loved that she did that—blatantly ignored Mardi Gras night like it never happened. Kai never understood how that was possible. How she could touch him like that, kiss him like that and just…stop, pumping the brakes because she’d only just realized who he was.
That killed him more than anything. He had known exactly who she was the second he’d spotted her trying to shake the asshole kid who wouldn’t leave her be.
“And I think you know what that reason is,” she continued.
“Hmm. I…don’t think I do. Is it, because you miss me?”
He knew he was being an asshole. She was his general manager. She was a ball breaker. She was a professional, and everyone on the team respected her—when they weren’t trying to see who could catch her eye. As far as any of his teammates knew, they were 0 for 55.
But none of them knew what Kai did.
None of them knew what Gia Jilani tasted like, and God, he couldn’t help himself.
He hadn’t seen her since that night…the night at Summerland’s, but Kai had plans, if he made it back to New Orleans. He’d be a professional, guarding how he looked at her, watching what he said and his reaction when the other players made comments about her. But when he managed to see her off field, all bets would be off.
“Is it because you want to come see me?”
“Mr. Pukui, you missed the start of spring training, and you know it. You were due back weeks ago.”
“Yeah, that’s what my manager said.” The reminder made Kai uncomfortable. He didn’t want her bringing this up. He knew he’d gone back on the promise he’d made to Gia, something he’d never meant to do. He hated not being able to honor that. “I…um…spoke to Ricks about it last night. There’s been a complication with my daughter’s grandmother’s care…and then the weather was bad and they grounded the flights…”
“Did they?” she asked, her tone suspicious. Gia wasn’t a stupid woman. In fact, Kai thought she was far smarter than he was. She would figure out why he was avoiding her and this conversation, why he’d made assurances to Ricks that he’d get back as soon as he could and that his absence had nothing to do with the limbo of his contract negotiations. He was loyal.
But Kai was also damn broke.
“You know,” she started and the noises sounded again. Kai could make out the clipped clamor of her heals as she walked, how they sounded sharp, determined when she moved, then the pause in everything but her breath and the clink of glass and liquid being poured. “My friend Ano lives in Keahole and he has a helicopter charter. I know for a fact he can get you to Kona International, which told Cat they have clear skies for the next week and we’ll get you on a flight tonight if you need help with that.”
“I don’t,” he said, knowing he’d turned her down too quickly.
“Hmm,” Gia said, releasing a low sound Kai didn’t like. He thought she might be drinking, that maybe she was schooling her temper behind something sharp. It wouldn’t surprise him. The woman was cooler than anyone he’d ever met. Despite her clear embarrassment that night at Summerland’s over making out with him, Gia had always maintained control.
The first time he’d met her, in her office, she’d been composed, watching him with her expression impassive, but curious, staring with open interest at the black pendant Kai always wore when he wanted a little extra bravado. He’d seen her again at her office, this time in the elevator on his way up to Ricks’ office and once again, that pendant had caught her attention. But there’d been more of a slip in her cool that day.
“Where did you get that?” she’d asked him, reaching for the pendant, focusing on it, her face inches from him as she held it between her fingers.
She only backed away when Kai covered her hand with his, cocking an eyebrow at her for getting in his space. “Miss Jilani,” he started, torn a little between surprise at her forwardness and that hot lick of desire that ran through him when she looked up at him. “There something I can help you with?” He stared boldly at her mouth, remembering too late where he was and with whom before she stepped back. “I’m…sure if there’s something you need…I’d be happy to get it for you.”
Gia composed herself, glancing one last time at the pendant,