surroundings down here. More and more Matt was aware of having to
keep the seediness at bay.
He frowned as he watched Sabrina swim close to the edge of the
reef and wondered if she knew how sharp sections of the underwater
barrier were. A careless movement could leave a neat slash down
the length of an arm or leg. Just like a knife wound.
Sabrina would probably also not be too interested in hearing that
warning, either. Matt's mouth turned downward sardonically. The
image of the knife sizzling past him and burying itself in the
corridor outside her room was one that would haunt him for a long
time. He'd argued with women before, but he'd never come quite
that close to losing so badly. All in all it was probably the most
interesting thing that had happened to him in months.
No, not quite, he corrected himself. The most interesting event
had taken place just before the knife-throwing scene when he'd
been about to make love to Sabrina Chase. Perhaps he should
rephrase that; when he had been about to have sex with Sabrina
Chase.
That still wasn't right, but somehow, even in his laconically
honest mood this morning, Matt was having a tough time admitting
that he had almost tried to rape a woman the previous evening. The
part of him that had once respected the phrase an officer and a
gentleman preferred not to have to cope with the reality of last
night.
The realization that he'd been a prize ass had hit him during the
last few moments of the struggle. He'd known then that he'd thrown
away the chance at something good; something unique.
Another brilliant Matt August snafu. Situation normal, all fucked
up.
The question that had been hammering at him relentlessly since
he'd left the hotel flashed into his head once more. What would it
have been like if he hadn't screwed up last night?
Christ, what an idiot he'd been. If only she'd calmed down a bit
there at the end. If she hadn't gotten hold of the knife, and if
her temper hadn't exploded so suddenly, he could have put
everything right. He was certain of it. The next time he held
Sabrina Chase in his arms he wouldn't let her go until he'd wiped
away the memory of last night.
Idly he gnawed on his lower lip, watching her dart back to the
surface for more air. The next time was going to take some
arranging. Sabrina probably had plans never to speak to him again,
much less get close enough for him to get his hands on her.
He watched her slip through the water and remembered with painful
clarity how she had slipped into his hands and out of them again
because of his own stupidity. Jesus, she'd felt good under him
last night. Like a sensuous little cat, all soft and neatly made,
from her delicate breasts to the luscious curve of her bottom. And
those smoky green eyes. He'd remember the changing expressions in
those incredible eyes for a long time.
He'd certainly made life more difficult for himself, Matt thought
with an inner groan. Sabrina wasn't going to have any problem
finding another male on whom to practice her approach. Something
told him he hadn't deflected her from her ultimate goal. When she
got over her shock and anger she would probably be hell bent to
try her tactics again, if only to prove to herself that she could
do it right. Matt understood that need to prove something to
yourself.
Grimly he rose from squatting position and started down the cliff
trail. The knife was safely tucked inside his boot again this
morning and the lightweight stone-colored slacks he wore fell
neatly over the top of the leather sheath. He'd picked up his
laundry earlier from the little shop that catered to the few
tourists like himself who cared about neatly pressed clothing in a
humid climate. The fresh khaki shirt he had on was still crisp.
Another hour or two in the eighty-four-degree temperatures of the
early summer sun and there would be little left of the strict
creases,