Free Linda Gayle by Surrender to Paradise

could have stepped back in time, to before white men came to these islands bringing death and destruction, and only mighty warriors ruled the waves. With their primitive tattoos, bronzed skin, and war-hardened muscles, they seemed like two feral angels. Even in sleep, their strength and beauty left her breathless, and something about the way they held each other, with utter trust and love, moved her. That was what she’d thought she’d had with Jack. How many nights had she lain in his arms, listening to his promises of forever and always, only to find out he’d been using her all along? Whatever Rahiti and Moana had together was precious—and not for her. They deserved better than a broken girl. They deserved someone as beautiful and innocent as the legendary Mohea.
    As if hearing her thoughts, Rahiti opened his eyes. “Mohea? Is that you?”

    * * * *

    Not Mohea but Lyric. Joy spread through the haze of sleep dulling Rahiti’s thoughts. He reached out to her, and she sank to her knees beside him.
    “Just me,” she said.
    He touched the fall of her dark brown hair where it tumbled over her shoulder. Brown, not black like Mohea’s, but just as beautiful, the rich brown of the earth struck through with golden sunlight. He slid his fingertips over her lightly freckled cheek. His brows lowered. “Why are you sad?”
    She offered a clearly forced smile. “I’m not. I ran back to find you. I was worried.”
    Abruptly, he realized Moana still lay by his side. With a jolt, he pulled his fingers from Moana’s hair, and his friend woke with a snort, rubbing his eyes. His trademark grin soon lit his sleepy face. When he stretched his arms above his head, he startled, then looked at his hands. “We are still men. Rahiti. We are still men!”
    Rahiti sat up. “Yes. And Lyric has returned.”
    “Lyric!” Moana practically glowed with happiness.
    Her expression inexplicably gloomy, she threaded her fingers through her hair and swept it back from her face. “I’m so glad you guys are okay. I wasn’t sure…what I’d find.”
    Moana thumped his chest with his fist. “Your magic is strong, Lyric.” He slapped Rahiti on the shoulder. “I told you. You must admit, I was right.”
    “Yes, yes, you’ll never let me hear the end of it.” Even as he rolled his eyes at his friend, though, he remembered how Moana had touched him— where Moana had touched him. He’d touched Moana back, and it had been good. Very good. His cock began to rise again, and he turned his gaze to Lyric, who had put her small, cool hand on his sunbaked shoulder. Desire pulsed through him—strong, hot, human desire, along with something he hadn’t felt in a very long time: hope.
    Could it be he could have both, share himself with both, without jealousy? Could the three of them truly have the bond Kanaloa had demanded?
    “You lost your towels, I see,” Lyric said, her cheeks turning that pretty sunset pink he’d seen before. Her pale skin was a palette for all her emotions. If she’d been Mohea, she would have turned away, shielded her face with her hair in modesty, but she was their brave and bold Lyric, and he was glad.
    Moana chuckled, coming up on his knees, his up-thrust penis pointing rudely toward Lyric. “We are very happy to see you.”
    Lyric gave a strangled laugh and averted her gaze. “I can see that.”
    Rahiti twined his fingers through her soft hair and stroked her cheek. “Something is troubling you, Lyric. What is it?”
    She sat back on her heels, her hands on her thighs. “I talked to Henri and found out more about your curse. Hey, hang on just a sec.” She reached over and grabbed their towels, which were lying in a heap behind their heads, and held them out to them. “Sorry, you know. It’s just a little hard to concentrate.”
    Moana gave a disappointed scoff, and Rahiti held back from hitting him. How could he not see the storm clouds on their woman’s brow? He took his towel and draped it over his lap then