Page 68 of Stone
“You never know.”
“Trust me,” she giggled. “I do okay, but I’ll never create a masterpiece. But I could see teaching what I’ve learned to kids.”
“You know what?” Now I was treading on thin ice and wasn’t certain why. “Maybe we can make that happen if you’re serious. There are so many children in need in Hawaii, not just on Lanai.Families are suffering due to the high cost of living. Hawaii’s poverty rate is typically higher than any other state in the country.” When she lifted her head, I laughed. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. You surprise me, Stone. Very few people do any longer.”
“Well, you’re lucky. People typically shock the hell out of me.”
She slowly turned her head, her body rocking as she concentrated on the picturesque view.
“We’re all alone here, huh?” she asked. Why did her words need to sound so salacious?
“We are.”
“Mmm…”
“I know that tone. What do you have in mind?”
“Well, I was wondering about where to change into my bathing suit. The water is nice and warm.”
A lump formed in my throat that I did my best to swallow. Her heated gaze drifted to my Adam’s apple and her mischievous grin returned. “Nice try. You can sunbathe and wade up to your knees, but no deeper. Do you hear me?” I gave her a stern look, which caused her to pout.
Meanwhile, I planned on surfing just to tease her as she’d been doing with me.
“You are such a mean man.” She rubbed her pinky down my extended arm, smiling wider as she noticed the prickles developing on my skin. “But… I’ll be right back. Don’t run away on me.”
“Somehow, I think you’d hunt me down.”
“Don’t put anything past me.”
She slowly lowered her gaze until she was staring at my crotch. Damn if my cock didn’t twitch at that very moment. “Bu you’d be forced to find me and I can be resourceful.”
“Yes, you can.”
Giggling, she quickly jumped to her feet, sauntering away with her hips swaying from side to side. I was forced to adjust my cock to keep from writhing in pain. She was so beautiful I couldn’t breathe.
When she was a few feet away, I pressed my hand against my chest and took a deep breath. No other woman had created such an intense need to do terribly filthy things.
I wrapped my arms around my knees, dropping my head.
Yeah, I needed this woman more than before. In my bed. Writhing underneath me. Calling out my name.
I attempted not to pay any attention to what she was doing, grabbing a bottle of water and keeping my dirty mind and my gaze off her enchanting body. But the slightest rustling sound automatically drew my attention. That’s when I realized she should be finished changing by now.
Suddenly, I found myself searching for any sign of her, scanning the perimeter when I didn’t see her immediately.
Where the hell had she gone?
Having the sense of protection, the need to keep her safe was innate given my former profession. But with Daniella, the need was ingrained to the point where my overprotectivenesshad created the distance between us. I jerked to my feet, instantly crippled from anxiety. Without thinking, I took long strides toward the direction of the Jeep, berating myself for not bringing a weapon.
I never went anywhere without one, usually keeping a handgun in the glove compartment of the Jeep whenever I left the house. I’d stored it in the safe after accepting the various jobs just so I could create physical distance between us. My carelessness could get her killed.
“Dani? Where the hell are you?” I pushed through the trees, unable to see her anywhere.
Turning in a full circle, my chest tightened.
I headed toward the pathway where we’d driven in, checking to see if there were any different footprints in the sand. There weren’t. That didn’t mean someone hadn’t followed us, parking a few yards away. With the sound of the water, it was entirely possible I wouldn’t hear anyone’s approach.
