by Tara Lain
As if she knew anything about his life. “What does this have to do with Julie? I’m here on vacation. I live a long way away. I don’t even know her.” People glanced over from their tables, and he lowered his voice. “Seriously.”
She leaned in and put a hand on his arm. “As a great man once said, you’ll never find water digging small, shallow holes in a lot of places. You have to dig one hole and dig it deep.”
His lips quirked. “Your analogy is getting positively pornographic.”
She slapped his arm. “You know what I mean.”
“You have to dig the damned hole in the right place, and I haven’t found that. I’m perfectly happy by myself.” Shit, was that a lie.
“Oh, baby.” She leaned back and shook her head. Worst, she looked genuinely sad. He should just tell her he was gay, but then everyone in the state of California would know. He’d lose employees, clients, maybe even friends. More friends. No. Too late. He’d learned his lesson years before.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I know I’m a disappointment.”
Eyes flashing, she leaned forward and clutched his arm fiercely. “Don’t you ever say that. I’m as proud of you as a mother can be—no matter what.”
God, he loved her and his dad, but he’d never wanted to do any of the things she planned for him—no Mickey Mouse, no law school like his dad or broker’s license like her, no upscale Orange County life where she could show him off to her friends. “I’m just going to dance. No wedding bells. Nothing romantic.” Fucking shame.
She sighed. “Maybe that’s the problem. You need to get laid more.”
He barked a laugh. “And you should decide what you actually want me to do.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I love dancing. This is fun for me, okay? That’s what you said you wanted me to have on this trip.”
“Point taken. Go dance.” But as he walked away, she said softly to his dad, “I worry about him so much.”
Damn.
He made it all the way to the parking lot of the bar before his guts gave out. Seriously? You’re really going back to where that cowboy is? Oh hell, what difference could it make? He could swoon like a little girl and old Hang ’em High wouldn’t notice. He grinned. Actually, he should call him Hang ’em Low.
He pushed the wooden door inside. Whoa! Twice as busy as last night. He shouldered through the crowd at the door and peered around.
“Rand! Over here.” Audrey waved from a small table by the dance floor. Moke sat opposite her. No Kai. Good. So why the hell do I feel so disappointed?
Since only a few people were dancing—the band seemed to be taking a break—he cut across the floor to the two women. “Hi. I made it.” Duh.
“Yeah, that’s great.” She kicked out one of the extra chairs at their table. “Take a load off.”
“Shall I get some drinks?”
“That’d be nice. Beer for us.”
He glanced at Moke, who didn’t talk much for herself. She nodded, so he headed back to the big bar, leaned in and ordered three bottles of the stuff he’d had the night before, and carried them back to the table.
Moke finally smiled. “Good choice.”
“I just learned about it last night, but I really like it.” The band came back in and Rand looked around casually. “So I get you both, right?”
Audrey shrugged. “For now.”
The band showed off with “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” and they clapped along, but nobody got up to dance. Finally Rand said, “Hell, let’s take ’em on, ladies.” He jumped up, pulling Audrey and Moke each by a hand, and backed onto the dance floor, where he started spinning them like tops together. Moke proved to be more low-key but an even better dancer than Audrey, and he broke into a shadow frame with a girl on each side. They set up a rhythm with him close-holding Audrey while Moke clapped, then switched to Moke while Audrey clapped. He was shadow-stepping both girls down the floor while people cheered, when suddenly a body leaped beside Audrey and grabbed her waist. For a second Rand started to object, then looked into the flashing dark eyes. Kai.
Some weird happiness bubbled up in his heart, and Rand smiled as the four of them formed a pinwheel, two-stepping in a big circle—faster and faster. The devil’s in the house, man! Finally the band ran out of gas and collapsed over their instruments, laughing. The leader said, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is Kai and Audrey and Moke, and who are you, cowboy?”
Audrey yelled, “This is Rand. Ain’t he cute?”
The women whistled and shrieked, although some of the tourists looked a little taken aback. The four of them walked to the table, and a burly Hawaiian guy slid a chair with his foot toward Kai. They sat. Rand wiped a hand across his forehead. “Not used to this humidity.”
Audrey took a big swig of beer. “It’s a bitch, isn’t it? Of course, you should go to Kauai or Hilo on the Big Island. You can swim in the air.”
Rand glanced at Kai. “Want a beer?”
“Sure. You buying?”
“I can be.”
Kai nodded at the bottles. “The same.”
Rand took a deep breath as he walked to the bar. Shit, why did his cock act like this guy was the hottest hole in America? Too long between holes. I’ll go find somebody to fuck as soon as I get home. That’s a promise, buddy.
He grabbed the cold bottle the bartender slid to him and pressed it against his wrist. Probably cause a fuss if he applied it to his bouncy cock. Walking slowly—okay, with a little saunter—he returned to the table and handed the bottle to Kai.
“Thanks.” His fingers brushed Rand’s hand, and Rand pulled back like he’d been burned. Kai’s eyes widened, but he just drank his beer.
Audrey propped her boobs on the tabletop. “So, are there lots of places to dance where you come from?”
“Yeah, although not all cowboy places. Chico’s a mix. It’s a college town, so there are lots of students and all the shit they get into, and lots of horse culture and even cattle ranching outside of town.”
Moke said very seriously, “Why don’t you live in Texas?”
He smiled. “I run a horse ranch and take guests, plus I teach riding, so I need people around.” He raised one shoulder. “It’s a good mix for me. I’ve always lived in California.”
“Sounds like a B&B to me, brah.” Kai looked up from under his arched black brows and the brim of his Stetson with its lei around the crown.
Rand sucked his breath and tried not to show it. “I suppose it would—to a real cowboy like you.”
Kai flattened his lips like he was trying not to smile—or maybe snarl. “You got lots of doilies and shit around?”
The girls held very still while Rand stared at Kai. “Well, at least I don’t wear them on my hat.”
Kai’s mouth opened. His hat went flying as he threw back his head and made the first genuine, unrestrained sound Rand had heard from him. The girls joined in. Not sure what just happened. But he started chuckling too.
Audrey slapped his arm. “You’re great.”
“Thanks. I’m not sure why, but I’ll take it.”
Moke grinned. “It’s a game. We spend so much time having to be nice to tourists that we insult each other. Haoles aren’t usually very good at it.”
Audrey brayed, “Except for me.”
Kai stared at Rand. “And him.”
Stupid, but that gave him a warm glow in the chest. “Hey, in my ‘B&B’ I have to be nicer to more tourists than you can imagine. Everybody’s got a complaint all the time.”
Kai sipped his beer. “So is it like a dude ranch?”
“Kind of. Small. I have a bunkhouse where I sleep guests, and I teach them to ride and rope and stuff.”
“Sounds great.”
He looked up, startled. “Uh, yeah, it actually is. It’s a way to pay for doing what I love, which is raising horses.”
Audrey said, “You could do something like that, Kai.”
He shook his head, but it looked a little sad. “It’d take money, and I’d have to move
to the other side of the island to have enough tourists. Too hard to get here. Plus, Hawaii’s not known for cowboying.”
Rand looked up. “It should be. Or so I’m told.”
Their eyes met, and Kai’s lips curved up. Sweet Jesus, how could one human be so sexy?
Music started again. Kai grabbed Audrey and Rand swung Moke onto the floor. Halfway through the number, two other guys cut in, and Rand and Kai walked back to the table for a mouthful of beer.
Rand perched on the edge of the seat, since three women were waggling fingers at him to get him to dance. “You work on a ranch?”
Kai nodded. “Part of the time. I also do the trail rides for the Hana Maui.”
Rand smiled. “Maybe I should sign up for one.”
“Hell, maybe you should help me lead one.”
The words flew out. “I’d like that.”
“Rand?”
He turned toward the voice behind him. Julie. A small rush of guilt washed over him. Come on, believe your own story. You’re not her boyfriend. “Hi, Julie. Did you come to dance?”
“Kind of. Mostly I just wanted a beer after a long day.”
“Do you know Kai?”
She nodded, looking a little—what? Confused? “Yes. A little. Hi, Kai. I’m Julie.”
He nodded in that cool way of his.
Rand said, “How about I buy you a beer and dance you over to get it?”
“Sure, that sounds great.” The smile looked genuine.
Rand leaned back toward Kai. “When could we do that trail ride?”
“How about tomorrow?”
“What time?”
“First ride leaves at eight. Ask the desk how to get to the stables.”
“Good.” He felt the grin spread across his face. No point saying he was looking forward to it. He grabbed Julie and danced her across the floor until they reached the bar. He caught one quick glance at Moke, who frowned a little. Jesus, how could one gay guy have so many female problems?
The bartender leaned over on his way to serving a bunch of people, and Rand ordered two beers for them and three for the table. My, aren’t you Mister Big Bucks? But having his parents foot the bill for a whole week of his life definitely cut down on that month’s expenses.
Their beers arrived instantly, sort of half slid from a few feet down the bar. Rand clicked Julie’s bottle.
She sipped and looked toward the table he’d been sitting at. “You said you didn’t know them.”
“I didn’t. I ran into all three of them at the hotel, and they invited me to come back. Kind of spur of the moment.”
“Umm. Interesting trio.”
“Are they? I mean, we’ve mostly been dancing.” Try not to look too anxious to hear what she has to say.
“Yeah. Kai’s really old Hawaiian. The dark-haired girl—”
“Moke?”
“Yes. She’s also native to the island, but not like Kai. He goes back many, many generations. He gets a lot of respect for his heritage, but he’s, I don’t know, kind of secretive.” She shrugged. “I mean, I’m a transplant, so I don’t get any insider knowledge.”
“In what way secretive?”
“It’s a feeling. Like nobody knows him, maybe even his brother and sister.”
“Oh, he’s got sibs?”
“Yeah. I see him taking them to school sometimes.”
“Where are his folks?”
“I think they all live with their mom. Not sure where that is. Like I say, I don’t know much, but Hawaiians are really community-oriented, so a guy who keeps to himself sticks out.”
“Well, he’s one helluva dancer.” Kai danced by with both Audrey and Moke. Audrey gave Rand a little wave. “Is Audrey his girlfriend?”
Julie sipped and shook her head. “Sometimes it seems like it and others not. Like I say, mysterious.” She looked up at him. “You’re really interested in him.”
“I just never knew about Hawaiian cowboys, so I’m fascinated by the tradition.” He sucked down a mouthful of beer.
“Makes sense.”
“So, tell me where to meet you tomorrow and what time.” Good deflection, McIntyre. As Julie drew a map on a napkin, Rand looked across the dance floor. Finding Kai’s eyes on him sent his mutinous cock into overdrive.
Chapter Five
Permasmile. Rand peered in the bathroom mirror as he shaved and wrinkled his nose at the grin he couldn’t wipe off his face. But hell, he’d get to ride horses all morning. Seeing Kai? Incidental. He rinsed the shaving cream. Just keep telling yourself that, baby.
After dressing in the comfiest clothes he brought with him, Rand checked at the desk, got directions to the stables, grabbed a couple of apples from the snack bar, and hopped in a hotel car to take him there. He didn’t explain that he wasn’t exactly a guest rider. Or maybe he was. No knowing what to expect from Kai.
Like most everything else in Hana, the stables stood off the highway. The driver pulled up into a gravel parking lot. “You’re a little early for the first ride, sir.”
“Uh, right, I know. Because I know horses, I was invited to come and see the stables.” Sort of.
The Hawaiian man nodded. “Excellent. Enjoy. If you need a ride back, just have someone call the hotel desk.”
“I’ll do that.” He gave the guy a tip and got out into the early morning sunshine, a few wisps of mist still clinging to the beach in the distance. He saw a couple of people moving in and out of what must be the main stable, so he headed toward them. As he got close, Kai walked out of the building leading a big gray with a spirited head and dancing feet.
Rand stepped closer. “She’s a beauty.” That made two beauties.
Kai grinned. “Thought you might like to ride her. This is Misty.”
“Beautiful.” He produced an apple from his jacket pocket.
“Bribery will get you everywhere with Misty.” Kai patted the big horse’s nose.
Rand extended his hand with the apple on it. He laughed. “Call her Magician. She can sure make apples disappear.”
Two other men, one Hawaiian and the other—what was the word?—haole, led two horses each from the stables, already saddled and bridled.
Rand nodded. “Those today’s mounts?”
“Yeah. We’ve got four riders for the morning trek. We get a bigger group later in the day since people like to sleep in, but this is my favorite ride. Plus, I need to get back to the ranch today.”
“Sounds fun.”
Kai glanced up—he was tallish but Rand still had two or three inches on him. “Thanks. It is.”
“Along with a shitload of work.”
“That too.” A van from the hotel swung into the parking lot. “There are our guests.”
“Shall I act like a guest? I didn’t pay anybody for this ride—yet.”
He smiled. “No. You’ll be our guest expert. How does that sound?”
“Fine by me.”
An older man, an attractive woman probably in her fifties, and two kids—a girl maybe about twelve and a young teenage boy—walked toward them from the van. The boy was swatting at his sister’s butt. “You’re gonna be so sore you won’t sit for a week.”
“Leave me alone, Simon.” She swatted back at him.
Uh oh, jerk-off kids and horses didn’t mix.
Kai flashed a little frown at Rand—he must have seen the same problem—then smiled in greeting. “Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Axelrod.” He nodded at the kids. “Molly and Simon, right?”
Mrs. Axelrod smiled. “Yes. This trip is mostly for Molly. She’s pretty horse-crazy.”
Kai gave her a special smile that would melt any young girl’s heart, and she giggled. “I’m Kai Kealoha. I’m your guide today. This is Rand McIntyre. He’s a cowboy and expert on horses, so he’s going to add some extra color to our ride.”
Oh really? He glanced at Kai, who flashed teeth at him.
“We need to get you all into helmets.”
Simon snarled, “Hell no.”
Mrs. Axelro
d smacked his arm. “Simon.”
Kai walked over and took two helmets from one of the other guys. Rand grabbed two also and turned to the family. “Horseback riding is a lot of fun, but a horse can weigh over one thousand pounds. They’re smart—but unexpected things can crop up.” He looked toward the mounts that had been readied. Docile as lambs, but still…. “These horses are gentle and used to new riders, but it’s still valuable to know that more people get hurt riding horses each year than on motorcycles.”
Simon huffed.
“So don’t do anything stupid.”
Kai nodded with appreciation in his eyes. “You’ve all signed waivers, but I’m afraid I can’t take anyone without a helmet.”
Simon made a face, and Rand held out the helmet to him. “Do you or don’t you want to go?”
The kid finally looked a little intimidated. “Yeah, sure.” He grabbed it.
Rand handed the other helmet to Molly, who eagerly pulled it on.
They got everyone onto their horses. Kai showed them some basics—how to hold the reins, how to keep their heels down, and some sounds for go and stop. Finally, they took off in a line with Kai at the front and Rand at the rear. Good thing. If he had to stare at Kai’s ass in front of him for long, he’d be unfit company for children.
Kai led them through well-traveled paths with nothing more challenging than a low branch or two to deal with. He explained the terrain and pointed down a road. “If you travel down there a bit, you’ll come to the Pi’ilanihale Heiau, believed to be the largest temple ruins in Polynesia. It’s definitely worth a visit.”
Mrs. Axelrod asked, “Can we go now?”
“No. It’s quite large, and a tour takes more time than we have. But plan to come back while you’re here.”
Suddenly, Simon pointed toward a hill off to their left and yelled, “What’s up there?” He kicked his mount hard and whistled, sending the horse into a canter, which might have been okay if the terrain didn’t slope sharply uphill. Between slope and speed, Simon bounced in the air and slid right off the back of his mount, tumbled, smacked his head, and wound up on his back in a pile of brush. “Shit! Ow.” The kid started to cry.
