Chapter 2
Remington sat on the sand, one leg extended, arms wrapped around the other's bended knee, his eyes fastened on his enchanting partner and lover, as her bare midriff undulated, her hips swayed and her lovely arms gracefully moved. The hula 'auana lessons for all the Holt women and their offspring – Abigail, Laura, Frances, Mindy and Laurie Beth – had been Abigail's brainchild, and, he suspected, he might feel forever indebted to her for it. He had not a single doubt Laura danced for him and him alone when she bestowed upon him a dazzling, dimpled smile. It was one of the moments he knew would stay with him forever, and already he was thinking of how he might commit it to paper, quite permanently.
While she'd been more than a little resistant to the 'silly class,' as she dubbed it when Abigail had surprised everyone with the lessons, Laura had been surprised to find she actually enjoyed it. The dance might hold mythological significance for Hawaiians, but there was a sensual element to the style that couldn't be denied. Certainly her Mr. Steele was held captivated by it, or, more specifically, by her as his eyes had not so much as flickered toward one of the taller, bustier islanders. A prolific flirt he might be, when the occasion called, but she'd come to realize these last months, that he only had eyes for her. At that thought, a dimpled smile lifted her lips, and she put a little more oomph into the sway of her hips, both meant for him and him alone. If his intense, bright, blue eyes and the touch of his tongue to his lips were any indication, he wouldn't be able to keep his hands off of her that evening…
And that was more than fine by her.
He'd taken Abigail's announcement of a family trip to Hawaii for Christmas surprisingly well. She's expected the requisite amount of pouting and grousing before he gave in, instead he'd simply looked at her and said…
"It's family, Laura. I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time."
Thus, their flight to St. Moritz had been changed, their reservation at the ski resort shifted and shortened, and on the eighteenth of December they'd arrived in this tropical paradise. Abigail, shockingly, had been beyond thoughtful when reserving their rooms at the Wailea Beach Resort – the Pipers and she staying in three rooms in the main buliding, while Remington and Laura would stay in a private, beachside villa.
"Mother, really, you didn't have to do this," Laura had automatically protested at the registration desk when she and Remington were presented with a map on which directions to their villa were spelled out, along with the villa's key.
"It's the least I can do after you changed your plans, Laura, dear," Abigail averred. Laura had been supremely touched by her mother's thoughtfulness, until she'd added, "You two love birds need your privacy," in that sing-song, deprecating way of hers as she'd given Remington a long, adoring look which had left Laura stewing all the way to their villa. Why not just ask him when he plans to get off his duff and make an honest woman of your daughter, she silently raged, Maybe I don't want to get married, Mother. Did that ever occur to you? I'm a woman of the eighties. Besides, things have been going just fine.
Fine. Beyond fine. Bordering on bliss. That's what the last months had been. They'd never spoken of beyond what they now had, and that was alright by her. She didn't need a piece of paper, a key to a shared home, to know where they stood. He wasn't going anywhere, it was a simple as that, and she trusted him at his word.
And, here they were, in paradise, together.
She gave a mental sigh.
With her family. Hardly what she'd had in mind for their seventeen day getaway, but Remington didn't mind. Long before last April, when she'd announced to her family their personal relationship – her first, halting, step towards moving them ahead – he'd been fascinated by her family, often horning in on invitations or offering up his and Laura's services. To be included as an unofficial member of the family? There were times he was so pleased that a goofy smile would appear on his face, while he shifted from foot-to-foot.
No, her Mr. Steele didn't mind the itinerary her mother had designed for the family, leaving the two of them precious little time alone. On Friday, they'd taken the Road to Hana Tour, and she'd been fine with that – after all, how long could it take to tour a single road? The answer, it turned out, was seven-hours-and-twenty-two minutes, the tour taking them past Hookipa Beach, through Puaa Kaa and Waianapanapa State Parks, along Hana Bay and on short hikes to Puohokamoa, Waikamoi, and Wailua Falls. The scenery had been stunning, the information about the Islands history mind-engaging, but by the time they'd arrived back at the resort, she was more than ready for some time away from her family…
But it wasn't to be, for Abigail had announced they'd all meet in the lobby of the main building in 'one hour' for dinner.
And today? A day of snorkeling at Molokini Crater, then this afternoon, hula lessons. Humor her mother in this, she might, but she'd put her foot down when it came to attending the luau this evening. She wanted time alone with Remington, andA AAEDA AE that, as they say, was that. Thankfully, he seemed to want that time alone with her as much as she, for he hadn't stepped in with his patented…
"Now, Laura…"
As the dance came to an end – which also, for them, signified the end of family time - Laura stepped from the makeshift stage and strutted toward Remington, placing the lei around his neck and giving him a promising kiss when he stood.
"We may have to acquire one of these delightful little ensembles for ourselves," he mumbled next to her ear, before standing back to give her an assessing, admiring look.
"Does the trick, does it?" she smiled, stepping back into his embrace and wrapping her arms around his neck, lifting her brows at him.
"You've no idea," he whispered, before landing a soft kiss against her lips again.
"I'll see what I can do," she promised, then with a final kiss, she left to change back into her clothes in a nearby cabana.
"Shall we?" he asked, offering her an elbow when she returned. She smiled up at him, laying a hand in the crook of his arm.
"Let's," she agreed.
