“No!”
He gives me a weary look. “Have it your way.”
He actually may be right. And the thought of walking back to my room with a soaking wet T-shirt on and nothing beneath it isn’t too appealing.
“Okay,” I concede. “Turn around. But don’t look—not even a peek.”
“I’m not gonna look.” He rolls his eyes and turns his back to me.
And what a back it is. There are so many defined lines of muscle there. And his shoulders look like something out of a men’s fitness magazine.
“Are you waiting for something?” he asks.
“Oh, uh…no.”
I take a deep breath and stand up, keeping one arm over my chest as I snatch the T-shirt he’s holding behind his back with my free hand. I scramble into it as quickly as I can while soaking wet.
After a final glance at the man’s back, I walk past him and head for the beach. He’s right behind me, both of us dripping wet as we emerge from the water.
“Thanks,” I say, looking up at him. He has to be 6’2” at least, considerably taller than my 5’7” height.
“No problem.” His brows lower in confusion as he asks, “What are you doing swimming out here all alone?”
I shrug. “I’m enjoying my honeymoon. Lay off.”
“Oh.” He looks up and down the beach. “Where’s your husband?”
“Oh, I’m not married. I’m on my honeymoon by myself.”
“Huh. Is that like a new age thing?”
“No, it’s a my-fiance-told-me-at-the-altar-that-he-screwed-two-of-my-bridesmaids thing.”
His face pulls down into a scowl. “Damn, what an asshole. I’m sorry.”
A group of three kids come charging down the beach toward us, sand buckets and shovels in hand. Several adults follow behind them.
“Well, I guess I better get back,” I say. “Have to buy a new swimsuit.”
Extending a hand toward me, he says, “I’m Knox Deveraux.”
I shake his hand, a tingle of excitement dancing down my spine as our hands touch. “I’m Reese Dalton. Thanks again for your help.”
“No problem.” Knox bends down to pick up his shoes and socks.
I gather my shorts and shoes, pointing in the opposite direction than he was running in. “I’m that way, so…bye.”
“You need me to walk you back?”
Need? No. But want?
I banish the thought immediately, reminding myself that until a few days ago, I was engaged to be married. I’m the rebound poster girl.
“I’ll be okay,” I say. “But thanks.”
He gives me a small smile and a nod.
I walk down the beach in the direction of the resort, only letting myself glance back over my shoulder once.
His back really is impressive. And the view from the front is equally good.
But again…rebound. I cross my arms over my chest, hoping it looks natural, and take the path that leads back to my hotel, where I plan to put on a bra as quickly as possible.
And then, I’m getting that pastry. I definitely deserve it.
Chapter Four
Knox
“Hey, wait up.”
I look over my shoulder to see my teammate Silas jogging to catch up with me. I stop running and turn to face him.
“The fuck, man?” I say to him. “You just got here a few hours ago. Don’t you want to sleep?”
The only ginger on our team shakes his head in response. “I can’t sleep. My schedule’s all fucked up. Figured I might as well get in a run.”
“Well…run somewhere else.”
He laughs and narrows his eyes in confusion. “You don’t want me running with you?”
“You’re too slow,” I bark.
Silas laughs louder at that. “Coming from a fucking Clydesdale, that’s rich. If you want to be alone, just say so.”
“I want to be alone.”
He puts his hands up in surrender and turns to go. I feel a stab of guilt. Silas just flew in last night. He plays defense with me, and I consider him a friend. He said he’s looking forward to us hanging out on this trip.
“It’s not you,” I tell Silas.
“You don’t have to explain; I know you’re a moody bitch.”
“I went for a run yesterday morning and I met someone. I’m hoping to see her again.”
Silas’s expression brightens. “Hey, nice. And you don’t want me to meet her?”
“Three’s a crowd.”
“You guys gonna get it on at, what, 7:00 a.m.?” he asks, looking down at his watch.
I grin, not displeased at all by the prospect. “You never know, man.”
“I’ll catch you later, then.” He turns away, calling over his shoulder. “And don’t blow off our volcano hike tomorrow. Bros before hos.”
He jogs off and I start running again. I don’t run often, but with all the food and beer I’m enjoying here, I need to get in a few miles a day. I don’t want to be one of those guys who lets himself go in the offseason and comes back playing like the Pillsbury Doughboy on ice.
Also, it seems a shame to be inside when you’re in a place like this. Before Luca and Abby bought their place here, I’d only been to Hawaii once, as a kid on a family vacation. I’m still as awestruck by its beauty as an adult.
I pick up my pace a bit, eager to see if Reese is at the beach this morning. I haven’t been able to get her out of my mind since meeting her yesterday.
From the moment I swam out to her, I could see she was beautiful. With long, light brown hair, pretty green eyes and a bright smile, she immediately caught my attention. But I was completely drawn in by her when she told me what her douchebag fiancé did. I could hear the warring melancholy and optimism in her tone. She’s badly hurt, but trying hard to push through.
I admire that, and also her vulnerability in admitting what happened. She’s still fresh off the experience, if this was supposed to be her honeymoon.
It doesn’t take me long to round the corner that opens to the area of beach where Reese left her clothes yesterday. Squinting as I look around for her, I smile as I remember her modesty when I swam out to her.
Most of the single women I’m used to being around are the opposite. They throw themselves at hockey players, wearing clothes that leave nothing to the imagination. I’m not saying I’ve never gone home with a puck bunny for a night, but I’ve never invited one to my home or seen them a second time.
There’s an older guy walking on the beach, but I don’t see anyone else. My hope deflates, but I keep running, hoping maybe she’ll still show up.
After another half mile or so, I turn around and head back in the direction I came. I can’t believe my luck when I see that Reese is there now, her sandals in hand as she walks along the shoreline. A breeze blows her long hair off to the side as she looks out at the water.
I jog up to her, calling out a greeting as I get closer.
“You still looking for that bikini top?”
She turns to me and grins. “I think it’s gone for good. I bought a one-piece yesterday. Losing my top yesterday scared me away from bikinis.”
“Everything turned out okay in the end.”
Her eyes sparkle as she laughs. “But if you hadn’t come by, it would’ve been worse.”
“I’m glad I was able to help.”
I fall into step near her, keeping my feet on dry sand as she slowly wades through a couple inches of water lapping at the shore.
“Is this your first time in Kauai?” I ask her.
“It is. I can’t believe I’ve never been here before, though. I live in California, so not that far away.” She glances at me. “How about you?”
“I’ve been a couple times. One of my teammates owns a place here and he hosts a big get together every summer.”
“Teammates?”
“I’m a hockey player.”
Reese’s smile widens. “Really? A professional one?”
“Depends on the day.”
“I play for the Chicago Blaze,” I say.
“Wow. That’s really cool.” She gives me an admiring look. “So my story about losing my top just got way better since I was rescued by a pro hockey player.”
She looks intrigued by me, which is good since I’m very intrigued by her. As the wind whips strands of her honey-colored hair across her face, I get a strong urge to take a photo of her. She looks fresh and beautiful, and I wonder if she even realizes it.
I clear my throat. “So what about you, what do you do for a living?”
“I’m a pastry chef.”
“Are you really?”
“Yes, but it’s not as exciting as it sounds. These days I mostly do menu management, inventory, payroll and hiring.”
“But you get to bake fancy stuff sometimes?”
“I do.”
We walk in silence for a few seconds before I say, “So you’re a pastry chef from California who recently became single, and you take your bikini top off in the ocean to meet guys.”
Reese laughs, her cheeks turning a sexy shade of pink. “Is that what you’re telling yourself?”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m flattered.”
“Uh huh.”
“Sounds like you dodged a bullet with that other guy,” I tell her. “He didn’t deserve you.”
Reese gives me an amused look, her brows arched. “Now you’re trying to flatter me. You don’t even know me. How do you know I didn’t cheat on him, too?”
“Did you?”
She sighs softly. “No, but I kind of wish I would have.”
“Really?”
After a shrug, she says, “No. I’m not made that way.”
“I’m not, either.”
She looks up at me. “Doesn’t everyone think that, though? Or at least say it?”
“I don’t think so. I’ve had teammates who don’t even pretend they’re faithful.”
“That’s sad.”
“I agree. My parents have been married for almost forty years. My dad has always told me to either marry someone I can see myself with until the day I die, or don’t get married at all.”
“He sounds like a wise man.”
“He’s the best man I’ve ever known. I grew up idolizing him.”
Reese edges just the tiniest bit closer to me. “He must be very proud of you for making it to the NHL.”
“Yeah, he is. My dad’s an NHL Hall of Famer.”
“Wow, really?”
I nod, looking out at the horizon. “Drake Deveraux.”
“He must cast a big shadow.”
Reese is perceptive, and it’s damn sexy.
“You might say that, yeah.” I pause to wipe the sweat from my face with my T-shirt. “And what about your parents? Are they in California, too?”
“My dad is. My mom passed away a few years ago.” Her expression drops slightly with sadness.
“I’m sorry.”
“Thanks, but I’ve mostly adjusted to life without her.”
I decide to change the subject. “So what are your plans for today?”
She shrugs. “I have no itinerary. I want to try some local food, but that’s about it. What about you?”
“No plans, either.” Silas will just have to forgive me for blowing off our volcano hike. One of the other guys will go with him. “What do you say we go look for some local food together?”
Reese’s smile makes me smile, too.
“You know what, why not?” she says. “It would be nice to have someone to talk to, even if we hardly know each other. Just don’t murder me, okay?”
I laugh, caught off guard. “Wasn’t planning on it, I promise.”
Reese takes out her phone to check the time. “I need to get a shower and change. I’m staying at The Point at Poipu. Why don’t we meet up in the lobby in an hour?”
“Yeah, sounds good.”
“See you then, Knox Deveraux.” She turns to walk toward the path she must have taken to get here.
“Looking forward to it.”
I almost tell her to feel free to leave her top behind, but I stop myself. I don’t know her well enough for that. Yet.
But I hope that’ll change. Because the more I find out about Reese, the more I want to know.
Chapter Five
Reese
“Breathtaking, isn’t it?” I say as I look out at the expansive view of the ocean Knox and I took a short hike to reach.
“It is,” he says softly.
When I squeeze his hand and turn to him, I notice he’s not looking out over the water, but directly at me. I feel a fluttering sensation in my stomach at the look he’s giving me and I wonder if it’s too soon after my broken engagement.
Then again, Eric cornered the market on wrong. He set me free in a dramatic way, and I’m not going to feel guilty over how attracted I am to Knox.
This is exactly what I needed. A reminder that there is life after Eric. I’m not rushing into another relationship, but when Knox took my hand as we hiked up the hill—and didn’t let go once we got to the top—it made me think that maybe someday I’ll want another man in my life.
Not anytime soon, though.
“I can’t stop thinking about how great that sushi was,” I say as I take photos of the spectacular view.
“I could eat that for lunch every day for the rest of my life,” Knox says, holding his phone up to take a selfie of the two of us.
Our day of exploring has been the most fun I’ve had since getting here. We got delicious fresh papaya from a produce stand, kayaked around part of the island trying to spot sea life, and had sushi at a local restaurant. Knox ate more sushi than I would’ve thought one person could consume, which I Iiked. Eric was always complaining about not fitting into a size medium shirt anymore. It’s nice to be around a man’s man who works hard to stay in shape but also eats what he wants.
“Should we get dinner at that restaurant the guy at the kayak place recommended?” Knox asks me.
“I’d love to, but…I feel like I’m keeping you from your friends. Won’t they be wondering where you are?”
“Nah. We all kinda do whatever we want when we’re here.”
“Okay. I do love coconut shrimp, and he said that place has the best on the island.”
“Then it’s settled.”
I hesitate before saying, “I’m buying dinner, though, okay?”
He gives me a look. “No, it’s not okay.”
“You bought lunch.”
“And I’ll enjoy buying dinner just as much.”
“This isn’t a date.”
Knox’s gaze darkens slightly. “I never said it was.”
“I’m not sleeping with you tonight.”
He stops halfway down the hill we’re hiking down. “Did I ask you to sleep with me?”
“No, but…” I look away, hoping I haven’t offended him. “Look, I haven’t dated in a long time. Eric and I were together for nine years. And even though this isn’t a date, I just felt like I should be clear. I don’t want to disappoint you.”
“You could never disappoint me.”
I laugh bitterly. “I’m sure I could, Knox. You don’t even know me.”
“I know enough to know you could never disappoint me.”
“If you asked me to iron a shirt for you, you’d be very disappointed.”
He grins. “I get my shit dry cleaned.”
“Well, I don’t like lacy lingerie, and I never wear heels.”
“Me either.”
I laugh in spite of myself. “Look, I think you know Kauai Reese. In real life, I’m much more neurotic and boring.”
“Don’t overthink it, okay? Kauai Knox is taking Kauai Reese out for dinner tonight. We’re gonna have some laughs and a great meal. And at the end of the night, we can high five and go back to our separate rooms.”
“Just friends, then?”
He hesitates a second before nodding. “Yep, just friends.”
“It’s not that I wouldn’t want to be more, if things were different.”
“I understand.”
“I mean, you live in Illinois and I’m in California.”
Knox arches a brow at me as we reach the bottom of the hill. “I thought I was with Kauai Reese today.”
I put my hands up in surrender. “Okay, that’s fair.”
We sit down on a wood bench, both getting a drink from our water bottles.
“When was your last relationship?” I ask.
Knox makes a humming sound as he considers my question. “I dated the same woman for a couple months when I was…twenty-seven, I think. So seven years ago.”
I can’t help my incredulous look. “A couple months? Seven years ago?”
He shrugs. “It takes too much work to make a relationship work when you travel as much as I do.”
“And I’m sure lots of women want to get with hockey players after games.”
“On occasion,” he says wryly.
“You and I are very different.”
Knox nudges his upper arm against my shoulder as we sit side by side on the bench. “But we agree on eating an eye-watering amount of wasabi with our sushi, that’s something.”
“It is,” I say, grinning.
“I’ve talked more to you today than I’ve probably ever talked to multiple people in one day.”
I lower my brows in concern. “Why? Because I talk so much?”
“No. I don’t know why, really. I just usually don’t have much to say.” He glances down at his watch. “Want to break for showers and meet back up for dinner?”
“Sure.”
Knox tells me about the teammates in Kauai with him as we walk the couple miles back to my hotel, and I can tell he’s fiercely protective of them. He also explains his role as the team’s enforcer on the ice, which doesn’t really fit my image of him.
“A broken jaw?” I ask, shocked. “And you went back to fighting after it healed?”
He shrugs. “Yeah. That’s what we do.”
“Well…can’t someone else take a turn as the enforcer?”
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