Logic short-circuited by a persuasive AJ, thirty minutes later they were in her car on the way to Galveston Island, fifty odd miles from Houston. "Are you sure we should be doing this?" Dana asked belatedly, already knowing the answer. "What if someone recognizes you?"

"We'll avoid the Strand and have lunch somewhere other then Guido's. Just two anonymous tourists, out for a day of sun and surf. If anyone's seriously searching, they won't expect me to be down here."

Dana wasn't so confident, but it had been ages since she'd had a non-work related outing and the smell of mainland from Galveston pleasantly assaulted her senses. With AJ in the house, her routine had been shot to pieces anyway, so she might as well enjoy the day.

After purchasing a take-out lunch of shrimp and French fries, they located an uncrowded stretch of beach which offered relative privacy. They'd finished the meal when a young family drove and settled nearby. The parents were busy erecting a canopy when a small boy came over.

"Wanna play?" he asked AJ, swinging a frisbee in front of him.

"Yeah," AJ answered, rising and dusting sand off his jeans. "As soon as I feed the birds the rest of our lunch. Why don't you help me?"

The child eagerly agreed and Dana watched as the two indulge a flock of gulls brazenly begging for a handout. With the leftovers gone and the gulls seeking greener pastures, AJ gently sailed the bright red disk for the giggling boy to chase. Once the canopy was up, the boy's father came over and spoke to AJ. "Thanks. I'll relieve you now."

"I enjoyed it," AJ said, tousling the boy's hair. He rejoined Dana. "Need me to dust you off?" he teased, as she rose to her feet.

"No, thank you. By the way, you're good with children."

"Don't sound so surprised. I really like kids. Now let's go ride the ferry." AJ sounded almost like a youngster himself.

They drove a few miles, then lined up behind a group of cars waiting to take the short ferry ride between Galveston and Port Bolivar. It was a trip Dana hadn't made in ages, but she still remembered the thrill of standing at the rail, the wind in her hair, her father's arms enclosing her as they searched the water for sea creatures.

Once Dana's car was parked on board, AJ helped her out. They took a place by the rail and his arms steadied her, just as her father's once had. The experience was as thrilling as in her youth, albeit in an entirely different way.

"Look." AJ pointed toward the flock of scavenger gulls following the craft. One of the greedy birds had bravely perched on a passenger's shoulder, gingerly accepting treats from the stranger. Feeling rather daring herself, Dana relaxed against AJ and his arms wrapped around her, holding her close.

At sundown, they had supper at an out-of-way seafood restaurant. "It's been a fine day," he said, and she nodded. They had indulged themselves in people watching, seen a few sights, discussed favorite books and new movies. As if by mutual consent, there'd been no mention of AJ's wedding or Torrence Place or their respective love lives. Dana didn't want to interrupt the serenity of the day, and he'd seemed to agree.

She'd been exposed to a new side of AJ, or Alex, tender, fun-loving. Although she'd been attracted to him from the beginning. Dana had managed to fight the appeal by amplifying his negative qualities. After today, recalling the negatives was going to be more difficult.

"Let's take a walk on the beach before starting back to Houston,'" he suggested. They parked the car in a sandy cove and AJ removed his shoes and socks and rolled up his pant legs. Dana shed her sandals and they strolled at the edge of the water, dodging waves and tiny sand crabs. When he took her hand, Dana didn't object.

"Thank you for today," he said, cradling her cheek with his other hand. "It meant. . ." His eyes intensified to a deeper brown as they locked with hers, their unspoken message telling Dana that he wanted more than the touch, that he wanted to bring his lips to hers. She felt herself swaying toward him and the light press and the light press of his mouth on hers ignited her senses. She wanted him to pull her closer, to. . . It would feel so good, so right. . .wrong! Dana wrenched away so abruptly that she stumbled backward, almost falling.

"Let me help." He reached for her.

"No, please," she said, her voice shaky as she recovered her balance. "Really, I'm fine," she insisted, gazing up at the sky, trying to lower her out-of-control pulse rate. "Look, there's a full moon tonight," she said, attempting to distract AJ's attention with the mundane.

"All the better to see you with, my dear," he growled. "You're very beautiful, you know." He reached for her again.

Dana eluded him and started toward the car. "It's late, time to hasten to Grandmother's house." And be wary of Big Bad Wolves, she thought.

The drive back was strained, the scene on the beach undermining the earlier camaraderie. The clock was striking ten when they arrived home. Dana hurried to check her messages – none – and AJ, making himself at home, plopped onto her couch and clicked on the television to watch the evening news. She'd no sooner joined him in front of the set than a shot of Torrence Place came on the screen. 'This day is fast going down the drain.' Dana flinched, holding her breath of what was to come.

"Houston is agog with the outgoing rumors about Backstreet Boy AJ McLean and socialite Sarah Martin." The picture switched to a headshot of one of the evening anchors. "First, the pair's last minute halt to their wedding. Now Ms. Martin has surfaced, vacationing on a sunny Cancun beach with an unnamed male. Although the Martin nor McLean families will officially comment, an anonymous source says it was Ms. Martin who spurned the Backstreet bachelor. AJ McLean is in seclusion."

"'Spurned'? 'Seclusion'? He's making it sound like Sarah dumped me and I'm off somewhere licking my wounds."

"Aren't you? I kept telling you to issue a statement, and you kept putting me off. At least you could have had your say then."

"Believe it or not, I was trying to behave like a gentleman. It never dawned on me that she'd take this route."

"Well, phone someone and clear it up."

"It's a little late for that, don't you think? Any kind of news release would just seem like face-saving on my part. I'd hoped for Sarah to be a little more discreet."

What could Dana say to assuage the blow? She had to give him credit for taking the high road, trying to keep the details private. Unfortunately for him, he was no longer in control of Sarah Martin, and it appeared as if she was feeding her own version to the media. "I'm sorry," Dana soothed.

"I don't want sympathy. I want–"

"What? Revenge?"

"I didn't say that."

"It's what you were thinking, through, wasn't it?"

"Maybe. . .for a second." He shook his head and grinned. "How do you suggest I do it? Scribble her phone number on rest room walls? Cancel her charge accounts? Announce that she had a tummy tuck?" He started snickering and before long was laughing outright.

"Has she?" Dana was giggling now also, her business worries and confusing feelings over AJ's lovemaking pushed to the recesses of her mind.

"No, but people would believe it anyway."

"You wouldn't do any of those things – would you?"

"No, I'm not so vindictive. But they're fun to think about." He chuckled again.

His merriment was infectious and Dana laughed along. AJ traced his knuckles across her cheekbones, a repeat gesture she rather liked. "Thanks for helping me to put things into perspective. You're good for me, Dana Evans." He stood up, then grimaced. "I must smell like sea bass. Give me time to shower and we can talk some more." Dana was prepared to tell him she was too tired, but before she could beg off, AJ was already gone.

Well, she hadn't really wanted the evening to end, Dana admitted as she took a fast bath and changed into jeans and a sleeveless chambray shirt. She considered a bathrobe instead, but decided that it was safer to be fully dressed. She didn't want to provide any more inadvertent peep shows or give AJ grounds for thinking she was inviting another of his kisses – or more of his kisses.

When she returned to the solarium, AJ was already there. On seeing her, the serious expression on his face conflicted with the open admiration in his eyes.

"I need to ask you something, Dana, and I'd like an honest answer."

His tone of voice made her stiffen. Dana sank into a wicker rocking chair. "Just when have I been dishonest?" she hedged.

"On the particular issue, I suspect that you've been less than candid. Tell me, how bad are your finances?"

"That subject is not open for discussion," she said.

"Really rough, hmm?"

"I didn't say that. Why do you want to know anyway?"

"Because I realize I've inadvertently harmed your business. Unfavorable publicity. Cancellations. . ."

She waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. "That's the way it goes in the wedding game. Cancellations happen."

"How often do you have two in two days?"

"Well, I. . ." He didn't realize there were actually four. She waved her hand again. "As I said earlier, it's not your problem, so don't lose any sleep over it. I'll recover." Big talk. Empty talk.

"I'm sure you will. But there's got to be a way I can right my role in your troubles."

Past conduct told Dana that AJ would unhesitantly provide monetary recompense if she so much as blinked. The possibility was too distasteful. "I'd prefer you to forget it. After all, I'm a certified adult, capable of digging my own way out."

"I'd still like to help." He filled two crystal flutes with bubbly champagne and handed her one. "Cheers."

Dana responded with a tap of her glass against his. "It hardly seems like an occasion for celebrating," she added, wondering what he was up to.

"Oh, you never can tell," he said, sitting down across from her. "Maybe if we put our heads together, we'll come up with an occasion." All of a sudden he was smiling as through he'd stumbled on to a cure for the ozone depletion.

Defying a host of internal warnings, Dana allowed her spirits to bright at the smile. AJ always struck her as the handsomest man she'd ever seen, but with those worry lines gone and – She must stop this. AJ McLean was like a muscle pull. . .a wrong move and you discover nerves you never knew you had before. There was no reason to believe he'd ever be anything but problematic. She should be suspicious about why he was darn pleased with himself right now, not starry-eyed over his good looks.

They sat there for a long while, sipping the pale liquid, neither speaking. Dana was too busy ruining her reactions to AJ and AJ seemed to be plotting something. Something troublesome, most likely.

"I'm hungry," he finally said, standing up.

Dana gave an exaggerated sigh. "Here I was wondering what evil you were planning and all you're thinking about in your stomach."

"I'd be happy to switch to something evil if you prefer." His eyebrows raised in mock anticipation.

"Oh, no, food's just fine. What do you want me to fix?"

"Allow me," AJ insisted, disappearing into the kitchen. She heard cabinets and the refrigerator opening and closing, then AJ returned with a tray of fruit, cheese and crackers.

"This domestic turn might harm your stature as a man-about-town." She was striving for a caustic tone, but the words sounded more complimentary than abrasive.

"This old dog has a lot of tricks," he answered, "but I'm always ready to learn a few more. Want to tutor me?"

"I'm not going to touch that one."

"I guarantee I'd be an apt pupil. Maybe even teacher's pet."

Dana shook her head determinedly, drawing a smile from him. AJ refilled their glasses of champagne, then placed the bottle in the wine cooler. Leaving the innuendos behind, he took on the role of host, entertaining her with witty anecdotes and tales from his world.

His good cheer and the champagne made Dana forget their mutual woes for a few hours, but it was late and she knew it would be wise to bring closure to this evening while the mood was still light.

She rose and carried the tray to the kitchen, AJ following her. As she rinsed the dishes, he came up behind her and placed his hands on both sides of the counter, trapping her. "I have an idea," he murmured, nuzzling her neck.

She shut of the faucet and turned around, her damp hands making a pattern on AJ's cotton shirt as she attempted to break free. He refused to cede any ground and mere inches separated their bodies. Dana could feel his breath as he spoke.

"Remember when we were talking about a scandal to counter the wedding stories?"

Dana nodded. "Has there been one?"

"Not yet."

"Then what? Have you decided to hire another celebrity to create a sensation?"

"No, nothing that drastic. But the reputation of Torrence Place has been sullied and I've thought of a way to blunt any further harm." He was stroking her bare arms, clearly pleased about the goose bumps his touches triggered.

"I told you not to worry about Torrence Place," she said, her voice husky in reaction to the prolonged closeness.

"I can't help it. I'm too distressed about you."

"Are you positive your distress doesn't center on something closer to home – like AJ McLean's reputation?" She suspected that tonight's newscast was his main concern. It had been mostly about him and Sarah, not Torrence Place, which had just gotten a brief mention. Dana shoved against AJ again, but he was as immovable as before.

"I think my psyche can withstand a little embarrassment," he said. "But that's irrelevant. We'd both benefit from my idea."

Dana looked skeptical. "And your idea is?"

"It's very spontaneous, very romantic. Right up your alley."

Somehow she doubted that. In the time she known AJ McLean, she wouldn't classify a thing he'd done as genuinely spontaneous and he'd been as romantic as an old sock. Until today. "And what did you have in mind?"

"Something so simple, it's brilliant. We could elope."

Chapter 9
Chapter 7
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