Page 22 of Keeping Kama

Leia gulped as the air thickened. “Believe it,” she replied, with a quiver in her voice.

Suddenly, Leia realized she was standing in front of Derek in nothing but her dripping wet swimsuit. It took everything within herself to stand straight and not agonize over whether Derek found her appealing or not.

Leaning casually against the truck, Derek folded his arms. “I think you happen to be one of those people that everything comes easily to.”

“I disagree,” countered Leia.

Derek blinked, glancing out toward the ocean. “Everything comes hard to me, but you— you looked fierce out there. I couldn’t take my eyes off you.” Leia opened her mouth to speak but didn’t know how to respond. Straightening himself, Derek reached into the truck and rifled through his pile of stuff in search of his towel. “I’m impressed. You’re impressive.” Finding his towel, Derek wiped his face off.

Locating her own towel, Leia pulled it out of the truck and patted her face dry. “I don’t think you should be impressed because I rode a few waves. You need to see the professionals. They are the ones who are impressive.” Leia ran the towel down her dripping legs.

Running his towel over his bare chest, Derek caught Leia staring at him. “I’m sure they’re good, but they aren’t the ones I’m interested in seeing.”

Boom. His words ricocheted between them, making heat wiggle its way up her spine.

Dang, this guy was good.

Too good.

Too smooth.

Leia forced a laugh, whipping her towel at his arm. “You’re such a sweet talker. I’m sure you say that to all the ladies.” She tossed her towel into the back of the truck.

“What ladies?” Shaking his head, Derek placed his towel in the bed of the truck too. Sadness splashed across his face. “I was dumped, remember? I’m obviously sonota sweet talker.”

Leia didn’t know how to respond, so she gave him a flirtatious shove. “Give it time. I’m sure in no time at all you’ll be right back out there on the hunt for your next girlfriend.”

“I highly doubt that,” muttered Derek.

Leia took her shorts out of the truck. Attempting to shove her leg through the first hole, Leia stumbled, hopping around to find her equilibrium.

Quickly, Derek’s hands found her waist and steadied her. His fingertips pressed into her sides.

Her skin sizzled. “Thanks,” croaked Leia. “I think I’ve got it now.”

Derek let go. Their eyes locked. Then Derek broke eye contact first and rifled through the things in the truck until he located his T-shirt. With boardshorts on, Leia watched him pull the shirt over his trimmed abs. Her pulse thundered, making her mind muddled. Leia quickly reminded herself to keep things professional, to simmer her eager little heart down. Clearly, Leia hadn’t been around a man in far too long. She was mistaking kindness for interest. With shaky hands, Leia snatched her tank top, shoving it over her head. With her swimsuit still wet, her shirt stuck to it. She put on her flip flops right as Derek did the same.

Clapping his hands together, Derek rubbed them back and forth. “I’m ready for pancakes.”

Leia closed the back of the truck. “I am too.” Her hand trailed the slick painted truck as she walked toward the driver’s side. Leia opened her door and took her place behind the wheel. Derek climbed in on the opposite side. Inserting her keys into the ignition, Leia paused, “Oh wait, I left my wallet at home.” Her cheeks burned. She didn’t want to assume Derek would pay for her breakfast, not when he may be bailing the farm out of financial ruin. Leia didn’t want him thinking she had personal money problems too. But maybe this was a date? Was it?

Derek gave her shoulder a squeeze, and said, “I’ve got you covered.” He pressed the window button, lowering it the whole way down. Derek let his arm hang out the side. “Besides,” Derek shifted toward her, “this is a date, and I don’t care what anyone says, I always pay. I’d let my dad down if I did anything different.”

A date?Her middle pooled with a warm swimming sensation.

Leia smoothed out the top of her hair. “A date?” She flipped the key in the ignition, revving up the engine. “Is that what this is?”

With a wink, Derek smiled. “You bet it is.” He nodded toward the radio. “Now, would you mind turning back on that Hawaiian guy—something Kai. I want to hear more from your favorite singer, because I, for one, plan on becoming an expert on all things Leia.”

Pressing the power button on the dash, the music came blaring out of the speakers. Leia cued it to another Kolohe Kai song. Casually, Derek bobbed his head to the beat. Slowly, Leia backed out of her parking space, driving toward the pancake house a few miles down the road.

Chapter6

With his arm hanging out the lowered car window, Derek let the balmy air flow between his fingertips. Smiling, he couldn’t remember the last time he felt this relaxed and free. Glancing over from his place on the truck bench, Derek admired the silhouette of Leia. The entire morning, he had flirted shamelessly with her. Though he knew he needed to knock it off, Derek couldn’t. Everything about Leia mesmerized him, her grace, beauty, and confidence. He didn’t know spending time with someone could feel this easy.

Most likely, he was walking his way into dangerous waters. Everyone knew the first rule of business was to never mix business with pleasure. But here he was doing exactly that.

His pocket buzzed multiple times. Derek knew it was messages from Tyson, his friend and business partner, but he didn’t want to look. Nothing was going to ruin this perfect Hawaiian morning, especially not the demands of Tyson.

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