“I’ve never brought a woman in here before.”
Sydnee blinked at him. “Never?”
“No, love.”
“Maddie told me to ask about your conversion story.”
Brooks took her hand and led her to a couch that overlooked the ocean. They sat, and he said, “Mr. Hoffman always read to me from the Bible and expected me to go to church and say my prayers, but you know me, of course I rebelled. I’d rather fight someone than pray over them.
“My senior year of college, I found some men …” He cleared his throat and glanced at her, then away. “Taking advantage of a woman. I fought them and …” He exhaled slowly.
“You don’t have to tell me if it’s too hard,” Sydnee reassured him, still feeling guilty for her lack of understanding about the childhood issues that made him so uncertain around her children. She didn’t want to unearth more painful memories.
“It’s hard, but I can tell you.” He clenched and unclenched his fist. “I was out of control; I was so upset for what they’d done to the woman.” He shuddered, and Sydnee didn’t even want to know what they’d done to the woman. Brooks focused on the floor and said, “I injured one of them so badly … he’s a paraplegic now.”
Sydnee placed a hand over her mouth, but not quick enough to hold in the gasp. She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders and held on.
He glanced at her. “I was never prosecuted. Four against one and they put the woman in the hospital and ruined any chance of her ever having children.” He was clenching his fist again.
Sydnee gently massaged his shoulders, uncertain if she should talk or let him get this out.
“I couldn’t forgive myself. Mr. Hoffman taught me how to turn even something as horrible as that over to the Savior. It took me months of study and prayer, but I finally did get to know Him and was able to find mercy. I visited the man in the hospital, and he granted his forgiveness.” He shook his head. “We’re both changed people and keep in touch. Mr. Hoffman helped him get through school, and he’s a corrections officer in Fresno now. And I committed myself to be pure, kind, and always watch out for those in need.”
Sydnee pulled him close. They sat in contemplative silence for a few minutes. “Thank you for sharing. You’re pretty amazing, you know that?”
“Ah.” Brooks gave her his overconfident grin. “Took you long enough to figure that out.”
Sydnee laughed. “Guess I’m a slow learner.”
“As long as you got there.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a lingering kiss. “You were so quick to forgive me for being a bully and misunderstanding you. I’m sorry it was so hard to forgive yourself.”
“You’re a lot more fun to forgive.” He stood. “I think it’s time for presents.”
She rubbed her hands together, and he chuckled. Brooks strode to the closet and came back with a pile of wrapped gifts. He set them on the table in front of her. “I didn’t know if you’d even want these from me.”
“A girl always wants presents, no matter who they’re from.”
“I feel reassured.”
“I wish I had something for you.”
“I told you, lots of hugs and kisses.”
She grinned and reached for a small box on the top of the pile.
“That one’s last.” Brooks took it from her and held on to it as she ripped into the beautifully wrapped gifts.
Dresses, scarves, perfume, necklaces, chocolates, and purses all got unwrapped. Sydnee hugged him after she opened each present. “Thank you! I love it!”
Brooks’s grin was wide. “I love this reaction. I’ll buy you gifts every day.”
“Don’t. You’ll spoil me.” She started piling presents on the coffee table and wadding up wrapping paper.
“You forgot one,” Brooks said.
Her eyes flew to the box in his hand. She was suddenly nervous. It was the right shape, but it couldn’t be, could it? “You’ve already given me so much.”
“I’ve given you my heart.” Brooks winked.
“Oh, that was cheesy.”
He chuckled and placed the small box in her hands. Sydnee carefully pulled the bow off, then unwrapped the box. It was a velvet jewelry box. She glanced up at him. “Brooks,” she whispered.
He took a quick breath, his smile a little lopsided. “This is my moment to woo you, my love.” He took the box from her hand and knelt down next to the couch. “I love you, Sydnee. I can’t imagine how you’d find any happiness without me.”
She laughed at his wording, but her heart was hammering out of control.
He popped the lid, and the brilliance of a huge teardrop diamond almost blinded her. “Will you marry me?”
Sydnee wrapped her arm around his neck and pulled him to her. “Yes!” She kissed him, then wiped the tears from her eyes. Brooks gently put the ring on her finger. She studied the diamond-studded gold band that encased the large center diamond.
They held each other for a few minutes, not saying anything. Brooks pulled back first. “I’ve looked for you my entire life, love.”
Sydnee grinned. “I can’t imagine loving anyone more than you.”
Brooks laughed. “I don’t know about that. I’ve seen the way you look at that fat baby.”
The mention of Tomás brought a pang to her heart. If she married Brooks, she would have to leave the orphanage and all those children that she loved so much. “Brooks?” she whispered.
He sighed heavily and wrapped his hands around hers. “I’ve been thinking much too hard about a solution, my love. Let’s get married and then see about adopting Daniel, Alejandro, and Tomás.”
“Brooks?” Was she in a dream? She stared at him in shock. Did he realize what he was saying? Was he really ready for this?
“You look so cute when you’re perplexed, my love.”
“Oh, Brooks. Are you sure? I don’t want you to do this just for me.” She pressed a fist against her mouth, fighting back tears.
“I’d do anything for you, and I know I couldn’t ask you to leave them. We’ll still fund the orphanage and go visit the rest of the children whenever you want, but I know those three are really special to you. I want to train Daniel not just to fight, but to take over my businesses.”
“Are you going to be Mr. Hoffman to him?”
“No, I could never do that.” The fear splashed across Brooks’s face again.
Oh no. He was only talking about adoption for her. She was allowing her desire for her children overshadow what was best for Brooks. Again. “You don’t need to adopt them, Brooks. I can volunteer at the orphanage every day and come home to you each night. We’ll make it work.”
“Yeah, we will make it work because I’m not going to be Mr. Hoffman to them.” He nodded and gave her his easy grin. “I’m going to be Dad.”
She threw herself against his chest. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. I love Zack and Maddie’s children; I’m sure I can love my own.”
The tears leaked out then, and she stifled a sob. “I love you. I love you so much.”
“There’s a lot of me to love.”
Sydnee laughed and shook her head. “Your heart is every bit as big as your head.”
“And neither of those are as big as my biceps.” He gave her a squeeze that made her lightheaded, then bowed his head to hers. “But my lips are the best part about me.”
“Finally, something we can agree on.” She giggled. Brooks stifled it with those perfect lips.
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Check out these other fun Destination Billionaire Romances
If you enjoyed Cozumel Escape, you will love the other books in the Destination Billionaire Ro
mance series.
The Reclusive Billionaire by Lucy McConnell
Shadows in the Curtain by Cami Checketts
Almost Everything by Taylor Hart
The Lucky Billionaire by Jeanette Lewis
Hawaiian Masquerade by Rachelle J. Christensen
Caribbean Rescue by Cami Chechetts
Everything to Lose by Jennifer Youngblood and Sandra Poole
The Angler, the Baker, and the Billionaire by Amberley Day
Keep reading for a sneak peak at Caribbean Rescue by Cami Checketts.
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Preview of The Angler, the Baker and the Billionaire
The Angler
Sophie Molina tucked a dark curl behind her ear and looked out the plane window for the tenth time since boarding. Nothing had changed. There wasn’t even moonlight to accentuate the clouds. No matter how many times she looked, the dark night only stared back, empty and cold.
All day long Sophie had tried to shake the feeling that she was leaving light and heading into darkness. San Francisco was sunny and warm that morning when her plane took off, even if her spirits weren’t. Her layover in Seattle was partly cloudy, and the farther north she traveled on her way to Alaska, the more clouds blanketed her view. Even the sunset was a nonevent.
She’d never felt depressed from lack of sunshine before, but then she’d lived her whole life in California. Maybe six months in rainy Sitka, Alaska, wouldn’t be the pick-me-up she was hoping for.
Or maybe it was just the heaviness in her heart that made the long day feel so dark.
Once she’d arrived in Juneau, the short connecting flight to Sitka was a puzzle. Sophie knew there were major airlines that flew directly into the isolated town of Sitka—she and her mom had taken direct flights from Seattle many times when they visited during her summer vacations—but her cousin Roger had insisted on arranging this last leg of the trip. She didn’t know Roger well. He was more than ten years her senior, so he was not one of the many cousins she played with as a child. As she took in her surroundings, she wondered if this flight was Roger’s way of showing off and that he had connections to make a private plane possible.
The jet was tastefully decorated and luxuriously comfortable. It smelled like new carpet and freshly treated leather. The only other passenger, a pretty woman with short dark hair and an expensive-looking business suit, was busy on her phone and laptop. She sat at the opposite end of the cabin, so Sophie didn’t hear her conversation, but she’d smiled and waved when Sophie first boarded the plane.
A few minutes after takeoff, the flight attendant asked Sophie if she cared for a beverage or possibly a chicken Caesar salad.
“A salad?” Sophie asked.
“Yes. Or I could make you a sandwich, if you’d like.”
Sophie ran her fingers through her hair. Whatever this gig was that Roger had arranged, she didn’t want him to receive a bill for extra service. Even though she hadn’t eaten since breakfast, she folded her arms over her stomach. “No, I’m fine, thank you.”
“Please do have something.” The stylish passenger had abandoned her phone and computer and switched to the seat opposite Sophie. “I’m starving, and I hate to eat alone. Hi, I’m Marisa.”
Sophie shook her extended hand. She felt underdressed in her sweater and jeans. “Sophie. Nice to meet you. I’m not sure … How much is the salad?”
One of Marisa’s perfectly shaped eyebrows went up a fraction. She exchanged a glance with the flight attendant. “Two salads, thank you, Carol.”
The attendant nodded and disappeared through a doorway.
“No charge,” Marisa said. “If you’re on the plane, food and drinks are included.”
“Wonderful. Thank you.” Sophie looked around, again wondering how she’d managed to be here. She took a closer look at Marisa. Expensive clothing, sleek haircut, and very comfortable in this setting. “Is this … your plane?”
Marisa laughed. She relaxed back into her seat. It was near midnight. Sophie was tired, but thought Marisa looked even more so.
“No, not mine. My … employer. Don’t you know whose plane you’re on?” When Sophie shook her head, Marisa continued, “I was told you’d be here, but nothing about who you are.”
Sophie squirmed. “I’m not really sure why I’m here. My cousin Roger—“
“You’re Roger’s cousin?”
“Yes. Do you know him?”
“Of course, I know Roger and his wife, Cathy. They’re lovely people. I’ve met many of the Platskys.”
“I’ve barely met them myself, just summer visits when I was younger. I grew up in the Bay Area.”
“I love San Francisco. We have an office there.”
“Oh? What’s the name of your company?”
Marisa hesitated. “It’s mostly an investment firm. Probably nothing you’d recognize. What brings you from California to Sitka, Sophie? Taking a vacation?”
The salads arrived just then, and Sophie took the distraction to contemplate how to answer Marisa’s question. It wasn’t a simple answer, and she really wasn’t sure why she’d been invited or why she’d agreed to come. She suspected the invitation had been something in the way of a pity invite, but she found she’d wanted to accept it. She finished her first bite of tender chicken and said, “I’m coming to help Cathy open a business.”
“Is she expanding her catering? She’s a wonderful baker.”
Marisa really had met her family. “I don’t know if she’s still planning on catering, but she’s opening a storefront somewhere along the water.”
“That’s wonderful! Have you ever had Cathy’s cinnamon rolls? To die for.”
“No, I haven’t,” Sophie said. “I’ve heard a lot about her baking, though, and seen a lot of beautiful pictures.”
“Well, you’re in for a treat. If you’re coming to help her, are you a baker also?”
Sophie took a drink of water to help with the sudden lump in her throat that had nothing to do with her food. “Yes, I am,” she said. “Tell me more what it is you do that has you flying on a corporate jet.”
Marisa speared a piece of lettuce with her fork. Sophie looked down and was surprised to see that her own salad was already half finished. She hadn’t realized how hungry she’d been. “I’m an executive assistant,” Marisa said.
“Secretary?”
“A bit more than that. I mostly make it possible for my boss to be wherever he wants to be and still run a large corporation.”
“So you do all the legwork, and he gets all the glory?”
“Sometimes it feels like that. He’s a genius in his way—don’t tell him I said that, I wouldn’t want it to go to his head—but he can be demanding, too.”
“I bet.”
“Take tonight,” Marisa said. “I really could have waited and come up Monday morning, because there’s nothing that can’t wait until then. But what does he say? ‘I want you here tonight so I can have you working tomorrow by five.’”
“Five in the morning? On a Saturday?” Sophie said. “That’s almost as bad as a bakery.”
“Yes, it is, isn’t it? Sometimes that’s the price of international business. Or in this case, doing business with New York from Sitka. Anyway, I shouldn’t complain. I do love the travel and the pace. I would occasionally like a vacation, though.”
“From the sounds of it, I should think you’ve earned one.”
“Many times over. And to be honest,” Marisa said, a warm glow lighting her eyes, “the first chance I get for a vacation, it will be my honeymoon.”
“Congratulations!” Sophie said. “How long have you been married?”
Marisa slumped. “That’s the thing. I’ve been too busy for us to set a wedding date, much less plan a honeymoon.”
Sophie frowned, righteously indignant for this stranger. “That’s terrible. You need to tell that boss of yours to cut you some slack. He c
an’t be paying you enough to make it worth putting off your wedding.”
“That’s the thing.” Marisa’s beautiful smile was tired. “He does make it worth my while. Or at least it’s been worth it, up till now. I think my fiancé is getting tired of waiting. I know I am.”
While the conversation turned to the sights to see in Sitka, Sophie still found herself disliking this mystery boss who took the obviously devoted Marisa for granted.
When the plane landed, Sophie walked down the stairway to the dark airport tarmac. Even at the airport, the cool, fresh air—so different from San Francisco—brought back memories of her childhood and her mother. She breathed in deeply. Maybe it had been a good idea to come north, she thought. She looked once again for a view, but found that the Sitka, Alaska, night was a dark grey mass of clouds.
Sophie waved a quick goodbye to Marisa and went to meet up with Roger. Marisa had said she had a floatplane to catch. Sophie wished she’d had more time to get to know this friendly and articulate woman, but the mysterious Marisa had already stepped into a waiting car and driven off into the Alaskan night.
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Preview of The Reclusive Billionaire
“Dr. Scott! Dr. Scott!”
Running his hands up the sides of the dark wood, Dr. Lucas Scott gripped the edge of the lectern, feeling the corners dig into his palms in an effort to ground himself enough to make a coherent statement in front of the dozens of reporters in his press room. There were so many things wrong with this moment that he felt as though he were standing next to himself watching it unfold. Not finding a safe harbor in the sea of faces eager for a scandal, he ignored their frenzied attempts to gain his attention and began.
Cozumel Escape (Destination Billionaire Romance) Page 13
