Paradise Wild (20 page)

Corinne opened the bathroom door warily, a large towel wrapped around her, but no one was in the room. The luggage was there and she opened several cases before finding a nightgown and robe. Then she found her brush, and after a few quick strokes, she climbed into bed.

She fell back on downy pillows and soft sheets and sighed, then groaned. The lamp was still burning on the other side of the bed. She reached over to extinguish it, but stopped when the bedroom door opened.

Jared stood there in the doorway, almost exactly as she had seen him that morning, barefoot and wearing only his trousers, a towel wrapped about his neck. He had shaved off the beard, and looked more like the Jared she had first met.

“What do you want, Jared?”

Ever so slowly, his lips curled. “Not a thing, my dear.”

“Then why are you here?”

“This happens to be my room.” He closed the door and came towards her.

Corinne sat up, holding the covers up to her neck. “
I
was led to this room.”

“Of course. You’re my wife.”

“I won’t share the same room with you!” she hissed. “Now get out of here!”

“I gave up my bed to you last night,” he said in a cool tone, coming around to the other side of the bed “I’m not about to do so again.”

“Don’t blame me for that, damn you!” she retorted hotly, green fire flashing in her eyes. “I didn’t ask to sleep there. Nor do I want to be here. If you want your bed, you’re welcome to it.” She slid to the floor and grabbed the robe she had left on the foot of the bed “I’ll sleep someplace else!”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible, Corinne,” he replied “There are no other rooms available.”

She started for the door. “Then I’ll sleep with Florence,” she said haughtily over her shoulder.

Jared bounded after her and caught her arm. His grip was viselike as he swung her around to face him.

“You’re not going anywhere,” he said harshly, and pushed her back into the room. “Now get back in that bed.”

Corinne stumbled. Her unbound hair fell across her face. When she managed to throw it back over her shoulders and look at him again, the angry response she was about to give him died on her lips. He had tossed his towel away and was starting to remove his trousers.

“No!” she gasped, her face draining. “Don’t you come near me, Jared!”

He halted his movements, staring at her in bewilderment. Then he suddenly threw his head back and laughed deeply.

“I mean it, Jared!” Corinne said, her voice rising in hysteria.

“I don’t sleep with clothes on, Corinne. I never have,” he explained, still chuckling. “And all I intended to do was sleep.”

Corinne felt her cheeks flushing in embarrassment
“You will sleep by yourself, then.” She snatched the cover from the bed. “I will use the chaise, thank you!”

Jared sobered quickly, watching her stomp away from the bed in her haughty manner. His eyes narrowed and turned a stormy gray.

“The one thing you can be assured of is that I won’t touch you,” he said, his voice heavy with disdain. “Your body has been used a bit too much to interest me.”

He heard her sharp intake of breath and took perverse pleasure in it. She straightened her back rigidly and went to the chaise.

Damn her for looking so beautiful! He had been stunned when he entered the room, seeing her there in bed, so inviting, so damnably tempting. And then her eyes had sparkled with anger and she was even more beautiful, magnificent in her fury. But he had control of himself. He wouldn’t allow her to make him feel anything.

It was only lust, but he still detested himself for feeling it, and was determined not to let her know that she could still stir his blood.

He turned off the lamp and yanked his pants off, then fell heavily into bed. As tired as he was, it was a long time before he fell asleep.

When Jared woke the next morning, he dressed quickly. Corinne was still sleeping, lying on her back with one arm fallen to rest on the floor, the other thrust over her forehead. Her long golden hair also dangled to the floor over the end of the chaise, and the silk spread she had used was kicked to her feet, revealing slim curves beneath her nightgown.

Jared stood looking down at her for a moment, his face set in hard lines. But he had spent half the night thinking about her. He had to get her out of his mind now. He had Malia to face.

Malia was Hawaiian for Marie, which she was never called. It was only eight months since he had seen his younger sister. But in truth, it was well over a year since he had actually paid much attention to her. This was unlike Jared, for he loved Malia better than anyone in the world. Since their mother died, he had watched over her, worried over her, and cared for her as though he were her mother instead of her brother.

But the past year had been a torment for Jared, and he had to admit that Malia’s eighteen-year-old concerns had receded into the background of his thoughts.

Malia had come back here in February, furious with Jared for ignoring her. And according to Akela, she was
in a worse temper now. He couldn’t blame her. They had always been so close, Jared taking it upon himself to make it up to her for the loss of their mother. For him not to tell her of his marriage must have been a shock to her. He wouldn’t even consider that she might have heard the sordid details about his wife. No one would bring that kind of gossip to an eighteen-year-old girl.

Corinne started to stir and Jared left quickly, closing the door quietly. He heard voices in the kitchen and knew that Malia would be having breakfast there. The formal dining room was always ignored except when there were guests, for he and Malia both preferred the warm atmosphere of the kitchen and Akela’s jovial presence.

Corinne’s eyes fluttered open just as Jared left the room. Her spirits soared as she heard the door close. He would be going back to Honolulu now. And she had every intention of leaving soon after he did. He couldn’t keep her isolated here in the country. She would find a way back to the city, even if she had to hire someone to take her. She still had her jewels and also a small amount of cash. No, she wouldn’t be here much longer.

Michael’s faint cry from the next room broke into her thoughts. Corinne got up, wincing at the kinks in her neck and back, but quickly crossed the room to pull a pink-and-white day dress from one of her trunks. Dressed, a simple ribbon tying back her long hair, she left her room and knocked softly on Florence’s door, then entered.

Florence looked up from the bassinet which had been set up at the foot of her bed. Corinne joined her there, smiling down at her son.

“Did he just get up?”

Florence chuckled. “He’s been awake for hours, just lying there cooing to himself. But I guess he finally decided he’s hungry.”

“Come on, sweetheart.” Corinne picked him up, snuggling her cheek next to his. “Mama will feed you.”

“You had better let me lock the door first, then,” Florence suggested.

Corinne shook her head. “That’s not necessary. Jared has left already.”

“But that Akela is still here,” Florence reminded her as she marched to the door. “There’s no point in taking chances. How she could be so sure that Michael is yours and Jared’s is beyond me.”

“She must have known Jared when he was a baby. The resemblance is there. You and I have both noticed that Michael has too many of Jared’s features.”

“Well, it’s a good thing Jared hasn’t really had a good look at Michael in strong light.”

“Oh, stop worrying, Florence. I’ll be getting us out of here today. I hope you’re up to that long ride back to the city.”

“Just how are you going to get us out, might I ask?”

“I don’t know yet, but I will,” Corinne replied. “So don’t bother unpacking.”

After Michael was sated and cooing contentedly in his bassinet again, Corinne and Florence started to leave the room. They stopped short when they heard loud voices.

“I thought you said your husband had left,” Florence remarked.

“I thought he had.”

Corinne bit her lip, wondering if she should keep out of his way. His deep voice sounded awfully angry. But who was he yelling at? Was Akela at him again about Michael?

“Come on,” Corinne said reluctantly. “We’d better go see what the fuss is about.”

Jared was staring at his sister, gripping the ends of the long kitchen table. Malia’s small chin was set stubbornly, and he flinched from the condemnation in her striking blue eyes. The one thing he had thought wasn’t possible was indeed possible. She knew everything.

He was waiting for the answer to his question, but it was not forthcoming. “I repeat, Malia. Who told you?”

“It doesn’t matter how I found out!” she replied hotly. “But now I know why you didn’t bother to tell me you had married. You were too ashamed!”

“I said
who!
” he shouted, pounding a fist on the table and rattling dishes.

Malia flinched, but kept her chin jutted forward. She answered petulantly. “Our neighbor, John Pierce. He felt I had a right to know, considering that it’s my family everyone’s talking about.”

Jared leaned back, his eyes taking on a steely glint. John Pierce! He should have guessed. The blackguard had been after their land ever since Jared could remember, for his land bordered on each side and he wanted all of it. But Jared’s father had refused to sell, and so had Jared. For spite, John Pierce had run to Rodney Burkett years ago with the story of seeing Ranelle on the beach with another man. Now he had done it again, stirring up trouble just for spite.

“How could you marry a woman like that, Jared?” Malia’s question cut into his thoughts.

The hurt in her eyes made him furious. “It’s none of your damned business!”

She gasped, her eyes widening. “How can you say that?” she cried. “When you married her, she became
my sister-in-law. Do you think I like having a whore for—”

Akela swung around from the counter where she had been grinding poi to a smooth paste. “Malia, you watch your mouth!” she scolded her.

“Well, it’s true!” Malia cried. “Isn’t it, Jared? Can you deny it?” When he couldn’t, she glared at him. “Why didn’t you stop her? Everyone knew what she was doing. I can’t believe
you
didn’t!”

“That’s enough, Malia,” Jared said, trying desperately to calm the rage that was burning inside him. Corinne had caused this whole situation.

“But how could you let her make such a fool of you?” she continued, undaunted. “You, who never let anyone get the better of you. Well, everyone is laughing at you now! They’re laughing at all of us!”

“No more, Malia,” Akela warned her.

Malia came to her feet, glaring at both of them. “I’m not through yet! Do you know what you’ve done to me, Jared? I can’t leave this house now. I would die of shame if I went to the city for the winter season. And you know I hate it here when the storms come.”

“
Auwe!
” Akela threw up her heavy arms. “Malia, you make
me
shame you act so selfish. How you think your brother feel, eh? You think he like what happened?”

“He could have stopped it!”

“You don’t understand how it is between Corinne and me,” Jared replied.

How could he tell his sister that he didn’t stop his wife from whoring because of his pride? He couldn’t let Corinne know that it mattered to him. What a mess he had made of his life!

“Did I hear my name mentioned?”

Corinne stood in the doorway, looking angelic in her
pink-and-white dress. Her expression was serene, her eyes bright lime-green, innocent. Jared saw his sister’s shocked surprise. He had assumed Akela would have warned her that Corinne was here.

He turned to the large woman, but she shrugged. “Not for me tell her,” she said, having read his thoughts.

“
That’s
your wife?” Malia asked. She had expected a painted floozy, not the stunningly beautiful lady Corinne appeared to be.

“And who might this be, Jared?” Corinne inquired as she came further into the room, leaving Florence standing nervously in the doorway.

Florence had good reason to expect trouble, for she recognized the aggressive note in Corinne’s voice. So did Jared.

He said uneasily, “Corinne, this is my sister, Malia.”

“Your sister!”

Jared was almost amused at the surprise Corinne revealed, until he saw her eyes darken to a deep emerald. The wheels of her mind seemed to be turning furiously, for she looked at Malia and then back at Jared.

“She is younger than I am, isn’t she, Jared?”

Now it was his turn to be bewildered. What in damnation did that have to do with anything?

“By a few years, yes,” he answered warily, unable to see what she was getting at until it was too late.

“You beast!” Corinne hissed. “You lied to my father just to make him suffer!”

Jared caught his breath. He suddenly knew what conclusions she had jumped to. “Shut up, Corinne!” he warned her, the knuckles of his hands white as he gripped the table.

“Not until you burn in Hades I will!” Corinne shouted furiously. “You tell me how your mother could
have had
her
if she was languishing with a broken heart? I don’t believe she killed herself because of my father. It was an accident, wasn’t it?”

Jared had turned pale. Corinne followed his agonized gaze to Malia and saw the horror on the girl’s face. She held her breath as the girl burst into tears and ran from the room.

What had she done? She was afraid to look at Jared again, but he forced her to when his fingers bit into her shoulders.

“I could kill you for that!” he said in a deadly whisper, his grip on her becoming painful. “Malia didn’t know, confound you. She was told our mother’s death was an accident!”

“I—I’m sorry, Jared,” Corinne stammered, never more frightened by him than she was at that moment.

“You’re sorry!” he spat at her, shoving her away from him. “You meant to hurt and you did. I hope to hell you’re satisfied!”

He stormed out of the room to follow his sister, leaving Corinne shaken. Florence rushed to her, putting an arm about her shoulders.

“Don’t fret now, Cori. I know you didn’t mean to hurt the girl.”

“Why couldn’t I have stilled my vicious tongue? I deserved everything he said, and more.” She turned to Akela. “I really am sorry.”

The old woman frowned. “Bad thing you do, Kolina, but I understand now.”

“Understand?”

“Your father the one my Ranelle love too much. Ialeka hate him long time. I know why he go mainland now, why he marry you. He hurt you, huh? Then you come here for hurt him back.
Auwe!
Bad thing hate.” She shook her peppered head. “Mo’better love.”

“That’s impossible,” Corinne replied dismally, her eyes downcast.

Akela shook her head again. “Think of the
keiki
and you see love mo’better.”

Corinne drew herself up defensively, but Florence urged her out of the kitchen before more damage was done. She spent the rest of the day with Michael and Florence in their bedroom. Akela brought them food, stopping to fuss over Michael for a while. Wisely, she didn’t say anything more about him, or about Jared and his sister.

Corinne knew it had taken Jared hours to calm the girl down, for they had all heard the heartbreaking tears coming from the patio. If only she hadn’t barged into the kitchen that morning. Damn her temper.

Jared hadn’t left that day, and it was too late for him to go now. She dreaded facing him again, especially alone. But by that night, she dreaded even more the thought that he might come looking for her.

She bid Florence good night and walked hesitantly to Jared’s room. He was there already, standing at the far window, looking out, his arms braced on each side of the window. He was so deep in thought that he didn’t hear her come in and she had to clear her throat. Because he was in the shadows, she couldn’t see his expression when he turned to look at her.

“If you’ve changed your mind about my sleeping in this room, I’ll—”

“Come in, Corinne,” he said. “You’re my wife and this room is as much yours as it is mine. I told you before, there are no other rooms. And I won’t have you inconveniencing your maid just because you and I would rather not share the same room.”

“She wouldn’t mind.”

“I mind.”

His voice was not harsh. In fact, he sounded terribly tired.

“Well, I won’t sleep on that chaise again,” she warned him. “My neck is still stiff from last night.”

“Suit yourself.”

“You won’t—”

Corinne halted in mid-sentence and bit her lip.

“I won’t,” be answered.

Corinne closed the door and crossed to the bed where Akela had left her nightgown. She picked it up and went on towards the bathroom, but stopped before she got there and turned slowly to Jared.

“I—I really am sorry for what happened this morning,” she said, thankful his back was to her and he hadn’t turned around. “I would never have hurt your sister intentionally, Jared. I had no way of knowing she wasn’t aware of the circumstances surrounding your mother’s death.”

“I know,” he murmured, still without facing her. “It’s over with, so forget about it.”

How can I? she wanted to say. But she went slowly into the bathroom and closed the door quietly. She changed in what little light the moon provided as it filtered in through the row of short windows high on the bathroom wall. When she came back into the bedroom, Jared was still standing at the window, looking out at the front yard and the high clifflike base of the mountain on the other side of the road.

She got into bed, but hesitated before asking, “Do you mind if I turn the light out?”

“Go ahead. I’ll be up a while yet.”

Sleep was impossible. And it was indeed a long while before Jared finally left his vigil at the window and came to bed. Corinne pretended sleep as she heard him
removing his clothes. When she felt him get into bed, she stiffened.

He was so close, so very close, and she couldn’t help thinking of their wedding night a year ago on this day. She would never have that thrilling pleasure again, never know his strong arms holding her close, his lips touching hers, drawing her will away. Never again seemed so very long, when at this moment she wanted those powerful hands to caress her, wanted to feel the length of his body on hers. Why had they destroyed what might have been?