Pleasure in Hawaii (Kimani Romance) (5 page)

Ever since talking to Sloane on the phone, Gene had been looking forward to going to her new condo for dinner. It was a great way to get to know each other better in a more intimate setting than a luau, hotel café, or even a bed-and-breakfast with people steadily coming and going and private time a luxury. He was convinced that the electricity generated from their kisses deserved to be explored in depth. Gene strongly suspected that Sloane felt the same way, even if she wasn’t looking for marriage or even a long-term commitment. He was more than willing to let things play out and go from there.

Wanting to make a good impression, he decided to go dressier than his normal casual attire, wearing a tan sport coat over a designer black T-shirt and light brown twill slacks. He replaced his usual slip-ons or exercise shoes with leather loafers and sprayed on his favorite cologne.

Gene was a few minutes early as he rang the bell. He hoped Sloane didn’t have a problem with that. Maybe he could even give her a hand with the food.

When the door opened, Gene was floored by the exquisite vision before him. Sloane was wearing a satin halter tiered black dress with a generous amount of cleavage showing and black sandals. Her hair was appealingly loose and hung evenly across her shoulders.

It took Gene a moment to get his mouth to speak. “Hey,” he managed.

“Well, hello,” she said, flashing white teeth through alluring lips. “Welcome to my new home.”

“Thanks for inviting me.” He scanned her body, then settled on Sloane’s lovely face. “You look beautiful tonight.”

“Why, thank you.” She beamed. “You’re looking pretty spiffy yourself.”

Gene’s cheeks dimpled. “I didn’t want to underdress.”

“You didn’t. Please come in.”

He stepped into the foyer and immediately got a sense of warmth and belonging. The place was small by the standards of his bed-and-breakfast, but neat and organized, as well as a great location.

“I brought this.” Gene handed Sloane the bottle. “It’s a pineapple-and-passion-fruit white wine straight from the Maui Winery at Ulupalakua Ranch.”

“Hmm, sounds tasty,” said Sloane. “Can’t wait to try it out.”

“Do you need help with anything?”

She met his eyes. “You can pour the wine if you like.”

“It would be my pleasure to do so,” he told her.

They went to the kitchen, where Gene’s nostrils picked up more heavily the scent of food. It made his stomach growl, but not half as much as the way Sloane turned him on in that sexy dress.

“The wine goblets are in that cabinet,” Sloane pointed above the dishwasher. “I’m still trying to learn my way around here and what came with the place.”

“Perfectly understandable.” Gene found the goblets. He put them on the counter and opened the wine. “Even after four years, I’m still sometimes totally in the dark at the B&B when it comes to where some things are stored.”

Sloane looked at him as she stood over the stove. “I guess it helps keep you on your toes.”

“Yeah, I suppose.” He poured wine into one of the glasses and walked over to her. “Try it and tell me what you think.”

She put the glass to her mouth and sipped. “Um, very tasty.”

Gene smiled contentedly. “I think so, too. It’s certainly quite different from the norm.”

“I agree.” The tip of Sloane’s tongue slipped out onto her lower lip.

“So what’s for dinner?” Gene glanced over her shoulder. He could see that there was chicken gravy in one pot and what looked like greens in another. And whatever she had in the oven smelled delicious.

“Oh, just a little something I’ve put together,” she stated mysteriously. “Hope you like.”

He looked at her with an admiring gaze. “Yes, I like very much.”

Sloane flushed. “Other than me.”

“From where I stand,” Gene said ardently, “there is no one other than you.”

Sloane tried not to be swept under by Gene’s steady and decidedly provocative gaze, persuasive charms and handsome features. At least not till they finished the meal she had spent two hours preparing. It consisted of baked lemon chicken, mashed sweet potatoes, mustard greens, biscuits and old-fashioned gravy she’d learned how to make from her mother.

After everything was set on the dining room table, Sloane joined Gene there. She wanted very much to kiss him again and be kissed by him the way he’d kissed her the other night. She chose patience and the near certainty that the strong sexual pull between them would manifest itself soon enough.

“This looks delicious,” remarked Gene, scooping up mashed sweet potatoes.

“Wait until you taste before telling me what you think,” Sloane told him, though fairly confident she had hit the right notes on the meal.

“Fair enough.” He sampled a bit of everything and then broke into a grin. “Everything is great. I’d say you’ve sold me on your ability to cook.”

She produced a generous smile while wondering what else she could sell him. “I wanted the first meal cooked in my condo to be special.”

“It is, and so is the cook.”

“My ego just might explode if you keep that up.”

Gene chuckled. “What—can’t a man tell a woman what he thinks of her?”

“As often as you like,” she answered playfully. “As long as I’m free to dish out compliments in return.”

“You’ve got my permission,” he said, grabbing a biscuit. “But maybe you’d better hold off on that till you taste one of my meals. Or see how else I might earn those accolades….”

Sloane felt a tingle between her legs as she considered his earning such accolades in bed. Would she ever be able to keep up with him? She ate some of the food, though her appetite had swung in the direction of sexual satisfaction.

“If you say so,” she spoke, turned on by the insinuation.

He laughed. “I like your style.”

“I like yours too.”

“Good thing that sneaker wave came when it did. Otherwise I might never have gotten the chance to dive into those pools of nighttime eyes staring back at me.”

“Guess we both have something to be thankful for,” Sloane said boldly.

“Amen to that.” Gene lifted his glass and she followed suit.

“Why don’t we take these into the living room?” Sloane realized both had eaten as much as they cared to and should be in a more comfortable setting.

“Yes, why don’t we.”

They sat on the sofa. Sloane knew she had Gene’s full attention, as he had hers. She wasn’t about to let the evening pass without allowing the smoldering chemistry between them to play out as it should.

“This is certainly a beautiful island,” she murmured.

“Not half as beautiful as you,” Gene countered, taking her in with a look of desire.

Sloane loved the compliment but sought to downplay it. “Me versus Maui…hmm…not so sure I’m the winner.”

“Trust me when I say you are. Sun, sand and waves are nice, don’t get me wrong, that’s why I’m here. But they’re no match for a gorgeous, beguiling, sexy woman like yourself.”

Sloane was getting warmer by the second. “You’re pretty hot too,” she said. “I’m sure you’re told that all the time.”

“Maybe not all the time, but enough.” His gaze on her face was unblinking. “Doesn’t mean as much, though, as when it comes from someone I’ve got my eye on.”

She absorbed the intensity of his stare. “So you’re really interested in me?”

“Didn’t that kiss make it pretty clear?” Gene asked.

“It told me that you enjoy kissing,” Sloan teased. “So do I.”

He lifted his glass. “It seems like we’re going around in circles here.”

Her lashes fluttered innocently. “Oh, you think so, do you?”

“What I think is that you are driving me absolutely wild in that sexy-as-hell dress.”

“Am I?”

“How could you not?” Gene voiced thickly. “Especially when I’ve wanted to take it off you from the moment I walked in the door.”

“Was anything stopping you?” Sloane dared ask.

“Only sheer willpower that’s melting by the second.”

She sipped more wine. “So let it melt away.”

Gene took her glass and put it on the table. “Say no more,” he uttered, sliding a smooth hand across her cheek.

Sloane readied herself as Gene leaned over and pressed his mouth into hers passionately and with the same confidence and expertise he’d shown previously. Only this time there was clearly a greater sense of urgency, as though he wanted to rip her clothes off and take her without missing a beat.

Matching this wanton desire to have him inside her, Sloane jumped right into the kiss, opening her mouth wide and making him do the same. She sucked on his hard lips, loving the taste of wine on them, and put her tongue inside Gene’s mouth, searching it for every bit of joy the kiss could bring. In turn, his tongue went into her mouth and Sloane was tickled sexually as Gene used it to kiss her in new and exciting ways.

As his body pressed into her, Sloane felt Gene’s mighty erection screaming to be released from his trousers and driven inside her. The thought that he wanted her so badly turned Sloane on even more. She ran her hands up and down his back, intoxicated by his manly scent heightened by his seductive cologne.

Gene put his hand beneath her dress and between her legs. Sloane wasn’t wearing any underwear. She nearly climaxed on the spot when his fingers touched and teased her, making her wetter and more desirous to make love to him than she’d already been. She chewed on his upper lip, caught in the fever of wanting this man more than she could imagine.

Seeming unfazed by her sure indication of needing much more from him, Gene coolly continued to stroke between Sloane’s legs in slow, sheer torture while never removing his mouth from hers, and the kiss left Sloane weak and essentially a prisoner to their intimacy. She breathed in deeply, yielding to the potency of kissing Gene and his fingers caressing her with the deliberation of a man who knew exactly what he was doing and wouldn’t be denied.

When Sloane could no longer hold back, she had an orgasm right then and there, as his fiery kiss and nimble fingers brought her to new heights. Her pulse raced and body quivered almost uncontrollably till the sexual urge had reached its peak. But instead of feeling satisfied, Sloane realized it only made her hungrier for Gene and what he could give her. She suspected this had been his mission all along.

She unlocked their lips and gazed directly at him while barely catching her breath. “I think we’d better take this to the bedroom.”

Gene regarded her with ravenous eyes. “I doubt that anything on earth could stop us from doing just that.”

He got to his feet and effortlessly lifted Sloane into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and quivered with anticipation at what was to come next.

G
ene tore his lips away from Sloane as he put her gently on the bed. He stood tall as she looked up at him with desperate eyes, wanting him inside her as much as he did. He knew she’d already had an orgasm from his deft touch and powerful kisses. This pleased him as much for the way it intensified his sexual desire for her as giving Sloane a quick fix before it was his turn to release the pent-up cravings she instilled in him.

When Sloane started to remove her dress, Gene spoke out, “Don’t. Leave it on. I want to make love to you the first time while you’re wearing that very sexy dress.”

“If that’s what you want,” she cooed.

“No, it’s you that I want,” he corrected. “And now I intend to have you.”

Stripping off his own clothes in full view of her, Gene wanted Sloane to see all she was getting of him, confident she would like everything she saw. He grabbed a packet from his pants, removed the condom and slid it across his full erection.

He climbed onto the bed, half atop Sloane. Her skin was soft as cotton and her body moist and inviting. Forcing himself to use willpower, Gene held off from entering her just yet, wanting to taste Sloane’s sex first. He moved down her and put his head beneath her dress. Her womanly scent thoroughly captivated him, making him mad with lust.

Gene kissed her sweet spot, feeling a slight tremor from Sloane. She was very wet, needing him. He flicked his tongue across her clitoris, enjoying the pleasure he gave her. He licked her a few more times, fighting his own powerful urge. Now it was time they came together this night.

Gene came out from beneath her dress and peered lasciviously at Sloane. She stared back at him hotly.

“Make love to me,” she demanded, breathing heavily.

“With pleasure,” he promised lustfully.

Sandwiching himself between her spread legs, Gene guided himself into Sloane’s vagina and moved in deeply. She was tight and fluid around him, bringing about great satisfaction as he thrust in and out, watching her beautiful face. Her eyes were closed and mouth open slightly. He bent down and took those juicy lips, kissing her with a renewed appetite.

Sloane wrapped her legs around Gene’s back and held on to his shoulders tightly as the sex heated up. He loved the feel of being wedged inside her, their bodies locked in coitus. The urge to release himself was more powerful than anything Gene could remember. It was time to let go.

He cupped Sloane’s buttocks and dove farther inside her, groaning as she constricted around him. Sloane sighed hotly into his mouth. Gene’s lips covered her with a continuous kiss while his orgasm consumed him and his heart pounded with satisfaction.

Even after he had reached the height of ecstasy, Gene did not let up in making love to Sloane till her body sizzled with another climax. The bed shook beneath them as they rode the wave together before slowly descending, kissing their way back down to earth.

Gene gave Sloane one final kiss before pulling out of her. “You were incredible,” he said, knowing that was an understatement.

“Look who’s talking,” she countered, her breath hot on his face.

A grin curved one side of his mouth. “So we were both amazing—together.”

“Yes, we were.”

“That was one hell of a dessert.”

She flashed her teeth sexily. “Good thing you left a little room after dinner.”

“Saved the best for last,” Gene declared.

“So I’m the best, huh?” Sloane looked at him beneath fluttering lashes.

“Absolutely!” He kissed her again. “Or haven’t I convinced you enough?”

“What if I said no?” Her eyes grew seductively. “Do you have anything left in you?”

Gene chuckled. “Is that a challenge?”

“You tell me,” Sloane tossed back audaciously.

She was so enticing that Gene became aroused again. Besides, he was up for a dare, especially when Sloane was offering herself as the grand prize. It was a prize he wouldn’t let slip away. Not this night, anyway.

“Oh, I’m just getting started,” he spoke with yearning. “Or should I say we are—”

The next day, Sloane was back at work. She was a bit tired from the sexual workout that had lasted well into the night, but chipper nonetheless. And satiated from Gene’s sexual prowess, which was every bit her match. She wasn’t sure where things were going with Gene, if anywhere, only that she was happy to have him in her life right now for what they gave each other. He certainly seemed to have no complaints, making for a good understanding between them.

After she made her rounds through the hotel, making sure guests had what they needed and setting into motion any requests made, Sloane met with the general manager, Alan Komoda, in his office.

“Hello, Sloane,” he said politely. “Have a seat.”

Sloane sat in one of the plush chairs across from his desk, wondering what was going on. Had someone complained about how she was doing her job? Or was there another, more ominous reason for summoning her?

“I heard that you found yourself a place to live,” Alan said. “Do you like it?”

“Yes, it’s nice.” Sloane resisted the inclination to slouch.

“Good.” He paused, making her feel slightly uneasy. “Well, I just wanted to let you know that I’m very pleased with the job you’ve done thus far.”

She breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

“No, thank you. I respect the professionalism you have shown and your enthusiasm for the job. I can’t say that about all the people who have come to work for us.”

“I appreciate the confidence you have in me,” Sloane told him. “I love this hotel and want to do my best to make our guests feel right at home.”

“I think you’re doing just that,” Alan told her. “The group from Japan we had in last week couldn’t say enough about how you were available to assist them in every way to make their trip a big success.”

Sloane smiled brightly, remembering them. “I’m so glad to hear they had a good time.”

“Anyway, I wanted to commend you personally for taking the bull by the horns and stepping right into your role without missing a step.” He leaned forward. “I’ll let you get back to work now.”

Sloane left the office, feeling good about how things were shaping up in her life. Her job had always been the most important thing in her world, and Alan’s praise seemed to justify that. But Gene was a delight in her personal life that she hadn’t seen coming. Having a male friend with incredible benefits in the bedroom was certainly worthwhile and something to continue enjoying as long as he felt the same.

Caught in thought, Sloane had barely been cognizant of the elevator stopping till the doors opened. Kendra stepped in, a huge smile on her face.

“What’s got you so bubbly?” Sloane asked.

“I’ve just been asked out on a date,” she gushed.

“Oh…?” Sloane regarded her.

“Yes. He’s a member of the band that plays in our club. He’s so cute.”

“You go, girl,” Sloane said with a chuckle.

“I intend to—as far as I can.” Kendra giggled. “Speaking of…how did the dinner date go with Gene?”

Sloane smiled, reflecting on it. “About as good as could be expected.”

“Really, that good?”

“Even better,” Sloane admitted.

“In other words, you took him to bed?” Kendra asked bluntly.

“I’d say it’s more we took each other to bed.” Sloane mused about the incredible sex that rocked her world. “It was wonderful.”

“I guess it was, judging by the glow on your face.”

Sloane blushed. “Don’t get the wrong idea.”

Kendra’s mouth twisted. “Which is?”

“We’re not in love or anything,” she stated, as if needing to clarify. “We just…”

“Hooked up,” Kendra said. “I get it. You don’t have to be in love to be deeply in lust. Not in Maui, anyway. Just let it happen and have fun.”

“I intend to,” Sloane promised. “And I could say the same to you.”

The doors opened and the two stepped out into the lobby, where Sloane returned her focus to the job at hand, even if Gene Malloy was never too far from her mind.

“Someone’s in a good mood this afternoon,” Ngozi said when she saw Gene sitting in the living room.

He grinned, not too surprised that it showed. “I’m always in a good mood,” he said, trying to downplay it. “Must be that infectious Hawaii atmosphere.”

Ngozi smiled. “That certainly helps. I’m definitely going to miss it and everything else about this place.”

Gene realized that her ten-day trip was about to end. “The place will miss you, too,” he told her in a friendly host tone.

“I hope to come back here again someday with my family. They would love it here.”

“Your family will be more than welcome at Malloy’s Bed and Breakfast anytime,” Gene promised.

“I’ll remember that.” Ngozi bit into an apple. “So was the attractive lady I saw you with the other day your girlfriend? Or am I being too nosey?”

Gene laughed. “She’s a good friend,” he said simply, not sure if sleeping together qualified them for anything more at the moment.

“I just thought you two looked great together,” Ngozi said. “But what do I know?”

Gene gleamed. He recalled that Sloane had actually wondered initially if he was involved with Ngozi. The reality was Sloane was much more his type. He could see his friend Walter being attracted to Ngozi, were he not happily married.

“Could be that your perception is not so far off,” Gene told her, leaving it at that. Whatever future he had with Sloane would depend as much on her as him.

Later Gene went to the farmers’ market in Kihei to stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables for his guests and food items for himself. Since being in Maui, he’d developed a taste for Hawaiian cuisine, though still very much enjoying the type of meals he’d grown up with which Sloane had mastered so well in the kitchen.

When he got back home, Gene put everything away and set out some macadamia nuts, avocados and banana bread. He shot the breeze with his guests for a bit and then separated himself to phone Sloane, longing to hear her voice following the night of passion they had shared.

“Hi,” she answered after the first ring.

“Hey,” he said.

“Missed me already?”

“Yeah, I admit it.”
More than you know.

“Missed you, too,” Sloane told him.

Gene liked hearing that. “We should do something about it.”

“What did you have in mind? Or should I guess?”

A wicked smile played on his lips. “I was thinking I’d like to cook dinner for you tonight.”

“Hmm…dinner, huh?” she voiced. “Sure we can even get through a meal without other things happening?”

He chuckled, imagining what sexual mischief they could get into. “Can’t guarantee that,” he conceded. “But we can try.”

“Or—and I probably shouldn’t be saying this—we could skip the meal and get directly to dessert.”

Gene practically drooled at the prospect. “I like that idea even better. Can’t think of a tastier dessert than you.”

“Ditto,” she cooed.

“What time do you get off?”

Sloane paused. “I should be off by six. Then I’ll stop at the condo and freshen up, and I could be over to your place by around seven-thirty.”

“That works for me,” he said, counting down the minutes.

“Are you sure I won’t distract you from your guests?” she teased.

“Definitely a big distraction.” Gene had to be honest. Sloane was one who could easily occupy his attention from anyone and anything else. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way. They’ll just have to deal with it.”

“In that case, we can pick up tonight where we left off last night,” Sloane said intrepidly.

“I can hardly wait,” he said eagerly.

Sloane couldn’t believe she had been so forward with Gene as to her intentions and what she expected from him. The man was a great lover, but he wasn’t a machine. Or was he? If their first no-holds-barred sexual experience was any indication, they were both insatiable, with staying power. Could it last? It would take the two of them to find out.

At seven-thirty, Sloane pulled her Toyota Corolla, one of the perks that came with the job, into the driveway of the bed-and-breakfast. She could see that there was a small lot to the side for guests to park. In spite of her comfort level with Gene and vice versa, she wondered if it was really such a good idea to mix their pleasure with his business. Gene’s guests should be his top priority. And by the looks of the parking area jammed with rental cars, she was sure that he had a full house.

Sloane resigned herself to playing it by ear. If Gene was overwhelmed as host beyond the breakfast hours, she would quietly back away and wait for a better opportunity. Or she might even offer her assistance, if only to experience how it might be to run a bed-and-breakfast.

After making certain her appearance was up to par, Sloane left the car and went up to the house. The door was slightly ajar. She had a mind to knock but decided to go in, as she was certain that everyone was welcome at Malloy’s Bed and Breakfast. Especially the owner’s new lover.

Gene greeted Sloane the moment she walked through the door. He looked, for lack of a better description, right at home to her in a gray formfitting polo shirt and dark gray pleated khakis. She picked up the spicy cologne he wore, which pleased her.

“Right on time,” he said, grinning.

“Does that surprise you?” she asked playfully.

“Not in the slightest.”

Sloane met his eyes deliberately. “So where to from here?”

Gene tilted his head. “My private suite.”

“Do you need to check on your guests or anything?”

“If they need something, everyone knows how to reach me. Besides, the guests are pretty self-sufficient and on their own for the most part after breakfast.”

“Then I’ll have you all to myself,” Sloane stated presumptuously.

Gene fixed her with a solid gaze. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The master suite was even bigger and nicer than Sloane had imagined. There was a three-piece seating set in an Asian minimalist style and a matching cedar chest and dresser beside a full-length cheval mirror. A cherry pedestal table sat near an oak corner curio cabinet. Across the room there was a wide-screen television and stereo system. Roman shades covered windows on cherry walls, and plush plum carpeting blanketed the floor. She noted the centerpiece of the room was an Edwardian queen sleigh bed.