didn't know he was a surf legend."
"Yeah. There's a book about him and his wife. My dad has Henry's original copy of it. It's worn on the pages because it's been read so much."
"I'd love to see it."
I kiss her hard and pat her ass. "Later today I'll show it to you. We should probably get up for the haka practice now.”
"Okay."
"Bar-b-que catered by Blackie's after, so you don't have to bring the fucking yams."
She slaps my chest. "Ha! Mila's face when her sweet little daughter blurted that out. I had to hold back from cracking up. So cute."
"She is cute. And she's probably waiting for us. We're ten minutes late already."
"We are?" She hops out of bed and starts looking for her clothes. I sit back and watch the show. She looks gorgeous naked. "Mace! I'm nervous enough about seeing your family again. I don't want to be late too. Let's go!"
I chuckle and haul my ass out of the bed to get dressed. "You're good for me, Lola."
"I am? How's that?"
"You wanna be on time for something, just get out of bed naked and run around. You'll have my full attention."
She chuckles and slips her bra on. "One thing."
"Hmm?"
"If you ever wanted to go back to Hawaii, I'd like to be there with you."
Her words punch me in the gut. She wants to be by my side if I face down those memories. "Thank you. That means a lot to me."
She blushes and looks away as she finishes getting dressed. I put on my karate uniform, and her eyes bug out when she sees me. She licks her lips and grins in a wicked way that makes me want to take my lioness back to bed right now.
We're both smiling as we make our way out the door to practice the haka with my family. Somehow, with just a few words, she made it mean so much more to me than it did before, and it was pretty damn important before.
I take her hand and squeeze it. "Glad you're here with me, Lola."
"I bet you are. You haven't had monkey sex like that ever before. Have you?"
My bark of laughter echoes out over the treetops into the night sky. "No, I haven't. I've never met anyone like you."
Chapter 18 Hit Me
Loralei
Everyone is waiting for us by the boxing ring when we wander up. I'm struggling to hide my mortification at being late, but Mace's casual gait and easy-going smile make it seem like it's totally acceptable to walk up twenty minutes late to a class he's supposed to be teaching.
He keeps hold of my hand while he greets his dad with the Twist handshake, skipping the shoulder grab because his left hand is firm in mine. His dad doesn't say anything about us being late. He's probably used to it and too kind to nag Mace over it.
He gives his mom a more traditional hug and still keeps my hand tight in his. It's awkward but comforting that he wants to reassure me like he is. "Hi, Loralei. Glad you could make it." Mila has to be one of the nicest, prettiest moms I've ever met. How could I have hated this family so much before now? I know. It was jealousy. I'm lucky these people are so kind and forgiving they'd accept me here today.
"You're late, douchenozzle."
Clearly Cutter has no issues calling Mace out for who he is as he approaches us from the direction of the cabins. His arm is draped over Cass's shoulder, and I'm struck by what a handsome couple they make. She's petite and blonde. He has darker hair and is a lot taller, but they seem perfectly matched for each other.
"You're ugly. Just be glad I showed up at all. I coulda flaked on your ass leaving you all standing here waiting for me to arrive and save the day. Here I am." He finally lets go of my hand to raise up his arms and spin in a circle.
It makes me laugh, and Cass is smiling when she leaves Cutter's side to step over and greet me. "Hi, Loralei. How're you doing?" She seems genuinely concerned for me and touches my arm just above my elbow.
"Good. Excellent." I'm looking around the space for Sutton and Remy, but I don't see them. Maybe they decided not to come. I'd be so relieved to avoid that confrontation. It's selfish of me to feel that way though. I shouldn't wish for members of Mace's