Author's Note:
The names of these places exist, but I made up the characters using a baby-name list and a surname list, so my characters are just a work of fiction. I hope you love the story and leave a comment if you do. Thank you to Tseranc for helping with editing. As always, have fun. ~ Red
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The sun shown down on the lone man walking Kalalau Trail. He was young, strong, and confident, but in his hands he held a fragile object, a beautiful crystal urn; his mother's ashes rested safely inside. As he walked, Terrel Robinson thought about the last time he'd made this trip.
Three months ago he and his mother had walked this same route. His strong hands held tight to the fragile glass, just as her weak and frail ones had found the strength to carry the ashes of her soul-mate, though her body was riddled with cancer. His father had been killed in a car accident, while his mother fought a hard battle that eventually claimed her. The doctor's noted that the cancer spread faster after his father passed and Terrel knew in his heart that his mother had willed it. She was ready to go, only having fought so hard in order to spend one more moment with her mate.
When Terrel reached the spot where his parents became engaged he took a deep breath and whispered a prayer to the wind. He opened the urn and released his mother's spirit. His dark-black eyes glistened with tears that fell over his black skin. He closed them and prayed that someday he found that love, the kind his parent's had, the kind that kept you going till you had nothing left, but the passion to be with your partner.
It was several hours before Terrel returned to his hotel. He'd spent a few hours on the trail and even shared his reason for being on the Island of Kauai with a few people besides the staff at the Outrigger Resort. Most everyone else who'd asked he quietly told them he was enjoying a mini vacation. In a way it was, he had spent the first two days on the tropical island relaxing and making himself mentally ready for the trip to his parents' final resting place.
Now the third day was behind him and he was in his hotel room, showering the sweat from this journey. He had spoken at length with a young woman on the island a beautiful native girl that danced for the tourists. He actually found himself hoping to see her again.
Terrel chose a black shirt with tropical red lei print and dragonflies. His black slacks hung snug on his firm waist and tight ass, while still being loose enough for the Hawaiian breeze to move through the fabric. His gold watch caught the light and his sandals only added to his tropical appearance. He would have worn shoes with the slacks, but the little dancer had told him he had the feet of a dancer when she had spoken to him last night. He figured if she like his feet enough maybe she'd stop and take note of them again. He traveled to the Naupaka Restaurant and ordered his meal and drink. It wasn't long before he saw her. She walked among the tourists, greeting them. Terrel watched her as she wove her way toward him. He had caught her eye and his smile filled his face. When she reached his side he winked and looked down at his feet. The young man of thirty-eight looked like a teenager trying to catch the Prom Queen's eye.
Serephina Kahookano had fought all day her desire to see the African-American from New York City. She had seen him the first night of his vacation and then last night she had made a point of dancing closer to him then anyone else that evening. She wasn't sure what it was that pulled her to him, but something did. Last night as they spoke, she thought it was because he had lost his parents, but she still was here sitting in front of him and chatting up a storm.
"Lovely feet," she smiled and laughed at his toes that wiggled at her. "I see you're wearing your sandals again. Careful or I will have you dancing out of them before the night is over."
Terrel joined in her laughter and sipped his drink. "I would rather watch you dance, than force you to watch me attempt to move like you do." He had gazed upon every sway of her hips last night and when she danced in front of him it was as if she danced for him. Little did he know that it was for him. Serephina had gotten ribbed for it afterwards, the others teased her until her bronzed skin was bright pink.
"But I see you are not in your skirt tonight," he said. Terrel's eyes glanced quickly, but not so fast as to miss the bright green bikini top and the white shorts that caressed her lithe body. Her feet were incased in sandals and he noted them with a smile. "Your feet are much more delicious then mine."
Serephina giggled, "But I've not tasted your toes, so I would beg to differ."
"Have you tasted yours?" Terrel asked, his right brow raised slightly higher then the left.
The raven-haired lovely almost choked on her drink, but managed to swallow it before she swatted at her companion. "When I was eight, I think was the last time, and then it was a dare to see if I could do it. I was a chubby child and my legs were not as flexible as they are now."
"Have you tried it recently? I mean. . .you seem flexible, but perhaps you can't," Terrel smirked.
She rolled her eyes and tossed her drink umbrella at him. Terrel plucked it from the center of his shirt, where it had landed, nestled against the thick hair on his chest. He tucked it into the shirt pocket and smiled back at her. "So, since it looks like you have the night off. What are you planning on doing with yourself?"
Serephina shrugged. "I really don't know. I have the next three nights off. I was supposed to go to the Big Island with a friend, but she's bailed out on me. So I figured I'd just hang around here."
"You can't do that. I mean. . . you are here all the time," he said. He raised his hand and soon both Serephina and Terrel's drinks were refilled.
"Yeah, but it's not a bad place to be. The island is beautiful and there are so many things to see and do."
Terrel tilted his head and agreed with her. "I saw some beautiful things on my walk today," he told her.
Serephina reached out and touched his hand. "How was it?" she asked.
He'd told her about his walk to scatter his mother's ashes yesterday, when they had shared a few moments of conversation, now he found himself enjoying the time he'd spent with her even more. She squeezed his fingers and would have moved them if he hadn't squeezed back.
"It was healing and very peaceful," he said. "I can see why people fall in love here in the Islands. It is full of romance and beauty, how could people not fall in love."
Serephina smiled and readily agreed. The night continued and the couple shared parts of themselves that would have taken most people months to learn. By the time the restaurant was closing they knew more about each other then either one realized. Terrel walked her to her ride and he left for his hotel with plans on meeting her for a picnic the next afternoon.
That evening he found it hard to sleep and in the morning he found himself trying to sleep in so time would move faster. By the time afternoon rolled around Terrel was nervous and sweating up a storm, though the Hawaiian temperatures and breezes were relaxing and welcoming. "Hello Serephina."
She turned around and smiled up at him. She too was nervous. Her full lips parted and showed off her straight teeth and her laugh bubbled up when she took in his off-kilter shirt. "In a hurry to get dressed, Terrel?" she asked. Her fingers released the buttons on his shirt. As she repaired the order of his clothes her fingernails brushed against the hairs on his chest and she bit her lower lip. Little sparks of electricity seemed to shower her stomach and she felt herself blush.
Terrel stood still as he felt the tiny fingers touch his skin. He clenched and released his fists, until she was done. When she stepped away he looked down on her short stature and wanted to bring her back to him. The air seemed to be full of her scent, yet he knew it was the tropical flowers that surrounded them.
"Thanks," he told her, his voice thick with emotion. They walked along the coastline and eventually came to the place that Serephina wanted to share with Terrel.
"This is where I learned to swim as a small child." She spread the blanket while he looked out at the beautiful blue waters of the Pacific.
"Gorgeous," he stated quietly. "New York is nothing like this. My God, Serephina, you are so lucky." He turned around and watched her slim ankles slide free of her white sandals and she eased herself onto the blue blanket. Her long white skirt billowed out. His eyes caressed her shoulders, the pink spaghetti straps falling continuously. Her fingers would casually slip the thin strip of material back as she unpacked the food.
"New York sounds awful busy Terrel. I don't think I would like it," she told him. She looked up and smiled. "Come down here and enjoy this food." She extended her hand and he took it willingly.
Terrel took his place beside her and expected to sit down to a Hawaiian feast. When she pulled out sandwiches, chips and sodas, he laughed. "A taste of home," she smiled.
He grinned and found himself pulling her close to him. His lips pressed against hers as his fingers moved firmly over the back of her neck. Terrel felt his stomach tighten as the warmth of her mouth enveloped him. Her tongue moved with his and he slowly laid her down on the blanket. Their kiss continued as his large, muscular frame laid over her small, petite figure.