Falling From Grace (Leverage 3.5)

“Are you okay?” he asked once they were in his Jeep and heading to his place.

“I’m good. Just taking in the sights,” she lied.

“It’s breathtaking,” he agreed easily, obviously proud of his new zip code and with good reason. This island made the prettiest places in L.A. look like landfills. “The first time I stepped off the ferry, all I did was stare. I mean, I was overwhelmed with the sights and smells and I think I fell in love. Oh, and if you look, chances are you’ll find an iguana hanging out on a tree because they’re everywhere.”

“Iguanas? As in giant lizards?”

“The very same. The babies are cute; the adult sized are…well, they poop everywhere.”

She fake grimaced because it was gross but honestly, this place was so wonderful, she could forgive a little iguana poop. “I love it,” she told him, beaming. “I’m so glad you dragged me here.”

“Wait until you see Larimar,” he said. “It’s probably the nicest resort on the island.”

“And that’s where you stay?” she asked, confused. “Isn’t that expensive?”

“Lindy and her family own Larimar. When I needed a place to stay, they offered up a bungalow for a really cheap rate. At first I figured I’d just stay temporarily until I got my own place but honestly, I never wanted to leave. Private beach, home-cooked meals and good company — it’s heaven on earth.”

“That’s a pretty sweet deal,” she murmured in agreement as they pulled into the upscale resort and climbed from the Jeep. Wow. This was something else. Like something out of a movie, she thought as they walked into an airy lobby and Miles extended a breezy, familiar hello to the thin, pretty woman behind the counter.

“Hello sweetness,” he said, pressing a quick kiss on the woman’s cheek. “Did I miss anything good?”

“You’ve only been gone two days,” she reminded him then brightened saying, “Oh! But I think I’ve deciphered some of the twins’ secret language.” Her gaze shifted to Dani with curiosity. “And who’s your friend?”

“My name’s Danielle St. Claire,” she answered, bypassing Miles and saving him from an awkward introduction. “You have a lovely resort.”

“Thank you! We seem to think so, too. Will you be needing a room or will you be staying with Miles?”

This time Miles answered, “She’ll be staying with me” but before the woman could ask more questions, he grinned and started walking again, forcing Dani to hurry and follow. They passed through double doors to a walkway behind the resort that lead to a series of detached bungalows and all Dani could do was stare in wonder.

“Unfreaking-believable. You live in paradise.”

“Yep.” Miles went to the last one and used his key. The door opened up to palm tree printed canvas and rattan furniture, big open windows that let in all that wonderful Caribbean air, and a sweet little kitchen with all the amenities.

“Whoa. No wonder you never wanted to leave,” she said, wandering around, taking it all in. She probably should’ve waited until invited but she wanted to see every inch of his place and walked into his bedroom, gasping at the gorgeous California King bed with the mosquito netting draped along the four-poster frame. Oh heaven…why was it so easy to imagine doing terribly dirty things to each other on that bed? Tie me up, tie me down…her cheeks flared with heat and she turned away abruptly just as Miles followed her. She hustled away from him and poked her head into the master bathroom and actually squealed a little when she saw the open air shower. “Are you freaking kidding me?” she exclaimed, rushing to the beautiful shower and stepping inside. Climbing foliage created a sufficient wall to prevent prying eyes and the entire shower was made with natural stone that was smooth beneath her feet. “I am so showering in this amazing thing,” she told him without apology. “I’ve always dreamed of using an open air shower. Feels very Tarzan and Jane, you know?”

He laughed and pulled her from the shower. “At first it feels weird but you get used to it,” he told her and they walked back to the bedroom area. It was then she realized it was a one-bedroom bungalow and she knew that was what he was going to address next. “Okay, so here’s the deal, I will take the couch and you can take the bed. So no worries about anything inappropriate going on.”

“Who said I was worried?” she asked, almost coyly with a hint of playfulness to test the waters. He gave her a stern look and she nodded, dialing it back. “Thank you. I know how uncomfortable this must be for you.”

“It’s…” he exhaled as if not quite sure how to respond. “It’s not that it’s uncomfortable but it’s a bit awkward. We haven’t been in the same room together, much less slept within the same twenty feet, in over a year and the last time we spoke, it wasn’t as if our break up was amicable.”

“I know. That’s why I want you to know that I appreciate everything you’re doing. I really do.”

He nodded and then shaking off the seriousness of the moment, brightened with a grin that did terrible things to her insides. Was he the most adorable man on the planet? “Ready for that burger I promised?”

“God, yes. I’m starved.”

“All right, let’s do it then. Drop your bags and let’s hit the town.”

He didn’t have to ask her twice. At this point, she was ready to feel normal again, even if it meant ignoring every instinct telling her to beware…that way lies heartache.

-6-

After finishing the world's best burger just as Miles had promised, Dani was ready to see more of the island. She knew it wasn't a vacation but it was hard not to be completely taken in by the exotic locale. “I know I said I wanted to try to boiled bananas but I think I'm too full to stuff another thing in my mouth just yet so can we hit the beach and maybe work off some of this lunch?”

“Sure,” he said, grinning. “Do we need to go back to my place to get your bathing suit?”

“Nope, I'm going to buy a new one,” she decided. “I saw a cute little shop just around the corner. You mind if we pop in there so I can take a look?”

“Lead the way. Far be it for me to get in the way of a woman shopping.”

She squealed and did a little tap dance with her toes, more excited than she’d been in years. She was dangerously close to jumping up and hugging Miles but she held back the impulse, not wanting to ruin the moment. Miles paid the bill and they walked to the shop that she’d seen. Within moments she had a new bathing suit, a beach towel and even some sunscreen and they were ready to hit the beach.

“The island isn't very big but it has some of the top beaches in the world,” Miles explained as they drove. “And because it’s the off-season, we should have the beaches to ourselves.”

She smiled, ready to dunk herself in the water. “I can't wait.”

Within the blink of an eye they were parking along the side of the road and picking through the dense undergrowth to get to the beach. Just as Miles had promised, the beach was empty. All she could do was stare in wonder. “This is amazing. Even in the off-season in Hawaii the beaches have people on them.”

“Not here. Technically it's hurricane season. Not many people want to brave the potential weather.”

“Hurricane weather?” She looked up at the blue skies. “If this is hurricane weather, I'll move here in a minute.”