Free What the Waves Bring by Barbara Delinsky Page B

sampled the fare, complimenting the cook at each taste.
    The good will carried them through the evening, as April’s small transistor radio provided the entertainment.
    â€œSounds as though the storm is history for the majority of the coast,” she commented, when finally she flipped off the switch.
    â€œIt really is, here, too. The rain has just about stopped.” He paused in silent debate, before continuing. “How are the repair crews on the island?”
    â€œBeats me. This is my first full-fledged storm here. I would imagine that someone will be out by tomorrow …” Her voice faded as her thoughts joined his. There was something strangely and unexpectedly lovely about their present isolation. Without Heath here, she might have been frightened, bored, chilled. But he was here, with her. It was an odd twist to what had begun as a near-tragedy.
    â€œCome on,” he spoke softly. “Let’s go to bed.”
    April stiffened. “That could be very dangerous.” Looking around, she settled on the couch. “I think I’ll sleep in here.”
    â€œNo, you won’t, April,” he contradicted her firmly. “That double bed of yours is plenty big to hold us both.”
    Her gaze narrowed on his strangely innocent expression. “Do you really think that would be wise?”
    He grinned. “Look on it as a test of our willpower.”
    â€œAnd … if we fail?”
    â€œDamn it, woman!” he reconsidered reluctantly. “I’ll sleep on the couch then.”
    â€œNo!” Her answer came more quickly than she’d thought it. “No,” she repeated it more calmly, “we’ll try it your way. But you’d better promise …”
    He raised his fingers in the scout’s salute, then joined her stare in deep thought. “Do you think I was a boy scout?”

    It was April who recovered first. “To tell you the truth, I really don’t care. I want your pledge.”
    â€œPledge not to touch you?” he asked piteously.
    â€œPledge to stay on your side of the bed.” She evaded the issue he’d raised, wondering how she would ever make it through the night in the same bed with this man without succumbing to him … regardless of where he lay. Then she caught her breath. Did she really want to do without him? Would it be so terrible to allow herself the luxury of him for this one night? Her body tingled at the thought. To experience something she sensed would be truly beautiful—wouldn’t it be worth any later price?
    Fully aware of what her compliancy might ultimately mean, she nonetheless undressed in the bathroom, slipped on her long silky nightgown, tied its matching robe up to her neck, and crept into the far side of the bed. Heath had been busy snuffing the fire in the hearth and now found the bedroom dark, its kerosine lamp extinguished for the sake of her sanity.
    Her ear followed his progress, noting the rustle of clothing moments before the mattress yielded beneath his weight. To her chagrin, she found her body sliding helplessly toward his. With a frantic squirm, she topped the highest point of the ticking once more, only to begin the slide again. A soft chuckle caught her in the act of pulling herself up a second time.
    â€œAnd what’s so funny?” she asked indignantly.
    â€œCome here,” he growled, a long arm snaking out to coil around her waist and draw her body back flush against his. “There. Now lie still … if you know what’s good for you.”
    His warning was well taken. Indeed, once her initial self-consciousness—and her appallingly strong awareness of his body—had eased, the comfort of his firm cradle filled her with a pervading sense of peace. With his arms wrapped tightly about her and the male scent of him filling
her nostrils, she fell into a sweeter sleep than she had known for years. It was only when her eyes opened again, in the dark,