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He poured the wine, and we toasted.

"A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou beside me," he recited.

"You know how to sweep a girl off her feet," I said.

"Are you off your feet. Willow?" he asked, his face suddenly so serious.

"Well, I can't walk on water," I replied.

He smiled. "Avoiding the answer, huh? You're just as afraid of becoming involved with someone as I am. That's what I like about you." he added before I could offer any denial.

"Why?"

"Too many women around here are too eager. It's not a challenge,"

"I don't see myself as a trophy. Thatcher."

"I don't mean you are I have this old-fashioned idea that anything good, really good, should not be easy to achieve or possess. Too much is taken for granted, especially here," he said. "As you can imagine from the way my parents live, instant gratification is the mle, not the exception. I grew up getting whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted it. So did my sister--she still does. actually."

"Then how did you get this new, wiser perspective on life?" I asked.

He shrugged, "Just lucky. I suppose."

He rose and took off his shirt before he sprawled on the deck, a wide, silly grin on his face. The rocking of the boat, the wine rushing through my blood, and the warm sea air continued to enchant me. I rose to sit beside him. We could hear the terns calling to each other over the water and the low murmur of boat engines in the distance. The clouds were gliding toward the horizon,

"My mother's right. I work too hard," he muttered, and then looked up at me. "Let me know whoever it is who sent you here." he said. "I'd like to thank him or her personally."

During all the time I had been with Allan, I had never felt such need as I did this moment when my eyes locked on Thatcher's. The air between us seemed to crackle with electricity, drawing our lips closer and closer until I was leaning over him and kissing him. He did not embrace me. He made mc press myself to him as if he wanted me to commit my body and passion first. I don't know if I could have resisted or should have resisted the clamoring within me. but I didn't. I kissed him again, and he put his arm around my waist and brought me down beside him.

"You know," I said, teasing him with my lips, kissing the tip of his nose, his cheek, and just below his lips, "you're keeping me from my project."

"Really? I thought I -was your project." he teased back, and then kissed me long and hard. "Did you ever make love on a boat?" he whispered.

"What do you think?"

He laughed and lifted me into his arms. "I don't see how you can write a paper on Palm Beach society without making love on a boat," he said.

I didn't offer any resistance. Slowly, carefully, he carried me below to the master stateroom. Seconds later, we were naked and in the throes of lovemaking even more passionate than the evening before. Every once in a while. I heard the voice of caution within me, questioning me, demanding to know what I was doing, how I had managed to get so close and involved with another man so quickly. Was it madness or love? Was it out of some desperate need to find someone so I wouldn't be alone? Was I too vulnerable, or had the good fates smiled down on me and brought me someone very special, someone who would truly love me as much as, if not more than. I would love him?

Afterward, we napped in each other's arms for nearly half an hour. He woke me with a kiss.

"We had better start back," he said. "I don't want to owe my client any more time. He's the sort who will take advantage."

I dressed quickly, and we cruised at a far slower, gentler pace back to the dock at Java del Mar, When I stepped off the boat, I felt as if I had returned to earth from some fantasy journey.

"I'll be home about six,'" he said. "Don't let Bunny talk you into doing anything outrageous tonight"

"Okay," I said. laughing.

I watched him speed off. slapping the waves and flying into the distance like some fairy-tale prince returning to the pages of a storybook and leaving me wondering if I had dreamed it all,

When I turned to head back to the house. I saw Linden watching me from the front of the beach house. I started to wave to him, when he turned away abruptly and went inside. It was like a cold slap on my face.

This was going to be hard, I thought, This was going to be very hard.

11

The Ladies of Palm Beach