PRINCE CHARMING: A Secret Baby Stepbrother Romance

by Mia Carson

  Her mind changed tactics and drifted to the hallway, where she stood only a few feet away from him as he held another woman in his arms and kissed her.

  Were it not for the water cascading down her face, one could have easily seen the trail of tears as they joined the water pool at her feet. She leaned against the bathroom tiles and cried in silence as the pain of her heartbreak overwhelmed her.

  CHAPTER 6

  When Willow and Amy returned to the room later that night, Claire was curled up on the accent chair with a throw covering her legs. She instantly woke and looked around.

  “What’s going on?” she asked as she stretched her legs.

  “Have you been crying?” Willow asked her.

  Claire pushed the throw aside and set her book on the nightstand. “What have you two been up to?” she asked, wiping the smears from her face.

  “I was just out,” Willow said, removing her shoes.

  “Out? Out where? In the ocean?” Claire asked.

  Amy and Willow laughed. “It is a rather large piece of property, dear,” Willow responded. “Lots of places to be.”

  “Mrs. Callahan?” Amy giggled. “Are you secretly meeting that man from the beach?”

  Willow blushed and walked to the bathroom. “That’s none of your business, girls,” she tossed back at them as she closed the door.

  “Of course it is,” Claire shouted back. “I don’t want to see my mother hooking up with a one-night stand.”

  “Well, I’m not in a position to judge,” Amy said, blushing. “Chance is quite the catch.”

  “I don’t even want to know what you two were doing,” Claire mumbled and sat back down in her chair. “I just hope the weather changes tomorrow so we can make it to St. Lucia in one piece.”

  “I wouldn’t mind a few more days here,” Amy sighed. “I mean, this place is like a resort. Look at this room, and the service is great. And it’s free!”

  “That may be the case, but we have already paid to be somewhere else,” Claire countered.

  “Don’t you like it here?” Amy asked.

  “I thought you didn’t even want to go to St. Lucia,” Willow pointed out as she rejoined the conversation. “We aren’t really losing if we are on a private island getting royal treatment. But…you wouldn’t know because you haven’t done anything.”

  “Exactly!” Amy said. “Claire, the purpose of this trip is to get your mind off of…you know…”

  “That’s exactly why I am staying away from people, especially men,” she said to Amy. “I can’t seem to do anything without thinking of Trent. Even taking a shower is a reminder, and I am not too keen on being with another man for one night just to get him off my mind. As a matter of fact, if I thought that would work, I would do it, but it won’t so that would be a dumb mistake on my part.”

  “I’m not saying you should hook up with some random man, Claire,” Amy said. “We’re saying you can’t stay holed up in your room, and what you are doing now is a perfect indication of what will happen in St. Lucia.”

  “I don’t need you two breathing down my neck,” Claire seethed, her temper getting hot. “I will deal with this in my own time and in my own way. You can’t force me.”

  “Okay,” Willow grumbled as she threw her hands in the air in defeat. “I’m not trying to force you into anything, Claire.”

  “Whatever. And you, Mom, I saw the way that man was touching you.”

  “Oh, that’s Bryan. After you girls wandered off, I got bored and decided to stretch my legs. He approached me, and he wasn’t hard on the eyes, either,” she said.

  “Bryan, is it?” Amy teased.

  “Amy, don’t make me come over there,” she threatened with a laugh. “I saw you with that man yesterday, and just now out there. What’s that about?”

  “I don’t know,” she said. “He keeps inviting me, but when I’m with him I sense he is unavailable. I’m not sure what’s going on there. He seems to be messed up.”

  “Which brings me to my point,” Claire interjected. “You don’t even know these people. The plane made an emergency landing, and right away you two are trying to hook up with strangers.”

  “All friends were once strangers,” Willow pointed out. “You just have to take that leap sometime.”

  “Well, I hope it works out for the both of you,” Claire said. “I’m off to bed.”

  “At least we agree on that. It has been a long day,” Willow said.

  “Me too,” Amy added and slipped out of her sandals.

  Before long they were all curled up on the king sized bed, and the billowy softness of the spread was enough to transport them easily into the land of dreams.

  ***

  When they woke the next morning, they could hear the hustling and bustling taking place outside their door. Claire got up and peeked into the hallway. “What’s going on?” she asked a woman she recognized from the plane.

  “The weather has cleared. The captain has asked us to return to the airstrip. We will be leaving in an hour or so.”

  “Thanks,” Claire said. “Mom! Amy! We gotta go!” she said as she walked over to the bed and yanked the covers off them.

  “What? Go where?” Willow asked, sleep still clinging to her eyes. “I’m not ready to leave.”

  “The weather has cleared, and the captain has given us instructions to get back to the airstrip.”

  “So soon?” Willow asked, obviously disappointed.

  “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m sure you will meet him again,” she said.

  One hour later, the passengers were boarding the plane to St. Lucia. Only Willow and Amy sported long faces as they thought of the men they were leaving behind.

  The flight to St. Lucia was turbulence-free, and Willow stared out the window the entire time. Amy buried herself in her tablet, and Claire, like she wanted, was left alone to the tortures of her own mind.

  “I told him where we were headed,” Willow said after a long while.

  “You think he will follow you?” Claire asked. She knew her mother was lonely after spending so many years without a single date. Claire had pried her from her work to take her out sometimes, so in truth, she shouldn’t be blocking a relationship. But she didn’t think a relationship could develop after meeting a man, any man, while stuck on an island overnight.

  “That wouldn’t be the worst thing,” Willow said.

  “No, it wouldn’t,” Claire said. “But I wouldn’t count on it.”

  “Why must you be so negative?” Willow grouched. “Just because you’re miserable doesn’t mean everyone else has to be!” she snapped. She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry,” she sighed and wiped her hand down her face. “I’m just…”

  “You’re right,” Claire sighed. “I am in no position to decide for anyone who is best for them. Look what my own choice produced.”

  “Claire, I didn’t mean…” Willow started apologizing.

  “It’s alright, Mom,” she said sadly. “There’s no need to apologize.”

  The silence was deafening for the remainder of the journey, the only sound coming from the cockpit when the pilot announced their descent. No one knew exactly what to say to the others, and when they arrived at The Body Hotel in Castries, the tension was so thick it could be cut.

  Claire and Trent had made reservations in the honeymoon suite, so Willow and Amy had taken the rooms next to it. Claire had the room at the end, and thus the luxury of a balcony overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

  She wheeled her luggage inside and let it fall on the ground. The room was amazing and still held all they had reserved for two. She touched the sign that read ‘Congratulations to the bride and groom!’ She sighed and tossed it in the trash.

  Everything in the room was designed for the two of them, and her chest tightened as her mind was prompted to remember the man who had so recently broken her heart. She thought about the times they had spent together. The memories escaped her as the tears trickled down her face. She quickly brushed them aside an
d went out on the balcony. It was a beautiful afternoon, and she got lost in the waves as they rolled over each other on their way to the shore. They became one again until they were replaced by the others. And the cycle continued. As she stood there, she wondered if her life was a cycle like the rolling waves.

  Was she expected to just move on? When would she? The pain inside her was becoming intolerable as the days passed and the memories haunted her. She sighed, stepped back inside, and started unpacking her things.

  “Knock, knock,” came a voice outside the door.

  “It’s open, Amy,” she called. Amy breezed in, dressed in a bikini and wrap. Claire couldn’t help but laugh. “So soon?”

  “I have been waiting to see the beach for two years,” she exclaimed. “I won’t let a moment pass before I touch that blue, crisp water. So, what are you waiting on?”

  “I guess I could do that,” Claire said as she rummaged in her suitcase for one of the swimsuits she had brought with her.

  “No time like the present,” Amy beamed. “We are going to have so much fun here! They have a lovely restaurant downstairs and an entertainment area where we can get our groove on,” she laughed as she jiggled, much to Claire’s amusement.

  “I didn’t come all this way to embarrass myself,” she told her crazy friend.

  Amy stopped and looked at her incredulously. “So why did you come?” she asked in a serious tone.

  “Oh, come on,” Claire said as she found the swimsuit. She was back from the bathroom in two minutes, her long black hair clipped at her nape. “Satisfied?”

  “Very,” Amy grinned and grabbed her hand. “Let’s go make our own waves in Castries.”

  They spent the afternoon in the lagoon, and by the time they crawled back to shore, they were beat and wrinkled. “That felt so good,” Claire said. She threw the towel around her shoulders to keep warm against the chill that usually followed a swim.

  The sun was behind them, so they needed no suntan lotion as they lay sprawled on the beach chairs. The water was clear as crystal and stretched as far as their eyes could see. Claire felt like she could stay in that spot forever, but she was painfully aware that she shouldn’t get too attached.

  At dusk they decided to leave because they were starving. It had only occurred to them that they hadn’t eaten a proper meal since the day before. When Claire got back to her room, a food cart was waiting for her. She raised her brows and lifted the stainless steel covers to reveal chicken parmigiana, mashed potatoes, shrimp in coconut sauce, fresh, stir fried vegetables and garlic bread. Dinner served for two. She removed the champagne chilling in the ice bucket and looked at it like she didn’t know what it was. And all the memories flooded her once more. She replaced the bottle and tossed herself face down on the sheets. Everything hurt more when she tried to escape, and in that moment she hated Trent for ruining her.

  CHAPTER 7

  A loud knock woke Claire the next morning. She walked slowly to the door, still clad in her swimsuit from the day before.

  “Claire,” her mother sighed as she hugged her and pushed into the room. Claire went back to bed and observed the anguish on her mother’s face as she saw the meal for two and the congratulatory accessories and wines. So, even her mother could feel her pain! Willow walked to the phone and yanked the receiver from the cradle.

  “I am calling from room one twenty-seven,” she said. “It was supposed to be a honeymoon, but that isn’t happening, so could you get someone up here ASAP to clean up the congratulations crap?” There was a pause before she shook her head and hung up. “Okay, get up, young lady. You need to wash up and get something in your stomach. You didn’t come all this way to die.”

  At that moment, Amy entered the room and gasped. “What is going on in here?”

  “We need to get her out of this room,” Willow said to Amy.

  “Come on,” Amy said. “Let’s clean up, Claire.”

  Claire stood and followed Amy into the bathroom like she was being led by a collar. Her skin was red from the salt that had been absorbed into it, and the water stung her as it hit her parched body. After her shower, she reluctantly put on a flirty dress with matching sandals Amy had selected for her.

  “Better,” her mother said. “That’s the daughter I know!”

  Breakfast and a fifteen minute drive later, they were at Rodney Bay, where Willow had booked a boat tour along the coast.

  “You’ll enjoy this, girls,” she said. “I have a full day planned for us.”

  They spent the entire day coasting spots close to the hotel. The boat ride was easy for Claire, and by the time she reached the end of the coast, where there was a farmer’s market, she was in better spirits. She laughed and talked as she was introduced to strange fruits and foods she’d never had before, and she delighted in the tastes of the papayas, mangos, and watermelons. They visited the gift shops that boasted local handicrafts, and she picked out two as keepsakes: a colorful coconut tree with a parrot carved onto the bark, and the other an abstract design of a man and woman kissing.

  Willow had insisted they act like the locals and not take a cab around the island, so when they were done shopping, they hopped on a local bus. Claire was drained by the time they got back to the hotel that evening, but the long and enjoyable day was worth the exhaustion.

  “I really need to eat now,” Claire declared as she stepped into the lobby.

  “That makes two of us,” Amy agreed.

  “Three,” Willow quickly added. “Do you want to freshen up first, or…”

  “What is it?” Claire asked as she turned to look at what had caught her mother’s attention and frozen her speech. Bryan was in the lobby, looking so handsome and smiling at her mother.

  “Excuse me, girls,” Willow said as she walked over to him.

  “I think we are on our own for dinner,” Claire murmured as she watched her mother walk away. “Great. Mom gets a man who comes searching for her after one date. She must have given him one hell of a blow job.”

  “Claire! Stop talking trash about your mom!”

  “Well, why else would he be here? He probably wants something from her,” Claire said, annoyed at herself more than anything. She couldn’t keep a man for more than a second and her mom had a man chasing after her.

  “Well, speak for yourself. I know what I want,” Amy said, looking around for someone.

  “What are you looking for?” Claire asked.

  “Chance,” she said. “If Bryan is here, maybe Chance is here, too.”

  “Chance? What does he have to do with Bryan?” she asked.

  Amy looked at her as if she were stupid. “Bryan is Chance’s father, or did that escape you?”

  “Oh.” Claire’s heart suddenly beat faster as she thought about Chance, but she quickly turned her mind away from him. “I think I’ll go freshen up while you two catch up with your men.”

  “Come on, Claire,” Amy said as her eyes roamed. “Come with me.”

  “No chance,” Claire mumbled as she started walking away from Amy. “Have fun. I don’t want to distract you.”

  “Hold on, Claire,” Amy ran after her and wrapped her hand around her wrist. “I’m sorry. It must seem selfish of me to consider myself when you just had a crappy night. I’ll find him later.”

  “No,” Claire said and removed her hand. “Go out and have some fun; don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

  “Are you sure?” Amy asked. “I mean, I don’t want you to say that just because…”

  “Amy, just go,” Claire urged. Her mother was across the room waving, and she waved at her too.

  “Okay,” she grinned and kissed Claire on the cheeks. “I will check in on you later.”

  Claire shook her head and headed for the elevator. They could have all the fun they wanted; she was content in her world now. The elevator bell dinged, and she walked ahead and ran straight into the hard chest of a man as he was exiting. “Sorry,” she mumbled as she fell back and strong arms reached out and ca
ught her. She looked up once she regained her balance. Chance and his blue eyes were burning holes thorough her.

  “Hello again,” he said with smile. “You could have told me you like aggression.”

  Claire stepped back, the elevator all but forgotten now, and folded her arms across her chest. “Fancy seeing you here,” she said, eyebrow arched.

  “Don’t get it twisted,” he said, winking at her. “My father had to make a stop.”

  “Your father had to make a stop? That’s the best you can do?”

  She felt Chance bore down on her until her heart pumped hard beneath the flimsy dress she wore. She felt his eyes find the rise on her chest, and he followed the trail downwards before he brought his eyes back to hers. “I don’t need an excuse, Claire; I always get what I want.”

  Claire swallowed; her throat had gone dry. She tried to get around him. “I’m glad to hear that.”

  He put his hand out to stop her. “What are you so afraid of?”

  His hold on her made her throb in places she shouldn’t. She couldn’t be near Chance any longer. “I’m not afraid. I’m just not interested.”

  But just as Chance was about to reply, they both heard Amy calling him. “I didn’t know you were here,” Amy said.

  “I think she was looking for you,” Claire whispered as she slipped from his grasp and hopped into the elevator before it closed. As it did, she saw him looking after her, and once the metal doors closed, she breathed a sigh of relief.

  Alone in the room, Claire was forced to order room service; the other two women had not emerged for dinner. The room had been swept and there was no reminder of the honeymoon that should have been happening. She was able to enjoy her braised tilapia in peace. Her balcony, which was just above the courtyard, overlooked the ocean, so she sat on the wicker chair with her wine in hand as she watched the other guests having fun. Her mind was at ease, and she felt relaxed.

  Rather than Trent’s face, another face filled her mind, one with blue eyes and golden hair. She could hardly deny his irresistibility, and she remembered how easily he had imprisoned her with his stare. Chance was not someone to mess with, and she assumed women threw themselves at him constantly, something she never planned to do. But it would be almost impossible to control the impulses that raced through her when he was around. Chance was a force to be reckoned with, and she wasn’t sure her sails were sufficient to weather the storm brewing. Her mind was a whirlwind of confusion as she sipped her wine and stared into the dark rolling waves.