He stepped into the shower thinking about the long, deep kiss they’d shared last night before they’d said goodbye. He honestly could have kissed Danica for hours on end, separating only to catch his breath or allow her to catch hers. She had managed to singlehandedly capture his attention in a way few women ever had. And in just a very short time. He could only imagine how that might play out over the next few weeks. Or even longer.
After dressing, Boyd headed to a restaurant to meet with a fellow investor, Lance Su’a. He had known the forty-something Samoan for several years and both shared a love for the island of Hawaii and preserving its rich heritage.
“Aloha,” Lance greeted Boyd as he arrived.
“Aloha.” Boyd grinned at the shorter, darker man with closely cropped black hair and thick brows.
“Looking fit as always,” Lance remarked.
“Probably because I just finished a workout,” Boyd told him.
“Only wish I had the time.”
Judging from his friend’s protruding belly, Boyd figured Lance was too busy to work out.
They sat down and ordered, then talked business, trading ideas on investment strategies and profit building all through the meal.
“How’s that sister of yours doing?” Lance asked as the waitress took his empty plate.
Boyd was aware that Lance was attracted to Ashlyn, though the feeling was not mutual. Probably for good reason. Lance didn’t have a good track record in the romance department—with three divorces and a fourth failed relationship that had produced a child.
“Ashlyn’s good,” he responded. “Actually, she’s in Chicago right now.”
“On business?”
“Not exactly. She’s staying at her college friend’s place for a few weeks.”
Lance’s dark eyes grew wide. “Oh, so an extended vacation?”
“You could say that.” Boyd didn’t bother to go into details about the house swap. Maybe he would later, after he’d had time to see how things worked out with Danica.
“She needs a good, hardworking man in her life,” Lance said bluntly. “I’m just saying…”
“I agree.” But it’s definitely not you, Boyd said to himself. “I’m sure it’ll happen sooner or later.”
“If you say so.” Lance frowned. “Maybe if she met someone in Chicago and decided to stay, you’d be ready to put that fabulous house on the market?”
“That’s always a possibility.” Boyd was sure that the house would fetch top dollar, given its prime location. But giving up his childhood home would not be easy for any reason. Not the least of which Ashlyn would likely never wish to part with it, whether she lived in Hawaii or not. On the other hand, there was the proposed condominium development nearby. Could that actually adversely affect the value of their property?
“If it happens, I want the first crack at the property,” Lance insisted, breaking into Boyd’s thoughts. “It’s obviously a damned good investment property, but with those magnificent views, I just might buy it for myself.”
Boyd admired his enthusiasm, to a point. “Let’s not put the cart ahead of the horse just yet. As far as I know, Ashlyn has no plans to leave Hawaii other than for a respite. But if we ever do decide to put the house up, you’ll be the first one we call.”
“Fair enough.”
Boyd sipped his water while reflecting that he and Ashlyn had agreed to sell each other their half of the property if either wanted out. That left the sole owner with the option to do as he or she pleased with the house. For his part, if it ever came down to that, Boyd would love to take whatever he could get for the house and donate much of it to one of his favorite charities.
Though the idea had some appeal, he would never pressure Ashlyn into selling her half to him. Boyd was just as happy to continue their joint home ownership while Ashlyn decided what—or who—she wanted in life.
Just as he was doing. At the moment it was clear to Boyd that who he wanted in his life was Ashlyn’s gorgeous and sexy friend Danica Austin.
* * *
That afternoon Danica sat in front of her computer participating in a videoconference call with her photography group, catching up on the latest news and gossip.
Jessy furrowed her brow. “I’m so jealous that you’re in Hawaii and we’re…well, for lack of a better word, stuck in Chicago.”
“No one’s stopping you from packing your bags and heading for Hawaii,” Danica told her, though in Jessy’s situation—married with two children—that was easier said than done.
“Yeah, right, like I can afford to just fly across the ocean with my family—who would never let me go alone. And I probably wouldn’t want to.”
“You don’t have to go anywhere,” Constance Richardson commented. The fashion photographer was practically a legend in the Windy City. “At least not when it’s summer here and there’s just as much to keep you busy as in Hawaii.”
“Right, keep telling yourself that and you just might believe it,” Ruth Hopper chirped. She was the youngest of the bunch and a digital photography graduate student while freelancing. “Who wouldn’t want to trade places with Danica and get to stay at a fabulous place right on the beach in Hilo?”
“Actually someone did trade places with me,” Danica pointed out, “and she’s having a ball in Chicago. In fact, from my impression, she’s not missing Hawaii one bit.”
Jessy laughed. “That’s because she knows she’ll be headed back there when this switcheroo is over.”
“I’m with Danica here,” Constance pointed out. “We’ve all met Ashlyn and, besides seeming pretty down to earth, she’s clearly making herself very much at home here.”
“Just as I’m sure Danica is in Hawaii,” Ruth said. “Tell us what you’ve been doing and where you’ve been doing it.”
Danica blushed, almost feeling as though they could read her mind. “I’ve been seeing the sights and sounds of the Big Island,” she told them.
“Alone?” Jessy probed. “As I recall, meeting someone was a prime consideration for you going to paradise.”
“I have met someone,” Danica admitted. Before they could ask, she added, “Ashlyn’s brother.”
“Wow!” Ruth put a hand to her mouth. “Let me guess, he’s tall, dark and extremely good looking?”
“Right on all counts.”
“I knew it!” she yelled. “I suppose he’s Mr. Fantastic in bed, too?”
Danica grinned. “I couldn’t tell you that, as we haven’t gone there yet.” Not that she would necessarily volunteer too much of her very personal information to her friends.
“Give the girl time to get her bearings,” Jessy said with a laugh. “Like maybe a week—two tops!”
“Then you can give us the scoop on your Hawaiian lover and—”
“Can we get back to talking about your lives?” Danica cut Constance off, trying to shift the attention.
“What lives?” Jessy rolled her eyes. “Mine is simply work, kids, husband and, if I’m lucky, maybe a tiny bit for myself.”
“Oh, poor Jessy,” Ruth said unsympathetically. “Maybe in another life you can trade places with any of us.”
“Let’s talk more about our photography,” Danica said, feeling she had to play referee even while she was all the way in Hawaii.
“Speaking of…” Constance paused deliberately. “If you decide to stay over in Hawaii, we’d be happy to divvy up your clients while you have your fun in the sun and on the sand.”
Danica’s eyes widened. She hadn’t been gone but a few days and they were already going after her portfolio. I think not. “Hey, I can have fun far away from home and still conduct my business without missing a beat,” she told them. “That’s what the internet and cell phones are for.”
“Can’t hurt
to ask, girlfriend,” Constance said. “You never know where one’s head is these days.”
“My head is planted firmly on my shoulders,” Danica said succinctly. “And that won’t change no matter where I happen to be working.”
When she disconnected, Danica considered the prospect of relocating to Hawaii. Could she truly be happy living on an island, even one with such awe-inspiring beauty? The answer was a solid yes—assuming there was great incentive to stay there, such as a man who wanted it as much as she did. Boyd’s handsome face filled her mind in that moment.
* * *
Boyd pulled the car over, unable to wait another moment to hear the voice of the woman who’d been on his mind for hours.
“Hey there,” he said when Danica answered. “I hope you don’t mind my call but I’m just checking up on you.” He also wanted to keep their connection going, even if they weren’t together.
“How nice of you. I’ve just been hanging out at the house relaxing and enjoying my spacious temporary digs.”
Boyd remembered how he had been concerned that Ashlyn might have invited some wild woman who would trash the place or otherwise create havoc. Obviously Danica was anything but that. Though he wouldn’t object to seeing her wild side in bed.
“Nothing wrong with that,” he told her. “No one says you have to come to Hawaii and spend every day running around here and there. Just sitting back and taking it all in can be just as rewarding.”
“I agree,” she said. “Doesn’t hurt one bit to be in a beachfront residence while passing the time.”
“True.” Boyd thought of Lance’s offer to buy the house if it ever became available. Could he actually give up the family property someday if Ashlyn ever decided to bolt? Then again, what was the point of keeping it for nostalgia, if he could turn a profit and put it to good use including donating a generous amount to one of his favorite charities?
“And what are you up to this afternoon?” Danica asked.
“Oh, just a little of this and a little of that.”
She chuckled. “Can you be a bit more specific? Or is it a guarded secret?”
He hadn’t meant to sound cryptic. Like he was with another woman.
“No secret,” he assured her. “I’m in the Kona District, checking on one of the properties I own.”
“Hmm…must be nice.”
“It is,” he admitted. “But I never take for granted my blessings in life.”
“Nor should you,” she said. “I feel the same way.”
“Looks as if we’re on the same wavelength in many different ways.”
“Does that surprise you?” she asked.
“Not at all,” he said. “The more I get to know you, the more I’ve come to see what Ashlyn has seen in you all these years.” Not to mention aspects of the woman that his sister couldn’t even begin to appreciate.
“That is so sweet,” Danica gushed. “Guess we can blame her for preventing us from getting to know each other for so long.”
“The important thing is our time is here now. Let’s make the most of it.”
“I’m game,” she said eagerly. “Did you have anything particular in mind?”
Oh, yes, I definitely do. And soon we’re both going to see what happens to sparks that erupt in passionate flames.
“Thought I could pick up some Chinese food and bring it by later, if you’re into that.”
“I love Chinese food,” Danica said. “Yes, bring it by, though I’d still like to make you dinner one of these days.”
“Consider that a future date,” he said, realizing that any excuse for spending time together sounded wonderful to him.
“I’ll do that,” Danica said.
“Speaking of dates, are we still on for the tour of Papakolea Beach on Friday?” Boyd asked.
“Absolutely. Now that I’ve seen my first black-sand beach, I’m very interested in exploring a green-sand one.”
“Then you will,” promised Boyd. “It’ll be fun.”
“That seems to be the case with everything we do together.”
Boyd was so aroused at the idea of things they could do together that when he hung up and got back on the road there was no room in his head for business. It was filled with images of a naked and willing Danica.
Chapter 5
Danica took a walk on the beach, thinking about nothing in particular. Who was she fooling? Nearly all her thoughts were about Boyd Reed. She wondered what he was like in bed. Would he prove to be as powerfully satisfying as her wildest fantasies? Was he thoroughly attentive to his partner’s needs or, like many men, more focused on what pleased him?
I can’t believe I’m thinking about making love to a man I’ve only known for a few days.
Could she help it if it seemed like she’d known him forever, or at least as long as she had known Ashlyn?
What a pity that whatever connection they seemed to share was only likely to last for a few weeks. The notion of going back to Chicago empty-handed was unsettling, but Danica refused to look that far ahead. Not when there was enough time left on this vacation to create lasting memories with Boyd.
“Aloha,” she heard a soft voice say, breaking her reverie.
She looked up and saw a slender woman about her age with a similar complexion and curly dark hair. “You must be Danica,” the woman said.
“Yes, I am.” She raised a brow. “Do we know each other?”
“I hope we get to. I’m Blair Rice. I live a few doors down from Ashlyn. She asked me to hang out with you when I could.”
“I see.” She smiled. It appeared as though Ashlyn had made sure that Danica had her choice of companions. She shook her new neighbor’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Blair.”
“Likewise. I would’ve come over sooner, but I had to fly to San Diego to be with my sister when she had her first baby.”
“How nice.”
“She’d been trying to have one like forever, but this time it finally worked out and she now has a beautiful little girl.”
“That’s wonderful.” Danica was envious. She would love to be a doting mother someday after getting married. She wasn’t sure if she wanted one or two children, though much of that would depend on her future husband and what he wanted. “Do you have any children?”
“I wish.” Blair rolled her eyes. “Unfortunately things didn’t work out so well between me and my ex-husband, so I’ve put motherhood on hold for now.”
Danica decided that was probably a good idea, as children from broken homes certainly had a tougher go of it.
“I was just about to head back to the house,” she told her. “Would you like to have a nice cold drink with me?”
“I’d love to,” Blair said, smiling.
Minutes later they were sitting in the great room, sipping tall glasses of pink lemonade.
Blair sat back. “Ashlyn tells me you’re a photographer.”
“Yes. I do a little bit of everything from runways to bridal photography,” Danica said.
“Interesting. We may be able to use your services at the medical center where I work. We’re getting some photographs taken for my department’s redesigned website and I’d also like a new picture for my office.”
“Sounds right up my alley on both counts.”
“Good. We can set it up.”
“Perfect.” Danica took a sip of her lemonade. “So you’re a—”
“Doctor,” Blair finished. “Pediatrics. Been at it for a few years now and love what I do.”
Danica was impressed, silently commending the woman on all the years of education it took to get where she was today. “That’s great to hear.”
“My ex is a doctor, too. When we split up, he took his practice, along wi
th his young girlfriend, to Honolulu.”
“Oh, I’m sorry about that.” Danica could see that she was still bitter about her divorce and apparently for good reason.
“Don’t be,” insisted Blair. “He got his plaything and I got the house and my share of our investments. So I didn’t exactly come out of it empty-handed.”
“I’m glad to know that.” Danica wondered if any material items or assets could ever compensate for losing your husband to another woman. “I’ve never been married, but I would hope that when and if it happens, we could stay together for a lifetime.”
“We all hope that going in, but things happen and well…you end up wondering what you ever saw in the person in the first place.”
Danica could relate to that on some level based on the men she had dated over the years. She felt fortunate that she’d always gotten out of the relationship before it could turn into a true nightmare. Could that ever happen with Boyd if things were to evolve into something well beyond hot kisses?
“Have you met Boyd yet?” Blair asked, as though reading her thoughts.
“Yes, he’s been showing me around town.”
“He and Richard, my ex, used to hang out. But since our marriage ended, I haven’t seen that much of him.”
Danica wondered if Blair had more than a neighborly interest in him. Not that she could blame her one bit. What was wrong with an attractive, successful and lonely divorcée being hot for a handsome hunk like Boyd? But she assumed the feelings weren’t mutual, given that they apparently hadn’t been getting together.
“He probably thought it would be too awkward,” Danica suggested as the reason for Boyd’s distance. “Given the friendship with your ex.”
“I suppose.” Blair tasted her drink. “Boyd’s a great catch, just like Ashlyn.”
“I agree.”
“Bet he thinks the same thing about you, knowing how most men can appreciate a beautiful woman with a personality.”
Danica blushed. “Thanks for the compliment. Right now I’m just focusing on being in Hawaii and letting whatever happens, happen.”
Aloha Fantasy Page 6