Free Bombshell - Men of Sanctuary Series, Book Three by Danica St. Como

like a street-walker or an exotic dancer, with the guys giving advice.”
    ” Nah . Read Cosmo, Elle, Vogue, Glamour, the whole lot. I studied clothing lines, practiced doing make-up in the privacy of my room, stuff like that, until I passed. Oh, and I do keep Victoria’s Secret, secret.”
    “And the crew didn’t hit on you?”
    Keko felt her face grow warm. “And cross my father? Not likely. Actually, the guys, especially the older guys, were very protective. They said that when I wasn’t working, I should look classy, not trashy. So, that became my motto. Class, not trash.”
    “Sounds like boatloads of fun. So, what’s with you and Mac?”
    Keko choked on a macaroon. “I beg your pardon?”
    “Look, I don’t know Mac that well, but I know him well enough. He’s a good guy. Smart, dedicated. Single, to my knowledge never married, a straight shooter. The air fair strums with tension when you two are in the same room. Or maybe that’s brimstone.” Lorelei grinned. “He’s been a freakin’ basket case since he arrived home from the conference. Is that your doing?”
    I’m so not in the mood for this. I can’t even sort it out for myself . “Lorelei, not to be rude or anything, but I’m really whupped on my ass. I need a warm shower and a big soft bed. Could we maybe continue this discussion another time?” If we ever discuss it at all.
    Keko couldn’t decide if Lorelei’s expression mirrored confusion or righteous conviction.
    “Sure. What about supper?”
    “Not hungry, thanks. If you would let Kamaka know I’ll chat with him in the morning? Oh, I left Lucian’s SUV at Smitty’s place. One of Chandler’s men gave me a ride. Will told me to call him in the morning for a lift.”
    ” Uh huh . No problem. G’night.”
    ” Aloha po .”

Chapter Five

    Sunday evening
    “Keko isn’t coming down for supper?” Mac nearly spilled his drink at the kitchen table, then tried to regroup, tried to appear normal. “She went to bed already? Is something wrong? Is she okay?”
    “Calm down, Galahad. She’s fine. Apparently, your explosives expert was exhausted, about fell asleep at the workbench with her face in the components.
    Chandler had one of his boys bring her home.” Lorelei passed the salad bowl to Kamaka.
    Lucian perked up.
    “What did she do with my truck? Plow it into a tree or boulder or something?”
    Then he grinned at Lorelei. “Oh, no, wait—that’s your technique for parking a motor vehicle.”
    Adam snorted.
    Lorelei shot her lover a seriously squinty-eyed glare. “Duquesne, watch it. I know where you sleep. I even know how you sleep. As I was saying, Chandler thought she was too tired to drive, so the Fibbies are guarding your precious truck. She’ll need a lift to the site tomorrow.”
    Kamaka helped himself to another thick pork chop filled with pineapple and apple bread stuffing. “That’s no lie. Miss Keko hasn’t gotten much sleep lately, just a couple of power-naps in the air while we crisscrossed the country. As a matter of fact, she hasn’t had a good night’s sleep since, well, let me think … since the conference. For some reason, the seminars really wiped her out.”
    Mac saw Adam perk up at the news. Aww, crap .
    “Conference?”
    Kamaka nodded. “Oh, yeah. Demolitions and explosives symposium. Out in L.A.
    We continued on to Honolulu, bopped out to Maui, returned to Boston by way of air terminals I can’t even pronounce, then hopped the red-eye from Logan to here.”
    Mac didn’t miss the sly smirk the Hawaiian sent his way. Did Keko tell her big buddy about our liaison? Does she tell him everything?
    Lorelei poured another lemonade. “Mac, isn’t that where you were, the explosives conference in L.A.?”
    ” Uh , yeah.” He stuffed a cheesy Brussels sprout in his mouth.
    “Are you staying out here tonight? Your room is made up.”
    If Mac didn’t know better, he’d swear Lorelei shot him the same smug look as Kamaka. What the hell is that all