Why in the world did she agree to this? She stared in the mirror for a moment before she pinned back her hair. She could cancel, say she didn't feel well. After all, by the look of the weather it was going to be as hot and humid as it was yesterday. She shook her head; that was the coward's way. It was only a simple lunch with Derek. At least, that's what she told herself. Was anything ever simple with Derek?

There was nothing to be excited about, her mind insisted as she adjusted the yellow halter she wore. Within a few hours she'd be back in her room, ready to decide what to do for the rest of the afternoon. For now, she would have lunch in a lovely restaurant surrounded by other people.

They had agreed to meet in the hotel lobby. She wasn't sure that Derek would still want to do this after she returned the previous night with Jeroen. The young Dutchman had taken her to the Bora Bora Yacht Club, where they had enjoyed a wonderful lunch and then spent the rest of the day doing a bit of exploring.

Alex had been surprised when they had taken a boat over to the yacht club on the main island. After that, they had traveled around the northern part of Bora Bora, seeing several coastal guns that were part of the defense of the island during World War II. They hiked up to a picturesque church near the edge of a cliff that looked down on Vairau Bay. Their last stop had been the famous Bloody Mary's bar, where they had feasted on an early dinner of delicious local seafood. She had to admit that she had had a terrific time, and they had kissed goodnight at her door. If only...

She sighed as she checked her watch. If she didn't hurry, she'd be late. Finishing her makeup, she added lipstick and pressed her lips together. Ready or not... She grabbed a light jacket as she headed for the door. Taking a deep breath, Alex held the doorknob for a few seconds as she lowered her head. Were these flowered shorts too short? She sighed. She was being absurd. Opening the door, she went to meet her date.

Alex spotted him first. Derek was pacing with his head down, his hands in the pockets of the dark tan shorts he wore. The cream jersey went well with his tan, and he wore sandals on his bare feet. Damn, he had good legs... He raised his head as if sensing her looking at him, and she colored slightly. He smiled and waved, and they briefly kissed in greeting. "We've got to go," he told her. "The boat's waiting."

"Boat? What? I... I thought we were having lunch here." She eyed him suspiciously, and her heart lurched at his sudden grin.

"I thought we'd do something a little different." His eyes sparkled as he took her hand. Grabbing a sports bag in his other, they walked to the dock.

"Where are we going to have this lunch?" The sun suddenly seemed to burn hotter against her skin.

"You'll see when we get there." She wasn't sure that she liked the sound of that, but her pulse began to race.

At the dock, Derek went up to a small motor launch. "Looks like one from home, doesn't it? If I didn't know better, I'd swear that we were going from Fisherman's Wharf out to Angel Island."

"Yes, it does," she said, her heart skipping a beat. "Instead we're going to...?" He said nothing as he held out his hand and helped her into the boat. She settled in as he took the wheel.

She tried to concentrate on the beautiful scenery before her, the warmth of the sun, the blue contrasts of the sky and the water. She wasn't sure how much time passed before she heard Derek say, "Over there." She followed his pointed finger to a small motu ahead of them.

The boat's engine was cut and raised as they drifted in toward shore. Derek jumped out and pulled it up on the sand, then held out his hand. "Come on, let's see if everything is ready."

Her hand remained in his as they started to walk inland. "Wait, I forgot something." He ran back to the boat to grab the bag he had brought. "Can't forget this." He merely smiled at the questioning look on her face before once more taking her hand. "Let's see how it's coming."

"How what's coming?" He tried to give her an innocent grin in return, and she couldn't help but laugh. They soon came to a shady clearing.

"Oh my God..." Alex stopped in surprise. One of the hotel chefs, in full uniform, was cooking over an elevated fire pit, while a waiter beckoned them to a table set for two. Glass-encased candles flickered, and the soft breeze ruffled the white linen tablecloth. Soft, romantic music played from a CD player-radio.

"Look." Derek smiled as he held up a wine bottle. "They even had a 1996 Napa Valley Merlot in their wine cellar."

"Merlot...?" A small shiver skirted down her back.

"I know it's a little too heavy for the food we have," the precept acknowledged, "so there's a nice light Chardonnay as well."

"It's lovely, Derek," she said in a hushed voice.

"And we're not just here to eat," he said as he lifted the bag onto some rocks. The older man undid the zipper and pulled out two snorkeling masks. "I've heard that there are interesting varieties of fish off these shores."

"But... I didn't bring my suit," she told him.

A smile danced along the corners of his mouth as he pulled out a bikini. Alex laughed as she took it from him. "You do think of everything, don't you."

He winked at her. "I'd like to think so."

"And you picked this out all on your own?" She held up the pink tropical print, string bikini.

"Don't forget this." He pulled out a matching hat and she giggled.

"I don't know whether to be worried or flattered that you got the size right." She stared into those hazel eyes and the world closed in around them. He broke the contact and turned to the waiter.

"Sir, whenever you'd like..." the young man said, looking very apologetic. Derek gazed at her again and held out his hand. He led her to her seat and then pulled it out for her, kissing her on her cheek before taking his own seat.

She was startled by the array of food before them. There was crab and caviar, plus lamb and bite-size bread with several dipping sauces, along with dishes of baby carrots, gourmet cheeses and fresh fruit. "I don't know where to start," she said as she looked at him.

"Well, try some of this." He covered a cracker in caviar and held it out to her. She gave him a suspicious gaze before she opened her mouth. He gently fed it to her and she licked her lips at its flavorful, salty taste. "That's delicious."

"The crab is excellent as well. Then there's this." He picked up a piece of seafood, dipped it in the white sauce, then indicated that she should open her mouth. She gazed warily at him before doing so. It almost melted in her mouth and she closed her eyes to savor it.

"What was that?" Alex said with a touch of awe.

"Poisson cru, in coconut milk. Have some of the Chardonnay with it," he said as he handed her a glass. He reached for a piece of crabmeat, but she lightly swatted his hands away. "My turn."

She took the crabmeat between her two fingers and dipped it into an orange spice sauce. His eyes closed as she slipped it in his mouth, before they opened again and locked on hers. Wiping the excess off his mouth with her thumb, she then put it in hers before she grinned wickedly.

As she covered the next seafood morsel in the coconut milk, she noticed the waiter and chef discreetly walk away and head down the beach. "I think we're alone now," she whispered to Derek.

"They tactfully withdrew, hmm?" Leaning forward, he kissed her, his mouth tasting of orange and coconuts. "Now for a glass of red wine." He reached over and picked up the bottle of Merlot and poured a glass for each of them. "To... a memorable afternoon."

She said nothing, but tried to smile as they clinked glasses and drank the wine. "Are you all right?" he asked her. A cold, disturbing memory beckoned...

"It's nothing." She took a deep breath and tried to smile brightly. "What should I try next?"

He watched her for a moment before his eyes returned to the table. "Let's see what you think of this."

He dunked his fingers into a paste, and she sucked the substance. She wrinkled her nose. "That's a little sour. What is it?"

"It's poi, made from breadfruit."

She laughed. "Breadfruit? 'Mutiny on the Bounty' breadfruit?" He nodded and grinned. "No wonder they mutinied." Pineapple and melon pieces were next, along with another glass of red wine and more crabmeat.

"Come on." He stood and held out his hand. "We've got some snorkeling to do."

She changed into the bikini behind a thicket, while he waited at the table under strict orders not to move. When she reappeared, he gave her a wolf whistle and she fought the blush that came to her face. She should have given him one with the bathing suit he now wore.

"From what I understand, the reef is this way." They grabbed a couple of towels and the masks, then strolled down the beach, their hands intertwined, until he stopped close to the water's edge. "Let's head out into the lagoon. Oh, stick close to me."

They put on their masks and made it out to the deeper water so they could swim. She followed his lead and was stunned at the beautiful coral beneath them and the varieties of fish that swam past them. Mantra rays skittered along the bottom, and he pointed out a strange, multi-colored fish. She had never seen anything like it. White-tipped quills seem to shoot out from every part of its body. It was simply breathtaking.

They finally walked out of the water and sat on the beach. "That was... amazing." She giggled. "I'm not sure that's a... strong enough word for it." She saw the delight in his eyes. "We have to do that again before we leave."

"But not today," he said softly. "We should think about heading back to the hotel."

"So soon? I wish we could stay here," she said as she toweled off.

"It would be incredible to remain in this paradise." He rolled onto his stomach and leaned on his elbows as he gazed at her. She tenderly smiled as she caressed his face. If only...

His kiss was slow and lazy, and she leaned back onto her towel. Her emotions whirled as each kiss became longer than the last. She trembled as his hands removed the hairclips, and he spread out her hair with his fingers.

"You and I on our own deserted island," he whispered against her ear before his lips moved to her throat. She shivered as his fingers lightly traced a path up her thigh. "It's so quiet and serene..."

She roughly pushed him away, fighting the tears that threatened to fall. The sight of him stabbed at her heart -- the same concerned look on his face, the same sleepy dreaminess of his eyes...

It was as if they were right back in that hotel room...

End part 21