Stroke of Love (15 page)

“Katie, honey, you can’t control what happens next. You can only hope that what you have done will continue to help,” her father said. “You’ve been through this before. Why is this hitting you so hard?”

Kate shook her head. “I don’t know.”

Sage restrained himself from going over and taking her in his arms to soothe the frustration that had her shaking her head and covering her eyes. He turned back to Luce.

“She’s having a really hard time with this. Any idea what’s really going on?” he asked.

“I know she goes to a new location in a few weeks. Maybe it’s about that move?”

Sage and Kate had been so focused on the mural during the day and getting lost in each other’s arms at night that he realized they had yet to discuss much other than their immediate situations.

When Kate finished her call, she let out a long sigh before joining them.

Sage pulled her into his arms and kissed her cheek. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” She looked at Luce, who rolled her eyes. “Okay, fine. No, I’m not.”

“Wanna talk about it?” Sage asked.

“Nope. I wanna go for a swim.”

“Wait a minute. There’s a place to swim and you haven’t told me about it? It’s like a hundred and fifty degrees out here.” Sage’s eyes jetted between Kate and Luce.

Kate touched his arm. “It’s kind of a secret.”

Sage lifted his eyebrows. “I love secrets.”

“Oh my God.” Luce finished her smoothie and rose to her feet. “I don’t even want to know about the secrets you two have. Kate, I’m gonna go back to my cabin and wallow in PR angst. I need to make some arrangements for Penelope’s backslide. I’ll catch up with you guys later.”

“You sure?” Kate asked.

“Oh yeah.” Luce pointed at Sage. “Think about what we talked about.”

After seeing Kate’s distress, it was all he
could
think about.

KATE HELD SAGE’S hand as they made their way through the thick forest toward the beach. Sage hadn’t pressed her for information about her conversation with her parents, and by the time they reached the red clay path that led to Undiscovered, she was a little annoyed that he hadn’t even asked about what was going on.

“What is that noise?” Sage asked.

“Howler monkeys.”

“Really? It sounds like strong wind blowing through a tunnel.” Sage looked up at the trees.

“You can hear them a mile away, so you probably won’t spot any.” She hated how snappy she sounded, but she couldn’t rein it in.

“So, there’s really a beach nearby? You’ve been holding out on me,” Sage teased.

“A girl’s gotta keep a few secrets,” she snapped again, and swatted at a leaf that was in their way.

“I thought I picked up on something. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” She stomped over a leafy bush.

“Kate, you told Luce you didn’t want to talk about whatever was going on, so if you’re mad because I haven’t asked about what’s bothering you, that’s why I haven’t.”

She turned to face him. “That
is
why I’m upset. You should have asked me anyway.”
God, I’m so whiny
.

“I’m sorry, Kate. I was just trying to do the right thing. But you may have to tweak my boyfriend skills when it comes to reading you in that way. I try, but...”

“No, you’re great. I’m sorry. I’ll be fine after we swim and relax a little.” She pushed through a plant with giant green leaves, and a perfect stretch of white sandy beach came into view.

He threw his arms open and drew in a deep breath. Kate couldn’t help but notice his broad chest expand and his biceps twitch.

“You’ve brought me to paradise?”

“Undiscovered.”

“Paradise undiscovered?”

“No. Luce and I found this place when she first came out, and we call it Undiscovered. I think we’re the only ones who use it.”

Kate slipped off her shoes and Sage did the same. Then pulled her into his arms.

“I want to know what’s wrong. Hell, Kate, I hate seeing you upset.”

She pressed her cheek to his chest, soothed by the steady beat of his heart. He leaned down and kissed her, and for a few blessed seconds she was able to forget everything else and think only of how good she felt right there in his arms, his lips on hers, his hard body pressed against her. His kisses had the remarkable power to chase away her worries. When he drew back and looked down at her with his gorgeous dark-blue eyes, she wanted to pretend her worries didn’t exist at all.

“Want to talk about it?”

She shook her head and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him again. When he lowered his mouth to hers, Kate pressed her hips in to his.
I’ve become a sex maniac with you
. Only with you.
Forever with you
. The thought took her by surprise, and she drew back from him, searching his face. Wondering if he felt the same thing. It was a crazy thought, and she took a step back to distance herself from it.

Kate had seen too many volunteers hook up while they were there. She knew that what happened in Belize stayed in Belize. What she and Sage had together had taken her by surprise. That had to be why she was hoping for more. Maybe it was the sex.
God, the sex is amazing
. She didn’t want to be a hookup. Not with Sage.

Now was not the time to turn into a blundering idiot, and he was looking at her with a question in his eyes. He was so freaking good-looking, and so damn good to her, that she wanted to crawl into his arms and disappear.

She had real issues to worry about. Talking would take her mind off of being intimate with him right then—and daydreaming about forever.

“Yeah, let’s talk,” she finally managed.

They sat side by side beneath the shade of a large tree. Kate drew in a deep breath of the salty sea air. She loved the way it felt lighter than the air of the jungle. More refreshing.

“I Skyped my boss, Raymond, after going to the village for the meeting, and he said some stuff that really bothered me, so I Skyped my parents,” she began. “I was hoping they’d help me figure some things out.”

“Luce told me that was them. I could tell they really care about you.”

She picked up a twig and began breaking it into tiny pieces. “I know. They’ve been involved with the Peace Corps forever. I grew up traveling with them, and when we weren’t traveling, we hung around with people who had also been involved with the Corps. Some people are military brats.” She looked up at him and smiled. “I’m a Peace Corps brat.”

“Well, I think it served you well. Look at the wonderful things you’re doing now.” Sage reached out and held her hand. “Is there anything I can help you figure out? I want to be here for you, Kate. More than just sexually. I want to be here for whatever you need. I’m a good listener.”

You’re so much more than a good listener
. She sighed. “I think they’re closing the volunteer station here.”

“What? Why?”

“I’m not sure if they are or not. The Internet was spotty. But I worry, you know? Will the people here get the wells they need? How will they get the medical supplies we bring in for them now, and will they have people to pitch in when the teachers are sick?”

“And what happens to you and Caleb if they close it? I mean, how long were you supposed to be here?”

“I’m supposed to leave the week after your group leaves, and Caleb would be reassigned, I guess, but it’s not me I’m worried about.”

He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. “I know you’re worried about the people here. I just realized that I have no idea how long you’re here, or what your plan is after this.”

She leaned in to him. She’d been wondering about that as well. The idea of not being with Sage made her pulse race—almost as much as being with him did.
Stop it. Be realistic. This is a fling to him.
She wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince herself of that or if she really believed it, but the thought came to her and she couldn’t ignore it.

“I was supposed to be placed someplace else when I left here, but now…” She shrugged. “I feel like everything we do here is just temporary. I never used to feel that way. I was so proud of my parents for everything they did, but I guess I just never saw the other parts of social aid. My parents said they went through this a bunch of times, but they must have shielded me from it. Or they just grew immune to the worry, so I never saw it. I don’t know.”

Sage was quiet for a long time, and Kate wondered if he was thinking that she’d just become too complicated for him.

“What do you want to happen?” he asked.

“Want? I guess for them to continue the effort. I want to know that the elderly will get the medication and food they need. I want to know that the people of Punta Palacia will have wells that work, so they can have better access to water. I want to have a lasting impact on the community. I want what we do to make a long-term difference. Is that too much to hope for?” She looked up at him and immediately worried that she sounded whiny again.

He took her chin in his hand and looked deeply into her eyes. “No. It’s a beautiful thing to hope for.”

He kissed her softly, and in that moment it was treacherously hard for Kate not to want more with him—more time, more of a relationship. She pulled back from him in order to save herself from emotional hell in a few days when he was gone. At least at night they had hours together, learning every curve of each other’s body, kissing and tasting, touching and teasing, until they were both satiated. At night it seemed like morning would never come. But in the light of day, with the stress of the future of Punta Palacia and AIA pressing in on her, fear riddled her heart.

“I do have an idea that I think will help. AIA used this place like a media playground. I think we can earn the funding without the craziness of celebrity PR.”

“So, you’re thinking about donating?” She was having a hard time concentrating. Between the heat, wanting to be close to Sage, and her conversation with Raymond, she really just wanted to forget it all for a few minutes.

“No. Auctioning off art, the proceeds going to a company, and running that organization with the total focus on helping places like Punta Palacia. It seems like wells are one of the most vital issues, so maybe a nonprofit that focuses primarily on well installation.” He took her hand in his. “Kate, I’ve been looking for a way to give back, to give more than just money. I don’t know if I’m using the right terminology for something like this, but...running a cause like this would allow me to do some good with my income and connections, and being right there, working with the communities while the wells are being installed, would allow, I don’t know, a month at a time in each community. Maybe four times a year.”

Running a cause?
“I don’t understand. Running a cause? Do you mean starting a nonprofit? A whole company?” She swallowed hard.
Who the hell are you?
Who made big decisions like that based on a few days? Or based on one village’s need for a well?

“Yes. I think so. I need to get more information, but it’s something I’m contemplating.”

Holy shit
. She knew exactly what kind of person made life-altering decisions for the good of others, and he was staring at her with the sweetest eyes and the most sincere smile she’d ever seen. She needed to clear her head.

“This is a lot to think about. Can we…Do you want to take a swim?” She stood and reached for the zipper on her shorts.

“Skinny-dipping?” Sage took off his tank top and tossed it on the sand. “You’re standing there taking off your clothes and asking if I’d rather skinny-dip with you or talk about wells? Seriously?”

Oh dear Lord, I want you.

Sage put his hands on her hips and brushed his lips over the curve of her shoulder. “I think I like it here even more than before,” he whispered.

How could she think that swimming with Sage would do anything other than make her want him more? He lifted her shirt over her head and unhooked her bra, then tossed it on the warm sand. Her nipples instantly tightened. His hands skimmed her waist, settling on the button of her shorts.

“Swim, remember?” she said, only half teasing.

“Right.” He stepped from his shorts and stood before her naked. And aroused.

Kate laughed as she took off her shorts, feeling her cheeks flush hot.

He glanced down. “Swimming? Really?” He reached for her waist again.

“Uh-uh.” She took a step backward, suddenly feeling playful, less worried about wanting more of him.
Jesus
. He really had stolen her brain cells. She turned and strolled leisurely toward the water, feeling the heat of his stare and knowing she was torturing him as much as herself. She swayed her hips a little more than usual and cast what she hoped was a seductive glance behind her, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she turned back toward the water. By the time she recognized the approaching sound as Sage running, she was in his arms being carried into the water. He covered her mouth with his and kissed her passionately.

She melted against him.

“Swimming?” he asked, breathing hard.

She opened her mouth to say yes, but nothing came out. She nodded.

Sage shook his head. “Okay.” He swung her in his arms.

“Sage, don’t you da—”

He threw her toward the deep water. “Sage!” flew from her lips as she sailed through the air. She sank beneath the water and paddled her way to the top. He was already reaching for her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and laughed.

“Are you gonna kiss me or what?” he asked.

Oh, hell yes
. She wrapped her legs around his waist and felt his legs pedaling hard to keep them up. He held her with one arm and used the other to push them backward toward the shore until his feet touched the bottom; then he folded her in his arms again and deepened the kiss. She felt the tip of his arousal pressing against her, and she wiggled her body lower, trying to maneuver him inside of her.

“No condom,” he said between kisses.

“I’m on the pill,” she said in one long breath.

Sage held her tightly against him and tilted his head.

“What?” she asked.

“STDs. Any?”

She pulled back with a gasp.

“What? You’re an attractive woman. I can’t assume…”