"Hey, Jen!" Anthony called out, pushing Red from his seat. "Gotta place right here for ya!"
Jennifer Martin settled into the spot reserved for her, smiling at the soldiers she now considered her friends.
"Hello, boys." She brushed a long yellow lock under the flower strategically placed her ear. "How is everyone?"
A rund of voices began to speak as one ... merging into nothing but noise. She laughed as she noticed every man at the table talking. Every one, that is, except one. She sighed internally. She could not understand what she had done to cause him to ignore her ... to act as if she wasn't there. It unnerved her -- upset her -- and she didn't know why. She let her eyes linger to his strong profile, and was caught by his gaze. He quickly looked away and began a conversation with Earl. Jenny looked down, nervously twining her fingers, until Red stood over her.
"M-m-m-ma-a-a-ay I have this d-d-d-a-a-a-nce?"
Jenny smiled with relief, took one last look at Rafe, and slipped her and into Red's.
"I'd love to!"
They moved gracefully to the dance floor, moving slowly to the strains of waltz music. Jenny tried, but she could not keep herself from letting her eyes continue to cut to the table every now and then, subconciously praying that he would show the least sign of interest.
BY:Teresa
"Oh, wait!" she said with an impish smile. Leaning down, Charlie quickly slipped her shoes off and tossed them in the back seat. "There! That's better." She allowed him to help her out of the car, grinning as her stockinged feet touched the warm sand.
He kept her hand in his as he helped her down to the shore. The bright moonlight illuminated their path as he continued the conversation from the car.
"I admire you, Charlie." He grinned, looking all the more like a little boy at the moment. "It takes a lot of courage to have things thrown at you and not take the easy way out. You have a lot of integrity."
For some strange reason, it was important to him that she understand how much integrity meant to him. He glanced at her, revelling in the beauty of her face. The golden streaks in her hair were intensified by the rays of the moon and he felt, for a moment, that he could be swallowed by the feelings just looking at her produced inside him. But he didn't know. He couldn't be sure. He had to know her. Had to know if it was him, or the name. And the only way to figure that out was get to know her. Really get to know her. And he was prepared to do just that. He had a strong feeling that she was worth the risk.
BY:Teresa
She watched as he slowly nodded his head. "That suprises you?"
"Yeah, I guess it does. I've had men say a lot of things to me but that's never been one of them." She blushed hotly. "Since, you gave me such a sweet compliment I want to give you one too. Well, at least I hope you'll think it is." She looked down at the shifting sand below her feet. Suddenly she found herself still on the beach with the surf washing across her feet as she stood face to face with Heath.
"I'm listening," he whispered against her cheek.
"Tonight.....In the club.......I noticed you when you walked in the place. I.....I....You are the most....." She paused, pulling in a shaky breath. I'm glad you came over to talk to me or I would have had to work up the nerve to come over to you. I couldn't have stood to be in the same room with you and not be near you." She was breathless by the time she stumbled around own words. Her hand shook in his. She'd never been this bold in her life. Never.
BY:Loria
"Hey, what's the story with that one?" Rafe quizzed Earl.
The other man shrugged and turned to look at the woman. "She's a looker ain't she?" The other man sighed. "Don't really know. Red started bringing her around a month or so ago and she just kind stuck. Fits in with us hard cases and puts up with our crap." A rolling laugh purged from Earl.
Rafe shook his head. "I'd think that one would have better company to keep then with you bunch of misfits."
"Hey! Who you calling misfit, misfit?" Another round of laughter interupted the nearby conversations.
"You're drunk and I'm gonna dance." Rafe slapped his friend on the shoulder as he stood, moving across the dance floor toward the thatch of red hair among the crowd.
"Mind if I.............."
BY:Loria
"Charlie, there's no way I could have left Paradise Island without talking to you." His hands held her firmly pressed against the hard cords of his body. "Just like there's no way I can take you back there without a promise for lunch ... tomorrow?"
Her face buried in the masculine curve of his neck, her breath sending heat through every portion of his being as she spoke.
"I hesitate to say yes, because I know that means we have to leave."
He sighed, gently lowering her to her feet. "I did promise you'd be back for your next set."
She smiled sensually. "Always keep your promises, soldier?"
He nodded, his arms remaining entwied around her waist. "Always."
"Good," she breathed, her cheek falling to his chest. "Then promise you'll show for lunch tomorrow."
He grinned, kissing the top of her head. "Try and keep me away."
He sighed. "But now, it's time to take you back."
She looked at him, her eyes filled with moonlight magic. "We were meant to meet, Heath. You know that, don't you?"
He shivered. Why did that sound so damned good? He kissed her one last time, caressed her cheek with his thumb, and ushered her back to his car.
BY:Teresa
"Back and on time ... as promised." His hand reached out and long fingers trailed through the tendrils of curls at her neck. She looked down with a slight sigh.
"You had to go and be the responsible one, didn't you?"
The both chuckled, then lapsed into sensual silence as they gazed into each other's eyes.
"Tomorrow, then?" he said softly, as his head leaned in toward hers.
"Tomorrow," she whispered, accepting his lips on hers willingly and with relish.
After seemingly endless moments, he slowly pulled his head back and sighed.
"If I don't let you go now, I never will. So ... I'm going to walk you inside, kiss you good night, and count the minutes until lunch tomorrow."
She nodded, her check pressed against his chest. "If you don't show, I'll hunt you down!"
He grinned. "If I don't show, it'll mean I've officially gone insane." He kissed the top of her head. "I have your number. I'll call you tomorrow."
He looked up and smiled. "I'll be waiting, sailor!"
One last private kiss, and he moved to open the car door for her and escort her inside the club.
BY:Teresa
Benjamin slowly advanced toward her, backing her up against the wall. He held her wrists in a bruising grip, slowly raising her arms over her head. He crushed his lips against hers, muffling her screams against his mouth. He pulled away, roughly grabbing the front of her dress, tearing it. "I want you Johanna. And I intend to have you.............
Johanna furiously shook her head, banishing the images from her mind. "Stop it! It's over!" she thought. She was going to wipe the slate clean and and begin a new life for herself in Hawaii. This new nursing position was the best way to start out. She turned to look at the twinkling lights of the island that the ship was fast approaching. Out of nowhere, a sense of relief rushed through her. She had a good feeling about this place.
BY:Jodie
"Hey, remember me?" God, did he really say that?
She broke into a grin. "Of course I do, Dorie." She opened the door wider, gesturing for him to come in. As he entered, she checked the distance quickly to ensure they were alone, then closed the door behind them.
She guided him into the living room, motioning for him to sit on the sofa as she sat beside him, straightening her floral skirt. "I'm glad you came," she breathed with a slight blush.
He smiled. "Well, I had to return this." He took the ring off of his little finger and extended it toward her. She shook her head.
"Give it back to me later." She put her hand on his, took the ring, and replaced it on his finger. "For now, let's get to know each other." She blushed again. "I'd like to know you."
He smiled. "Ka Nani. That's such a beautiful name." He leaned slightly forward. "Beautiful name ... beautiful woman." He squeezed her hand. He had a feeling about this one. No way was he going to let her go.
Ka Nani shivered in excitement. He was warm and dark and handsome and ... decadent. He felt so ... thrilling.
"Would you like something to cold to drink?"
He smiled, his flash of perfect white teeth a stark contrast with the rich ebony of his skin. "Sounds good, actually."
They stood at the same time, their heads clinking together with the close proximity.
"Owwww," they howled in unison, before laughing at the sight they made. His hands went around her waist to steady her, and thry both sobered with the electricity of the contact.
One large, strong hand moved to the black, silky tresses of her hair. "You are so beautiful. So ... beautiful."
Her face flushed causing her caramel skin to take on a ruddy complexion. her small, elegant hand moved slowly to his chest. "And you're so strong ... so confident."
He smiled again. Confident. She thought he was confident. She actually saw that in him. Slowly, his face lowered to her, his full lips slowly meeting hers. Lifting her head to accept his kiss, her hand moved to the back of his head, her fingers pulling him closer. The heated friction was alien to Ka Nani, and it drove her to the brink of madness. Her lips parted for a fraction of a second ... and that's all it took. His warm, moist tongue delved into the recesses of her mouth and she reveled in keeping up with him. Until she heard the noise behind them.
"Ka Nani, what was ..."
They both jerked around and stared in shock at the Hawaiian man standing near them.
"What the hell are you doing to my sister??"
He moved forward, fists prepared to do battle, until Ka Nani stood in front of the dark stranger.
"Peni, please," she yelped. "Don't! He's my...my friend!"
Both men looked at Ka Nani. Peni in shock, Dorie smiling with pleasure.
BY:Teresa
"Hey, remember me?" God, did he really say that?
She broke into a grin. "Of course I do, Dorie." She opened the door wider, gesturing for him to come in. As he entered, she checked the distance quickly to ensure they were alone, then closed the door behind them.
She guided him into the living room, motioning for him to sit on the sofa as she sat beside him, straightening her floral skirt. "I'm glad you came," she breathed with a slight blush.
He smiled. "Well, I had to return this." He took the ring off of his little finger and extended it toward her. She shook her head.
"Give it back to me later." She put her hand on his, took the ring, and replaced it on his finger. "For now, let's get to know each other." She blushed again. "I'd like to know you."
He smiled. "Ka Nani. That's such a beautiful name." He leaned slightly forward. "Beautiful name ... beautiful woman." He squeezed her hand. He had a feeling about this one. No way was he going to let her go.
Ka Nani shivered in excitement. He was warm and dark and handsome and ... decadent. He felt so ... thrilling.
"Would you like something to cold to drink?"
He smiled, his flash of perfect white teeth a stark contrast with the rich ebony of his skin. "Sounds good, actually."
They stood at the same time, their heads clinking together with the close proximity.
"Owwww," they howled in unison, before laughing at the sight they made. His hands went around her waist to steady her, and thry both sobered with the electricity of the contact.
One large, strong hand moved to the black, silky tresses of her hair. "You are so beautiful. So ... beautiful."
Her face flushed causing her caramel skin to take on a ruddy complexion. her small, elegant hand moved slowly to his chest. "And you're so strong ... so confident."
He smiled again. Confident. She thought he was confident. She actually saw that in him. Slowly, his face lowered to her, his full lips slowly meeting hers. Lifting her head to accept his kiss, her hand moved to the back of his head, her fingers pulling him closer. The heated friction was alien to Ka Nani, and it drove her to the brink of madness. Her lips parted for a fraction of a second ... and that's all it took. His warm, moist tongue delved into the recesses of her mouth and she reveled in keeping up with him. Until she heard the noise behind them.
"Ka Nani, what was ..."
They both jerked around and stared in shock at the Hawaiian man standing near them.
"What the hell are you doing to my sister??"
He moved forward, fists prepared to do battle, until Ka Nani stood in front of the dark stranger.
"Peni, please," she yelped. "Don't! He's my...my friend!"
Both men looked at Ka Nani. Peni in shock, Dorie smiling with pleasure.
BY:Teresa
"Mr. Walker ..."
"Danny," he corrected. "Remember?"
She smiled slightly. Do not get distracted, she reminded herself.
"Danny ... of course. Danny, I'll tell you everything. But, please...I have to know that it will stay just between us." Her twisted her fingers together anxiously.
He nodded his agreement, brows furrowing in confusion and concern.
"Okay." She took another deep breath and turned her back to him. It will be so much easier without having to look into his eyes.
"I married when I was 18. It was wonderful for about a year. We were so happy."
He moved closer to her and stood at her back. "What happened, Marisa?"
His voice sounded so rich and comforting that tears formed in her eyes. She HAD to keep perspective. "I committed the ultimate sin." She tried to keep her voice from cracking. "I became pregnant."
The momentary silence was slow torture ... and then she heard his voice again. "I don't understand, Marisa. That's something wonderful, isn't it?"
He slim shoulders shrugged. "I thought so. I was elated. But he ... he was so angry. He hated me for making that mistake."
Danny's hand touched her shoulder and she had to force herself not to jerk away from the touch.
"Marisa ... you're a nurse. You KNOW that you weren't the only responsible for getting pregnant. Besides," he sounded amazed. "To make a life together? It's a miraculous wonder!"
She chuckled humorlessly. "Oh, it was my fault. And I paid for it. With my marriage."
She felt him stiffen. "What happened?"
She moved to finger the curtains at the window. "He became a different person. Angry ... aggressive ..." She trailed off before adding, "physical."
"Physical?" She heard the emotion in his voice. Was he actually angry?
"Yes." She bit her bottom lip to keep herself from crying. SHe slipped into her hidden cajun accent. "He would hit me, Danny. Hard, and often." This time, the tears did slide down. "One day, musta been my tird month, he come home to his favorite meal ... chicken 'n' dumplins. Well, I done put onions in dah dumplins and he got mad. Real mad. He take dah dumplins and toss dem in day trash screaming 'bout how duh baby made me stupid and he was tired of it." She shivered at the memory.
"He pick me up and toss me over him shoulder and throw me down so hard it knock my breath away. Den he come toward me ..."
She crumpled to the floor in a pool of emotions. "He just keep kicking me over an' over ... screaming dat I trick him into all dis and as soon as deh baby gone tings be dah same."
She began to cry, her control breaking. "Him killed my baby, Danny! And I can't have no more! Dat's what duh doctors say!" She covered her face in shame and pain. "I run away and never gone back! And now I'm alone! No husband ... no baby ... and so damaged no one ever want me again." She continued to cry ... trying to keep the full hysterics at bay.
BY:Teresa
She spied her target across the hanger, wrench in hand and covered in grease. His head popped up just as she drew near, a wide cocky smile plastered across his face.
"Well...Well....To what do I owe this pleasure? Something you forgot to scream at me last night?" he asked, laughing at the suprised look on her face.
He's laughing at me! The grease monkey is actually laughing at me! Her eyes narrowed and tried to push away the seething anger that boiled through her veins. Time to play nice, Taylor! Sugar catches more flies than vinager. "I thought I should apologize for my behavior last night. I........"
"No. I don't think so. Try again" He went back to tinkering with the plane beneath him.
"Look, I didn't mean to be........"
"How did you find me?" he asked, his voice slightly muffled.
It was her turn to laugh as all semblence of civility leaked from her pours. "You know, there's not to many flyboy wanna be's that go by the name of Gooz. You weren't that hard to find." She tilted her head waiting for him to actually look at her. "Most children aren't. Just look for the shiny toys and there they are."
She took a step back as he jumped to the ground from the plane's wing. Being suddenly reminded of a panther stalking prey. His eyes burning into her, trying to make her retreat in fear. Her backbone stiffened.
"Just what do you want?" he growled, towering over her. "Maybe, your forgot to thank me for helping you or, hell, trying to sic the MPs on me for kissing you sweetheart?"
"I....I....." This was going to be a lot harder than she imagined. "I need you to do something for me." She forged ahead, squaring her shoulders daring him to refuse.
"What?" His eyebrows rose high over his turbulent angry eyes. "Let me see if I understand this right. You come in here and pretend you want to apologize to me. Then, you go right ahead and picked up where you left off last night. You hurl insults at me like a pitcher for the Yankees. Now, why would I wanna do anything for you?" He leaning against the plane, laughing like it was a joke. A big joke that he couldn't wait to repeat.
She moved like a streak of lightening, her hand connecting with his sweat and grease slicked face. The sound of flesh colliding with flesh sounded deafening in the hanger. Her finger was in his face before he could really register what she'd just done. "Don't you ever laugh at me! EVER! " she hissed.
BY:Loria
She tried to wrench from his grasp, her body grinding into his. "Maybe if she had, you would have learned better manners."
His hand snaked to push at the small of her back, her hips melding with his. Jesus, he wanted this woman. "Damn, woman! Don't you know enough about manners not to put down the way a boy's mama raises her youngens?" He leaned his face to her ear, his breath warm on her skin. "Where I come from, gals like you would be taken to the woodshed for less."
He was pleasantly surprised to feel the friction of her pelvis moving against his. She wanted him, even if her words contradicted that fact.
"It would take a hell of a lot more of a man than the likes of you to get me out of this hanger door, much less to a woodshed," she said breathlessly. "Now, take your hands off me." She gave a less than enthusiastic shove. "I said get your damned hands off me."
His voice suddenly turned husky as a grease covered hand moved to her face, pinning her eyes to his. "I kinda get the feeling you like my hands right where they are." He grinned. "Oh, yeah. I think you like them real good."
And now it was his turn to take her by surprise as his head bent to claim her lips in a heated kiss, his tongue plunging deeply into the moist cavern of her mouth, embroiling hers in a fierce game of sword play.
She fell into it, unaware of anything around her but the kiss ... what seemed like hours flying by in the space of a few seconds as his delicious mouth worked in perfect synchronization with his hands caressing her spine and lower back. The next thing she knew, her back was hitting the hard metal of the side of the plane as he pressed her against it, exploring the kiss more in depth. She writhed against his arousal, a slight, almost imperceptible man escaping her.
"Holy damn," he whispered against her heated neck. His hands became bolder, trailing from her back to slide up her ribcage and find the firm roundness of her breast. With an experienced touch, his hand squeezed with perfect pressure, kneading her full orbs until he felt the stiffness of her nipples reacting to his fingers. The reaction excited him even more and his body was quick to let her know. His tongue swirled along the edge of her ear as his hand slid under the grease covered white cotton of her bodice. Her head went back thrusting her breasts forward to allow him better access to his treasure.
"This is what you wanted ... isn't it, baby?" he whispered as his hand began to travel downward ... quickly reaching for the hem of the now soiled dress. "This is what you wanted from ole' Gooz?"
She moaned erotically against his body. "Yes ... oh, yes." And then suddenly, a noise in the distance made her remember where she was. "I mean NO!" With all of her strength, she pushed at his chest, only able to break slightly from the sensual dance, his strong arms still around her waist. "No .. I need to talk to you."
He grinned and moved in to kiss her again. "Oh, I think we're talking real good. REAL good."
She shook her head and pulled away from his lock. "NO. I mean really talk." She smoothed her skirt nervously, her eyes suddenly seeing the large black stains on the pristine cotton. "Oh, SHIT! Look at what you've done to me!"
He chuckled as he leaned an elbow on the plane. "I like a woman who doesn't mind getting a little dirty." His eyes turned smoky. "Besides ... it ain't nothing compared to what I WANTED to do to you."
She swallowed forcefully. This was going to be MUCH HARDER than she thought.
BY:Teresa
"What is going on here?" Peni demanded, looking between the two.
"Look, it was all my ..........." Dorie began to explain, trying to cover, shifting the blame to himself. But Ka Nani gently clutched his arm and shook her head.
"Peni, this is Dorie. I met him yesterday and gave him my ring to return." She smiled at the man across the room and he mirrored her radiant features -- a little older, certainly masculine. Peni moved forward and shook the hand Dorie offered.
"I see my sister has finally decided that she will choose her own man."
Dorie turned a questioning look on Ka Nani, hoping he wasn't going to hear what he feared, hear that her family wouldn't accept him, a black man, among them.
Ka Nani looked frantically to Peni, her cheeks flaring bright red. Please, help me to make him understand!
"I suppose I should explain myself. Our family is one of the oldest on the island and my father tends to think that gives him a right to preside like some monarch over every one's lives he comes near. Ka Nani's life has been dicated to her, as has mine. My father is determined she marries a naval officer."
Peni watched for the man's reaction. When Dorie turned an understanding look on Ka Nani, Peni knew he was worth the trouble this was going to lead to.
"I'm sorry, Ka Nani. I didn't mean to cause problems......" Again he was stopped mid sentence.
"Don't be. It's time I see some happiness on such a beautiful face." Peni beamed. "Treat her good, friend." He nodded to his sister as she sidled beside Dorie.
"Thank you, Peni!" Her eyes slightly misted.
"Now, mother and father will be home soon. You should go to my apartment," he told Ka Nani, giving her a conspiritorial wink. This is what kept him here, kept him on the island. If not for the younger woman and her welfare he would have made his break for the main land years ago. But soon, soon, he'd find his own pleasure among his mundane life. With a sigh he watched Ka Nani tug the man towards the door and they disappeared down the path to the sugar cane fields.
BY:Loria
Someday Peni, this will be your home, filled with your children. You have a responsibility to me, son. A responsibility to the family and the land.
His father's ever present voice played like the crashing surf over and over in his head. Will there ever be a moment's piece? A time that I don't feel drowned under the tide of responsibility?
Just as a signal from the heavens that he was not to have any respite,
his father entered the kitchen, the man's face a mask of irritation.
"Where is your sister?"
"She is in my office filing the shipping orders from last month," Peni
explained, lifting the cold chicken he had managed to scrounge up to his
lips.
"You were suppose to do that! Why can't you keep up with the paper work?
You're always handing it to someone else. I can never trust you with the
details of the business," his father shouted, wagging his finger in his
son's face. Rage slammed headlong into Peni as his father continued to
berate him, finally regressing to cursing at him in their native
Hawaiian.
"I didn't ask for this! Not ever! You insisted! You pushed! If I've
failed, you blame yourself!" He pushed past the aging man and out of the
kitchen. He went to the fields and watched the green stalks of the sugar
cane for long hours, his escape. The green beauty of the land was his
solace.
BY:Loria
"Gooz." She stretched his name on and on, liking the way it filled her mouth. "I don't mind getting DIRTY. But there's a time and a place for it. Now, I need your help." She smiled, genuinly. She had to admit there was something about the man. He knew how to spark her anger like no one else she'd ever met but, she liked him, liked how he made her feel.
"Ok, so what is it you need from me?" he finally asked, a hesitant glint in his eyes.
"The horse. My boss doesn't like me taking him out of his stall alone. He's very high spirited and can be dangerous. But I thought he needed some excersize." She turned her head looking beyond the hanger as she explained. "I was.....was clumsy and tripped. The horse bolted and that's where you and your friend came in. My boss' daughter is a very jealous girl and because she isn't allowed to ride the horse, no one is except the patrón. When she saw me riding him back to the paddock last night she ran to her father and told him I had taken the horse for a ride along the beach and had worked the horse into a lather. Now, if you don't vouch for me and tell senor Vasquez what actually happened I stand to loose my job. His daughter is whinning for me to be dismissed as a trainer."
She turned her eyes back to him, a part of her afraid of his mocking laughter. What would he think of her? She already felt like the utmost clumsy clod and hoped dearly that he would spare her the disgrace of pointing the fact out to her.
BY:Loria
"Now let's just see if I get this straight, little lady."
He pushed away from the plane and crossed his arms over his chest as he inched closer to her again.
"You want me to come of to where you work and tell this See-nore Vasquez that his baby girl was wrong and that you was just doing your job? That you was taking the horse out for exercise, you got throwed, he ran hell for leather down the beach ... and that's where I came in?"
Taylor squared her shoulders and attempted a smile. "That about sums it up." She moved a step closer ... the heat was becoming intoxicating. "So ... will you do it? For me?" She gritted her teeth at the silence that followed. "Please?" God, she hated that word.
He looked her up and down. Damn, but she did look good all covered with grease. But he knew how good she looked not covered with grease as well. Hell, he had a sneaking suspicion that she'd look MIGHTY fine uncovered completely! It was that image that kept him thinking of her constantly ... and it was beginning to piss him off.
"Well, now I don't know about that, missy." He moved to where he was standing behind her, his warm breath on her ear as he leaned his face forward. "Just what's in it for me?"
More silence followed before she spoke. "What is it you want?" As if she didn't know. Her insides were beginning to fluster.
A chuckle erupted from him ... an erotic wave that was masculine and promising. "Honey, that is the wrong question to ask someone who likes getting dirty. But I'll take it easy on you for now." His mouth inched closer to her ear. "Wouldn't want to throw more on you than you can handle, you understand."
He continued quickly before she could break his momentum. He circled her, almost like a predator, as he spoke. Was he exciting her as much as she excited him. Hell, all she had to do was look about a foot south and there was the evidence right there!
"Here's the deal, doll-baby." He leaned against a tall tool cabinet. He really was oblivious to the the fact that the movement caused his pants to tighten around the large bulge of his groin.
"You and me ... picnic ... on the beach. Secluded beach. Plan to spend all day." He grinned making his face look rakishly seductive. "I like chicken and potato salad."
The butterflies in her stomach felt more like woodpeckers. His smooth, roguish attitude completely enthralled her. Her mouth twisted into an impish grin that caused a physical reaction in him that bordered on pain.
"I think I can handle your appetite." She shifted her hips, leaning her weight on one leg. The effect was a starlet pose that nearly drove Gooz over the brink. "I make a great potato salad."
He grinned. "I just bet you do, darlin'."
She shook her head slightly to stay on track ... his voice mesmerizing her to an unthinking state.
"So, you'll come to Senor Vasquez? You'll support me?"
The little girl expression on her face was nearly his undoing.
"Well, hell. The least I can do, you being so nice to me that night, and all."
She almost stopped breathing as she remembered slapping his face that evening. Then she grinned. "You don't seem like the type that's put off by a little thing like a slap, Gooz."
He smiled slowly. "Far from it, sugar." He looked her over again and nodded. "Alrighty, then. Just have my secretary call yours and we'll get this set up."
She laughed. "Gooz, stop!" She stepped closer to him. "Tonight? Will you come tonight."
His grinned turned almost letcherous. "Absolutely, darlin'. Not a problem."
"Good!" she said with a relieved breath. She reached into the pocket of her sundress and handed him a piece of paper. "Here's my address and telephone number. We can talk to him together."
He looked at the words and nodded. "I'll be there with bells on, sugar."
He turned slightly as he heard the men coming back into the hanger, their break over. He looked down at her grease covered dress. "I'm supposing your wanting to clean that up before you leave," he said, about to point the way to the bathroom.
She followed his gaze and noticed the men getting closer, tying to pretend they couldn't hear. She ooked down at her dress and grinned, stepping closer but talking loud enough for her voice to cross the hanger.
"A little grease never hurt anyone. Gooz, honey. I'm not ashamed of how dirty we got. Are you?" She smiled sweetly, patted his cheek, and turned to leave. Crossing the hanger, she waved at the others. "See you later, boys."
As if in synchronation, they all waved, then turned to stare at Gooz questioningly.
He shook himself from his surprise to grin and state simply, "Whatcha looking at, boys? When ya got it, ya got it. And ole' Gooz definitely gots it!"
The men looked at each other in shock, then a round of laughter erupted as they each returned to their normal routines. All except Gooz, who continued for several moments to stare at the hanger exit.
BY:Loria
She gave a feline like stretch, arms thrown over her head, back arched. The morning's breeze blew across her face and she inhaled the sharp scent of the salty moist air.
Just a couple hours and she would see him again. A COUPLE OF HOURS!
She sat bolt upright in her bed looking to the clock for comfirmation of the hour. 10:30. She gasped and pushed from the bed and making a dash for the bath tub. An hour later she was polished and painted, dressed to the nines. She was going to met him, going to met Heath.
BY:Loria
She'd retrieved the one suitcase that now held all of her belongings and was heading towards the gangplank when a sudden wave caused the deck to roll under her feet. She lost her balance and and fell forward, flinching. Only to stop in midair, and then be pulled to her feet. She opened her eyes and looked down, seeing a man's arm wrapped tightly around her waist. She quickly moved from his grasp, turning to thank her mysterious rescuer. The words froze on her tongue. It was the human wall.
His brown eyes crinkled as he smiled. "Well now ma'am. I guess we're even." She couldn't help but smile back. "Yeah, first you almost knocked me on my backside, and now you just saved it." The man laughed. Johanna continued, "Thank you, Mr.......well, I didn't quite catch your name, what with all the falling." But the man had stopped smiling. He hesitated. Almost as if he didn't want to give her his name.
But then he stuck his hand out and introduced himself. "It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am, even under the circumstances. My name's Danny. Danny Walker."
BY:Jodie
"Lauli," her father said, sweetly. "You have worked hard. Rest, and come back later."
She smiled, kissing her father's rugged cheek. Sun and weather had created a leather-like appearance to his features but the soft kindness would never leave his sweet face.
"I will bring your lunch, Papa."
She hugged him tightly and moved toward the south field. He walked slowly, so she easily caught up with him, quietly moving behind him with each step. Yes, his expression was less than happy.
"What reason have you for such a sour expression?"
He whirled around, his eyes taking in the youthful Hawaiian beauty with a surprised look.
Gathering an armful of cane and placing it in the back of the truck, Lauli stopped to gazed at him. Again, he walked through the southern most fields, his form barely seen over the tall stalks. He would have the same meloncholy look on his face ... she had seen it so many times.
"Lauli," her father said, sweetly. "You have worked hard. Rest, and come back later."
She smiled, kissing her father's rugged cheek. Sun and weather had created a leather-like appearance to his features but the soft kindness would never leave his sweet face.
"I will bring your lunch, Papa."
She hugged him tightly and moved toward the south field. He walked slowly, so she easily caught up with him, quietly moving behind him with each step. Yes, his expression was less than happy.
"What reason have you for such a sour expression?"
He whirled around, his eyes taking in the youthful Hawaiian beauty with a surprised look.
"Excuse me?" he snapped.
She fiddled with the lock of hair that fell over her slim shoulder.
"You're the owner's son. The one they call Peni, no?"
He looked at her with sudden interest. "And what do they call you?"
She chuckled. "My family and friends call me Lauli. Your friends and family would call me 'the worker,' just like they would call any member of my family who has worked on this plantation for generations."
She looked at him with confidence, a slight smile on her face. She had secret admiration for this beautiful man, but realized her position on the plantation would prevent fraternization of any type with a mere worker such as herself. Her father would have ingrained that into his heir ... and everyone on the plantation knew how her father viewed the workers.
BY:Teresa
"I don't call my employs THE WORKS if I know their names," he told her, letting his eyes glide over the curves of her face. "I'm not my father!"
There was a slight groan that heaved from his chest as he said those words. He lowered his face and looked to the rich, black dirt under his feet and a rumble came from his forgotten stomach.
"Will you have lunch with me, Lauli? We can go into town or eat at my home......."
He wanted her company, craved it. He wanted to be near someone, even if briefly, who wouldn't berate him for every word that came from his mouth, for every step he took. Simple. He needed simple and unfettered. He was hoping she could provide that, would provide that.
"Please," his voice husky and low. Peni met her eyes expectantly.
BY:Loria
"Heath?"
He knew she was there before he even turned around. That special scent that unique to just her wafted through the air and assaulted his senses. He stood and moved toward her. Taking her hand, he stepped forward and kissed her cheek in a warm, tingling movement. His smile expressed the feelings inside him.
"I was going to give you five more minutes and then hunt you down!"
She chuckled as he pulled the seat for her and slid her to the table. "It'd be the shorted reconnaissance in history." She smiled radiantly. "I'm right here."
He squeezed her hand gently. "And that's right where I want you." In a surprise movement, he pulled her hand to his lips and softly kissed the upturned palm.
He felt the slight shiver in her hand and smiled. "I couldn't sleep all night ... couldn't wait to see you." He saw the shy, downcast movement of her eyes and ran his lips over the index finger he still held. "It was worth the wait."
As the waitress came by to bring menus, Heath took that time to really look at Charlie. Nothing about her was demure. She had all eyes on her at all times. Not that she demanded it. She was very down to earth and non-flashy today. No, it was her style. Her inner style. She had the kind of personality and aura that made everyone around want to be near her.
As they placed their orders, Charlie grinned at him. "So, soldier. Where do we go from here?"
He took her hand again ... his thumb grazing her palm seductively. "To the top of the world, sweetheart. The sky's the limit."
She giggled. "I bet all you flyboys say that." Her free hand covered his.
He crooked his finger. "Come here. I wanna tell you something."
He moved closer and she leaned in expectantly. She was rewarded with the feel of his lips on hers ... soft and probing ... a slightly passionate kiss in front of God and everyone. A sigh caught in her throat. "You taste good," he whispered.
Eyes shining, she nodded. "Just don't get tired of sampling, Ace."
He held back a hardy guffaw. "Yeah, I can really see that happening."
The two sat back to eat in companionable conversation.
BY:Teresa
"Your brother sure knows how to live."
Ka Nani shrugged slightly. "He likes nice things, but he is not tied to them. He prizes his family above all else."
He stopped and turned, pulling Ka Nani into his arms ... his hands settling on her slim waist. "I can understand why, with family like you."
She smiles sweetly and he couldn't resist allowing his mouth to meet her lips in a kiss of slow exploration.
He felt her tiny hands move along the contours of his back and he moaned softly. Did she have any idea what she was doing to him? Without breaking the kiss, he eased her to the lush sofa, lowing them to sit comfortably as their tongues memorized the warm caverns of each other's mouths.
After long, heated moments, he pulled his lips from hers and gently rested his forehead to her. "Girl," he breathed. "You got me so ... so ..."
"Excited?" she breathed. "Impassioned?" Her breath tickled the skin of his cheek. "I know. I'm feeling it, as well." Her hands trailed the angles and muscular features of his arms as she spoke. "It has been traveling though me since the moment I saw you on the beach."
His hand gently grasped fingers full of silky, dark tresses, gently easing her head back to gaze into her eyes. White teeth contrasted with ebony skin as he smiled at her ... his mouth lowering to the soft skin of her neck. With expert finger, he slid aside the material from her shoulder. The same ivory teeth that smiled so beautiful now worked to pull sensitive skin into his teeth ... sucking deeply ... branding her with his passionate bites. Soon, his lips were moging down the neckline of her shirt. As his tongue traveled the valley of her cleavage, the slight whimper that came from her throat made his already hardening member turn to a rod of steel.
He tried to control his emotions, but he was a whirling tornado of erotic feelings as he gently lifted her to his lap, allowing the perfect curves of her bottom to nestle onto the throbbing shaft between his legs. He was rewarded with another moan as she wriggled, finding a new enjoyment in the decadent position. Allowing his hand to slip between the silky contours of her thighs, he slowly caressed his way upward.
"Girl," he whispered as his fingers touched the soft, damp material that covered the downy area he so desperately needed to explore. "You got me so mixed up, I don't know whether I'm coming or going!"
She moan ... her legs parting slightly to give him better access to his destination. "Let's find our way together, Dorie." And she covered his mouth with a soul-searing kiss.
BY:Teresa
"Lunch? With me?" She turned and began to walk, fully certain that he would be close on her heels ... and of course, he was.
"We must hurry if we are to make it."
Peni looked confused as his long strides matched each two of her strides. "Make what?"
She chuckled huskily. "Lunch, of course. My family will be waiting."
"But, I thought that we could have lunch at a restaurant. Or in town. Somewhere that is private ... where we can get to know each other?"
Another chuckle. "What better way to get to know someone that to break bread with their family." She turned soft, brown eyes on him as they walked. "If you want to be with me, Peni ... you must accept my family as well." She grinned. "Then, perhaps, I will allow you to take me to dinner." She quickened her pace. "In town. Or at your home. Which ever you desire."
He stopped for a moment, smiled, and then quickened his own pace to keep step with her.
BY:Teresa