Chapter 6

Caitlin threw herself face down onto her bed and sobbed quietly. She was at a loss as to why she was feeling so strongly for Frank Donovan. Her head told her to keep her distance, yet her heart yearned for him. Her body ached for his kiss, his caress. How, in such a short time, did he manage to invade her body and soul?

She growled angrily at her lack of judgment and pushed herself from the bed. She stomped to her bedroom door like a spoiled child and slammed it forcefully. After pacing the room for a few minutes, she decided to go for a swim. Maybe that would get rid of some of her frustration. She prayed it would.

She donned a purple bikini and a matching cover-up and left her room. She knew Frank saw her pass the guestroom, but she didn't bother to stop and tell him where she was going. After all, it was her home, not his. She flew down the stairs and out the backdoor, as if chased by demons.

Donovan had seen her fly by his doorway and almost called out to her. When he heard the backdoor slam, he walked to the window. He saw her then, running toward the ocean. He sat on the cushioned window seat and opened the windows. He watched Caitlin as she ran undeterred even by the cover-up she shed halfway to the water's edge.

He sucked in a breath when he got a look at her near-naked body. She was, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. She was in the water now, still running. He watched her dive in when the water was deep enough and she swam free-style, moving further away from his sight every second.

Caitlin swam to near exhaustion. The cool ocean water helped to ease her tormented thoughts. She stopped swimming and treaded water; turning to see how dreadfully far she was from the house. Inwardly she shrugged at her stupidity, she was a strong swimmer and she shouldn't have too much trouble making her way back; she just needed to take it at a little slower pace.

After catching her breath, Caitlin began a leisurely swim back to the house. She was three-quarters of the way back when she felt her legs start to cramp. "Damn, stupid, irrational woman." She cursed herself as she tried to tread water and knead the pain from her left thigh. After a few seconds, she began her swim back.

Donovan knew she had gone too far out, but he was in no condition to swim after her. He did make his way downstairs and onto the beach. He was a little shaky from the exertion, but not in too bad of shape. He shaded his eyes and searched for Caitlin. He yelled to her, but she didn't seem to hear. She was treading water from what he could tell, but when her head disappeared under the water he felt panic rise in his throat.

"Thank God," he said when she bobbed back to the surface and released the breath he didn't realize he was holding. She was still too far out for him to help, but that didn't stop him from heading into the water.

Caitlin was in tremendous pain now, barely able to move as another cramp seized both her legs. She pulled herself forward through the water with just her arms now. She sputtered as the salt water sloshed into her mouth and into her nostrils. She was frightened, but determined that she would make it back to the house.

Her body betrayed her determination as a cramp seized her entire body and she was pulled under. When the darkness of the water enveloped her, Caitlin thought about letting go and giving into it. That thought lasted less than a second. Guilt made her fight. She had the strangest feeling that if she died, Frank would blame himself. That thought alone made her struggle to the surface.

Strong arms enveloped her, and helped her walk out of the water and lowered her to the sand. Frank was kneeling before her, a look of desperation on his face.

"Caitlin...," he whispered as he gathered her into his arms. He held her tightly, as though he might never let her go. "That was a damn fool thing to do," he admonished her quietly.

She nodded silently as he massaged her limbs.

Caitlin found she couldn't stop shaking. Not from the cold of the water, or the fear of coming so close to death, but from the touch of his hands on her body. He left a trail of fire wherever he touched her and her breathing became heavy and erratic.

"Do you," Caitlin said, having to stop for breath in-between words, "do you...always go...to the beach...in boxer...shorts?"

Donovan's eyes widened in surprise and then they both lay on their backs laughing at Caitlin's strange observation in light of her near death experience.

"You have a wicked sense of timing," he chuckled as he gathered her into his arms.

She lay on her side, with her head resting on his chest. "I know," she sighed, while he ran a comforting hand up and down her spine. She lifted herself up on one elbow to see his face. "And now for another attempt at bad timing...why are you here, Frank? How did this happen?" She asked him, motioning to his gunshot wounds. It was something she had wanted to ask, but never thought the time was right. It wasn't right now, either, but she had to know.

He closed his eyes then, and when he didn't answer for several minutes, she touched his cheek. When he opened his eyes, she said, "You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to. I won't say that I understand, but I can respect your privacy."

Donovan sat up, taking her with him, still holding her within his arms. "Caitlin, it's not that I don't trust you, I do. You've proven to be more trustworthy than anyone I know." He placed his fingers under her chin and turned her head to look into her eyes. "I'm afraid that just my being here has put you in danger. The more you know, the more danger you are in."

"I see. So, you don't want to put me in danger, but just your presence places me in danger." She shook her head at that logic. Just like a man, she thought, trying to make sense and failing miserably. "So, if I'm already in danger, I see no reason not to tell me what happened."

He sighed, "All right, you win. You already know I'm an agent with the Justice Department. The ironic part is that I'm actually on vacation from the undercover unit that I'm in charge of." He kissed the top of her head. "And I will tell you more, but let's get you inside."

"You're stalling, Mr. Donovan," Caitlin accused with slight amusement.

"Of course I am," he smirked. He helped her back to the house and up to her room where he left her to rest after her ordeal.

After a long nap, Caitlin showered and pulled on a pair of gray shorts and tank top. She went downstairs to find Frank, and was surprised to find him in the kitchen making dinner. He had changed into jeans and a navy blue button-down shirt. And, my, didn't he look good!

He turned to her when she entered the room and motioned for her to sit at the table. She did so with a smile. "What's the special tonight, Chef Donovan?" she joked.

"Oh, a very special dish, Milady," he bowed to her flamboyantly and placed a bowl in front of her.

"Oh, goodie....chili," she said as a fit of giggles overtook her.

"Well, it was this or macaroni and cheese," he chuckled.

The phone rang and Caitlin waved at it. "Let the machine pick it up. Nothing should disturb such a grand meal," she smirked.

Donovan nodded and sat down opposite her. He was about to make a snappy comeback about his cooking when the machine clicked on.

"Caity," a male voice spoke to the recorder. "Caity...pick up." The voice paused then added, "Okay, you must not be there."

Donovan was amazed how quickly Caitlin hurried from the table and snatched up the cordless phone from the counter. He tried not to listen, but it was impossible with her being in the same room. He heard her tell the caller "no" and "it's not a good time". She paused for a moment listening to the man at the other end of the line and then said, "I have company"; adding, "No, you don't know..." and was cut off. She was shaking her head now, "no, I don't want you to...I said no....yes, tomorrow night, then. Okay, goodbye."

"Sorry about that," Caitlin apologized. She hadn't really wanted to talk to Randy Meiner, but if she hadn't picked up the phone, Randy was liable to say things she would rather Frank not hear. She had known Randy for years and he only pursued her for her money. Any and all attempts to reject him had fallen on deaf ears.

Donovan shrugged and began eating his dinner. They ate most of the meal in silence, until Donovan could no longer stand the tension. "If you want to call your friend and tell him you've changed your mind about seeing him tonight, you don't have to worry about me. I don't need a baby sitter."

Caitlin almost choked on the spoonful of chili she put in her mouth. She swallowed hard and took a sip of water. Frank looked irritated, but why would he care about Randy? "Frank, if I had wanted to see Randy, I would have."

"Humph," was his only response.

Caitlin smiled. If she didn't know better, she would think he was jealous. "Look, I've known Randy for years, and although he seems to think there's something between us, I have never given him any encouragement." She sighed and pushed the bowl away from her. "He said he needed to see me, so when I asked him not to come over, he asked if I was going to the fireworks display in town and could he see me then. Since I'm going to be there, it will be hard to avoid him."

"Oh." That was stupid, he told himself. Why on earth was he so angry about that call? He knew he was beginning to have feelings for Caitlin, but this was ridiculous. No, it was more than that; it was downright laughable. After all, he would be leaving in a few days. It was highly unlikely that he would ever see her again. Best to keep his feelings out of this. But, damn, he was drawn to her and she was never far from his thoughts.

Caitlin stood and began to clear the table. "Thank you for dinner, Frank. It was delicious." She smiled graciously. "Now, I think you've stalled enough. You promised to tell me what brought you here and in the condition I found you."