CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
MARCUS
Marcus knew now why Katy was so skittish around guys like him, but he still ached with frustration.
Which was just as well. He was probably flirting more than was healthy. Katy was better off staying away from someone like him. He had too many scars for the average woman to deal with.
The thought of Katy being somewhere else on the premises and him being in his room filling up his jacuzzi made him ache with loneliness. They could even hang out cozily inside, and he would be fine with it.
He heard the sliding of a door and turned to his left. Katy stepped out to her balcony and looked over at him. She had the funny fluffy robe around her.
He raised a hand and waved.
She waved back.
He made a sweeping gesture toward his jacuzzi. One more try, and then he was going to take a hint.
She stood there with an awkward expression and then nodded.
After she disappeared into her room, he let out a low whistle.
She was coming over!
He dipped his fingers in the water and adjusted the tap so it wasn’t as hot. Then he waited, anticipation building up within him. He was going to treat her like a perfect gentleman.
At her knock, he walked casually to the door, his heart pounding in his chest. This was like going on a date. Except it wasn’t one. Let’s be clear.
Cue the soundtrack in the background, because he was kidding himself.
He opened the door, and there she stood.
Her eyes widened more than he’d ever seen as her gaze brushed against his bare chest.
She pulled her eyes resolutely back to his face and visibly swallowed.
“Come in,” he said, his voice sounding far too low and seductive than what he’d intended.
She stood there, hesitant.
“On second thought…” she said, backing away.
“I’ll be the perfect gentleman,” he said, making a cross on his chest. Which probably freaked her out more, drawing attention to his torso.
“I don’t usually come to gentlemen’s quarters,” she said. She looked like she was going to hyperventilate at any moment.
“And I usually don’t invite women to my hotel suite.”
She gave him a dubious glance.
He clenched his jaw. “I haven’t dated since my…my wife died five years ago.”
Her expression softened, making him bristle. He didn’t need her pity. Until he realized it was Katy just being Katy. Soft-hearted for everyone and anything.
“I’d just love the company,” he said honestly.
No more pretenses. He let her see the raw need in his eyes and the fear. He didn’t know how to do this, this new thing. Where he was dating again after Amanda. If he had to be with a woman, he was glad it was Katy. With her, he felt safe. That she would treat his heart with care.
Katy smiled, her shoulders relaxing as she moved with confidence into his room. Her poise was beautiful to watch.
He checked the jacuzzi water. “Just right. A bit on the warm side. After you.”
She shed her robe and climbed in, and he tried to not stare at her long legs and shapely body.
She was all smiles as he got in the water. He sat across from her, careful not to touch or make her feel threatened.
“I’m surprised you don’t speak Spanish,” she observed.
He leaned back. The water felt fantastic, and the setting was just incredible. “I wish I did. I’ve traveled so much in Spanish-speaking areas. I got lazy, I guess. I leave the communicating to a translator.”
Her hair turned near-black, wet from dipping in the water. “Sometimes, you don’t catch everything translated by someone.”
“I hear you. Yes. Thank goodness, people usually can communicate through a handshake. Through the eyes too. You can convey a lot that way.”
As they were doing that moment. Her eyes shone with happiness, and he liked to think he had a part in that.
She leaned forward and gazed, really gazed, into his eyes. “Your eye color is interesting. It’s kind of gray and green all at the same time.”
“It’s hazel,” he whispered.
Her smile disappeared, scuttled somewhere.
Did he venture somewhere too personal? Too threatening? He wondered what she was thinking.
He knew what he was thinking. He just loved being with her, even without any of the physical stuff.
But…
He wanted to kiss her.
He wanted to hold her.
He’d never felt this way for any woman after Amanda. It was a foreign feeling yet as though he had come home. Maybe he had a heart in his chest after all.
He’d promised to be a gentleman, so he closed his eyes and cut off whatever was going on right then between them.
When he opened them, she had leaned back against the tub and was looking at the view.
“This really is fantastic, isn’t it?” she said. “Thanks for arranging our stay here.”
“You’re welcome. Glad you like it.”
“I didn’t, at first.”
“No,” he teased.
“Sometimes, I feel so guilty, having so much when people all around the world, and even in America, have so little.”
“Katy, you didn’t cause those people to not have much.”
“No, but I took up someone’s slot in a rich family.” Her voice was strangled. “Didn’t you ever feel this way?”
“What way?”
“That you got lucky by simply being born in the family you were.”
“Sure. I consider myself lucky, but guilty? No. Why should I? I’m not hurting anyone. In fact, I can do lots of good if I so choose.”
She gazed at him with soulful eyes. She was genuinely conflicted about this.
“Katy, what’s something you wish you could do here in Guatemala that you haven’t because of your guilt complex.”
“My guilt complex.” She laughed and then turned serious. “Mmm. That’s a tough one. I’ve pretty much done everything I could except…” Her eyes darted toward him. “You’ll laugh.”
“Try me.”
“I’ve always wanted to fly over one of the volcanic craters, but it’s only accessible by helicopter.”
He burst out laughing. “Touché. Sorry, that is pretty funny.”
“I know.” She smiled sheepishly.
“Tell you what,” he said. “If I make that happen, will you come with me?”
“You would take me up by helicopter near the crater?”
“Er, we’re not jumping in an active one, are we?”
She nodded. “I believe all the volcanoes here are active.”
“Uh…”
“Don’t worry. Chances of it blowing up in the next few days are slim to none.”
It wasn’t great reassurance, but he played along. “Okay, then.”
“If we do it after Conchilla, then yes.”
“Of course, after Conchilla. Conchilla is my priority.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Are you being sarcastic?”
“No, ma’am.” He smiled.
Her eyes grew more luminous. Maybe it was the effect of the warmth, the placid lake, and the blue sky above, but he thought she looked beautiful. What would it hurt for him to cross the great Jacuzzi divide and kiss her?
“I should go,” she said. Her chest heaved as if she was having trouble breathing.
She was scared.
He was too.
She scrambled out of the water.
Like an idiot, he watched her as she struggled to get into her robe for a moment. Finally, he had the presence of mind to help her. He rose and guided her arm into the remaining sleeve, standing so close he could smell her perfume.
“Thank you,” she said over her shoulder.
Then, like a doe, she fled.