Page 2 of Keeping Kama

Running her hand over her hair, Leia waited for her own racing pulse to return to normal. The adrenaline from before left her body, leaving her completely limp and exhausted. She cradled her knees to her chest, to keep her body from shaking uncontrollably. The tremor in her hands sent shock waves through her.

They almost died.

She almost died.

And this guy was to blame.

Turning her face toward him, Leia found his gaze. Shaking her head, Leia hissed, “What were you thinking? You could’ve died.” Her jaw tightened. She turned away from the man, closing her eyes for a moment to find her equilibrium. “The sun is barely coming out,” Leia forced herself to calm down. Opening her eyes, Leia found his gaze again. Sparkly blue eyes matching the color of the sky looked back at her. Placing her cheek against her cradled knees, Leia exhaled, “Did you get in the water when it was still dark?”

Shrugging, he leaned back on his hands. “Maybe.” He shook out his dripping hair, casting his glance out to the cove.

After staring at him for a few moments, Leia forced herself to look out at Shark’s Cove too. “Unbelievable,” muttered Leia. Clearing her throat, Leia desperately wanted a drink of water to rid her mouth of the frothy saltwater tickling her tongue. “Who do you think you are? Unless you’re some Olympian swimmer I don’t know about …” She shifted, letting her gaze settle on him. “You can’t swim in the ocean when it’s dark. You just can’t— especially not on the North Shore. The tide is incredibly strong.” Her voice faded off.

His eyes locked on hers. For a moment, Leia stared him down. Then he laughed, a deep bottom of his belly, laugh. Gripping his middle, the man almost keeled over. And Leia hated him a little bit more. The guy almost killed them, and he was laughing? Swiping at his eyes, he eventually stopped, meeting her stone-cold stare.

“You’re right, it wasn’t my smartest move.” He held up his hand in defeat. “I agree, a minor lapse in judgement on my part, but you saved my life. So, thank you.” Casually, he leaned back again, stretching his legs out in front of him, he crossed his ankles. “How did you do that? I can’t believe you swam all the way out to me, and then dragged my body back to shore. You’re …” His gaze glided over her, making her acutely aware she looked like a wet soggy dog. “You’re like half my size.” He peered at her like she was some sort of mesmerizing Greek goddess.

With no attempt to hide her disdain, Leia jutted up her chin. “I was a lifeguard for years, and I’m stronger than I look.” She glanced away out toward the water.

The sun rose higher in the sky, making the blue turquoise water glisten beneath its rays. If she wasn’t so exhausted, Leia imagined she would have appreciated the beauty of the quiet cove. It was a place she loved passing by on her many morning runs. The peaceful serenity would be short lived, in another few minutes, the place would be swarming with people, tourists and locals wanting to snorkel or wade in the tide pools.

Squinting up toward the sky, the man remarked, “Obviously … you are strong. I mean that was amazing. I didn’t realize how powerful the current was, because one minute I was in the safety of the cove then … bam.” He slapped his hands together, making Leia flinch. “Next thing I knew, I was being pulled further and further out by the current. I believe I might’ve been in a rip tide.”

Pursing her lips together, Leia didn’t even know where to begin. Leia remarked, “You were in a rip tide, which clearly means you aren’t from here.”

Leia allowed herself to peer over at him. He reminded her of the many washed up California surfers that came to Hawaii to reclaim their youth. Usually, Leia wasn’t attracted to that type, but there was something about his blond hair and blue eyes that made her stomach twist against her consent. If she was betting, she’d peg him to be in his mid to late thirties. No doubt, he had a way with women and was used to getting whoever he wanted. Leia had plenty of experience with men like him, and she stayed far away. Even if his five o’clock shadow helped accentuate his chiseled jaw line, Leia didn’t care.

Bringing his stretched legs up to his chest, he cradled them with his hands. “What makes you say that?”

Catching herself checking him out, Leia stood, walking a few steps over to where she’d dumped her stuff. “If you were from here …” Leia plucked up her tank top from the sand. She pulled her tank top over her sports bra, covering her bare abdomen. She continued, “You would know this time of year the current is extra powerful. Plus, you would never have ventured out there alone.”

With a soaking wet body, the tank immediately stuck to her skin. Water continued to cascade down her legs. Leia ripped the band from her hair, placing it in between her teeth. Bending her head forward, she gathered up the messy strands of her long dark hair, readjusting it into a knot on top of her head.

From his place on the sand, Derek peered up at her and said, “Guilty. I’m not from here. I’m from Los Angeles.” He stumbled to his feet, wiping his sandy hands on the front of his wetsuit. “I’m here on business. I was trying to squeeze in a little bit of fun before I head to a meeting this morning.”

Clearing her throat, Leia said, “Whatever dude … I don’t care. Just don’t ever do that again. I won’t be there to save you next time.” Bent down, Leia swiped her running shoes and pushed her soaking, sand covered, socked feet into them. Her final mile home was going to be a doozy in these socks. She hoped it didn’t give her blisters. After shoving her phone and keys into her side pocket, Leia put a hand on her hip. “How are you feeling? Any lightheadedness? Trouble breathing?”

In one swift movement, Derek captured his zipper on his back and tugged at his wetsuit. Then he shimmied his arms out of the top, pulling it down to his waist. It revealed a chiseled abdomen. Warmth pooled in her gut. Heat splashed her cheeks. Leia forced herself to look away and out toward Shark’s Cove.

“I think I’m okay,” replied the man. Leaning against a rock, he yanked off the remaining part of his wetsuit, leaving him only in his swim trunks.Dang, he looked good.

A hand plunged through his sandy blond hair, and he added, “Just a little shaken up.”

Sand coated the bottom of her shoes. Leia tried to kick some of it off but it was fruitless. She paused and peered over her shoulder at the path back up to his car. It was steep and uneven. The true test would be if he could make it without assistance.

After she contemplated the dilemma, she shifted back to face him, and Leia finally replied, “That makes two of us.” Her gaze skidded across his body, forcing herself to only double check for any injuries she might have missed and not the delectably perfect shape of his broad shoulders. Leia raised an eyebrow and asked, “Do you think you can make it up the path to your car?”

“Of course,” he waved her off, “I’ve never been better.”

“Mm.” Leia narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms. She gnawed on her cheek until she tasted blood. There was zero chance she could leave this guy down here on his own. Her conscience wouldn’t allow it. “I’ll wait for you. I don’t want you climbing that alone. After we get to the top, I can decide if I need to call you an ambulance.”

“I’m fine. I’m perfectly okay to make it home on my own.” He walked a few feet, snatching his towel. Water cascaded in mesmerizing streams down his entire body. First, he patted his face dry then moved onto his dripping temples. As almost an afterthought, he held the towel out to Leia. “Would you like to use this to dry off, too?”

Leia glanced down at her drenched body. There wasn’t a point. Nothing was going to dry her off enough to be comfortable on the rest of her run home. Her toes were no doubt shriveled inside her soggy sand covered socks. “Nah, I’m good.” Ready to leave, Leia took a step toward his pile of stuff. After she nabbed his beach bag, she continued, “But I need to get going. We need to walk up to your car. I can’t leave you down here alone.” Leia didn’t ask for instructions, but instead she shoved whatever she saw into his bag.

“Go,” he said. Toweling himself off further, he didn’t appear to be in any hurry. “I’ll be fine.”

With his beach bag in her hands, Leia leered at him. “No way,” replied Leia. “I can’t leave you. I’m sorry, what’s your name?” She straightened herself.

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