Page 25 of Stone (Claimed and Protected #3)

If anyone had asked me twenty years ago if there was a chance of finding the big, brooding jockey in neon swim trunks and either a muscle tee shirt or Hawaiian shirt, I would have laughed in their face.

Today, he had on floral print swim trunks and a light blue muscle tee.

While he looked gorgeous, his skin kissed by the sun, I wasn’t used to thinking of him as a surfer boy.

But Stone had proven me wrong on both counts.

Every morning he’d come out just after sunrise. Little did he know I’d watched him snagging waves, even photographing him with the camera from the burner phone he’d bought for me.

He’d said nothing about his morning routine.

I was at the point of suffocating from silence.

At least on this gorgeous morning I had a smile on my face from seeing him in polarized sunglasses and flip-flops. Another first. From a lethal weapon to a beach boy. The contradiction was charming.

Very sensual.

And in our case, completely off limits.

I half expected he wouldn’t answer, even after it was obvious he’d said something to the visitor.

Stone turned, studying me exactly as I’d been doing with him. At least he broke out into a smile. “You just had to take another picture?”

“A few. Why? Are you camera shy?” I tossed back.

“He’s always that way. The tourists usually ask for a picture with Cap’n Jack, but he refuses,” the visitor said, much to Stone’s displeasure.

“Shut your mouth, Kekoa, or I’ll fire you.”

“Nah, you won’t, boss.”

“Captain Jack?” I asked. “Catchy.”

“Dani, meet Kekoa. He works with me. Maybe not for much longer if he continues to annoy me.” Stone was determined to ignore the comment.

Kekoa immediately headed in my direction, his huge arm extended. “I’ve heard a lot about you. You’re even prettier than the boss said you were.” He threw a look over his shoulder toward his boss, winking when he did. “He’s proud of the name. Don’t let him fool you.”

“That’s it,” Stone tossed in. “You’re fired.”

“You couldn’t live a day without me and you know it,” Kekoa told him.

Laughing, I shook his hand, the firm shake followed by a wicked smile crossing the man’s face.

“Oh, I never allow Stone to throw me. I can always tell when he’s fibbing. Thanks for letting me in on the secret. I certainly hope Stone didn’t let you in on all mine since they might be a tad bit dirty.”

“Nah. He just said you were beautiful.” Kekoa was practically beaming.

Brows drawn together, Stone shook his head, his exaggerated sigh followed by a grumble under his breath. “I was just telling my partner I had other things to do today.”

“Partner? Since when?” Kekoa asked. “I thought I was fired. I was planning on spending the afternoon kicked back with a banana daiquiri.”

I didn’t buy the excuse, at least not completely. The two of them had been up to something.

“Since if you get the hell out of here and take the tour. No daiquiris.” Stone slapped his hands on his hips.

Kekoa grinned and threw up his hands. “Such a slave driver, but I love tourists, boss. Happy to help. Enjoy your day off. I think you might have your hands full.”

Stone waved him off almost as if the man was a nuisance.

I remained where I was as Stone sauntered forward. With his eyes hidden behind his blue tinted shades, I had no clue what he was thinking or planning, yet I could tell by the way his dimples were more highlighted than before he had something more mischievous on his mind.

“You didn’t need to do that,” I told him. “You had a group waiting for an appearance of the Captain Extraordinaire.”

“You’re as much a comedian as Kekoa. Maybe you should take the tour.”

“I’d love to, but you won’t allow me out of your sight.”

He suddenly turned serious, even kicking his flip-flop on the sandy soil. “You’re not a prisoner here, but I’ve treated you as one. That’s not fair. Let’s grab some drinks and a couple towels and we’ll head to my favorite cove. Perhaps you’ll discover some inspiration.”

“My goodness. You’ll allow me near the water?”

The way he lifted his sunglasses, giving me a stern look created another wave of tingles. Then he pointed his finger at me and I acted as if I was going to bite it off. “No swimming. You can take your suit, but no getting in the water. If you do, you’ll have hell to pay.”

“Promises. Promises.”

He dropped his head quickly, shaking it while snorting. At least he’d taken another mood swing. I’d thought so much about what he’d told me about the mother and her children. I couldn’t imagine the damage their deaths had inflicted on his soul and psyche.

“So, do you mind if I take my sketch pad?”

“I was kind of hoping you’d say that.” He sauntered closer, close enough I was able to gather a whiff of his aftershave.

Fresh yet masculine, a captivating scent that lingered in the air with a touch of danger, seduction, and the promise of something more.

He fiddled with my hair, allowing his long fingers to tangle in the strands for a few seconds before brushing them over my naked shoulder.

His touch was breathtaking.

“I can’t wait to see more of the island. I understand why you love it so much. I could see myself living here and that’s saying a lot. Paris is very special.”

“Maybe you’ll need to tell me why.”

“Maybe I will.”

Why did I have the feeling there was so much more he wanted to say, yet had no clue where to start? Time had driven such a tremendous wedge between us.

He nodded toward the front door and I followed him inside.

After he grabbed a cooler from the pantry, I pulled drinks from the refrigerator while he headed out the back door.

I had no idea what he was doing and the excitement I felt seemed out of place.

We weren’t playing house and we certainly weren’t a couple, but at least sightseeing would shield some of the pain that had kept me from any creativity whatsoever.

“Let me grab a couple things before we go,” he told me. “There are plenty of towels in the hall closet.” He moved toward the door, stopping once, but retreating without saying anything else.

Gah, the man was so infuriating.

Still frustrated, I added the drinks to the cooler, even sneaking in some beer and a bottle of wine. For kicks and giggles, I tossed in a block of cheese and a knife, marveling how much being here felt like home.

The house was exactly what I’d imagined an island estate would look like.

There were windows everywhere, and doors that slid into walls creating an expansive opening leading to a series of patios and decks.

His furniture was modern meets tropical, every wooden surface light in color.

The light fixtures were also modern, the kitchen state of the art.

Artwork he’d mentioned purchasing covered several walls, the bold colors depicting the island beautifully. With the palm trees on three sides, and incredible foliage highlighting succulent flowers I’d never seen before, this was truly a tropical paradise.

I’d wanted to venture back to the art studio, spending time with Amanda. She’d been very helpful, answering all my questions. And it had also been obvious she both knew and admired Stone.

I found beach towels in the linen closet and when I pressed them to my chest, I gathered a scent that reminded me of Stone.

Distinctive with a musky fragrance.

As I pulled the terrycloth to my nose, I beaded back to the kitchen. My skin was tingling as if he’d touched me.

When he walked back inside a few minutes later, he stood where he was a few feet away as if uncertain what to say. As usual.

As before, my reaction to seeing him was what I shouldn’t want, the lust creating a sense of warmth between my legs. While his dangerously handsome physique caused my legs to quiver, it was the way his eyes flashed in the stream of sunlight that had my stomach all fluttery.

“Did you grab a swimsuit?” he finally asked.

“What good is a swimsuit if I can’t swim?”

“Uh-huh. Don’t try and con me into letting you into the water. However, you’re on a tropical island, Dani. Of course you need one.”

“Then I’ll bring one with me.”

“I’ll wait. For as long as it takes.” His jaw clenched and he forced himself to look away a few seconds later. Only then was I able to force my legs to move.

I grabbed the suit from the bedroom, allowing enough time to take a few deep breaths while reminding myself that this wasn’t a date.

If it wasn’t, then why did I check my reflection in the mirror and even fluff my hair? You’d think I was a teenager getting ready for prom by the way I fussed with the unruly curls. The humidity in Hawaii was a beast.

I shoved my feet into the flat tennis shoes, using them like slippers. I’d sensed he was either eager to bring me out of my obvious funk or simply impatient.

When I returned, he still had the signature scowl on his face I’d seen before. “Are you ready?”

“Absolutely. Let’s get this adventure started, Cap’n Jack. Maybe you can teach me some surfing moves later while you’re at it.” I pretended I was surfing, throwing my arms out and shimmying my hips.

“You’re going to get it for that.”

He’d always been the take charge kind of guy before. His father had instilled in him that men were supposed to be gentlemen. Stone had always opened doors for me, keeping his hand on the small of my back as we entered and walked through a room.

He’d insisted on paying for every meal, even though he could barely scrape up enough money to pay for his truck payment.

I’d adored him for it.

As soon as I walked closer, I was reminded that when I was nervous, I had the grace of an elephant. I stepped on my shoelaces and tripped, pitched forward into his huge, muscular arms.

He caught me with ease, one hand gripping my waist and the other fisting my hair.

I slowly peeked up at him as the force kept our heated bodies together. The bathing suit was dropped, my hands planted against his chest at a point where I could feel his rapid heartbeat.

There was no mistaking the carnal look in his eyes. We quietly stared at each other without either one of us saying a word. Just breathing. Just allowing the same rush of electricity to tear through us.

My throat and lips were suddenly dry and I dragged the tip of my tongue across my bottom lip. He caught the slight action, narrowing his eyes as he took a deep breath. The intimate moment ticked away and I hadn’t noticed he’d lowered his head until our lips were almost touching.

His heated breath cascaded across my skin.

His hold more possessive than ever before.

There were ugly truths dying to be set free, but surrendering to either trust or my determination to clear my conscience would only start another nightmare between us.

My life had taken such a drastic turn and even now, I wanted more than anything to reverse time. I longed for different decisions, but an alternate life wasn’t in the cards.

I wasn’t willing to risk losing what little friendship we could build. Yet as he lowered his head even more, barely brushing his lips across mine, the tingling sensations were another brutal reminder he’d meant everything to me.

And in giving him my heart, I’d almost lost everything else.

Was the risk worth the reward?