Swept Away by Delilah Fawkes Page B

drivers’ seat and threw my
purse down next to me. The envelope full of cash fell out with a dull thud.
    Then again, I did have $20,000 or more to spend as
I wished, courtesy of my crazy, rich employer. A smile crept over my face
before I could help myself. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.

 
    ***

 
    “He gave you what? ”
    “You heard me,” I said into my blue tooth headset,
smiling at the surprise in my cousin’s voice as I pulled into the luxury outlet store parking complex. “He’s insane. I have absolutely
no time.”
    “Oh my God, Aolani. You are so lucky. I hate you.”
    I laughed. “Shut up, Kali. You do not.”
    There was an exasperated sigh on the other end of
the line. “You’re right.”
    “Will you do it, though? Stay in my apartment for
me? I’ll pay for your flight today before I leave. It would be a huge help.”
    “Of course, babe. I’ve been thinking a lot about
visiting, anyway. Explore what it’s like on the mainland, you know?”
    “Hell, yes,” I said. “I owe you one, sweetie.”
    “Yes, you do, and I will collect.” Kali did
her best evil villain laugh, and I cracked up, the tension in my chest
loosening for just a moment.
    “Now you’d better get shopping before you turn
into a pumpkin.”
    I groaned. It was already mid morning, and I’d
barely accomplished anything. I’d given the keys to my super and let them know
a friend was coming to stay while I was away, then paid two months’ rent in
advance, hoping that would cover me, watered my house plants, and packed some
toiletries. I still had so much to do, it made my head spin.
    “Don’t forget to buy something slut- ty ,” Kali sing- songed .
    “Goodbye, Kal ,” I said,
shaking my head. “Thanks again.”
    I ripped the headset off and stared at the stores
sprawling out before me. I’d always meant to come to these outlets, but even at
discounted prices, I’d never been able to afford them. I stepped out of the car
and frowned. I hated shopping.
    I’d often wished I didn’t have hips and breasts
like I did so I could wear whatever I wanted, like a model. If I were taller,
thinner... I wouldn’t avoid shopping for clothes like the plague. I mean, I
liked my body, most days, at least, but it was always so damn hard to find
something flattering when you carried some junk in the trunk. It was like
everything was made to fit a size 2, instead of a 12. The world was against me.
    I edged my way into the first store. A gorgeous
woman with a small waist and killer curves approached me with a mega-watt
smile.
    “Welcome to Lafayette 148. May I help you find
anything?”
    I took in her cleavage-bearing top and
form-fitting skirt, before glancing around the store. “Actually, I need to buy
a full wardrobe in a hurry for a ... uh... a cruise, I guess, and I have no
clue where to start.”
    The tall woman eyed me up and down with an
approving look before raising an eyebrow. “Honey, I’m going to take very good
care of you today. My name’s Kenya. What’s yours?”
    “Aolani,” I said, my voice a breathy sigh of
relief.
    “Aolani,” she said. “We’re going to get you put together,
girl. You’ve come to the right place.”
    She smiled and gestured for me to follow.

 
    ***

 
    The sun was just peeking over the horizon when I
pulled up to the docks and unloaded my luggage. I was wrestling with the
thought of leaving my coffee behind to roll all three bags onboard at once,
when Gavin Fletcher’s voice met my ears.
    “You made good time, lass! Dawn it is.”
    I glanced up at him, my eyes puffy from the early
hour. I was definitely not used to this.
    “Yes, well, when the boss says jump, I say ‘how
early.’”
    He laughed and trotted down the ramp to meet me,
the sound making my body tingle, even though I was still waking up. His hair
was damp from a shower, his button up shirt clinging to his muscular chest. He
was next to me in a moment, taking the handles of my luggage and dragging them
with