Kendra smiled broadly. “Be sure to let me know if there’s any dessert.”
Sloane laughed. “You’re too much. If the dessert is sweet enough, I promise you’ll be the first to know. Now, we’d both better get to work.”
“Don’t remind me.”
Sloane moved in a different direction. She checked her folder and then spotted the party she was looking for. There were ten Japanese visitors on a combined business-and-pleasure trip. She had made arrangements for them to go deep-sea fishing and snorkeling and to take a submarine tour.
She walked up to the group cheerfully. “I trust that the water activities I set up are to your satisfaction?”
“Very much so,” said Jim Lee, with the others echoing his sentiments.
“That’s good,” she said. “If you need help with anything else to make your stay comfortable, don’t hesitate to ask.”
A thirtysomething female member of the group walked up to Sloane. “I’m Yoko,” she said. “Can you arrange a helicopter tour for me? I’d love to take some pictures of the valleys and waterfalls.”
Sloane smiled. “Sure, I’d be happy to take care of that for you.” It sounded pretty adventurous and was something she hoped to be brave enough to do one day.
Gene stepped inside the Island Shores hotel for the first time since staying there when he and his ex had arrived in Maui four years ago. He’d forgotten how lavish the place was. Not that he didn’t have plenty of reminders, as their TV and print ads dwarfed his own advertising budget. But what he lacked in cold hard cash, he made up for in determination and good old-fashioned hospitality with a personal touch that no resort hotel could ever hope to match. He had to admit, though, having the lovely Sloane as their guest relations director probably didn’t hurt matters any if she were half as committed to the job as he suspected.
Making his way past a group of tourists, Gene entered the Coconut Café. He scanned the crowded place looking for his date. At least he considered it a date, even if she called it a thank-you lunch.
“Aloha.” He heard the familiar voice from behind.
Gene turned and was blown away by Sloane. It was the first time he’d seen her professionally dressed, wearing a light blue two-button notched-collar pantsuit and pink wedges. Her hair was in a loose bun and she wore little makeup, which actually accentuated her fine features.
A grin formed on his face. “Back at you.”
“Hope you weren’t waiting too long,” she said. “I got tied up in a meeting.”
“Not a problem.” Indeed, he found her well worth the wait. “I’ve only been here for a couple of minutes and was just gazing at the tourists.”
Her mouth curved upward. “Shall we get a table?”
“Lead the way.”
Gene followed her to a table with an ocean view. The waitress handed them menus.
“I’m going to have the grilled veggie sandwich,” Sloane said without opening her menu. “Their ahi tuna and baked mahimahi are both excellent choices.”
“Both sound delicious,” Gene admitted, glancing at the menu. “I’ll go with the mahimahi.”
The waitress took their order after filling their glasses with water.
In a moment of silence, Gene couldn’t help but think that even with such a magnificent seascape, the lady across from him was an even better attraction. And she had the most kissable mouth, with just the right amount of lip gloss.
“So this must be stepping out of your element,” Sloane remarked, snapping him out of his reverie.
Gene chuckled. “Not really. I’ve spent my fair share of time at five-star resort hotels.”
“But obviously you prefer the more intimate setting of the bed-and-breakfast?”
“I suppose I do,” he conceded. “There’s something about feeling at home even while on vacation that agrees with me. My guests feel the same way. But I’m sure those who prefer the big hotels can enjoy themselves every bit as much.”
“Glad to hear you say that,” she said. “Our guests love losing themselves in the lap of luxury.”
Gene imagined her sitting on his lap, spurring pangs of desire. “And what about you? Have you lost yourself in this place?”
Sloane gave a cute laugh. “No, I haven’t. For me, it’s a job, though one I take great pride in. Truthfully, if I were here as a vacationer, I’d much rather stay in a quaint little bed-and-breakfast without too much excitement and noise.”
He took note of that. “If you ever need to get away from it all, I’m sure I can find a spot for you to chill in my house.”
“I’m sure you could,” Sloane said with a lilt to her voice. “But I wouldn’t want to be a distraction for you and your guests.”
Gene grinned. “Quite the contrary, I think you would fit right in.”
“You would say that.”
“I never say what I don’t mean,” he told her.
“I believe you.” Sloane tasted the water and ran her tongue across her upper lip. “I might just take you up on that offer someday. You never know.”
Gene loved how she seemed to be a natural flirt. Just like him. It made him even more intrigued by her and the wonderful possibilities that existed between them.
Sloane gazed at Gene across the table, thinking it was nice to have him on her turf. She’d love to run her hands across that sexy bald head of his. He wore a short-sleeved pumpkin-colored polo shirt, his muscled arms on full display across the table.
“Where are you from?” she asked, dabbing the corners of her mouth with a napkin. She suspected from his accent that Gene was from the Midwest.
“Detroit,” he told her, and forked a piece of fish. “How about you?”
“Raleigh.”
“And I thought I was a long way from home,” Gene said with a laugh.
“I think we both are,” Sloane stated. “How did you come to choose Maui for your bed-and-breakfast?”
“My ex and I were looking to get out of the Motor City and try something different.” Gene paused, leaning back. “We’d vacationed once in Maui and fell in love with the atmosphere. Seemed like the perfect place to run our own bed-and-breakfast.”
“So what happened to make you go solo with the B&B, if you don’t mind my asking?” Or should she be minding her own business?
“I don’t mind,” he said coolly, running a hand across his head. “To be honest, you’re not the first person to wonder why I’m operating the B&B all by my lonesome.” He sipped iced tea and met her gaze. “Well, Lynda decided this wasn’t for her. Coupled with the fact that we hadn’t been getting along very well, that was the end of the marriage.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Sloane told him, though she was sure he’d heard the same thing a thousand times.
“Don’t be.” He pinched the tip of his nose. “Some things aren’t meant to be over time. You get over it and move on.”
“I can relate to that,” she admitted. “Not the marriage, but being involved in a relationship that wasn’t meant to be.”
Gene eyed her pensively. “He wanted a commitment and you didn’t, or what?”
Sloane wondered if he was a mind reader. Or had she been that transparent in what she’d revealed about herself?
“Something like that,” she responded.
“Oh yeah, the job comes first, right?”
She fluttered her lashes self-consciously. “Is that a bad thing?”
“Not from where I sit,” Gene said, leaning toward her. “You have to do what you have to do. If a man can’t deal with it, that’s on him.”
Sloane was starting to like Gene Malloy more and more, as he truly seemed to understand her without passing judgment. And vice versa. Maybe this new friendship could go somewhere.
“I suppose you must get guests from all over the world?” she asked, preferring to talk about him and the life he’d created in South Maui.
“Pretty much. I’ve had guests from Africa, England, Australia, China, Canada, the Bahamas, Mexico, Brazil and many of the sta
tes, including Alaska.”
“Wow. I’m impressed.”
Gene chuckled. “If you give the people what they want in a getaway, they’ll come back and spread the word to others. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
“But mostly for you,” she suggested. “It means you’re doing a good job and it’s obviously paying off for you big-time.”
“It is if you mean that I have a steady flow of guests year-round. But I’ll never get rich as the owner of a bedand-breakfast. It was never about the money, though. I get fulfillment in making sure that no one leaves disappointed.”
Sloane could see why his guests were satisfied. She could probably learn a thing or two from him about that. And beyond the business side. Something told her that he was good at getting whatever—or whomever—he put his mind to.
“I’m glad that you put your guests first,” she said, sipping her drink.
Gene favored her with a straight look. “Don’t you?”
“Absolutely. As director of guest relations, it’s my job to cater to our guests’ needs and wants.”
He nodded. “From what I saw in the lobby, you have a lot of guests to please.”
Sloane grinned. “True, but I think I’m up to the task, even if at times some of them can be rather challenging.”
Gene laughed. “Tell me about it. That’s true whether you have many or hardly any guests. You just have to deal with them and keep a smile on your face.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself,” Sloane admitted, breaking into a big smile, knowing he expected it.
“Have you had the chance to go to a Maui luau yet?” Gene asked, putting a napkin to his mouth.
“As a matter of fact, I haven’t. We have our own at the hotel, but between work and looking for a place to live, I haven’t had the time.”
“They have a great luau on Kaanapali Beach nightly. I was thinking about heading over there tonight and checking it out.” He peered at her through those deep eyes. “And I could definitely use some company.”
Sloane couldn’t escape the heat of his gaze. “Are you asking me out on a date?”
Gene angled his face. “Yeah, I am, if you can find the time in your busy schedule. I know it’s short notice, but you could probably use a break. I know I can. Also, it would give you a chance to see another part of Maui other than Wailea.”
Sloane had to admit that the man could be very persuasive in hitting the right notes. It did sound like fun, and she could use the distraction from what had quickly become her normal and demanding routine. Besides, she welcomed the opportunity to spend more quality time with someone who seemed as interested as she was. Not to mention sexy and extremely good-looking.
“You’re on,” she told him.
Gene smiled broadly. “Great. Where are you staying?”
“Temporarily, I’ve got a room here.” Sloane wished she had her own place instead of a hotel room. “The room was thrown in as part of the job.”
“I have a great suite available,” Gene offered, “should you need a respite from the noise, crowded elevators and touristy surroundings.”
Sloane wondered if he was referring to his private suite. She could only imagine what type of personal service she could get from him there. Or might it be beyond her vivid imagination?
“Thanks for letting me know,” she told him. “But I don’t expect to be here much longer than another day or two. I have a couple of places I’ll be looking at tomorrow.”
“That’s cool,” Gene said. “Just thought I’d put the invite out there.”
“It was sweet. Thank you.” Sloane gave him a sincere smile and glanced discreetly at her watch. “Well, I’d better be getting back to work.” Believe me, I wish I could stay longer to talk to you.
“Same here,” Gene said. “There’s always something that needs to be done at the house.”
After Sloane paid for the lunch, they walked out into the lobby.
“I’ll pick you up at seven,” Gene told her.
“I’ll be ready,” Sloane promised, even if she had a lot to do between then and now. It was worth making the time to have some fun with someone who was clearly interested in getting to know her. The feeling was mutual.
Sloane wasn’t sure if it would be awkward when they said their goodbyes. But Gene gave her a gentlemanly kiss on the cheek and was on his way without fanfare. She admired his firm and enviable backside for a moment before walking in the opposite direction. Sloane’s hand made its way to her cheek where Gene’s tender mouth had been, sending ripples of pleasure throughout her body.
Chapter 3
“Was that him?” Kendra asked, peering across the lobby through her glasses as Gene exited the hotel.
Sloane saw no use denying it. “Yep, sure was.”
“Definitely hot!”
“Definitely,” Sloane admitted.
“And he’s definitely got his eye on you!”
“Maybe.” Sloane didn’t want to get too carried away too soon. “Time will tell.”
“Seems like time has already told,” Kendra said with a laugh. “You go from a romantic beach rescue to finding out that you’re both available to have lunch at the best café in Wailea. One can only wonder what’s next.”
Sloane chuckled as they walked. “Well, wonder no longer. Gene’s taking me to a luau tonight on Kaanapali Beach.”
“Wow. I’ve been there—it’s a great experience.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“Looks like you two are becoming an item,” Kendra stated.
“We’re just friends,” Sloane told her, trying to keep it real at this point.
“That’s what they all say. If this keeps up, it will be friends with some very nice benefits before you know it.”
Sloane colored. “We won’t talk about that. Right now, I’m just enjoying his company.” Not to say that she wasn’t up for nice and fulfilling benefits with someone who seemed to have an abundance of them.
Later Sloane was in her office working with her twentysomething assistant, Mia Makaiwi.
“We have Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Washington arriving next week for their honeymoon,” Sloane told her. “Aside from the usual lei greeting and bottle of wine, I’d like to add a few extra perks to their suite, like some rose petals leading up to the bed and chocolate macadamia nuts.”
“Will do,” Mia said, taking notes.
“Let’s also throw in a volcano air tour that they might enjoy as newlyweds.”
Mia’s eyes lit up. “I went on that once. It was scary, but fun being up there in the twin-engine plane to see the rain forests and coastline of Maui.”
“I’ll have to try it myself someday if I ever get up the nerve,” Sloane said. She pictured herself going on such an adventure with Gene, who seemed so steady and sure of himself.
“There’s a class reunion here next month,” Mia informed her. “I think it’s a twenty-five-year reunion.”
“That’s great.” Sloane loved planning such events. “Get me everything on it. I’ll contact their representative and see if we can’t help them do it right. Perhaps we can combine their class theme with a distinctively Hawaiian element.”
“Good idea. They might as well take full advantage of being in Hawaii.”
“Exactly.” Sloane jotted down some notes. “Also, remind me that I’m supposed to put together an itinerary for Sally Weincroft, a seventy-five-year-old Australian who’s flying in next month and wants us to decide how she should best spend her time during her first visit to America.”
“That should be interesting,” Mia said.
Sloane chuckled. “Challenging might be a better word. I want the experience to be memorable without seeming like it’s just something for old folks to enjoy.”
“Everyone enjoys everything in Hawaii, no matter the age,” joked Mia.
“So it seems.” Sloane had certainly learned since being there that most visitors seemed open to any experience in Maui, as though its majestic landscape caused inhibitions
and fears to disappear. Perhaps she would apply this logic when carving out an agenda for Sally Weincroft.
Sloane imagined it could even work in her personal life as she navigated the waters of being single while still wanting to have a rewarding intimate involvement with no binding strings attached. This immediately caused thoughts of Gene to pop into her head.
“Yes, the first week of August is open in the Paradise Suite,” Gene told the caller, Jean Hourdes. She was calling from Connecticut and had apparently narrowed her search of accommodations down to two places.
“Terrific,” she said. “In that case, I’d like to make my reservation.”
“Consider it done.” He took down her credit card information gratefully.
“How’s the weather there in August?” she wondered. “Or is it perfect year-round?”
“It’s paradise,” Gene said, sidestepping any mention of the rainy days. “August is actually our warmest month of the year, with temperatures usually in the low eighties with plenty of sunshine and steady trade winds to keep the temperatures from seeming too hot.”
“I like it,” Jean said animatedly.
Gene chuckled. “I knew you would. Well, you’re all set, and I look forward to welcoming you to Maui and Malloy’s Bed-and-Breakfast.”
After Gene hung up, he saw Dayna Yee come into the small upstairs room he had set up as his office. She was in her early sixties, with fine white hair and cheeks dotted with tiny moles.
“Another guest will be arriving?” she asked after overhearing the conversation.
“Yes, in three weeks,” he replied.
“The landscape people are coming this afternoon instead of tomorrow due to a scheduling conflict.”
“I’ll make a note.”
“Oh, and the Foresters canceled their October booking,” Dayna said.
Gene frowned. “Too bad. Did they give any reason why?”
Pleasure in Hawaii (Kimani Romance) Page 3