Absolute Love: A Hot, Romantic Suspense Series, Book 3 (The Carlisle Sisters) (4 page)

"This is marvelous!" she enthused, speaking loudly above the roar of the music.

"Isn't it?"
 
he replied.
 
"Tahiti has some of the tastiest food in the world."

"Yes, the food is wonderful but I meant this huge beach party, silly."

She pointed to the group of people dancing.

"It's wild," she continued. "I feel like I'm being drawn into it!"

"Maybe you are," he grinned, holding his hand out to her.
 

Before she knew it, London had helped her to her feet once again and was leading her into the throng of dancing people.
 
When they reached the center he spun her around then swung her out to his arm's length.
 
She laughed as she bounced to the beat of the music, allowing London to guide her every move.
 

London was a great dancer and he skillfully led her through every song.
 
He spun her and turned her and lifter her for what seemed like all night before bending her over his strong arm just as the music ended.
 
She squealed with delight as he slowly lifted her back to an erect position and they paused there, staring into the other's eyes.

Their moment was disrupted by the voice of the singer and Jennifer eased back to a comfortable distance as the man spoke.

"It's been a long, wonderful night and we thank you for coming!"
 
he said to the roaring crowd.
 
"This will be our last song and it's dedicated to all of the lovers out there.
 
Those who are...and those who will soon be."

A guitar began to play softly as his words trailed off, leaving Jennifer feeling nervous and self-conscious.
 
She didn't want to lead London on or give him any wrong ideas.
 
What she didn't realize was that those ideas were already firmly planted in his mind.

The rest of the band joined the guitar in a slow groove and London pulled Jennifer close to his chest.
 
Tightening his arms around her trim waist, he began to leisurely move to the seductive melody.
 
Jen's inhibitions suddenly melted away and she instinctively relaxed against him, allowing the smooth tones to wash over her.
 
It felt so good to just focus on what felt right and she closed her eyes and let her body sway to the music.
 

London could feel the tension ease from her body, leaving her muscles loose and relaxed.
 
He couldn't stop his hand from roaming across her sleek back and supple shoulders or from gently pressing his body against hers.
 
And when he dipped his head toward her thick, brown mane and inhaled deeply, the honeysuckle fragrance made him wish he could stay wrapped up with her there forever.

She was everything he'd ever wanted in a woman.
 
Beautiful, sexy, strong.
 
And he had every intention of seeing where a relationship with her could lead.
 

Relationship.
 
Surprisingly, that was exactly what he wanted with her.
 
After avoiding any possibility of such an entanglement for so long, here he was actively pursuing it.
 
Even pushing past her initial rejection in his attempt to win her affection.

When the music finally stopped for good they walked back to their seats, both of them nearly taking the other's hand but fighting the urge.

"That was fabulous," Jennifer sighed in ecstasy.

"You certainly like to dance," he smiled.

"Yes.
 
I love it.
 
And I think you do, as well, if those dips were any indication," she grinned.

"I was just trying to impress you.
 
Did it work?"
 
he asked.

"Absolutely," she giggled.

She leaned back in her chair and gazed at the twinkling stars.

"What brings you to Tahiti, London?" she asked, genuinely wanting to know more about him.

London smiled.
 
That was the first time she had used his name.
 
He liked the sound of it on her lips.

"I enjoy vacationing here but this time I'm here on business," he said.
 
"I'm here to increase economic growth through agriculture."

She turned her head to look at him.

"Explain," she said.

"Marine production constitutes a high percentage of the Tahitian food source.
 
However, livestock production, such as beef cattle, goat and sheep has diminished," he said.
 
"To meet demand for animal protein the country relies heavily on importing.
 
I want that to change by teaching the Tahitians to be self-reliant when it comes to their meats."

"You must have a plan to achieve this," she said, deeply interested.
 
She was pleasantly surprised to find that such a handsome man was also so intelligent.

"I do," he smiled.

 
"I want to engineer a process for the country to increase its livestock production.
 
I want to establish more farms and ranches to raise cattle, goats and chickens.
 
The chickens will not only provide meat but they will also produce eggs and dairy products.
 
But before that can happen I have to bring in the livestock for reproduction purposes.
 
Initially it will be a painstaking process but it will pay off in the end."

"And Tahiti will gradually become self-sufficient in food production," she said.
 

Jen was impressed and intrigued by the idea.
 
She liked the thought of helping these wonderful people become more independent.
 
She had only been there for one day but was already aware of what a great place it was.
 
She wanted to see it flourish.

"How can I help?"
 
she asked.

London looked at her in surprise.
 
He hadn't thought her the type to seek involvement with his projects.
 
He'd only told her why he was on the island because she'd asked.
 
But he was pleased that she was interested.

"How would you like to come with me on a scouting trek tomorrow?"
 
he asked.
 

"Sure.
 
What are we searching for?"
 
she asked.

"Suitable property for the farms and ranches.
 
There needs to be plenty of land for grazing.
 
And I also want to implement new crops to be harvested," he explained.
 
"So the area needs to receive good rainfall throughout the year."

"I would like to go with you.
 
What time should I be ready?"
 
she asked.

London could see a bright light exuding from her crystal blue eyes.

"Is eight o'clock too early?"
 
he questioned.

"No.
 
I'll be ready," she said cheerily.

"Good," he smiled.
 

He stood up and extended his hand.
 
The music had stopped and the crowd was dissipating but London wanted to feel her in his arms again.
 
He hoped she would accept his invitation.

Jennifer looked up at him and saw the intensity in his emerald green eyes.
 
They appeared to have a faint shade of blue in them and were extraordinary and hypnotic.
 
As she stared at him she found herself placing her hand into his large palm.
 

London smiled as he clasped her hand securely and drew her out of her chair.
 
He ignored the people filing past them on their way to their rooms or the resort bar.
 
It was just the two of them as he pulled her into his arms and started moving to an imaginary rhythm.
 

Jennifer looped her arms around his neck and leaned into him; allowing him to lead her as before.
 
She trusted him.
 
She wasn't sure why as they'd certainly had a rocky start to their friendship.
 
But she felt safe in his arms and that was something she'd never expected to have happen again after her horrific experience with Jarod.

Tracy had told her that time would heal and erase her pain.
 
She hadn't listened and had even resented Tracy for trivializing the situation but maybe she was right after all.
 
Or maybe it wasn't
time
that was helping her to heal.
 
Maybe it was simply finding the right person.

"I'd better go to bed if I'm to be up with the chickens tomorrow," she smiled after dancing long enough for everyone else to have cleared out.

"I'll walk you back," he offered.

Jennifer was tempted to refuse his offer then forced herself to let her guard down.

"Alright," she said softly.

He carried her sweater as they slowly strolled back to her bungalow.

"I had a fabulous time, London," she said as they walked.

"Me, too," he agreed.

"Even if it was with
you
," she joked, playfully slapping his muscular arm.

"I knew I'd wear you down," he replied.

She chuckled and looked at him from the corner of her eye.
 
She enjoyed the easy banter between them.
 
He initially seemed so full of himself and that irritated her.
 
But that night she got to see his true self.
 
And she liked his laid-back nature and his ability to laugh at himself.

"In all seriousness, I'm glad we spent the evening together.
 
I had fun with you," she murmured.
 
"That hasn't happened for a long time."

He noticed the dark look of sadness that came over her face and stopped walking.
 
He gently lifted her chin so he could look into eyes.

"I'll be hoping for many more evenings just like this one in the future," he responded.

Jen liked the thought of spending more time with him.
 
She smiled but said nothing.
 
He took her hand and led her toward her door.

"Well, here we are," he said.

"Yep.
 
Here we are," she confirmed, not wanting the night to end.
 
She smiled and looked up at him.
 
"Thank you for seeing me to my home away from home."
 

"It was my pleasure," he responded.
 
He bent and kissed her cheek.
 
"See you tomorrow morning."

"Right, eight o'clock.
 
Goodnight, London," she smiled.

"Goodnight, Jennifer," he said softly.

He turned and walked back the way they had come.
 
Jennifer watched him until the darkness consumed him.
 
She went into her bungalow and threw herself onto her bed. She smiled as she thought of their evening together and her smile grew wider as she imagined what was to come.
 
She couldn't wait for the next day to arrive.

*****
 

Jennifer rose early the next day and went through her morning ritual in record time.
 
She wanted to be on time for London, which was something she rarely was.
 
But she didn't want him to know that.
 
He need only know her as a punctual, active woman who eagerly anticipated their venture.

She was unsure of how to dress.
 
Eventually she decided in favor of knee-length khaki shorts and a red tank top.
 
Tan hiking boots over brown socks completed the ensemble.

Once dressed, she moved to the dresser to run a comb through her hair.
 
She then applied eyebrow pencil, blush and lipstick; foregoing mascara since her lashes were naturally thick and long.
 
After placing the finishing touches, she walked into the front room and saw London bounding up her steps.
 
She crossed to the terrace door and slid the screen back.

"Hi, gorgeous!"
 
he greeted happily.

"Hello there, handsome," she smiled.

It was easy for Jen to slip into her flirtatious mode.
 
It was, in fact, who she was at heart and couldn't be suppressed for long.

"You're certainly in a good mood!" she added.
 
"And you're obviously a morning person!"

"Not all mornings!"
 
he corrected her, stopping before her and kissing her cheek.
 
"But you've proven me wrong."

"About what?"
 
she asked in bewilderment.

"I'd assumed that you would be late, possibly even still sleeping when I arrived.
 
But here you are dressed and ready to go," he said cheerily.

Jennifer was so glad she'd made the effort to be on time.

"Well, you know what they say about assuming," she laughed.