If she weren’t so worried about Alana, she would be tempted to explore that attraction.
Having lived on Maui all her life, Kimo knew most of the eligible men who called the island their home. She’d dated a few but hadn’t felt anything that made her want anything more than friendship.
For too long, she’d been looking for that spark—the mind-blowing “ah-ha” moment her parents had told her they’d experienced with their first kiss.
She’d watched her friends fall in love and realized it was different for everyone.
Her friend Kalea had gone from enemies to lovers when her father had saddled her with Hawk as a secret bodyguard. She’d resented being shadowed until her shadow had saved her life. Theirs had been a fiery discovery of their love. Now, they couldn’t imagine life without each other and their baby only made them happier. Hawk had settled with Kalea on the Big Island and set up a Brotherhood Protectors branch, recruiting former military to protect those who needed it.
Leilani, her beautiful friend she’d known since they were in grade school together, had found love with one of those men working for Hawk. She’d literally fallen into his arms while giving a guided tour. Their struggles through danger had brought them close, sparking a love so strong that Kimo could only imagine what that was like.
Then there was Kiana, a former model, now manager of a Maui resort. She’d fallen for one of Hawk’s men when he’d helped her find her missing sister on Oahu.
Kimo frowned. Was it her turn? Was she supposed to be like her friends and fall for her bodyguard?
She shook her head. Rex struck her as a man with intense focus on his mission. As well, now wasn’t the time to consider dating anyone.
Alana had been abducted. People had drowned trapped in a shipping container and Kimo’s home and life were under attack.
Who had time for such silliness as love?
She squared her shoulders, rinsed the soap from her hair and body and turned off the water, convinced her thoughts were on overdrive and out of control.
Like Rex, she needed to focus on finding that camera. To do that, she needed a boat and scuba gear.
After quickly drying herself, careful not to disturb the dressings on her leg, she pulled on a swimsuit and dragged jeans and a T-shirt over them.
Dressing was fast. Taming her long, wavy hair took twice as much time. She’d inherited her mother’s Hawaiian genes with her thick black hair, dark eyes and short stature. Though having long hair was a hassle for scuba diving, she hadn’t had the heart to cut it short. It reminded her of her mother every time she looked in the mirror.
Once she’d pulled the tangles out, she wove the damp tresses into a single braid that hung down the middle of her back and secured it with a ponytail. Then she brushed her teeth, grimaced at her makeup-less reflection and shrugged. “What you see is what you get.” Finding Alana was more important than makeup.
Kimo left the bathroom and went in search of Rex. He wasn’t in the living room, but there was evidence he had been there. Overturned furniture had been set to rights and broken glass had been swept away. Even the black dust the officer had used to lift prints had been cleaned off most surfaces. In the kitchen, the drawers were back where they belonged, their contents either in the sink or loaded into the dishwasher.
And no Rex.
Noise from the laundry room captured her attention. She crossed through the kitchen and pushed the door open to the small room that served as the laundry room and pantry, where she stored her dry goods.
Rex was in the process of transferring a blanket from the washer to the dryer. When he straightened, he noticed her standing there. “I didn’t think you’d mind if I straightened up.”
“You know, you don’t have to clean my house.” Kimo shook her head. “I’ll get to it eventually.”
“I don’t like standing around when there’s work to be done.” He tipped his chin toward the living room. “The pictures of turtles, coral and fish that were hung on the wall...did you take them?”
Kimo nodded. “I’m afraid they’re too damaged to salvage. And if I can’t recover my files, I won’t be able to replace them.”
“Give Swede time. He’s really good with computers and the internet.” He turned to the dryer, adjusted the settings and pressed the start button. When he faced her, his gaze swept her from head to toe. “Feel better after your shower?”
She nodded. “Almost normal, though it was a challenge to shower with one leg out of the tub. I don’t know why I bothered to hang it out of the shower when I’ll be diving again sometime today.”
Rex frowned. “I thought you said you would tape something over it to keep it dry.”
“I will. But it might not last in saltwater.” She glanced up into his gray eyes, her earlier thoughts in the shower making her look at him in a different light.
No. He wasn’t her type, she told herself. Too intense. Too serious.
Determined to shelve Rex as a potential love interest, Kimo forced a smile, relieved and a little embarrassed that her thoughts had taken that path. Thankfully, mind-reading wasn’t a thing, or she’d really be embarrassed.
She wondered how many female clients he’d worked with and if any had imagined themselves in love with him. He did have incredibly broad shoulders and smoky gray eyes. His dark blond, almost brown hair had enough of a wave to make a girl want to run her fingers through it, especially when an errant strand fell over his forehead.
