Pleasure in Hawaii (Kimani Romance) by Devon Vaughn Archer Page A

in depth. Gene strongly suspected that Sloane felt the same way, even if she wasn’t looking for marriage or even a long-term commitment. He was more than willing to let things play out and go from there.
    Wanting to make a good impression, he decided to go dressier than his normal casual attire, wearing a tan sport coat over a designer black T-shirt and light brown twill slacks. He replaced his usual slip-ons or exercise shoes with leather loafers and sprayed on his favorite cologne.
    Gene was a few minutes early as he rang the bell. He hoped Sloane didn’t have a problem with that. Maybe he could even give her a hand with the food.
    When the door opened, Gene was floored by the exquisite vision before him. Sloane was wearing a satin halter tiered black dress with a generous amount of cleavage showing and black sandals. Her hair was appealingly loose and hung evenly across her shoulders.
    It took Gene a moment to get his mouth to speak. “Hey,” he managed.
    “Well, hello,” she said, flashing white teeth through alluring lips. “Welcome to my new home.”
    “Thanks for inviting me.” He scanned her body, then settled on Sloane’s lovely face. “You look beautiful tonight.”
    “Why, thank you.” She beamed. “You’re looking pretty spiffy yourself.”
    Gene’s cheeks dimpled. “I didn’t want to underdress.”
    “You didn’t. Please come in.”
    He stepped into the foyer and immediately got a sense of warmth and belonging. The place was small by the standards of his bed-and-breakfast, but neat and organized, as well as a great location.
    “I brought this.” Gene handed Sloane the bottle. “It’s a pineapple-and-passion-fruit white wine straight from the Maui Winery at Ulupalakua Ranch.”
    “Hmm, sounds tasty,” said Sloane. “Can’t wait to try it out.”
    “Do you need help with anything?”
    She met his eyes. “You can pour the wine if you like.”
    “It would be my pleasure to do so,” he told her.
    They went to the kitchen, where Gene’s nostrils picked up more heavily the scent of food. It made his stomach growl, but not half as much as the way Sloane turned him on in that sexy dress.
    “The wine goblets are in that cabinet,” Sloane pointed above the dishwasher. “I’m still trying to learn my way around here and what came with the place.”
    “Perfectly understandable.” Gene found the goblets. He put them on the counter and opened the wine. “Even after four years, I’m still sometimes totally in the dark at the B&B when it comes to where some things are stored.”
    Sloane looked at him as she stood over the stove. “I guess it helps keep you on your toes.”
    “Yeah, I suppose.” He poured wine into one of the glasses and walked over to her. “Try it and tell me what you think.”
    She put the glass to her mouth and sipped. “Um, very tasty.”
    Gene smiled contentedly. “I think so, too. It’s certainly quite different from the norm.”
    “I agree.” The tip of Sloane’s tongue slipped out onto her lower lip.
    “So what’s for dinner?” Gene glanced over her shoulder. He could see that there was chicken gravy in one pot and what looked like greens in another. And whatever she had in the oven smelled delicious.
    “Oh, just a little something I’ve put together,” she stated mysteriously. “Hope you like.”
    He looked at her with an admiring gaze. “Yes, I like very much.”
    Sloane flushed. “Other than me.”
    “From where I stand,” Gene said ardently, “there is no one other than you.”
     
     
    Sloane tried not to be swept under by Gene’s steady and decidedly provocative gaze, persuasive charms and handsome features. At least not till they finished the meal she had spent two hours preparing. It consisted of baked lemon chicken, mashed sweet potatoes, mustard greens, biscuits and old-fashioned gravy she’d learned how to make from her mother.
    After everything was set on the dining room table, Sloane joined Gene there. She wanted very much to