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HARRISON MUTTERED UNDERhis breath as he shucked off his uniform.If he’d just arrived in Hawaii, he supposed he’d want to immediately head to the beach as well.It was only natural.Still, Luciana was faring far better than he’d expected.Sure, she hadn’t slept well, but she’d seemed content sorting through her new belongings when he’d walked in.She was also eager to set up her new cell phone but had said that could wait until after dinner.
Dinner.He considered what their options could be for the evening.Although he’d been planning to grill again, they’d be eating later if they took a quick trip to the beach.
A sense of anticipation washed over him.He wanted to see his favorite hidden spot through Luciana’s eyes, he realized, to share something of himself with her.
Funny that he’d never considered taking anyone else there.He had friends from base—other naval officers.He didn’t fraternize with his men, so Harrison typically spent little time with them outside work.He didn’t date anymore.
But Luciana?
A smile spread over his face.He wouldn’t mind showing her all of his favorite places around Oahu.He found himself wondering what she would like—which restaurants and tourist attractions would appeal to her.He could see her snorkeling or even attempting to surf.She seemed the type who was adventurous.
Not for the first time, he wondered more about her family and background.While he believed she knew nothing about her father’s mysterious empire, he did know she’d had opportunities.Luciana could’ve stayed at the family home, possibly being supported by her family.
Instead, she’d fled, never looking back.
He respected that a hell of a lot.She knew something was amiss, and she didn’t stick around to become involved as she got older.She wisely forged her own path.
Harrison tugged on a tee shirt and board shorts.He couldn’t exactly swim with the wound on his arm and wasn’t sure if Luciana actually wanted to go in the water anyway, but they could walk along the beach.If she did want to swim and needed his help, however, nothing would stop him from going to her.
He strode down the hallway, seeing Luciana already dressed in his living room.The top of a red halter swimsuit peeked out from beneath her shirt, and he wondered what she looked like in it.She’d be gorgeous in anything, and he tried to tamp down those thoughts.This was a platonic type of friendship and nothing more.
“I’ll grab some beach towels,” he told her.“Even if you don’t want to swim, we could use them to sit on the sand.”
“You’re not going to make me go on one of your runs with you, right?”
He looked over in surprise and saw that sparkle in her eyes, letting out a surprised laugh.“No, but if you ever want to join me, you’re more than welcome.”
“I think I will pass on that,” she said lightly.
Luciana moved toward the door, and his gaze dropped to her shapely ass.He’d noticed her figure yesterday even in the borrowed scrubs that she’d worn.She was a knockout.And Harrison would most decidedly keep his hands to himself.
They went into his garage, and Harrison grabbed the extra helmet.She put it on but fumbled with the strap, and he reached out to assist her.Luciana blinked in surprise as his fingers briefly grazed over her face.Her skin was silky smooth, so damn soft he wished he had the right to explore it everywhere.His gaze briefly landed on those plump lips, but he buckled the strap to the helmet and turned away to grab his own.
Harrison mounted his Harley, glancing over at Luciana.“I will climb on behind you,” she said before he could even open his mouth to give her instructions.Luciana slid on behind him like she’d been doing it her entire life.He both heard and felt her slight intake of breath as she was pressed up against him.
“You okay?”Harrison asked, his voice gravel.
Luciana’s body flush against his felt good.Too good.He could breathe in her sweet floral scent and feel the heat and softness of her body.
“Si, I am fine.”But as she wrapped her arms around him, Harrison wasn’t sure that he would be.His cock twitched at the feel of her breasts pillowing against his back.Luciana squirmed in her seat, and Harrison wondered if she was more affected by their closeness than she was letting on.
“Have you ever ridden before?”he asked as he started the engine.
“No, but there is a first time for everything.”
He chuckled, briefly glancing down at her arms wrapped around him.Harrison found he liked that a little too much.“I’ll take it slow and easy,” he told her, but other thoughts immediately filled his mind—Harrison stretching her across his bed, kissing her everywhere before he made her his.His cock was swelling, and the rumble of the motorcycle wasn’t helping matters.
Too bad they were on a damn tropical island.A dunk in a cold, frigid ocean was exactly what he needed right now.
***
TWENTY MINUTES LATER, they were on his favorite part of the beach, a secluded, sandy spot that was perfect for watching the sunset.The wind whipped through Luciana’s hair, making her look a bit like a mermaid who’d come onshore.She was stunning.Radiant.Her caramel skin practically glowed in the sunlight, and as she looked at him with those brown eyes, she laughed.
“What’s so funny?”he asked, amused by her enjoyment.
“I just realized I need a million more things—sunglasses, hair ties, sunscreen, flip-flops.But at the moment, I really don’t care.I wasn’t certain I’d ever see the ocean again,” she admitted, stretching her arms wide and turning in circles.“This is breathtaking.”
