Island in the Sea by Anita Hughes Page B

Lionel describing his first proper date with Samantha. She remembered him saying he was so excited he couldn’t decide between buying flowers or chocolate. She inhaled Henry’s musk aftershave and felt something well up deep inside her.
    *   *   *
    Juliet entered the Hotel Salvia and took a deep breath. It was almost midnight and the living room was empty. She saw flickering candles and a mahogany sideboard set with a silver coffeepot and porcelain cups and a pitcher of cream.
    â€œI had a lovely time.” She turned to Henry. “I’m going upstairs to bed.”
    â€œYou’re going to think I’m old-fashioned.” He ran his hands through his hair. “I wondered if I could kiss you good night.”
    â€œHere?” Juliet raised her eyebrow.
    â€œThe concierge has gone to bed and even the maids have gone home.” He leaned forward and touched her hair. “I’d ask to see you to your room but I don’t trust myself to leave you at the door.”
    Juliet glanced at the French doors and marble fireplace and brocade sofas. She studied Henry’s brown eyes and wide shoulders. She nodded and moved closer.
    â€œI’d like that.”
    *   *   *
    Juliet entered her room and slipped off her sandals. She tossed her purse on the glass end table and walked to the balcony. It had been delicious to feel Henry’s mouth on her lips and his hands in his hair. She had wanted him to follow her up the narrow staircase, but deep down she knew it was best to wait.
    She walked inside and unzipped her dress. She slipped on a cotton robe and climbed onto the four-poster bed. She leaned against the down pillows and fell asleep, a smile playing on her lips.

chapter ten
    T HE SUN GLEAMED ON THE tile counter and Lionel stirred a bowl of porridge. He added sliced banana and nutmeg. He found a spoon and carried it to the round table.
    He had stayed awake all night playing old CDs. He paced around the Oriental rug listening to Samantha’s voice fill the living room. He pressed stop after each song, promising himself he’d go to bed, and then played another.
    He took a small bite and knew he should have thrown the CDs out long ago. But they were like an old teddy bear or a favorite pair of slippers; just knowing they were at the bottom of his drawers made him happy.
    He heard a knock on the door and walked to the entry.
    â€œThe bloody gardeners woke me hours ago,” he grumbled. “I never understood gardening. Why do grown men spend half the day mowing the lawn and clipping the bushes when they have to come back and do it tomorrow? Kipling had the right idea, we should all live in a jungle.”
    â€œIt smells wonderful in here.” Juliet entered the kitchen.
    â€œMy mother used to make porridge when I was sick.” He filled a bowl and handed it to Juliet. “Something about holding the warm bowl always made me feel better.”
    â€œNo thank you.” She shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”
    â€œYou have circles under your eyes.” He frowned. “I hope you didn’t have a relapse.”
    â€œI had a date,” Juliet replied. “I didn’t get home until midnight.”
    â€œI knew you’d find a young Spaniard to seduce you,” Lionel exclaimed. “Does he have dark curly hair and flashing eyes and play guitar?”
    â€œHe’s not Spanish and I wasn’t seduced. We had a lovely dinner in Palma.” She blushed. “After dinner we discovered a street party. There was wonderful music and everyone danced.”
    â€œLet me guess, you listened to the throbbing music and thought you never wanted to be anywhere else.” He put his spoon in the bowl. “This morning you got up and hummed the same song in the shower. By the time you dried off you realized you were in love.
    â€œDo you know why people can tell you the name of the song they listened to when they