The Dream Groom: Texas Titans Romances

by Hart, Taylor

  Looking around, Shayla didn’t let him off the hook. He had known she wouldn’t. It was part of the reason he liked her. “How much does a cruise like this cost?”

  “Stop, woman. I’m part owner, and I haven’t used it in two years.” He flashed her a grin.

  This seemed to calm her down, and she quietly gazed out at the sights.

  For the first time in many years, more than he could remember, he was seeing the bay as if for the first time. He pointed. “There’s Sea World, and there’s the ritzy part of Mission Bay—Hotel Catamaran, Hyatt Regency, expensive houses.” He scoffed because now the houses weren’t as far out of reach as they had been before.

  She turned to him. “What’s so funny?”

  How did he explain? “When I was growing up, part of the reason San Diego felt frustrating was because we were the poor kids. We got to come out on the boat with Dad and meet all these fancy tourists. We learned how to do the tours, and they would ask us where good places to eat were. I remember my dad would tell them all these fancy restaurants around here that we had never gone to.” He thought of his father, realizing the toll it must have taken on his dad. It had never occurred to him how hard it must have been.

  “What?”

  “I’m just having an epiphany about my father, about what it must have been like for him to be around these rich people and just be trying to put food on the table. He mortgaged everything for this boat. Part of the reason my mom left was she was so frustrated with his ‘dream.’”

  She measured him with her eyes. “You felt responsible.”

  “I was responsible until I graduated. Then I left. Left my brother to manage it all.” Regret pressed down on his shoulders.

  After a few moments, she said, “You could have sold the business when your father passed, right?”

  Scar nodded. “I told him to.”

  She took Scar’s hand. He liked the fact that she’d initiated contact. “Maybe he likes it.”

  That was a different take on things. Scar figured maybe Steven did like it. Maybe he wasn’t keeping it out of guilt or something.

  Sitting in companionable silence, they enjoyed the ocean. Scar realized he did love it out here, more than he’d remembered.

  Shayla studied the sky. “You joined the Navy because that was your way out. You thought, ‘I’ve been on the water my whole life and I can do that.’”

  He was humbled by her wisdom, by the way she understood so perfectly. His heart pounded in his chest. He’d never talked about this with anyone else. Certainly not with any other woman. He focused on the route out to the ocean. “Usually, when I come to San Diego, I’m reminded of all the ways I’ve failed my brother.”

  She didn’t look at him right away, but when she did, she shook her head. “No. I don’t believe that.”

  He let out a laugh. “It’s better this trip, but it’s been rough in the past.”

  “Nah, Navy SEAL Brandon Walker.” She said his real name in a way that he liked. “He was taking care of everything. I’m sure. I’m betting your brother loves this business in a way you don’t.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I’d bet that big bag of Cheetos you put in my pantry.” She nudged him with her shoulder and smiled. “The Cheetos surprised me, by the way, because you definitely don’t look like you eat Cheetos.”

  He grinned. He loved Cheetos, but it was true that he hardly ever ate them.

  “I’m also betting those Cheetos that you sent money to help.” When he didn’t deny it, she let it go and looked out, oohing and aahing over the scenery.

  Every part of him felt on edge. He was lost in her smell and the intimacy of sharing his innermost fears and concerns.

  She reached out and touched the wheel. “I’ve always wanted to captain a ship.”

  It felt so natural when he pulled her in front of him, putting her hands on the wheel and laying his on top of hers. For the next twenty minutes, she drove out to the ocean. He maneuvered them to a place a lot of commercial ships didn’t go. It was a place his dad had always taken people. He was sure his brother still took chartered guests here when they wanted privacy. The salt smell had intensified, and the breeze felt amazing.

  She didn’t move, and neither did he. Instead of keeping his hands on top of hers, he put his around her waist and pulled her back against him.

  Not knowing if she would deny him, he felt her relax back into him. He stared out. The ocean felt expansive, like they could be the only two people on earth. The sun was setting, soft and golden, and he figured they had another good twenty to thirty minutes before it went all the way down.

  They stood like that for a few minutes, with her hands on top of his around her waist. Her head fit perfectly into that space beneath his chin. It was one of the most serene moments of his life. A kind, smart, and beautiful woman. A stunning sunset.

  He pushed away all the thoughts in his head that told him he would be leaving soon. When he’d first returned to San Diego, it had felt like the three weeks were a prison sentence. Now, the next ten days felt like nowhere near enough time.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked, whispering in her ear. He so wanted to kiss her neck, but he didn’t want to push any boundaries and ruin the moment.

  She nodded. “Starving.”

  Letting her go, he slid his hand down her arm and took her hand, tugging her out away from the wheel. “Good.”

  At the front of the boat, the table had been elegantly set up. There was shrimp on ice and some pasta and an exquisite sauce he knew his brother only gave to the best customers.

  “What?” She let go of his hand and gestured to the table. “But—”

  He put up a finger and gestured to the chair. “Sit, I’ll explain.” Moving behind her, he pulled the chair out for her.

  She sat and shook her head, narrowing her eyes. “You are not following the agreement.”

  “Not true.” He sat across from her. When she hesitated, he prompted her. “Eat.”

  “I … can we say grace?”

  Once again, it felt like this girl, this innocent, prayer-saying girl, was just too amazing. “Of course.”

  She put her hands together and closed her eyes. “Dear God, thank you for this day, for Scar and his generosity, and for this amazing boat ride and food. Please bless my family and Scar’s brother. Amen.”

  Warmth spread through him. He was stunned by her goodness.

  She put her napkin on her lap and took a piece of shrimp, like she hadn’t just squeezed his heart with her simple prayer for him and his family. “Explain how this was free.”

  Matching her smile and feeling proud of himself and his cleverness, he decided to let her in on the secret. “Well, when Dad died, he left me half the business, but I’ve never taken a share of it. When I asked Steven if we could do a boat ride tonight, I offered to pay for all of this, but he wouldn’t allow it. In fact, I think it made him happy I was finally getting something from the business.” He quirked a smile.

  “Hmm. Again, you have been sending him money, right?”

  He didn’t confirm or deny this.

  She sputtered a laugh and shook her head. “The only reason he was ever mad at you was because he loves you and he felt ignored. The only reason you were mad was because you were punishing yourself.”

  He hadn’t really seen it that way, but she’d hit the nail on the head. To distract himself, he turned and looked at the last bit of the sun going down. “Isn’t that pretty.”

  She hummed in contentment. “Yes.”

  Turning back to her, he thought about how much he loved this moment. He loved being the host of San Diego. Without thinking, he put his hand on the table and held it out.

  She furrowed her brow, and he wasn’t sure she would take it. He kind of thought she might because all her body language showed she was interested in him, but he didn’t want to push. “Look, Kansas, I don’t want to push. If you still love that guy, if you don’t want this because I’m leaving, I get it. I …�
�� He trailed off. He’d used far too many words already. Far too many over the past few days with this woman.

  Slowly, she put her hand in his. “I told you my parents weren’t happy I was leaving, but when Jason broke my heart, I cried in my father’s arms, and he told me that I could look at this as a beginning. A beginning to a great life.” Tears bubbled in her eyes, and he was stunned by her beauty. Inside and out. That’s what made her so different and precious. “So maybe this … whatever is happening with us … is just a part of that beginning.”

  His heart raced in his chest because he wanted a chance with this woman more than he’d ever wanted anything. “I like beginnings.”

  “I think we just don’t put pressure on it. We just let it be a few days of fun.”

  He saw the opening in the defense, and he planned to take it. “Okay.” He liked the feel of her hand, so he forced himself not to rush this play. “Let’s just have fun.”

  He thought of all the things he wanted to do with her. All the things he could do for free.

  She laughed. “Why do you have that mischievous grin on your face?”

  He shook his head. “No reason. This is just going to be the best four days of your life, Shayla Castle.”

  “A Navy SEAL promise?” She bit back a smile.

  He winked at her. “The best of your life.”

  Chapter 20

  When they got back to her place, it was late. Shayla had insisted she would stay at her townhome.

  Scar cleared his throat as he walked her to the door. “Okay, so I’ve installed even more cameras and an alarm system.”

  She was stupefied. “What?”

  He gently took her phone from her. “This morning while you were working.”

  Gratitude and disbelief washed over her. He’d been with her all afternoon and night, and now, she found out he’d spent his morning working on her house. “I thought you were supposed to be working on your vets project.”

  “I put a trusted friend in charge for the next couple of days. Actually, it’s Jim. I’ll be checking in with him, though. So it’s cool.” He punched in her code and installed a new app. “This gives you all the camera views,” he explained as he walked her through it.

  Humbled and, as usual, amazed when she was with Scar, she paid close attention to what he was doing.

  He pulled up another camera and cursed. “Sorry.” He looked up. “It’s not working.” He put her phone back in her hand and walked into her house and rushed up the stairs. “Let me check the top camera.”

  She followed him, putting her gym bag down by the laundry room in the kitchen and following him up the stairs.

  When she got up there, he was half hanging out the window. “Scar?” she called.

  “This camera seems to have malfunctioned.” As she went to the other window, she saw him twisting and turning the electronics. “Dang it.”

  It was nice to have him here, putting up a security system. She pulled back and tapped on the new app to some of the lower cameras working on the side of the house, but the app froze.

  He pulled himself back inside the window and looked at her on the phone. “Is it working?”

  “No.”

  Without asking, he took it out of her hands and began messing with it.

  She would have complained about his brashness, but she could see that laser-like Navy SEAL focus and knew it was for her benefit. She looked over his shoulder.

  “Crap.” He pulled out his phone and texted his friend.

  Moving to the bed, she sat and reasoned she hadn’t had a security system before two days ago. Strange how she felt vulnerable because it wasn’t working.

  Once he’d sent the text, Scar crossed his arms and shook his head.

  “What?”

  “You’re not staying here tonight.” He sounded final, like her father when he’d decided something.

  She sputtered out a laugh. “That’s your decision how?”

  His face didn’t change. “Because you need to get some sleep. We’re getting up and hitting Oceanside early to surf.”

  “We are?” Her heart leapt. She’d wanted to surf for a long time.

  His lip twitched. “Calm yourself, Castle. You have to agree to stay back at the Hotel del Coronado with me first.”

  Sighing, she thought about it. She hated to go stay with him in his hotel room. She didn’t want to rely on him so completely.

  He cocked an eyebrow. “Hey, you have my word I won’t do anything. I’ll be a perfect gentleman.”

  She frowned at him, her heart kicking up a notch again.

  He laughed. “I can tell you’re not certain you can control yourself around me.”

  Glaring, she smacked him on the shoulder.

  “Hey,” he said in mock pain. “Shoot, Castle. I’m a SEAL. I won’t even kiss you. You couldn’t even bet me to do that.”

  “Oh, really?” She knew she could, and probably would, now that the gauntlet had been thrown down. Annoyed at herself, she turned away. “It’s silly. I’m staying here.” The truth was, she was scared after seeing that guy last night. She realized she hadn’t thought about it much today. Well, she had, but her thoughts had been so full of Scar that everything else faded into the background. It felt like every part of her mind had been saturated with Scar and the self-defense lessons and the boat ride.

  “Come with me?” He sounded hopeful.

  Reluctantly, she stood. “I hate this.”

  His arms wrapped around her, pulling him into her. “One more night. Tomorrow, I’ll get it all worked out, I promise, but just come. I’ll sleep on the floor for real tonight.”

  She laughed, hating that she knew he wouldn’t let her sleep on the floor. She wasn’t entirely sure what was happening between them, but it felt like there was no stopping it. “Fine. Let me pack a bag.”

  A buzz sounded and Scar pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. He looked at the message. “Dang it.”

  She was at the edge of the hallway and turned back. “What’s wrong?”

  He looked immensely annoyed. “Nothing, I was supoped to send Jim some numbers to give to the architects and he’s still in a meeting, he needs those numbers now.”

  She could tell he was anxious about these numbers. “If you don’t mind, go to the hotel and get the numbers and send them to Jim, then come back for me.”

  Scar hesitated, then nodded. “Sorry.”

  “It’s fine.”

  “Okay.” He took off, hollering over his shoulder. “I’ll be back soon.”

  Shayla went to her room and packed a bag, thinking about how amazing Scar was. About how amazing it’d been to just be with him, hang out with him. How she felt more confident around him.

  Then she heard the squeeking of the screen door opening.

  Her heart rate kicked up a notch and she instinctively knew someone was there.

  “Scar?” She called out, dropping the shirt she was folding and moving to the hall.

  Still nothing. She was acutely aware that someone was there. All thoughts of what Jim had told her earlier fell through her mind. No one had the right to take her freedom. She walked down the hallway and there he was … the guy from the alley at the school, from the sport’s bar.

  “What are you doing?” She asked, her voice actually sounding more relaxed then she felt.

  His eyes narrowed. “I wanted to tell you I wouldn’t have hurt you at the sport’s bar the other night. I just wanted to talk to you before he threw me off of you.” He jerked his thumb toward the door.

  Every part of her felt frozen, fear trickled in sweat down the lower part of her back. “Get out please.” Even to herself her request felt weak. Why had she said please?

  The guy cocked an eyebrow, then turned and shut the front door, locking it. “I just need a few minutes with you.” A sneer filled his face. “To talk.”

  Adrenaline punched through her. Instinctively, she knew she would have to fight and thankfully, she’d just had a lesson. She dashed for the kitch
en thinking of the knives in the drawer for a weapon

  The guy was fast, already on her, his arms around her body, just like the move Jim had thrown at her earlier. “I’ve been watching you for weeks and I’m not letting you go now!”

  So she reacted. She did the move, dropped her hips and turned and punched the guy in the crotch as hard as she could.

  Yelping out, the guy was momentarily disabled. His hands pulled off of her, reaching for his groin.

  Seizing the opportunity, she ran. She got to the front door and unlocked it, thrusting it open, pushing the screen door back. Every part of her felt on hyper speed. “Help!” She yelled running down the deck stairs. As she took the last step, his body smacked to hers and she was down on the front lawn.

  The weight of him took her breath away, but she was reacting, turning, squirming, and flailing with punches and kicks.

  He cursed and tried to use more of his weight on her to hold her. “Just hold still and we’ll get this over with!” He was grabbing for his the button on the front of his pants, undoing his fly.

  More fear rushed into her, but instead of shutting her down, it made her think quicker, she used her body weight to kick both knees up and hit them against his butt.

  He lost balance and she did it again, harder.

  He flew over her.

  Scrambling, she got up but instead of turning to run, she went at him, kicking him hard in the side while he was still trying to get his footing.

  The guy took the hit and turned shocked eyes on her.

  She didn’t stop, kicking him again. “Leave me alone!” She yelled.

  This time he was thrown all the way off balance and flat onto his face.

  Tires squealed and she heard a door shut. “Shayla!”

  The guy tried to get up but Shayla reacted, kicking him hard in the side.

  It didn’t stop him. He took off.

  Scar cursed and took off after him, getting him right as the guy hit the main road.

  A neighbor she didn’t know was rushing out of the house next to her. “Are you okay?”

  It was an older lady.

  She broke into sobs, relief that Scar had gotten the guy and terrified at what might have happened.