Chapter Seven

Ernst had let her go from the rock after she’d given her word she wouldn’t run from him, then had met him thirty minutes later for breakfast. Kacy had showered and changed into a pair of jean shorts and a dark-red halter top. On her feet were a pair of hiking boots, and she’d pulled her thick hair up in a pony-tail. Turned out, it was the perfect outfit to wear on a hot-air balloon trip over an active volcano.

She talked with the guide, but eventually turned her attention away and looked at the man who had come with her. Her shimmering gaze took in Ernst’s handsome form. He wore a pair of black shorts, a sleeveless light-blue shirt that exposed the raw strength in his arms, and hiking boots. A baseball cap adorned his head and sunglasses hid those beautiful eyes of his.

Taking off her sunglasses, she touched his shoulder and whispered, “Are you not having fun?”

A grin turned up one side of his mouth. “I’m fine.”

She knew he was lying; there was a tenseness in his body she hadn’t felt before. But the fact he didn’t want to ruin her day made her smile. “Okay,” Kacy said as she slid her arm around his waist and leaned against his chest. “Thanks for coming with me.”

His lips brushed along her forehead. “You’re welcome.”

Kacy repositioned herself in front of his body so her back rested against his chest and began to talk to another woman in the basket, both of them pointing at various sights and laughing. Ernst didn’t let her go until after they had landed back on the ground. Even as she was saying goodbye to the other people he held onto her.

Once they were alone and walking towards the café, she asked, “Why didn’t you tell me you didn’t like heights? You know, like back when I suggested we take the hot-air balloon ride?”

He gave her a tight smile. “This is your day. I am following you.”

Kacy stopped and faced him. Putting her hands on either side of his waist, she looked at him. As if she could see that haunting color of his eyes through both of their reflective sunglasses, she stared at him. “Okay then, you pick. What’s next on the agenda, whatever you want to do.”

He let a soft finger drift down her cheek. “Do you like boats?” he asked.

“Yes.” She cocked her head. “What did you have in mind?”

All she got was a flash of white teeth for an answer. He took her hand and the keys, leaned in for a kiss, and then walked down to the vehicle she had driven up here. Ernst got in on the driver’s side and took them to his choice of activities.

“Can I ask you something?” Kacy wondered. “If it is too personal you don’t have to answer.”

Keeping his eyes on the road he said, “Go ahead.”

“How do you manage being a SEAL if you don’t like to fly?”

“Not everything is done with airplanes. Big planes are easier; it is more helicopters and hot-air balloons that get me.” Ernst divulged. Kacy was mildly surprised and touched he told her.

“Are you going to tell me where you are taking me?” she asked as her eyes moved over his figure. Damn, you are one good-looking man, Ernst.

“Thank you, and no, I’m not telling.” Ernst smiled as the look of shock passed over her face. “Yes, you did say that out loud. For the record, you are extremely hot yourself!”

Covering her face with her hand, she moaned, “I can’t believe I said that out loud.”

“Sweetheart, trust me, a man loves to hear that his woman thinks he is good looking,” Ernst said as he pulled into the parking lot of a boat rental place.

His woman? Kacy bit the inside of her lip to keep her moan inside.

“Yes, schatzi, I said ‘his woman.’ As in you are my woman.” He got out, walked around to her side, and opened the door for her. “Come on.”

Hand in hand they walked up to the rental shack, not bothering to be embarrassed he heard her that last time.

“Can I help you two?” the man behind the counter asked.

Ernst took his wallet out and gave some money to Kacy. “You grab the ice cream while I rent the boat.”

Though unsure of how that was going to work, eating ice cream in a canoe, Kacy nodded and said, “Okay.” Taking the money, she walked towards the ice-cream cart.

“Don’t forget my sprinkles!” Ernst shouted. She waved over her shoulder at him.

Ernst had rented them a pedal boat. So they cruised along the water slowly eating their ice cream. “Thank you for this, I have never been in a pedal boat before.” Kacy said as she ate another bite of her ice cream. They moved through a shaded part of the water.

“You seem to have an affinity for the water. And this is a relaxing way to enjoy it.” Plus I get to stare at those gorgeous legs of yours.

Ernst was glad he could spend moments like these with Kacy. He’d gotten so much ribbing from his teammates when he’d finally made it back to the house where they were staying, especially when he’d walked in wearing the same clothes he’d worn the night before.

“I must say, Ernst, that is a good look for you,” Tyson had said as he shook his head.

“Shut up, man. We didn’t do anything,” Ernst had protested.

“And we should believe that why? when you come back wearing the same clothes you left in?” Dimitri had asked.

“We fell asleep down by the water. That’s it,” he’d insisted as he walked into his room.

“What’s your rush?” Dimitri had yelled at his retreating back.

“I’m meeting her for breakfast,” Ernst had hollered back as he made his way to the bathroom to take a quick shower.

Strolling back into the living area, Ernst had pulled up short at the sight of Scott standing there with a solemn look on his face. “Sorry, man,” the top man of the Megalodon Team said. “We have to leave.”

Ernst had frozen as if the whole world had been jerked out from under him. A million emotions had crossed his face before he could composed himself. “Okay, I’ll be packed in a few.” He’d almost missed Scott’s wince, so dejected Ernst had been.

“Aww, man, I’m sorry. It was a joke. Go on have your fun,” Scott had said, holding his hands up in apology.

Ernst was brought back to the present with Kacy’s response. “I have always loved the water. I was born here in Hawaii, so maybe it is in my blood.”

“What about your family?” Ernst asked, frowning over his empty ice-cream container and taking a spoonful of hers.

“I don’t know them. I have a few friends that I consider family; otherwise, it is just me.” Her voice had grown tense, probably with memories.

Well, that explains a lot of the trust issues you have, my spicy electrician. “I’m sorry to hear that.” Ernst touched her arm, amazed at how rigid her body was. “What do you want to do next?” he wondered as he tried to lighten the mood.

Her voice was subdued. “Whatever.”

Putting his empty container at his feet, he reached across the boat and turned her face to his. He removed her sunglasses and his so they were looking into each other’s eyes. “No, not whatever. I’m sorry I brought up bad memories for you. I am here if you want to talk, but I want you to have fun today.”

“I am having fun,” she said as her finger dipped into the melted ice cream and smeared it down the bridge of his nose.

Blue eyes narrowed. “Are you sure you want to start this?”

Biting her lower lip, Kacy shook her head. “No. I thought about it and I don’t want to.”

Ernst wiped the ice cream off his face, dropped his hand in the water to clean it off, and dried it on her skimpy halter top. “Well, that’s better.”

Looking down at the damp spots on her top Kacy nodded. “I’ll remember this.”

“So will I,” he said as his eyes filled with passion.

“I’m hungry, so take me to shore.” She directed with a wave of her spoon.

He crossed his arms and shot her a look. “Oh, no, sweetheart, you have to work also.”

Curling up her lip, she slid her glasses back on her face and sighed. “Okay. Probably just that you can’t go the distance.”

“Playing with fire, schatzi. You’re playing with fire,” he warned as they began to peddle back to the dock. “Just say the word and I guarantee you will find that I am more than capable of ‘going the distance’.”

“Men, always so touchy,” she quipped, refusing to look at him.

“I’ll touch you.” He leaned over the side and splashed her with water.

“Ernst!” Kacy cried.

“Well, hon, you looked hot.” He splashed her again.

“That’s it!” She stopped peddling and leaned over, scooping up handfuls of water to toss at him. In the process, she drenched herself, but she laughed at the shock on his face. Motion stopped as they began to have a water fight. Moments later, they were nearly soaked to the bone.

Ernst’s eyes flared as they fell on the dripping wet halter top that molded itself to her voluptuous body. Water ran down her face; the sunlight glistening off the droplets made her skin shine even more. She was beautiful.

Ernst helped Kacy out of the pedal boat and onto the dock. He brushed back the damp tendrils of hair that fell across her cheek to rest behind her ear. “Let’s get some lunch.” The stance of his lean body stated to those watching that she was his woman. As they walked down the streets and strolled through the park, the warm Hawaiian sun almost totally dried their clothes.

He took her to an outside café and they had a light lunch. As she sipped her iced tea, he smiled. “So, what’s next for us, Ms. Travis?”

“I kind of want to take a walk.” She looked around before meeting his gaze again. “I want to en-joy being outside here. I doubt I will be back for a while.”

“A walk it is. In the park?”

She shrugged. “Just a walk.” Kacy finished off her salad and drank the rest of her tea.

Ernst nodded and paid the bill. “Well, let’s go for a walk then.” The stood and he slid his arm around her side, loving the feel of her skin against his.

They walked in silence until Kacy suddenly veered to the doorway of a sidewalk shop. She grabbed his hand. “Wait a second. I want to go in here.”

His eyes grew wide as he took in the total girly shop even while allowing her to pull him inside. There were about thirty women in the shop and they all fell silent and looked at him. He was the only male in there.

“Oh, hell,” he muttered. “I’m feeling a bit outnumbered here.”

“Scared of a few women?” Kacy’s voice teased.

Squaring his shoulders, he took a seat on the very pink frothy couch. “Nope. By all means, liebling, give me a fashion show.” He waved one hand around the room even as he looked pointedly at the lingerie.