In Paradise Page 5

  “But no, Jake is still livid about some woman Boyd made a move on. Then just as they seemed to have patched up their relationship, Boyd did something else to make Jake angry again."

  Di knew what Boyd had done, but she had no clue why Jake would think she was involved. "Why would Jake think I have something to do with the feud they're having? I didn't know anything about it. None of it."

  "Jake is overly sensitive about anything Boyd does. Boyd keeps trying to make amends and the two of them just keep on fighting when he's rebuffed by Jake. It's the talk of the island."

  "It seems rather cruel of Jake to be so unforgiving."

  "You'd have to know Boyd. His own dear, departed mother, God rest her soul, couldn't stand him at times." Raul rested his chin on his index finger. "Although, come to think of it, she's the reason he's so needy. Needy...my beautiful ass, the man can be downright insufferable at times."

  "Then why doesn't some kind soul set Boyd straight?"

  "Right or wrong, Boyd is Hawaiian, born right here on the island. The island favors its own."

  "Jake Forman should be the bigger man. I wanted two weeks in paradise and all I got was a day."

  "Sounds to me like Jake is jealous of your relationship with Boyd. On a scale of one to ten, how good was this day he gave you, honey?"

  "A million, maybe more, but I haven't decided if it's worth the drama." Di wanted tell Raul she didn't have a relationship with Boyd. She barely knew him. But she'd given Boyd her word not to reveal the nature of their association.

  "I knew ol' Jake had it in him! What time is your lecture today?"

  "It's this evening. I talk about seven-ish. It's a small gallery, so I imagine they aren't too formal."

  "No one's too formal on this island. That's why we love it."

  "My great-great grandfather Theodore Raduski spent some time here on the island in the 1890s. It's strange more of his paintings haven't been discovered here."

  "That would certainly make you an expert."

  "You never know when one might pop up. That's the reason Jake kicked me out. He had an unsigned Raduski hanging in his kitchen."

  "And he didn't know?"

  "He still doesn't. I told him, but he didn't believe me. He thinks it's some sort of hoax I've cooked up with Boyd."

  "The man deserves to be taught a lesson. And who better to teach him then Raul, the master."

  "Raul, you've already worked your wonders on me. Let's leave it at that. I don't think I want to explore my options, if it means dealing with a jerk."

  Raul snapped his fingers. "What we accomplished last week is only the beginning. And nothing good is easy. We are going shopping!”

  CHAPTER 6

  Jake had the worst week of his life. Everywhere he turned, she was there. Whether sunning her pale skin on the beach, or jogging along the highway, or strolling about the village like she didn't have a care in the world.

  Damn her! Not a single day passed he didn't see her, some days several times.

  Each time got harder.

  So hard he wondered if she'd somehow bewitched him. If she'd wanted to upset his life on purpose, she couldn't have done a more effective job.

  Now this!

  Di stood in a corner of the gallery surrounded by half the male population of Kauai. The drool from the horny crowd could cause a title wave. And to make matters worse, not once did she look his way. Not one damn time!

  The white sleeveless top looked like a bustier. The form-fitting garment pushed her tatas up for everyone to admire. The pristine white lace had a wedding-like quality and left a peak of skin at her midriff showing above the long flowing lace skirt.

  Her hair looked blonder than the last time he’d seen her…Raul. How had he ever though her plain?

  Did she dress like this with him in mind? Or was it wishful thinking on his part? She had to know he'd been there for the first unannounced exhibit of Raduski in the history of the island. Not even the mainland could boast of the paintings advertised in the flyer, which had arrived at his house by special courier.

  A private collection, come to the island because of Di Stowe's esteemed presence. Could she have been right about the miserable, little painting in his kitchen? Jake had the sinking feeling he'd made a damned fool of himself.

  The gallery owner, Sam, clapped his hands to silence everyone. "Your attention, please. There's been a change of venue. As unbelievable as it seems, there're more paintings coming from the mainland. A dozen more, I'm told.

  “For security reasons and because not all of those interested in hearing Ms. Stowe will fit in my small gallery, I've rented a large space. Invitations are circulating now. Same time tomorrow evening."

  "Damn," Jake cursed and caught the proprietor's attention when he stopped speaking.

  "Jake, I thought you'd be pleased. The paintings you'll see tomorrow have never been made public."

  "Pleased? Dumbfounded is more like it. How did you get your hands on unknown Raduskis, and are they for sale?"

  "So far I've been unsuccessful in convincing their owners to part with a single painting to the general public. Although, a private placement was mentioned. Mrs. Stowe says she might part with a couple of the paintings for the right price and to the right home. She's a picky old bird."

  "Are you talking about Di's Stowe's mother? She owns all these priceless paintings and more besides?

  "Mrs. Rachel Stowe of New York City. No one can get her to say exactly how many she has stashed away. I'll see you again tomorrow then? I was certain this would be right up your alley." Sam clapped him on the back and headed off.

  Jake was more in the dark than before, but of one thing he was certain. He was a complete fool. He'd kicked Di out of his house. What an idiot! "I'll be there."

  Jake waded through the crowded room to get closer to Di. If he thought she looked like a million bucks in the dress he'd bought for her, then she looked like a billion tonight.

  "Di," he said to her back and she turned to face him.

  "Jake."

  "I believe I owe you an apology."

  For a second it seemed as if she would turn her back on him. Her face paled and she winced. Damn. Why had he been such a jerk?

  Jake waited for a response, but she gave him nothing except a frown. It was clear she had no intention of making it easy on him, and he didn't blame her.

  "I had no idea you were an expert on Raduski. I should've kept my big mouth shut."

  Di opened her mouth, then snapped it closed again, her plush lips drawn into a tight line. “Theodore Raduski was my great-great grandfather. Why does it surprise you to learn I’m considered an expert?”

  "I didn’t know. I guess I should have given you a chance to explain. And I didn’t realize you owned a collection of Rasuski’s. Since you don't have to lecture tonight, we could take a drive around the island."

  Smooth, Jake. The woman doesn't even want to talk to you.

  Di hesitated for so long he was certain she'd refuse. "I'd love to get out of here, but I don't want to leave these paintings until the gallery is closed and the guards are in place."

  "Guards? Here on the island? It's not like anyone could make a quick getaway."

  Di looked in both directions, as though someone was about to make a move on her paintings at that very moment. "This makes me so nervous. These paintings haven't been out of the house since before my mother was born."

  "So a drive is out of the question?"

  "If you can wait until after closing, I’ll consider it."

  "I'll wait." Last thing he wanted was to stand in the same room with a cock so hard he couldn't walk without drawing attention to it. "Over in the corner, behind the potted palm."

  She quirked her brows into another frown, then nodded. "I need to be available for questions."

  "Maybe I better leave the palm to some other poor jerk with a boner. I want to hear every word you have to say about these paintings. I have three by the artist. No, I mean I have four."

&nbs
p; "You believe me now?"

  "I never should've doubted you."

  "Raul told me about your problems with Boyd. It seems I landed in the middle of a long time feud without prior knowledge. It's not fair. I don't have a clue what's going on, except my life has taken a turn for the worst. And I don't know what to do about it."

  Jake could swear he saw tears glistening in her eyes. "You're right. My problems with you have nothing to do with Boyd. Do they?"

  * * * * *

  Di wanted to say no. The back of her throat started to constrict. Before she knew it, tears were pouring down her face. Probably black tears, since Raul had been heavy-handed with the makeup.

  She turned and ran for the restroom.

  "What? Is it something I said?" Jake said to her back.

  What have I done? Di didn't know what to do. She locked the door behind her and grabbed a handful of tissues from the countertop.

  "Let me in." Raul.

  "This is a woman's bathroom," she called to the zany hairdresser. He'd brought her to the gallery and had been so solicitous she wanted to scream.

  "If you're in there ruining all my hard work, I'll be annoyed. Jake Forman has rocks for brains if he turned you away again."

  Raul was talking loudly enough for everyone in the gallery to hear. Di had no choice. She opened the door. "Get in here before everybody knows what's going on."

  Raul swept into the tiny room and glared at the streaks running down her face. "This is small town living at its best. Everybody already knows."

  "Guess again. Boyd must've stolen these paintings. According to the gallery owner, there're a dozen more on the way. It's not possible my mother would agree to this."

  "What?"

  "Boyd must have had this planned since I met him in New York. I remember at the time, he was much too interested in my mother. He must've come to the house behind my back and cased the place. I've been trying to get my mother on the phone ever since I walked in here tonight and saw the paintings. I think I need to call the police to check on my mother. What if Boyd killed her?"

  "Killed your mother? Boyd?"

  Di reached into her bag for her phone. She flipped it open and speed dialed her house. No answer. "That's it. I've waited long enough. I'm calling the police."

  Raul chewed his perfectly manicured fingernails while she dialed New York City information for the station house in their neighborhood.

  Meanwhile, someone knocked on the door and Raul told them to use the men's room.

  "This is Sergeant Bronkowski. How can I help you?"

  "My name's Di Stowe. I live on the corner of Sixth and Magnolia."

  "Stowe mansion? The haunted house everyone calls the hangman's house?"

  "That'd be the one."

  "What can I do for you?"

  "I'm in Hawaii and I can't reach my mother. I left her with a nurse and no one is answering the phone."

  "Maybe she's sleeping? You have any idea what time it is here?"

  "She's a very light sleeper and there's a phone next to her bed."

  "You want me to send an officer over to check it out? I'll have to get the squad to draw straws to see who goes."

  Di resisted calling him a smartass. "It's more complicated than that. A half a dozen expensive paintings arrived at a gallery here in Kauai today. My mother would never have willingly parted with those paintings. I think something has happened to her."

  "How expensive are we talking here?"

  "The six paintings I've seen could sell for well over a million each. There are twice that many coming tomorrow."

  “I'm sorry, Miss Stowe. I'll dispatch someone right now. Do you want to hold?"

  "Please."

  Di listened to the NYPD public announcement and starting chewing her fingernail.

  "Stop that," Raul demanded.

  "You were doing it."

  "I was?" He held both hands out in front of him and sighed. "I was."

  "Miss Stowe?"

  "Yes, Sergeant Bronkowski."

  "I have an officer at your front door. No one is answering."

  "There's a key under the brass armadillo, next to the dead poinsettia."

  "I'll tell him. Hold on."

  "There's no answer at my house," she told Raul. "I'm on hold again."

  Someone tried to open the restroom door again and began to knock. "Go away," Raul demanded.

  "Open this door."

  "The gallery owner. The little shit," Raul said.

  "Raul, open this door. I know it's you. You have no business in the woman's restroom. At least no business I want to know about."

  Raul huffed. "Go away. I'm in here with Miss Stowe and she says if you interrupt us one more time she's taking her paintings and leaving."

  "Miss Stowe?" the gallery owner called.

  "Go away," she said.

  "Miss Stowe?"

  "Yes, Sergeant Bronkowski."

  "Officer Peters didn't find anything out of the ordinary. Well, that's not exactly true, but he didn't find any reason to suspect foul play. He did, however, find a note addressed to the NYPD, with the caution you'd send for us. And so you have. It directed us to contact your mother's solicitor, which we did. He says she's fine and will be in touch with you soon."

  "But my mother never leaves the house."

  "Her lawyer assured us she left the house of her own free will. She's fine, Miss Stowe. Relax and enjoy Hawaii. Be glad you aren't here—the temperature is freezing."

  "Thank you, Sergeant Bronkowski. I'm sorry to trouble you."

  "No problem, Miss Stowe. The boys at the station house will be talking about this night for some time."

  With that, Di flipped the phone shut. She'd soon be the laughing stock of New York City. What was her mother thinking to leave the house knowing full well Di would have no choice but to call the police?

  "Well?" Raul said expectantly.

  "Apparently my mother is okay."

  "How did the paintings get here?"

  "I still think Boyd must've stolen them. Maybe my mother realized there was nothing she could do to keep the public out of our lives now. Maybe she went to a hotel in hopes of avoiding the press."

  "I'm not sure what you're talking about, but maybe you should get back out there and see if the gallery owner knows anything. And don't forget about Jake."

  "How could I forget about Jake? When he discovers his mortal enemy has...what does this really have to do with Jake? It's not like Jake is out anything? Maybe he'll be disappointed in me, but he isn't emotionally invested in me.

  “And I had nothing to do with this!" Di stamped her foot on the tile floor.

  "You go, girl! Get mad. Then go get your man. Get him out of here and show him the best time he's ever had."

  "I've never been anybody's best time."

  "You're up for it, and trust me, he is. I don't know how he's been able to walk with the hardware he's packing. Ever since he walked in to see you like you look tonight he's conspicuously shown his appreciation. And just look what you've gone and done to yourself. Let me see if I can fix it."

  Raul reached for the tissues and began to dab at the streaks of make-up running down her cheeks.

  When Raul eventually finished, Di squared her shoulders and gave him a smile. "I can do this." She meant it. Even if she only had one more night with Jake Forman, she would make the most of it.

  CHAPTER 7

  When Di reached over to free his cock, Jake almost ran the Jeep off the side of the road. She stopped what she was doing to turn her face up and look at him. It was too dark to clearly see her expression.

  "Am I doing something wrong?"

  Jake gave himself a mental slap up side the head. "No. There was a turtle in the road. I didn't want to hit it."

  "Oh."

  Then suddenly her lips touched his cock and he nearly swerved a second time. Lord only knew what would happen if she took him all the way in her mouth!

  She rained kisses along the length of him and he could barely
stay quiet. His mind was saying, Open wide, baby. Take me in your mouth. You're teasing me. Then she did. Her mouth was so warm and inviting, he wanted to shout.

  Now the mantra changed from, Open wide to suck me, baby. Suck.

  And then she did. The pull of her mouth was soft and tentative, but enough to make his balls start to tighten. When she suddenly became little Miss Kirby, he nearly unloaded.

  "Easy."

  She stopped and turned her face upward. "Sorry, did I hurt you?"

  "You're killing me, but that's a good thing. I only wanted you to go a little easier on me since I was about to..."

  "I'll try something different."

  This time, when her mouth surrounded him, she took him farther in. Then farther. Oh, Lord, that feels so good. Watch the road! So good.

  When she started to swallow, he wondered if he should pull over. Damn, it feels incredible. I don't even want to think what this woman could do with some experience. I don't want to think what she could do to someone else.

  Jake leaned back into the seat to enjoy the best midnight ride he’d ever taken.

  "I swallowed!"

  "Yes, you certainly did." Jake questioned if he'd ever be the same.

  "I always wondered what I'd do if I ever got the chance."

  "You did a remarkable job."

  "Thank you. Maybe I should do it again. Practice makes perfect."

  Jake mentally pinched himself. Was she for real? "You're going to spoil me."

  "I am? I can do that? This is empowering. If only..."

  "If only what? What were you about to say?"

  "Nothing important. Would you mind if I tried that a second time. I mean...you made it almost too easy the first time. I'd like to start from scratch."

  Jake hit the brakes and pulled to the side of the road.

  * * * * *

  Di leaned back in the seat feeling perfectly smug as they drove into the town of Kona, according to the sign. Even late at night, the road seemed crowded.

  Jake shifted, then his hand slipped onto her leg. "My turn."