Youre not invited. He smiled faintly. And, for your information, there are no volcanoes on the island.
She told you?
She was amused. She was relieved that you didnt give her any arguments. I was a little relieved myself, but, after I thought about it, I realized that it would have been a wrong move on your part. You dont make many wrong moves, Quinn.
Neither do you. You handled Eve very smoothly. She honestly thinks you only want to make amends and help her get her life together.
I do want to help her.
And you also want her in your bed.
Absolutely. He paused. But I also want her in my life for as long as I can keep her there. He smiled. That shook you. You dont mind the idea of a sexual interlude, but you dont want me to become com-mitted. Its too late. I am committed and Im going to make a damn good stab at making sure she becomes committed too.
Joe looked away. It wont be easy.
I have time and solitude on my side. Shes a re-markable woman. I dont intend to let her go. No matter what you do.
But Ive no intention of doing anything. Joes gaze shifted back to him. Right now. I want her to go away with you. I want her to go to bed with you. If you can, I want you to make her love you.
Logan lifted a brow. How generous. May I ask why?
It will be the best possible thing for her. She needs it to come back to life. She made a break-through when she gave up the chance to get Bonnie back. You can help her take another step.
So youre prescribing me as therapy?
Call it what you like.
Logans gaze narrowed on Joes face. But, God, you hate it, dont you?
Joe didnt answer the question. Its the best thing to do. You can help her right now. I cant. He added, But if this experience doesnt prove as good for her as I hope, believe me, I can always find a volcano.
Logan believed him. Quinn was lying wounded in that bed and should have looked helpless. He didnt look helpless. He looked strong and contained and en-during. Logan remembered when he had judged Quinn one of the most intimidating men hed ever met. Now he realized the protective side of Quinn was even more dangerous. Ill be very good for her. He couldnt resist a tiny goad as he moved toward the door. Of course, you may not be able to judge. We may be too busy to see much of you in the future.
Dont try to stand between us. It wont work. We have too much history. He stared straight into Logans eyes. And all I have to do is tell her that I have a new skull and need her and shell come.
The hell she will. What kind of bastard are you? You want her to heal, but youre ready to pull her back into that world.
Youve never understood, Quinn said wearily. She needs it. And as long as she needs it, Ill give it to her. Ill give her anything in the whole damn world she needs. Including you, Logan. He turned his head away. Now, get out of here. Shes waiting.
Logan wanted to tell him to go to hell. He did understand Eve and he was going to be good for her. All he needed was the chance, and Quinn was giving him that chance.
Quinn? What the hell? He was acting as if Quinn was some powerful figure standing behind the scenes, pulling all the strings.
Bullshit.
Eve is waiting. He opened the door. Shes waiting for me , Quinn. In three hours well be on board that flight that will take us a world away from you. Have a nice day.
He was grinning as he sauntered down the hall toward Eve.
Damn, that last jab felt good.
She was here. Diane stood in the doorway. The nurses are all talking about it at the desk. Why did Eve come?
Why not? She wanted to see me. Joes gaze nar-rowed on her face. She was worried because she couldnt reach me by phone. The hospital wouldnt put her through.
An almost indiscernible emotion flickered across her face. Really?
Guilt, he recognized wearily. Hed been hoping it wasnt true. Or maybe hed been hoping she had done it. It would give him an excuse to do what he should do.
You know, dont you? Diane said bitterly. I broke the rules. I interfered. Her hands clenched at her sides. Well, dammit, I had a right to do it. Im your wife. I thought I could go on watching the two of you together, but shes interfering with our life and I wont have it. Do you know what people are saying about the way she drew you into this mess? Its not fair. Its bad enough for me to know how little I count. Youve shown the whole world that you dont give a damn about
Its true, he said gently. Everything you say is absolutely true, Diane. Ive not been fair and youve been very patient. Im sorry I got you into this. I was hoping it would work.
She didnt speak for a moment. It can still work. She moistened her lips. You just have to Maybe I lost my temper and said some things I didnt mean. We just have to talk this out and come to a fair compromise.
But she was asking for the one compromise he couldnt make. He had disappointed and hurt her enough. He wasnt going to keep on doing it. Shut the door and come and sit down, he said quietly. Youre right, we do have to talk.
Are you okay? Logan stood beside Eve, who was looking out the window from her airplane seat. Your hands are clutching the arms of that chair as if it were going to take off without you.
She released her grip. Im fine. It just seems strange leaving home and going so far away. Ive never been out of the country.
Really? He sat down beside her. I didnt know that. But then, there are a lot of things I dont know about you. Its a long flight. Maybe we could talk?
You want me to confide all my girlhood dreams, Logan?
Why not?
Because I dont remember having any girlhood dreams. Ive always thought they were sappy fairy tales made up by Madison Avenue.
Adult dreams?
No way.
God, youre a difficult woman. His gaze went to the metal case on the floor beside her. Is that what I think it is?
Mandy.
Its a good thing we have a private charter. You would have scared airport security if that had passed through X ray. His gaze was still on the case. Im afraid Id forgotten about her. But, of course, you wouldnt have forgotten.
No, I dont forget.
Thats both promising and terrifying. I hope youre not planning on working on her during the flight?
She shook her head. It wouldnt be safe. Turbulence.
What a relief. I could see bones flying about like shrapnel. Im glad youre waiting until you get to the island. Okay, since youre not working and you wont tell me your innermost secrets, maybe we could play cards?
He was smiling at her and trying to make her feel at ease. A little of her loneliness and tension ebbed away, and she felt warmth ripple through her. He was right. The flight was going to be long. The time theyd spend together before she would have to come back to the real world was going to be even longer. So make it as easy for him as he was trying to make it for her. Maybe we could.
A first break in the armor, he murmured. If Im lucky, youll even smile at me by the time we reach Tahiti.
Only if youre really lucky, Logan.
She smiled at him.
EPILOGUE
"This beach isnt like the one near Pensacola Bonnie said. Its nice but I think I like the water better there. This surf is too smooth.
Eve turned her head to see Bonnie building a sand castle a few yards away. Its been a long time. I thought maybe I wasnt going to dream about you again.
I decided to stay away awhile and give you a chance to let me fade away. Bonnie put a finger into the side of her castle and began to make a window. It was the least I could do when Joe was making such an effort.