by Dawning, Dee
“Glor, baby. No wonder you couldn’t take your eyes off him. He is seriously beautiful. And he likes…” she pointed right at her, “you, girl, I can tell.”
A short time later, Kino returned with their drinks. “Here you are. Iced tea for you.” He set the glass down in front of Jessica. “And lemonade for you. Your appetizers will be ready in ten minutes. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
Jessie raised her hand to her face. “There is one thing.”
Gloria rolled her eyes, wondering what would be coming next.
“Gloria and I are looking forward to going out tonight. Would you know of any clubs where we could go?”
“Of course, what are your interests?”
“Well, I’m separated and theoretically getting a divorce, so I’m just tagging along with my sister, Gloria.”
Here it comes.
“But, I know she is interested in meeting men.”
This is mortifying.
His beautiful brown eyes stared into mine. “Ahh, you are looking for love?”
Gloria shook her head exaggeratedly. “Not hardly. More like fun.”
He nodded as if he agreed. “All the big hotels have clubs or club-like bars, but before my last girlfriend moved to the mainland, we liked to go to a club in town called Rumours. It would be my pleasure to show you.”
Jessie’s eyes widened perceptively. “You mean take us there? That would be fabulous.”
Gloria squeezed her lips together, tightly. “Let me think about it.”
“Fine, I’ll see if your order is ready.”
As Kino walked away, Jessie confronted her. “Are you crazy? What’s there to think about? The best-looking guy in Hawaii, who also seems nice, wants to take you clubbing and you put him off.”
“There’s plenty of time to accept his offer. I don’t want to seem too anxious.”
“Games. Why must people play games? You know men get tired of games after a while.”
“Darnell didn’t.”
Jessie’s jaw dropped. “That wasn’t a game. I was seriously confused, but it did work out, didn’t it?” She winked.
“Then why’d he move out?”
“It’s none of your business.”
Kino opened a tray stand beside them and set a tray down. Then he hung something purple and white around Jessie’s neck.
It was a lei of orchids. “Oh, that’s beautiful, Jessie.”
She lifted the bottom, examined it, and watched as Kino placed a similar lei around Gloria’s neck, except her flowers were pink instead of purple. “Thank you, Kino. These are lovely.”
“As are you two.” Then he retrieved two dishes from the tray and set one in front of Jessie. “Crab & mac nut wontons.” Then he announced, “Wild shrimp cocktail,” as he set another beside the first plate. “Enjoy.”
Next, he set the coconut shrimp in front of her. “You will love it. I guarantee it.”
Jessie took a bite from one of her wontons. “Umm, yummy. Tell me, Kino. If we went with you to Rumours, would we love it?”
She couldn’t help but notice the mischievous smirk that formed on our waiter’s face. “Of course, you can count on it.”
“Then we accept. Right, Gloria?”
She’d just taken a bite of shrimp and swallowed. “This is fabulous. Try this, Jessie.” She handed a giant shrimp to Jessie and smiled at Kino. “We’ll be looking forward to it.”
“Great, I’ll pick you ladies up at eight.”
“Where?” Jessie asked.
“Is the lobby all right?”
They nodded.
* * * *
Returning to the bar, Keno snuck more than a few surreptitious glances at the pretty African American sisters. He was especially interested in the younger one, Gloria. God she was pretty and sexy in her minimal bikini. Five-five, with captivating warm brown eyes, full sensuous lips, a regal pointed nose, she was a tempting, vivacious morsel of womanhood.
He headed back to their table carrying the iced tea and lemonade pitchers. “More iced tea?”
Jessie looked up smiled. “Thank you.”
After filling sister’s glass, he addressed Gloria, “More lemonade.”
Smiling warmly, she picked her glass up and raised it to be filled. “For a bartender, you’re a pretty good waiter.”
Gloria. He even reveled in her name. “I’m glad you think so. Is there anything else I can get you?”
“No, I think we’re all set.”
God, that microscopic bikini she wore showed almost everything. Kino smiled. With her shapely lean figure, he could almost picture her naked in his bed. “I’ll bring your check then.”
Back behind the bar he realized he’d gotten hard. Not surprising considering the effect Gloria seemed to have on him. And it wasn’t just the idea of fucking her. Only Karen, his former girlfriend had ever affected him that way.
Trying to hide his erection, her donned a bar apron before dropping their check off. “Here you go. Thanks for stopping by. I’m looking forward to tonight. I’ll see you ladies at eight.”
* * * *
After finishing their tasty meal, they walked arm in arm into the hotel proper. There was a lilt in Gloria’s gait, and for the first time since Joel moved away, she felt everything was going to work out for the best. Then as they walked through the rear sliding doors, she paused. “Oh my God.”
Concern etched into Jessica’s pretty face. “What?”
“I’m going to be with ‘Adonis’ and I don’t have anything to wear.”
Jessie arranged a wayward strand of her hair in place. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. We can always buy something.”
Panic edged her voice. “I don’t even know what they wear at Rumours. We should have asked Kino how we should dress.”
“We could always play it safe and dress middle-of-the-road. I’ll tell you what. Go up to your room, take a shower, then dress in a casual outfit for shopping. I’ll go back and ask Kino what the dress code is.”
“Oh thank you.” She kissed Jessie on the cheek and ran for the elevator.
Chapter Two - Kino the Cocksman
Jessie headed back outside through the automatic door, around the pool to the cabana. At the bar, she turned a stool around to sit, and when she swiveled around to the bar, she came face-to-face, as Gloria had, with Kino’s bright white smile. He promptly stuck out a hand. “Hi, I never caught your name. I’m Kino Kanomona.”
She took his hand. “My pleasure. I’m Jessica Owens, Gloria’s guardian angel.”
His smile diminished. “Which means?”
She waved a hand. “We’ll get to that, but first, I told Gloria I’d find out how to dress for Rumours.”
He grabbed a handful of peanuts from the bar and flipped a few in his mouth. “Whatever you feel like, except grunge. Express yourself. It all flies.”
She lifted her brow and cocked her head. “What would you prefer?”
He popped a few more peanuts in his mouth, swallowing before answering. “Dressed-up. Sexy, but classy. High heels, but not platforms, and show your legs. I love legs and I couldn’t help but notice both of you have great legs. Now, what is it you want to tell me about Gloria?”
Jessie glanced around. “I just want to warn you that Gloria’s psyche is a little fragile.”
Kino picked up a wet bar cloth and began to wash the varnished bar top. “How so?”
Leaning forward, she spoke softly, “I won’t go into details, but she’s barely emerging from a shell she hid in after a traumatic event a couple of months ago. My requests are simple. Be kind to Gloria and treat her with respect.”
He stopped scrubbing the bar and frowned. “I don’t understand, you’ll be there if I misbehave.”
“I might not. I might find someone interesting or she may just want to be alone with you, and if she does, I expect you to be gentle and considerate. We’ll see you at eight.”
She swung her stool around, planning to leave, when Kino said, “Wait, hold on. I h
ave a question.” She swung back around and looked at him as if to say, ‘let’s hear it.’ “Why did you ask if I was involved?”
A sinful smile flashed across her face. “Because, dear Kino, it’s pretty obvious you are interested in my baby sister and I wanted to make sure you’re not somebody’s philandering husband.” She leaned forward and whispered, “Be nice to her!”
* * * *
By the time she made it to Gloria’s room, Glory was on pins and needles. “Well? What did he say?”
“He said they wear anything—it all flies but grunge. But personally, he likes dresses and heels.”
“We better get going then. It’s getting late.”
It was almost four o’clock. They didn’t have much time. “Baby, I saw a dress in the lobby that was you. Come with me and we’ll check it out.”
She smiled as they walked down the hall to the elevator bank. With a little luck, Gloria will have a ball tonight.
When Gloria laid eyes on the dress resting on the mannequin, she freaked. Her eyes and mouth opened wide and she raised her hands to the sides of her head. “Oh my God, Jess. It’s gorgeous. It must cost a fortune.” It was a white, knee-length, strapless creation, with a square neckline. In addition the front was fitted with a ruched texture, a high off-center slit and large floral accent.
They exited the store, dress in hand. “Oh, thank you, Jess, but you shouldn’t have.”
“That’s what credit cards are for. You sure you have a pair of heels that can be worn with it?”
She nodded. “I have a pair of barely worn, open-toe gold Manolos packed.
* * * *
The sisters stepped into the newly arrived elevator. “Are you going to get something, Jess?”
Jess pushed the button for the seventeenth floor. “Nope, I have something I can get by with. We probably don’t have time anyway. It’s almost five, we should start getting ready. We’ll have dinner here in the hotel first and meet your date in the lobby by eight.”
They exited the elevator and headed the short distance down the hall to their rooms.
Gloria slid the card-key in the slot. The light turned green and she opened the door. “He’s not my date.”
“He is too.” They both stepped into Gloria’s suite. That $450 dress you’re holding says he’s your date. You know it and he knows it. Now, do you prefer Chuck’s Steak House or Duke’s Canoe Club Restaurant?”
“You pick. Can you help me put the dress on?” Jessie helped her slip into the dress. After she zipped her in, she turned around and gazed into the full-length mirror. “Let me put the shoes on.” She sat down, slipped on the shoes then stood and once more scanned her reflection. “Oh, Jessie, I just love this dress. Thank you so much. I swear I’ll pay back every penny.”
“Nonsense, consider it an early birthday present. You do look lovely in it.”
Gloria kissed her cheek. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. I better head next door and get ready myself.”
When Jessie returned she was lovely in a low-cut black dress and black pumps. “You know, if you keep working out like you did this morning, plus dieting, you won’t be able to wear that dress anymore.”
“Trust me, there’ll be a big smile on my face the day I’m able donate it to Goodwill.”
After deciding on Duke’s Canoe Club, they headed downstairs.
They had to wait to be seated so, by the time eight o’clock rolled around, they’d just cleared the dishes from our table. Jessie hadn’t received the check yet and their waiter was nowhere to be found. “Sweetie, you’re going to have to go out there and look for Kino. When you find him, take him into the Barefoot Bar. I’ll be along as soon as possible.”
She gave Jessie a nod, picked up her handbag, rose from the table and sauntered toward the restaurant entrance, where people were lined up to be seated. As soon as she passed through the portal, she spied him. He practically took her breath away. He turned slowly in the middle of the lobby, looking for Jess and her. He wore an ivory summer jacket, light brown slacks and a bright orange and white Hawaiian shirt.
She almost made it all the way to him before he saw her. As his vision narrowed in on her, she perceived a glint in his eye. A seductive grin appeared as his gaze turned vertical, starting with her shoes and lazily meandering upward, pausing at her waist and bust line. His eyes smoldered as they drank in her curves. When his gaze met mine, his sexy grin expanded into an endearing smile. “There you are. You look…smashing, though somehow I knew you would.” He held out his hands, an invitation to embrace, and she accepted. After he kissed her cheek, he asked, “Where’s your sister?”
“You look wonderful, too—good enough to eat.” Realizing, too late, the implications of what she’d said, she blushed and stuttered as she tried to explain. “I meant I…I en…joy looking at you.”
Laughing he took her hand and kissed it, which made it feel warm and tingly. “Gloria. You’re a treasure.”
Even her kiss to his cheek warmed her lips. “Come, we must go. Jessica is waiting for the check, and she’ll meet us in the bar.”
Holding his hand, she led him toward the bar.
The bar was full with the overflow from the restaurant. Fortunately, a party of four in a nearby booth rose and left so they quickly claimed it. Gloria slid in and Kino followed.
He sat close enough to make her nervous. Not that she didn’t want to be close to him, but it had been months since she’d been out with anyone. “Well, here we are,” she ventured, unable to think of anything clever to say.
As if she wasn’t jumpy enough, Kino slid an arm around her shoulders and edged closer. He took a deep breath. “Mmmm. I love your fragrance.” She closed her eyes as shivers raced through her. “It’s sexy, turns me on. And your dress is gorgeous.” He chuckled. “Baby, you look good enough to eat.”
She felt a flush of warmth and was glad the bar and she were fairly dark. “Thank you. I think?”
Kino laughed. “So, are you having a good time?”
“I am now. I’ve been a little bit in the dumps.” Oh my God. Her pulse sped up and her heartbeat thumped in her neck as his lips pecked tiny kisses in a downward pattern on her neck. He’s very forward. Should I stop him? It felt so good. She didn’t want to stop him.
When his moist kisses reached her collarbone, a voice interrupted his progress. “A-hem. Sorry to interrupt.” They looked up. Jess, wearing a bratty smile, said innocently, “I’m ready to go dancing, unless you guys want to forget about it and go up to Glory’s room.”
That didn’t sound like a bad idea, but she wasn’t about to let her know that. Besides, this was the first date. Does the first date rule apply when you’re on vacation? Probably not, but what about Jessie? Could she honestly have sex knowing her big sister was in the next room? “Jessie-e-e. How could you be so crude?”
Kino, acting as if he hadn’t heard, slid out of the booth and offered her his hand. “Are you ready?”
She took his hand and he helped her out.
* * * *
Rumours was a typical dance club. They seemed to know Kino, because he got them right in. After they found a booth, Jessie asked Gloria to accompany her to the restroom.
Jessie’s nostrils flared. “Look, we should’ve probably had this conversation before, but we damn well better have it now. I plan on having a good time while I’m here and that includes, God willing, should the opportunity arise, getting my itch scratched, so don’t give me no attitude.”
Gloria’s hands went sideways in supplication. “I didn’t give you attitude.”
She wagged a finger in her face. “Yes, you did. You put on the Little Miss Innocent show for Adonis there. I know you’re not innocent. I know about how you set up house with that white boy, and how crushed you were when he moved back to St. Louis.
“We are three thousand miles away from where we live. Nobody knows us here, and the odds of us finding true romance and love are nil. If I had someone like that, hot on my tail, I�
��d be in bed with him faster than you could say condom. The memories alone are good for six months with a vibrator. And if you think you’d have trouble fucking someone while I’m in the next room, wait and see how much trouble I’ll have getting laid with you listening next door.”
She had no idea big sis was such a cock hound. Must run in the family.
She snickered. “Can I at least have a drink and a few dances before I seduce his tan ass?”
“You bet. Now you’re talking. Shall we get back to Adonis?”
She nodded.
She opened the door.
“I thought you had to pee?”
She shook her head. “No, honey, it was steam I had to relieve myself of, not urine. Out of curiosity, how was that white boy?”
She felt her eyes tearing and the pain that accompanied when she remembered Joel. “He was very nice. Why?”
“Like I said, curious. You neva know, maybe some white guy will come up to me and ask me to dance.”
She laughed, it was so funny. It was as if her sister was psychic. Some white dude reached out and snatched her hand as they walked by the bar. “Hey, baby, what’s your hurry?” He wasn’t in Adonis’s league, but he wasn’t bad; a little thin in the hair and a little thick in the waist, but otherwise nice looking. “Mercy! You with all those yummy curves, and me with no brakes…Grrr. What d’ya say. This white boy knows how to dance.”
Sis ran her hand tenderly along his cheek. “You can dance. What else do you do?”
“Well, you have the wheel. I follow where you lead, and if you’re going to regret it in the morning, we can sleep until noon.”
Jessie threw her head back and laughed. “You do have a line of bullshit. What’s your name?”
“Del, like the computer, but one L. What’s your name, hot stuff?”
“Jessica, or Jessie. Take your pick. Shall we dance and see if you can close the deal?”
He grabbed her hand, “Ahh, the art of negotiation,” and disappeared onto the dance floor.
Gloria was still giggling when she got back to Kino. “What’s so funny?” He slid out to let her in.
“Some guy waylaid my sister on the way back. He was cute. We may have seen the last of her for the night.”
