Page 13 of What Matters Most

“I’m in great shape,” he argued, “but three hours on the dance floor with you is above and beyond the call of duty. Next time I think I’ll suggest checkers.”

“You’ll lose,” Carla returned confidently.

“Maybe, but I have a feeling my feet won’t hurt nearly as much.”

Philip had been the one to suggest this stroll. But it wasn’t a walk in the moonlight that interested him; Carla was convinced of that. He was seeking a few stolen kisses against the backdrop of a tropical night. And for that matter, so was she. Every time they met, Philip astonished her. One look the day on the plane and she’d instantly sized him up as dull and introspective. But he was warm, caring, and witty. There wasn’t any man who could make her laugh the way Philip did.

“I enjoyed myself tonight. You’re a lot of fun.” She felt compelled to tell him that.

“You sound surprised.” Philip moved his chin so it brushed against the crown of her head. The action was strangely comforting and erotic.

“Surprised is the wrong word,” she said softly, struggling to express herself. “Leery, maybe. I don’t want to like you too much. That would only complicate a nice, serene relationship. We’re having a good time, and I don’t want to ruin it.”

“In other words, you don’t want to fall in love with me?”

“Exactly.” Carla hated the heartless way this made her sound. Already she recognized that falling for Philip wouldn’t be difficult. He was many of the things she wanted in a man. And everything she didn’t.

He expelled his breath in a half-angry sigh, but it was the only indication he gave that she had displeased him.

Closing her eyes, Carla felt an unexpected rush of regret settle over her. One evening together and she was already doubting that this arrangement was going to work. Spending time with Philip might not be a good idea if they were both going to end up taking it seriously. All she wanted was a good time. And he’d claimed that was all he was looking for, too. This was a holiday fling, after all, not a husband hunt.

“Don’t you think you’re overreacting just a little to the fact I’m a policeman?” Philip asked, his voice restrained and searching.

“Haven’t we already been over this?” she answered hastily. “Besides, you have your own dating quirk. What if I’d been a flight attendant? You said yourself you prefer not to go out with them.”

“But in your case I’d have made an exception.”

“Why?”

“It’s those lovely eyes of yours—”

“No,” she interrupted brusquely, reacting with more than simple curiosity. “Why don’t you date flight attendants?”

“It’s a long story, and there are other things I have in mind.” Clearly, he wasn’t interested in relaying the details of his experience, and Carla decided she wouldn’t push him. When he was ready to tell her, if he ever was, she’d be pleased to listen. She found it interesting that after only a few hours’ acquaintance with Philip she had released a lifetime full of bitterness about her father and his occupation. Apparently, she hadn’t generated the same kind of response in him. It troubled her a little.

“You’re quiet all of a sudden.” His lips found her temple, and he kissed her there lightly. “What are you thinking?”

Tilting her head back, she smiled into those appealing smoky-gray eyes of his. “To be honest, I was mulling over the fact that you’ll tell me about your hang-ups in time. But then it occurred to me that you might not.”

“And that bothers you?” He studied her with amused patience.

“Yes and no.” In a way that she didn’t understand, Carla suddenly decided she didn’t want to know. Obviously Philip had loved and presumably lost, and Carla wasn’t sure she wanted the particulars.

“The curious side of you is eager to hear the gory details—”

“But my sensitive side doesn’t want to have you dredge up unhappy memories,” she finished for him.

“It was a long time ago.”

Carla slipped an arm around his waist and laid her head against his shoulder. “And best forgotten.”

They continued walking along the moonlit beach in silence. Carla felt warm and comfortable having this man at her side. The realization wasn’t something she wanted to explore; for now, she was content.

“It’s been six years since I broke up with Nicole,” Philip said after a time.

Twisting in his embrace, Carla turned and pressed the tips of her fingers against his lips. “Don’t,” she whispered, afraid of how she’d react if she saw pain in his eyes. “It isn’t necessary. There isn’t a reason in the world for you to tell me.”

His jaw tightened, and memories played across his face. Some revealed the pleasant aspects of his relationship with Nicole, but others weren’t as easily deciphered.

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