By Tuesday we were back on the island. The good news was that Mokita was back to her old self, full of energy and curiosity. Libby and I shared duties, feeding her, taking her outside to play… and keeping vigilant watch on her at all times. We would rest when she did, all of us collapsing into Libby's bed in the afternoons. Although I hadn't expected it, having the puppy's constant needs to focus on, made it somewhat easier for Libby and I to ignore the powerful attraction between us. We lavished all our affection on Moki instead, and while the puppy basked in the attention, Libby and I kept a friendly distance between us.

The bad news was that the papers Spencer had promised me on Monday, still hadn't arrived. He and Blake reassured me they'd be faxed over before the end of the business day. And while my brother was plenty distracted by his brand-new engagement to Janet, I had complete confidence in them both. Still, I wanted it fucking done. In the old days, I'd have flown back and closed the deal myself. But I was enjoying living like a family man. Even if it wasn't the real thing. Even if it was just a different kind of business deal…

With the merger set to wrap up tonight, I'd made the decision. That the timing would be perfect, to confirm the other deal as well. We'd waited long enough and I was more than ready to know for sure. I wanted Libby to take the test in the morning, and I'd planned for us to take a long hike around the island to bring up the suggestion. The man who had given us Moki in the first place had agreed to watch over her, and I was damned excited at the idea of having Libby, finally, all to myself. She was waiting for me in the foyer, dressed in a pink tank and chocolate brown shorts. My hands itched to peel the thin straps off her shoulders… Instead, I handed her one of the water bottles.

"Here," I said, tucking a wide brimmed hat over her curls. She looked up at me from under the edge. Faint dark smudges showed under her eyes, but they were wide and beautiful.

"There are flamingos in the shallow water near the cove," I told her, shrugging into the backpack that carried our lunch. "Tortoises too… and lemurs further inland." I took her hand. It felt so small in mine. "The island is small enough we can cover a lot in one day of easy walking." We headed out into a gentle breeze and a brilliantly blue sky. "I brought suits and towels...We can swim if you like."

We walked hand in hand, following the thin trail that lead to the cove. It wasn't far from the spot where I'd gone to swim alone that night. The night I'd admitted the truth of how I felt about Libby. It was the first time I'd said the words aloud. And it had been the last time…

"Oh… look…!" She let go of my hand and pointed just beyond the flowering shrubs. "There are so many…" The water was a swirl of bright pink as hundreds of flamingoes fed and preened in the shallows. "I've never seen anything so incredible, Jack."

"Come on." I took her hand, pleased with how excited she was. "They're fairly used to people. And we can swim right over there," I pointed. "And have lunch in the shade."

We headed down slowly. The path down was steep and I kept her safely behind me until we reached the sand. Her cheeks were pink with effort, her lips moist and parted. I put my hands around her waist and lifted her down over the last few rocks. The feeling of her hands against my chest made me hungry for her skin…

"God, it's so beautiful here…," she breathed. Together we looked out over the water. "I never thought these places were real, you know? Just photographs in magazines…"

"We can stay, until it's time for your first checkup. And even come back afterwards, if you'd like." I spread a huge blanket in the tiny clearing, sheltered all around by tall trees. Then I took our suits out of the pack and held hers out. She shook her head, not looking into my eyes. "Mine's on underneath," she said, as she unzipped her shorts. They dropped to her ankles and she kicked them aside. Then she peeled off the tank top. Just the way I had wanted to…

The suit she wore was all one piece, almost the same creamy color of her skin. Only a pale string of printed lilac flowers kept her from looking totally naked. They travelled from her shoulder across her breasts and down to her hip… Standing there, near the tropical blooms and with the blue water behind her, she could have been Eve... in the garden…

I tossed my trunks away with a smile and peeled off my shirt and shorts. The slim black briefs I wore were more than enough. I took her hand and we ran for the water together. Everything seemed perfect. And I suddenly felt happier than I could ever remember.

"Let me go…!" She laughed as I caught at her hips, pulling her against me. "I'm hungry and I want to see what's in that backpack…"

She was halfway back to the beach, but I held her tight. We'd played in the water like a couple of kids and I wasn't ready to let her go. "It's just cold chicken and lemonade," I coughed as she splashed water in my face. "It can wait… but so help me I don't think I can…"

She was breathless and laughing too as she struggled in my arms. For one more second, it was just innocent fun. But the feel of her breasts against my chest as she fought against me suddenly changed everything. I held her and she held me back. Our chests rose and fell together as we caught our breath. Her nipples were hard against me and there was no denying the hardness of my cock pressing into her belly.

"We were keeping it simple…," I breathed out. Her lips were so fucking close. "But we seem to keep finding ourselves here, wanting more…"

"Jack…" She started but didn't finish. I could see the same look in her eyes that had been there since Moki had gotten sick. Hesitant, troubled somehow. Even with the pleasure of the day, it was still there.

"You can tell me, you know. Anything that you need… anything I can do. I know you're still worried about the puppy, sweetheart. She's fine now, she really is. But maybe it's been too stressful, along with the pregnancy."

I watched her mouth open as she took in a breath. Then she pressed her lips together and frowned. "I love her, Jack. She'd never be too much, no matter what. I love… that you gave her to me."

"But there's still something wrong… I can see it… Are you feeling okay? What can I can do to help?" I tipped her face to mine. "There's nothing I wouldn't do…"

I watched her struggle a moment longer. I held her close and her hands were gripping my arms. "I just want to give you everything you deserve, Jack. You've already given me so much." She dipped her head. "I want you to have the family you've dreamed of. I want to give you that so much…" She looked up, her eyes moist. "You've become so important to me… as my friend. And that I want to give you everything you need, too…

Will you be with me, Jack? Just one more time… Not about the baby, and not about some contract between us…

But just because you want me… and because I want you too?"