Page 84 of Riptide

Chapter Twelve

Kaimana sat on the chaise, gazing at the clear turquoise water. It had been a week since she’d seen Seth. The night of the attack, she’d willingly gone with the FBI and submitted to interrogations about Marcus’ death. Everyone agreed that until the bad actors in Marretta’s organization were located and arrested, Kaimana’s safety was at risk.

Seth had gone home to tell his family in person that he was alive. But since Lars had gone off grid, they’d made the decision to tell him when he returned to San Diego.

Kaimana spent her days alone on the remote island, hoping Seth would come to her. Though they’d exchanged a few texts and he’d promised he’d join her soon, she hadn’t heard from him in a few days.

Seeds of doubt grew roots, leaving her questioning if her feelings for him had been an outcome of their high stress situation. Had Seth changed his mind about dating her?

A knock on her door startled her contemplation and she reached for her robe. As she opened the door, she wore a look of confusion as nearly a dozen staff entered, carrying exotic flower arrangements. They circled in and out of the bungalow filling the space with flowers. A waiter rolled in a cart with silver domed dishes. Someone handed him a bottle of champagne which he promptly opened and poured. He set the glasses on a separate outdoor linen-covered table.

“What’s going on?” she asked, but no one responded. They simply continued to work in silence with only an occasional smile and nod.

The roar of a plane overhead drew her attention. As she stepped onto the deck, she caught sight of it flying toward the ocean. Slowly descending, the float plane eventually skidded across the water.

Her heart sank as it finally came to rest several hundred feet away. But as the plane circled back around and made a beeline toward her, Kaimana’s pulse raced in anticipation. Seth.

Her eyes widened as its side door flew open and she caught sight of her sexy surfer, shirtless and tanned, waving at her. The plane drifted closer to the berth but before it had a chance to dock, Seth dove into the water.

“Oh my God. You’re crazy!” She beamed with both shock and amazement.

Wearing nothing but his board shorts and a drawstring backpack, Seth glided across the smooth as glass ocean. Kaimana grabbed a towel as Seth reached the ladder on the dock. Within seconds, he’d climbed up onto the deck and closed the distance between them.

With her heart full, Kaimana dropped the towel as Seth wrapped his wet arms around her and smashed his lips onto hers. She moaned as his tongue swept into hers. Her body instantly responded, flooding in desire.

“Seth,” she breathed into their kiss.

Kaimana moaned in protest as he tore his lips from hers and leaned back to look at her.

“I’ve fucking missed you, Kai.”

“I’ve missed you too,” she confessed, breathless, a grin blooming on her face. “You’re all wet.”

“I’ve got something for you.”

“Did you do all this?” she asked, looking to the flowers. “How? Why?”

“I promised you that when this was all done we’d go on a date.”

Warmth filled Kaimana’s chest as he spoke with sincerity.

“I know we just went through hell, but this thing between us…I don’t want to give it up.”

“Seth…” Her heart pounded in her chest as he took her hands in his. I love you.

“The thing is… it was great seeing my family. But I had a lot of time to think about this thing with us. I live in California and long-distance relationships aren’t exactly something I want so—”

“It’s okay, Seth. I get it.” Kaimana’s stomach tightened in disappointment. She should have better prepared for him to say goodbye. “You didn’t have to come all this way then.”

“What?” Confusion washed over his face.

“It’s just I get it. We barely know each other really.” She bit her lip and fought the emotion that threatened to erupt into tears.

“No, Kai.” His voice softened, his palm reached for her and cupped her cheek. “What I’m trying to say is this…you and I…us... I’ve never felt like this about anything or anyone. No wave. No jump. Nothing, no one has compared to you. So yeah, this is going to be a date tonight, but I want more than a date with you. I’m going to move home.”

“Home?” Her fingers trembled in his.

“Hawaiʻi.”