Petra Swank raised the folded magazine to shield her eyes from Hawaii’s brilliant sun and watched the man jogging down the beach toward her. He was every woman’s dream; tall, blonde, blue eyes, muscles rippling as he ran. But Petra was more impressed with the majestic cliffs of Kauai’s coastline jutting out behind him. He claimed her vision when he stopped directly in front of her, breathing hard from his run. His eyes sparked with desire.

“You came back.”

“I never left.” She dropped the magazine as he swept her into his arms, his mouth coming down on hers.

She kissed him back. Out of obligation, not desire.

“Cut!”

Petra stepped away, forcing him to release her.

He gave her an odd look. “That wasn’t very impressive.”

Petra turned toward the producer, “How’d it look?”

“Perfect!” He smiled and gave her a thumbs up. 

“Well,” she turned back to the man in front of her, “since you’re not the one I’m trying to impress, I guess it doesn’t matter much what you think.”

Without waiting for his response, Petra turned and walked toward the Jeep that would take her to the next movie set, thankful she would have no more shots like that today. 

Brad Miller.

Petra shook her head at the irony. Her girlfriends back home in Indiana would just die. But she would rather die than be here with him, and her sister was going to die when she got her hands on her. 

Petra ’s irritation mellowed somewhat as the Jeep pulled up in front of Nai’a Wai, the marine research and education center where they were filming the bulk of the movie. At least she was having fun playing with the dolphins.

Even so, Petra was glad to hear the director call it a day some five hours later. The shooting process was grueling and working with the mammals made it more challenging for everyone.

“Good day today, Renee.” The producer smiled at her when she walked by. “Get some rest. We’re shooting the surfing scenes tomorrow.”

Petra groaned as she climbed into the awaiting Jeep.

“Rough day?”

The deep baritone surprised her and she looked over to see who was sitting behind the wheel. The drivers were from a local tour company and she’d had three different people pick her up already today.

“Sorry. I was expecting Rachael. She said she’d be back to pick me up.” Petra couldn’t help letting her gaze wander to the front seat while she stowed her bag. Her driver was the kind of guy who invited a second look. Cute, nice tan, exactly what you’d expect of your typical adventure tour guide. Unlike Rachael and the other two guides who had picked her up, he wasn’t a native, though the sun had baked him nearly as dark.

He smiled at her as she climbed in, eyes crinkling at the corners. “Rae had a better offer, if you know what I mean.” He put the Jeep in gear. “She asked me to cover for her. Kilohana, right?”

“Right.” Her rented cottage, tucked away on a hidden beach on the back acreage of the old sugar plantation, would be welcome tonight. She sighed and laid her head back against the seat, closing her eyes.

Mr. Hunky Baritone got the message and didn’t say another word until they arrived at the plantation. “Would you like me to take you all the way to your cottage?”

“That’s okay.” Petra climbed out of the vehicle and reached for her bag. “The walk helps me unwind. Thanks for the lift.”

He smiled at her again and Petra couldn’t help noticing he waited until she was inside the main building before driving away. He was either a gentleman or trying to let her know he was interested. A combination of both would be refreshing.

“Honey, I’m home,” she called out in a singsong voice several minutes later when she entered the cottage. “And you’re in big trouble,” she muttered under her breath, dropping her bag by the door. 

Not getting the answer she expected, Petra hurried to the back bedroom. “Renee, you okay?”

A small groan came from the lump in the middle of the bed.

“Worse today?” 

Another groan from the lump. 

“Give me a minute to wash up and I’ll make you some soup.”

A few minutes later, Renee appeared at the bathroom door. “Why are you putting soap in your mouth?”

Petra looked up and had to smile at the two identical faces staring back at her from the mirror. Identical except for the bright red dots that covered her sister’s face.