The Resilient One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance Read online

  “Are we swimming or just wading?” Beck asked.

  “Oh, we’re swimming.” Alyssa pressed on until the water was waist-deep then broke from his grip and performed a shallow dive.

  Beck appeared by her side, swimming through the waves. “I knew I liked you, Alyssa Armsworth.”

  “What did I do that made you like me?” She smiled at him, treading water and looking into his blue eyes that gave the water competition for sparkle.

  “You’re not a sit around and suntan kind of girl. You’re a get in the water and enjoy it kind.”

  “Life’s too short for skin cancer,” she said.

  He laughed.

  A large wave came toward them and Alyssa started swimming freestyle to catch it. The wave slid up and over her and then she was in the middle of it and it pushed her forward in its trough. She came up out of it, sputtering water and grinning from the rush. Beck stood a few feet away, a similar smile on his face. He gestured with his head and they both swam back out to catch the next one.

  After several successful rides, they treaded water side by side, basically floating in the salt water. Alyssa couldn’t believe how relaxing it was to be with this man compared to the many horrifying experiences she’d had with other men. She didn’t want to be some man hater, but she usually found it easier just to avoid the opposite sex.

  “So how does body surfing compare to real surfing?” she asked.

  Beck met her gaze and the compassion she hated to see was there. “I’m sorry. When I asked you if you wanted to learn to surf this morning I didn’t know…”

  Alyssa nodded. “It’s okay. It’s no big deal. I just can’t balance as well as I’d like sometimes.”

  “I’m sorry you can’t surf, but this is almost as much fun.” The sun glinted off his wet, dark hair and his broad shoulders.

  “Almost?” Alyssa smiled to let him know she was teasing.

  “Well, you wouldn’t want me to lie to you, would you?” Beck grinned.

  Alyssa’s breath caught in her throat. She stopped treading water and swallowed a bit of sea water. She spit it out. “Excuse me. No, I definitely wouldn’t want you to lie to me.”

  The moment turned serious as she studied Beck and he returned her gaze with those clear, blue eyes. Was he really as genuine as he appeared or would he turn into an obnoxious octopus given the opportunity? Alyssa heard a wave coming and took the chance to end the staring contest, swimming quickly into the froth. It collapsed earlier than she thought and she was rolled along the ocean floor, salt water filling her mouth and nose. She came up spitting and coughing. Beck was immediately by her side.

  “You all right?”

  “Granny always told me not to drink the ocean.”

  Beck laughed, but still looked concerned.

  Alyssa pushed against his shoulder, loving the feel of those smooth, rounded muscles. “Of course I’m all right. Race you out there.” She dove into the water and swam for the deeper part of the ocean. Beck was unreal. He appeared to sincerely care, he was fun to be with, and he was very easy on the eyes. She needed to be very, very careful. The different men who’d tried to claim her over the years had taught her to be vigilant, especially when someone seemed too good to be true.

  They body surfed the rolling waves for a while until Granny Ellie called from the beach, waving cups of ice cream. Swimming side by side, Alyssa glanced over at Beck. She loved the way he looked with his strong body and handsome face, but she liked the way he treated her and Granny even more. She stood in the shallow waves and he immediately offered his elbow. Alyssa leaned against him as they slogged their way through the sand to Granny Ellie.

  “I wasn’t sure how to keep it cold while I walked back, so you have melted cream instead of ice cream,” Granny handed them each a cup after they toweled off.

  “Still tastes good,” Beck said, drinking his cup of strawberry cheesecake.

  “Your cheek seems to like it too.” Alyssa laughed.

  Beck looked confused. She reached over and wiped the pink smear from his cheek. Beck captured her hand with his palm and licked the melted ice cream off of her finger. Alyssa almost melted herself until he turned and spit.

  “Salt,” he managed, grabbing a water bottle from the cooler and taking a long drink.

  Alyssa and Granny Ellie laughed.

  “Now that was romantic,” Granny said.

  Beck blushed and drank more water. Alyssa scooped the chocolate chunks up and savored the richness of dark chocolate. Granny had been joking about it being romantic, but the warmth of his tongue on her finger had done crazy things to her insides.

  “I want to be buried in the sand.” Granny stood and walked away from their chairs until she found a nice open spot.

  Beck leaned close to Alyssa. “She’s joking, right?”

  “Who knows? Hopefully she means just for fun and not her actual burial site.”

  Beck had just taken another drink, but started laughing at her comment. The laugh turned to a cough as he inhaled the water. Alyssa lifted his left arm. “Take a deep breath,” she instructed.

  His coughing calmed but they stayed in the awkward position of her holding his much thicker arm aloft and staring at each other. Alyssa was having crazy thoughts like wanting to run her fingers down his arm and maybe tickle the side of his chest.

  “I’m ready for my burial,” Granny Ellie called from the beach.

  Alyssa dropped Beck’s arm and stood.

  Beck strode to Granny’s side. “We have to do this right.” He used his forearm to scoop out sand until there was a nice depression, then formed a sort of pillow on the end. “Lay in that.”

  Granny Ellie obeyed. Alyssa and Beck started scooping sand over her small frame.

  “I never knew this was how you wanted to be laid to rest,” Alyssa said, trying not to laugh at the image they were making. Two adults covering a tiny elderly woman in sand like they were all a bunch of children.

  “Just burn me when I croak,” Ellie said, closing her eyes and seeming to enjoy the sand covering her. “And only a quick service. I hate the blubbering at funerals. Oh, and lots of yummy food. Feed everybody.”

  “I was joking.” Alyssa’s joy evaporated as she imagined really burying her beloved grandmother. She’d be so alone, but Granny wasn’t going anywhere for a long, long time. At least Alyssa hoped not. She looked up to see Beck studying her. She forced a smile and scooped more sand to cover Granny’s legs.

  They kept piling sand on until Granny whispered, “Okay. I think that’s good.”

  Alyssa met Beck’s eye and the laughter just spilled out. They laughed so hard her stomach hurt.

  “Get a picture quick and get me out of here,” Granny demanded.

  Beck and Alyssa handed their phones to a teenage boy tossing a football nearby. Alyssa wished she had her high quality camera. She wanted to remember this moment forever and she’d really like to zoom in on Beck’s chest.

  The young man took the first picture with each of them on one side before Granny demanded, “No. You both need to be on my right so the sun won’t ruin the picture.”

  Alyssa laughed at Granny telling her how to pose for a picture, but she obediently moved next to Beck and knelt in the squishy sand.

  “Put your arm around her, act like you actually like us,” Granny told Beck.

  He shrugged and smiled at Alyssa. “Does anyone ever tell her no?”

  “Why would anyone want to?” Granny squeaked. “Hurry up, I’m being crushed by sand granules here!”

  Beck wrapped his arm around Alyssa and drew her into his side. Alyssa should’ve stayed more upright but she found herself leaning against him and wrapping her arms around his chiseled abdomen. Her fingers touched the bumpy scars there and he stiffened for a second before relaxing and bringing his other hand to her waist. Tingles shot through her body from his firm hand.

  It felt so natural to be cuddled up like this, but at the same time more exciting than skydiving. Alyssa’s pulse was thunde
ring in her throat and she couldn’t create any moisture in her mouth. She’d dated different men since being attacked by Hugh and though a lot of them had been nice guys she’d always felt tense and afraid when they touched her. Right now the only emotions were excitement and warmth. Was it Beck or was she finally ready to be close to a man again?

  Alyssa smiled for the shots, sad when the boy declared he had some good ones and extended their phones in his hand. Was it her imagination or did Beck let go almost as slowly as she did?

  Beck stood and retrieved their phones while Alyssa started pushing the sand off of her grandmother. Granny looked at her and winked. “Now that was more like it.”

  Beck joined them and Alyssa was relieved she didn’t have to tell Granny to knock it off because really, she didn’t want her to. Usually when Granny tried to push her toward men she balked and ran the other direction. With Beck, she wanted to run right to him.

  Alyssa enjoyed every minute with Beck. She thought of how Maryn had asked her to secure a date with him and hoped this counted, but she also hoped this was just the beginning. Then realization poured over her. She couldn’t become involved with him. If she did, she’d have to confess to taking pictures of him and his sister and selling them to a magazine that distorted the truth and sold millions of copies of that distortion. Then she would see hurt and anger instead of laugher and appreciation in his eyes. That could never happen.

  “No way!” Maryn screamed into the phone. “You spent the day with him? On the beach?”

  “He’s… impressive.” Alyssa wasn’t sure that was the right description of Beck. He was handsome, fun, smart, kind, and she was definitely impressed. She unwound the towel from her head, playing in the ocean and sand had been great but her hair needed that scrubbing.

  “Details!”

  “There’s not much to tell. We met this morning at breakfast. Granny asked him to go to the beach with us and we had a great time. Swimming, snorkeling, burying Granny in the sand, lunch at Hulu Grill.”

  “Granny Ellie is such a hoot.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  “And… how does he look without his shirt on?”

  Alyssa drew in a sharp breath and placed her hand on her heart. “Fabulous.”

  “I knew it! I knew it! Can you send me a pic?”

  “If you promise not to use it for some stupid article.” Alyssa hated that she worried. Maryn was her best friend, but she was also a voracious magazine writer and Beckham Taylor was prime writing material.

  “I promise. Sheesh. What do you take me for?”

  “I feel awful about taking those pics of him, Mar.” She ran a brush through her hair, tugging at a knot.

  “I know, but he’ll probably never know it was you.”

  Him not discovering the truth didn’t make Alyssa feel much better.

  A pounding at the door announced Granny Ellie, dressed in a silky pant suit, looking classy and beautiful. “Hang up the phone and get ready,” she instructed. “Beck is taking us to Kimo’s.”

  “I gotta go,” Alyssa told Maryn. “I’ll send a pic soon.” She hung up amidst much protest. “You talked him into taking us to dinner too?”

  “Didn’t take much talking.” Granny winked. “What have you got to wear?” She started yanking dresses out of Alyssa’s closet.

  “Wait. I don’t want you pushing him into dating me.”

  “Who’s granddaughter are you?” She held up a knee-length floral dress and tossed it at Alyssa. “A fine-looking, intelligent, fun-loving, and possibly wealthy—I’m still doing a little sleuthing to determine that one—man is interested. And wow if he isn’t a lot of man. You push, drag, beat him over the head if you have to, but you do not play hard to get. Got it?”

  Alyssa barely hid the rolling of her eyes. At least Granny hadn’t called Maryn yet and found out the whole scoop. She darted to the bathroom to change, put on some minimal makeup, and see what she could do with her hair. “Give me ten minutes.”

  “I’ll see you in the courtyard in five.” Granny Ellie slammed the door on the way out.

  Alyssa laughed as she slipped on her dress. “‘Who’s granddaughter are you?’” Then she sobered as she looked in the mirror at her dark skin and hair. She loved being Granny Ellie’s, but sadly she was a product of her mother too and her mother had taught her that men, especially wealthy ones, only make you miserable.

  Beck paced the courtyard waiting for Alyssa to appear.

  “Calm it,” Ellie commanded. “She’d be an imbecile to not want a taste of you tonight. Raar.” She batted her eyelashes and smiled coyly at him.

  “Ellie.” Beck stopped walking and shook his head at the older woman. “I barely know her and she’s your granddaughter. Shouldn’t you be protecting her from me?”

  Ellie met his gaze, her blue eyes full of mischief. “You know everybody has talents?”

  “Sure.”

  “I have a talent that I’ve honed to perfection throughout the years—knowing if a man is worth his weight in gold… or not. Four different husbands and they were all worth it, even though it about killed me to lose them.” She glanced up and down his frame. “You’re a big one, but I still think I’m dead on that you’re worth every pound.”

  Beck chuckled, wondering for a second if Granny knew how wealthy he was. He weighed over two hundred and fifty pounds and when he first took over his family’s business it had been worth two hundred and fifty million dollars. The analogy would have worked then though he’d grown his net worth considerably in the past couple of years buying and building a considerable amount of commercial real estate in Orange County. “Thanks, I think.”

  He heard a light tread and turned to see Alyssa descending the stairs in a flowing dress, the bright colors accentuating the beauty of her dark coloring. Her shapely calf muscles were on fine display, but he noticed she wore a sturdy, but feminine shoes instead of a sandal like most women would. He loved that she’d entrusted him with her birth defect. He loved each minute he’d spent with her today. Thanks to her hilarious grandmother their time was going to be extended.

  He didn’t appreciate shallow women, the kind that came onto him easily because of his fame and money. A lot of those women appeared, on the outside to have it all together, but once he dug to the inside there was nothing there, exactly like his ex-girlfriend Belle. From all he’d seen, Alyssa was very different from the women who pursued him. He liked that although it obviously hurt her to run she didn’t slow down or stop but kept working hard. He liked that her life didn’t appear to be easy, but she had fun and was sweet with her grandmother and everyone else he’d seen her interact with, from the teenage boys gawking at her on the beach to the old men gawking at her at the restaurant. He could tell she was a good person—being beautiful was actually just a bonus. A nice bonus.

  “Alyssa.” His voice came out all breathy and embarrassing. He cleared his throat. “You look amazing.”

  “Thanks.” She met his gaze and smiled. “You’re looking pretty good yourself.”

  “Slight improvement from being covered in salt and sand.”

  “Ha!” Granny Ellie clasped her hands together, grinning at the two of them. “I was the one plastered in sand. Well, you two have fun. I’m heading to bed.” She took a step toward the stairs.

  “Oh, no, you don’t.” Alyssa grabbed her grandmother’s arm. “Beck asked you to dinner, not me.”

  Beck laughed. “I don’t want to steal your granddaughter on your first night on the island.”

  “Oh, pooh,” Ellie said. “Don’t you think you deserve something special tonight, not a dinner with an old geezer?”

  “It will be special going to dinner with two beautiful ladies.”

  Ellie shook her head, but wrapped her hand through the elbow he offered. Alyssa placed her warm hand on his other elbow and Beck straightened. He felt like the king of the world with her close to him.

  Alyssa was grateful Granny hadn’t dodged out of their dinner date. She was interested i
n Beck, but she still wasn’t ready to be alone with any man.

  She hadn’t eaten at Kimo’s before. They had a beautiful view of the setting sun from the second story balcony. The restaurant didn’t appear too extravagant—scarred, wood tables and floors. The only thing pompous was their starched shirt waiter and the fancy menu.

  Jerry from the bed and breakfast had advised her when she first arrived on the island, “If you’re willing to take out a second mortgage, eat at Kimo’s or Mama’s Fish House.” As Alyssa didn’t have a first mortgage she’d steered clear, but all the food on the island was expensive so she wasn’t shocked when most of the entrees were fifty dollars or more.

  “Holy stink,” Granny Ellie exclaimed. “Did they import the fish from Alaska? Look at these prices.”

  Beck smiled, not seeming the least bit embarrassed. The waiter shifted from foot to foot. “I assure you ma’am, the fish is local and fresh and it is worth every penny.”

  “Is that so?” Granny glanced up at him. “You pay full price here on a regular basis?”

  He cleared his throat. “Um, no, ma’am. Can I start you with something to drink?”

  They all ordered water which seemed to supremely disappoint the waiter. He swept the wine menus off the table, made his recommendations for dinner, and then left.

  Granny looked at Beck. “I’m sorry I suggested coming here. I asked some locals while I was out shopping and they said it was the best. We can leave or go Dutch, but I am not letting you pay for this dinner.”

  Beck chuckled long and low. “Ellie, it is just fine, I promise.”

  She leaned back and studied him like she would her poker rivals. “What do you do for work that you can travel to Hawaii, spend the day frolicking in the sun, and say that a dinner like this,” she gestured to the menu, “is no worry?”

  “Granny,” Alyssa reprimanded. He was going to think they were after him for his money. Alyssa sank deeper into her chair. What would he think when he found out she had photographed him for Maryn’s scummy magazines? Forget that Beck was handsome and fabulous, this was a very bad idea.