“Fuck, you feel good.”
She pushes herself back up and leans back, reaching one hand behind her and between my legs. I bring a hand between hers, circling and rubbing as she does the same.
“Maka, I’m right there. Don’t stop!”
She looks so fucking gorgeous, eyes closed, lost in pleasure. I wish I could freeze time. She squeezes and suddenly I couldn’t stop if I wanted to. She tightens around me, shuddering and I let go too, emptying myself into her as she rides out her own waves. She collapses on my chest, trailing kisses on my bare skin.
“I love you, Ames.” She brings her face to mine, kissing me properly.
“I love you, Lani. So much.” I keep kissing her. Just because we came doesn’t mean this has to end. No matter how many times I have Nalani in my arms, it’s never enough. I’ll never get my fill of her, but we have a whole lifetime ahead of us.
preview
Want more Ames & Nalani? Turn the page for a bonus epilogue for a peek into their Hawaiian happily ever after?
Did you miss Fern and Deacon’s story? Get it HERE
Need to get caught up on Norah and Ka‘eo’s story? Get it HERE
Turn the page for a preview of Jameson’s story, “Like a Good Friend.”
Jameson
I knew it! The moment Nalani came in, her olive skin glowing with a smile she couldn’t contain, I knew those two were expecting. She had the same expression that Mama always got. It was the one time she was consistently, predictably joyful, and those smiles lit up our house so bright I could almost forget the dark times. I’m really, truly happy for them. Ames is a great guy. A good friend. Most people wouldn’t be willing to overlook who I was when I moved in and give me another chance. He did that and then some. I’m so grateful to this group of friends for giving me a reason and a chance to start over.
I can’t even begin to wrap my brain around what this coming year will be like. Half of our group is married, there’s a baby on the way… then there’s me and Everett Dawes. I don’t rightly know what his deal is. He’s a cool guy, but quick to blow up. I like him well enough, but I don’t want to be living with the gruff ginger giant forever. We’re getting a little old for roommates. I miss the feeling of family, having people who love you unconditionally and rely on you. There’s a big part of me that wants that for myself. Like Fern and Deacon; Norah and Ka‘eo; Ames and Nalani. But that’s just not in the cards. Not for me anyway.
Guys like me don’t get the happily ever after. Guys like me don’t deserve the happily ever after. Still, this time in Hawai‘i, with this group of people, has changed me enough to leave me wishing for a real, genuine relationship with someone who sees the good in me, someone who makes me want to work to deserve them. I’d like to be the guy that outgrew his call sign. I’m just not sure I know how.
Acknowledgments
Quick thank you to my beta reader, Sharon Gill! Thank you for reminding me that not everyone exists in a bubble and helping me to strengthen Nalani’s family relationships!
To my beta reading critique partner, Amanda Wilson, you’re my favorite!! Thank you for your gentle critiques, fantastic ideas and all around coolness. I’m better just for knowing you.
To my Twitter writing community: you know who you are and you know how much you mean to me. Thank you!
To Brooke Waggoner: thank you for your gorgeous music and lyrics which always inspire me! And thank you for being an awesome human, making it so easy to work with you. I’m honored to share your work!
And lastly, to my sailor: thank you for answering my endless Navy questions, being my biggest support, champion, and inspiration. I love you!
About the Author
Drea lives on the beautiful island of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i with her Sailor and 5 kids. She drinks a lot of coffee, reads a lot of books, and has a lot of tattoos. As a neurodivergent author, her dream characters and scenarios involve complex people, emotional wounds, normalizing nurturing those things that make us unique, and the magic of finding the person who sees all of you and still wants more. When not writing, she can be found weightlifting with her sailor, avoiding social engagements, and singing and playing guitar (alongside that handsome sailor) with their church worship band.
Follow her on:
Website: http://www.dreabraddock.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/HanaMauCollective
Instagram: www.instagram.com/author.drea.braddock
Twitter: www.twitter.com/authordrea
Also by Drea Braddock
One Night in Waikiki (O‘ahu Naval Officers prequel novella)
Like a Good Neighbor (O‘ahu Naval Officers #1)
Playlist
“Brothers on a Hotel Bed” by Death Cab for Cutie
“To Love” by Brooke Waggoner
“Love on the Brain” by Devon Gilfillian
“U Move, I Move” by John Legend ft Jhene Aiko
“Slow Burn” by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
“Tear in My Heart” by Twenty One Pilots
“Dance to This” by Troye Sivan ft Ariana Grande
“You are Mine” by MuteMath
“God Only Knows” by Brandi Carlisle
Hawaiian Words & Phrases
Brah/Braddah (bru-duh) bro or young guy
Char-siu (char-soo) a Chinese BBQ sauce made from hoisin, honey, soy sauce and Chinese 5 spice that gives the meat a bright red color on the outside
Fo sho — for sure
Fuzakenna (foo-zuh-ken-uh) Japanese curse meaning “you’ve gotta be fucking kidding me” or “stop bullshitting me”
Huli-huli chicken (hoo-lee) chicken turned over the flame repeatedly, marinated in a teriyaki-like huli-huli sauce
Kalo (kah-low) taro plant
Kalua pork (kuh-loo-uh) Hawaiian style smoked and shredded pork
Kanaka (kah-nah-kah) native Hawaiian
Killah (kill-uh) killer/good
Kine (kyne) kind/the kind
Kolohe (Koh-low-hay) mischievous
Lanai (luh-nye) covered deck or porch
Maka (mah-kah) beloved
Nani (nah-nee) beauty
Pa’i’ai (pah-ee-eye) hand pounded kalo/taro
Poi (poy) taro plant pounded with water to achieve the desired consistency
Poi Pounding the act of breaking down steamed kalo/taro into pa’i’ai using the pohku ku’i’ai on the papa ku’i’ai
Puu-puus (poo-poos) appetizers
Shaka (shah-kuh) gesture made by holding the hand in a loose fist with thumb and pinky extended. The gesture of the aloha spirit sometimes referred to as the “hang loose” gesture
Shoots—yeah or okay, used when in agreement
Slippahs—flip flop sandals
Ube (oo-bay) purple yam
Hawaiian Names & Places
Ala Wai Harbor (ah-luh vye)
Hawaii (huh-vy-ee)
Honolulu (ho-no-loo-loo)
H-3—interstate highway that goes across the island, connecting leeward and windward sides
Kachaan—Japanese term of endearment for mother
Ka’eo (kah-ay-oh)
Kailua (ky-loo-uh)
Kaneohe (kah-nee-oh-hey)
Ko’olau Mountains (ko-oh-lah-oo) mountain range paralleling the eastern coast of Oahu
Leeward side—Common way to refer to the western coast of every Hawaiian island. The leeward side is drier as the trade winds pass after the hit the mountains.
Touchan—Japanese term of endearment for father
Townside—what Eastside residents call the Honolulu-area
Waikiki (wy-kee-kee)
Windward side —Common way to refer to the eastern coast of every Hawaiian island. Wind dropping and hitting the mountains tends to leave that side cooler and more lush
than the western coasts.
u for reading books on Archive.
Like a Good Wife (Oahu Naval Officers Book 2) Page 26