Mary Lynn - Totally Tempting

“How’s your head?”

“Still on my shoulders. From now on, I’ll have one drink and stop, no matter how good it tastes to me.”

They continued to swim parallel to the beach, Dean keeping pace with her. Eventually they waded toward the shore together and continued walking until they reached their towels. He quickly dried off and waited for her to gather her things.

“What would you like to do this evening?”

There was a provocative question if she’d ever heard one. “You don’t have to entertain me while we’re here, you know.”

“True, but we’ve both got to eat and I’d prefer not to eat alone.”

“That makes sense, I guess,” she replied. “Do you have someplace in mind?”

“Actually I do. I ate there the last time I was here and the Polynesian food is well prepared. If you’ve never tried it, you’re in for a treat.”

They stepped inside the elevator.

Finally she nodded. “All right. Thank you for suggesting it.”

That evening Jodie looked around the softly lit room, the hurricane lamps on each table making an oasis of light. “You’re right,” she said to Dean, “this is a great place with a distinct atmosphere.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Do you like the food I ordered?”

“It’s different but really good. Thanks for bringing me.” She sipped her iced tea. “How should I behave toward your prospective client tomorrow?”

He studied her for a moment in silence. Finally he said, “No striptease, no hula and no playing the ukulele.”

“Striptease? I’ve never done anything like that in my—” She stopped. “You’re teasing me again.”

“Can’t resist. You’re so much fun to watch when you react.”

“Fine. Just for that, I’ll take my ukulele and sing all through lunch.”

“You can sing?”

“No.”

“A threat then.”

“Very much a threat.”

“You’ll do fine tomorrow. You know our business very well. Speaking of which, once we get back, I’m going to talk to Frank Godfrey about putting you into his department as soon as possible rather than waiting until you graduate. We’re only talking about a few months. So treat tomorrow like a training session as I present what we have to offer and answer Furukawa’s questions.”

“You’re going to promote me now?”

“Not this minute, no. But when we get back to the office I’ll start the ball rolling.”

“That’s wonderful news! Thank you so much.”

“Don’t thank me. Frank’s a good supervisor and he’ll work you hard learning how we go about providing the necessary equipment to keep our clients secure.”

Over dessert and coffee Jodie asked, “Why are you promoting me now?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you don’t have a secretary lined up to replace me, for one thing.”

He groaned. “Don’t remind me. But that shouldn’t take too long.”

“Well, um…”

“Why do you make such a point that I’m difficult to work for?”

“Because you are difficult to work for. Or have you forgotten how many secretaries walked out on you before I was hired?”

He pulled his earlobe and looked uncomfortable. “I’ve mellowed since then.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

“Haven’t I?”

“You’ve mellowed because I learned how you like to work.”

“That doesn’t sound too hard.”

“That’s true. It doesn’t.” She looked around. “Shall we go?”

“Wait a minute. I’m missing something here, Jodie. Tell me.”

“You want your office to run smoothly. I know your likes and dislikes enough to anticipate how and what you want, that’s all.”

“In other words, you can read my mind.”

“Not at all.”

“That’s good to know considering some of my thoughts while on this trip.”

A burst of heat engulfed her and she knew she’d turned a fiery red. Jodie picked up her water glass and drank. When she had emptied the glass, she studied it without looking up.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

Why should he apologize when she certainly wouldn’t want him to learn of any of her thoughts these past few days?

“It’s all right.”

He brushed his fingers across the back of her hand. “No, it isn’t. I’ve made you uncomfortable around me and that’s the last thing I want. You’re right. It’s time to go.”

They drove back to the condo listening to music. Once inside the condo, Jodie said, “If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go to bed.”

“Of course. Sleep well.”

Dean watched her walk out of the room, still irritated with himself. What was the matter with him, coming on to her like this? He’d been off balance where she was concerned since he’d first seen her at the airport.

He wandered over to the window and looked out. The view continued to be spectacular, even at night. While he stood there, he thought about their trip to Oahu the next day.

In an airplane.

In a small airplane.

Of course, Jodie knew they would have to fly. From what he remembered, the flight was a short one. They barely got into the air before it was time to land. The small plane could make the experience a little bumpy since the pilot flew at a reasonably low altitude.

Perhaps the flight here from Chicago had helped to allay her fears about flying. He could only hope.

One look at her face the next morning and he knew his hope had been futile. Not that she said anything. However, despite the slight tan she’d gotten thus far on the trip, she was a pasty white. Not a good sign.

Without a word, he poured her a cup of coffee. He’d been up since dawn and had already had several cups.

“Thank you,” she murmured, immediately picking up the cup and sipping.

He waited until she set the cup down and then casually asked, “How are you this morning?”

“Okay,” she said quietly.

“I believe our flight leaves in a couple of hours.”

She didn’t comment.

“Jodie?”

Startled, she looked at him. “Yes?”

“Are you nervous about the flight?”

“How did you know?”

“I remembered you were a little nervous—” there was an understatement if he’d ever made one “—on our flights here.”

She nodded. “I don’t mind it once we get in the air and level out. It’s the taking off and landing that bothers me.”

“Unfortunately that’s what we’ll be doing this morning.”

“Oh. Well, of course.”

“Why don’t we go downstairs and get some breakfast. Are you up for that?”

“Okay.”

She didn’t sound at all certain.

While they ate, he chatted about the office and some projects he was working on, trying to keep her mind off her upcoming ordeal. She responded in monosyllables.

Finally he said, “I thought we might go to the Big Island tomorrow. It will mean another short flight, but I’ve been told the volcano is something to behold.”

She went from pasty white to an interesting color of green.

“Of course, if you don’t want to go…”

“That’s fine. Really. Whatever you want to do is fine with me.”

Sure it was.

Dean checked his watch. “We should head for the airport soon. Do you need to go back to the condo?”

She shook her head.

Today she looked like the secretary he’d known for years. She had her hair pinned up—he hadn’t realized how much he liked to see it down until now—and wore a lightweight suit. She looked like a business professional despite her pallor. Unfortunately for his peace of mind, he had the vision of her in a swimsuit and wearing a sarong. He would never view his efficient secretary in the same way now that he’d gotten to know her better.

She must have been hurt badly by the jerk she’d thought would be her husband. How else could he explain to himself the subdued person he’d known for the past five years?