Destination Wedding (Crimson Romance) (13 page)

“Ah … of course. That fits them.” She leaned back on her elbows. “I’ve heard it all when it comes to proposals but the over-the-top tried and true ones always win.”

“What’s the craziest wedding proposal you’ve ever heard?”

“Hmmm … one groom proposed to his girlfriend at a cemetery at midnight.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep. He said that he wanted to ask her at the place where their love would live on for all eternity.”

“Sounds — ”

“Creepy. I know. They were actually a cute couple.” She turned to face him. It didn’t escape her that his sexy, full lips were a short few kissable inches from hers. “What about you, Luke?”

“What about me?”

“How would you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Propose.”

“Oh … Well, I’ve never been in that situation, but I think I’d want to recreate the first time we met.” He smiled. “It would be the exact same time and place.”

“Really? What if you met at some place unromantic like a grocery store or a gas station?”

“Those are perfect places. She would never expect it. Complete surprise.”

“Maybe.” She dug her toes further into the sand. “So if you were to propose to me, it would be at the Honolulu airport outside of baggage claim?”

“What?” He sat up and looked back at her.

There it was again. That uncomfortable look on his face but times ten. She’d crossed a line. “You know. Where we first met.” She pulled herself up. “I’m just joking.”

“I knew that.” He poked the fire, not saying another word.

Reaching for her high heels, Kate stood and brushed the sand off her dress and legs. It was best if she ended this awkward moment. She could blame it on the alcohol tomorrow. “We should probably call it a night. We’ve got your brother’s wedding to plan.”

He jumped up. “Yeah, a good night’s sleep might be what we both need.”

Kate crossed her arms and watched Luke as he put out the fire. If only he knew that there was another fire currently taking place inside her that needed some serious dousing.

First Drew; now Luke? She wasn’t sure which twin she wanted more but one thing was for sure — her heart was headed for serious trouble.

“I don’t care if it’s dormant. We are not having your brother’s wedding there.” Kate shook her head. Luke and she had returned from the East Maui Volcano at Haleakala National Park and were walking along the beach boardwalk near their hotel.

“Come on, Kate.” Luke waved his hands in the air. “Picture this. Just before Drew says I do, the volcano begins to erupt.”

“Ha, ha. Not going to happen.”

“I’m sure Drew would love it.”

“And Lauren would kill me.” She laughed. “It’s a lovely backdrop, but no. With my luck it
would
erupt.”

He smiled. “All right. You win. How about some ice cream?” He pointed to a vendor.

“I can’t turn down free ice cream.”

“Who says yours is free?”

Luke stepped up to the vendor and ordered. She took the opportunity to steal a glance at him. In a light blue polo and khakis, he looked so handsome.

Her perfect escort for the day. Annie had called earlier apologizing for having to cancel their visit to the private cove until tomorrow. That was fine by Kate. She arranged for Luke to get his tux measurements at a tuxedo shop suggested by Annie. She wasn’t going to lie. Seeing Luke fill out a tux had been the absolute best part of her day.

After that, they had toured the island visiting Plan B venues should the private cove not be to her liking.

It had been such a great day. She didn’t want it to end. Luke was fun to be around and easy to talk to. He seemed genuinely interested in getting to know her. Kate never felt so relaxed around a guy who she was attracted to.

Attracted to — that was an understatement. Not only was Luke good-looking, but they had many things in common. It was at lunch, while they wolfed down fantastic Hawaiian burgers dripped in pineapple sauce, she realized just how similar they were. Both of them were passionate about their careers, enjoyed traveling to new places, and loved animals. They both also felt a certain amount of responsibility for the happiness of their single parents.

He strolled back and handed her an ice cream cone. “I hope you like mango.”

“My favorite.” She laughed and licked the cone. She wasn’t lying. It really was her favorite.

“Let’s go sit over there.” He grabbed her hand and led her across the street to a park bench overlooking the beach. His touch sent an electric shock through her. Her heart was a goner.

She licked her ice cream. The creamy mango flavor melted on her tongue. “Yum. I could get used to this.”

“Me, too.” He smiled. “I had a great time today.”

“Me, too.” Her heart pounding heavily inside her chest indicated it agreed as well.

“So tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow the private cove. Cross your fingers it’s the one.”

“I’m still rooting for the volcano.”

She winkled her nose. “Not going to happen. Volcano ash doesn’t look good on a white dress.”

He touched her arm. “I’ll leave the decision to the expert. From what I’ve heard she’s quite good.”

She bit down on her cone. Her face had to be bright red. “So tomorrow should be fun. Looking at the beach cove.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Janet pretty much assured me that this would be the place. It looked amazing from the pictures she e-mailed me.”

“So we’re only seeing one spot?”

“Looks that way.”

“Then let’s make sure we wear our bathing suits underneath our clothes. I’m dying to try out that ocean.”

“I’m game.” A chill ran up her spine. She might like to try out another recreational activity with a half-naked Luke.

“So any plans for tonight?” He handed her his napkin.

“Thank you. How about some hula dancing? It is Hawaii and I’m quite good.”

“I know.” He laughed.

She raised her eyebrow. “How would you know?”

“Know what?”

“You just said you knew how I hula. When did you see me?”

“I meant I assumed you’d be good at it. Aren’t all women?”

He looked like he’d been caught in a lie. Before she had a chance to dig, Luke’s cell phone rang. “Saved by the bell.” He stood and answered it, walking a few steps from the bench.

Kate rested her gaze on his broad shoulders. This day had been perfect. Visiting venues, picking out his tux, laughing over a long lingering lunch, it had been almost too good to be true. She hoped it ended with an amazing repeat of last night, maybe another romantic beach fire. This time she wouldn’t let him end it abruptly.

Luke turned around, completely catching her eyes in the act. Busted for checking him out, she turned away.

“I have some bad news.”

“Oh, no. What? Are Drew and Lauren okay?”

“They’re fine. Unfortunately, no hula dancing tonight. Looks like I’ll be working.”

“That’s okay.” She knew another evening alone with Luke was too good to be true. It was probably for the better. She could Skype with Miles and get her own work done.

“Maybe another night when I return?”

She had a cute idea and fished a black sharpie out of her purse. “Be right back.”

“Where are you going?” he called out.

Kate flashed a smile behind her and skipped onto the beach. Within seconds, she found what she needed. Picking up the seashell, she flipped it over and scribbled on it. Returning to the bench, she handed the seashell to Luke and sat back down.

“Rain check,” he read and smiled.

She knew she was blushing by the heat now flaming her cheeks. “Just so you don’t forget.”

“Not a chance.” He stood and put the shell in his pocket, taking their trash to a nearby can. A Jack Russell Terrier barreled up to him, nearly knocking him over.

Kate smiled. One thing was certain — she no longer had impure thoughts about Drew.

She watched as he bent down and petted the rambunctious dog. No, her thoughts were definitely no longer on Drew.

She frowned. Would Luke have accepted her rain check if he knew she made out with his brother?

Luke took off his sunglasses and admired the Maui coastline. Kate and he had arrived to the private cove that opened up to a secluded stretch of pristine white sand and blue ocean. It was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

His eyes rested on Kate. Second most. He watched as she greeted the woman they were meeting to view the ceremony space. Kate had on her infamous green dress with the side zipper. Her nude heels were in her hand. Grinning, he thought back to her standing outside his hotel door with the dress unzipped. That had been quite an arousing site.

He spun around. Now wasn’t the time to picture Kate half-naked. He concentrated again on the ocean. He was no wedding planning expert but the secluded location seemed perfect. Lauren would love it, and he was pretty sure his brother would dig it, too. He whipped out his phone to take a picture.

Kate came up and snatched it. “What are you doing?”

“Taking a picture to text it to Drew.”

“No! I want this to be a surprise.”

“Okay.”

Kate handed his phone back and turned to the middle-aged woman. “Annie, this is Drew’s twin brother, Luke. Luke, Annie.”

Luke extended his hand. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

The woman placed her hand in his and smiled. “Aloha. Twin brother? What a handsome groom Drew must be.”

He chuckled. “I’m actually better looking. Right, Kate?”

Kate smiled but didn’t agree. Luke looked down. She couldn’t possibly still have feelings for Drew? Not after the last two days. He regretted that after their perfect day together, work had pulled him away and he couldn’t take her up on the invitation last night for some hula dancing.

Still, he’d had a wonderful time getting to know her. He had a sneaky suspicion she enjoyed his company as well. Many times yesterday, he’d caught her checking him out. That had to be a good sign. Right?

Unless he was just eye candy for her to fantasize about Drew. Nah, that couldn’t be it. He’d like to think he knew when a woman was in to him. Kate definitely displayed some signs.

“So what do you think, Luke?” Annie asked.

Her question snapped him back to the present. “Breathtaking.” He gazed at Kate whose back was to him as she looked out at the ocean.

Kate swung around. “I don’t think I’ve ever worked with a more beautiful backdrop.” She walked around in a circle. “And we could get one hundred guests over here easily?”

“Oh, yes. Especially if you plan on having them stay at the Apolima.”

“We do.”

“Yes, then we can coordinate to bring them over in stretch limos.” Annie pointed to the road. “There’s plenty of parking beyond that ridge.”

“That would be fun,” Kate said. “We could even supply cocktails in the limos. Maybe a signature bride and groom drink.”

Luke laughed. Lauren would be all over that. The guests would be half in the bag before they stepped onto the beach. “Great idea.” He looked down at his watch. His precious time with Kate was winding down. He’d be on a plane for New York City in five hours.

“Annie, this is it.” Kate hugged her. “Lauren and Drew are going to love it.”

“Very well then.” Annie said, checking the time. “I need to run. I have an appointment on the other side of the island this afternoon. Kate, I’ll call you tomorrow and we can start working out the details.”

“Great. Thanks, Annie. Miles and I are excited to work with you.”

“Miles?”

“My assistant.”

She mouthed the word “Oh,” all the while smiling at Luke. “You know. If you have some time, you two should check out the waterfall. It’s through that path over there.” She pointed to an area away from the beach that led into the jungle.

“Waterfall?” Luke raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, it’s a favorite spot.” She winked. “Very private.”

He glanced over at Kate. He was pretty sure he could see a new tint of pink to her cheeks. Did he do that to her? Only one way to find out.

• • •

“Let’s go check it out.”

Kate hesitated, watching as Annie sped off in her Audi. “Um … I don’t know. Maybe we should head to the airport.”

Luke grinned. “We don’t leave until five
P.M.
; it’s noon. We have time.” He grabbed her hand and led her to the opening of the wooded area. “Did you remember to put your suit on?”

Kate reached inside her bag for her flip-flops. She did. Her favorite purple string bikini was underneath her dress.

They walked down the path, Luke guiding the way with his hand in hers. It fit perfectly in his. He swung her arm. “Annie said the waterfall was just up ahead.”

In a dark jungle
. Before she knew it, tropical trees and exotic plants surrounded them. The hairs on the back of her neck were raised but she wasn’t entirely sure if it was because of the terrain or because she was completely alone with Luke. She stopped. “I think I saw this in a scary movie once. Maybe we should turn back.”

“I’ll protect you.”

She smirked. “That’s what the guy always says before he gets axed.”

He squeezed her hand. “No one’s getting hurt.”

“Can you promise me that?”

“Yes.” He turned to her, reaching down and tucking her long bangs behind her ear. Her heart galloped. Somehow she doubted they were still talking about ax murderers.

Kate, do not go down this road.
She pulled her hand out of his and went ahead. Curse words were swarming her head. Why couldn’t she give in to this incredible desire she had to kiss him?

Because then she would have kissed both Cannon boys in less than a week. She had a lot of time to think about it last night in her hotel room. It wasn’t going to happen.

The steady rhythm of water invited her to walk a little faster. Within seconds the path had dumped them in front of a small pond leading over to the most beautiful cascading waterfall.

“Wow,” she whispered.

Luke walked past her, stripping off his shirt and pants. “I’m going in.” Before she knew it, his clothes were bunched up next to her and he had dived in, in his dark blue swim trunks. Kate stood motionless, waiting for him to surface. When he did, his muscular chest glistened in tiny water drops.