“Every male in the world just groaned at his loss,” Ryan said, placing a hand to his heart to increase the drama.
“Save it for the camera.” Navy held her smile and didn’t even roll her eyes. She’d learned well over the years that a camera was usually recording and only her brothers truly appreciated her sarcasm. But she should have let her eyes roll, as the cameras weren’t here yet. Ollie, their huge and hilarious cameraman, Taya, their petite and adorable makeup and wardrobe artist, and Jorge, their crazy but talented Russian chef, would float in on Holden’s yacht. They had too much equipment to fit on the helicopter from Belize and were waiting for Holden to pick them up at the dock. Lucky, lucky people. Navy would have happily waited in the hot sun to spend more time with Holden. Stop it, stupid, sappy, female heart.
“Well, let’s get settled in.” Navy, for some reason, was always in charge. Maybe it came from being the oldest and having five wild and fun brothers to keep in line. Maybe it came from being in a career that was dominated by young people for over twelve years. People just seemed to naturally turn to her because she had experience and could direct them. Maybe it came from being bossy like her mama. She frowned, not liking that perception of herself.
“I can’t believe how lucky I am,” Alecia gushed as they wandered through the French doors and into gorgeous living area of the house, gaping at the circular wall of windows and patio doors that overlooked the pool area and beach and ocean. The house was unreal. Floor-to-ceiling windows circled the open great room. The kitchen was bright with modern, white cabinets and stainless-steel appliances. Red and teal blue accents wove into the tans and grays of the granite countertop and slate floor and were used in the decorations and throw pillows on the white and tan furniture. It all brought the feeling of comfort and vacation.
“Staying in Zack Tyndale’s house,” Alecia continued, “getting to spend a week with Holden Jennings, and we get to see Sawyer at the end of the week for the finale.” Alecia was crushing hard on both Holden and the host of the show, Sawyer Klein. Sawyer was a former NBA player turned talk show host. Ryan and Michael had both made quips about Alecia’s infatuation with the 6’6” basketball superstar as well as the boss and billionaire Holden, but Alecia hadn’t picked up on the slams. Bless her heart. It was a good thing she was pretty and nice because Navy feared she was so slow to understand basic things she was in danger of drowning standing up in the shower.
“We are lucky.” Navy gave her an encouraging smile. “It’s a beautiful spot to stay for a week, and Holden and Sawyer are very good men.”
They made their way down the hallway where various suites were fresh and ready for them. A cleaning crew must have been here recently; everything was sparkling and beautiful. Ryan was suddenly at her elbow. “Am I a very good man?” He winked at her.
“A very persistent man. Not sure about good.”
“I could convince you how good.” His blue eyes were full of innuendos.
“Lay off, friend.” Navy pointed at the door on the right. “This one’s for Alecia and Taya.”
“Thanks,” Alecia said brightly and rolled her suitcase in.
“You, Ollie, and Jorge are in that one,” she told Michael, inclining her head to the left. Both bedrooms at the far end of the hallway had two sets of bunk beds and a private bath, one done up for girls and one for boys. Zack and Madeline had six children and counting. Navy liked to imagine their huge, beautiful family in this house. It would be a lot like her growing-up years, she was sure. Lots of noise, fighting, and drama, but love overrode it all.
Michael nodded. “It’s kind of … terrifying to think of sleeping in the same room as Jorge.”
Navy laughed. “I promise we make him keep his knives in the kitchen.”
His eyes widened. “I wasn’t even going there! You have to admit he’s a weirdo.”
Navy shrugged. “He’d probably admit it too. You can’t fault his cooking though.” Jorge was one of the most impressive chefs she’d ever met. Nobody knew much about his life before relocating to America in his teens and working his way through culinary school then fighting up the ladder the past twenty years until he was fought over by celebrities. Navy heard he had gone into the private sector two years ago, but he still cooked for the Muscle Up set. He specialized in light, healthy dishes that tasted fabulous. Navy was more than willing to put up with any oddness from Jorge, as long as he cooked for her.
“True.” Michael waved and walked into the room.
“So that leaves us sharing?” Ryan asked.
“It’s getting stale,” Navy told him, letting herself roll her eyes now that their clients weren’t there.
Ryan placed his hands on either side of her head on the wall behind her and gave her a smoldering look. “Being close to you could never get stale for me.”
Navy ducked under his arm and hurried away from the children’s bedrooms and the huge master suite next door to them where Holden would be staying. She made it back down the hallway to the open doors of two spacious guest suites closest to the living area. Ryan caught her easily, but luckily didn’t try to corner her again. The show’s fans loved the “sparks” between her and Ryan. She couldn’t believe no one was smart enough to realize she loathed him. Each of her brothers had offered to thrash him anytime she wanted. She had to keep reminding her well-meaning brothers she could hold her own.
“You can have your pick,” she said.
“Ladies before gentlemen.” He bowed low. The man might not have planned on a television career but he was perfect for it.
“Thanks,” she murmured, taking her suitcase through the closest door and shutting it firmly behind her. The large bedroom had a white four-poster bed and bedroom furniture. The slate floor was covered with a plush rug that was tan, orange, and blue. The bedspread weaved the three colors together nicely. The decorations were nautical and fun, with huge windows covered by retractable blinds.
Navy immediately found the remote and opened the blinds. She was on the side of the house opposite of the bay where the yacht would dock. Dang. She really wanted to know when Holden got here, and if she was honest with herself, watch him maneuver his yacht into the bay and then confidently stride up the dock to the staircase. His deep brown eyes would meet hers and he’d finally read the interest written all over her face. His own eyes would grow warm and he’d reveal he’d always wanted her as well.
Navy laughed at her immature and unrealistic vision. Holden Jennings didn’t allow anyone into his heart or personal life, why would he make an exception for her?
She admired the view of the green island, white-sand beach, and bright blue water. She should lie down and sleep. As soon as Ollie got here they would want to do a video shoot of the teams pretending to arrive at the island and do their first workout. Looking fresh and rested was a good thing, but Navy was more interested in going down to the beach and taking a swim in the calm ocean.
She hurried to open her suitcase and pull out one of her swimsuits. Nani Swimwear had become her official choice lately, and since Superior Sports’ focus was weight and cardio equipment, she could wear whatever swimwear and workout wear she chose. She had plenty. Smiling, she put on a navy blue floral two-piece and her flip flops and hurried to her door. She cautiously opened it and peeked out. Ryan’s door was shut, and the coast was clear. Hurrying down the hallway to the main area, she felt light and giddy, like a child escaping homework. Staying away from Ryan’s flirtations and not being responsible to make anyone else—most of all herself—look perfect sounded like heaven.
Chapter Two
Holden Jennings maneuvered his Butterfly yacht into the bay of Zack Tyndale’s island. It was extremely generous of his friend to offer his island for the third season finale of Muscle Up. Zack was one of the most giving people Holden knew. He and his wife Madeline had two children by birth and four adopted children. He got the feeling they were just getting started. He admired them and wished he could make his own mama happy and settle down and start pr
oducing children. His mama reminded him regularly that her multiple sclerosis was aggressive and she’d be gone soon. He wished he could make her dreams of grandchildren come true, but there was only one woman he wanted … and she was out of his reach.
The short sail from Belize had been pleasant. He liked Ollie, Taya, and the peculiar Jorge, who was his personal chef except for the twelve weeks a year Jorge was part of Muscle Up.
As Holden edged into the dock and tossed the lines to Ollie, his heart started racing faster than when he’d skated onto the ice before Bruins games back in the day. He knew the exact reason for his heart’s out-of-control thumping. Navy would be here.
He secured the lines and helped Jorge cart food from the yacht to Zack’s spacious kitchen. He kept glancing around the house, hoping Navy would be in the house or pool area. He loved every interaction he had with the beautiful fitness expert, but he also cussed himself every time he told her goodbye. One day soon he was going to simply kiss her and then tell her how his respect and desire for her had grown to epic proportions over the years and his attempts to stay professional had finally failed. It had to be written all over his face how much he admired her.
After he dropped off his fourth load, he returned to the yacht for his own suitcase. Michael and Alecia had come to help unload food, clothing that Taya had brought for the contestants, and Ollie’s camera equipment. Holden loved that they could do this show with such a small staff. That was due to Ollie’s impressive skills and the slow-moving nature of the show—mostly focused on exercise and what the participants ate. It wasn’t high action, but the show did well. It helped that they filmed and released each episode in the summer months, typical off-season for shows.
There had been no sight of Ryan or Navy yet. Ryan had better not be hitting on Navy or Holden might fire him on the spot. This was Holden’s first chance to be part of the filming this season, but he’d watched every episode Navy had been in over the past three years, gaining early access to the shows before they released. Ryan’s constant, and increasingly lingering looks and suggestive comments to Navy made his skin crawl. She didn’t seem to reciprocate, but that was nothing new; Navy Quinn didn’t reciprocate any man’s flirtations. He’d watched her shoot down so many men. Holden thought constantly, and somewhat confidently, about trying his hand at winning her heart, but he had a stronger reason than fear of rejection and professional boundaries to keep his distance. No matter that he really wanted to be with the woman who he idealized above all others. Going after Colt Quinn’s sister would be all wrong.
Yes, Holden had far too many reasons to not grab Navy and kiss her. He’d restrained himself for years from throwing his heart at Navy’s perfect feet because of their professional relationship, his history with her brother, and the fact that he had a lot of pride. He shouldn’t be so eager to become another one of the many victims of Navy Quinn’s sharp wit and beautiful face and shape. He’d never met a man who didn’t want a shot at her, but he prided himself on not taking that shot, and being rejected like everyone else.
He talked with the contestants briefly, smiling patiently at Michael’s stupid jokes and pretending he didn’t notice Alecia’s brazen looks, before hurrying to the master suite—a massive area at the very end of the right hallway—and putting his suitcase away. He glanced out the many windows at the beach and ocean below. A shape in the water drew his gaze. Pressing close to the window, he instantly recognized the beauty with the long, blonde hair and petite body. Encased in a blue floral two-piece was Navy Quinn. He glanced around but didn’t see Ryan anywhere. Holden could hardly believe his good fortune and instantly forgot all his pep talks about not becoming a Navy-worshipper.
Ripping open his suitcase he pulled out a swimsuit and changed quickly. The master suite opened onto a balcony that had a separate staircase down to the long stretch of beach and ocean below on the north side of the island. It was removed from the main beach on the east side that had its own staircase up to the pool area. He hurried out into the balmy air and jogged down the stairs. Navy was swimming around to the back of the island. He wondered if she was planning on going all the way around, past the south side where he’d docked his yacht. Would she be happy he was here? Excited to see him?
Holden pushed into the lukewarm water until he was waist deep and dove. Slicing through the water with his freestyle stroke, he dredged up all his swimming skills from the past and focused on reaching her. He wanted to catch her at the back of the island, away from the eyes of the crew and contestants. He should have been second-guessing why he wanted Navy Quinn all to himself, but he rationalized that she was the most important face of one of his companies so he needed time alone to talk shop with her. He berated himself as he pushed faster through the salty water. Whatever excuse he gave himself, he knew … he just wanted to be close to her. And given the opportunity in this beautiful and remote spot—he would probably throw all his reservations to the tropical breeze, kiss her, and admit how long he had yearned for her. It might be a stupid move on his part, but he knew how fast life and opportunities could pass. It was as if his sister Callie was cheering him on from heaven as he plowed quicker and quicker through the ocean.
Navy took a break from freestyle and changed to breaststroke. She loved the warm water gliding past her body and decided she would swim all the way around the small island. If she got lucky, she’d see Holden sailing in once she made it around to the south.
Water rhythmically splashed behind her and Navy turned to look. A man was swimming toward her with quick, powerful strokes. Her first reaction was panic, thinking Ryan was chasing her. She didn’t think the buff trainer would try to attack her, but she had never let herself be alone with him, just in case. Out here at the rear of the island, she could hardly even see the house. There would be no help coming if it was Ryan or another man who might hurt her.
Looking closer, she realized the man’s coloring was much darker than Ryan’s. She’d assumed it was only the Muscle Up crew on the island this week but maybe there was a caretaker? She squinted, wondering if it might be Holden, but she couldn’t be sure. Whoever it was they must be some swimmer to be moving that fast.
She wasn’t willing to risk being alone with an unknown man so she fell back into swimming and pushed herself around the back of the island, hoping she could make it to the bay where Holden’s yacht would pull in soon and everyone would be busy unloading supplies. Her brother, Griff, a former Navy SEAL had taught her how to protect herself, but he’d been adamant that the best protection was to never be in a situation where a man could take advantage of her. She was tough, but she was small, and men were naturally stronger.
“Navy!”
She surfaced at sound of the familiar voice calling her name. The man had gained on her quickly and now was treading water a short distance away and grinning at her. The air rushed out of her body and Navy was grateful for the saltiness of the water making it easier to stay afloat. Holden Jennings was here and apparently chasing her around the island in the water. It might not mean anything to him, but it made her heart beat faster. He probably wanted to have a business meeting. In the gorgeous Caribbean ocean. In swimsuits. This water was really warm. She was sweating and splashed some water on her cheeks.
“Hey,” she called back.
Holden did the breaststroke toward her, giving her the advantage of staring at his lovely shoulders and arms as he swam and his even lovelier face and smile as he approached. “Lovely” was a silly word to describe such a tough and perfectly handsome man, but she liked to use it. She could convince herself that “lovely” was mocking her perfect boss. He was too perfect. That was his fault. His manners were impeccable; he was wealthy, accomplished, hard-working, kind, funny. … Too perfect. She definitely didn’t want a man who was too perfect. How boring would that be? Boring or not, she couldn’t resist staring and sighing softly as he got closer.
“How are you?” he asked as he finally reached her. She suddenly felt stupid. She’d made him sw
im the entire distance toward her as she treaded water and stared unabashedly at him.
“Fabulous. You?” Navy slowly milled her legs and arms in the water.
“Better now,” he said, his grin growing. “Isn’t she beautiful?”
“The island?”
But he wasn’t looking at the island. He was staring straight at her. Holden gave a short laugh and splashed some water at her. “Yes, the island.”
Navy dragged her arm through the water and gave him a mouthful. “Not as beautiful as that,” Navy yelled, surprising herself with her impetuous response. She’d longed to be impetuous with this man and given the slightest opportunity, impetuous came very naturally.
Holden’s eyes widened and then narrowed mischievously. Navy had seen that look on one of her brother’s faces far too often. She dodged away, but Holden caught hold of her arm and dragged her under the water.
Navy came up spluttering. Holden chuckled. “Teach you to throw water at me.”
“Oh, I’ll teach you.” Navy threw caution to the wind as she reacted exactly the way she’d always wanted to with Holden and launched herself at him, wrapped her arms around his head and tried to dunk him. He was too strong for her to push under.
Holden responded by wrapping his arms tight around her waist, pulling her against his firm chest and taking them both under water. They both came up spluttering and laughing, but then Navy realized she was clinging to the beautiful Holden Jennings as he held them both up. Fire raced through her for two reasons—how fabulous his strong body felt against hers and embarrassment that she was acting completely unprofessional. She and Holden had known each other a long time and they were good friends and comfortable with each other, but they’d never grabbed each other or messed around, especially not while wearing swimsuits. No matter that she’d often daydreamed about such moments, she shouldn’t be acting on those silly fantasies.
Quinn Family Romance Collection Page 56
