Surprise Baby, Second Chance

‘Okay,’ he replied in a voice that told her he didn’t believe her. And why would he? Hadn’t she run from him before? Without the decency to explain why? Hadn’t the anxiety of that decision kept her up night after night?

Guilt shimmered through her.

She ignored it.

But ignoring it meant that her brain had to focus on something else. And—as it usually did—it chose his face.

Her eyes feasted on what her memories hadn’t done justice to over the last four months. His dark hair, dark brows, the not-quite-chocolate colour of his skin. The mixture of his Indian and African heritage had created an arresting face, his features not unlike those Rosa had seen on movie stars.

But his face had more than just good looks. It spoke of the cool, calm demeanour that had always exasperated her even as it drew her in. He rarely let his emotions out of wherever he kept them, so they seldom claimed the planes of his face.

Except when he and Rosa were having a conversation about their feelings. Or when they were making love. There’d been nothing but emotion on his face then.

‘Where is everybody?’ she asked in a hoarse voice.

Aaron slid his hands into his pockets, making his biceps bulge slightly under the material of his suit jacket. Her breath taunted her as it slipped out of her lungs. As it reminded her that it wasn’t only Aaron’s face that she was attracted to.

It was his muscular body. It was how much taller than her he was. It was his broad shoulders, the strength of his legs, of everything in between.

He’d always been thrilled by the curves of her body. But his hands were large enough, strong enough, that she’d always thought he wouldn’t have wanted her as much if her curves hadn’t been as generous.

Aaron took a step towards her.

Which was no reason for her to move back.

But she did.

‘Well, if I’m right—and I probably am—everyone’s here who’s supposed to be.’

‘I don’t understand. It’s just you and...’ She trailed off, her heart thudding. ‘Did you—did you do this?’

‘Oh, no,’ Aaron replied, and took another step towards her. This time she managed to keep her feet in place. ‘Why would I want to see the wife who left me with no explanation?’

‘Great. Then I’ll go.’

She turned to the door again, ignoring her confusion. She’d figure it out when she was off the island that reminded her so much of her husband.

The island where he’d taken her months after her mother had died. Where he’d got down on one knee. Where he’d told her he couldn’t imagine life without her.

Where they’d spent time after their wedding. Lounging in the sun at the beach. Lazily enjoying each other’s bodies as only newlyweds could.

Where they’d taken holidays. When life had become too much for her and Aaron had surprised her with a trip away.

The island where he’d held her, comforted her, loved her on the bed that stood in the corner, its memories haunting her. Overwhelming her.

Yes, she’d figure it all out when she was away from the island. And far, far away from her husband.

A hand pressed against the door before she could open it. She swallowed and then turned back to face him.

Her heart sprinted now. Her body prickled. The scent of his masculine cologne filled her senses. Memories, sharp and intimate, could no longer be held back.

Again, she tried to ignore them. But it was becoming harder to do.

‘Why are you stopping me from leaving?’ she managed in a steady voice.

‘Did you think you were just going to walk in here, see me, and then...leave?’

‘I thought I was attending your mother’s sixtieth birthday party.’

‘Which I would have been at too.’

‘And we would have seen each other there, yes. But you’re the only one here. I’ve seen you. Now I want to leave.’

‘Just like that?’

‘Just like that.’

He inched closer. ‘You’re not the slightest bit curious about why you and I are alone here?’

‘Sure I am. But I’m also pretty sure I can figure it out on my way to the airport.’

‘The airport?’ His lips curved into a smile. ‘Honey, the airport’s closed.’

‘No,’ she said after a beat. ‘No, it can’t be. I just got off a plane. Your mother said it would be waiting for me when I was done here.’

His smile faded. ‘She lied. Your flight is likely to be the last one until Monday. The airport’s closed this weekend.’

Panic thickened in her throat. ‘All weekend?’

‘Don’t sound so surprised, Rosa,’ he said mildly. ‘You know Mariner’s Island doesn’t work the way the rest of the world does.’

‘Yes, but...but it was a private plane. Yours.’

‘It still needs somewhere to take off from. To land at. And since the airport’s closed we won’t have that until Monday.’

She ducked under his arm, put distance between them. But it didn’t make breathing any easier. ‘So...what? Your mother just decided to leave her guests stranded here until Monday?’

‘Not guests,’ he corrected. ‘Just you and me.’

‘Did you know about this?’

‘No.’

‘Then how did you not suspect something was off when the main route off the island would only be viable again on Monday?’

‘She told me that the party would be going on for most of the weekend.’

‘And you believed her?’