When Lani had first led him past the tiki poles draped in sparkling red, yellow, and green Christmas lights that marked the entrance to the elegant restaurant, Donovan had been struck by a sudden urge to put on a tie, despite the fact that every man in the place was wearing shorts, flip-flops, and either a T-shirt or aloha shirt.
“Still suffering from culture shock?” Lani asked sympathetically as she stirred her drink. A small paper parasol adorned the top of the red plastic swizzle stick.
“Is it that obvious?”
Lani observed him judiciously across the four-top as she took a sip of rum punch. “Only when you keep trying to straighten your tie.”
“At least I’m providing some amusement.”
“Don’t be so sensitive. I think it’s kind of cute.” She speared a plump shrimp with a pair of bamboo chopsticks.
“I’m not sensitive.” He took a pull on his bottle of Bikini Blonde Lager.
“You could have fooled me. And when did they pass a law in Portland outlawing police detectives to have a sense of humor?”
“Are you aware of the fact that every time you refer to my occupation, you heap an extra helping of sarcasm on it?”
“Now who’s got an overworked imagination?” she asked mildly.
“You’re ducking the question. What do you have against my work?”
“You’re taking an innocent comment far too personally, Donovan.”
“No, I don’t think I am.”
Her frustrated sigh ruffled her bangs. “For heaven’s sake, it’s not that I’ve actually got anything specific against your work—”
“You have no idea how that relieves my mind,” he drawled.
“Do you want me to answer your question or not?”
He shrugged. “I’m probably going to regret this, but go ahead.”
“I don’t think you’re happy.”
“Okay. Hell. You’ve got me. I confess, since your brother will probably tell you anyway if you ask him.” He held up his hands. “I’m burned out, drifting, the department shrink diagnosed me as midline depressed, so Nate and Tess sent me down here to unwind. Are you happy now?”
“Of course I’m not happy to hear that you’re troubled.” She braced her elbows on the table, linking her fingers together. “Sightseeing and snorkeling’s a start. But I’m not sure it’s enough to cure a serious case of burnout.”
“Did I say it was serious? I’ve been through some stuff lately, and needed a break. So, here I am. And no offense, Lani, I’m not sure you’re in a position to diagnose a case of occupational burnout,” he said. “You appear to have created a life that suits you. And that’s great. But despite all those degrees, you’re not exactly the most hard-driving person I’ve ever met.”
“No offense taken,” she said mildly. “And I didn’t think you’d listen.” She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs in in a smooth movement that Donovan couldn’t help noticing despite his discomfort. Her eyes met his across the table. “Can you honestly tell me that you enjoy your work?”
“If it was supposed to be fun, they probably wouldn’t call it work.”
“Where have I heard that before?” she murmured. Then shrugged, shifting her gaze to the magical vista of the bay and the lush green mountains ablaze with flowers. “I can remember when you loved being a policeman,” she said quietly.
“You were so busy complaining about everything and everyone around you that Christmas that I hadn’t realized you’d noticed.”
She treated him to an enigmatic smile. “Oh, I noticed, all right. Thinking back on it, I’ve come to the conclusion that part of the reason I behaved so abominably toward you was because of the way you made me feel things I was too young to understand.”
Another surprise, he thought. “And now?”
“I understand them all too well,” she said with a light laugh that faded as she treated him to a longer considering look. “But getting back to the topic at hand, doesn’t it get tiring?”
He leaned closer, idly playing with a lock of her hair. “Doesn’t what get tiring?”
“Always having to maintain a facade of being totally in control. Of continually being the man in charge.”
Donovan shrugged. “It comes with the territory. I’ve gotten used to it.”
Of course he had, Lani realized. She’d spent last night after she’d returned to her cottage, Googling him. From what she read, his image was that of a paradoxical man who could be charming, intelligent, dogged, and ruthless.
“It’s also gotten you a lot of media coverage.”
“I’m not going to apologize for using the media, Lani. I always considered news coverage the best way to telegraph the message to the bad guys that society will not accept their actions. Perhaps some of them will think twice before committing a crime. And if they don’t, then they’ll be dealing with me.”