About half an hour later Howie stopped the car at the side of the road. "Here we are!" he said, jumping out of the drivers seat and grabbing their bags. Rowena got out and looked around, but there was no secluded beach to be seen anywhere. "Come on," he said walking on and Rowena followed him. Almost immediately a small path appeared, seemingly out of thin air, winding its way down towards the sea. She had noticed that they had been driving parallel to the coastline, but had thought there was nothing but a steep drop to that side. When they reached the bottom she gave a cry of delight.

"Oh Howie, this is perfect!"

And it was perfect. Flawless white sand, turquoise water and all tucked away from sight. Howie must have been right. She couldn't imagine anyone knowing of this, especially not the tourists.

"Do you like it?"

She looked unbelievably happy. "I love it! However did you find this place?"

"I was out on a boat last year and came by here. I loved the look of it and tried to find access to it from the land as soon as I got back." He dropped the bags underneath one of the scattered palm trees offering some shade. "Took me a while, but I managed."

They spread out their towels and Rowena announced that she was going straight for the water. Howie said he'd come along. She watched him as he stripped off the khaki pants and t-shirt and she could see his muscles moving underneath his tanned skin. He looked like some Greek God apart from the black boxers.

The water was colder than she'd expected and she stopped short of splashing straight in. Suddenly she felt his arms encircling her waist as he lifted her off her feet.

"NO!" she screamed but it was too late. He carried her into the sea and dropped her. She surfaced again, splashing him as she came up.

"Just you wait Howard Dorough. I'm going to get you back for that."

"You've got to catch me first," he teased swimming away from her.

She was faster than he'd ever thought possible. Catching up easily she ducked his head under water. This time it was her turn to laugh as he surfaced, wiping salt water from his eyes. For a while they splashed around, each trying to get the other until they finally decided that it way time for some food.

While Rowena dried herself off, Howie set to arranging the packed lunch the hotel had provided them with. Rowena laughed as she watched him pulling more and more things out of the basket.

"My God! Who's going to eat all of that?"

"No idea." Howie grinned up at her. "Pity Nick isn't here. I'm sure he could help us finish this." He waved his hand over the array of salads, cold meats, bread and fruit. "At least they gave us water not wine. I don't think I could take anything alcoholic in this heat."

She settled down beside him and took the plate he was holding out of his hands. "That's enough!" she chided playfully. "It's my turn to do something now. After all, arranging food and stuff is supposed to be a woman's job."

"I never took you for the housewife type." Offering him a plate full of goodies she replied, "There are a lot of things you don't know about me Mr. Dorough."

The corner of his mouth twitched slightly. "Well, I'll just have to find out then, won't I?"

"Gotcha again!" he thought as he saw her blush slightly below her tan.

"You really are a ladies man, aren't you?" she asked trying to hide her embarrassment.

"Actually I have no idea. Usually it's the others who get all the attention."

Rowena laughed. "I don't believe a word of that! From what I saw these past few days, you were getting more attention than you could handle."

Howie grinned sheepishly. "I suppose. But believe me, when the others are around I'm usually the one that gets ignored. It's more like: Hi Howie. Can you send AJ over?"

"Does that annoy you?" she asked tucking into her salad.

He chewed carefully, emptying his mouth before answering. "Sometimes it does. It makes you wonder why the hell you put yourself through all those gruelling routines when no one's going to notice you anyway. On the other hand it can be quite handy. While the others have to fight off fans while they're sitting in the bar or whatever, I can enjoy some peace and quiet."

He poured himself a glass of water and looked at her questioningly. She nodded. "When my family is with me I'm quite glad when they concentrate on AJ, Nick, Kevin and Brian."

She accepted the glass he offered her. "I get your point. I honestly don't think I could live like you guys do. I really admire that."

Howie looked at her surprised. "There's nothing admirable about it. You do get used to it you know."

That wicked grin appeared on her face again. "As I said before I don't think you're ever going to get used to it."

Howie laughed. "You're probably right. But I do keep trying to convince myself that this is normal."

They finished their meal and lay back on the towels, relaxing. Everything was peaceful. No cars, no people no nothing. Just the sound of the sea washing up on the beach and their breathing. Rowena's voice broke the silence.

"Have you given this place a name yet?"

Howie turned over onto his side and faced her. "I never even thought of that. Why, have you got anything in mind?"

Rowena shook her head. "No not really. I was just wondering. This place is so perfectly different." Howie smiled to himself. This beach wasn't the only thing here that was perfectly different.

They fell silent again for a while until Rowena sat up and started rummaging through her bag. She fished out her bottle of sun tan lotion and started applying it lavishly to her body.

Fascinated Howie watched as she rubbed it into her legs and arms. Her movements were graceful, flowing and he was reminded of the other night when she had left him sitting at the table after telling him off. He'd never seen anyone move like that.

"Do you dance?" he asked curious to find out more about her.

She smiled. "I used to. I was doing Latin American Formation and had every intention of turning professional."

"Why didn't you?"

Her smile turned sad. "I injured my knee in a car accident and that ruled out any chance of me ever being able to dance professionally."

"I'm sorry," he said reaching over and taking hold of her arm.

"It's o.k. I'm over it." She turned to him but avoided looking into his eyes.

"No it's not," he replied. "And you're never going to get over it." She raised her eyes to meet his and the sadness faded slowly but she gave no answer. They just sat there looking at each other for what seemed like eternity.

Rowena was the first to move. Slowly she withdrew her arm and began applying the lotion to her body again. Howie also sat up, feeling the urge to move and distract himself from whatever had just passed between them. He too took out his lotion. Rowena's voice broke into his somewhat confused thoughts.

"Would you mind doing my back for me?" He turned to see her holding out the bottle and looking at him questioningly.

"Uhm, no, but only if you do mine."

"Deal!" He moved closer to her taking the bottle from her hands. Rowena turned around, so that he could get at her back. She undid the clasp of her bikini top.

Nothing could have prepared her for the sensations his hands sent through her body as he slowly began smoothing the lotion into her skin. His long fingers moved over her back gently, yet she could feel the strength behind the touch. As they moved up and down her spine she could feel shivers running through her body. It was like being touched by fire and ice at the same time. She had to muster all her control not to arch her back under his touch. Where on earth had he learnt that? She breathed in audibly as his fingers gently pushed aside her hair and moved up her neck. Just when she though she couldn't possibly take anymore, he stopped. "Thank you," she said her voice sounding hoarse even to her own ears. Howie reached down her sides to get hold of the clips to fasten her top. Very slowly he refastened it and gently let it sink back onto her skin. "Get a grip girl!" she thought. "This isn't the first time a man has touched you like that!" She turned around smiling to cover her feelings and said, "Right. It's your turn now." Before he had a chance to move she got up and walked around him. She really needed to move right now.

The lotion was cold on his heated skin but her hands were warm and unbelievably soft. He could feel her slender fingers moving over his skin. His body relaxed under her soft touch. His heartbeat started racing and suddenly felt hot and flushed as her fingers moved to the small of his back, just above the boxers. Her long fingernails grazed his skin as her hands moved slowly upwards towards his shoulder blades. He caught his breath as she finished off with a soft brush along the line of his spine. He coughed to regain control of his voice, then said, "Thank you too."

"No problem," came the reply from behind his back. So he hadn't been imagining things. Her voice defiantly sounded hoarse. He turned around to see her face but she had already risen and moved to her towel. Keeping her back to him she put the bottle back in her bag.

When she faced him again there was nothing in her face other than a slight smile. Maybe he had imagined it.

"When are you leaving?" he blurted out. "What is wrong with you man?" He couldn't believe he'd just said that.

Rowena was taken aback by his unexpected question. "Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" He repeated.

"Yep. The bus will pick us up just after lunch and then it's back to the real world." She tried to be light hearted but it wasn't really working.

Suddenly Howie realised that today was all he had left with his different girl. He'd probably never see her again. He felt strangely disappointed at that thought.

"Well then we'll have to make the best of today, won't we?" He jumped up and pulled her to her feet.

"And what exactly do you have in mind?" she laughed.

"No idea, but we'll think of something."

"I have an idea!" Rowena bent down, dipping into her bag. She straightened holding a camera. "Feel like a photo shoot Mr. Dorough?"

That cheeky grin was on her face again. "Here we go!" Howie laughed and struck a pose.

They took it in turns to take pictures of each other laughing at the ideas each would come up with. They splashed in the water and at one point Howie tried to climb one of the palm trees, albeit unsuccessfully. Howie was enjoying himself thoroughly. It was an amazing feeling to be able to do whatever he wanted without having to worry that somebody was watching him. And it was great to have someone to share it with.

"Those pics are going to be amazing," he thought focusing the lens on Rowena as she lent seductively against the palm tree.

"You've only got three pictures left."

"What? I can't believe we nearly finished the third film as well!" Rowena walked up to him.

"I'd like to keep those for the village if you don't mind?"

"Sure. Speaking of the village, how late is it anyway?"

They went to look for their watches and were both surprised that it was already five o'clock.

"I think we'd better get going," Howie said packing up the food. They dressed and made their way back to the jeep. Silently Rowena said good-bye to the beach. She was never going to forget this place, or this man she thought looking at Howie.

The drive to the village was silent and when they arrived Howie parked the car and led Rowena towards the market square. There were colourful booths set up all over the place and voices cried out praising their products. Rowena stopped at a stall that sold necklaces made of shells.

"That would make a great present for Stephanie," she thought letting the pink shells glide between her fingers.

"For your niece?" Howie smiled at her. She nodded as she reached into her bag for the money. The old woman smiled at her and said something in Spanish. Howie laughed.

"What did she say?"

"She said that I should be buying them for you."

Rowena laughed. Slowly they walked across the square, stopping here and there to have a look. As they came to the edge of the square she saw a small church tucked away to one side. Howie had seen it too. Without waiting for her to say a word he pulled her in the direction of it. The doors were open and Howie entered, turning on the last step. Rowena was doing up the buttons of her blouse. Looking up at him she smiled.

"I can't go in there half dressed now can I?" she said joining him on the step. He simply smiled his wonderful smile at her and took her hand. Together they walked down the aisle and Rowena suppressed a smile. "Very romantic!" she thought. And then "Angela is going to kill me!" She followed Howie as he moved to sit in one of the benches. They were the only people in the church and they sat in silence next to each other, enjoying the others company. Simultaneously they knelt to pray, each smiling softly to themselves.

Rowena was the first to finish her prayers. Quietly, so as not disturb him, she sat back down and watched him. He was in another world, completely lost in his thoughts. He looked so serene, so peaceful her heart felt like bursting. She sighed. "Don't go get yourself into an emotional hazard over this guy!" she told herself. "There is no point." As if to prove her wrong a ray of sun broke through one of the stained glass windows touching his face. She smiled again. "Just like in one of those old Hollywood movies," she thought. Was someone giving her a sign? She didn't think so, but at that moment she would have given everything for it to be true. Howie moved and the spell was broken. He looked at her and she nodded. Needing no words to communicate they rose from the bench and left the church silently. Outside Howie saw an old man selling flowers. On impulse he went up to the man and bought a white rose from him. They exchanged a few whispered words, then he turned and beckoned Rowena towards them.

"Yes?" she asked joining them.

"I asked him to take some pictures of us. I hope you don't mind?"

She smiled up at him, wondering if that ray of light had been a sign after all. "Of course I don't," she said handing the old man her camera. There was a quick flourish of Spanish between them, then Howie turned to her.

"Whatever." Rowena waved her hand laughing.

"Ready?"

She nodded and Howie presented her with the rose he had been hiding behind his back. The look on her face was priceless. "She's gorgeous," he thought watching her eyes light up and her lips part in a soft gasp.

"How did you know they were my favourite flowers?" she breathed.

"I have a little magic myself," he smiled mysteriously. Neither of them had noticed that the old man had taken pictures during their short conversation.

The old man smiled to himself. He could see love approaching here and they hadn't even realised it yet. Life could be wonderful sometimes. He handed the young woman back her camera and turned to the man. "Don't let her go out of your life," he said in Spanish so she wouldn't understand. The young man nodded, thanked him and walked away.

"What did he say?"

"Nothing important. He just wished us a nice time here."

When they got back to the hotel Howie returned the car and then joined Rowena in the lobby. She was standing there looking nowhere in particular, just waiting for him. He smiled. That old man in the market had been right. He should not let her go out of his life, not just like that. They had only spent one day together but Howie knew that he was never going to meet someone like her ever again. Still smiling he approached her.

"I'll go and return this," he said swinging the basket. "Will I see you for dinner? Or do you want to join your friends?"

Rowena grinned. "So you've been watching me have you?"

He blushed slightly. "Well, you could hardly be missed."

"Just like you."

His colour deepened. "I guess."

She smiled. "Sorry, couldn't resist. Sure I'll join you for dinner. Give me an hour or so. I need to shower and start packing my things for tomorrow."

"Right. How about I pick you up at your room at eight?"

"See you there."

Not for the first time Rowena regretted not being one of those magazine beauties whose faces smiled down on you from every billboard in the world. She wanted to look her best tonight but whatever she put on, it just wasn't quite right. Finally she decided on a black skirt and a purple blouse with frills around the sleeves. It looked like it had come straight out of the wardrobe for an 18th century movie. She smiled at herself in the mirror. This was turning out to be one heck of a script. There was a knock at the door. She tossed her curls one last time and opened.

They started laughing as soon as they set eyes on each other. Howie too was wearing black and purple. He looked amazing in those colours.

"Great minds think alike!" Rowena laughed.

"Looks like it." He held out his arm to her. "Shall we go to dinner?"

"Pretty Woman." She smiled at up at him cheekily.

"You got me." He said returning the smile.

At dinner Rowena found herself thinking that she was going to regret never seeing him again. For a short moment she wondered whether she should ask him if he wanted copies of the pictures they had taken at the beach but she decided against it. She didn't want to push him. If he wanted them, he was going to have to ask.

They moved to the bar after the meal and Howie ordered Vodka and Lemon for both of them, thinking he would never have that drink again without thinking of this day and the woman he had spent it with. Time passed as they talked about everything and nothing and soon the band began to play again. This time it was Salsa and Howie felt his body begin to move in time to the music. He looked at Rowena and saw that she too was swaying to the rhythm. He reached across the table for her hand, pulling her to her feet.

"So let's see that dancing talent of yours."

"You have no idea what you've let yourself in for!" She laughed as she followed him onto the dance floor.

She was right, he had had no idea! Picking up the rhythm she let go completely, pulling him to her then pushing him away again, flirting with him with her eyes, her whole body, smiling all the time. He could see how much she loved it and she was contagious. He joined in taking the lead from her, letting her dictate both pace and mood. Her slender body felt good in his arms, moving close to his, teasing him. She knew exactly what she was doing, but she wasn't intruding on his personal space. This was just about dancing, capturing the feeling of the music. Not about wanting anything from him. She definitely was different. Most girls he had been out dancing with had made it more or less obvious that they wanted something from him. It was a completely new experience for him. No, not new he corrected himself. He'd just forgotten what it was like. By the time the song ended they were both breathless, not just from the dancing. Only then did they realise that they had cleared the dance floor. People had scattered to the sides of the floor, others joining them from their tables to watch and their applause was as much for them as it was for the band. As the band struck up a slow song the other guests rejoined them on the dance floor.

Without asking Howie pulled her into his arms again, placing her right hand on his chest. Rowena rested her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. She hadn't danced like that in a long time. Most of her male friends just weren't good enough to keep up with her. But Howie was different. Instinctively he had made the right moves, following her lead then taking over again. Spanish and Irish blood, was it? She couldn't remember what Angela must have told her a thousand times. But she couldn't think at all at the moment. She was too aware of his arms around her, his heartbeat underneath her hand. She could smell his cologne mixed with the smell of sand, sun and sea. Rowena didn't want to think about the fact that she would probably never see him again after she left Puerto Rico tomorrow. But she did know that she would be looking out for him back home. And she would be paying very close attention to the pictures in Angela's office. Oh yes, she would definitely be fired!

The song ended and they went back to their table to one side of the dance floor. Sitting back down, they picked up their conversation from where they had left it. Like the night before, they were the last to be kicked out by Carlos. Although they were still comfortable with each other the mood had shifted. None of them could have said exactly when it had happened, but the silence between them as they stepped out of the elevator on Rowena's floor was deeper, more intense. Stopping outside her door Rowena turned to face Howie. He was leaning against the door frame, his head resting against the wood. He was smiling.

"Good night."

"Good night," she whispered. But neither of them moved. They just stood there looking at each other. "Do something girl!" she told herself but she couldn't bring her body to move.

She looked so innocent standing there, looking at him out of her big brown eyes. She was uncertain and so was he. He smiled at himself. "AJ would be killing himself right now if he could see me," he thought. Howie was not a ladies man like AJ, but he wasn't usually all that shy either. He reached for her hand pulling her towards him. She followed, never taking her eyes off him. He felt like a teenager again, unsure of how to end the first date. Slowly he raised his right hand to her face, drawing her closer. Bending towards her, his lips brushed hers lightly. Her hand trailed up his arm first to his shoulder, then to his neck. She leaned into him and brought her face to his. Her lips parted willingly under his and she gave out a soft moan as his tongue met hers. He could feel her hands in his hair, her fingernails grazing the back of his neck. He drew her closer into his embrace, letting his hands move over her back. Breathlessly they pulled apart.

"How do you think this scene is going to end?" His voice was husky and Rowena could see that his eyes had darkened.

"I like the old movies where the door closes before the camera can follow them inside. That way everything is left to your imagination." She smiled slowly, her fingers still playing with his hair.

Howie smiled taking her key from her and opening the door. Rowena walked past him and turned to watch him follow her inside.

"End scene three," she thought as he closed the door quietly behind her.

Scene 4
Scene 2
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