Cozumel Escape (Destination Billionaire Romance) Read online

  Brooks recognized it was odd that he was so comfortable around these children but steered clear of the rest of the little people in the world. Yet he had no choice if he wanted to be with Zack and Maddie. These children had such a different situation than his remembrance of misery and anxiety—Chalise, Izzy, and Alex were loved and happy. The children Sydnee took care of had a hole in their hearts that would never be filled. The wishing for parents, for love, for acceptance. He understood every ache they were experiencing, and it scared him to death.

  Shaking his head to clear it, he tossed the baby up into the air. Alex giggled. “He is a bruiser. Wow. How do you carry him around?”

  Maddie laughed. “I can’t stand to put him down. All that squishy body.” She squeezed one of his chubby thighs, then inclined her head with a smile toward Sydnee. Brooks could just see the wheels turning in her head. “I’m Maddie Tyndale,” she said.

  “Sydnee Lee Swenson. It’s nice to meet y’all. You have a lovely home.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I bet y’all enjoy lots of peace and quiet.”

  “We’re very happy here, but it isn’t too quiet with these monkeys around.” She smiled affectionately at her children. “When Chalise and Isabelle start school in a couple of years we might have to go back to reality, but for now we’ll enjoy paradise.”

  “Reality?” Zack pulled his wife close. “Managing my father’s company via satellite and taking care of three kids and a beautiful wife is about all the reality I can handle.”

  She kissed him and laughed. “You love it and you know it.”

  “That I do.” He bent and gave her a lingering kiss.

  Brooks glanced over at Sydnee. She was studying him with a gleam in her eyes. He was going to hear some wrath about keeping the family a secret. Maybe if she didn’t corner him alone, he could avoid being cussed out. Then again, he remembered the feel of her in his arms when he’d given her the brief piloting lesson on his yacht. A little wrath might be worth some alone time.

  * * *

  Brooks and Zack were play wrestling with the children in the living area while Maddie and Sydnee threw together a salad to go with the slow cooker dinner Maddie already had cooking. This was a side of Brooks she hadn’t known existed. The family life looked good on him, really good. The little girls were head over heels for him, as she was certain most females could relate to, but the thing that was amazing was Brooks. She’d sensed at the orphanage that he didn’t want to be around children, but these children seemed to bring him more true joy than she’d ever seen on his face.

  “We’re so excited that Brooks brought you with him,” Maddie said. “We’ve been praying for a girl to capture him.”

  His friends wanted Brooks to settle down? Well, of course they would; married people wanted everyone to share their joy. Sydnee glanced discreetly at the men, wondering how much they could hear of the conversation. Would Zack tell his wife that Sydnee thought she was coming to a drunken party and she still came? Her Southern properness was chafing, and it was all Brooks’s fault.

  “You mean tricked me,” she muttered.

  “What?” Maddie’s brow wrinkled. “Brooks has never had to coerce any woman. I think I’m the only woman that has ever turned him down.”

  Sydnee took a sidestep closer, still peeling a cucumber. This woman was a kindred spirit if she’d turned down Brooks. As gorgeous as Maddie was, she’d certainly turned down her fair share of men. Brooks having pursued her just reaffirmed what a flirt he was. “Tell me about that.”

  Maddie smiled. “I was already in love with Zack, or I’m sure I would’ve been tempted too.”

  These people were obviously part of the Brooks’s fan club, but they seemed so normal and cute. Well, if ultra-wealthy, ex-Olympians who had been voted Most Beautiful Man in America turned husband and dad of three could be considered normal.

  “He is pretty tempting,” Sydnee admitted.

  Maddie gave her a sympathetic glance. “Did he really trick you into coming here with him?”

  Sydnee glanced up. Brooks had a little girl under each arm, but he wasn’t twirling; he was looking straight at her. “He asked and I couldn’t say no. How could anyone refuse Brooks?”

  Brooks’s grin lit up the room better than the floor-to-ceiling windows. He started bouncing with the girls as they laughed and laughed.

  Sydnee half-wished she could confide in Maddie, but she didn’t want to degrade Brooks in front of his friends.

  “Like I said.” Maddie smiled wistfully at her daughters in Brooks’s arms. “I don’t think there are many women that could turn him down.”

  Sydnee lowered her voice and stepped close enough that she rubbed Maddie’s elbow. “Has he always been such a huge womanizer?”

  “Well, he doesn’t mean to … If only you knew him better.” She shook her head. “Okay, yes.”

  “Do you ever think …” She couldn’t believe she was asking this. “He would settle down?”

  Maddie turned away and grabbed some salad dressings out of the fridge and put them on the counter. Sydnee snuck a glance at Brooks, but he seemed pretty busy, down on all fours, giving the girls horsey rides on his back. Oh my, he was cute like that.

  “Sydnee and I are going to pick some mangos for dinner.” Maddie grabbed her hand, and they hurried past the men and out one of the sets of French patio doors. Brooks caught her eye as she went past. There was a hunger in his gaze that gave her goose bumps. It was the kind of hunger she would worry about if they were alone, not sure if she could allow herself to reciprocate his obvious desire for her. It made her want to shout with joy and at the same time run and hide in her room.

  Maddie closed the door behind them and led Sydnee past the pool around the side of the house to a fruit orchard and garden.

  “Y’all don’t live like a lot of rich people I know.” She pointed to the garden. “Growing your own produce.”

  “I miss takeout, I’ll admit it. But we’re in New York one week a month, and we either eat out or let Zack’s parent’s chef cook for us. It’s a nice break from cooking, but I like that our babies are getting healthy, homegrown food, and it’s the perfect weather for growing lots of yummy produce.”

  “That is nice.” Sydnee followed Maddie’s lead, gently squeezing the mangos before plucking a ripe one. “So. Brooks?”

  “You really like him.” Maddie turned and faced her.

  “I really don’t know. Sometimes I like him, but mostly I want to hit him upside the head with a big stick.”

  Maddie laughed. “I think you’re perfect for him.”

  “I wouldn’t say that. I’m not impressed by his money or charm.” Okay, that was kind of a lie. His charm did draw her in quite well. “And I have a really hard time with a guy who has dated every attractive girl that crosses his path.”

  “I can understand that.” Maddie brushed her long, dark hair over her shoulder. “I’ve been praying for the right girl to settle Brooks down. I know it’s got to be hard to know there have been others before you, but he is honestly one of the best men I know. Besides Zack.” She grinned happily. “But if you are the one for Brooks, I can promise you he would do anything in his power to make you happy.”

  “I just don’t know if I can wrap my mind around all the women. He’s like James Bond or something, giving you these looks, and who can help but swoon, right?”

  Maddie grabbed one more mango, then started walking back toward the house. “I think most women would agree with you. Yet there are differences between him and James Bond.”

  “What differences?”

  “Brooks is better-looking, a lot more fun, and he doesn’t have sex with all the women.”

  Sydnee’s jaw dropped. Maddie was blunt, but she appreciated hearing it from another source. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. When you get to know him better, maybe he’ll share his conversion story. Then you won’t have any doubt that I’m telling you the truth.”

  Sydnee followed her throug
h the French doors. Brooks sat on the couch reading a princess book with a little girl on each thigh. Her heart melted a little too much. Especially when they all looked up at her, and he gave her that grin that would thaw an ice sculpture. Coming to this island may have been the biggest mistake of her life.

  12

  Thanksgiving morning dawned bright and sunny. Sydnee loved living in the Caribbean and never having to deal with winter and cold. After throwing the turkey in the oven and mixing up some rolls to rise, Maddie and Sydnee ate the delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs and sautéed veggies and papaya filled with cottage cheese and yogurt that Zack had prepared while Brooks entertained the children.

  “I’d rather cook than wrestle with those three,” Zack said, but Sydnee could see the love in his eyes. This family made her really miss home.

  “Wanna go for a dive while we wait for that turkey to cook?” Brooks asked.

  “I’d love to.” Sydnee had only used scuba equipment a few times, but she’d really enjoyed the freedom of breathing and exploring underwater. and explore

  She went back to her room to change into her bathing suit. Eyeing herself in the bathroom mirrors, she really liked how this Nani swimwear fit. The black tankini top had a fun sheer lining above the chest and crisscrossed wide straps down low on the back. The high-waist floral bottoms were flattering and modest. She was glad her sister had found the online company and sent her several suits for her birthday.

  She hoped Brooks would like the way she looked. Then she chastised herself for being shallow. It didn’t matter what he thought. He was probably used to women who wore dental floss for swimwear. Sighing heavily, she searched through her suitcase, but couldn’t find her cover-up. Should she throw on some shorts or forget it?

  A hard rap on her door pulled her from the perusal of her suitcase. When she opened the door, Brooks was standing there in plaid swim trunks and a white T-shirt with his hand raised to knock again. His eyes went down her body and back up again. After several seconds, he closed his mouth and lowered his hand.

  “I forgot to pack a cover-up.” She folded her arms across the little bit of stomach the suit revealed.

  “You don’t hear me complaining. The suit is … very nice.” He offered his arm. “Ready to see some fish, love?”

  “If we must.” She looped her fingers through his elbow and figured she couldn’t call him out on using the word “love” all the time. He used it on Maddie and the girls almost as much as he said it to her. Besides, it was growing on her, or maybe he was growing on her.

  He smiled. Zack, Maddie, and their children were already down at the beach. The little ones were happily digging in the sand. Zack walked with Brooks and Sydnee to the end of the dock, where the scuba gear was waiting. He handed Sydnee a snorkeling mask to try, and she tested it and then made a little adjustment. It was a lot higher quality than she’d used before, and it fit nicely.

  “Have you done scuba?” Zack asked.

  “I’m not certified, but I’ve gone out a few times on the island.”

  “Great. The nice thing about doing it here is that most of the reef is less than twenty feet deep, so you don’t have to worry about diving or surfacing too quickly.” He tapped her belt. “You just add weights to help you go deeper.”

  “Do I need to use those?” The weights and pressurizing always made her a little bit nervous.

  “Don’t worry. Brooks will stay with you and help you.”

  Sydnee turned to Brooks. He pumped his eyebrows. “We’ll be buddies, love.”

  Why did he have to be so charming? “Have you brought other women here to scuba?”

  Brooks’s smile froze.

  “I’m going to go play in the sand.” Zack was obviously hiding a smirk as he walked back down the dock.

  “Well, have you?” She needed this answer.

  “I have to admit that you’re my first.” Brooks pulled off his shirt, and Sydnee forgot what they’d been talking about. What in the world would a person have to do to have muscles that sculpted? His chest muscles bulged, and there were striations on his arms and abs she didn’t know existed. The silver cross hung between his pecs. Her mouth fell open, and she couldn’t have looked away if an entire pod of dolphins had come to perform.

  “You like?” Brooks pointed to his chest, flexing the muscles. They popped out even farther, and Sydnee barely stopped herself from reaching out to see what they would feel like under her fingertips.

  She snapped her mouth shut. “You are much too confident.”

  “Confidence is simply a result of putting in the work and knowing you’ve got the stuff.” He shrugged and lifted his hands innocently. Of course, that just displayed more impressive striations in his shoulders and arms.

  She arched her eyebrows and tried to look unimpressed. It wasn’t possible. “How much do you work out? I mean, honestly!” She gestured to his chest and blushed.

  “A couple hours a day,” Brooks admitted.

  “Oh my.” She gave a dreamy sigh, then immediately wished she’d controlled herself.

  “Thank you for the compliment.”

  “I wasn’t aware I gave a compliment.”

  “Your eyes said it all.” He grinned. “Sit, please.”

  She sat on the edge of the dock, and Brooks lifted her right leg and ran his palm down her calf as he slipped a fin on. Sydnee decided she could have him touch her like that every day for the rest of her life and never tire of it. Brooks grinned up at her as he bent down and repeated the action on the left side. Sydnee was sad it was over so quick. He helped her get the heavy tank onto her back. His hands brushed her bare skin and sent her nerves into hyperdrive.

  What had he said about bringing other girls? Something about her being the first. Really? “You’ve never brought any other girls here to meet Zack and Maddie?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Why? The truth. None of your sass.” Was he teasing her? Giving her the Southern answer with a fake accent to boot?

  “I already told you the truth. I’ve never dated a woman longer than a week.”

  “Never?” Surely he was exaggerating.

  He placed his hands on her shoulders and bent down to look in her eyes. “Never.”

  If he had tried to kiss her right then, she would have definitely given permission. She believed him, and her heart soared with the possibilities. He might’ve been a player, but maybe he had it in him to commit. To her.

  Sadly, he released his grip and her gaze and proceeded to give her some instructions that she didn’t pay any attention to. Brooks slipped all his equipment on, leaned backwards, and plunged off the dock into the water. Sydnee followed his example. The water was warm and wrapped around her body like a hug. She stood in the waist-deep water next to the dock, and Brooks did a few adjustments. She took her mask off, spit in it, and rubbed it around to help clear any fogging, then rinsed in the salt water.

  “I think Zack already did the anti-fog spray,” Brooks said.

  “Oh.” Sydnee’s face flared. The anti-fog spray was expensive, so she’d never used it. “Great.” She got her mask on, put her regulator in, and plunged her face into the water. Immediately she relaxed. Looking into the underwater world made her body feel weightless even with the air tank on her back. The ability to breathe underwater like a fish was magical. The water was shallow enough that all she saw was sand and a few small fish.

  Brooks brushed against her and then took her hand. Sydnee kicked and swam with him. He took her around the dock, pointing out different fish that fluttered by. A sea turtle with a shell larger than a dinner plate swam past. Sydnee let out a happy squeal. Brooks took her away from the island to where the coral was thick, and tropical fish competed for space. He squeezed her hand. She looked at him, and he made the okay symbol with his other hand. She returned it. He tugged her deeper. Soon they were up close and personal with turquoise, yellow, orange, and pink striped fish. There were so many sizes and varieties, Sydnee couldn’t identify them.
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br />   A black eel slid past on her right. Sydnee startled and screamed into her regulator. Bubbles burst out around her, and Brooks’s eyes smiled at her.

  They swam along holding hands. Sydnee loved being in this world that most people would never catch a glimpse of. Brooks’s hand encasing hers was her safety net, and she liked knowing that he was there to protect her. Any worries about scuba, and being the one Brooks wanted to be with, dissipated like the bubbles from their oxygen tanks.

  She had no clue how much time had passed when they swam back to the dock and then surfaced. The mask and oxygen tank suddenly seemed to weigh a hundred pounds. The warm air against her skin tickled as the water slid off of her.

  “Pretty amazing, huh?” Brooks asked.

  “I loved it. Thank you.”

  His grin showed those perfectly white teeth. “Glad to do anything that makes you happy, love.”

  Sydnee returned his smile. She was beginning to think that was the truth.

  * * *

  Thanksgiving dinner was better than any Thanksgiving Brooks could remember. The adults worked together to prepare everything, talking and laughing like old friends. The food was delicious. The children were entertaining. Brooks really did love these little ones. They were the only children he chose to associate with. He thought about what Sydnee did every day, all day: caring for children that weren’t her own. Could he do that? Giving money was easy. Could he step outside himself and really help? No. The memories of his childhood weren’t scarred over enough to be around children who had no family.

  Chalise, Izzy, and Alex were a different story. Yes, they were all adopted, but they were in the best spot possible now. This house was full of love and patience. It was what every child deserved. Brooks couldn’t handle being around children who reminded him of his own childhood. He had to look tough, not like a wimp that was torn apart by the injustices of the world.

  After dinner the little ones napped, and the adults played some card games, then watched a movie in Zack’s theater. Zack and Maddie cuddled up on one of the sofas. Brooks was always jealous of their happiness, but today was worse than ever. Would Sydnee even want to sit with him? She was so different here on this island. She hadn’t called him out or acted like he was going to attack her the entire day. It was like they’d called a truce. Was it temporary, or dare he hope this was their new normal? He grinned to himself. She’d been checking him out hardcore this morning on the dock. Not that he blamed her. He looked good, and he’d done his own share of checking her out. She was small in stature, but had a fit body and smooth, feminine curves that appealed to him immensely.