Page 8 of An Heir Made In Hawaii (Hot Winter Escapes)

I’m just trying to figure you out...

The memory of those words sent a shiver through her despite the sunshine warming her skin. When he’d looked at her like that, those blue eyes lingering on her body, followed by curiosity as if he had genuinely wanted to know more about her, she’d panicked. She didn’t want a man like Nicholas taking an interest in her.

Not because she couldn’t resist him, she reminded herself hurriedly. But something had changed between them. Yesterday on the pier, perhaps? Just now in the office? Or had something been there all along and they were just now becoming aware of it?

Whatever it was, it was dangerous. Nicholas was the enemy. And, thankfully, as he had reminded her, he was the exact opposite of what she wanted from a man. They had zero similarities when it came to what they wanted out of relationships. That she had been disappointed by his pronouncement of avoiding love was more than enough warning that she needed to stay away from him the rest of this trip.

The trampoline dipped. She turned her head to see a handsome man sitting down near her. His jet-black hair was buzzed short on the sides and long on the top. A light blue T-shirt clung to a muscular frame. His navy swim trunks were loose, but didn’t hide the muscles in his legs that spoke to someone who kept himself in shape. He shot her a smile and she smiled back, waiting for her body to react.

Aside from a small, enjoyable warmth in her belly, there was nothing. Nothing even close to the heat that had bloomed low in her body and then snaked through her as Nicholas had raked his eyes over her.

Determined to banish Nicholas from her thoughts once and for all, she pushed up on her elbows.

“Enjoying the tour?”

“Oh, yes.” His smile widened, flashing white against brown skin. “My uncle owns the tour company. I practically grew up on this boat.” He held out his hand. “Adam Kekoa.”

“Anika Pierce.”

He hung on for just a moment longer than was necessary, appreciation warming his eyes.

“Your first time in Hawaii?”

“Yes, and I’m loving it.”

“Good,” he said with a hint of pride. “It’s a beautiful island. Are you here for business or pleasure?”

“Mostly business. I own an inn and I’m here for a tourism conference.”

The boat started to slow.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we’re nearing our first snorkeling stop,” the captain announced over the speaker. “We’ll be issuing gear as soon as we stop. We have an even number of guests on board today and ask that you snorkel in groups of at least two.”

“At the risk of sounding forward, do you have a snorkeling buddy?” Adam asked.

“No, but I—”

“Adam?”

Her pleasant feeling evaporated as Nicholas walked to the edge of the trampoline. Unlike Adam’s casual attire, Nicholas still had on tan linen pants and a loose, grayish-blue collared shirt. He’d left the buttons at the top undone and rolled up the sleeves to his elbows, giving everyone a view of his toned chest and muscled forearms.

He should have looked prissy and spoiled. Not confident and sexy.

Adam turned, a small wrinkle forming between his brows.

“Yes?”

The sharp smile Nicholas sent his way nearly made Anika shiver.

“Your uncle asked if you would help him pass out equipment. One of his workers is helping a sick guest.”

Adam frowned. “Okay.” He glanced between Nicholas and Anika before seeming to come to a decision. “It was nice to meet you, Anika.”

Anika waited until Adam was out of sight before she stood, gliding toward Nicholas with slow, measured steps as she fought the anger churning inside her.

“What the hell was that?”

“What?” The bastard had the audacity to look completely innocent as he stared down at her. “I was talking with the captain. One of the guests got sick. He said he needed his nephew to help him. I offered to help and he pointed out Adam to me.”

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