Paradise Wild (Wild At Heart Book 2) (15 page)

Ellie closed her eyes. She let her head float, feeling her hair drifting around her like a comforting halo. The chill water refreshed her mind. Her legs bobbed with the gentle undulations of the rippling stream. She heard the surges of the waterfalls.

I never want this to end.

His hands caressed her from underneath, massaging her neck and slipping down across her buttocks. He bent and kissed her again, not with the demanding passion of the times before but with a loving tenderness that brought a sparkle to her eyes. His lips pulled gently at hers as she arched up to meet him, her mouth pushing back, her body aware of every sensation. Instead of being washed away, she felt her senses heighten, her pulse quickening.

I trust you, Denver. Take it further.

As though reading her mind, his arm glided between her legs, parting areas already awash with moisture. His fingers reached and stroked her, releasing a yearning moan from her lips. His mouth moved to her breasts, still supporting her from underneath. He pulled the thin fabric aside with his teeth and fondled her nipples with his tongue. Ellie’s face and lips throbbed with desire. Her body writhed.

Wait. Not yet. It’s my turn first.

She reached her hand around his neck and swung herself upright, silencing his protest with a long, deep kiss.

“Now me.”

Her hands roamed beneath the surface of the water, tugging at his shorts, squeezing the evidence of his desire. She pushed him backward to the edge of the pool and dove under, letting her head rub between his legs as she lifted one foot then the other. She emerged with his shorts and her underwear in one hand.

Now it’s both our turns.

“Wait. Give me those.” He held out his hand for his shorts and dug in the pocket.

She blushed as he put on a condom.

“Sorry.” He drew her onto his chest. “I know it’s unromantic.”

She shook her head. “It’s all part of the most romantic day a guy has ever created for me.”

Her mouth covered his with grateful kisses as her hands maneuvered herself onto him. He let out a moan. She clasped him around the neck, encircling his torso with her legs. They rocked in unison, first gently, then with an ever-increasing passion until the empty valley echoed with the cries of their desire.

***

In the sun on the rock, cuddled against his chest, her face dripping with the sticky juice of ripe guavas, Ellie felt the words pour out effortlessly.

“I followed you home that first night after the beach.”

Denver grazed her face with his fingertips and twined a lock of her long hair around them. “You did?”

“Yes. I’ll admit it. I’m a stalker.”

“I love that you stalk me.” He engulfed her nose in a gentle bite.

“Then you’re going to love what I found out even more.” She caught his eyes and raised her eyebrows.

“Yes?” He propped himself up on his elbows.

“We’re neighbors.”

“Seriously?”

“Next door neighbors. You know that family you’ve been complaining about? The one that makes all the noise? That’s me.”

Denver sat up. “You live next door?”

“I do.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Ellie shrugged, but with none of the timidity she’d felt before. “I was embarrassed I’d followed you. And it never seemed like the right time to bring it up.” She reached her face up and kissed his nose. “You know how it is when you get yourself into a situation where you’re not being honest? It’s not that you want to lie. You just can’t figure out how to tell the truth.”

Denver looked at the stream. “I know what that’s like.”

“You must get into those situations at work.”

He gazed at her. “I’m in one of those situations now.”

“Well, I know how to take your mind off that.” Ellie slid down the rock and nestled her head between his legs.

That night in the bathroom of Vivyenne’s house, Ellie texted Jacqui.

Ellie: Not coming home. Staying in Wailea. At my house. With Denver.

Jacqui: Don’t waste time texting me!

Ellie: Will u feed Viv?

Jacqui: No. He’s full on geckos and cockroaches. Now get back to what you were doing.

A lewd emoji accompanied her text.

Early the next morning, just before dawn, Ellie hummed as she prepared a breakfast of waffles and fruit. Denver emerged from the bedroom in a towel, his hair still dripping from a shower. He encircled her waist and rubbed his hips against her from behind.

“Hey, we’ve got to eat.” She shoved him gently away with her elbows. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. That lunch on the rocks seems like days ago.”

Denver sat at a stool at the counter, using a kitchen towel to dry his hair. “Need help?”

Ellie poured batter onto the hot griddle. “I’m good.”

Denver looked around. “Where’s the cat you told me about? Your bread and butter? Did I scare him off?”

“No. He’s Upcountry feasting on bugs.”

“What? Like at a cat spa?”

Ellie laughed. “It’s a long story. But the short of it is that I was getting a little freaked out in this house by myself. So Viv and I moved Upcountry for a few weeks.”

Denver abruptly stopped toweling his head. “Viv?”

“Yeah. Strange name for a cat. But his owner’s named Vivyenne. Go figure.”

Denver stepped forward. Ellie paused, one hand on the open waffle iron.

He spoke slowly. “You’re not talking about Vivyenne Lovejoy, are you? It can’t be.”

Ellie let the iron close again. “It is.” The look on his face made her hold her breath.

Calm down, Ellie.

“Christ.”

She walked around the counter and took his hand, trying to connect with his eyes. “What’s up? You know Vivyenne? It’s one of those small world things, right?”

“I heard she’d bought a house on Maui, but I had no idea…” He met Ellie’s gaze. “Look, Ellie, I
do
know Vivyenne. We…” He let out a big breath and shook his head. “Why does it always have to be so hard with you?”

Ellie frowned. “Hard?”

Denver tugged her toward him. “I don’t mean it that way. But you’re not going to like this. Vivyenne and I used to be a couple.”

Smoke from behind her drew Ellie’s attention to the waffle iron. She opened it and stabbed a blackened mass with a fork, throwing it into the sink and running water on it until it stopped sputtering. She unplugged the iron and took a seat on the opposite side of the counter.

“’Fess up.”

“We’ve known each other for years. We have mutual friends. The Kirkpatricks. That’s actually, now that I think about it, probably how she heard about this house. Anyway, we only went out for a few months. And it’s been over for…I don’t know.” He rested his hand on the counter. “It petered out months ago. It’s just been an occasional email since then. It wasn’t much more than that to begin with. It was convenient, that’s all.”

Ellie pulled a banana from the basket on the counter and peeled it slowly. “So what was last night with me? Convenient?”

“Last night was the beginning of something special, Ellie. Believe me. Vivyenne’s nothing.” He held out his hands.

Ellie put down the banana and put her hands in his. “I want to believe you.…” She fixed her eyes on his.

“Let me tell you something else…”

She shook her head. “No. It’s okay. I’m with Celine on this one. I’m jumping in with both feet.” She brought his palms to her lips and kissed them. “I have this thing about trust. Here you are, good looking, intelligent, rich, kind. It seems too good to be true. But you’re true and you’re good and I’m going with it.” She laughed.

Denver walked around the counter and laid his head on Ellie’s shoulder. “Oh, God, Ellie.” He squeezed her so tightly she caught her breath. After a moment, she pushed him away.

“We’re good. Let me take a shower now. Can you handle breakfast?”

Denver nodded. Ellie spun from the chair and skipped toward the bedroom.

When she returned, Denver presented her with a plate of fruit and waffles. His phone lay next to her fork.

“What’s this?”

“Read the email.”

She read a short email from Denver to Vivyenne. It indicated he’d met someone special and he wanted to make sure Vivyenne understood that from his perspective their relationship had been over a long time.

“You didn’t need to show me. But I appreciate it.” Ellie picked up her plate. “Let’s eat outside. I love watching the sun light up West Maui and the ocean.”

Later, the morning rays lit up more than just the ocean as Ellie and Denver lay naked and entwined on the boards of the lanai.

“Can you come over tonight?” Denver spooned her from behind and ran his fingers along the contour of her hips. “I’ll make us dinner.”

So this is what jumping in with both feet feels like.

Ellie smiled into the distance. “I’ll be there, neighbor.”

***

Denver felt cloaked in euphoria as he strode into his one-room guesthouse. He’d left Ellie getting hurriedly dressed for the morning’s workers. She’d shooed him out with a kiss and a wave. He’d sauntered across the lawn and pushed his way through the bushes, ignoring the scratches on his arms and legs.

I’ll tell her everything tonight. Get it all off my chest. It’ll be good.

He grinned, remembering the day before at the mountain stream. He pulled a pad of sticky notes from under the printouts spread across the dining table and began a shopping list for dinner.

Maybe I can get her to stay here with me instead of Upcountry.

He looked through the cabinets, whistling an off-key Andy Grammer tune. When his phone beeped, he picked it up more out of habit than interest. The text message stopped him short. He put down the note pad and dialed.

“No, you’re not bothering me.” He twisted open a mayonnaise jar from the refrigerator with one hand and sniffed cautiously.

“Sure.” He frowned and threw the jar in the trash.

“What do you mean no one else showed up? Nobody?”

He stopped walking and stared out the window. “No paychecks. And you’re the only one who showed up at work? Where’s Eddie?” He jammed his free hand in his pocket. “Look. Cut the bullshit. What do you think happened?”

Minutes passed while he listened, mostly silently, to the person on the other end of the line. Then he fished in his backpack.

“Hold on.” He jerked out a white tangle of wires. “I’m plugging in my headset. I want to pack.”

He slammed a suitcase onto the bed.
“Now give me the details. All I heard was that my fucking company’s going under. My partner apparently took off. And the company accounts have no money. I know there’s more to it than that.”

Two hours later, in the last row of the economy section of an airplane bound for Seattle, Denver bit his lip and texted Ellie.

Denver: Forgive me. Work emergency. On plane back to Seattle. Rain check for dinner?

Ellie: Oh.

Denver: I know. It’s killing me.

Ellie: It’s all good. Work comes first.

Denver groaned audibly. The matronly woman next to him looked askance and edged to the far side of her narrow seat.

Denver: Not much longer. I’m getting out of this mess as fast as I can.

Ellie: I’ll be waiting. When will u be back?

Denver fastened his seatbelt.

Denver: Don’t know yet. Might have to go to China.

Ellie: Glad we told each other everything.

Denver slapped his hand over his eyes.

Dammit.
After a long pause, he stifled another groan and slowly typed his reply.

Denver: Me too.

Chapter 15

Late afternoon the following Monday, near quitting time for the workers, Ellie roamed through the house, inspecting progress, documenting, texting Devora updates. Most of the current work focused on the kitchen. Half the existing cabinets had been torn from the walls, leaving gaping holes in the paint. Exposed cement board contrasted with the smooth silver lines of the new stainless steel appliances. Cabinet door samples in twenty shades of white lined the kitchen counter. Buckets of paint and piles of drop cloths occupied a corner near the back door.

Devora: Take another picture. Make sure the color’s accurate.

Ellie sighed and positioned her phone over a door sample for another shot.

Ellie: How’s this?

Devora: Doesn’t match.

Ellie sent her an emoji with its tongue sticking out.

Devora: Seriously. I’m saving your butt. Vivyenne will go crazy.

It’s white. Doesn’t all white match?

Ellie: Hold on.

She pulled one of the workers aside, an older man with a gray crew cut and dark tan.

“Can you take help me? I need an opinion on colors. Are these two shades of white the same?”

The man plucked a pair of brown reading glasses from his pants pocket and brought the customized cast concrete and cabinet samples to the window. He held them in the light and shook his head.

Ellie bit her lip. “You sure? They look kind of the same to me.”

The man smiled. “Is it your house?”

“No. I’m supervising.”

“And they want this whole place white, yeah?”

Ellie nodded.

“Then you’re in for a hard time. I’m a painter. Trust me. Of all the colors, white’s the hardest to match. So many variations.”

Ellie’s shoulders slumped. What motivated the owner of a surgical instrument company to design homes that would remind her of an operating room? Ever since Ellie had discovered the jumbo size crayon box as a child, she had loved colors. The more, the better. Celine had called her room in their apartment ‘the botanical garden,’ referring to the floral colored pillows, rainbow hued bedspread, and Scandinavian designer knock-off sheets. Ellie’s dream Hawaii house would’ve reflected the state’s tropical wonderland. Vivyenne’s ideal, Ellie thought, resembled the arrival of the next ice age.

Ellie: You’re right. Doesn’t match.

Devora: Right.

Ellie: What next?

Devora: Get to the store before they place the order.

Ellie called the showroom, grabbed the cabinet installation foreman, and raced to his truck.

“Get us to Kahului before they close and I’ll buy you a shave ice.”

The foreman smiled and sped out the drive.

They returned after dark. Ellie hopped out and waved. The truck made a U-turn in her driveway and headed back north. She dropped the new samples in the kitchen. Outside, it was already getting dark. She flipped the lights off quickly, locked the house, and jogged to her car. When she pulled into the street to drive to Jacqui’s, the steering wheel tugged strangely to one side. The car listed to the left. She got out, then bent and examined the rear tire. It was flat.

Oh, great. Just what I need tonight.

It took the rental agency only fifteen minutes to show up with a replacement car. Ellie transferred her personal belongings to the new vehicle while the mechanic jacked up the rear end to put a spare on the old one. She was about to drive off when he waved and gave her a funny look. She rolled down the window.

“You know your tire was slashed?”

Ellie turned off the engine. “Slashed?”

“Yeah. Big gash in the side. Doesn’t usually happen around here.” He glanced at the large houses. “People carjack.” He winked. “Lots of nice cars to choose from. But there’s not much vandalism. Bad luck.”

Ellie shuddered involuntarily.

“You know anyone with grudge against you?”

“No.”

“Just kidding.” The man chuckled. “Your gate open today?”

Ellie nodded.

“Probably just some punk. Keep it locked.”

Ellie nodded again.

“Let the police know. File a report. Won’t do nothing, but it’s good to keep them in the loop. In case more happens later.”

Ellie swallowed. “What do you mean by
more
?”

“Just more car vandalism. Not likely in this neighborhood. But might happen.”

Ellie’s hands shook as she drove the dark back roads Upcountry.

What’s going on? Bad luck? Or…
She couldn’t bear to finish the thought. She plugged in her headset and called Denver. His voicemail picked up.

“Hey, Denver. It’s me. Ellie. I was thinking of you. I wanted to leave a message. So here I am. Duh. I miss hearing from you. But I know you’re busy. I’ve just had kind of a shitty day. Crazy Vivyenne stuff. I don’t mean to dis her. She’s just really picky. I guess you know that. Or maybe you didn’t see that side of her? Anyway, after all that, my car tire got slashed. So I’m kind of freaked. Did I tell you about Noa? I don’t think so. I was going to at the dinner we didn’t have. Oh, I’m out of time. Call me. Or text. I miss you. Don’t work too hard.”

Ellie massaged her temple with one hand.

That was the single worst message I’ve left in my life. W-T-F, Ellie?

The new car’s engine revved as she navigated the steep Kula hills.

Why couldn’t Denver have stayed just one more night? I could have told him about Noa. He could help me think this through. Now he’s super busy. And I don’t want to depress him. But I hate having to deal with this without him.

She could still see his sparkling eyes, sense his smooth body, feel his warm hands on her shoulders, her breasts, and her thighs. She could still hear his voice and remember every detail of their nighttime conversations, when she shared her hopes for what her future could hold. He seemed sometimes distracted but never absent. His presence felt at once like a comforting blanket and an electrifying jolt. Both were addictive. Both seemed increasingly necessary to her future.

Faint solar lights on stakes illuminated Jacqui’s driveway. Ellie pulled in and parked next to the Civic.

One thing’s for sure. Without Denver next door, I’m not staying down there after dark. Not until after the alarm system’s up and running.

***

A few nights later, Ellie sat in Jacqui’s living room alone, talking with Celine.

“She’s out with a real estate agent?” Celine smiled at Ellie from the laptop. “I pictured Jacqui with a surfer.”

“She met him online.”

“Athletes hang out online.”

Ellie grinned. “I think he might have misrepresented himself.”

“From what you tell me, Jacqui won’t let him get away with that for long.”

Celine reached for a cup off-screen.

Ellie snapped her fingers. Viv flashed her a sheepish look and dropped his gecko, which scuttled under the sofa. “How’s K-Rao?”

A smile stretched across Celine’s long face. “Awesome. That man’s got style. He actually sent me snail mail. Can you believe it? A real letter. He says his grandmother wrote letters to his grandfather while they were separated in World War II.”

Ellie’s gaze drifted to the ceiling. “I don’t know anyone our age who ever sent me a letter.”

“Seriously. I don’t even know how much a stamp costs. My mother’s going to love the dude.”

“Is he flying there to see you?”

“At Thanksgiving. I hope. We’re still working it out.”

Viv stalked back and forth across Ellie’s lap, his tail swishing at the screen like an insistent flag. She stroked his back and he stretched across her lap.

Ellie leaned back. “Any police gossip?”

“K-Rao told me there’s no sign of Noa on Maui. He said they think he might have gotten a boat to take him somewhere. K-Rao said maybe the Big Island.” Celine cocked her head. “That’s Hawaii, right?”

“Right.”

“Why’d they name the state after one of the islands? Wicked confusing.”

Ellie laughed. “Anyway…”

“Anyway, K-Rao says if he went off the grid, it’ll be basically impossible to find him. He says people do it all the time.”

The furrows on Ellie’s brow deepened. “Just disappear?”

“It’s different in Hawaii, he says. Not like San Francisco. If you’ve got your own food and water and never go into a town, there’s no way to track you.”

“I’d love to think Noa disappeared. But who slashed my tire if he’s on the Big Island?”

“Maybe it
was
some punk, like the mechanic said.”

Ellie’s face brightened. “Yeah. Maybe it doesn’t have to be connected to Noa. Brandon’s death wasn’t. Maybe this isn’t either.”

“What’s Mr. Drone say?”

A momentary cloud passed across Ellie’s face. “I haven’t explained it all. Haven’t had the chance. He’s swamped at work. But if K-Rao’s right, then maybe there’s nothing to explain.”

“Absolutely. Go with the simple answer.”

“Right. No more conspiracy theories.”

Ellie lifted Viv to the screen and moved his paw as though he were blowing Celine kisses. Celine blew one back at him.

“Thanks for cheering me up.”

“Anytime, girl.”

***

A week later, Ellie looked out Jacqui’s living room window at a two-foot long electric green iguana clutching a tree branch. The creature’s back was covered in spines and a long flap of skin hung from its jowls, like a reptilian beard.

“Crazy. Olivia, check this out.”

The two women stood at the window. Jacqui glanced over their shoulders. “A male. There should be two of them. See?” She pointed at a second one higher in the branches.

Olivia moved back to the couch. “Yuck. Aren’t you afraid of them?”

Jacqui brought a bowl of potato chips to the coffee table. “It works the other way around, honey. They’re afraid of us.”

“Speaking of scary males…” Ellie plopped on the sofa next to Olivia. “What about your real estate guy?

“He’s so last week. Turns out he never went near a beach except to try to sell it to some developer.” Jacqui refilled Ellie’s wine glass. “Sure you don’t want any, Olivia? Your cheeks could really use the color.” She held the half empty bottle of red against the last rays of the sun that filtered through her gauze curtains.

“I’m good.” Olivia opened another can of passion fruit sparkling water. “I’ve got to make a Target run before I go to bed tonight.”

“Suit yourself.” Jacqui topped off her own glass and curled her legs under her in the papasan chair opposite the sofa.

Ellie took a sip of the wine. “So if it wasn’t the realtor, who was the guy from last night?”

Jacqui winked at Ellie and Olivia in turn. “A car dealer.”

Olivia choked on her drink. “No way.”

“Yoga instructor’s oath. I met him paddle boarding by the hotel. He was checking me out, so I flashed him. He capsized. I took it as a big compliment.”

Ellie stared. “You’re amazing.”

Jacqui inclined her head coquettishly. “I’m a current-era devotee of the ideas from the Sixties. Spread the love around.”

Ellie nudged Olivia. “But a car dealer?”

“Don’t say another word.” Jacqui handed them her phone. Ellie and Olivia gazed at the photo of a gorgeous man with his arm around Jacqui’s waist.

Olivia put a hand to her chest. “He’s killin’ it.”

Jacqui took the phone back. “Yes. But he’s like the view of Niihau from Kauai. Distant and unattainable.”

“You mean he’s full of dark secrets?” Ellie deposited her glass on the table where it rocked unsteadily until Jacqui balanced it with her foot.

“More like he doesn’t talk much.”

“With a face like that, who needs talking?” Ellie rummaged in her purse, which had emitted brief, muffled music.

Jacqui rolled her eyes. “I know that text tone.”

Ellie fished out her phone. Her heart sank.

Olivia turned to her. “What’s up?”

“Denver’s on his way to China.”

“Did you say he might have to go?”

Ellie walked to the window and tapped distractedly at the iguanas. “Yep. But his flight went through Honolulu today. And he never let me know.”

Jacqui tipped the remainder of the bottle into Ellie’s glass and brought it to her. “He probably didn’t have much of a layover.”