Meet Me in Hawaii by Georgia Toffolo (best affordable ebook reader TXT) 📗

soft, so tight, as her throat closed over but not with sadness, or grief this time… he was so close now, his mouth hovering just above hers, his scent assailing her senses once again and making her sway into him.

‘I think you’re an inspiration, Malie Pukui – you and the strength you’ve found to survive all you’ve experienced and still be able to give.’

‘I’m nothing.’ It was so quiet she wasn’t even sure she’d said it aloud and then his thumb brushed over her lower lip, his eyes intense as they traced the move.

‘Don’t ever say that.’

‘But…’ Her argument trailed away. In truth she had none, she couldn’t think straight with him this close, with the desire to kiss him burning away every thought, every action save for one. ‘Todd, please…’

She was already reaching up on tiptoes when his lips found hers, their gentle softness in no way comparable to the sparks that alighted inside her.

Never had a simple kiss done this to her.

Not one so soft, so gentle, so… oh, my…

She was immobile, her whole body alive to the feel of his mouth as it moved over hers, his hands as they slipped into her hair, held her close. She heard a whimper and knew it had come from the very heart of her.

The warnings were there, dizzying up her mind, but she couldn’t think past the warm pleasure swirling through her body. He slanted his head, his tongue nudging her lips apart and the whimper escaped again, her hands lifting to his wrists like she would pull him away, but she couldn’t. It was too nice, too all-consuming. Instead she brushed her tongue against his, tentative, probing, and shivered as the thrill of it rippled through her. No, she didn’t want this feeling to end. She wanted it to grow, she wanted more.

And that’s when it hit her. The timely reminder that everything had to end.

Fun, enjoyment, love, life.

And when it ends there’s pain, so much pain.

Yes, he could block it out for her for now. But what about tomorrow, and the day after that, and… She pulled at his hands, her head shaking, her eyes squeezed shut. ‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have.’

‘You didn’t, it was me… it’s OK, Malie, we can forget—’

But she was already turning to run.

‘I have to go.’ She hurried away from the heat of the kiss, her shame burning at her cheeks. ‘I have to be up early for the first group, thanks for a great evening, for… for… this.’

And then she turned her back on him and kept on going, collecting her shoes as she went. She didn’t stop to get her drink, she didn’t even stop to say her goodbyes at the party. She was too busy berating herself for her own stupidity.

What the hell had she been doing?

Having fun. Going with the flow. Getting lost in the appeal that was the millionaire Todd Masters and the man underneath.

She shook her head, the painful stomp of her bare feet against the harsh ground the perfect distraction to the chaos underway within.

She never should have kissed him. Never let him get beneath her skin. Never should have cared. Really cared. Her brother’s death, the accident, they’d taught her how fragile life was and letting Todd in could only ever complicate things.

Get a grip, Malie. You’ve only just met the guy and he’ll be gone again soon enough. It’s not like you’ve fallen head over heels, the whole love-at-first-sight nonsense is just that – Nonsense!

She pressed her fingers to her tingling lips, felt them mocking her internal lecture and knew the next few weeks would be a challenge like none other.

Chapter Five

HE WAS LOSING HIS mind, the beauty of Hawaii making him unable to focus on work, and that never happened. Ever.

He lived for his company and his charity work. They filled his days and his nights when needed. He stayed busy. Flying from city to city, making money, investing more. He didn’t take holidays, he didn’t need holidays. They were a waste of good, productive hours.

But here… here he wanted to be at the beach, he wanted to be in the water, he wanted to be near her. And that’s what it came down to. It wasn’t the location, it was Malie.

He knew it. He just didn’t know what to do about it. In any normal situation he would propose some fun while visiting and move on when he was done. But this was different. She was different. Not to mention the fact that the Foundation’s kids relied on her to make their holiday perfect and he had no right messing with that.

He’d certainly had no right to kiss her last night either. But he’d been so caught up in her pain, the emotion swimming in her gaze, and the chemistry that promised to take it away, even if it was only temporary.

He breathed a heavy sigh. It had been a foolish move, one that he should regret. But he wasn’t so sure he did.

In fact, if he had his time over, he knew he’d do the exact same thing again.

He’d exposed himself when he’d told her all he had, he hadn’t felt like himself… and yet he’d never been more true, more open, more honest, and it had left him in some weird state of limbo where he couldn’t settle.

He rubbed a hand over his face like it would somehow clear the brain fog, but it was no use. The kiss, the way it had made him feel… yes, there had been the carnal urge, the desire, but it had been the overriding emotional connection that had made it impossible to resist. And it was that which unnerved him too.

Sexual attraction was something he could deal with, something he could manage and keep within his control. He never mixed business with pleasure, be it charity or otherwise. But with Malie… he dragged in another breath… it had been different.

And there was that word again. Different.

He stared at his