Cozumel Escape (Destination Billionaire Romance) Read online

  If Sydnee knew him, she’d know he would never do that to those children, but he realized she didn’t know him. At all. She had a preconceived notion of him and believed what she wanted to believe, and despite himself, he really wanted to change her views.

  He wondered for a second how he’d gotten into a misunderstood relationship with a beautiful woman who he wasn’t ready to let go. Usually he got bored with women after a date or two, and he never let himself lose his cool or play dirty. Even with all he’d gone through in his youth, he wasn’t vindictive. He was the happy-go-lucky “everything’s good and everybody’s my friend” kind of guy. True, that wasn’t the deep down him, but he put on a pretty good act if he did say so himself. This woman had gotten him riled like no one had in years. Nothing seemed to bother him as much as this blonde, Southern sweetheart. And he used sweetheart in the loosest of terms.

  José walked past them with Sydnee’s bag and carried it down the stairs.

  “Where’s he taking my stuff?” Sydnee asked.

  “To your …” Brooks paused and he felt a surge of mischievousness. Why not rile her a little bit? “To the master suite.”

  Sydnee whirled on him, stepping close and poking a cute little finger in his face. “I was very specific that you are not even to touch me. What on the green earth would lead you to believe I would sleep with you?”

  Brooks pasted on his best innocent expression. “My bags are in the guest suite, love.” He cocked his head to the side, pasting on a feigned look of shock. No need to tell her they wouldn’t even be sleeping on the yacht. “I already told you about my Christian values, but I guess you wanted to share the master?”

  Sydnee looked embarrassed for half a second, but then the fire returned. “I want you to leave me alone so I can enjoy this beautiful boat.”

  “Y’all like my little Ferretti, eh? Well, sit back and enjoy the ride. If you get the hankering to serve me some hand-squeezed lemonade, give me a back rub, or sit on my lap, I’ll be right over there.” He pointed toward the captain’s chair.

  She whirled and stomped off to the back patio. Brooks didn’t mind admiring the view, but hoped she wouldn’t stay back there the entire ride. The only time he liked to be alone was when he exercised or fought.

  José came back up the stairs and shook his hand. “You need anything else, boss?”

  “Just throw in the lines, and I think we’ll be good. Thank you, José. Give yourself a raise, will you?”

  José grinned. “I already make more than any man I know, sir.”

  “Call me sir again and I’ll dock your pay.” Brooks really did hate to be called sir, and José knew it. Reminded him too much of his adoptive father and all the formality. That was to be expected of someone who came from a long line of British royals, but it meant that Brooks had never felt fully comfortable around Mr. Hoffman. On his deathbed, he’d finally told Brooks he loved him and asked him to call him father instead of Mr. Hoffman. A little late, but still Brooks owed the man everything.

  José laughed.

  “I’ll see you in a few days.”

  José saluted and walked onto the boat ramp. He untied the yacht, and Brooks sauntered to the captain’s chair. Gazing out back, he saw Sydnee stretched out on a chaise lounge with her nicely formed legs on fine display. He put his sunglasses on and grinned. It was going to be an entertaining weekend. That was for sure.

  * * *

  Sydnee watched the island of Cozumel fade into the distance. She wasn’t sure if she was more upset with Camila, herself, or Brooks. He was the easiest one to take it out on, but she didn’t know if he truly deserved it or not. He’d seemed like such a good guy the night he fed her dinner at his house and the other night when he’d rescued them. The hero of every woman’s dreams, really.

  What was she saying? He’d manipulated her aboard his yacht to take her to some frat party. She glanced around at the plush patio furniture, all white leather and dark wood. The yacht was beautiful. She’d never really understood wealthy people or boys and their toys. How could someone have a boat like this at their disposal and not realize it was excessive? The thing had to cost millions. Think of all the children he could help if he sold this thing. She sighed. He was self-funding the orphanage she’d committed herself to. Probably not a good idea to disparage him for not doing more.

  It was a warm day on the water, and even with the ocean breeze, she was getting increasingly thirsty. She waited as long as she could, then decided she could handle a little more teasing from Brooks. She stood and stretched, then walked across the boat and into the galley. Opening the fridge, she retrieved three water bottles. She could at least try to play nice, whether Brooks deserved it or not. It was going to be a long weekend if she kept biting his head off whenever they talked.

  Sauntering to the captain chairs, she tried to act casual. “You want a bottle of water?”

  “Oh yes, thank you.” He brushed her hand as he took the bottle, then pointed to the seat next to him. “Would you do me the honor?”

  Sydnee pried her eyes away from his handsome face and mischievous gaze. What was he planning to do with her? Why was he so insistent she go with him when she was frustrated with him or herself a good majority of the time they were together?

  She glanced around. “Where’s José?” She held aloft the third bottle.

  “In Cozumel.”

  Sydnee had started to settle into the chair. She bounced back up. “What? I thought he was coming with us.”

  “No. He’s got things to do at home. His wife is expecting their second baby in December, and that woman is not happy when she’s pregnant.” He whistled. “She’s a doll any other time, but something about pregnancy hormones.” He shrugged. “I don’t really get it.”

  Sydnee sat back down, placed both bottles in the cup holders, and concentrated on a few breaths. She was alone, on this gorgeous boat, with an even more gorgeous man. What was she going to do? “I didn’t know José was married.”

  “Yeah. He has a cute little family.”

  “You just said cute.” She eyed his large frame. “It doesn’t really fit, ya know?”

  Brooks smiled. “I call it like it is.”

  “Oh really? You’ve called me beautiful a few times.” Darn it. That was fishing for a compliment like nothing.

  His eyes slowly perused her body, landing on her face. “I call it like it is. You are exquisitely beautiful, Sydnee.”

  “‘Beauty is as beauty does,’” she quoted her mother.

  Brooks laughed and took a swig from his water bottle. “Oh? Guess you might be in trouble, then.”

  Her spine stiffened. She’d meant him. “I’m not the one who’s full of himself and lies to people.”

  “I’ll admit I’m confident, but I don’t know what I’ve lied about.”

  She tried to think, but was coming up blank. “You … you didn’t tell me who you were when I met you the first time.”

  “Oh.” He nodded as if that made sense. “The first time in the women’s clothing shop, when you turned down my dinner invite and told me to come eat tortillas and beans at the orphanage?”

  “Yes! That’s it. As soon as I told you where I worked, you should’ve coughed up that you basically own me, ball and chain.”

  His eyes captured her gaze and wouldn’t release her. “Please forgive me for owning you ball and chain.”

  Sydnee swallowed and bit at her cheek. She wanted to cross the distance between their chairs and sit on his lap like he’d suggested. Darn him and his come-hither glances. She didn’t need this. “I don’t think I can. Until you stop blackmailing, or bribing …” She paused and thought. “Maybe it’s extortion. I don’t know! Whatever you’re doing. But you didn’t give me the choice whether to be here, so how can I forgive you for owning me?”

  “Maybe together we can find a way,” he suggested with an unnerving look that had her taking a long drink from her water bottle.

  “Don’t you need to watch where you’re going?” She
pointed out at the rolling waves and blue sky.

  “The boat basically drives itself. We could go try out that master suite and be fine.”

  She clenched her teeth. “We are not trying out the master suite.”

  “Your loss.”

  “Why do you have to be such an overconfident jerk?”

  Brooks smiled at her.

  “I thought José would come with us to help you drive.”

  “And I thought you’d want to be alone with me.” He winked and his hand rubbed along the steering wheel.

  “Well, I don’t.” She got distracted watching his strong fingers on the wheel. She knew how those fingers felt on her flesh. Clearing her throat, she fished for something to say. “If you’re driving by yourself, how will you sleep?”

  “It’s only four hours to Zack’s island. I think I’ll manage.”

  “So all that talk about the master suite? You were bluffing.”

  “Caught me.” He grinned. “You want to learn how to captain the boat?” He issued the challenge in such a way that she had no choice but to accept.

  “Love to.”

  He motioned to her. She walked on unsteady legs toward him. He took her hands in his and tugged her between his arms facing the steering wheel. Gently, he placed each of her hands on the wheel, keeping his hands over hers, and turned the wheel left and right a few times. She swayed, but stayed on her feet as the boat turned. His touch about drove her crazy. She couldn’t concentrate on anything but the feel of his palms covering her hands.

  “The throttle is to your right. Pretty simple: forward, back, and neutral. There’s no brake, so you have to put it in reverse to slow down.” He didn’t release her hands, and though he stayed seated, he was much too close behind her. She could feel him and smell him. If she stepped left or right, she’d graze one of his muscular thighs.

  “That’s about all there is to it,” he said.

  “Don’t be demeaning. I know there’s a lot more to it than that.”

  “Not trying to demean, my love. It really is quite simple. The navigation takes a little more to …”

  Sydnee whirled to face him and his voice trailed off. She quickly realized her mistake as she was standing with his arms encircling her.

  He licked his lips and studied hers. “Problem, love?”

  “Yes.” Sydnee should’ve broken through the circle of his muscular arms, run for the master suite, and locked herself in there for the duration of the trip. Instead, she swallowed and clamped her arms to her sides so she didn’t reach up and touch his jaw. “You can’t be calling me ‘my love.’”

  “I call lots of people love.”

  “Exactly! I am not one of your lovers.”

  His eyebrows quirked up.

  “And you aren’t supposed to be touching me. That’s part of the deal.”

  “I’m not touching you.”

  She realized that was technically true. Though his arms were around her, they were holding the steering wheel. Yet if she tried to move she’d bump into his powerful arms, and the way he was looking at her … she might as well have been hot woman on a stick. Okay, she could admit she liked the way he looked at her, but she wanted to be the only one he looked at like that, and the cold hard reality was . . . that was a pipe dream with a man like Brooks.

  Sydnee was getting fed up with his games. “Did you offer to teach me how to drive just so you could have an opportunity to put those brawny arms around me?”

  Brooks smiled. “If I say yes, what will you do?”

  “I’d say slap you, but that’s a little too cliché.”

  “Thanks for sparing me that.” He winked. “Why don’t you just admit you want what I’ve got to offer, and we’ll both have a much better weekend?”

  Sydnee slammed her open palm against his chest, wincing at the sting in her palm and the jarring of her wrist. Brooks grasped her wrist between his fingers and gave her a little tug. The boat lurched to the right. Sydnee fell against his leg with a squeal like a trussed-up hog. Brooks wrapped his left arm around her and held her on his lap.

  “Is that what you were trying to accomplish, love?”

  She stared up into his handsome face, confused and wishing with everything in her that he was genuine. That she really could be his “love” someday.

  “I think I’ll go sit outside again,” she panted out.

  “You think? Does that mean you’re sure you want to be outside, or do you want to stay right here?” His arm was wrapped securely around her waist, and it felt heavenly to be this close to him.

  “Outside’s probably safer.”

  Brook’s eyes dipped to her lips. She caught a breath and waited. Would he try to kiss her? She wasn’t sure how she was going to respond. His head lowered, and she was mesmerized by his dark eyes focused on her, like she was the only woman for him. But she wasn’t. The instant before contact, she turned her head and his lips brushed her cheek. Even that much connection was too much. Shaking, and wishing she hadn’t turned her head, she stood, pulling from his grip.

  “I’ll be out back if you need me.”

  “Oh, I’ll need you.” Brooks gave her a smile that kind of tore at her heart. Had she really made him that sad, or was he the best actor she’d ever met?

  She fled for the back of the boat, forgetting her water bottle. She was thirstier for the man in the captain’s chair than water, anyway.

  11

  Zack was waiting for them when Brooks guided the boat into his friend’s harbor northeast of Belize later that afternoon. Sydnee had spent the entire trip at the back of the boat. He vacillated between wanting to convince her he was the player she thought he was and wanting to pull her back onto his lap. He sighed. Trying to pull her back onto his lap would convince her he was a player, so maybe that was the route he should go.

  He navigated the boat close to the dock and tossed Zack the lines. Zack secured them quickly. Brooks jumped off the boat and pulled his best friend into a manly back-slapping hug.

  “My boy!” Brooks exclaimed. “I’ve missed you. How’s the little family?”

  “Good. They’ll be excited to see you. Please say you brought presents.” Zack rubbed his hand over his bald head. His dark eyes twinkled. “That’s all Chalise has been talking about for the past week, the presents Uncle Brooks brings her.”

  “Don’t worry. Uncle duties are at the top of my list.”

  Sydnee walked off of the gangway and Brooks took her hand to help her. She snatched it back quickly.

  He sighed. This had been a horrifically bad idea. Instead of enjoying a weekend with his friends, he was going to be second-guessing himself with this woman. Would Maddie like Sydnee, or would that be awkward? This had the makings of misery. The first woman he took to meet his best friends, and he had probably chosen completely wrong.

  Zack watched them both with a slightly open mouth. Brooks tried to think how to introduce her. “This is my … friend, Sydnee.”

  “Employee, not friend,” Sydnee said in a sickly sweet voice, making her ee’s a long ā sound and thickening her accent. She stuck out her hand and Zack shook it. “It’s nice to meet ya.”

  “Zack Tyndale,” Zack said.

  “I remember you from the Olympics.”

  Zack nodded. His skin was dark enough that he didn’t blush, but Brooks knew it was embarrassing for him to think about his failed Olympics hopes. “Sadly, everyone does. Come meet my family.”

  “Family?” Sydnee asked, glaring at Brooks.

  “What did you think I was bringing you to?” He licked his lips, elevating one eyebrow.

  “You know what I thought. Some … singles party.” She smacked his shoulder.

  “I’m taking no responsibility for this one, love. They were your misinterpretations, not mine.” Brooks held up his hands.

  “Which you didn’t try to correct.” Her eyes were full of daggers.

  “Something wrong?” Zack asked.

  “Sydnee seemed to think I was bringing her to a
crazy island kegger or … something.” He elevated an eyebrow at her.

  “Really?” Zack glanced over at Sydnee. “And you still came?”

  Brooks would’ve laughed if Sydnee hadn’t gone bright red. She’d accused him of being some womanizer, and with an innocent question, Zack made her look like a loose woman. Brooks almost thought it served her right, but then he felt guilty about her embarrassment.

  “I didn’t have any choice.” The venom in her voice didn’t give Zack anywhere to go with a follow-up question.

  Okay, the guilt had disappeared, and yes, bringing Sydnee here with her defensive and uncomfortable attitude had been a rotten idea. They walked together up the stairs to the pool deck, Sydnee as far away from him as she could get.

  “This island is amazing.” Sydnee thankfully changed the subject. “Is it just you and your family that live here?”

  “Yes. My wife, Maddie, and my three—”

  “Uncle Brooks!” Chalise tore across the concrete with Izzy right on her heels. Maddie was behind them, lugging baby Alex. Maddie was an exotic mix of Italian and Spanish ancestry. Her adopted son was from Belize and looked enough like Zack that no one would guess he was adopted, but the little guy was almost as thick as he was long. Brooks might have to convince Zack to move back to the states at some point so Alex could play American football, or maybe rugby.

  Brooks knelt down and caught Chalise in one arm and Izzy in the other. Standing, he spun circles as they shrieked with giggles.

  “Where’s our presents?” Chalise demanded when they stopped.

  Brooks chuckled. Zack and Maddie were going to have their hands full with this girl. Izzy was quiet and unassuming, but Chalise made up for her more mellow sister. Brooks related better with Chalise. He’d never been very quiet himself.

  “Chalise,” Maddie reprimanded softly. “Give Uncle Brooks a second to get settled; then I’m sure he’ll find your presents.”

  Brooks set the girls down and Maddie gave him a hug. “Hello, beautiful,” he said.

  “Hey, you big lug.” She transferred the baby to his arms.