Oh well, he’d just have to chip at that wall until it fell. “You haven’t said when you’re going home.”
She glanced up at him. “Day after tomorrow.”
Donnie didn’t like the sound of that. “That truly is a shame.”
She laughed. Not a hearty laugh, but one that mocked him. She didn’t believe a word that was coming out of his mouth. She said, “But we’ve always got tonight, right?”
Donnie had a hard time picking his heart up off the floor. Why was she so cynical? If only she’d share her past with him. He wanted to say something, anything to set her mind at ease, but so far, no words of wisdom were climbing over the ego-thrashing she’d just given him.
“I’m sorry. That was mean of me.” She shook her head. “You’ve been nothing but a perfect gentleman, and you don’t deserve that.”
She wasn’t the cold, heartless woman she pretended to be. He could see that in the remorse on her face. Donnie was starting to put stock in his mother’s idea that Genie had been hurt. Badly. And if he had to guess, he’d say recently.
“It’s okay,” he said, and secretly chastised himself for it. He should run for the hills before this girl got the chance to break his heart. Instead, he added, “But I wish you’d tell me why you’re in Hawaii alone.”
It couldn’t be put to her any plainer than that. If Genie didn’t tell Donnie about Ross right now, this moment, she’d spoil any chance they might have for a future together.
Like that was ever going to happen. Nevertheless, Donnie had specifically asked to know why she was here alone, so continuing to hide it just didn’t seem right.
She didn’t have to like it. She didn’t want to talk about Ross. She wanted to forget about him. And she would, just as soon as she told Donnie about him.
She cleared her throat and focused on the candlelight on the table between them. “I’m supposed to be in Maui right now. On my honeymoon.”
“Your honeymoon?” His voice had gone shaky.
“Yeah.” She nodded and dared to glance at him.
“How did you wind up here?”
“The wedding was called off.” She hesitated. Donnie was looking more than a little worried. How could she make him understand that Ross was no longer an option? She’d taken him off the table when he left her standing at the altar. Hell would freeze over before she’d open her arms or her heart to Ross Harper again. She dug deep into her gut for some confidence before saying, “let’s just say that we came to a mutual agreement that we weren’t right for each other.” Genie nodded and reached for her water goblet. And now, after meeting Donnie, she could see how that statement was completely accurate. Either that, or Ross’s actions had chased away every ounce of love she’d ever felt for him, because how else could she explain her attraction to Donnie?
“Where is this guy right now?” Donnie asked, apprehension fueling his words.
“Beats the hell out of me,” she said, wishing she’d ordered a Mai Tai or something.
“So he’s not here in Hawaii, lurking around the corner, regretting his mistake?” Donnie reached for the beer he’d ordered and sucked down a healthy swig. He set the bottle down and peered at her intently. “Because, I swear…only a fool would let you go.”
“No…” She shook her head, feeling very confident about her answer, not to mention relieved. “I don’t know where he is, but he’s not here. I cashed in the Maui trip and traded it for a week, in paradise as it turns out.” She felt her cheeks warm and smiled, hoping to hide the blush that was surely tinting her face. She looked at him, seeing the raw desire in his gaze.
“Will you spend the day with me tomorrow?” he asked, undressing her, caressing her, tantalizing her with his eyes.
Genie knew she should say no. She was setting herself up for lasting heartbreak this time. How many Donnies could she run across while she was running away?
But she couldn’t help herself. She nodded. “Yes.”
The next morning, they had breakfast together in the Beachcomber Cafe, then Donnie drove her to a secluded beach about fifteen minutes from the resort.
She was glad when he buried an umbrella in the sand. That way, she wouldn’t have to worry about burning if they ended up staying out in the sun too long.
He’d also brought along a basket of fruits, crackers, cheeses, and chilled bottled water, which they’d placed along the edges of a blanket they’d spread out underneath the umbrella.
Seeing Donnie in his swim trunks and shirtless, Genie was trying hard not to stare, but it was impossible. His well-defined body was not something that came naturally. It was something he had to work at—and Genie appreciated his efforts.
Lying together on the blanket, he was on his back while she was on her stomach, propped on her elbows and sharing grapes with him. She popped one in her mouth. “You sure you’re not gonna get into trouble today, missing work and all?”
“Nah…” He shook his head. “I’m off today.”
“Good,” she said, dropping a grape into his mouth.
Genie was determined to enjoy the day and not let tomorrow get her down, because tomorrow he’d be back at work and she’d be heading home.
The thought saddened her. Question was, what was she going to do about it? Was she going to ask him to come back to the mainland with her, or was she going to let him slip through her fingers?
CHAPTER 5
DONNIE WAITED IMPATIENTLY FOR GENIE in the lobby, where they’d agreed to meet for dinner at the hotel. He’d thought about dining in one of the restaurants, but if he did that, somebody was bound to let the cat out of the bed. And that couldn’t happen before he had the chance to tell her himself. If he didn’t, he got the feeling that Genie would never forgive him.
The elevator doors opened and Genie stepped out, looking absolutely breathtaking in a tight-fitting cream-colored dress with soft-pink flowers. He sized up the length of her, all the way down her long, long legs to her pink high heels.
He stepped toward her, knowing he was wearing a stupid grin—that he couldn’t do anything about. “You look amazing!” He slipped his hand around hers and drew it to his lips to kiss it.
“Likewise.” She nodded as a smiled tipped the corners of her mouth. He wanted to kiss her so badly. She eyed his light blue Hawaiian shirt with waves and surf boards scattered about. “I see we didn’t accidentally dress to match. What do you think that means?”