Page 65 of Rusty's Command

“Rusty!” Ethan’s voice boomed across the room. “Move your ass!”

“I’m coming! Christ.” He turned back to Sienna, rolling his eyes. “Impatient bastard.” He hesitated, choosing his next words. “Do you remember that little cove we . . . spent some time in?”

Some time? Jesus. Like those perfect summer nights could be reduced to such an inadequate phrase.

“Of course. Makalawena Beach.” Her smile reached her eyes, making the golden flecks in her irises dance under the harsh emergency lights.

Oh yeah. She remembered.

“Give me two days to wrap this mess up. Then maybe we could?—”

“Yes.” The word burst from her lips before he could finish, swift and sure as a heartbeat.

He chuckled, warmth blooming in his chest like sunrise. “Four in the afternoon work for you?”

“Sure.” Her smile unfurled, slow and promising. “Should I bring my swimsuit?”

“Absolutely.” His mouth ran ahead of his brain as he pictured her stunning body in her tiny bikini.

Her giggle hit him like a wave of memories—that tiny red bikini that had nearly stopped his heart, the taste of salt on her sun-warmed skin, those spectacular sunsets she’d dragged him to the beach to watch, making him see beauty he’d never noticed before.

The way, eighteen years ago, she’d made him believe in forever.

She caught his face between her hands and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “Now go. I’ll have more of those waiting for you when we get to that beach.”

“Hell yeah!” His whoop echoed off the marble columns, and several officers turned and stared.

He called Soda to his heel, and as he raced to catch up with Ethan, his mind careened over the lifetime between then and now. They’d crashed into one hell of a roadblock on their path to reunion, but somehow, they’d found their way back together. This time, Rusty had every intention of seeing his connection with Sienna through to happily ever after.

“Well, look who finally got the girl.” Ethan’s hand landed warm and solid between his shoulder blades. “About damn time, brother.”

“Yeah.” Heat crawled up Rusty’s neck, knowing he was grinning like a lovesick teenager.

“Would you look at that?” Ethan’s voice softened. “She’s already taught you how to smile again.”

The observation only made Rusty’s grin wider. But as their SUV tore away from the resort, reality settled cold in his gut. Just like eighteen years ago, Sienna was only there on vacation. The thought of watching her walk away again carved a hollow space beneath his ribs.

No fucking way. This time had to be different.

He just didn’t know how to make that happen.

CHAPTER 20

Sienna

Sienna’s runningshoes kicked up puffs of red dirt as she jogged along the ancient lava path to Makalawena Beach. The familiar route hadn’t changed in eighteen years, still the same twisted kiawe trees, the same volcanic rocks jutting up like nature’s guardrails, and the same sweet plumeria scent carrying on the ocean breeze.

Her heart raced, but not from the exercise. Each step through wild tangles of morning glory and beach heliotrope unleashed wonderful memories of her and Rusty from a lifetime ago. Stolen kisses in their secret cave, moonlit walks beneath star-strewn skies, and Rusty’s eyes reflecting sunsets of molten gold.

Back then, they’d been young and naive and so sure they had all the time in the world.

Now she knew better. Now every second felt precious.

The path eventually opened to a crescent of pristine sand that was cradled between ancient lava outcrops. Waves rolled in with a hypnotic rhythm, and their foam-laced edges glowed turquoise before dissolving on the shore.

Slipping off her shoes, she scanned the beach for Rusty, but she was alone. It was impossible to tell if he’d crossed the sand before her as the tiny grains would have swallowed his footprints. Volcanic rocks dotted the shoreline like sleeping seals, and a pair of Nene geese waded at the water’s edge, pecking at tiny crabs in the surf.

Usually, this solitude was exactly what she craved. But today, each empty minute stretched like honey in the sun, and her heart hadn’t stopped its wild dance since she’d parked her car.

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