Pleasure Rush Read online

  “This place serves some of the freshest mahi mahi you’ll ever eat. And its laulau?” He licked his lips. “Simply amazing.”

  Deirdre’s eyes zeroed in on his moistened lips, her pulse quickening at the way they glistened. The remembered taste of him filled her mouth, triggering memories of the way he’d claimed her with a mastery that made her shiver even now.

  “You okay?” Theo asked, wrenching her from her lust-filled trance.

  “Uh…yes,” Deirdre answered. She blinked up at him. “Uh…what is laulau again?”

  “It’s pork,” he answered, a perplexed frown furrowing his brow. “They wrap it in taro leaves and steam it.” Holding the bag with their lunches in one hand, he captured her hand with the other and entwined their fingers. “I was thinking we could eat this on the beach.”

  They left the restaurant and headed south. Deirdre saw a sign proclaiming Kaiona Beach Park. Just beyond it was a breathtaking view of deep turquoise water dotted with a smattering of colorful sailboats.

  “This is absolutely gorgeous,” Deirdre said. She inhaled as a light breeze carried the clean scent of the ocean toward them.

  “I love this beach. It’s away from a lot of the resorts, so it’s not as crowded.”

  “And the view is stunning.”

  “That’s the Koolau Mountains over there.” He pointed to a ridge thick with deep green vegetation. “And you see that big rock standing out in the middle of the water? They call that Rabbit Island. Don’t ask me why.”

  “You know a lot about this place.”

  “I never miss a chance to come here when I’m in Hawaii.” He gestured for her to take a seat on a patch of white sand, then dropped down beside her. Theo balanced a plate lunch on each leg and dished out equal portions of the fish and leaf-wrapped pork.

  “How often do you come here?” Deirdre asked as he handed her a plate. She couldn’t recall him mentioning many trips to Hawaii.

  “Lately, it’s only been during Pro Bowl week, but for about four or five years, in my earlier NFL days, I visited Hawaii at least three times a year. I always said I’d retire here, but I guess that won’t happen with this new TV gig.” Theo looked out over the water. “Maybe I’ll buy a condo and vacation a couple of months out of the year.”

  “I certainly see the appeal.” Deirdre gazed across the magnificent beach. “I feel foolish for turning Torrian down all those times he invited me.”

  “I always wondered why you never joined us here in Hawaii.”

  Her stomach fluttered at his use of the word us.

  “Why didn’t you?” Theo asked.

  She glanced at him, suddenly struck by the shock of sitting on the beach with Theo, chatting once again like old friends. Their conversations had never been deep, but they had been nice. Refreshing. She’d missed this. She’d missed him.

  Theo raised his brows as he scooped up another piece of the moist, incredibly flavorful fish. “So? Why is this your first time at the Pro Bowl?”

  “I’ve never really been one for the beach, and, of course, Dante was always in school during Pro Bowl week. Besides,” Deirdre shrugged. “I always pictured it as one giant party with a bunch of NFL players. And despite my actions last night, I’m not all that comfortable attending wild parties and dancing.”

  His crack of laughter echoed around them. “You will never know just how much I enjoyed watching you dance last night. That alone was worth the trip. But there’s a lot more to the Pro Bowl than the parties, Deirdre. Like this, for instance.” He gestured to the water. “You won’t get these views back in New York.”

  Deirdre nodded, watching as the sun’s rays twinkled like a million diamonds across the rippling water. A comfortable silence stretched between them as they ate their meal. When they were done, Theo got up and carried the disposable plates to a nearby garbage receptacle. He came back and stretched out his hand.

  “Let’s take a stroll. There’s this one spot where sea turtles congregate. I promise you’ve never seen anything like it.”

  Deirdre allowed him to help her up. They moved closer to the water, where the moist sand squished between her toes.

  “Theo, I really feel as if I should apologize for last night,” Deirdre started.

  “No, you shouldn’t,” he returned. “It was obvious you’d had too much to drink. More than a couple of those cocktails would have been too much for people who are used to drinking. A lightweight like you didn’t stand a chance. I’m surprised you weren’t dancing on the tables.”

  “Apparently, I came close enough,” she muttered. “But it wasn’t just the alcohol that influenced some of the things I did last night.” Deirdre glanced over at him, her heart beating like the drums at last night’s luau. “I can’t believe I’m about to tell you this. You’re going to think I’m crazy.”

  “What?” Theo asked.

  Deirdre hesitated. If he mocked her she would crawl into a ball of humiliation right on this beach. “The other night I wrote this list—a bucket list,” she clarified. She let out an uneasy breath. “It’s a list of somewhat…uh…interesting things I want to do before my birthday on Sunday.”

  Theo’s brows arched with avid curiosity. “What kind of things?”

  “Well, do something unexpected was the first item on the list.”

  His head flew back with a crack of laughter. “You can check that one off.”

  Deirdre winced and an instant blush heated her cheeks despite the cool breeze coming off the ocean. “Yes, the headache I’ve been nursing all morning suggests mission accomplished. I can also check off ‘dance like everyone is watching’ after last night’s luau.”

  An easy smile broke out over Theo’s face. “So you’re the one who talked yourself into doing that,” he said with budding admiration shining in his eyes. “I had guessed it was Paige.”

  Deirdre blew out an irritated sigh. “You see, that’s one of the reasons I wrote the list in the first place. You automatically assumed I had to be pressured into doing something as simple as dancing in public.”

  “Well, you don’t dance in public.”

  “I know. But I want to.” She stopped walking and turned to him. “There are so many things I want to do, Theo, and I’ve never allowed myself to do them. Even though I’m paying for it with a monster headache today, I wouldn’t change a single thing about last night.” She couldn’t keep the enthusiasm from her voice as she continued on. “When I was up on that stage I wasn’t thinking about how embarrassed Dante would be if he knew his mother was dancing the hula, or worrying about Torrian, sick and in bed. It was about me, and it was wonderful.”

  “I’ll bet it was.” He pushed aside a strand of hair from her face, letting his fingers gently caress her cheek. “You know, Deirdre, we all appreciate how you take care of us when we’re hanging out at Torrian’s, but you need to start focusing on yourself a bit more.”

  “You think so?” she asked, her voice hushed as she gazed up at him.

  Theo nodded as he lowered his head. The moment their lips connected, a flood of sensation erupted, tingling with the sparks of a thousand fireworks bursting inside of her. How many dreams had she had of melding her mouth with Theo’s, and here she was, doing it for the second time in less than twenty-four hours.

  Deirdre closed her eyes and concentrated on every facet of his slow, sweet kiss. The softness of his full lips as they caressed hers. The pressure of his demanding tongue as he urged her to open for him. His incredible flavor as he invaded her mouth, stroking and tasting and devouring.

  His palm cupped her cheek as he deepened the kiss, thrusting in and out, encouraging her to reciprocate with every decadent swipe of his tongue. Untold moments passed before Theo finally released her.

  “So, what’s the next thing on the list?” he asked.


  Deirdre blinked in rapid succession, caught off-guard by the question and how quickly he regained his composure. Meanwhile her heart still pounded against the walls of her chest as her body attempted to recover from their kiss.

  “So?” Theo asked again, his eyebrows lifted in inquiry.

  Unable to stave off the attack of self-consciousness, Deirdre looked down and kicked at a pebble in the sand. He would probably think she was out of her mind.

  “To do something dangerous,” she finally admitted. “I’m going to take a helicopter ride above the Waianae volcano.”

  An incredulous frown wrinkled his forehead. “You call that dangerous? Are you piloting the helicopter or something?”

  “Hey, it may not be swimming with sharks, but it’s still something I would normally never do in a million years. And speaking of swimming, I signed up to swim with stingrays at the pool back at the hotel.”

  “Those stingrays are domesticated, it doesn’t count.”

  She pinched his arm. “Stop raining on my parade.”

  “I’m just trying to help you accomplish your list,” he said. “Why don’t you let me come up with your ‘something dangerous’?”

  Still a bit flustered from their kiss, Deirdre peered at him cautiously. “What do you have in mind?”

  He shook his head, mischief twinkling in those whiskey-colored eyes. “You’ll have to trust me.”

  “I am not jumping out of an airplane,” she professed.

  “Even I’m not that much of a daredevil.” Theo chuckled. “I’ve got something else in mind.”

  “What?” she prodded.

  “All I’ll tell you is that it’s a little more intense than a helicopter ride, but you’re going to enjoy it. Trust me.”

  Yeah, right, she thought. A woman who believed those two words was a woman asking for trouble. But Deirdre couldn’t deny the excited spark that raced through her. Just telling Theo about her list was more of a risk than she was used to taking, but it looked as if the risk had paid off.

  She had herself a partner in crime.

  Chapter 7

  Theo stood on the fifty-yard line of Clarence Ching stadium on the campus of the University of Hawaii, watching as the defensive line for the NFC team took their stance. His stomach clinched, his hands twitching with the need to be on that field, striking that familiar warrior’s pose and preparing to do battle.

  God, he loved this game.

  He’d held his first football before he took his first step, had donned his first pair of shoulder pads by kindergarten. He’d spent most of his life playing this game. It was as much a part of him as the air that filled his lungs and the blood that flowed through his veins.

  Theo had known the ride wouldn’t last forever. He had watched fellow teammates bow out—some on their own terms, others due to injury—and had told himself that when it was his time to walk away he would do so without a single regret. But nothing, absolutely nothing, could have prepared him for the mourning he experienced every time he saw a bunch of guys on a field and realized he no longer belonged there.

  Was it really over for him?

  “Hey, man, this is a closed practice, no press allowed.”

  Theo turned to find Torrian jogging toward him. He held his hand out, waiting for his ex-teammate to slap his palm. “What’s going on, Wood? You feeling any better?”

  “One hundred percent,” Torrian answered as he slapped Theo’s hand in greeting. “It’s a good thing scallops aren’t my favorite, because I’m never eating them again.”

  “Even Deirdre’s?”

  “Dee makes enough other dishes that I love. I can do without her scallops,” he drawled. “So, what are you doing here? Media Day isn’t until tomorrow.”

  “Coach Foster invited me to attend this morning’s practice. My production meeting was cut short, so I figured I’d hang out for a bit before I—” He stopped just before mentioning his outing with Deirdre.

  “Before what?” Torrian asked.

  Theo glanced over at him, debating whether he should say anything, but knowing Torrian, he was sure his ex-teammate would find out eventually. “I’m taking Deirdre around the island,” he said.

  Torrian’s eyebrows shot up. “Dude, seriously?” He shook his head. “I come down with a case of food poisoning and miss the start of the apocalypse.”

  “See, why does it have to be all that, Wood?”

  Torrian raised both hands, palms out. “The last time I brought up the subject of you and Dee, you said the two of you would go on a date when hell froze over.” He stooped and laid his palm against the turf. “No, still pretty warm.”

  “You’re such a drama queen,” Theo grumbled.

  “I’m just messing with you, man. Seriously, how did this come about?”

  He wasn’t about to share with Torrian what happened the night of the luau, or their lunch yesterday. It didn’t matter that he was Deirdre’s brother. It was none of his business. Instead, Theo gave him the most plausible explanation he could think of that would end Torrian’s questions.

  “It’s your sister’s first time in Hawaii. With Paige stuck in the room taking care of your sick behind, Deirdre was all alone.” He shrugged. “I told her I’d hang out with her, give her a tour of the island.”

  Torrian’s slow smile was filled with gratitude “Thanks, man. Really. When I didn’t hear from her yesterday, I just figured she was stuck in her room watching the Food Network or something. I really appreciate you looking out for Dee, especially with the way things are between you two,” Torrian finished.

  “I don’t mind, Wood. She’s helping to keep my mind off other things.”

  “Like Ced?” Torrian asked, motioning to their former teammate as he lined up on the twenty-yard-line. Cedric had ignored Theo from the moment he’d walked onto the practice field.

  “Yeah, like Ced,” Theo said. “Among other stuff.”

  Torrian whipped his gaze back to him. “What other stuff?” he asked, his eyes narrowing.

  Theo let out an exasperated breath. He’d tried keeping this to himself, but he needed to talk to somebody, and he and Torrian had always been each other’s sounding boards.

  “My producer wants me to do a story on the Sabers, about the team missing out on the Super Bowl these past few years.”

  “Ouch.” Torrian’s forehead furrowed. “I understand this is your job and all, Theo, but you know the kind of reception you’ll get if you bring up that subject.”

  “Of course I know,” Theo said. “I can’t even count the number of people who have dogged me out over never winning a Super Bowl.”

  Theo ran a hand down his face. He hated being put in this position, but if he was serious about making a play for Judd Wright’s spot on The Sunday Morning Kickoff, what choice did he have?

  Theo’s gaze wandered over the players running drills up and down the field, his leg muscles flexing in remembrance as he recalled the familiar burn. Maybe he did have a choice? There was always this game.

  What was he thinking? He couldn’t go back to football.

  Could he?

  Theo blew out a harsh curse. This waffling back and forth was driving him crazy. He needed to commit to a certain path, and soon. Was he really ready to give up football for good? Was he going to give this sports broadcasting job the chance it deserved?

  “Why do you have to do the story?” Torrain asked, blessedly yanking him out of his chaotic mental debate. “Why not pass this off to Dan Bates? Most of the guys on the team already hate him after that story he did on Mark Landon before he retired.”

  Theo knew exactly how the team felt. He’d been just as pissed over Bates’s story on the Sabers long-time quarterback saying the guy had given up on the team. Now he was the one who wou
ld be questioning the heart and determination of his former teammates.

  “My producer insists that I do the story,” he said. “She says the fact that I’m an ex-Saber adds an extra layer.”

  Torrian shrugged. “I can see that.”

  “This is bull, Wood.”

  “Hey, man, I’m just saying she has a point. Having you ask those questions of your former teammates—some teammates who are already angry at you to start with—does make the story juicier. Pretty smart if you ask me,” his friend stated.

  Torrian cocked his head to the side and pointed at Theo. “You know, sometimes when I’m up in the film room watching tape until one in the morning, I’ll think about you resting in your bed and I get envious. But I don’t envy you on this one.”

  “Yeah, thanks,” Theo snorted.

  Torrian slapped him on the back. “I’m just messing with you. And you know if you need me, I have no problem being interviewed. Just take it easy on me. The entire franchise has been taking hits from both local and national media. I can’t suffer many more bruises.”

  “I know, Wood. I hate seeing the team being dragged through the mud like this, as if we asked to be crowned the NFL’s next golden team.”

  Torrian’s eyebrows shot up and a slow grin spread across his face.

  “What?” Theo asked.

  “You said ‘we’,” Torrian answered.

  How had that slipped out? “You know what I mean,” he said.

  “Yeah, man. I know,” Torrian said.

  The sharp crack of a shoulder pad collision rented the air, drawing their attention to the center of the field where two players were squirming on the turf. Theo took off with Torrian, followed immediately by several trainers.

  Dane Washington, running back for the Chicago Bears and the starter for the NFC team in this year’s Pro Bowl, clutched his knee, his face contorting with pain. Theo winced in sympathy. If there was one thing he would never miss about football, it was these types of injuries—the ones that laid you flat on your ass and had you calling for your momma.