He held onto her for a minute longer, but she unwrapped herself and pushed away. “Race you back to shore.” She swam back and sat down on the sand to let the sun warm and dry her. Mike stayed in the water, splashing, diving, and swimming.
She watched him—now he looked even more a native. Give him a couple of months here, he’d be as dark as a local and with that dark hair of his, he’d fit right in. A lot of the locals had a mix of French and European background, so his blue eyes would be startling, but not all that unusual. She gave a sigh—he was a guy who fit in anywhere, it seemed. While she always felt like she was an outsider looking in.
He stood up in the surf and grinned at her, his teeth a bright, white flash. Her heart tightened.
Standing, she started to brush the sand off her skin.
No way was she going to develop feelings for Mike. He had a life that didn’t involve her or the island. They were going to have a good time—for now. And that was it.
She pulled on her shorts and shirt. Mike strode out of the water, dripping, his skin glistening. He looked good enough to eat.
He grabbed his shorts and stared at her. “I don’t see any sparks of fire directed at me.”
She put her chin up. “While you’re here, we might as well enjoy each other’s company.”
He waved a hand between them. “Is this like that ‘we’re both adults’ speech, ‘cause I have to tell you from my side of things, that didn’t go so well.”
A knot tightened in her chest. “So you don’t want to enjoy whatever time we have?”
He pressed his lips tight. And he dropped his shorts. “Come here.”
Crossing her arms, she shook her head. “Always with the orders. How about you come here?”
“You might not like it if I do?”
Chin lifting, she smiled. “And now with the threats. You must think the world jumps when you say you want something.”
Smiling, he advanced on her. He swept her up into his arms and started to wade into the surf. “Mike! Mike—you’re going to get me wet.”
Stopping, he asked, “No use fighting it anymore?”
The surf pushed at his legs and washed spray up on her. “Nope. No more.”
“You sure?”
She nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Now take me back to shore. Please, Mike.”
“I like it when you’re nice to me.” He kissed her and carried her back. Putting her down on the sand, he kissed her again, and swatted her backside.
“What was that for?” she asked and stepped away.
“For making me come over there.”
She threw him his shirt. “And what if I liked that?”
“Then there’ll be more later.”
He pulled on his shorts but left his shirt hanging open. Holding hands, they headed back up to the hotel. At the front, Karen glanced up and saw the lights on in the main room. For an instant, she couldn’t breathe. She knew what that meant—the power had come back on. Mike would be leaving all too soon.
Chapter Fifteen
Forcing a smile, she dropped Mike’s hand and waved at the hotel. “Looks like civilization is back—power’s on again. There’s a computer in my office. I’ll get you logged on as soon as I put the paint away.”
Mike grabbed for her hand, but she slipped away from him. She nodded at the hotel. “Go on. You’ll probably want to change into your suit.”
He stepped in front of her. “You know, it’s going to be a few days probably before I can arrange a flight out of here.”
She nodded and shrugged. “Told you, no strings.”