Chapter 1

Veronica stared out the window of the plane as it flew over the water. She sighed heavily as she thought about the course her life had taken over the last six months. She needed this vacation, if for no other reason than to just get her head on straight.

Her father passed away the day before her thirty-seventh birthday from a massive heart attack. On the same day, she discovered her husband had been having an affair with one of her friends and had even fathered one of her children.

"Can I get you anything?"

The perky female voice pulled her from her thoughts. She glanced up at the slender blond-haired woman and forced a smile.

"No, thanks."

"Okay, we're almost there, but just give me a yell if you need anything." The woman turned and walked back down the aisle then disappeared behind a curtain.

Veronica was happy her cousins had given her use of their private plane. She hated flying, but for this vacation, to a remote island off the cost of Puerto Rico, she had no choice. At least she was going in style. Although, she wished she had someone to talk to besides the flight attendant.

Her cousin Marla urged her to take this trip to get away for awhile after everything that had happened. Marla and her husband, Eddie, owned a small hut on the island aptly named Isla del Soledad—Spanish for Island of Solitude.

The pilot made a quick announcement over the intercom about their arrival at the small private airport in San Juan. Veronica gazed out the window again as the plane came in for a landing. She saw a limousine on the tarmac and a tall, dark haired man leaning against the side with his arms crossed in front of him. He wasn't wearing the typical chauffeur's suit she expected a limo driver to wear. Instead, he wore a plain blue button down shirt and khaki shorts. His hair fell just slightly below his collar.

From what Veronica could tell, he was also quite young; probably twenty or twenty-one and he had a well-toned body and long, powerful looking legs and arms. She briefly wondered what it would feel like to be wrapped in those arms after a night of passionate lovemaking. She kept her gaze fixed on his even though he wore sunglasses.

Yeah, another younger man is the last thing you need right now, Ronnie.

She forced herself to look away from the handsome driver as the plane rolled to a stop and the flight attendant helped Veronica with the large single suitcase she'd brought. As she descended the steps, the chauffeur approached her. He stopped when she reached the bottom step and extended his hand to her.

"My name is Diego, Señorita Grant. Marla and Eddie told me to make sure you get to Isla del Soledad."

Veronica shivered at the deep, rich sound of his voice. His heavy Spanish accent only added to the sultry tone. She shook his hand and fought back the urge to moan at the sensual feelings that raced through her with the simple touch.

"Nice to meet you, Diego. And please, call me Ronnie."

Diego smiled and took her suitcase. He turned and made his way toward the limousine. Ronnie couldn't help but admire the way his body filled the shorts he wore. She blushed profusely when her gaze met his. He'd caught her gaping at him like a horny teenage girl. He removed his sunglasses and Ronnie felt her breath catch in her throat when she finally had a chance to look into his eyes. They were as blue as the ocean she'd just flown over.

He put the suitcase in the trunk then walked around to open the door for her. He helped her into the back seat then went around and slid into the driver's seat. He pushed a button to open the partition between them.

"Seño—uh—Ronnie, I would like you to just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. It will be about thirty-five minutes before we get to the boat launch."

"Boat launch?"

Diego smiled again. "Yes. A boat will take you out to Isla del Soledad."

"Oh."

He turned in his seat again and started up the limo. Veronica gazed out the tinted window and watched her cousin's plane taxi down the runway. Her thoughts drifted back to one of the reasons she was taking this vacation.

"Did you really expect me to be a loyal and loving husband when you told me you couldn't have children, Ronnie?" Barry had asked her the day of her father's funeral.

She ignored his last statement, turned and went back inside.

"Ronnie?"

She shook her head to clear her thoughts then turned her attention to Diego. "Yeah?"

"I asked how long you planned on staying?"

"I don't know. Why?"

"I was just curious." He was looking at her through the rearview mirror. His gaze met hers and he turned his eyes away.

"Something wrong?"

"No. Yes. Well, I was just—um—I—would you like to go to the Cinco de Mayo festival with me next week?"

Ronnie smiled. "I don't know. I just met you, Diego. And I thought Cinco de Mayo was a Mexican holiday."

"Well, it is, but they have a big festival every year in San Juan. It is really more of what you Americans would consider a beach party. There is music and food and dancing. Everyone always has a good time. I think here it is more a celebration of Spring than anything else." He could see the uncertainty when he glanced back at her through the mirror again. "Well, just think about it. I would really like you to go. I think you would have fun."

"I'll think about it."

Neither of them spoke for the remainder of the ride. A short while later, Diego pulled into a gravel parking lot and cut off the engine. He got out of the car and headed around to help Ronnie out then retrieved her suitcase from the trunk.

Ronnie looked around and saw a small boat shack to her right. There were three or four small motorboats tied to the long dock leading out into the water. She shaded her eyes and on the horizon, she could see more land. She assumed that was Isla del Soledad. She didn't hear Diego come up beside her.

"Geez! You startled me!" she shrieked.

"Sorry." He placed her suitcase on the ground beside her then headed for the boat shack.

"Where are you going?"

"I have to make sure there is someone available to take you out to the island."

Diego emerged from the boat shack a few minutes later with a forlorn look on his face. He stopped beside Ronnie.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"There is no one available."

"Oh great. So I have no place to go." Ronnie sighed heavily. "Just take me back to San Juan, Diego. I'll check into a motel and we can come back here tomorrow."

He couldn't explain what prompted him, but Diego picked up her suitcase and headed toward the dock. He knew nothing about driving a boat, but he'd learn quickly. Maybe it was the lost look in her eyes or the exasperation in her voice; or maybe it was just because he'd been instantly smitten with her as soon as he'd seen her step off the plane.

Whatever it was, Diego knew he was already in over his head. This woman was clearly not interested in him. She was sexy as hell in the flower print sundress she wore. Her dark brown hair fell in waves around her shoulders and her deep green eyes held a sadness he'd never seen before. He imagined how her soft hair would feel draped over his skin as she took him into her mouth.

Diego shook his head and brought himself back to reality. He cursed himself silently; he knew she was older than him and probably way out of his league. Still, he couldn't help but want to get her to the island. She obviously needed the respite for whatever reason and he was now determined to get her there. He stopped when she called out to him.

"Where do you think you're going with my suitcase?"

He turned and flashed another sexy smile at her while holding her suitcase in front of him to hide the bulge in his shorts caused by his wayward thoughts. "Did you want to get to Isla del Soledad?"

"Well, yes, but—"

"Then follow me. I will get you there."

He blushed when her eyes roamed to his crotch after he'd lowered the suitcase, but said nothing. Instead, he turned and made his way toward the end of the dock and the last boat tied off there. He stepped into the boat and set the suitcase down near the rear seat. He reached out a hand to Ronnie and helped her into the boat, then stepped off to untie it from the dock. He returned to the boat, pulled a key from his pocket, settled in the driver's seat and started the engine.

He glanced at the controls and hoped he could get them to the island safely. He didn't tell Ronnie he knew nothing about driving boats. He pulled up on the lever to the left of the steering wheel. The boat jerked forward in response and Diego glanced over his shoulder at Ronnie.

"You don't know what you're doing, do you?" she asked, wide eyed.

"No."

"Then why are you doing this?" She stood with her arms folded across her breasts now, glaring at him.

"Because I could tell you really wanted to get to the island."

The tone of his voice made her heart race and her palms sweat. Aww, how sweet, she thought. She took a few steps forward. "So you're going to risk my life and yours?"

"I am sorry," he replied quietly, keeping his gaze straight ahead.

"Let me drive," she said.

"What?"

"I said, let me drive. I've lived near the water and boats all my life, Diego. I can get us to the island. I just wish you would've said something sooner."

Diego slowly pulled down on the throttle to stop the boat then relinquished the driver's seat to Ronnie and sat down in the passenger seat. He watched as she expertly operated the controls. The boat picked up speed smoothly and when he looked out ahead of them, the island was coming more into view. Then something dawned on him.

"Uh—how am I supposed to get back from the island once I drop you off?"

"I'll teach you some basics once we get there."

Ronnie navigated the boat toward the long dock protruding from the shore of the island. She cut the engine and let the boat drift closer to shore. Diego jumped out and pulled the boat in then tied it off and helped Ronnie out after she'd grabbed her suitcase. He held her hand and led her toward the small hut.

When they reached the end of the dock, Ronnie stumbled and Diego reached out to catch her. Their eyes locked and she fought to tear her gaze away from his. Once she was steady, she took a step back from him. The look in his eyes was pure hunger, pure desire. It made her want to rip his clothes off and maul him right there on the beach.

She forced herself to look away from him again. He turned and made his way toward the hut. She rubbed her arms where Diego had grabbed her to keep her from falling; she could feel the warmth of his hands still on her skin.

Ronnie stopped when she stumbled in the sand again. She bent to remove her shoes and when she brought herself upright, she moaned at the feel of the sand beneath her feet. It felt like warm silk flowing between her toes.

Diego turned and smiled at her and fought his body's reaction to the sensual moan he just heard come from her lips. He stopped just short of entering the hut when he realized Ronnie was still back near the dock.

She glanced around then at the hut. It had grass walls and a thatched roof. She wondered how sturdy it would be if there were a storm while she was here. Then she wondered how she'd escape if the storm was dangerous enough to cause serious damage.