I CARRIED A CUP OF coffee out to the back deck and sat down, propping my feet up along the railing and crossing them at the ankles. I smiled as I looked out over the beach. I’d always dreamed of going to Hawaii one day and now that I was finally here, I couldn’t believe I’d taken so long to make it a reality. I could already feel my mood lifting from the warmth of the sun and I was more than a little embarrassed about my behavior at the cabin. Hiding away in the dark, all alone, was never a good idea. Getting away from there and looking back over the last few months with fresh eyes, I was disgusted with how low I’d let myself go.
When I’d left Chicago, I’d felt broken and empty. Travis, Jasper and Akio were my best friends, but out of all of them, I’d always felt closest to Akio. He was kind and funny, sassy and so damn smart. Over time, I’d started to develop feelings for him, beyond that of simple friendship. I found myself falling for the sound of his laugh and the special smile he wore every time he saw me, like I’d brightened up his day just by being there.
I didn’t say anything to him about my feelings. I assumed that as close as we were and as much time as we spent together, our relationship would just continue to develop naturally. But I was wrong. I found out just how wrong when Akio got back from his friend Landon Greene’s wedding. I’d been so excited to see him, having missed him while he was away, but the sparkle in his eyes and the shy smile he wore when he spoke of Landon’s cousin, Morgan, had me feeling like I’d swallowed a brick.
I was shocked to hear that so much had developed between them without me knowing any of it, and for the first time, I started to feel Akio slipping away from me. Determined not to let that happen, I finally confronted him, pouring my heart out and claiming him with a kiss. That ended up being a terrible mistake because not only did I end up on the wrong side of Morgan’s fist, but it also became very clear that Akio didn’t feel the same way about me—AT ALL. In fact, he never had. His feelings for me were only of friendship and he was head over heels for Morgan.
Suddenly, all the dreams I’d had for us went up in smoke, and even worse, I felt like I’d just lost my best friend. I was hurt and embarrassed and more than a little lost, so I’d left Chicago and everyone I knew behind and headed for my grandparents’ cabin in Tennessee. It proved to be the perfect place for someone looking to hide out and disappear from the rest of the world. Almost too perfect because I nearly lost myself in the process.
Looking back over those miserable months, I was grateful that Travis had pulled me out of it with his phone call. His no-nonsense demand that I return in time for Jasper’s birthday had been exactly the thing I needed to get me moving in the right direction again. I’d also promised myself that I wasn’t going to stress about writer’s block or book deadlines while I was on vacation. I just needed the next couple of weeks to pull myself back together and get my head on straight, so I could figure out what in the hell I was going to say when I came face-to-face with Akio again.
Shaking off those thoughts, I turned my attention back to the sparkling blue water. There were already a few people spread out on the beach, reading under umbrellas or playing in the waves, but for the most part, this stretch of beach was fairly quiet. Spending so much time tucked away in my office with only the voices in my head for company, crowds tended to make me a bit jittery. It wasn’t that I couldn’t handle going out, but large masses of people could be overwhelming at times. I preferred small groups and that’s why I’d looked for a place further away from the more populated areas.
A loud shriek had me turning my head in time to see a little boy and girl, probably sister and brother, running down the beach. The boy had clumps of sand in his hair and streaking down his back. I could hear the girl’s squeals as he chased her with a retaliating bucket of water, eventually catching up and dumping its contents over her head. I couldn’t hold back my own laughter at their antics.
My eyes scanned the beach for what seemed like the hundredth time. I tried to tell myself that I was just enjoying the island and not looking for anyone in particular, but I knew that wasn’t true. A small part of me, the curious part, was hoping to catch a glimpse of the stunning man I’d seen running along the beach the day before.
I’d just finished my coffee and was trying to decide if I wanted to head down to the beach for a while or start exploring the island. One thing was for certain, I wasn’t going to waste my time in paradise hiding out inside my bungalow. As I sat there, a man came into view, running along the edge of the water. His movements were one of a seasoned runner—sleek and strong, each step precise. As he’d moved closer, I took time to admire his thick, muscular legs and the way his sweat-soaked shirt clung to his torso, showing off a well-defined chest and sculpted abs. He was gorgeous, and I was one tourist who was definitely enjoying the sights.
I tried very hard not to stare when he suddenly stopped running and began pacing in front of my bungalow, but it was a futile attempt. Everything about the man, from his muscular physique to his jet-black hair, called for attention. The muscles in his arms bulged as he raised them and locked his fingers behind his head and my mouth watered at the sight of the sweat glistening on his tanned skin. My tongue snaked out, running over my bottom lip, as if by doing so, I would be able to taste him.
As if he’d heard my thoughts, he turned and looked right at me. I felt frozen in my seat as our gazes caught and held for several seconds. The breath whooshed from my lungs as he turned and began running back in the direction he’d come from, and I’d sagged in my seat.
Shaking my head at the memory, I grabbed my coffee cup and stood up. I was being ridiculous, ogling a complete stranger; one I would most likely never see again in my life. Giving the beach one last look, I walked back into the house, so I could get dressed. I’d spent the first day lounging on the beach. Today, I wanted to start exploring the island.
I lathered my body with soap, letting the water massage my shoulders and relieve the kinks in my overworked muscles. Bethany had complained that a shower big enough for ten people, with seven different nozzles, was overkill when I’d brought her to look at the house before I bought it. At the time, I’d agreed with her, but right now, each one felt heavenly.
I’d spent the morning surfing and then went for a bike ride, enjoying the lush greenery and bright flowers that lined either side of the road. Hawaii was a beautiful place, paradise on earth, and I could feel myself relaxing the longer I was here. By the time I’d made it home, my body felt light and my head was clearer than it had been in months.
My cock jerked in response to thoughts of the sexy stranger, and I reached a sudsy hand between my legs, cupping my balls to try and relieve the ache that was building in them. My cock refused to be left out though, jutting up proudly toward my navel, so I wrapped my other hand around it.
With soap-slicked hands, I began pleasuring myself. I used quick, precise movements as I let my imagination run wild. I pictured the beauty with the creamy white skin standing in the shower with me, his lips trailing a path over my throat and then taking me in a hungry kiss, right before he dropped to his knees and took my leaking cock into his eager mouth. Would he tease the head with his talented tongue, licking around the rim, or would his cheeks pull in as he worked his way down my entire length and back up?
My body was urging me forward, begging me to do whatever it took to bring it relief. Pouring another dollop of soap in my hand, I lifted my foot onto the tiled bench seat that ran the length of one of the shower walls and reached behind me, allowing my slick fingers to rub over my hole, teasing the sensitive nerve endings and igniting a fire inside me.
I moaned as I slipped first one finger and then another into my hole, thrilling at the burn and stretch of my tight ring. As my body adjusted to the invasion, I began moving faster, thrusting my fingers in and out of my asshole while simultaneously jerking my cock. It didn’t take long for the pressure to build to an impossible height, and I came with a loud shout, painting the shower walls as I pictured the dark-haired man swallowing every last creamy drop.
I lowered my foot and stood on trembling legs as the spray of water washed the evidence of my pleasure down the drain. My head continued to spin as I finished washing and rinsed myself off. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d come that hard, but I knew that it had more to do with the images the stranger had evoked rather than the touch of my own hands. As I climbed from the shower and began drying off, I wondered if I should feel guilty for having had such salacious thoughts about a total stranger, but the warm, satisfied feeling traveling throughout my body wouldn’t let me. Wrapping the towel around my waist, I knew that I’d be running by his place again, if just for one more peek.
I stood at the edge of the water as the sun made its descent. The sky was streaked in a stunning array of pinks, yellows, and oranges and I marveled at the natural beauty of this place. It was the kind of evening that belonged on a postcard or in a travel magazine. The slight breeze whisked away the heat of the day, leaving behind a pleasant balmy feel. The fragrance of plumeria hung heavy in the air and I filled my lungs with the intoxicating scent.
My gaze wandered down the beach and I wondered idly what Sexy Runner Guy, as I’d begun calling him in my head, was doing that night. Was he spending the evening with friends? Family? A lover? One thing I was certain of, there was no way a man like that was here on the island alone. The entire island seemed to have been staged with lovers in mind by Mother Nature herself. In fact, it would be the perfect backdrop for one of my romance novels. And, where was I? Standing here, all by myself. Story of my life.
With that depressing thought in mind, I forced myself to turn in the opposite direction. I had spent most of the day strolling through some of the outdoor markets, taking advantage of the variety of fruits and vegetables that weren’t readily available back home and purchasing fresh mahi mahi which I’d grilled for dinner. It had been a peaceful day, the fresh air and sunshine doing much to improve my outlook on life, but still, I would’ve much rather shared it all with someone else. Someone special.
I made my way down the beach as the moon took residence in the sky alongside thousands of twinkling stars. My ears picked up the gentle strains of a guitar in the distance and I followed the sound. The music grew louder as I neared a bar much different from any I’d ever visited in Chicago. There were tables spread out among the palm trees and glowing tiki torches placed strategically in the sand. A live band played at the end of a long wooden bar where three bartenders worked at a steady pace to fill drink orders.
I walked past the tables and chose an empty stool at the bar to sit on then picked up the small plastic-coated menu, perusing the specialty drinks offered. The young, female bartender with long, flowing black hair and a bright smile walked up after only a few minutes. I placed my order with her and then looked over my shoulder at the rest of the bar. The band was talented, the Hawaiian music they played was cheerful and upbeat, and as I looked out over the other patrons and I couldn’t stop my fingers from tapping the wood in front of me.
There were many groups of people there and several couples out on the dance floor. I was relieved to see that I wasn’t the only person there alone, although it had started to feel that way. The bartender returned a few moments later with my cocktail, complete with an orange slice and paper umbrella. I smiled as I took a sip, the mixture of fruity flavors awakening my taste buds.
Someone slid onto the stool next to me and I looked over, nearly choking when I saw who it was…. Sexy Runner Guy. I swallowed my drink quickly as I stared at the same sexy man I’d seen on the beach the day before. He was dressed in tan cargo shorts and the short sleeves of his baby-blue t-shirt strained around his thick biceps as he leaned forward, resting his forearms on the bar.
Glancing around him to the vacant stool on the other side, it didn’t appear as if he were there with anyone else. The realization both surprised and pleased me, although I wasn’t sure why. Just because he was there alone didn’t mean he’d even notice me, much less want to talk to me. His head turned, and his eyes connected with mine, a grin spreading across his face. I quickly averted my eyes.
“Hey,” he said. The sound of his smooth, deep voice caused a ripple of goosebumps over my skin and my cock twitched inside my shorts.
“Uh, hey?” I answered lamely, my words coming out as more of a question than I’d intended.
His smile widened, showing a row of perfectly straight, white teeth and I finally understood what it meant to swoon. The man really was too attractive for words and, if it were possible, he was even better looking up close. With his jet-black hair, strong jaw line and bright, emerald-green eyes, he could’ve given any Hollywood star a run for their money. I felt my face heat up as I caught him staring back at me, probably wondering why I was gawking at him like a creeper.
His attention was pulled away however when one of the bartenders walked up and asked for his order. “What are you drinking?” he asked, turning to me again.
I glanced down at the drink in my hand, feeling heat flood my cheeks. “Sex on the Beach,” I murmured. I glanced up quickly and saw him staring back at me—the sexiest, most deviant smirk, lifting one side of his mouth.
“Sounds delicious. I’ll have the same,” he told her, not taking his eyes off mine. My pulse thrummed through my veins, and I swallowed thickly. An image of a fly caught in a web suddenly floated through my mind and I wondered idly if a fly had ever looked so forward to spending time with the spider.