All the Pretty Poses (Pretty #2)(24)
Author: M. Leighton

For myself, I don’t really know what to do. I haven’t seen or heard from Reese this morning, so I’m not sure what my role is. Every other day, he’s come to get me practically as soon as I wake up. He works out while I work out then he takes me up on deck with him for the day. Then, each evening, he comes to get me for dinner.

Until today.

I’ve seen no sign of him yet.

It annoys me that I’m disappointed, that I miss his early-morning visit. I tell myself that I’ve just come to expect it, but I know it’s more than that. As promised, Reese is weaving a spell over me that’s making me want to go to him more and more with every night that passes. He hasn’t had me dance again since that one night when he came to my room afterward. When it’s bedtime, I’ve lain awake every night, wondering if he’ll come to me again, thinking of what I’ll do if he does. Then, when he doesn’t, I toss and turn until light dawns over the sea and he comes for me again in the morning.

Until today.

Just as I’m getting ready to head to my workout with Brian, there is a knock at my door. My smile is automatic. That is, until I open it and see Sloane standing where Reese should be.

Her mouth is turned down, her expression one of sadness.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, a bit alarmed.

She reaches out and wraps her arms around me, pulling me to her and squeezing me tightly. “I just wish you were coming with us.”

I grin, relieved and flattered. “I do, too, but I have to work, so…”

She leans back to look at me, the light of friendship gleaming in her eyes. “Well, I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again.” She gives me a wink and grabs my hand. “Come on. You have to say goodbye to Hemi and Sig. Otherwise, Sig will pout the whole rest of the trip.”

I laugh, quickly pulling my door shut behind me as she drags me off down the hall. I liked Sloane from day one and I really will miss her on board.

When we reach the top of the stairs, I look out the window and see Reese walking away from Hemi and Sig. He must’ve been saying his own goodbyes. My eyes watch the spot where he disappeared as we make our way out into the sun, but there’s no sign of his return. I try not to feel too disappointed by that.

Hemi is waiting for us with a smile when Sloane and I reach him. Sloane snuggles up under his arm, like she so often does, and turns her adoring eyes up to him as he speaks. “Sure you don’t want to come with us?” he asks me. “I’m sure Sig wouldn’t mind that one bit.”

I glance at Sig who’s shaking his head vigorously. “Not. One. Bit.”

I grin. I can’t help but like these people. “I guess I’d better stay on board. A girl’s gotta work.”

“And what fine work you do, if I might say so myself, Ms. Moore,” Sig teases with a twirl of his imaginary mustache.

“I’ll admit it’s probably going to be all boring around here once you all leave.”

I see the look Hemi and Sloane share. “Ummm, I don’t think that’s going to be a problem,” Sloane says. “I think Reese will be keeping you plenty busy.” She gives me an exaggerated wink and I laugh, dismissing her comment with a wave of my hand, but secretly thrilled by her speculation.

“Just be careful,” Hemi says, less than playfully. “Reese is a pretty driven guy.”

“I know. I’ve known that for a long time.”

A strange silence falls between us until Sig pulls me in for a tight hug. “Anytime you feel like traveling south, you give me a call. I’ll show you southern comfort like you’ve never even dreamed of!” he drawls, twitching his eyebrows up and down.

I lightly slap his arm and he releases me. I’m still shaking my head at his antics as the trio make their way off the yacht, leaving me at loose ends again until the clients arrive and somebody tells me what the hell I’m supposed to do with myself.

I make my way back to my room. I haven’t been inside for five minutes before there’s another knock at my door. Once again, my stomach lurches in anticipation, but this time I open the door to see Brian standing there.

“Welcome to play day in the woods, little red riding hood,” he says with a broad smile.

“Huh?”

“Since we don’t have clients until tonight, we get the day to explore a little. Do you have plans?”

“Ummm, not that I know of.”

“Well then get your stuff. You’re coming with me,” he says enthusiastically. “There are a couple of places we love to visit on the island when we get the chance, but Lee can’t come. So you’re my companion for the day. Wear comfortable shoes and a bathing suit. And bring a hat. And a towel. I’ll meet you up top in twenty minutes.”

With that, he leans down and kisses my cheek before trotting off the way he’d come.

I’m thankful that Brian and I have fast become friends. I really like him. And even though I’m pleased that he’d ask me to accompany him and that he’s sort of looking out for me, I’m still disappointed that I haven’t heard from Reese.

As I pack a cross-body tote with the essentials, including a towel, I remind myself that this is Hawaii and that I don’t need Reese to have a good time or to enjoy such a beautiful place. I’m still telling myself that as I head for the upper deck to meet Brian.

It turns out that not having fun with Brian is a practical impossibility. What started out as a bit of a down morning leads to a beautiful day in Hawaii. He first takes me to where a rented Jeep is waiting to carry us the few miles to a hiking path that leads to the top of Hualalai Volcano. Following that, we go shopping in Kailua Kona and then we take a short bike trip to a private beach beyond a thatch of forest near the coast. There, we swim in the most heavenly waters on earth.

As we splash around in the crystal clear Pacific, we chit chat about things that any friends might talk of, including our love lives.

“Yeah, Lee and I usually come here together. It’s a great place to get a little alone time when clients or employers or other crew members aren’t watching.” He gives me a conspiratorial wink.

“So you and Lee are…are…”

“Lovers?” he asks with a grin. “Yes, you can say it.”

“I didn’t mean…I mean…I’m just not used to talking about this kind of thing with anybody.”

“Don’t you have girlfriends to talk to back home?”

I shrug, focusing on the flutter of my hands just beneath the glistening surface. “Not really. It’s hard for me to get close to people.”