Shipwrecked-Epilogue

Whether because of the strange surroundings or because of the comfort of the bed compared to the sand no one could say, but both Perry and Della awoke before the rest of the guests. Snuggled together, they spent the time quietly talking, sorting out the changes to their routine and how things would be when they were finally home. More than anything Perry wanted to wake up every morning with her at his side. It was so new to him, this feeling of complete contentment and happiness. He hadn't felt anything like it before. Certainly not with Laura.

As Della talked about her fears of the office falling apart if she couldn't control herself around his dimples, his own thoughts turned back to his past. Jack Danvers had hit a nerve. That much was obvious.

"You haven't heard a word I've said," Della accused. Her voice was soft and low and sexy, and she was gently playing with his chest hair. "You are in a dream world, Mr. Mason."

He kissed her tenderly. "If I am, it's because I'm consumed with thoughts of you."

"Oh, dear! That can't be a good thing!"

He chuckled, careful not to let the noise carry. "Della, the things Jack mentioned . . . Maybe I should tell you about them."

She shook her head. "That isn't necessary, Perry. Whatever your past, it's not important to us."

He traced her cheek with his right hand. "It is, though. And it isn't nearly so sordid as he made it sound. Sweetheart, when you came to work with me, I was a professional success, but a personal disaster. I was in a loveless relationship with a woman I respected and admired as a colleague, but couldn't personally like. I can't explain it more than that. Laura . . . was convenient, I suppose. She was certainly—"

"Beautiful?" Della supplied, "Cunning? Clever, ambitious, disingenuous, haughty?"

He laughed again. "Exactly. And she was so very brilliant at law. You see, Sweetheart, that's what Jack never realized. I wasn't so much a ladies' man as I was a one-woman man. Lady Justice was everything to me."

"I know, Perry."

"The things Jack said about our law school days, about the scores of women I dated . . . I never went out with any of them more than once because—it was obvious they were after something I couldn't give them. And although I tried to make sure they had a nice time, I didn't like spending my one free evening a week in the company of less-than-intelligent females intent on either snagging a ring out of me, or, at the least, finding a way to have an emotional hold on me."

"Perry—"

"I have a healthy practice now, mostly due to hard work, honest clients, and you. But it wasn't always that way. I didn't have much money. Having a steady girlfriend requires a bank account, and mine was drained. Law school, even with scholarships and loans, leaves no opportunities for side jobs. But when I passed the bar, I realized I would need to have the kind of woman on my arm who could catch the eye of the press. So I had Paul Drake line up some of his attractive operatives. Just until I won a few cases and was paid. Then I used an escort service."

She raised her head from his shoulder. "Paid escorts?"

He nodded. "But I used them for the genuine, intended purpose. I never 'took them home,' Della. Ever. And then came Laura. She was an up-and-comer, and as you so accurately described, beautiful, ambitious and haughty. And she seemed to like me for me. It was . . . flattering. And yes, our relationship was just that—a relationship. But I always knew the things I disliked about her were enough for me to keep one foot firmly out of the door."

She returned her head to his shoulder and closed her eyes. This confession was taking a lot out of him, and she was heartsick for him. She hadn't lied when she had told him his past was unimportant to her. She loved him, every bit of him. His successes and his follies. All of it added up to the man he was.

"Perry, Laura was important to you. I understand that. It was complicated. And I never . . ." she trailed off into a sigh. "I never wanted you to feel bad or guilty for loving her."

"Love Laura? Della, that's what I'm trying to tell you. I have only been in love with one woman who wasn't carved in stone, blindfolded, and armed with scales and a sword." He tilted her head up and she opened her eyes, meeting his. "Just you, Sweetheart. Wholeheartedly. Both feet inside. All in. Verdict final, no room for appeal."

"Oh, darling!" she exclaimed, only to have her voice cut off by the lump in her throat and her vision impaired by unshed tears.

He kissed her softly, then brushed the offending tears away with his thumb. "I wish we had had more time and less Jack. I have a feeling you aren't going to be overly eager to go sailing again any time soon."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and drew his mouth back to hers. For a long, long time they stayed that way, kissing and exploring and kissing some more. Then she smiled the radiant smile he loved best because it started deep in her soul before transforming her face.

"I have told you and told you and told you, Perry Mason! I trust you. Completely. In everything. If you told me we were going to see if the earth was flat by sailing to the edge of the world, I would pack my sailing gear and walk that plank."

He grinned at her. "That, Miss Street, I may hold you to."

PDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPD

A little later that morning Perry and Della, fully dressed and having finished their breakfast, said their goodbyes to Tragg and Burger. Della gave both a hug and quick kiss, promising to arrange a dinner once they were all back home.

Paul had talked Ethan into exploring the town and catching up before heading back stateside. He had sweetened the suggestion by inviting Margarita along to show them the sights and happily reported that she had accepted.

Paul embraced Della, whispering in her ear, "I'm jealous that it's not me, but I'm happy for both of you."

When he released her he laughed at her quizzical expression. "What—?"

Turning to Perry, he growled. "Hurt her and there won't be a place on earth you can hide from me." But he playfully smacked his friend's shoulder.

Perry took the ribbing good-naturedly enough.

Ethan took Della's hand, but she pulled him into a hug. "Thank you, Ethan. I hope you stick around for a while. I'd like us to have a chance to get to know each other."

Ethan actually blushed. "That would sure 'nough be my pleasure, Miss Della."

Paul grabbed his friend's arm. "C'mon, Casanova. There's beer and pretty señoritas waiting for us."

Margarita laughed as the two guys headed out. "Dios mio! What have I gotten myself into."

Perry and Della both laughed. Della hugged her. "You'll be fine. Just don't let Paul drink too much Tequila. Thank you, Margarita. I can't tell you how grateful I am."

Margarita returned the hug. "You are most welcome, mi amiga. Take care of the big hombre. He truly loves you. You are good for him."

Della only nodded, emotion making it impossible to speak.

At last, Margarita turned to Perry. She put her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Her whispered words were for him alone. "Everything is as you requested. Take care of her, carino. She is the one."

Perry placed a kiss on her cheek. "Thank you, Margarita."

Then she turned and followed after Paul and Ethan.

Perry turned and opened his arms. Della came to him, wrapping her arms around him.

"So, Chief, you conveniently arranged for the entire compound to be vacant. Paul has a ride with Ethan, but just how do you plan on getting us home?"

"Well…I have a little surprise for you. We're not going home just yet, if that's alright with you."

Since he was trailing kisses down her jaw to her neck, Della's only response was a soft moan.

Perry chuckled and took her hand. "Come with me, Miss Street."

Leading her out of the house and down a boardwalk at the back of the villa, Della saw a large motorboat tied up to a dock.

"You know, when I said I would willingly walk the plank, I didn't think you would take advantage of that so soon."

"Hush," he commanded, helping her into the seat. Perry turned the key and started the motor, casted off the line, and pushed the throttle forward, heading out to open sea. She knew it would be useless to question Perry, knowing his secretive nature.

She relaxed against the seat, enjoying the feeling of the wind and spray. It took twenty minutes before Della saw the dark shape rising out of the water. As they got closer, the small island took on shape.

"Perry?" He merely smiled at her.

As he pulled into a dock, they were met by an armed guard. Perry tossed him the line, bringing the boat to a stop.

"Hola, Señor Mason."

"Hello, Manuel." Perry stepped onto the dock, then extended his hand to help Della up.

"Everything is ready, Sir."

Perry smiled at him, and taking Della's elbow possessively, started up a walkway that led into the trees. They had only gone a short distance when they came to a clearing. She came to a halt, staring open-mouthed at what lay before her.

There was a crystal-clear pool, the same deep blue as Perry's eyes, fed by a small waterfall. The tall palms formed a natural canopy over the pool. At the far side of the pool stood a small house. The front was a glass sliding door, facing the waterfall, and opening onto a large deck, which extended over the water.

"Oh, Perry!"

Hugging her to him, Perry bent to kiss her. "Welcome to Isla Margarita. This is a private island owned by that sweet lady. Her husband purchased it for her on their first anniversary. It's only a mile in area. It has round-the-clock guards and is surrounded by an electrical fence. We are now completely alone on an island."

At her raised eyebrow, he smiled. "Manuel will not bother us. So, Miss Street, would you like to start our vacation?"

She stood on tiptoe and kissed him deeply. "I do," she breathed, and he was once again struck by how much it sounded like a vow. "But . . . "

He placed a finger to her lips. "Margarita supplied you with everything you should require. Now what would you like to do first?"

Her impish grin should have warned him. "How's that shoulder?"

He found that he was grinning back. "It could do with some attention. A deep massage, perhaps."

She tilted her head, her eyes raking over him. "Let's check out the bedroom, shall we?"

Perry laughed as he picked her up in his arms. "I do believe I've created an insatiable monster."

Della was already working at the buttons on his shirt. "You have no idea, Chief. No idea! This is one lady you can't lose."