Saria walked upstairs to room 410, punched the code into the lock then stepped inside. Sunshine streamed into the room through the sheer white nets and played its lacy pattern over the cream and gold striped wallpaper. The open window next to the ranch slider blew the nets inward and circulated the sweet aroma from the pink bougainvillea trailing along the deck’s handrail. She crossed to the bed, sat and patted the brown and golden leafed bedcovers. “This is nice. What’d ya think?”
“The bed looks comfy.” Ben shoved one hand in the pocket of his black denim shorts as he strolled around the room. “The window is security latched. You’ll be able to leave it open as you please.”
“What about the balcony? Can trespassers get in?”
He stepped outside, peered over the balustrade then returned. “It’s all good. No one can swing in here uninvited. Thanks for giving the doctor my card by the way. Did you sort out what you needed to with him?”
“I tried. I wanted to get another injection. You have to have them every three months to maintain protection.” She really didn’t want to have to explain all this girl stuff to him, but he deserved to know what she’d found out. “Apparently my timing is a little out, but not by much. Now I have to wait until my next cycle starts before I can get it done.”
“Which means what?” He paled.
“Nothing major.” She poked her head into the bathroom. Lovely soothing colors of peach and cream greeted her, as well as a massive mirror along one wall, which reflected the bedroom and Ben towering behind her. “The chances of me falling pregnant are incredibly slim. The protection I was on usually has an overlapping period of a week or so, and it’s not like we’re doing it anymore. I simply should’ve had the shot before I sailed. That’s all.”
“You’re sure it’s nothing?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then let’s get some fresh air and take a walk.” He tugged her out the door, jabbed the elevator button then steered her inside. From the v-neckline of his black shirt, he swiped his sunglasses hanging over one edge and slid them on.
“Where are we going for this walk?”
“The beach,” he answered.
“Great. I have my bikini on underneath. I’d love a swim.” The elevator doors opened onto the ground floor and she raced ahead. Instead of taking the main entrance, she snuck out the side door leading to the meadow, which would bypass the crowds.
“The jungle is this way, not the beach.” Ben marched behind her.
“Dr. Hika and I walked out here the other day. Luke turned up and showed me a small gap in the trees. There’s a path to the beach, but it’s a tight fit.”
“I’d rather do something which doesn’t require me watching you strip down to two flimsy pieces of material. Bikinis should be outlawed, particularly on you.”
“You’ve seen me in less. I think you can handle a little of my bare skin.” She shuffled through the thin gap between the bushes and down onto the beach. “It’s less populated here too.”
“You go for a swim, and I’ll”—his cell phone beeped and he pulled it out of his pocket—“answer this.” He turned away. “Hammers. Yeah, I’m still in the islands with the girls. What’s up, Gilchrist?”
She lifted her cream tank top over her head, tossed it onto the sand then tightened the top ties of her bikini. Four or five hundred feet offshore, waves broke over a short coral reef. Two men sitting at the stern of a small boat tanked up then flipped off the back end and disappeared under the water. She had to go diving along this reef while she was here. It would be so much fun. She shimmied out of her pink skirt, dropped it on top of her shirt then walked into the gloriously warm water.
Ben paced the beach as he continued his conversation with Gilchrist. She waved and he groaned. So stubborn. Sure, they weren’t well-matched when it came to what they wanted in life, but in every other way, they were. If only he’d take a chance with her.
She walked in then at waist-depth, dived. Stunning blue starfish graced the sandy bottom while multicolored tropical fish darted around and snuck close as if hoping for a feed. Next time she came swimming, she’d bring some bread or fish food.
After coming up for air, she dove again then kicked out toward the reef. A swish of sand plumed on the base as a stingray far below shot off. It glided along to a clear spot and settled again. The ocean was alive and so beautiful. She swam to the surface and floated on her back.