Studying the crisp lines of the white shirt that molded his chest, Briana sensed tension there. Irrationally, she wanted to reach out and ease it. She wanted to touch him again, to feel the sleek line of those muscles, and to be caressed like she had under the moon. But, that was simply a spell cast by its magic. Today under the sun, in the wake of a geological quirk, she knew that there would be nothing between them.
Solitude smothered her.
“Talk about what? Last night?”
“Yes.” Pain lurked in his eyes. “Briana, look—I, the moon, and the way you looked, I took advantage of the situation. I’m sorry.”
So that was it. Simple enough. Why did his words hurt so much?
She could handle it though. She was strong.
“We both took advantage of the situation, Nick. It’s okay.” That sounded convincing. “Umm, look I have to get back into town and write up a report, and I have to get our security guard over to the beach—”
Nick felt like punching the coarse bark of the palm tree next to him. If not that, he’d like to let slip the curse on the tip of his tongue. Or, if neither of those options worked, his third was to fore-go it all and grab Briana and kiss her until both of them were hot and wet in the sand.
The third option tempted him so much that he took a step forward.
“Yeah,” he hesitated, “I’ve got about a thousand stops to make myself.”
If only he could be blind to that wounded look in her eyes. That kept him in check. Let her go to her office. Let her go make her calls. That was what her kind did. They didn’t want hot and wet in the sand. They wanted air-conditioned suites and gym memberships.
But if she was truly one of them, then why that raw gaze, as if she echoed his very same desires?
***
“Geez, Bree, dead tuna? That doesn’t look good.”
Briana crossed her arms against the chill of the air-conditioned office. “Thank you for pointing that out.”
Naoki managed to look contrite, but a frown quickly wove the black eyebrows behind his dark frames. He lowered himself into the visitor’s chair.
“What do you need me to do?”
In search of a diversion, Briana approached the window and watched a coast guard vessel chug into port. “There’s nothing for you to do. The marine biologists are on their way, and—”
“And?”
When it was evident she was not going to respond, Naoki offered, “Bree, why don’t you go home? You’ve been working nonstop, and you have to let the researchers do their jobs.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “What about you, Takanawa? You’re supposed to be on a date.”
Incredulous, Naoki toyed with a pen on the desk’s polished surface. “I’ve got some time yet. I don’t want to come across as over-enthusiastic.”
Briana smiled, but her face didn’t support the gesture.
***
Skirting around a pack of children who feverishly pumped fishing rods off the pier, Nick eyed the placid water. As sedate as the tide may be, dead fish represented possible disease, and it made him uneasy seeing these young boys here.
Sidling up behind them, his deep voice startled the youths. “Hey guys, catch anything?”
In unison the foursome peered up at him, their mouths gaping.
Nick grinned. “Yeah, I was gonna come out here too. I heard that some of the big fish were literally throwing themselves on shore in an effort to get caught. I thought I’d get myself some whoppers.” He leaned in as if to share a confidence. “But, you know, they’re saying the fish are bad. Sick. And that they’ll make you sick if you touch them.” He leaned back. “So, I’m staying away from this area for awhile—at least until they tell me the fish won’t give me hives.”
Four mouths remained mute, but two sets of eyes shifted to confer with their cohorts. One pair of shoulders shrugged, and finally in a united voice, they proclaimed, “Okay.”
As the youths sprinted down the pier, their shouts demonstrated that they had already contemplated another venture.
Nick shook his head and leapt aboard the fifty-foot white cutter, its hull stamped with the USGS emblem in bold navy-blue letters.
Crossing the deck, he circled around a tripod-mounted crane. A box-corer dangled from it, a device that they used in testing reef deposits. Fixated on the instrument, Nick muttered when he slipped on a Dunkin Donuts wrapper.
“Keo!”
Already in a foul mood, he stooped to retrieve the trail of garbage and followed it into the bridge. There he spotted the bulky profile sitting before a gleaming windshield, nearly eclipsing the sun.
“What did I tell you about these?” He shook the fistful of discarded wrappers at the colossal figure draped across the stool.
Keo Kimona tucked in one of several chins and glanced up at Nick from under a mass of disorderly black hair. “Pick em up?”
“No. Lay off this stuff. What do you weigh now, Keo?”
Drawing himself up into an indignant mass of deep-tanned flesh and floral cotton, Keo dropped his thong-laden feet on the wooden deck. With pursed lips, he answered, “Close to four hundred, but my mamma says the bigger I get, the greater man I become.”
Nick laughed. “Ain’t that the truth.”
He slapped the captain of the Inquiry on his meaty shoulder and then Nick’s fingers clenched as he sobered. “It’s good to see you eating that and not the fish.”
“Damn shame. Something going on out there, boss man?” His chin wiggled towards the sea. “Any ideas?”
“Not a clue. Hilo had nothing to report, and marine biology was enroute, but Keo, have you noticed anything strange with the wave patterns in this area? Waves that flow against the tide?”
Keo grinned boyishly. His age was deceptive. Some guessed him to be about twenty-five, while others estimated that he was in his forties. “That sounds like crazy stuff, Nikolo. Science fiction.” He turned back into the cabin. “But let’s go take a peek, shall we?”
Clamping his hand down on the bridge as the vessel rumbled out of the pier, Nick searched the shoreline for amateur fishermen—overzealous tourists intent on capturing a great white with a mere fishing rod.
His frustration escalated. Until the biologists were on the scene he remained uneasy. Last night the ocean reared in the briefest of glimpses to assault them in the sheltered cove. He should have done more—more than just kiss Briana like they were made to burn the ocean.
When they pulled out of the bay, Nick caught a glimpse of Manale Palms, the lair of the goddess. He smirked at the ocean wall that cosseted the fledgling property.
“You talk about strange waves—” Keo cut into his thoughts, “—you sure it ain’t that development over there, boss man? Nothing like a nasty construction site to upset the coast.”
Studying the outline of a bulldozer, its massive shovel spun towards the mouth of the bay, Nick frowned and shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
Unwanted memories tormented him as he located the lagoon that cloistered his bungalow. His body responded to those images, demanding that he flee the bridge for the privacy of open air. Saltwater dusted across his face as he rested his hands on the sleek wooden handrail and lifted his eyes towards the coast again.
Even from this remote outlook he spotted the figure with shimmering blonde hair pacing listlessly along the water’s edge.
Nick’s fists clenched around the rail as he bit back a curse. He asked her to send her security guard, not patrol the beach herself! What if there was another fluctuation with the tide and it caught her off guard? What if something washed up on shore? Until he had exorcised all resources and confirmed the shoreline was safe he didn’t want her anywhere near it.
“Keo!”
***
All construction had been halted for the day as landscapers moved in to work their magic on some of the new properties. In this break between shifts there was no security guard on duty, so Briana headed for the water to police the area. She paused atop the s
andy hillock and contemplated the quiet beach. There were no signs of rogue waves or afflicted marine life, but something didn’t feel right. True, she possessed an innate mistrust of the sea...but this was different.
Cautious, she paced along the hard-packed sand and gave the ocean’s advancing fingers a wide berth. The dull drone of a motor caught her attention as she lifted a hand above her eyes to focus on the approaching vessel. It looked like a research ship—definitely not a tourist craft. Not surprised to see it, she had expected others the way Nick stormed off with his forewarning.
This vessel dropped anchor nearly a hundred yards offshore as she watched an agile figure leap from the deck into a motorized dinghy.
At a brisk clip, the dinghy approached, swerving at the last minute in an arching sweep of froth. It idled to a halt several yards away, bobbing gently on the calm waters.
When the tall figure alighted, Briana frowned. Strong thighs plunged through the water, and the intensity of his approach was reflected in more than the rugged muscles. In the dark eyes that never left hers as he forged closer was the portent of trouble.
Briana knew she had to get over this initial reaction to Nick. Just the sight of him made her heart beat like she had just sprinted a hundred-yard dash. Impossible fantasies overruled her composure.
Judging by the look on Nick’s face, he wasn’t up for fantasies.
“What are you doing here?” he barked before reaching dry land.
“Patrolling. What are you doing here?”
“Didn’t I say to keep everyone off the beach until the biologists show up?” Nick paced a ridge in the sand, his hair made spiky by the brisk breeze.
“You said to send my security guard out here. They are between shifts, so I am covering the beach until the next shift starts.”
Her patient response seemed to aggravate him.
“In our brief time together—” she continued, “I would think you know enough to realize that I’m not about to go charging into the water and backstroke with the tuna, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Nick stopped pacing.
“But aversion to the water aside,” she continued, “I am doing what I can to protect Manale’s beach.”
***
She was ready for combat. Fists curled up. Shoulders pinned back. Eyebrows dipped in threat. Yep, Nick thought she was prepared for a confrontation. But then the wind came along and molded that white cotton dress to her, and completely defeated her intimidation tactics...even if she didn’t know it.
As much as he wished otherwise, Briana’s voice was all business, and not the feathery whisper that had brushed his name against his lips last night. That was his fault, and God, he wanted to change it.
“You want to push the envelope, Ms. Holt?” With three brisk strides, he reached her. “Do you want to show how damn proud and determined you are?”
Briana held her ground, although he could tell that his sudden invasion into her space threw her.
Before she could stop him, Nick bent over and scooped an arm behind her knees and hoisted her up into his arms. His gaze swept over her lips, watching her startled gasp. Then his glance clashed with hers.
“You’re right,” he said. “I’m not blind. I see your fear of the water, and since you insist on being so reckless and standing so close to it, then I am going to take you out where you can conquer your fear head on.”
Horror made her tense up. “You tried that once before and you most certainly are not going to do it again.”
With his first steps into the ocean he could tell the exact moment her toes dipped into the tepid water.
“This is ridiculous.” Her voice pitched. “Put me down, Nick.”
Panic drew her as taught as a sail in a squall.
“Do you really want me to put you down, Briana?” he asked softly. “Here?”
He felt her eyes on his mouth and they tortured him. It would be so easy to kiss her and distract her from her fears, but he didn’t want passion to be a byproduct of terror.
Water lapped up to his waist as Briana’s calves gradually submerged. She clawed around his neck in an effort to climb higher.
“Kidnapping,” she gulped. “That’s what this is. Why, though?”
Briana clung to him, her breasts flattened against his chest, a sensation that made his stride falter. The honey-colored hair smelled of orchids and he drew it in like a man savoring his last breath. Aside from the obvious physical reaction she enticed from him, he was startled by the overwhelming need to protect. Briana was clinging onto him for dear life, every tense muscle in her body screaming out prayers that he would not drop her.
Nick stooped and nimbly set his precious package down on the bench-seat of the rocking boat. For a moment, he stood in the water, holding the frame of the vessel steady in his hands.
Why, indeed?
Briana had addressed him coolly, which meant that the wonder of last night was far behind them. That shouldn’t bother him though. It was what he wanted, right? But, for one maddening moment as he stood on the deck of the Inquiry and saw her doleful silhouette testing the limits of the ocean—a body of water that at any moment could rear into a threat, he was overcome by emotion. It was irrational, of course—something he was not accustomed to.
Right now, though, he had a damp, ill-tempered, gorgeous female in his dinghy, and he was going to see to it that she remained safe, whether she appreciated it or not.
With a practiced move, he hoisted in beside her, aware that she nearly went into shock from the motion. Revving the motor to swing the vessel back towards the Inquiry, he shook his head at his failing sanity.
Miniature whitecaps surrounded the dingy as he watched Briana clutch the seat for support. He resisted the impulse to touch her and attempt to soothe some of the fear out of those eyes. Fear turned to condemnation though, as that glance alighted on him.
Okay, forget soothing.
Instead, Nick maneuvered the boat and studied Briana’s profile, the wind lashing golden wisps against her face.
“Do you think someday you’ll talk to me about it, Briana?”
Making sure she had a firm grip on the bench she glared up at him. “About what?”
“What happened?” The drone of the motor battled his volume. “What happened to make you so afraid?”
***
Confused by Nick’s concern, Briana tried to shrug it off. She eyed the water that surrounded her on all sides. “I’m sure everyone has a horror story to tell about the ocean.”
For a moment Nick remained quiet, negotiating his approach to the Inquiry. Then he added softly, “I wasn’t talking about the water.”
“Aloha! Nikolo, what did you bring me, a mermaid?”
Ignoring Nick completely, Keo hung over the edge and offered a hand to Briana, assisting her up the short ladder.
Briana accepted the hand of the bulky Hawaiian with a gracious smile. She was grateful to be on a more stable vessel, with greater distance between her and the water...and Nick.
“Permission to come aboard, sir,” she asked, searching for an ally in the form of this genial giant.
Keo bowed as far as his robust girth would allow, his meaty hand hoisting her effortlessly. “Permission granted m’lady.” A grin full of white teeth lit up his face. “And what brings you aboard the humble Inquiry?”
“I do.” Nick scowled at his friend as he secured the rope of the launch around the rail. “So you can stop flirting. Jeeze, Keo, you act like you’ve never seen a woman before.”
“You’ve never brought one on board before. Are you a meteorologist?” He eyed Briana warily.
Briana shook her head.
“You aren’t USGS, I’d know about you.” Folding his arms over his chest, Keo ignored Nick’s growing frown. “What then, an oceanographer?”
Briana shook her head again and flashed a smile. Keo’s mouth fell open.
“Dammit Kimona, you’re drooling.” Nick caught Briana’s elbow and urged her into the bri
dge, whispering to her, “In that damp dress, who can blame him, though.”
Oh God.
She splayed her palms uselessly across her thighs.
Keo lumbered in after them, and the spacious bridge suddenly became confining. Boxed into a corner, Briana found herself brushing up against Nick. The hair on his forearms tickled her skin. Hot flesh brushed against hot flesh.
“Well, what then? You wouldn’t let just anybody on this boat.”
“You aren’t going to like it when I tell you who she is, Keo.”
That declaration made her glare at Nick as she tried to inch out of his reach. The motion did not go undetected, and to her dismay, his indolent grin emerged.
“You know that housing development going up—Manale Palms?” he began, “Well, you’re looking at the General Contractor.”
“Hmmm.” Keo’s smile faltered ever so slightly. Shrewd black eyes assessed her with revised interest, and then the Hawaiian turned to contemplate the receding shoreline. “You know that first house, the one closest to the water—it’s just perfect, wouldn’t mind owning one of those myself.”
Nick threw his hands in the air. “Keo, pull yourself together man! Just because the lady is gorgeous is no reason for you to be reduced to a mountain of mush.”
Amused with the pink blush on Keo’s puffy cheeks, Briana felt a flush of her own at hearing Nick refer to her as gorgeous.
“I hate to interrupt when two men are talking about me in such flattering terms, but why did you just kidnap me?”
Keo and Nick exchanged glances, and Nick scowled at the amused query on the captain’s face. “Excuse us, Kimona. Poke your head out in a few minutes to make sure she hasn’t shoved me overboard.”
“Will do.”Keo’s lopsided grin faded as he caught sight of the radar console. “We’re getting close, boss man. Make it quick.”
***
“Close to what?”
“Let me address your first question—no, accusation.”
Nick scanned the horizon, worried that the docile sea still harbored a threat. His glance shifted towards the woman that tormented him.
HIGH TIDE Page 7
