Hailey's Truth

by Cate Beauman

  “I officially think you should change majors. Forget social work, Hailey—become a masseuse instead. I’ll be your number one client.”

  She ran her fingers along his spine firmly, testing herself, testing him, as he let loose another grumble in his throat.

  “I’m serious, Hailey.”

  Was he trying to drive her crazy? Because it was working. Her own shoulder blades ached from the sexual tension radiating through the room. If they didn’t get out of here soon, she was afraid she might explode. “Uh, I think you’re all set,” she said a bit too breathily.

  Austin turned, staring, as she added more lotion to her hand and smoothed it over her naked stomach, her chest, her neck. He pulled her against him, skimmed his knuckles along her cheekbone, lifted her chin with his thumb until they breathed each other’s breath.

  Hailey clutched his wrists. She wanted him, wanted this, but not right now, not when she hadn’t left Mother Frazier completely behind. The bitter woman wouldn’t be allowed to mess with whatever this was she had with Austin. “We should go. Right this second.”

  Austin stared into her eyes as he played the pad of his thumb over her top lip. “Later, Hailey. We’re going to pick up right here, later.”

  She couldn’t hold back the shudder his promise brought. Nodding, she eased away.

  Austin took the key from the side table, locked up behind them, and snagged Hailey’s hand as they made their way to the hotel lobby.

  Chapter 12

  AUSTIN WRAPPED HIS ARM AROUND Hailey’s waist. Glancing up, she smiled. He winked and tugged her closer, relieved to be back on solid ground.

  When he woke an hour before, he’d anticipated a lazy, relaxing morning. He’d expected to open his eyes to Hailey lying next to him, warm and flushed from sleep. Instead, her side of the bed had been empty, the shower running.

  Content to lay back and wait, Austin had flipped through American sports highlights, pleased with the night he and Hailey shared. The evening had started off a bit rough, but by the time they settled in with their movie, he found himself relaxed, enjoying the weight of Hailey’s head against his shoulder, the scent of her soft hair surrounding him as he held her close.

  When Hailey emerged from the bathroom with guarded eyes, a rigid stance, and a cool clip to her voice, he’d been completely unprepared. Her accusations had been so shocking, so outlandish he hadn’t known how to react, but raising his voice had been wrong, and walking out had been worse.

  As he slammed the door and walked away, fully intending to say “screw it” to the whole thing, Austin remembered the figure by the docks, watching in the dark. For that alone he would’ve turned around, but the real clincher had been Hailey’s ridiculously un-Hailey like behavior. He’d marched back to her room, wanting an explanation.

  Austin was glad they’d worked it out. Hailey was relaxed again, happy. He planned to make sure she stayed that way.

  He broke his own rules when he kissed her last night, but since he couldn’t take it back—didn’t want to take it back, he figured he could relax a little, on that front, anyway. They had the next six days to enjoy each other, to see what they would see. A week of fun didn’t bind him to a lifetime commitment.

  But her wounded strength intrigued him like nothing ever had. There was more to Hailey than kindness and humor. Although she’d shared parts of herself, Hailey was still a mystery. He didn’t want pieces of her story; he wanted the whole thing.

  “Excuse me,” Austin muttered when he bumped a woman on the crowded path. “Sorry,” he said as he clipped another guest. Austin stepped behind Hailey and placed his hands on her shoulders, enjoying her soft skin against his palms as an influx of Resort patrons shuffled out of the hotel lobby. “We should make our reservations for horseback riding before we eat.”

  “Good idea. I’m so excited.” She beamed at him, her eyes bright.

  “We’re going to have a great—“

  “Hailey, wait.”

  Austin felt her stiffen as Jeremy came running up the path. Damn, they’d been so close.

  Hailey stepped off the busy walkway, turning toward her brother as he moved closer.

  “Do you want me to give you a minute?” Austin asked, watching the pleasure vanish from her face.

  “No, thanks. It isn’t necessary.” Her voice had gone cool and quiet, much like it had that morning in the cabana.

  “Hey, sissy.” Jeremy smiled. “I thought we were doing something today.”

  “And I thought we were having dinner last night.”

  Jeremy’s smile disappeared as he shifted uncomfortably. “Yeah, sorry about that. I got hung up with some—“

  “Save it.”

  Jeremy glanced at Austin before he pulled on Hailey’s arm, tugging her further into the sand. “Hailey, I—“

  “I really don’t have a whole lot to say to you right now.” She freed herself from his grip. “I saw you and Mateo go into the casino. You lied to me. I’m so passed sick of it.”

  “What, are you following me now?”

  “Give me a break, Jeremy. I was waiting for you at the restaurant you said you would meet me at. I was on the deck, eating with Austin after you stood me up.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Apology not accepted. I may’ve been able to overlook your rudeness if I hadn’t seen a beer in your hand and cigarette hanging from your mouth. You told me you stopped drinking and smoking. More lies.”

  “I don’t have to answer to you.” His voice grew hard with indignation.

  “No, you don’t. But I don’t have to stand here and listen to your endless excuses.” Hailey turned her back on her brother and started toward the lobby.

  “So you’re walking away from me? You’re really good at that, aren’t you?”

  Hailey’s stride faltered as pain radiated across her face, but she kept going, entering the hotel and hurrying down the hall.

  Austin choked on rage as Jeremy, his eyes alight with triumph, turned to leave. Storming forward, Austin whirled Jeremy around and gave him a shove, knocking him on his ass. “You little bastard.”

  Guests stopped along the path, gasping and murmuring.

  “What the fuck, man?”

  “I’ll tell you what the fuck. You hurt your sister.”

  “It’s none of your fucking business.” Jeremy got to his feet and charged forward, madness contorting his face.

  Austin pivoted and knocked Jeremy down again. Bending, he yanked the little asshole up by the collar of his shirt. “I’ve made it my business. You listen up and listen good, you son of a bitch. You’re going to start playing things straight with Hailey, or I’ll kick your ass.”

  “You don’t know who you’re messing with, shit head.”

  “I know you don’t deserve one moment of your sister’s time, and that’s all I care about.” He pushed Jeremy away.

  “You’ll pay. I’m gonna fucking kill you, prick. Don’t ever touch me again.”

  Austin walked to the lobby, more than finished. “Treat your sister right and we won’t have any problems.” He opened the door, made his way down the hall as Jeremy continued to spew threats and profanity.

  He found Hailey in the restaurant sitting on the bench by the huge picture windows. Austin sat next to her, tilted her chin up until her eyes met his. “You okay?”

  “I made our reservations for the horses,” she said, voice stiff.

  He leaned closer. “Are you all right, Hailey?”

  “Yeah.” She nodded.

  “Want to talk about it?”

  Hailey fiddled with her fingers as she took a deep breath. “There isn’t much to talk about. Jeremy gets pretty mean when he’s angry.”

  Crazy was more like it. If Jeremy had been armed, he would’ve made good on his th
reat to kill; Austin had seen the blinding rage in his eyes. “That’s not an excuse.”

  “I’m not making excuses for my brother. It’s a fact, but he was still way out of line.” She looked down and stared into her lap for several seconds. “What if it’s too late, Austin? What if it’s too late to help him?”

  How could he tell her it was way past too late to help Jeremy? “You can support your brother, Hailey, but at the end of the day, he’s all grown up.”

  “I know.” She shook her head. “I’m not going to give up on him, though. I feel guilty because sometimes I think I might, but I can’t.”

  Austin clenched his jaw, trying to tamp down his frustration. For a second, he thought they were getting somewhere. He needed to stand, to walk the helplessness away.

  Hailey took his hand before he could get to his feet, rubbed his knuckles against her cheek, her eyes pleading with his. “I don’t expect you to understand. I know what you see, Austin. I know who my brother is, but I have to try.”

  She didn’t know the half of it—not even close.

  Austin skimmed his thumb over her jaw. “Okay.” They would leave it alone for now.

  “Do you still want to go with me today?” She looked down before she met his gaze.

  There it was again, the small traces of vulnerability under her strength. “You couldn’t stop me. Let’s get some breakfast, get on with our day.”

  “One…two…three… Go!” Austin shouted, giving his horse a nudge. He took off like a shot, as did Hailey.

  Hailey’s laugh carried on the wind as they soared down the beach. For someone who’d never sat a horse before, she was a natural. After he’d paid off their guide, wanting to be alone, Austin spent half an hour giving Hailey basic instructions. From there, she’d been good to go.

  “You’re toast, Casey,” Hailey taunted as she pulled ahead, looking behind her, grinning, her hair flying around her face. She took his breath away with her carefree beauty.

  Austin stopped staring long enough to realize Hailey was, indeed, kicking his butt. He gave Blaze another nudge and passed her. “I don’t think so, rookie,” he tossed at her as he flew by, leaving her in his dust.

  “Hey.” Hailey gave her horse a bump, speeding up.

  Laughing, they both pulled up on reins as ocean surf met sand.

  “I think we tied,” Hailey said breathlessly.

  “I think you’re delusional. You were half-a-length behind.” Grinning, Austin guided Blaze into step beside Ginger, leading the horses through the ebb and flow of white foam.

  “Fighting words. Do you remember who you’re messing with?” Hailey held her arms up, flexing her barely-there biceps, as she puffed out her chest. “Let’s not forget about my killer right hook,” she said in a terrible imitation of Arnold’s Terminator voice.

  Austin’s brows winged up as he snorted, shaking his head. This was the sweet, fun Hailey he was used to. He was glad to have her back. “What the hell was that?”

  Hailey’s eyes narrowed under the pale amber tint of her sunglasses as she balled her fist. “Don’t you know?” she continued in her wretched accent. “I’m your worst nightmare. Don’t make me show you, Austin Casey.” She tossed a playful punch his way as she struggled not to laugh.

  He took the gentle jab on his shoulder. “Wow, you are my worst nightmare. That’s some pretty tough stuff. I’d hate to run into you in a dark alley.”

  She switched gears, swearing at him in an inventive string of Spanish.

  Surprised, he let loose chuckle. “I had no idea you were bilingual.”

  “I’m not.” She beamed at him.

  “You could’ve fooled me.”

  “One of the girls I played with when I was younger spoke Spanish. English was her second language. Her older brother educated us on the finer points.” A smile lit her face again.

  “I see.” Damn, if she wasn’t irresistible. Why hadn’t he offered to take her out before this week? Hailey all but lived with Ethan and Sarah, and he was there more often than not when he wasn’t on assignment. Sure, they’d watched movies together in the game room, had taken Kylee on an adventure or two, but this was different—so much better. He couldn’t help but feel like he’d been missing out on something special.

  “Oh, look.”

  He came to attention when she gasped. “What?”

  “Look at the shell over there. I want it. It’s beautiful.” She scrambled down from her saddle awkwardly.

  Austin winced, certain Hailey would end up on her ass in the water, but she settled on her feet, hurrying forward before the waves carried away the fist-sized conch.

  Hailey snatched it up as another wave rushed in, soaking her to her calves. She held the shell high, smiling her triumph. Drops of water ran down her arm, glistening as they caught the sun. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

  She was beautiful. “It’s nice.”

  “Nice? It’s a conch shell.” She turned the shell in her hand. “And it’s perfect—no holes or broken pieces. I’m going to give it to Kylee. What do you think?” She held the shell up for his inspection.

  “I think Kylee will love it.”

  “Can you hold it while I get back on Ginger?”

  “Sure.”

  Her damp fingers brushed his as she handed him her treasure. “Thanks.” She turned, reaching for the horse’s reins. Ginger sidestepped her. “Hey.” Hailey made a grab for the reins again and Ginger repeated herself. “Ginger,” Hailey scolded, “behave yourself.”

  Austin gave Blaze a nudge, ready to help.

  “No, stop. I can do this myself,” she said, as she took a step closer to the horse cantering ahead ten yards, all but taunting her.

  “Okay. If that’s what you want.” Austin leaned back in his saddle, ready to enjoy the show.

  Hailey walked toward the mare. “Your carrots are on the line here, Ginger. Come back.” The horse wandered further ahead. “Please?”

  Austin bit his cheek, fighting to stifle his grin, as Ginger trotted away and Hailey ran after her.

  “Oh, you can totally forget the carrots now, Ginger.”

  Austin nudged his horse into action as Ginger galloped back toward the stables, and Hailey slowed to a walk. He approached Hailey and brought Blaze to a stop.

  She glanced up. “Say nothing and live.”

  “I was going to offer you a ride, but since I’m not allowed to say anything, I’ll let you walk the mile back. It’s pretty damn hot out here with the sun beaming down.” Austin pulled his water bottle from the small saddlebag, took a long swallow of tepid liquid before he put it away. He clucked his tongue, starting his mount moving again. He kept his pace slow, smiling when he eventually heard Hailey’s huff of breath.

  “Oh, all right. Austin, I’ll take the ride.”

  He peered over his shoulder. “What, I didn’t hear you. The surf’s kinda loud.”

  “I said I’ll take a ride.”

  “What? You just learned how to ride today and could’ve used a hand with Ginger but were too stubborn to ask and now you need a ride back to the stables?”

  Hailey stopped walking and crossed her arms. “I just thought of a great place to shove the carrot Ginger won’t be eating when we get back.”

  Austin burst out laughing, delighted with her, as a reluctant smile tugged her lips. He’d definitely been missing out on something by keeping Hailey at a distance. Scooting back in the saddle, he reached down for Hailey’s hand. “Step on my foot and I’ll hoist you up.”

  She did as he said and in one efficient move, Austin pulled Hailey into the saddle in front of him.

  “Tight fit,” Hailey wiggled herself against him.

  “Yeah.” He clenched his jaw, waiting for her to settle. Her firm bottom was driving him crazy.

 
She fidgeted again. “Thank God it’s only a mile back to the stables.”

  He grunted his agreement.

  “Blaze is so much taller. Look at this view, Austin. I was so preoccupied with riding, I wasn’t really paying attention. The water is so blue. It’s breathtaking.”

  He’d spent a lot of time in prime vacation spots while on duty. He was usually so busy doing his job, he rarely had time to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds. “Not much to complain about in a place like this.”

  “Definitely not.” She tilted her head back to look at him. Hailey’s brown hair tangled in the breeze, her eyes shining bright with fun.

  This felt perfectly right, sharing this moment with her. An easy wave of contentment washed through him. Austin rested his chin on top of her hair, wrapped his arms around her waist, happy to have her close.

  She sighed. “I feel wonderfully lazy right now. Should we jet ski or say the heck with it, plop ourselves in a couple of shaded lounge chairs, and take long naps?”

  “Jet ski. Definitely. You’re going to love it. We’ll bum around tomorrow.”

  “Lazy slob day tomorrow, check.”

  “Check, but today we jet ski. There’s nothing like being out on the water—the wind in your face, the spray coming back at you as you fly over the waves.”

  “You really love it, huh?”

  “I do.”

  “If you love the sea so much, why did you give up the Navy? You must’ve seen a lot of neat stuff, done a lot of cool, top-secret things.”

  “I love the water, always have, but when it came time to re-enlist, I was more than ready to throw in the towel.”

  “Oh.”

  Her ‘oh’ asked a thousand questions without saying another word. As he held her against him, her peach blossom scent mingled with the coconut of their sun block. He found himself wanting to tell her what he typically left in his past. “Six months before my reenlistment date, I was sent on a mission that went catastrophically wrong. We ran with bad intelligence—really bad intelligence. A lot of people died who shouldn’t have.”