“Well, thank you again for risking it.”
He brought her hand to his lips and placed a soft, quick kiss. “You’re welcome.”
He had to stop doing stuff like that. Or at least wait until someone was watching. “You’re wasting all your good moves.”
He drew her closer as they reached her boss’s table. “Don’t worry. I’ve got plenty.”
Didn’t she know it. She swallowed hard and cleared her throat before addressing the group. “Hi, everyone,” she said as they arrived at Marvin’s table.
“Hayley, Chase, great showing today at the shark dive,” Marvin said, sipping his mai tai. “But I guess for a police officer, a shark is nothing.”
Chase laughed. “Actually I was terrified. Hayley was the brave one,” he said, holding her chair while she sat.
She’d observed him doing a lot of those kinds of things—holding doors, holding chairs, taking her sweater and helping her into it...little gestures, chivalrous gestures that were rare these days. She wondered if it was part of the act or if he really was one of the few men who believed in treating their dates with the old-fashioned courtesies. The strong-willed feminist in her wanted to hate it, but she didn’t. Ten months with James, who firmly believed that she should hold the door for him, made her appreciate the chivalry.
“Hayley is tough,” Marvin said with a nod.
She hated that she couldn’t tell if that was a good thing or not. And on this trip, the point was to demonstrate a different side—a softer side. It wasn’t as hard as she’d thought it would be with Chase in her corner, his masculinity undeniable.
The waiter arrived and took their drink orders and then the hostess took to a tiny stage on the beach in front of the restaurant. “Welcome, everyone. Tonight’s cliff dive and torch lighting ceremony will be starting shortly. In the meantime, we are offering free hula lessons. So anyone who would like to learn is welcome to join us.”
Not in a million—
“You know what? What the hell! We’re in Hawaii after all,” Marvin said, surprising everyone as he stood and drained the contents of his glass. How many had he had? The man wasn’t ancient, but he had to be at least sixty-eight, sixty-nine, and not in the best shape. Wasn’t he worried about displacing a hip or something? “Come on, team,” he said.
Damn. She shook her head, but he was insistent, shooting her a pointed look. Softer, more relaxed, fun side. “Okay, I’m in.”
Chase grinned as he sipped his water. “You really would do anything to keep this job, huh?” he whispered.
“I thought that was obvious by now,” she said through gritted teeth before following her coworkers down to the beach.
* * *
TEN MINUTES LATER, Chase struggled to hide his laughter as Marvin appeared, shirtless, grass hula skirt wrapped around his waist. He could only imagine the chief of police dressed that way. The white-collar world truly was a different universe to his daily grind of criminals and hardened coworkers.
Hayley had yet to emerge and he couldn’t wait to see her in her hula skirt and coconut bra. The sight of her in her yellow one-piece earlier that day had made him wish they’d been alone on that boat. The passionate kiss they’d shared had been nothing close to what he’d really wanted to do with her. The curves of her hips under his grip as he’d pulled her to him had begged to be explored, and the only thing stopping him had been the presence of others. Which shouldn’t have been the only thing stopping him. He had to get better control of himself. In less than a week, they were going their separate ways. Yet he knew what he’d told her on the boat was true—they would be having sex again.
And the sooner the better.
Across the beach, Hayley appeared dressed in a hula skirt and a white bikini top, a pink flower in her hair, her skin glowing in the colorful stage lights. Reminding himself that they weren’t actually a couple was starting to prove difficult. Reminding himself that he’d probably never see her again once they went home was even tougher. And trying not to think about what was beneath that bikini top was damn near impossible.
Hayley avoided his eyes, wrapping her arms self-consciously around her waist as she shifted from one foot to the other, waiting for the lesson to begin.
Man, she was beautiful. From her shoulder-length, sun-streaked blond hair to her perfectly manicured toes. He shifted in his chair as he stiffened against the fabric of his khakis. Better keep the thoughts PG for now.
The hula instructor, a beautiful, older Hawaiian woman wearing a traditional hula dress and a red-and-white flower in her dark hair, made her way to the front of the group. “Aloha,” she said. “Everyone ready to get started?”
Marvin nodded enthusiastically, but the other lawyers looked uncomfortable at being the preliminary entertainment for the restaurant guests.
The woman began with a simple hip rotation, demonstrating the proper technique, then invited the participants to try.
Chase leaned forward in his seat, his eyes glued to Hayley as she held her arms out straight at her sides and began the hip circles with ease. She was sexy. There was no denying it. And keeping his dirty thoughts about what he’d like to be doing with those hips at that moment was near impossible...
The tempo of the music quickened and the instructor demonstrated the arm movements next. Chase watched as Hayley’s arms made the wave like motions on either side as her hips continued their circular rhythm. Mesmerizing, tantalizing circles and soft, rippling arm motions had him completely transfixed. Damn it, what he wouldn’t give to rip that grass skirt from her hips and untie the tiny string holding that bikini top in place.
* * *
BACK AT THE TABLE, Hayley avoided Chase’s eyes as she sat and reached for her drink. In her absence the ice had melted, watering down the alcohol, but it was refreshing—just what she needed. The feel of Chase’s hand on her back seconds later made her mouth go dry again. “That had to be the sexiest thing I have ever seen,” he whispered.
Hayley swallowed hard as she turned to face him. “The sight of my boss and coworkers really did it for you, huh?” she said with a teasing smile, aiming to keep the mood light. She wanted to convince her coworkers that they were in love, but she didn’t want to start believing this was anything more than a great act.
“No, it was the sight of your incredible hips moving that made me want to join you out there.”
“Why didn’t you?” she challenged.
“I don’t dance,” he said. “And besides, what I wanted to do with those hips wasn’t exactly a spectator sport.”
She swallowed hard as she reached for her glass. Empty. Where was the waiter? She needed a cold drink...or just ice. Something to cool her flushed skin.
Chase handed her his. “You’re thinking about it now, too, aren’t you?”
She took a big gulp of liquid courage before meeting his challenging gaze. “Just because I’ve been thinking about it since your hotter-than-all-hell body sat next to me on the plane, doesn’t mean I’m going to act on it...again,” she whispered as she leaned closer, handing him back his glass.
“Good. At least one of us should keep thinking with their head,” he said with a wink.
The horn sounded for the beginning of the cliff dive and torch lighting ceremony and she turned in her chair to face the cliffs, happy for the interruption. Things were getting a little too hot between them. But the heat returned as Chase wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned against her back, resting his chin on her shoulder to watch the nightly ritual. She tensed slightly as the intimate, close contact made her heart pound and her pulse race. Then, taking a deep breath, she allowed herself to relax against him. It wasn’t real—there was no fear of getting hurt, no fear of unwanted promises or commitments, no fear of falling in love...she might as well enjoy the perfect situation while it lasted.
* * *
&n
bsp; THE WAVES CRASHING over their bare feet were still warm as Chase and Hayley made their way along the sand. This time of night, the beach walk would be crowded with vacationers, so he’d been pleased when she’d accepted his idea to walk back along the ocean instead. Much quieter, fewer people, an opportunity to be with just her. Something he’d found himself craving all evening. And hating himself for. Already his attraction to her had gone too far. She claimed she wasn’t interested in a relationship and she acted as though she understood this arrangement was a one-week deal only, but he still worried.
Many others had claimed to understand the limits to what he could offer...only to try to change his mind, change him, as they got too close. He had to be careful not to let this become another one of those misunderstandings.
And now that they were alone, there was no reason to delay telling her about Adam and Kendall. He took a breath... Maybe later. “So, tell me more about your job. How did you decide on family law?”
“Well, I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer. My father works in corporate law and he says I get my argumentative nature from him,” she said with a shrug. “But I also knew I didn’t want to work with my father. So in law school, I decided to take a slightly different path.”
“Isn’t it depressing, though?”
“Over the years I’ve learned to distance my emotions from my work. I mean, there are always cases that get to you. I’m not immune to the devastating effects a divorce can have on a family.”
“Such as?”
“The kids, mainly. I prefer to handle cases that don’t involve custody issues.”
“I can understand how those would be challenging for sure.”
“Not as challenging as trying to get any work done here. This place is so peaceful and perfect. As much as I’m terrified to go back to a stack of work next week, I’m glad Marvin implemented the no-work policy,” Hayley said, breathing in the fresh air. She paused and slipped off her strappy sandals before continuing on.
“Yeah, I’d almost forgotten how great Hawaii could be,” Chase said, taking her sandals from her and carrying them in one hand.
She looked surprised at the gesture and smiled. Maybe part of her antimen campaign stemmed from the fact that she’d never been with a real man, he mused. He’d noticed the surprised look several times over the last few days—whenever he opened a door or held out a chair. The feminist movement may have caused some men to fear that their gestures of kindness could be misconstrued, but he still believed in basic courtesy and treating a woman with respect. If his actions garnered him a slap someday when he offered to help the wrong woman, he’d take his chances. His father had taught him and his brothers to treat women as the treasures they were and had led by example. And he refused to let his anticommitment ways turn him into a complete asshole.
“So, you’ve been to Maui before?”
“With my family, every year until I was eighteen, the summer before my parents died. I realized later that our last two-week vacation had served a purpose other than our annual family getaway. My father had been working undercover and his identity had been blown. They’d wanted to leave the city for a few weeks until things settled a little, until the department could bring in the drug ring’s leader under charges of possession with the intent to distribute based on the evidence my father had presented. Unfortunately, two weeks hadn’t been long enough.” It had been a long time since he’d told anyone that story, but somehow it felt right, natural, to tell her.
“I’m so sorry, Chase. You were eighteen?”
“Yeah. I had enrolled in college the month before. We couldn’t afford it, but I’d somehow managed to secure a football scholarship.”
“Football? Like Adam?”
“Taught him everything he knows.” Including how to treat women. It hardly surprised him that Kendall would fall for one of his brothers—they were all a lot alike. A lot like their father, too.
“So you didn’t always want to be a cop?”
He laughed. “I did. But my father begged us kids to choose a different career. The life of a cop isn’t easy on anyone, and it takes its toll on family life, so I agreed to get a university education first then decide... But then they died and college was out of the question.”
“You were so young and you took over raising Kate and your brothers?”
“My mom’s sister moved in and helped us out for about a year, but then she got sick and we were on our own.”
“Wow. That’s incredible. Really admirable.”
He’d seen that expression in her eyes before—the one women always got whenever they found out that he’d stepped up to raise his siblings. But in truth, it hadn’t been bravery or self-sacrifice—though they might see it that way—it had been out of necessity, to keep his family together the way his parents would have wanted. “No, it’s what you do for family. You take care of one another.” But he’d talked about himself far too long and more than he’d intended. “So...only child. How was that?”
“Lonely most of the time. My father was originally from New York, and my mother’s family is from Myrtle Beach, so we would go there every summer when my parents were together. We rented a cottage there and I looked forward to being around extended family—my grandparents and aunts, uncles and cousins,” she said. “But other than those two weeks every July, there really wasn’t much time to take vacations or to visit. My dad worked all the time back then. Mom refused to go anywhere without him.” She shrugged.
“Is your father retired now?”
“No, he still takes on a few cases a year, but a lot less now...” She hesitated before continuing, “Now that he has a new girlfriend.” She stumbled over the word.
“I take it you don’t like the new girlfriend?”
“She’s thirty-two,” she said, arching an eyebrow.
“So...three years older than you, then,” he said with a wink.
“Nice try. Three years younger, in fact. I’ll be thirty-five in July...next month. Wow, it’s coming close.”
“Really? Me, too. What day in July?”
“The first.”
He laughed. “Me, too.”
“Okay, now you’re messing with me.” She stopped and turned to face him with a look of disbelief. She tucked a stray strand of blond hair behind one ear and cocked her head to the side.
He held his hands up. “No, honestly I’m not. Want to see my license?” Taking it from his wallet, he handed it to her.
“July first... Huh, what a coincidence.” She handed it back to him and stopped, and he noticed that they’d arrived at her hotel. That walk had gone much too fast and once again he’d left things unsaid. He wasn’t in a rush to have the evening end, but the next morning would be another early one for her.
But nothing ventured... Moving closer, he held her sandals for her while she slipped her feet back into them. “So, about that amendment to our arrangement...”
“Forget it, Chase,” she said, shoving him playfully.
“Can’t blame a guy for trying though, right?”
“Good night.” She kissed his cheek and turned to leave but he grabbed her wrist.
“You know, if your boss doesn’t see the value you add, maybe the firm isn’t the right place for you. You should be able to be yourself...not have to change for any...thing.” His gaze locked on hers and he couldn’t decide if he still wanted that nightcap or not.
She smiled as she nodded. “Okay, I’ll take that under consideration.” She paused. “But let me ask you, are you always one hundred percent you—for better or worse...nothing to hide? With the exception of this week, of course?” Her teasing smile made his pulse race.
Damn. He released a slow breath as he brought her hand to his lips and left a gentle kiss there before answering. “With the exception of this week...yes.”
7
CHASE PUT ON his sunglasses as he followed his family down the dock toward West Maui Parasail on Kaanapali Beach. The group had booked the early-morning ride to ensure that everyone had plenty of time floating above the Pacific Ocean, enjoying the breathtaking views of Maui and the neighboring islands of Lanai and Mokolai. But the only breathtaking sight Chase was looking forward to was Hayley later that evening.
Sleep had eluded him the night before as he lay awake thinking about her. He couldn’t have asked for a better date for his sister’s wedding—beautiful, smart, sexy, fun and strong enough to resist his advances the night before. That part sucked a little. But at least one of them was exercising self-control.
As the yellow umbrellas and yellow shuttle boat came into view, he found himself looking forward to the day trip with his siblings. In the city, busy with their own lives, they rarely had any time together, so this was a great way to catch up. Despite Kate’s constant insistence, they hadn’t taken a family vacation since the last one with their parents, and this time together was long overdue.
“Welcome to West Maui Parasail,” a boat captain said as they gathered around the meeting point. “Where is the engaged couple?” He scanned the crowd.
Chase could understand the need for clarification. His brother Eric wandered off toward the edge of the pier and his date, Marissa, was texting furiously on her cell phone. Cooper looked nauseated as he examined the boats, and Kate was speaking a million miles an hour on her phone, confirming the chair and archway rentals for the beach ceremony. Not exactly a romantic-looking crew.
Chase motioned for Kate to wrap it up.
She held up a finger and finished the call. “That’s us,” she said, tucking her phone away. “Sorry about that. So many last-minute details.” She forced a breath. “Okay, I’m ready.”
“I’m Captain Kelsey,” the man said, extending a hand. He led the way down the dock toward the twelve-passenger parasail boat. “This is one of our newer winch boats—the Ocean Pro 31 with hydraulic launch and recovery system, which is important for easy takeoffs and landings directly from the flight deck of the boat.”
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