Bad Romeo Christmas

  I wish I could talk to him. He'll be just as disappointed about this as I am. Maybe more. After all, I haven't been the one filming in a frozen wasteland for months. I'm sure he's more than ready for a solid dose of sunshine.

  Hearing the wind howl outside, I fear the sun may never shine again.

  I'm on the verge of dozing off when there's an extra bright flash of lightning, followed by a deafening crack of thunder. Three seconds later, the lights go out.

  "You have to be freaking kidding me!"

  With a grunt of frustration, I swallow the rest of my wine and climb out of the tub. This is ridiculous.

  Moving carefully by candlelight, I pull on one of the fluffy, white bathrobes hanging on the wall and proceed to brush my teeth so roughly, my gums bleed. Feeling sorry for myself, I take a candle, go back into the bedroom, and climb into bed.

  As I sink into the luxurious mattress, I feel like I'm surrounded by emptiness. A giant empty house. A huge empty bed. Empty arms where Liam should be.

  I sigh and close my eyes, and I'm horrified when the words from Annie start echoing in my brain:

  The sun'll come out ... tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun.

  Stuff it, you perky ginger.

  SIX

  He Knows When You're Awake

  I don't sleep well. Nightmares about being held down on a stone altar while Espírito Vingativo prepares to sacrifice me to the gods make me toss and turn for hours. The weather doesn't help. Even though the intensity of the storm lessens, the wind continues to howl around the house, making it sound like the island is screaming.

  I don't know what time it is when I stagger to the bathroom, but the power is still out and the candles have burned down, so I try not to bump into anything in the darkness.

  When I'm done, I head back into the bedroom. Just before I climb back into bed, there's movement out the corner of my eye, and as I turn, I see the outline of a man standing right in front of me.

  "Jesus Christ!"

  As soon as I open my mouth to scream, the shadow lunges forward and grabs me. My back hits the wall as a huge, wet hand closes over my mouth.

  On instinct, I thrash against him, trying to get free, but he's tall and strong, and when he lays his weight against me, I can barely move.

  "Hey, calm down. It's me. Shhh. It's just me."

  His voice sends goosebumps up my spine the same instant the lightning flashes to give me a better look at his face.

  As recognition hits my brain, he lets me go and stands back. "Sorry for the scare. Didn't realize the power was out."

  "Oh, my God, Liam!" I throw my arms around his neck, and he pulls me into a tight hug. His hair is down to his shoulders and soaked, and I feel the roughness of his beard as he presses his face into my neck.

  "How did you get here?" I ask. "I thought you were stranded until the storm passed."

  He tightens his grip and says, "If you think a little bad weather is going to keep me from my woman, then you're underestimating my desperate, pathological need for you."

  I notice he's dripping onto the floor. "Wait, did you swim here?"

  He chuckles. "Are you kidding? Even ducks are drowning out there right now." He strokes my back. "I might be desperate, but I'm not suicidal."

  "Then how?"

  "It's a long story, but just in case the Brazilian police come calling tomorrow to track down some crazy American who commandeered a luxury yacht, you know nothing." He pulls back and looks at me. "I can't believe I'm here with you. Jesus, Liss. I can't ..." He shakes his head. "You don't even know how I'm feeling right now. I've missed you so fucking much."