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Leilani stood on the dock, clipboard in hand, checking the names against the reservations, one at a time. She smiled and chatted with each person, making them feel more comfortable. The mood was festive, and the people were excited to get out on the water and experience some of the sea life Maui had to offer.
Once everyone was on board, Josh and Angel handed each person a life vest. Josh demonstrated how to wear the vest.
Captain Ako set the boat in motion, easing away from the dock and through the harbor.
With the sun shining down, Leilani drew in a breath of warm, clean air. If a person didn’t know the recent history, he would never guess that this idyllic place had suffered such a horrendous tragedy that had killed a hundred people and forever changed the lives of so many more.
Heading south, the captain took the boat to Molokini Crater, the ancient volcano with only a crescent-shaped rim protruding dramatically from the water.
In the hour it took to get there, Leilani served drinks, croissants and fruit cups, while the guys fitted guests with masks, snorkels and fins.
The captain positioned the Windsong I in the protected cover formed by the crescent of the volcano, lining up with eight other tour boats, spaced out to give their guests room to swim alongside their boats.
Leilani gave a short safety briefing, informing the guests that they couldn’t touch the wildlife or the reefs. “See with your eyes, not your hands,” she said with a smile. “Help us protect our reefs and its inhabitants. We have over two hundred fifty local species of sea life. You should see black durgon triggerfish, locally known as thehumuhumu ’ele ’ele. Then there’s the largest and most colorful reef fish, the parrotfish orUhu. Plus, there’s Hawaii’s state fish, the Lagoon Trigger Fish, lovingly called theHumuhumunukunukuapua`a.” She cocked an eyebrow and looked around at the people seated on benches, fins already fitted on bare feet and holding their snorkels. “Anyone want to give that name a try?”
People laughed.
Her gaze swept toward Angel. She caught him grinning. His smile made her day even brighter.
“Josh will be in the water with you if you need help with anything and to point out interesting things you might not notice. You’ll have an hour here. Enjoy.”
People waddled to the back of the boat and entered the water one at a time. Josh joined them, leading a bright orange life preserver donut by a rope.
The captain stayed on the upper deck at the helm, leaving Leilani and Angel alone on the lower deck.
Suddenly shy, she busied herself rearranging items behind the bar.
Angel stared out at the boats around them. He waved at Dev on Windsong II as Captain Dave maneuvered into a position beside their boat.
With his back to Leilani, she had the opportunity to study the man. He wore a plain white T-shirt that stretched snuggly over broad shoulders. His swim trunks had a nautical theme in varying shades of blue. With his short, sandy blond hair and amazing tan, he could have been a swimwear model. He had everything it took to make a woman look twice and maybe drool a little.
At that moment, he turned, his light blue eyes twinkling in the sunshine as he caught her staring at him. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “Can I help?”
“No,” she said quickly and ducked to check the drinks that didn’t need to be checked in the cooler, her cheeks burning. All she could think about was the brush of a kiss she’d given him the night before. Had he been intrigued? Teased? Disappointed?
God, she wished she’d stuck around to show him what kind of kiss she was really capable of.
When she finally raised her head, she muffled a squeal.
Angel stood on the other side of the bar, less than a foot away. He reached across the counter and took her hand in his. “Thanks again for having dinner with me last night. It was the highlight of my stay on Maui. So far.” He raised her hand to his lips and pressed his lips to the backs of her knuckles.
Her knees melted as a rush of heat coiled at her center. “I enjoyed it. I hope I didn’t bore you.”
He chuckled. “Far from it. I love getting to know you.” His gaze went to where his hand still held hers. “I have only one regret.”
Her brow puckered. “You do?”
He nodded, his head coming up, his eyes staring into hers. “That I didn’t get to kiss you back.”
CHAPTER7
Time stood stillfor a moment as Leilani fell into the smoky depths of Angel’s blue gaze. She turned her hand over and curled her fingers around his.
“You see,” Angel said, “my date kissed me and ran.”
“Silly woman,” Leilani whispered, her breath lodged in her lungs.
His brow twisted. “I wondered if she was afraid of me.”
