Hot-Blooded by Kendall Grey Read Free Book Online

Keahilani. Don’t worry.
    She shook off her irritation and headed toward the bedroom. The rising sun caught her eye as she passed the balcony window, and a small silhouette danced just beyond the glass. The butterfly’s pumping wings waved at her. The black pattern against the orange background formed the shape of a smile.

Chapter Five

    Blake’s time on Maui was nearing its end. Six days of schmoozing, boozing, and losing had done him in. Hungover from last night’s festivities in Lāhainā, he woke up after noon in a cheap motel on the seedier end of town. The sheets were cold save for a single, weak heat signature—his own. The woman he’d swindled out of one drink too many at a nameless bar must’ve snuck back to her husband at some point during the night. At least she’d paid for the shitty roach motel digs.
    He stared at a suspicious red stain on the ceiling for several minutes, mentally cursing Scott for sending him on a wild goose chase.
    He’d been all over the island, rubbing elbows and smoking joints with hippies, surfers, and other usual suspects. The few bits of information he wrangled added little to his existing knowledge of the mysterious new dealership on the island. Buyers verified known sellers (all Scott’s), and that was it. The guy running this operation was doing a damn fine job of making Blake’s life difficult. With only two days left to generate some leads, he’d try a couple surf shops today and see if anything turned up. If not, he might have to go home empty-handed, which wasn’t an option where Scott was concerned.
    He sloughed the polyester-blend sheets off his legs and swung his bare feet to the floor. He grabbed the packet of cigarillos off the bedside table and lit up. God, he was tired of this shit. Rubbing his head, he studied the tanned hands in his lap and rubbed the naked left ring finger.
    Maybe he should have married Candy after all.
    But guys like him weren’t cut out for commitment. Not that he’d have stayed monogamous with Candy. Nope, commitment was for people like Scott. Too bad it didn’t work out for him, either.
    He had to pull something out of his ass on this job. He needed some positive news to keep Scott’s spirits up and his own pockets lined.
    Blake finished the cigar and hosed it in the bathroom sink. After stumbling into the shower, he dressed, consulted his short list of leads, and hit the road. A couple places in Lāhainā looked promising. If nothing turned up at either of those, he’d head down to Mā‘alaea.
    He pulled into the drive of a small shop close to the beach. The outside was done up in minimalist red neon that read “Mahina Surf and Dive.” The parking lot was empty except for a lonely Prius. Blake swung his key ring around a finger, clamped it in his palm, and pushed open the glass door.
    The subtle scent of coconut permeated the air inside. Cool. Inviting. Hawaiian. Surfboards of all sizes and colors lined the wall. Neat racks displayed bathing suits, wet suits, and diving gear. The far wall featured brand-name surf clothing and footwear.
    A young guy came out of the back room. Dark skin, tall, fit. “ Aloha. ” He nodded to Blake, shuffled around under the counter, produced a tub of wax, and called over his shoulder, “Keahilani, you got customers.” He rounded the corner and headed for the surfboards. “She’ll be with you in a minute.”
    “ Mahalo .” Blake feigned interest in some scuba gear.
    A woman hurried from the storeroom, sighing heavily. “Come on, Bane. Switch with me. Just for today?” she begged. Then she noticed Blake and paused.
    Warm green eyes, the color of a sea turtle, targeted and disarmed him for a split second. They were all he saw at first. Totally threw him off balance, which didn’t happen often. His gaze meandered down her neck to the nice rack peeking out from the turquoise bikini top hiding under an unbuttoned gauzy white shirt.
    She folded her arms under her breasts, plumping them, though