Delicious Do-Over

“Define what—” She sighed, and went with the simple truth. “No.”

He removed a pair of chopsticks from a paper wrapper. “Then it’s better you don’t see what’s coming.”

She grabbed one of the plastic forks that had been bundled with the chopsticks. “Uh, I’m not putting anything strange in my mouth.”

His lips twitched. “What a pity.”

She started to say something, thought better of it. She wasn’t nearly quick enough to be witty, had never come up with—much less uttered—a double entendre in her life. There simply was no winning this conversation. She only wished blushing burned calories, but then she’d be a stick. She grabbed a couple of napkins and used them as a plate to hold the crackers while she topped them with cheese.

“You chose this one,” he said, passing her the chicken and rice. “Adventurous or not, I think you’ll like it.”

Since she had made the selection, she opened it up and sampled the cucumber salad first. It was surprisingly good mixed with a sweet vinegary dressing. “I like this a lot,” she said, spearing another cucumber half. “What’s the black flecks on the rice?” She peered closer. They were too big to be black pepper.

“It’s called furikake, a sesame seed-and-seaweed condiment. Don’t make that face.”

“Seaweed? Seriously?”

He nodded. “Try it.”

She was a wuss when it came to trying ethnic food, but she figured a tiny taste wouldn’t kill her. She forked a small portion, found the rice to be stickier than what she was accustomed to, but took a bite.

“Well?”

“Good.” She watched him deftly use the chopsticks to scoop some kind of noodle salad into his mouth.

“Now try some chicken.”

“What are you, my mother?”

Eyeing her, he chewed, swallowed, then set his chopsticks aside. Before she knew it, he cupped a hand behind her neck, drew her to him and gave her an openmouthed kiss. Not a long one, but intense enough to make her drop her fork.

“You tell me,” he said with a cocky grin, and then went back to eating his dinner as if he’d merely suggested she check out the moon rising over the mountains.

4

THEY FINISHED DINNER, then stored what little food that was left over in the cooler along with the beer and colas. While Rick took the trash and recyclables to the car, Lindsey shook out the mat and towels. It was past nine, eerily dark and gloriously peaceful. The tropical air seemed cool for someone who’d recently flown in from frigid Chicago, but Lindsey was content to wrap herself in one of the thick blue towels as she settled on the mat and gazed up at the stars.

Rick hadn’t suggested that they pack up and leave, and neither had she. They might’ve been more comfortable back at the hotel or sitting in the Jeep taking advantage of one of the many lookouts on this cliffy side of the island. She didn’t think that either of them was trying to recapture that night they met. They simply didn’t want the mood to shift, the talking and laughing to stop, the joy of sheer solitude to end.

Being with Rick again had affected her on so many levels. Like meeting up with an old friend you hadn’t seen in years, yet immediately picking up where you’d left off. She wasn’t surprised that she’d remembered him so vividly. Not with all the daydreams she’d had about him, especially the ones that came at night. What shocked her was his ease. As if he’d thought about her just as often. Somehow, knowing they were going to have sex rested between them easily. It shouldn’t have. She was too shy, too awkward, but not with Rick.

He was so quiet she hadn’t heard him approach. She caught a glimpse of his shadow in the sand a second before he dropped down beside her. Startled, her hand went to her throat.

“What’s wrong?” He touched her hair, her shoulder, then rubbed the back of her neck. He liked touching.

She wasn’t used to it. “I didn’t hear you coming.”

“You thought some other guy was on his way to kiss you until you begged for mercy?”

Lindsey smiled. “It happens.”

He chuckled. “I remember the begging part, but it wasn’t for mercy.”

She bumped him with her shoulder. “You’re awful.”

He slid an arm around her and brought her to lean against him. “It’s a cool breeze but the water is warm.”

“Be my guest.”

“I’m not going to talk you into going in, huh?”

“Nope.” She shook her head for emphasis. They’d had this discussion at dinner. Oddly, she wasn’t half as concerned about someone catching them in the buff as she was about swimming in the dark.

“We haven’t seen anyone since we got here.”

“It’s not just that.” She paused. The ocean was still a mystery to her. And in the dark? Forget it. He wouldn’t understand. “Go on,” she said. “I’ll be waiting to wrap you in a nice warm towel.” The thought of him stripping made her hot. Made her mouth dry. Oh, yeah, she liked where this was going. “Really, take a quick dip. I don’t mind.”

“Not without you.”

“Then who would be waiting with the towel?”

His teeth gleamed in the moonlight. “You’re trying to get me naked.”

“Yes, I am,” she said boldly, then ruined it by giggling.

“Hell, sweetheart, you only had to say the word.”

Lindsey pressed her lips together to keep from blurting out something stupid. In the quiet, she heard a dog bark. “Oh, shoot.”

“What?”

“I think someone’s coming.”

“Uh, a dog?”

“Someone might be walking the dog,” she said in a hushed defensive voice, while straining to see in the murky light. The beach seemed clear on both sides, and she relaxed again. “Satisfied?”

“I’m not the one getting naked.”

“Oh, c’mon.”

She smiled at the laughter in his voice, and briefly closed her eyes at the warm kiss he pressed to the side of her neck. He didn’t stop there, but dragged his lips to her earlobe, then to her temple.

“You’re tense,” he murmured, and used his tongue along the shell of her ear. His hand cupped the front of her shoulder, applying pressure.

“Oh—” Surprised by the unexpected maneuver, she started when he urged her to lie back.

But he was gentle, guiding her down, making sure she landed easily. The towel she’d wrapped around her shoulders fell open, but warm now, she didn’t need it. She stared up into his shadowed face, then past him to the dark glittering sky. “I’m amazed we can see so many stars being this close to Waikiki.”