“Will you untie me, love?” Luke called over the side.
Becca swiped her eyes, wishing she had more time. There was so much left unsaid, undone, between them. Luke hurried down the spiral stairs, and Becca rushed to meet him, flinging her arms around his neck. “Where are you going?”
Luke cocked a grin. “I’m off to save the world.”
Becca tipped her head back and laughed through her tears. “You figured it out?”
“I did.”
She felt her heart sag like newspaper in the rain. “Then you have to go.”
“I do.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “Come with me?”
Becca considered throwing a bag of clothes on board and hitting the high seas with the man she loved. “How long?”
“I don’t know.” Luke pressed his forehead against hers. “You need to be here. This place needs you, the animals need you. This is your home.”
“I wish . . . ”
“I know.” Luke pressed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes. “This could take a while. It’s complicated.”
Becca gave a gusty sigh. “Saving the world always is.”
“If you want me to stay, I will.”
Searching his eyes, Becca saw the truth in his words. He would stay for her. He'd give it all up just to be with her. But how long would they have, really? Besides the uncertainty of life, the butterfly flu was on the move; it could snatch either or both of them in no time. “You have to go. The world needs you and what you can do.”
“Becca.” Luke breathed her name, sending chills up her arms. “I lost my purpose, and it was you who helped me find it—you gave me a new direction.”
Becca grinned. “If you call me your rudder, I’m going to kick you in the shins.”
Luke kissed her, his lips smiling against hers. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Their lips met in a hot and desperate attempt to absorb as much of the other as they could. Who knew when or if they’d ever meet again, and Becca wanted to make sure Luke would remember her, remember the way she loved him, and hopefully come back.
Big Red barked from Luke’s upper deck.
“The captain says it’s time to go,” said Luke.
Becca kissed him once more. “Go,” she said, knowing it would be better for both of them to just rip apart than to painstakingly drag it out in a long goodbye. She may never heal from the separation, but the sting would diminish with time. She watched as Luke climbed the stairs, gave one final wave from the upper deck, then disappeared inside the cabin.
Becca moved to the tether on the right and glanced to her left to see Sasquatch doing the same at the far end. She coiled the rope around her arm and then tossed the bundle onto the houseboat as it slowly pulled into the channel.
Sniffing, Becca waved, not knowing if Luke could see her but needing just one more chance to say goodbye.
“Let’s just forget about all this, okay?” Sasquatch said to Garth. His shoulders hung heavy with regret for having driven Becca and Luke apart.
Garth nodded, and the two wandered off.
Becca sat on the end of her slip and dangled her feet over the edge. They might be able to forget, but she never would. Luke was the love of her life. It was written on every part of her soul. She could no sooner forget him than she could the sun.
16
Becca leaned into the breeze on her face as she worked her way through a bright red lobster at the Fresh Catch Café. The local arts and crafts show was going on just east of the wharf, and the weekend fishermen crowded the end of the pier with hopes of catching dinner. Rusty had a small TV, much like the one in her boat, going in the kitchen. He’d gotten hooked on Days of Our Lives and kept one eye on the screen for weekend recaps while he boiled lobsters and deveined shrimp.
Bear frowned as he swiped her cup. “Refill?”
“Sure.” Becca gave him a half smile.
Bear patted her on the back. “Becca-Boo, I wish you’d cheer up.”
“It’s that guy, isn’t it?” said Rusty through the window. “If I ever see his face again, I’m going to throw him off the end of the pier.”
Becca smiled, for real this time. Rusty and Bear were not only good friends of her grandpa, they’d become treasures in her life as well. They knew all about Luke, and though they didn’t discuss him in front of her, they threw enough looks back and forth that she knew they had talked plenty.
Becca sighed. “We had two horrible dates and a few fantastic kisses. Why do I miss him so much?”
“Because you love that no-good runaway.” Rusty waved his ladle threateningly.
“Yeah, there’s that,” Becca agreed. Her love radar had been out of service for so long that she hadn’t noticed Luke sparking it to life again—until he was gone. Then, the loss of signal was painful.
The last notes of the ending credits faded away, and an announcer gave the station identification before turning the airwaves over to their local news anchor, Janice Worthy.
“Big news today from BluePharma. They’ve recently hired several of the scientists who worked for GermTechPharm on the butterfly flu formula.” Everyone within hearing distance of the radio stopped what they were doing and turned. Becca leaned forward, her heart racing. “During a press conference today, they announced their change in direction.”
The scene switched to a walnut-colored podium in front of a blue curtain. “That’s him!” She pointed to the screen. “The man who punched Luke at Moby Dick’s.”
“I’m pleased to join the BluePharma team. Now that we’ve found the cure, we’re going to switch gears to preparing an inoculation to prevent the spread of the disease. We believe that isolating those who have contracted the butterfly flu and then preventing its spread through vaccination will stop the disease in its tracks.”
“How close are you to this miracle drug?”
Stephen’s eyes sparked, and Becca sucked in a breath. Luke gave him the formula. She couldn’t explain how she knew Luke had handed over the single most valuable formula since the Polio vaccine, just that she did.
“I believe we already have the key—it’s just a matter of testing and getting approval from the FDA.”
The camera cut back to Janice. “With the butterfly flu spreading, the FDA is expected to make testing the Sunshine Formula its top priority.”
Cheers erupted. Several people slapped their friends on the back as if they had a hand in solving the puzzle.
Becca smiled so big she felt her heart lift. “He did it.” She hugged Bear.
Over his shoulder, she saw a picture of Luke on the television. Straining, she caught part of the report. “… Autopsy results revealed that GermTechPharm’s experimental drug did not kill Brianna Sullivan, sister of GermTechPharm’s owner, Lucas Scott. We contacted Lucas Scott’s spokesperson and were told that he does not have a statement at this time . . .”
The rest was drowned out by the noisy chatter of people passing on the news. Becca let go of Bear and got a kiss on the cheek in return. “I’ll be right back with your drink.”
Becca took her stool and watched the faces of those around her. Eyes lit up. Hugs and kisses were handed out. People pointed and talked and let go of fear as if everyone realized that this was one of those events that went down in history as a “where were you when X happened?” moment. Feeling like an outsider, Becca leaned over her plate, not really hungry anymore.
Something slimy brushed her leg, and she jolted. “You scared me!” she told the shiny-coated dog.
He nudged her again and then looked pointedly at her plate.
“He’s only pushy because he’s had Rusty’s lobster before.”
Becca followed the dog’s leash up to a tan arm and then up to a chiseled jaw covered in three-day stubble and finally met the most striking pair of blue eyes she’d ever had the pleasure of gazing into. “Luke?” Becca couldn’t think of what to say. She’d daydreamed about this moment for three months, and now that it was here, her mind
was shocked into a state of happy oblivion where the ability to talk was somehow lost.
Luke brushed the hair off her cheek, sending warm tingles throughout her body and jump-starting her brain.
“Are you . . . are you back?” She almost didn’t dare hope he was here to stay.
“Until the world needs saving again.”
She laughed, grabbing the front of his shirt and pulling him closer. “So you’re like a superhero now?”
He placed his hands on her hips. “Nah, I’m just a guy who lives in a boat and plays with numbers.”
Sobering, Becca said, “You gave Steven the formula, didn’t you?”
He pressed his finger to his lips. “That’s our secret.”
Rusty and Bear watched them closely, although they appeared to be more concerned about her than they were about Luke.
“Your secret identity is safe with me.”
“What about my heart?” Luke kissed her forehead. “Because I’m pretty sure I left it with you when I sailed away.”
“It’s right here.” She laid her hand over her heart.
Luke leaned close, his breath warm on her lips, teasing. “I missed you, Becca Lee.”
Becca moved her hands to his shoulders, reveling in the feel of his body so close to hers and experiencing the tangible proof that he was right here, right now. Bear took several steps in their direction; any second now he’d open the door and Rusty would come barreling out. “Do you still have your day-trip boat?”
He pulled away slightly. “Yes. Why?”
“I think it’s time we disappear for a while—together.”
Luke growled and kissed her hungrily. Becca kissed him right back.
He took her hand and together, with Big Red barking and jogging alongside, they ran down the wharf toward the harbor and home, where Luke wrapped her up in his arms and took his time saying a proper hello. Becca soaked in every kiss to her cheeks, her neck, and especially her lips. Luke’s coming back was so much better than if she’d made him stay because she knew he wanted to be there—he was a man of honor, and he chose her, which filled her with trust and allowed her to open her heart and pour out the love.
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Sneak Peak
If you enjoyed the first book in the Destination Billionaire Romance series, you will love the next book, Almost Everything by Taylor Hart to be released in May 2016. Keep reading for a special sneak peek of the country music star and billionaire, Montana Crew.
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Montana Crew stared at the crowd from backstage. How many had showed up tonight? Twenty thousand, thirty thousand? The arena was big, and the crowd electric. The energy surged through Montana like the roar of a diesel engine on a cold winter morning—loud and startling, signaling that it was time to wake up. A satisfied grin spread across his lips. Being a country-western music star had always been his dream, and it was a dang good life.
Tiffany Chance and her band, Fusion, warmed up the crowd nicely. Looking up, he caught a glimpse of Tiffany’s husband, Sam Dumont, in the VIP section. Sam pointed at him, and Montana pointed back. Various football players from the Storm and the Destroyers were with Sam.
Another football player and his neighbor and friend, Cameron Cruz, stood next to Montana and bit his lip. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
Montana grinned, happy he could help make Cam’s dreams come true. “Oh, you’re doing it. I bought the rights to your song on the condition that you’d perform with me a couple of times a year.” Obviously, Montana didn’t need Cam to do this. No, Cam needed to do this for himself.
Cam chuckled and clenched and unclenched his fists. “I feel like it’s the opening game of the football season.”
Montana gave him a heavy pat on the back. “You’ll do fine.” Out of nowhere, he caught sight of golden-white hair in the crowd. Lily’s hair. Searching frantically, he looked for her … not seeing her. Of course it wasn’t her. Often, he would think he saw her somewhere. But he hadn’t seen her since the fateful day he’d left Springs Hollow seven years ago.
She’d made her choice.
Distracting himself, he turned to his manager, Kirk. “How much longer is this set?”
Kirk put up two fingers. “Two minutes, boss; then you guys are up.”
“You don’t think my song’s kinda cheesy?” Cam gulped back a swallow.
Montana scoffed. “Songs about first love are always cheesy.”
Cam sucked in a breath and nodded, turning a bit pale.
Montana nudged him. “Put on your quarterback face, this the fun part. Think of it like throwing the perfect spiral into the end zone.” Montana loved the shock of energy the crowd always gave him, like a lightning bolt to his soul. He had the perfect life. Men would kill for his life. Thoughts of Lily’s face flashed into his mind. At least he had the perfect life when he wasn’t thinking about her—his first love.
Lately, he’d been plagued with her face in his dreams. Closing his eyes, he tried to push out thoughts of her, but he couldn’t.
* * *
The first time he’d seen her, she’d been sitting on the edge of the Spring Hollow swimming hole. He’d only been in town a week. Bobby Jo, part of his new foster family, had convinced him to come.
Lily sat on the edge with her three friends, wearing a pink polka-dot halter top swimsuit. A siren calling out to him.
When their eyes locked, he could swear there’d never been anything like her before or after. Instant attraction. His hands had gotten sweaty, and he’d been tongue-tied when Bobby Jo introduced all the girls. The only name seared to his brain was hers—Lily Ray Gold.
Reaching out, she’d taken his hand all professional-like. “Want me to teach you how to go on the rope swing?”
A big, dopey grin had filled his face. “Yeah.”
After they’d climbed to the top, she held out the long, knotted rope to him. But he’d pushed it back to her. “You first.”
“Are you a scaredy-cat?”
Her words brought a quickened heartbeat and warm chills rushed through him. For the first time in his life, he actually wanted to get to know a girl. Smiling, he put the rope between them. “Then let’s do it together.”
They went flying through the air, and her laughter rained down hot against his face. At that moment, he decided he’d fallen in love.
“Montana!” Cam shouted at him, jerking him from his thoughts. “We’re on!”
* * *
Lily Ray Gold—L.R. Gold to her legal associates—watched the end of the concert far on the sidelines. It wasn’t her choice to be here. Hot wrath rose up inside of her. Refusing to go closer to watch the show, she stayed on the edges of the fence line. Hearing the music was enough to make her blood boil.
Fire burned through her. She wanted to bolt, run, and leave like any reasonable, smart person would do if they were this close to a hot, bubbling magma-filled volcano. But she couldn’t. She’d promised Bobby Jo she would finish this mess.
Tears instantly stung her eyes and she pushed the em
otion down. She wouldn’t disappoint Bobby. The memory of his hand inside of hers and his soft words as he’d pleaded with her to deliver the envelope … in person …
Dang. She kicked the side of the fence and listened to the stupid, whiny country music.
The feel of her phone vibrating pulled her from her dark thoughts. Brad. Clearing her throat, she stuck her ear to the phone and plugged her other ear with her hand. “Hey.”
“I take it you got there safely.”
The relationship had developed in an office setting, long nights working on cases. Although she’d been reluctant to get close to anyone, Brad was fun. “Yes.”
“You said you’d call,” Brad accused.
It wasn’t in her nature to be responsible for her time to anyone. This part of any relationship she didn’t care for. “Oh, sorry. Yep, I’m here.”
“So, you’re watching the concert?”
“I’m not watching,” she insisted. “I’m waiting for it to end.”
The crowd got louder, and it was impossible to carry on a conversation.
“Sorry. I’ll call later!” she yelled, and pressed end.
Shutting off her phone, she flung back to stare at the big stage. Smoke flooded the stadium, and Montana appeared on a lift in the center of the stage. He wore a black hat, his head tilted down; a black muscle shirt with the sleeves cut off, showing off his tan, muscled biceps; dark jeans; and black boots. A screen played various moments of various country music videos he’d been in.
When Montana had made it big, she’d vowed never to listen to his music, and she’d made good on her promise. Every time it came on the radio, she turned it off. If she went to a club and it was playing, she left. By all accounts, Lily had taken great care to scrub her life free of ever knowing Montana Crew.
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