“Oomph!” Beck ran straight into a jogger.
The ground came rushing up to meet him. Beck instinctively put his arms around the much smaller runner and curled to the side so he’d take the impact of the hit. The sand was soft and the person small enough, he didn’t feel much pain. He skidded to a stop and glanced into the face of the most beautiful woman he’d encountered in a long, long time. For a second he could only stare, unable to remember simple facts, like his own name.
She didn’t say anything, just stared at him, her dark eyes filled with shock.
Remembrance came rushing back like the wave that could take the little girl. He released his hold on the woman and rushed out the words, “I’m so sorry. The little girl.”
He looked up. The child was face down in the water and the wave was tugging her small frame back into its depths. Her parents were screaming and running for her, but Beck was still closer. He pushed off the ground, ran the final steps, and scooped the toddler up. Her face was covered with wet sand and she was coughing and sputtering for air.
The mother reached him first and snatched her little girl from his arms. The child sucked in a full breath and Beck breathed easier himself. He turned away to look for the woman he’d run into, but the father of the child came rushing up and pumped his hand, thumping him on the back. “Thanks, oh, man. Thanks. Sara. My little girl.”
The man continued thanking him and Beck said “you’re welcome” and “no problem” until he felt like a recording. He backed away smiling and acknowledging the thanks before spinning to try and glimpse the woman he’d literally ran into. Sadly, she had disappeared.
He debated trying to run after her, but knew he probably wouldn’t catch her as he wasn’t dressed to run and didn’t know if she’d continued along the shoreline or turned up one of the streets of Lahaina. He wandered the beach for a little bit, trying to trace her footprints but there were too many. Plowing into her had all happened so quickly, but the feel of her in his arms and the beauty of her dark eyes wouldn’t be something he’d soon forget. He had to see her again, even if just to know if she was as perfect as he remembered. Getting to know her or asking her out was too much to dream of at this point, but he’d do about anything for another glimpse at her face.
After a while, he returned to the spot where he’d seen her. Still no sign that she had ever been there. The little family was all happily playing in the sand, unaware of what Beck had missed out on. Beck climbed back into his car and drove the couple of blocks to the Garden Gate Bed and Breakfast. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it looked clean and comfortable, just like he liked. The host, Jerry, greeted him by the breakfast buffet in the outdoor courtyard.
“Just in time for breakfast,” the fifty-something man with a large smile and balding head said. His skin was too pale to be a native, but he looked like he’d lived here long enough to be relaxed and always grinning. “Those redeye flights are awful. Let’s get you checked into your room and then you can come join us or get some sleep if you’re exhausted.”
“Thanks, breakfast sounds great.” Beck went inside Jerry’s office, signed in and verified that the correct credit card was on file then hefted his luggage and followed Jerry back outside and up several flights of exterior stairs.
The same woman from the beach descended the stairs toward them. Beck stuttered back a step. He didn’t think he’d ever see her again and this view hit him as hard as when he’d crashed into her on the beach.
She was exotic-looking with long dark hair, olive skin, and almond-shaped eyes. Beck edged out of the way so she could make it past him and his luggage, hoping his mouth wasn’t hanging open. Now that he’d found her, he wanted to talk to her, apologize again for being so careless this morning, but he didn’t know quite what to say.
“Good morning, Alyssa,” Jerry called out. “How far did you run today?”
“Eight.” She smiled, but then she met Beck’s gaze. Her smile changed from open to guarded and those dark eyes lost their sparkle. He clutched his luggage handle. Oh, no. She thought he’d just knocked her over on purpose this morning and then run away instead of making a sufficient apology.
“Hi,” he offered. “I’m sorry about this morning. A little girl was in trouble in the waves.”
“No, it’s fine,” she replied, but still looked warily at him.
She slipped past him, leaving only a whiff of vanilla in her path. Beck inhaled slowly, turning to watch her go. She was even more beautiful than he’d built up in his mind. Even though she didn’t seem interested in him, at least he knew where she was staying and might have a chance of breaking down whatever barriers she’d put up.
She had a slight limp and wore running shoes with a long skirt and fitted t-shirt. Had she hurt herself running this morning? Aw, crap. Had he injured her when he tackled her? His face filled with color and his stomach rolled. He’d hit her hard enough to hurt her leg or foot. No wonder she was looking at him like he’d poisoned her cat.
Jerry reached the top of the stairs and turned back to Beck. Beck forced himself to stop watching the woman. Alyssa. Maybe if he hurried he could talk to her at breakfast. He jogged up a few steps, but then slowed. This wasn’t like him. The man who tried to keep a low profile and stay away from women who always seemed to only want him for his looks or his money, mostly the latter. Well, Alyssa hadn’t seemed interested in his looks and if he was vague enough she might not learn he had money until she got to know him.
Jerry had a smirk on his face when Beck reached his side. “Don’t expect to get anywhere with our Alyssa. I’ve watched her shoot down man after man.”
Beck arched his eyebrows. “Thanks for the advice.”
“But it doesn’t hurt to look, right bro?” Jerry slapped him on the shoulder and laughed.
Beck glanced down from the balcony to the courtyard. Alyssa had a phone to her ear, but she chose that moment to look up. Her mouth softened for a second and he thought she might smile at him, but she frowned instead and turned away.
Didn’t hurt to look? It might.
“Maryn!” Alyssa gulped for air and then rushed out the words, “He ran into me, like knocked me off my feet then cradled me in his arms.” Wow, it had felt good to be sheltered like that. It was like Beckham’s basic instinct was to shield her from harm. She couldn’t recall a man’s touch ever being one of protection instead of blatant desire, and for the first time in a long while she’d wanted to stay wrapped in a man’s arms. “He was rescuing a little girl, like superhero rescue guy, and he’s amazing and good-looking and I am telling you, I can’t do this! I just saw him again. He’s staying at my bed and breakfast.” Alyssa paced the small courtyard, grateful no one else was in the courtyard.
“Whoa, slow down. You’re sounding like me.” Maryn laughed; obviously Alyssa’s distress cracked her up. “When did he run into you? What little girl did he save and why on earth would a Richie stay at your dumpy bed and breakfast? That wasn’t in the itinerary.”
“After I talked to you, I was running back and he literally plowed me over.” Alyssa relived the feeling of his huge body surrounding hers. He was so strong she could feel the strength and firmness of his chest through his shirt. “Then he apologized and went and saved a little girl from the ocean.”
“Whoa. And you stuck around to tell him what a hero he was?”
“Yeah, right.” After making sure the little girl was okay, Alyssa had run away so fast, she didn’t know she was capable of breaking the local speed limit.
“Oh.” Maryn sighed heavily. “A bit of oohing and aahing would’ve been nice, but, no worries, actually better than no worries about him staying at your spot. This is going to be perfect! You’ll have even more access to him.”
“Perfect?” she hissed into the phone. “That’s the problem. He’s too perfect. The pictures you sent don’t do him justice.”
“He doesn’t like to be photographed, so they never get great pics of him. Glad to hear he’s even finer in person.”
/> “I can’t believe you don’t remember… Beckham Taylor.” For such a smart woman, Maryn could be forgetful sometimes. “I photographed him! For you and one of your stupid tabloids.”
“What? No!” Maryn gasped.
“His family had some kind of tragedy.” Her mind was scrambling to remember all the details, but she couldn’t forget the sad look in his eyes when she’d taken those photographs a few years ago.
She could hear Maryn flipping through papers. She loved to have tangible evidence of everything and had filing cabinets full. “Yes. I remember now. Give me a second.” More shuffling. “Oh, crap, here it is. He was a huge star in the NHL before his parents died in a car wreck and he inherited millions and not just a couple millions, loads of millions. He quit hockey to focus on managing all their real estate and Jordan’s Buds, it’s a huge charity for impoverished children throughout the world. Wowza. So you remember taking his picture?”
“Yes, as he left the funeral, and you sold them with an article about him and his family. The magazine twisted the pictures to make it look like he and his sister were fighting when really he was comforting her and helping her with her son.”
“Okay, that’s bad, but he’ll never find out it was you. Even if he remembers the article, which I doubt as there were probably dozens of articles about him and their family circulating then, he won’t remember who the photographer was.”
Alyssa shook her head. “This isn’t going to work, Maryn. Even if I hadn’t sold those photos.” She could picture it now. Him hugging his sister as they left the cemetery. The magazine may have convinced America that his family was being ripped apart because Beck was the one in control of his parent’s money, but Alyssa knew how tender he’d been with his sister and his nephew. She hadn’t been immune to his appeal then or now, but she’d forced herself not to think about it. Even though the story looked bad, she’d heard how women still flocked to him. As good-looking and wealthy as he was, he obviously had no problem with flockage.
“You know me. I don’t do well with wealthy, hot guys,” Alyssa said. “They’re always jerks once you get to know them.”
“He’s not a jerk. I promise. He is fully committed to helping children. He’s a great guy. I’ve really checked him out. I mean, not just his looks, his character and all that crap that matters to you.”
“You’re sure?” She twisted a lock of hair on her finger.
“I promise you, Alyssa, this is the guy for…” Maryn’s voice trailed off. “He’s a super-nice guy. Don’t shut yourself off before you even talk to him. Be nice to him and get that date offer.”
Alyssa turned and Beckham Taylor stood at the bottom of the stairs on the other side of the courtyard, watching her like she was a cat who might leap and scratch his eyes out any minute. She sighed. This was going to be harder than Maryn could understand. She forced some gaiety into her voice. “Sounds great. I’ll talk to you later.”
“He’s right there? Oooh,” Maryn squealed. “This is going to be sweet. Ta-ta.”
Alyssa restrained from rolling her eyes and dropped her phone into her purse. She took a deep breath and tried to release the tension in her shoulders. He was still watching her. Go on the offensive and introduce herself? Tell him how amazing he was rescuing the little girl this morning? Or head for the food and hope he came to her? She glanced at his slightly-mussed dark hair and the hopeful expression in his impossibly blue eyes. His jaw line was firm, just like she liked, and from his build she could tell he’d probably been a fabulous hockey player. She darted toward the food. What a wimp.
Piling her plate with papaya, boiled eggs, and a bagel, she grabbed some POG juice and sat at one of the tables. Of course today would be the day the breakfast wasn’t busy. Only her and some famous, hot, rich man. Where was Jerry? Where was the cute elderly couple, Simon and Kendra, who always told her about their Maui adventures every morning? Maryn was exaggerating, this bed and breakfast wasn’t a dump, but still why would a super wealthy dude stay at one of the least expensive places on the west side of the island?
Beckham helped himself to food while she started eating. She tried not to watch him out of the corner of her eye. It was impossible not to look when he marched straight up to her table. “Is this seat taken?”
“All the other tables are full?”
His welcoming smile faded. He looked like she’d just busted his Lego creation.
“I’m just teasing. Please.” She gestured toward the seat. He settled his food on the bamboo table. As his juice tipped precariously to the side, they both reached out to steady it. His hand came around hers. The warmth of his rough fingers sent tremors up her arm. Their eyes met and neither of them moved. Awkwardness settled in quickly. “If you’ll let go, I can put your juice in a safer spot.”
He nodded but didn’t move his hand. “What if I don’t want to let go?”
She moved her hand quickly and he barely caught the juice before it spilt. Studying her plate, Alyssa forced herself to peel a boiled egg and hoped he couldn’t see how he was making her shake. Maryn was so dead.
“I apologize again about this morning. Did I hurt you?” His eyes lowered to her legs and she knew he’d noticed her limp.
“No. You did a great job of protecting me with your body.” Her face flamed red and she took a quick drink of her juice.
A slow grin appeared on Beck’s face. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
She nodded her acknowledgment, her stomach fluttering like it was full of fireflies. Oh, my, he looked good when he smiled like that. They ate in silence for several minutes. Alyssa didn’t know what to say to break the awkwardness that settled in again.
“So, um, I hear you’re a Maui veteran.” He forked a bite of eggs, sneaking a glance at her then focusing on his food.
“Where did you hear that from?” Alyssa realized there was too much bite in her voice. She couldn’t be herself around handsome, wealthy men. Maryn was going to have to find someone else to quote for her article and just deal with disappointment, Alyssa couldn’t handle this.
Beckham’s eyes widened and she was caught off guard studying the brightness of the blue. Caribbean blue, sky blue, or maybe almost aqua blue? She couldn’t quite decide and she couldn’t tear her gaze away from his. What she wouldn’t give to photograph him, for her private collection this time.
“Jerry,” he said.
“Oh.” She spread cream cheese on her bagel, wondering if the air was really crackling around them or if she was going nuts. He had this draw that was so exciting she wanted to either snuggle up next to him or hide in her room.
Beckham set his fork down and cleared his throat. “I don’t have anything planned the next couple of days. Would you be interested in… showing me around?”
Alyssa hated that she wondered if this would qualify as him asking her on a date. She wanted to meet his eyes and get lost in the blue again, but she just couldn’t do it. What if he was like Hugh? She couldn’t be alone with a man and risk being vulnerable. If she couldn’t escape from a wiry guy like Hugh how could she protect herself from someone built like Beckham? She could still feel Hugh’s manicured fingers trailing down her neck and then ripping her shirt off. Nausea rose in her throat.
She set her bagel down and mumbled, “Excuse me. I’m not feeling very well.” She pushed away from the table and Beckham hurried around to pull her chair out. He wrapped one hand around her elbow and the warmth of that touch made her already shaky legs turn to pudding. Her eyes were drawn to his.
“Thanks,” she murmured before withdrawing from his touch and those eyes and fleeing up the stairs. The sanctuary of her room was the only place she wanted to be right now.
Well, he’d tried. Beck finished his breakfast, savoring the sweet papaya and wondering why tried was always such a lame word. Tried meant you’d given it an effort. It just didn’t seem like enough in this case. Why was Alyssa so offish with him? For a few seconds he felt like they’d connected. She’d looked into his eyes as he st
udied the dark depths of hers and he’d felt an electricity in the air between them. He’d started imagining all kinds of fun excursions with the beautiful Alyssa over the next week, but then a switch had flipped and she was worse than cold. It was as if he made her physically ill.
He was surprised that he’d been so bold with a stranger. He’d felt an instant connection to her when he’d plowed into her this morning, even though he didn’t know anything about her. She was definitely an uncommon beauty with her long, dark hair and that creamy skin, but he’d had a lot of beautiful and successful women hit on him and never felt the way he had the past few minutes around Alyssa. As if they had something between them, some kind of pull.
Maybe it was because she didn’t seem interested in him. That didn’t happen often and it definitely made her more intriguing. It could also be that she had looked as beautiful out running as she did at breakfast. She obviously wasn’t a fake, cover herself with a foot of makeup, kind of girl. Her dark eyes lured him in like some kind of siren. That must be it. She was a sea temptress. He laughed to himself and pushed away from the table. A temptress wouldn’t turn a guy down stone cold like that.
Beck wondered what he was going to do with himself today. Sitting on a beach always sounded good, but he would probably only last twenty minutes before he’d want to do something active. He decided to just walk around the neighborhood and down to Lahaina. If he couldn’t talk a beautiful woman into being his tour guide, he could at least try to enjoy the sites by himself.
By lunchtime Alyssa had several new photographs ready to send to the printers. She used to develop her own originals but found an effective company who did better quality work. They also framed and stored them for her until she was ready to ship to customers or galleries. It saved her a ton of mess and time. Taking pictures was much more fulfilling for her than developing them. She stretched and grabbed her purse. Sunrise Café sounded perfect for lunch.
The Resilient One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance Page 2
