“WE’RE DEFINITELY NOT in the heart of L.A. anymore.”

Ken laughed, watching as Lisa adjusted the blindfold as they sped through the Malibu Canyon toward the Pacific Ocean miles ahead. “What was your first clue?”

She sniffed. “Air quality?”

He shot her an amused look as the Rolling Stones’s “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” blared out of the speakers. “Don’t dis my hometown. The smog’s how we keep our secret. Underneath that blanket of smog is the best city on the planet.”

“You don’t have to tell me. I love Los Angeles. I can’t wait to move back.”

That surprised him, and he slowed down, turning slightly to see her face. “I thought you loved New York.”

“No.” She scowled. “New York is great for a while, but I miss L.A. I miss the mountains and the beach. I mean, where else can you ski on Saturday and go scuba diving on Sunday?”

He turned back to the road, amused. “But you never did.”

She sighed. “No, but I should have. I should have done a lot of things.” In his peripheral vision, he saw that she’d turned toward him. “I was right here for years and I never knew how great I had it.”

He swallowed, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. Was she talking about the city? Her career?

Or was she talking about him?

He couldn’t ask her outright, so he asked why she didn’t come back.

She didn’t answer. Instead she slipped a finger under the blindfold. “Come on. Tell me where we’re going and let me take this off.”

“No way. Answer the question. And quit trying to peek.”

With a grimace, she dropped her hands into her lap, then shrugged. “I was an entire continent away. And I thought I had it so great with Tyrell.”

His stomach tightened, but he pushed the feeling away. “But it didn’t work out with him.”

She laughed, the sound harsh and without humor. “That’s the understatement of the century.”

“So why didn’t you come back then?”

She rubbed her hands down her slacks, then half shrugged. “I was there. It was home. I’d made the decision to go, and…” She sighed, apparently not willing to admit out loud how much she hated to fail. “It’s not always easy getting back where you want to be, or getting what you want, for that matter.”

Her tone was perfectly normal, no sadness or self-pity. But he knew better, and for the first time he had an inkling of how hard it must have been for her. He knew two things for certain about Lisa. First, once upon a time, he’d loved her. And second, she couldn’t stand failure.

Not sure it was the right thing to do, he reached over and took her hand. “Don’t worry. We’ll get you back home.”

Her mouth twitched, and she reached up with her free hand to rub her eye under the blindfold. “Thanks, Ken. I knew I could count on you.”

“And you can take that off now, if you want.”

“Really?”

“It’s beautiful here. I’d hate for you to miss out.”

She smiled, then gave his fingers a squeeze before pulling the blindfold up and over her hair. She blinked, then inhaled deeply. “It’s fabulous.”

He watched as she twisted around, taking in the surroundings as they glided by. Rolling green hills, fresh air, winding roads, and no traffic.

“Recognize it?”

At first she hesitated, then she nodded. “I think so. The Malibu Canyon?”

“Right on the money.”

She took a deep breath, then sighed. “I always loved it here.”

“I remember.”

When she turned to him this time, her smile seemed a little melancholy, and the now-familiar guilt settled in his stomach. He was helping her, true, but he was exacting a price. Fair? Probably not. He should just help her, and let her go on about her life. But he wanted her in his bed, wanted her out of his system.

He’d thought he wanted her to pay, also, but now he wasn’t so sure. Considering the twisted-up way his insides felt, he wondered if he wasn’t the one paying the price.

But he couldn’t walk away. Not now that she was beside him. Not now that he’d seen the passion in her eyes when he’d touched her. No, they both had a chance to revisit their past. A dangerous journey, maybe, but it was one he had to make.

“Anyway,” she said after a moment, her voice back to normal. “What are we doing here?”

“I like this stretch of road.” He downshifted to take a tight curve, enjoying the powerful engine at his control.

“It’s breathtaking. But where are we going?”

“I’m pitching a theme. You’ll have to wait and see.”

“Uh-huh. And what sort of theme are we talking about?”

He tossed her a shocked look. “Genius at work, here. Surely you don’t want me to reveal all ahead of schedule?”

She quirked a brow. “Um, yeah. Give it up.”

“You’re sure? Gonna take all the fun out of it.”

Turning in her seat, she crossed her arms and shot him an amused look. “Tell!”

He laughed. “Make me.”

 

LISA TAPPED HER FINGERS in time to the radio, considering his demand. Make me.

She bit back a smile, certain she could make him if she tried.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

“I’m trying to decide.”

The corner of his lip curled up. “To decide what?”

“If I should make you.”

“Ah. Well, I warn you. I might take a lot of convincing.” He reached over and traced the tip of his finger along the back of her hand, leaving a trail of heat in the wake of his touch. “Are you sure you’re up for it?”

She slipped her hand away, then reached over and closed her fingers around his thigh, enjoying the way he tensed under her touch. “I’m up for anything you’ve got in mind.”

“Are you?” As he spoke, he closed his hand over hers, and she held her breath as he urged it higher until her hand grazed the unmistakable bulge in his slacks.

She stifled a gasp, surprised by his boldness, even though she shouldn’t be considering what he’d done to her last night. He pressed her hand down until there was no doubt at all how much he wanted her.

“Are you really up for anything?”

“Y-yes,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. She cleared her throat, not willing to lose this round. “Absolutely,” she said more strongly.

He twined his fingers with hers. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“So tell me.” She leaned over, tracing the edge of his ear with her finger, enjoying the tension she saw in his arms as he tried to maintain his concentration on the road. “Tell me what you have planned.”

“All right. You’ve convinced me.” He took her hand, kissed her fingertips, then shot her a look clearly designed to shoot straight to the bottom of her heart. “From Here to Eternity.”

“Excuse me? We’re definitely going to meet up with eternity if you don’t watch the road.”

He grinned, but kept his eyes on her. “The movie.” He dragged the pad of his thumb over her lower lip. “The beach scene.”

“Oh.” She frowned, her forehead creasing as she tried to organize her thoughts.

He’d turned back to the road, but she could see his mouth curve into a smile. “You don’t remember?”

“Of course I do.” Except she didn’t. She was practically a walking movie encyclopedia and she hadn’t the faintest idea what he was talking about. He’d so messed with her head that he seemed to have short-circuited her brain. The name was familiar, and the famous scene was right on the tip of her memory.

“Erotic scene, don’t you think?”

“Absolutely,” she lied. “Enticing. You did your homework.” She turned away, scowling at the passing scenery. They crested a hill, and he steered the car to turn onto the Pacific Coast Highway. Below them, she got a quick glimpse of waves crashing on the rocky shore before the hills once again blocked her view.

Waves. She closed her eyes, remembering. Lovers…a beach…of course!

Then she frowned again. Surely he didn’t intend…

“You really don’t expect us to…” She waved a hand in the air. “You know…on the beach.”

“So you do remember the movie.”

She shot him what she hoped was a haughty glance. “Of course. Film’s my business. Remember?”

“Silly of me to have doubted you.”

She heard the tease in his voice but chose to ignore it. “You didn’t answer my question. Beach. Public. Us. Not to mention all that itchy sand.”

A deep, genuine laugh erupted from him, and she found herself smiling from the mere pleasure of the sound.

“What? Did I say something funny?”

He took her hand, shaking his head vaguely, and pressed a gentle kiss against her palm. “Not funny, just expected. I didn’t think you’d like the sand any more than I would, so I’m improvising on my theme.”

“Improvising.” She crossed her arms over her chest, her head cocked to the side. “Should I be nervous?” A stupid question. Of course she should be nervous.

The voice of the D.J. faded from the radio, and another Rolling Stones’s song, “Sympathy With the Devil,” blared from the speaker. Ken didn’t answer the question, just started humming tunelessly with the song.

“You never could sing.”

“And you were never a patient woman.”

“Looks like I don’t have a choice tonight.”

“No, you don’t.” He looked at her, just long enough to meet her eyes before turning back to the road. “But I guarantee it’ll be worth the wait.”

When he pulled up a few minutes later in front of a bungalow-style bed-and-breakfast tucked into a secluded cul-de-sac on the Malibu cliffs, Lisa decided he was probably right. The place was absolutely charming, and she followed Ken into the entryway where they were greeted by a smiling woman with a distinct Italian accent.

“Mr. Harper! It is so good to see you again.”

He clasped her hand, his smile one of genuine pleasure. “Maria, you look wonderful,” he said as they stepped inside. He nodded toward Lisa. “This is the young lady who belongs to the luggage I had delivered earlier.”

Lisa felt her mouth drop open, and she concentrated on closing it. “You sent luggage ahead?”

“I just had my assistant bring down a few essentials. Toothbrush. Bathing suit. A typical overnight kit.”

“Uh-huh.”

His boyish grin amused her, and she just shook her head as she looked around. The house was bigger than it looked on the outside, almost as if it had been designed to look like a cottage even though it was designed for entertaining. A black-and-white photograph of a woman who resembled Maria hung just inside the entryway.

“A relative?” Lisa asked.

“My grandmother.”

“She was lovely.”

“This was her hideaway,” Maria said, but didn’t explain further. Instead, she took Lisa’s arm. “I’ll show you your room, and you can clean up for dinner.”

As Maria led her away, Lisa cast a backward look toward Ken. “My room?”

“I’m right next door.” She must have looked confused, because a look of pure amusement passed over his face. “Oh. And wear the bathing suit under your clothes. We’ll go for a walk after we eat.”

“But no swimming for at least a half hour.” Maria’s face was stern with motherly concern.

“Yes, ma’am,” Lisa and Ken said in unison. She caught his eye and they laughed. “I’ll see you in a sec,” she said.

As Maria led her up the stairs to the cozy room she’d been assigned, Lisa couldn’t help but think that this was one of the odder outings she’d ever been on. One thing was for certain—Ken wasn’t taking any of this casually. Even if only revenge was on his mind, he was planning it with the meticulous attention to detail she’d seen when he’d put together Oxygen. In a weird way, she was even flattered, knowing that someway, somehow, he was spending so much energy thinking about being with her—no matter what the reason.

“It’s okay?” Maria stood in the doorway, her pride in the comfortably furnished room clearly visible.

“It’s lovely.”

The gray-haired woman smiled. “Check the closet and the dresser. I unpacked your things earlier.”

“Thank you.”

“And hurry down to dinner. Ken stays here at least once a month, but you’re the first young lady he’s brought.” She beamed, and Lisa wondered if she reminded Ken of his mother. “So tonight I made something extra special.”

“I can’t wait,” she said, meaning it. She realized not only how hungry she was, but that she didn’t want to disappoint the woman—or Ken, for that matter. “I’ll change and be right down.”

Maria and Ken hadn’t exaggerated. Maria’s lasagna was the best Lisa had ever tasted, and the garlic bread practically melted in her mouth. By the time Maria brought out a decadent-looking Italian cream cake, Lisa had eaten so much pasta she had to put up her hands in protest.

“I couldn’t eat another bite.”

Ken pushed his chair back as well. “Same for me. It was wonderful, though, as usual.”

“I’ll leave the cake in the kitchen. You two can have dessert later after your walk.” She beamed at them, and Lisa had the distinct impression the woman fancied herself a matchmaker. “Now I’m going up to my room to catch up on some reading. You’re my only guests tonight, so you’ve got the entire downstairs to yourselves.”

Ken stood as she left the room, then extended a hand to Lisa.

“Are we going outside so soon? I wasn’t kidding about being stuffed.”

“Then let’s sit in here for a bit. Besides, it’s still early. Let’s let the stragglers clear off the beach so we can have it to ourselves.”

She smiled, realizing how nice his proposition sounded.

“In the meantime,” he said, “what do you think of Maria’s place?”

“It’s fabulous.”

“For your movie, I mean.” He held his hand out, and she took it, then followed him into the den. A fire burned in the fireplace, and he led her to a flowered love seat perfectly positioned to view the flames. He urged her down onto the seat next to him, his arm slipping around her shoulders. “I think it’s very, very sexy.”

“Well, yes, I see what you mean.” She was breathless, her pulse racing. The combination of dim lights, crackling fire, and the man beside her was working on her like a drug, and she wanted to succumb, wanted to lose herself in his arms.

With her next breath, she found his lips on hers, and she opened her mouth, inviting him in. His mouth, hard and demanding, played against hers, coaxing and urging until she found herself melting in his embrace.

His tongue sought entrance, and after granting it, she explored his mouth. He tasted of red wine and heat, and she delved deeper, wanting to consume and be consumed. Wanting to forget their past and lose herself in their present.

His hands stroked her back and shoulders, before moving to the bodice of the sundress and bathing suit she wore. Her breasts swelled tight against the material as her body rose to meet his caress. Tender yet demanding, he plied her with kisses and touches, until she was quivering with need, until her blood ran hot and she couldn’t think of anything other than her pure, demanding need for him.

“Ken,” she whispered. “Oh, please, Ken.”

 

HIS ENTIRE BODY tightened, his desire for her a physical thing, more pernicious than even the need to eat or sleep. He had to have her, and it took every ounce of strength in his body to pull away.

She looked at him quizzically, a little V appearing above her forehead. Her lips were swollen and red though she wore no lipstick. “What?”

“Not yet,” he whispered, gathering his own resolve. “I have something planned.”

“From Here to Eternity?”

“Or my version, anyway.” He let his gaze drift over her. He’d almost considered stocking her closet with nothing more than a dress similar to the red one she had refused to wear for him. But no—he’d see her in that red dress when the moment was right. And so he’d selected a simple sundress from the boutique on the first floor of the Bellisimo.

The color of the summer sky, the dress was carefree and innocent. His plans weren’t innocent, though, and now he traced his finger over the formfitting bodice, thrilling at the peak of her nipple beneath the thin cotton.

“Please,” she whispered, her eyes closed.

“Please what?”

She opened her eyes, wide and imploring. “Don’t tease me.”

His thumb grazed her hard nipple, and she moaned, leaning her head back and moving ever so slightly closer to his touch. His pulse beat faster, ignited by her open response to him. “Do you think I’m teasing?”

“I don’t know anymore. All I know is that I want—” She broke off, her teeth worrying on her lower lip.

His took a ragged breath. She was about to admit she wanted him, needed his touch, his caress. “Want what?”

Goose bumps rose on her arms before she leaned back, rubbing herself as if cold. “Nothing.” She shook her head. “I don’t know. It doesn’t matter.”

“It matters to me.”

She didn’t meet his eyes. Instead she gnawed on her lip as she turned, inspecting the small room. “Are you taking me outside?”

“Maybe I’m taking you to heaven.” He tried to keep a straight face, but in the end, he cracked a smile at the cliché that had rolled off his lips. He’d wanted to be serious, to keep her on a sensual precipice, but even more, he wanted her completely comfortable with him. The realization disturbed him, and he frowned, determined to keep his plan at the forefront of his mind.

For a second she just looked startled. Then she laughed, too. Rolling her eyes before nudging him with her shoulder. “I’d forgotten how much of a nut you can be.”

“Is that good or bad?”

She took his hand, then inhaled a long breath. “Good that you’re a nut,” she said. She turned away, apparently fascinated with Maria’s hardwood floor. “Bad that I’d forgotten.”

He felt beads of sweat erupt on his upper lip. She was standing right there in front of him, looking so much like the Lisa he’d known and loved years before. He wanted to gather her into his arms and rock away her fears, wanted to promise her he’d make it all better.

Mentally, he shook himself. He’d made a promise to himself to not get lost in sentimentality, and that was a promise he intended to keep. If he didn’t, he’d be risking his heart. And that was a risk he couldn’t afford to take.

“Ken?” She was looking at him, her brow furrowed. “I said that it was bad that I’d forgotten.”

He waved a hand as if shaking off moodiness. “I guess it’s good I’m here to remind you.”

A tentative smile danced on the corner of her mouth.

“Now,” he continued, “about that dress.” He moved toward her, reaching out to sample the material once again.

She skipped backward, laughing. “Uh-uh. Not until you tell me where we’re going.”

“All right.”

“Really? You’re actually going to give me some advance notice?”

He smiled, enjoying teasing her. “A bit.” He nodded toward the dress. “Got anything on under that?”

“As a matter of fact, I’m wearing a swimsuit. Just like you asked me to.”

“Good girl.” He grinned, slow and devious. “Then you’re dressed for the occasion.”

She cast an exasperated glance toward the ceiling. “That’s as much information as you’re gonna give me, isn’t it?” she asked, unable to keep the smile from her voice.

“’Fraid so.” Taking her arm, he steered her toward the back door and into Maria’s fabulous backyard.

Ken had met Maria at the opening of his first restaurant in Malibu three years ago. The granddaughter of a silent film star that Ken had never heard of, she’d inherited her extravagant home on the beach along with a tidy trust fund. She didn’t need money, but she did need company, and so she’d converted the house into a bed-and-breakfast.

Ken had gotten into the habit of coming down at least every couple of months to walk along the beach and relax by the pool. So far, he’d kept Maria’s place a secret, not sharing it with anyone. But somehow, he’d wanted to share it with Lisa. It was his oasis, his place to get away from it all, and damn, if he hadn’t wanted to escape with her.

Now, though, he wasn’t certain he’d made the right choice. This was the kind of place a man brought a lover, not a…whatever Lisa was to him these days.

Part of him considered turning around, getting back in the car and taking her to the next place on his list, deep in the heart of the city. But when she tugged on his hand, her fingers closing around his, all doubts faded.

“This is amazing,” she whispered. “It’s like a fairyland.”

He took a deep breath, realizing that no matter what else, right then he was completely happy. “It is, isn’t it?”

Maria’s home sat perched above the ocean, with access to the beach from a well-preserved cliffside spiral staircase. The view itself was lovely, but Maria’s backyard gave it a run for its money. A customized swimming pool stole the focus of the yard. Deep at one end, the far end sloped toward the ocean, allowing a bather to lie half in and half out of the shallow water. Electronic gadgetry created a wave effect, making it the perfect place to make love in the surf—without the sand and freezing water of the Pacific.

Lisa nodded toward the pool, her expression knowing. “Your plan?”

He grinned, taking her hand to lead her to the far side of the yard. “Something like that.”

The pool was surrounded by a hardwood deck. Potted plants filled every nook and cranny, giving the yard the delicious odor of spring. Above, tiny white lights, strung through the branches of the surrounding trees, twinkled in unison with the stars. Lisa was right; it was a fairyland.

They were standing next to the railing, looking down at the surf as it crashed against the beach below.

“Let’s go down,” she said.

“I drive all this way to find a suitable substitute for sand and cold water, and you want to go down anyway?”

Her eyes danced in the light, and his heart twisted at seeing how happy she looked. “Absolutely.”

“Then by all means.”

Though stable, the stairs were vertigo-inducing, and he went first, walking half backward so he could keep hold of her hand. She didn’t protest, and that merely ratcheted his happiness up another level.

When they reached the beach, she threw her arms out and twirled, her skirt flaring, her face alight with laughter. “It’s beautiful here! I’ve missed the beach so much.”

She laughed, her cheeks turning pink, and he was surprised by how much the sound delighted him. He wanted to stay angry, but the more time he spent with her the duller the edge on his anger became.

She took his hand and tugged him toward the water, while he stood his ground in mock protest.

“That water’s cold!”

Slipping out of her sandals, she urged him further toward the breaking waves. “Wimp.”

Thoroughly amused, he tilted his head back, imploring the heavens. “I went out of my way to find a nice, warm pseudo-ocean, and this is what I get for my troubles.”

She danced around in front of him, her eyes bright as she caught his gaze. An impish grin played on her lips. “I don’t want pseudo-anything.” Her voice pitched lower and she dropped her eyes. “I want the real thing.”

When she looked back at him, she was smiling shyly, her eyes darting away, unable to hold his gaze.

His pulse beat an unsteady rhythm, and he licked his dry lips. What was she saying? Was she talking about sex, or more? He didn’t know, not for certain, but he sure as hell intended to find out. “Come on,” he said, more brusquely than he intended. “Let’s explore the beach.”

“My thoughts exactly.” Her voice was low, sultry, and his body reacted immediately. He suddenly realized exactly what was happening. Lisa had turned the tables on him. His Lisa, who hated being in the dark about anything, was trying her hand at seduction.

He grinned. If she was so desperate for him she was willing to seduce him, then he’d already won. And damn if he didn’t look forward to claiming his prize.