Forgotten Love (Derrien Island Trilogy) Read Free Page A

more tolerant of the mistakes of others.
    Natasha could sense the warmth of Marcus’ lingering gaze on her face as he said her name slowly and she had the odd thought that somehow he was savouring it like one would slowly savour the taste of a bite of chocolate until it melted. It was very disconcerting to have such manly eye candy sitting so close beside her stripped to the waist and wearing only a pair of black and gold board shorts, with a leather chain with a sharks’ tooth pendant around his neck.  At first she thought he might have been a local because of his dark brown skin, but when he spoke, his American accent was unmistakable. He was about six foot three and when he stood; her head barely peeked above his strong looking, broad shoulders. He was muscular but not bulky and when he moved his muscles flexed smoothly along his neck and arms. Strangely enough, she did not feel threatened under his gaze but rather a sense of curiosity about who he was in addition to simply admiring him. His deep-set hooded eyes radiated a good nature with a touch of mischief and were widely spaced below a deep forehead and thick, black eyebrows. He had high cheekbones and a large well formed nose. When he smiled his lower lip appeared fuller than the top lip, revealing even white teeth. He was completely shaven but she could see the slight shadow of a full beard and sideburns beneath his skin. His entire body glistened with a thin sheen of sweat obviously produced during his volleyball game.
    “ Are you here alone?” he asked breaking into her thoughts. She hoped that she had not been staring at him with the same open-mouthed wonder she was beginning to feel inside.
    “No, I came here with my girlfriend Ashley. I left her down at the other end of the beach while I took a walk by myself. Sometimes I like to just come here during the day to relax and listen to my favourite songs. You know, to swim, walk and sing. I find it to be a great way to escape and just let loose and be me. Here at the beach there is nothing to stop me from just having a good time. But why am I telling you all of this?”she said suddenly thinking that she was taking it for granted that he was interested in listening to her babble about her hobbies. She laughed nervously while lowering her eyes.
    “I don’t mind hearing about it at all, ” replied Marcus noting how her eyes sparkled as she spoke about her love for her the outdoors and her music.
    I nstead of continuing to speak about herself, she shifted the conversation and asked, “Are you a tourist Marcus?”
    “ Yes and no. I was born and grew up in New York but I recently relocated here to Derrien Island,” said Marcus with a swell of pride. “Moving here was my dream for many years and I made it come true early last year. There is nowhere else in the world I would rather live than right here on this island.”
    “Wow, really?” I think that is so interesting because for most people here, the dream is to leave the island life behind and go to the big city. You know, to live the American dream?”
    “Not for me. I have been visiting Derrien Island since I was a child and I just fell in love with the place. It really is so beautiful here and I think that anyone who has the chance to settle here is really lucky,” he replied with genuine admiration.
    “I guess living here all my life has caused some of th at degree of attraction to wear off for me, but I can see why you might feel that way,” Natasha replied.
    “ I don’t think the attraction could ever wear off for me,” said Marcus at that moment looking into Natasha’s eyes. On the surface he was talking about Derrien Island, but somehow he knew that his words were directed at this unique green-eyed beauty who sat before him.
    “ I don’t mean to be so forward with you but, your eyes are such an unusual colour Natasha. Where is your family from?”
    “I get that question a lot actually. Both of my parents were born right here on Derrien