Free Getting Lei'd by Ann Omasta Page A

out of my mind.
    It seems like we stand there forever. After what feels like an incredibly long time but is probably actually only a few minutes, a policewoman arrives on the scene. She tries to get details from the victim, but the elderly lady is still too upset to be of much help. I step in and share as much information as I know. When I get to the part about Kai taking off after the thief, the officer stops me. “Kai Mauka?” she asks me, smiling.
    I nod, even though I’m appalled to realize that I don’t know Kai’s last name. I’m going to be rather embarrassed when he gets back, if he is not the Kai she is referencing. I wonder how common the name Kai is on the island.
    The officer doesn’t seem to notice my stress. “Nothing to worry about, then. Kai will bring him in,” she reassures us.
    Now, I’m pretty certain that we aren’t talking about the same person. After all, why would a police officer have faith that a resort chauffeur/bartender/fire thrower would win a foot chase with a criminal and bring him in?
    It isn’t long until Kai proves her absolutely right. He and the young man approach us. Kai has his large hand around the gangly lad’s arm, but other than that, they look like they are on a friendly stroll.
    “If I’d have known you were chasing after him, I wouldn’t have bothered driving over,” the officer says to Kai, beaming a huge smile at him and tossing a familiar arm around his shoulder. I immediately wonder how acquainted Kai is with the lovely lady.
    “Happy to help anytime I can.” Kai returns the hug with his free arm and gives her a sweet kiss on the cheek, which makes her blush. I can feel jealousy bubbling at the familiarity they share, but I force it down.
    Kai turns his attention to the boy. “Don’t you have something to say?”
    “I’m sorry,” he mumbles, handing the stolen handbag back to the distraught lady.
    “We didn’t hear that.” Kai gives him a stern look.
    “I’m sorry for taking you purse, ma’am. I won’t do anything like that again.” This time he looks the woman in the eyes and speaks with purpose. It makes me wonder exactly what went on when Kai and the young man were out of our sight.
    “I’ll take over from here,” the cop informs us as she places handcuffs on the young man. Kai finally releases his grip on the lad’s arm and the officer begins reciting the boy his rights and leading him to her patrol car.
    The tiny lady is staring at her purse with a huge look of relief evident on her face. She carefully unzips the bag and inspects its contents. Satisfied that her belongings are all present and accounted for, she pulls out her wallet. She reaches in and pulls out a crisp twenty-dollar bill, which she shoves at Kai’s chest.
    “Oh, no.” He backs away as if the money has burned him. “No reward needed. You try to enjoy the rest of your day,” he tells her and turns to leave, effectively taking away the option of her insisting that he take the money.
    We continue on through the vendors, but I am no longer interested in shopping. “You are an amazing man,” I tell Kai honestly.
    He grins down at me. “You’re pretty amazing yourself, Roxy.” He brushes a brief but tender kiss across my lips.
    I am so completely and instantly aroused by this simple touch that I would likely go along with anything he suggests. If he asked me to sneak off to a public restroom for a quickie with him, I am quite certain that I would follow him. I try not to touch anything in public restrooms, yet if Kai wanted to, I’d get naked and naughty with him in one. The power he has over me is frightening but exciting at the same time.
    We leave the market without visiting the restroom—to my relief and disappointment. I spend the entire drive back to the resort looking for places that we could pull the limo over and climb into the back. Although I see several, I am too chicken to suggest it. Kai is a gentleman and returns me safely and uneventfully to the door