Rules of Engagement (1991) (20 page)

"It sure is impressive . . . mean looking," she said, turning to watch the two fighters climb out of sight, "and loud."

"That it is," he replied as the luncheon appetizers were delivered to their table. "Would you care for a glass of wine with your lunch?"

"That would be nice."

Brad ordered a glass of the house white wine for each of them.

They drank a toast to Hawaii and to the beautiful weather. "This looks scrumptious," Leigh Ann said as she raised he
r f
ork. "Do you know what type of fish these are?"

"Sure," he replied, turning to look at her meal. "That's mahimahi at the top of your plate. To the left is ahi, which is a yellowfi
n t
una. On the right is opakapaka, a variety of snapper. Below is a king mackerel . . . and I'm sure you have the center section figured out."

"Yes," Leigh Ann laughed. "Shrimp."

Brad ate slowly and sipped his wine. He waited until she had finished a bite before asking a question. "What are your plans for the future?"

Leigh Ann placed her fork thoughtfully on her plate. "Well, I would like to pursue my master's, and, hopefully, find a good teaching position."

Brad nodded. "You seem to have a clear goal in mind." "What about you?" she asked, raising her glass. "What ar
e y
our plans for the future? Do you intend to make the Marine
Corps a career?"

Brad looked into his wine glass. "I don't have any answers at the moment. Right now, due to our rudderless administration in Washington, I'm concentrating on getting through the next couple of months."

She detected a pronounced degree of antagonism in his normally affable voice. "So, do you have any brothers and sisters?"

"It's my turn to apologize," Brad said, realizing that he had let his hostilities invade the conversation. "I didn't mean to sound bitter."

"That's okay," Leigh Ann replied with a sincerity that surprised Brad. "I understand . . . I really do, Brad."

He smiled with a trace of embarrassment. "Yes, to answer your question, I have one older brother. He's in the navy, serving on a combat stores ship."

"Did he attend the academy, too?"

"Yes, he did," Brad said with obvious pride. "He is three years older, and helped me learn the ropes before he graduated. What about you? Any siblings to rival with?"

Leigh Ann grinned. "Yes, and we do have our moments of . . . let's say, misunderstandings."

Brad nodded.

"Eleanor, who is a senior in high school this year, is going through the rebellious stage." Leigh Ann smiled wryly. "That'
s w
hy she stayed home . . . so the three of us could have some peace and quiet."

Brad laughed.

After lunch, they decided to save the swim for Waikiki Beach. Brad had suggested that they take the highway past the Nuuanu Pali. The drive through the Koolau Mountain Range would take them directly back to the outskirts of Honolulu.

Caught in an afternoon rain shower, they had to stop four miles from downtown Honolulu and raise the convertible top. They dove back into the shelter of the car, and Brad grabbed the towels from the backseat. He unfolded one of the thick pink towels and softly dried Leigh Ann's face.

"Thank you," she said laughingly, then reached for the other towel. "Your turn."

She patted his face dry, stopping when he took her hands and gently kissed her. Leigh Ann did not resist, returning the kiss with affection. "Is that part of your normal island tour?"

Brad grinned. "No . . . it's hard to schedule the rain."

She chuckled and softly kissed his cheek. "We better get back, before there's a cloudburst."

Brad nodded and placed the car in gear, then pulled back onto the highway. He reached for Leigh Ann's hand, gently folding her fingers in his. She smiled and moved closer to him.

Arriving back at the Royal Hawaiian, he walked Leigh Ann into the lobby.

"Brad," she said warmly, "I thoroughly enjoyed our outing .. . even the soaking."

"It was my pleasure," he replied, then laughed. "I don't mean getting you wet was a pleasure."

She shifted her beach bag. "I really do appreciate that wonderful drive."

"Well, Leigh Ann," Brad said with an impish look, "since I managed to get your hair wet, we might as well go for the swim we planned."

"Okay, but how about a ride in one of the outrigger canoe
s f
irst?"

"Wonderful idea," he answered. "I'll meet you on the beach in fifteen minutes."

"You're on," she replied gaily. "See you in a few minutes."

Brad returned the automobile and hurried back to the hotel, thrilled to be spending more time with this beautiful woman.

Changing into his swimming suit, Brad thought about the small amount of time he would have with Leigh Ann before she had to leave. Feeling an intense desire to be with her, he was considering the possibility of asking her to stay longer. He would be more than happy to pay for her room and associated expenses but doubted that her father would allow it.

Brad walked out to the beach just as Leigh Ann, wearing a provocative white bikini, came to join him. He found it difficult not to stare at her stunning figure. She was trim and shapely with beautifully tanned skin. Her scant top showed a hint of cleavage that accentuated her tiny waist and narrow hips. Her legs were the most beautiful he had ever seen.

Snapping himself out of his trance, Brad took Leigh Ann's hand and helped her board an outrigger canoe. They paddled out beyond the breakers, then turned and raced down the waves. After three more exhilarating round-trips they returned to the beachfront.

Weaving their way through the sunbathers, they walked hand in hand through the hot sand to the hotel. "Would you care for something to drink?" Brad asked, admiring Leigh Ann's tanned face.

"Sure," she smiled demurely. "A Blue Hawaii sounds good to me."

Brad ordered two of the specialty drinks. The day was going so well, he thought he would try to keep it going longer. He caught Leigh Ann's eyes. "At the risk of pushing my luck, will you have dinner with me this evening?"

Leigh Ann turned to face Brad. "I would be pleased to have dinner with you."

"Great."

"However," Leigh Ann continued, "I have an obligation I hav
e t
o fulfill first. My parents are expecting me to attend a small dinner party with friends of theirs from medical school."

"That's fine," Brad said as the tropical drinks were placed on the table. "We'll have a late dinner."

She laughed softly. "Better than that. I'll have a glass of wine, a few hors d'oeuvres, then explain that I have a dinner date with an irresistible pilot."

Sipping his drink, Brad swallowed wrong, almost choking at the unexpected comment. He coughed twice, then excused himself.

"Are you okay?" Leigh Ann asked with genuine concern.

Brad nodded and took a long pull on his straw. "I'm fine." He swallowed again, clearing his throat. He hoped the redness on his face would also clear. "You're really amazing."

Leigh Ann looked at him over the top of her tall drink. "Amazing?"

"Yes," Brad answered, reaching for her hand. "You appear to be reserved and unapproachable, but you're really the most down-to-earth, uncomplicated person I've met in a long time."

"Why, thank you, Captain Austin."

Chapter
18.

Brad waited in the hotel lobby, trying to pass the time reading a lengthy article about the history of the Hawaiian Islands. Nick Palmer, Russ Lunsford, and an obviously inebriated Harry Hutton had stumbled in at a quarter past five. They had met three United Airlines stewardesses who were going to a luau with them. Harry talked incessantly about the virtues of the blond "trophy" he had snared. He said they were going to a Polynesian feast of food, drink, and wild sex. And off they went, guiding Harry down the hallway.

Brad was startled when Leigh Ann walked up to the side of his high-backed chair.

"Expecting someone, flyboy?" she asked as Brad leaped to his feet. Perfectly coiffed, Leigh Ann was wearing a pale yellow spaghetti-strap dress and off-white sandals.

"You look beautiful," said Brad, reaching down for the plumeria leis he had purchased in the hotel flower shop. "I thought you might enjoy some fresh flowers."

"Brad, they're gorgeous. Thank you."

"You're welcome," he replied, carefully slipping one of the leis over Leigh Ann's head. Her fragrance was stimulating. He kissed her lightly on the cheek.

Placing the other wreath of flowers over Brad's head, she hesitated a moment, then returned the kiss. "You're a nice guy, Brad Austin."

"I'll bet you say that to all the guys," he replied, taking her hand as they walked out of the lobby. "How was the dinner party?" "It was fine, but I was anxious to leave."

Brad arched his eyebrow. "You were?"

"Yes," she squeezed his hand and captured his eye. "I wanted to be with you."

Feeling elated, Brad mentally pinched himself. He was with one of the most attractive women he had ever seen, and she seemed to genuinely like him.

"Where are we going for dinner?" she inquired when they reached busy Kalakaua Avenue.

Brad's thoughts returned to the moment, stepping around Leigh Ann to the concrete curb. "I thought we would stroll down to the Moana, and have a slow, relaxing dinner."

"That sounds wonderful."

Brad glanced at Leigh Ann. "I reserved a quiet table with a view over the Banyan Courtyard."

"You must have some influence."

"Not actually," Brad squirmed.

She gave him a suspicious look. "You just called the Moana, and requested prime seating at the height of the dinner hour?"

"I told the maitre d'," Brad responded, averting his eyes, "that we're on our honeymoon."

"Our honeymoon?" Leigh Ann asked, wide-eyed.

Brad chuckled. "Well, there are two definitions. One includes a period of harmony in a new relationship."

Smiling, she shook her head. "Did you reserve a honeymoon suite, too?"

"I thought about it."

Leigh Ann laughed out loud. "Incredible."

They walked up to the elegant "First Lady of Waikiki" and entered the hotel lobby. Feeling a little awkward, Brad led Leigh Ann to the main dining room. The Ship's Tavern was one of his favorite restaurants on the island.

"Austin," Brad announced nervously to the maitre d'. "Eight fifteen."

"Ah, yes," the pleasant man replied. "Mister and Missus Austin. Right this way, please."

Leigh Ann darted a look at Brad but remained quiet as the
y p
roceeded to their table. After being seated, the maitre d' congratulated the couple on their marriage, then returned to his station. She tilted her head and smiled. "Let me hear your explanatio
n a
s to the reason we aren't wearing wedding rings."

Brad took in the view of the spectacular sunset. "I haven'
t t
hought of one . . . yet."

She tried not to laugh. "Okay, Captain Austin, it's your turn to tell me all about yourself, and how many other wives you have."

Relieved when a cocktail waitress arrived, Brad ordered an aperitif for each of them.

"Well, I had a normal childhood, if you describe normal as going to seven different schools in twelve years. I enjoyed attending Annapolis, after the first year." Brad paused. "Are you sure you want to hear all this?"

"Yes, I'm positive."

"My degree is in aeronautical engineering, which helped me when I went through flight school." He stopped talking while their drinks were served.

Remembering that Brad had avoided discussing his family, Leigh Ann cautiously approached a question. "Brad, why did you join the marines when you come from a navy background?"

He closed his eyes for a second, thinking about the number of times he had had to answer the same question. "I had watched the relationships of other fathers and sons who served in the same service. Many times--too many times--it's like working in your father's business. I wanted to be in a separate service, so no one could infer that my father had any influence on my career."

Brad stopped again when their waiter arrived. After ordering dinner, Brad captured Leigh Ann's eyes. "May I ask you a personal question?"

She looked wary. "You can ask anything you like, but I may elect not to answer."

Brad set his glass down. "With your looks, intelligence, and personality, there must be a man in your life."

"There was," Leigh Ann responded, turning serious, "but that episode in my life is over."

"Episode?"

Leigh Ann was silent a moment, blocking out an extremely painful experience. "Brad," she began, "I was engaged to a medical student. A handsome, romantic, witty guy . . . and now I'm not engaged, thank God."

Confused, Brad remained quiet while he sipped his drink.