Chapter Three

Koali sat at the bar drinking a club soda with a lime twist, her stomach in knots as she waited for Ernst. She’d arrived early to try and calm her nerves.

The ocean helped. It always had. Her body tensed again, however, when two men settled beside her, one on each side of her corner seat.

“Evening, gorgeous,” the larger of the two men said. “Can I buy you another drink? What did you have? Martini? Gin and tonic?”

“No, thank you,” Koali said, her hand tightening around the glass.

“Well, now,” the second man said, “that’s not nice. Here we are trying to be nice to a sister sittin’ alone.”

Where was he? “I’m waiting for someone.” She met the gaze of the smaller man. His face was baby smooth with skin was so dark it was almost black. “But thanks for the offer anyway.”

The other, larger man tsked, bringing her attention to him. He looked Hawaiian, although she wasn’t positive. “We’ve been watching you for about thirty minutes. Whoever you’re waiting for isn’t coming, so you can be our date.”

“Sorry I’m late, baby,” a sinful voice broke in as Ernst turned Koali around on the stool to face him. “Who are your friends?” He leaned in and kissed her briefly on the lips.

Koali was so relieved when she heard his voice, and when his hand landed on her hips, her insides melted. His kiss made her feel she’d died and gone to heaven; she had to stop herself from following his retreating lips with her own. “I don’t know them.”

“This is your date?” Tall Hawaiian man asked.

“Yes. I am,” Ernst responded assuredly as he helped Koali off the stool before reaching around her and grabbing her drink. “Evening, gentleman.”

One hand resting on the small of her back, Ernst walked them into the grill area toward an empty table. Ernst held out her chair for her and enjoyed the gentle scent that wafted from her hair and body.

“I’m sorry about that,” Ernst said as he took his chair. Not about the kiss though.

“It wasn’t your fault. Thanks for saving me,” Koali spoke easily.

“I should’ve been here earlier to protect you.” His eyes traveled over her off-the-shoulder, pale-yellow blouse. It went well with the dark-blue skirt she wore that was cut at an angle to display one shapely leg. “You look beautiful.”

“You are looking pretty fly yourself.” She flashed him a grin as her eyes moved over his attire.

At her grin, Ernst felt his heart skip a beat. Did this woman have any clue how beautiful she was? “Glad you noticed.” He winked at her in the dimly lit room.

Their waiter arrived and asked, “Can I get you a drink to start?”

Ernst nodded at Koali. “Get whatever you want.”

“Another club soda with lime please.”

“Do you mind if I have a beer?” Ernst stared directly at Koali as he asked.

“Go ahead,” she said, shaking her head.

“One beer please.”

“I’ll be right back,” the waiter said, “do you want menus or the special?” Meeting Koali’s eyes again they both said “the special” at the same time. With a chuckle, the waiter nodded and left.

“Do you prefer to go by Koali, which is a beautiful name by the way, or Kacy?” Ernst queried as their drinks were brought along with a mixed tray of appetizers.

“Here you go, Ghost,” the server said as he set it down. “Meal’ll be up soon.”

“Thanks, Drey.” Ernst took a swig of the cold beer. “Well,” he prompted when they were left alone again.

Her brows furrowed as if confused, but she shook her head. “I answer to either, but most people call me Kacy.”

Rolling the bottle between two fingers, he nodded. “Kacy it is, then. Tell me about you, Kacy Travis.”

“Looking for anything specific, Ernst Zimmermann?” Kacy asked, sipping her drink and reaching for a piece of fried calamari.

“Who was that guy you were with last night?”

“Brett is one of the guys who came for the conference.” Her eyes closed in pleasure as she ate the squid.

“Something between you?” Ernst leaned forward, resting his strong forearms on the table as his eyes bore into hers.

“Nothing other than friendship.”

“Good.” He took a pan-fried oyster and ate it.

“Good?” Kacy’s eyebrows rose in confusion.

Ernst nodded. “Good.”

They sat in silence for a while eating. Ernst watched Kacy and Kacy watched the ocean. When their food came, she turned her attention to it.

“Are you nervous?” His voice broke the silence.

“A bit,” Kacy admitted.

“Hey, don’t be. I’m not going to hurt you in any way.” He reached for her hand, squeezed it once and released it.

All Kacy did was tremble at his touch and smile, then eat more of her seafood special.

“You should smile more often,” he commented, taking another swig of beer.

Blushing, Kacy took a sip of her drink and asked, “So what do you do, Mr. Zimmermann?”

Absorbing the sight of the woman across from him he said, “I’m in the Navy.”

“I see. Do you like it?”

Ernst smiled. “I thank God everyday I get to do what I do.”

The noise in the bar area increased. They both looked and saw that a pool game was beginning be-tween two guys. Over the noise Kacy said, “I’m glad to hear that.”

His blond brows narrowed and he wondered, “Why?”

Setting down her fork, Kacy leaned in closer to him so she wouldn’t have to yell. “You risk your life for me. If you love your job, then you do it well and that…makes me feel even more safe.”

He moved closer. “For all you know, I could work in admin.”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s all important. Although, I don’t see you shuffling papers.” She winked.

He was intrigued. “What do you see me doing?”

Her brown eyes grew two shades darker before she brought herself under control. “I see you—”

“Ernst!” a voice interrupted, jerking them back from each other.

Pale eyes swung to the man who had come between him and his date. Merlin. “What, Dimitri?”

Dark, golden eyes roamed over Kacy appreciatively and he whistled low. “Aren’t you the chick from yesterday?”

“Dimitri.” The name was growled. “What do you want?”

“Come help us win at pool. We’re about to lose,” the tanned man groaned.

Kacy watched the interaction curiously, but Ernst finally said, “I’m busy.”

“They’re Deltas,” Dimitri threw in disgustedly.

“Looks like they need your help,” Kacy observed, clearly not understanding the dislike between them.

“It would be rude of me…” he began.

Kacy shrugged easily. “I wouldn’t mind watching a game or two of pool.”

An unknown emotion crossed Ernst’s face. “Okay.” He grinned, stood, and walked around the table to assist Kacy.

“She’s a keeper. Marry her, Ernst.” Dimitri said, “or better yet, I’ll marry her. Name’s Dimitri, beautiful, who are you?”

“Kacy.”

“Back off, Dimitri,” Ernst warned as they wove through the dining area back to the bar side.

Dimitri led the way to the farthest table in the back where the tension was so thick you could chew it. Ernst had his hand on Kacy’s arm as they approached.

“Here’s my partner,” Dimitri said to their opponents as he reached for his pool cue.

Ernst briefly met the eyes of his teammates. “Guys, this is Kacy Travis. Kacy meet,” he began and pointed to each one as he said their names, “Osten, Tyson, Ross, Scott, Aidrian, and Maverick.”

“Ma’am,” they all said, shaking her hand.

“Nice to meet you,” Kacy responded with a shy smile.