Temptation Island (17 page)

When Marek slowly shook his head, Carm threw up her arms in exasperation.  Men!  Before she could comment on his arrogant, presumptuous behavior, Steven spoke up.  “I don’t mean to interrupt, but Marek does have a point.”

Oh course he does.  You men all think alike and have to band together after all. 
With a look of outrage on her face, Carm asked, “Really.  What point would that be?”

Steven rubbed a hand thoughtfully over his beard and answered, “Well, my dear, until we are absolutely certain that this was in fact an isolated event, it would be wise for you to stay somewhere safe and protected.  Marek won’t let anything happen to you.  After all the facts are figured out and your safety is no longer suspect then we’ll gladly help you get home.”

Carm withheld a nasty remark by sheer will and took a deep breath.  It appeared she was out numbered.  Glancing back to Marek she demanded, “Fine, but I’m going to call Kate when we get to your place and you’re going to do everything you can to get me out of this country and back home.  Plus, you still have that other issue to straighten out.”

Maria asked from the doorway to the kitchen, “What other issue?”

Both Marek and Carmen turned to look at Maria at the same time.  Carm’s mind raced frantically for an excuse but Marek beat her to it.  “Her sister owns a coffee house in the states and we’ve been discussing doing business.”

Maria squinted her eyes in speculation, but replied, “How fortunate you two were able to meet then, isn’t it?”  She beamed at them, “Lemonade anyone?”

Marek grabbed hold of Carm’s hand and pulled her toward the front door.  “
Merci
, but no.  Some heavy clouds were moving in overhead when I pulled up and I want to get home before the rain begins.”  He directed a question to Carm, “Do you have everything together downstairs?  I’ll replace anything else you need, but I want to get on the road.”

Carm frowned over his high-handed manner.  “I don’t really have anything.  Most of it was destroyed.  What I do have is in a suitcase downstairs that your mother was gracious enough to let me borrow.  If you wait a moment I’ll go and get it.”
     “No need, Steven will get it, won’t you Steven?”  At the mention of his name Steven shoved out of the stair and stood up.  Pushing his glasses back up his nose and grinned.

“Sure thing.  I’ll meet you outside with it in a jiffy.”

Marek slid his hand down to the small of Carm’s back and nudged her out the door.  With his mother and sister following they made their way down the steps to his jeep. 

Looking up at the ominous sky, Carm frowned with worry.  “You do have a top for this thing, don’t you Marek?”

He tossed her a wink and smirked, “I’ll drive really fast, sugar.  Don’t you worry, I’ll have you inside before the first raindrop falls.”

Looking like she didn’t believe him, Carm rolled her eyes and turned to his mother.  Marek grinned at her behavior.  Admiration for her grew as he watched her thank his mother and lean down to give his sister a kiss on the cheek.  It was impossible to tell that just a few hours before she’d faced the scare of her life.  Damn the woman had courage.

Carm climbed in the jeep and Marek turned to say his goodbyes.  Steven appeared then with the black suitcase and tossed it in the back seat.  He walked over to Sophia and scooped her up in his arms making her break into a fit of giggles.  Clapping Marek on the shoulder with a hand, Steven nodded and turned toward the house.

Left alone with his mother Marek ducked his head and peaked at her through lowered lashes.  As her stern look melted into laughter Marek grinned.  He’d used that look on her many times over the years to soften her up after he’d done something wrong.  And it still worked.

Slapping him on the arm Maria declared with mock seriousness, “Don’t think that looks going to work on me.  I’m wise to your charms.”

Marek flinched at her playful swats and chuckled.  Tugging on a ear with his fingers, he teased, “It always works on you, Mama.  You’re so gullible.  That’s one of the things I love so much about you.”

Maria glared at him and snorted.  Giving up, she conceded, “You’re right, my boy. Now give me a hug.”  When Marek wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug and lifted her off the ground she squeeled in French, “Put me down, you big ox!” 

Marek settled her back on her feet and was about to pull away when she clamped on to his shirt and whispered in his ear, continuing in French, “I don’t know what’s going on between you and Carmen, but I’ll let that rest for now.  But not too long, Marek.  I’m going to want an explanation about why you are both wearing matching rings on your left hands and your behavior toward her in the living room.  But I won’t push.  For now.”

Maria pulled out of his embrace and brushed her hands down his cheeks.  “I love you son.  Be careful and watch your back.  Now, get out of here and take her home before it rains.”

Marek leaned down and kissed his mother on the cheek and whispered back in French, “I love you too, Mama.  And I’ll be careful.  Nobody is going to hurt her, I promise.  Give my love to Sophia and Steve.”

Turning, Marek strode to the waiting jeep and climbed in.  He looked at Carm and shot her a cocky, wicked grin.  “Are you buckled up, sweetheart?  You’d better hold on tight because you’re in for the ride of your life.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Marek hadn’t been kidding when he’d told her she was in for the ride of her life.  Carm’s legs were still shaking as she followed Marek up the stairs to the second floor of his house.  Fast as he’d been—and he’d scared ten years off her life—he hadn’t been fast enough.  The clouds broke open and rain started pouring down just as they’d reached the hidden turn onto his private drive.  By the time they’d reached the circular driveway and jumped out they’d been soaked through.

Carm was still wringing water out of her dress as Marek led her down the hallway to his room.  He didn’t seem a bit fazed by the fact that he was dripping water like a half drowned dog along his beautiful—no doubt highly expensive—rug.  In fact, the perverse man seemed to take great joy in the sound of his leather shoes squishing and plopping with each step he took.  His laughter bounced off the walls and echoed down the long corridor.

Reaching a door at the end of the hallway Marek pushed it open and stepped over the threshold.  Beckoning Carm to follow he disappeared inside leaving her wringing her hair out in the hall.  On a sigh Carm stepped to the door and peeked around the corner.

It only took her a second to realize it was Marek’s bedroom.  Torn between avid curiosity and a healthy sense of self-preservation Carm stared into the large, open room.  Part of her just knew that if she stepped one foot into his private domain he’d been on her like a pack of wild dogs.  But the other part, the big, idiotic part of her brain that lacked all good sense propelled her feet forward through the door before she had a chance to protest.

It was definitely a man’s room.  Sturdy, attractive dark stained furniture was set around the room, consisting of a large, low bureau with a mirror gracing the top, an upright chest of drawers and a large armoire.  Matching side tables perched on either side of the huge bed.  The headboard and footboard were stained in the same matching mahogany with sea grass and bamboo woven through the body.  In fact, all the furniture had bamboo and sea grass woven through them.

The bed itself was a massive thing, taking up a good portion of the left wall.  A fluffy light tan comforter was perfectly straightened over the bed and two large pillows in crisp white leaned against the headboard.  A lone pillow in a brilliant collage of stripes and paisleys perched in between them drawing her eye. 

Carm was mildly surprised by Marek’s choice of color scheme, believing most men only thought in primary colors. Like mostly red and blue.  But he’d chosen to paint his wall in a soothing, refreshing pale green and paired that with clean white linen window curtains, rolling bamboo shades and a camel colored jute rug over the wood floor.  And he’d added the same bamboo shades over the glass in the set of double doors that lead onto the verandah.

Again Carm found large plants displayed around the room and grinned.  Their pots again added that splash of color to the calming room.  It was a thrill to discover a man that loved foliage as much as she did.  Eyeing a gorgeous tall bamboo plant in the corner Carm walked over to it and reached a hand out to touch the glossy leaves.  She’d always wanted one.  A gigantic, healthy one just like this one.  Carm tilted her head to look up to the top of the lush plant.  The ceilings in the room were at least ten feet tall and the bamboo was practically brushing against it.

“I see you’ve discovered my favorite plant.  Isn’t it a beauty?”

Carm dropped her hand and spun around.  Marek strode toward her from the adjoining bathroom, a towel outstretched toward her in one hand and held the other thick cotton towel to his head drying his hair.  He’d discarded his soaked shirt and shoes while he’d disappeared to the bathroom and was currently walking toward her in all his bare-chested glory.  That damned tattoo was like a magnetic, drawing her eyes down below his navel to the sexy hard planes of his lower abdomen.  Someone really ought to outlaw dolphin tattoos.

Marek chuckled and handed her the towel.  He had to grab her hand and open her palm to place the thing in it as she’d apparently lost all motor function at the sight of his amazing body.  Muttering something under his breath Marek breezed by her and headed toward the chest of drawers.

Carm eyed him as he rifled through the drawers and came up with two sets of clothes.  He tossed them on the bed and said to Carm, “Time for you to get out of your clothes, cupcake.  You’re soaked through.  The clothes in the suitcase received the same fate I’m afraid and will need time to dry out.  In the meantime you can wear some of my things.”

He was right.  Carm was beginning to feel like a drowned rat in her clothes.  But what she really wanted was a hot shower first.  “Do you mind if I use your shower first?  I’m a little chilled even though the rain was warm.”

Marek waved her on and continued to peruse his selection.  Pulling out a white t-shirt he turned with a grin.  “Go right ahead, sugar.  I’ll meet you there in a minute.”

Glaring at him, Carm grabbed the clothes off the bed and spun toward the bathroom.  “Ha, ha. Very funny, Marek.”

Carm heard his low chuckle and continued to the bathroom.  She didn’t believe his empty boast at all.  He’d never come in uninvited, but Carm shut the door and turned the lock just in case.

Marek grinned at the sound of the lock clicking.  The woman was so easy to goad.  She made it impossible to resist.

Dropping his pants and underwear in a wet heap on the floor, Marek quickly dried off and changed.  He wanted to take advantage of Carm’s preoccupation to make a few phone calls.  It didn’t thrill him to use his old contacts, but felt there was no choice.  Nobody threatened Carmen.

With one last glance toward the locked door Marek grinned as he shook his head.  Somehow, against all his better judgement and determination, Carmen was beginning to matter to him. 
Merde. 
As if he needed that added complication in his life right now.

Running his long fingers through his wet hair Marek shook off the unwelcome feeling and stalked out the door.  He had phone calls to make.  Marek scowled and swore under his breath.  He found it odd—and damned unsettling—to realize the call to his lawyer ranked dead last on the list.

Carm stepped out of the bathroom and found the bedroom empty.  She’d hung her wet dress and underwear over the shower rod next to his shirt and padded into the room in his borrowed clothes. 

Marek had given her a huge t-shirt of pale grey that hung to the middle of her thighs and a pair of blue and white striped boxer shorts.  Given that Carm wasn’t a tiny woman, what with standing five-ten and all, she’d still had to roll the waistband down twice.  Marek was a mighty big man.

Memory of Marek’s flashing incident popped into her head and Carm felt her face heat.  Yeah, he was a big man all right. 
Whew-boy.   

Wondering where he’d gone off to Carm exited the room and headed down the hall.  She passed an open door on her left and found her suitcase open on the floor in another room.  Her clothing was missing and Carm assumed Marek had hung them out to dry. 

She hesitated at the doorway, curious to see how that room was decorated.  He’d chosen a shade of butter yellow for the walls and a bedcover in bold, lively stripes.  He’d decided to put her up in a room of vivid colors and energy.

Hmmm, wonder if that means anything?  Oh, probably not.  It’s probably just the first available room he came to.  Stop overanalyzing everything, Carmen.

It was were overactive imagination again that had her thinking that he’d put her that room as some sort of symbolism, like that’s how he saw her.  Alive and vibrant.  Ridiculous, illogical thoughts.

Carm scolded herself and continued walking down the hall.  For goodness’ sake, a few days ago she practically hated the man.  Granted, it had turned out to be completely misplaced dislike and Marek wasn’t the cold, heartless businessman she’d first thought him.  But he sure wasn’t a saint either.