“I have you right where I want you…”

Rick smiled as he said the words and wrapped his arms around her. He hugged Lindsey so tightly that she actually felt a bit light-headed.

“I can’t seem to keep my hands off you.”

“I noticed.”

“Or my mouth.” He nuzzled the side of her neck, then pressed light kisses across her collarbone.

She shuddered, and slowly, deliberately, moved her hips against his. Her entire body tingled with awareness. She couldn’t believe their chemistry was still this strong after six years of not seeing each other. It was almost embarrassing.

“Let’s order room service,” he said. “We’ll eat on the balcony. Share a nice bottle of wine. Remember?”

Oh, she remembered all right. The cool air danced across her skin, making her shiver. Or maybe it was the way he stared at her, his eyes dark with promise and danger, as if his plans for her landed on the other side of wicked. The thought triggered a delicious tingle of anticipation.

“Perfect,” she whispered into his ear and kissed him gently once, twice on his cheek. “You’re perfect.”

Dear Reader,

When I was a teenager living in Hawaii, surfing was big. You didn’t have to watch the news or listen to the radio to know when the swells were up. Half an empty classroom said it all. I never thought about it then, but looking back now, I don’t think many people considered ditching school to go surfing was the same as cutting class. If they did, the beaches would have been crawling with truant officers instead of sand crabs. Surfing was simply part of the culture. That said, because I attended a small private school until my senior year, absences were not tolerated and yours truly was stuck at a desk sweating over Algebra.

Still, that didn’t keep me from the surfing beaches. Because there were boys there. Really cute boys with killer bodies. That was high school, though, and my tastes have vastly changed since then.

I never thought I’d write a surfer hero. But when it came time to create a second story for my Spring Break series, Rick Granger wiggled his way into my brain and stuck. He was perfect for shy, sheltered Lindsey. Who better to convince her that she already was the strong woman she wanted to become? The kind of woman who ended up helping Rick put his own life into perspective.

I very much enjoyed crafting both characters. I hope you enjoy them, too, as well as a glimpse of the quieter side of Hawaii.

Best wishes,

Debbi Rawlins

Delicious Do-Over
Debbi Rawlins

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debbi Rawlins lives in central Utah, out in the country, surrounded by woods and deer and wild turkeys. It’s quite a change for a city girl who didn’t even know where the state of Utah was until four years ago. Of course, unfamiliarity has never stopped her. Between her junior and senior years of college she spontaneously left her home in Hawaii and bummed around Europe for five weeks by herself. And much to her parents’ delight, returned home with only a quarter in her wallet.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Epilogue

Prologue

LINDSEY SHAW blinked when the champagne flute refused to come into focus. She couldn’t be drunk, or even tipsy. Not after only two and a half glasses. But then she rarely drank alcohol, and hadn’t eaten since the granola bar she’d forced down while on the plane this morning.

She looked over at her friend Mia and then her other friend Shelby. They didn’t look blurry. A bit flushed, happy, excited. She wished she shared her new business partners’ optimism over the gigantic step they’d just taken. But the truth was, she was scared to death.

“Uh, Lindsey, you do know we’re celebrating, right?” Grinning, Mia picked up the champagne bottle and started to refill glasses.

Lindsey quickly grabbed her half-empty flute. “No more for me until we eat something.”

“Seriously?” Shelby made a face. “And ruin our buzz?”

“I’m not flying back to Chicago tomorrow morning with a hangover.” Lindsey hadn’t meant to sound defensive. Now wasn’t the time to get squeamish. She’d agreed to take the plunge. Sign her life away. Give up her job. Move back to Manhattan. She wouldn’t change her mind now. Even though she wanted to throw up just thinking about the uncertainty they faced in starting the new business.

“Sometimes you’re just no fun.”

“Shut up, Shelby.” Mia set the bottle back in the silver bucket. “This is huge. Not that I don’t have total faith in us, but let’s be real. We are taking a big risk.”

Lindsey’s stomach clenched. The three of them had talked about opening the concierge/rental business ever since junior year in college, when their sorority had used the concept for a fundraiser. Then they had only rented themselves out, but the new business would be more comprehensive, renting out everything from designer purses and iPhones, to college students willing to run errands or host parties. It was a perfect concept for a city like Manhattan, and in theory she’d been all for it, until it meant giving up everything that made her feel safe and secure.

Mia happily lifted her refilled flute. “To Anything Goes.”

“I think we’ve already made that toast.” Shelby grinned and clinked her glass to Mia’s.

“A couple of times,” Lindsey murmured, then smiled gamely and raised her glass in solidarity.

These were her best friends in the whole world. She’d missed them desperately since moving to Chicago after graduation. It hadn’t been enough that they talked or texted every day, or that they got together twice a year. They were all busy with their jobs, and life seemed to be passing them by.

Mia had been the one gutsy enough to do something about it. She’d made the call, got them all on a conference line and reminded them that they’d sworn on their beloved iPods that once they’d saved enough money, they would take the leap. Lindsey admired Mia’s confidence and take-charge personality. And Shelby was just so charming and comfortable in her own skin that Lindsey was unashamedly envious. If she were going to gamble her future on anyone, it would be these two.

Not if. She’d already signed the loan documents. Two hours ago. Mia would turn in her resignation tomorrow. Shelby would submit hers when she returned to Houston on Monday. Lindsey had to step up and do the same.

She stared out the bar’s window at the gathering darkness, squinting when she thought she saw snow flurries. Certainly not impossible. It was early March after all.

Blinking, she heard a couple of key words that made her realize she’d missed out on part of the conversation. The discussion had turned to men, or the lack thereof.

“It’s not like when we were in college,” Mia was saying. “Manhattan isn’t exactly teeming with eligible men.”

“Well, neither is Chicago,” Lindsey added. “I haven’t had a real date in seven months.” She eyed Shelby, who never seemed to have trouble in that department. “Maybe we should’ve moved to Houston, Mia. If things got too bad, at least we could count on leftovers.”

Shelby waved a hand. “Oh, sweetie, you’re delusional if you think I’ve had any better luck there.”

Lindsey snorted. “Right.”

Mia’s brows arched. “Really, Shelby?”

“Really,” she answered defensively, and then shrugged. “I can’t remember the last time I went out a second or third time with the same guy and those are the dates that count.” She sniffed. “And no, it’s not because I’m too picky.”

“You have every reason to be damn picky. We all do,” Mia said.

“Amen.” Lindsey downed a sip, even after she’d told herself to lay off for a while. “Still would be nice to have an assortment to be picky over.” She frowned at Mia. “Whatever happened to that guy you worked with? David, right?”

Mia choked out a laugh. “There was never anything there.”

“Yeah, I remember him,” Shelby said. “When you first started with the firm you thought he was hot.”

“He is hot. Sadly, he’s taken.”

“Married?” Lindsey said sympathetically. She’d nearly made that mistake with a guy who worked for the same accounting firm she did. Fortunately, he worked out of the Detroit office and their flirting had taken place over the phone. Good thing she’d found out the jerk was married before she’d met him in person.

“To the job,” Mia said, and went on about David being too chicken to break company policy. Then she grabbed the champagne, and topped off everyone’s glasses. “This is what I don’t get…when we were in school there were all kinds of guys around. If we didn’t have a date, it was because we didn’t want to go out.”

“I know, right?” Shelby frowned thoughtfully. “Even when we went out in groups, guys always outnumbered us. So what the hell happened to them? They can’t all be married and living in the burbs.”

“You have a point.” Mia sipped slowly. “Even during spring break, I swear, there were two guys to every girl.”

“I’m the accountant,” Lindsey said. “I’d say more like three to one.”

“Junior year. Fort Lauderdale.” Shelby slumped back, sighing. “Oh, my God.”

“Are you kidding?” Mia stared at her in disbelief. “Come on. Senior year, Waikiki beach, hands-down winner.”

Lindsey smiled broadly. “Yep,” she said, easily recalling Rick’s face. His body. Oh, God, what a night that had been.

“Hey, guys,” Mia said, after a long silence. “I have an idea.”

“Oh, no.” Lindsey groaned. “I don’t know if I can take another one.”

“No, this is good.” Mia grinned. “There’s no law that says spring break is just for college kids.”

“Okay.” Shelby drew out the word.

Lindsey had the distinct feeling she wouldn’t like where this conversation was headed.

“We’re going to be working our asses off until we get Anything Goes off the ground, right? If we want to take a vacation, this is the time. Probably the last time for years. Who knows, maybe we’ll even get laid.”

Lindsey frowned. “Hawaii?”

“Why not?” Mia glanced at the empty champagne bottle and signaled the waiter.

“Because it’s too expensive, for one thing. Are you forgetting we’ve just signed our lives away?”

“I don’t know.” Mia sighed, moved a shoulder. “Maybe we can go on the cheap, pick up one of those last-minute deals.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to see what’s available,” Shelby said.

Lindsey hated the idea, but she figured she’d get voted off the island. “I suppose not.” She set down her glass, her head spinning. “But we’d have to set a budget first. A firm budget.”

Mia nodded in agreement, and Lindsey studied her, wondering what the heck was going on. This wasn’t like Mia. She was usually more cautious and sensible. They were alike in that way.

“You know what would be really cool?” Shelby leaned forward. “Remember those three guys we met on our last day on Waikiki beach?”

“Uh, yeah,” Mia said. “Smokin’ hot.”

Lindsey stiffened. “What about them?”

“What if we could get them to meet us?” Grinning, Shelby darted a mischievous look between them. “In Hawaii.”

Rick. Oh, lord. Lindsey’s stomach churned and for a moment she thought she really was going to be sick.

“How would we do that? We don’t even know their last names.” Mia snorted. “Not to mention they’re probably married or in prison.”

Shelby made a face at Mia, then ignored her completely. “We know what university they went to, so we use Facebook.”

“Huh.” Mia looked as if she were mulling it over. “We could send a message to the alumni group. It couldn’t hurt.”

“But they’ll have to have signed up as alumni in order to get the message.” Lindsey clung to the hope that this crazy idea would fall apart. She couldn’t see Rick again. Her friends didn’t understand. She hadn’t told them everything about that night.

Shelby shrugged. “Lots of people do. I have, haven’t you?”

Mia shook her head. “Look, they answer, they don’t, so what? It’s Waikiki. We’re bound to meet some gorgeous surfers who’ll be ready to party.”

“I like it.” Shelby dug in her purse and produced a pen. “Anybody have a piece of paper or a dry napkin?”

Mia pulled her day planner out of her leather tote and tore off a used page. “Here.”

“Oh, my God, they still have those things around? Why don’t you use your BlackBerry?” Shelby found a clean spot on the table and started writing.

“I do both,” Mia said, and glanced meaningfully at Lindsey, who Mia knew would normally appreciate the caution.

Right now, all Lindsey could think about was what it would be like to see Rick again, to feel his talented hands all over her body.

“Okay, how about something like this…” Shelby squinted as if she were having trouble reading her own writing. “Here we go… ‘Remember spring break? Mia, Lindsey and Shelby will be at the Sea Breeze Hotel during the week of March whatever. Come if you dare. You know who you are.’”

“Not bad, but we’ll have to be more specific.” Mia did a quick mental calculation. “Remember spring break 2004.”

“Right.” Shelby scribbled in the correction. “Lindsey, what do you think?”

She shoved a hand through her hair and exhaled a shaky breath. It was dim in the bar. Maybe they couldn’t see her blush all the way to her blond roots. “I think you’ll have to change Lindsey to Jill.”

Shelby blinked. “You didn’t give him your real name?”

Lindsey slowly shook her head, and ignored the eruption of laughter. She was too busy panicking over seeing him again.

1

LINDSEY STEPPED OUT on the tiny balcony and let the clean fresh air bathe her skin. Like magic the tension melted from her body, and she strained over the railing, trying to get a glimpse of the ocean. They’d booked two adjoining mountain-view rooms, which meant they could see a small wedge of green mountain and lots of other hotels that crowded Waikiki. The price was right, though, and as nice as the ocean-view rooms would have been, Lindsey had insisted on sticking to their budget. How much time would they be spending there, anyway?

She gave up any hope of seeing the water, and gazed down at the profusion of pink, yellow and white plumerias that covered the trees around the hotel grounds. Inhaling deeply, she swore the flowers’ perfume wafted all the way up to the seventh floor. Or maybe her senses had misfired, and what she remembered was the night on the beach when Rick had tucked one behind her right ear.

“Hey, Linds,” Shelby called from the other room through the open connecting door. “Where did you go?”

Sighing, Lindsey left the balcony, closing the sliding glass door behind her. “What’s up?”

Shelby, wrapped in a white hotel towel, ducked into the room, her long hair damp from her shower. “I thought maybe you went down to the bar with Mia.”

“Nope. I was checking out the view.”

“View?” Shelby’s brows went up. “We have a view?” She grinned, her gaze taking in Mia’s suitcase, which was sitting on the luggage rack, and then Lindsey’s bag, which was stowed in the open closet. “How are we divvying up the bathrooms?”

“We’re going to be adults and not hog either of them.” Shoving aside a pile of Shelby’s shorts, Lindsey found her brown leather purse. “I’m going to the gift shop to look for a pair of sunglasses.”

“I saw one of those ABC stores on the corner. I bet they’re cheaper there.”

Lindsey eyed her friend. She wasn’t the kind who normally thought about anything as pedestrian as price. “I’m so proud.”

“Damn straight. I’ll have you know I didn’t go a penny over my clothes budget.”

Lindsey sighed. It wouldn’t have occurred to Shelby to make do with what she had, just as Lindsey and Mia had done. Okay, so Lindsey had splurged on a new sundress, but only because she could wear it to work once they opened Anything Goes. She wouldn’t need her suits anymore. At least not for the next two years. That’s how long she’d given herself to make a go of the business before she’d consider returning to her old company.

“You need anything from the store?” Lindsey asked, refusing to feel guilty for having a bailout plan. She’d be crazy not to protect her future in the event the business failed. Naturally she had faith they would kick butt, but just in case, it was good to have a backup. Which she did, thanks to her former boss, who said she would always be welcomed back.

“No, I’m good. I think I packed everything.”

Lindsey snorted. “Uh, yeah, I think you did.”

“Just wait until you need to borrow something because you forgot to pack it.”

They’d been checked in for less than an hour and Shelby already had spread out, scattering heaps of clothes on the beds and dresser. It didn’t matter. With any luck, none of them would be in the room much anyway.

Naturally that thought led to Rick. Was he here? Had he even seen the Facebook shout-out? Even if he had, why would he have given it a second thought? They’d known each other for eight measly hours. A guy like him probably met women on the beach all the time. Making love to them under the moon and stars was no big deal.

That night had meant everything to her. He’d been the second guy she’d been with, and he’d shown her what the fuss was all about. Jeez, she could still remember how she’d come apart at the seams. In all the years since, she hadn’t felt anything like it. “I’m gonna go,” she said. “Are you meeting Mia in the bar?”

“I’ve got to put away my stuff and dry my hair.” Shelby shook out a blue halter top. “What about you?”

“I don’t know yet. Eventually we’ll meet up.” She wanted to be alone when she saw Rick. If she saw him. Please, God, let her see him. She slipped her purse strap onto her shoulder and headed for the door. “See you later.”

“Oh, Linds—”

“I won’t forget the bronzing lotion.” Without a backward glance, Lindsey smiled and checked the outside pocket of her purse for her key card before shutting the door behind her.

She had the elevator to herself and used the few seconds to study her pale legs, her unpolished toenails. Maybe she shouldn’t have worn shorts yet. If she’d had the time she would’ve hit a tanning salon and gotten a pedicure, but between easing out of her job and packing up her apartment, she’d been busy up to the last minute.

The elevator doors slid open and she stepped into the lobby, greeted by the tangy salt air and a buzzing group of Asian tourists. She quickly got out of their way so they could board the elevator, and then paused until she got her bearings. The lobby opened out to the beach, and she gazed at the white sand and crystal blue water, the late afternoon sun sinking on the horizon, so beautiful, so soothing. This was her week to chill, to find bliss with or without Rick. She was meant to be here. This was perfect.

Even walking to the store would be a pleasure. Everything smelled of the sea and suntan lotion, every view was a treat, and there were men here, lots of them, so it was all good. With a final look, she turned around.

And saw Rick. Standing not ten feet away. Their gazes met and her heart swooped into a free fall. For all she’d hoped, she’d never believed, but it was him, all right.

He hadn’t changed much. In fact, wearing tan cargo shorts and a black T-shirt, he looked as if he still belonged on a college campus. His light brown hair was still long, maybe more sun-streaked, his shoulders broad, his skin a deeper bronze. His mouth curved into that slow, killer smile she’d dreamed about for six years.

“Jill,” he said in a voice huskier than she recalled.

She blinked, swallowed. “Rick.” Before she knew what was happening, she was wrapped in his arms and he’d lifted her off the floor.

She clung to his shoulders for support, muscles bunching under her palms. Oh, he’d definitely filled out. Her heart beat wildly as he spun her around, both of them grinning like kids. A moment passed, then two, and she was aware once more of the crowded lobby, of how tightly he held her against his body.

“Everybody’s looking,” she said with a shaky laugh.

“Let ’em.” He set her down, and lowered his head for a kiss that merely brushed her cheek. “You look great.”

She combed a self-conscious hand through her hair. “I didn’t expect to see you.”

A brief frown darkened his hazel eyes. “Facebook—that was you, right?”

“Yes.” Her purse strap had slid down her shoulder, and she twisted it around her hand. “I meant that I just checked in, and well, here you are.”

He winked with that same casual confidence she’d admired before. “I couldn’t wait.”

Unfortunately, her attempt to sound casual came out as a small strangled laugh. He seemed taller than six feet but that had to be wrong because he’d been twenty-three when they’d first met, past the growing stage. Of course, they hadn’t been vertical much. The thought made her blush. Darn him for catching her off guard. She’d needed time to slip into Jill mode. Shoot, she needed to give him her real name. That was going to be fun.

“You feel like catching up?” he added.

“Sure.”

He took her hand, which affected her far more than it should have. When she saw he was taking her to the Plantation Bar, she put on the brakes and shook her hand free.

Rick cocked a brow. “Something wrong?”

“How about the bar at the pool?”

“The Plantation Bar might be quieter.”

“One of my friends is there,” Lindsey admitted. “I’d rather be alone.”

He took her hand back and changed direction. The thrill was just as strong. Come on, Lindsey, get a grip, it’s just holding hands, for goodness’ sake. If he—really—kissed her, she’d probably pass out. She wished she’d gotten the sunglasses though because she couldn’t stop staring at him. He wasn’t just hot. He’d left hot in the dust and gone straight to burning. In her dreams, he’d been yummy, but not nearly this tanned or ripped and, he hadn’t been able to wait!

Sand between her toes surprised her into stopping. She looked down at her sandals and then at Rick. They were on the beach and not headed to the pool, which was in the other direction. “Rick—”

“I know this cool bar on the beach. You won’t run in to anybody there.” He flashed a dazzling smile. “Unless you left more than one broken heart here six years ago.”

Even though she knew he was teasing, her breath caught anyway. “I lost count.”

His grin broadened. “It’s so good to see you, Jill.”

“I have something to tell you.”

“What’s that?”

“My name isn’t Jill.” She cleared her throat. “It’s Lindsey.”

An odd expression crossed his face, and she had the horrible feeling that he was about to walk away, leave her standing in the middle of the beach. He only kicked off his brown flip-flops, and then stooped to pick them up. “That’s going to take some getting used to. You want to take off those sandals?”

“That’s it?”

“You can take your top off if you want.”

“No.” Heat crawled up her neck. “No, I meant about me giving you a fake name.”

His smile told her that he’d been teasing again. She seriously needed to loosen up.

“You were being cautious.” He shrugged. “I get it… Lindsey.” He said her name slowly, as if trying it out. “I like Lindsey. It suits you.”

“Good.” She felt better…except for her feet. The sand lodged between her arches and sandals felt gritty and uncomfortable. She slipped the sandals off before they continued down the beach.

“Are you going to tell me your last name?” He playfully bumped her shoulder with his. “Or do you want to wait and see how the day goes?”

“Not a bad idea.”

A faint smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “Mine is Granger.”

She had to give him points for not reacting badly to the fake name. “Shaw.” But she wouldn’t give him her room number yet. “When did you get here?”

“The end of November.”

“I meant Hawaii.”

“I know.” He jerked his chin toward a hotel bordering the beach and guided her in that direction. “I have a house here.”

“In Waikiki?”

“The other side of the island. On the North Shore.”

She shook her head, totally confused. She knew he’d gone to school in Southern California, and that he was from Michigan. “When did you move here?”

“I didn’t.” He shaded his eyes and gazed out over the ocean, briefly focusing on a couple of bodysurfers. “I’m only here part-time. This is it,” he said, gesturing.

The bar was little more than a grass hut without walls. She’d seen it from a distance and thought it was a concession that rented out surfboards and canoes. But there were shelves of liquor in the center, surrounded by a wooden bar and wooden stools. Inside the circle, a big man wearing a yellow Hawaiian shirt garnished frothy drinks with pineapple wedges and cherries.

The bartender looked up when they slid onto stools facing the water, and a grin softened his craggy features. “Hey, Rick, long time no see. What you doin’ on this side of da island, bruddah?”

“Slumming.”

The man chuckled, leaned closer as he picked up the glasses. “You right about that,” he said in a discreet voice, giving Lindsey a quick wink before carrying the order to the customers sitting at the other end of the bar.

“Slumming?” Lindsey repeated.

Rick swiveled around to face her, his legs spread, effectively trapping her. “Not you. It’s a tourist thing.”

“I’m a tourist.”

He picked up a lock of her hair and rubbed it between his fingers in a surprisingly intimate gesture. “I can’t believe you’re here,” he murmured.

“I figured you’d have forgotten about me by the next day.”

He let go of her hair, met her gaze. “Why did you disappear without waking me up?”

Lindsey tensed, unprepared to explain herself, unwilling to admit that he’d frightened her by making her feel things she’d never dreamed possible. “I woke up late. I didn’t want to miss my plane, and I honestly didn’t think it mattered. You knew I was leaving.”

He studied her a minute, then shrugged. “I figured it was something like that.” He swiveled back around just as the bartender approached. “When did you start working here? I thought you were at the Hyatt.”

“I’m workin’ two jobs. Gotta pay da bills, bruddah.”

“Yeah, I hear you,” Rick said, and the older man’s brown eyes glinted with amusement she didn’t quite understand. “This is Lindsey, Keoni.”

Keoni acknowledged her with a nod. “What can I get you?” he asked, and then said to Rick, “Beer for you, I know.”

Lindsey thought for a moment. “That sounds good.”

Rick’s brows went up. “No fancy drink?”

“They have a way of sneaking up on me,” she admitted.

Keoni had already moved away to grab mugs, but she saw him smile.

Rick turned back to face her, this time taking one of her hands and lightly pressing it between his slightly callused ones.

“I don’t want you drunk,” he murmured in a low voice meant only for her ears.

She started to laugh, thinking he was teasing, but his hazel eyes were serious. “I wasn’t drunk last time, if that’s what you’re implying.”

“No—” He looked as if he wanted to say something else, but Keoni slid their mugs in front of them. “Thanks.”

He might have stuck around, but a young couple came up from the beach and pulled out stools, and Lindsey watched Keoni amble toward them.

Rick stroked her palm with his thumb. The pad wasn’t smooth like that of a desk jockey. When they’d met he’d been an engineering student. She wondered if he’d finished school, or decided he’d rather hang out at the beach.

“I wish I’d known Keoni was working here,” he muttered. “Nice guy, but I was hoping for a bartender I wouldn’t know, so we’d be alone like you said.”

She slowly swung her gaze to his face.

His lips twitched. “To talk.”

“Of course.” She looked deeply into his eyes, entranced by the way the hazel had become a warm gold. Her breathing slipped slightly off-kilter, and as hard as she struggled to look away, she couldn’t.

“Screw it.” He leaned in and kissed her.

Not a quick one, either. He lingered, slanting his mouth over hers, his lips supple and coaxing. Startled, her senses swimming, she felt the tip of his tongue tease the corner of her mouth, and she parted her lips.

He slid his tongue inside, slow and hot and demanding, making her forget where they were. He moved his hand to her thigh, up high, where her shorts ended. His thumb slid just under the hem. Coming from somewhere in the haze she heard a woman’s faint laugh.

Lindsey froze, and realized with an element of shock that they were sitting at the bar in full view.

She broke away, not knowing where to look, what to do. She wanted to hide her face in her hands. Instead, she grabbed blindly for her mug and took a long cool sip of beer.

“Relax,” Rick said, his hand still resting on her thigh. “Lots of honeymooners around. No one even noticed.”

She kept her hands wrapped around the mug, and stared down at the amber brew. It wasn’t the kiss, exactly, that had her flustered. It was how quickly the fire inside her had ignited, how quickly the heat had surged through her veins and settled low in her belly. It seemed almost unnatural.

Good grief, it wasn’t as if she’d been living in a convent for the past six years. There had been other men she’d liked, a couple of them well enough to have become intimate with, but no one had ever made her feel as if nothing around her mattered, as if the only reason for her next breath was to feel his touch again. But wasn’t that exactly why she was here? She wanted to relive those eight hours, stretch them out to a week.

Rick reached for his beer. After taking a sip, he rested an elbow on the bar and just looked at her. “So where are you living these days?”

A giggle rose in her throat. After that kiss, the question struck her as ridiculously funny. “Chicago.” She cleared her throat. “No, New York, I guess.”

“You guess?”

“I’m in the process of moving.”

His brows drew together in a frown that said he didn’t believe her.

She’d already lied to him about her name. It wasn’t a stretch to think she didn’t want him to know where she lived. “It’s the truth.”

A smile tugged at one side of his mouth, and his gaze fell to her lips.

Her heart thumped wildly.

Excellent. He was going to kiss her again.

2

LINDSEY, RICK REMINDED himself as he watched her nervously moisten her lips, not Jill. It was going to take some serious mental gear-shifting for her real name to sink in. If he hadn’t thought about her over the years, it might’ve been different. But that night on the beach had turned into more than a simple one-time hookup. Should’ve been nothing more, he knew. He’d had his share of them. Went with the lifestyle. In his sphere, chicks loved surfers. And if a guy was lucky enough to make money at it, the women seemed all the more willing.

“Were you transferred?” he asked, steeling himself against the fathomless depths of her blue eyes. Damn, he wanted to kiss her again.

She blinked. “What?”

“Your job was in Chicago. Now you’re moving to New York.”

“Oh, yes, I mean no.” She wrinkled her nose, something she seemed to do when she was frustrated with herself. He liked it. “I wasn’t transferred. I quit.”

“Yeah? What kind of job was it?”

“Accounting.”

He hadn’t seen that coming. Sticking her behind a desk seemed like a huge waste. With her long blond hair and big innocent blue eyes, she was a stunner. Great body, too. Not as skinny as six years ago. Her hips and breasts seemed more filled out. But he couldn’t let his mind go there, not yet. “Tired of corporate America, huh? Man, I get that.”

“I liked the company I worked for. They’re old and stable and have a great pension plan….” Her voice trailed off, and she briefly looked down at her hands. “I’m going into business with my college friends, Mia and Shelby. You didn’t meet them last time.”

“Good for you. Taking a small risk now and then is good for the soul.”

“Small risk?” She let out a laugh.

He grinned. “Ah, right, the pension plan.”

“Having no income until we make a profit?” she said defensively. “Excuse me, but that’s more than a small risk.”

“You’re right.” He held up his hands. “My bad.”

“What about you? What have you been doing?”

“A lot of surfing lately, though we’ve probably seen the last of the really big waves for the season.”

“I meant work.”

“I know.” He paused, watched Keoni schmooze with his customers. “The prize money for competition surfing is pretty good. It usually carries me through the year.” He shrugged. “Since I’m flexible, I spend a few months on the mainland, see my family, go skiing.”

The questions in her eyes multiplied. No surprise there. He was twenty-nine. Most people figured at that age a man should settle down, start thinking about a career, family. They weren’t necessarily wrong, but he had too much to do yet.

“Weren’t you an engineering student?” she asked, more curious than judgmental, which he appreciated.

“Yep, got my degree, checked out the job market, managed to get a few offers.” He took a swallow of beer. “But I just couldn’t see myself sitting in an office watching the clock.” He leaned back. “You look surprised.”

“I am. You seemed excited about going into engineering.”

Rick chuckled. “I was excited.” He stroked the silky smooth skin just below the hem of her shorts. “It had nothing to do with engineering.”

She blushed. Something else he liked about her. Women didn’t seem to do that anymore. “You’re bad,” she muttered, and brought the mug to her lips. She took a small sip and smiled.

Keoni returned, grabbing the towel that was draped over his beefy shoulder and mopped the moisture their mugs left on the bar. With a jerk of his broad chin, he asked Rick, “You ready for another one?”

“Nah, I have to drive.”

Keoni shrugged, saw that a customer at the far end of the bar was signaling for his check and started backing away. “How’s the shoulder?”

“A little stiff.” Rick gingerly touched the spot where he’d gotten banged up. “Not too bad.”

“Don’t be stupid about it, brah. You’ll end up bartending, like me.”

Rick watched him paste on a smile for the customer and pass the man his tab. No, Rick wouldn’t end up being a bartender, forcing smiles for the tourists, even if he quit surfing tomorrow. He might be easygoing but he wasn’t foolish. He’d made sure he was set for life. Not that it was anyone’s business. The more people knew about him, the more they expected of him. He didn’t need that crap.

“What’s wrong with your shoulder?” Lindsey asked, her eyes filled with concern.

“I hurt it a while ago. It’s good now.”

Her gaze touched his shoulder, moved to his chest, slid down to his belly. Then her high small breasts rose and fell with her soft sigh.

They needed to find some privacy. “Let’s go,” he said, and she eagerly nodded.

He pulled a twenty out of his pocket, slapped it down on the bar, anchored it with his mug and grabbed her hand.

LINDSEY WAS PRETTY SURE the few sips of beer wasn’t what was making her light-headed. It was Rick. The feel of his palm pressing hers, the way his long lean fingers curled possessively around her hand, the warm masculine scent of his body, all of it made her squishy inside. She liked that he’d shaved recently, and that his jaw was nice and smooth, and the cleft in his chin so prominent without whiskers to detract from it.

Even the glossiness of his sun-kissed hair in the sunlight and the bronze glow of his skin got to her in a surprisingly primal way. He had perfect posture, too, which was almost as important to her as good hygiene. She had fairly stringent requirements when it came to men, she suddenly realized. Or had she been comparing her subsequent dates to him?

No, that wasn’t possible. She’d known him for one night. An incredible, earth-stopping night, but still.

“How about we go to my place?” he asked when they were halfway back to the hotel.

She should have anticipated this, but she hadn’t thought ahead. “How far away is it?”

“About an hour, a little more depending on traffic.”

Her gaze went to the horizon. It was still light out, but the weakening sun was already sinking toward the water. “It would be dark by the time we got back.”

He tugged her closer. “You could spend the night.”

“I can’t,” she said quickly. “We just arrived today. My friends and I—I don’t want to ditch them our first night here.”

“Sure, no problem.” After a pause, he said, “How about I take you all to dinner?”

“I don’t know.” Lindsey knew she wasn’t ready for everyone to meet just yet. Not until she and Rick became reacquainted themselves. Hesitantly, she said, “I can check with them.”

“They might be busy. If I saw the Facebook thing, I’m sure a lot of other guys did, too.”

She nodded, and dug in her bag for her phone. “I’ll text them and see what’s going on.”

He released her hand, the abruptness startling her. Then he reached out and snatched a red Frisbee that was sailing through the air, headed straight for her.

The two boys, who’d been tossing the disc back and forth, stared warily at them.

Rick held on to the Frisbee while they approached the kids. “It’s too breezy and unpredictable to be playing with this on a crowded beach, guys,” he told them gently. “Why don’t you take it over there?” He indicated a strip of barren sand that stretched out between two hotels. “I’ll throw it to you.”

He waited until they’d run toward the spot, and with a small flick of his wrist, sent the Frisbee sailing over the boys’ outstretched arms.

“Whoa,” both kids yelled in unison, and turned to scramble after the toy.

“I see you’ve had some practice,” she commented, quickly finishing her brief message, then pressing Send.

“I play with my nieces and nephews when I’m home. They gang up on me.”

“Poor baby. How many do you have?”

“Seems like a hundred.” He shrugged, his fondness for them evident in his reluctant smile. “Five, all together. Three of them are a year apart and never run out of energy.”

She laughed, glanced at her phone, hoping Mia or Shelby would get back to her right away, or better yet, were too busy to respond.

“Tell you what,” he said, “if your friends are busy, why don’t we grab a picnic dinner and eat on the beach while we watch the sun set. There’s a cool place about ten minutes from here. No tourists.”

“Thanks,” she said dryly.

Grinning, he slid an arm around her waist. “Some tourists I like.” He nuzzled the side of her neck. “One in particular, I like very much.”

His warm moist breath caressed her skin, giving her goose bumps. “Okay…I think I gave the girls long enough.”

He drew back, regarding her with an amused quirk of his brow. “You sure?”

“Yes, I am,” she said, and hoped she was right.

THE TRIP TO THE small market near the Honolulu zoo was an adventure all by itself. Most of the customers were friendly locals who apparently lived nearby and were doing their weekly shopping. The shelves were stocked with the normal basic staples, but there was also a large assortment of Asian foods that Lindsey simply couldn’t identify. Half the labels were of no help since she couldn’t read Chinese or Japanese.

Fortunately Rick seemed to know what he was doing. Or so she hoped, as she watched him toss a variety of items into the basket. At the ready-made section, he asked her to choose what she’d like. She pointed at something she assumed was made with rice, marinated chicken and cucumbers, and crossed her fingers.

While they stood in line at the checkout, she found a rack of sunglasses and tried on a couple. The selection was limited and mostly they were too big, but she settled on a cute enough, reasonably priced pair just as it was their turn to pay. She sidled up next to Rick, and dug in her purse for her wallet.

“I’m paying,” she said.

He frowned at her. “No, you aren’t.”

“It’s fair. You bought our drinks at the bar.”

“Not gonna happen.” He pulled out a wad of bills from his pocket.

The cashier scanned the last item, and Lindsey stubbornly was about to give the woman her debit card when Rick tossed a large box of condoms onto the counter.

“Could you get that, too,” he told the woman.

Lindsey froze, her gaze glued to the box. The really, really big box.

The cashier obliged him, then gave Rick a total, for which he handed her cash.

She felt like an idiot. No reason a grown woman should be embarrassed about buying condoms, but at a grocery store? Come on. The stooped Asian lady waiting in line behind them had to be older than Lindsey’s grandmother.

“Hey.” Rick picked up their two bags. “Did you want to get those sunglasses? I’m sorry I didn’t see them in your hands.”

“They aren’t right for me,” she said, hastily putting them back in their slot, and then leading him out of the store.

When they got to his Jeep, he carefully stowed the groceries on the floor in the back, while she slid into the passenger’s seat and buckled herself in. He climbed in behind the wheel, inserted the key into the ignition but didn’t start the engine.

“I embarrassed you back there. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

“What are you talking about?” she asked, all innocence, and felt the heat rise from her neck to her face.

Rick chuckled, snatched her hand and pressed a quick kiss on the back of it before starting the engine. “We have to hurry or we’ll miss the best part of the sunset.”

After about ten minutes, they drove through a residential area where the houses were huge and spread out on mammoth lots, and reminded Lindsey of the mansions that once lorded over old sugar plantations.

They hadn’t gone far when Rick pulled off and drove them down a short gravel road and parked. On the right there was a small shabby house, to the left nothing but scrub brush and tall graceful palms swaying in the stiff ocean breeze. Before them lay a field of grass that butted up to a sandy beach.

He hopped out of the Jeep and pocketed the keys. “I’ll get the food. You take the mat and towels.”

“Isn’t this private property?”

“Nope. Public access to the beach.”

She came around the back of the car. There was no trunk, and she spotted the rolled-up straw mat and a couple of towels stashed on the backseat. She saw he kept a small cooler there, too, and watched as he dumped in a bag of ice he’d bought. With swift efficiency, he packed in cans of cola and beer, and then laid the cheese and fruit on top. He left the warm ready-made items and box of crackers in the paper sacks, and then handed her the mat and towels.

“I can handle the bag, too,” she said, and grabbed the handles when she saw that he’d planned on balancing it on top of the cooler chest.

“Thanks, we’re not going far.” His hands full, he used his knee to shut the door, and her gaze automatically drifted to the ridge of muscle that went up his thigh and disappeared under his shorts. “Ready?”

She cleared her throat and promptly lifted her gaze. “Yep.”

They got to the grass where there was an actual path to follow to a long stretch of solitary beach. In the distance, one hotel after another loomed against the dusky sky. To the right, toward the center of the island, white and gray clouds shrouded the tops of huge green mountains.

“Do those look like rain clouds to you?” she asked.

“I don’t think so. If it does come down, the rain will stay close to the mountains. We’re going this way,” he said, gesturing to their left. “Toward Diamond Head.”

Up this close, the crater wasn’t as visible as it was from the hotel, but she’d been curious about it since her first trip. “How did it get its name?”

“Diamond Head? I think it dates back to the eighteen hundreds. British sailors mistook the crystals embedded in the rocks for diamonds. The ancient Hawaiians called it Leahi, but nowadays everybody refers to it as Diamond Head.”

“What does Leahi mean?”

“The ‘ahi’ part means tuna. Some local people will swear it means brow of the tuna, others say it’s the fin of the tuna.” He shrugged. “You can’t tell from here, but it looks like a fin to me.”

She watched him take a lingering look, as if he never got tired of the scene. “You really love it here.”

“I like the people, and to me there’s no better surfing than on the North Shore. But I still get rock fever between trips to the mainland.”

“I’ve heard the term before, not sure what it means.”

“Nothing changes. The weather is pretty much the same year round, except for the rainier months. I’m used to the leaves changing color in October, the first snowfall, skiing, all that seasonal stuff.”

“Yeah, by January I’m complaining about the cold but I’d miss the change of seasons, too.” She squinted at the expanse of beach ahead of them, wishing she’d bought the darn sunglasses. “How far are we going?”

“Almost there.”

She honestly didn’t see the difference between one spot to the next. Once they’d made it past the grassy field there was nothing but sand and scrub. But she said nothing when he kept walking. After a few more yards and he stopped, gazed out at the water and then kicked away some branches before setting down the cooler.

“This particular spot reserved for you?” she asked with a grin.

“You’ll thank me in a few minutes.” He took the bag from her and set it on top of the cooler before shaking out the straw mat, something that seemed to be a tourist staple.

Lindsey frowned, curious as to what he meant. While he laid out one of the beach towels, she scanned the horizon. A large ship that she’d assumed was on the move had actually anchored. Their opportunity to see the sun sinking out of view could have been ruined depending on where they’d chosen to plant themselves.

Rick lifted the cooler onto the corner of the mat, and then spread out one of the beach towels. She should have offered to help instead of staring, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. The fluid ripple of muscle in his legs and arms as he moved held her captive. She hadn’t thought it possible, but Rick was better looking than she’d remembered.

She moistened her suddenly parched lips, her gaze sweeping the beach. Anticipation with a dash of apprehension swirled like freshly churned butter inside her.

It seemed she had him all to herself.

3

RICK FINISHED SETTING UP, then looked up at Lindsey. She hadn’t moved, just stood there quietly staring at him. He had no idea what was going through her head. Except that she seemed to have drifted off into another world, maybe another time. Like to that night six years ago when they had lain naked in the moonlight, kissing, making love, whispering secrets.

He had trouble not going there himself. Hard to do since it was way up there on the memorable-nights scale. Her blond hair was slightly shorter now, but still long enough that he itched to see it tousled and tumbling over her shoulders as she straddled him, rode him until he couldn’t hold back another second.

Not until she blinked and looked away did it occur to him that he was staring, too.

“Is this beach always so quiet?” she asked, gazing toward the ocean.

“I wish.” He got to his feet. “At one time only the locals knew about it. But most of the houses around here are rentals now so that increased the tourist traffic.”

“It’s still a lot nicer than the hotel beaches.” Her eyes widened suddenly, and she rubbed her arms.

He knew exactly what she was thinking. “This isn’t the beach where we…you know,” he said. “I thought about going there, but lately this one is more private.”

She gave a small nod. “It’s gotten a bit cool.”

“This from a woman who just left Chicago in March?”

“I was dressed more appropriately.” She held out her arms, indicating her red tank top as confirmation. Good thing she hadn’t looked down. Even though she wasn’t braless, her distended nipples poked at the thin fabric.

He had to turn his head. From the first moment he’d seen her, it hadn’t taken much to set him off. “Come here.” He lowered himself onto the mat and spread his legs, leaving enough room for her to sit in front of him. He patted the spot. “You can lean back against me.”

She hesitated, and then with a slightly shy smile, she sat down and drew her bent knees to her chest.

“Scoot back more,” he said when she’d left too much space between them.

“I don’t want to crowd you.”

Smiling at her naiveté, he wrapped his arms around her, bent knees and all, and pulled her against his chest. She hadn’t changed much from the shy sexy college student he’d met that night. He’d hadn’t dared hope she could still be the same sweet girl that had summoned every ounce of courage to get naked on the beach, and have sex with a guy she’d just met. But then they had connected in a big way in those predawn hours. He’d told her things….

He deeply inhaled her vanilla scent. “Warmer?” he asked, tightening his arms around her.

Her contented sigh went straight to his cock. “Perfect,” she said, relaxing against him.

He kissed her soft blond hair, then moved so that his cheek pressed hers. “Doesn’t seem like it’s been six years.”

“I was just thinking the same thing.”

“I figured you’d be married by now.”

“Seriously?” She shifted, and glanced over her shoulder at him. “Why would you think that?”

He shrugged, kept his gaze on the horizon, not keen on getting too deep into that conversation. “I was shocked to see your message on Facebook. A lot of people I went to school with are making that trip to the altar lately.”

“Same here. I received two wedding invitations from sorority sisters last week.” She settled back against him.

“No one can find me so they send invitations to my parents’ house in Michigan. My mom forwards my mail every two weeks.”

“That’s because you’re such a nomad.”

“Not true. I still spend a lot of time at the old homestead. I’d be there now if I hadn’t seen your message.”

“Really?” She straightened again, twisting around to look at him with those big blue eyes. “You stayed for me?”

“I did.”

“I’m so glad.”

“Me, too. Look.” He pointed toward the sun, partially hidden behind a pink cloud, the sky a golden glow. As far as sunsets went, this one wasn’t spectacular. There weren’t enough clouds to give them a real show. But he couldn’t keep looking into those soft blue eyes without saying something stupid.

Holding her, smelling her vanilla-scented hair and thinking back to that night when he’d been emotionally stripped was freaking him out a little.

Lindsey had turned just twenty-one, and unlike most of her college friends, she’d been endearingly old-fashioned. Enough that he’d asked outright if she was a virgin. She’d gotten all flustered as she’d insisted she wasn’t. He grinned as he remembered her blush. She’d been ready to run from him. With soft kisses and gentle words he’d convinced her to stay.

He’d always been good at that kind of persuasion, good with women, period. Even in high school, he’d had the touch. He’d been with college girls, which hadn’t made him too popular with the guys in school. Luckily, he’d always been a loner, shying away from the beaten path or the mundane. His sister had always said his propensity to become bored would be his downfall.

He wasn’t bored with Lindsey. She’d blown him away that night with her quiet conviction, her unshakable vision of her future. The long blond hair and small perfect breasts hadn’t hurt, but there was more to it than that. She’d surprised him, first with her innocence, then with her strength. Even tonight, though they’d barely been together a few hours, she had his complete attention.

She shifted again, and he loosened his hold so that she could stretch her legs out in front of her. He smiled when she took his arms and pulled them back in place. This time, with her knees out of the way, his arms fit nicely crossed just below her breasts.

He tried using his chin to push the hair away from her neck, and when that didn’t work, she got the hint and draped the thick locks over the front of her shoulder. With better access to her neck, he kissed the side, then bit at her earlobe. She giggled and squirmed.

“I thought you liked that,” he whispered.

“I do, but it still tickles.”

“And this?” He lightly dragged the tip of his tongue around the shell of her ear.

She squirmed more, the proximity of her cute little ass to his cock sheer torture. He moved one of his arms until it grazed the underside of her breasts. He knew the second she’d sucked in a breath. Slowly she let it out.

“It’s so beautiful here,” she said, “and peaceful.”

“Let’s hope it stays that way.”

She turned her head to look toward Waikiki, and he studied her profile, admiring the way her full lower lip jutted slightly. Her lashes were thick, and he could tell that she’d tried to artificially darken her eyebrows with makeup. But overall she was light on the cosmetics, which suited him. He liked the more natural look.

“I don’t see anyone headed this way,” she said.

“We’re safe. No waves so the local surfing crowd won’t be showing up, and it’s dinnertime for everyone else.”

“What do you mean no waves?”

“That?” He followed her gaze to the small swells that quickly lost momentum before the break. “Those aren’t waves. Not even a self-respecting bodysurfer would waste his time on those ripples.”

Lindsey grinned. “Well, aren’t we cocky?”

“Wait until we get to the other side of the island, you’ll see what I mean. Too bad you weren’t here in December and January when the big waves hit.”

“Were you already surfing when we first met?”

“For a couple of years, mostly on weekends. I lived near Hermosa Beach in Southern California while going to school.”

“You never mentioned it—surfing, I mean.”

“I believe we had better things to do.” Rick nuzzled her neck, and murmured against her skin, “Like now.”

She made a small mewing sound and leaned back, running her palm over his forearms. She had small hands, tiny wrists. Her skin was pale against his. He had to make sure she took care not to burn in the midday sun.

He moved his hand and cupped her left breast through her tank top. She didn’t stiffen as he’d suspected she might, but only sighed. Damn, he wished they were back at his place. Within twenty minutes it would be dark except for the half moon. He had no problem stripping down right here, but he knew she would. And he wanted to see her in the worst way.

He abandoned her breast, moved his hand down. When he slipped it underneath her top, she tensed. But she let him stroke the soft skin over her rib cage, and she even turned her head so that her eyelashes fluttered against his temple. He found her bra, and released the front clasp, then covered her mouth with his.

HER NIPPLES WERE ALREADY beaded and hard, but the shock of the first touch jolted her, making her tear away from his kiss and scan the beach. Murmuring a reassurance, he used his free hand to bring her mouth back to his. She didn’t resist. She felt too weak and hot and hopelessly needy. The touch of his roughened fingers against her sensitive nipple made her quiver, and a whimper escaped from her lips into his mouth.

She was a mess, an utter and complete mess, and he’d barely touched her. She had to slow him down. Slow down her own growing desire to touch him, to feel the hard contour of his muscled arms and chest against her skin. It was too light out. Anyone could walk up and surprise them. That would ruin everything.

Lindsey broke from him again, evading his hand when he tried to pull her back. “Rick.”

He palmed her breast, whispered something she didn’t understand, his warm breath skimming her ear.

Her eyes drifted closed, only for an instant, and he lightly pinched her nipple. “Rick. No.”

Before the word was fully formed, he’d stopped. His hand slid out from under her top. “Lindsey, I’m sorry,” he said, the remorse in his voice thick.

“Oh, wait.” Leaving the comfort of his arms, she twisted around to see him. He looked devastated. “That wasn’t a don’t-ever-do-that-again no,” she said, briefly touching his face. “It was more a I’m-a-big-fat-chicken no because it’s too light out.”

A relieved smile totally transformed his expression.

She laughed softly. “I like you touching me,” she whispered, and watched his expression change again.

His nostrils flared, his jaw tightened. “Good.” His heated gaze went briefly to her breasts before lifting to meet her eyes. “I plan on doing a lot of that.”

She tried to control the shiver that rattled her insides, shook the starch out of her spine. But it was too late. She only hoped her voice wouldn’t fail her. “We should eat. Before it’s too dark.”

He ran his hand up her arm. “Your bra,” he said, keeping his eyes level with hers.

“My bra?” She frowned, glanced down at her chest. Her unbound breasts. Her aroused nipples. “Oh.” She reached under her tank top and fumbled with the clasp.

“You’re killing me,” he said with a shaky laugh, and pushed off the mat, getting to his feet in a flash. “Cola or beer?” he asked, without looking at her.

“Cola.” She finished fastening the clasp, in spite of her unsteady fingers, and wondered if it would be fair to ask him to take off his shirt.

She supposed she had a normal sexual appetite typical for a woman her age, but she never obsessed over a man’s body like she’d been doing with Rick. But then she didn’t personally know any guys who looked like that.

He handed her the opened can, then popped the cap off his bottle of beer. He threw his head back to take a long pull, and she seized the unguarded moment to stare at his fly. Her mouth went dry. He was still hard, impressively hard.

She averted her gaze and guzzled the cola. Maybe she should try calling Mia and Shelby, see if they were going to be out this evening and if one of the rooms would be free.

“I’d give just about anything to know what you’re thinking.”

Lindsey looked up into his amused face, and instinctively her hand went to her warm cheek. Silently, she cursed herself, as if she could do a darn thing about the persistent blushing. It so wasn’t fair.

She blithely pressed the cold can against her heated skin. “Not in this lifetime.”

Rick grinned. “After it gets dark we can go swimming, help cool you off.”

“We don’t have swimsuits,” she said, choosing to ignore his teasing. “At least I don’t.”

“Hence, the after-dark part.”

She laughed. “You did not just say that.”

“What?”

“Hence?” She tried to stand, but had a bit of trouble with the loose sand, and accepted the hand he offered.

She gained her footing, and he could’ve released her. He didn’t. He pulled her close, and she felt the heat of his arousal right through her clothes. She tilted her head back and waited for him to lower his mouth. He lightly brushed his lips over hers, then gradually increased the pressure, leisurely kissing her.

Her eyelids fluttered closed, blotting out the pinkish-gold twilight sky, blotting out everything but the feel of his muscled shoulder beneath her fingers. Her ability to reason evaporated on the sea breeze. If he wanted to make love to her right now, right here, she wouldn’t resist.

Slowly he lifted his mouth. She opened her eyes to find him staring down at her. She almost begged him not to stop.

“Let’s eat, huh?” he said, and with a gentle hand, freed the tendrils of hair that had tangled with her lashes.

She almost laughed. How could he be thinking about food? She nodded, swiftly backed up and looked away, hoping he hadn’t seen the disappointment in her eyes.

He used the other towel, and spread out the goodies he’d bought, being careful to anchor down anything that could blow away. After emptying the paper sack, he said, “We’ll use this for all the recyclables. I’ll sort them later.” He indicated the empty plastic bag that had held the ice. “Trash can go in here.”

Lindsey smiled.

“Go ahead,” he said, with a bring-it-on cock of his brow. “I’ve already heard every smart-ass remark there is about how anal I am when it comes to recycling.”

“Actually, I was thinking that there’s enough food here for five people.”

He patted his flat belly. “I’ve been known to eat for four.”

“Hard to believe.”

“I work it off.”

“Surfing?”

“That, too,” he said, and winked.

Lindsey gave him her best eye-roll, and hoped that he didn’t see the pulse zinging at her wrist and neck. She was going to have to have sex with him soon, no matter where they ended up. Just so she could relax. Knowing it was coming, remembering how he had made her feel that one incredible night, was keeping her teetering on the edge.

“How should we do this?” she asked, staring down at the food, and not seeing any plates or utensils.

“No rules here.” He sat down cross-legged, facing the food-laden towel as if it were a set table, and patted the spot beside him.

She joined him, and then helped by opening the box of crackers and container of cut-up fruit. He used a pocket knife to cut slices of cheese, stopping to hold a bit of the soft gouda to her lips.

She opened, and used her tongue to sweep the small piece into her mouth. “Mmm. Good.”

He briefly kissed her, and then licked his lips. “My favorite.”

She shook her head, pretending she wasn’t amazed at the laid-back way he treated everything. Not her. The lightest kiss, the casual teasing, all made her stomach jittery. She focused on their dinner, eyed the ready-made food that she couldn’t identify. “Any minute it’s going to be too dark to see what we’re eating.”

Rick smiled. “Are you adventurous?”

“Define what—” She sighed, and went with the simple truth. “No.”

He removed a pair of chopsticks from a paper wrapper. “Then it’s better you don’t see what’s coming.”

She grabbed one of the plastic forks that had been bundled with the chopsticks. “Uh, I’m not putting anything strange in my mouth.”

His lips twitched. “What a pity.”

She started to say something, thought better of it. She wasn’t nearly quick enough to be witty, had never come up with—much less uttered—a double entendre in her life. There simply was no winning this conversation. She only wished blushing burned calories, but then she’d be a stick. She grabbed a couple of napkins and used them as a plate to hold the crackers while she topped them with cheese.

“You chose this one,” he said, passing her the chicken and rice. “Adventurous or not, I think you’ll like it.”

Since she had made the selection, she opened it up and sampled the cucumber salad first. It was surprisingly good mixed with a sweet vinegary dressing. “I like this a lot,” she said, spearing another cucumber half. “What’s the black flecks on the rice?” She peered closer. They were too big to be black pepper.

“It’s called furikake, a sesame seed-and-seaweed condiment. Don’t make that face.”

“Seaweed? Seriously?”

He nodded. “Try it.”

She was a wuss when it came to trying ethnic food, but she figured a tiny taste wouldn’t kill her. She forked a small portion, found the rice to be stickier than what she was accustomed to, but took a bite.

“Well?”

“Good.” She watched him deftly use the chopsticks to scoop some kind of noodle salad into his mouth.

“Now try some chicken.”

“What are you, my mother?”

Eyeing her, he chewed, swallowed, then set his chopsticks aside. Before she knew it, he cupped a hand behind her neck, drew her to him and gave her an openmouthed kiss. Not a long one, but intense enough to make her drop her fork.

“You tell me,” he said with a cocky grin, and then went back to eating his dinner as if he’d merely suggested she check out the moon rising over the mountains.

4

THEY FINISHED DINNER, then stored what little food that was left over in the cooler along with the beer and colas. While Rick took the trash and recyclables to the car, Lindsey shook out the mat and towels. It was past nine, eerily dark and gloriously peaceful. The tropical air seemed cool for someone who’d recently flown in from frigid Chicago, but Lindsey was content to wrap herself in one of the thick blue towels as she settled on the mat and gazed up at the stars.

Rick hadn’t suggested that they pack up and leave, and neither had she. They might’ve been more comfortable back at the hotel or sitting in the Jeep taking advantage of one of the many lookouts on this cliffy side of the island. She didn’t think that either of them was trying to recapture that night they met. They simply didn’t want the mood to shift, the talking and laughing to stop, the joy of sheer solitude to end.

Being with Rick again had affected her on so many levels. Like meeting up with an old friend you hadn’t seen in years, yet immediately picking up where you’d left off. She wasn’t surprised that she’d remembered him so vividly. Not with all the daydreams she’d had about him, especially the ones that came at night. What shocked her was his ease. As if he’d thought about her just as often. Somehow, knowing they were going to have sex rested between them easily. It shouldn’t have. She was too shy, too awkward, but not with Rick.

He was so quiet she hadn’t heard him approach. She caught a glimpse of his shadow in the sand a second before he dropped down beside her. Startled, her hand went to her throat.

“What’s wrong?” He touched her hair, her shoulder, then rubbed the back of her neck. He liked touching.

She wasn’t used to it. “I didn’t hear you coming.”

“You thought some other guy was on his way to kiss you until you begged for mercy?”

Lindsey smiled. “It happens.”

He chuckled. “I remember the begging part, but it wasn’t for mercy.”

She bumped him with her shoulder. “You’re awful.”

He slid an arm around her and brought her to lean against him. “It’s a cool breeze but the water is warm.”

“Be my guest.”

“I’m not going to talk you into going in, huh?”

“Nope.” She shook her head for emphasis. They’d had this discussion at dinner. Oddly, she wasn’t half as concerned about someone catching them in the buff as she was about swimming in the dark.

“We haven’t seen anyone since we got here.”

“It’s not just that.” She paused. The ocean was still a mystery to her. And in the dark? Forget it. He wouldn’t understand. “Go on,” she said. “I’ll be waiting to wrap you in a nice warm towel.” The thought of him stripping made her hot. Made her mouth dry. Oh, yeah, she liked where this was going. “Really, take a quick dip. I don’t mind.”

“Not without you.”

“Then who would be waiting with the towel?”

His teeth gleamed in the moonlight. “You’re trying to get me naked.”

“Yes, I am,” she said boldly, then ruined it by giggling.

“Hell, sweetheart, you only had to say the word.”

Lindsey pressed her lips together to keep from blurting out something stupid. In the quiet, she heard a dog bark. “Oh, shoot.”

“What?”

“I think someone’s coming.”

“Uh, a dog?”

“Someone might be walking the dog,” she said in a hushed defensive voice, while straining to see in the murky light. The beach seemed clear on both sides, and she relaxed again. “Satisfied?”

“I’m not the one getting naked.”

“Oh, c’mon.”

She smiled at the laughter in his voice, and briefly closed her eyes at the warm kiss he pressed to the side of her neck. He didn’t stop there, but dragged his lips to her earlobe, then to her temple.

“You’re tense,” he murmured, and used his tongue along the shell of her ear. His hand cupped the front of her shoulder, applying pressure.

“Oh—” Surprised by the unexpected maneuver, she started when he urged her to lie back.

But he was gentle, guiding her down, making sure she landed easily. The towel she’d wrapped around her shoulders fell open, but warm now, she didn’t need it. She stared up into his shadowed face, then past him to the dark glittering sky. “I’m amazed we can see so many stars being this close to Waikiki.”

“It’s even better on the north shore.” He drew back, and balanced himself on his elbows, his face turned toward the sky. “No light pollution from high-rises where I live.”

She smiled. “You’ve already sold me. I really do want to go see your place.”

“People who come here and stay in Waikiki their whole vacation have not seen Hawaii.”

“A woman I worked with told me I needed to go to the other islands. Maui and Kauai, I think?”

He corrected her pronunciation, putting more emphasis on the vowels, then added, “Yep, Kauai especially. Maui’s gotten too commercial for my taste, though there are still some awesome places like Haleakala and Hana. Even here on Oahu a lot of spots would blow you away they’re so green and beautiful and untouched.”

“I’ve seen pictures.”

“Not the same.”

The passion in his voice fueled her excitement. “I’ve always wanted to see a waterfall.”

“I know the perfect place. Do you like to hike?” He changed positions to lie on his side, facing her. “The mountains here seem to go on forever,” he said, and casually splayed a hand on her belly. “If you’re adventurous enough, you can still find places no one’s ever been.”

It always caught her off guard when he touched her. Her family weren’t huggers. Even as a kid she was rarely patted on the head or kissed on the cheek.

“I’m not very athletic,” she warned, in case he had some foolish idea they’d go backpacking into the clouds. It looked fun, even romantic on the big screen. And it so wasn’t going to happen. Not for her. “I haven’t made time to exercise in ages. I’m sure you’ve already figured that out,” she muttered as an aside.

He lifted his head. “How would I know that?” He ran his palm up her belly over her rib cage, stopping just below her breasts. “I’m not getting that impression. Maybe I should explore further.” He’d slid his hand beneath the hem of her top before her addled brain could register his intention.

“What are you doing?”

“Really?” he said with a laugh.

“Shut up.”

She acknowledged the sudden throb of longing in her chest, resentful of the barriers between them.

She shuddered when his fingers slipped inside a silk cup and grazed the sensitive puckered flesh of her right breast.

He dipped his head, briefly kissed her lips. “Do you want me to make love to you here?” he asked in a low sexy murmur that seemed to dance along her nerve endings. He caressed her nipple, plucking lightly at it until she’d arched her back.

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