Keeping Kama

Chapter 8

Derek nearly floated back to his Airbnb. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine the evening would end with a heart-stopping kiss. Sure, a guy could dream, but he hadn’t thought it was within the realm of possibility. Walking back, Derek glanced to his left taking in the view of the dark night sky against the ocean. A full moon reflected against the water. Taking a minute to enjoy the beauty, he breathed in the salty air. His being was lighter than it had been in years. And it was all because of Leia.

Leia. Leia. Leia.

A startling vibration in his pocket brought Derek back to earth. Tugging his phone out of his pocket, Derek peered at the screen. His shoulders drooped. Running a hand down the length of his face, Derek cleared his throat before he clicked accept. Placing the phone to his ear, Derek said, “Hey there, Tyson. What’s up?”

Tyson shrieked, “What’s up? WHAT’S UP?”

Derek flinched. Sure, he had ignored Tyson’s phone calls when he was out with Leia, but he hadn’t anticipated Tyson to lose it on him. “Calm down. I was out. I’m here now. What do you want to discuss?”

“Were you out with her ?” asked Tyson. “The client’s sister?”

Sweat gathered on his brow, Derek swiped it with the back of his palm. “I was, but she’s not part of the deal. My financial dealings are with Noa and Kai. They own the business. Leia only helps with the books for the fruit shop. She doesn’t have any claim to the farm. So, I’m not technically breaking any rules.”

“She lives on the property, doesn’t she?!” Tyson half screamed and half questioned.

Derek knew he was in the wrong. He had no right to start something up with Leia for a myriad of reasons. Every line existing between business and pleasure, Derek was crossing. “I know, but I thought we discussed earlier today that you didn’t think it was smart to invest anyways. You said we wouldn’t make any money. I think we can, but we are at an impasse,” said Derek.

“We aren’t investing in the farm,” stated Tyson. His voice evened out a tad, the edge disappearing. “So, you need to get yourself back to Los Angeles. I have another potential investment in Boston. A cranberry bog which I believe will reward us both handsomely. I want you out there as soon as you can make it there.”

Derek groaned. In the past, he never minded the travel. With no family of his own, being home felt, well, lonely. His business dealings rarely left him in one place for exceptionally long, which was how Derek always liked it. So, why did the thought of leaving make him suddenly queasy?

He knew why.

Leia .

Leia was in Hawaii, not Los Angeles or anywhere else for that matter. What had he done by getting involved with her? And kissing her, he knew, was major mistake, practically a catastrophe.

Halting in place, Derek stared out at the beautiful, dazzling water. The smattering stars against the big ole moon settled the pounding of his heart.

“I’m not ready to walk away from the farm,” said Derek firmly. “I think I need another week to finish analyzing everything.”

And another week with Leia.

Pausing, Tyson groaned. “Another week? I don’t know what you’ll learn in a week that you don’t already know now.”

“I’ll know if there’s a way to invest in some better equipment to streamline the harvesting of the fruit.” Derek scratched his chin. “I also want to explore the idea of farm tours. It would make the farm a tourist destination and people love doing things out of the ordinary on their vacations.”

“I thought the family was against starting tours of the farm,” replied Tyson.

“They were, but I think there is a bit of wiggle room. Kai’s coming around to the idea,” said Derek.

After a long pause, Tyson said, “Fine.” He let out a long breath. “You need to find out the potential costs of starting the farm tours and how much potential revenue it might bring in. I’ll give you two days. If the numbers don’t show potential or if the family is against it, it’s time to move on,” said Tyson.

“I agree with you. I’ll discuss it with Kai,” said Derek. There was a long pause. Derek double checked the phone screen to make sure he was still connected. “Are you still there?”

Slowly, Tyson replied, “I am,” another pause, “I hope she’s worth it.”

“Worth what?” asked Derek.

“Worth throwing away fifteen years of tried-and-true business analysis,” stated Tyson. “Throwing away a sound mind, because you’re completely wrapped up in being Romeo.”

Derek forced a laugh. “I’m far from being Romeo.”

“Uh huh … okay. You keep telling yourself that, but I’m not investing a dime in something that is going to fail,” said Tyson.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Derek stared out at the ocean waves crashing against the shore. “I understand, and you’re right. We’ll be in touch,” said Derek.

Then Tyson ended the call. Derek slipped his phone back into his pocket. His euphoric mood from minutes earlier soured.

Early the next morning, Derek woke to the vibration of his phone. Groggily, he swiped at his eyes, attempting to read the message displayed across the screen. Seeing it was from Leia, he quickly sat up.

Are you ready to start that marathon training you’ve been alluding to? Or are you all talk?

Throwing the covers off himself, Derek chuckled. His fingers zipped across his phone screen.

I thought my surfing proved I’m not all talk.

True. I’m out running. Text me the address of your place, and I’ll run on by and you can join me for as long as you can stand it.

You’re on.

After he texted Leia the address of his Airbnb, Derek quickly rose to change into running clothes and brush his teeth. While tying his running shoes, his phone buzzed.

I’m outside. You better not keep me waiting.

Derek slipped his phone into his pocket, charging out of his place to where Leia was waiting out front. She wore black running shorts and a tank top. Her hands flew to her hips at his arrival.

With a half smirk, Leia asked, “Are you ready for this?” Her eyes glided down the length of him, and instinctively, he straightened his back.

Derek stepped toward her. He wondered what the proper protocol for greetings when you kissed once but weren’t anything official. High five? Hug? Kiss?

Without over analyzing it anymore, he went for a hug.

Leia gave him a loose hug back. “I’m already sweaty.” Her eyes darted away from him. “But I guess you will be too in a few minutes, if you stick with me long enough.”

As he let go, Derek said, “I can only promise I’ll make it a mile.”

Leia tsked, “A mile?” She nudged him with her elbow. “Can’t you do better than that, surfer boy?”

His lips twitched into a smirk. Derek asked, “I’ve moved up to surfer boy?”

Leia gave him a playful shove. “Enough chitchat. Let’s go.” Then she darted down the road.

Leia didn’t glance back but bolted out ahead. Derek ran to catch up with her. The pounding of his feet hitting the pavement competed against the thundering of his heart.

“What pace is this?” Derek managed to ask between two shaky breaths when he finally came up beside her. “Isn’t this a little fast for a long run?”

Seamlessly gliding along, Leia wasn’t struggling a bit to maintain her running pace. “It isn’t that fast.” Her voice came out smoothly without an ounce of struggle. “But I’ll slow down.”

Leia slowed down a tad, enough for Derek’s breath to even out without his voice shaking while he spoke. “How far are you planning on running today?” asked Derek.

Shrugging, Leia replied, “I’ll see how I’m feeling.” She tapped her shoulder against his. “Or more importantly how you’re handling the run. I’ve already run two miles.”

They ran side by side on the wide shoulder against the oncoming traffic. Leia hugged the side closest to the ocean while Derek was nearest the traffic lane. For a long time, neither spoke. They just ran. And ran. Derek wondered how far he had gone, because if Leia wasn’t beside him he would’ve quit five minutes ago.

After a curve in the road, Leia broke the silence. “Let’s stop up there.” She pointed to a grassy area overlooking the beach. “There’s a drinking fountain next to the restrooms. I didn’t bring my water with me.”

Derek welcomed the respite. “Sure, whatever you want,” he tried to sound casual though nothing sounded better than a break.

Slowing their pace, eventually Leia stopped running and walked across the grassy area which led to the drinking fountain. The park was empty. Once in front of the drinking fountain, Leia bent down, taking a long swig of water. Done, she wiped her face with the back of her hand and stepped to the side so Derek could access the drinking fountain. Derek took a few big gulps then straightened himself.

“Don’t you usually wear one of those running belts that holds water bottles?” asked Derek.

“I do,” said Leia. “But I didn’t feel like carrying the weight, and I know enough stops along the way to get water. It isn’t ideal, and if I was running over ten miles, I could never do it without a water belt. But I don’t have enough time this morning to go that distance.”

His eyes glided over her sleek form. Derek resisted the urge to pull her close, wrap his arms around her waist and kiss her for a second time. Bringing a hand to his hip, Derek used his other hand to swipe the sweat trickling down his temple. “Because of me? Am I slowing you down too much? If you need to run ahead, go for it.”

Leia shook her head. “No. It’s not that.” Glancing down at her watch, Leia pressed a button he assumed was tracking their distance and time. “I don’t have very much time this morning, because Tyson emailed me about the farm’s financial reports. He kept telling me it was urgent, and he needed them by late morning.”

Derek froze. “Tyson contacted you.” His jaw tightened.

Looks like Tyson wasted no time. Derek didn’t appreciate Tyson going behind his back. Derek had promised he’d get Tyson the information he needed, but Tyson hadn’t even given him any time to do it. Anger seeped into his veins. In all their years together, Tyson had never contacted a client without his knowledge. He always made sure to cc Derek onto every email.

Leia replied, “Last night. Tyson gave me a list of things he needed me to email over to him. I was a little confused, because I had told him most of those things Kai had, not me.” Leia shrugged.

He formed fists on both sides of his body, Derek spoke slowly, “I can’t believe Tyson emailed you,” he remarked, through an almost locked jaw.

Leia tilted her head to the side, studying him. “Am I missing something? Are you and Tyson at odds with one another?”

To dissipate the tension formed in his neck, Derek cranked it side to side. “No,” he said much too quickly. “I’ll sort it out with Tyson today. I don’t know …” Derek waved it off. “I’ll talk to Tyson when I get back this morning. I’d love to see the report too, so if you don’t mind sending me a carbon copy of the email.”

“Absolutely. I’ll was already planning on it.” Pushing a button on her watch, Leia glanced at Derek then back at the street. “Are you ready to go? We’ll run another mile then head back if that works for you.”

Eager to work off his pent-up anger, Derek said, “Yes, let’s do it.”

They ran back to the road, following it up another mile before turning around and heading back to Derek’s Airbnb. During the rest of the run, Derek remained distracted. His mind ruminated on Tyson emailing Leia. Though he had every right to contact Leia for the financial records, the entire thing rubbed him the wrong way. It seemed like Tyson didn’t trust Derek, and if they didn’t have trust with one another, how could they continue to be in business with one another?

Leia slowed their pace, stopping in front of his Airbnb. Derek was shocked the run was over. He had been so lost in his thoughts, for a few miles Derek hadn’t even noticed he was running. Maybe this was why people ran? To sort out their problems?

Lingering in front of his place, Leia asked, “Will I get to see you today?” She bit down on her bottom lip.

“Of course,” replied Derek. He took a step closer to her, capturing her by her waist, bringing her body against his own, sweat and all. “Tonight, if I don’t see you at the farm sometime today.”

There he went again, muddling business with whatever this thing was—bad idea.

“Tonight then. I want you to come over to my place for dinner. I’ll cook you something,” said Leia.

For the briefest second, Derek hesitated. Dinner at her place? It felt way more intimate than dinner at a food truck with her family popping in and out of nowhere. Rubbing the back of his neck, Derek said, “Could I buy you dinner somewhere instead? I don’t want you to have to cook for me.”

Kissing him quickly on his cheek, Leia said, “Nah, you can take me somewhere tomorrow night.”

Laughing, Derek remarked, “Are you already planning tomorrow too?”

Tucking some loosened strands of hair behind both her ears, Leia asked, “Yeah, aren’t you?”

For a second, Derek stared back at Leia’s challenging gaze like she was calling his bluff, if he was in fact bluffing. Fire raged in his gut. Derek wasn’t bluffing. He liked Leia. A little too much. But soon, he’d be gone. And if he left not investing in the farm, Derek would be leaving with Leia cursing his name. The thought made him break out in a cold sweat.

Finally, Derek said, “I want to plan every available minute I have with you.” He tugged her closer, wrapping a sweaty arm around her waist.

Though they were both sticky and slick with sweat, Leia managed to smell intoxicatingly delicious. How did she do that?

“Okay, until tonight.” Leia gave him a quick peck before untangling herself from his arms. “I need to get those financials out.” As she twisted toward the road, over her shoulder, Leia said, “Later.” She ran away at twice the pace she had been running with him earlier.

“It’s a date,” yelled Derek to her image as it drifted further and further away.

Before Derek could wonder if Leia heard him, she held up a hand without turning around. Derek waited until she was completely out of sight before going inside to his Airbnb.