by Mimi Barbour
Tippy-toeing from the room, she closed the door. Kale’s next words gladdened her heart and made her hesitate. “He’s everything a man could want in a son, isn’t he? A little tiger with a big heart.”
“He’s mine, and I’ll never give him up.”
“I’m hoping one day he’ll be ours and I’ll never give him up either.”
Aware that all misunderstanding had ended, they moved simultaneously for a kiss to confirm their vows. With arms around each other, they started again for Leilani’s bedroom, and once there, closed and locked the door.
She stood perfectly still while he flipped back the bedclothes and turned on the lamp. When he moved toward her she held up her hand. He stopped and watched as she undid the buttons on her blouse and let it hang open to reveal the pink lacy bra enclosing her ample breasts.
Loving his hungry eyes, she undid her hair and walked over to sit on the bench in front of her aunt’s old fashioned vanity. Without a word, she picked up the brush and held it out.
He moved quickly to accept her offering, and as he slid the brush through her waist-long mass, he watched her reaction in the mirror. Nothing turned her on more than to have someone’s hands stroking her hair. From the earliest of her childhood memories, she remembered the loving hands of her mother doing the same thing before her accident had made her bitter. If one believed in Freud’s psychoanalysis, her mother’s care represented the ultimate in desired touches.
Truthfully, she accepted tonight that Kale’s loving gentleness had broken through any barriers that might have been in place, and now his was the desired touch. First the brush slowly crawled over the strands and then his hand would follow to add a sensual joy. He’d take a second to pat the waves into place before he started the next journey.
All the while, the mirror captured their awareness. Finally, he gave one final sweep thought the softness and set the brush down. Large hands worked their way over her shoulder. His eyes questioned as he slowly inched his fingers down the front of her nakedness and passed over the lacy material.
Her smile gave him all the encouragement he needed. On his second voyage, his fingers slowed to creep inside her bra and tenderly cup both of her swollen breasts. He bent over and kissed Leilani’s neck, as she arched her head to give him access to more of the skin that craved his touch. A sigh she couldn’t hold back, turned into a moan as he slipped the blouse from her shoulders, undid the bra, and used his mouth to pleasure her further.
Never had she dreamed a man could inspire her into being so full of desire. If he didn’t want her to expire with lust in front of his eyes, he’d better take her to the bed and let her get involved.
“Kale, I need…”
“I know sweetheart. Me, too.”
His lips were sucking her nipples and her hands were threaded into his hair. She finally grabbed a handful to pull his face back from her body so he could see the wanting in her eyes.
Reading her wishes, he scooped her up in his arms and trod over to the bed. He released her and let her slide over his body. On the way down, her hip got right up close to his lusting bulge and she blatantly lifted a leg to wrap around him, and then ground her own pulsating wetness against his excessive hardness.
Couldn’t make it much clearer than this! She was right. Impassioned, he took the hint and stepped away to start undressing, while not taking his eyes off her disrobing close by.
Quicker by seconds, he ran his hands over her uncovered places and of course, this caused her to slow down substantially. Darn it, Leilani bit her lip. They’d never get into bed at this rate. Finally, she ducked under his arm and fell backwards onto the soft mattress. Then she peeked at the handsome body of a male in his prime who took pride in his health. Tanned and full of muscles, his body looked like that of an imagined warrior, including his male pride which by the size promised her a night of intimate pleasure. Her arms rose and she wiggled her fingers, which made him grin.
He can please me with just a glance, she thought, as the sultry look in his eyes washed over her. Not being able to stand the foreplay for a minute longer, she sat up and put her arms around his hips and her lips on a place where she knew would threaten his cool. And it did. With a growl, he swooped over her. Harsh breathing and dizzying penetration secured them a place in heaven, while their lips and hands worked to keep them there.
Chapter Twenty-six
The next morning, Leilani lay alone in bed remembering that, before he’d left, Kai had woken her with another round of intoxicating lovemaking. Thoughtful as ever, he’d decided he should leave because it might be best not to let Mano see them being intimate. The child needed to accept her first, before worrying about their relationship upsetting his life even more.
She stretched languorously. Her smiling countenance probably spoke a thousand words, if anyone were to see her catlike, slumberous behaviour.
Astonished at their compatibility, she lolled and remembered her earlier climaxes, then thanked the gods that this wonderful man could give her such pleasure. With each of the other two, very short relationships she’d managed, she’d always been left wanting and frustrated. Guess that when you pick duds, what can a girl expect?
She grinned and desultorily made her way to the shower. After a quick perusal in the mirror and time spent daydreaming about the most intoxicating night in her life, she searched the closet for her suitcase and chose a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.
While doing so, a gorgeous muumuu of her aunt’s caught her attention. The flounces at the neckline and on the hem of the long skirt were soft and pretty while the intricately designed colors of bright reds and whites worked their magic. It was one of the loveliest creations Leilani had ever seen, and in fact, it reminded her of one that her mother had worn many years ago. Probably why her heart leapt when she caressed the material and sighed with pleasure at the thought of how it would enhance any female body.
Her watch told her there wasn’t time to try it on now, but she’d certainly check it out later. After all, they had a Christmas celebration at the Jordan to attend, and she’d want to look her best.
Sure enough, as soon as she entered the livingroom, she found her little ward perched in front of the television while chomping a bowl of cereal—his favorite breakfast food. Dressed in the clothes that no doubt would be falling apart soon, he ignored her entry and continued his meal.
“Good morning, Mano,” she said, as she did every morning. “I thought to make some macadamia nut and banana pancakes for breakfast. Can you save a little room in your tummy for some?” Knowing the child had an endless appetite, she had no doubt he would have jumped for joy if it had been Pi making the request. As it was, she was pleased to note that he didn’t immediately refuse her offer. Instead he looked at her, his eyes blinking, while he fought an inner battle.
“Okay. I like pancakes.” Four of the most beautiful words she’d ever heard.
Delighted, but careful not to show it, she said. “They’ll be ready soon. We can eat on the terrace if you like.”
“I’m watching cartoons.”
“Okay, then I’ll watch with you. Be back in a jiffy.” She went into the kitchen and threw a high-five into the air, skipped a few steps, and then bustled around to get all the ingredients. In no time at all, with the room smelling delightfully homey, she had a platter full of fluffy pancakes, some crispy bacon and two glasses of orange juice laid out.
When she went to call Mano, he stood and turned off the TV before following her into the other room. “Guess we can eat outside. Tutu always ate there so we could feed the little critters.” His voice changed to sound just like her aunt’s, and she had no doubt Mano mimicked her words.
Laughing, she passed him a plate, waved at the array, and suggested he help himself. Having been scolded before that he could get his own food, she didn’t dare step wrong on what promised to be a breakthrough day.
They both took a placemat and slid open the patio doors so they could step onto the terrace. Potted planters t
hat had returned to life with Leilani’s constant care, and Pi’s magic touch, were bountiful with petunias and geraniums embraced by ivy and other tropical vines. Some hung from the rafters and others were placed strategically around the parameters of the wooden floor and steps, but all added to the beauty of the shaded area.
“So, today you’ll be showing me where to find the Christmas decorations, and we’ll be making the place ready for Pi’s inspection, aye?”
“I guess.” He ate with a healthy appetite. Nonetheless, his manners were impeccable and unconscious. Leilani had no doubt they were the teachings of his grandma and firmly embedded, even though to date he’d only shown them whenever Pi had been around. It was wonderful to see that he had relaxed enough with her that he didn’t bother to be naughty.
“How come you say “aye” all the time?”
“I don’t!” She stopped to think. “Do I?”
He nodded and looked down with a definite smile intermingling with his adorable dimples.
“It’s a Canadian custom, I suppose. Many people tease us that we say it all the time, but I never noticed that I have the habit.”
“You do. But it’s okay. It’s not a swear word or nothin’. “ He shyly took a few small pieces of his pancake and crumbled them into tiny pieces and then threw them toward a shelf. The one where a number of times Leilani had placed a plant only to find it taken down and put somewhere else.
She sat without speaking and watched the boy’s activities. Within a few seconds, two colorful birds flew from a nearby tree and swooped down to peck at the tidbits. Their heads were red and they had a kind of a topknot of feathers, while their bodies were dark gray on top and whitish underneath. Their beady dark eyes watched her warily but ignored Mano as if he’d earned their trust.
Enthralled, Leilani never moved. Just sat and watched as the boy continued to feed his wildlife friends. Soon, they finished their treat and with a squawk of thanks they flew back to their home.
“They were beautiful, Mano. Do you know what species they were?”
“Tutu says they’re Red-crested Cardinals, and come from Brazil. You can hear them sing if you listen.”
Sure enough, she heard the wonderful songs. Not certain which sounds the cardinals made…and not wanting to seem too dumb, she smiled and nodded. “It’s lovely, aye?”
He pointed at her and laughed. “You did it again.”
Mock grumbling, she responded. “You set me up, brat.”
He giggled and clapped his hands, obviously glad to have caught her.
“Come on, let’s put these dishes away and get busy. I can’t wait to see what you have in decorations. If we need to buy more, we can always zip over to the mall, right?”
“Right!”
Chapter Twenty-seven
Later, after a super-fun day, an exhausted Leilani smiled as she watched Mano parade his new clothes for Pi’s inspection. Surprised and pleased, her heart swelled when he turned for her approval also.
“You look wonderful, Mano, a regular little Hawaiian boy.” The traditional shirt with its narrow stand-up collar, short sleeves and a design of green vines on a cream background suited his coloring to the tee. Matched with a pair of dark brown cargo shorts and new sandals, he looked spiffy and had a hard time hiding his delight.
Pi nodded and added. “You must hang them up, so they’ll be ready to wear in two days for the celebration at the hotel. There’ll be lots of children for you to play with. You can visit with Santa again, and Kale’s promised a huge banquet of good food to eat.”
For a moment, a sad look passed over the boy’s features and he hesitated. Before Leilani could ask what troubled him, he ran from the room.
“He misses his Tutu, doesn’t he?” “One day, he’ll share his feelings with you, Leilani. Until then, you must be patient.”
“I will. Thank you Pi for giving us today to be alone. It was wonderful. Once he showed me where the boxes were, he came up with the idea of using the wheel barrow to haul them to the house.”
“No doubt, something that Mele taught him.” The old man seemed far away for a minute, and Leilani wondered how the name of her aunt came so easily to him, a stranger. Then she forgot those thoughts when his words caught her attention. “You’ve done an outstanding job. The tree is beautiful, and so are all the garlands”
Leilani leaned back and let her gaze travel the room. They had set the medium-sized tree in front of the wide window where she knew it would share its delight with those outside, looking in. Once finished, the tree looked as traditional as any she’d ever seen. Garlands, woven over the mantle, provided a place for a very old Christmas nativity with each statue intermingled in the branches. A set of twinkle lights zigzagged in and out, which made the scene a heart-catching, gorgeous sight.
To add another holiday aspect, they’d gathered bunches of poinsettias from the gardens, tucked them in small juice glasses, and hid those around the window-laden garlands to make it appear as if the flowers grew from within the greenery. Leilani swelled with pride. It looked so good! “I let Mano choose where to put each ornament, and he put the lower ones on himself. My aunt had gorgeous decorations, and some of them look to be very old.”
“They are… I mean, I’m sure they are. I remember seeing many of that same type as a young man.”
“Of course, how silly of me! For a minute I thought you meant you’d seen them here, years ago.”
He flushed and smiled at her, and then turned to see Mano enter the room once again wearing his old outfit and a disgruntled look on his face. The little one slumped onto a chair and hid his face in his knees.
Pi pushed himself forward and stood up. “I’m thinking a picnic on the beach would be a good plan, maybe a swim for you two young’uns, while this old man enjoys a nap. What do you two think?” Quick on his toes, he’d injected cheer into an uncomfortable moment.
Catching on quickly, Leilani added. “I think even Kale might be agreeable to joining us, if I call and tell him our idea.”
As soon as she’d spoken, Mano jumped to his feet and asked her if he could use her cell phone to call Kale himself. The prickly moment passed and both Pi and Leilani breathed a sigh of relief.
Pi whispered to her as Mano ran to get her purse where she kept her cell. “Do you think Kale will have the papers finalized?”
A faint unease leaked into her bones, and she grabbed her arms. Then she rubbed her hands up and down to soothe the bumps that had attacked. “He said he would have them ready.”
“Then I have no doubt, he will.” Pi stood up and reached down for her hand. “Let’s get that picnic started. My tummy is hollow and needs a filling.”
“You’re right. Now that I think of it, I’m sure there’s some sushi left over from last night.”
Pi shook his head sorrowfully. “You’re a mean, mean woman.”
Laughing uproariously, Leilani squeezed his hand and added. “I also think there might be some egg-salad, fresh bakery bread, and cookies that Mano and I created after we had the tree finished.” With a cheeky wink, she led him toward the kitchen. When Mano ran up to join them, she put her free hand around his shoulder to include him in their fun. Her insides sang when he didn’t shrug it off.
Chapter Twenty-eight
To his delight, Mano had Kale’s full attention after they’d all returned from the beach. Full and lazy, the adults happily lounged on the terrace. However, the boy’s natural enthusiasm and lively spirits wouldn’t let him relax. In the end, Kale agreed to play catch with him, and the two were happily occupied.
In the meantime, Pi had his old straw hat lowered over closed eyes, and he snoozed away in the late afternoon sunshine. The birds overhead trilled their songs to the rest of nature, which seemed to lull him into a very deep sleep… and no amount of noise made a difference.
Thinking about the coming party, Leilani remembered her aunt’s muumuu and how she’d wanted to try it on. It would solve all her problems of what to wear and end the worry of he
r having to go to the shops and spend money she didn’t have.
Without saying anything, she stood and made her way to her room, leaving the door open slightly so she could hear in case someone called her. There it was on a hanger by the mirror. She’d placed it there earlier. The dress would be perfect, as long as it fit, and from the looks of it draped against the wall, it should be perfect.
Quickly shedding her shorts and leaving on her bikini, she whipped her voluminous hair into a knot on the top of her head made stable with a couple of curved sticks. She eased the long-skirted dress over her head and moved back from the mirror.
It looked lovely like it was made just for her. Even fit her perfectly. Generous amounts of soft material graced her body, but she noticed when she stepped forward, it emphasized her form and showed off her figure. The brilliant red flowers on the white background made her visualize a lei made of red poinsettias and white orchids, which would add the perfect final touch. Of course, with some of the flowers in her hair over her left ear so she could proclaim to the world she was taken.
Daydreaming, she swished from side to side and it was only her door banging against the wall that caught her attention. Actually, it more than got her attention; it stunned the heck out of her.
She turned in time to see a furious Mano advancing with his fist raised and temper written clearly over his angry features.
“Take it off. That’s Tutu’s dress.” He screamed the words and pointed at her, his finger boldly threatening.
“Mano! Please don’t be angry. I thought maybe that I could wear it to the hotel celebration. I don’t have a muu—”
“Take it off.”
Obediently, she whipped the dress over her head and gripped it in her hand.
Mano ran forward and grabbed it away from her. “You can’t take her…”
Seeing her reach toward him made him stop what he’d been saying, and back away. Before he ran from the room, he turned to her with a tearful parting shot.
“Leave her stuff alone!”