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back at him.
    Birds were chirping, the palm trees were swaying with the warm wind, and the sound of the ocean surf reached her ears as she strolled through the lush green lawn of the hotel grounds. Birds of paradise plants with their brilliant orange and blue flowers landscaped the garden. Bright red ginger flowers and colorful orchids bloomed everywhere. The beauty was breathtaking.
    She paused in the patio area to watch two men busily carving tiki totems.
    “Is that part of a palm tree you’re carving into?” asked Mia.
    “Yes, miss,” answered one man politely, looking up at her with a grin. “We also use acacia wood. These are the gods Kanaloa, the sea god, and Kane, the creator god.”
    “They’re beautiful - nani,” Mia said appreciatively, adding the Hawaiian word for beautiful. Prior to departing for Hawaii, she had purchased a book about popular Hawaiian words and phrases.
    Mia continued with her stroll, heading toward another garden area. She paused to admire a colorful flower bed, noting the vivid hues.
    “Enjoying the sunshine and warm weather?” asked a deep voice at her side.
    Mia turned to find Eric looking at her. He was wearing business attire, and she was chagrined at being caught wearing shorts and a tank top.
    “Good morning. I couldn’t sleep in. It’s just too beautiful here,” Mia said, blushing under his steady gaze.
    “What do you think of the gardens?”
    “They’re stunning,” Mia said appreciatively as she looked around at the extensive grounds.
    “We have an excellent landscape gardener, but I had input as well,” Eric replied, a touch of pride in his voice.
    “ You did?” Mia asked in surprise.
    Eric nodded, smiling. “My grandmother was an avid orchid grower, and she made me appreciate the beauty of flowers, particularly orchids. We’ll be strategically placing tiki totems in and around the garden areas as well.”
    “I’m certain that future guests will enjoy the gardens,” said Mia.
    “The pool is the last project that still needs to be completed.”
    They strolled over to the pool area and watched several men meticulously install colorful tile at the edge of the pool. Artificial rock rose up from the sides of the pool for future cascading waterfalls.
    “Looks like hard work,” Mia commented.
    “I wanted only the best tile inlaid around the pool,” Eric said. He placed his hand underneath her elbow and led her to a bench overlooking the ocean.
    “The first guests will be arriving in a few weeks, so it should be completed soon. I’m meeting with Kimo shortly to go over some front desk duties. I’ll see you in the boardroom at noon,” said Eric.
    Mia sat on the bench and Eric draped his arm around the back of the bench. Her neck tingled in awareness as his arm brushed across it. He sat close to her, his thigh touching hers. Even through his slacks, she could feel his heat warm her bare thigh.
    “It’s so beautiful here,” Mia said, determined not to get rattled by his presence. She stared at the vista of sea before her, hoping to distract herself. She felt his eyes on her, but she refused to look in his direction.
    “It is,” he agreed quietly.
    He paused for a long moment, and from the corner of her eye, she saw his head bend toward hers. Suddenly, she felt his lips brush gently across hers and she sat stiffly, surprised by his unexpected move. The kiss was so soft and so brief that for a moment, she wasn’t sure if it had even happened.
    Mia looked at him, silently willing him to kiss her again. He slowly lowered his head and again kissed her, this time with more force. Mia closed her eyes and allowed the sensation of his lips on hers to take over her whole being. She opened her mouth and allowed his probing tongue inside. He tasted so good, and as she tangled her tongue with his, a part of her couldn’t believe she was kissing her boss.
    * * *
    Eric groaned, swept up in their erotic kiss. Her lips were lush and delicious, and he desperately wanted