Page 9 of Beneath the Surface

“I’m at one of the many pools you have around here.” Kannon looked around, but he had no idea which pool. “Why don’t you get up, get dressed, and come down to the lounge? I’m starving, and I thought we could have breakfast together. Is Brooke up yet?”

“She’s… I think I remember her saying she was going for a run this morning. I’ll give her a call, and we’ll meet you at the resort’s main restaurant. It’s called Sandals.”

“Cool name.”

“Thanks. Brooke came up with it. Grab one of the employees and ask for directions. Tell him your name and that you’re my best man. He’ll take care of you.”

“How long are you going to be?”

“Give me thirty minutes to shit, shower, and shave, and I’ll meet you there.”

“Sounds like a plan. See you shortly.” Kannon hung up.

Standing, he looked around for an employee. He barely walked thirty feet when a small, trim, attractive woman dressed in shorts, running shoes, and a tank top changed direction and headed his way. Heads turned as she walked by. While she was indeed very pretty, what drew several pairs of eyes was her short sky blue hair and cerulean eyes.

“Hey, Brooke.”

“Kannon!” Brooke threw herself at Kannon for a quick hug. “I’m surprised to see you up and about this bright and early. Sorry we missed you last night. Did you get settled? Did you find everything okay? Have you eaten? I was just on my way to get Brett up and go get breakfast. Would you like to join us?”

Kannon laughed. “Well, let’s see. I’m an early riser. I wasn’t in the mood to party last night. Yes, I got settled okay. Brett stopped by and showed me where everything was when I got here. Nope, haven’t eaten yet, but I just talked to Brett. He’s going to meet us at Sandals in about thirty minutes. And how are you?”

Brooke’s laugh was light and airy. “Come on, I’ll walk with you to Sandals. I’m starving.”

They chatted on the way to the restaurant, the tropical sun blazing down on them. Kannon held the door open, and Brooke preceded him into the restaurant. The cool, sweet air immediately washed over him.

“Oh! Oh good, he’s here. There’s somebody I want you to meet.” Brooke grabbed Kannon by the hand and dragged him along behind her.

Oh God, please tell me she’s not fixing to set me up on a blind date. Anything but that. It’s too early in the morning to deal with that kind of horror.Kannon gritted his teeth, but followed along.

He pushed a few of the potted fronds out of the way as they ducked and weaved around tables. Brooke finally stopped, and he almost stumbled into her. It wasn’t that she suddenly stopped. Oh no, it was more to do with who sat at the table. It was all Kannon could do not to stare.

Déjà vu swept over him. He shivered, but it wasn’t due to the restaurant’s cool air. The stranger’s azure blue hair tied at the nape of his neck drew his attention. The color was fascinating, as were the cobalt blue eyes staring back at him.

He’d seen that hair color before, and recently too, but not on the cute woman standing next to him. He just couldn’t remember where. The color was definitely striking, but it fit the man. There was this fey, otherworldliness look about him. Ethereal.

Unlike most people he’d seen on the island, the man sitting at the table didn’t sport a dark tan. The stranger was, in a word, simply gorgeous. He wore a white, thin shirt that was open at the neck. Kannon noticed the natural braided hemp cord that held several shark teeth.

He frowned at the necklace. Hadn’t he seen something like that recently too? But where? The other man cleared his throat, and Kannon felt heat creeping up his face. Another curse of redheads: blushes. Now if he could get the floor to open up and swallow him, his day would be complete.

“Kannon? I’d like to introduce you to my brother, Nisha. He’s here for the wedding.” Brooke pulled Kannon closer to the table. “Nisha? This is Kannon. He’s going to be Brett’s best man.”

Nisha stood and held out his hand, a slight smile gracing his face. “It’s nice to meet you.”

The hair stood up on the back of his neck. That name… he knew that name from somewhere. Adrenaline flooded his body. He couldn’t make up his mind if he wanted to climb the guy and hump him, or run screaming from the place. His body trembled, and his hands were clammy.

“Um, Kannon?” Brooke asked.

Horrified, he saw Nisha still had his hand out the entire time he’d been standing there ogling him. He grasped Nisha’s hand and shook it. “It’s nice to meet you too. Did Brooke say your name was Nisha?”

Nisha’s smile grew. “Why yes, she did.”

Why can’t I place that name?A tingle raced up his arm. Kannon looked down and gulped. Nisha’s hands were long and lean, and his grip was firm without being painful.Everything about him is long and lean… and holy crap, that smile! It kind of looks like he has fangs too. Okay, not really fangs, but his canines are a bit longer than usual.

“Come on, Kannon, let’s sit down.” Kannon held Brooke’s chair for her then sat. After she was seated, she waved her hand at a passing waiter who immediately came over. “We need a couple more menus here please. We’re expecting Brett too.”

“Yes ma’am.” The waiter hurried off.

“Okay, why don’t we… Oh, hold on for a moment.” Brooke fished her cell phone out of her pocket. “That’s Brett’s ring tone. Give me just a second.”

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