The Far Side of Paradise by Robyn Donald

inexpensive
pareu
looked almost as good as the designer clothes the shop manageress had brought to show her. Her own slim gold sandalsmade no concession to her height; she could wear ten-centimetre heels and still be shorter then Cade.
    Exactly twenty-five minutes after she’d left, she walked back into the sitting room, to meet a narrow-eyed glance from Cade that sent her pulse rate soaring again. In tropical evening clothes, he was
stunning,
she decided faintly, trying to control the overheated reactions ricocheting through her.
    His quizzical expression made her realise she was staring a little too openly. Without censoring the thought, she said, ‘I hope this is suitable.’
    ‘I’m not an expert on women’s clothes,’ he said, his level voice mocking her turmoil, ‘but no man in the place is going to think it other than perfect.’
    She pulled a face. ‘It’s not the men I’m worried about.’
    Hard mouth easing into an oblique smile, he said, ‘The women will be envious. You look fine.’ A little impatiently, he finished, ‘Let’s go.’
    Nerves tightened in the pit of her stomach as they walked down a shell path beneath the coconut palms to the venue for the cocktail party, a wide terrace open to the sea and the sunset.
    Taryn’s swift glance told her that every other woman there was clad in designer resort wear, the sort of clothes featured in very upmarket magazines as ideal for the captain’s cocktail party.
    And, judging by the massed array of jewels sparkling in the light of the westering sun, she was the only employee. Worse, a man who turned to watch them walk in smiled sardonically and said something in a low voice to his companion, an elegant blonde who moved so she could see them both clearly.
    Taryn gave them a coolly dismissive glance, tensing when Cade slid a firm hand beneath her elbow.
    ‘Ignore them,’ he said in a low, inflexible voice, looking over her at the couple.
    Taryn didn’t see his expression, but the glance he sent towards them must have been truly intimidating. Their rapid about-face almost amused her, and helped to ease her chagrin.
    He commanded, ‘Relax.’
    Ignoring the rush of heat to her cheeks, she blurted the first thing that came to mind. ‘You were going to ask before you touched me again.’
    ‘I did make an exception for sharks,’ he said soberly.
    She spluttered, then laughed, and he released her. Feeling an abrupt chill, almost as though she’d been abandoned, she took a quick look around, turning as a handsome couple came up to them, their hosts Luke and Fleur Chapman.
    After introducing them, Cade said, ‘Luke’s family are rather like feudal overlords here.’ Then he added, ‘But you know this, of course. As well as their strong New Zealand connection, your parents keep you up-to-date with Pacific affairs.’
    Taryn said cheerfully, ‘Ever since a Kiwi married Luke’s father we’ve considered the Chapmans of Fala’isi to be honorary New Zealanders.’ She gave a comradely grin to Fleur Chapman. ‘And of course our newspapers and every women’s magazine had a field day when another Kiwi married Luke.’
    Both their hosts laughed, but Fleur said thankfully, ‘They seem to have lost interest in us now we’ve settled into being a boringly married couple.’
    The glance she exchanged with her husband madeTaryn catch her breath and feel a sudden pang of something too close to envy. Nothing
boring
in that marriage, she thought.
    What would it be like to have such complete trust in the person you loved?
    Fleur turned back to Taryn. ‘And we’ve heard of the wonderful work your parents do. Later, when we have time, we must talk more about it.’
    Their warmth and friendliness set the tone of the evening. Her tension evaporated, and with Cade at her side she felt oddly protected—and that, she realised, was both ridiculous and more than a little ominous.
    About the last thing she needed was a man’s protection; she’d been looking after herself