His words followed her into the hallway. “Glad you conquered the coffee machine. Those little pods can be really difficult, fitting them into their slot.” This time, his laugh echoed until she closed the door. Her answering grin, she kept to herself.
It was only minutes later that she spied him sauntering across the street, an empty measuring cup in his hand.
That sneaky bastard!
Why hadn’t she thought of that? She quickly headed out to catch up with him.
“Why didn’t you tell me you had intentions of going over there?”
“I knew you’d see me and follow.”
“I’m that predictable?”
“I wish.” He nudged her with his shoulder in a friendly way so she couldn’t take offense. “I really didn’t have any sugar left and my first instinct was to go there and get some. Why change habits, right? Plus, it makes sense for us to go and make the visitors’ acquaintance as soon as possible and see just what we’re up against.”
“If anything?”
“Exactly. They could be here for a Hawaiian vacation, like the thousands of other tourists who come to the islands.”
“Or not.”
“Well, at least, this way, we can do a bit of analysis on a personal level. I’m a pretty good judge of character most times.”
“Me, too.”
He stopped on the sidewalk and stared at her cheeky smile; his questioning look drilled her confidence to bits.
“Are you playing with me?” His hand snaked out to pull her close. Their mouths were angling to feel the taste of the other, their need a vibrant emotion sizzling between them.
“Quit bullying your sister, Sloan. Be nice.”
Sister?
Well, hell!
“Yeah, bro. Be nice.” Alia couldn’t stop the comment even if she’d wanted to.
Janna had seen them coming and had stepped out onto her porch in welcome, though she was too far away to feel the spiralling tension. “Please come in and meet my visitors from home: my brother’s children.”
Sloan backed away and waved Alia forward. “You first,sis.”