by Tara Lain
“Thanks.”
Kai flashed his teeth. “My pleasure.”
“So I’ve got something I have to do right away.”
“Oh? What?” He tossed the cloth back toward the bathroom door and made it onto the tile floor instead of the wood.
“Figure out how to do this as many times as possible before I’m back on the plane home.”
Kai barked a laugh. “You’ll have a seriously sore ass.”
“Don’t care.”
Kai shrugged. “Hard for me. The kids are out of school for a few days, and people who work for hotels don’t get holidays off.”
“So back to my earlier question. What are you and the kids doing for Christmas Day? You probably have to be with your mom, right?”
“Uh, yeah, in the morning. After that, she’s with my auntie.”
“Okay, so do you want to do something with me? Even if it’s with my folks?”
He shook his head. “It’s your vacation. Why would you want to spend it with a couple kids and me?”
“I love kids.” He gave a crooked grin. “You? Well, you come with the kids.”
Kai’s throat tightened. “Your folks—”
“Love kids more than they love me.” He laughed. “Besides, if they have other plans, they don’t have to come. We can maybe bring your mom too.”
Kai looked up. “Uh, no. She’s good. She likes being with my aunt.”
“So—?”
“Okay. We’ll figure something out. But I gotta get going now, or the kids will be alone on the beach.”
Rand kissed Kai’s bare shoulder. “They’d never leave them alone. You know that. So we’ll spend at least part of Christmas together, right?”
He took a breath and scooted to the side of the bed. “Right.”
The smile on Rand’s face lit up the room.
What in the fuck am I doing?
Chapter Ten
“You really missed a great sandwich today.” His mother took another bite of salad.
He grinned. He liked the filling in his ass sandwich best. “I’ve never seen you so focused on food. You’re usually just worried about your next Pilates class.”
She sighed. “I know. But the food here is just so good. Are you having fun?”
“Yeah, I actually am.” He sipped some water. “Did you notice the kids on the beach today?”
She looked at his dad. “There were several kids on the beach, weren’t there, dear?”
His dad nodded. “Do you mean the cute Hawaiian kids?”
“Yes, a girl about twelve and a rambunctious boy a couple years younger.”
“Yeah, they were playing with a red-haired girl and a kind of sassy boy. Are they the students you told us about?”
“Yes, the three of them. Not the sassy one.” He leaned back and wiped his mouth. “The red-haired girl is the daughter of the Axelrods, and the two Hawaiian kids are the sister and brother of a guy named Kai I met at the stables.”
His mom mumbled through another bite of salad. “Oh right, really adorable kids.”
Inhale. Deliver. “So I’d like to invite Kai and the kids to have a Christmas meal with us. Lunch or dinner. I’ll pay.”
His mother stopped chewing and glanced at his father.
Go for nonchalant. “No problem if that doesn’t work. I can take them all somewhere else.”
“I, uh, thought you might invite Julie to join us for Christmas.”
Well, shit. “I hadn’t thought of that. I maybe could. It’s just that these kids’ mom is sick and they don’t get to have a lot of fun, so I wanted to make their holiday a little better.”
His mother’s eyes widened like a light had dawned. “Oh, how sweet of you. Of course, they look like lovely children.” She put a hand on his dad’s arm. “What do you think, dear?”
“I think it’s Rand’s vacation too, and he should do what he wants. What’s Christmas without kids? The more the merrier.”
His mom beamed. “You see? I’m not exaggerating when I say you’ll make a wonderful father.”
The waiter arrived with their fish, covering Rand’s long sigh. At least he’d get to spend the holiday with Kai.
“Kai, do I look all right, really?” Lani’s eyes shone—somewhere between excitement and tears.
“You look perfect. The dress fits great, and you look beautiful in it.” He smoothed her silky hair.
She smiled shyly. “You picked such a perfect dress.” The usual worry sprang back. “But how can we afford it? It’s so expensive.”
“Don’t worry. I saved up. And it didn’t cost that much.” The last part was true.
Aliki came out of the bedroom in his one pair of dress pants, already getting too short for him, and a Hawaiian shirt. If Kai had spent one penny of the precious gift money on clothes for Aliki, the kid would have melted down. No, the new video game package sat on the coffee table, and Aliki had already played it three times that morning. “So what are we gonna talk to these people about, brah?”
“You talked to Rand. You like him. I’m sure his folks will be just as nice.”
“Couldn’t I stay here and just you and Lani go?” He flashed his most charming smile. “It’d be like I was staying with, you know, Ma.”
“No. You’re going. Rand invited you both. Besides, it’s not every day you get food like they have at the hotel.”
He stared at his feet. “You bring us some sometimes.”
“Aliki, you’re going. That’s it.”
“Okay.” He slid on his only pair of shoes that weren’t made of rubber.
Lani said, “Go on out. I need to get my sweater.”
Aliki ran toward the truck. She grabbed Kai’s arm. “I got an e-mail from Aliki’s new teacher. She’s visiting student’s families to introduce herself.”
“Damn.” He glanced up. “Excuse me.”
“No. Double damn.” She smiled tightly.
“Did she say when?”
“No. She called it ‘dropping by.’”
“Oh man.” He swallowed and glanced at her serious face. “We’ll worry about it tomorrow, okay? You look beautiful. Let’s go have some fun.”
Her smiled pasted on over the haunted eyes. “Okay.”
Two hours later, he barely recognized Lani. Her eyes danced and dimples popped in her cheeks. “Yes ma’am, I do agree that we need more elected officials who are women, but before much can happen, our society needs to find a way for women to participate in both family life and community life without paying such severe penalties in each.”
Kai’s mouth dropped open—Who is this grown-up person?—and he glanced up in time to see Rand suppressing a smile.
Rand’s mom nodded seriously at Lani. “Extremely well said. Have you thought about college yet? Perhaps you should be considering public service?”
College. Jesus. He just wanted to get her out of middle school safely.
A crease appeared between her brows. “My brother works very hard to support us, Mrs. McIntyre. I’d like to go to college, but it will likely take me a long time since I want to help my family by getting a job.”
“I see.” Mrs. McIntyre glanced at Kai then back to Lani. “And what kind of job would you like to get?”
Lani leaned a hand under her chin. “Well, I have excellent office skills, and I’m learning about horses, so perhaps I can work at the stables with Kai.” She took another bite of ice cream, then dangled her spoon. “Or perhaps we’ll start a different stable and offer a more extensive range of services.”
Rand practically choked as he covered his laugh with a cough.
Kai took a breath. Amazing what a little genuine interest and stimulation from a woman did for Lani. Poor kid had grown up surrounded by males.
Mrs. McIntyre carefully spooned some sorbet into her mouth. “What about you, Kai? Did you go to college?”
He swallowed around the pain in his throat. “Uh, no, ma’am. We don’t have any other breadwinners in our family, so I needed to work. No money for
school.” He tried to smile. “And no school. I’d have to leave the area.”
“Of course. A man does what he must, I suppose?”
She opened her mouth to say something else, but Mr. McIntyre sprang in. “So Aliki, I hear you’re learning to ride.”
“Yes, sir. It’s cool. My brother’s a real paniolo. Did you know that?”
“Well, I guess that makes you one too, right?” He smiled.
Aliki’s face fell. “No. We have different dads. Kai’s dad was the cowboy, not mine.”
For a second Mr. McIntyre looked taken aback, but then he patted Aliki’s hand. “Well, I think you definitely qualify as an honorary paniolo.” He pushed his chair back. “So let’s all go back to our cottage, because Mrs. McIntyre and Rand and I have some surprises for you.”
Aliki bounced in his chair. “I love surprises!”
“I figured you might.”
Kai looked at Rand, but that cowboy face showed nothing. Lani glanced at Kai with saucer eyes, but there was a hint of excitement there too. They got up and followed the McIntyres out of the dining room into the afternoon sun. Aliki strode beside Mr. McIntyre. “Do you live in California, sir?”
“Yes. Yes, I do.”
“What’s it like?”
Rand stayed back and fell in beside Kai, giving him a grin. Jesus, Kai felt half-happy and half-angry, like Rand should butt out. He could take care of his own kids. But Aliki and Lani clearly enjoyed every minute—and he was an ungrateful slob. He smiled back.
He’d been in the cottages once or twice—not counting the previous day’s clandestine visit—but this was an especially pretty one. Plus, they’d hung some small Christmas balls on a potted hibiscus, which made him grin. Under the hibiscus, several packages lay in bright wrappings.
Mr. McIntyre sat down on a footstool near the packages, while Rand’s mom settled on the chair, beaming. Rand took the couch. Kai thought about the other chair, but why make an issue? He perched on the other end of the sofa. Lani stood, not seeming to know what to do. Rand patted the seat next to him, and she shyly walked over and sat. Aliki, of course, flopped in the middle of the rug.
Mr. McIntyre picked up a package. “Hmm. Seems like Santa visited here even though we’re far from home. Pretty smart old dude.”
Aliki wrinkled his nose. “There’s no Santa.”
“Oh really? How do you think these presents got here?” He rattled the package near his ear.
“Mr. McIntyre—Rand or you went out and got them.”
“Really?” He looked at the tag. “But this one seems to be for you.”
His eyes widened. “It is?”
“Yep. Now how could I know what you want for Christmas?”
He shrugged, not so sure. “Rand probably does.”
“How would he know?”
“Kai would tell him?”
Rand looked at Kai. “Did we ever talk about what Aliki wants for Christmas?”
“Nope.” Interestingly—true.
Mr. McIntyre looked at the package. “So maybe it’s a mistake, ya think?” He set it aside. “Here’s one for Lani.”
“Sir?” Aliki looked at him, obviously holding his breath.
“Yes?”
“I wouldn’t mind, uh, finding out. I could open it.”
“Oh, you think so? Well, okay. Here you go.” He handed over the wrapped box.
Aliki stared so hard at the package, he didn’t see the smile on Mr. McIntyre’s face. He shook the box and it made a very satisfying rattle—not like clothes at all. He grinned and ripped into the paper—then stopped. “I’m sorry, Lani. Why don’t you go first?”
Okay, for all the times Kai wanted to kill the kid, right now he could kiss him.
She smiled. “No, you go ahead.”
He didn’t even blink before the paper was off. Aliki’s mouth fell open. “Holy—wow.” He stared at the video game—not just any one but the shiniest, newest, coolest game of the season—like there had to be a mistake. He glanced up at Mr. McIntyre. “Is it—?”
“Yours?” He looked around inquiringly at his wife and Rand. “Did any of you ask Santa for a new video game?”
“No, I didn’t, dear. Did you?”
“Nope.” Mr. McIntyre picked up another box. “I wonder if this goes with it?”
Aliki’s hands actually trembled in awe. Slowly he took the package and removed the paper. The brand-new handheld game player shone out of its box like the Holy Grail. Tear’s shone in Aliki’s eyes as he stared down at the gift in his lap. “This can’t be mine.”
Mr. McIntyre put a hand on his back. “Why’s that, son? Looks like Santa knew his business to me.”
“These are really expensive.”
Kai swiped a hand across his eyes and glanced at Rand, who did the same.
Mr. McIntyre rubbed his hand across the thin shoulders. “Sometimes Santa’s able to come up with a little extra. Not always, you understand?”
Aliki nodded. “This is really amazing. I don’t know how to thank you—uh, Santa.”
Mrs. McIntyre blew her nose. “I think you already did.”
“Now it’s Lani’s turn.” Mr. McIntyre slid two boxes toward her.
Her lashes half closed over her big eyes. “You shouldn’t have done this.”
“Yeah, that’s right!” Aliki nodded but ripped the plastic from his game player.
Mrs. McIntyre smiled. “We didn’t. Santa did. Open your presents, dear.”
She got up slowly and looked at the boxes like they might contain explosives, but she opened the first box slowly and gasped. It held a beautiful shawl—white with embroidery—that truly looked like a princess. Lani held it around her shoulders as if it might be a suit of armor that could protect her from everything. “It’s so beautiful. Thank you.”
“Wow, Lani, that’s gorgeous!” Aliki glanced then went right back to the game player.
“There’s another package, dear.” Mrs. McIntyre leaned forward and pushed the large, flat box closer.
Lani carefully unfastened the tape to remove the beautiful sparkly paper unscathed, folded it, then opened the box—and stared. Cowboy boots. Not just any boots. These were white with hammered leather flowers in pinks and blues. Lani slapped a hand over her mouth. “Oh, I never saw anything so beautiful.”
“Try them on. I think there are a pair of socks in there too.”
“Oh.” She slipped off the one pair of ballet flats she owned, slid on the socks, and with a little tugging, pulled on the boots. “Oh my.”
“Stand up and try them out. How do they feel?”
Lani stood and walked a few steps, then dropped her face into her hand and cried. Kai leaped up and took her in his arms. “Happy tears?”
She nodded.
He looked over her head at the McIntyres, who both smiled. “Please tell me what I can ever do for you.” He looked at Rand. “You’re amazing.”
Rand smiled softly, glanced at his parents, and shut down the expression. “No big deal.”
Lani let go of Kai and practically leaped across the space to Rand, where she awkwardly threw her arms around his neck. “It’s such a big deal. Thank you so much for thinking of us.”
He wrapped his big arms around her for a bear hug, his affection radiating from his smile. Kai smiled back. Man, what a good guy. Hard to keep my distance.
“I’d say Santa did a bang-up job of guessing, don’t you?” Mr. McIntyre leaned back on the footstool and practically fell off. Both kids laughed, and that cut some of the tears.
Lani sat on the couch between Rand and Kai. Kai slid his arm around her, and his hand bumped Rand. A little jolt of electricity traveled up Kai’s neck and rippled through his brain. Don’t make a big thing of it. His fingers dangled. Rand sat up a little straighter, and that pressed Kai’s hand more firmly against the back of Rand’s shoulder. He didn’t mean to, exactly, but Kai’s fingers moved like a tickle—or maybe a caress. Once, twice.
Rand slowly and nonchalantly crossed his left leg
over his right—clearly in an effort to disguise a rising issue. Kai swallowed a smile. Of course, the tingles rippling up his arms seemed to want to dive straight to his balls too.
The McIntyres kept talking to Aliki as he showed off his new game. Kai stroked Rand’s shoulder harder. Stupid, yes, but who could resist such a sexy game? Kai had to take the kids home, but maybe later, if Auntie could watch them, he could slip away. He slowly inhaled. Shit, he had one big boto rising over that idea. Fucking Rand’s ass definitely topped his list of to-do items for the century.
Mrs. McIntyre rose. “So who’d like some ginger ale?”
Aliki threw his hand in the air. “Me—uh, please.”
“And you, Lani?”
Kai stilled his hand since Rand’s mom stared right at them.
“Yes please, ma’am.”
Mrs. McIntyre waggled a finger. “I have some other goodies in here too. Come pick out what you want. You too, Aliki.”
As Lani rose, Kai let his hand drop to the couch seat. Rand leaned forward so Kai’s fingers now touched the swell of his butt through the thin linen material of his slacks. Kai bit the inside of his mouth to keep from laughing—or moaning. Holy hell, how soon could they fuck?
“How do you two like peppermint cheesecake?” Rand’s mom’s voice came from the small kitchen area. “Dear, come get yours.”
Mr. McIntyre got up and grabbed a plate from his wife, then started eating and chatting with the kids.
Kai’s finger slid under Rand’s ass and stroked the crack. Rand shifted back a couple of inches, spreading his legs a little so no one could see what was happening on the couch seat. What was happening was Kai’s finger now pressed against the back of Rand’s balls. Oh shit. He waggled the finger. Definitely no underwear interfered between linen and skin. He insinuated his finger farther and pressed it up toward Rand’s hole. Rand leaned forward to adjust his flip-flops. Home free. Kai’s searching digit found access between hot butt cheeks and pressed. Rand cleared his throat, clearly fighting other noises. Oh crap, who knew secret tickles could be so fun.
