"I could get used to traveling in style." She waited a beat and said, "If you'llexcuse me, I'd like to go freshen up before the seat-belt light comes on."

Dean moved promptly out of his chair and stepped back. She walked to the front andsaw that the lavatory was unoccupied, thank goodness. She went in and locked thedoor. After she washed her hands, she found her comb and ran it through her hair.

The haircut really did give her a different look. The waves fell around her faceand called attention to her eyes. She was surprised that Dean had not only noticedbut commented on her appearance.

She felt that she'd been on the plane for at least a week and wondered if she'dever get the constant drone of the engines out of her head. When she opened thedoor, she found another first-class passenger standing there. She smiled. Hereturned her smile with interest.

Jodie felt herself blush and hurriedly returned to her seat. Dean had seen hercoming and was standing in the aisle out of her way when she arrived.

"Thank you," she said hurriedly and slipped into her seat.

He sat down beside her and closed the manual he'd been reading.

During the next fifteen minutes he asked her a few more questions about herlife-her hobbies, favorite movies and television shows-and she gave him briefanswers, at least enough to satisfy him. After that he left her to read hermagazine.

She still felt strange about traveling with him, but she'd no doubt get over thatonce they arrived at the condo and she set up a routine of sorts.

Once they landed, she and Dean methodically checked around them for theirbelongings before getting off the plane. Anyone seeing them would think they were acouple who'd been married for years. She had no idea why the thought made hernervous.

Once in the terminal, Jodie noticed that many of the people on departing flightswore leis. She smiled, looking forward to getting one for herself. Dean found anavailable taxi and he and the driver put their bags in the trunk of the cab.

Dean settled into the seat next to her. "So what do you think?"

"I'm amazed. The scented air is refreshing."

"Beats the heck out of car exhausts and diesel fuel."

She glanced at Dean while he gazed out the window and asked questions of thedriver. He already looked more relaxed than she'd ever seen him. That was good. Shehad hopes that the rest would do him good.

The scenery was breathtaking, with towering mountains on one side and the ocean onthe other. They followed the coast for several miles until the taxi slowed andturned onto a lane that led to security gates.

Dean gave his name and the gates swung open.

Once inside the gated area, the lane wound through tropical foliage that lookedgreen and lush. When they reached the building, she felt that they'd burst intosunshine with a panoramic view of the sea and the sand.

She sighed with pleasure.

Dean helped her out of the taxi, and while he went to get their bags and pay thedriver, Jodie looked up at the building. Balconies jutted out, all facing thewater. There would be a fantastic view from each one. The scent of lavish bloomswafted all around her, and she took several deep breaths for the pleasure ofsoaking up the aromas.

"Ready?"

Jodie turned and saw Dean waiting by the door, their bags in hand. "Sorry," shesaid. "I'm awestruck." She walked over to the door, opened it for him and then followed him across a large lobby to the elevators.

She pushed the button and the doors silently opened. Once inside, she asked,"Which floor?"

"The top one." She nodded and pushed the fourth-floor button.

When the doors opened, Jodie discovered there was only one set of double doors onthe floor. Dean put their bags down, reached into his pocket for a key and openedone of the doors.

He stepped back for the bags and nodded. "After you, Ms. Cameron."

She hurried inside only to come to an abrupt stop, causing him to drop the bagsjust inside the door. "Oh, Dean, I've never seen anything like this. It looks likethe set of a Hollywood movie about the rich and famous."

He closed the door and followed her into the room. "Pretty impressive, I'll admit.Would you like a tour?"

The condo encircled the elevator shaft, with windows looking out in alldirections. She saw the well-stocked kitchen, the formal dining room with amahogany table that could easily seat twelve people and three spacious bedrooms,each with its own bathroom and balcony. She thought the word for them in Hawaiiwaslanai but wasn't certain.

"Pick whichever bedroom you like," Dean said after their tour.

"Which one would you like?" she asked, feeling overwhelmed with choices.

"Doesn't matter."

"Mmm." She paused in the doorway of one. The room seemed the size of a basketballcourt. The view drew her to the window. "This will be fine," she murmured, openingthe door to the outside.

She could hear the sound of the waves rolling onto the beach, the rhythm soothingto her ear. When she turned around, Dean was no longer there. He'd placed her bagon the bed.

Jodie wandered into the bathroom, which was larger than her living room inChicago. She smiled. She could quickly become used to living like this. All shecould think was, Wow.

Suddenly feeling energized despite the long trip, she quickly unpacked, changedinto a pair of cotton slacks and a sleeveless blouse and went back to the mainroom.

Dean was at the bar, pouring himself a drink. "Want one?" he asked as she walkedin.

"Water will be fine. I'm not much of a drinker. I thought I'd go down and wanderon the beach for a while."

"Aren't you hungry? I thought we could go eat first."

She thought about it. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. I suppose there will beplenty of daylight after we finish eating."

The restaurant was next to the complex. One side was open with tables and chairsinside and out. Jodie noticed there were only a few people at the tables. Sheglanced at her watch. "I suppose it's a little early to be eating according tolocal time."

"Doesn't matter. They're used to customers coming in at all hours. They're opentwenty-four hours a day."

Once seated, Jodie picked up her menu and started reading the items listed. Sheyawned and hastily covered her mouth.

Dean watched her for a moment in silence before speaking. "You're going to want togo to sleep early tonight despite your nap on the plane, but if you can manage tostay awake, you'll adjust to the time change quicker."

"The steady sounds of the surf are so soothing. I hope I don't fall asleep with mynose in the salad."

Dean picked up his water glass and held it out. "Here's to our working vacationtogether."

Jodie picked up her glass and lightly tapped it against his. "I appreciate theinvitation." She yawned again. "The way I'm feeling now, I could sleep the entireweek away."

Once their food arrived, there was no more conversation. Jodie didn't want tochatter; that wasn't her style. Since they'd already commented on the beautysurrounding them, she could think of nothing to say to him.

By the time they finished eating, the sun was low in the west. Dean walked besideher in silence, his hands in his pockets, as she made her way to the sandy beach.

As the sky darkened, they watched the lights appear along the shoreline beforeturning back toward the condo. Walking in the sand would be an adjustment, but ifshe walked like this every day, she'd be in great shape when she returned home.

She smiled at the thought.

"What do you find so amusing?" he asked, stopping as she did to empty the sandfrom her shoes. He followed her example.

"I was thinking what a workout walking in the sand is. If I'm not in shape now, Iwill be by the time we leave."

"Probably."

A man of few words. Not that she cared. Tomorrow she would be up with the sun andshe intended to enjoy every minute she was here.

After Jodie went to her room, Dean took a shower, dried off and stretched out onthe bed.

He thought about Rachel. His anger at the abrupt way she'd dismissed him hadcaught him off guard. He'd learned many years ago to keep his emotions locked down.He considered himself to be a thinking man who wasn't swayed by irrationalfeelings. But when Rachel had blown up at him-inconsiderateandunfeeling were thenicest things she'd called him-he'd felt an anger he hadn't experienced in a longtime.

She hadn't given him a chance to explain. And she'd made it clear she wantednothing more to do with him.

He had no problem with that and he was thankful he hadn't told her about hisplans. Jodie had been right. He'd needed to get away for a few days. Seeing herexcitement and enthusiasm this evening had caused him to look at everything through her eyes.

He couldn't remember a time when he'd been that joyous about anything.

Yes, having Jodie here with him might teach him how to enjoy life a little better.

He bet she'd been protected from the harsher realities of life until her-what?boyfriend? fiance? she hadn't said-pulled his stupid stunt.

He smiled at the way she'd handled the situation. She'd faced the clod and gottenrid of him. But she'd suffered. Why else would she now be too busy to date much?

He turned and adjusted his pillow, willing himself to sleep. Instead his thoughtscircled around Jodie. She'd looked so different today when she'd arrived at theairport, wearing formfitting jeans, a sweater, ankle boots and a parka.

The cold had turned her cheeks and nose a rosy hue, and he couldn't help wonderingwhy he'd only noticed today how attractive she was. She was more than attractive,actually.Beautiful was an overused word and it didn't quite fit her, but it cameclose. He liked her looks. He liked and had always appreciated her frankness andher refusal to be intimidated by him. Jodie worked hard and earned every penny ofher salary. She was smart and he valued her judgment.

He'd be lost without her.

At least she'd still be with the company. He hoped she could find someone asefficient to replace her.

He wanted this trip to be special for her. He'd get in touch with Furukawatomorrow to set up a meeting. Once they met, he'd know if he had a chance ofsetting up some security systems for him.

He settled into sleep, planning the next day's activities.

"So much for plans," he muttered to himself the next morning when he discoveredJodie wasn't still in bed. He'd ordered breakfast from the restaurant, and when ithad arrived, he'd knocked on her door.

When she hadn't answered, he'd eased the door open and discovered her room to beempty.

He sat at the kitchen bar, sipped his coffee and ate some of the delicious fruitthat seemed to come with each meal. He'd arranged to have several newspapersbrought to him each morning, so he read them while he absently ate.

Eventually Dean wandered over to the window and looked down at the beach.

The water looked peaceful this morning and there were several people on the beach,some walking and some relaxed in recliners, reading.

He watched as a lithe young woman came out of the water and grabbed her towel. Hewatched her for a few minutes before he recognized Jodie.

Her blond hair clung to her head in a beguiling helmet. Her face glowed withpleasure as she quickly dried off and placed her towel on the sand.

Dean couldn't take his eyes off her. Why had he never noticed her trim waist andcurvaceous backside. In a one-piece bright red swimsuit cut high on the thighs, shecould have posed for the cover ofSports Illustrated magazine.