LITMIR.BIZ

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happens. But in this case, it also explains how ants came to be and why they live in holes in the ground,” he explained. “These stories are based on what I was told. There are other Choctaw myths that don’t coincide with what I was taught. But that’s common with folklore. Stories are apt to change, depending on who tells them, and my dad liked to put his own spin on them. Sometimes my mom even got in on it, adding little details.” He paused in remembrance. “Mom was a blue-eyed blonde with French and English ancestry, but she used to joke around and say that was she part Choctaw. Or that she had been for nine months when she was pregnant with us kids. And that’s what gave her the right to horn in on those stories.”

      Carol smiled. “That’s cute.”

      “My dad thought so, too. They were this ridiculously happy couple. I used to think I was lucky because they didn’t scream and fight like some of my friends’ parents. Or they weren’t getting divorced or whatever. Then they ended up gone in the worst possible way.”

      “I know just how you feel.” She fell silent, her gaze locking on to his. Then she said, “Except that I want to get married and have children someday. That’s really important to me.”

      “I figured as much.” She struck him as the wifely sort. “You seem like you need all that homeyness. But I don’t. For me, it’s easier to be unencumbered.”

      “Yes, I can tell.”

      He glanced away, his thoughts slipping back in time once again. “My sisters used to talk about the kinds of weddings they wanted to have.” He frowned, his dead siblings’ broken dreams burrowing uncomfortably in his brain. “They went on and on about how romantic it was going to be. But I suppose it’s common for teenage girls to do that.”

      She heaved a heavy breath. “I can’t even tell you how many times I thought about it when I was young, even before I was a teenager.”

      He envisioned her, a lonely little girl in foster care, longing for the big day. It made him want to comfort her, to make the child she’d once been feel better. But it made him want to pull away from her, too.

      But even so, he asked, “What kind of men do you date?”

      She sat a little more upright. “What type do you think?”

      “Oh, I don’t know.” He turned cavalier. “Big hairy bikers?”

      She rolled her eyes. “Come on, Jake. I’m being serious.”

      In spite of his joke, he wasn’t feeling particularly humorous, either. “Okay, then how about nice, proper guys who would make good husbands?”

      She folded her hands on her lap. All she needed was a pair of tidy white gloves to complete the ladylike picture.

      “Exactly,” she said.

      Yes, he thought. Exactly. He already knew the answer before he’d posed the question. And now that she was being so prim and marriage-minded, all he wanted to do was get to the island and sweep her into the debauchery that had become his life.

      Where nice, proper guys didn’t exist.

Three

      It was breathtaking, Carol thought. The mansion where she and Jake and the rest of the partygoers were staying was a sprawling French Colonial–style estate, amid a gorgeous sandy white beach.

      The caretakers, an older couple local to the area, escorted Carol and Jake to their rooms. Lena had brought the rest of the staff over from the States, along with a beauty team to provide in-room makeup, hair and nail services to her guests. Massage therapists could be had, as well.

      No one had seen Lena yet. She wouldn’t be making an appearance until the party. But she was the type who liked to make a grand entrance, so Carol wasn’t surprised.

      Carol’s and Jake’s rooms were located on the second floor and were next to each other, with adjoining doors in the center. For now they were open, making it one huge suite.

      “We’re going to have to lock those as soon as we get settled in,” she said.

      “We will,” he replied, going onto his veranda.

      Carol’s balcony had the same view. But she joined him on his, standing beside him on the airy structure. Beyond the oasis-style pool was the ocean. In another direction, she spotted a mountainous terrain, surrounding a lush green glimpse of rain forest.

      She thought it would be a wonderful setting for a destination wedding. The caretakers had already given them a bit of history on the custom-built mansion, which could be rented out for weddings. Not that she should be thinking about that. But after the discussion she and Jake had had on the plane, her mind was still immersed in marriage.

      “It’s beautiful here,” she said as a breeze stirred between them.

      Jake turned toward her. “You’re not afraid of getting bitten by something scary anymore?”

      “I already told you they don’t have superscary things on this island.” Except for him, she thought. The look in his soul-stealing eyes was filled with danger. Or lust. Or something she was too chicken to identify. He was actually giving her goose bumps.

      He kept staring at her, and she crossed her arms to ward off the sexy chill.

      Trying to stay focused on their schedule, she told him, “The caretakers said that the chef was making seafood for dinner, with lots of vegan dishes on the side for the people who prefer that.” Their meals would be served in their rooms. After that, they could rest before they got ready for the party, which was scheduled for later that night.

      He kept looking at her. “I’m getting a little hungry. Are you?”

      She nodded. She definitely wanted to keep her mouth busy. But she didn’t have to wait for the meal. Baskets of fruit and nuts and other snacks had already been provided, along with fully stocked portable bars. A glass of wine sounded good about now. But Carol would be indulging in alcohol at the party, so she figured it was best to wait until then.

      “Before I forget, I have something for you,” he said. “I’ll go get it.”

      She remained on the veranda while he rummaged through his luggage. He returned with a trim white box.

      She lifted the lid and uncovered an elegant gold bangle encrusted with round-cut diamonds surrounded by multicolored stones. There was also a pair of starfish-shaped earrings, also glittering with diamonds.

      Her pulse quickened. “They’re magnificent, Jake.” The pieces were going to look stunning with her dress. “Are they on loan?” She knew that jewelers sometimes let their rich and famous clients borrow from their inventory.

      “No. I paid for them.”

      Oh, my. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

      “I wanted to. Besides, I checked with Millie to see if you’d gotten any jewelry to go with your outfit, and she said that you hadn’t.”

      “I didn’t want to go overboard and spend more than was necessary.” She gazed at the gems. “But this is way too much. I should return them to you after the party.”

      “Seriously? That doesn’t make any sense. They were purchased to complement your wardrobe, and you’re keeping the clothes. So why would you give the earrings and bracelet back? They’re just part of the mix.”

      She studied each piece again. “They really are amazing.”

      “Don’t be too impressed. I had Millie tell me what to get. I’m not good at giving women gifts.”

      That was true. Sometimes he even relied on Carol to decide on what type of flowers to send to his lovers. But she shouldn’t have used that as a comparison, not with the way he was making her feel.

      Had she made a mistake, coming on this trip with him? It was certainly the most impetuous

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