Midnight with You Read online

  Her fingertips brushed his as he let her take the suitcase handle and warmth crept over his skin. “When can you meet up for that Haupia cocktail I promised?”

  They reached one side of the lobby and she smiled as she came to a stop. “I still haven’t said yes.”

  He grinned back at her. “And you haven’t said no.”

  “All right.” She tipped her head. “I’ll let you buy me one of those drinks.”

  “How much time do you need?” he asked.

  She twirled the loose end of her thick braid around her finger. “Give me an hour.”

  “Let’s meet here.” He tilted his head in the direction of the colorful arrangement of couches in the back of the lobby. He looked at his phone and glanced at the time before shoving it into his back pocket. “It’s almost one-thirty, so around two-thirty?”

  She smiled. “That drink better be good.”

  He wanted to ask her if he could walk her to her room but didn’t want to push his luck. “I promise you’ll like it.”

  “You’re on.” She glanced down at the small envelope holding her keycard. “Where is the Honu wing?”

  “I’m in the Nai’a, the Dolphin wing.” Seth pivoted and gestured in the opposite direction. “The Honu, the Turtle wing, is that way.”

  “I’ll see you in a few, Montana.” She started toward the Honu wing.

  He couldn’t help but watch the soft sway of her hips as she moved away. Damn, that was one sexy woman.

  2

  “Am I out of my mind?” Bailey didn’t look over her shoulder, as much as she wanted to. No doubt in her mind he was still watching her. “I come all the way out from Arizona and I meet a cowboy first thing.”

  How had she managed to find one of the sexiest cowboys she’d ever had the pleasure of meeting? She’d watched him on the ferry from her place in the back. He’d come on last and she didn’t think he’d seen her.

  He’d held his Stetson in one hand as the ferry had crossed the waters from the Big Island to Momi, and she’d had time to take him in, from his dark hair, the blue of his western shirt, the Wranglers that had hugged his tight ass, down to his boots that looked nicely broken in.

  She’d thought she would never see him again, but then there he was, opening the door to the cab. When she’d turned and looked into his green eyes, she’d felt a small shiver roll down her spine.

  And now she would join him for some kind of Hawaiian drink in less than an hour.

  Mr. Montana.

  No, Seth Greer.

  She liked Montana better.

  She shook her head as she looked down the long, wide hallway, with its walls covered in art that reflected Hawaiian heritage.

  The tiled floor was inlaid with mosaics of turtles that carried on down the long wing. She looked at the placards by each door until she found her room, the Hala kahiki Suite. Beneath it was Pineapple Suite.

  Cool. Now she could be inside a pineapple like SpongeBob.

  She laughed at the thought. Apparently, she’d been around her young nephew and nieces far too much.

  Nah. She could never be around them enough. One day she’d have kids and they might just watch reruns of the animated show. For all she knew, it could still be going on with new episodes when hers were old enough to enjoy them.

  She swiped the keycard and was rewarded with a click as the door opened and she pushed it wide. She rolled in her suitcase behind her and looked around in wonder at the gorgeous suite.

  “Talk about spoiling the youngest McBride,” she said out loud as she let go of her case and kicked off her sandals.

  The ocean-blue carpet was deep and thick beneath her bare feet as she walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows and patio door at the opposite side of the expansive sitting room.

  First things first.

  Golden sunlight tumbled through the glass between openings in the rich foliage surrounding the patio. She pushed open the patio door and the sweet scent of plumeria and ginger swept over her, along with the wonderfully clean and mild Hawaiian air.

  What a wonderful ocean view in the distance. The resort was deeper inland, but was high enough on the inactive volcano that she could see the stretch of sand where the dock must be.

  The water sparkled as if the ancient Hawaiian gods had tossed diamonds onto the ocean and they somehow floated on the surface.

  She moved to the edge of the patio. A soft breeze stirred loose pieces of her hair around the sides of her face as she drank in the crystal-blue sky overhead, only a few thin clouds stretched across the horizon.

  This had to be the best gift ever. She slipped inside the room and left the patio door open behind her.

  Bailey explored the suite, with its lovely sitting room including wet bar and the roomy sleeping quarters. She discovered the bulk of her luggage had been delivered as promised, waiting for her near the door

  She removed the lei and stripped out of her travel clothing. She took a shower and it was like standing beneath a warm waterfall.

  “Heaven,” she let out on a sigh. “I’m in a combination of paradise and sheer heaven.”

  While the water slid over her skin in a soft caress, her thoughts turned back to the cowboy. She’d always loved cowboys, but hadn’t dated one since attending junior college, before she’d moved on to the University of Arizona.

  Before the cowboys, she’d had a couple of relationships with nice men, but had ended them before they could go too far and get too serious.

  At the university, she’d spent most of her time with her nose in a book, studying like crazy. She’d dated here and there, including two disastrous blind dates and a promise to herself she would never do that again. She had met one genuinely good guy, but she’d decided he didn’t fit into her future plans.

  She soaped her body with a scented gel that reminded her of the plumeria lei the Hawaiian woman had gifted her with at the dock.

  Bailey tried to keep thoughts of the sexy cowboy out of her mind as she dressed, but it wasn’t easy. Especially considering she was dressing up to have a drink, and maybe even dinner, with the man.

  And what a man.

  As far as looks went, he put any guy to shame that she’d gone to school with. The only other men who came close to being as handsome were all the brothers and cousins she’d grown up with in Prescott and Prescott Valley.

  Of course looks were one thing. She’d found it difficult finding a man who could live up to the standards set by the cowboys in her life, and she really didn’t know anything about Seth.

  But yeah, he had the sexy thing going on in spades.

  * * *

  Bailey spent the hour blow-drying her hair, applying a touch of makeup, dressing in something sexy, casual, and tropical, and exploring her suite.

  Five minutes before it was time to meet up with Seth, she slipped on her cross-body purse and dropped her keycard into it. She took a moment to close and lock the patio doors before heading out to find Seth.

  Her stomach somersaulted at least three times when she spotted him on one of the couches in the lobby. He stood the moment he saw her, and a shiver ran through her.

  Damn, he’s hot.

  All that muscle his cream western shirt couldn’t hide, powerful athletic thighs molded by dark blue Wranglers, and black boots polished to a shine. He wasn’t wearing his Stetson. He had close-cropped light brown hair and his golden-brown eyes were warm and friendly.

  Yummy.

  She had to rein herself in. Not the time to let her hormones or silly schoolgirl fantasies take over. Much worse, no time to let very adult fantasies blind her.

  Heat rose from her toes to her scalp at the appreciation glinting in his beautiful eyes. Clear as day, he liked what he saw.

  Bailey had grown up surrounded by cowboys of all shapes and sizes and temperaments. She’d known them in school, out of school, on ranches, in both 4-H and FFA, and of course at rodeos, dances, and potlucks—but she’d never found herself tongue-tied or speechless.

  U
ntil now.

  What’s his name? What’s my name?

  “You look fantastic, Bailey.”

  Oh, yeah, that’s it.

  Warmth flushed her cheeks. “Thank you.”

  Seth’s masculine scent flowed over her as he reached her. Even though he didn’t encroach on her personal bubble, she felt the warmth and solidness of his presence, as if he was about to take her in his arms.

  She mentally shook her head. Sheesh.

  “Hi.” She tipped her head back and smiled at him. She liked how tall he was, and how he towered over her five-eight.

  His sexy smile wouldn’t quit. “How do you like your room?” he asked in his country drawl.

  She grinned. “I’m thrilled to be living in a pineapple for the next two weeks.”

  A mischievous expression crossed his features. “Like the esteemed SpongeBob SquarePants?”

  Bailey couldn’t help but laugh. “You must have been around kids at one time or another.”

  He rocked back on his boots. “Got a few nephews and nieces in the family.”

  “You can tell me about them over that drink.” She tipped her head to the side. “You called the cocktail how-something.”

  “Haupia cocktail.” He tipped his head in the direction of an entrance with Loko i‘a above the door. “The bartenders make a great version in the Fish Pond.”

  She smiled. “I’m ready when you are.”

  They fell into step and headed across the lobby, catty-corner from where they’d been standing. When they reached the lounge, Seth stood beside her in the doorway.

  On the opposite side of the bar was a wall of glass that let out onto a patio. The sunlight and tropical foliage on the other side of the window drew her.

  She glanced at Seth. “I’d love to sit out on the patio.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  They eased past a horseshoe-shaped bar polished to a shine beneath sparkling wine glasses on a rack suspended above. Her hip brushed one of the gleaming wood stools lining the bar.

  Hawaiian music played at a decent decibel, so she would be able to hold a conversation with Seth without raising her voice.

  They slipped between low tables scattered around the room and passed comfortable-looking padded armchairs in maroon fabric embroidered with gold pineapples. The tables shone like the bar and stools.

  Seth escorted Bailey to the glass doors. A pleasant breeze teased her hair as she stepped onto the patio. She gestured to a corner at the end of the patio.

  “How’s that?” she asked. “Great view of the ocean.”

  “Perfect.”

  He followed her as she wove her way through the tables. After she sank into one of the comfortable padded wicker chairs, he took the seat to the left of her.

  She shifted so she could comfortably study him. The corners of his mouth tipped into one hell of a sexy smile.

  Sigh.

  Stop that and get with the program, Bailey, she mentally chided herself.

  A server paused by their table, balancing a tray on one hand. “Aloha ‘auinalā.” A smile lit her beautiful features. “I am Kai. It is very much my pleasure to serve you.”

  Seth inclined his head in response. “Good afternoon to you, too.”

  Her smile grew brighter. “What would please you this evening?”

  “Haupia cocktails.” He held up two fingers. “One for me and one for the lady.”

  Kai nodded. “Anything else?”

  Seth glanced at Bailey and she shook her head. “That’ll be it, Kai,” he said.

  She gave another beautiful smile before slipping between tables, the tray still balanced on her hand.

  Bailey closed her eyes and felt the sunshine and cool air touch her face. The tropical scents filled her senses.

  She opened her eyes to see Seth watching her. “Can’t beat it here,” he said. “I’ve come every summer since high school, and I can’t imagine not returning.”

  “That’s the truth, you can’t beat it.” She looked out at the ocean and watched a wave crash to the shore, to be followed by another. “We don’t get this where I come from.”

  “You mentioned Arizona,” he said. “Born and raised there?”

  “Yep.” She fiddled with the charm bracelet she’d slipped on before meeting with Seth. “I grew up on the family ranch. My parents still live there, and my brothers have their own ranches in the area.”

  “How many brothers?” he asked.

  “Four.” She crossed her legs at her knees. “All older.”

  “I bet they’re protective as hell,” he said.

  “No kidding.” She laughed and shook her head. “Too protective. I guess most older brothers are.”

  “Yep.” He settled back in his chair. “You have four older brothers, while I have four younger sisters. I’m the protective older brother in the family.”

  She grinned as she thought about Seth and a houseful of sisters. “Your household must have been as crazy as mine.”

  “It still is for my parents.” He shook his head. “My sisters range in age from twenty-one down to twelve.”

  Bailey laughed. “I have nieces around the age of your youngest sister.”

  “Then you know.” He gave an exaggerated sigh. “Teenage girls.”

  “I was one once, believe it or not.” She leaned back in her chair. “And being a teenage girl can be hell.”

  “And they put boys through even more hell,” he said with both experience and amusement in his tone.

  She held back an unladylike snort. “Says the man that probably broke some girl’s heart. Probably several girls’ hearts.”

  Kai returned, carrying two cocktail glasses with a creamy white beverage, each with a black straw and topped with a purple ginger blossom. She set one in front of Bailey, and the other before Seth.

  “Enjoy.” She gave a small bow of her head, smiled, and left.

  Bailey picked up the frosty glass, which was cool and damp beneath her fingers, and she sipped the Haupia cocktail through the straw. She tasted the wonderful flavors, mulling over the Malibu Rum, white chocolate, and coconut combined with smoothie mix, with a hint of cream, too.

  She met Seth’s gaze. “I think I just discovered my new favorite drink.” She took another sip then sighed. “Definitely my new favorite drink.”

  He looked so damned handsome when he grinned. “I would say I told you so, but my mama raised me to be a gentleman.”

  This time Bailey did snort out a laugh. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

  * * *

  Seth relaxed as he studied Bailey while she enjoyed the Haupia cocktail. She’d been beautiful with her long hair back in the braid, but with it down around her shoulders she was flat out gorgeous.

  He’d give anything at that moment to slide his fingers through the soft strands and stroke the column of her throat with a feather-light touch. He’d love to see her shiver with desire that matched his own.

  Barely holding back a groan, Seth rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. What in the hell was he doing thinking about Bailey like this, considering he barely knew her?

  “Is everything all right?” Her soft voice had him lowering his hand. “Do you have a headache?”

  He picked up his own drink and flashed her a grin. “I couldn’t feel better.” He sipped the Haupia cocktail. “I always have to have at least one when I visit Momi.”

  “I can see why.” She raised her glass, which was already less than half-full. “It goes down too easily.”

  “Since you love the Haupia cocktail, you’ll have to try malasadas at Keoki’s Bar in Olino. George makes the best I’ve ever had.”

  She sipped again, then asked. “What’s a malasada?”

  “A kind of crème-filled donut.” He rubbed his thumb on his glass. “I can take you if you’d like to go. We could hit the beach there, too.”

  She played with her straw in the remainder of her drink. “We’ll see.” She gave him a mischievous grin. “I think I would like t
o see you in your boots and board shorts.”

  Seth laughed. “Deal.”

  Bailey finished her drink as he took a swallow of his. She made a sucking sound with her straw as she drank the last of it.

  “Delicious.” She gave what sounded like a happy sigh. “I’m feeling pretty relaxed now.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Is relaxed another way of saying you’re tipsy?”

  She smiled. “You could say that.”

  He gestured to her glass with his own. “Would you like another?”

  She shook her head. “I think I’d better get something to eat before drinking any more.”

  “The invitation to dinner still stands.” He nearly held his breath, hoping for a yes.

  She hesitated, but only a moment. “I’d like that.”

  “Great.” He downed the last of his drink and took his wallet out of his back pocket. He left enough cash on the table for the drinks and a good tip. “I know a fun little mom and pop place, if that sounds good to you and you’re up for a short walk.”

  A pleased expression flashed across Bailey’s features. “I love family restaurants.”

  He stood and moved around her side to help slide her chair back, so she could get up from the table. She thanked him as she moved away, and he pushed the chair in.

  They left the restaurant and said goodbye to Kai on their way out.

  She gave a slight bow as they left. “Mahalo nui loa.”

  “What did Kai say?” Bailey asked while Seth escorted her to the resort’s front entrance. “I know mahalo means thank you, but not the rest.”

  Seth held the door open for her. “She said thank you very much.”

  “It’s so gorgeous out here.” Her chest rose and fell as she inhaled deeply before letting out her breath. “And it smells wonderful. All the tropical greenery, the flowers, the ocean. It’s amazing.”

  “One of the many reasons I love Hawaii.” He gestured to a path that led farther up from the resort, pleased to get to show her some of his favorite places. “Especially Momi.”

  She fell into step beside him. “Where is the restaurant?”