Around the World in 80 Men Series Boxed Set 1-10

by Brandi Ratliff

  She spent the time where she wasn't reeling in a monster catch, which wasn't much time in comparison, taking pictures of the shore, water, boat and fish and talking with the other crew members. One of the deckhands had even asked her to go out that night, in which she politely told him she already had plans.

  “So I can keep these, right?” Morgan pointed to her three trophies hanging on large hooks.

  “They're yours to do whatever ya want. If ya don't take 'em with ya, I'll be happy to cook em up and eat 'em myself,” the captain replied to her.

  Morgan nodded and took a picture of the three green and blue Maui Maui. “I hope Kole likes fish.” It wasn't a far fetched idea, since he hated coconut so much. Just as she turned around, to check her bait, she thought she heard her name.

  “Morgan!” Yes, she did hear her name. And again. The blonde girl set her pole back in its holder and walked to the other side of the boat where the voice was coming from. Before she made it to the other side, she heard the voice again, “is there a Morgan Holland on this boat?”

  “Kole!” Morgan walked around the wall of the top deck and saw there was a smaller boat right along side the boat she was on. Kole was practically hanging over the edge, shouting with his hands cupped around his mouth.

  “Kole! I'm here!” Morgan waved her arms over her head and he finally saw her. His smile reached his eyes and he waved back at her.

  With his hands still in a circle around his mouth, he yelled that he was glad she was okay and turned around to say something to Sam. In a few minutes, Sam's boat was less than a foot from boat fourteen. “Come over here, Morgan!”

  The young girl looked around and saw that she had an audience. All of the boat's company was staring at her. Some with scowls across their sunburned faces, including the captain. “I can't let you do that. It's dangerous,” he explained to her.

  Morgan made a quick 'come here' motion with her hands and mouthed out the word FISH. Kole nodded and jumped to boat fourteen. The captain followed them to around the back side of the boat, yelling that Kole was not permitted to be on his deck. Morgan and the handsome Hawaiian exchanged a quick glance, understanding the meaning. With a nod, they both grabbed the fish, Kole grabbing two, and ran back to boat four before the captain could scold them again.

  Kole jumped aboard first, then grabbed the fish Morgan was holding and threw it aside. By that time, Captain Dick was behind the young girl again.

  “I said you can't go over there!” he shouted as she flashed him a huge smile and jumped to Sam's boat.

  “Bye everyone! Thanks!” Morgan called toward boat fourteen as the right boat had already began drifting away.

  “Oh, Kole! I'm so sorry! I thought...wait...” Morgan pulled away from Kole's hug and leaned over the side to see a very clear '4' printed on the front of the boat. “Then what was that?” She pointed backward with her thumb toward the direction of the other boat.

  “Fourteen,” Kole laughed and told her he should be the one apologizing. “I told Sam here to wait until I got to the boat. I should have called you instead, to tell you I'd be late. I'm just so glad you're alright!”

  “No worries! I had a blast!” she admitted. “I do hope you like Maui Maui!”

  Kole took a look at the three fish on the deck and nodded in approval. “How about we take these fish to my mom's house and make Kala clean them? After all, it's all his fault I was late this morning.”

  “I'm starving, and I love your family. Sounds perfect! Although, maybe you can show me how to cook the fish? Since you couldn't show me how to catch them,” she poked him in his hard abdomen, teasing him for being late. He teased back, telling her she didn't know how to count.

  “It's not my fault!” They argued all the way back to land about who was to blame. Eventually, they agreed it was Angela's fault for breaking Kala's nose. If Kala hadn't been in the hospital, Kole wouldn't have been late.

  “But if you look at it that way, then technically it's your fault for startling her,” Morgan cocked her head at him as she steadied her camera's cross-hairs on his face. “Stay still!”

  Kole put his hand in front of the camera and grabbed it with one hand and set it on top of the cooler. “Hey, I didn't get a pict...”

  Morgan was upside down over his shoulder in a second. “Who's fault was it?” Kole flipped her back into his arms, holding her like a child.

  “Yours!” Morgan didn't plan on giving up easily.

  “You asked for it!” Kole held her over the edge of the boat and she was parallel with the water.

  “Okay, okay!” Her plan of holding out fell though and she begged for mercy. Kole put her down and kissed the top of her head. That didn't stop the arguing. Even as they hauled the fish off the boat, they still hadn't come to a conclusion.

  “This could go on forever, you know!” Morgan stated as they rode the elevator back up to the room. The fish were stowed away in the cooler in the bed of Kole's truck, but Morgan at least wanted to put on a shirt before going to his family's house.

  “How about I wrestle it for you later?” Kole pulled her hips against his waist and held her there until the metal doors opened.

  “Promise?” Morgan reached in front of her and pressed the button for the top floor; twenty-one floors above their own. When the doors shut again, she turned around, wrapping her arms around his neck. The kiss that followed made them both forget the blame game.

  Chapter Seven

  “It's not that funny.” Kala's eyebrows were drawn together as he gave Morgan a 'trying-to-be-serious' look. From his eyes to his mouth was covered in a big white bandage, and pieces of white tape that extended to his hairline and jaw nearly covered his cheeks. “I can't even taste the food!”

  Morgan's hand flew to her mouth as another series of giggles threatened to break free. She sat next to Kole, and across the table was Kala and Angela. Apparently some time while Morgan was sailing the open sea, Angela had called off work to take care of Kala and had found her way to 'Ele's house.

  “I've got to check the fish, come with me?” Kole stood and offered his hand for Morgan. The young girl looked over to her friend. Angela stuck her tongue out as far as it would go and Morgan's giggles escaped. “Oh, no, I wasn't laughing at you, Kala!” She narrowed her eyes at Angela and stuck her tongue out at her in rebuttal before grabbing Kole's hand and heading toward the grill.

  When they were out of earshot, Morgan leaned in toward Kole, “seems like they're pretty cozy, huh?”

  Kole took a quick glance back and saw Angela with one arm around Kala's back, and the other hand on his shoulder with her head resting on it. “Yeah. It's weird, I've never seen him take to a girl like this. Who knows, maybe they'll get married and give mom her grandbabies.” Morgan shook her head. To think of Kala giving 'Ele grand children first was a laughable notion.

  “Oh, there you are! I'm so glad you came back to visit!” Speak of the Devil, Morgan thought. 'Ele slid the sliding glass door shut behind her and Morgan met her halfway to retrieve a platter of watermelon from her hands. “You are such a dear, thank you, Morgan.”

  “No, thank you for allowing me to visit,” Morgan smiled back to her and carried the plate to the table. Angela stood and met 'Ele at Morgan's side.

  “No, no, no! I'm so happy to see my boys with such lovely women. You both,” 'Ele put an index finger under each girl's chin, “are welcome here any time. Now, Angela, I know that you live here and you work at the hotel, right?” Angela nodded. She had been at the house since shortly after Kole had dropped Kala off and had had plenty of time to discuss her life's history with Kala's mother. 'Ele walked between Morgan and Angela, and wrapped her arms around their shoulders to guide them to the table. Morgan looked over her shoulder and Kole could only offer a shrug of his shoulders and a smile.

  “But you, Morgan.. you're only in town for the week right?” 'Ele continued her questioning.

  “Yes, ma'am. I'll be going back to Ohio on Sunday.” I
t was only half a lie.

  “Aw, I'm so sorry to hear that. Kole needs a woman like you. You know, he hasn't had much luck with the ladies lately and I think you two would be so wonder...”

  “Mom! Really? Leave the girl alone,” Kole interrupted and set the huge serving platter of fish filets on the table.

  “Well, if either you or Kala would give me some grandchildren, I wouldn't have...” 'Ele began again, putting her hand across Kole's wrist.

  “MOM!” Morgan laughed harder than she had at the sight of Kala's nose. She watched Kole, the tall, muscular, hung like something she had never seen, fear nothing man turn at least a dozen shades of red.

  “Anyway,” 'Ele directed her attention back to Morgan, ignoring her floundering son behind her. “I really hope you keep in touch with us, Morgan. Do you have any family here?”

  The young woman was faced with the 'family' question. Morgan often wondered how she would answer if it ever came up. Does she lie and say she has a huge family? Does she tell the truth and mention her alcoholic mother who she hasn't seen in years? The only thing Morgan could do was shake her head back and forth slowly.

  “No. No family here.” That was the truth. “And don't worry 'Ele, I will definitely be keeping in touch with you all. Your family is amazing.” Morgan looked around the table at her four new friends. She was so happy she had chosen Hawaii, and she knew that for as long as they would allow her, she would always have a place in her heart for the Vaki family.

  Dinner with her new friends had been perfect. The fish was by far the best she ever had, and over their meal, 'Ele had even invited her back for Christmas. The nieces and nephews had asked Morgan to play Scrabble with them, and she enjoyed three full games as the rest of the family laughed and offered their own advice on the kids' word choices. As far as she could remember, it was the best family day that she had ever had, and she knew that she would remember each and every one of them. Morgan also happily accepted the invitation to visit for Christmas, which was only two months away, and for the next few hours, she felt as if she had her very own large family.

  *****

  “You know, my mom gets along with just about everyone, but she seems crazy about you and Angela.” Kole watched Morgan fix her ponytail, then put the passenger side window down. She wasn't going to miss out on the scent of fresh flowers that generously filled the air.

  She turned her head in his direction and smiled, “well, I don't know why that is, but I like her just as much.” Then she turned her body and leaned back on the door, stretching her legs forward to rest her feet on Kole's large thighs. “And, I like her son quite a bit too.” She moved her toe across his stomach until he laughed. “Actually, I love your entire family, and I can't wait to come back and see them.”

  Kole's face turned serious and he asked if she really planned to come back for the holidays. “Of course, I think it would be fun. Why? Would you rather that I don't come?” She sat up and started to pull her feet away. He dropped one hand from the steering wheel and put it over her ankle to keep her where she was.

  “Of course I do, I just...well...I didn't think you would hang out with clients like that.” He had assumed that Morgan was just being kind when she agreed to come back, but was beyond happy to hear that he would see her again in the near future.

  “Kole, I know why I'm here and I know what I do for a living, but I'm also human. I like you, and I really like being naked with you, but beyond the naked part, you're my friend and I don't plan to lose you.” She reached out and put her hand over his.

  His smile started to twitch at the corners of his mouth, then grew wider before he spoke. “Does that mean you'll get naked with me when you come back?” He squeezed her ankle when she tried to kick him. She laughed out loud and put her head against the seat.

  “When I was a kid, I didn't have enough money to go to the local fair...so....I crawled under the fence. Once I was inside, I ran into a girl from school who was leaving and she gave me her wrist band, you know, the thing you get when you pay and it lets you get on the rides all day. Anyway, I put that wrist band on and ran straight to the Ferris wheel ...which by the way, was my favorite ride. I tell ya, I must have rode that darn thing at least twenty times that day.” She smiled, trying to stop her laughter at the memory. “So, if you can imagine that day then try to imagine this..” she scooted forward and put her chin on his shoulder, “I plan to ride you more than that Ferris wheel.” She kissed his bare shoulder, then leaned back against the door.

  Kole's body reacted to her words, and the mental image that they invoked. He laughed and ran his hand up her leg as far as he could while driving. “Lady, you can sure make a point.” He asked a few more questions about her childhood while they made their way to the hotel, most of which she only gave the barest minimum of answers to, if at all.

  When they arrived at the hotel, Morgan insisted that they stop into the lounge before the kitchen closed. “I just want to get something real quick.” Kole shook his head and laughed, but waited by the front door until she returned.

  “What's that?” He pointed to the small white container that she carried out, and Morgan simply told him that it was a little snack for later. He tried to grab it from her hand, but she moved too quickly and missed by a mile. “Alright, but I have secrets too, ya know.” She wasn't going to fall for it, and simply nodded when they walked into the elevator.

  Kole had barely opened the door to their room when Morgan pushed it further from his side and ran past him. She giggled as she ran across the room and into the kitchenette. He closed the door and asked what the big hurry was, but she only answered him after she tucked her little white box into the refrigerator.

  As she ran to the bathroom, she told him, “I have so got to pee!” The minute she shut the door, Kole laughed out loud.

  “You're a strange one, Holland!” He fell onto the bed in a lazy heap to wait for the beautiful woman to join him. “You're getting a bath? Now?” He sat up when he heard the tub running.

  Morgan opened the door just enough to peek her head out. “Nope, we are. I'll call ya when it's ready.” Then she shut the door again.

  Kole shook his head, he wondered if he would ever understand how the woman's mind worked. Don't treat them as if they're special, but do it once in awhile, but only if she's already special or if she wants to. He thought he had started to figure out the rules, but suddenly, with the mention of a bubble bath, he wasn't so sure. “That's not exactly a quickie in the heat of the moment.” He ran his hand through his short dark hair and exhaled loudly.

  “Come on in.” Morgan's cheerful voice broke his concentration. He got up slowly and took a few steps toward the bathroom door.

  “Are you sure? I thought....” She put her hand up to his lips.

  “Shhhhh...just get your sweet Hawaiian ass in here.” Then she wrapped her fingers around his wrist and pulled him in. He stood in the middle of the large bathroom, not moving, as she pulled his clothes from his body. The candles' flames caressed her naked body and his eyes took in her full beauty as she stepped into the bubbles.

  Once she was buried chest deep into the large circular tub, she crooked her finger at him, smiling as she invited him in. After a slight hesitation, he followed suit and slid into the tub behind her. When his ass was seated, Morgan slid her back to his chest and his legs wrapped around the outside of her thighs.

  “You have such nice legs, Kole,” Morgan leaned her head on his shoulder and looked up to meet his eyes. Even in the candlelight, she could still see the beautiful golden-red flecks in his deep chestnut eyes. They were full of curiosity, and Morgan could read the confusion on his face. She wasn't going to give him what he expected.

  Her hands reached his knees and glided easily up his slick legs and the slight moan that was heard from Kole told her exactly what he was thinking.

  “And you have beautiful tits, Morgan. In fact, you have a beautiful everything. Your body is perfect.” His hands matc
hed his statement as they began to explore her body. She slid deeper in the tub and closed her eyes to enjoy his touch. Kole's large hands found her breasts, fitting perfectly in his palms.

  It was Morgan's turn for a moan of pleasure. His wet hands against her bare flesh sent goosebumps across her stomach, legs and arms. She couldn't stop the shiver that ran from her shoulders down her back when his thumbs grazed over her hardened nipples. She wanted more, but knew if she didn't stop him, she wouldn't be able to stop herself in about thirty more seconds.

  “You can keep trying to put a hole in my back with that thing, but it's not going to happen, mister. Second lesson,” Morgan reluctantly placed her hands over his and guided them from her breasts toward her hips. “Even if you have the perfect setting, sex doesn't need to happen.”

  He understood. In past dates, he would have spent the whole day romancing a girl. Expensive dinners, wine, walks on the beach, cuddling, compliments; the whole package. He shook his head slowly, “that's what I've always done. I've been setting the stage for sex.”

  Morgan moved her hand from his and placed it against his cheek, pulling him closer for a soft kiss. “I know,” she whispered against his lips.

  They both smiled and Kole leaned his head back against the tub. That's what he'd do. He'd enjoy the bath for what it was. Although, a beautiful girl between his legs was more than mildly tempting, he closed his eyes and let the hot water soothe his body.

  By the time the water was becoming uncomfortably cool, Morgan had been nearly lulled to sleep from the invisible designs that Kole gently drew with his fingertips across her skin. “We'd better wash up before this water gets much colder,” Morgan snapped from the trance Kole's touch had given her.