Chapter 12
Kimo’s heart still ached long after Rex debriefed his team. They’d included Hawk, Swede and Hank Patterson in the conversation.
Swede would gather more information, tapping into the dark web to learn about Lucien Vaughan and his dealings with billionaires and Saudi Princes. He’d also tap into any government agencies that might also be keeping tabs on the international playboy.
They agreed she and Rex would be all right to stay in the cottage that night, and they would all meet at Leilani’s boat the following morning.
Angel and Leilani planned to camp out on the boat to make sure no one tried to sabotage it overnight.
After making a run into Kahului for pizza and some breakfast groceries, Devlin volunteered to sleep in his SUV at the entrance to the dirt road leading down to the cottage.
Angel and Leilani dropped Teller at his apartment on their way back to the Lahaina marina. Teller and Devlin would join the team the following morning to provide cover for the divers searching for the camera.
Alone with Rex, Kimo cleaned up after their late-night binge on pizza and stored the leftovers in the new seafoam-green refrigerator that looked like one out of the nineteen fifties but ran like a champ with a freezer sporting an ice machine.
The cottage had a nautical theme, with smooth, weathered wood flooring, a kitchen table made from a surfboard and benches on either side, made from surfboards, too. Netting and shells decorated the walls alongside prints and paintings of Hawaiian seashores and sunsets.
Everything was clean, neat and welcoming.
Kimo dragged her finger along the highly polished surface of the surfboard dining table. “Leilani says you did the renovations on this cottage.”
Rex nodded, following behind her. “It’s a work in progress.”
“I like it. And I like the bedroom, where you’ve created bunks that look like fish netting but have real mattresses. It’s a vacation home, ready for the next family to enjoy.
He smiled. “I like the master bedroom better.”
“The sea captain’s bed is impressive. Weren’t beds on old sailing ships much smaller?” She turned to find him standing directly behind her—so close she could feel the heat from his body.
Or was that hers burning for him?
He caught up with her in the living room when she checked the lock on the door for the second time. She’d just reached for the lock when his hand closed over hers.
“It’s locked,” he said, his lips so close to her ear that his breath stirred tendrils of her hair.
Kimo closed her eyes and inhaled the cologne he’d worn for the evening.
She moved to the window where she could see outside as well as a reflection of herself and him when he came to step in behind her.
Rex had shed his jacket and tie but still wore the slacks and white shirt, unbuttoned now, but crisp and sexy against his tanned skin.
Though he stood behind her, she could see the hairs on his chest displayed in the open V of his shirt.
Too many times over the evening since his return, she’d wanted to reach out and touch him there. To feel the coarseness of those hairs and to press her cheek against them.
The kiss before he’d left on his dangerous mission had left her craving more. Yet, he hadn’t made a move.
His hands moved to her shoulders. Slowly, gently, he turned her to face him. “Are you avoiding me?”
She looked up into his eyes. “No. Of course not.”
“You haven’t stood still since the others left.” His brow furrowed. “Are you afraid of me for some reason?”
Unable to help herself, she raised her hand to his chest. “I’m not afraid of you,” she said, adding softly, “I’m afraid of myself.”
He gathered her carefully into his arms. “Why would you be afraid of yourself?” Rex bent to press a kiss to her forehead. “You’re beautiful, caring and brave.”
“I’m afraid of how scared I was when you left earlier.
Afraid I’m starting to care too much.” She rested her forehead against his chest. “Afraid you won’t care as much for me in return.
” The last bit she let fade out, hoping he wouldn’t actually hear her confession. At the same time, she wished he would.
“Oh, Kimo.” He rested his chin on the top of her head, his arms holding her close but loosely enough she could easily break free.
“How can two people learn to care for each other in such a short amount of time? I’ve had a hard time believing it can happen.
I keep thinking it’s an anomaly that will clear when the danger is over. ”
Kimo sighed. “I feel the same.” She looked up into his eyes. “But if this is only for now, why not ride the wave? Take the dive. Live in the moment.”
He cupped the back of her head and leaned down until their lips almost touched. “I don’t want to leave a broken heart or leave with one.”
“Rex Johnson, I didn’t know you could be so poetic,” she whispered. “I promise not to be broken-hearted if you promise the same.”
“I’m not sure I can make that promise,” he said and took her mouth in a gentle kiss.
Her hands slid up his chest to lock around the back of his neck, deepening their connection. She opened to him, seeking his tongue with hers, caressing, tasting...loving how it felt.
She wasn’t sure she could make that promise either.
In the kiss… In the moment… She wasn’t sure of anything but the desire... No... the need to be in his arms, to get as close as she could to this man who’d saved her life.
His hands slid down her back, cupped her bottom and lifted.
Kimo wrapped her legs around his waist as he turned and pressed her against the wall.
“I want you so much,” he whispered against her mouth. “If you don’t want the same, speak now.”
“There’s a captain’s bed in the other room,” she suggested, nibbling at his bottom lip. “Or up against the wall could be more exciting and challenging.”
He chuckled. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He crushed her mouth with his and then carried her into the bedroom. Without turning, he kicked the door shut behind them.
A light burned on the nightstand, giving the room a warm glow. The bed was neatly made with a blue chambray comforter and fluffy white pillows.
Rather than lay her across the bed, he set her on her feet, captured her cheeks between his palms and stared down into her face. “Your eyes are like dark pools I could fall into and never find my way out.”
She covered his hand, anchoring it against her cheek.
“Keep it up, soldier,” she said. “Flattery will get you everywhere.” Kimo slid her hand along the opening of his shirt until she reached the middle button and flicked it open.
One by one, she worked the rest of the way down to where the shirt disappeared into his trousers.
There, she unbuckled his belt, flicked the button open on his trousers and slid the zipper down.
Rex’s body and cock stiffened.
Kimo covered him with her palm, a powerful sensation washing over her. She’d made him that hard. He wanted her.
She wanted him.
Rex parted the opening of her coverup, slid it over her shoulders and tossed it onto a chair.
Desire surged, filling Kimo with a sense of urgency. The need to be with him. Naked. Skin pressed against skin. His hard shaft buried deep inside of her.
Rex reached behind her, searching for the clasp on her bikini bra.
“This one doesn’t work that way,” she said and unhooked the clasp in the front. When her breasts sprang free, she pushed his shirt over his shoulder and pressed her nipples into the springy hairs on his chest.
Heat ignited at her core. Her patience stretched to the breaking point, she started to shimmy out of her bottoms.
Rex brushed her hands away and took over, easing her bikini bottoms over her hips and downward. As they crossed over her sex, Rex dropped to his knees, his hands smoothing over her buttocks, fingers tracing the crevice between. He leaned in to brush a kiss across her folds.
The more her bottoms lowered, the harder it became to breathe.
Kimo threaded her fingers into his hair, keeping him close, massaging his scalp and urging him to speed it up.
A kiss against one inner thigh was followed by another on the opposite thigh.
She eased her legs a little wider, her core pulsing, making her body ache with need.
By the time her bikini bottoms hit the floor, Kimo wanted to scream out his name. She kicked the suit aside.
Rex rose, toed off his shoes and dropped his slacks. Once freed of his waistband, his shirt floated to the floor.
Finally, they stood naked in front of each other.
Too stimulated to be embarrassed, Kimo hungrily swept her gaze across his body.
Rex raised a hand to touch her long, loose hair. Then he brushed his fingers along the curve of her cheek, over her chin and down the long line of her throat, pausing at the pulse beating wildly at the base.
Though she wanted to touch him, to hold him and feel him inside her, she stood still, reveling in the sensations stirred by his touch.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered as his fingers moved lower to trace the curve of her breast.
The nipple puckered and hardened, eager for his lips to wrap around it and suck gently.
Yet only his fingers moved over her body, sliding lower across her ribs, angling toward her center.
Her channel creamed, ready to take his fingers, eager to welcome his cock.
When he reached the apex of her thighs, he cupped her sex and dipped a finger inside.
Kimo’s head dropped back, her eyes closing, and she moaned. “I might spontaneously combust.”
“I’m on fire myself,” he said and dipped in again.
She covered his hand and guided more fingers into her channel, one of her own joining his.
So wet.
So ready.
His hands left her so fast she whimpered.
Then she was being lifted and laid across the comforter.
Her knees fell to the sides, leaving her open to him.
Rex climbed onto the bed and between her legs, his hands planting on either side of her shoulders.
“I want you inside me,” Kimo said. “Now.”