A view like this was what she needed to remind her how good life truly was.
She hadn’t been able to get Dallas out of her head and still felt his lips, the weight of his hand, his heat, keeping her at a slow burn of arousal. So, of course she looked for him. At least she knew his name now, thanks to his brother.
“Dallas,” she whispered, letting the letters roll off her tongue. She liked it. It was different and fit him so perfectly.
She glanced around—trying not to make it obvious—hoping to see him. She spied him off to the side leaning against a tree. It was like her gaze had found its home and she thrilled that he was watching her. Their gazes met and locked. The sunset momentarily forgotten. She didn’t look away, didn’t want to, couldn’t. He gave her a leisurely smile, and her heart tumbled. She returned his smile, then turned back to the sunset, a new sense of excitement building inside her.
Brilliant hues of red and orange streaked the sky as the glowing orb set into the horizon. Wispy clouds reflecting in shades of pink chased across the sky above them. All too soon the sky purpled and darkened, giving way to the beginning of the velvet night.
No one seemed to move. Spellbound by the spectacle before her, Jimi wrapped her arms around herself and drew in a contented sigh. This really was beautiful.
“It’s something.” His deep voice was soft and low in her ear.
Jimi smiled and leaned back slightly, feeling his heat, almost like the air between them crackled with life. She nodded and breathed in the smell of the dusk air.
“It’s quite a view. The way the land rolls down to the sea. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“So maybe being up here in the wilds of Hawaii isn’t so bad after all?” She heard the humor in his voice and smiled.
Jimi turned to him and tipped her head back to gaze into his eyes. “Maybe it’s not. At first I thought being on this farm—”
“Ranch,” Dallas corrected her gently.
She smiled. “Ranch, then. This isn’t anything like where I grew up.”
He looked down at her, and in that moment she knew they would be together. “Where did you grow up?”
She pressed her lips and wasn’t sure what to say. She glanced at him and figured she’d never see him after the wedding right, so what did she have to lose? “Believe it or not, I grew up on a commune. Do you know anything about that lifestyle?”
“Only what I’ve read or seen on television.”
“Trust me, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. So I’ve tried to avoid any kind of farm or country life since.” She rested her head back on his shoulder and looked up at him. There was something about him that called to her and she was eager to find out what that was.
“I’ve never met a woman, other than my sister, who enjoys country life.”
“But this is beautiful.” Jimi had begun to relax, even if she still didn’t want to be here. “There’s been nothing but surprises from the moment I stepped off the plane. You being one of them.” Jimi rested back into him. “Everything is playing out so perfectly.”
“That’s the wedding planner’s job. I only know the basic plans.”
“Well, that’s not really what I meant.” Jimi didn’t look away from him, not wanting to break the connection. She needed to see his eyes, those wonderful eyes, and maybe be able to see what was lurking in their depths.
His eyebrows rose. “Really?”
“Surely you have some idea.” She smiled and her knees almost buckled when his lips curved up in return. But his eyes were shuttered. He was holding something back, even though his smile seemed to promise all sorts of tempting possibilities. There was depth to this man. She liked it and the challenge he posed. He held an air of authority, determination and compassion. A curious combination.
“Maybe some. Why, did you have something particular in mind?”
Jimi was enjoying their back-and-forth bantering. It was fun. Suggestive. And delightfully flirtatious. She was adapting quickly to her strained circumstances and hadn’t thought of her lost suitcase in a while, mainly thanks to him.
“I might have something in mind.” Jimi reached out and laid her palm on his hard chest. It seemed a completely natural thing to do, even if it was deliciously dangerous. His body heat warmed her palm and scorched up her arm, rushing through her blood, hot and heavy. She had a difficult time breathing as her desire settled with seductive heat deep inside her. Her nipples rose against the soft fabric of her borrowed shirt, which grazed the sensitive peaks. She trembled with anticipation.
Good Lord, there was something about this man.
Dallas drew in a sharp breath as if he felt the same electricity between them. His hand closed over hers and tightened momentarily before stepping away. “Perhaps we should explore the possibilities later.”
Jimi nodded, drawing in a shaky breath, and took his cue, wandering off on her own. She glanced over her shoulder and watched him walk away, appreciating his magnificent male physique. Ranching had made him muscled, honed his body that clothing couldn’t conceal. Jimi had the insatiable urge to rip off his clothes, desperate to see him naked. Her body temperature soared and it wasn’t because of the Hawaiian heat.
“Hello! Everyone, please gather around.” Jimi was glad of the distraction when the wedding planner called everyone. “The barbecue is about ready and the light is going fast. It’s a tricky walk back down to our campsite, so how about we get a move on. And there are two special people waiting to say hi to y’all!”
Jimi smiled. That meant Diana and Matt had arrived. Then her heart dropped at the bad news she had to give her friend.
The wedding planner herded the group, but Jimi hung back behind a tree. She could follow them down and she ran a bunch of scenarios around in her head. She might be able to do something for Diana’s wedding day. Oh, how she hoped her suitcase arrived tonight, or tomorrow morning at the latest. Rather than alarm Diana tonight, she’d hold off. Every bride’s worst nightmare was her gown not showing up for the wedding. Jimi looked out across the waves to the darkening sky. It really was beautiful. Peaceful and serene. Something she hadn’t felt in such a long time.
The voices faded. She was in no hurry to join them, rather liking the solitude. But she knew she shouldn’t delay too long. Night was descending rapidly now that the sun was gone.
She turned around, and alarm flared inside her when she realized just how dark it was, making it difficult to see the path. She picked her way, trying not to trip over the loose stones, and listened carefully to hear the voices long down the path. Almost bumping into a tree, Jimi raised her hands and felt her way through the brush. While this was a beautiful country, she could see how quickly it could turn on you. Totally unprepared for this wilderness trip in Hawaii, Jimi swallowed the fear building inside her.
Being alone out here in the wild was a harsh reminder of her childhood. Getting lost in the bush and spending a night all by herself huddled and terrified in the root of a tree wasn’t something you could easily forget. She kept moving one foot in front of the other—shuffling them over the ground—and stared into the darkness between the trees, hoping, waiting, for a flicker of light from the
