A Little Harmless Addiction

by Melissa Schroeder

  “I was going to check the cooler to make sure we had enough to drink. Then I was going to go in and grab the rainbow salad.”

  Chris frowned. He was an easygoing guy and it was one of the things that Kai liked about him. From the time he had hired May, Kai had felt comfortable with Chris. That was until tonight.

  “I was sort of surprised Jocelyn didn’t say anything yesterday about meeting you.”

  Kai shrugged. “Maybe I didn’t make an impression on her.”

  Chris said nothing for a moment or two, but one eyebrow rose as he studied Kai. “Oh, I have a feeling it’s the other way around.”

  Kai rolled his eyes. “Look, Chris, say what you came over here to say. I have things I gotta get done. If May’s cookout isn’t perfect, you know how mean she can get.”

  His lips twitched. May’s boss knew well and good that you didn’t mess with May’s plans. “I just wanted you to know I really like you, but my sister…she isn’t…”

  “May said she had some trouble. Don’t worry. While I think your sister is stunning, I promise hands off.”

  Again, Chris studied Kai and he had to fight the urge to fidget. But after a few moments, Chris’s shoulders relaxed and he grinned. “Thanks. Normally, I wouldn’t mind, but she’s had a hard time. She is just getting back on track.”

  “No problem.”

  “With everything that happened, she lost her boyfriend and most of her working relationships. It was really hard on her.”

  Kai shook his head. “Believe me, I know what it’s like to be in a bad relationship.”

  A knowing look came into Chris’s eyes and Kai needed to escape.

  “I better get that rainbow salad.”

  Chris said nothing but nodded as Kai turned to walk back into the house. Kai hated that everyone knew about Keisha and what she had done to him. He had always been private about the women he dated, but when they had gotten serious, everyone had figured it out. Keisha had worked at Rough ’n Ready as a waitress while they were dating. The whole sad thing played had out in front of his family.

  The one thing he couldn’t handle now was the careful handling. He hated it, but he used it at the same time. He avoided questions and people assumed it was because he was still hurting.

  He’d just taken the first swig of beer when his brother-in-law sauntered into the kitchen. He would have never picked a man like Evan for his sister. Hell, he didn’t want to think about the way their relationship had started at Evan’s BDSM club, but Kai knew without a doubt, Evan was dedicated to May.

  “You’re a brave man, Evan.”

  He smiled and spread his hands wide. “What do you mean?”

  Kai tsked. “Late to a party that May is throwing. I wouldn’t want to be you, bra.”

  He laughed. “Ah, but she loves me more than she loves you. And you shouldn’t be talking. I take it you’re in here to do her bidding.”

  He nodded. “After being grilled by Chris about his sister, I thought it wise to disappear for a while.”

  Evan’s demeanor changed in a flash. The easygoing smile dissolved into a frown and he narrowed his eyes. Crossing his arms over his chest, he asked, “You hit on Jocelyn?”

  Kai should have realized that Evan would see Jocelyn as a little sister. And now he had to contend with another inquisition. “Back off, bra. I was only admiring.”

  Evan studied him for a moment and then nodded. “Okay. Well, just be careful there.”

  Irritated, he took another swig of beer. “Christ, Chambers, let it go.”

  Something passed in Evan’s eyes and then an understanding bloomed there. “Sorry. I thought you might be ready to start dating again.”

  Jesus, he would never be able to live his relationship with Keisha down. Taking May’s worried pampering was bad enough, but having one of the guys act like that was beyond embarrassing. His tough-guy status had been demolished by one little messed-up woman.

  Thankfully, his sister had good timing for once. “What the hell is going on in here? I thought you were getting the salad, but you seem to have taken up residence in the kitchen. And you,” she said pointing at Evan. “You’re late.”

  Evan’s demeanor softened as he looked at May. If Kai had ever had any kind of reservations about their relationship, they would be blown out to sea by just that look. It said only one thing to him. Complete and utter devotion.

  “Ah, but you love me,” Evan said as he walked toward her.

  “Not that much,” she said, but there was little heat in her words.

  Evan pulled her into his arms and gave her a loud smacking kiss on the lips. “Forgive me, darlin’.”

  She sighed. “I guess I have to because I’m stuck with you. At least you arrived clean.”

  He smiled. “As promised. What do you need me to do?”

  “Go watch Grandpa. He’s already had too many beers and I have a feeling Micah might beat him over the head if he hits on Dee any more.”

  He gave her another kiss, then slipped out the door.

  “You having any problems with Chris?”

  Kai shook his head as he opened the drawer and retrieved a spoon for the salad. “Just a jackass brother trying to warn me off his sister.” He smiled at her. “Been in his shoes before.”

  She frowned at him and he could almost hear her brain working it through. “Who?”

  He sighed. “Tommy Dixon.”

  She made a face. “He was your best friend.”

  “Was being the operative word. You don’t try and sleep with your best friend’s sister.”

  She sighed. “He didn’t get anywhere.”

  “Doesn’t matter. There is a code.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Brothers are stupid.”

  “You can say that again.” Jocelyn’s amused voice, laced with that thick New Orleans’ accent, filtered into the kitchen.

  He looked over at her. A small smile played over her full, sensual lips and he found himself mesmerized by her unpainted mouth.

  “I swear, I’m lucky I’m so smart or their stupidity would have rubbed off on me,” May said with a smile. “Having issues with the boss?”

  Jocelyn rolled her eyes. “Always. I was wondering if you need any help.”

  May shook her head and walked toward her and slipped her arm over Jocelyn’s shoulders. It was funny looking because May was so much shorter than Jocelyn.

  “One thing about brothers, since they’re so stupid, they tend to do what I tell them. Kai’s getting the rainbow salad. I want to get you in a corner and learn embarrassing things about Chris from his childhood. That way, I’ll have some leverage at work.”

  Jocelyn laughed and the sound of it wrapped around him. Not a tinkle, but full bodied, seductive and downright arousing. He watched them walk out of the kitchen and his gaze roamed down Jocelyn’s back, to the fine ass. She was wearing jeans today and it did little to hide her curvy backside.

  “Kai?” May asked.

  He shook his head and pulled his attention away from Jocelyn’s ass.

  “Coming.”

  He just needed to remind himself she was off-limits. She didn’t need a man bothering her and he definitely didn’t need another heartbreak. The last one was enough to last him a lifetime.

  Chapter Three

  “I’m glad you liked the cookies.”

  Kai smiled as he turned to face Jocelyn. “Not surprising since you graduated at the top of your class.”

  She rolled her eyes. “How did you know that?”

  He chuckled. “Chris. He brags a lot about you.”

  Her smile faded and something he couldn’t discern moved over her face. “Yeah, well, I just wanted to be sure that you didn’t think I was rude the other night.”

  “No problem.”

  She fidgeted with the water bottle that she was drinking from and the silence between them stretched. It was uncomfortable and odd considering she had come looking for him. He glanced over her shoulder and noticed she had waited until her brother was bus
y.

  “Chris didn’t say anything rude to you, did he?”

  He shook his head. “Not really.”

  Her lips twitched and her eyes sparkled. “I apologize. It’s just that he noticed…”

  She trailed off, her face brightened and she looked away.

  Knowing that she was embarrassed, and liking the stain of color on her cheeks, he had to poke fun. “What?”

  She swallowed and looked back at him. “Nothing. Chris has always been kind of overprotective, and now he’s a little worse.”

  He nodded. “Being an older brother, I can understand.”

  “May doesn’t seem like the kind of woman who would put up with interference. And since you’re afraid of her—”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “You drove all the way to the windward side of the island to give me a basket on a Saturday night. I mean…I have been hearing about your escapades for years from May. Lord knows you probably had something to do.”

  Damn his sister. Knowing her, she made him sound like some kind of Don Juan of Oahu. He dated around, that was true, but it still irritated him that his sister acted as if he slept with any available woman.

  “Well, don’t believe everything you hear.”

  She laughed. God, she was beautiful when she laughed. It brightened her face and her eyes sparkled. He loved a woman who laughed with her whole body. “Most of it was good. She told me you’re a good guy. And she told me you do some sightseeing tours.”

  He nodded and took a sip from his beer bottle. “I have several boats. One is just a fishing boat. I do a little commercial fishing. Mainly sell to your brother.”

  “And you do those deep-water fishing things.”

  “Yeah. I mostly handle the sightseeing tours.”

  “Good. I wanted to go, but I wanted to go with someone I know, and since I just got here…” She shrugged.

  “Sure. Come on down tomorrow if you want. Tuesdays are slow sometimes. I know we have a few more spots open.”

  “Thanks.” She walked away and he watched her, trying his best to ignore the way his blood danced every time he heard her laugh.

  Jocelyn smiled when she peeked through the window of Cynthia’s Bakery. The place was packed, filled with customers on their way to work. She reached the door, but before she could open it Chris was there pushing it open.

  He smiled at her. “Hey, you’re up early.”

  Jocelyn shook her head. “You forget I’m still on Atlanta time.”

  He laughed and pulled her into the crowd, guiding her back behind the counter. It was a plain store with a glass counter accented in soft pink colors. Several small tables were scattered in the small space between the counter and the front door, all filled with customers. The only flourish in the design of the bakery was Cynthia’s name plastered on everything—from the window front to the bags—in pink script. The scents of the bakery surrounded her, comforted her. Vanilla, chocolate, flour and sugar. It was a mix of aromas she knew well and missed.

  “Morning, Jocelyn.” Cynthia looked pale and a bit overworked. Her blonde hair curled around her face but Jocelyn could tell she was enjoying herself. The smile she offered each customer showed that she loved what she was doing. “Still not used to the Hawaiian time?”

  “No. I think it might take a while after such a long move.”

  Cynthia nodded, and Jocelyn opened her mouth to ask if she needed help but Cynthia was already turning away to chat with a customer.

  “Come on back,” Chris said as he guided her back to the office. He let her step away as he shut the door then leaned back against it.

  She felt him studying her so she turned and smiled at him. “What?”

  “When were you going to tell me?”

  She frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “Cynthia told me last night about the baby. And then she told me you knew.”

  She laughed. “Sorry, I was sworn to secrecy.” She stepped closer and slipped her arms around him for a quick hug and kiss. “Daddy.”

  When she looked up, an expression of panic passed over his face.

  “Aren’t you happy?”

  “Yeah, uh,” he said, backing away from her. “Just a little nervous. And she’s been kind of sick.”

  Jocelyn nodded. “I thought she looked a little pale.”

  “I hope this is the last morning. I can’t take another wake-up call like that.”

  Jocelyn remembered Chris’s gag reflex and the fact he couldn’t stand the sound of retching. She dissolved into giggles. “Oh, God, you’re getting morning sickness too.”

  “Shut up.” But the smile he gave softened the rebuke. “What are you doing here anyway?”

  “I can’t seem to sleep past four in the morning.”

  He nodded. “It takes about three or four months to completely get over the time difference. Or it did for me.”

  “And I think I might take a boat ride today.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Anyone in particular you’re going to go with?”

  She sighed. “Get off it, Chris. I’m not going to get involved right now, and if I was it isn’t any of your business. But I trust Kai to be responsible. From the online reviews, his sightseeing tours are considered some of the best on the island. I just thought I would do something touristy before I started looking for a job.”

  “I don’t think you need to do that,” Cynthia said.

  Jocelyn smiled as she turned around and saw Cynthia there. “Hey, who’s manning the front?”

  “Hilary. She’s my part-time help.”

  “I need full-time work.”

  “You don’t need to work,” Chris said.

  She shared a look with Cynthia. “Yes, I do. I need to feel like I am doing something. The last few months have been hard on me. I need to keep busy.”

  Chris opened his mouth to argue, but Cynthia came to her rescue. “I was talking full time. Or you can do some contracted work for me. I’ve been getting requests for cakes, which I can do, but not the big fancy things. Weddings especially. Hawaii has a lot of people who come here to marry but I don’t have the skill. If you think you might want to do something like that, let me know.” She walked around the table and kissed Chris on his forehead. “Feeling better, babe?”

  “Fine,” he grumbled.

  “Just keep eating the crackers, it helps.”

  Jocelyn started giggling before her soon-to-be sister-in-law made it out the door.

  “Shut up,” he said, but there was little heat in it.

  “Sorry, Daddy.”

  He smiled. “Mom is going to flip.”

  “First grandchild, you bet.” She glanced at the time. “I better get going. I have an early tour.”

  His smiled dissolved. “Maybe I can make it out there with you today.”

  “Really? I mean, with the waves rocking the boat, well, that might not be good for the stomach of yours.”

  He swallowed. “That’s not funny.”

  She giggled as she fell into the chair. “It seems pretty funny to me.”

  “I just thought you might want someone to show you around.”

  “That will be nice,” she said. “But I am in the mood for a boat ride today. And I really don’t want to play nursemaid to you.”

  “I should have let Malachai sell you when Mom brought you home from the hospital.”

  She laughed. “I missed you.”

  “You sure you’re doing okay?”

  She nodded. “Actually, I’m doing just fine. And—” she looked at the clock behind Chris’s head, “—I better get going. I want to walk to the boat. It’s just too beautiful not to.”

  Jocelyn enjoyed the hum of Honolulu. She didn’t think she could ever live in the city. She was a solitary soul, but she did like to get out and experience people. She loved watching their interactions, watching the activities. It made her feel alive. And right now, everything that had happened in the last year seemed so small, so inconsequential, that she sighed with happi
ness. She knew she had a long time before she would be completely healed. Truthfully, she knew she would never be the same person. The sexual harassment had taken a lot out of her. She had started hating work, hating her body, and dammit, he made her ashamed her of sexuality. Like she had brought it on herself.

  Greg had known her insecurities. There were plenty, and being her mentor and friend, he had learned them all. And he had used them against her, chopping away at her confidence.

  The last two months, the new job, the attack…she shoved the thoughts to the back of her mind. She couldn’t deal with it now, wouldn’t until she knew she could. Unmedicated. She stopped at a street corner waiting for the light to change. She’d gone three weeks without meds, and it had been tough, but she was just enjoying the act of experiencing life again. The medication they’d had her on had made her numb.

  She walked across the street and to the tour area.

  Brightly colored boats bobbed in the water as she walked down the plank. Jocelyn loved the sound of waves slapping against the wood as she meandered toward the slip where Kai’s boat was. She had never really been a boat person. Not one who would spend all day out on a boat. Growing up in New Orleans, boats were a way of life. She had enough friends who had family out in the bayou or family who worked in the Gulf. It had just never been something that called to her. Still, the idea of just enjoying the crystal blue waters and beautiful scenery appealed to her. Especially today. She was feeling a little restless in Cynthia’s little house, and if she hadn’t gotten out she would have been baking up a storm. Being without anything to do, she would end up eating the majority of them. Her ass could not take that.

  She walked past one last boat and found Kai’s. It was white with blue trim, and it looked empty at first glance. Then Kai walked to the front of the boat and she lost most rational thought. He was shirtless. God almighty, he was gorgeous. He wasn’t steroid big. No, this was the kind of muscle that came from good, honest, physical work.

  He bent over to grab some rope and she sighed. Even at this distance, she could see the ripple of muscle beneath the flesh. Damn. He was golden brown that came from his Hawaiian background and his time spent out in the sun. Tattoos decorated his upper arms, and as he turned she saw one that stretched across his back. All of the designs had a Hawaiian feel to them. She could imagine tracing the design with her fingertip, enjoying the feel of his smooth skin beneath hers. Someone leaned over the railing from up above, one of his crew she presumed, and said something to Kai. He threw his head back and laughed. She could barely hear it, but it sent a shaft of need rushing through her blood. She stopped where she was and drew in a deep breath. It had been very long since she’d been interested, and now, she wanted. It was that same sexual rush she’d lost almost a year before, a year before when Greg had ruined it for her.