Midnight with You

by Cheyenne McCray

  “You survived.” She took the bag of malasadas from him, retrieved one, and held it up. “And we made it out with the goods.”

  “Sheesh.” He shook his head as she bit into the donut. “At least you’ve got your priorities straight.”

  * * *

  Bailey was nearly breathless after her evening with Seth.

  After Seth took care of the Uber driver, he and Bailey headed into the Kapu ‘Aina Resort.

  She didn’t want the night to end.

  Conversation didn’t seem necessary as they walked close together, Seth’s arm draped around her shoulders. He held the bag of malasadas in his other arm. They drifted across the lobby and down the Honu wing toward the Niu suite.

  Bailey’s belly did several flips when they reached the door to the pineapple suite. It was late, but she didn’t want the evening to end. It had been a long, but amazing day.

  “Text me so I have your number on my phone.” He set the bag of malasadas on the tile near her door. He dug in his back pocket and brought it out. “I’ll call you in the morning on your cell instead of phoning your room.”

  “Sure.” For some stupid reason her hand shook as she pulled out her phone. She put his number in and sent him a text. His phone vibrated in his hand as he looked down, as if to make sure it was her.

  He stuffed it into the back pocket of his jeans. “I’ll call you around eight.”

  She nodded. She was so tempted to invite him in, but the fear of taking this places it shouldn’t go too fast kept her from asking him.

  Her back was against the door as he slid his fingers through strands of her hair. “I’ve never had such an incredible day, Bailey.”

  She tried for teasing, even as she shivered from the feel of his hand in her hair. “Not even when you won All-Around Champion?”

  He looked dead serious when he said, “Not even then.”

  Her throat worked. She’d never had a man look at her like Seth was right this moment. Like he couldn’t get enough of her, didn’t want to ever let her go.

  She looked down at her purse, trying to control the emotions tumbling through her. She wanted him in so many ways, more than she’d ever wanted any man.

  This is crazy. Just go to bed, Bailey. Things will look different in the morning.

  She swallowed again. That couldn’t be farther from the truth, and she knew it.

  Seth slid his fingertips beneath her chin and gently forced her to look up at him. “I could fall for you,” he said quietly. “I think I already am.”

  Her skin prickled as the enormity of his words slid over her. No. She didn’t want that. Didn’t want to give herself to any man. She was too young. It was too soon.

  “Don’t say that.” She managed to get the words out. “You barely know me.”

  He ran his thumb along her lower lip and desire swelled within her. “Don’t fight it, Bailey McBride. Just go with what we have happening here and now.”

  A feeling like being a deer in the headlights caused her to freeze. “I like your company. That’s all it is.”

  Seth gave her a slow, sexy smile. “Let’s make a deal. When it’s time for you to go home after your stay on Momi, and you don’t want to see me again, I’ll respect that.”

  He placed his forehead against hers. “We can just wait and see, one day at a time.”

  “You’re pushing things.” Her heart beat faster. “You’re going too fast.”

  “No, I’m not, honey.” His breath was warm on her skin. “I’m giving you a kind of heads up, and something to think about.”

  “I don’t have to think about it.” She didn’t want to think about it.

  He raised his head, that sexy smile still on his features. “How about the fern grotto near Mahina tomorrow?” he said. “We can take a canoe ride on the river and have lunch near the waterfall.”

  “I—” She took a deep breath. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

  Seth tugged on a lock of her hair. “Afraid.”

  She straightened. “I’m not afraid.”

  “Then what’s the problem?” He slid his hands over her shoulders and drew her close. “It’ll be fun.”

  It did sound fun…and he wasn’t pressuring her. Not really. He had told her how he felt, but he was giving her time to figure out if this was right for her.

  But was two weeks enough time?

  Her friends would be here soon, too.

  Wasn’t there too much going on to even think about a relationship of any kind?

  Stop overanalyzing things, she told herself. Have some fun.

  “Okay,” she found herself saying. “A canoe ride and lunch at the waterfall sounds wonderful.”

  He smiled and she hurried to add, “I’m not promising anything. We’ll just have a good time while I’m here, and then we can talk about this—” She gestured helplessly.

  Seth cupped her face in his hands. “It’s all I ask for.”

  She closed her eyes, the feel of his hands on her face sending desire through her in soft waves.

  I’m afraid, she admitted to herself. Why am I afraid?

  “Bailey?” he said softly.

  She opened her eyes and his gaze caught and trapped hers. Slowly, so slowly, he lowered his head. He hesitated a fraction from her mouth and she felt the warmth of his breath on her lips.

  When she didn’t pull away, he moved that fraction, and his lips were on hers.

  Kissing her, taking her places in her mind she’d only imagined.

  He kissed her slow and long, his taste, his scent, his presence filling her.

  She didn’t want to let go, didn’t want him to stop.

  But when he broke the kiss, he pressed his forehead to hers again. Both of them breathed hard and her heart pounded so loud she wondered if he could hear it.

  She wanted another kiss and another. She wanted whatever he could give her.

  He drew away and her gaze locked with his. She couldn’t break from the hold he had on her.

  What is happening to me?

  Seth trailed his knuckles along her cheek and down to the column of her throat. Did he feel the throb of her pulse? Did he hear the way blood rushed through her veins?

  He stepped back, giving her some much needed space. “Do you have your keycard?”

  She reached into her purse and he took the card from her. He slid it into the reader on the door, and it beeped and clicked. He pushed the door open a fraction and handed her the card.

  She hoped he wouldn’t ask to come in.

  She hoped he would.

  “Good night, Bailey.” His voice was hoarse, like he could barely speak.

  She tried to swallow down the desire that tingled throughout her.

  God, she wanted him.

  Wanted him more than anything.

  “Good night, Montana,” she whispered. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  He gave a single nod as he held open the door for her. Before she could change her mind and ask him to come in, she slipped inside her room and stepped back.

  His smile was almost tortured as he let the door close between them.

  Bailey’s heart still pounded as she stared at her bed. What in the world was she doing?

  Falling in love?

  No. No, no, no, no, no.

  She was just getting started and had a full life ahead of her, and there wasn’t room for a man, including Seth Greer.

  7

  “How was the Kade Field’s concert?” Charlee asked the moment she and Dara were on the line with Bailey. “And how was it meeting him backstage?”

  “Fantastic.” Bailey had to focus on their questions about Kade, since all she’d been able to think about was Seth since she woke not long ago. “Kade seems like a great guy.”

  “That’s awesome,” Charlee said. “Tell us more.”

  Bailey told them about his easygoing nature and how he’d skied the Snowbowl in Arizona. She told them about him fishing in a town not far from where Seth had a ranch in Montana.<
br />
  “He and Seth really hit it off.” Bailey cleared her throat. “Kade has watched Seth rodeo on the WRCA circuit.”

  “Seth is a rodeo cowboy?” Dara said with incredulity in her voice. “I thought you were never dating another one.”

  “You’re kidding us,” Charlee said.

  All conversation about Kade Fields flew out the window.

  “I think Seth is a different breed of rodeo cowboy.” Tingles ran over Bailey’s skin as she thought about Seth. “He’s a doctor of physical therapy too, and opening a clinic when he retires from rodeo.”

  “What?” Charlee said. “A doctor? What’s he doing in rodeo?”

  “He’s pretty big in the sport.” Bailey worried her lower lip before continuing. “He won WRCA’s All-Around Champion this past year.”

  “Holy crap,” Dara said. “Your brothers and cousins might know him, or of him. You should see what they have to say.”

  “Never thought of that.” Bailey considered Dara’s suggestion. “My brothers would be all over making sure he’s as good a guy as I think he is.” She sighed. “And then they’d fly right out here and interview him.”

  Dara laughed. “That is so the McBride brothers.”

  “And cousins,” Charlee added. Her sister, Jo, had married a McBride, so she had firsthand experience.

  “Like I said, Seth and Kade hit it off.” Bailey knew her friends would want to know all that had happened. “Kade gave Seth his personal cell phone number and told him to call next time he plans a fishing trip to Whitefish, Montana.”

  “You are kidding me,” Dara said.

  “No way,” Charlee added.

  “It was amazing.” Bailey thought about the moment. “Kade invited me to join them.” She sighed. “But that’s out because Seth will go back to Montana and the circuit, and I’ve got plans for when I get back to Arizona.”

  “You’ve got to go fishing with them.” Dara spoke in her don’t-argue-with-me tone. “You can’t pass an opportunity like that up. No way.”

  “Dara’s right.” Charlee sounded just as stubborn as Dara did. “We won’t let you.”

  Bailey couldn’t help a laugh. “You two are so funny.”

  “We’re not joking,” Dara said.

  “I know.” Bailey grinned. “That’s what’s so funny.”

  Bailey changed the subject to how they’d ended up at the beach bar last night. “We’ll go to Keoki’s while you two are here. You have to try the food and of course the malasadas. And maybe Melia will make all of us that crazy fruity drink.”

  She remembered the bag of malasadas Seth had carried to the resort, which turned her thoughts back to him. He’d probably bring them with him on their canoe trip today. She hoped he would.

  “Bailey?” Charlee’s voice drew her back to the conversation. “Daydreaming about a certain cowboy?”

  “You know she is,” Dara said.

  “Speaking of the cowboy,” Bailey glanced in the direction of the closet, where she’d hung up her clothes. “I need to get ready to go. We’re going canoeing today.”

  “That sounds awesome,” Charlee said.

  “Have a great time,” Dara added. “Just not too great.”

  Bailey laughed. “Talk with you girls tomorrow.”

  They ended the conversation, and Bailey wondered when Seth would call. She glanced at the clock. A few minutes before eight.

  She threw on a pair of khaki walking shorts, a University of Arizona sleeveless T-shirt, a pair of ankle socks, and New Balance athletic shoes. She braided her hair into a single long plait, letting it lay over her shoulder, and topped everything off with a U of A ball cap.

  Her cell rang and she answered it on the second ring. “Hi, Seth.”

  “Good morning, beautiful.” His voice came over the connection deep and throaty. “Ready for adventure?”

  “You know I love adventure.” She smiled. “I’m looking forward to today, and I’m dressed and waiting.”

  “I’ll be there in five.”

  He disconnected the call and she stared at the phone.

  Let go. Enjoy Seth’s company while you’re on Momi.

  Then go back home and move on.

  Bailey closed her eyes. She had so many dreams. Since she was a teenager, she had worked so hard to save money and plan her two-year stay in Europe for years.

  Only Charlee and Dara knew. Her family would try to convince her to stay in Prescott, so she didn’t want to tell them until it was close to the time she’d leave.

  I need to tell Seth.

  I will tell him.

  Just not yet.

  She grabbed a wallet small enough to hold her ID, a credit card, and a little cash just in case she needed any. She tucked the wallet into one of her shorts’ deep pockets.

  When she opened the door, she couldn’t help a smile when she saw him. He made her want to smile all the time. Why was that?

  “Sexy legs,” she said with a grin, before he could say anything to her. “I expected them to be white, but you’re pretty tan.”

  Seth shrugged. “I get out to the lake during the summer.”

  He’d dressed in long khaki cargo shorts and athletic shoes, as well as a T-shirt with the same logo as the one he’d worn yesterday, Elk Mountain Ranch. He also wore the hat he’d had on when they went to the farmer’s market.

  She hadn’t been able to imagine him in anything but jeans, but he looked damned hot, whatever he wore.

  Seth moved closer, and before she had a chance to think twice, he brushed his lips over hers in a light but sensual kiss.

  If he kept this up, she wouldn’t be able to breathe, much less canoe and hike to a grotto.

  He held up a small red and white Igloo cooler and the bag of malasadas. “We’ll eat the malasadas for breakfast on our way to Mahina. Inside the cooler are sack lunches and drinks packed by the resort’s restaurant.”

  “Yummy.” They fell into step and reached the lobby. It felt so easy and comfortable being with him. “The resort has lunch coolers on hand?”

  “At the Kapu ‘Aina, they go all out for their guests.” Seth held open the glass door and let her through before joining her.

  They ate malasadas as they walked on the path to Mahina. Seth put what they didn’t eat into the Igloo cooler.

  Instead of going to the restaurant Leilani, they continued on past small shops.

  Several children played a game similar to lawn bowling beneath a cluster of palm trees.

  A group of women walked by, chattering and laughing in a language Bailey didn’t understand, likely Hawaiian.

  They continued to the canoe rental place. A man, the same one who had been playing the night they’d gone to Leilani’s, played a ukulele in front of the palm frond-roofed building.

  The sound of rushing water higher on the river made her excitement grow. She couldn’t wait to go exploring. She loved the beauty of the area, the call of birds, the rustle of leaves, and earthy and sweet tropical scents around her.

  Bailey smiled when she saw the canoe rentals. She shot Seth a grin. “This is gonna be fun.”

  * * *

  Seth’s gut did strange things when Bailey smiled at him. He’d heard about butterflies in the stomach, but had figured that was a female thing.

  Maybe not.

  Seth had been coming to Mahina Wa‘a for years now. He liked to take a canoe out on the river, often to the grotto. Sometimes he liked to be alone to think. Other times he would come with friends from the island.

  They reached the rental shop. Seth paused to drop a few dollars into Kimo’s wooden bowl. As always, the ukulele player didn’t talk, just nodded his thanks and continued playing.

  Bailey smiled at Kimo then continued to walk beside Seth—she had a casual, effortless athletic step. Her sleeveless T-shirt showed her toned arms, and her tanned bare legs seemed even longer in shorts than when she wore dresses.

  This morning he’d been almost afraid he’d scared her off last night, but he hadn’t really bee
n worried. He had a good feeling about her and what was happening between them.

  Wikiwiki River tumbled from a relatively small waterfall a hundred yards upriver. Unlike the meaning of its name, in general Wikiwiki River was neither fast nor speedy. After it fell over the rocks, the water settled into a casual swirling drift once it reached Mahina Wa‘a, the rental shop.

  Tropical foliage shaded the river in front of the canoes, light filtering through the trees and dappling the water. Bailey walked to the edge of the river and seemed to draw in her surroundings.

  Seth moved to the man who sat in a wooden chair that probably had a groove worn into the seat. The only times he’d seen Hui out of his chair was when he got up to help an unfamiliar guest with the canoes. Most of the time he reclined and did all his transactions from a sitting position.

  Seth greeted the man as the ukulele was played in the background. “Good to see you, Hui.”

  Hui grunted. “You are back, paniolo.”

  Seth nodded. He wasn’t Hawaiian, but he was a cowboy and had been coming to the island for more than a decade. Hawaiians often referred to him as paniolo.

  “How is your wife?” Seth asked.

  Hui shrugged. “She still teaches at the school. I tell her she should retire, but she does not listen.”

  Seth grinned. “Do women ever?”

  “Do women ever what?” Bailey said from beside him.

  “Uh, well…” Seth couldn’t think of anything fast enough to get himself out of trouble.

  She shook her head and he saw the hint of a smile on her lips.

  Phew. Escaped that one.

  “Hui, this is Bailey.” He gestured to her. “She’s from Arizona.”

  Hui grunted again and gave a nod. “Welcome.”

  She smiled. “Thank you, Hui.”

  He looked at Seth. “Your ku‘uipo is a beautiful woman.”

  “Yes, she is.” Seth met Bailey’s gaze. She looked cute as hell when she blushed. It was like she didn’t see her own beauty.

  “Take the yellow wa‘a.” Hui nodded in the direction of the river.

  Seth pulled cash out of his wallet and handed it to Hui. The man slipped the bills into one of his big shirt pockets.