Although nothing about their recent history seemed wrong, it didn’t take him long to right their world. Turning Claire, he gently laid her upon the bed and fanned her hair on her pillow. “Just so you know”—he whispered in a deep raspy voice—“your hair sweeping over my face and chest when I couldn’t see it—was incredibly erotic.”
Claire giggled. “Well, that’s good to know. I’ll remember that for next time.”
His brow cocked upward. “Next time?”
She nodded.
Tony shrugged. “Well, my dear, they do say variety is the spice of life.”
Claire ran her finger over his pink lips. Before she could remove it, Tony sucked the tip into his mouth. Pressing her breasts upward, her eyes fluttered shut and she purred, “As long as that variety is with me, I think I might be willing.”
Nearing his lips to her ear, Tony whispered, “Only you—it’s only been you for a very long time.”
Before going to sleep, they decided to go for a late night swim. Although they wore robes to the pool, they didn’t bother with bathing suits. With the water near the same temperature as the humid air, the only difference was the degree of moisture as they became submerged. Tony disappeared under the water and swam the length of the infinity pool and back. Claire giggled as he came out of the water right in front of her. Taking her hands, he led her out to the deeper end. Holding his shoulders, she wrapped her legs around his torso and gazed up at the stars.
Tony kissed her neck. “What are you thinking about?”
Claire shrugged. “A lot of things—our baby, our friends, and my family.”
“It’s all right to miss them.”
“I’ve been away from them before, but this time, it’s different. This time, I feel like I’ve betrayed them. I’m the one who left without telling anyone.”
“What do you think would happen if they knew the truth?”
Claire contemplated. “They might be in danger? At this point, I wouldn’t put anything past Catherine.”
Tony nodded. “By keeping them ignorant, we’re protecting them.”
Laying her head against his shoulder, Claire ran her hand over his arm.
Tony reached for her left hand and looked at the diamond on her finger. “You know that this ring gave me hope and broke my heart at the same time?”
Claire raised her eyebrows.
“When the police found your belongings in that motel in Illinois and this ring wasn’t with them, I wanted to believe you were all right, that you were making your own decisions, and you weren’t in the hands of some crazy stalker, but then I realized, if that were true, then it meant you’d left me. It meant you didn’t want to be with me and you’d never return.”
She freed her hand and wrapped her arms tighter around his neck. “I’m so sorry. I was scared and misled.” She kissed his cheek while her fingers ran through his hair. “I should’ve spoken with you.” She buried her face in the crook of his neck. “I couldn’t leave the ring. I’d promised to keep it. I just couldn’t leave it.” Tears teetered on her lids.
He gently pushed her away and gazed into her eyes. “Claire, what’s the matter?”
She smiled behind the tears. “I think it’s the hormones—sometimes I just cry.”
Tony smiled and hugged her tightly. “Just today, someone mentioned something about that.”
“Today? Who?”
“It was Francis. I know I’ve only been here a few days, but I think he and Madeline are great people. This island wouldn’t be the same without them.”
Claire nodded into his shoulder as she tried to suppress a yawn. “I agree.”
Carrying Claire, Tony walked slowly toward the steps. “I think you need to get some sleep.”
When they reached the steps, Claire let go of his neck. “I’m getting too fat for you to carry me out of the water.”
“No, Ms. Nichols—you’re not fat; however, I agree. I’d never forgive myself if my wet feet slipped and I hurt you or our son.”
Claire looked back to Tony. “Son?”
He shrugged. “Or daughter—I really don’t care.”
Taking his hand, Claire said, “While we were apart, I prayed for a boy. I wanted him to be just like you.”
“Like me?”—he shook his head—“I know you’re smarter than that.”
As they reentered their suite, Claire said, “Well, the Nichols had only girls—at least, the last generation, and it seems the Rawls had only boys...so soon, we’ll learn which family dominates.”