Aloha Fantasy

Chapter 2

“So you must be Ashlyn’s friend?” Boyd asked, as if he had a doubt.

“Yes,” she answered, moving the camera away from her face. Her big café au lait eyes assessed him. “And I take it you’re the brother?”

He flashed a half grin. “Indeed. Aloha.” Moving closer, he stuck out a hand. “Boyd Reed.”

“Danica Austin.” She put her hand in his, feeling his long fingers wrap firmly around hers as she gazed up at his eyes, which were an appealing mix of steel gray and jet black. “Aloha.”

Boyd studied the woman. He had to say that the few photographs he’d seen of her hardly did her justice. She was gorgeous, with a butterscotch complexion, high cheeks, a dainty nose and full lips. The fine brunette hair fell below her shoulders and suited her. She was slender with just the right curves. She had on a white ruffle corset, jeans that hugged her hips and flats, which from where Boyd stood were perfect for her above average height.

“Didn’t mean to scare you,” he said. “I called out for you inside, but got no answer. Then I heard you out here.”

“It’s all right,” Danica said after taking a breath. Of course he had a key to the house. After all, it was part his. Still, it might have been nice had he phoned ahead of time to let her know he was coming. “You may have caught me off guard, but that was mainly because I was so absorbed with the beauty all around me.”

And now with the beauty in front of her. She had to admit that Ashlyn’s brother was one hunk of a man. Her immediate thought was of Boris Kodjoe with dreadlocks, in an attractive coat of milk chocolate and at least six foot three inches. Boyd wore a print shirt and shorts, accentuating his muscled arms and strong legs. Sneakers completed the relaxed island look she’d already come to recognize.

Danica resisted the urge to snap his picture. After all, besides being Ashlyn’s very appealing, photo-worthy brother, he represented Hawaii itself.

“I take it this is your first time to the islands?” Boyd asked.

“Yes. I’ve wanted to come for years, but the time was never right.”

Until Ashlyn decided to give you free room and board and you simply couldn’t resist. “I see,” he said. “Look, I would have been happy to pick you up at the airport, but Ashlyn said the two of you had worked it out to take each other’s car as part of this swap.”

“We did,” Danica acknowledged, somehow sensing he wasn’t necessarily on board with their arrangement. Why was that? “Seemed like a fun way to step into each other’s world. I thank you anyway for being willing to chaperone me from the airport, had that been necessary.”

“Not a problem.” Boyd gave a tiny smile. He wished she wasn’t so damned attractive; it only made it more difficult not to like her. Even more he wished she hadn’t come. Would she find she couldn’t hack it and leave early? Maybe he would just let this thing play out and see how things went. For all he knew, maybe Ashlyn would find that Chicago wasn’t exactly what she had in mind and be back on the Big Island in a snap, sending her friend packing.

“So did you have a chance to check out your new digs?” he asked Danica, trying to keep his voice friendly instead of overly suspicious and guarded.

“No, I haven’t had the chance to do that yet,” she said.

“Well in that case allow me to give you the grand tour.”

Did she have a choice? She forced a smile. “That would be nice.”

* * *

“This is obviously the kitchen.” Boyd wondered if she was a good cook. That wasn’t Ashlyn’s forte, while he had always been handy in the kitchen.

“I can see that.” Danica looked around at the spacious room with old-world craftsmanship, Koa wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and even an ocean view. I’ll bet I could cook up a storm in here, she thought. Maybe even invite him to join me. Or would that be going overboard for someone she didn’t really know?

Boyd opened the refrigerator. “Ashlyn took the liberty of stocking it with what she remembered as some of your favorites, along with some authentic Hawaiian cuisine.”

Danica flashed a smile. “How sweet of her.” In fact, she had done the very same thing in her loft to make it easier for her friend.

They moved from room to room on the first floor and Danica was awed by both the simplicity and elegance of the home. On the second floor there were yet more well-appointed rooms with terrific views of the ocean and mountains.

“This is the master suite, or Ashlyn’s room,” Boyd pointed out. Or your room for now. “Hope it’s to your liking.”

“What’s not to like?” Danica said, scanning the bedroom/sitting area from its huge windows to the hardwood floor to the rustic cedar furnishings. It seemed like the perfect room, one she could imagine cozying up in over the next four weeks.

“I was thinking the same thing.” About you. Boyd stood over her, contemplating what it would be like to make love to her. Something told him the experience would reach his very core. He turned away such thoughts, realizing that she wasn’t there for his pleasure. And he wasn’t ready to give Danica a free pass for taking advantage of Ashlyn’s generosity.

Danica was also very much aware of Boyd’s presence, the heat emanating from his solid body so near that it made her own temperature rise. She could actually picture them on Ashlyn’s queen bed doing some things that would truly set her soul on fire. She forced herself to cool off mentally and get back to the real world. One where Boyd was only hanging around as a courtesy. Or so she assumed.

“Well, thanks for the tour,” she told him, looking over her shoulder.

“My pleasure.” Boyd wasn’t ready to see this end just yet. “I’m sure you must be hungry after your long flight and probably some less-than-tasty offerings on the airline.”

“I’m starved,” Danica admitted.

“I’d be happy to whip up something for you,” he offered. “Or better yet, there’s a nice bistro not far from here that has some great food. My treat.”

“The bistro sounds good. Let me just freshen up.”

“Of course.” Boyd smiled. “I have to make a phone call anyway. I’ll wait outside for you.”

Danica wondered if Ashlyn had put him up to this kindness on her behalf. Or was it all Boyd’s own doing? Either way, she didn’t see where it hurt either of them to have a meal together as she got used to her new home away from home.

After washing her face and brushing her hair, Danica applied just a touch of makeup, which was all she ever wore anyway. During the daytime she had to remember to put on sunblock, wanting to protect herself from the strong Hawaiian rays.

She peeked out the window and saw Boyd leaning against a shiny black Mercedes-Benz sedan, a cell phone up to his ear. Apparently he did well for himself. She seemed to recall Ashlyn saying something about him being a big-time investor. But her friend hadn’t indicated that he was seeing anyone. In fact, she had suggested just the opposite.

Not that Danica could honestly expect that a man as hot as Boyd was just waiting around in this hotbed of beautiful women for her to arrive on the scene. Any more than he had any right to expect that she had come to the Big Island in search of him.

Downstairs Danica got on her computer, hoping Ashlyn was at her place by now and available for a quick chat. She opened the Skype interface and rang her.

Within a few moments, Ashlyn’s face appeared.

“Well, Aloha,” Ashlyn said. “Looks like you’ve arrived at your destination, safe and sound.”

A smile crossed Danica’s face. “I could say the same about you.”

“Yes, I’m here and loving your place.”

“You took the words right out of my mouth,” Danica said. “Your house is out of this world. How could you ever want to leave for even one day, much less a month?”

Ashlyn chuckled. “People have often asked me that when I’ve traveled elsewhere. I usually tell them that I prefer to see the green grass on the other side from time to time.”

Danica laughed. “Good way of putting it.”

“The Windy City should give me plenty to work with.”

“I hope so,” Danica said, knowing that Hilo would provide her with more than enough things to do. “So…I’ve met your brother.”

Ashlyn smiled. “I was about to ask you about him. What do you think?”

“He’s very handsome,” she said honestly.

“Just don’t let that go to his head,” her friend joked. “Otherwise, I might never hear the end of it.”

“I’ll try to remember that.”

“Has Boyd been on his best behavior?” asked Ashlyn.

“So far, so good.” Danica could see him still yapping away outside. “In fact, he’s invited me out for a bite to eat.”

“Hmm…good for you.”

“It’s just a meal,” Danica emphasized. “I have to eat.”

“I didn’t stock the fridge enough?” Ashlyn teased. “Seriously, have fun with my big brother and then whatever happens, happens.”

“I could say the same about you and Hunter. Has he gotten in touch yet?”

“As a matter of fact he phoned while I was still at the airport in Hilo,” Ashlyn said. “And again after I arrived. Seems like a nice guy. We’ve already made plans to get together tomorrow.”

“That was quick.”

“Look who’s talking.”

Danica blushed. She didn’t exactly consider her outing with Boyd a date, per se, but she could hardly argue the point. She glanced up and saw Boyd heading toward the house.

“Well, I’d better get going,” she told her. “Thanks again for this idea.”

“I just wish I’d thought of it years ago,” Ashlyn responded. “Who knows how it might have turned out for us?”

“Maybe the next four weeks will give us an idea.”

She stood up as Boyd entered. “How are we doing in here?” he asked, meeting her eyes.

“I’m all set,” she answered, smiling.

* * *

Boyd drove the short distance to the restaurant, happy to be in the company of Danica, even if he still found it odd that she and Ashlyn had gone through with this crazy idea. Did that mean Danica hadn’t left behind some dude aching for her companionship? Ashlyn had inferred that she was available. But what did that mean in this day and age? Available for the next month? Or for whoever was smart enough to hook her like a beautiful fish?

“So you’ve lived in this oasis all your life?” Danica asked him. “I know Ashlyn has.”

“Since I was three,” Boyd answered thoughtfully, glancing at her sideways. “My mom died a year earlier. Dad was stationed here in the army. He remarried a divorcée and they had a baby girl. I think you know her.”

“Yes, I do.” Danica smiled. “You and Ashlyn were both army brats, then?”

“Yeah, guess you could say that.” Boyd cracked a grin. “And you’re from Chicago?” He tried to remember what few facts Ashlyn had given him.

“Originally from Lansing, Michigan,” Danica said. “I grew up as an only child, and my parents were never quite able to say no to me. But I moved to Chicago after graduating from Michigan State.”

“Oh, okay.” Boyd had visited the Midwest a couple of times and had no issue with it. He didn’t recall running into anyone as stunning as her, however. Probably because that was damned near impossible to imagine. “Looks like we’re here.” He pulled into the parking lot, eager to get inside and see what else he could learn about Ashlyn’s friend and what she had in mind during her visit to the island.

A couple of minutes later they were sitting at a window table. Danica tried to study the menu, but was too busy checking out Ashlyn’s brother. Can I help it if the guy is eye candy and happens to reside in paradise?

She forced her eyes back to the menu. “Any recommendations?”

“Try the imu chicken special,” Boyd said.

At this point, Danica could go for anything. “Will do.”

Boyd went with the Cajun shrimp. He had been aware that she was admiring the view. He took that as a compliment and was guilty of doing the same ever since he’d laid eyes on the lady. Still, he couldn’t quite wrap his head around the fact that she was here, given the circumstances.

“I hope you don’t take this the wrong way,” he began, “but have you ever done anything else this…extreme, for lack of a better word?”

Danica cocked a brow. “You’re talking about my coming to Hawaii?”

“Yeah, this swapping houses thing.”

“The answer is no,” she admitted. “I’ve never swapped houses with anyone before.” Was he criticizing her and Ashlyn? Or just her? “Why do you ask?”

How do I say it without sounding like an ass? “Well, to be quite honest, when Ashlyn first told me what you two were up to, I thought she was high on something. Never mind that she doesn’t do drugs. I couldn’t imagine she would just decide on the spur of the moment to trade lives with you—or anyone.” He decided to make his feelings seem more general than personal.

So he did have a chip on his shoulder, Danica realized. She’d sensed something was slightly off, in spite of his overall friendliness and hospitality, but had been hoping it was just her being oversensitive.

“Maybe you don’t know your sister as well as you think,” she suggested tartly. “The Ashlyn I know has always had an adventurous streak in her a mile long. This is just one example.”

Boyd acknowledged that when Ashlyn made up her mind to do something, she usually stuck with it and no one—certainly not him—could talk her out of it. So what was Danica’s excuse?

“What about you?” he asked her.

“What about me?”

“Aside from taking Ashlyn up on her challenge and the opportunity to come to Hawaii, what is it you hoped to achieve with this month-long vacation?”

She gave a humorless chuckle. “I didn’t come here with any game plan,” she said candidly. “Other than to simply let things happen as they may.”

“So no wild parties planned or anything like that?” Boyd made his voice sound lighthearted, but he was definitely not kidding around. Not that she seemed like someone who would invite a bunch of people over to make a mess of things and otherwise wreak havoc on the house and reduce its value in the process. But he needed to hear her say it, just to be sure, given that he had a direct financial stake in this, as well.

“I don’t give or attend wild parties,” Danica clarified. She wasn’t sure if he was merely testing her or serious about the question. Either way she felt insulted that he would ask, knowing practically nothing about her. Maybe that was the point. But Ashlyn certainly knew better. Or did he not respect his sister’s judgment? “As for my agreeing to come to Hawaii, it seemed like a good opportunity to get away from a hectic and not always fulfilling life in Chicago for a few weeks, so I took it. Is that so wrong? Or am I misreading you here?”

No, she was reading him correctly. And now he felt a bit silly about it. As though he had accused her of coming here with the intention of destroying everything they had built up. Maybe it was time he gave his little sister a bit more credit.

“I didn’t want you to misconstrue my words,” he said convincingly. “It was not my call to tell you or Ashlyn what or what not to do. I was only trying to make sense of it, as it’s not something I could ever imagine doing.”

“Then that’s your loss,” she said bluntly. “Why not put yourself out there sometimes and do something wild and unscripted? Life is too short to second guess every step of the way.”

Boyd chuckled, wondering what she thought of him now. Probably very little. As it was, he’d been guilty at times in his life of doing some wild and crazy things. Perhaps it was because of that he’d been more deliberate in his moves in recent years. “You drive a hard argument.”

“Just telling it like it is.” Danica gazed across the table. She wondered whether this was simply his way of being difficult for the sake of it or if her stay at the house he co-owned was going to cause problems. “For the record, I’m not here to make your life miserable. Or to try and take over the house. I just want to enjoy the sights, sounds, scents and flavor of Hilo while Ashlyn does the same in Chicago. And then I’ll be on my way as though I was never here in the first place.”

“Don’t leave on my part,” he said apologetically. “As I said, I was only trying to understand where you were coming from. Now I think I do. I hope you get everything you hoped for in making the long journey to the Big Island.”

For some reason, in spite of his earlier conviction, Boyd found that he wasn’t looking forward to the day when she went back to the mainland. At least not till he got to learn firsthand what other qualities she possessed besides beauty, brains and spunk. Maybe she would let him see just what these were, if he hadn’t already blown it.

* * *

By the time food was served, the tension in the air had lessened. Or so it seemed to Danica. She knew she’d been overly sensitive and it was all much ado about nothing. Surely Boyd couldn’t resent his sister’s friend being in town for some much needed rest and relaxation.

“So you’re a photographer,” Boyd said, wanting to get back to a normal conversation.

“Yes,” Danica proudly replied. “I’ve been at it for almost a decade and have the scars to prove it.”

“Sounds like you’ve paid your dues.” He forked shrimp and watched with interest as she ate. The sexy way Danica moved her lips turned him on.

“Yeah, I sure have.” She dabbed a napkin to her mouth. “But it’s all been worth it. I have a great client list and there’s no shortage of things to photograph.”

“That’s true, especially in Hawaii.” In his mind Boyd could see Danica at work snapping pictures just as she had when he first laid eyes on her. Watching her nice body twist and turn while searching for the perfect photograph was worth being on hand whenever he could. “Everything here is picture worthy.”

“I’ll bet.” She tasted her wine. “Ashlyn tells me you’re an investor.”

Boyd nodded. “My father left me and Ashlyn a small fortune. I turned it into a bigger fortune—mostly through stocks and more stocks, with an occasional piece of real estate.”

“Sounds great,” she said. “I own a few stocks, but have to admit I don’t follow the market very much.”

“Perhaps you should. Staying on top of it can make the difference between success and failure.”

“Guess you’re right.” She moved her fork around on her plate, using it to slice into the tender imu chicken. “Maybe I could get a little professional advice while I’m here.”

He grinned. “No problem. I’d be happy to take a look at what you’ve got and should have, knowing the market as I do.”

“That would be nice.” Danica leaned back. She was glad to see that it seemed like they could at least be friends during her stay. That would make Ashlyn’s day. Or was her sometimes devious friend hoping more might occur?

“On the side, I work as a tour guide,” Boyd told her proudly.

“Oh, really?” She tried to picture him in that capacity.

He nodded. “I love living on the Big Island with all it has to offer the locals and tourists. This seemed like a great way to stay in shape and add some adventure to my life, while also giving back to the island that has given so much to me.”

“How noble,” Danica said, impressed.

“Maybe you’d like to go on one of the tours while you’re here,” suggested Boyd.

“I’d love to. I’m up for pretty much any adventure that comes my way.”

“I like the sound of that.” He could find little fault in a beautiful woman who had an adventurous spirit, even if he’d initially been reluctant to receive her on the island with open arms. Now he’d love to wrap his arms around that slender body.

Tasting more wine, Danica felt courageous enough to say something that had been on her mind. “So Ashlyn tells me you’re quite the ladies’ man.” She was embellishing just a bit, but she wanted to see how he reacted.

Boyd couldn’t help but chuckle. That sounded like Ashlyn. Too bad it wasn’t true. Certainly not these days. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

“Just how far would you go?” she teased him. “What with all the gorgeous women they must have in Hawaii.”

I’d go as far as you wanted, if I were with you, he silently replied. Instead he said, “Guess it would depend on the lady. Yes, there are some pretty hot women here, but these days I’m not just looking for beauty or beauty with brains. I’m looking for a connection.”

“I can fully understand that.” If he only knew. She had found having a real connection with men hard to come by these days. Make that impossible. Obviously, he was in the same boat. And Ashlyn, too.

Boyd was intrigued that she seemed able to relate to his situation. “I take it you didn’t leave some dude behind who was mad as hell that you were going alone to paradise?”

Danica laughed. “I don’t think so. Most men aren’t that self-assured to let their women venture off to Hawaii without their company.”

“So you’re not seeing anyone?” He wanted to hear her say it, if only to satisfy his curiosity.

“I see a lot of people in my line of work and circle of friends,” she said lightly, “but I don’t have my eye on anyone at the moment.” Other than the gorgeous man she was gazing at right now.

Boyd grinned with satisfaction while he sipped his wine. The two of them did seem to be cut from the same cloth. Definitely something to keep in mind as she spent the next month in Hilo.

“Well, I guess we’d better get out of here,” he said. “Wouldn’t want to keep you up all night after traveling across the country to reach our shores.” He pictured them up till the wee hours of the morning, those long legs of hers wrapped around his waist as they made love like there was no tomorrow.