Have Your Way With Me

by Parker, Weston

  Chapter 4

  Elyse

  “Hawaii is fucking hot,” I muttered into the humid air of the terminal as I wheeled my bags to the exit. Kole would be at the airport to meet me, and I didn’t want him to have to wait too long, so I hauled ass as fast as I could.

  Okay, so maybe it’s not that I don’t want him waiting. I was just so freaking excited to see him that I couldn’t wait anymore. As I rushed past the crowds making up my fellow new arrivals to the island, I realized that Hawaii was a whole new world.

  Literally every person I passed was smiling. It wasn’t only the vacationers either. In several cases, I couldn’t decide if it was people helping or the people being helped who seemed the happiest.

  I’d never seen so many happy people in one place in my life. My lips curled into a smile. Now this is something I can get used to.

  All the way to the exit, I practically gawked at the people I passed by. Store assistants and people manning popup counters waved at me when they saw me looking. Those who were close enough to me called out “Welcome to Hawaii” and some phrases in a language I didn’t understand, but all of them made me feel like I really was welcomed.

  By the time I spotted Kole through the crowd when I pushed my way through the exit doors, I was almost giddy. His face broke into a wide grin when he saw me and he pulled me in for the biggest hug I’d gotten since the last time I’d been the one dropping him off at the airport.

  “Ellie, how are you sweetheart?” His arms nearly crushed me, but his voice was full of warmth. Kole was one of the few people in the world who could get away with calling me Ellie, but hearing the nickname from his lips filled my heart with joy. “God, I’m glad you’re finally here.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I missed you too, big brother.” I flung my arms around his neck and hugged him back, then punched him in the shoulder when he finally let me go. “I can’t believe you’ve hidden this place from me for so long. It’s awesome.”

  “You’ve only just gotten off the plane. How would you know?” He laughed, his light blue eyes lighting up as he pointed at the sign bearing the airport’s name above our heads. “Also, I don’t know where you’ve been but Hawaii’s hardly hidden. It’s featured in pretty much every travel magazine from here to Mars and it was the site of this huge battle back in World War II that a movie or two has been made about.”

  I punched him in the shoulder again, but his stupid muscles were so big that I ended up rubbing my hand while he laughed. But then he suddenly frowned and took my hand, gently prying my fingers open and running his over them. “Shit. Are you okay? Did that really hurt?”

  “No,” I lied and rolled my eyes in an exasperated motion. “You know you don’t have to be so ‘Papa-Kole’ with me anymore, right?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” He smirked as he took my bags without asking and turned toward the parking area. “Did you not know your curfew was going to be reinstated the second you got here?”

  “As if I ever kept to curfew,” I said, frowning when I realized that while he had turned, we weren’t actually walking. “What are you waiting for? I’m dying to get to Sunshine Cottage and meet my new home.”

  “Where’s the rest of your stuff?” Those blue eyes that used to make girls swoon back at school peered off into the distance over my shoulder. “We’re still waiting for someone to bring it, right?”

  “No, we’re all good.” I walked toward him, sliding my sunglasses over my eyes as I kept going in the direction of the parking lot. “That’s all I brought.”

  Kole caught up to me in a couple of long-legged strides. His hair was short, still in the buzz cut he’d had it in since enlisting. The effect was that I could see every inch of his forehead crumbling on a deep, very confused frown. “That’s all you brought? How are you going to live with so little? You do know that you’ve moved here, right? Moving usually means bringing all your stuff.”

  “That is all my stuff.” I thought back to the apartment I’d shared with Lisa. “Minus a few things my ex-roommate and I had bought together, I let her keep it all.”

  “Okay. In that case, I’ll repeat my question. How are you going to live with so little?”

  I waved my hand as I kept walking. I had no idea where he’d parked, but I knew he’d take control of where we were headed when the time came. Kole was big on control. “Material things come and go, big brother. Those are the essentials, and most of the other stuff I need, like a bed, is already at the cottage. I—”

  He threw his hand up and, as I’d known he would, pointed off to one side before closing his fingers over the handle of my suitcase and catching up to me again. “Okay, okay. Before you get on your pedestal and start preaching to me about materialism, we need to get you cleaned up. I’m sure you’re dying for a shower after your flight. Surely, you still believe in that, don’t you? Showering?”

  “I’d forgotten how damn old you were, but sure. I believe in showering. Lead the way, old man.”

  He muttered something under his breath, but I didn’t bother asking him to repeat it. He wouldn’t repeat what his real reply had been anyway. It would be something much cleaner and more mature than his actual retort.

  Kole’s tongue could be made of steel sometimes, slicing right through his opponents like the sharpest blades. He’d never once turned it on me, though. I knew he never would.

  He led me over to one of those gas-guzzling trucks that took up far more space than was reasonable for one person, especially one who wasn’t in construction. “What are you doing with one of these? Families with four kids have minivans smaller and more efficient than this.”

  “You really buying into all that greenie stuff now?” He heaved my bags into the back and fished a key fob out of his pocket to unlock the cab. “But also, I need it. There’s a lot of equipment in my line of work that needs to be transported.”

  “Don’t you have lackeys or something who do that for you?” I teased. Getting Kole’s panties in a twist was always fun. He was ridiculously easy to aggravate and my pretend lack of knowledge about his precious Navy was one surefire way to get it right every time.

  What he didn’t know was that after I’d found out he’d enlisted, I’d devoured every damn bit of information out there on the Navy. After he left home, I hadn’t stopped. I read until my eyes felt like they were bleeding and my heart raced so fast I was worried it might explode.

  I joined forums, found support groups online for Mom, and watched documentaries, videos, and every other bit of footage I could get my hands on. Those early days were torture, never knowing where he was or what he was doing.

  If he ever found out about any of it though, he’d never stop feeling guilty about pursuing his lifelong dream. A dream he used to apologize profusely for having in the first place and often offered to give up to stay with us if we wanted him to.

  Predictably, his features twisted into a pained scowl at my question. “They’re not called lackeys, and no, I do a lot of stuff myself. Even the things I don’t really have to do anymore. It just feels like I should do everything I can, you know?”

  At that, my features softened and I climbed into the cab at the same time he did. “I know. It’s who you are, always going above and beyond. I bet you even mow other people’s lawns for them and drive away whatever garden refuse needs to be driven away.”

  A flash of pain in his eyes told me that my lighthearted comment might not have been as lighthearted as I’d thought. “Yeah, I do. It’s necessary to help out sometimes with stuff like that.”

  As he flipped his gear lever into reverse, I twisted in my seat and put my hand on his cheek before he could set the truck into motion. “I’m sorry. I was trying to lighten the mood. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

  “You didn’t.” His eyes were sad, though.

  Fuck. Balls. I’m such a freaking idiot.

  He cleared his throat. “Let’s get you home, shall we? What did you call it earlier, Sunshine Cottage?”

  “Yep.” I didn’t dro
p my hand or his gaze quite yet, though. “Mom would have been real proud of you. She would have loved to see you like this.”

  “Like what?” he asked, his voice gruff. Apparently, Kole still didn’t know how to take a compliment. “Being held hostage in a parking lot by my baby sister?”

  I sighed and dropped my hand. “No, like you being a governor or whatever the fuck your title is nowadays.”

  He wasn’t amused. “It’s Lieutenant Commander, and it’s called a rank, not a title.”

  “Aye, aye, Captain.” I lifted my hand to salute him, catching the way he shook his head at me as he eased his truck into the lane to get us out of there.

  “I’m not a Captain either. Jesus.”

  I took this as my cue to stop trying to joke around with him.

  My brother had a sense of humor. It was just hidden real deep down inside sometimes. Due to the nature of his job, I had no idea what he’d done or seen in his career, but it had taken an already way-too-serious kid and turned him into an adult who didn’t really joke around often.

  The rest of the drive, I kept things light and well away from anything that might cause him more pain. I told him about Lisa and our apartment, about my classes at college, and new restaurants around our old neighborhood I thought he might like.

  When we pulled up outside the aging yellow house I’d only seen in pictures, I exhaled a quiet but contented sigh. “This is it. Oh, I already love it.”

  Kole nodded and opened his door before retrieving my stuff from the back. “I knew it was the perfect one for you as soon as I saw it.”

  He didn’t give me much time to look around as he marched through the flowered front garden, up a stone pathway that led to the front door. It was painted purple with a huge sunflower on it.

  “I don’t have too much time before I have to be back on base, but I wanted to help you get settled in first,” he said. He drew a key out of his pocket, unlocked the door, and handed it to me. “If you lose those, I have a spare set.”

  He walked inside without any further ado and I followed him, instantly falling even deeper in love with my new little house. It really was like a cottage, with a cozy living and dining area, a small kitchen, and a bedroom and bathroom on the other side.

  It was painted a softer yellow inside with murals of wildflowers, the ocean, and worn wooden furniture on the floors. “This is perfect.”

  Kole turned and gave me another smile, this one soft and indulgent. “I’m glad you like it, kiddo. Remember, I’m only a few minutes away if you need me. I’m going to try to get to you before you start work, but I’ve left the address for the daycare under a magnet on the fridge. There’s a Jeep in the garage with the keys in the glovebox and food in the fridge. Anything else, just give me a call.”

  “I will.” I stepped closer and wound my arm around his waist to give him a hug from the side. “Thank you, Kole. For everything.”

  “Sure.” He hugged me back, then pulled his car keys back out of his pocket. “Anything for you, Ellie.”

  I could see that he was in a hurry, so I walked with him to the door. “You don’t have to worry about trying to get to me before I start work. I’m going to make friends and settle in. I didn’t come here to be a burden on you.”

  “You could never be a burden.” He had one foot out the door before he turned to face me again. “Speaking of friends, though. I don’t even know if you’ll remember my friend from high school, Jordan Coppens?”

  My heart skipped a beat and I swore I heard blood rushing in my ears. “Jordan Coppens?”

  “Yeah. He lives here too. Like I said, I don’t even know if you remember him, but he’s a good guy. If you need a friend, I’m sure he’ll be happy to introduce you to a few people.”

  I nearly swallowed my tongue. Jordan Coppens.

  Yeah, I remembered him all right. I just didn’t think Kole would want to know everything I remembered about him. I hadn’t thought about him in years and I sure as shit never thought that he’d still be hanging around my brother.

  They had enlisted together, took both halves of my heart with them while they’d been at it too. Kole had never mentioned Jordan again though. I had assumed that they’d grown apart or had been stationed in different places.

  It had taken a long time, but eventually, I’d programmed my brain to stop throwing thoughts about him at me. And now, apparently, he’d be back in my life.

  I honestly didn’t know how to feel about that.

  Chapter 5

  Jordan

  Wet sand squelched beneath my surfboard as I dug the tail into it. It was just before sunrise and the best time of the day to catch a wave before the crowds came in.

  That didn’t mean that the beach was quiet, however. There were already a couple of people out behind the breakers and others walking along the shore. Although there were fewer hotels down at this end of the beach, it was impossible to escape the tourists altogether at any of the main beaches.

  Sometimes, I’d drive out a little to the coves only the locals knew about. Today, that hadn’t been possible or necessary. I only had an hour or so before I had to get going anyway and it wasn’t like I was trying or training to go pro, so I didn’t need monster waves or privacy to practice.

  Sharing a few waves and getting wet was all it was really about for me. I used to only come out to swim, but then surfing had looked like more fun. I’d rented a board a few times, watched some of the locals, and eventually taught myself how to ride well enough not to hurt anyone.

  Before heading in, I pulled some wax out of my backpack and was distracted by a couple out on an early morning stroll. They were young, so I was guessing they were part of the never-ending supply of honeymooners on a budget who preferred this end of the island.

  “I told you,” the girl said, propping her hands on her hips after yanking one free from the guy walking beside her. “I don’t want the black curtains. Do you know who has black curtains? Porn stars and funeral homes. Do I look like a porn star or an undertaker?”

  “You didn’t have a problem acting like a porn star last night,” the guy replied.

  Ouch. Even I know that was the wrong thing to say, buddy.

  The girl, sporting the expected shiny new ring on the second finger of her left hand, brought said hand up to her chest and huffed her outrage. “I cannot believe you just said that.”

  “What?” The guy shrugged. “It’s true. Besides, black curtains are cool.”

  I winced again on his behalf, wondering how the hell he’d ever gotten anyone to agree to marry him. The girl stormed off and he ran after her while I shook my head, more at myself than at them.

  They were a young couple arguing over petty things, and yet I felt a sense of envy as I watched them. They had—

  My train of thought crashed and burned when a boogie board landed on the sand beside me. I jerked my head in the direction of its owner, ready with a few choice words for throwing a goddamn board at me, when I saw it was Mauli grinning at me.

  “Good morning. How did you sleep, lover boy?”

  I groaned. “Don’t call me that. I told you it was nothing. What are you doing with that anyway?”

  “I’m too big for a surfboard. I’ll be surprised if that can stay afloat with me on it, but I thought I’d give it a try.”

  “Okay then, big guy. Let’s head out and see if it’s up to the task, but don’t call me lover boy again.” I grabbed my board and splashed into the waves with Mauli right behind me.

  Unsurprisingly, the boogie board did stay afloat. Mauli tended to forget he wasn’t the only overweight person around, or rather, he enjoyed self-deprecating humor so much that he somehow always managed to get a jab in at himself.

  As we got out behind the breakers, I straddled my board and let my legs hang in the warm water. Mauli floated beside me, grinning peacefully as others paddled off ahead to catch their waves.

  “Do you ever think about leaving here?” I asked. I’d been to a few places around the world
and I’d never come close to finding any place like this one. Yet there were always so many travelers around, people who came for anything from a weekend to a few weeks.

  Mauli lifted his head and shook his slick black curls, tightened with saltwater. “Nah, man. I’m happy here. There’s nothing better in life than being happy. Why? You thinking about leaving?”

  “Nope, never.” I inclined my head at the early-bird holidaymakers slowly starting to fill the beach. “Just wondering about them. How they can come here and be okay with leaving again so soon.”

  “I’ll never know.” He moved his shoulders in an awkward shrug with his upper body resting on the board. “You seem terribly thoughtful for this time of the morning. What’s up?”

  I thought back to the couple on the beach. “Have you ever had a girlfriend?”

  “Never.” He shook his head fast, droplets of water flinging away from his curls at the force of it. “I’ve never had time for one. Is this about that old girlfriend of yours?”

  “No, I saw a young couple arguing on the beach. They looked like they were here for their honeymoon, but they were already bickering about the curtains they would choose when they got back home.”

  “I wouldn’t be able to handle the stress of arguments.” He pointed at his neck with a finger only partially emerged from the water. “Blame it on my thyroid, but it’d literally kill me.”

  I rolled my eyes even as I fought back a smile. “Your thyroid, sure. I’d rather blame it on your apparent commitment-phobia.”

  Mauli laughed and whacked the water, sending a spray of it right at my face. “I’m not commitment-phobic, I’m just busy and I prefer to avoid confrontation. My thyroid, you know.”

  Laughing, I held up my hands in surrender. “Of course. You couldn’t put your poor thyroid through that.”

  “How about you?” he asked. “You seen that old girlfriend yet?”