A Daring Affair (13 page)

Mano laughed, “Dat was a long time ago, braddah. Guess what? The doctor just told us not to expect one, but two keiki!”

“Twins?! Ho’omaika’i ‘ana, congratulations,” said Eric, beaming. He clapped Mano on the back. “There’s going to be two new surfers in the family.”

“You and I should definitely go surfing this weekend, Eric.”

“Sounds good,” Eric said. He took Mia’s large duffel bag and carried his own bag as they all walked out of the terminal together.

They got into Mano’s silver Toyota Echo and drove thirty-two miles to the small, north shore town of Hanalei. Mia was awed by the tropical beauty of Kauai’s landscape.

“It’s so green and lush here,” she commented from the back seat.

“That’s why it’s called the Garden Isle,” explained Eric. “I visit every summer.”

“This visit is too short, Eric. You should stay in Kauai longer,” said Mano.

“Sorry, braddah. I have to take care of business in Maui.” Eric glanced back at Mia. “Mano, Olina, Kimo and I all used to hang out every summer together when we were kids.”

“How is Kimo?” Mano asked curiously. “I haven’t talked to him in two weeks.”

“He’s doing well and keeping busy. He enjoys being the front desk manager at the hotel,” Eric answered. “I think it’s because he gets to boss everyone around.”

“Tell big boss manager he still owes me money from our last bet,” laughed Mano. “Dat boy don’t wanna mess with me.”

“Yeah, right. He’ll just sing you a song on his ukulele,” said Eric.

“I’ll hit him over the head with it,” said Mano.

Mia heard the men’s laughter and smiled at Eric, who grinned at her in the rearview mirror.

Mano drove through several winding roads, past forests of palm trees and abundant vibrant, green foliage, until they reached a two-story home nestled right below an extinct volcano.

“Wow,” said Mia, her eyes wide as she took in the beauty before her.

Large, glossy green leaves were scattered on the front lawn and clusters of bird of paradise flowers in vivid, brilliant colors of orange and yellow, bordered the sides of the lawn. A large banyan tree took center stage on the extensive front lawn, the above ground roots with their thick, woody trunks covering a wide area. The house was painted red, with a white porch that encompassed the entire front of the house. Birds were chirping from the palm trees bordering the house, and she heard the sound of a cow mooing, which perked up her ears.

“E komo mai, welcome,” Eric said to Mia before he took the bags out of Mano’s trunk. An old, red Toyota Corolla sat in the driveway.

“I just drove your parents’ car the other day to make sure it’s still running,” Mano said.

“Thanks, Mano,” Eric said. “My parents don’t want to get rid of it since we use it whenever the family is here plus we all have good memories associated with that old car.”

“Was that a cow I heard?” asked Mia curiously.

Eric nodded as they walked up to the entrance of the house. “The land behind the house is protected government land, but the local farmers are allowed to have their cows graze there.”

“This is a beautiful porch,” said Mia as she stepped up onto it. Brown wicker furniture with colorful pillows lined the porch, making it look inviting.

“My grandmother loved her lanai,” Eric gestured around the porch.

“You once told me that your maternal grandmother had Hawaiian blood.”

Eric nodded. “Yes, my grandmother was half-Hawaiian. She inherited this land from her parents. She met my grandfather when he was stationed at Pearl Harbor. They lived in Oahu, but he built this vacation home for her after the war, and added the lanai so that she could enjoy the tropical breeze. They ended up living in Kauai more often than Oahu.”

“They must have loved their home,” mused Mia as Eric opened the front door for her.

“They never wanted to live anywhere else, although they often visited Honolulu, where they still owned a big house and some land. Their daughter, my mother, is their only child. When they passed, my mom buried them here in Kauai.”

Eric set their bags down in the large, airy living room. Tall windows let in the bright sunshine. Bamboo and rattan furniture covered in tropical fabric added a cheerful charm to the room.

“Tutu kane and tutu wahine are still missed, brah,” Mano said gently. “They were part of my ‘ohana, family, too.”

“Thank you, Mano,” Eric said sincerely. He turned to Mia and said, “By the way, try not to accidentally step on a gecko. They sometimes get into the house.”

“You’ll know when I do when you hear me scream,” laughed Mia. Mia followed him to the bright, yellow kitchen, her stomach grumbling when she saw food laid out on a tray.

“There’s nothing like Hawaiian steak,” Eric said, smiling as he handed a small snack to Mia. He ate one and smiled at her, encouraging her to try it. “Very ‘ono, delicious,” Eric said, smiling at Mano.

“Olina thought that you’d be craving some Spam musubi, so she made you some to welcome you back,” Mano said, grinning.

“This is Spam?” Mia asked, enjoying the flavors of the salty canned meat, wrapped in rice and Nori seaweed.

“It is, but in Hawaii we jokingly call it Hawaiian steak,” Eric answered.

“Olina is expecting me back at the house, Eric. We’re having a party tonight. You guys should come over, and we’ll have some good mea’ai, food, then go surfing, eh?”

“Sounds good, Mano,” said Eric, smiling. “Maybe around six o’clock?”

Mano nodded. “Shoots den. It was nice meeting you, Mia. My wife and I will see you tonight.”

“Thank you, Mano. I’m looking forward to it,” said Mia.

“Mahalo, Mano. See you later,” Eric said before he turned to Mia. “Let me give you a tour of the house.”

Mia admired the four-bedroom, two-bathroom home that was decorated with Hawaiian art and décor. She was particularly interested in the family pictures scattered around the house. Afterwards, Eric made them Mai Tais, and they sat together on a small wicker sofa in the lanai, enjoying the warm breeze.

“This is such a beautiful property, Eric. Your family is fortunate to have it,” Mia said, sipping her drink.

“My maternal grandmother’s parents were a 19
th
century New England missionary, and an island girl with ties to Hawaiian royalty. Her royal surname has been passed down so as to never be forgotten. In fact, my middle name is Kapulani. This parcel of land has been in my family for generations.”

“Do you consider yourself Hawaiian?”

Eric took his time to sip his drink before he answered. “Yes and no. I feel a keen attachment to this land, but part of me also feels a deep connection to Canada. I only have a little islander blood in me, but it helps when you’re a kid living in Kauai, that people know you’re not a total haole or foreigner.”

“I see,” said Mia, taking a slow sip of her drink. “Kauai is stunning.”

Eric nodded in agreement. “Much of Kauai is still undeveloped, and it’s the least populated of the islands.”

“Who watches the house when you and your family aren’t here?”

“My parents hired Mano to be the caretaker, although my brother and his wife travel here often to check on the property.” Eric moved closer to her and placed his arm around her shoulders.

“Back there, at the airport, you introduced me as your girlfriend,” Mia said hesitantly. She looked up at him and added, “I didn’t know I was.”

Eric placed his drink on a table before he turned to her. “Do you want to be my girlfriend?” he asked.

“It depends.”

“On what?” he asked, frowning.

“Do you want to be my boyfriend?” Mia asked, her green eyes challenging him.

“You know I definitely want to be,” he said softly.

He bent and kissed her with such sweet gentleness that she melted in his arms. After a few minutes, Mia opened her eyes and found him watching her carefully, his eyes hooded.

“What?” she asked, not sure of what to make of his expression.

“Do you care about me, Mia?”

Mia nodded slowly. She wanted to tell him that she had fallen in love with him, but self-preservation made her bite her tongue. Her instincts told her that perhaps he wasn’t quite ready to hear her confession of love.

“Good,” Eric nodded in satisfaction. He bent down to kiss her again, but she placed her hands on his chest to stop him.

“Is the feeling mutual?” Mia asked, arching her eyebrow. She needed to know if he had any feelings for her, other than lust.

Eric placed his hands on either side of her face and lifted her face to his. His lips were just a hair’s breath away from hers when he answered.

“Without a doubt,” he whispered before kissing her again.

Mia became lost in the potent sensuality of their kiss. She arched against his muscular body, even though her heart had wished that he had said more. She craved his love, but she wasn’t about to beg for it, and she hoped that there wouldn’t come a time when she would be tempted to do so.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Eric had suggested that they head over to Tunnels Beach, a beautiful stretch of golden sand, within walking distance from his house. They had brought their snorkeling gear with them and were swimming in the ocean.

“Don’t,” Mia squealed as Eric gave her a wet kiss. “You’re incorrigible,” she laughed as she moved her head away from his lips and put on her mask.

“You’re too kissable,” he said with a mischievous grin. He swiftly reached into her bikini bottom and gave her cheek a squeeze before releasing her.

When Mia had first seen the beach and the pristine blue waters, she had been impressed with the picturesque beauty around her. The Bali Hai Mountains soared in the background, and a rainbow appeared right over them.

“There’s some deep coral canyons further off shore. Maybe we’ll be fortunate to see some turtles and eels.”

Mia shook her head. “I’m not sure I want to see any eels.”

Eric laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”

They swam out into the warm, crystal clear water and Mia saw an abundance of tropical, bright reef fish. She smiled at one cute, portly pufferfish that followed her movements.

Eric swam close to her side, never too far away.

They sighted one red moray eel, which nearly caused Mia to climb onto Eric’s back in fright. They continued to swim and snorkel for almost an hour until Mia signaled to Eric that she wanted to go back to shore. As they walked along the beach, they spotted a monk seal, and Mia stopped and stared at it.

“They’re an endangered species,” said Eric quietly, standing next to her.

“That’s so sad. He’s so cute,” Mia said, studying the seal from afar.

“They’re the only seal native to Hawaii, and there’s only about 1,100 of them left.”

“I hope the turtle and seal populations will grow,” she said.

Eric held her hand and they walked farther away from the sleeping seal. They had left their beach bags near some ironwood trees earlier. The trees and coconut palms offered them semi-privacy from other beachgoers. They took out their beach blankets and relaxed on the warm, white sand.

“How can you
no
t love Hawaii?” Mia asked as she looked up at the bright, blue sky above her.

She was also falling in love with the man lying down next to her. She glanced at his handsome profile and wondered if their relationship was going to continue after they left Hawaii. She hoped it did because she knew that her heart would break if it didn’t.

“I know. It’s hard to leave here,” Eric said warmly.

He propped his head on his elbow and looked at her bikini-clad body. She grew warm as his eyes studied her every curve. She was glad she had decided to wear her striped, white and green bikini because it made her tan stand out. His admiring gaze made her flush, but she couldn’t stop looking at his athletic, toned body.

“Come here,” he ordered, his eyes gleaming with intent.

“I’m already here,” Mia said, smiling. She watched him inch his way closer to her until their bodies touched.

“You’re beautiful, Mia,” he said before he dipped his head down and kissed her. He tasted of sea water and sexuality.

“Mmm,” he mumbled against her lips. “You’re so hot in your bikini. The whole time we were swimming I just wanted to take it off.”

“You sure have a one-track mind,” she teased.

His hand palmed her breast, his thumb gliding over her distended nipple. She looked around them, glad that there wasn’t anyone else on the beach.

“I want to taste you,” he muttered restlessly. He hastily pulled down her bikini top and kissed her breast.

Mia closed her eyes and felt his lips tug at her nipple, causing her to whimper and arch her back. His hand wandered down between her legs and stroked her.

She parted her legs and felt every muscle in his body tense as she reached down and caressed his engorged manhood through his swimming trunks.

“I can be bad, too,” she teased.

He chuckled and swiftly removed her bikini bottom. He pulled his swimming trunks down hurriedly and rubbed his erection against her.

“Please,” she panted, practically begging him to take her.

“Anything for you, Mia,” he said and plunged into her wet warmth.

Mia wrapped her legs around Eric and clutched his back as he pounded into her. Her breathing became frantic as intense pleasure coursed through her. He bent his head to plunder her soft lips and thrust his tongue inside her mouth, matching the pumping rhythm of his lower body. She arched and whimpered, feeling his muscles flex as he drove into her repeatedly.

Eric clutched her bottom and rose over her to thrust harder and faster. His rapid, forceful thrusts spread fire through her entire body. He released her lips, and she opened her eyes and watched him as he threw his head back.

“Ahh,” he groaned loudly as he came.

She felt his release, which triggered her own, and she nearly screamed at the ecstasy erupting within her. She shuddered underneath him as aftershocks continued to linger. Their bodies were slick with sweat, and she loved the feeling of him wrapped around her.

Suddenly, he lifted himself off with a chagrined look.

“Sorry, I know I’m heavy,” he said apologetically.

“That’s okay,” she said shyly, retrieving her bikini top and bottom. She retied the strings and watched him put his trunks back on.