A ray of sunlight fell across Isabella's face, causing her to stir. She opened her eyes slowly, letting them become accustomed to bright light. She stretched langoriously, allowing her body to savor the wonders of the bed beneath her. Closing her eyes, she imagined Richard's long, lean, and lithe frame upon her own. She sighed, unaware that Richard was in the room.

The sound of his name upon her lips drew him to her and he lay himself across her unresisting body. He pressed his mouth against hers, a soft moan escaping her lips. He trailed a line of kisses towards the curve of her cheek, coming to a stop upon her earlobe. Taking a gentle nip, he hungrily breathed her name.

Isabella's eyes flew open as she became conscious of the fact that Richard was sprawled across her body. Her heart raced as she recognized the flare of hunger that lit his eyes. He wanted nothing more than to take her then and there, but he knew that whatever passion she had felt before for him was now gone. In its wake was a realization that she had unconsciously frawn him to her. Pushing himself off of her, he swung his feet to the floor and drew himself into a standing position.

"What are you doing here?" she whispered.

"You called me," he returned, his blue-green eyes focused upon her own.

"Did I?" she gasped, unconscious of the fact that she lay in naked splendor before him.

"Yes."

"Odd," she breathed, "but I don't remember your having slept in these same quarters last night."

Shoving his hands into his pockets, he said, "I didn't. I came to tell you if you wanted to eat breakfast, you have to make it yourself."

"And how did you end up upon me?" she queried.

"You said my name, Isabella, and I responded."

"No," she whispered.

"Yes," he returned, taking in her bare shoulders and the enticing curve of her left breast.

Following his gaze, she saw that she had neglected to cover herself up. She pulled the blanket she had been sleeping with over her naked body, covering herself from his view. Richard smiled, an amused grin upon his lips.

"Your covering yourself up makes no difference now, Isabella. I now know what you look like," he chided.

"You shan't have me, nonetheless," she reiterated.

"Not at this moment, no," he replied. "But who knows? Maybe in the near future, you and I will become one."

"I doubt it," she returned, strengthening her resolve against the need he had aroused in her.

"You'll see," he assured. "You shall see. Take a shower and hurry out into the yard. Your breakfast will grow cold."

"But you just said. . . ." she stammered.

"I know what I just said. Just heed my order."

With that said, he marched out of the cabin in search of something to keep his mind off of Isabella's naked body. She lay back upon the bed, her heart hammering against her chest. She had given in to the wanton desires of her body, and had unconsciously summoned Richard to her bed. What would have happened if I had let him have his way with me? she wondered. What would he have done?

Unable to ponder that thought, she pushed back the thin blanket and hopped off of the bed. She pulled on her camisole and a pair of shorts and hurried out towards the bathing cabin in hopes of ridding herself of Richard's touch. Yet, she knew that no matter how hard she tried, she would never be able to forget the way he had felt within her arms.

Moments later, she found herself seated at a wooden table with a plate of milky eggs and partially blackened bacon before her. A cup of something black and thick sat to the right of the plate. Richard stared down at her, his face an impenetrable mask. She smiled at him and picked up a fork between her fingers, contemplating the plate before her.

"I can't cook that well," he admitted, several minutes later.

"This is fine," she covered, not wanting to hurt his feelings. He had, after all, tried to make her breakfast.

"Is it?" he questioned. "My goodness, Isabella, don't tell me that you're actually going to eat that stuff?"

"Then why did you serve it to me?" she returned, shoving a forkful of eggs into her mouth.

Try as she might, she could not swallow what lay in her mouth. She smiled tentatively at him, wanting so much to please him. He crossed his arms about his chest as he waited for her to swallow the eggs she had shoved into her mouth. He couldn't help but admire the spunk inside her. Instead of making fun of the fact that he had ruined her breakfast, she had bravely tried to eat a portion of it. No other woman he knew would have done that. They would have thrown the plate at him and angrily stalked away.

"Well?" he inquired. "How does it taste?"

She heard the barely contained laughter in his voice. It fueled her anger, causing her to swallow the eggs. She smiled, just then, her brown gaze clashing with his. "Delicious," she murmured, stabbing at a piece of bacon with her fork.

Unable to watch her digest the rest of what he had made, he bent forth and plucked the plate out of her grasp. "It's times like these that make me wish for Unhygenix. He was the official cook here, although he had a strong aversion to the smell of fish," he said as he tossed the remains of her breakfast into the stream beside the bridge.

"Did he?" she prodded, a smile breaking upon her mouth.

Richard could do naught but smile. He realized that Isabella was easy to get along with. He also realized that he was very much attracted to her, and she with him. He knew naught what would happen between them, but he was curious to find out.

"Yeah," he laughed. "You should have seen him. The man would take a lot of showers with all sorts of soaps. He hated smelling like a fish."

"You were fond of him, I take it?"

"Of course," replied Richard. "Why wouldn't I be? He was my friend, as were most of the people that left the island with me so long ago."

"If you loved it here so much, why did you leave?"

His eyes narrowed as he stared down at her with an air of nonchalance. "Things didn't turn out well for us," he breathed moments later.

"Didn't they?"

"No."

"But you left because you wanted to, didn't you?"

His face became a mask of stone as he said, "I don't think I owe you any explanations, Isabella. You weren't here back then. What happened doesn't concern you."

She pushed herself to her feet, her brown eyes blazing. "Doesn't it?" she cried. "My friend died coming here, so it mostly certainly concerns me."

He met her heated stare, a smile of sadness spreading upon his lips. "No, Isabella, it doesn't. You were foolish in believing that Sammy would have wanted you to come to him. You should have stayed away. This is not a place for you to be. There are many dangers upon this island, and you would do well to leave it," he breathed.

"While you were to stay here?"

"I have my reasons for being here."

"And you think I don't?"

"No."

"You're wrong."

"Am I?"

"Yes."

Before Richard could utter a reply, Sal came storming out of her cabin. Her blue eyes fluttered back and forth between Isabella and Richard. It was obvious to her that the two had been having a heated discussion. Of what, she did not know, but she was determined to find out.

"Did you sleep well?" she countered, addressing a flustered Isabella.

"Yes, thanks," she replied as she ran shaky fingers through her tangled hair.

"And you, Richard? Your night was fruitful?"

"No," came his reply as he stalked away towards the mountains he had roamed once before.

"He is not a man of many words, is he?" questioned Isabella as she watched his retreating form.

"It depends on his mood," said Sal, as she grabbed a carton of eggs and cracked a few into a bowl. "Have you eaten?"

"Not really," Isabella admitted. "Richard tried to make breakfast, but he wasn't very good at it. I could not find the heart to hurt his feelings and downed a mouthful of milky eggs."

Sal laughed, her blue eyes twinkling with amusement. She had missed the company of another woman, and found Isabella's gracious nature such a comfort to the solitary days she had spent on the island. She realized that the girl's presence would make a difference as the days went by.

"Yes, well, he never did learn how to do that, now did he? Have a seat. I'll have breakfast made in no time," she replied as she set about to make the best breakfast she had ever had the chance to make.



From the shadows, Richard watched as Sal and Isabella talked amongst themselves. He took in Sal's simple wardrobe and Isabella's chic clothes. It was obvious to him that she was accustomed to the finer things in life, yet she seemed to emit an air of independence and sophistication. Not to mention innocence, he thought wryly.

He wondered what it was about her that he found enticing. She was not the type of woman he was used to. The women he had been with had been sure and knowledge in the area of pleasing a man. Lord only knew that Francoise has pleased him so very much. Yet she chose Etienne in the end, didn't she? his libido quipped. At least you have your memories, Richard. At least those won't let you down.

He leaned back against the palm tree, releasing a pent-up sigh. Why is life so hard? So cruel? Why must things be this way? he wondered. And what is it about Isabella that inrigues me so? She is so unlike Franciose.

Isabella was small and serene. Francoise had been a tad taller than Isabella and known what she wanted. Isabella's features were classic, yet exotic. She possessed a small nose, full lips, fragile cheekbones, waist-length chesnut hair, and almond-shaped brown eyes. Whereas Francoise had possessed high cheekbones, knowing lips, an upturned nose, dark brown eyes, and raven-colored shoulder-length hair.

He told himself that he was not ready for a relationship with a woman, let alone with one who was so very different from those he had known before. He was also dealing with the loss of his friends and the girls that had died with them. The remorse and regret that he felt inside impeded him from getting close to another. If he were to allow himself the venture of loving Isabella, she would only end up hurt in the end.

He had hurt his parents upon taking the trip to Bangkok months ago. They had been dead set against his taking the trip, doing their best to detain him. Yet he had left, nonetheless. The prospect of seeing a new world had appealed to him back then, and it still did now.

He pushed himself away from the tree that he had been leaning against and made his way towards the cliff that he had spent so much time upon, so many months ago. He overlooked the waterm taking in the calm beauty of his surroundings.

He had always felt at peace when looking upon the water, the trees, and the white sands of the beach. That had been before everything had gone wrong. The arrival of Sammy and his friends had put a stop to their happiness. He had regretted, then, the fact that he had ever made a copy of the map that Daffy had given him.

He plucked a leaf off of a bush that sat to his left and unconsciously chewed upon its tip. What would have happened if I had never made a copy of that map? he wondered. Where would I be now?

He contemplated the choices he had made in his life, wondering what would have been if he had done things differently. He guessed that he would still have been living happily upon the island.

With Francoise? he asked himself. Would we have found happiness?

He ran a hand through his blonde hair, expelling a pent-up breath. He tried to make a sense of his emotions, yet he found it hard to do so. He was known for his sexual prowess, yet it seemed that a woman was soon to put a stop to that. Ruefully, he mused upon the fact that he was willing to allow her to make a claim upon him.

He tossed the leaf away and propelled himself towards the beach. He took in the soft white sands and the crystal clear blue lagoon. He pulled off his t-shirt, tossing it onto the sand beneath his feet. Kicking off his sandals, he ran towards the water and dove in head first.

He surfaced, moments later, rivulets of water cascading down his face and body. He rejoiced at the feel of the cool water against his skin, remembering the kiss he had shared with Francoise in those very waters. He longed for the happiness he had had back then, but knew that he would never find it. Those wonderful days were lost, replaced by a startling future.

He kicked out, pushing himself against the water. He swam back and forth, trying to rid his body of its frustrations. Yet, try as he might, they were only augmented. The memory of Isabella’s body against his own came to his mind constantly. He was aware of the fact that she had penetrated his defenses way too fast, and was unsure of what to do.

He guessed that the only way that he would be able to rid himself of the need for her was by succumbing to his desires. It would prove to stay his hunger, he knew. Yet he did not want to take that road just yet. Isabella was not a woman who would go into a relationship lightly. She wanted commitment and he knew that he could not give that to her just yet.

He was a worldly man, and preferred the casual, uninhibited affairs that he had had in the past. He guessed that he might have been a married man, by now, if things had not changed upon the island. He had had a wonderful relationship with Francoise, but even then, he had done her wrong.

He had gone to bed with Sal that one night in Ko Phangan to ensure his place upon the island. That had cost him Francoise’s love and had sent her back into Etienne’s arms. Even then, he had failed her.

He swam towards the shore, pulling himself out of the water. He sat upon the sand and lay back, uncaring that the sand would stick to his wet skin. He closed his eyes and sighed with content, as the world that he had known before welcomed him back home.

 

“Why don’t you take a walk and get to know the island?” Sal suggested as she rinsed out the utensils that had been used to make their breakfast.
“Is it safe for me to do so?” asked Isabella.

“Yes, it is,” Sal commented, pointing towards a warn path to her left. “Follow that path. It will lead you to the beach. I would take you myself, but I don’t feel like going there right now. If Richard comes back, I shall let him know that you are at the beach.”

“Why would you want to do that?” asked Isabella, her brown eyes narrowed against the glare of the morning sun.

Sal smiled, her blue eyes twinkling with amusement. “He would worry about your whereabouts. It is only fair that I tell him where you are, Isabella. You are to partake of life here at the island, and it is best that we keep close tabs on one another. It was that way before, and it shall be so now,” she stated firmly.

Isabella nodded, taking a moment to consider her words. “Very well,” she replied, “but there is something I must know. Why did people leave the island?”

Sal’s face paled as she stared back at the younger woman. Can I tell her? she wondered. Can I confide in her the secrets of so long ago? Will it cost me dearly, if I confess to her the reason why everyone deserted me so long ago?

Lowering her head, she said, “I am not ready to divulge that just yet to you. I have gone through so much to rebuild my life, and I cannot bare my soul just yet.”

“All right,” Isabella breathed, “I won’t bother you again with my questions. I am sorry if I have saddened you.”

Sal watched as she turned towards the worn path. For the first time in her life, she felt alone. Curbing the fear that had begun to grow in her chest, she watched the young girl disappear within the overgrowth. She wanted very much to confide in her, but she knew that it would take time. She had lived alone on the island for the past year, coming to grips with her past actions. Just because she desired a bit of company did not mean that she was ready to redeem herself within another person’s eyes.

She slammed the bowl that she had been holding against the table, rubbing the back of her hand against her eyes. Tears began to fall as she gave thought to what happened so many months ago. The sight of Richard had brought back all of the horrible memories that she had pushed to the back of her mind. She pushed herself onto the bench, her hands upon the table.

What will I do? she thought. With Richard’s return, I must now come to terms with the horror that I put everyone through. What if I had actually killed Richard? Where would I be now? Would I be behind bars, rotting for my crime? Would anyone believe me if I told them that all I had wanted to do was ensure the safety of the island?

No, she vowed, they would have believed me. All I wanted was to keep this paradise away from others. But everyone left me behind. Even Bugs. Even he left me here to make what I could of my life. But at least I was not left alone. At least, I have Patrick, and he is the most important thing in my life now.

As she sat there, she realized that Richard would assume that the child was his. Yet she knew very well that he was not. Her child belonged to her beloved Bugs, and she would make sure that Richard knew that he was not the father of her child. When the time was right, she would reveal her child to both Richard and his father. Now was not the time to make his presence known. Not until she knew the reason behind Richard’s return to the island. Only then, would she make it known that she had given forth Bugs’ child.



She followed the path that Sal had pointed out to her, keeping her eyes upon the ground. She did not want to come upon any of the animals on the island. She greatly feared snakes, and she could only assume that there were some on the island.

She admired the foliage and the wild flowers that grew along the path. She hoped that the beach was everything that Sammy had said it would be. He had described white sands and a field of full of pot to her.

He had been correct in telling her about the field, but he had failed to mention that it had been severely protected by the farmers that grew the plants. She was glad, though, that she had not lost her life. Upon being discovered by the farmers, she had zig-zagged between the plants and had made her way towards the cliff. She had then taken the plunge into the water and had done her best to make them believe that she was dead.

As she walked along the path, she breathed a sigh of relief. She was glad that she was still alive. She was also glad that she had met the enigmatic, yet moody, Richard. She could not deny the attraction that she felt for him. The kiss they had shared awhile ago had added to that attraction.

She had never met a man like Richard, and she knew that she wanted to explore the feelings that he had evoked in her. Whatever was to happen between them would take place sooner or later. Of that she was sure.

She came upon a beach of pure white sands, surrounded by massive cliffs and a blue lagoon. She marveled at the beauty of it all, her gaze falling upon a body lying in the sand. Thinking that the body had been left behind, she rushed towards it. Kneeling beside a sleeping Richard, she breathed a sigh of relief as she realized that it was Richard that lay upon the sand.

She took in his sun-kissed blonde hair, his long lashes, his cheekbones, his strong chin, and his sensuous mouth. She wanted to lean forward and press her mouth against his. Yet she was afraid to do so. He did not want to have anything to do with her, she knew, and it would not do to alienate him from her.

She turned her head slightly to gaze at his bronzed chest, taking in the thin line of hair upon his navel that disappeared into his shorts. She gazed upon his thighs and legs, wondering what it would be like to feel them against her once more. She was so engrossed in her study of him, that she was not aware of the fact that Richard had awakened and was now gazing at her with open hunger. Only when he cleared his throat was she aware of his having awakened.

“Richard,” she gasped, her voice husky with wanting.

“Isabella,” he breathed, as he pushed himself into a sitting position.

Without expecting him to do so, Richard caught her mouth with his own. He coaxed her mouth open, pushing his tongue inside in hopes of finding the hidden secrets of her mouth. He lay back, pulling her unresisting body against his own. A gasp escaped him as he molded her small frame to his.

He rolled onto his side, pulling her beneath him. His hand traveled underneath the thin fabric of her camisole in search of her breast. Unconsciously, her back arched of its own volition. Her breast was pushed into Richard’s palm as his hand came to rest upon its creamy fullness. He rubbed and teased the hardened bud of her breast, rejoicing in the fact that he was very thoroughly arousing her.

His lips left the fullness of her mouth, making a trail towards her breasts. He clamped his lips against her nipple, unheeding of the fact that it was still covered by her camisole. He tugged at it with his teeth, causing her to gasp in pleasure. He pushed the thin fabric over her breasts, bunching it at her shoulders. He stared upon the fullness of her small breasts, amazed that she could arouse him so easily.

He cupped one of her breasts within his hands, kneading it back and forth with the pad of his thumb. The feel of his hand against her skin jolted her back to reality. She pushed his hand away from her breast, crossing her arms across her chest.

“How dare you!” she hissed.

“How dare I?” he questioned, his brow furrowing with confusion. “You wanted this as much as I did, lady.”

“I did not,” she retorted hotly, her cheeks filling with color.

“You did,” he returned, taking in her disheveled form. “Admit it, Isabella. I arouse you.”

“You do not!” she argued, not wanting to let on that he really did arouse her.

He ran a finger along the center of her belly, a knowing smile upon his lips. “Dearest Isabella,” he breathed, “ you can’t hide it from me. Your body betrays you, sweetheart. You want me.”

“No!”

“Yes!” he replied, as he bent forth and pressed his mouth against her stomach. He pressed hot kissed along her navel, eager to arouse her hunger once more.

“Stop it,” she said, pushing at his shoulders. “I don’t want this.”

He stopped as he came upon the waistband of her shorts, and raised his head to look at her. “Don’t you?” he murmured, his blue-green eyes murky with passion.

“No,” she stated firmly, her eyes focused on his ruffled hair.

Pushing himself off of her, he narrowed his gaze at her as he haughtily replied, “Fine, I don’t need you to curb my desires. I can find someone else.”

Her eyes widened as she assumed that he meant to share Sal’s bed. “I hope Sal can fulfil your most hungry desires, Richard, for you are nothing but a callous bastard,” she taunted as she sat up and retrieved her camisole.

He clamped his lips together to keep the laughter that had risen to his throat at bay. “Yeah, well, at least she knows how to please me,” he quipped.

“Does she?” she wondered as she pulled herself to her feet.

“Yes, she does.”

Isabella kept her spiraling emotions at bay, as she stared down into Richard’s face. She would not let on just how much his statement had affected her. “You make a great pair,” she breathed as she pulled on her camisole. “Both of you are haughty and so very cold.”

“Really?” Richard chided. “I shall take that as a compliment, Isabella. I should warn you, though, Sal is doing her best to befriend you. I would take care not to make her angry.”

“And that means what to me?” hissed Isabella as she turned in the direction she had come from.

Richard reached for her, his hand closing over her wrist. He pulled her to him, toppling her onto the sand once more. She cried out with surprise as his full weight came down upon her small frame. She wrestled with him to and fro as she tried to untangle herself from his grasp. Yet she could not do so. Richard was far stronger than she.

“Let go of me,” she said, as he clasped her wrists within his hands and held them above her head.

“No,” he denied, taking in her flushed face. “Damn you, Isabella. Do you honestly think I would bed Sal after having kissed you?”

“Yes,” she shot back at him. “You’re callous and arrogant and you would do anything to gain your advantage.”

He could not help but smile at her assumption of him. It was true that he was thought to be what she had said, but it in fact did not hold true. He was very much a considerate man and would place the needs of others above his own when the situation called for him to do so. That she should think him callous and arrogant surprised him.

“I do have a heart, Isabella,” he whispered.

“Do you?”

“Yes.”

“Then let me go.”

“I cannot. You intrigue me. I want to explore the feelings you bring forth in me.”

“I barely know you,” she stated as he leaned forth and pressed his cheek against her own.

“Does that really matter?” he wondered, as he outlined her left cheekbone with his mouth.

“Yes. I need time, Richard.”

He pushed himself onto his elbows, staring into her brown eyes. “For what?” he pondered, his brow furrowed once more.

“I am not the type of woman to go into a casual relationship. I want commitment, Richard, and you can’t give me that,” she replied.

“So?” he attacked, as his rigid member pushed against his shorts in search of release.

“I won’t allow myself to have an affair with you.”

His mouth hardened as she denied him the very thing he wanted. He pushed himself away from her, and said, “Leave. I don’t want you near me.”

Her eyes widened as she heard the finality in his voice. She rose, her heart in her throat. “Damn you!” she hissed. “I hope that Sal makes you happy!”

She turned away and ran, not wanting to let him see that his words had hurt her. If he wants to find comfort within Sal’s arms, then so be it, she thought. It doesn’t matter to me what he does! It doesn’t!

Yet she knew well that it mattered. He had penetrated her heart and she wanted no other man but him. It was his touch that she desired, and she would accept nothing less. He had branded her his with just a touch of his hand, and she knew that she would forever be his.