knew? She was in the Devil’s Triangle, after all. A ripple of uneasiness ran through her. Her stomach flip-flopped again and again. Bile threatened her, burning in the back of her throat. Still, she kept walking, her head high. What else could she do, besides follow Gage and his fine, strutting rear? Sure, she could throw a fit. She wanted to. But, for hell’s sake, she was in her forties. She’d been around the world and back. She could handle this.

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And given a week, she’d find a way to get her plane off and get home. It was all a matter of science. And science could be overcome. Didn’t doctors find cures for diseases? As far as she was concerned, her plane was sick. It would be fixed. The sand path between the huts forked into two paths. At them, a tall man waited. The look on his deeply tanned face was one of pure joy. Against thick, dark lashes, his green eyes dazzled with something magical. He held out his hand to Matt. “Welcome.” A French accent flavored his tone. “I am so happy to see someone new. I am Jacques.” Her son nodded, his brows furrowed in a most serious look. “Matt.” The man held out his hand in greeting, and Matt took it. From the looks of it, he nearly squeezed the blood from the Frenchman’s hand with his death grip. Jacques drew back his hand, not wincing but not looking pleased. “Matt, come. I will show you around.” Matt immediately shook his head, that fiery look icing his blue eyes. “Not without my mother.” “Your mother goes to the women.” An unyielding tone hardened Gage’s explanation. He eyed her son, impatience clear. “In the main house.” Normally, she’d step forward to calm Matt’s outburst. But this time, he had reason to be protective. She didn’t like the sound of being separated, either. “You mean the women are separated?” Placing her hand on Matt’s arm, she searched Gage’s black eyes for danger. All she found was heated desire. Gage did not take his eyes from hers. “The women reside in the main house, the men in the huts. We meet only when a woman calls for a man, or at mealtimes.” Cheri crossed her arms, ready to strike at him. She glared daggers, wishing they’d shoot right through his ego. “Why is that? So you men have something to eat?”

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“This is a place of great pleasures. Food. Sex. Our community revolves around that.” Gage’s gaze did not yield, nor did the desire in it. It burned through her, his intentions clear. She swallowed, allowing his words to sink in. So that was how it was. Gage had a thing or two coming. She opened her mouth to speak, but Matt stepped in front of her. Always her protector.

Fudge! She did not need her son to shield her, or to fight her battles. Grasping his broad, unyielding shoulders, she tried to push him aside. This time he did not budge.

Well! Left with no choice, she decided she could talk through his back just as well. “I see. So the main house is a whorehouse, complete with good food?” Her voice rose in anger as she peeked over Matt’s shoulders to stare Gage down. “Don’t you dare think I’m going in there. Not a chance! I don’t care if we are stranded here, I --” “You misunderstand, mademoiselle.” Jacques cut her off in a soft, floating bedroom voice. Deep yet sensitive, it was a tone meant for wooing. “The men serve the women in all ways. We supply the food, the water, and the entertainment. The women supply the babies and the pleasures. They turn our meat into gourmet dishes for mealtime. For that they must be worshiped. We meet, and who they want, how they want, is their decision. This is the way it should be, and this is the way we have chosen it to be. When you are reduced to the simplest way of life, you realize what is most important very quickly. Those on this island have come to value women, and we do all we can to please and protect them. Do you understand?” Cheri swallowed. Oh, yeah. She got his drift.

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She got it and, surprisingly, she liked it. Not to mention, she had a billion questions. Like a little more information on the “who you want, how you want” shred of information he’d given her. Did he mean the men here were women’s sex slaves? She licked her lips, deciding he couldn’t possibly mean that. Not in the literal sense, anyway. But the balance they lived by was like a female fantasy. She wanted to know more. But she wasn’t about to ask a damn thing more in front of her son, for hell’s sake. “So long as you don’t think I’m becoming anyone’s slave, or something weird.” Her tone remained defensive, despite her enthrallment. These men were strangers, and she’d do well to keep her guard in place. Again she glanced at Gage, and the ball of desire forming in her grew. Keep her guard up? Yeah, right. That man could knock it down with one look. Folding her arms, she rocked back on her heels, suddenly all too ready to see her son go. If that was what this place was all about, she wouldn’t mind getting a little ... What was she thinking? Had her mind turned to mush? She was married! Her gaze swept over Gage again, mesmerized by his stocky body and the deep, smooth chocolate color of his skin. Those eyes searing through her. Those lips. A gruff grunt huffed from Matt, who stood like a dog ready to attack.

Fudge! There she went again. What was going on in her head? She was stranded on some island with a bunch of strangers, seemingly forever. She had yet to see another woman, but all she could do was think of getting wild. With Gage.

Fudge! She wanted to reach out and touch him. To see what his rich chocolate skin felt like. Rough or smooth? To taste his lips, as well as other parts of him. Hell, she wanted to lick

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him from his toes to his shoulders. To bite him. To feed off him like she were a vampire in need of blood. Oh, yeah. She wanted to know what it would be liked to have him over her, under her, in her. Somehow, she knew he would be absolutely primal. She could sense it. He was an animal, untamed and beastly. And he would take her like no other man ever had ... She licked her lips as a series of very imaginative scenarios flashed through her mind. For a moment, she completely forgot herself and slipped off into another world. He was under her, his arms pinned over his head. He was submissive to her every whim, groaning as she tasted his body ... Gage’s laughter drew her back. What was so funny? Was he laughing at her? She yanked out of the thoughts, focusing her gaze on him. She didn’t even understand the attraction. Not that she was prejudiced, but never before had she thought of crossing that line. She simply had never found a black man attractive. She supposed she had never seen the right one. Because damn! She wanted him, badly. Matt took a slow step forward, leaning into Gage’s face. “I’ll kill you all first,” her son gritted through his teeth. “No one touches my mother.” Gage looked down on Matt, his expression unyielding and unreadable. “Matt,” she hissed, giving him a slap on the arm. “Chill out, Chicken.” “I am,” Matt growled. She tugged her son backward. “Then go with Jacques. I’ll see you at dinner.” “No way,” he snapped, not budging. She continued to pull him backward. “Matt, please. Go with Jacques. I’ll be fine. If you don’t trust them, trust me.” In a very slow, very drawn out way, Matt backed down. “I don’t like this.”

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“You don’t like much, Chicken.” She kissed him on the cheek, cupping his set jaw. “I’ll see you at dinner.” His jaw shook a little. He grunted and whipped around. Like an enraged animal, he stalked down the path to the left. Jacques hurried behind him, a flurry of conversation and niceties. Cheri shook her head and watched him disappear. Her son, the dear boy. How she loved him. But he needed to find a life of his own. As Jacques and Matt disappeared over a dune, Gage took her hand. His rough, calloused fingers caressed her softness, swallowing her up. A tingle ran through her. She looked up at him, every bit of her on fire. She’d love it if he took her. Threw her down and fucked her like an animal. Right here. Right now. In the sand, under the sun, as naturally as their bodies called them. Her sex thumped. The center of her being yearned to act on primitive desires. To throw caution to the wind -- and Gage to the ground underneath her. She wanted to feel his hands roam over her skin, his tongue lick her in shameful places, in deviant ways. He laughed, his smooth, deep chuckle all too aware. Did her thoughts show on her face? Could he smell her dripping sex? Cheri tried to push the hot, lusty desire away. It did not budge. With his other hand, Gage stroked her cheek. His calloused fingers left a trail of needy tingles across her face. “I’ll take you to the door. No further.” He led her up the path strewn with rocks and sand. Lush green ferns covered either side. They walked slowly, as if he wanted to torture her with his touch for every second he could. Dropping his hold, he led her up a bamboo ramp to an opened arched door of roughhewn wood. His eyes radiated with lust, making her sex heat with need. “I will see you at dinner.”

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With that, he sauntered back down the ramp. An immediate fear stabbed through her, as if she were being abandoned to the unknown. He was leaving her, and she didn’t like it one bit. “Wait. Can’t you take me in?” “No.” Stopping, he turned back. Lust flickered in his gaze, lighting her with want. Without any shame, he looked her up and down and then turned away. “Choose me tonight.” His words floated after him, blowing on the ocean breeze, too sultry to deny. She stared after him as he disappeared. He strolled with confidence, his shoulders squared. Every step he took, every flex of his muscles, tantalized her. She folded her arms, squeezing her awakened breasts. Her nipples hardened into tight buds as pure lust curled in her lower regions. Choose him? Oh, yes. She wanted to. And hell, maybe, just maybe, it was time. She watched him until he disappeared amongst the huts. As his form disappeared, a deep sigh escaped her. Left with nothing else to do, and not much of a choice, she ducked through the open door. A circular porch surrounded an open area below, splitting at the end into ladders. One went up, another down. Here and there, brightly flowered green vines wrapped around the bamboo rails. She leaned against the smooth rail, studying the scene below her. Close to fifteen women of all shapes, sizes, and colors went about their business below. Some tended fire pits, huge pigs roasting over them on turning sticks. Others dipped in and out of a natural lagoon of crystal blue water, lounging and laughing. None wore tops, or even bras. Few had even donned sarongs around their bottoms. No matter their color, their sun-bronzed bodies glowed. A few of them had youthful, tight bodies, but the large majority were real women. With stretch marks and cellulite, they

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had bodies that had borne children and lived. Breasts that had nursed. Age had taken its normal toll. Two women had to be in their sixties, yet they bathed naked with no shame. All of them carried themselves like goddesses. Cheri couldn’t help her smile. A tickle ran through her. She was beginning to love this place already. Maybe being stuck here wasn’t such a bad thing. Not if she could run around topless, feel fine about her body, and pick whatever man she wanted. For the hell of it, she pinched herself. Jumping at the stinging pain, she confirmed it. She wasn’t dreaming. Or dead. Somehow, someway, she was trapped on a literal paradise. You never did know where adventures could take you. Her hand grazed the smooth rail as she walked around the balcony to the ladder. Turning, she started down the stairs. With every step down she took, she noticed how hushed the laughing ladies became. By the time she reached the bottom, silence had taken over. She stepped onto the sand and put on her best smile. A nervous bubble roiled in her stomach as she turned. For the second time since she’d arrived here, she found herself speechless. Not a normal thing for her. She swallowed the gulp in her throat and tried to think of what to say. All eyes were focused on her, wide, as if in shock. She shifted, and crossed her arms. “Um, hi.” One of the elderly women stepped forward, leaning on a twisted walking stick. Thank

God. Cheri breathed a sigh of relief.

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One step at a time, the woman made her way from a roasting pig toward Cheri. Long silver hair dangled to her waist, and her deep-green eyes sparkled. Her left arm was outstretched, a wrinkled little smile on her creased face. “We haven’t seen anyone new in quite a while. Forgive us.” Her voice creaked with age but sweetened with a kind greeting. “It’s just so shocking to see someone different.” Cheri accepted her hug, still not sure what to say. For a moment, the older lady hung onto her. Cheri was afraid that if she let go, the woman would fall. She cleared her throat and eased the woman down. “Gage brought me. He said to just come in.” “Oh, yes. Oh, yes. We know. We saw the plane spin down. Are you okay?” She raised her eyebrows, a look of sympathy softening her expression. Cheri straightened and pulled at the waist of her jeans. Funny, amongst naked people, she suddenly felt so very uncomfortable because she was clothed. In fact, she’d never quite been so overdressed. She yanked her hair over her shoulder and folded her arms. “Incredibly, I’m great. A little baffled.” The woman nodded. “Yes, yes. Only natural at first. But you’ll learn our ways, and you’ll love them. Let me introduce you to everyone. And we’ll have to get you into something more comfortable for the feast tonight. We have to celebrate your arrival, you know.” The woman turned, using the cane heavily. “I’m Maggie, by the way.” She waved everyone else in, and they surrounded her like she was in a football huddle. A flurry of greetings began, whipping her into a whirlwind of names and excitement. Except for one girl. Standing at the edge of the pool, a young, dark-haired beauty stared at her with haunting eyes. Her black curls wrapped around her slim shoulders, strands tossing in the breeze. Her hands fell as if suddenly defeated, the look in her eyes full of devastation.

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Everyone else disappeared for Cheri, besides this girl. She could not help but stare, and the girl stared back. She lifted her chin, her lips pursed together. It struck Cheri hard, and in that moment she knew. She had just set her eyes on her only enemy.

Heather watched the new woman with nothing but despair. It curled in her stomach, wrapping around her heart.

Oh, God. She started to step back and almost stumbled into the lagoon. No! Gage was hers. She was waiting. Had been for years. Almost every night, Gage chose her, and it was only a matter of time. There had never been any doubt in her mind that Gage would choose her as his permanent mate. Eventually. He was getting older and would want someone young to bear him children. They would make vows together. And create a family. Heather fought tears as her heart sank even further into her stomach. A little girl, Lila, ran past her to the crowd of welcomers. The three-year-old always tugged at Heather’s emotions, too adorable for her own good. She was everything Heather wanted and did not have at twenty-three. Her hands began to shake. She didn’t know how. Or why. But the instant she’d set eyes on the new woman, the security she’d held for years had disappeared. Cheri had done nothing, said hardly a thing except that Gage had brought her. But those words replayed in her mind repeatedly.

Gage brought me. He said to just come in. Her tone, her beautiful blue eyes, had sparkled with the truth.

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And it wasn’t just jealousy. No. Granted, Cheri was a beautiful woman. But it went beyond her porcelain skin or pale hair. Further than her body or the fact that, for someone Gage’s age, she had it going on. The feeling was deeper than all that, and it twisted its way around Heather’s heart. Constricting, it choked her with the most terrible feeling of loss. Somehow she just knew it. She turned and ran away, wishing she could run from her own feelings. But they followed her, not willing to let go.

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Chapter Four

Cheri leaned over the rail, looking down on the sparse village. Below her, men went about their business as if all of this were normal. Yeah, right. She blew out a deep breath, definitely overwhelmed. Maggie laughed in her creaky way. “Shocked by it all? That will fade.” Maggie had just finished her grand tour, showing Cheri around as if she were visiting a relative’s new house. They had explored all three levels of the bamboo structure. From the ground level, where they cooked and bathed around the lagoon; to the second, where mothers and children resided; to the third, where single women had their rooms. They’d picked out an empty bedroom for her, hanging a hammock of knotted pigskin leather straps and covering it with furs. Discussed clothing choices, even. Or lack thereof, more accurately. Maggie had shown her a smaller gathering of larger huts gathered near the back of the main house. Complete with a surrounding fence to keep children safe, it was where couples who decided to take life vows could chose to live with their families. Maggie had winked, suggesting it wouldn’t take long for Cheri to be snatched up and that she would soon be living there. It was so ridiculous. How could this be happening?

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“Fade? Oh, I’m not so sure about that. I’ve never been told I was permanently stuck anywhere. And so casually, at that.” Frowning, Cheri analyzed the miles of sparkling blue ocean surrounding the island. The sun was setting in a brilliant show of colors. Pink and orange streaked across the horizon. Cheri squinted. She saw a dark figure bobbing in the waters close to the shore. Could it be Gage? A ripple of anticipation ran through her, almost making her smile. What was it about that man? He’s seeped into her mind like some sort of drug. “I was fifteen when my father crashed us here in 1920,” said Maggie. “He didn’t know how to fly. Never did. The fool. But we had money, and he could do what he wanted. Including pretend to be a pilot. Back then, there weren’t nearly as many people here and there wasn’t this nice home. I was devastated. I went from riches to rags overnight. We slept in a cave in the rainforest. One moment I was daydreaming about my grand coming-out, the next I was learning how to crack a coconut. But it faded. Now, I wouldn’t leave, even if the choice were mine. One day you will feel it, too. I like to believe God has us here for a reason.” Cheri didn’t know why, but as she thought about Maggie’s story, she looked out at the figure in the ocean. She just stared, not really knowing if it was Gage, or why she was looking. She just had this feeling. It kept getting stronger. Cheri jerked her gaze away, scanning the beach for her son. He was nowhere to be seen. She folded her arms up under her chest, her thumb twitching. It was beautiful up here, but she was antsy to get on with whatever strange thing would come next. “When is this big dinner?” “Soon. There is just one more thing we must discuss.” Maggie’s voice took a more serious tone.

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Cheri turned. “Oh?” “The rules.” “I thought this place was so free.” “It is, for the most part. Once, long ago, when I first came here, we had no rules at all. But then we had a problem. A young girl fell in love with a man whom she had blood ties with. At the time, they didn’t even put it together, the fact that her mother was his father’s half cousin. They ended up pregnant. Though their baby was fine, we wanted no more mistakes. We decided right then and there that we had to do something. The population here was growing and growing, and becoming more involved. So many people, we had to have some structure, you understand.”

My God. Cheri nodded, engrossed with the tale. But it wasn’t the story that had her stomach churning. All she could think of was how very long so many people had been stuck here. What chance did she stand? Maggie tapped her cane, a habit Cheri had immediately picked up on. Whenever the older woman wanted attention, her cane started incessantly with a rap, rap, rap. “Yes,” Cheri forced out. “Of course that makes sense.” “Rule number one: Tonight you may chose whatever man you want to be with. We only allow this because we don’t like imposing such a restriction on someone new. It’s like saying we have the right to tell one’s heart what to think. But alas, we must. So tonight, chose whomever you want. After tonight, you may only involve yourself with those nativeborn to the island. Those native born to the island are not allowed to ever mate with another born to this island. Ever. So newcomers are their only option. Rule number two: No men are allowed upstairs unless invited. Reasons for that rule speak for themselves. In such an open world, women need some privacy. Rule number three: If you chose a life mate to have children with, you remain with that life mate. No separating or having babies with man after

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man. If you choose to make something permanent, it will remain permanent.” Maggie paused a minute, as if to let it all sink in. “Go change. Freshen up. Dinner is soon.” Cheri watched her hobble off, immediately wondering if Gage was native-born. She could think of nothing else but that, if she wanted, she could snap her fingers and he’d be hers tonight. But what if he ... She searched her mind, trying to remember if he had said anything to indicate which he was. Native born or not? The day was such a blur of events, she couldn’t remember. Quickly she caught herself. What did it even matter? She wasn’t really actually thinking she had a future on this island, was she? It didn’t matter. None of it did. She’d do what she wanted, because she would leave here. No one had determination like she did. Everyone else on this island had simply accepted their fate too easily. She refused to believe anything else. She was not stuck here. Turning, she noticed a few men beginning to work their way up the path. Drums began to beat hard, thumping in her heart as well as through the cooling, breezy air. She gathered it was almost dinnertime. No. She wasn’t stuck here. But she was here for now. She might as well experience it while she was. This was going to make one hell of a book. With a smile, she went to go get dressed.

Water lapped around his waist, the lapping ocean cooling his body. Thrusting his handmade spear into the soft sand, Gage gave up the idea of fishing. He leaned on the spear, sinking into the water. Dipping his head in, he soaked his braids. He was just too distracted. By her. He half groaned, half sighed as he let the water carry him. The evening air blew a gentle, salty breeze and ruffled the leaves of the palms. His gaze rose to the sun. Gradually

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setting, the ball of fire sat on the horizon, covered with fluffy white clouds streaked by pinks and blues. He licked his lips. Almost time for dinner and, with any luck, Cheri. But his chances with her existed only for tonight.

Damnation. Annoyance crawled through him and wrapped like a poisonous snake at his patience. It wasn’t often he lost his cool, but this -- she -- made everything different. Three simple rules on this island, and suddenly they seemed to be at his throat, choking him. Rule number one. As a newcomer to the island, she could choose which man she wanted after dinner. But after tonight, the policy changed. He shook his head and spun the spear round in the sand. The motion caused the sparkling water around his feet to cloud over. To think he’d voted on that. Of course, at the time it had made sense. Hell, it still did. Mating resulted in babies. The more the population grew, the more it became entwined. In order to maintain pure lines, they’d had to create some sort of safety net. Since she was new, she was reserved to mate with those born to the island. She had only tonight to choose him. One night.

Damnation! A surge of anger jolted through him. He grabbed the spear and thrust it. Colorful minnows in the water spread out like wildfire, zapping away. Somehow he knew it wouldn’t be enough. A hundred nights with Cheri wouldn’t satisfy him. There was something about her. It went beyond those hips and that lush rear. Hell and damnation. Deep down, he knew her porcelain skin would soon be gone. She’d turn a deep golden bronze, and her blond hair would brighten to a blinding white. He couldn’t imagine it any lighter than it was. Life without junk food, living off the basics, would probably even slim down her curvy figure. The fact of the matter was, the Cheri he was so attracted to would soon disappear.

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Yet, that just wasn’t it. Maybe it was the sexy-cute way she folded her arms. Or the gall she had. He wasn’t sure. But the woman was unusual, and it had nothing to do with her body. Not that he didn’t get hard every time he pictured it. Cheri just felt different. He felt different. A surge of memories flashed through his mind. Until now, he’d loved this island, every last thing about it. To him, it had come as a blessing, freedom from the pain. Losing Jenny and the baby had hurt like almighty hell. In fact, it had been his misery that had driven him to such recklessness. Normally he would never have decided to cut across the Triangle to reach the States. But he’d had nothing to lose but a business client. He chose to believe his angel, Jenny, had her hand in it. That she had wanted him to come here. To find peace, both from her death and from the busy life she’d always cursed. But now his peace had vanished. The moment he’d set eyes on Cheri, it had disappeared as the longing had rushed in. With every second he thought about it, it grew worse. Just like it had with his Jenny.

Damnation. He was in real trouble -- worse, impossible trouble. Oddly enough, though, that was what made it all okay to him. He leaned back in the water, floating. At the same time he hated her being forbidden to him, he relished it. He had no desire to feel for any woman what he felt for her in just one look. Knowing that after tonight she was untouchable made it reasonable. He’d have her, and then it would be over. Even if the little devil invaded his mind and never left, he’d have no choice. He would have to go back to fucking Heather’s young, lush body every night, in his safety net of lust and no love.

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He jerked himself upright, telling himself the problem was solved. Wading through the crystal ocean, his feet stepped on shells and mashed them into the sand. He grabbed his spear, looking into the water as he went to yank it up. As he did, a pinkish color caught his eye. Bending, he reached through the water, down into the sand. From it he pulled a rosecolored piece of coral. Uniquely shaped, the inch-sized piece almost looked like a heart. If he polished it, and maybe shaved some of it off, it would be perfect for his collection. He smiled. Maybe it was the businessman in him. This island might have slowed him down, but nothing could erase this deep need for riches. Only several days after his arrival here, he’d begun diving for pearls and other treasures. Now, years later, he had almost a whole halved coconut shell full of pearls, and a mantel full of coral and other ocean oddities. He hoarded them, never trading or giving them as gifts. He didn’t know why, but they were his and he saved them. This was a good find, enough to salve his recent hunger for treasure. The past weeks, his exploring had been limited after a couple of sharks had been spotted venturing oddly close to the shores in the mornings and evenings. But soon, they’d get hungry and disappear. Fingering the coral, he waded and sloshed through the water to the shore. Waves crashed against his back and swept his long, braided hair over his shoulders. He ducked under one last time and popped out. Wiping his eyes, he narrowed them at the figure he saw on the beach.

Damnation. Just what he needed, Baby Boy snarling after him. He tried to ignore Matt’s hard gaze as he walked from the water and shook out his hair, but the silence that greeted him wasn’t overlookable, nor was Matt’s stare. Those icy blues drilled through him, two beads of anger in a seemingly innocent face. He’d never seen anyone with such a baby face look so eerily mean. So hard. The two just didn’t go together. Gage nodded and swept his gaze over Matt. “What do you want, kid?”

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“Just because I’m here with my mother doesn’t make me a kid. I’m twenty-one, and I’ve been taking care of her for years. I’m old enough, big enough, to whoop that fact right into you.” A snarl curled Matt’s lips as he stepped closer. “I don’t like you. I don’t like the way you look at my mother, like some damn animal ready to attack.” Gage almost had to hold back a laugh. Matt was hardly a threat to him. Though almost equal in size, Matt was missing one thing under his belt: life. Gage shrugged, his voice cold, to get the point across, yet calm. “Your mother is an adult. If she doesn’t like the way I look at her, I’m sure she can speak for herself.” Using the flat end of his spear like a cane, he stalked toward the village. He could literally feel Matt’s anger flaming out at him. The kid was hot with an unexplainable rage Gage didn’t like one bit. This island was a peaceful, tranquil place. Or rather, it had been. Why did he get the feeling Matt and Cheri would change all that? They had their ways, their rules. There wasn’t even a need for any such thing as punishments. No one had ever broken a rule or committed an act of violence here. Yet. Matt pounced after him like an animal chasing its prey, nearly hollering, “I’m speaking for her. She’s not available! Stay away from her!” That was enough. Gage whirled around. “Or what?” “Or deal with me.” Matt’s glare narrowed his frosted blue eyes, his lips flattening together. His face twisted, the challenge of a fight clear. “Kid, you don’t want to go there.” He spoke in a slow, clear tone as he glared directly into Matt’s eyes. “Grow up. Be an adult. Your mother is also a woman.” For just a moment, Gage could see the fear in Matt’s soul spark in his maddened eyes. Then it disappeared, replaced by an even deeper fury. Spurts of shallow, hot breath purged from Matt, like a fire-breathing dragon.

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Damnation. The kid was an animal ready to attack -- one, Gage realized, who wouldn’t back down, even when beaten. It wasn’t worth the trouble. Gage shook his head, turned, and walked away. He had better things to do tonight. Like fuck Cheri.

Matt ground his bare feet into the sand, clenching his fists. His heart thumped against his ribs, and sweat dripped from his forehead like a faucet in need of tightening. He was ready to kill.

Holy hell. Clenching his jaw, he ran through a million reasons to run after the ass and jump him. It took every inch of his patience, which was drawn tight enough to snap, not to beat Gage senseless. That was his mom. She belonged with his father and no one else. Even if Dad was dead, she should be at least a little faithful to him. Not batting eyes at the first guy to look at her. She didn’t have a clue the trouble she could get herself into. Gage had better heed Matt’s warning. If he didn’t stay the hell away from her, well, there was no telling. Matt shook his head as he walked. He could hear her reaction in her head, as he’d heard it a million times. Chicken! Making enemies already? But what the hell was he supposed to do? Dad would have wanted him to look after her and see her safe. She sure as hell wasn’t doing it herself. She’d swear she was fine, but fine wasn’t leading on some animal, in some strange place with a whole new set of rules. Not any more than fine was deciding to fly right through the Bermuda Triangle. Or damn near any other adventure she decided to go on. Sure, Dad had loved to taste life, as well. But he’d been here, with her, then. He was gone now, and it was that risky approach to his existence that had taken him. Mom just didn’t get that. Dad was gone.

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“So should that life be,” he grumbled to himself. He stalked toward the village, sand flying up from his heels. He wanted to get to dinner and check on her. The worry was wrapping around him like a coiling snake. Looking around, his eyes scanned the pink-and-blue horizon. It was like a picture on a calendar or an advertisement by a tourist agency. A giant orange ball, the sun sank into the sky. Ending their first day here. Looking at the sunset, something in him let go and began to settle. A deep sigh escaped him, blowing his anger away with the gentle winds. A piece of him relaxed, and he let go, as he had not in a long time. He inhaled the scent of the salted air, letting it rush into his lungs. What was it about this place? He was freaking out, yet he just couldn’t hold onto it. It kept fading and twisting into a strange peace. Whatever it was, he let it in, his heart slowing Way ahead of him, several of the other men were walking up the sand trail toward the main house. To him, it resembled a castle, though of bamboo and thatch. The way it hovered over the village in all its grandiosity, gave the immediate impression of royalty. He’d traveled all around the world, through so many adventures it boggled the mind. They’d left him worried and anxious. Annoyed. But for the first time since his dad died, a tickle of anticipation rippled down his spine. It bubbled in his stomach, fluttering around as he wondered what he could expect at this dinner. The things he’d heard from the men today ... He entered the village, taking the center path toward the castle. Something in him pulled.

Holy hell. Somehow, he was beginning to long for what they had here. Intensely. After being shown the island this afternoon, it had left him with a longing that did not fade. The men,

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despite their differences, all seemed somehow contented. They went about their lives at a slow pace. Like a big family, all working together just to live. It all seemed so tranquil and ideal. Hell, their biggest worries were simply fulfilling their most basic needs. Hunger. Shelter. Sex. Sex. Something he needed badly. As he walked through the path between the huts, including the one he’d been given, a numb realization came to him. They were here. They weren’t going anywhere, despite his mother’s notions, which were as ridiculous as always. Hell, he should be hoping she was right and they’d be flying out of here soon. But oddly, he hoped she was wrong. The thought settled around him, wrapping him with a warm, thrilling feeling. Odd and invading it was, but definite. He’d hardly touched the place, yet he didn’t want to leave here. No. Deep inside him, he saw the start of a new life. Hell, maybe even a new him. Paradis was perfect for him. No worries. No wild adventures. No dangers. Just fishing. A few friends. Maybe with a little luck, one of those nice girls he’d heard about would be his wife and make him babies. It reminded him of what he thought life must have been like in the olden days, before cars and planes. So basic, so tranquil. Exactly what he craved. He shook his head. “I must be losing my mind.” “Pardon?” Old Frenchie caught up with him, his long legs moving at a brisk pace. “Oh, I said, ‘I must be losing my mind.’ That proves it. I’m even talking to myself.” Matt had to smile at himself. “It’s too odd, how very accepting all this feels.” Frenchie paused and looked at him inquisitively. “You may be stranded, but it’s a little more convenient, the island being inhabited. There’s nothing to fear but the loss of your old life.” His accented voice turned humorous. “I miss but two things here: fine chocolate and cigars.”

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Matt considered that. Maybe that was why he was taking it so well. The reality was, he had nothing to miss of his old life. Frenchie reached out, touching his shoulder. Matt shrank away at the touch, but Frenchie continued. “The force that brought you here is greater. It decided you belonged here for a reason. Accept that, and you’ll be much happier.” He paused. “Tomorrow, I will help you make a spear. You must learn hunting and fishing soon.” With that, Frenchie picked up his pace on the path toward the main house. Taking the right fork of the path upward toward the castle in long strides, Matt came to the stairs. Even from outside, he could hear drums beating and hearty laughter and conversation. Pausing a moment, he ran his hands through his hair. Dinner was like the final discovery. What would happen? Why was dinner so special? His bubble of excitement grew like a piece of gum in his stomach, ready to pop. He jumped up the stairs and brushed through the entryway, finding himself at a railing. Several talking men brushed past him, circling round to a set of ladders. For a moment, he stared below. Beneath him, half-clad men and women mingled, some sitting on the sand, others dipping into a tiny lagoon of crystal-clear water. Some danced to the beat of the drums; others hovered over a rough, makeshift wooden table full of food. Instead of plates and bowls, they used half coconuts and split bamboo. It was a party in full force, gay spirits just floating through the air. Around a fire, some even danced wildly. Their arms flailed, and their legs kicked in the air like natives doing a chant. They looked crazy and loving it. His eyes scanned over the people and searched for his mother. He didn’t see her -And then everything stopped as he looked back at the fire, his focus zooming on the unbelievable.

Holy hell. No wonder. He was looking for her clothed.

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Now her ponytail was gone, her hair wild and swinging as she danced with the people around the fire. She wore a short sarong of stretchy pink material that looked like what had been her T-shirt. It tied in a knot at her hip, leaving her whole belly exposed. Even her csection scar peeked out. As for her top, he’d never seen her so exposed. At least, unlike most of the other ladies, she had the decency to wear a bikini top. But in his opinion, it was too small. Her whole damn outfit was. Not to mention she was with him. Hand in hand, they danced around the fire like two cave people, without an ounce of self-consciousness. Every time she bent or whirled, peeks of her ass cheeks showed and her tits bounced up and down. His heart twisted into a disgusted knot. For hell’s sake, that was his mother. She needed to wear more clothes than that. Men were looking at her. Didn’t she realize that? Every piece of him wanted to go down there, rip off his own shirt, and cover her up. He should know by now. With her, he always had to expect the unexpected. He sucked in a deep breath and jerked his head away. And that’s when he saw her. His heart stopped, his every thought erased. Gone was the worry, the anger. All he saw, all he felt, was her ... She was an angel. She rose from the lagoon like a goddess. Water shimmered on her deeply tanned body and dripped from her long, curling dark hair. Every curve, every angle of her body from her hips to her shoulders, was toned and trimmed. Nothing, not a hint of clothing, covered her body. Dark, nearly black hairs covered her sex in a thick, furry patch. Her breasts jutted out, the two handfuls perky from the cold water. Nothing, yet everything, was left to imagination. He wanted her so badly he could taste it. The image of her body writhing beneath his overtook his mind. She held her glistening body with grace, her every step filled with confidence. This was a woman who knew she was sexy, loved the fact, and did not deny it. Everything she did dripped with it. Her femininity was like a magnet.

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She paused, almost as if in shock, her dark eyes hauntingly wide. Whatever she stared at, her black eyes did not move away. Her long lashes fluttered, the final blow to Matt’s control. As his cock hardened, he could not help himself. Like a man in a trance, he moved along the balcony, his hand gliding along the rails. Everything in him pulled him to her. Nothing could stop him.

Heather stepped off the rock, still dripping from the lagoon. She had known it, but seeing it was a different thing. Her heart twisted like a wet rag, and she felt like the very life was being squeezed from her. Biting her lip hard, she licked away the taste of salty blood. Rather blood than more embarrassing tears. Had Gage no shame? Sure, they had no promises. They had nothing but countless nights together. She really couldn’t even say she loved him, but she had hoped. Still ... She swallowed and forced herself to look away. And that’s when she saw him. Everything in her stopped, even her heartache. It disappeared as he turned and set his blue-eyed gaze upon her. As if she were sucked into a tunnel, her vision narrowed and all she saw and thought was this man. About her age, he wore khaki shorts and a tight-fitting white T-shirt. His clothes were dirty from his first day on the island, smeared with mud and sweat. She wanted to rip them free and reveal the tight body she could tell was underneath. She was not used to seeing a man covered. Now she knew she did not like it. The notion tantalized and teased her too much to be fun.

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Slim, but not skinny, he carried a certain strength and power that emanated from his every step. She swept her gaze up and down his body, taking in every inch of him. She could tell even through his thin white shirt that he had a six-pack, flat but rippled. His broad shoulders carried a built chest and supported a thickly muscled neck. She imagined his pectorals to be covered in blond hairs, tiny and curling. His jaw was strong, but not overpowering to his face. The desire in his pale blue eyes burned through her. The closer he stepped, the more clearly she could make out the silver streaks in their depths, jumping as if he sparked for her. His lips curled into a soft, seductive smile, the look on his baby face too adorable to do anything but turn her to mush. “Hello,” he greeted with a nod. His eyes did not look away from hers, but held her captive. “Matt.” “Hello,” she all but squeaked. “I’m Heather.” Deep inside, the realization struck like lightning in a flash storm. Her Gage was sitting with Cheri, a woman who, for all intentions, was her rival. Or had been. As she stood gazing at Cheri’s son, she no longer cared. It was like a hurricane sweeping her away, the strong winds whipping her right off her feet. With every bit of her being, she wanted Matt. More than she’d ever longed for Gage, or any man. And all it had taken was just one look.

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Chapter Five

Her breath still came in heavy pants, though they had ceased dancing minutes ago to eat. It wasn’t that she was out of shape. She had just never been so excited. Feral passion had swept her away and still fogged her mind like she was drugged. With her front teeth, Cheri took the tasty, tender smoked ham Gage fed her. She rolled it in her mouth, eyeing him like he was the next bite. “Thank you.” She raked her fingers down his bare chest over well-defined muscles. Wearing no shirt and only the breechcloth left him exposed to her fancies. For the fun of it, she reached out and pinched his nipple. She just couldn’t help herself. He was right there, so open to the touching. His presence made her drunk, and she could hardly grasp any sane thought. With a half laugh, half sigh, she leaned back against him and admired the brilliant stars. The black night sky twinkled with them, the moon at its fullest. Drums beat in her ears, along with the sounds of talking and laughing, to make for the most beautiful of music. The dinner made everything she had discovered here today seem magical.

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Especially the part where she could choose any man she wanted tonight. Not that there was any matter of question. She wanted Gage like she hadn’t wanted a man in years. It was time. She’d had all day to think it over. Josh would have wanted her to have fun with her life, sex included. Together, each time had been new. They’d made love everywhere, in every way. In her heart she knew he wouldn’t have wanted to see her deny herself as she had been. Not that she planned to fall in love again. A single heartbreak in a lifetime was enough for her. Ever. For a moment, she pressed her eyes shut, her heart tightening. Tears threatened her eyes, and she pushed them away. She loved Josh so much. Sometimes she hated remembering him. It hurt more than she could bear. Gage’s hand caressed her shoulder, sending tingles down her spine. “You okay, sugar?” That jerked Cheri out of it. She was having fun. This was an adventure. Forget the bad thoughts. “I’m great.” She forced a smile as she turned away from him. She pretended to scan the crowd and be interested in the festivities. “Tell me how all this happened. What is Paradis?” His nose nuzzled her neck, his fingers trailing her backbone. “I told you, sugar.” A chill ran down her spine and she shivered. No one had ever engulfed her with flames at only a touch, the way he did. No one. “You didn’t tell me enough. Tell me the history. How you got here. Tell me everything you know.” “Ah. Thirsty for knowledge?” She couldn’t help but be a little offended. “Of course I have questions. My plane was sucked down onto a strange island, where I was picked up by a sexy man in a breechcloth and led to a bamboo palace where women are all but worshiped. Did you think I wouldn’t have questions? Get real.”

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Gage laughed then suddenly stiffened, his back going straight. His face rose from where it nuzzled her neck. “As the story goes, the first on this island were crew from a French explorer ship in the late 1600s. They named it Paradis. The first village on this island was actually up there.” His voice sounded harder, rigid. He pointed up toward the high cliffs peeking above the bamboo walls. “Deep in the island, there are still remains. But as more people came, it was realized that the beach was a better spot. More sun, better access to fishing, just easier living. Besides, that side of the island always takes the brunt of storms. I think it has something to do with the magnets. We can get pretty heavy hits here, as well. But just nothing like up there. When a storm does come, we always move upward, but never to that side of the island. We haven’t been hit too hard yet, but it isn’t worth the risk. “ Cheri listened to his severe tone, uneasiness rippling through her. She craned her neck toward him, quickly realizing he was indeed glaring at someone. She looked in that direction. From across the crowd, a tanned, blond-haired man, who reminded her all too much of Josh, stared at her. His tall, lithe body relaxed in the lagoon amongst other couples who were not shy at all. His eyes did not meet hers, but instead scanned her body. And did not relent. Uncomfortable, she looked away. “But why? I don’t understand why.” If she were ever going to find her way off this island, she first needed to understand it better than she did right now. Gage cleared his throat. “The scientists among us, which number quite a few who were trying to disprove the Triangle, say the cause is the earth’s magnetic force that draws the ships and planes here. Others believe it’s plain magic.” At the word magic, his arms reached around her and drew her tight. Just as if it were some sensual spell, ripples of desire coursed through her sex. “What do you think?” Looking up at him, she realized how very much the blond man had his attention.

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Suddenly he tore his gaze away, directing his black eyes right into hers. “I think there is something very magical about this place.” He leaned in, his breath tickling her face. “Not to discredit the magnet theory, sugar. Perhaps it is a little of both. I just know I love it here. I especially love it upstairs. Perhaps you want to show me your room.” Oh, she did, very much. In fact, so much so that she was dripping wet. The wild dancing, and his nakedness, had her hornier than a dog in heat. The women had insisted she did not need underwear here in everyday life. They would get worn out, they had explained, and there was no replacing them. Therefore, underwear was saved for that time of month. Now her warm juices dripped down her leg, making her shift. Oh, yes, she wanted to drag him up to the tiny room she had been given and throw him in the hammock. But right now, she had too many questions she just couldn’t let go. To distract herself from his attentions, she looked back at the lagoon to see if the blond man was still staring. “You still haven’t told me how you got here.” Her voice sounded hollow.

Fudge. The guy was definitely still watching her, quite boldly -- or, rather, rudely. He moved forward, floating closer toward her in the water. Gage’s voice became stiff. “Had a business meeting. I was reckless. I didn’t want to be late, so I insisted my pilot fly me directly over the Triangle to reach Florida. Next thing you know, here I am.” Pain twisted in his tone, making it clear he did not enjoy speaking of his past life. At all. “You don’t miss anything?” “I had nothing left to miss.”

Left? Fudge. What did that mean?

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Intrigued by this new side of him, she could not let it go. “If you could leave here, would you miss anything?” Gage’s eyes roamed around then rested on her. “I would miss a lot. Paradis isn’t like the rest of the world, sugar. We have our rules, our own way. “ That was for sure. The blond man seemed to have no humility, no shyness about his brazen appraisal of her at all. She wanted to listen to Gage, to find out more. But the man stared at her with such intensity now that she could feel his lust burning through her. She could not deny that a little piece of her felt a strange interest. With his long, shaggy blond hair and deep tan, the man was handsome. Not in a rugged, manly way, but a boyish, baby-faced way. And those blue eyes, not pale and icy like hers and Matt’s, but deep. Pure. Just like Josh. “Fudge,” she murmured. The concept both intrigued and bothered her. She missed Josh, longed to be in his arms again, even if it wasn’t real. If only for one night, for pretend, even, she wanted him to touch her. Love her. But this blond man was not Josh. Josh was gone. Never coming back. And she needed to face that. Her eyes studied him as he rose from the water, analyzing each and every difference. He was tanner. Slimmer. Not quite so tall. He ... Cheri gasped aloud as he stepped from the water, not from the sight of his manhood dangling freely, but from what she saw behind him. Fudge! Slowly she stood, unable to believe it. There, in the pool, was her son. Her little boy. With that damned woman all over him. Kissing. Feeling. Naked. It left her stunned and in an angry trance. “And if someone disagrees with your damned rules?” Her voice took on a bitter, angry edge.

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“We would vote. Or something. We’ve never had much of a problem with that.” Her shallows breath echoed in her ears, along with her heartbeat. Shock wrapped around her, racing through her mind the image of the naked woman all over her son. “Well, I have a problem -- with that.” She stood, took a step forward, and pointed. “Fudge! The little hussy.” Gage rose, though slower than she appreciated. Standing beside her, he nodded. “Good. The kid finally found something to busy himself with besides me. On a plus note --” “What?” Cheri snapped. She started taking fast strides toward the lagoon. “That is not happening. He is my son.” Gage caught her arm, yanking her to a stop. “He may be your son, but he’s also a man. Let it go. We can have some fun, sugar.” “Are you crazy?” She yanked free. “Cheri.” His voice went softer as he caught her arm again. “Let him go. Damnation, he’s a man. Let him be one. Maybe if you free him, he’ll --” “You lousy bastard! What do you know?” She got right in his face. “That is my son. He is all I have.” Gage gripped her shoulders, his black eyes burning through hers. “Don’t ruin this night over him. It’s silly. It’s the only one we’ll ever have, for God’s sake.” Right now, anger made it impossible to conceive anything. She whirled, and quickly realized two things had changed. While the blond man was almost upon them, her son and the slut were gone. Vanished. Her jaw fell open as she scanned the courtyard over and over. Fudge, no! Damn Gage and his presumptions! Because of him, they were off doing who knows what. What did he know? He had no idea what it was like. He’d never carried a child inside him. He’d never spent a lifetime raising his pride and joy, only to be told let go.

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He didn’t know what it was like to only have one little piece left of the man you loved so dearly. Matt was all she had of Josh. She would not lose him. But then, she just had. Hadn’t she? Matt was gone, no thanks to Gage. She wanted to whirl around and slap him in the face, but she held her temper. If she let it get out of check, it would fly wild. Instead, she stood there with her fists clenched, breathing in heavy gasps. What could she do? Hunt for her son? Wasn’t that going a bit far? There was nothing she could do right now. Damn Gage. Suddenly, through her haze of anger, she realized the blond man had walked right up to her, bent, and now peered into her eyes. She met his blue gaze with welcome. “Is everything all right here?” Soft and full of understanding, his voice caressed her rage. Darting a look at Gage, the blond man rested his hands on her shoulders. “I’m Joe, Cheri. Are you --” She didn’t wait for him to finish. Holding up a hand, she flashed a mean glance at Gage. “Joe, take me to my room. I’ve had enough dinner for one night.”

Stunned. It was the only way to describe him as he stood there, agape, watching her booty shake as she disappeared up the ladder with that bastard Joe.

Damnation. His heart beat with the drums as his mind fought confusion.

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How had he just lost her like that? In but a minute’s time, they had gone from cuddling on the sand together to this. And over the brat kid? What the hell was wrong with the two of them? Never had he seen a mother and child so very devoted to each other. He couldn’t conceive of it. But then, how could he? His Jenny had died at the hands of a drunk driver, along with his only child. He’d never seen the two together. He didn’t even know if it had been a boy or a girl. Never once had he gotten to taste what being a parent was like. He wanted to call Cheri and Matt’s behavior sick. But he couldn’t. Because when it came to kids, he just didn’t have a clue. Maybe what was really twisted was the way he was jealous. Envy’s nasty fangs had sunk into him and were tearing at him like a wild animal gone mad. He saw the connection between the two of them. He’d wanted that kind of intimacy, that deep bond, with Cheri, right from the moment he’d set eyes on her. He wanted that with a son. He looked up at her once more, studying the sway of her hips as she circled the upper balcony on the way to her room. There was a piece of him that wanted her so badly. He sure as hell didn’t appreciate the idea of Joe taking her upstairs to do God knows what. It should be him behind her. Getting ready to taste her sweet juices. To ease between those lush cheeks and fuck her thoroughly. Like he had planned. That lousy, no-good, cock-brained, munch-faced slimeball ... He shook his head. Tonight was his only chance to have her, and damn it, he was too hungry for her to deny. He was actually ready to chase after them like a crazed maniac. To yank Cheri into his arms, throw her over his shoulder, and take her to his hut. She belonged with him tonight. Their only night.

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Walking to the lagoon, he stepped in and sank into the cooling water. He needed to chill out. The more his emotions roiled inside him, the more he realized it was probably better this way. He could forget the way she nagged at his soul. Besides, at least things were now cut off with Heather. He’d been thinking of a way to break it to her, but he just hadn’t been sure how to get the point across. She was a good fuck, but always so desperate. Clinging. Wanting more than he had to offer. He rested his head in his left palm as two redheaded sisters about his own age scooted closer. Lily and Lora. With figures you could grab onto and green eyes that begged a man for attention, they were nearly impossible to say no to. He’d done the two sisters the favor once before. Maybe he should again. Their wide, sultry smiles said it all. He didn’t have to ask. He knew what they wanted. They were into threesomes. So was he, so long as they included two women. He’d never venture to share a woman with another man, and he ... The idea of it began to wrap around his mind. Did he dare? Could he actually go up there and join, rather than interrupt? Gage opened his arms, ready to accept the sisters. They slipped into his hold, pressing their soft bodies against him. Their breasts rubbed his chest, hardened nipples flicking across his ribs. They said nothing. Words were not needed. They were just what he needed to forget the fact that though he denied he wanted what Heather often begged for, he did want it. Maybe not with her, but he did crave family. That scared him. A lot. And damnation, Cheri brought that out in him. Too much.

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He moved his hands downward, cupping each of their plush rears and yanking them closer. And just as his mouth moved for Lora’s neck, and Lily’s hand to his hardening cock, he heard her cry out. The playful squeal rose above the roar of the crowd, Cheri grabbing every bit of his attention. His eyes rose to where he’d seen her duck into her room. As if there were a magnet yanking him toward them, what he knew went on in that room drew him.

Joe was a tickler. He used his tongue, his fingers, his breath, with soft, barely contacting strokes. As they brushed over her skin, tingles of excitement ran straight to her sex. His every ministration made her arch and twist. Her pussy clenched. Her whole body went hot and needy with every whisper of his attention. The way he touched her, it was easy to imagine he was Josh. Josh had touched her like that. Gently. Teasingly. Just enough to drive her absolutely crazy for more, but never enough to fulfill her heightening needs. Not until he was ready to release her. As she envisioned her late husband, instead of the stranger above her, tingles of hot, wanton need flooded her. Her body had not been touched in so very long. Once started, she could not stop. The switch had been flicked on. She was hungry. Famished. She needed to be fulfilled. Her breasts ached, her nipples having grown so intensely hard they were like two mountainous peaks jutting from her mounds. Every inch of her skin prickled. Burned. Ached. Especially her pussy, which constantly contracted as if begging to be filled. And yet, Joe’s every touch felt empty. Not tantalizing enough. Despite the raw need flooding through her, it was Gage her mind wished for. Gage she wanted touching her. The lust controlling her moves felt empty. Driven as she was, it was like apple pie without whipped cream. Just not satisfying. The low-to-the-floor hammock rocked back and forth under them. They sank so close to the ground, her bare ass breezed across the rough wooden floorboards. Joe bent his head to

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her breasts, juggling them in his grasp as he licked at her nipples. His tongue traced over the areolas, moving so slowly, she wanted to kick him into gear. Forever he licked at her breast, teasing every inch of the sensitive skin. The words burned in her. She wanted to scream, “Enough!” She wanted to beg for something more. Maybe she should stop this. Yet, she couldn’t. Her body and mind were such a mess, no decision seemed right. Her sex was a hot tunnel, pulsing with need to be fulfilled after all these years. She was so wet, so overtaken by pulsing need. Every inch of her skin was alive, burning with lust at every touch. But her mind was a battlefield of emotions. She needed Joe. She needed Josh. She wanted Gage. And suddenly, to her surprise, he arrived, like her thoughts had hook and reeled him in. She heard him before she saw him, the jangle of the curtain of shells brushing aside. His steps were light, pausing as he stepped in the room. She did not need to see him to know. She could feel him. His ache. Arching her back, she rolled her head to look at him. His lips curled, his gaze that of an animal. Clearly, he was jealous. But even more, his stare was ravenous. “Gage,” she whispered. Joe scooted off her, allowing her to sit. She dangled her feet over the hammock, her heels brushing the floor as it rocked. Joe bent before her on one knee. His hands ran over her legs in his soft way, and she shuddered. The nearer his fingers drew to her pussy lips, running over her thigh where her honey dampened her legs, the more she was flooded by wanton ideas. Gage was here. She was ready. If only ... She couldn’t utter the words. Couldn’t push Joe away. Didn’t want to. Yet ...

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To her surprise, Joe glanced at Gage with a blank look. For a moment he just stared at him. Hard. Then he continued his hot, ravenous kisses over her breasts. “I want you, Cheri.” He sucked hard, really hard, pulling her nipples between his teeth. They stretched and popped from his mouth. Now they were so hard they felt as if they would explode. His mouth trailed over her, then abruptly stopped. He grasped her sides, lifting her. In one abrupt, unexpected movement, he sat on the hammock and pulled her onto his lap. His cock plunged into her, invading so deep he butted up against her womb. Her tunnel stretched to accommodate him, having not had sex in so long. She cried out in shock, pleasure, and even slight pain. She hadn’t expected that. Immediately Joe began to ram into her. At the same time, an animalistic growl emanated from Gage. He sounded like a tiger ready to attack. Was Joe trying to start a fight? Joe’s thrusts increased, his pace faster and more driven. He reached around to pinch at her nipples, as if to assert his dominance. They rolled under the pressure his fingers applied. “I know you want me. But you want him, as well. I’m willing to compromise, let you get him out of your system now. Because when you’re mine, you’re mine, and that will be soon. But tonight, I’ll share you.” Cheri opened her mouth to speak, her mind whirling. Never had any such thing been proposed to her. She looked to Gage, her insides trembling. How he would react? Surely he would do no such thing. Surely she wouldn’t. Would she? What was wrong with her? This wasn’t something she’d do. Was it? Gage’s tongue flicked over his full lips. “Don’t say anything.” At his words, her internal temperature rose to scorching. She felt as if she were a waterfall running over Joe’s cock. Reality, reason, faded. In their place, a sexual trance took

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over her, one that didn’t require thinking or any type of sensibility. Only her sexual drive existed. Yanking the strings, Gage tore away his breechcloth. “Huge” didn’t begin to describe his cock. It was massive, with thick, jutting veins. Wide, the stiff rod jutted out to somewhere near nine inches long, if she had to guess. The head alone was big enough to make her come if it were rubbed against her clit. Her breath came in pants, bits of drool dripping from the corners of her lips. Just looking at his cock had her about ready to cream herself. To blow into an orgasm that would shake the world. Joe began to ram into her from behind, the stroke of his cock heightening her desire to have Gage. In and out he slipped, pumping her full with his cock. She tightened her sex around him, bouncing. With each thrust, he nestled deep inside her. Her G-spot beat as if it had its own heart, alive with ecstasy. Gage strode over, and each step took an eternity. Finally he stood before her, his meaty cock jutting into her face. She could smell its tip dripping with liquid of anticipation. His scent oozed sex. And she wanted to lick it up like it was candy. Cheri leaned forward to take him, the movement causing Joe’s cock to hit her G-spot even harder. Buried deep within her, Joe’s hard cock pulsed as if it had a heartbeat of its own. His coarse pubic hairs brushed her ass. They prickled over her puckered anus, teasing her with the notion of being touched there. To being fingered and toyed with as Josh used to do. Sensation jolted in her as she took Gage’s cock in her mouth. She started with his head, licking its salty tip. Her tastebuds filled with the flavor of him. Slowly she moved her tongue down his vein, the caress of her tongue light. Gripping the shaft, she guided him further into her mouth. Ever so slowly, her lips rubbed over his delicate skin so as to tease them both with the motion.

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All the while, Joe pumped into her. Hard and fast, then, as if to grab her attention, very slow and deliberate. Then fast again. He was driving her crazy. She squeezed her muscles around him as if to hold him buried deep within her. His cock bounced her, her breasts jiggling all over the place. Her nether lips thumped, her sex dripping. Joe’s fucking alone did not do it, but the feel of Gage in her mouth made the whole experience mind-blowing. She liked the idea that she was giving him pleasure. The stroke of his hardened member against her inner cheeks and gums. The way it poked the back of her throat, grazed against her teeth. Not to mention the fact that, all the while, she was getting it, too. Joe was ramming it to her good, slow, and hard. With each of his plunges, she heaved upward and took Gage deeper in her throat. Joe’s fingers reached around and found her pussy lips, spreading them far apart until they felt stretched. Air hit her hole, her clit never feeling more exposed. His thumb flicked the nub, tapping it back and forth. The rubbing drove her crazy, making her whimper like a dying animal over Gage’s cock. Then suddenly Joe pulled her head back, twirling her hair in a twisted knot around his fingers. The pull tore her from Gage. “Like I said, get your fill, baby. After tonight, you’re mine alone.” Lying back, he twisted her around so she lay against his chest. His fingers remained entwined in her hair, pulling her head so her chin lifted. He stared into her eyes, watching her face as if there were nothing else. Gage’s hands spread her ass cheeks, pulling them until her anus stretched. Everything in her boiled in anticipation, her stomach flip-flopping at the thought. Her hole puckered and throbbed, dying for him to touch it. Use it.

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Joe continued to thrust in and out of her as Gage’s cock probed her anus. Slowly, he eased his way in. Her muscles stretched in pain, not accustomed to such an invasion. Her spit allowed him to slide in with ease, deeply though slowly. It wasn’t without pain, but with Joe’s cock ramming her pussy, it was oh, so good. Never had any such hurt felt like such utter heaven. She thrust her lower body, taking both cocks deep inside her. Gage’s hands kneaded her hips, his hands holding her ass cheeks spread far apart. Joe’s fingers twisted her hair. She was pinned between them, their hot and sweaty bodies pressed to her. The sandwich was sticky, the smell of raw, animalistic sex permeating the air. All three of them thrust as if the harder they went, the better it would feel. Cheri lost herself. Everything around her went fuzzy, a blur of ramming pain, pleasure, and sweat. Her sex convulsed into shattering vibrations. She cried out, then screamed. Her high-pitched call exploded through the air. Her orgasm exploded in her with such strength, she started to see black. She fell forward as Gage gripped her hips and began to jerk inside her. A moment later, Joe was joining him. Simultaneously, they both filled her with their shooting cum. When it was over, she fell against Joe’s hot, sweaty chest. Her breath came in heavy pants, and she was too delirious to do anything but lie there. Gage grunted, abruptly pulling out of her. Without more touch or a single comment, he stalked from the room with heavy footsteps. Cheri jerked up, catching sight of him only as he brushed through the curtain. Her mouth opened, but she didn’t know what to say. A gut feeling twisted in her, telling her the wrong man was lying under her. That she should do something. But in the end, her pride won. Never before had she done something like this. The aftermath was a bit embarrassing. Awkward.

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Joe wasn’t her husband. He was Joe, still buried deep inside of her. And she didn’t even want him. She wanted Gage. She had made a royal mess of things. Biting on her lower lip, she fought the urge to call him back. Let her pride have its way. Despite what had just happened, she was still mad at him.

***** Through a grove of palms they darted, hand in hand. The sounds of the ocean waves crashing on the beach echoed through the cooling night air, calling them. The water swished back and forth, back and forth, over the sand. High in the sky, brilliant stars twinkled and lit their way as they ran. He was twenty-one, a virgin, and hiding from his mother. But no more. He wanted this woman like a madman wanted his marbles. He would not be denied. His cock was so hard he could hardly move his legs, but somehow he managed. Any man in such need would. He was breaking free, and he loved it. Together they fell to the wet sand. Their mouths embraced, their tongues twisting and fighting against each other. Matt entwined his fingers in her hair as she rolled on top of him. Frantically they began to pull away each other’s clothing. In no time, his shorts and shirt had been stripped off. Her naked body straddled his, her warm, wet sex sliding on his lower stomach. Finally. After all the tortuous kissing in the lagoon. The petting. Not to mention having her naked body in his arms, yet not being able to plunge inside her sweet hole.

Holy hell. Finally.

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His cock thumped, its tip burning to dive into her. His balls tightened so hard he was sure they’d burst.

Yes. He could have her. Nothing could, or would, stop it. Cupping her breasts, he drew them to his mouth. Burying his face between them, he inhaled her scent. Hell, she smelled of sex. Delicious, tantalizing sex. He was a starving man, so hungry he could die, and she was a meal for a king. His mouth attacked her nipples as if he could suckle milk from them. She moaned aloud, moving over him. Her wet nether lips slid across his stomach, driving him wild. Harder and harder he suckled, pulling her peaks taut with his teeth. Releasing the left one, he let it fling back into place as he grabbed the other. The water lapped against their bodies, in and out, in and out. The swish swish was mesmerizing; the trancelike desire held him unyielding. It was as if the world had shrunk. All that existed was Heather, her tits in his face and her wet cunnie sliding over his body. Her nails raked his body, inching down slowly. With just enough pressure to scratch him, teasing him with pain, she made her way to his cock. She caught it, tightening the grasp of her fingers around it. Her thumb flicked its tip. Slowly, Heather slid him inside of her. Her silky, wet tunnel enveloped him. Pleasure so unexpectedly intense struck him, causing him to buck violently. Holy hell. He thrust upward, groaning aloud. Never could he have imagined. Oh, God. Sex was so good. She was so good. Ecstasy bolted through him in burning strikes. His hips took over as if they had a mind of their own. They rammed against her as she bobbed up and down atop him. Seconds passed, but it seemed like months as he tried to hold himself back from the desperate release.

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But he couldn’t help himself. He lost it. In a frenzy of jerks and shakes, he filled her with his seed. “Damn,” he swore under his breath. “I’m sorry. You didn’t ...” “It’s okay,” she whispered, her voice sweeter than an angel’s. “We have all night.” Matt grimaced at his limp cock. “I’m not sure if, well, you know.” “Oh, don’t worry, baby. You are in the hands of a skilled woman.” Her hands trailed down his body before picking up two piles of sand and placing them in his palm. Stretching out, she lay next to him. “Rub it over me -- lightly, though. All over.” Plopping the wet sand onto the flat of her stomach, he used his fingers to spread it out. As gently as he could, he rubbed the sand over her body. In circles around her stomach, working his way upward over her tits. Using a bare touch, he traced her nipples. The sand filled the tiny bumps and valleys of her tightened areolas. Cupping one heavy breast, he played with the earth over her sensitive skin. Feeling every crevice, every hill. She arched under him, moaning. Her whole body went rigid, as if she were trying to steal away. A smile spread across his face. He liked that -- seeing pleasure in those dark, haunted eyes -- a lot. Would she let him run the sand lower? Over her wet sex? Into it? Just what would she let him do? His cock twitched and began to harden once again. The more he touched and explored her, the more he wanted her. The more he needed to see her writhe with pleasure, as well. His hands traveled south, running the sand over her body. By the time he reached her cunnie, the sand was scarce on his fingertips. But still present.

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His hands discovered her sex slowly, aware of the friction he was causing. He remained gentle, aware, but couldn’t help but explore the folds. They were so wet, so slick, like silk. Her scent floated through the air, making him hungry to lick and taste it. He bent his head, placing his mouth to the top of her hair. Her scent enveloped him as he drew deep breaths. Like metal drawn to a magnet, his tongue slipped between her sex lips and tasted. Her body arched up, going stiff. Earth ground into his mouth like sandpaper as he suckled on her clit, licking it back and forth. She was so delicious, her liquid so salty-sweet. He wanted to drink her up. Eat her up. What did she taste like deeper? His tongue plunged into her hole, wiggling around. Pleading cries whimpered from her as she twisted away. She was ready. Oh, yeah. He lifted his head, drinking up the sight of her body. Lifting her hips, he pressed his cock into her. But this time, he took it slow. Very slow. He worked his hips in circles, grinding into her as deep as he could. His hairs pressed against the moist folds of her sex, and each time they rubbed together, the expression on her face changed. Curiosity overtook him. Reaching down, he explored her folds. He rubbed and stroked, and each time he hit her nub, her eyes rolled backward. It was like finding a magical key. Using it, he controlled her body, making her squirm and moan under him until she was bucking wildly. He teased it, squeezing it, flicking it, rubbing it. She released in a frenzy. Her juices spilled over him, trickling down his cock in a warm trail. He plunged deeper inside her and let go into another orgasm. All the while, he smiled to himself. He’d discovered one secret of this woman’s body. He wanted to know more. He would know more.

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***** “I’m sorry.” Her voice was small, tinier than it ever had been. And that was really little. Someone as bold as herself rarely lost her lungs. Cheri stared after Joe as he brushed through the strings of shells that served as a curtain to her room. Without another word, he disappeared. His annoyance didn’t, however. Instead, it hovered over her like a thick fog, reminding her of the one way she was trapped. She could travel the world. Go on all sorts of adventures. But when it came to men ... Sometimes it was like she was being choked with the memories. As if they wrapped around her neck and just squeezed. No matter how far she ran, no matter how fast, there they were. Except when she looked into Gage’s eyes. The first time she’d set eyes on him had been the first time she’d been able to let go. The first time in a long, long time she’d begun to feel passion again. Cheri rolled back on the hammock made of woven pig-leather straps. Small, thick, plush furs covered it, serving as both comfortable pillows and blankets. She snuggled deep into them and rocked back and forth. Another door to her room, also curtained by shell strings, led onto the outside porch. Moonlight shimmered through it, providing the only light in the dark. As she rocked, shadows darted back and forth. He’d wanted to stay, to cuddle her all night as if she were his. While she hadn’t expected him to stalk out immediately afterward like Gage had, neither had she expected him to suddenly assume they were lovers. She just couldn’t do it. She couldn’t pretend as if there was suddenly some strong intimacy between them. A tomorrow. Fucking Joe had been great, but not until Gage had arrived.

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And as soon as he’d left, reality had faded in. Joe was not Josh. He was not even someone she could get hot enough over to forget. Not Josh. Not what her son was somewhere doing. To the contrary, he’d made it all come forward. It didn’t exactly make for the mood. She didn’t know what she had been thinking when she brought him up here anyway. She’d been mad ... really mad. In fact, parts of her still were. It had been nothing but a cheap shot at Gage, and that wasn’t like her. And it certainly had worked. “Cheri?” Maggie’s sweet old voice whispered through the curtains like a gentle breeze. Cheri rolled onto her side, facing the door. “Yes?” Maggie brushed through the curtains, graceful despite her cane. The way she moved, slow yet confident, gave her the appearance of being so at peace. Even in the dark, her eyes glowed with an all-knowing sparkle. “I saw Joe leaving.” “Yes.” Cheri nodded, raising her eyebrows. She couldn’t help but wonder what was to come. It had been Maggie who done most of the showing around today, Maggie who’d become her fastest friend, despite their age difference. One thing Cheri had learned quickly was to expect the unexpected from Maggie. As clever as she was ornery, nothing much slipped past her or her humor. Maggie leaned on her cane. “I saw Gage leaving earlier.” Bland, her voice revealed nothing of what was to come. “More like stalking.” “Yes.” Her chin lifted a little higher. “Before that, I saw Matt leave.”

Fudge. Cheri pulled herself up to sitting. “Yes.” Somehow, she didn’t like where this conversation was going.

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“So, what are you doing? Getting rid of all the men that like you?” A chortle laced her words. Turning, she took two steps and sat down on a makeshift chair of leather strapping and bamboo. Cheri could plainly see the Maggie didn’t plan to leave anytime soon. She wanted to groan aloud. “Sometimes, my dear,” said Maggie, “you have to let them go to bring them closer.” She leaned forward. “Other times, you hold them as close as you can while you can.” She tapped her cane on the floor. “You can’t choose Gage after tonight. We must have some rules here, as open as we are. You are a stranger to the island, a necessary mate for the Paradis-born. Like Joe.” “Maggie, you already explained this to me.” Cheri averted her gaze in order to hold her tongue. “Besides, I’ve had enough men for one night.” It wasn’t easy. “But now, Heather is perfect for Matt.” Maggie’s eyes held hers, searching them. As if she knew her words would piss Cheri off and she’d said them just because of that. It was beautiful here. Peaceful. It was hell. Cheri was beginning to hate all their dumb ways. Stupid rules. Notions. While at first the concept of having such sexual freedom had seemed ... interesting ... it now involved her son. And suggestions of being with someone she just sent away because she did not want. Cheri bit her lip. Hard. She tasted blood “Maggie, I told you earlier, as I’ll tell you now: None of this even matters. I won’t be staying on this island. I will leave it.” “You don’t like it here?” “I do. But to stay forever?” Cheri shook her head. “No.”

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Maggie gave her a look, one Cheri didn’t even understand. Was it doubt crinkled in her brows? Annoyance pursed on her lips? If so, why did her eyes glimmer, as if in amusement? “It won’t let you leave.” She stood, leaning heavily on her cane. “What drew you here traps you here. Don’t think others haven’t tried and failed. There have been those crazy enough not to want to stay. But in the end, they accepted it.” If there was one thing Cheri couldn’t stand, it was being told no. In her world, impossible did not exist. She turned away. “Why did you come up here, Maggie?” “I see your passion for Gage. I hate to see you pass the rest of tonight up here pouting, because most of us will not change our minds. We made our own rules; we like them. We love our lifestyles. We won’t change for one stubborn woman.” Sternness drew Cheri’s gaze back. Maggie nodded at her and tapped her walking stick. With that, she leaned on her cane and walked toward the door with her distinct hobble and grace. It was as if she floated on a breeze and it blew her dainty form from the wind in a puff. Cheri stood and walked out on the porch. Above her, the brilliant sky twinkled and created a yellow glow. Her room faced the ocean, high atop the bamboo castle. Her eyes moved over the small village. Which hut was Gage’s? Gage had fucked her, from behind and not the way she would have originally had it. Oh, it had been great. But not ... not intimate. Not with Joe in the mix. A large piece of her wanted to follow Maggie’s suggestion, to go to him tonight. Not because of the dumb rules, but because she didn’t want to miss what seemed like her last chance to enjoy passion once again. She would leave here.

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Waves beat against the beach, their crashes drawing her attention. She looked out, her eyes skimming the line where the tide met the sand. Two figures walked hand and hand along the water’s edge. To her, they were shadows. But she knew that shadow well. After all, she’d given birth to him.

Fudge. Yeah. They were leaving. Tomorrow. One way or the other.

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Chapter Six

Gage sat outside his hut, sharpening the rock head of his spear. The sharpening stone had been part of a survival kit in his plane, along with an axe and other supplies that he was thankful for everyday. He always sharpened his spear, just in case, before he went pearling in the deeper waters. Deep in his mind, he doubted he could take a shark with it anyway. But it made him feel secure. He paused, raising his head to the sun as he wiped his brows. Today was getting hot, much warmer than usual. Occasionally they had days like this, when the sun shone brighter than others. Generally, though, the weather was pleasant but prone to humidity. Today he didn’t give a damn about the sharks spotted. It was afternoon, and he’d just be glad to dive into the cool waters and chill out, to spend some time not thinking about her. About last night. The wild woman he’d fucked and wanted to fuck right now. Except this time, he wanted her all to himself. Damnation. Dangerous or not, he needed an escape. The woman was torture to the brain, and he was at his breaking point. If only he could have had her alone last night. The whole night.

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But would it have been for the better? Or the worse? It was as he lowered his head that he caught a glimpse of her. Scurrying down the trail to the forest, her long blond hair billowed in the air. She all but ran, her perky breasts jiggling up and down. Not a soul was with her, nor did she carry a pack of any kind. Gage rose, stiffening. Where in the hell was she going? You didn’t go into those woods. Not alone. It was dumb. There were sandpits and poisonous snakes, not to mention hostile boars. He’d bet no one else even knew she’d left. Casting down the stone, he grabbed his spear and ran after her.

Holy hell. Matt stood, shoulders squared as he watched Gage run after his mother into the woods. That damned, no-good, pimp bastard. His feet ground into the sand as a new anger boiled in him. What did he think he would get away with out there? Teeth gnashing together, he shook his head. He’d warned him. Casting down the crappy spear he was trying to make after Frenchie’s instructions, he started after them. “Matt, dear.” Heather’s sweet, melodic voice of an angel snagged him. Like a fish caught on a hook, he stopped in his tracks. He turned slowly, all too aware that she was reeling him in. As soon as he set eyes on her, everything, even his anger, began to fade. Holy hell. He’d seen her naked, but now he was seeing her clothed, if you could call it that. A sarong of thin, pale leather tied at her waist. Snug, it accented her every curve. A bikini top of the same material tied up her breasts, drawing them together. But more than anything, it was that sweet, seductive smile that got him. Wide and dimpling her tanned cheeks, it brought alive her dark, haunting eyes.

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“What are you doing?” she asked innocently enough, but it did him in. Like toast popping out, he was done. Matt frowned. The worry still disturbed him, but was losing out with every second to his preoccupation with her. “My mother is going into the woods. Gage is chasing her. I’m going after them.” “Well, what were you doing before that?” She paused, looking toward the trail, her eyes gleaming. “Because you needn’t run after anyone. Trust me, Gage will protect her.” “Who will protect her from him?” Matt frowned, not sure of what sparkled in her eyes or that he should let it go, though his raging soul already had. It now focused entirely on her. He even noticed her feet. Dainty, her toes were long and slim and sweetly suckable. He wanted to wash them clean and suck every last one. Slowly, flicking them with his tongue as they curled against his teeth. He’d make her arch. Beg. Plead. Heather still studied the trail, then quickly jerked her gaze to him. “Trust me. I know firsthand.” She shrugged her cute little shoulders. “So what were you doing? I’m bored.” Cute shoulders? Yet even as he realized how ridiculous he really was, somehow he was all too willing to believe whatever she said. “Trying to make a spear.” “Want some help?” The sexiest smile curved on her face. Mat grinned, all too ready to scoop her up and head somewhere private. “I want you.” Her grin widened. “All in good time.”

***** Vivid green trees thickened the trail, and tall, lush ferns grew over into it. Some towered to nearly six feet, their stems more like branches. She’d have to literally push them aside to get by, always afraid of what bug she might encounter.

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Repeatedly, vines forced her to duck in order to avoid catching her head on them. They hung over the pathway in loops and dangles, always making her jump. In her mind, before they appeared as vines, they were snakes. Ugly, thick, venomous snakes that would strike out and poison her. When she’d seen this path, she’d been sure it was a handy shortcut to the top of the cliff where she would find her plane. She should have taken the route Gage had brought her down. The hot couple-hour hike would have been worth it even if those nasty birds had shit all over her. Ahead of her, a tree had fallen over the path just where it began to inch upward. Thick, with peeling brown bark, it blocked her way. Climbing over looked easier than going under. Grasping the bark, she hefted herself upward. Just as she steadied to her feet atop it, the snorting began. She looked down, grimacing as her heart jumped. On the other side, a nastylooking boar grunted its way from the forest. Foraging and sniffing the ground, at first it didn’t seem to notice her. Fear rippled through her as she crossed her fingers and prayed for it to go away. Weren’t they more scared of people than vice versa? But the animal looked up at her, and for an animal incapable of facial expressions, he gave her one nasty look. He came closer and closer, fierce hunger clear in his eyes. Fudge. Pigs couldn’t climb, could they? She shuddered, inching higher on the tree. The pig grunted; his beady little eyes focused on her like she was prey. For several minutes, she managed to hold it together with minimal panic. But as she realized the beast was not leaving, she lost it. She was stuck here for however long he decided to wait it out for her down there. If she were to drop off the other side, he’d easily go under or simply cut through the wood right back onto the path. And from the looks of those tusks ...

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A fugitive tear escaped her eye. No wonder Chicken always insisted upon hovering over her, protecting her. Where the hell was her brain? What had she done? Left alone, the first thing she did was find trouble. Oh, fudge! She needed him. She started to scream. “Matt! Matt!”

Fudge. Fudge. Fudge. Let him hear her! Suddenly the tree shook. And again. As she clung to the bark sides, a splinter pierced the soft skin of her palm as she looked down. She cried out in pain and fear. The damn beast was ramming the tree. “Matt!” Then she let out a bloodcurdling cry.

Gage stood in the forest, creeping out slowly from the high ferns that camouflaged him. Holding up his sharpened spear, he aimed it high and threw it. True to its mark, it thrust through the air and into the boar’s heart. Blood spurted as the animal squeaked and toppled to its side. Its body writhed in pain as Gage stepped forth and eyed a stunned-senseless Cheri. Shaking his head, he bent and removed his knife. In one swift movement, he slashed the animal’s throat and put it from its misery. Blood covered his hands, forming a puddle on the gritty dirt ground. Slowly, his gaze rose, joining his anger. “Well, there’s your dinner.” Sarcasm laced his voice as he stared at her hard. Cheri sniffled, streaks where tears had fallen wetting her face. “Thank you.” She drew a deep breath, wrapping her arms up under her chest as she did. “I didn’t realize there were mad boars on the island.” Cynicism poured from her as her fear dissipated. Gage stepped forward, bringing his face as close to hers as possible. He bored his gaze into hers, rage like he hadn’t felt in years overtaking him. “Or poisonous snakes. Or sand pits. Or any of the other hundreds of risks you took by taking off alone. Are you dense?”

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She could have died. If he hadn’t seen her running off, he’d be digging her a grave tonight. The dumb woman! What in the hell was wrong with her? She had no sense. None. She would have ended up just like his Jenny. She lifted her chin like a haughty little brat. “Don’t start, Gage. I appreciate your help, but it doesn’t bless you with the right to lecture me.” Right then and there, it was obvious to him. Cheri was nothing more than a rich, spoiled little brat who’d never been told no and absolutely needed to be. “Oh.” He stepped closer, his teeth clenched as he spoke. “I have a half a mind to spank some sense into your wild ass.” “I’m forty-one years old. No one has ever spanked me. And no one ever will.” But she did not move away from him, instead daring him with her eyes. “I think it’s just what you need.” He glared back, more sure with every passing second that she didn’t run for a reason. “I think that’s what you want.” “You’re crazy.” “You’re not moving away, sugar.” He stepped up on the bottom log, bringing himself but an inch from her face. “You don’t need adventure, do you? You need someone to Goddamn control your ass.” When she still didn’t move, he grasped her under the arms and lifted her. In one swift movement, he pulled her down right over his knee.

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Chapter Seven

It hit Cheri all at once. He was not playing. He was really going to spank her. A new panic bubbled in her stomach, like the feeling you get before boarding a roller coaster. She wriggled away from him, but his grasp held her tightly over his knee. As hard as she fought and squirmed, she was no match for his size. With one hand he kept her pinned, using the other to yank up the sarong covering her body. Without underwear, her bottom was immediately exposed. His first stinging slap hit her bottom, hard enough to bite into her, but not out and out hurt.

Still. The bastard was spanking her, bare bottom and all. With huge, bloodied hands, like some enraged caveman. Even worse, her betraying body was pooling with strange desire. Her thighs heated, her stomach tickled with anticipation. She did not like this. A woman her age knew what turned her on, and ... and ... When she should have been fighting this with everything in her, she wanted to cry and beg for more. To play the act of some naughty little girl who needed reprimanding. Desire ran rampant through her, waiting, hoping, begging. Just one more slap. A little harder. A little closer to her sex.

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She wriggled harder, determined to be free of him. “Wild one.” He slapped her bottom again. “I will tame you.” “Never,” she hissed. His large hand raised up to smack her again, making her arch up with expectation. And that’s when she heard it. At first it sounded like a crinkly, brushing sound. Continuous low

thump thumps. But as it grew closer, she realized someone brushing through the ferns. Fudge! It was footsteps. Immediate embarrassment set her face afire. “Gage!” she squeaked at the same time her son bellowed, “Mom!”

Like lightning, Gage’s hand flashed up and pulled her sarong down as she bolted to her feet. She gained her balance, whipping around just in time to see her son standing atop the fallen tree. Behind him stood Heather, shock twisting her face. Her dark eyes widened, then flashed back and forth, reminding Cheri of a yo-yo. Mortification exploded in her like TNT had just been lit within her and burst like a bomb. She wanted to crawl under the tree and hide. No. She wanted to throw up. Hot, deadly anger burned in Matt’s narrowed blue eyes. “You bastard!” It all happened so fast. Yet everything seemed to go in slow motion, like a playback in a ball game. Matt leaped from the higher branch and landed on Gage, knocking him to the ground, right on top of the dead, bloody pig. Dark red blood smeared all over them as they pushed against each other, fighting like wild men. The two rolled, struggling against each other. The fighting ball of men growled, groaned, and grunted as wild fists flew.

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Cheri jumped back, squealing, “Stop it! Stop it right now!” Instead they rolled off the trail, through the brush, and right down a rocky hill. She chased after them, seeing nothing but the blood trickling from her son’s head. Oh,

Fudge. Fudge. Fudge. Fuck! Suddenly Gage had him by the legs, flipping him over. Matt was pinned under him, unable to move. But from the look on his struggling face, her boy would not give up. “Matt, stop it! This is none of your business. Stop it!” she screamed. “Gage, get off him. Get off him!” Suddenly Matt’s muscles collapsed, his body falling limp. His head angled toward her, a crazy look in his eyes. “None of my business?” “That’s right, none of your business. Get off him, Gage.” Reaching them, she pushed at Gage’s broad shoulders. He fell back. “Damnation, woman. He attacked me!” “Don’t talk to her like that!” Matt reared up again, but she shoved him back. She shook her head. “You need to stop, Matt. Is your head okay?” She reached to his head, wiping at the blood to check it out. “Fine. It’s just a scratch. Nothing.” He yanked away from her. “You were screaming.” “The pig,” she snapped, inching between Gage and Matt. “He saved me.” “I saw what he was doing to you,” he said flatly, his eyes trying to catch hers. She jerked her gaze away from his, looking up the hill. She couldn’t stand looking in his face right now. Her shame felt like a giant wedge between them -- no, like a knife slicing them apart. And for once, she wanted her son the hell away from her. Not because she blamed him, but because she felt like the world’s greatest idiot. To look him in the eyes right now was not possible.

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She sucked in a breath, her eyes turning toward Heather. She clamored down the hill after them, like she had some business in the matter. Her presence only added to Cheri’s absolute humiliation. Heather’s eyes darted to Gage, a hesitant look in them. Like ... dear God ... like she ... No way. But what was that look all about? Cheri swallowed a huge knot in her throat. “I’m fine. Take ... her ... and go.” Cheri brushed past the girl rushing toward Matt, a deep feeling of loss pulling at her. A terrible haunting took over her, as if she had lost her son in more than one way. His respect. His allegiance. Maybe even his love. But right now she couldn’t fight it, so she kept walking as fast as she could. She heard Matt clamber to his feet as he shouted. “Her name is Heather. And if he is none of my business, then she is none of yours.” That stopped her. She whirled back. “I am your mother.” “And I am your son!” That’s when Gage stepped between them, shaking his head. “And you’re an adult and so is she. You’re both right. You’re in each other’s business where you don’t belong. Maybe, just maybe, it’s time to let go a little.” It struck her hard. What could she say? Heaven help her, Gage was right. Heather was the first woman she’d ever seen her son with. She was jealous where she had no right. A whirl of reality swam through her. All this time. He was no chicken -- she was. She’d been so afraid of losing him, so afraid after Josh died. She’d put herself on every adventure possible to keep Matt following after her. Anything so she didn’t have to lose him. Anything to keep him close and still her baby boy.

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Matt wasn’t her baby boy any more. Cute as he may be, he was a man. She just didn’t have a right to depend upon him as she did.

Gage followed after her, staying about ten feet behind on the rocky, winding trail. In his left hand, he tore at a piece of brilliant green fern, grinding it into pieces with bloody fingers. On his other shoulder, he carried the slaughtered pig. He was sure she didn’t want him around after what had happened. He could respect that. But he didn’t want her running into any more trouble. He swallowed at the lump in his throat, but it didn’t go away.

Damnation. He felt guilty as all hell. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty.

Damnation. Dropping the fern, he shifted the weight of the pig. He hoped she was okay. But he knew she wasn’t. What woman, caught in such a compromising situation, would be? He studied her slim, squared shoulders, her straight but delicate backbone. She walked like a soldier marching back to the compound. A soldier with a body that shook with every step, reminding him of how much he wanted her with every passing second. Her rear tantalized him with every sway, even covered in pig’s blood as it was. It was like she had thrown out a lasso and wrapped it around his conscience. The more he couldn’t have her, the more he wanted her. From somewhere deep inside his psyche, the notion of claiming her, like an animal after a mate, had begun to brew in him. It had grown and continued to the point of explosion. The taste he’d had of her last night had only been a tease. He wanted more than a quick threesome. He wanted to fuck Cheri like he had never wanted to fuck any woman. He

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wanted his cock in her hot, slick tunnel. He wanted to ram into her as she screamed his name, and his name alone. Why? Why did he feel the need to make her his? To possess her? Not that he even had a chance. Not after what had just occurred. Besides ... Damnation, she had slept with Joe. She’d slept with him too, sure. But not the way Joe had had her. And there was the rule ... He had to follow the rules. Even when every piece of him felt like sticking up his middle finger and saying “screw you,” like some high school kid. He wanted to do what he wanted to do, and he wanted to do her.

Damnation! What was this in him, strengthening the notion of seducing her? He studied her backside some more, all the while imagining the raise of her delicate chin and the way her plump, full lips flattened when she became annoyed. Cheri was strong. Stronger than any woman he’d ever dealt with. But though she’d never dare admit it, she had another side to her, a soft spot deep within her. She hid behind a tough exterior like it was a shell to protect her. He smiled to himself. Today he’d shattered a piece of it. As long as she had up her shields, as long as she hid behind her son, he couldn’t get to that creamy, sweet center he so craved. He wanted Cheri, wet and willing and yielding in his arms. Not that damned Joe’s. Not again, not if he could help it.

***** Heather pulled off her sarong, not caring that her bottom was bare. He’d seen it all up close and personal between last night and this afternoon when they’d ventured off for some

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private time together. In fact, he’d been right in the middle of giving some incredible head to her when Cheri’s damned screams had started. She blotted at the trickling red blood on his forehead. “It’s more than just a scratch.” She drew a deep breath. “He’s right, you know.” Her concern for Matt went beyond his head. She didn’t like seeing him so upset. For many reasons ... When he found out, she hated to see his temper. Better to admit it now, at least some of it. He was already mad. How much angrier could he get? The rest he’d realize on his own. She hoped. Really, really hoped. Sure, it was a bit deceitful. But she’d reached a point where she didn’t care. She wanted a family so badly. Life felt so empty. Both her parents were gone, and despite the friends she had, she didn’t have that unit there. Something deep inside needed children like a starving man needs food. She’d stuck with Gage, hoping. Praying. But the moment she’d set eyes on Matt, something in her had known. It had been instant, this strong, intense feeling. She was sure they were meant to be. So what did it matter? She hesitated a moment, her hands shaking as they tied the knot. Matt reached up, clasping them in his. “Hey. I’m fine.” The touch warmed her, sending a tingle through her arm. Inside, her heart swelled at the same time as it constricted. She didn’t want to build on lies or deceit. He was inexperienced, and surely the lack of birth control on this island had never occurred to him. Most men here made the habit of pulling out. Like Gage.

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But Matt knew no better. That wasn’t her fault, right? But if she didn’t tell him about Gage, now, that would be. Holding her hand in a tight grip, he started up the hill, but she stopped him “Matt. You should really think about what he said.” She started softly, unsure of how to broach the subject. “I don’t like Gage,” he growled. “He isn’t yours to like. That’s your mom’s thing.” She wrapped the sarong around his head. The cut bled insistently, but wasn’t deep enough for stitches. “Gage is a good man. A good lover.” The look in his eyes glazed over into a hard glare. “How would you know?” She couldn’t look him in the face. She couldn’t answer him directly. Instantly she knew she’d made a huge mistake. She should have lied. She should have been as deceitful as it took. A knot formed in her throat, preventing her from speaking, even if she wanted to. She started to shake as he studied her, suddenly ripping his gaze away from her as if she were poison. His whole body yanked into motion, starting up the hill. “Let’s go. I’m not leaving you out here alone.” “Matt ...” She bit her lip and followed after him. She clamped her jaw hard. She had no choice but to let it go. For now. Give him time to cool down some. To let the shock fade. But the past was the past, and she’d simply have to make Matt see that. She wasn’t giving up.

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Chapter Eight

Cheri leaned against the smooth rail, her bare feet flat against the rough wood of the balcony. The sound of the dinner going on below carried through the cool evening air, full of happiness and good cheer. She hadn’t gone down. Wouldn’t. They were eating that pig. A sickening feeling rose up in her. Was Matt there? Gage? Were they eating that damned pig? Shaking her head, she looked out over the village and toward the crystal-clear ocean. Heavy waves crashed against the shore under a striking, colorful sunset. For a moment, she lost herself in its beauty. But Matt and Gage wouldn’t exit her mind. They kept popping back up, the scene from earlier replaying itself. Every last naughty second of it. An annoyed breath escaped her. Wherever they were, she didn’t want to know. She couldn’t face either of them right now.

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She sucked at her finger where the splinter still remained, stinging her with dull pain. She’d be so glad to get home, whenever she did. Not that she could consider the ocean as a way. The surf was wild, untamable. The plane had to start, one way or the other. The only trouble now: getting up there. A concept that, she had to admit, terrified her. Suddenly she heard the floor creak behind her. Hot embarrassment rose to her face. She sucked in a deep breath, wrapping her arms under her breasts. She didn’t turn. She couldn’t. The footsteps ceased, and she could feel whoever stood there staring at her. Their eyes were like daggers piercing her back. “Cheri,” Gage said, his tone flat and without expression, though touched by his accent.

Fudge! She swore under her breath. Wasn’t this just great? The damned sexy devil. Here, in her room. Erasing her last shred of privacy or dignity. “Why do you always say that?” he asked in a nonchalant tone. Didn’t he realize he was the very last person she wanted to see right now? No one had ever dared to spank her. No one had ever dared her to like it. Never had she thought she would. That, and the hot need his presence pushed on her, was enough. She was mad at him but unable to think too hard about that when he was around. She was, however, quite able to think about that spanking. He needed to leave. Her voice was hard on purpose. “I used to curse all the time. Then I had Matt. I had to stop, but it was like quitting smoking. So, I substituted.” “He’s grown up now. You could stop,” he offered, as if it were his business. Frankly she’d had enough of his parenting advice for one day. Maybe what he had said was true. Didn’t change how she felt on the inside, though, any more than the fact that he was crossing over the line. Just like last night.

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She straightened, not willing to even look at him. She was humoring him, but her tone should be enough to tell him to go away. “A mother never stops being a mother. No matter how big her kids are, she feels like she just was changing diapers yesterday.” Gage stepped closer. “You never told me about his father.” Okay, that was enough. “Rule number two out of three, as I remember: No men upstairs unless invited.” Ice froze her tone, but inside, his presence was stirring up heat. Just his nearness reminded her of ... Too much. Entirely too much. “I don’t care.” He stepped closer, placing his hand on her shoulder. Like magic, a zap of desire coursed through her sex. She jerked away as he continued. “You didn’t come down tonight.” “Duh. I wasn’t hungry.” She inched down the balcony. “Fudge. Why don’t you leave now, please?” “I can’t.” She could literally hear the sarcastic shrug in his voice. “So, are you divorced?” “If I tell you, will you leave?” “Sure.” “He’s dead. Happy?” “No.” A moment passed; then he grabbed her chin and pulled it so she faced him. Glistening tears in his eyes surprised her. “I know what it’s like to lose your spouse. It hurts, and it never stops.” Pain captured his voice and broke it up. Cheri turned her body to come full-face, ever so slowly. She looked him directly in his black, disturbed eyes, studying them. A sudden, deeper understanding passed between them, like their souls left their bodies for a moment and shook hands.

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The connection deepened in that moment, wrapping like a noose around Gage. He stepped forward, drawing her into his arms. He nuzzled his face in her neck, inhaling her salty scent. She must have gone swimming sometime today. And suddenly, he wanted to go swimming with her. Just like they described in novels, his heart literally went pitter-patter. Almost like something were knocking on the door to say, Hello! This is her. She is it. Your kindred spirit. He licked his lips. Damnation, he had to have her. He had to keep her the hell away from Joe tonight. Even now, the bastard was downstairs looking for her. Gage ran his finger down the back of her neck. “I am sorry for earlier. Truly, utterly sorry, sugar.” “You had no right to spank me.” “Oh, no, I mean the embarrassment and what I said.” A little laugh escaped him. “The spanking, you deserved and, I do believe, enjoyed.” “Bastard,” she hissed. But looking into her eyes, he could see the wild sparkle. She attempted to push away, but he held her close. “Would you like me to make it up to you, sugar?” Every muscle in Cheri’s face paused, her body falling limp. He could see the thoughts churning in her blue eyes. She opened her mouth, shut it, then opened it again. “Not ...” Her voice went soft. “Not that I am eager to go off into the forest alone with you, but ...” She stopped again, drawing a deep sigh. “I need to get to the plane. Please.” Gage laughed, suddenly very happy and loving the sound of that. “I think you want to go out there with me.” “You --”

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He placed a finger to her lips. “I’ll take you.” Before she had the chance to think too hard about it, he decided to leave. “We’ll meet in an hour, on the beach. Our little secret, sugar.” “Gage, I --” He could literally hear her gulp. “Why a secret?” “You know why, Cheri. We’re not just going up there for the plane. Give me a break.” Stopping, he turned back and gazed into her shocked blue eyes. “You know. I know. The plane is not the only reason you want me to take you up there. Don’t play with me. I might have to give you another spanking.” “Bastard,” she hissed after him. He laughed the whole way out.

***** The sun was rising, streaking golden sparks across the horizon. Matt stood on the beach, his bare feet squishing into the wet sand. Inside, recklessness yanked at him. For once, he understood exactly how his mother had felt all these years. It was like his heart was fidgety, and wouldn’t stay still. He wanted to scream and burst out. He wanted to escape. To anywhere, anything, so long as it took his mind away from her. Love and loss had poisoned him. From the instant he had seen her, he’d wanted her. Heather. Her name floated from his tongue like a feather in the wind. He’d thought her an angel. He’d fallen head over heels, like a ball rolling down a steep hill. But Heather was no angel. In fact, she had been his mother’s lover’s lover. That was a cold, hard fact, and it could not be overcome, now could it? He stamped his spear in the mushy sand and started out. Frenchie had offered to teach him how to fish, later today. He couldn’t wait that long. He needed to go now.

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He waded out until he had to swim, not sure how far to go. But he didn’t feel like stopping. He just kept going and going, until his feet barely skimmed the bottom. Concentrating on the fish, he waited. He kept as still as possible, and they seemed to take no notice of him. When one paused under him, he struck out. He missed. Twice more he tried and failed. For several more minutes, no fish swam by. Then a larger, smooth gray fish swam up. It almost looked like a shark, but much too small to be one. He struck out.

Holy hell! He got it. Its red blood flooded the water as he yanked it up and held it triumphantly. “Uuurrgghhh!” It flopped and twitched on his spear, suddenly going still. Adrenaline rushed through his body, making him happy. Making him forget. He cheered for himself, splashing in the water and not caring if he were acting like a nut. He jumped around, whirling with joy. Then he saw it. The large gray dorsal fin jutted from the water. Swaying back and forth, it drew closer and closer, faster and faster. For a moment, he prayed it was a hungry dolphin wanting his fish. But this was no dolphin. He had drawn himself a shark. A great big, mean, hungry shark. Matt flung himself into the water, swimming as fast as he could. Water splashed around him, but it seemed as if he were getting nowhere. How had he gotten this far out? Why wasn’t he moving faster? Panic seized him. Utter terror rose in him, churning bile in his stomach. He could not get there fast enough. Holy hell. He was going to die.

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Agonizing pain seized him as the shark gnashed down on his leg. At first, Matt flailed in the water, trying helplessly to escape the death grip of the attacking fish. Then he remembered the spear. Agony sliced through him as he whirled with the weapon, his movement causing the teeth to tear through him. He put the force of escaping the pain into his arm, jamming the spear directly into the shark’s eye. The fish’s blood mingled with his, spreading out over the water. Numbly, it occurred to Matt what a moron he had been. He had drawn the shark with the blood and his splashing. And now, even more sharks would be drawn. He had to get to shore. It took everything in him to force himself to move to the beach. If he had swum slowly before, he was barely moving now. Every moment was the worst sort of torture. His leg was on fire. Finally, he crawled onto the beach, collapsing in the sand. He let out one good, loud cry, then collapsed right onto his face.

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Chapter Nine

Unfortunately, though she knew how to fly like a pro, when it came to plane engines she was lost. Just for the hell of it, Cheri cranked the engine again. It was useless. By now, she knew that. Realized that even if she did start it, the plane had been pushed back into the woods and down a short slope. Say she got the engines going -- how the hell would she back it out of here and take off in the short clearing? She couldn’t. That was reality. She wiped heavy sweat from her brow, tucking her heavy hair behind her ears. At first she had blamed her lack of success on the dark, but had insisted upon working anyway. Gage had brought her up here at night for one reason. Oh, he’d made the excuse that they were creeping away in the dark, but why did they need to sneak? Because he had other intentions besides fixing this plane, that was why. She, however, did not. Even so, the strange twisting of anticipation curled through her lower regions like a snake ready to strike. She shook her head. She had not come up here with those intentions.

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Flopping back in the seat, she stared at the dead controls. It hadn’t been the dark. The truth was, between the brilliant stars, shimmering moonlight, and the torches Gage provided, she’d been able to see fine. Now the yellow sun was bright overhead, shining so intensely through the lush green trees that to look up burned her eyes. There was no excuse now. No doubt. She gazed out the front window, once again studying the five other planes. All appeared undamaged, for what that was worth. Some had pieces missing that she guessed had been put to use in the village. She had seen several other larger planes that, at some point, had been literally pushed right off the slope to crash down the tree-lined cliffside. She’d thought about trying a different plane than hers, but what was the point? Even if it did start, they weren’t getting of this island. After fighting the battle all night, she gave up. She finally accepted one hard fact: she was stuck here. She gave up. Unless a miracle happened, this was where she would spend the rest of her life. A single hot tear ran down her cheek as she climbed from the plane. Dewy morning air greeted her, and she inhaled deeply. Her insides twisted at the hard reality, but soothed at the cleansing breath. It wasn’t that bad, was it? It was and it wasn’t. This was, after all, a paradise. Like being trapped in the Garden of Eden. Yet ... forever? That was a long time. Maybe she should just start making the best of everything. Starting back toward the clearing, she stepped through thick brush of ferns, ground vines, and itsy bitsy yellow flowers. In only about a hundred feet, the forest opened to the flat, open space where they had landed. Frowning, she glanced around. Where was Gage? His fire still burned in the pit he’d dug, surrounded by rocks. The coals glowed amber-orange, though the dancing flames were

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tiny and whipped around by the ocean breeze. Otherwise, the clearing was empty. In the far distance, a loud, terrified screech carried on the wind. One that sounded a lot like a man’s holler of desperate fear and pain. A sudden, terrible feeling invaded her, knotting her insides. She began to feel sick, nausea rising up into her throat. If her heart still beat, she didn’t feel it. She sucked in a breath, then another, sure she was hyperventilating. Bending, she rested her hands on her knees and tried to gain some oxygen. Dear God, had something happened? Could one of those pigs have gotten Gage? Somehow, she knew. Something bad had happened. Something terrible.

Oh, fudge. Suddenly Gage’s loud voice cut through the air. “Cheri!” Surprised, she jumped, stumbling backward onto her rear. She smacked into the dirt ground with a yelp. Well, fudge! That knocked the air right back into her. She gasped several times, looking up at him. Behind him the sun glowed, making him appear a dark shadow. She squinted, panting away the remaining fear. “Where were you?” A little smiled curled on his plump lips as he jogged over to her. The way they curled sent chills up and down her spine, so sexy and kissable. “Worried about me, sugar?” He held out his big, strong hand for her to take. She noticed the calluses on his thick fingers. “You okay?” His hands rested on her bare shoulders, caressing her delicate skin with his roughness. It sent tingles straight to her sex as he stared into her eyes with his dark, penetrating gaze.

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“I just had this feeling. I thought a heard a scream.” Cheri shrugged, trying to play it off. Even still, embarrassment burned at her cheeks. “A man’s scream.” Gage was nice enough not to note her shame. Instead he ran a finger along her jaw, sending tingles down her spine. “Probably just an animal. Or a bird.” “Oh.” She’d lost herself, forgetting anything she might have to say. This was why she’d stayed at it on the plane all night. Around him, she went senseless. “Are you sure you’re okay, sugar?” Really, she wasn’t. But not how he thought. “Um ...” She needed an excuse. A distraction. “It’s just my finger. I have a splinter from yesterday.” She shook her hand for effect. “Let me see.” Before she could avoid him, he seized her hand. He looked it over, spotting the splinter. “Ah. It’s working its way out. Just needs some help.” Slowly, he inserted her finger in his mouth. He suckled directly over the spot where the splinter lodged. His teeth grabbed it, drawing it from her as his mouth pulled. Everything in her tightened, and hot desire clenched her sex. If there was pain, she could not feel it. She could not think. His mouth suckling on her was the sweetest of tortures. “Got it.” His mouth released her, his breath tingling over the area. “So, any luck?” He dropped his hands from her and picked something up, taking wide strides with those long legs to the fire. It was then that she noticed he carried a small, slaughtered baby pig and some strangelooking roots with huge, leafy greens. The animal’s chest hung open from having been gutted and cleaned. Its eyes bulged, looking ready to pop from its head. Great. Gross. More pig. Pig for the rest of her life. Pig and fish. Fish and pig. He bent, his tight rear totally exposed to her.

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And Gage ... for the rest of her life. Her eyes swept over him, taking in the form of his naked body. She minded this island as a whole, but there were several things she did like here. The view was one. His ass was firm, turning into two hard rocks every time he bent. His long legs reminded her of how very tall he was. He made her feel small, like a tiny petite doll next to him. The notion tended to shrink her high pride and made her into the little woman she always tried to be bigger than. It made her feel sexy. She watched him, whirling her head away as he thrust a pointed stick right through the pig’s mouth. Disgusting. She turned back slowly to see him threading the roots on, as well. “I said, ‘Any luck?’” Cheri jerked her chin up, suddenly aware she was off in her own little world. Ogling him. She shook her head. “Of course not.” “So you’re stuck here.” He laid the meal on an A-frame over the fire and turned to her, his black eyes burning through her right into her soul. “Admit it.” Cheri folded her arms around her chest. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Gage stepped nearer, so close she could feel his hot breath. “I’d like lots of things, sugar.” A piece of her wanted to step back. His presence made her tremble, not from fear, but from overbearing, delusional want. “Such as?” She lifted her chin. He caught her jaw, and held it in his firm grasp. He brought his lips to but an inch from hers, so close his every word tickled the tender skin. “I’d like to fuck you right now.” She went still. “That’s a little blunt, don’t you think?”

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“I don’t like games. I’m too old for them.” With that, he crashed his lips to her mouth like a swift tidal wave swooping down upon her. Immediately his tongue plunged into her, pressing her back. Skilled, his plump, full lips kissed her downright senseless. There was no protest she could make, no stopping as desire swept over her body. Like he had flicked on a light switch, she came alive. Her sex pounded as it began to drip with wetness for him, her nipples becoming hard pebbles against the flimsy bikini top she wore. Fire lit every inch of her body, especially her thighs. The insides of her upper legs contracted, the muscles burning for him. She had always laughed at the concept of heaving breasts in romance novels. But now, to her shock, her breasts did heave. Not in the silly, romantic way usually described, of course. No. She was more like a person suffocating, and finally able to breathe. All this time, her sexuality had been smothered. His lips were freeing, like they lifted away a pillow covering her face. Just like she would be desperate for oxygen, she was desperate for him. And then he pulled away, abruptly tearing his lips away like he’d tasted something funny. Fudge. It wouldn’t do. Oh, no. Before he could give explanation, she was after him like a pouncing tiger. Pushing at the built pectoral muscles in his chest, she flicked her fingers against his nipples. She pushed herself up on her tiptoes and claimed his mouth. Those lips were too good to free. Fortunately, they did not deny her. Her passion pushed at him -- at his lips, his chest, and then, as her hands moved down, his hips. Gradually he fell back and came to lie on the grassy ground under them.

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Her hands searched his body, roaming over the flat planes of his hard muscles. Further and further down she worked, until her hands dove under the tent his breechcloth made. She grasped his thick cock with her fingers and flicked her thumb against its tip. In response, his sex gave a little jerk. Clear liquid formed a tiny bubble over the hole on his tip. She bent, flicking it with her tongue. His taste filled her with sensation. He was ready for her. She was ready for him. If her pussy were any wetter, sex would no good. She was so dripping wet for him, her breasts so alive with tingling pleasure, she thought she’d cream herself right then and there. Oh, yes, she was ready for him.

Gage would explode under her attentions if he allowed himself. Instead, he dove inside himself for strength. Cheri was too wonderful to rush. No. He didn’t know if this would ever happen again, so he wanted to enjoy every moment of it. He wanted her to. Reaching around, he skimmed his hands across her voluptuous hips and rear. Every dip and curve drove him mad. The woman had ass. Lots of it. And he loved it. Running his finger down her crack, her found her wet sex. It dripped with silky, sweet honey that he realized he was missing the opportunity to taste. Couldn’t one have it all?

Damnation. He toyed with her folds, pressing one finger deep inside her. Her muscles clenched around him. He inserted another finger, then another. Plunging them in and out, he fucked her with his hand. With his other hand, he caressed her ass. He stroked over her plump rump, running his hand along the crevice. His finger slipped into the deep crack, running right over her anus. She arched up, the hole puckering for more.

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Suddenly her tits were in his face, the pointy nipples begging to be kissed. He wrapped his lips around the left one, rubbing the right between his fingertips. She arched, moaning, as he pulled at her with his teeth, flicking the nipple back and forth through them with a suckling motion. Then the sneaky little devil did it. Without warning, she slipped her hole right over him and pressed down. He slid into her hot sex slowly. Her warmth enveloped him, slippery but tight. Immediately she began to ride him like a woman on a bucking bronco.

She bounced. She reared. She even thrust. Cheri went wild, and she loved every minute of it. She clenched her muscles around him, tight as she could hold them. When she’d gone just about crazy atop him, she decided to calm. She didn’t want to end this too fast. Burying her face in his neck, she slid him in and out ever so slowly. Deliberately. His cock was thick and long, and she enjoyed every single last inch of it. He rammed and pushed against her G-spot. Cheri decided to take advantage of his length, leaning in over him and clenching her muscles. His wide head remained pressed against her G-spot, rubbing against it with her every move. The ecstasy built and built, the world around her becoming less and less real. She was swept around from everything but the feel of him deep inside her. But she hung on as long as she could. The heights at which she soared were like being in heaven. Pure, unadulterated paradise. He ran his hands back over her ass again, stroking very gently down her crack. His pointy finger barely touched her anus. And suddenly it hit her so hard she couldn’t hold back. She burst on him, her muscles seizing in multiple convulsions.

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His orgasm followed, filling her with his seed. He grabbed her hips, digging his fingers in as he jerked within her. Together they collapsed, and after being up all night, fell asleep.

The smell of something burning woke him. Gage jolted up, his eyes flying open. The pig was on fire, its skin black through the snarling flames. Jumping up, he grabbed at the stick, and pain bit him back. Damnation! Using only the tip of his finger, he did he best to knock the meal from the stick frame. To put out the fire, he rolled it through the grass. The flames seared the greenery, only adding to the smell. It was much drier up here, and the grass began to catch, as well. With no other choice, he grabbed his canteen, made from a dried pig’s stomach, and doused the pig. It sizzled and smoked, leaving the air with a putrid smell. He shook his hand, cursing loudly. “Damnation!” “Gage?” Cheri rose as if everything were a blur around her; then her eyes suddenly snapped open wide. “Oh! Are you okay?” “I’m better than dinner.” He nodded to the pig. “But it can be salvaged. Unfortunately, though, I wasted all the water.” Cheri stood and stretched, her curvaceous body reaching for the sun as she eyed it. Having turned into a pinkish-orange ball, it was sinking into the darkening sky. “Damn, it’s late. Evening, almost. We should be getting back anyway. I’m sure there’ll be pig cooked for dinner, as well.” Everything in Gage paused. He studied the sunset. Somehow, he’d become used to such beauty, but suddenly it was like seeing such a thing for the first time again. He licked his lips. Another hour or so and it would be dark. Yes. It was late, but for him it was entirely too early.

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He stepped forward, slightly hesitant to even ask. He’d been a teenager the last time such nervousness had overtaken him because of a girl. But he would not be stopped. “Cheri. I know a place where we could grab some fresh water. Even bathe. It’s been a while since you’ve bathed in anything but saltwater. There are beautiful falls, and several caves ...” A devilish smile spread on her face, her narrowed blue eyes looking at him with deliberate knowing. “Wait. What are you suggesting?” “We’re alone up here, sugar.” He swallowed. “No rules. No nosy overgrown kids. No one but us. Why leave?”

Her stomach interrupted, growling. “Any chance there’s something to eat besides pig?” “Snake?” His eyes sparkled with laughter, and she wanted to reach out and slap him. “Berries aplenty. It’s where the original village was, chosen for the berry patch and water source along with other incredible plusses I could show you. Granted, it’s steep and at times treacherous. But I think you can handle it.” Sweet berries. Now, that sounded good, especially if they were the same kind as she’d had down at the beach from the garden. And fresh, cool water on her sunburned skin. At least, that’s what she told herself. The truth, however, was far from berries. Her eyes swept over his body as she folded her arms. His chocolate skin, smooth and lickable, darkened under the sun. She hadn’t had enough of Gage. Not even close. She wanted to taste every inch of his body. She wanted him to taste hers. She wanted to feel his braids run along the delicate skin of her chest, and hold onto them as she fucked him. Slowly she nodded, her tongue running through her mouth as if in preparation.

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It was high time she did something like this. Gage ... now, he was more adventure than she’d had in a long time. She needed this. She needed to be a woman, a free one. No husband, no kid. She needed to let the memories float away, and somehow she knew she needed Gage for that. “Two days, Gage.” Then she remembered, stepping forward. It was funny how things occurred to you at odd times. Somewhere in her sleep, she had thought of it, a very sane idea amidst a blur of sexual fantasies and attacking pigs. Just because the planes didn’t work on this part of the island didn’t mean they wouldn’t work somewhere else. Maybe it was a magnetic force like Gage had said. Of course, one could hardly pick up a plane and carry it away. No. It was amazing the team managed to push them from the clearing as they did. But they could remove the radio, work on it a little, and try to get it to work on the opposite side of the island. Maybe they could radio for help. She looked him straight in the eye, dead serious. “Two days, then you bring me back here, we get a couple of radios from these planes, and we go to the opposite side of the island.” “Not a problem, sugar.” Gage’s voice took on a gruff note, and she knew he was disappointed she hadn’t yet given up. It left one large question in the air: If she did find a way, if the time came when she found a way to leave this island, would he come? Or would he refuse and stay here forever? Deep down Cheri knew the answer. But she refused to face it. For now, it was easier to make light of things. “And Gage, you should know, I prefer to

always be on top.”

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Chapter Ten

Heather knelt over Matt, wiping the sweat from his pale face. She feared the worst. She feared he was dying. Fever racked his body, making his skin fiery hot to the touch. Red blotches dotted his skin, a rash from his body’s high temperatures. No longer did he control his actions. His mind had been pushed to the point of delusions. He kept reaching out to her with flailing, wild arms like a crazed man. At times he would scream at the shark that had attacked him; other times he’d call her name. He’d toss about wildly in the hammock, nearly knocking his leg from the harness that elevated it or sending himself for a loop. Dipping the rag in the cool, fresh water, she rang it out. Slowly she wiped it over his skin. Then she removed the two balled-up clothes from under his armpits, wet them, then placed them back. Maggie had said the underarms were the best place to cool him down. Maggie had also said he would be fine. Never again would he walk without a limp, but she had no doubt he would live. Heather, however, was not so sure. Distantly, she couldn’t help but wonder how Maggie knew these things and if she were making it all up.

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Hell. He’d lost so much blood on that beach before anyone had found his unconscious body. As they had carried him to the main house, he had dripped a trail that would send chills down anyone’s spine. The men had actually set about removing the sand and earth where he had dripped so as to not draw predators. The loss had sent him into shock, making him throw up and mess himself. Heather hadn’t even cared, wiping the body excretions away. She’d only been thankful he hadn’t choked on the bile. Or died. Maggie had made an effort to stitch him, but there were small hunks of meat missing. There had been nothing to do but clean and bandage him. At least there had been a supply of antibacterial cream and gauze from first aid kits in the planes. Even still, the fever had taken him. If his leg turned gangrenous ... She picked up a cooled, iron-rich broth and held it to his lips. Parting them with her fingers, she attempted to pour some into him. He needed it to regain his strength and make new blood. The large majority of the liquid dribbled down his cheek and onto the hammock he laid upon. She shook her head and buried her face in his side. If he died, he would die angry at her. She could not bear the thought of it, nor of losing him when she had only found him. He was her destiny, the one man meant just for her. She began to sob uncontrollably, misery wracking her heaving body. Hot tears burned her cheeks. Snot choked her, making her gasp for air. A sudden, tiny little stroke caressed her hair. Shock gripped her, paralyzing her for a moment. Sucking in a deep breath, she snapped up her head. Her eyes met his heavy blue gaze. “Matt!” He was awake. Alert.

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Utter joy flooded her. It was the best sign ever. Reaching out, she held his hand and squeezed it lightly. By a miracle, he squeezed back. She knew not what to say, only that he was awake. That his touch was tender. That he wasn’t telling her to go away. “I was a fool ...” he whispered in a husky, torn voice. “If this is the result of jealousy ... then no more ...” “Oh, God, Matt. No.” Her voice shook with fear, aghast at what he could mean. “That isn’t why you were out there?” His words had clearly been meant to make her feel better. Instead, ugly, nasty guilt sank through her. It was her fault he’d been out there. Her fault he’d been so reckless. She should have never told him about Gage. She should have lied. He might have been a fool, but he would have never been jealous were it not for her. “It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t ...” For a moment he fell quiet; then his voice came back. Stronger. More awake. “My leg. How bad is it?” She wanted to lie to him. To tell him he was fine. But she couldn’t. It would be wrong. She shook her head, more tears falling. “It isn’t good, Matt.” For some God-unknown reason, he smiled. “I had this dream ... you and I ...” “Yes ...?” “If anything happens to me ...” He trailed off, looking her steady in the eyes. His gaze was desperate, filled with longing. She didn’t know what he’d ask. She didn’t care. She’d do it. She squeezed her eyes shut, tears pressing their way through them. “Two days to know each other isn’t long. But I don’t care.” He tried to sit up, the muscles on his face contorting. “Who takes care of marriages on this island, anyway?”

*****

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After half an hour of careful walking through the heavy green rainforest, the rush of water greeted them. Melodic chirping tweeted over the sound of rushing water, the sound reminding Cheri of one of those relationship CDs. With each step they took, the air seemed to grow heavier with humidity. The plants seemed even greener, and taller. Never had she imagined such lush ferns existed in the world. Many were even taller than Gage. All at once, it was like stepping into a secret world. Where a moment ago she could only hear the water, it was now directly in front of her. Cool, clear water cascaded from a rocky, ten-foot-tall waterfall into a small pool. “We’ll camp up top, where the old settlement was. There are lots of caves up there.” Gage nodded upward toward a clearing overlooking the falls and lagoon. “I hope you know how to climb rocks.” “Done it a million times.” “Of course.” He chuckled, deep and full like rich, soft velvet. Using a cane for a walking stick, he headed toward a wall of jagged rocks. “Little Ms. Cheri has done everything. Knows everything. Is always in charge, and always on top.” “Shut up.” A smirk on her face, Cheri followed behind him. “I can remember one hot interlude where you weren’t on top.” Clearly he was referring to the threesome. Fudge. How nice. She shrugged. “I was, just not on you.” That seemed to shut him up. Why was he bringing that up, anyway? She smiled ironically to herself. Men. Who knew what went through their minds. He certainly didn’t know what went on in hers. He paused, leaning against the rock wall dripping with moisture. A crack, about a foot wide, split it open, the rocks forming almost a natural staircase. It would be easy to maneuver.

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Gage’s dark eyes beamed right into hers. “But as I do remember, you were not in charge. Tell me something, Cheri, who was that night? Me, or Joe? Because as I remember ...” She stared back at him. Hard. “Are you trying to screw with me?” She could see his tongue running along his cheek inside his mouth. “No. I’m ...” She crossed her arms. “Are you jealous, Gage?” “Yes.” “Good.” With that, she held her pack tight and used the other hand to help guide her up the crack. With ease, she maneuvered up the rock wall, him right behind her. She couldn’t help her sly smile, nor the strangely content feeling that was toying with her stomach. She’d always thought she despised jealous men. Josh had never been one to be green-eyed. He let her do whatever she wanted. But she had to admit there was something very fundamental and warming about knowing someone felt that deeply about you. Like she had her own caveman to protect her. This island. Something about it made everything so simple, so feral and basic. They reached the top. She threw down her pack, looking down. “Wow.” “You want to see ‘wow’? That’s nothing.” “Ok. Show me.” Gage spoke as he walked. “They camped here. See ...” He pointed out two caves to the left. “Back then, there weren’t many. Maybe fifteen or so survived the original shipwreck. They slept in these caves, bathed in the falls. And this ...” He stopped, pointing downward. Cheri looked down, realizing they stood over a large black circular area. “They had a huge bonfire here. Probably always kept it going. This is about all that is left of their presence. When you have so few possessions in the first place, you don’t leave anything behind if you can help it. The rain would have washed anything else. It can come down heavy when it wants, especially on this side of the island. It seems to take the brunt of

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most storms, and I mean when it hits, it hits. Given the steep incline, a hurricane can easily wash away just about everything. Not to mention, the creek would rage and overflow. You saw the steep banks. That’s how high it could get.”

Cheri drank in the atmosphere. She’d always been one for history. She’d seen every type of ruin there was to visit around the world. The pyramids had been her first, when she was fifteen. It had been her summer vacation, since her mom and dad had gone off again without her. She supposed that was how her adventures had started. Entertaining herself with her parents’ money to make up for their gallivanting. Then she’d met Josh, and everything had clicked. He’d made his money from writing about his adventures. Whenever they’d visited a place where people had once lived, it gave her this feeling. A strange tickling bloomed in her chest, all around her heart. Like she could feel souls around her, each with their own story. She wished there were more here to see. “So, why did they stay here? It seems odd to make camp on such cliff. Berries would hardly make it a perfect pick.” “You’re right. And fishing was a huge chore. Nothing but minnows in the creek, and imagine the hike they had to get anywhere near the ocean. But they had their reasons. I’ll show you. But we have to make another climb. It’s worth it, though.” “Lead the way.” Gage headed toward a hill. Boulders jutted from the ground, leading to another rock wall. This one was much steeper. Cheri led, Gage a hair’s breadth behind her. Cheri smiled to herself. If she slipped, she’d probably knock them both down. But no doubt Gage thought he was protecting her.

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As they reached a steeper incline, they took slow steps. They had to cross from jagged rock to rock, over crevices with the looming possibility of encountering snakes. Thrills and fear ran through Cheri, rushing her with excitement. When the steps up were wide, Gage helped boost her up by giving her a push on the rear. Finally, they reached the top. They pulled themselves to a standing position, Gage wrapping his arms around her. Cheri sucked in a deep breath in awe. Never had she seen anything more beautiful. They were at a pinnacle. It jutted outward over the water. The rest of the cliff fell away, a slim beach directly under them. The water was so clear as it lapped at the shores that she could literally see the fish and brilliantly colored sea life. Not far out, a coral reef seemed to cut the U-shaped bay, leading the way to darker waters. Dolphins leapt from the water, frolicking and playing. They splashed in and out of the water. Cheri couldn’t breathe. The view was the perfect picture of awesome. Gage rubbed her neck with one finger, his chin resting on her shoulder. “Look.” He pointed toward a pile of battered wood and lumber in the far corner of the beach. “Most boats wreck here. Like the magnetic fields, something pulls them here. The theory is that strange magnetic fields create strong pulls in the tides, washing boats into this bay. The water is too shallow, so they wreck. If it’s storming, it can be nasty. They stayed here because they saw it as the perfect place to light a single fire, here on the end of this pinnacle.” “But they never flagged anyone, did they?” “I don’t know. But if you think about it, what good would it do? To draw a plane or boat closer would only trap them in the same fate. The tides would sweep them in, and their boat would crash.” A sinking feeling crashed through Cheri. “The same magnet that drew us in is trapping us here. It won’t let us go.” “No.” His tone was hard and flat and final.

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Gage began to plant tiny kisses up her neck, suckling at her skin bit by bit. He spoke as he teased her. “But, Cheri, at least you have me. Let that be enough now.” He turned her around, gazing into her eyes. They searched hers as though begging her not to protest it. For a moment, her lips quivered. She wanted to scream at him. It couldn’t be true. She couldn’t be stuck here like this. No! But his lips were imploring her with their closeness, the promise of a sweet kiss, of being swept away from reality. She didn’t want to think about her situation. She wanted him to be enough. She leaned her head back into his supporting hand, welcoming his kiss. His lips swept over hers like a breeze as he pulled her into his warm embrace. She kissed him back with all she had because, for right now, that was all she could do. Their attraction was the only thing she had to focus on. She needed to pretend that it was enough.

For two days, Cheri had gotten just what she preferred. Gage underneath her, at her every whim, to cater to her wants and needs. They had explored. Picked berries. Talked by the campfire. Made love a million times. Talked some more. It was so peaceful here. The tranquility had a way of wrapping around her and drawing her in. Over the past forty-eight hours, time and time again one silly thought had popped into her head. This place would make such a perfect honeymoon. Here there was no room for worries or anger. It was an escape from everything. Yes. Cheri had escaped from every negativity and been swept away by romance and adventure. She’d let herself pretend and play, and she’d keep right on doing it.

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She stood waist-deep in the pool of water, gritty rocks under her feet. Looking up, she watched Gage, who stood on a flat rock above the cascading ten-foot falls where their cave was hidden. He stood with absolute stillness, his black eyes focused directly back at her. Beads of sweat glistened on his dark coffee-colored skin, and his hair fell around him wildly. The gentle breeze blew it, making her want to reach out and grab it. His gaze was unwavering, devouring her with fierce hunger. Then, like a caveman boasting with pride, he shot his hand in the air, a dead blackand-yellow snake dangling from it. “Dinner, milady!” She stumbled backward, splashing down in the cold water. Fudge! He hadn’t been kidding about eating snakes! “You’ve lost your mind!” she squeaked at him, lying back in the chilling water. “Come up here; I’ll show you how crazed I am, woman.” He tossed the snake aside, moving closer to the edge. His eyes dared her. “You make me mad with lust, woman.” Cheri laughed at his antics. “Oh, woman, is it? I think I shall have to teach you a lesson.” Suddenly he jumped, cannonballing into the deeper water. Water splashed high in the air, spraying into her face. Cheri wiped her eyes, waiting for him to come back up. She was going to get him good. But he did not. She waited and waited. No Gage. Sudden panic rose in her. Wading through the water, she began to look for him frantically. Through the clear water, she could see him lying on the rocky bottom, curled up. Underwater greenery fluttered around his head; silver minnows darted back and forth. She waited, sure he would move. Come back up. But he did not. Instead he remained still. Limp.

Fudge!

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Oh, hell, he must have hit his head on a rock. Diving down, she swam the eight or nine feet down to him. His eyes were wide-open and shocked, air bubbling from his mouth. Facing him, she grasped hold of him under his massive arms. She attempted to pull him upward, his limp limbs flaying wildly. Even under the water, he was heavy. She needed a better grip. She wrapped her arms tighter around his chest. All of a sudden, his hands lashed out and grabbed her at the waist. Shock zapped through her, stopping her heart. She let out a sudden squeal and gasped, sucking in water. His black eyes laughed at her, twinkling with amusement. Oh, the bastard! She reached out and punched him. The blow did little good under the water. With a laughing, pleased look, he kicked his feet and swam upward. She followed, lashing out at him as soon as her head broke the water. “That wasn’t funny!” Her palm slapped his face, but nowhere near as hard as she had meant it. He didn’t even flinch. “I thought it was.” He winked at her and caught her around the waist. Drawing her closer, he nuzzled his face against her neck. With little kisses and sucks, he ran his full lips along her neck. Cheri bent to his whim, turning her neck to allow him full access. Unable to help it, she nuzzled back as tingles crawled across the skin where his lips left. “You had no right to scare me like that.” Her angry voice didn’t match her actions. He drew her legs up around him, continuing his kisses. “You? Ms. Adventuress? No!” His calloused fingertip traced her spine. “I didn’t think anything frightened you, sugar.” Her head fell back, her words but a whisper. “Shut up.” A secret, contained ripple of annoyance trickled through her but did not rise to the surface. She would not let it.

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She had been quite the daredevil all her life, though never careless. But inside, she had a worrisome, dependent, soft spot. A weak spot she chose to bury and hide as much as possible, because to fear was to be helpless. “Perhaps I shall take you diving for pearls with me. Nothing will give you a thrill like looking a shark in the face.” Face a shark? Eat a snake? Cheri gulped. For the first time, it occurred to her that her weak spot was growing larger. And stronger. Perhaps she was getting older than she’d thought. Losing her taste for life. There might have been a time when she would have given anything a shot. Now ... “I’m into fun, not dumb.” “Fun? Well, then ...” His gaze grabbed hers, holding her. “I have a dare for you. Let me be on top. Let me be in control. Let me teach you what I know.” She threw her head back and laughed. It would never happen. “I’m too old to learn any new tricks.” “No. Never.” His mouth hovered over hers. “Like this, sugar.” His lips pulled at her bottom one. He sucked and nibbled at it. She could feel her bottom lip swelling, just a tinge of pain pinching at it. She bent her head back, and he moved his mouth down. Suddenly, he bit her in a most unexpected way. His sharp teeth sank into her neck, his tongue flicking her skin. Quick and feisty, his teeth sank into her skin, the pain oh, so good. “Accept the dare,” he urged. “How could I resist?” She arched as he sucked harder, her nether lips clenching. His teeth did not release. She relished the pain as if she were a vampire bride.

Fudge ...

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Then his lips surprised her again, sliding down her neck to her chest. He licked at the bone between her breasts, his nimble fingers untying her bikini top. It fell away into the waters. He began to stroke her breasts, running his calloused thumbs over her hardened nipples. His rough skin was like sandpaper over silk. Between the cold water and his attention, they were so tight she was sure they’d explode. She clenched her sex, trying to hold back the intensity sweeping through her. Suddenly his hands left her, reaching around to her rear. Grasping each cheek firmly, he lifted her from the water. His hands kneaded her as she wrapped her legs around him. The liquid passion flowing from her sex smeared over his stomach, hot against his cooled skin. Water dripped from them both as he carried her back and laid her in a bed of thick green grasses and tiny wild tropical flowers. Spreading her legs, his head dove down without hesitation. His fingers spread her lips, enabling his tongue to flick against her nub. Her held her apart as far as she’d stretch, suckling her clit. He took his teeth to it, pulling gently. With a cry, she arched up under him. He continued on, using different strokes and teases to torture her. With such skill she could hardly bear it, he licked her senseless. She arched and squirmed under him, unable to take much more. Oh. He was good ... too good. So good she could hardly take it. She started to wiggle away, the intensity too, too much for her. But he held her down, pinning her ankles in a fierce grip. His tongue continued to attack her. “Gage ...” She whimpered and bucked against his mouth. “Careful,” he whispered, his mouth blowing against her pussy. “I might have to tie you up if you don’t stop squirming. You may need a spanking, sugar.” Playfully, his hand swatted her ass.

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“Don’t you even think about it!” Her voice was so faint, naught but a whisper. Nothing except a tiny, useless threat. Again he play-slapped her, but not hard enough to hurt. Grasping her hips, he rolled her over and pulled her onto her knees. Her ass thrust into the air, the breeze tickling her with the notion of what would come. He held her fanny tight in his hot palms as he drove into her. In and out he thrust, the deep position driving her Gspot crazy. His hands kneaded her, stroking back and forth over her ass. He pressed in deep, ever so slowly, then yanked out. Like he was testing the waters. Then he went in again, going in a frenzy of wide, fast circles. She began to lose it. Her mind was whirling, passion pushing her past the brink. She reached the top, then fell like a heavy rock. Gage rammed into her, then pulled out, squirting his cum all over her rear. They collapsed on the grasses. She rested her cheek in the soft bed, enjoying the feel of his cock lying against her ass. His head rested on her back, though his weight did not pressure her. For a moment, only the sound of the forest around them dared make a noise. Birds chirped, accompanied by strange, squeaky calls she didn’t know. A monkey, perhaps? A haze overtook her. It was as if she were in a giant blur. She nuzzled her cheek against his shoulder. How amazing it was, the way he could knock her from reality so easily. Reality was the reason she craved adventure. The escape. But Gage, he was more of a break away than any trip or thrill she’d taken. She drew a deep breath, thinking on that.

Gage pulled himself up, tracing his finger across her fine backbone. What a pity. Two days were up, but he was not finished. He was, however, up.

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Perhaps he could convince her to stay here longer. How hard could it be? How hard could he be? Sitting up, he grabbed her by the hips and flipped her over. “Hey!” She giggled and wrestled against him. “Do I win the dare?” Her cornflower eyes widened. “No. I met your dare.” Each word she spoke was firm and defined. “Ah, but I am not finished.” His fingers brushed across breasts, his touch but a whisper. She arched again. “There’s so much to teach you yet. It could take a lifetime.” He lifted her and slipped in, his cock filling her tight tunnel. She was like heaven wrapped around him, silky like rose petals. He pinched each of her nipples and plunged in and out of her. The scent of sex filled the air, wafting around them in a thick cloud. Every breath he took, he smelled her, what they were doing. It drove him crazy, like an animal sniffing for its mate. None of his moves were consistent. He went fast, then slow, back and forth, and in tiny circles. Then he drove deeper, making big circles, pausing and pushing deep inside of her. Every time she bucked against him or tried to wriggle away, he pinched her nipples. He held onto them, not letting go. They were like reins. She’d cry and beg for mercy, for more.

***** “We do not have marriages here on Paradis.” Maggie leaned on her cane, staring out the balcony door. Ocean breezes whipped at her graying hair. Slowly she turned to him, concern sparkling in her green eyes.

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Disappointment flooded Matt, sinking his heart like a stone. He yanked his head up from where it rested against the hammock. “Why?” The movement jolted pain through his leg, but he forced it back. Teeth gritted, he tried to ignore it, willing it away. He didn’t understand these feelings of his. But it had taken only one look, one touch, and he’d loved Heather. Two things had turned his feelings concrete -- the idea of her being with another man, and the reality of almost losing his life. Looking death in the face changed a man. He’d lain on the shore, hanging on, his mind on only one thought: Heather. Maggie tapped her cane as she answered, a habit that was beginning to annoy him. It was worse than clucking with her tongue, reminding him of a chastising old bird. “Several reasons. For one, marriages end in divorce. We have no priests or pastors here to marry you in the first place, and certainly no judges to grant divorces. Of course, we could pretend, but that isn’t reality, and marriage is.” Maggie’s ancient, creaking voice filled with strength and reason. Gingerly she stepped forward, her gaze finding Heather for only a moment. Something in her eyes sparked, golden daggers zapping out and warming them. “Love is not fickle.” She turned her emerald eyes slowly back to him. “And it is rarely ever true within a few days.” Again she tapped her cane. “The rules we have here are few, but they are set in stone. If you commit yourselves as life partners, you will not take another mate here. Ever. Even if you come to hate each other in a week. Even if one of you dies.” Something in Matt stopped, all of his attention suddenly focused on the thumping pain in his leg. He wanted a promise with Heather. He truly did. But even after death? He was so close to it. Sure, the fever had broken. But if gangrene set in, she would be left young and alone. Forever. He could not ask that of her. No way.

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He looked at her, her dark, haunting gaze unwavering. Her lips parted only slightly, their ends curled in a tiny smile. Maggie’s words had not fazed her, not even for a second. Of course, she had known this all along. How could she have considered it? He cleared his throat and focused his gaze on the wall of roughhewn lumber separating the room. “I’m sorry, Heather.” He could not look at her. The words burned his throat, making him feel as if he were choking. He did not have to look at her to see the pain and disappointment she felt. He could hear it in her every word. “Sorry? Why?” Then her tone turned bitter. “Am I not good enough for forever?” Matt pressed his eyes shut. He could not look at her. “That’s not it.” “Is it Gage?” she demanded. Despite it all, his jaw began to shake. “I don’t give a damn about Gage.” Though he certainly didn’t care for the reminder. Maggie was silent as a ghost, except for the impatient tapping of her cane. “Well I do, Matt. Yes, he was my lover. Now he’s your mother’s. Why does it change a thing? What’s over is over.” Her voice began to fade, as if she were walking away. Weaker and weaker it faded. “I suppose, though, that this can’t be over. It never really started.” Well, that just pissed him off. Annoyance jolted into his heart. Abruptly, he rolled over, as if looking at her would change something. “What’s that mean?” “You don’t love me, Matt. You never did.” She didn’t look back at him as she walked out. Maggie emerged from her tapping silence. He swore he could hear her creak as she leaned on the staff on her was toward the door. “I lied,” she said rather bluntly. “All that about no other lovers, even if one of you died.” She paused directly in front of him. “I wanted to see how much you loved her. I have my answer now.”

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Chapter Eleven

It was like deja vu. The crinkling. The footsteps. Fudge, someone was coming! She tried to wrestle away from Gage, to warn him. But his mouth kept hers possessed, his body unyielding. The more she struggled, the more he took it to fuck her. Once again, everything turned to slow motion. A man cleared his throat from behind them. Even without words, she could hear the jealousy and bitterness to his tone. It could only be one man. Gage snapped his head up, muttering, “Shit.” Gage did not move off of her. Instead he covered her with his body. Crooking her head around, she looked up at Joe. Fudge. His icy eyes did not yield. They remained staring very bluntly. At first she thought he might attack Gage, but to her relief he shook his blond head. Then she noticed his hair, how very ruffled and messy it was. The way sweat streaked his tanned skin. How dirt streaked his cheeks and the rippled muscles of his arms. As if he’d been drug through the mud and back again. “What do you want?” Gage demanded. Joe didn’t look at him, his gaze instead falling on her. Then she saw it.

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Pity. Pure, unadulterated pity filled his blue eyes. He wasn’t here out of jealousy. No. Something was wrong. The worst of feelings sank through her, settling in the pit of her stomach. She wanted to ask what. But she couldn’t. She couldn’t speak. Joe cleared his throat again, the noise dry and scratchy. “I’m sorry, Cheri. A shark got him.” In that moment, everything stopped. Her heart. Her breath. Her life. “Is ... is he still ...?” Every word she spoke shook with fear. Joe nodded. “He’s alive, but the shark got him good. I’ve been searching all over the damned place for you.” His eyes settled on Gage in a hard, unreadable look. Annoyance snapped in her. She could see bitter envy in Joe, in the way he glared at Gage. For some reason, the man acted as if she’d been stolen from him, when she’d never been his to lose anyway. As if he had some right over her. It was not the time for such bullshit. If he had some sort of problem, he’d better save it. Her son was injured, for hell’s sake! Thankfully, Gage ignored him. His dark eyes met hers, filled with sorrow. Stiffly, he pushed himself off her, stood, and strode the few feet away to where her clothes hung. Tossing them to her, he gave a glance at Joe. “Thanks for coming. Let me just grab a few things, and we’ll head down together.” Silent tears had begun to slide down her cheeks, hot and burning. Quick guilt wrapped around her. Her son was down there suffering, while she’d been on another adventure. She was supposed to be up here finding a way off the island. Not a reason to stay on it. Now ...

Fuck! Slowly she slipped on her clothes. She shook as she lifted her head, her gaze imploring Joe for more. “How bad is it, Joe? I need to know.”

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Joe looked uncomfortable, his eyes unable to meet hers. “He will probably live, if the gang or a high fever doesn’t get him. But his leg won’t ever be the same.” “He needs medical attention.” It wasn’t a question, but a hard fact. “Maggie is doing her best.” “Maggie isn’t good enough!” she burst out, immediately sorry. “I’m sorry. It’s just, he needs a hospital. Medicine.” Joe shrugged his shoulders as if to say, “What can you do?” Tears burned her eyes. This was all her fault. She’d dragged him along, insisting on going right through the Triangle. She had to get him out of here. The radio. It was their only hope in the world now. She turned toward the cave and hollered. “Gage!” She waited to see him step from the cave before she continued. “I’m going with Joe. Get a few of the radios from the planes and meet me.” Gage nodded in a very slow, very uneasy motion. It was obvious he didn’t like it, but he would deal with it. “Let’s go,” she told Joe, starting out in a run through the woods. Joe reached out and grasped her arm, drawing her back. Pain jolted through her arm as he held it. “You don’t run through this forest. You’ll end up with your head wrapped around a snake.” She didn’t like the way he touched her. At all. A troubled feeling ran through her heart. Yanking her arm free, she slowed to a brisk walk, desperate to get down there as fast as she could. As it was, her son could be dead already.

They traveled through the thick green forest at a brisk pace for well over an hour before Cheri gave in. As worried and upset as she was, she had to. She would throw up if she didn’t drink something and rest a moment.

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It was surprising the way the sun could affect you here. Never too hot, and certainly not cold, the temperature always remained right around eighty. But the humidity was suffocating. The brilliant rays were worsening her sunburn even though she was under the shade of the twisted trees. Fudge, she felt downright exhausted. Leaning against a wide-based, knotted tree trunk, she wiped dripping sweat from her brow. Joe stood next to her, his posture annoyingly stiff. He screwed off the cap of a canteen and handed it to her. She paused, almost afraid to accept it for fear of touching his hand. The tension between them corded, ready to snap. She knew he still liked her. Wanted her. The threesome had led him on in a bad way. She had made a huge mistake. Fudge. It wasn’t fair for him to have come up here for her as he had, only to find her under Gage. Not that it was his business, but it couldn’t have been an easy sight. Eyeing him, she accepted the canteen. He stood stiff, his jaw twisted almost ironically. Something flared in his blue eyes, streaking them with a haze of bitterness. Lust? Anger? Determination? She took a long, deep swig and let some water run down her neck. Licking her soothed lips, she swallowed. “Listen, Joe. I’m sorry you found us like that. I want to thank you for coming up here for me.” Her voice cracked, thinking of how many days she’d had been up here, pursuing pleasure while Matt suffered. If it weren’t for Joe coming for her, she wouldn’t have known. Who knew how long she might have stayed up here with Gage? “It means a lot to me.” His gaze narrowed just a touch. “No problem.” There it was. That flicker of sliver in his eyes again. Cheri crossed her arms. “Joe, I know you thought maybe there could be something between us, but ...”

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He took one slow step closer. “Cheri, I know there will be something between us. There has to be.” Cheri took a step back, slightly freaked out. “Joe ...” Fudge. She hoped he wasn’t going to get maniacal or anything. Suddenly she wished she had never stopped for a break. Never started this conversation. She needed to get to her son. This was going somewhere she didn’t like. His gaze softened. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.” “Well, that was a bit weird, Joe. There won’t be any us. Either you are a very desperate and determined man, or I should be scared.” She wrapped her arms around her chest and tilted her head at him. He turned his back on her, his hands wrapping around a thick green vine and using it like a support. Suddenly he remained her of Tarzan. All he needed was some longer hair. She could just envision him swinging from vine to vine, whisking some woman to his tree house. Why did he so want her? He could have any woman. “You’re right. I am determined. And desperate. Do you have any idea how hard it is? I’ve been on this island all my life, and believe me, the options are limited. I want a partner. Children. When I saw you, I just thought ... hoped ...” He shook his head and looked up. “Gage is only using you. Just like Heather. He wants a fling. A good time. A --” “Stop it!” she snapped. She’d heard enough. Annoyance snapped through her like a whip. She took one last swig of water in an angry, jerky motion. Liquid splashed down her chest, and she swiped at her lips. She held the canteen. “Here. Let’s go.” Turning around, he accepted the canteen. Just as she feared in the first place, his fingers stretched over hers and lingered too long. A singe of apprehension ran through her. Yanking away, she started back down the trail at a fast pace.

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She could almost feel sorry for him. All he wanted was a lover. But she wasn’t it. And what he said about Gage plain pissed her off. Mainly because she was scared it could be true.

***** “If you have your answer --” Matt struggled to sit up and look the woman clearly in her eyes so she could see his anger and pain. “-- then you know damned well how much I love her. I changed my mind because I couldn’t force her to risk never having another lover if I died from this damned leg.” Pain shot through him as he shifted and craned his neck. If it weren’t for his foolishness, he could have gone after Heather. Explained. Told her what this old crow had pulled on them. But why wouldn’t she already know? Didn’t she know the rules here? Matt groaned, frustration knotting his insides. He was left here at the mercy of an ornery old witch, unbearable pain, and a leg of no use. He needed Heather here. Taking care of him. Soothing him with her presence. Suddenly the old bat tapped her cane again, making a rat-tat-tat on the wooden floor. “Very good, then.”

Holy hell. He wanted to scream at her. Nothing was good. Nothing was right. And she ... she was making things worse. So many nasty things teetered on the tip of his tongue, but suddenly the seashell curtain brushed aside. In walked a smiling Heather, who shrugged innocently. “It was the only way she would agree to anything.” “You ...” His gaze was wide-eyed as he looked at the old woman, who now smiled with humor. “This was a joke.” “Oh, no.” She tapped her cane once again. “A test. Let’s get on with it now.”

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He couldn’t believe his ears. “You would pick on an injured man like that?” Silence remained his only answer. Heather breezed across the room like an angel, scrunching by his side. Caressing his arm with her magical touch, she offered him her delicate hand. Taking it, he squeezed. He was annoyed, but the relief overpowered him. Matt lifted his eyes to a smiling Maggie, almost afraid to ask the woman what was next. But he needn’t have worried. Sweet Heather knew. A gentle ocean breeze blew into the room as she began to speak, whipping her hair gently around her shoulders. The seashells clattered, then calmed. Her hair lightly tousled and shining like it had just been waxed, she appeared the sweetest of angels. As if she had come down from heaven just for him. Her words carried on the wind, soft and sweet and delicate. “Matt, from the minute I saw you, I knew what was meant to be. I want you to be my forever. I promise myself to you from this day forth, until time no longer exists for me. If you’ll have me.” “Oh, I’ll have you.” He raised his gaze, seeing Maggie expected him to continue. The words weren’t hard to find. “You are the most beautiful creature I’ve ever set eyes on. An angel. My angel. I want you to be mine, and I will always be yours.” With a slow nod, Maggie acknowledged them. “I have witnessed these promises and will hold them true. They will be noted in our book, and never released. Well then, congrat-” His gaze sharpened, staring acutely at the door. Matt twisted, seeing a shadow behind the shells. His mother.

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Chapter Twelve

Cheri brushed through the curtain, her teeth clenched together in a most unhealthy way. She could literally feel them grinding the enamel off each other, like sandpaper in her mouth. “What ... what the fu-- fudge is going on here?” Everything in her had gone tight. Shock and anger made her shake; yet everything seemed surreal. Her son could not have done such a thing. Not with her. Not with Gage’s ex-lover. Stepping in, she was greeted by blinding light radiating through the seashell-screened porch door, the sun at its highest point of the day. She squinted, narrowing her eyes to stare at the trio of betrayers. For a moment, only silence answered her. The look on their faces was enough. Deer in the headlights, hand in the cookie jar, their gazes said they knew they were caught. Maggie spoke first, her creaky old voice snapping with amusement. “I think you know.” Cheri didn’t find it very funny at all. She had speed-walked the whole way down here, that jackass Joe never letting up once. Sweat now dripped from her exhausted body, her mind ready to collapse from worry.

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Only to find her son here, well enough to be making vows he was too young for, and with the wrong girl. Her eyes settled on her son, his blond hair ruffled, and eyes filled with guilt. Or regret. She hoped it was regret. “Yes ...” she answered Maggie, breath trembling. “I do know.” If she could feel the hot anger radiating from her gaze, she was sure Matt and Heather would burst into flames at any given moment.

Why had he done this? Without her, or even her opinion ... She clamped her teeth even tighter, folding her arms up under her chest. It didn’t matter right now, she told herself. Nothing but his leg and his health did. He needed her. She could see from the expression on his baby face that he was weak. Pain paled his skin and his eyes; his lips flattened. No doubt Heather had taken advantage of his condition. Whatever promises he’d made were of no consequence. When he left this island and went back to the real world, he’d forget Heather. It wasn’t like anything legal. All that mattered now was saving his life. “Mom,” Matt spoke, his voice cracking as if his throat were very dry. “I do love her.” She ignored him, going to his side to examine the bandage. Blood seeped through in several places, the covered area even larger then she had expected. A large portion of his upper thigh had been damaged, and she could only imagine how mauled he was. She grasped his hand and squeezed it. “It’s okay, Matt. I’m here now.” She winced. Her poor baby boy; it was all her fault. “I’m so sorry I left. That I got you stuck here. But I will get you off this island. I promise. Gage is bringing a radio, and I am taking it to the east side of the island. Perhaps if we’re farther away from the magnetic force, it will work.”

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Something passed through his blue gaze. He stared her directly in the eyes, his look willing her to understand. “Mom. Maybe Gage isn’t so bad. But he was right; you have to let me go. I know it’s been a long time, and we’ve only had each other. But I’m not your baby boy anymore. It just so happens I’m a man.” He pulled her back as she started to look away. His voice went hard. “If you get someone on that radio, even if a whole rescue squad flies out here to save me, I won’t leave. I like it here. It’s peaceful.” Cheri jerked away as if slapped. Reality knocked back into her, hard and full-force. Her heart twisted into knots like pretzels as she realized she was doing it again. She’d told herself she wouldn’t anymore. She’d let him grow up. But fuck! He was her son, and he needed medical treatment. She drew several deep breaths. Okay. She had panicked when she’d walked in on them. If Matt said he loved Heather, she would welcome her. It was his decision. He was capable of deciding whom he loved. She didn’t really know why she didn’t like Heather, anyway. She was pretty and sweet. It probably had a lot to do with two things -- she was losing her baby boy to her, and she knew something had gone on between Heather and Gage. When she boiled it down, she didn’t like Heather out of pure jealousy. For his happiness, she could let that go. She had to, didn’t she? But she could not let him lie here and possibly die. She turned to walk out, Matt’s voice following her. “I mean it, Mom. I won’t go. Heather is taking care of me. Here. That’s it.” His words followed her like a ghost, echoing in her ears. Except she didn’t hear exactly what he said. No. What she heard was that her son didn’t need her. Not anymore. As she stopped and stared at the village below where she would meet Gage, she began to wonder if it was a bad thing. Or good.

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She found Gage at his hut, having looked there first because she’d seen his spear leaning outside it. “Knock, knock!” she called out as she brushed inside through a pigskin flap-door, not waiting for an invitation. “Did you get the ...” She stopped, startled. There on the floor sat the radios. Three of them, with glowing red lights. Fuzz and static filled the air. Fudge! They were working! It was like an electric shock had been sent to her heart. Her elated gasp filled the air as she fell to her knees and began fooling with the dials. They flipped in and out, nothing solid coming through. But, by God, they were working. She sat there, unable to speak. Or move. Shocked. Suddenly her heart began to fall like a stone rolling off a cliff. She nearly felt sick. She’d never really expected them to actually work. Sure, she’d hung onto hope. She just couldn’t let it go. But deep down, she’d come to accept she was stuck here. It was like reaching for a dream, not expecting to get it, but not able to stop the pull inside. Now she felt like she’d opened up a can of worms. Gage sat down besides her, his hand reaching out to cover hers and draw it to him. “Before this goes any farther. I spoke with the men. Matt is still alive, and as it’s been over three days, at this point we know he will live. No doctor will fix the limp he’ll have. Once nerves are damaged, they stay damaged.” He cleared his throat, the gruff noise imposing importance one what was to follow. “I care for you, Cheri. But I will not leave this island. Ever. I don’t think anyone else will, either. If you do this, you’re doing it for you. And other people may pay because of it.” Everything in Cheri stilled, his words reminding her. “What do you mean?”

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But she needn’t ask. Even if she didn’t ever know what he meant, it didn’t matter. All the emotions swirling in her settled very suddenly. Now that the opportunity was in front of her, everything seemed to color a different shade. She was looking at her life in a whole new light. She just stared at him. Presented with the reality of actually leaving him, she thought twice. Three times. Too much. Never had she thought she’d find someone new. She always looked to it like she was replacing Josh. But Gage was nothing like Josh, and no matter what he did, he could never fill Josh’s place in her heart. But he did quite fill another. Gage held a different piece of her heart, but, all the same, he held it. She couldn’t leave him. She didn’t want to. Maybe it was time to start a new life. Paradis could be a brand-new beginning. Her hands hesitated, shaking. At the very least, she didn’t need to do this now. There was always later, right? Besides, she had a conscience. She couldn’t drag another person here and risk their life for hers, could she? Of course not. She reached down and flicked off one radio. Then another. She could get used to pig. Gage reached out, stroking her hair most tenderly. “You remember what we talked about on the cliff. What drew you here will keep you here. More than likely, if you get someone -- if -- then I’d say there’s a ninety-nine-percent chance you will only strand them out here. Can you really do that to someone?” “No,” Cheri whispered, shaking her head. “But you had me at hello.” “Huh?” Puzzlement danced in his voice.

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Cheri laughed with all her heart. This was the way she did everything, battling to the bitter end before seeing the light. She supposed it was never having the choice that had made her fight it so very hard. Seeing the option to leave set before her, everything was different. Now she saw it. This had been in her all along. The truth was, from the moment they had landed and she had set eyes on him, he’d had her. Even then, she couldn’t have left. Even before he spoke a greeting, she’d been his. Silly and romantic as it was, some things were just meant to be. “I can’t leave you, Gage. I can’t leave this island.” She took a deep breath, the final acceptance of her new life settling in her heart. “I never really could.” For the first time, a deep new appreciation for Paradis filled her. Yeah. Maybe it was time for her to retire. To enjoy a peaceful life and family. Grandkids. She couldn’t leave Gage. She couldn’t leave Matt. She couldn’t leave Paradis. She made her decision with sudden zeal. Like everything she did, she did it hard, fast, and in charge. Reaching, she flipped off the third dial with the snap of her thumb. Some things you just accept. They aren’t worth the fight. This was one of them.

***** Gage didn’t feel right, avoiding touching Cheri. Pretending they weren’t what they were. Damnation. Didn’t everyone know, anyway? On this island, secrets and gossip spread like wildfire. Everyone knew everyone’s business. Even the stuff that was supposed to be private. He wanted to grab Cheri up, to dance by the fire, to feed her bits of pork again. He wanted to do what came naturally now. Be with Cheri. Instead, he had shooed her away. Yet, he’d had to. Guilt held him hostage. It wasn’t even that he feared punishment for breaking the rule. It was that they all respected each other, and expected one another to follow the rules.

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He would have expected it from anyone else. Sitting on a large rock, he glared into the flames of the bonfire. Red and orange heat burned six feet in the air, lapping around huge logs. Shadows danced on the sand, the night sky twinkling bits of light down on them from the stars. He ground his feet into the gritty ground, listening to the beating music of the drums. The salty-sweet flavor of the roasting pigs wafted through the air, urging him to go eat. Instead, he remained glued to the rock. His friends -- family, really -- laughed, talked, and even sang around him in the happiest of accords. But he couldn’t join them. Or look them in the eye. He knew he had betrayed them and would continue to. There had to be some solution to this. Some ... Suddenly everything ceased, as if time itself had stopped. Slowly, he raised his head and looked around. The drums and music had stopped playing, and everyone now stood staring at Maggie in the center of the courtyard. Leaning on her twisted staff, she commanded attention with her frail, aged body. Breezes tossed her long gray hair; wisdom sparkled in her eyes. Like always, she tapped her cane in the sand. Cheri stood behind her, her stubborn chin held high. Maggie nodded and tapped her staff in one final, hard movement. “It has been presented to me that there are those who feel one of our rules is out of line. I have told them we will not change our rules.” A slight, scratchy chuckle laced her words. “But I was put in my place. As I was so informed, it isn’t my decision. It’s ours.” She swept her cane out, motioning toward everyone. She gave a subtle nod, allowing Cheri to step forward. “I realize I am new here, but even so, I was presented with these rules to follow. I cannot. You see, one cannot always help whom they are attracted to. Gage and I have an attraction we cannot deny. While I

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respect your reasoning for the first rule, we simply cannot hold it up. I ask you today for understanding.” Gone was the joy from the dinner, the feral excitement. Uneasiness crashed through the crowd like a tidal wave. A murmur and flurry of headshakes went through the upset ground. They needn’t vote. The answer was no. Gage’s heart sunk. Whatever he and Cheri had, it would not be accepted. They’d have to keep it private, if it could even continue. But true to her nature, Cheri wouldn’t give up. “I never believed in love at first sight. My son, however, has proven it possible. Gage captured me the moment I set eyes on him, and there was never a choice for me. For him. We do not do this to offend or betray you. It is beyond us. Please.” A crack cut her voice. “Do not force us to leave here in order to be together.” A hush fell over them. To his surprise, it was Maggie who tapped her cane and responded. “While I don’t like it, I see the truth in this.” A murmur ran through the crowd, then settled. Everyone’s attention snapped back as she tapped her cane again. The sound was only a barely audible scratching against the sand, but somehow she captured their attention. “My suggestion is this: we vote. Not to change the rule. But to accept Gage and Cheri. We all agree from this day forth, it will not be spoken of or mentioned again. Any newcomers to the island will never know, and the rule will remain respected. We make this exception only for the circumstances. Only this once, and we never speak of it again.” Everyone looked to each other, but Gage could see the decision changing in their eyes. He wasn’t sure if it was what Maggie said, or Cheri’s threat to leave, but for the first time he began to think maybe they stood a chance.

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Chance, an older scientist near the front of the crowd, hollered out, “Let’s vote.” He stepped next to Maggie, whom he was known to have a crush on. “All those who agree, raise you hands.” He gave Maggie a sweet look. “I’ll count the hands for you, dear.” To Gage’s shock, the hands went up one by one. He held his breath as he surveyed the crowd, amazed by his supporters. Everyone raised his or her hand, some without doubt, others more cautiously. The last in agreement was, surprisingly, the younger crowd, he supposed because many of them were native to the island. But, finally, all hands were up. Rather, almost all. Everyone but one was in agreement. Joe. He remained in the back, his arms crossed. Anger burned in his blue eyes, turning their pure depths to metallic steel. The look on his face was hard. His jaw clenched. His lips flattened. His mind was set. For all the wrong reasons. As everyone looked around, all eyes fell to Joe. He stood tall, a determined look burning in his metallic eyes. “Cheri has no business with Gage. She was attracted to me. Hell, she invited me to her room. We had sex. Had Gage not interfered, she would be with me even now. In my opinion, a punishment should be handed out. Not a reward.” Animosity filled his voice. A hush and whispers of shock ran through the crowd. Once again, uneasiness hovered over them like a dark cloud. Punishments here had never been suggested before. Gage darted his gaze back to Cheri. Absolute rage burned in her blue eyes. Gage could have laughed. He almost felt sorry for Joe. She was not a woman to tolerate failure or being told how she should feel. Gage couldn’t deny he was equally annoyed. Frankly, he’d had his fill of Joe. He took a step forward, clearing his throat for attention.

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“You make it sound as if she didn’t send you away that night. As if it was more than it was. You know she was never romantic about you.” His tone held deep warning and boomed across the courtyard. The truth only brought out the desperateness in Joe. “If I had a chance, she ...” “Oh, bullshit!” Cheri snapped. Joe raised his eyes, his gaze sly. “Then give me a chance. Right now. If I cannot make you want me again, I will change my vote.” If the crowd had been uneasy a moment ago, they were all about to fall over now. Even in a world where they were used to being sexually open, they were shocked by the way Joe was pushing this. Gage, on the other hand, was not shocked. He was filled with pure, murderous fury. Sweat dripped from his forehead. His fists clenched. He was ready to plow full force into Joe and beat the bloody life from him. He took two slow steps forward. “You bastard! You aren’t touching her.”

Cheri brushed through the crowd, coming face to face with the bastard and his suggestion. It was degrading. Delusional. Not to mention it just plain pissed her off. But fudge, she was going to do it. It was the only way to prove him wrong. Besides, she’d already tasted his kisses. Experienced his touch. He had tried once and failed. Lifting her chin, she stared into his pure blue eyes. They were nothing like Josh’s. Josh would have never made such a suggestion. Josh had always been loving and kind. She blew out a breath, then sucked in a deep breath of the salty fresh air. “Right here, right now.”

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From corner of her eye, she glanced at Gage to see his reaction. He had started toward them, his strides wide and fast. The look on his face said it all. His lips snarled. His nostrils flared. The animal in him had taken over. She cast him a look, warning him to back down. Inwardly, she thanked God Matt was in his room. Even if he were laid up, he wasn’t here. Or fists would already be flying. Gage clearly did not heed her glance. Cheri knew she had about fifteen seconds before he attacked, maybe less. He was moving faster now, almost running. “Gage, stop!” The command in her screaming voice issued no room for noncompliance. “This is my fight, not yours.” As if slapped, Gage halted. Resistance burned in his eyes, but he flung his hands down at his sides as if defeated. Cheri almost smiled. There was no doubt she’d found the right man for her. Gage wasn’t afraid to let her be a woman. Glancing around, she realized it had become like she were a bad actor in a really awful play. She had an audience staring at her, stunned. No one said a word, their eyes following the dramatics occurring. Hot embarrassment flooded Cheri. Since she’d arrived on this island, she’d made more of a fool of herself than in her whole life. In a place like this, there was no hiding anything. Oh, well. She had bigger things to worry over than her pride. She turned back to Joe, raising her brows. “Well?” Then an idea hit her. “In fact, let’s make it a competition. We’ll all three go upstairs again and see who can please me the most.” Joe’s eyes widened, glazing over with shock. Golden streaks darted through their depths. He was definitely surprised. But Cheri couldn’t tell if she had called his bluff or not. She wasn’t quite sure she could go through another threesome. Besides, she wanted no one

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but Gage. To let another man touch her would be sickening. Nervousness crept through her, and she folded her arms up under her chest. Doing her best to push away the worry in her, she looked him straight in the eye, daring him with everything she’d had in her. His red tongue ran over his wide lips as he shook his head. “Forget it.” Joe’s hands slung down, his eyes following. “I guess I’m too stubborn to know when I’m beat.” With depressed strides, he started to walk away. His shoulders slumped, his head hung. Yet, there was a certain edge to his strides. One that told Cheri this man was never really beat. He never really gave in. Joe was not the type to accept defeat. Cheri knew it was either solve this now or always have it haunt her. She stepped after Joe, not willing to let it go. Not until it was really over. “I’m a little disappointed, Joe. Are you sure?” He stopped in his tracks, turning around. “You have my vote, Cheri, if that’s what you want. I’m not just mule-headed; I’m cocky. I really liked you, Cheri, and I’d hoped ... it doesn’t matter. Gage or no Gage, you’re simply too bold for me.” He lifted his chin, a flat, ironic smile on his lips, and nodded to Gage. “To the better man.” With that, he pushed his way through the crowd and disappeared from the courtyard. Cheri sucked in a deep breath, turning slowly toward Gage. Their eyes met, locking. Like a rope was tied between them and being slowly pulled in, the intensity they shared drew them together. With slow steps, the distance between them closed until they stood face to face. “You’re always making a scene, sugar.” A deep, forgiving chuckle rippled from Gage and broke the tension. All around them, laughter began to bubble up. They both glanced at their onlookers, the quick look cluing them in to the play’s end. Slowly, everyone began to go about their own business again. “I have to do something for excitement.” She gave him an ornery smile and shrugged. “Can we make a deal?” His arms wrapped around her, holding her. “Depends.”

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Playfully she slapped his arm. “You will. Or else.” “Woman ...” he warned, amusement in his voice. “Really, Gage.” Seriousness took over her voice. “You forget what happened with Joe, and I forget what happened with Heather. As if it never happened. We’ll all be for the better for it.” Gage licked his sexy lips in the most tantalizing way, his eyes devouring her. “Deal.” His finger ran along her cheek, caressing her softly. “Now come dance with me.” “Depends.” Cheri encircled his waist, grasping his firm rear. She gyrated her hips, rubbing her sex against him. He played suspicious. “On what?” “On if we can go upstairs after that.” Gage chuckled. “Always, sugar. Always.” His upper lip curled as he gazed down upon her. Slowly, inch by tortuous inch, his mouth came down on hers. His lips swept her into a fiery embrace, his tongue swooping into her mouth. He cupped her rear, lifting her as their kiss heated.

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Epilogue

Gage sat, threading another pearl on the strand. For four weeks he had worked, finally having a purpose for the pearls. He was making Cheri a necklace to present to her when he asked her to speak vows with him. Unbelievable as it was, he had found love again. He would not let it go. The glistening pearl settled onto the strand next to the others. There was only a few more to go and he’d be finished. Thank God. The process of drilling the holes and threading them was meticulous. Plus, he’d had to dive for more. But Cheri was worth every second, every peril. Together they’d come to realize one very important thing: Better to have the time together, to relish in their love and their life, than to live in a void and never know. Yes, with everything came risk, but life was not worth living without pleasure. Should anything happen to one of them, they at least had had their time together. He used a thin metal pin he had salvaged from one of the planes to drill a hole in another pearl. The bead rolled in his fingers, challenging him to hold it still as he worked. A frustrated sigh escaped him, and for a moment he wanted to give it up for the day. Then he heard gentle footsteps.

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Suddenly, Cheri burst through the flap. Panic swept over him, his heart suddenly racing as if a defibrillator had been put to his chest. He dropped everything, hopping up and trying to sit on it. Damnation! After all this work, he didn’t need her seeing it. He ... A knot formed in his throat as he looked at her. Frantic tears cascaded down her face, her eyes red and her now tan cheeks paling. Her whole body shook in violent quakes. Concern knotted in his guts. He held out his arms. “What’s the matter, sugar?” “It’s impossible!” She fell into his hold, moaning. “What is?” He stroked away hot tears, hating to see her so upset. “I’m too old!” Gage couldn’t help but laugh. That was what she was crying about? What in the hell was she talking about, anyway? “Forty-one isn’t too bad, sugar. I think you’re damn hot.” Her whole body went still, her shaking stopped. It was as if the world stopped spinning for a moment. A cloud of warning hovered in that moment, thick and heavy. Something big was coming. “Gage.” Her voice went blunt as she spat the news. “I think I might be pregnant.” Gage froze, stunned. His mind fell to mush, and he couldn’t even open his mouth, much less speak.

How could it be? “I mean, I’m much too young for menopause yet. But I’m forty-one years old and having a baby? I was looking forward to grandkids.” It came out in a flurry of frantic rambling, her upset voice suddenly like music to his ears. She paused again, and then her voice fell soft. “Matt thinks Heather is pregnant, too.” A smile widened on his face as the shock dissipated. After all these years, he had a family. He would have a son. Or daughter. Didn’t matter which, so long as they were happy and healthy.

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Alyssa Brooks

A child! And Cheri? How had his life suddenly turned too good to be true? But he knew. He looked to the heavens and thanked his angel, Jenny. Somehow, someway, he knew she’d had her hand in this. It was just like her to make sure he was happy. Finally he was free from the bad memories, from the regrets, from the longing. It was as if his life had just begun. He wanted to get up and dance. To sing and shout. To go crazy with his happiness. He cupped her cheeks, smacking her with a great big kiss. “This is ... is ... so great! Damnation. It’s perfect.” Cheri pulled back, lifting her chin. Her eyes met his, little sparks of joy beginning to dance in her eyes. “Really?” How could she doubt it? “Oh, my God, yes.” Swept away with elation, he lifted her up to swing her around. Then it hit him: she was pregnant. He ceased suddenly and set her back down. “Careful. We have to be careful.” His hand went to her flat stomach where his child now grew. Slowly, a smile broadened on her face. She cocked her head to one side, as if totally perplexed. “I thought you’d be upset. I didn’t think you wanted ...” He held up his hand and stopped her. There would never be a more perfect moment. “It’s all I want.” From under him, he pulled out the unfinished strand of shimmering pearls. Rainbows of color radiated from their gleaming white as he placed it at her neck. “It isn’t quite finished yet, but close. A few more pearls and it will be complete, just as we are now. Will you, Cheri, take vows with me?” Her smile did not falter. “How could I say no?”

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Alyssa Brooks If there is one thing Alyssa Brooks believes, it is that the world is at her fingertips. She wants to touch, taste, and experience everything, from haunted castles to tropical islands, to skydiving or swimming with the dolphins. Knowledge is her power, and books are her escape. Every day, writing takes her on a new adventure to wherever she wants to go. But wherever it may be, she likes it exciting and she likes it HOT. At the age of twenty-four, Alyssa has multiple erotic romances e-published. When she isn’t writing new fantasies for her beloved fans, her time is spent freelance editing. In those rare moments when she isn’t working, she pleasures in her number one hobby, her husband. She also enjoys gardening, and hiking. To find out more about Alyssa’s books, visit her website at www.alyssabrooks.com. To email her, send to [email protected].

***** Read on for a tantalizing glimpse of

Handle Me With Care by Diane Charles Linford Available Now from Loose Id

Handle Me With Care I blushed. To cover my embarrassment, I got up to pour some more wine. Since he so thoroughly enjoyed my cooking, I invited Stephen to stay for dessert. “Wonderful,” he said beaming at me. “What have you got?” “How about hot fudge over peaches and cream,” I answered, coming back to the table. I took his plate and placed it in the sink, and then I walked back behind him again. Without thinking, I put my hands on his large shoulders and gently massaged his muscles. Against my small hands, the rippling muscles under his shirt seemed massive. “Have I had that combination before?” he asked, and I heard the smile in his voice. I grinned in response. “Maybe.” I bent low, finding his lips with mine. I cupped his face, deepening the kiss, and suddenly we were all warm and wet and eagerly exploring each other's mouths. Our actions became an accurate expression of what had happened between the two of us the night before. I think Stephen was taken by surprise by my passion! I could tell he was stimulated by the way his pants stretched against his now bulging crotch. What a startling reminder of the gentle ardor of our closeness and the mesmerizing dalliances of the time we'd shared together last night. I suddenly realized that we were wasting time. “Forget dessert,” I said. “Let's fuck.” “God. Who knew you could be so persuasive?” Okay, what you've got to understand is that our second time somehow turned out to be pretty much my own doing, or was it my undoing? I'm the one who invited Stephen to my place for dinner. I'm the one who somehow managed to undo every single button on that young man's shirt in the time it took to complete two or three kisses. I'm the one who encouraged him to carefully remove my clothing while I hurriedly continued to take off his. God, he smelled delicious. He smelled like ... like passion, only different -- sweeter maybe.

Diane Charles Linford

I guess what the girls at my high school used to say is true: “If you rip your clothes off in front of a man, there's a damn good chance that you'll end up on your back under him.” Yeah, well, okay, so that's rather obvious. But for some unknown reason, I was pursuing Stephen intimately once again. I led him back to my bedroom. We had carried each of our drinks into the bedroom. I carefully balanced my wine glass in one hand, while I unbuttoned Stephen's shirt with the other. He kissed me, pulling back only long enough to help me by taking my glass. He placed our drinks on the nightstand, and then reached, caressing the outline of my nipple under my blouse. Undoing my blouse buttons, he gently began massaging my tits. I closed my eyes and let my head tilt back, trembling under his knowing caress. With a bold move, my hands went to his belt and pants. I felt as if I were someone else watching my fingers undo his slacks. I undid his zipper and his pants slid down his dark legs. He slipped out of his shoes, and his pants followed. He stepped clear of them and kicked them off to one side. I moved my hand over his head, pulling him closer to my tits, as his tongue swept across my nipple. Forget about sucking; Stephen feasted on my breast like a man half-starved. With light nips and long, languid tongue strokes, he worked his way up my neck until he reached my parted lips. He captured them in a possessive kiss that stole my breath and left my heart thumping in my chest. “Lyss,” he whispered, nibbling the corner of my mouth, “I prayed for this moment to happen between us again.” “I guess I hadn't thought of this as a religious experience. But I wasn't going to let you leave tonight without getting another piece of you.” “That's something else we have in common,” he replied. “We think alike.” Stephen kissed me again as I reached down and groped the tempting flesh of his hip, stroking my hand up and down his muscular legs. He stood totally naked in front of me now,

Handle Me With Care as our lips met again and remained locked for several moments. My tongue met his, as his cock pushed into my tummy. I broke the kiss; glancing down, I drank in the sight of his enormous shaft, pressing so intimately against me. Cautiously, I placed my hand around its thickness. “Put both of your hands around it, Lyss. Hold it tight. Feel the veins, sweetheart. Rub your hand around the head.” I took a sharp intake of breath, and did as he suggested. I slowly moved my hands around its giant mushroom-like head, and played along the bottom of his shaft with my fingertips. “Remember how it felt last night deep inside your pussy.” I groaned an incoherent response. “Your fingers are trembling,” he murmured. “I hope that doesn't mean you're afraid of me.” “No, I'm trembling because I want you.” I felt as if I'd slipped into a trance, as Stephen sat on the edge of the bed and pulled me down on top of his lap. I straddled his legs while his cock pointed straight up between us. Stephen cupped my breasts, lightly balanced each one as if he were weighing them against each other. He bent down to lick each nipple as I placed my hand on the back of his head to hold him close. He stopped sucking my nipples long enough to kiss my lips again as I urgently threw my arms around him. Ferociously, I worked my tongue inside his warm mouth. When I broke free, both of us were breathing heavily. “Wow,” I gasped. “That was sensational, baby.” “A powerful, magical word, that one,” he murmured. “What?” But he answered me by kissing me once again.

Diane Charles Linford

Breathing hard now, I gyrated my hips, moving my ass around his lap while keeping up our passionate kiss. I took his dick in my hand, pumping it lightly. Suddenly, Stephen fell backwards, pulling me down next to him on the bed. “You just keep thinking of that powerful, magical word, while I move on to what I want.” He rolled me over to one side and kissed me again. “Wha--?” I dropped my head back on the pillow, as he cut off my words with a kiss. After a moment, he pulled back. “I need to taste your pussy, sweet-pants.” His dark hands descend my pale belly and I stared, hypnotized by the contrast. “I want to tenderize those luscious loins with my mouth and tongue.” Stephen smiled an engaging smile. “This will be an experience neither of us will ever forget.” I think my eyes went wide. My ex-husband hated anything to do with cunnilingus so I hadn't experienced that particular pleasure in years. “Climb on top of my face and hold onto the headboard.”

***** What people are saying about

Handle Me With Care I highly recommend this book for the wonderful love that blooms between these characters. In addition, I strongly recommend this book for the super-nova sex scenes that were perfectly placed and carried an impact with every thrust! Handle Me With Care balances cultural differences, romance and sex perfectly! -- Julie Esparza, Just Erotic Romance Reviews Sensual and compelling, Handle Me With Care strikes just the right balance of mystery and romance. I was glued to the page from start to finish. -- Stephanie Vaughan, author of Jumping the Fence (Loose Id)