As he took another inventory of her looks, he saw her mother’s coloring and her father’s stubborn chin. Mano knew he should keep them in mind when looking at her, but all he could think of was pulling all that red hair out of her clip and running his hands through it. He’d love to see it spread out on his bed.
Dammit.
“Dee? Good Lord.” He took a step back. Then another. “What the hell are you doing here?”
She swung her hip to shut the fridge door. He tried not to notice the little sexy move but that was just not working. Damn, the girl had gone and grown up on him.
“Well, it sure is nice to see you again, Mano. Been, what, eight years and all you can say is ‘what the hell are you doing here’?” She twisted off the cap to her water and gestured toward the table with her head. “Leila and I went shopping at the Aloha Swap Meet this morning. Doing some Christmas shopping.”
He noticed a pile of plastic shopping bags in the center of his mother’s kitchen table and then he remembered his sister telling him she was going shopping with a friend. She didn’t say that her friend was Daisy Burton. And she definitely didn’t tell him that Daisy had turned into a woman with breasts the perfect size for his hands.
She stepped forward and for a second he panicked. He didn’t know if he could handle Daisy up close and personal. Lusting after Mr. Burton’s pride and joy was just sick. He’d kill Mano if he even knew he was thinking about stripping her bare and licking her from her toes on up. Or that he would like to sink his cock into her, feel her muscles clamp tight. His balls ached and his dick grew hard. Wearing only boxers, Mano knew she could see his erection unless she was blind.
She stopped within inches of him, so close her breasts grazed his bare chest. He sucked in a breath and drew in her scent. Something musky and sensual. His cock twitched at the thought of her wearing her perfume and nothing else. Well, except for him.
Leaning forward, she placed a hand on his chest. A wave of heat spread through his blood. Her hip grazed the head of his penis. He could feel her breath on his ear and closed his eyes trying to think of something else. Something that didn’t involve her. Like ice water…or who won the 1963 World Series, or something like that.
But, with her near, it was impossible to think about anything but the warm woman heating his blood. His senses spun, his mouth went dry and he had to fight the urge to grab her and drag her to his room.
“I just wanted you to know,” her voice was whisper soft and husky, “we bought some malassadas and they’re on the table.” She stepped past him and her laughter drifted back to him.
He opened his eyes and turned to watch her go. Damn her. She knew he was hot for her and she used it to tease him. And now she was laughing at him. As he watched her walk up the stairs, her hips swung from side to side. For a second or two, he lost track of his thoughts and stood mesmerized.
“You know, walking around in that condition might be unhealthy.” More laughter followed the comment.
He should be pissed as hell. Damn her for growing up and developing curves that drove him crazy. But, maybe it was more than just her. Since turning thirty, Mano started to find one-night stands distasteful. Diane, his last girlfriend, had broken it off with him three months ago when he got the assignment, and didn’t propose. Just too long without sex. That’s all. Had nothing to do with her.
He glanced down at his still-obvious erection and decided on a cold shower before grabbing a malassada.
* * * *
Dee took the stairs up to Leila’s room two at time. She rushed through the door then shut it and leaned against it.
Oh, Lordy, the man was hot. He’d always been a cute, typical Hawaiian boy. Dark hair and tawny eyes, straight aristocratic nose, high cheek bones, and those lips. She sighed. So many teenage fantasies had been focused on his mouth.
When she’d turned around and saw him standing in his mother’s kitchen she’d lost all the conversation she’d planned in advance. She’d known he was moving back to Honolulu, stationed at Hickam AFB, so she had tried to prepare herself. But, all that golden skin and that delicious smile curving those kissable lips…she stood there like a dummy and couldn’t say anything but his name. But she’d gained her wits, had teased him about his condition and left before she could make a fool of herself. She wondered now if he woke every morning that hard or if she had something to do with it.
She sighed and pushed that thought aside and tried to think of him as the brother he had often claimed to be. Mano had spent a lot of time at their house after his father had died. Her father and his had gone through basic together so Pop had taken him under his wing. There had been some resentment on her part, that the precious time they had together was being shared with some boy, but that was before she’d landed in his lap one afternoon.
That memory would ruin her for years. She’d tripped over something and landed right in his lap. Her sixteen-year-old heart smacked against her chest the moment his arms had automatically come around her. For a second, she’d been in his embrace, his warm male scent tickling her senses, his body pressed against hers. He’d made a crack about her clumsiness, and set her on her feet. The moment was over and everyone had had a good laugh. For her, though, it had been heaven and hell. Her first real awareness of a man, and it was a man who viewed her as his little sister and who had usurped her spot with her father.
“What’s up with you?” Leila, Mano’s sister, asked while trying on a dress she had bought that morning. Besides her two sisters, she was Dee’s best friend.
“I had an encounter.” She took a sip of water trying to cool off. “Your brother finally got out of bed.”
“Ahh.” Leila pulled the dress off and grabbed her bikini top to put back on.
“What, ahhh? What does that mean?”
Leila sighed and began putting items in a bag for the beach. “It means I know why you’re blushing, sista.”
“I am not.” But she looked in the mirror to her left and found just that. She felt her face grow hotter.
“Yeah. I know you. You gonna go all mooney-eyed over him again.” She glanced at Dee over her shoulder and fluttered her eyelashes.
“I’m not. I’m immune to him.”
Leila snorted.
“No, really. He didn’t even know who I was.”
Leila stopped shoving things into her bag and looked at her. Dee had often thought that sister and brother weren’t that close in looks but they shared the same tawny eyes. Too-knowing eyes.
“He didn’t know?” Her lips curved. “Did he…make a pass?”
Dee began to walk around the room and rearrange things on Leila’s shelves. “What makes you say that?” She tried for sophisticated, but ended up sounding shrill.
“I don’t know. Maybe because when I ask you questions, you flush red. And I know you. You still have a crush on him.”
She whirled around, embarrassment and anxiety pushing her temper. “I do not. I have my pick of men.” Not really, since most of them thought of her as a friend. “And I don’t want him finding out about that. You promised when we were in high school you would never tell him.”
“I won’t but he may figure it out, Dee.”
“What? There’s nothing to figure out.”
Leila shook her head but before she could comment there was a knock at the door. It opened and Mano stuck his head in and smiled. “Going to the beach?”
“Yeah, want to come with us?” Leila said. Dee said nothing, as she was struck dumb by the water droplets glistening on his bare, muscled chest. Her skin tingled while her body grew warm. And he wasn’t even talking to her or looking at her. He was just standing there, gorgeous as ever. No, even more beautiful since he’d filled out, growing into those long limbs.
“Give me a few minutes and I’ll drive.”
He winked and shut the door.
“You’re over him?” Leila’s tone was disbelieving.
Dee nodded and Leila laughed. “Honey, you sure do a bad imitation of someo
ne with the hots for my brother.”
Chapter Two
The scent of coconut oil mixed with the crisp saltiness of the ocean surrounded Dee. She drew in a deep breath, allowing the familiar scents to soothe her nerves. Dee loved living in Hawaii and had been thrilled to get the contract job on base. Her salary allowed her to live comfortably, and left her weekends and federal holidays open for the beach. She slathered on another layer of sunscreen, a ritual for her.
She cringed when she heard a tinkly little laugh. Since they’d arrived at the beach, Mano hadn’t wasted any time finding a friend. Glancing out of the side of her eye, she watched as Faith Ramonas bat her big blue eyes at Mano. She’d latched onto Mano the moment they arrived. He’d lapped up the attention. Just like when he’d been a teenager. Faith had been a cheerleader at their high school, and she’d irritated Dee then. She irritated her now.
“You know, drooling over the man might tip him off that you want him.”
Dee shot Leila the stink eye. “I’m not drooling over him.” Not really.
“You’ve been eyeing him and Faith for the past five minutes.”
Damn, it was a pain in the butt having a perceptive friend. “I don’t give a damn what Mano and Faith are doing.” She tried to project an air of nonchalance, but unfortunately, Mano laughed. The deep, sensual sound tingled down her spine. She shivered. She had to fight the urge to turn around, but she must have flinched because Leila laughed.
“Come on, sista. Let’s go back down to the water. You shoulda brought your board.”
Dee shrugged. “Look at those waves. Barely two feet. We should’ve went to the North Shore.”
Leila smiled and motioned toward the water with her head. They began trudging through the hot sand. “Mano was right. This time of year, going up there in the middle of the day would take forever.”
Dee grunted. The argument that ensued over where to go today had become almost a shouting match. But, Leila had stepped in deferring to Mano since he’d just returned to the island.
“Come on. Derek’s down there. He’s been asking after you.”
Dee looked at the sandy-haired surfer whose smile sent most women melting into a puddle of lust. He was smiling that smile and it did nothing. Not one damn thing. She didn’t understand what the heck was the matter with her.
“Derek isn’t interested in me. He’s just a friend.”
Leila tsked. “Girl, you don’t pay attention. He’s been sniffing around you for months.”
Dee chuckled when he caught her gaze and winked. “Only because he hasn’t had me. Man should’ve been a pilot. He definitely has enough testosterone to apply.” But then, if she flirted with him, he wouldn’t take it seriously, and truthfully, it would keep her mind off Mano and big blue eyes. She still felt a little guilty about doing it, so she hesitated. A moment later, she heard that woman’s giggle and she strode across the hot sand.
“Hey, Dee, Leila.” Derek flashed them that gorgeous smile, his dimples winked at her, and she felt…nothing. “You bring your board?”
“No, not much reason for it over here today. Whatcha been doing?” She dipped her voice an octave lower. His smile warmed in response.
“Waiting for you, darlin’.” He slid his arm over her shoulders and steered her to the water. “How about a dip?”
* * * *
Mano ground his teeth as he watched some damn slime ball surfer flirt with Dee. Then the jackass slid his arm around her shoulders and led her to the water. Anger heated his blood and his head throbbed.
“Mano?”
For a second, it didn’t register that Faith was actually there, let alone talking to him.
“Huh?” He glanced in her direction and felt his face heat. “Sorry. What did you say?”
She sighed, her aggravation clearly showing. Faith was a fun girl. Long conversations were not her thing. She liked no-strings, kinky sex. Her father was a retired Colonel and she liked to date officers. Lots of officers. Usually, his type of woman. He studied her wondering why she didn’t appeal to him now. A month ago, hell yesterday, he’d have jumped a the chance to slide between those toned thighs.
“Mano. I asked if you were settling in.”
He shrugged. “Just got in last night. I’m over at my mom’s for the time being. I know they do have a few single officer’s quarters on base, not sure how long the wait is.”
She moved closer blocking his view of Dee and surfer boy. He strained to look around all her big blond hair.
“You could stop by tonight. I got a nice little apartment over in Hawaii Kai.”
Now the jerk had the nerve to splash Dee, for Christ’s sake. What the hell did he think he was doing?
“What did you say?” Faith’s sugary sweet tone broke into his thoughts.
Shit. Had he said that out loud? “Nothing.”
“Oh.”
Her tone clearly told Mano she didn’t know what to make of him. Probably because he’d been flirting with her to get his mind off Dee and her ass. And the way she looked in a bikini. Especially when he was going out of his mind thinking of what it would be like to spread all that lotion over her honeyed skin. Just thinking about it sent a rush of heated blood to his cock.
“Mano!”
Heat crept up his neck and into his face. “Sorry. Jet lag.”
She smiled. Faith was beautiful, available, and willing. Curves to die for and a pair of legs that would fit nicely around his waist. And he had no feelings of guilt thinking about sex with her. Thinking it would be the best thing to do, he responded to her dimples and her open offer for easy sex. Before he could accept her suggestion, Dee squealed. He whipped his head around. Jackass surfer boy had picked her up and was threatening to throw her. Before he could think twice he was striding off in their direction without a thought for Faith, her body, or any offer of sex.
As he marched past sunbathers and surfers, he told himself it was only because he was looking out for her. Her father would expect him to make sure his daughter was safe.
It had nothing to do with anything else. He was sure of it.
* * * *
Dee felt a smidgen of guilt as Derek swung her around in his arms. She knew for him, this was all a game, a game he was used to winning, and the prize would be bed. But then, his heart wouldn’t be even bruised when she turned him down. He’d just find someone new for the week.
“I mean it, Derek. Put me down.”
He laughed and walked farther out in the water. “That’s the idea.”
“No. Really, I don’t like this.” And she didn’t. She was a strong swimmer but she’d almost drowned as a teenager when she’d gotten a cramp. The memory still made her take precautions when she was out in the water.
“Ah, come on, Dee. Just playing.”
“This isn’t fun, Derek. I don’t like it at all.”
“Dee…”
“I think she said she didn’t like it.”
Dee looked behind Derek as he glanced over his shoulder. Mano stood knee deep in the water, his tawny eyes spitting fire and his body tense, ready for battle. The calmness of his voice was a warning. Most people missed it but Mano got deadly serious when he was pissed. For some unknown reason, relief washed over her. She couldn’t understand it because she usually hated men who tried to take control of the situation or interfered.
“I don’t know who the hell you are, bra, but Dee and I were just having a little fun.” Derek dismissed Mano by turning back around. “Now, where were we?”
A half second later, Mano’s hand clamped down on Derek’s shoulder. She peeked at him. His eyes narrowed and a smiled filled with lethal intent curved his lips. Derek was a moment away from having his ass handed to him by Mano. She shivered when she realized he could live up to his call name, Shark.
“I said,” his voice was low, controlled, and anything but nice, “that the lady said she didn’t like it. I think you need to rethink your position.”
Derek’s muscles tensed. But apparently he thoug
ht better of it when he turned and saw the murderous intent in Mano’s eyes.
“We were just fooling around.” He shrugged and carefully lowered her legs so she could stand, not taking his eyes off Mano. “I think I’ll get an ice.”
Dee released a breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding. Without a backward glance, he waded through the water to the shore. Neither Mano nor Dee said a word as they watched him. Children’s shouts and water splashing filled the air. She opened her mouth to thank him, but he ruined it by shouting at her.
“Just what the hell do you think you’re doing, sista? Huh? Out here gallivanting around like some hormone-filled teenager.” His voice rose and his Hawaiian Island lilt became more pronounced. Several people turned to look in their direction.
Her gratitude dissolved into anger the moment she heard that tone. Overbearing military men irritated her like no others, and it was one of the many reasons why she never dated them. That and she knew she could never depend on one. But embarrassment and indignation had her poking him in the chest.
“Listen, bruddah, I don’t need your help. I’m a big girl.”
He looked down at her finger then back up. “Really. So once you grow up you can act like a cat in heat? What would your father think?”
Bringing up her father pushed her over the edge of reasonable judgment. She let loose a strangled scream, placed both hands on his chest and shoved. His eyes widened as he lost his balance and fell on his ass in the water.
Chapter Three
Three weeks later, Dee had pushed the incident out of her mind. Well, not really, but she didn’t think about it too much. Or she tried not to. The humiliating scene plagued her every time she thought of Mano. Which wasn’t that much. Just about every five seconds.
She clicked through her late morning emails thinking that maybe she needed to take Derek up on his offer of dinner and a movie. Time spent with a different man, a handsome man, might really help her get over her lust for Mano. She noticed an email from Lily and opened.
Operation Love Page 10