by Tremay, Joy
* * *
Mia licked the last of her shave ice and sat back in comfort as Eric out-distanced all the other cars. This day was getting better by the hour, with Eric unable to keep his hands off her. He had kissed her again, and she couldn’t wait for his next one, confident that there would be a next one. She would ask him to kiss her if he didn’t try again. She marveled at her own boldness, since she usually wasn’t so bold with men. She had chosen to wear her best bikini today, knowing that it showed off her curves and coloring. Eric wouldn’t be able to resist her. Or at least, she hoped he wouldn’t.
They reached Haleakala National Park in a little under an hour and hiked to the Seven Sacred Pools. Several other tourists were on the trail as well, admiring the plants and trees lining the path.
Eric didn’t hold her hand during the hike, but as soon as the path opened to the gulch leading to the pools, he reached out his hand to her, and she took it eagerly. They reached the steep descent to the cascading pools, and Mia paused to take in the beauty around her.
“This is incredible,” she breathed, looking at several waterfalls.
The water weaved its way, passing by rocks and boulders, to the nearby ocean.
“Welcome to the ‘Ohe’o Gulch,” Eric said, “Otherwise known as the Seven Sacred Pools. The levels of rock create these waterfalls and pools.”
Mia walked down the steps while Eric held her hand. She almost stumbled a few times, but he righted her immediately. Other tourists clambered around them, carefully navigating the slippery rocks and boulders. The waterfalls were a magnificent sight with the ocean pounding the rocky shore a short distance away.
Mia was captivated by the scenery, but held onto Eric’s hand tightly since her flip-flops were not gaining traction on the rocks. He paused to remove his T-shirt, causing her breath to catch as she stared at his six-pack chest. He was such a large man, but there wasn’t an ounce of fat on his body. She decided to remove her tank top and shorts, and caught him staring at her figure.
“Nice bikini,” Eric said in a deep voice, his eyes avidly roaming over her body. Mia noted that he gave particular attention to her chest. He cleared his throat, looked away, and continued to negotiate the path to the pool area, his hold on her firm.
“Careful, these rocks can be very slippery. It’s probably better if you take off your flip-flops and walk barefoot. You’ll have a better grip on the rocks.”
Mia took his advice and removed her flip-flops. She shoved them in her beach bag, which was now bulging with their assorted clothing. In her bare feet, she was able to step on the rocks with more confidence. They finally paused, knee deep in a warm pool, and looked at the waterfalls around them. The series of waterfalls and tranquil pools flowed through the Ohe’o Gulch to the ocean nearby.
“Kimo and I used to come here as kids and climb up the cliffs. We would jump off from the top of the waterfalls,” Eric said.
“Wasn’t that dangerous?” asked Mia, watching a few swimmers hike up a cliff in their bathing suits. A young man jumped off from a high cliff and into the water.
“It is, but the locals showed us where there weren’t any sharp rocks and shallow water,” Eric said, frowning at the people preparing to jump off the cliff.
“Are those people jumping off the right place?”
Eric nodded grimly. “Fortunately, yes, but the park rangers wouldn’t be pleased if they saw what they were doing. They’re lucky the rangers aren’t around today.”
He led her toward a large pool of water and she followed, gingerly stepping over the slippery rocks.
“Let’s go deeper into the center,” Eric challenged her, wading farther in.
Mia watched him swim toward a nearby waterfall. She laughed as he shook his head, spraying water everywhere. She tossed her beach bag on top of a nearby rock to keep it dry.
“This is so exhilarating,” Mia said as she looked up and grinned at the waterfall cascading down.
Eric smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist, their bare legs entwined beneath the water.
“Enjoying yourself?” Eric asked huskily, his eyes darkening with intent.
Mia’s eyes widened at what she read in his eyes. Apparently his caution had been rapidly and unexpectedly replaced by desire - not that she was complaining. Her heart beat quickly in response as she placed her arms around his strong neck.
“Do you need to ask?” she answered impishly.
Eric’s eyes darkened further and she watched his head descend. He kissed her with the same passion he had displayed earlier that morning. She moaned and felt his muscles clench as she arched herself against him. He maneuvered them into a shallower area and backed her up against a boulder. Tall plants hid them from the rest of the tourists, and she was grateful for the privacy as he pressed her further into the foliage. She wasn’t so far gone that she was willing to be an exhibitionist.
“Oh, Eric” Mia whispered as he released her lips and kissed her neck. She doubted that he could hear her from the thunderous sounds of the waterfall nearby, but he groaned in her ear as she pressed her breasts into his chest.
“Damn,” Eric said as he lifted his head and stared into her green eyes. “I knew your bikini would do this to me.”
“What?” asked Mia, her mind clouded by passion.
“Never mind,” Eric said impatiently.
He slipped his hands beneath her flimsy bikini bottom and clutched her against him. He kissed her with thirsty hunger, his tongue thrusting into her mouth while his hands kneaded her bare bottom. He ground his lower body into hers, making her achingly aware of his erection through his shorts. She arched against him, her desire spiraling out of control. He tugged her bikini top down and eagerly swallowed one pert breast.
“Oh, yes,” moaned Mia, tossing her head back as he sucked her breast.
She cried out when he cupped her mound, teasing her most sensitive part with exploring fingers.
“You’re so sexy,” he whispered, releasing her taut nipple with one last suckle before he hurriedly tugged his swim trunks down.
Mia felt his engorged manhood nudge between her thighs.
“I have to have you now,” he said urgently. He stared into her eyes and she nodded, acquiescing to the lust in his eyes.
Eric hastily pulled her bikini bottom down, tossing it aside and spread her thighs wide. With a loud grunt, he entered her with one swift, penetrating stroke. Mia bit his shoulder as she clutched his bare buttocks. He felt so good, and even though he was larger than she could have ever imagined, she had been more than ready for him.
Eric thrust into her with urgency, gripping her bare bottom as he clenched his teeth and buried his face in her neck. She held onto him, writhing and undulating against him as he thrust into her again and again.
“That’s it, sweetheart,” he whispered hoarsely.
Mia reveled in the urgent throbbing inside her as Eric penetrated deep, panting his pleasure. She gasped as he pounded into her swiftly, in ever increasing speed and pressure. He captured her lips, his tongue thrusting into her mouth repeatedly as it mimicked his lower body movements. She moaned and wrapped her legs around his waist until with one final thrust, he emptied himself deep inside her. A powerful climax ripped through her body and she screamed out her ecstasy.
Breathing heavily, Mia opened her eyes and found Eric grinning lazily at her. “Now that was something I’ll never forget,” he said, giving her a languid kiss, his tongue tracing her bottom lip. “Are you okay?”
Mia nodded and said unsteadily, “That was amazing.”
Her mind and body were completely blown away by his sudden taking of her. She had not expected anything like this to happen between them today - perhaps several kisses under the waterfall, but this? This was more than she had anticipated, but she knew that she would never regret it, even if they hadn’t used a condom. She was on the pill but she always preferred the extra protection of a condom. Dual protection always gave her peace of mind, especially after what had happene
d to her college roommate. Her roommate had been on the pill but had still managed to get pregnant.
Eric gave her one last brief kiss before he released her reluctantly. He pulled up his swim trunks and handed her bikini bottom to her. She hurriedly put it back on while he adjusted her bikini top, his thumb caressing the side of one breast as he covered her.
He paused with a worried look.
“Are you on the pill?” he asked, frowning.
Mia nodded. She had thought it wise that she start taking the pill before she left for Hawaii with Eric. Just in case.
“Good,” he said, looking relieved.
“Do you think anyone saw us?” she asked, embarrassed by making love in such a public place.
He shook his head. “No, this particular place is well-hidden by shrubs and plants. Don’t worry. Not many tourists come this way.”
They swam out of their enclave and she grabbed her beach bag. “I suppose you’ve taken a lot of women over here?” Mia asked a little ruefully.
“You suppose right, but I haven’t been here in a very long time, Mia,” Eric answered in a grave tone. He stopped and placed a gentle hand on her cheek, soothing her rising jealousy.
Just the thought of Eric making love to another woman in this place made her upset.
“You’re special, Mia. Don’t you ever forget that,” Eric said softly, his gaze warm.
Mia’s heart clenched at his words as her body continued to pulsate from his lovemaking. She wasn’t certain about much at the moment, but she was sure of one thing - she wasn’t going to allow him to retreat from her again.
Mia looked out of the car window and let the warm ocean breeze lull her into contentment as Eric drove back to Lahaina. They had waded and swam in the waterfalls and pools along with the other tourists before heading back to the hotel. It had been a magical trip, and she knew that she was forever changed from Eric’s lovemaking. She had not been a virgin, but he was only her fourth lover and, compared to the first three, there was no comparison.
Mia smiled as she remembered how strong and sexually aggressive he was but also how gentle and considerate. She wanted him more than any man she had ever been with before, and she was determined to make him see that she was more than just an assistant to him.
* * *
Eric glanced at Mia and found her nodding off as he continued to drive them back to Lahaina. There were fewer cars on the road now, so he was able to pick up the speed. He wanted to get her back to the hotel so that he could return to his condo and think about what they had done.
He shook his head at his recklessness. What had he been thinking to take her without a condom? He had not known she was on the pill until afterwards. He knew how potent her sexual pull was so he should have known better but he had lost his mind the moment he saw her in that sexy purple bikini. Lust had taken over, and every male red blood cell in his body had demanded that he take her right then and there. She had been so eager and enthusiastic. Just thinking about it now made him want to pull over and take her all over again.
He was confused about how to proceed with Mia. He was torn about starting a relationship with her, but he knew he had very little discipline when he was around her. He had no game plan because this was no game. He had a sneaking suspicion that his life as a bachelor would end if he wasn’t careful. However, the word ‘careful’ and Mia didn’t seem to coincide together. Somehow, he knew that he would be caught off guard again, no matter how determined he was to keep her at arm’s length.
CHAPTER FIVE
“Aloha, Mia, how was the Road to Hana?”
“Oh, hello, Kimo,” Mia said distractedly as she typed on her laptop. She looked at her watch and typed faster. “It was great,” she added, glancing up to give Kimo a quick smile before concentrating on her report again.
Since returning from Hana two days ago, Eric had been tense. The pool had unexpectedly not passed inspection, and this morning, he had instructed her to write a letter to the company in charge of constructing the pool. He told her he needed to look over her letter right away.
“I heard you went swimming in the Seven Sacred Pools,” Kimo said, sitting down across from her.
They were in the patio area of the hotel, and only the gardeners were in the vicinity, since there were still no guests. They couldn’t have guests until the pool passed inspection.
“Yes, it was wonderful,” Mia said, cross-checking her letter one last time before hitting the send button.
Eric had not been in a good mood ever since they returned from Hana. It had made her wonder if it wasn’t just the pool that was causing his bad mood, or that he regretted their passionate lovemaking at the waterfall.
“Eric seemed to have had a good time,” Kimo said, putting his feet up on a chair next to him.
Mia could see why Eric had made Kimo the front desk supervisor. He was affable, friendly and very easy to talk to.
“He did. We both did,” Mia said, lifting her unruly, auburn hair back and pulling it away from her face. The high humidity made her hair even more uncontrollable.
“That’s good,” said Kimo. “Sometimes Eric takes himself too seriously. Not good for a person, da kine?”
Mia nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly. After Eric had dropped her off at the hotel late Saturday night, he had called her on Sunday afternoon to ask her if she was all right. She had hoped that he would invite her to spend the day with him, but he said that he had noticed cracks in the hotel pool and needed to contact the construction company. She spent Sunday on the beach getting a tan and daydreaming of Eric.
On Monday, Eric had been distracted and annoyed when inspectors came and found the pool needed more work before it could be filled. Yesterday, she had understood his behavior. Today, however, she was puzzled by it. All she had received from him this morning was a terse request to write a letter for him, and she had not seen him most of the day.
“I know Eric is difficult to understand at times, but he’s just a little hard-headed,” Kimo said casually. He wore a bright yellow Hawaiian shirt that matched his sunny personality.
“He’s a bit of an enigma,” Mia said, sighing.
“It’s none of my business, Mia,” he said hesitantly, “but I just wanted to give you my two cents. You see, Eric has always been hesitant about committing to a woman, but I can tell that with you it’s different. Da braddah just doesn’t know what’s good for him.”
Mia’s eyes widened at Kimo’s statement. “It’s different with me?” she asked curiously.
Kimo nodded. “But he likes being a bachelor. Who doesn’t?” asked Kimo with a cheeky grin. “Work has always been his priority, and he doesn’t want anyone to limit him.”
“I see,” Mia said, frowning thoughtfully, contemplating his words.
“I’ve seen him with you, and he’s even more guarded than usual. That means something.”
“What does it mean?” she asked curiously.
“It means that you have the ability to make him re-think his priorities. You’re shaking him up. You keep doing what you’re doing, Mia, because whatever it is, it’s working. My advice to you is to be patient with him.”
Kimo stood. “Now I have to get back to work. If you need me for anything, just holler.”
Mia stood up as well, gathering her laptop and notes.
“Thanks a lot, Kimo. You’re a good friend.”
She was grateful to have been given insight into Eric’s character.
“‘A ‘ole pilikia,” said Kimo with a grin, “You’re welcome. No problem.”
* * *
Mia entered her hotel room and sat on her bed, kicking off her pumps. She had just returned from a two-hour meeting during which Eric had barked at the men in charge of building the pool. The men had visibly flinched as he warned them that if the pool did not pass inspection tomorrow, he would not honor their contract for the remaining balance of their payment.
She had never seen Eric so coldly angry, and was glad she wasn’t at the receiving end
of his wrath. During the meeting, he had only glanced at her a few times, and she had seen the irritation in his eyes. She understood that the irritation wasn’t meant for her. Still, it would have been nice if he had exhibited some warmth toward her during the meeting.
His bad mood was starting to grate on her nerves, and despite Kimo’s reassuring words, she was beginning to think that Eric would rather forget what had transpired between them. It was enough to make a girl feel completely depressed. Mia’s cell phone rang, snapping her out of her reverie, and she dug into her purse to retrieve it.
“Hello?” Mia asked as she took off her black, knee-length pencil skirt.
“It’s about time we got a hold of you,” said her mother and cousin at the same time.
Mia smiled as she heard their voices on the three-way call. She had left them a message when she had arrived in Maui, but they had been playing phone tag ever since.
“I’m a busy girl,” Mia said, unbuttoning her white blouse. She reached for a white slip dress hanging over a chair and slid it on.
“You don’t say,” Mandy drawled. “What have you been doing in tropical paradise?”
“Working,” Mia answered simply.
“Is that all?” her cousin asked teasingly.
“Have you done some sightseeing, dear?” asked her mother.
Mia walked over to the balcony and opened the sliding glass door. She breathed in the warm ocean air, grateful for the cool breeze. The humidity had been particularly heavy lately.
“I’ve seen the town of Lahaina and the Road to Hana,” Mia answered as she sat down on a patio chair. “Mom, are you back in Edmonton?”
“I’ll be back tomorrow night, honey. I’m staying an extra night in Miami. It’s so difficult to leave here.”
“Aunt Victoria, I told you that you can stay a few more days if you want. I can handle the store,” Mandy said reassuringly.