“I could say the same about you and Hunter. Has he gotten in touch yet?”
“As a matter of fact he phoned while I was still at the airport in Hilo,” Ashlyn said. “And again after I arrived. Seems like a nice guy. We’ve already made plans to get together tomorrow.”
“That was quick.”
“Look who’s talking.”
Danica blushed. She didn’t exactly consider her outing with Boyd a date, per se, but she could hardly argue the point. She glanced up and saw Boyd heading toward the house.
“Well, I’d better get going,” she told her. “Thanks again for this idea.”
“I just wish I’d thought of it years ago,” Ashlyn responded. “Who knows how it might have turned out for us?”
“Maybe the next four weeks will give us an idea.”
She stood up as Boyd entered. “How are we doing in here?” he asked, meeting her eyes.
“I’m all set,” she answered, smiling.
* * *
Boyd drove the short distance to the restaurant, happy to be in the company of Danica, even if he still found it odd that she and Ashlyn had gone through with this crazy idea. Did that mean Danica hadn’t left behind some dude aching for her companionship? Ashlyn had inferred that she was available. But what did that mean in this day and age? Available for the next month? Or for whoever was smart enough to hook her like a beautiful fish?
“So you’ve lived in this oasis all your life?” Danica asked him. “I know Ashlyn has.”
“Since I was three,” Boyd answered thoughtfully, glancing at her sideways. “My mom died a year earlier. Dad was stationed here in the army. He remarried a divorcée and they had a baby girl. I think you know her.”
“Yes, I do.” Danica smiled. “You and Ashlyn were both army brats, then?”
“Yeah, guess you could say that.” Boyd cracked a grin. “And you’re from Chicago?” He tried to remember what few facts Ashlyn had given him.
“Originally from Lansing, Michigan,” Danica said. “I grew up as an only child, and my parents were never quite able to say no to me. But I moved to Chicago after graduating from Michigan State.”
“Oh, okay.” Boyd had visited the Midwest a couple of times and had no issue with it. He didn’t recall running into anyone as stunning as her, however. Probably because that was damned near impossible to imagine. “Looks like we’re here.” He pulled into the parking lot, eager to get inside and see what else he could learn about Ashlyn’s friend and what she had in mind during her visit to the island.
A couple of minutes later they were sitting at a window table. Danica tried to study the menu, but was too busy checking out Ashlyn’s brother. Can I help it if the guy is eye candy and happens to reside in paradise?
She forced her eyes back to the menu. “Any recommendations?”
“Try the imu chicken special,” Boyd said.
At this point, Danica could go for anything. “Will do.”
Boyd went with the Cajun shrimp. He had been aware that she was admiring the view. He took that as a compliment and was guilty of doing the same ever since he’d laid eyes on the lady. Still, he couldn’t quite wrap his head around the fact that she was here, given the circumstances.
“I hope you don’t take this the wrong way,” he began, “but have you ever done anything else this…extreme, for lack of a better word?”
Danica cocked a brow. “You’re talking about my coming to Hawaii?”
“Yeah, this swapping houses thing.”
“The answer is no,” she admitted. “I’ve never swapped houses with anyone before.” Was he criticizing her and Ashlyn? Or just her? “Why do you ask?”
How do I say it without sounding like an ass? “Well, to be quite honest, when Ashlyn first told me what you two were up to, I thought she was high on something. Never mind that she doesn’t do drugs. I couldn’t imagine she would just decide on the spur of the moment to trade lives with you—or anyone.” He decided to make his feelings seem more general than personal.
So he did have a chip on his shoulder, Danica realized. She’d sensed something was slightly off, in spite of his overall friendliness and hospitality, but had been hoping it was just her being oversensitive.
“Maybe you don’t know your sister as well as you think,” she suggested tartly. “The Ashlyn I know has always had an adventurous streak in her a mile long. This is just one example.”
Boyd acknowledged that when Ashlyn made up her mind to do something, she usually stuck with it and no one—certainly not him—could talk her out of it. So what was Danica’s excuse?
“What about you?” he asked her.
“What about me?”
“Aside from taking Ashlyn up on her challenge and the opportunity to come to Hawaii, what is it you hoped to achieve with this month-long vacation?”
She gave a humorless chuckle. “I didn’t come here with any game plan,” she said candidly. “Other than to simply let things happen as they may.”
“So no wild parties planned or anything like that?” Boyd made his voice sound lighthearted, but he was definitely not kidding around. Not that she seemed like someone who would invite a bunch of people over to make a mess of things and otherwise wreak havoc on the house and reduce its value in the process. But he needed to hear her say it, just to be sure, given that he had a direct financial stake in this, as well.
“I don’t give or attend wild parties,” Danica clarified. She wasn’t sure if he was merely testing her or serious about the question. Either way she felt insulted that he would ask, knowing practically nothing about her. Maybe that was the point. But Ashlyn certainly knew better. Or did he not respect his sister’s judgment? “As for my agreeing to come to Hawaii, it seemed like a good opportunity to get away from a hectic and not always fulfilling life in Chicago for a few weeks, so I took it. Is that so wrong? Or am I misreading you here?”
No, she was reading him correctly. And now he felt a bit silly about it. As though he had accused her of coming here with the intention of destroying everything they had built up. Maybe it was time he gave his little sister a bit more credit.
“I didn’t want you to misconstrue my words,” he said convincingly. “It was not my call to tell you or Ashlyn what or what not to do. I was only trying to make sense of it, as it’s not something I could ever imagine doing.”
“Then that’s your loss,” she said bluntly. “Why not put yourself out there sometimes and do something wild and unscripted? Life is too short to second guess every step of the way.”
Boyd chuckled, wondering what she thought of him now. Probably very little. As it was, he’d been guilty at times in his life of doing some wild and crazy things. Perhaps it was because of that he’d been more deliberate in his moves in recent years. “You drive a hard argument.”
“Just telling it like it is.” Danica gazed across the table. She wondered whether this was simply his way of being difficult for the sake of it or if her stay at the house he co-owned was going to cause problems. “For the record, I’m not here to make your life miserable. Or to try and take over the house. I just want to enjoy the sights, sounds, scents and flavor of Hilo while Ashlyn does the same in Chicago. And then I’ll be on my way as though I was never here in the first place.”
“Don’t leave on my part,” he said apologetically. “As I said, I was only trying to understand where you were coming from. Now I think I do. I hope you get everything you hoped for in making the long journey to the Big Island.”
For some reason, in spite of his earlier conviction, Boyd found that he wasn’t looking forward to the day when she went back to the mainland. At least not till he got to learn firsthand what other qualities she possessed besides beauty, brains and spunk. Maybe she would let him see just what these were, if he hadn’t already blown
it.
* * *
By the time food was served, the tension in the air had lessened. Or so it seemed to Danica. She knew she’d been overly sensitive and it was all much ado about nothing. Surely Boyd couldn’t resent his sister’s friend being in town for some much needed rest and relaxation.
“So you’re a photographer,” Boyd said, wanting to get back to a normal conversation.
“Yes,” Danica proudly replied. “I’ve been at it for almost a decade and have the scars to prove it.”
“Sounds like you’ve paid your dues.” He forked shrimp and watched with interest as she ate. The sexy way Danica moved her lips turned him on.
“Yeah, I sure have.” She dabbed a napkin to her mouth. “But it’s all been worth it. I have a great client list and there’s no shortage of things to photograph.”
“That’s true, especially in Hawaii.” In his mind Boyd could see Danica at work snapping pictures just as she had when he first laid eyes on her. Watching her nice body twist and turn while searching for the perfect photograph was worth being on hand whenever he could. “Everything here is picture worthy.”
“I’ll bet.” She tasted her wine. “Ashlyn tells me you’re an investor.”
Boyd nodded. “My father left me and Ashlyn a small fortune. I turned it into a bigger fortune—mostly through stocks and more stocks, with an occasional piece of real estate.”
“Sounds great,” she said. “I own a few stocks, but have to admit I don’t follow the market very much.”
“Perhaps you should. Staying on top of it can make the difference between success and failure.”
“Guess you’re right.” She moved her fork around on her plate, using it to slice into the tender imu chicken. “Maybe I could get a little professional advice while I’m here.”
He grinned. “No problem. I’d be happy to take a look at what you’ve got and should have, knowing the market as I do.”
“That would be nice.” Danica leaned back. She was glad to see that it seemed like they could at least be friends during her stay. That would make Ashlyn’s day. Or was her sometimes devious friend hoping more might occur?
“On the side, I work as a tour guide,” Boyd told her proudly.
“Oh, really?” She tried to picture him in that capacity.
He nodded. “I love living on the Big Island with all it has to offer the locals and tourists. This seemed like a great way to stay in shape and add some adventure to my life, while also giving back to the island that has given so much to me.”
“How noble,” Danica said, impressed.
“Maybe you’d like to go on one of the tours while you’re here,” suggested Boyd.
“I’d love to. I’m up for pretty much any adventure that comes my way.”
“I like the sound of that.” He could find little fault in a beautiful woman who had an adventurous spirit, even if he’d initially been reluctant to receive her on the island with open arms. Now he’d love to wrap his arms around that slender body.
Tasting more wine, Danica felt courageous enough to say something that had been on her mind. “So Ashlyn tells me you’re quite the ladies’ man.” She was embellishing just a bit, but she wanted to see how he reacted.
Boyd couldn’t help but chuckle. That sounded like Ashlyn. Too bad it wasn’t true. Certainly not these days. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“Just how far would you go?” she teased him. “What with all the gorgeous women they must have in Hawaii.”
I’d go as far as you wanted, if I were with you, he silently replied. Instead he said, “Guess it would depend on the lady. Yes, there are some pretty hot women here, but these days I’m not just looking for beauty or beauty with brains. I’m looking for a connection.”
“I can fully understand that.” If he only knew. She had found having a real connection with men hard to come by these days. Make that impossible. Obviously, he was in the same boat. And Ashlyn, too.
Boyd was intrigued that she seemed able to relate to his situation. “I take it you didn’t leave some dude behind who was mad as hell that you were going alone to paradise?”
Danica laughed. “I don’t think so. Most men aren’t that self-assured to let their women venture off to Hawaii without their company.”
“So you’re not seeing anyone?” He wanted to hear her say it, if only to satisfy his curiosity.
“I see a lot of people in my line of work and circle of friends,” she said lightly, “but I don’t have my eye on anyone at the moment.” Other than the gorgeous man she was gazing at right now.
Boyd grinned with satisfaction while he sipped his wine. The two of them did seem to be cut from the same cloth. Definitely something to keep in mind as she spent the next month in Hilo.
“Well, I guess we’d better get out of here,” he said. “Wouldn’t want to keep you up all night after traveling across the country to reach our shores.” He pictured them up till the wee hours of the morning, those long legs of hers wrapped around his waist as they made love like there was no tomorrow.
“Yes, I suppose I’d better get some sleep so I can have the energy to get through the rest of the trip.”
“I agree.” Boyd met her eyes, wanting to read into them more and more.
Danica wondered if the sexual innuendoes passing between them meant anything or if they were just plays on words. She, for one, could blame it at least partly on the wine. But what about the other part of her, that found the man as sexy as they came?
* * *
Boyd walked Danica up to the lanai. What he wanted to do more than anything was to sweep her up in his arms and take her to bed. Of course that would be a bit presumptuous of him, though the sexual chemistry that sizzled between them couldn’t be denied. That didn’t mean she was ready to have him jump her bones on day one.
“Ashlyn asked if I would show you around to help you get acclimated,” he said. “Tomorrow’s a good day for me, if you’re game.”
“I’m definitely game.” Danica flashed him a smile, happy to have her own personal tour guide. “What time?”
“Whenever you’re ready. Just get a good night’s sleep.”
“I intend to.” But she also didn’t want to waste too much time doing what she could do back in Chicago. “How does eight o’clock sound?”
“Perfect,” Boyd said. “I’ll see you then.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” She hoped she didn’t sound too eager, given that it wasn’t her intent to suggest it was him she wanted to see. Or maybe it was.
Though he knew it was the time to make his exit, Boyd was nevertheless honed in on Danica’s mouth, wanting badly to kiss her. Would it be crossing the line if he did? Or was it a line she wanted to be crossed?
“You probably have the most desirable lips I’ve ever seen on a woman,” he threw out.
Danica couldn’t help but laugh. “I think you may have had one glass of wine too many.”
“Be that as it may, I’ve never been more serious.”
“Looks like the charmer in you is coming out.” Ashlyn had warned her that Boyd could be extremely charming when he wanted to be.
“Does that mean I can see for myself if my theory is true?”
“Go for it,” she said, admittedly curious to see how he kissed. Something told her the man could back up his charms with sweet and tender action.
Boyd didn’t waste another second. He tilted his face and moved down onto her mouth with a kiss that wasn’t intended to knock the lady off her feet as much as to give her a taste of what he had to offer. His lips played with her soft ones, parting them slightly and enjoying every moment before ending the kiss abruptly.
Danica had to catch her breath. “Well, what did you think? Did I pass the test for the most desirable li
ps or not?” She hoped it wasn’t a letdown for him that she’d held back from giving the kiss her all, not wanting to get too carried away this early in their new friendship.
“You definitely passed,” Boyd declared. “With flying colors.”
“Flying colors, huh?” She chuckled, masking the tingling of her lips. “You’re a pretty good kisser, too.”
He blushed. “I try to do my part effectively.”
“And effective you are.”
“Ditto.” Boyd sighed. He needed to go before seducing her right there on the spot and having regrets later. She was, after all, his sister’s friend, and he needed to respect that. At least for this night. It would be up to both of them to see if there was any real fire to the sparks. “A hui hou, meaning ‘till we meet again.’”
“A hui hou,” Danica repeated as she went inside.
She touched her mouth and thought about the kiss. What was supposed to be a getaway with no certainty of romance was suddenly filled with the possibility of such. But she wasn’t about to get her hopes up, having done that too many times before. She would just wait and see if she and Boyd connected.
In the meantime Danica planned to make herself entirely at home in this palace that Ashlyn had turned over to her for a month.
* * *
Boyd wasted little time calling Ashlyn once inside his car.
She answered after two rings. “Do you know what time it is?” she asked sleepily.
“Sure do,” he said. At least in Hawaii. He figured he’d woken her up, but couldn’t wait to say this. “Sorry for disturbing your beauty sleep. Just thought you’d want to know that I’m cool with your friend being here.”
“Is that so?” Ashlyn’s voice perked up. “So you two have hit it off, just as I suspected you would.”
“I wouldn’t jump to the wrong conclusions,” Boyd told her, even though he was hoping the same thing. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t still intent on protecting that valuable piece of real estate they owned, seeing it as a big investment that would one day fetch a high price should Ashlyn ever decide to sell her share to him. “Let’s just say she seems like a nice woman, aside from also being gorgeous, from what I can tell so far.”
Aloha Fantasy Page 3