Relapse In Paradise. Roxanne Smith

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ of girl, and I’m a guy with a pocket full of ’em. No wonder we didn’t hit it off.”

      Great. Now, good-looking surfer dude wants to play Gandhi.

      Whoa. Good-looking surfer dude? Had that thought really popped from her cranium? Well, his eyes were pretty remarkable. And his smile redeemed quite a bit of his face. “Why don’t you start by telling me just what makes you so special, Mr. Rondibett? Then, maybe we’ll discuss second chances.”

      Boston blew out a stream of breath through pursed lips and slowly shook his head. “You strike me as a tough sell, but I’ve got faith in the product. First, I gotta know something about you, though. See, there are two types of tourists. You’re either a traditionalist or you’re an explorer. Trads, they want what everyone wants—the brochure version of Hawaii. Diamond Head. Dole Plantation. Pearl Harbor and Waikiki Beach. Beautiful, special places, for sure, but there’s so much more to Oahu. And that’s what a real explorer wants to see. The soft underbelly. They want experiences no one else has, pictures no one else takes. That is what I can do for you, Emily. So, yeah. I’m mouthy, but I’m worth it.”

      Natural-born salesman, this one. “You would say that.”

      His mouth formed a flat line, some of the lightheartedness gone. “Know who else? Your sister. She hired me. I’m guessing not because you’d find me charming, but because I’ve got something to offer.”

      Emily had to concede Boston’s point. Quinn definitely hadn’t chosen him to accompany her based on their likelihood of having anything in common. It left a single alternative. He might actually be something special as far as island guides went. “Okay, Mr. Rondibett. I’ll give you a shot purely based on faith in my sister’s judgment. Perhaps we can both try to be somewhat less abrasive to one another.”

      “Does that mean you’ll relax a little?”

      She cut her eyes to him, a warning not to push her buttons. “If you pretend to have some semblance of professionalism. Now, take me to the Hilton. I have a six hour flight to wash off.”

      Boston saluted and flicked off the hazards. As he checked his mirrors, engaged his turn signal, and prepared to merge back onto the highway, he flashed Emily a lopsided, dimpled grin that made her question her decision to give this another go. “One thing, miss. We aren’t going to the Hilton.”

      Chapter 2

      Oh, man. That face was priceless.

      Emily’s mouth fell open in a perfect little O. She might pass for adorable if she weren’t so snooty. And that was saying something, considering she was at least near his age. Late thirties, possibly even forty. The bun clinging for dear life on the back of her skull was Snoozeville, but she had nice, creamy brown eyes.

      Creamy eyes, huh? Nothing weird about that. Still, they made him think of smooth milk chocolate, and right now they were about the size of Maui.

      “I’m sorry. We’re not going to the Hilton? Did I hear you correctly?”

      With his hands at ten and two, and eyes on the road, Boston couldn’t glance over to give her a chill out stare. “This is our first test of trust. Explorers don’t stay at the Hilton. That place is a bumper cushion between you and the real deal. You need four swimming pools? Penguins behind glass enclosures and parrots in cages? Me, I prefer the ocean to a pool and sea turtles at my feet as opposed to a zoo outside my window. But, hey, that’s a personal point of view.” He shrugged, careful not to overdo the nonchalance. Every word was sincere. He didn’t want to come across as some hammy showman.

      A bubble of silence lasted several beats. Boston waited for Emily to wrestle with the pull of curiosity. Finally, she caved like a bad soufflé. “Real sea turtles?”

      Boston grinned. “Do they make fake ones I don’t know about?” Wait, a minute… Wasn’t she from California? “You’re not much of a beachgoer, are you?”

      “Gee, what gave it away.” She didn’t even bother to disguise the dry response as a real question.

      However, had he been pressed for an answer, he’d have to say it was probably the high-flying CEO costume she had on. Who dressed like that for a vacation to the tropics? It wouldn’t surprise him if she had pantyhose on under that calf-length skirt or owned a pair of shoes that weren’t sensible lady loafers in every shade of boring.

      “Point taken,” he conceded. “On North Shore, which is where we’re headed, there’s a damn good chance we’ll run into one this time of year. The waters are too rough for swimming but ideal for surfing. Obviously, this brings a lot of folks out, but nothing like the crowds you’ll find at Waikiki.”

      Judging by her studious expression—brow drawn, lips pursed while she nibbled the inside of one cheek—he might have an easier time with Emily if he kept her mentally occupied with island trivia. “Did you know Hawaii outlawed billboards? Don’t want ads funkin’ up the view, you know? Kinda wish the Internet would take a hint. Also, it snows here. How’s that for incredible? Hawaii’s elevation is through the roof, so some of our highest peaks get snowfall when it gets cold enough.” Was it working?

      She faced him at the same time he chanced a peek her way, and he was caught again by her countenance. She was like a wise old owl, intelligent and watchful. “How far to North Shore?”

      “With traffic? An hour, maybe. We’re going clear across the island. See here.” He pointed toward her window and the towering buildings blocking a full view of the ocean. “That’s south. We’re heading east. If we keep going, we’ll eventually run smack into the Waikiki area, but we’re going north. Hence the name. North Shore.”

      Emily aimed her pointer finger at his face. “Let’s make one thing clear.” Her voice had the same quality Boston had used on his students once upon a time, back when…

      Never mind that. He imagined Emily used it on executive blah-blahs or slow interns, or whatever context it might be needed doing whatever the hell her job was. He’d throw money down on anything involving PowerPoint presentations and strongly worded interoffice memos.

      “I’m the only one of us who gets to be a sarcastic jerk, got it? Because it’s my vacation, and I didn’t come here to put up with a surly guide talking down to me because I don’t know which way is up. Do I appear to be in possession of a compass? A smidge of respect will go a long way toward you keeping your job, Mr. Rondibett. I may not know the great underbelly of the island, whatever that is, but I can drive around and get lost with the best of them.”

      Well, hot damn. Color him chastised.

      He tried to hide his grin. “While we’re doling out the complaints, I might as well mention I don’t much care for the mister and missus, polite as it may be. I’m Boston. You’re Emily.”

      “I’m sticky. Is that normal?”

      “The humidity. You don’t get much of that in southern Cali, do you? Sometimes it’s like drowning in air. It can be hard to get used to, and it’s a lot like sauerkraut—people either love it or hate it. But I understand it’s good for the skin.” Personally, he didn’t mind it.

      “So, you’re a health guru, too?”

      Boston stole another peek at his passenger. Arms crossed over her chest, frowning while she gazed out the window. Either СКАЧАТЬ