We might be starting into the "m" version of this story. Just a forewarning! Nothing explicit yet, but come on...The chemistry between Steve and Shauni is killing me. Gonna have to let something happen. Soon. ;)

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Steve left Danny in charge so he could go home and get some much needed sleep. The last couple of days had been a blur and he wanted nothing more than to lie in his bed for a few hours. Dreams of Shauni filled his thoughts though, so after tossing and turning for a few hours, he finally got up and took a COLD shower before making his way to HQ to make sure there was nothing pressing needing his attention. Then he drove to the villa to relieve Danny for the night. Steve planned to take the night shift again and Chin would take over the following morning.

Steve arrived at the house to find everyone, including Danny, laughing over a funny story Derek had just shared. Shauni was the first to notice his return as she turned in his direction. The smile that filled her face was so genuine it made his heart beat faster. Without caring what anyone else would think, she made her way over to him to give him a hug. She looked up into his eyes, "I'm glad you're back," she said.

Steve smiled back at her, "It's good to be back."

Yes, everyone noticed the exchange between them along with the resulting electricity, but neither Steve nor Shauni seemed to care.

Danny pretended to be hurt, "Excuse me….I've been here all day and no love for me?" he joked.

Shauni chuckled before walking over to him to give him a hug. "Sorry, Danny. You know I love you too," she teased.

Danny smiled before rolling his eyes and looking back at his buddy, "I know, I know. But I don't compare to Super SEAL. I understand. Just remember…" he began.

"Remember what?" Steve asked trying to look serious.

Danny looked back to Shauni, "Just remember, that I am the sensitive one. "

Everyone laughed as Steve rolled his eyes, "Whatever, Danno."

It was nearing dinner time, so the family began to discuss what to do about eating. Derek and Olivia were leaning towards getting take-out, but Shauni insisted that they go out on their own for dinner. Having her family around was wonderful but she was beginning to feel more than a little smothered by all of the attention the last few days. Olivia finally reluctantly agreed to leave Shauni for a while, so Derek called to make reservations at one of their favorite restaurants on the island. One perk of being famous was that it usually wasn't difficult to get into even the most exclusive restaurants on short notice.

While Olivia freshened up to go out on the town, Sasha made her way to the lanai where her sister was resting on a hammock and watching the beautiful Hawaiian sunset. "So what's this about getting Mom and Daddy out of the house?" she asked Shauni.

Shauni shrugged. She never could keep anything from her sister; They were like two peas in a pod and knew each other like no one else. Knowing that her sister would see right through any denial, Shauni admitted to trying to get them out for a while, "I just need some room to breathe, sis. I feel like I'm being smothered. Besides, they love Hawaii. There's no sense in them hovering over me the whole time they're here. They need a break as much as I do."

"You're right," Sasha agreed, "Which is why I'll be getting out of the way too."

Shauni turned to look at her sister, "You don't have to go. I mean, it's different with you…..You don't 'hover' like they do."

Sasha smiled but shook her head, "I know, but I've seen the looks shooting between you and Commander McGarrett. Maybe some alone time is just what you need….If you get my drift." She wiggled her eyebrows conspiratorially. Shauni giggled even as she tried to ignore the thoughts conjuring in her imagination of being alone with Steve again.

"Don't deny it, big sister. I know you better than anyone. I think some of his 'TLC' might be just what you need right now." She leaned over to give her sister a hug before making her way back into the house, calling a couple of friends who lived on the island, and making plans of her own for the evening.

Before long, the family was gone leaving Shauni and Steve alone in the house. Steve ordered take-out from one of his favorite restaurants as Shauni grabbed a couple of beers for them and headed back outside to enjoy the beautiful evening. When the food arrived, they enjoyed dinner outside and shared easy conversation. It didn't matter that they came from very different backgrounds: If you stripped away the fame and notoriety that the Steele family possessed, Steve and Shauni found they had a lot in common and were enjoying getting to know each other more every day.

When dinner was over, Shauni stood up to clear their dishes when Steve stopped her. "I've got it."

She started to protest, "No, I can help."

But Steve insisted, "Why don't you go inside and take a bath or something to relax?" As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Steve lost concentration for a moment. The thought of Shauni taking a bath peaked his interest. He wanted to watch. Or join her. Hell, anything to be close to her. BUT, he was there to protect her, so he tried to ignore the growing desire he felt for her.

Shauni hesitated briefly before reaching up to rub her shoulder, "I'm still really sore. I seem to hurt all over. Maybe you're right…A bath might feel good."

He watched as she sauntered into the house and headed towards her bedroom. As he made his way inside to put their dirty dishes into the dishwasher, he could hear the water filling the garden tub in her bathroom.

Sports. That's what he needed to get his mind off of her naked body soaking in the tub. Good old testosterone filled sports. He turned the television to ESPN and began to watch the football highlights of the week. It didn't do much to distract him, he thought sarcastically, but he should get an "A" for effort, dammit. He was on his way back into the kitchen for another beer when he heard her.

"Steve?" Shauni's voice was quiet as she stepped into the hallway uncertainty filling her voice.

Steve turned to look down the hall, "Yeah?"

She looked at him shyly, "I'm sorry to bother you, but I just realized that I can't get my shirt off by myself because I can't lift my arm all the way up. Would you mind helping me?"

His mouth went dry. Help her get undressed?

Keep your cool, McGarrett….You can do this.

"Sure. No problem." He offered her a smile that showed none of the uncertainty he was feeling at the moment as he followed her into the bathroom. He reminded himself that he was a gentleman…..He had honor…..He had integrity…and once again, he was there to protect her, not throw her down on the bed and have his way with her even though everything inside of him was saying otherwise. As he walked into the bathroom behind her, he took a deep breath and willed himself to continue.

She turned and offered him an apologetic smile. "Sorry. I guess from now on I need to wear a button up shirt, or something I can take off myself."

"It's no problem." Steve repeated…..as much for himself as for her…..but as Shauni looked up at him, he knew he couldn't mask the desire showing in his eyes.

Steve helped remove her t-shirt. Then, she started to fiddle with her bra before realizing she couldn't unfasten it with one hand either. She huffed in frustration. "Guess I shouldn't have tried this until Mom or Sasha was here. If you can help me get my shirt back on, I'll just wait to take a bath until they get back."

"It's okay. I can help you." Steve's voice had grown husky behind her. "I just can't promise I'll behave," he said only halfway joking.

Shauni turned to him and licked her lips unconsciously as she saw Steve's gaze wander to her mouth. He wanted to kiss her again. And he wanted it now. As soon as his mouth found its way to hers, the feel of their lips together again made her sigh in contentment.

Steve wasn't the only one who had been dreaming of their afternoon together at his house. That time on the beach with Steve had been one of the few times in Shauni's life that she had felt almost "normal"; No fanfare, no paparazzi watching every move she made, no security guards around. Just time with the man who wanted to spend time…. with her. Those memories were ones she knew she would always hold close to her heart no matter what the future held for her and Steve.

In this moment, as he kissed her again, Shauni allowed herself to hope that maybe something more could happen between them no matter what obstacles lay before them.

Steve's kiss was insistent and let her know immediately that the attraction she was feeling for him was mutual. He had missed her kisses as much as she had missed his. God help her, but the man could do wonders with his tongue, she mused. It was all she could do not to dissolve into a puddle on the floor. As he teased her lips open with his tongue and moved inside, Shauni felt her nipples peak in anticipation of so much more from him. No one had ever peaked her interest or made her feel as desirable as Steve McGarrett. Yes, she had dated. She'd even had a couple of "high profile" relationships that the tabloids had loved. But those relationships hadn't lasted and Shauni had always hoped for more. She wanted someone who would see through all of the bravado and see who she really was….deep down. Being with Steve felt different than anything she had experienced before. Maybe it was because she knew the chemistry between them had nothing to do with "who she was" and everything to do with "who they were" when they were together. He wanted her…..not for her fame, not for the connection to her famous dad, and not for anything else. He just wanted her.

Steve heard the sigh that escaped her mouth and couldn't help but smile before taking a deeper taste of her. He wanted more. So much more. But, as much as he wanted to take this to the next level with Shauni, he knew the timing was off. They couldn't do this now, so he needed to stop. After all, they had no way of knowing when her family might return. When he had the chance to be with Shauni…..and he would make sure it happened eventually…..Steve wanted to take his time with her; No distractions, no interruptions, just the two of them free to explore the fire that was threatening to burn them both up from the inside.

Using all of the willpower he possessed, Steve broke the kiss and looked down to see Shauni's eyes darkened with lust just like his own. He reached a thumb up to stroke her cheek, "Your water's getting cold, sweetie. Maybe I should let you get that bath you wanted."

"Huh?" she mumbled feeling dazed, "Oh…..right…..the bath."

Without breaking eye contact, Steve reached around to unhook her bra. "Soon," he said and Shauni quickly caught the meaning behind his words.

Shauni let her bra slip down her arms and fall to the floor and made no move to cover herself from his hungry gaze. If Steve wanted to play this little game, she decided to play along…..or tease along…..and see how long he could really hold out.

"Promise?" she asked innocently as she took a step away from him and let him see her.

Steve couldn't break his gaze away. His eyes trailed hungrily down her body before coming back up to rest on her mouth. She was absolutely perfect. "You can count on it," he replied.

Fearing that her knees might turn to jello any moment, she removed her shorts and panties before turning to step into the tub. "I think I can take it from here. Thank you for your help."

Steve watched for a moment unable to speak. "I'll just…uh….I'll just…..wait….for you…..out in the living room." He stuttered. "Let me know if you need help getting out." He turned and swiftly left the bathroom cursing his libido as he tried to get it back under control.

Soon, Steve thought to himself. Soon, I will get her back to the house and we'll explore this…..Whatever "this" is between us.