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“Nope. Ladies first. Your choice.”
A hint of a flush crept across her cheeks. Wyatt’s comment hadn’t been sexual in the least, but she had the feeling he would insist on taking care of her first in the bedroom, too. Where that thought had come from, she wasn’t sure. Wyatt was an attractive man, and she was all too aware of how her body reacted any time he was near.
As she met his gaze, she saw the amusement dancing in his eyes. “I’d love to know what you’re thinking,” he said, a smile playing about his lips. He’d taken off his sunglasses when they’d sat down, resting them atop his backpack. She liked being able to look right into those green eyes of his. They shone with sincerity, and she couldn’t help but smile back at him despite her embarrassment.
“It’s nothing,” she said, reaching out to take the sub he was holding. Their fingers brushed, and she felt that tiny zing at their connection but tried not to react outwardly to his touch. They were just eating lunch. He wasn’t going to lay her down on the blanket and kiss her senseless, his big body hovering over hers.
She wouldn’t exactly mind that, however. Not in the least.
“So, hard seltzers,” he said, digging into his backpack again. He’d seemed affected by their touch as well but played it off better than her. Wyatt was a man used to being in control of his actions and emotions. He’d let her off the hook but had to realize that she was attracted to him. “I didn’t totally think the hard seltzer thing through, because they’ll fizz everywhere since I’ve been jostling them around.”
“I’m fine with water,” she assured him.
He put them back into the small cooler, setting them to the side. “We can save them for later. Usually, I’m better at planning,” he said with an easy shrug. “Guess I was eager to see you.” His green gaze flicked to hers. It felt intimate sitting here under the trees. Private. Callie felt like she and Wyatt were in their own little space, cocooned away from the rest of the world.
They weren’t of course. Other hikers were splashing in the water down below. Once they left the forest, the crowded highway and beaches of Waikiki would greet them. But for now in this moment? She had Wyatt all to herself.
“I’m glad you texted. Running into you the other night was—surreal.” She shook her head, feeling the strands of hair that had slipped free from her ponytail move around her face. Wyatt watched her, a soft expression crossing his face. Even doused in sunscreen, slightly sweaty from their hike, she felt pretty when he looked at her. It was the way he watched her—careful. Attentive. He wasn’t smitten with her. It was far too soon for that. In reality, this was only the third time they’d ever been together. It felt like she’d known him forever though, like Wyatt had always been a part of her life.
Wyatt cleared his throat. “There’s a chance we’ll get sent out this week,” he said, his voice gruff. “If we don’t, I’d love to see you again. I know that’s a bit presumptuous since we haven’t even eaten lunch yet or finished our date today, but I’m hoping you’ll agree to dinner.”
Her smile mirrored his own. “Is that a yes?”
“Of course, it’s a yes. I’d love that.”
“Awesome. I’ll firm up the details and figure out where I want to take you,” he said.
“Well, I’m pretty flexible with my schedule at the moment, so whatever works for you. Who knows? Maybe I’ll have figured out some amazing job by then.”
Wyatt nodded at her sub. “Go ahead. Eat.”
She unwrapped it and took a bite, feeling slightly relieved when Wyatt did the same with his own. She didn’t need him to sit there and watch her. Once again, however, he’d insisted that she go first. It was sweet. Unnecessary, perhaps, but sweet all the same. Wyatt might be an assertive alpha male, brave and badass, but he was also a gentleman. He’d probably deny it or perhaps just shrug it off. It was an engrained part of his personality, natural. Not all men were like that, and she’d met her fair share of jerks during her travels. Even when Wyatt had rescued her, he hadn’t done anything to belittle her or make her feel like less than him. She’d been injured and in pain, and he’d done everything he could to put her at ease.
“Have you ever thought about starting a new blog?” he asked after swallowing a bite of his sub. “I get why the old one is on hold, along with everything that went along with it. I do want to see those comments later on,” he added, his expression briefly darkening. “But Hawaii is amazing. You’re adventurous and love trying new things. You could post about things here on Oahu, maybe get a following for that. You wouldn’t have to fly anywhere or even show your face if you didn’t want to—just focus on the food and scenery.”
“Like the hot Navy SEALs on the island? Oh my gosh,” she said, blushing as she covered her mouth with one hand. “I can’t believe I just said that.”
Wyatt was chuckling, looking amused when she finally got the nerve to look at him once more. “I’m attracted to you, too, sweetheart. If I haven’t said it yet, well, I just wanted to make sure you felt comfortable with me.”
“I do,” she assured him.
“I’m glad. I’m hoping we’ll get to spend more time together with you living here in Hawaii, but even if things didn’t work out, I’m not a dick. You can trust me. You went through a hell of a lot, and even if this doesn’t go anywhere, you’ve still got a friend here in Oahu. Shoot. Any of the guys would go to bat for you. I hope you know that. But for the record, I definitely like you as much more than just a friend.”
She laughed at that, watching as he took a big bite of his sandwich now that he’d spoken his piece. “You’re blunt.”
He swallowed and then looked at her—really looked. “I know what I want. I’m not really into playing games. I’m old enough to know when I meet someone special. You’re gorgeous. I’m sure you already know that, but you’re an incredible person, too. Ambitious. Adventurous. You’re brave and look out for others.”
“I don’t,” she said, shaking her head.
“You do. You didn’t have to stick up for that woman on the airplane, but you did. You stuck your neck out to help someone in danger. I respect the hell out of that. You wouldn’t believe some of the selfish things we see in our line of work. There are men who would use women and children as shields. People who would push others aside just to see to their own safety. You’re special, Callie. Rare. I hope you realize that.”
“Well, geez,” she said, laughing as she looked away. “How can I ever live up to all that?”
“Just be yourself,” he assured her. Wyatt reached out then, gently brushing back a stray strand of her hair. Tingles shot through Callie at his warm touch. “I like what I see,” he said, his voice husky.
She bit her lip as she looked back at him, her heart thudding erratically in her chest. Wyatt hadn’t removed his hand, his thumb gently brushed over her cheek. “Me too,” she said softly. “I like everything I see, too.”
CALLIE HELD WYATT’S hand as they made their final descent to the lagoon beneath the waterfall half an hour later. It was a short hike down—maybe ten minutes, tops. Wyatt had reached out a muscled hand to help her take a step over a rocky area and then simply hadn’t let go. Warmth washed over her at their connection—both physical and emotional. He hadn’t so much as kissed her yet, but she felt closer to him after their afternoon together. She’d been sure he’d lean over as they sat on the picnic blanket, but he seemed to sense she was slightly skittish. It’s not that she didn’t trust him. It was more that she didn’t trust herself not to fall for him—hard.
