Chapter Eight

Jayde shut the door behind him and climbed into the shower, still breathing hard and wanting some-thing that seemed out of reach for her. She stayed in there for a good half-hour until her skin began to prune.

Getting out, she immediately began to apply baby oil. After that was done, she slid into her robe and walked out into the main part of the room. Sitting there on her bed, freshly shaved and with a faint smell of Aqua Velva, was Tyson. Immediately all those intense feelings returned and wreaked havoc in her lower body.

His bags were by the dresser; she noticed he only had two, so he either traveled light or hadn’t planned on staying down here very long. He’d changed into fresh jeans and a clean shirt. His eyes were clear and possessive as he looked at her.

“Hello,” he greeted.

“Hey. Just give me a minute to get some clothes.” Jayde was a little unsure of how to act.

“Don’t hurry on my account; I am thoroughly enjoying the view.” Tyson smiled and she blushed. “I got the tickets for the ride to the sanctuary. So we are all set for that.”

Jayde nodded and returned to the bathroom, dressing quickly in hiking clothes. For so long she’d want-ed to go to this preserve and look at the wildlife. She tossed up her hair into a ponytail and then she walked out to meet Tyson with a huge smile on her face. “Ready.”

“Let’s do it, then.” He waited as she tied on her hiking boots. The glint off her ring made him smile. His SEAL team would never believe that he’d gotten married, especially considering the way his ex had treated him. He glanced down at his finger and felt comfort in seeing the metal band.

Together they gathered their things and headed down to the lobby where they boarded a tour bus that took them to the sanctuary. Tyson had taken her hand in his and entwined their fingers. She’d given him an encouraging squeeze in return.

She sat by the window totally absorbed by the lush greens of the landscape. Jayde loved Tyson’s fre-quent touches and kisses, but for once, she was totally sucked in by the terrain, her artist’s mind was working overtime. When he finally stopped trying to compete with the scenery for her attention and lightly caressed her hand, she looked away from the window and smiled softly at him.

Jayde had been so excited she hadn’t noticed the man who’d boarded after them, watching intently. Tyson had, but acted otherwise. He’d pretended as if it were just a trip between husband and wife. Every now and then he would brush his hand along her face or kiss her ring hand. Now, hours later, Tyson sat in awe of the woman sleeping in the crook of his shoulder as the bus drove them back to the hotel. They’d hiked for over eight hours at the preserve, climbing over terrain that would’ve given trouble to a lot of men he knew. She’d moved like a pro over the rocks, navigating her way as if she’d grown up there. The day had been amazing.

While they hadn’t seen any of the elusive jaguars, the time had been full of beauty and wonder. Jayde had been impressed by everything she’d seen. Her recently acquired husband had willingly followed her lead as she went off the beaten path. Tyson had only given her one warning and that was about the bush-master.

“Just watch where you step; I don’t want to have to tell your family that I married and lost their daugh-ter within the space of a single day. That snake is deadly,” he’d said.

“I know. I’ll be fine. Now quit worrying and let’s go,” she’d said right before she’d taken off, leaving him to follow in her wake, not even acknowledging his mention of marriage or her family.

His new wife had moves that would make his SEAL team proud. She was very sure-footed; but for now, she rested against his body snoring softly. He smiled as he slid strands of her hair through his fingers, so soft, so silky. Her light citrus smell combined with baby powder made him peaceful. Unable to resist, he kissed the top of her head, loving the way she nestled closer to him.

As the bus began a slow stop in front of the hotel he decided not to wake her. She was so serene sleep-ing there, so he scooped her up in his arms and carried her off the bus.

As he walked into the hotel lobby, many gazes met him. When Jayde looked up at him, he smiled as she blinked a few times and snuggled back into his chest. The couple received envious glances from other men’s wives and even from some of the men themselves. The staff was awed and astonished as they hurried to open the elevator for him. He adjusted Jayde’s relaxed body in the elevator as it headed up to the fifth floor.

He got off and went to the room, sliding the card key in the door and entering. Tyson set her on the bed and began to undress her. After her hiking boots had been removed, the phone rang in the room, grabbing her attention immediately.

Jayde sat up with a start. “Don’t,” she protested as she moved off the bed towards the phone. ”My feet must stink…” Her head dropped back as she sat down on the chair. “Hello?” There was a brief pause. “Hello, Father.”

Tyson watched her entire posture changed. He didn’t like the instant submissiveness she projected. Now he understood what she’d meant by her family being overbearing. He walked up behind her and started to rub her neck.

“I was out of cell phone range today,” Jayde said, unconsciously melting into Tyson. He smiled. “I went to the preserve. I was not in any danger. Father, I was very well protected. No, I never went off on my own; there was always at least one person with me. I was very safe. I have to go now, Father, I need to eat dinner. Give my love to—” Jayde sighed and set the phone down.

“Everything okay?” Tyson’s concerned voice asked.

“He just hung up on me. They are never going to be proud of me. Today, it was that I was stupid for going off to a preserve. I have been away from home long enough and I need to get back to the States and begin my career.” She leaned back further into his touch, eagerly accepting his silent support. “I must be such a disappointment to them.”

Tyson felt a blinding anger at her family. How could they treat her like this? Like her opinion about her own life didn’t matter? “I’m sure they are just worried about their baby. I know if my youngest child was out of the country, alone, I would be concerned.”

Jayde tensed. “You have children?”

He caressed the back of her neck. “None that I’m aware of. And I have always been very aware of my activities.” His breath teased the hairs at her nape.

She stood and turned to look at him with a semi-humorous glint in her eyes. “And I suppose you have had a lot of activities to keep track of?”

“In my younger days, I had my fair share. Not so much as of late.” His eyes ran up and down her body in a blatant, red-blooded, masculine perusal. “But now that I am married, we will have to see.”

“You’re not that old; and if you are, then you are in awesome shape. Who are you kidding? We both know this whole marriage thing is a sham.” Jayde smiled as she bent to peel off her socks.

“Jayde,” he began. “About that…” The phone rang; this time it was his cell phone.

She waved him off. “I am going to order some dinner. I’ll get you some as well.”

He just smiled and answered his phone. Going over to the window, he began his conversation keeping, one eye on his wife. Someday he was really going to have to tell her they were legally married.

Dinner was delicious. Jayde had ordered him the surf-n-turf. The steak was perfect, done medium rare, just the way he liked it.

“I want to ask you something,” he said as he dipped his lobster into the melted butter.

“Shoot,” she said easily as she ate her grilled salmon with baby asparagus.

“How did you know my middle name? You know, when the priest asked for it at the ceremony?”

Jayde nodded. “When you opened your wallet. That first night…listen to me, as if it were so long ago…I saw your identification.”

“What made you decide to go along with me? I mean, like you said, we have only now known each other for little more than a full day.”

She put down her utensils and met his gaze. “I trusted you, and I still do.”

He smiled as he began to eat again. “That phone call I just got…”

“Yes. What about it?”

“I’ve been cleared to return to work.”

“Congratulations!” She raised her glass in a toast. “I bet that makes you very happy.”

“Well, I’d be happier if I knew I was also cleared to go back to my original position, but this is a start.” But at the same time, he was sickened by the thought of leaving her.

“Well, then, let’s celebrate. Let’s go dancing,” she said with a grin.

“I’m not much of a dancer,” he protested.

“You did fine last night; what’s changed since then?”

“Nothing, it’s just that…”

“Well, good. If this is our last night, I want to go dancing,” Jayde insisted.

“I can think of something else I would like to do.” His eyes darkened with memories of her body pressed against his.

She teased him with that adorable blush again. “I want to dance, but I don’t want you to feel uncom-fortable. So will you take me for a walk on the beach?”

“Of course. I will even take you dancing if you want.” How could he not? She fit so perfectly in his arms, and to hold her was akin to holding perfection.

A thought occurred to her. “When do you leave?” she wondered.

“I go back to the States in two days. When is your vacation over?” Tyson didn’t want to leave her.

“Same. I am nearing the end of my ‘freedom’,” Jayde said with a roll of her eyes.

“Good, then I will see you home.” He stood and held his hand out to her. “Let’s go woman,” he teased. “I want to walk on the beach.”

His smile was infectious. She took his hand and walked over to where her sandals sat by the door. Slid-ing them on her feet, she looked back at her cell phone and hesitated.

Tyson saw where she was looking and shook his head. “No, not tonight. Tonight is for us.” He guided her out the door, pulling it shut just as the intrusive ringing of her phone began.

“They are going to kill me for this,” she said.

“They will have to get through me, and I promise they won’t.” He gave her hand an encouraging squeeze and they continued down the hall.