Pleasure in Hawaii (Kimani Romance) (6 page)

“Very nice,” Sloane said, facing Gene and meeting his eyes.

“I like to be comfortable in my own space,” he said, moving up to her. He put his arms around her small waist. “I want you to feel comfortable in here, too.”

Sloane shivered at the nearness of him. “I do.”
Especially in your presence.

Gene tilted his face and brushed her lips with his. “Good. Your mouth is so soft and sweet-tasting.”

She kissed him lightly. “You think?”

“Very much so.” He gave her a longer, mouth-watering kiss and Sloane’s knees buckled. “Would you like some wine? I have red, white and raspberry.”

Sloane moistened her lips, raising her eyes at him cravingly. “Maybe later. Right now, all I want is your body.”

The dimples on Gene’s cheeks deepened. “It’s all yours for the taking.”

“Then I’m taking it now!” She cupped his cheeks and ran her tongue across Gene’s mouth before kissing him generously, feeling her desire for this man building to a fevered pitch.

Sloane was shameless with Gene, wanting only to pleasure him and be pleasured. She locked eyes with him while unzipping his pants. She could see the bulge inside his dark green briefs. Kneeling down, she pulled out his penis so it was directly in front of her face and admired its length and hardness. Deep fudge in color and uncircumcised, it turned Sloane on like never before.

She played with the shaft briefly, slowly running her hands up and down as she felt Gene tense. Good. She wanted him turned on so he was good and ready for her when the time was right. Sloane put the erection in her mouth and moved back and forth, bringing him to the base of her throat. She tickled the tip with her tongue, watching Gene with his eyes squeezed shut and his breath quickened.

She brought her mouth up and down the length of his penis, enjoying the slow seduction, and felt Gene’s hands rolling through her hair. Sloane didn’t let up as Gene began to quiver and his erection throbbed. His moaning sang to her when she brought him to orgasm, raising her own libido at the same time.

Sloane was lifted to her feet. She peered into Gene’s hungry eyes.

“That was wonderful,” he said with satisfaction.

“I wanted it to be,” she told him, craving more of the man.

“Now it’s my turn.”

Her eyes locked with his. “Do you want me to keep my clothes on again?”

“Not this time,” Gene said salaciously. “I want you naked.”

“All right,” Sloane replied, wanting the same from him.

“Let me do it,” he said.

Gene pulled the V-neck sleeveless black dress over her shoulders and allowed it to sink to the floor. Sloane was stark naked, aside from the black sandals on her feet. She watched Gene’s eyes drink in the sight of her, exploring the contours of her full, rounded breasts, slender waist and curving hips down to her lean legs, and up again.

Instead of feeling self-conscious, Sloane was turned on, wanting him to feast on the sight of her. “Do you like?”

Gene jutted his chin. “You know damned well I do,” he spoke huskily.

He lifted her, carried her to the bed, and placed her on the sheets. Removing her shoes, he began massaging her feet with strong and thorough hands. This felt heavenly to Sloane, and it would have been fine if he had kept doing it for some time. Instead, Gene turned his attention elsewhere. He spread her legs and put his face inside. He began licking her, causing Sloane to grip the bed to keep from levitating.

Gene continued his assault on her clitoris with a combination of kisses, sucking, and nibbling. Sloane tried to hold her breath, but only found herself sighing unevenly as she was brought to the brink of coming, only to have Gene hold back as if to deliberately prolong her agony.

Finally, when she could no longer stand it, Sloane grabbed his head and pressed him between her legs, making him finish what he’d started. Gene did not disappoint, caressing her with his tongue and lips masterfully till she exploded in a most fulfilling orgasm. He held her trembling body tightly while she went through the gyrations of reaching her sexual peak and fought to catch her breath.

“I want us to come together now,” Sloane pleaded, as her body ached with the strong desire to have him inside her.

“I’m going to make love to you slowly but surely, as it’s meant to be,” Gene said in thick voice, quickly removing his clothes and putting on a condom.

Sloane bent her spread knees and put her feet flat on the bed, absorbing Gene’s penis as he drove it into her. She thrilled at the tight feel of him and met his powerful thrusts halfway, encouraging him to go deeper and deeper. When he put his chin into her shoulder, she wrapped her hands across his head, her legs around his waist, and put her all into the ride as they made frenetic love.

Their bodies were slick with perspiration and the room temperature was blazing hot in spite of the overhead ceiling fan at work. The scent of sex was in the air, arousing Sloane. She sought out Gene’s mouth, kissing him passionately, as she was now on top and riding him like a prized black stallion in a race she refused to lose. Gene seemed of the same mind as he gripped her buttocks, guiding her up and down his erection, propelling himself deep inside her.

Sloane removed her mouth from his and put her breasts in Gene’s face, allowing him to suck her nipples as her orgasm drew near. She suppressed a scream, biting down on her lip when it happened. Her contractions around Gene’s penis multiplied as Sloane lowered as far as she could onto him, feeling his erection pulsating madly inside her.

They rocked the bed back and forth and smashed their mouths together ardently while achieving victory simultaneously and with total exhilaration. Sloane slumped atop Gene afterward from sheer exhaustion, panting.

“Welcome to Malloy’s Bed and Breakfast,” Gene said with a breathy chuckle.

Sloane colored, remembering they were not alone there. “I hope your guests weren’t disturbed by what was going on in here.”

“I doubt they were. Some are still out on the town, others are too busy doing their own thing to pay much attention to the host’s private life.”

“Good thing,” she joked. “Otherwise, they might think we were certified sex maniacs.”

Gene laughed heartily. “Maybe we are.” He kissed the side of her head. “You won’t hear me complaining. How about you?”

Sloane brought her lips to his. “Not one bit.”

“In that case, I say let’s just enjoy every inch of each other and to hell what anyone else thinks.”

She grinned, finding his philosophy hard to argue with, considering the benefits of their sexual liaison. “It’s a deal.”

“Shall we seal it?” Gene asked, sliding a hand between her legs.

“Um…” Sloane closed her eyes to the hot sensations and then opened them to see his lascivious gaze upon her. “Why not?”

Never before had Sloane felt so sexually compatible with a man, and it scared her. Were two human beings supposed to click like this in bed? Or had they just gotten extremely lucky to find each other at the right time?

She wondered if there was even more going on here than a blistering sexual connection.

T
he next morning, Sloane went for her usual run on the beach. Only this time she was running in the opposite direction, coming from her condo. She had left Gene’s place late in the night and was operating on only a few hours’ sleep. Gene had wanted her to stay till morning and have breakfast with him and his guests, but she’d decided it would be a bit too awkward. Though she was comfortable with Gene and the intimacy they shared, Sloane was not necessarily ready to ingratiate herself with the guests at his B&B. Especially when she was unsure if their involvement meant something or was purely sexual.

Do I want a relationship with him? Or should we simply continue as is without any pressures?

Sloane bit back the thought. The last thing she wanted was to rock the boat. She increased her running speed, feeling the warm breeze on her face. She loved her job and that had to be her first priority. Period. Forgetting that and allowing herself to become emotionally entangled with someone would only defeat her purpose in coming to Maui to further her career aspirations. Besides, Gene was clearly locked into his bed-and-breakfast right now and not looking for any distraction other than in his bed or hers. She would have to accept it and be thankful that he had come into her life and given her such delightful and unanticipated male friendship with a decided sexual twist. It helped balance Sloane’s job, which she was grateful to have and knew that she did well.

After the run, Sloane showered and got dressed for work. She had a quick breakfast of fruit, toast and green tea before heading out. At work, she was briefed on the latest arrivals and what their needs were, taking seriously the hotel’s desire to make each and every guest’s stay as worry-free and fulfilling as possible.

“Let’s see if we can coordinate with the publisher to facilitate some book signings at local bookstores for Bobby Levin,” Sloane told Mia, her assistant, while they walked down a long hallway.

Bobby was a former FBI special agent turned mystery novelist who was coming in next month from Colorado to give a seminar at the hotel and promote his latest book about an FBI agent who pursued a serial killer to Maui. Though he planned to sign copies of his book at the seminar, Sloane suspected that more of the locals would be inclined to purchase copies if the author came to them rather than the other way around.

“I’ll call the bookstore managers and see what they say,” Mia agreed.

“If we’re successful, it could result in a favorable recommendation from Mr. Levin of Island Shores as the place to stay for his legions of fans,” Sloane said.

Mia rubbed her nose. “I plan to get an autographed copy of his book. I can always sell it on eBay once my bookshelf is too full.”

Sloane smiled. “Good idea.” They approached the lobby. “One of our guests has requested that we deliver a case of decaf Kona coffee to his room, saving him the trouble of getting it as a favor to his mother.”

“That won’t be a problem,” Mia said.

Sloane set her sights on the upcoming twenty-five-year class reunion, knowing the event was drawing near. She wanted everyone to have the time of their lives and relive their high school days in style. She imagined it would be fun to have her twenty-year high school reunion in six years in Maui. Might be even better if she had Gene as her handsome escort, assuming their friendship managed to survive the test of time and their respective lives.

The first week of August, Gene welcomed Jean Hourdes from Connecticut to his bed-and-breakfast. Fortysomething with graying, short brunette hair, she was nearly as tall as Gene as they shook hands.

“Aloha and welcome to Malloy’s Bed and Breakfast,” he told her.

“Thanks. I’m delighted to be here.”

“Did you have a good flight?”

“Not bad,” she said. “Slept through most it.”

“Why don’t I show you your room,” Gene said, grabbing her bags. “Then I’ll introduce you to some of the other guests.”

“Sounds wonderful.”

He gave her the Ocean Suite, which was the only vacant room at the moment, disregarding the fact that she had paid for a less expensive room.

“What a lovely view,” Jean remarked, looking through the picture window at the Pacific Ocean. A few waves crashed on the beach.

“I feel the same way every time I look out there,” Gene agreed. He thought about when the sneaker wave had caught Sloane off guard, allowing him the chance to get to know her in ways that had brightened his entire world.

Jean smiled at him. “It must be so nice to be able to wake up every morning in paradise.”

“Yeah, definitely. In fact, I have to pinch myself often to be sure I’m not just dreaming.”

She chuckled. “I’m sure you do.”

Gene grinned. He was used to the awe guests showed when first arriving in Maui. Everyone seemed to think that with all the beauty and serenity of the islands, life there was problem-free. The truth was, even Maui fell short of utopia. It was what you did with the opportunities afforded there that made all the difference in the world.

“So what are your plans during your stay in Maui?” he asked her routinely.

“Lie on the beach and get a really nice tan so when I go back to Connecticut all of my friends will drool with envy.”

“Well, you’ve come to the right place at the right time,” Gene remarked. “Just be sure to use plenty of sunscreen so you don’t get a bad sunburn.”

“I sure will,” she said.

Two hours later, Gene drove into Lahaina, where his friend, Neil Nagamine, operated a dinner cruise. The cruise seemed like something Sloane might enjoy. Gene had only been on it once, but never forgot the experience of going out on the ocean and witnessing breathtaking sunset views and the night lights of Maui and its neighboring islands, Molokai and Lanai.

Gene stepped inside the small office that housed the Maui Seas Supper Cruise. He immediately spotted Neil, an Okinawan who was hard to miss with his hefty frame and long jet-black hair pulled into a ponytail. The two became fast friends when Gene first moved to Maui, often sending business to one another. Networking was something Gene considered extremely important in making contacts and letting potential guests know about his bed-and-breakfast, available now or to keep in mind for their next visit.

Neil broke into a big grin when he saw Gene. “Well, look what the tide brought in.”

“And I still managed to stay on my feet,” Gene said with a laugh. He gave the taller man a handshake and a hug. “How are you these days?”

“No complaints. At least none that knock me off my feet. What about you?”

Gene blinked. “I’m good.”

“So the bed-and-breakfast is reeling them in?” asked Neil.

“We’re getting our fair share of guests—some of them thanks to your recommendations.”

“And vice versa,” Neil said.

Gene smiled. “Everyone loves the idea of a dinner cruise on the ocean.”

“Not everyone. Some people don’t realize they get seasick till they do. Then it all comes back to me.”

“I’m sure you know just how to smooth the waters, so to speak,” Gene told him. “That’s what we do to try and keep our guests happy.”

Neil jutted his chin. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“I’m thinking about taking the cruise myself.” Gene moved up to the counter. “Actually, I’d like to bring a lady I’ve been spending time with.”

Neil’s eyes lit. “Really? Must be serious.”

Gene cracked a grin. “Not in so many words,” he said, careful to keep his relationship with Sloane in a proper perspective in spite of how comfortable he felt when he was with her. “We’re just hanging out and having a good time. I believe she’d really enjoy the cruise.”

Neil eyed him thoughtfully. “So she’s a local?”

“She is now. Sloane just moved here from North Carolina. She works at the Island Shores.”

“Your five-star resort competition?” Neil’s gaze expanded. “You sure she isn’t more than you can handle?”

Gene’s head rolled back as he laughed heartily. “I think I can hold my own. She’s pretty down-to-earth, competition aside.”

“In that case, I say go for it with the cruise and let her see how we treat people we care for in Maui.”

Gene nodded enthusiastically. “Let’s do it,” he said presumptively. “I’d like to make reservations and give Sloane an experience that she won’t soon forget.”

He doubted it would leave his memory anytime soon either. Everything Gene did with Sloane left a lasting impression on him, especially when they made love. He hoped this was just the beginning of the wonderful experiences they were creating together with no end in sight.

The next day, Gene went to the Island Shores hotel, hoping to steal a few minutes of Sloane’s time and tell her about the dinner cruise, assuming it was something she’d want to do with him. Even then, he was already contemplating other adventures they might try in the future, regardless of how either chose to define their relationship or what they hoped to get out of in the future.

At 6:30 p.m., Sloane was in Reception Room A for the Beaubien High School twenty-five-year class reunion. She was there not only as a representative of the hotel but as an invited guest. The organizer of the event, Sylvia Bonner, had stayed at the last hotel where Sloane worked and they had become acquainted then.

“Looks like everyone showed up and then some,” Sylvia told Sloane as guests mingled and a local band played nostalgic music.

Sloane smiled at the petite blonde in her early forties. “Not too surprising. How often does one get to reunite with old friends in Hawaii?”

“True. Except that some old friends would rather relive memories in their heads and not in person.”

“I suppose some memories are best left alone,” Sloane agreed. She had mostly positive memories from high school and had kept herself in great shape since then. That obviously wasn’t the case for everyone and was a perfect excuse to avoid such occasions like the plague.

Sloane found herself wondering what Gene’s high school years had been like. Given his physical specimen of a body, she imagined he’d been a jock while maintaining an active lifestyle.

“Oh, there’s my high school beau, Victor Hamilton,” gushed Sylvia. Sloane eyed a gray-haired man of medium build wearing a Beaubien High jersey. “I can’t believe how little he’s changed.”

Sloane smiled. “Better go catch up on old times…and maybe make some new memories,” she told her, knowing that Sylvia was recently divorced and on the prowl.

Sylvia sighed heavily. “At this point, I’m open for anything—so long as he’s not married and hoping to get lucky.”

Sloane watched her amble across the room toward the one who apparently got away. Or was it the other way around?

She certainly wasn’t interested in being with a married man. She preferred a man like Gene, who was happily single as a successful professional and very interested in spending his spare time with her. Much of that time lately had been spent in bed, where they continued to find new ways to make love. Sloane didn’t want to look beyond what they had going for them at the moment for fear of jinxing a good thing. She assumed Gene felt the same way in not pushing things.

“Are you daydreaming about the good old days?” Sloane heard the deep whisper in her ear.

She looked over her shoulder and saw Gene’s handsome face, catching her by surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“Thought I’d crash the party after learning that you might be here,” he responded evenly. “Looks like I hit pay dirt.”

Sloane warmed as she caught the glint of his penetrating eyes on her. “That you did,” she said. “I was just checking in to make sure everything was going according to plan.”

“And is it?”

“Yes, so far so good.”

“Except that you look like a fish out of water trying to fit in,” Gene said with amusement.

Self-consciousness swept over her face. “Is it that obvious?”

“Probably only to someone who feels exactly the same way,” Gene said with a chuckle. “Crashing parties is not usually my thing. But I felt it was worth it to see if I could track down the hotel’s director of guest relations.”

Sloane’s cheeks rose. “So you’re here for official business?”

“Actually, very personal,” he responded sensually.

She reacted to the words and man. “Now is not the time…”

He angled his head. “Don’t worry. I’m not here to jump your bones or take you away from your duties.” Gene grinned seductively. “I was wondering if you had dinner plans for tomorrow night.”

“Just some leftover spaghetti and meatballs,” Sloane said. “Why?”

“Oh, I was hoping you might like to have dinner with me on a supper cruise.”

“Sounds interesting.”
Not to mention incredibly romantic.
“Tell me more…”

“A friend of mine runs the cruise, and the views are out of this world,” Gene told her. “The actual dinner is pretty damned good, too.”

Sloane met his eyes curiously. “So you’ve been on the cruise before?”

He gave her a straight look. “It’ll feel like the first time with you.”

“Good response,” she said with a smile. He certainly knew how to make her seem special to him. It also sounded like another way to explore Maui and the man. “Okay, I’m in.”

A half grin played on Gene’s lips. “Cool.”

“Are you always so full of surprises?” Sloane asked.

“Not always. Let’s just say that I like spending time with you and taking advantage of some of the wonders and treats of the island at the same time.”

Sloane smiled. “It works for me.” How could it not, when he was so sexy and romantic in his overtures?

Gene raised a brow as the band began playing a slow number. “I love that song,” he said, taking her hands. “Looks like there’s an open spot for us on the dance floor. Can I get a dance before I leave you alone?”

Sloane glanced at the area where a few couples were slow dancing. She cast her eyes at Gene and felt a tingling sensation from his large hands covering hers. Though she was still on duty and Gene wasn’t on the guest list, one quick dance with the best-looking, sexiest man in the room wouldn’t hurt.