touch my heart (11 page)

Aaliyah was there waiting.

When he reached Aaliyah, she bent down to scratch the dog behind his ears. Nugget looked up at her with utter adoration.

He shook his head, wondering if he wasn’t doing the same thing. He was convinced he was staring at her with his own look of admiration.

“Well, I’m ready. Lead the way and I’ll follow. I hope the path to the beach isn’t too rocky. I wouldn’t want you to hurt your leg.”

“I’ll be fine,” he replied. “I know this area like the back of my hand. There are steps going down to the beach. I’ve been down a few times. It wasn’t easy, but I made it.”

They walked along the cliff’s face, watching Nugget’s antics as he stopped to examine every hole he passed.

The trip down the steps leading to the hidden cove took longer than he’d expected, but part of the enjoyment was walking behind Aaliyah and admiring the nice curve of her behind.

* * *

The beach was empty. She’d noticed his sigh of relief when he saw that no one was there. He’d informed her that on the island, beaches could not be privately owned, a government policy.

She knew that people being around was one of the reasons he’d hesitated when she’d first asked. While Dominic was fit, his body well toned, his abs forming a solid six-pack, one leg was noticeably smaller than the other. But she’d already noticed the hint of rebuilding muscle tone. The few scars, a result of the accident and surgery, had faded and were hardly noticeable.

“We won’t go in the water today. Just walk on the sand. Because the sand is soft, it’ll force you to use your leg muscles even more. Ready to walk?”

“Not going in the water?” He folded his arms in defiance.

“We can walk a bit in the water, but I promise we’ll go completely in next time. I just need to make sure your leg is strong enough.”

After walking a few laps up and down the beach, she suggested they return to the house.

He stopped. “Do we have to leave now?” he asked. “We could chill on the beach for a bit. We don’t have anything to do for the rest of the day.”

“Where?”

“Over there,” he replied, pointing out a row of almond trees.

She picked her gym bag up and wrapped a towel around her waist. She wished that Dominic would do the same thing. Since he’d taken off the shorts, the green-and-black close-fitting trunks did little to hide the generous bulge. Her eyes seemed to have a mind of their own, focused in on his crotch.

When he reached for his shorts and slipped them over the trunks, she sighed in relief.

She didn’t want to spend the rest of their time on the beach having naughty thoughts.

When she reached the shade of the trees, he waited until she spread her towel down and then lowered herself onto it.

He lowered himself next to her, his leg brushing against hers. She looked at him; he looked at her. Heat sizzled.

At the same time, Nugget, who’d disappeared on one of his hunting trips, reappeared, plopping himself down. He stuck his tongue out and promptly closed his eyes.

“He’s like a little kid,” Aaliyah said, laughing.

“Yes, he is. When I went for a day not taking him out, he refused to acknowledge me. He made sure I knew he was displeased.”

As if Nugget knew they were talking about him, his eyes peeped open. He looked at them solemnly and closed them again.

“I’ve learned my lesson,” Dominic said. “It definitely won’t happen again.”

With eyes still closed, Nugget’s tail thumped on the ground, causing sand to fly all around.

“I can tell you love it here.”

“I do, I love the quiet. But I still miss New York. I love the energy of my job. I’m not sure if when I return I won’t do things differently. But I know I’ve changed or should I say, I’m changing.”

“I don’t want to intrude, but could you tell me about the accident? What happened? I know you saved a little girl’s life, but I’d like to hear it from you.”

“You want to be my shrink now, too?” he replied.

She couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but she didn’t think he was annoyed.

“Lighten up,” he said. “I don’t like to talk about it much, but I want to tell you.”

“Thanks. I don’t want to be rude.”

“You aren’t. It’s natural to want to know.”

She nodded.

“It really wasn’t that much. I was heading home from work one night when I saw smoke rising from a townhouse in a Brooklyn neighborhood. I pulled into a parking space on the other side of the road, crossed over and saw a little boy standing there looking through the open door. He told me his sister was inside and his mom had gone to the store to get pizza.”

“She left them all alone.”

“Yes, she sure did. But I’m sure he felt she’d be back real fast,” he observed. “All I could think about was the little girl trapped inside. Without hesitation, I raced inside and climbed the stairs where her brother said she was. Fortunately, the flames were at the back of the house and I only had to worry about smoke. I didn’t know that smoke could be so thick.”

“You must have been scared.”

“I was while I looked for her, but I finally found her. She ran into my arms, I lifted her and started to head back down the stairs. By then, the flames were swirling up the stairs and I had no idea what to do. I tried the other direction, not sure if there was a way out, and then the flooring collapsed.”

“Oh, my God.”

“When I landed, I tried to break her fall, and then the ceiling opened and everything came tumbling down. I was able to push her out of the way before anything fell on her. However, a large piece of furniture landed on my left side, trapping me with its weight. The little girl got out and told them where to find me. However, by the time they came for me, I was unconscious. My left side had been damaged, and here I am.”

“But you saved the little girl’s life.”

“If I had to do it again, I’d still do it. The girl, Anna, came with her parents to visit me in the hospital. Despite this—” he indicated his hand “—I have no regrets doing what I did.”

“I’m proud of you,” she said.

He looked across at her. “It was nothing.”

“That’s your thinking, but I’m sure that little girl and her parents don’t see it as nothing.”

“I suppose.”

She didn’t push the issue. He clearly failed to see that what he had done was a reflection of his nature, the person he was.

She glanced down at her watch. “It’s getting late and I’m getting hungry.” Ironically, his stomach took that precise moment to growl.

“Seems like you are, too.” She giggled girlishly, getting to her feet and reaching her hand out to help him up.

He took her hand. The familiar heat caused her lips to go dry. Their eyes met. Then Nugget barked, and they both looked down.

The moment was lost, but they were both aware of the shimmering tension between them.

“Let’s get to the house. I’m starving.”

* * *

That night, after a quiet dinner in her room, Aaliyah exited the house, heading toward the secluded garden where she’d been with Dominic the night before.

She pushed the gate, entering cautiously, but there was no one there. She was glad to be alone.

What was happening? She’d come to the island for a new start, a new beginning, and instead she found herself experiencing feelings she was not sure she wanted. Was she falling in love or was it a mere attraction? Was she feeling sorry for him and his ordeal? Or was it more? All these questions bombarded her, but the answers didn’t drop out of the sky when she looked upward. Instead, she saw thousands of stars twinkling.

Well, she was the one who wanted change, and that was exactly what she was getting.

But was she being disloyal to Andrew? He’d just passed away a few short years ago and here she was lusting after someone. A wave of guilt washed over her. Since Andrew’s death, she’d felt no interest in anyone...until now.

Instead, she would lay awake at night, tossing and turning and thinking of Andrew’s gentle lovemaking. He’d not been a passionate individual. Their love had been the quiet, gentle kind. That was what she’d needed at the time. She had no need to experience the wild emotion that took her breath way and made her ache all over.

Those were the type of feelings that led to mistakes and heartache. She didn’t want that and that was what any involvement with Dominic would result in. He was her total opposite. He was intense, passionate and wild. She’d felt his intense energy in his kiss. She could only imagine what would happen if she were to make love with him.

He’d make love to her and then leave her wanting more...and more.

The hairs at her nape stood up. Her heart quickened its pace.

She felt him, even before he spoke.

“It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it? Besides an island sunset, there is nothing more majestic than a night like this. Crystal-clear moon and the freshness of an ocean breeze.”

She didn’t respond, wondering how such poetry could flow from his lips.

“I’m so sorry. I must have intruded on your quietude. I often come here when I want some peace and quiet myself.”

“I can see why. I can feel the magic.”

“You believe in magic?”

She thought about his question. “To be honest, I’ve never really thought about it. It’s one of those things we say without even thinking about it.”

“But it does have meaning. Maybe the two of us are too cynical to see the beauty of it. Maybe I came here searching for magic or what appears to be magic. Have I found it? I’m not sure, but there is something special about this place.”

“I know what you mean,” she replied. “Even I feel it.”

“I feel it, too. Even what’s between us feels magical.”

“And crazy,” she added. “And wild.”

“You feel it, too?” he asked.

“I do.” She paused. “But I’m not sure I want to feel it. Not right now. I’m not ready for this.”

“But that’s the magic of it. The unexpected, the awe and surprise.”

“Times like this, I miss my husband most.”

“I’m sorry. You must have loved him a lot.”

“I did. He was my husband, but he was also my best friend. I met him when I was in foster care.”

“No wonder this—” he pointed at himself “—worries you.”

She did not respond.

“But you can’t go on mourning him. I’m sure he would want you to be happy.”

“I’m happy. Just not ready for involvement.”

For a while the conversation halted and all she could hear was the whisper of the wind and the sound of her heartbeat.

She leaned over to kiss him, her lips touching him tentatively. At first, he remained still and unresponsive. She then deepened the kiss, noticing that he’d relaxed and pressed against her.

And then he pushed her away, startling her with his reaction.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“This makes no sense to me. I’m not one for pity, and maybe that’s the reason you kissed me. Especially after saying you don’t have any need for me and that you still love your husband. So what’s in all of this for me? Are you trying to make me feel that I’m still a man?”

“Why would you think that, Dominic?”

“Because who wants a cripple as their true love? I know my limitations. Don’t know if I’d ever be good again.”

“You’re being ridiculous.”

“Then I think it is best I bid you good night. I’m heading up to bed. You enjoy the rest of your night.”

With that, he gave her a dull look and walked away.

She remained silent. A few minutes later, she heard Nugget’s strident barking.

She sat there, her mind troubled by things she did not want to think about.

She did not realize at first, but tears had begun to trickle down her cheeks.

Chapter 10

T
he clock struck midnight and she placed the book down. She could not sleep. The situation with Dominic had been going so well, but she could not think of the logic of her rejection. She knew it was more than what he said, but she could not for the life of her think of what it was.

She rose from the bed, heading to the shower. While the windows were open, the usual chill from the ocean seemed still and unmoving.

She turned the shower tap on, almost screaming in shock at the coldness of the water, but she endured, hoping the chilled water would give her relief from the heat she was experiencing inside.

When she was done, she lay on the bed, channeling her thoughts to brighter things, but still Dominic’s image came to mind.

She rose from the bed. She’d go to him. She needed to talk to him.

She walked swiftly along the corridor, her footsteps vibrating against the floor. She slowed her speed. She did not want to wake the whole household, but quickly remembered that Mrs. Clarke lived in the left wing of the house.

When she reached Dominic’s room, she knocked quietly. There was no response. After a few minutes, she turned to walk away, but heard the turning of the lock.

She turned around and he was standing there. Her heart stopped.

She could not breathe.

He was wearing an open robe, the belt hanging down. Her gaze lowered to where glimpses of his hair twirled upward. The thought of what lay beyond stirred her and she nearly moaned with her arousal. He felt the same way. She could tell. His lips were slightly parted and his eyes, smoldering with heat, lowered to her breasts. They strained against the sheer material of her nightgown.

“What are you doing here?”

“You know,” she replied, stepping boldly forward.

He did not move, only shifting the front of his gown to hide his arousal.

“What you said was not true. I miss my husband, but all I have are fond memories. I’ve been ready to move on for a while, but I’ve had no real reason to. But you have changed all of that.” She reached for his hand, placing his palm against the mound of her womanhood.

“Feel this. I feel something for you. I need to feel you.”

Despite his arousal, he hesitated. A fact that disappointed her, but when he stepped forward, she sighed in relief.

She melted against him, loving his firm, hard body. She placed her hands against his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart. There was something unexpectedly calming and exciting about the pulsing underneath. She felt an unexpected connection to him.