4. Willow

Willow

Okay, fine, I looked for Ronan yesterday. Didn't see him, which is probably a good thing, but I looked. I'd have to be blind not to want to see the gorgeous man. Even if I have zero intention of giving in to his charm and letting him take me out for dinner, the attention is nice. I can't deny that.

I decided last night that instead of heading to the gym again this morning and risking another run-in, I would drive out of town to hike the Maunawili Falls Trail. And I've been told there's an incredible bakery on the way back that apparently has the best donuts I'll ever taste.

An early morning hike followed by donuts, then a session in the shower with my naughty bag-buzzing vibrator? Sounds like heaven to me.

But of course, as soon as the doors to the elevator open, I come face-to-face with temptation wrapped up in a six-foot-plus muscular body with a killer smile and dimples I want to lick.

Nope, no I don't. No licking dimples that belong to baseball players, Willow.

"Well, fancy seeing you here," he says, moving to the side of the suddenly very small-feeling elevator. "Heading to the gym?"

I glance down at the backpack I'm holding. "Not today. I'm going for a hike instead."

"Really? Same here."

I tilt my head at his answer, but there's not even a hint of deceit in his voice. Chalk it up to coincidence, yet again, I suppose.

"Where are you going?" he asks, and I answer automatically, seeing no reason not to.

"Maunawili Falls."

Ronan makes a choking sound and I look over to see him lowering his water bottle. "Seriously?" he asks.

Nodding, I step out of the elevator when it opens on the main floor. "Yeah. Why?" Realization dawns on me when I see his smirk. "No fucking way."

He just nods. "I'm not joking, I swear." Turning his phone around, he shows me his GPS app with the directions to Maunawili Falls already entered. "Want to carpool?"

All I can do is laugh, which makes his smile widen. "You and your friend fate," I tease as we walk out into the heat of the Oahu sun. We come to a stop at the waiting valet and he looks at me, not saying anything, even though I know exactly what he's waiting for.

"Okay, you win this round. Let's go." Moments later, we're in his car, a sexy-as-fuck convertible, speeding down the highway.

"I didn't picture you as a convertible kind of guy," I yell across at him, the wind stealing my words. He's holding the steering wheel with one hand, his elbow resting on the edge. It's effortlessly casual but so goddamn sexy. He's hard to resist. But resist I will. Resist I must.

I won't fall for a pretty face. Not even a charming one like Ronan Sinclair.

"Yeah, back home I drive an SUV. With the snow and everything, it's necessary. But here? I figured why the fuck not. Always wanted one."

The subtle reminder that he's from the East Coast settles my conscience a little bit. That, and reminding myself I'm just going for a hike. Nothing more, no matter how easy it is to flirt with him.

On the drive, Ronan tells me all about his daughter Peyton. His love for her is evident in the bright smile that's on his face and the adoration in his voice as he describes their tradition of talking every night, the stuffed bear she insists he travels with, and her obsession with the movie Moana. It's bittersweet to witness, seeing as it's been almost eleven years since my adoptive father passed away. Not a day goes by that I don't miss him. Hearing Ronan gush about his little girl both warms my heart and breaks it.

My dad was the best father I could have ever dreamed of. I never once felt like I was anything other than everything he ever wanted. The fact that my biological parents couldn't be bothered to raise a kid never bugged me because Dad and Uncle Mike made me feel more loved than I thought possible.

Losing him was like losing an invisible limb.

"Does Peyton get to see her mom when you're away?" I ask, completely unprepared for the glower that comes over his face.

"No," he says in a clipped voice. His hands tighten on the steering wheel. He doesn't say anything else for a second, and the tension grows thick until he exhales. "She signed over full custody and disappeared the day after Peyton was born. It's been just the two of us ever since."

And just like that, my heart melts for his little girl.

"She's lucky to have you," I say quietly, partly hoping the wind will just carry the words away. But he glances over, and I know he heard me.

"Thanks."

Turning off the highway and onto a road that winds through a residential neighbourhood and ends at the start of the trail to the falls, the wind noise dies down considerably now that we're traveling at a slower speed.

We reach the parking lot for the hike, and there's only one other car. "Looks like we'll have the trail to ourselves." I hope I don't sound nervous. I'm not, at least not for any reason that makes sense to me. But being in close proximity to Ronan without the buffer of other airplane passengers or hotel guests has me feeling something.

After maneuvering into a parking spot, Ronan hops out while I'm stowing my phone in my backpack. My door opens, and I look up at him in surprise.

"Thank you," I say awkwardly as I climb out. I don't know why the chivalrous act comes as a surprise, but it does.

"No problem."

I stretch my arms overhead, taking in the absolutely luscious view around us. We're in a tropical jungle — well, okay, a forest reserve according to the research I did on the trail last night. Whatever you call it, it's stunning. Green, vibrant, and peaceful.

"Wow," I whisper as we set off on the trail. Ronan lets me lead, and I take my time, just breathing in the spectacular nature. Birds chirp and swoop overhead, and even though the air is humid and fragrant, there's a light breeze that keeps us comfortable.

Unlike the drive, where we fought the wind noise to talk to each other, we're both silent now, just enjoying the experience. Until we hit a break in the trees, and then my gaze locks on the peaks of faraway mountains.

"That's beautiful," I murmur as Ronan comes to stand beside me.

"Yeah." I glance over to see his gaze trained not on the view, but on me. "Beautiful."

There's no fighting back my blush, as his meaning is clear. He breaks eye contact first, turning to face the ridgeline and lifting the edge of his sleeveless shirt up to wipe his brow.

Okay, fine, I drool at the sculpted abs he reveals, covered in just a dusting of light hair. I'm pretty sure I'd be crazy not to appreciate that sight.

"So, what do you do when you're not hiking through tropical jungles with strangers you met on an airplane?"

I have to laugh at Ronan's question, because it just underlines how insane these few days have been. He might be onto something with the whole fate idea, because why else would I be voluntarily spending time with a man who is temptation personified, but also so totally off-limits.

But his question sobers me. Do I want him knowing I work for a baseball team? Making a snap decision, I answer as truthfully as I can. "I work in media relations."

"That must be a tough job sometimes."

Nodding, I take his outstretched hand for help climbing over a fallen log. Chivalry is kinda nice, I have to admit. "Yeah, it can be, but I like the fast pace. My job, where I work, it's everything to me."

"I can understand that."

We share a small smile, then carry on the trail. A short while later, the trail opens up at the base of a small waterfall. "Oh," I gasp, stunned by the sound of cascading water, the sight of dense, tropical jungle foliage, and the tranquility of paradise found.

Next to me, Ronan peels off his shirt completely, and toes off his shoes.

"What are you doing?" I ask as his hand goes to the waistband of his athletic shorts.

"Swimming. I forgot my trunks; are you okay if I'm just in my underwear?" There's no tease in his words, he's seriously making sure I'm good with this and that level of respect doesn't go unnoticed.

Jesus Christ. Am I really about to go swimming with escalator god in his underwear?

I nod, my mouth suddenly dry. For someone who's normally far bolder and more confident in these type of scenarios, I feel weirdly shy. Not that I've been in many situations with hot guys stripping down in front of beautiful waterfalls. It must be Ronan's innate charm and consideration that has me feeling warm all over. He's not like the guys I usually hook up with, where we're both just looking for some casual fun without any feelings involved. Ronan's the kind of guy who's got feelings written all over him.

I, at least, am prepared. Lifting my tank over my head to reveal my bikini top, I don't miss Ronan's appreciative grin. Wiggling out of my shorts, I peel off my own shoes and socks before making my way to the edge of the shallow pool at the base of the falls.

"Ooh, it's warm." I wade in slowly. Glancing over my shoulder, I see Ronan studying me. It takes a lot of effort not to let my gaze drop to the bulge behind his black boxer briefs, but somehow I make myself look forward and move farther into the pool.

My foot catches some algae covering a rock and slips out from under me. Just as I figure I'm about to go under, strong arms wrap around my waist from behind and a deep voice sounds close to my ear. "I've got you."

I suck in a breath as Ronan helps me find my footing and try not to think about the disappointment I feel when his strong hands leave my body.

"Thanks."

He just gives me a quiet grin before diving under the water himself, coming up a short distance away and slicking his hair back. "Still think fate isn't involved in our lives right now?"

I simply laugh and shake my head. "You and that damn F-word."