Risking it All (A Hawk Brothers Romance)

by Cami Checketts

  “You two need a room?” Ramsey asked, laughing to himself.

  Bridger rolled his eyes. Avalyn sat down on a rock and unlaced her shoes and slid out of them and her socks. She was not going to take any of her clothes off, even though she had a sports bra on underneath. She’d rather have her blue T-shirt plastered to her chest than nothing covering her as Ramsey’s gaze on them never wavered.

  She walked carefully into the pool, the irregular stones a little uncomfortable to walk on. Bridger joined her, and as soon as they were waist deep, he dove under. Avalyn bent down and pushed off the rocks but kept her head above water. The pool wasn’t huge, but it was deep. They quickly swam over to the waterfall and ducked underneath it. The spray massaged their heads, necks, and shoulders.

  Bridger grinned at her. “You’re so brave. I worried after yesterday you wouldn’t want to be in the water.”

  She hadn’t even thought of yesterday as they swam. “I’m brave when you’re with me.”

  Bridger moved in closer. “I like that,” he said.

  The water from the waterfall somewhat shielded them from Ramsey and his men. Bridger treaded water with just his legs and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. The air rushed out of Avalyn. She was falling for him faster than she’d plunged from the airplane this morning. All thoughts of being a strong and independent woman disappeared when Bridger looked at her like that.

  “Do you think I might get another kiss of gratitude?” Bridger said, barely loud enough for her to hear over the rush of the water next to them.

  “How long can you tread water like that?” Avalyn asked.

  Bridger grinned. “A long, long time.”

  Avalyn knew she should show some restraint or her heart would be a goner. If they ever escaped from Ramsey, she’d shrivel and never be able to love again when Bridger moved on. But in this beautiful setting with the sheet of water next to them, the vines and cliffs on the other side, having just gone through something so horrific as being thrown out of a plane without a chute, and Bridger’s strong body close, she really had no resistance in her.

  She leaned closer. Bridger’s lips brushed hers, and sheer joy encompassed her.

  “Hey! Isn’t it cool back here?” Ramsey’s voice came from much too close by.

  Avalyn jerked away from Bridger and glanced over at Ramsey’s mischievous smile.

  “I’m going to kill you very soon, Ramsey,” Bridger muttered.

  Ramsey laughed like that was the funniest thing he’d ever heard. “I hope so, my friend.”

  Bridger shook his head at Avalyn. His arms loosened around her, and she swam through the waterfall and back out. Ignoring all the men around her, she lay on her back and floated, looking up at the blue, blue sky above. She prayed that somehow, someway, they’d get away from this crazy man and she could get back to the children. But then she wouldn’t have Bridger holding her close anymore.

  When she tired of floating, she swam to the side and the men followed her out of the pool. They both shrugged back into their shirts, and Bridger and Avalyn put their shoes back on.

  “Thanks for hanging out with me,” Ramsey said, as if they were all friends.

  Bridger stared at him. “You have so many screws loose, not even an aerospace engineer could fix that nut-job brain of yours.”

  Ramsey threw back his head and laughed. “My mom used to tell me I had screws loose all the time.”

  Bridger looked at Avalyn and did the crazy symbol with his finger by his ear. Avalyn giggled, and then she started laughing and couldn’t stop. Bridger and Ramsey both joined in, and Avalyn knew it was insane that she could laugh in the middle of this situation, but it was a release she needed. Then she glanced at Ramsey, who was laughing and looking at her warmly, like she was his younger sister or something. The guy really was insane. At least he hadn’t thrown her off the waterfall or sacrificed her to the island spirits.

  Avalyn sobered and started back down the trail. She had to get out of this alternate reality, or she was going to be as nuts as Ramsey.

  Chapter Thirteen

  When they got back to the yacht, the sun was dipping close to the horizon. Thankfully Ramsey told them good night, so they wouldn’t have to endure his presence any longer. The gleam in Ramsey’s eyes as he said goodbye robbed the breath from Avalyn’s lungs. What would he do to her tomorrow? She couldn’t let her mind go there. At least they’d have the reprieve of being together tonight without his weird comments or looks.

  Yet as they walked toward their room, her apprehension grew for a different reason. She would’ve willingly kissed Bridger under the waterfall, but was that smart? How did you ask an adventurer, a free spirit, if he would commit to you and your causes forever, especially in a situation like this? You didn’t. It was stupid, and she hated to envision Bridger smirking at her if she did ask. Would he lie and say yes, or would he just laugh and tell her not to worry about tomorrow? She would be with him on that one. She didn’t want to think about tomorrow and another chance for Ramsey to kill her.

  They entered their room, and Bridger told the guards good night and shut and locked the door behind them. The rolling tray full of food was already waiting for them. Avalyn wondered about Ramsey’s staff, especially his guards, who were so devoted to him.

  “Hungry?” Bridger asked.

  She nodded. They sat down and ate. Avalyn was afraid there would be awkward silence, but Bridger started telling her stories about his brothers when they were younger. He made her laugh quite a few times as she ate some boneless ribs, rice, and broccoli.

  After dinner, they took turns showering, and Avalyn waited nervously as Bridger showered. Would he expect to sleep cuddled up again tonight? She’d loved that, but she wasn’t sure it was in her heart’s best interest. Her nerves were to the stretching point when the bathroom door finally opened.

  Bridger strode out in only some low-slung sweats. Avalyn put a hand to her throat, suddenly unable to breathe. Why did he have to look so marvelous? How was she going to resist him? Especially when she’d been the one to ask him to cuddle last night.

  He looked her over and said, “You okay?”

  Avalyn nodded. She wouldn’t tell him that she worried over falling in love with him almost as much as she worried over what Ramsey might have planned tomorrow. Her normal life seemed far away right now, but she worked long days securing funding, speaking or writing about how to help the children and motivate people to be more charitable, and—most importantly—traveling and spending time one on one with her little ones. There were so many adorable faces in her mind. She couldn’t simply fall in love and follow Bridger around the world, forget about her purpose in life.

  “Thank you for defeating Ramsey again,” she said to Bridger rather than beg him to love her and find a way to make their lives coincide.

  “I’ll do it again tomorrow, unless I find a way to get us out of here first.”

  Avalyn wanted to trust in his confidence, but she was scared, really scared, of waking up tomorrow.

  “It’s hard being the best.” He gave her a cocky grin.

  She rolled her eyes, though she did like his smart-aleck attitude. “I’ll bet it is.”

  Bridger slowly walked toward her. His dark gaze pinned her in place. The muscles in his abdomen and chest rippled beautifully. She wanted to run her fingers along each individual muscle. No! She couldn’t let herself go there.

  He stopped in front of her and she tilted her head back to meet his eyes, praying for strength and wisdom. She’d asked too much of the good Lord lately, though, and was afraid her prayer quota had been reached. Her mama would tell her there was no such thing, but Avalyn didn’t know if even divine intervention could give her the strength to avoid throwing herself at this beautiful man and getting her heart ripped out in the process.

  “There’s something else I hear I’m the best at,” he murmured. His eyes languidly lowered to her lips.

  Avalyn’s breathing quickened. She could hear wav
es lapping against the boat and the motor running as she tried to tell herself not to rise to this obvious challenge. “Oh, really? What’s that?”

  “Kissing.”

  He gave her his trademark smirk, and all her concerns came rushing horribly back to her. He was a player in every sense of the word. Love ’em and leave ’em was Bridger Hawk’s motto in life, right after “What’s a challenge, and where do I find it?” That probably applied to women as well. Her mind spun. It did apply to women! He’d said that line to her when he’d kissed her in Cancun the day before Creed and Kiera’s wedding. Dang him.

  Avalyn’s eyes narrowed and she pushed at his chest with her hands.

  “What?” Bridger backed up a step, lifting his own hands innocently.

  “You hear you’re the best?” She folded her arms across her chest. “How many women have you ‘heard’ it from?”

  Bridger arched an eyebrow. “Jealous, are we?”

  Avalyn clamped her jaw before she growled at him and revealed exactly how jealous she was. She spun away from him, grabbed a pillow off the bed, and stalked to the couch. Lying down so she faced the couch cushions and the wall, she yanked the throw blanket off and draped it over herself.

  For a few seconds, all she could hear was her ragged breathing and the boat’s motor. What was Bridger thinking? Did he realize how petty and jealous she was? How she wanted him all to herself? She felt so off in this horrific situation, so unlike her usual confident, benevolent self.

  His footsteps slowly approached. Avalyn clenched her fists and refused to look at him. Her heart was racing out of control. Part of her felt justified in her petty jealousies and her refusal to fall for a player; part of her just wanted to kiss him and worship him for rescuing her over and over again.

  “Ava?” he said.

  Avalyn squeezed her eyes shut.

  He let out a frustrated growl, similar to what she’d wanted to express seconds ago. Avalyn smiled in spite of herself. At least she wasn’t the only one upset.

  Bridger wrapped a hand under her upper back and one under her legs and swept her off the couch.

  “Bridger!” Avalyn grabbed on to his shoulders for stability.

  He stared down at her, all traces of teasing gone. “You’re sleeping in the bed.”

  “Not with you,” she threw back at him.

  He stalked to the bed but held on to her. “Fine. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

  Avalyn shook her head. “You can’t sleep on the couch. You need to be in prime condition to beat stupid Ramsey tomorrow.”

  His eyes darkened. Avalyn realized she was still clinging to his shoulders, so she let go and folded her arms across her chest.

  “It’s a big bed,” he said. “I’ll sleep on the other side.”

  “And put some pillows between us.”

  Bridger rolled his eyes.

  “And don’t you think about touching me,” she said.

  “Fine.” Bridger kept holding her.

  “You’re still touching me,” she pointed out. It felt much too nice to be held close to his glorious chest like this, the bulging muscles in his biceps pressed against the side of her abdomen and her thigh.

  “I won’t touch you again,” he growled.

  “You still are.”

  Bridger stared down at her and finally pushed out a breath. “You’re the most confusing woman I’ve ever met,” he said.

  “Why?” She glared at him. “Because I don’t beg you to kiss me like all the bimbos who chase you around?”

  “You wanted me to kiss you at the waterfall. What changed?”

  “I remembered what a pimp daddy you are.”

  “A pimp daddy?” He chuckled darkly. “You have no idea what I am.”

  She drew in a breath and refused to answer him.

  “You want me, Ava. You just won’t admit it to yourself.”

  Avalyn hugged her arms more tightly to her chest as if she could protect her heart from him. He had no clue how much she wanted him. “You’re still touching me,” she reminded him tersely.

  “It won’t happen again.” He set her down on the bed and stepped back. “Good night, Ava Baby.” The mocking, overconfident Bridger was back, and Avalyn hated it, but at least she knew how to act around him. She could protect her heart from Playboy Bridger. She could remember they had different lives to lead and that the children had to come before her selfish desires to be loved by this man.

  Avalyn closed her eyes so she didn’t have to look at his beautifully formed body and feel sorry for herself that even though this might be her last night on earth, she’d chosen to not spend it in the arms of the man she loved because of her fears of heartbreak. His footsteps circled the bed, and then she felt the mattress sink as he lay down. She gritted her teeth and hated that tears squeezed past her tightly shut lids.

  She should worry that he wouldn’t work as hard to protect her tomorrow. Maybe he’d let Ramsey win. But she knew him too well. Bridger was a man of honor, even if he was a player. He would protect her from danger and from Ramsey. If only she could apologize and scoot close. Ask him for a goodnight kiss. Ask him to hold her.

  She gritted her teeth and kept her eyes shut, praying she could sleep tonight and somehow survive tomorrow.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Bridger had a hard time sleeping with Avalyn’s soft breaths next to him. Her perfect body was close, yet so far away. Why had she picked a fight with him? Why did she think he was some playboy? Well, okay, maybe he liked to play the field, and of course the media made it look worse than it actually was. He wouldn’t lie to Avalyn and say he hadn’t kissed a lot of women, but why wouldn’t she give him the chance to settle down with her?

  He woke with a dull headache, and the pounding on the door didn’t help at all. The door sprang open before he did much more than sit up in bed.

  Ramsey bound in, lit up like it was Christmas morning. “I thought they were lying to me.”

  “About what?” Bridger growled, standing up to face him. He glanced over to see that Avalyn had also pushed out of bed, still dressed in a T-shirt and some sweats. She looked beautiful with her dark hair tousled and her lips swollen from sleep.

  “You two really aren’t having any fun at night.” Ramsey clucked his tongue, still grinning like the Cheshire cat. “When I win today, I’ll show you what it means to spend the night with a real man,” he said to Avalyn.

  Bridger flew at Ramsey, slamming his fist into his gut. Ramsey doubled over, and Bridger heard guns being cocked as he aimed for Ramsey’s still-smiling mouth.

  “Stand down, sir,” Mike said as four guards rushed into the room.

  Bridger stepped back, though he wanted to hit Ramsey repeatedly.

  Ramsey straightened, all smiles. “Don’t worry, bro. You’ll get a chance to fight me soon.”

  Bridger wondered what that meant. He’d take that chance, anytime. “You aren’t going to touch Avalyn.”

  Ramsey laughed. “We’ll see about that.” He clapped his hands together. “Get dressed. Clothes like yesterday. We’ll eat on the way. Got a few hours’ flight each way.” He strode out of the room, and the guards filed in behind him.

  Bridger looked to Avalyn. She was watching him with that hero worship look she sometimes got, but there was fear in her eyes too.

  “Thanks,” she murmured. She turned and strode into the bathroom.

  Bridger pushed a hand through his hair. Today looked to be the worst day yet. At least on the other days he’d felt like Avalyn wanted to be with him. He should’ve gotten the memo that she didn’t on Christmas Eve in Cancun when he’d kissed her and she rejected him. Then he’d sappily followed her to Long Island, and she’d rejected him yet again. Apparently, he was dense when it came to this woman. He knew she didn’t want Ramsey, but it hurt that she didn’t want him either.

  The helicopter ride was excruciatingly long. Avalyn tried to eat some of the breakfast burritos and juices they’d brought with them and look around at the scenery, but it was
nothing but ocean for a good portion of the ride. Her rear hurt from sitting, but her heart hurt worse from wanting to be closer to Bridger and knowing she’d messed it all up.

  They left the ocean behind and flew over stretches of beaches and lush greenery until they approached a massive black mountain that she was pretty sure was an inactive volcano—at least, there wasn’t visible lava. They landed next to the mountain, which looked to be thousands of feet tall, made up of tiny black rocks.

  Ramsey had kept up a steady stream of conversation with Bridger, reminiscing about different competitions between the two of them over the years. Bridger talked with him, but his voice was tight, and whenever Avalyn glanced his way, he was looking at her, not Ramsey.

  Avalyn tried to hide her worry over what the contest might be today and her longing for Bridger. The combination gave her a huge headache, and the ride in the chopper didn’t help anything.

  They all exited the chopper and Ramsey gestured around at the mountain covered in tiny black rock. “I rented out the volcano for the day.”

  There was no one around but them, but there was a stack of weird wooden sled-like things close by.

  “Everybody grab one.” Ramsey picked a sled up and gestured for them to follow.

  Avalyn picked one up also. It wasn’t terribly heavy. Maybe today they wouldn’t just throw her down the volcano without anything but Bridger to save her.

  “I’m glad you like to hike,” Ramsey said. “Let’s go.” He started up the hill. Bridger and Avalyn fell into step next to him. It was a decent hike and the sun was already hot, even though it couldn’t have been much past ten a.m.

  They hiked quietly, the sound of the volcanic rock sliding under their shoes their only accompaniment. Avalyn’s throat was dry and her legs burned. The incline continued on and on. When they finally reached the top, they were all dripping sweat. Avalyn glanced at the flatter top surface that sloped down into a crater. They weren’t close to it, but she was still afraid Ramsey would shove her down the hole.