The Feisty One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance Read online

  The phone rang and she ignored it. After five more times of it ringing she put it on silent and finished assembling her simple dinner. She was too angry to eat though. A pounding on the door made her jump. She ran to it, hoping Tucker had returned. No such luck. James.

  “Let me in, Mar. I know you’re here.”

  She leaned against the door and said nothing.

  “I’m sorry, okay. I just get insanely jealous when I think of you with someone else, especially him.”

  “Why especially him?” she asked through the door.

  “He’s wealthy and mysterious and he saved you from a bear. Who does that? How can I compete with that?”

  Maryn wanted to tell him he couldn’t compete, but she just wasn’t able to force the words out. She opened the door partway. James’ hair was ruffled and his perfectly pressed shirt was untucked and halfway unbuttoned.

  “Hey,” he whispered. “I’m sorry.” He reached out a hand and trailed it down her cheek.

  Maryn used to wish she felt any kind of sparks from his touch, but it was like a longtime friend or brother and now that she’d experienced Tucker’s touch she understood James couldn’t compete. “It’s okay.”

  “I hate this jealousy, Mar. Please tell me you still… have feelings for me.”

  “I don’t know James, I want to give him a chance.” Dangit! Why was she being such a wimp? She needed to end this now, but she knew it would be the end of their longtime friendship and work was going to be a mess with the awkwardness.

  He hung his head. “I understand, but can you at least give me another date? See how it goes with him tomorrow and give him his chance, but save Friday night for me?”

  Maryn felt awful for him. He’d been there for her through so many different things and she really did like the guy, he was a great friend. But he was right, Tuck had saved her from a bear and stolen her heart. How did someone compete with that?

  “Okay.”

  James straightened up, grabbed her, and kissed her before she could jerk away. It was quick and didn’t do much for her, but it made him grin. “Thank you, Mar. I’ll pick you up Friday at six.”

  He strode away from her apartment toward his low slung sports car. Maryn still hadn’t asked him how much the monthly payments were on that puppy. Not that it was her business, but it seemed silly to drive a car that spendy when you couldn’t afford it.

  He lifted a hand to her, grinning like she’d been watching him go because she was pining over him or something. Maryn closed the door and sighed. Friday night she’d have to be her blunt self and explain that they were done dating. Her thoughts immediately strayed to Tucker and their date tomorrow. She was going to eat dinner now and somehow go to bed early tonight. If she had to she’d take a sleeping pill or a lavender bath and melatonin. She was going to be well-rested and ready for whatever Tucker had planned tomorrow. Her excitement over the date was so high she knew she’d need several sleeping pills to get any sleep tonight.

  The boat cut through the ocean, big enough that it went smoothly over the waves, but small enough that Tuck didn’t feel like he was trying to show off by chartering it for just the two of them. The captain was an older gentleman who was doing a good job of giving them their space.

  Tuck watched Maryn as she leaned back and closed her eyes. The sun was on her face and the wind pushed her hair back. A simple pink sundress showed off her tan shoulders and slender neck. She was gorgeous. He couldn’t believe he’d wasted two weeks before coming to see her, but the fact still remained that she left. He wanted to talk to her about it, but didn’t want to interrupt the lighthearted mood that had been with them from the minute he picked her up this morning and asked her to grab a swimsuit.

  “Yes!” she’d exclaimed and given him a quick hug before dashing back into her bedroom.

  Tuck wished he could’ve kept her in his arms, kissed her like he did yesterday. Her flowery smell seemed to linger even after she pulled away. Yet, he knew he had to take things slow and not scare her off. Being with her again was everything he’d hoped. He felt complete and alive and happier than he’d been in his entire life when she was around.

  She opened her eyes and grinned at him. “You are staring at me, sir.”

  “You’re worth staring at, ma’am.” He winked.

  She licked her lips and leaned forward. “So are you. Has anyone told you that you look like Superman, not the old one, the new one, I can’t remember the actor’s name but when he like comes out of the water after he saves those people on the oil rig and you think maybe he drowned and he’s all buff and hairy, but I guess he has blue eyes where yours are dark and your hair is longer… what?”

  He wanted to tell her how much he’d missed her, listening to her talk, the way she made him feel like Superman. He definitely wasn’t that shredded so he wasn’t sure about her analogy. “Superman, huh?”

  She grinned. “My own personal Superman.”

  The boat captain looked back at them and smiled. Tucker returned the smile, but couldn’t keep his eyes off Maryn.

  “So, you’ve kidnapped me on this beautiful boat and now we’re going to just jet around the ocean all day?”

  “You should know me better than that.” Even as he said it he realized she didn’t know him very well. They just hadn’t had enough time together.

  “Yes.” She nodded. “All that pent-up energy. Sitting for more than an hour probably kills you. How do you do your programming?”

  “Adjustable desk.”

  She smiled. “Lucky. So… what do you have planned for my playing hooky from work pleasure today?”

  “You’re just going to have to wait and see.”

  She leaned back, closed her eyes again, and muttered, “I don’t like waiting.”

  Tucker laughed. She claimed he had pent-up energy, she was like the Energizer Bunny and he loved every minute he spent with her.

  They pulled into a dock on Catalina Island a few minutes later. Tuck tipped the captain and told him he’d text when they were ready to leave. The man brushed his fingers along his cap. “Best of luck with your day.”

  “Thanks.” Tucker thought that he didn’t need luck, he already had Maryn by his side and that was all he needed.

  He reached for her hand as they walked off the dock and she fit her small hand in his larger one. Tuck grinned. The island breeze, a day of no work and all Maryn.

  Directing her toward Catalina Island Golf Cart Rental, he told them his name and within a few minutes they were seated in a golf cart.

  “I love that you rented a golf cart.”

  Tucker shrugged. “It’s the best way to see this island.”

  “Yeah, but how many billionaires do you know who drive a p. o. s. golf cart instead of proving how rich they are by renting a helicopter or something.”

  “I’m the only billionaire I know, so I’d say a hundred percent. Did you want a helicopter?”

  “Oh, no way. I’d much rather see the island like this.” She gave him a little side hug and Tucker’s breath caught. She was acting more comfortable around him by the minute, maybe by the end of the day he’d be able to kiss her again. A guy could hope.

  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a man watching them from the side of the rental shop. He was average-sized with deeply-tanned skin, a bright Hawaiian print shirt, and pants riding so low Tucker wasn’t sure how he kept them on. When he saw Tucker watching him, he turned and disappeared behind the building.

  Tucker knew the guy was probably harmless. Maryn turned a lot of heads and he understood if the guy was checking her out, but it still bothered him. Pressing the gas down, he was surprised when the golf cart shot forward. “Underestimated the power of this beauty.”

  Maryn’s tinkling laughter and her hand grabbing his as he turned a corner too fast made him push the guy to the back of his mind. He’d ride a p. o. s. golf cart every day if he could have this. They cruised around the island, taking their time as he showed her Chimes Tower, Avalon Harbor, and the
Zane Grey Hotel. She said she’d grown up poor, but he was still surprised she’d never been here.

  “Zane Grey, the author?”

  “Yeah. Too bad it’s closed. It’s a cool location to stay.”

  Maryn leaned back slightly and Tucker wondered what he’d said wrong.

  They took their time driving around some rutted back streets through the trees and then made their way back into town. Tucker pulled into the entry of the Edgewater Hotel. Maryn climbed out of the golf cart and eyed him strangely. He gave the valet money to return the golf cart to the rental place, got the key from the front desk, and escorted her to the elevator. He could’ve sworn that same guy with the Hawaiian shirt was in the lobby, but when he searched for him, he had disappeared. He was being far too paranoid, but he felt a fierce protection toward Maryn and didn’t want some schmuck checking her out.

  Maryn folded her arms across her middle and didn’t talk or meet his gaze in the elevator. Oh, no. What had he done wrong? She was being much too quiet. When he unlocked the door to the suite she marched inside, tossed her bag on the couch, and folded her arms across her chest. “You didn’t tell me it was an overnight date. I would’ve packed differently.” Her voice was cold and distant.

  Tuck’s breath whooshed out of him. He held up both hands. “Oh, no, Maryn. Oh. The room. You thought…”

  “What did you expect me to think?” She arched her eyebrows and glared at him.

  “But you know I wouldn’t try to…” He shook his head.

  “I’ve spent three days with you, Tuck. How am I supposed to know you so well? You don’t know me that well either. I thought maybe you would assume I might want this after I let you sleep in the bed with me in Island Park.”

  She gnawed at her lip and Tucker had to force himself to not get distracted at the mention of snuggling through the night and the way her teeth tugged at those soft lips.

  “No. I didn’t think that. I apologize, Maryn. I got the room so we’d have a place to change now and shower after we play in the water. I also wanted to have access to this beach. It’s a nice quiet one. Plus I love Maggie’s Blue Rose for lunch and Lloyd’s for candy and there are two bedrooms and two bathrooms so I promise you will have lots of privacy. All the privacy you want.” Tucker stopped at the amused look on Maryn’s face. “You make me talk more than I ever have in my life.”

  “Especially when you’re in trouble.” She tilted her head to the side.

  “Please forgive me.”

  Maryn smiled and he let himself breathe again. “You’re forgiven. I’m sorry for assuming.”

  “You had every right to. Lunch first or beach?”

  “Lunch on the beach sounds good.”

  “Yes, it does. I’ll call in some food then go change in my private bedroom.”

  She smirked and he knew she’d forgiven him. He cursed himself for being so stupid and not explaining when they pulled up to the hotel. His dating experience was much too limited.

  Maryn liked the quiet little beach. The front desk handed Tucker two beach chairs, an umbrella, and a small cooler with treats and drinks. Maryn carried a platter of shrimp, lobster, and chicken tacos from Maggie’s Blue Rose. She felt so stupid for assuming that Tucker wanted to spend the night with her. He’d proven himself a gentleman in Island Park and just because of James’ stupid insinuations she’d gotten all bratty and judgmental. Again, Tucker had shown his true character when he didn’t get upset, but apologized to her instead. Maybe he was too good to be true, but she was going to enjoy each moment they had together.

  She took off her cover up and relaxed into the chair. She sighed as Tuck took his shirt off and didn’t hide that she was ogling him. He was broad and had lots of evident muscles, but Maryn loved that he didn’t have some chiseled abdomen, just a normal one. It was obvious he worked hard, but he didn’t spend his life in the gym trying to form the perfect body. Tucker Shaffer had more purpose than that and she loved it.

  “You’re um, staring,” he said, folding his arms across his chest and making her stare more at the breadth of those biceps.

  “So are you,” she shot back.

  “Yeah, but you’re perfect and worth staring at.”

  “So are you.”

  He grimaced. “I’m not sure about that.”

  “I love your shape,” she said then she rotated around and tugged down the back of her one-piece swimsuit to show him her scars. The skin had healed, but it was still pink and bumpy. “I’m definitely not perfect.”

  Tuck groaned, sank down on the chair next to her, and traced his fingers over the scars on her lower back. Maryn trembled from the soft touch of his calloused fingers. “It kills me that I did this to you.”

  Maryn flipped back around to face him. “You didn’t do it. That grumpy ten-foot tall bear is to blame.”

  Tuck smiled. “I still feel responsible.”

  “Well, don’t. It’s going to be fine. The scars will fade soon and all we’ll have is the memories.” The image of him standing between her and the bear would never go away, but she hoped they’d have more together than the memories. She reclined into her chair and chose one of the shrimp tacos from the platter. They ate in silence for a few minutes, the laughter of children, the gentle lapping of the ocean against the sand in the bay, and the squawking of sea gulls their entertainment. Maryn ate a lobster taco next then had to drink some strawberry lemonade to cut the spice.

  “So,” Maryn said, “we’re just going to chill on the beach all day.”

  “You know me better than that.”

  Maryn giggled. “What’s next?”

  “Come for a walk with me.” He stood and offered his hand. Maryn had no problem placing her hand in his. They walked slowly down the beach.

  “How are Mama Porter, Johnson, and Braxton?” she asked.

  “Good. They all miss you.”

  “Ah. I miss them too, you were all so good to me.” She hoped he knew she meant him as much as anyone. “They’re in Island Park until Christmas?”

  “No. We all came to the Laguna Beach house.”

  “What?” She stopped walking and turned to face him. “You stay in Island Park until Christmas and then you go to Grand Cayman. I know, you told me. This is pertinent information, why didn’t you share it the moment you saw me?”

  Tuck slipped a strand of hair behind her ear and glanced so tenderly at her it was all she could do to not throw herself at him. “I didn’t know how to tell you that we changed our plans because I wanted to be closer to you.”

  Maryn stepped back, plunged into the moat of a sand castle, and would’ve fallen if Tuck hadn’t reached out and steadied her. He didn’t release her arm and Maryn decided to change directions and take a step closer to him. She placed her hands on his broad chest, the smooth skin feeling much too nice, and tilted her head to the side. “So, you want more publicity from The Rising Star, huh?”

  Chuckling, he shook his head. “Please, no. Though I did enjoy the article. Thank you for painting me in such a good light.”

  “It wasn’t hard to do. You’re an impressive man, Tucker Shaffer.” She trailed her hands along his chest and up to his muscular shoulders. He quivered a bit and she liked knowing her touch affected him.

  “Impressive enough that today won’t be our last date?”

  “I don’t know.” She bit at her lip. “Depends on how good you can kiss.”

  “Oh, I can kiss.” He framed her face with his hands, lowered his head to hers, and explored her mouth with a tender passion that had her tingling.

  “Yes, you can,” Maryn whispered and kissed him again, happiness and desire coursing through her.

  They broke apart a few minutes later and Tucker walked her to a spot that rented paddle boards, snorkeling equipment, and offered parasailing tours.

  “So, what do you want to do first?”

  Maryn grinned. “All of it!”

  Tucker smiled. “Can we parasail together?” he asked the surf bum-looking guy who was helping t
hem.

  “Best way to do it.” The guy winked at her.

  Maryn squeezed Tucker’s hand, but hoped he didn’t feel her tremble slightly. She’d wanted to parasail since she was a little girl, but she was terrified of heights. “This is going to rock!”

  He laughed.

  A few minutes later they were on the boat headed out into the bay, all strapped into parasailing equipment. Maryn’s stomach tumbled. She wanted to do this. She wanted to do it with Tucker, but what if the umbrella ripped and they tumbled to their deaths or she went insane and launched herself into the air? She always had the craziest thoughts when she was up high.

  Tuck squeezed her hand and leaned close. “You okay?”

  “Sure, sure, why do you ask?”

  “You’re hands are shaking and your face is pale.”

  “You two ready?” the guy asked, checking their equipment one more time as the boat cut its engine and floated.

  “Yes!” Maryn said.

  “You sure?” Tucker asked.

  She nodded to him. “Just let me pray.” Closing her eyes, she prayed for strength and protection. She opened her eyes to Tucker staring at her. “I’m good. I promise.”

  The dude lifted the sail into the air and it caught the wind. At the same time the boat driver eased the engine into gear and they glided forward. Maryn and Tucker jerked when the rope attached to the parasail ran out of slack and then rose slowly up. Tucker reached over and wrapped his hand around hers. Maryn gripped his hand like a lifeline.

  “I guess this isn’t the best time to tell you this,” she managed to squeak out, “but I’m terrified of heights.”

  They were going higher and higher. The boat driver gunned it and instead of floating they started flying through the air. Maryn screamed.

  “Do you want to stop?” Tucker asked.

  “No way! This is awesome! Yahoo!” Maryn hollered. Her hair blew behind them in the wind. She closed her eyes to savor the touch of the sun and the breeze.

  Tucker laughed.

  The boat slowed and they floated down and almost dipped in the water before the driver gunned the engine and they shot forward then up again. Maryn giggled from the butterflies in her stomach. This was much better than a rollercoaster ride. She wasn’t ready to puke and she was actually enjoying the sensation. Her mom had never been able to afford theme parks but Alyssa’s dad had taken them to Disneyland a few times and she absolutely hated the drops in height on the rides. But this was different, and much more enjoyable.