Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
T here was nothing sexier than watching Sawyer kneeling beside the bed with his head between her legs.
Hollis panted, undulating her hips against his oh-so-clever mouth. He had one of her thighs in a tight grip, and the other she wrapped around his head.
“Sawyer, oh God?—”
He worked a finger inside her. She was a little tender from their night together. She’d discovered the former Navy SEAL had stamina. A lot of it.
His finger filled her, his tongue lapping at her clit. And she couldn’t think anymore. She was racing headfirst toward a magnificent orgasm.
“ Sawyer .” His name was filled with pleading.
She came hard, her cries filling the room and her body shaking. She collapsed back on the bed.
When her blurred vision cleared, she looked down at a smiling and very smug looking Sawyer.
“Good morning.” His voice was a deep rumble.
“It sure is,” she replied.
He ran a hand up her thigh and squeezed. “Unfortunately, I need to get home to change and then head to work.”
“Okay.” Part of her didn’t want him to leave. It looked like her good morning was over. “We didn’t get much sleep last night.” And she’d be busy reliving the memories of what they’d done instead of sleeping all day long.
He shrugged one broad shoulder. “I don’t sleep much. I’m used to running on catnaps.”
She frowned, but he was already pulling away to grab his clothes.
As he got dressed, she pulled herself out of bed. Her legs were deliciously wobbly. She pulled on her favorite, silky, white robe covered in large hibiscus flowers. She tied her hair up in a messy knot and turned. “I’d offer to make you some coffee, but my coffee machine self-imploded.”
He smiled, and her belly tightened. A smile shouldn’t affect her so much.
“I’ll grab one from Island Brew later. The stuff we call coffee in the office is bad.” His gaze ran over her face. “God, you’re beautiful.”
Warmth filled her. She’d heard that phrase so many times before, usually when she was dolled up for an event, after hours of hair and makeup.
Not when she was makeup-free, with tangled hair, and stubble burn on her neck and jaw.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
He pulled her in close, his arms wrapping around her. “You have plans today?”
“A little shopping in Paia.”
“There are some great stores. One-of-a-kind boutiques selling clothes and art.”
“Maybe I’ll find a new coffee machine. I owe Archer one. And once I get home, I’ve got some scripts to read, then I’m going to go down to the beach for a swim.”
His finger traced over her cheekbone. “I’ll drop by later.”
“I’d like that.”
He tugged her up onto her toes and his lips touched hers. She opened her mouth, and he deepened the kiss. Seconds turned to minutes. His hand clenched on her ass, and she pressed into him.
With a groan, he stepped back, reluctance stamped all over his face. “You are pure temptation.”
He held her hand as they walked to the door. She stood in the doorway, and watched him head for the path she guessed led to his place. He gave her a wave and disappeared into the trees.
She shouldn’t feel like the sun had disappeared behind a cloud. Hollis straightened her shoulders and headed back to the kitchen. She set about making a yogurt parfait for breakfast.
Her cellphone rang and when she saw Tave’s name, she tapped the speaker. “Morning.”
“Morning.” Her agent paused. “You sound chipper.”
“It’s a beautiful morning, the sun is shining, and I’m making a delicious yogurt parfait.” She tossed some berries onto her creation.
Tave was quiet for a moment. “You got laid.”
“What?” How the hell could he know?
“I assume Detective Hottie charmed his way into your bed.”
“It’s Deputy Hottie, and his name is Sawyer.”
“I knew it.”
Hollis stuck her spoon in the yogurt and leaned against the island. “And he didn’t charm me. Not the way you mean. He’s a…really good guy. Looks out for me, pays attention, walked me home. I’d given up believing men like him existed.”
“And he has a hard bod and an energetic cock?”
She choked on a laugh. “Tave!”
“That’s a yes. Well, as both your agent and friend, I’m glad you’re getting some good sex.”
“It wasn’t good, it was stupendous.” Heat filled her cheeks at the memories. “We didn’t get much sleep. I didn’t know people had sex like this.”
“Now you’re just gloating.”
“Maybe. A little.”
“You’ve earned it after Bastard Brody.”
Not even the thought of her ex could dim her mood. “How’s LA?”
“Fine. Hot and the traffic sucks. Did you read any of the scripts I sent with you?”
“I did. I really like the Lehman one.”
“Me too. I’ll put out some feelers on the Elsa role. I’m going to courier over some other ones I think you’ll like.”
“Thanks, Tave.” She ate a spoonful of yogurt.
“I’ve also been keeping tabs on Reuben.”
The yogurt curdled in her stomach. “I want you to be careful. He’s dangerous.”
“I’m not making it obvious. He’s still in LA, going about his business. He’s drumming up support for a new movie.”
While she was hiding out in Hawaii, half terrified.
“The new security system’s been installed at your place,” Tave continued. “I got them to do a full sweep. They didn’t find any cameras or bugs.”
“Thanks,” she whispered.
“It’s going to be okay, Hols. You aren’t alone.”
She’d always been alone. Her mom had been too busy and worn out to be there for her. Her father didn’t even bother to stick around. Her brother had lost himself in drugs. Dave had died. The one guarantee in life was that you best get used to standing on your own two feet.
“I’m sure I blew all of this out of proportion,” she said. “This will all blow over.”
God, she hoped she wasn’t lying to herself.
“All right, Red. Go enjoy the ocean, but don’t get that million-dollar skin sunburned. You have a photoshoot for Dior coming up and they don’t want peeling skin.”
“I’ll put sunscreen on, Dad.”
“And have some more hot sex with your deputy. It’s good stress relief.”
She laughed.
“Talk soon, Hols.”
“Bye, Tave.”
After she finished her breakfast, she headed for the bathroom. She needed to shower, change, and then she was going shopping.
After a quick shower, she stood in the closet. Her disguise for today was a cute straw hat, capri pants, and a blue T-shirt. She kept her hair tucked away under the hat and then went looking for her favorite bracelet again. Still no sign of it. She hoped it turned up soon.
Oh, she needed some perfume. She backtracked to the bathroom, and caught her reflection in the mirror. She looked happy, relaxed. She smiled. Clearly all she needed was Sawyer inside her, touching her.
A delicate flush of color filled her cheeks. She looked forward to seeing him later. Maybe she’d cook dinner for him. She wasn’t much of a chef, but she had a few things in her repertoire. Sawyer struck her as a steak kind of guy. Hmm, maybe she’d make her pepper steak stir fry with some fresh greens and rice.
She reached for her perfume, but it wasn’t there. She frowned. It had been on the vanity sink in the bathroom last night. She’d worn a spritz of it to the barbecue.
She searched around the bathroom but there was no sign of the bottle.
Now she felt a strong skitter of unease. Her bracelet was missing, and now her perfume.
There was no one but you and Sawyer in the house. No one knows you’re here.
Hollis rubbed her temple. Someone had followed her on the hiking trail. Now her things were missing. Okay, why would someone take her things? That made no sense.
Except if they wanted to freak you out.
With a shake of her head, she stalked out of the bathroom. Maybe it was a kid from the barbecue on the beach? Wanting a Hollis Stanton souvenir. Or maybe she’d just misplaced them.
She wasn’t going to cower and be afraid. She’d look around for the bracelet and perfume later. She snatched up her keys and handbag.
For now, she was going to head into Paia, get a coffee from Island Brew, then go shopping. Later, she’d cook dinner for a delicious hunk of a man, and maybe have more earth-shattering sex.
Instantly, she felt better. She got in her car and headed for town.
Sipping her chili-cinnamon latte—yes, it sounded weird but it was fabulous—Hollis walked down the main street of Paia. Kiana really was a coffee maestro.
She loved the laid-back vacation vibe of the town. The wooden storefronts were charming and filled with gorgeous things. As she’d been making Hollis’s unique latte, Kiana had proudly shared some of the town’s history, from its sugar plantation heyday to today. Her family had lived in Paia for a long time.
Hollis paused to look in a store window, filled with cute glass bottles, perfumes, lotions, and bowls filled with colorful rocks and semi-precious stones.
She needed a new perfume. She scowled. Hers had to be in the house somewhere. She pushed open the shop door and a bell tinkled. As she moved inside, the smell of incense hit her.
An older man with distinguished gray threaded through his dark hair, and the most hideous Hawaiian shirt she’d ever seen, brushed past her on his way out.
“Hello.” An older woman in a long, flowing skirt, and with long, curly ash-blonde hair appeared from a back room. She gave off a strong hippie vibe. “Welcome to Kaleidoscope.” The woman eyed her. “You have a very strong aura.”
“Oh, um…thanks?”
The woman smiled. “It’s a good thing. I can sense that you’re energetic, passionate, creative.” She cocked her head. “You are showing some worry and stress. You’re afraid of something.”
Goosebumps peppered Hollis’s arms. “Aren’t we all?”
“Luckily, I also detect love on the horizon. You have new shades of pink. I believe it’s with someone you can trust.”
Now Hollis got goosebumps on her goosebumps. “I’m not looking for love today, just some perfume. Maybe something Hawaiian?”
The woman beamed. “We have some wonderful blends. With essential oils made right here on the island. Come. I’m Lavender, by the way.”
“Holli.”
Fifteen minutes later, Hollis stepped out of Kaleidoscope with a frangipani-based perfume, and Lavender’s proclamation to trust the man who was adding color to her aura.
With a shake of her head, she headed down the street. She paused to look in other shop windows, admiring the clothing and artwork.
A prickle started on the back of her neck.
She turned her head, scanning both sides of the street. No one appeared to be looking at her.
She continued onto the next shop, but the sensation of being watched didn’t abate. She hunched her shoulders, walking faster. She’d planned to find somewhere that sold coffee machines, but that could wait. Maybe it was time to get back to her car and head home.
She nearly collided with someone on the sidewalk.
“Sorry!” She looked up at Sawyer’s cousin Benny. “Oh, hi, Benny.”
The man nodded. “Morning.” Today, there was no easy-going smile. “You enjoy yourself last night?”
“I did. It was so much fun on the beach. You have a great family.”
Benny nodded. “I also know my cousin didn’t make it to his own bed last night.”
She stayed quiet. That was between her and Sawyer.
Sawyer’s cousin sighed. “Look, Sawyer’s had a rough few years. He was in the military?—”
“I know. He told me.”
Benny paused. “He did?”
She nodded.
“He doesn’t talk about it much.”
“I get that it was tough for him. As was returning to civilian life.”
Benny’s brow creased. “He doesn’t sleep well, and has nightmares.”
Her stomach lurched. She’d had a taste of that herself the last few weeks, but being unable to sleep for years … Her heart squeezed for Sawyer.
She reached out and touched Benny’s arm. “He credits this place, and you and your wife’s family, for saving him.”
Benny’s gaze narrowed as he studied her face. “I was going to warn you off him. I don’t want him hurt. But maybe you’re not the selfish actress looking for a fling like I thought you were.”
“I’m just a woman, Benny. And I wasn’t looking for Sawyer, either, but he sure is hard to ignore. I don’t get to meet many real, genuine guys like him.”
Now, his cousin grinned. “Okay, I’m not going to pull the protective cousin routine.”
She smiled back. “Good.”
“Let’s do dinner soon. My wife is an excellent cook. I’ll call Sawyer to tee it up.”
“That sounds great.”
Hollis was still smiling as she headed down the sidewalk. She made a stop at the grocery store, and got the things she needed for dinner. She noted that some shelves were empty, with a small sign saying that the shipment was late. She guessed there were some challenges to living in paradise, if paradise was an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
She carried her bags back to her car. The sun was warm, and she couldn’t wait to go for a swim later.
“Oh my God!” a voice screeched.
Hollis almost dropped her bags. She turned and saw a young woman in tiny shorts and a blue bikini top aiming a phone at her. Everything about the woman screamed tourist. She had long, blonde hair, and the young man with her stood beside a red jeep with surfboards strapped to the top.
“You’re Hollis Stanton! I can’t believe it.” The woman turned, trying to get a selfie with herself and Hollis in the shot.
“No photos, please.”
The woman ignored her.
Hollis turned away. “Have a great day.”
“Oh my God, I just saw Hollis Stanton.”
“I saw, babe,” the man said. “Cool.”
Without looking back, Hollis slid into her car. She pulled out as fast as she safely could, her hands flexing on the steering wheel.
She loved her fans, when they showed some respect and treated her like a person. Not when they were so focused on their own experience that they treated her like a zoo exhibit. She blew out a breath.
They were just some tourists passing through. It would be fine.
When she reached the house, she pulled up out front, and fished her phone out of her bag. One quick search and she closed her eyes, her head thudding back against the headrest.
The woman had already posted it on social media.
Just saw Hollis Stanton on Maui. #celebspotting #spotted #viral
Ugh . Okay, so Hollis had known she couldn’t lay low forever, but she’d hoped it could last at least a week.
Gathering up the shopping bags, she headed inside. She put the groceries away. So, she’d been spotted. No one knew exactly where she was staying. It would be fine.
She changed into her favorite green bikini, then gathered up some scripts, and headed outside. Sitting by the pool, she lay on one of the pool loungers, spread on some sunscreen, and got reading.
Unfortunately, these scripts weren’t as good as the other ones she’d read. She shot some texts off to Tave with her comments. Her rumbling stomach sent her to the kitchen to make a sandwich for lunch. As she ate, she wondered what Sawyer was doing. Her lips curled. He’d be in his uniform, looking all competent and official. No doubt some pretty tourists in bikinis would be drooling all over him. Now, she frowned. Okay, she didn’t like that bit so much.
After lunch and some more reading, she finally decided it was time to hit the beach. She pulled on a white cover-up, slipped on her flip-flops, and grabbed a towel.
There were a handful of people spaced out along the beach. She carefully found a spot that wasn’t too close to anyone. There were no windsurfers today; she guessed it wasn’t windy enough.
She left her things on the sand, stripped off her cover-up, then walked down to the water. A feeling of peace washed over her, and she glanced up at the blue sky. She dipped her toes in the water, thrilled at the lovely, warm temperature. She waded farther out, then she dived into the water.
She swam a little, but didn’t go too far out. She had a healthy fear of sharks. She bobbed in the gentle waves, and thought of Sawyer again.
Maybe they could come down for a moonlight swim? Or they could skinny-dip in the pool. She shivered, tingles flaring to life everywhere across her body. She couldn’t wait to see him again.
Hopefully it wouldn’t be much longer before he finished work. Maybe he’d still be in his uniform. Another shiver.
Hollis headed back toward the shore.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a dark shape in the water come nearer.
Instant fear shot through her. Then a man in a snorkeling mask rose out of the water.
She gasped, relief hitting her. Not a shark. He was wearing a black wetsuit.
“Hi.” She pressed a palm to her chest. “You scared me.”
He didn’t respond, just lunged for her.
He grabbed the back of her neck and her arm.
Adrenaline punched through her system. “Hey, hands off, asshole!”
He still didn’t say anything.
Then he dragged her back into deeper water and shoved her forward.
Hollis threw her arms out, water splashing. She was off balance and fell to her knees, the water up to her chest.
“What the hell? Let me go!”
Then the man shoved her head under the water.
Fear roared through her, and she tasted acid in her mouth. She thrashed, trying to break his hold.
But he was bigger and stronger.
She fought, bubbles churning through the water.
God, he was trying to kill her.