by Lakes, Lynde
“I was just thinking that you’re beautiful enough to be the daughter of the goddess.”
Lani’s hair looked darker, almost auburn in the filtered light. It draped down her back to her waist. He stroked it, delighting in how strong and alive it was, longing to bury his face in it.
“If I am part goddess, would it scare you off?”
He laughed. “I don’t scare easily, or haven’t you noticed?”
“Who told you about the ritual of wrapping locks of our hair together in a maile leaf?” Lani’s voice was husky.
“One of my men, a long time ago.” Cort felt his face grow warm. He felt like an idiot. “Maybe the guy made up the ritual. He was always telling strange tales.” Cort could barely speak past the lump in his throat. “It seemed worth a try.” He focused on her brown eyes. It fascinated him how her irises absorbed colors. In some mystical way, the sliver of light coming through the branches had turned the familiar amber glints to fiery-gold shimmering prisms. “As we climbed up the cliff this morning, I decided to do whatever was necessary—battle Pele, if that’s what it took.”
“You’d battle Pele for me?”
He grinned. “Absolutely.”
****
Lani felt a smile bubbling inside. “I think you believe all this more than you’re willing to admit, even to yourself.”
Cort shrugged. “Perhaps.”
Lani couldn’t hold back the rush of joyful tears. Whether he admitted it or not, he believed, believed it all. Best of all, he believed in her.
Cort was looking at her with so much love in his eyes, and she wanted him to take her in his arms. A silence fell between them. She felt different inside, like a weight had been lifted from her heart, freeing her to love without fear. She finally understood: she’d been brought here to fulfill a destiny that included not only saving the burial grounds, but also falling in love with Cort. He had willingly accompanied her without knowing where it would lead, or the dangers they would encounter. That proved he was the right man to go the rest of the distance with her.
Lani brushed a fallen leaf from her jeans. Lulled by the purifying sound of the waterfall, she breathed deeply. Her lungs filled with the earthy fragrance of the forest.
A sliver of light pierced the leafy branches of the tree sheltering them, catching the gold in Cort’s hair and highlighting the strength of his features. She touched his face gently, loving him so.
“Marry me, Lani,” he said.
Her breath caught. The forest swirled dizzily around her. “You’re the guy who didn’t want to commit to anything permanent,” she said softly.
He drew her into his arms and grinned down at her. “Women don’t have the corner on changing their minds. I know now that I can be the kind of husband you deserve. And I want to prove it to you every day for the rest of our lives.”
Lani felt wings lifting her heart. She couldn’t remember the exact moment when she had begun her dream of a lifetime with Cort. Now it was no longer vague or distant.
“What if I continue to see things?”
“We’ll handle it together.” His arms tightened around her.
“You want to marry me, knowing I could have visions again?”
“Even with visions.”
The heat of his fingers burned through the thin barrier of her clothing, searing her flesh, quickening her heartbeat. She slipped her arms around his neck, desire flowing through her like primitive flames.
“Yesterday I put our lives in jeopardy to chase an illusion. From the moment Grandfather told me about the bizarre events surrounding my birth, I felt driven to get the truth.”
“I know,” he said huskily. “I wanted to help, but I didn’t know how.”
“It’s okay.” She trailed her fingers along the line of his shoulders, admiring the width, the strength. “The obsession is gone.”
“Can you let it go so easily?” His hands were roaming now, sending a shivery excitement through her, stirring her senses.
She traced the arch of his eyebrow. “Not easily.” Lani had to struggle to maintain her train of thought. “But I’m determined not to waste any more time or effort looking back.”
While his eyes devoured her, Cort lazily stroked her skin, making every inch come alive.
“If you take me, you’re stuck with my goals too,” she said trembling, unable to conceal how much he was arousing her. “My future includes getting that law degree, protecting the interests of my people and preserving the Hawaiian culture.”
“I can handle that. Part of why I love you is your loyalty and determination.”
“I want to help you achieve your goals, too.”
“Most of my goals are set in motion.” His eyes brightened. “But there is one goal I can’t achieve alone.” He began trailing kisses along the arch of her neck, sending shivers down her spine. “I love kids,” he murmured. “I’d like a houseful.”
“A houseful?” She laughed. “Goodness, we’d better start right away.”
“That’s what I thought,” he said huskily.
Tears of joy rushed to her eyes.
“Do you think Keo will approve of us?” Cort asked.
“Definitely.” She felt a little breathless, and her voice quivered with happiness. “He’s always been in your corner.”
Cort had found the hollow of her neck and traced it lightly with his tongue, driving her wild. He bent and kissed her lips, a teasing kiss that left her wanting more.
When he brought his mouth down on hers, she tightened her hold around his neck and pressed closer to him. Suddenly, an eerie chill rose from the damp ground, brushed Lani’s ankles and spiraled upward on her body. Startled, she stopped kissing him and looked around. “Cort, did you feel that?”
“What?” he murmured against her ear.
There wasn’t even a hint of a breeze, and the tree branches were still. Lani shivered and drew Cort closer. “Nothing, I guess.” But something deep inside told her it was Pele’s whispered good-bye.
Lani wondered if Cort’s poem had been some kind of prophecy. Maybe love did free her from Pele’s spell. Her fear of loving had disappeared, like the lava stone sinking into the sea, and she was now free to live her own life.
The tiny beam of sunlight that sliced through the thick branches brightened, encircling them in a radiant glow. Lani had known deep in her heart that Cort loved her. She was delighted that now he knew it too.
Cort rained light kisses over Lani’s face, briefly touching her temples, eyelids, teasing near her mouth. She trembled with desire as he caressed her, guiding her down to rest her head against the pillow of cool misty moss. Earthy, musky forest fragrances floated around her. As Cort tangled his fingers into her hair, Lani heard a mynah bird calling from the thick ohia branches above them. When Cort claimed her mouth again, the noise of the crashing waterfall and rushing stream faded, then all sounds were obscured except the wild throbbing of their hearts.
The End
www.lyndelakes.com
Other Books by Lynde Lakes:
Murder in the Clear Zone
Pointing Leaf
Evernight Publishing
http://www.evernightpublishing.com