Read Online HIGH TIDE by Maureen A. Miller - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Maureen A. Miller
Ads: Link
glasses.
As soon as they were alone again, Naoki leaned forward.
“Hey, what reports did you have her research? I’m the research department around here. She just started three days ago. Where did you dig her up anyway?”
Too many secrets.
Briana didn’t want Naoki to see the stack of data she had Kathy research on tidal activity in the region. It would require an explanation she was not ready to impart. For now, she wanted to keep the Nick situation low key—incase it blew up in her face.
With every argument against it ramming through her head, Briana was certain of one fact. She was going to meet Nick today . Curiosity and the lingering effects of his touch proved the victor.
“Feeling threatened, Takanawa? By a college student? The poor girl idolizes you, aspires to be like you.”
“Aspires to take my job, you mean.”
Briana chuckled and discreetly shoved the pile into her desk drawer. “Really Naoki, your value to me is immeasurable and you know it. You keep me sane. How can I place a worth on that?”
Naoki grinned. “That’s what I’m here for. Hey, by the way, is that geologist still badgering you?”
Briana stared across the desktop into the almond eyes she knew so well. She muffled her hiccup with a brush of her hand.
“He might have some credible points.”
“Are you crazy? I told you the guy’s got nothing on you. He’s just some bureaucrat looking to pick a fight.”
The nagging console on her desk proved an ally as Lena, her stout secretary, passed back a call. “I really don’t want to talk about it.”
Naoki frowned and then moved towards the door, mouthing the words, “You’re sure about this afternoon?”
Briana waved her fingers, trying not to notice how much they shook.
***
Nick stalked out onto the lanai. Beyond the feathered palms eclipsed by the azure sky, a hazy cumulus cloud marred the clear heavens. The trade winds would soon move the cotton puff on its way, though.
Nick stooped over and clasped the rail, cursing it when it jarred slightly under his touch. He would have to work on it this weekend. Living so close to the water had its setbacks. Degradation to the bungalow’s structure kept him in an eternal state of restoration —but there was no greater perk than this vista.
Despite his resolve not to, his gaze drifted to the beach only steps away. An image from last night flashed in his mind. Briana’s face bathed in the moonlight, her lips parted just a breath before he kissed her.
Sleep was futile after he left her. He ended up sorting through paperwork and test results all through the night. Those long hours of work accounted for his haggard appearance and dismal demeanor at the moment.
There was no way he was going to allow himself to be bewitched by another woman whose intelligence and fanaticism towards work were packaged in one hot body. Although , as much as he wanted to compare her to Meleana, he found that there really was no similarity. Yes, Meleana was beautiful, but in a standoffish, intimidating kind of way. Briana was a subtle intoxication—something you had a taste of, and yearned for more. Beneath a business-like veneer lay a fascinating insecurity.
Reaching for the bottom of his UH t-shirt, Nick yanked it over his head. He hiked down to the shore, eager to hit the water. Anything to wash away the images of her. But the trick did not work. The warm saltwater reminded him of how the ocean cloistered them, doing little to douse their heat.
He rose to the surface and snapped his head to ring out the water. He raised a hand to the back of his neck and peered out towards a lumbering freighter, heavy with cargo.
There was no choice. He had to put an end to this while it was still early enough to do so. It wasn’t what he needed right now. Heck, it wasn’t as if Briana was throwing herself at his feet. She wasn’t going to get hurt if he stopped this—this , whatever it was before it started. Okay, maybe last night was hot. Damn hot .
As soon as they were alone again, Naoki leaned forward.
“Hey, what reports did you have her research? I’m the research department around here. She just started three days ago. Where did you dig her up anyway?”
Too many secrets.
Briana didn’t want Naoki to see the stack of data she had Kathy research on tidal activity in the region. It would require an explanation she was not ready to impart. For now, she wanted to keep the Nick situation low key—incase it blew up in her face.
With every argument against it ramming through her head, Briana was certain of one fact. She was going to meet Nick today . Curiosity and the lingering effects of his touch proved the victor.
“Feeling threatened, Takanawa? By a college student? The poor girl idolizes you, aspires to be like you.”
“Aspires to take my job, you mean.”
Briana chuckled and discreetly shoved the pile into her desk drawer. “Really Naoki, your value to me is immeasurable and you know it. You keep me sane. How can I place a worth on that?”
Naoki grinned. “That’s what I’m here for. Hey, by the way, is that geologist still badgering you?”
Briana stared across the desktop into the almond eyes she knew so well. She muffled her hiccup with a brush of her hand.
“He might have some credible points.”
“Are you crazy? I told you the guy’s got nothing on you. He’s just some bureaucrat looking to pick a fight.”
The nagging console on her desk proved an ally as Lena, her stout secretary, passed back a call. “I really don’t want to talk about it.”
Naoki frowned and then moved towards the door, mouthing the words, “You’re sure about this afternoon?”
Briana waved her fingers, trying not to notice how much they shook.
***
Nick stalked out onto the lanai. Beyond the feathered palms eclipsed by the azure sky, a hazy cumulus cloud marred the clear heavens. The trade winds would soon move the cotton puff on its way, though.
Nick stooped over and clasped the rail, cursing it when it jarred slightly under his touch. He would have to work on it this weekend. Living so close to the water had its setbacks. Degradation to the bungalow’s structure kept him in an eternal state of restoration —but there was no greater perk than this vista.
Despite his resolve not to, his gaze drifted to the beach only steps away. An image from last night flashed in his mind. Briana’s face bathed in the moonlight, her lips parted just a breath before he kissed her.
Sleep was futile after he left her. He ended up sorting through paperwork and test results all through the night. Those long hours of work accounted for his haggard appearance and dismal demeanor at the moment.
There was no way he was going to allow himself to be bewitched by another woman whose intelligence and fanaticism towards work were packaged in one hot body. Although , as much as he wanted to compare her to Meleana, he found that there really was no similarity. Yes, Meleana was beautiful, but in a standoffish, intimidating kind of way. Briana was a subtle intoxication—something you had a taste of, and yearned for more. Beneath a business-like veneer lay a fascinating insecurity.
Reaching for the bottom of his UH t-shirt, Nick yanked it over his head. He hiked down to the shore, eager to hit the water. Anything to wash away the images of her. But the trick did not work. The warm saltwater reminded him of how the ocean cloistered them, doing little to douse their heat.
He rose to the surface and snapped his head to ring out the water. He raised a hand to the back of his neck and peered out towards a lumbering freighter, heavy with cargo.
There was no choice. He had to put an end to this while it was still early enough to do so. It wasn’t what he needed right now. Heck, it wasn’t as if Briana was throwing herself at his feet. She wasn’t going to get hurt if he stopped this—this , whatever it was before it started. Okay, maybe last night was hot. Damn hot .
Similar Books
