Mare's Nest Page 16

  I swam in the sea and sunned until after five and then I went back to the hotel to get ready for my dinner date with Mike.

  Chapter 30

  MIKE HAD SURPRISED me with a sunset dinner cruise aboard the Star of Oahu. It was all very romantic. The elegant dinner of Maine lobster and tenderloin of beef was quite delicious. After the cruise we popped into a popular bar on the quay next to Aloha Tower. It was an amazing night and I'd been far more up for it than I'd been on our first date. It seemed I'd recovered from the concussions.

  After dinner and drinks, Mike drove me back to my hotel. On the way he offered to let me stay at his place until I found my own flat so I wouldn't keep spending on hotel bills. I appreciated the offer, but I thought it a bit premature for us to make the decision to live together. I told him I planned to start looking for a flat the following day and should be out of the hotel soon.

  Mike may have been a bit presumptuous by parking in the hotel multi-story carpark. His past habit had been to park in the hotel driveway when dropping me off. But I didn't call him on it. He may have only been reading my vibe. By the time we had left the bar, I was feeling the same little buzz I'd felt that night we had walked on the beach together.

  Mike offered to walk me to my door, so we both got on the lift. At the door he told me how much he'd enjoyed the evening with me, and gave me a rather chaste kiss on the lips. I turned and opened the door with my key card and then turned back to look him in the eyes.

  "I'm being a bit bold, but do you fancy a sleepover?" I said.

  "I'd love a sleepover," Mike said. The twinkle in eyes, and the smile told me he meant it, so I invited him in.

  WE WERE NAKED AND DEEPLY satiated. The first time had seemed a bit manic and hurried. The second time was more measured and affectionate. Yet it was every bit as intense and satisfying. In the darkness, in my bed, we lay together with Mike's arm around my shoulder and my head resting on his chest.

  "That was a long time coming," Mike said.

  "Interesting choice of words," I said.

  Mike chuckled. "You know what I meant."

  "Yep, I did," I said. "But, I find I quite like teasing you a bit."

  "So, where does it go from here?"

  "I haven't a clue," I said. "But, I know one thing we mustn't do."

  "What's that?"

  "We mustn't rush things," I said. "Let's just see where things take us."

  "I agree," Mike said. "But, I like this very much and I can't help hoping we're going to do it again."

  "No worries," I said. "We're defo going to do this again, and again, and again. I meant to say we mustn't rush the relationship part of it."

  I couldn't see Mike's face in the dark, but I could feel him smiling.

  "That's a relief," Mike said.

  "Isn't it," I said.

  "So, what are you going to do now that you've decided to stay in Honolulu?"

  "Find a flat, get some furnishings, buy a motorbike, that sort of thing," I said. "Tomorrow I'm going to shop for a desk to move into the office space I'm going to share with Jackie."

  "You're going to hang out your shingle before you get your license here?"

  "I'll try to start sorting the license tomorrow," I said. "But should I get any clients, I'll work on an informal basis until the license comes through. I have to establish an income quick smart if I'm to live here."

  "Well, don't take on any kidnapping cases, please," Mike said with another laugh.

  "I don't think I will," I said, "considering how the last one turned out."

  I remembered all the details as I lay there. How he smelled, how his chest hair felt against my skin. How his razor stubble scratched a bit even though he'd shaved before our date. I felt a connection with him already that I quite liked.

  "Am I going to be your boyfriend?" Mike asked.

  "You mean an exclusive arrangement?"

  "That's what I was thinking," Mike said.

  "And, I'd not date anyone else?"

  "I admit I wouldn't like it much if you did," Mike said.

  "I see," I said. "Ahkay, then yes you can be my boyfriend. I wasn't meaning to date anyone else anyway."

  Mike chuckled and kissed me on the head. I rolled up onto his chest and kissed him on the lips.

  "You mean you're ready to go again?" Mike said.

  "Like a good friend of mine is fond of saying, we'd be fools not to," I said.

  About the Author

  LARRY DARTER was born in Oklahoma. He is a veteran of the United States Navy and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Central Oklahoma. He is a retired police officer with more than twenty-three years of law enforcement service. As a retired crime fighter turned crime fiction writer, he leverages his real life law enforcement experience to create the kind of realistic and compelling crime novels that mystery and crime thriller fans love to read. Connect with Larry by visiting his website or find him on social media.

  Website: LarryDarter.com

  From the Author

  DEAR READER,

  Thank you so much for reading Mare's Nest. I hope that you enjoyed this first installment of the T. J. O'Sullivan Series and will be looking forward to our heronine's next action-packed adventure.

  May I ask you a favor? If you are so inclined, I'd love it if you would write and post a brief review of this novel on the website of the retailer where you purchased the book. Whether you loved it—hated it, I'd sincerely appreciate the feedback.

  Reviews are critically important to the success of a book these days, but can be hard to come by. You, the reader have the power now to literally make or break a book. If you have the time to write and post a review you will not only earn my enduring gratitude, you will also help other mystery fans find this novel.

  In gratitude,

  Larry Darter

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