"Although, I'm afraid that will attract a few women too," Carolyn added with amusement, casting another glance toward his neck and chest.
"Then it's good I have you to help fend them off," he said quietly.
She smiled faintly, and then turned her gaze to the passing scenery as the bus wound up the hill. It left Christian free to stare at her. Her color was good again, the juice and chocolate had done the trick, which suggested Jack had been right and she was hypoglycemic. It shouldn't be a problem once he settled everything and turned her, but he'd have to keep an eye on her until then, make sure she didn't-"
I can't wait to see the drive-in volcano." Carolyn suddenly turned to smile at him.
Christian nodded and did his best not to look like he'd been staring.
"I have this image of the road running into a cave and along the wall around the side of this huge cauldron of bubbling lava and then out through a cave on the other side." She paused and frowned, and then said, "You don't think it would be dangerous to inhale the fumes, do you?"
She'd barely asked the question when she then shook her head. "I'm sure Jack would have said something."
Christian scowled at the mention of the man's name.
"And Genie wouldn't have let us come at all," she added. "Speaking of which, what did she say when you showed up this morning to get a ticket?"
"She transferred Bethany's ticket to me," he said, forcing his scowl away.
"Really?" she asked with surprise.
He nodded. "She also arranged for a car to take me to Soufriere to catch up with you."
"That was good of her," Carolyn murmured with a smile.
Christian agreed. Genie cared about Carolyn. He'd read it from her mind as he'd waited for her to finish transferring the ticket. He'd also read some of her feelings regarding him and it seemed she was wishing he was straight and interested in Carolyn, who she felt deserved some fun after the rough time she'd had. Genie thought he'd be the perfect solution if he were straight and into older blondes, like Marguerite thought.
"So," Carolyn tilted her head quizzically. "You came because you knew I'd be on my own?"
He nodded, and risked admitting, "That and I enjoy spending time with you."
She smiled and patted his hand. "I like hanging with you too. You're a good friend, Christian."
It was a start, he told himself. A good start, really, forever was a long time. A lifemate had to be a friend as well as a lover.
"Why are we stopping?" Carolyn asked, glancing curiously around as they pulled into an area where several other vans and minibuses were parked. "I thought the drive-in volcano was next."
Christian looked to the front of the bus as their guide explained that they would walk from here, and commented, "I guess we don't actually drive in after all."
"Hmm." She looked disappointed and he had the urge to kiss the pout off her lips, but simply stood and turned to allow her out of the seat, then followed as she trailed the others off the bus. He was rather disappointed himself.
Walking meant another round under the scorching sun, something he could well do without.
"You must be boiling in those black jeans," Carolyn said as they followed the group away from the buses. "I know you're allergic to the sun, but you could at least have worn the white T-shirt you bought the other day.
And maybe pants that were made of a less heavy material to make it bearable."
"I was rushing and not thinking." Christian took her arm to steer her along. It was true, he had been rushing and not thinking or he would have had blood.
"Is it awful to admit I'm a bit disappointed?" Carolyn asked moments later as they joined the others peering over the drive-in volcano.
Christian chuckled at her expression and shook his head. "Your vision was much more exciting."
"Yeah." She sighed and peered out over the steaming field before them. "It kind of looks like an ash field...
except for the steam. But those rocks are rather pretty."
Christian nodded as his gaze slid over the rocks streaked black, yellow and white.