“It’s okay.” Haley shook her head, breathing heavily. “Actually, it’s not okay. I’m sorry too, but I have to be strong, for myself and for Taz.”
Cal blew out a shaky breath. “You have every right to be cautious, Haley, and I apologize again after I just talked about trust then I let myself get caught up in the moment. I just… can’t get enough of you.” His large hands framed her face and then trailed up through her hair and she had to fight herself to not melt.
“I don’t know… I can’t be like this.”
“I understand and I’ll, we’ll be more careful, but please, don’t run from me Haley.” He cleared his throat and quietly said, “I’ve never felt like this about anyone.”
Haley sat there, unable to process that fully, but she couldn’t mistake the sincerity in his blue eyes. She’d never felt like this at all. The boys she’d kissed in high school and men she’d kissed since she had Taz didn’t come close to the desire she had for Cal, but he was so much more than that. He was considerate of her, loved her boy, and made her laugh and feel safe. Was she ready for a relationship with someone like him? Did he really want that or was he a rich playboy just enjoying a vacation fling with a dumb girl from Colorado? What if she hadn’t stopped earlier, would he have?
She had no answers. Sliding off his lap, she stood on unsteady legs. “I’m not really thinking clearly. I’d better get some rest.”
Cal stood. He didn’t touch her, but his eyes were filled with a plea. “Can we talk more tomorrow?”
Folding her arms across her stomach, she sighed. “I don’t know, Cal. With the ghost, and what just happened. I need some space.”
Cal’s head lowered. He nodded and then plodded to the door. “Lock this behind me.”
Haley didn’t tease or respond. She waited until he closed the door then dead-bolted it and pulled the chain across. She made sure the sliding glass doors were shut and securely locked and closed all the windows. Dragging her feet back to Cal’s bedroom, she was overcome by the sweetness of his gesture to give them his suite so she would feel safe. He was a good guy. He hadn’t tried to push her when she was feeling uncomfortable.
She smiled as she looked at Taz, spread out horizontally on the bed. Luckily the bed was so huge she could stretch out and maybe make it an entire night without getting kicked in the head by her son. She slipped out of her sundress and laid down without washing her face or brushing her teeth. That was rare for her, but she couldn’t deal with one more thing tonight.
Stretching out, she slowly exhaled. She could finally relax knowing that she was safe here in Cal’s room and the stupid ghost wouldn’t be leaving her any notes or disturbing her sleep. She inhaled slowly, thinking it would help her relax, but quickly realized her mistake. The bed smelled like Cal’s musky cologne. Oh, my. Her body heated up again as she remembered his kisses, the feeling of his muscular frame surrounding her. She was proud of herself for stopping their earlier interaction. She’d never been so tempted in her life.
She listened to Taz’s steady breathing and savored the smell of Cal. She had a huge reason to stay strong. Not only was she not ready to be a single mother again, she wouldn’t risk committing her heart or her body. Taz deserved a stable family, if that meant she’d be alone, she would do it for him.
Was Cal serious when he said he wanted all of her and when he claimed he’d never felt this way before? She smiled as she remembered the words coming from his deep voice and his sensual lips. She’d tried to tell herself not to take this week seriously, but it might be hard for her heart to believe her brain on this matter. She didn’t know enough about Cal or his intentions, and she was too tired to stew over it more tonight. For tonight, she’d just enjoy the sensation of safety, the feeling of being wanted, and the smell of Cal Johnson.
Haley stood on the ferry, holding onto Taz and watching the lovely island slip away in the distance. Should she have told Cal goodbye? The thought of him wondering where they were tugged at her heart. Would he be worried? It was funny, but they’d never exchanged cell phone numbers so she couldn’t even text him and say that she’d be back on the evening ferry. She should’ve left a note, but she and Taz had slept in this morning and barely made it in time for the ferry. It had been bliss to sleep in that comfortable bed and wake up feeling almost as secure as she had in Cal’s arms.
“Why can’t we play with Cal today?” Taz stared longingly at the island also.
“I promised my friends I’d come see them today. We’ll be back tonight.”
“Can we go get pizza with Cal?”
Haley smiled. “I don’t know, love.”
She kept Taz busy on the boat ride reading Blaze and Tonka Town books. Before long they were loaded into her Altima and following Siri’s voice directions to Maryn’s house. They were buzzed through the security gate and pulled into the circular driveway. Haley sat stunned for a few seconds.
Taz undid his seatbelt and popped between the seats. “That house is big!”
Big was an understatement. It was a mansion. Haley loved the stucco and the wide pillars on the front porch. She couldn’t wait to see the view from the balcony. It was set on a clifftop over Laguna Beach. She knew Maryn had married money like Alyssa, but neither of them were the type to brag about it. She hadn’t made it to their weddings and felt guilty about that, but she had to be careful how she spent her money and she didn’t have enough saved at the time of either of their weddings. They’d both offered to fly her and Taz out, but she couldn’t take charity either. How interesting that they both kept the Billionaire Bride Pact the twelve friends had made at girl’s camp. Haley hadn’t thought about that much in years. It seemed so silly now. From the texts, emails, and phone calls she’d gotten from her two friends she knew the money was not the reason they’d married their husbands.
The front door swung open and Maryn popped out. “Haley!” She was so pretty with her blonde curls and teeny body. Haley always felt like a giant next to her. Alyssa appeared at her side, tall and beautiful with her dark hair and skin. The two of them rushed down the porch steps. Haley grinned at the sight of them. This was what she needed. Lifelong friends who she could say anything to.
Taz yanked open the back door and ran for the two women. Haley wasn’t sure if he would even remember them. It’d been over a year since they’d stayed with Maryn at her small apartment. Haley opened her door and hurried after him. Before she could hug her friends, her son was throwing himself into their arms and proclaiming, “You are beautiful! You can both be my girlfriends.”
They all laughed. Haley hugged each of them. “You both look so good.”
“Thanks. So do you,” Maryn returned.
Alyssa was busy hugging Taz and agreeing to be his girlfriend.
“Luckily Beck is at work or Taz might have a fight on his hands,” Maryn said out of the side of her mouth.
Taz glanced at Maryn and winked. “Hello, pretty lady.”
“Oh, my heck!” Maryn laughed. “What are you teaching this boy?”
“It’s my brother. I swear. He thinks it’s hilarious. Plus, Taz just came to this world intrigued by beautiful women. Not sure what I’m going to do when he’s a teenager.”
Maryn shook her head. “You’re going to have to lock him up.”
Taz opened his arms to Maryn and she reached for him. “You can be my girlfriend too. It’s okay. I have four of ‘em at home.”
“You’re a heartbreaker, little man.”
He grinned. “I know.” Taz finally settled down and they walked into the gorgeous home. Haley oohed and ahhed over the view, the woodwork, the decorating, the furniture.
“Thanks.” Maryn smiled. “I love it here. It’s my favorite of our houses.”
“Houses! You have houses?” Haley was blown away.
Maryn’s cheeks reddened.
“When Maryn fulfilled the Billionaire Bride Pact she did it right.” Alyssa teased.
“And you didn’t?” Maryn retorted.
It was Al
yssa’s turn to blush. “So, Haley. Tell us what you’ve been up to, besides having fun with this adorable boy.”
Taz winked at her. Maryn carried him into the open kitchen and living room area, though he was half her size.
“Just running my store and trying to keep up with the Tasmanian Devil.”
“I can run fast,” Taz reassured them both.
A huge man came down the stairs. Haley recognized him from the wedding photos Alyssa had taken and sent to her of Maryn and Tucker. He was extremely good-looking with longer dark hair, but he was so big. His large stature intimidated Haley a little bit. She found herself comparing him to Cal who was probably as tall as Tucker, but more lean and cut. Not that anyone would call Tucker fat. Well, not if they wanted to live to tell about it. He saw Maryn and a huge grin spread across his face. Haley’s opinion altered instantly. He was even more good-looking then she’d first assumed and with a smile like that he probably wouldn’t be breaking her son in two for kissing his wife’s cheek.
“Who is this tough guy kissing on my wife?” Tucker winked at Haley then focused on Taz.
“I’m Taz Turnbow, sir. This is my girlfriend, Maryn.”
Tucker threw back his head and laughed. “She’s my wife and you’d better stop kissing her if you know what’s good for you.”
Taz tilted his head to the side, keeping his hands firmly clamped around Maryn’s neck. “How abouts we share her?”
Tucker laughed even harder. “I like you, little man. I’ll think about it.” He walked to Maryn’s side and wrapped his arm around her, staring down at Taz. “Have you been playing on the beach?”
“Yes,” Taz yelled. “I love the beach.”
“Do you want to see my beach?”
“Can my girlfriends and my mama come with me?”
Everyone laughed. “I’m going to get lunch out,” Maryn told him. “You go with Tuck and when you come back I’ll have some yummy food for you.”
“You gots hot dogs?”
Maryn wrinkled her nose. “No, but I bought you corn dog nuggets. Do you like those?”
“Sweet!” Taz launched himself at Tucker. “Let’s play in the sand.”
The huge man easily caught her son, grinning at him. He turned to Haley and stuck out his hand. “Tucker Shaffer. It’s great to finally meet you.”
Haley shook his large hand. “You as well. Maryn has told me so many great things about you.”
“She’d better,” Tucker almost growled and leaned in to kiss his wife.
Maryn kissed him back, laughing. “Ha. I can get away with anything with this big guy.”
“Yes, yes, she can.” He hefted Taz higher. “We’ll be back in an hour or so. Will that give you girls enough time to catch up on the gossip?”
Maryn and Alyssa laughed. Haley froze. “Um, Taz is pretty fast and… accident prone.” She wasn’t sure she was ready to trust this big man with her son, no matter that he was married to one of her best friends.
Maryn put a soft hand on Haley’s arm. “Tuck is amazing with children. He’ll watch him closely.”
Tucker focused his dark gaze on Haley. “I promise I will take good care of your son, Haley.”
She finally nodded. This guy might be as big as a beast, but he seemed to have a good heart. If she couldn’t trust Maryn’s husband, she was really at risk of turning into a harpie who hated men. She didn’t want to be like that. “Thank you,” she whispered.
He gave her a brief nod then Tucker flipped Taz up to his shoulders. Taz hollered with excitement. “Woo-hoo!”
It reminded Haley of Cal carrying him the same way. She’d seen him just last night but she already missed him. It was ridiculous and scary to feel like this about someone so soon, but she wanted to jump back on the ferry and go be with him.
Haley watched until Tucker and Taz disappeared out the French doors and down some patio steps.
“He really is great with children.” Maryn sighed with a sweet smile on her face. “I can’t wait until we have our own.”
“Are you?” Haley whirled on her friend. They’d only been married a few months.
“Not yet.” Maryn glanced pointedly at Alyssa. “But I think someone has news to share.”
Alyssa’s face lit up.
“Truly?” Haley grabbed Alyssa’s hands. Her eyes darted down to Alyssa’s midsection, but it was flat as ever.
Alyssa nodded, squeezing Haley’s fingers. “I’m only eleven weeks, but somebody can’t keep a secret.”
Maryn laughed. “You know I can’t shut up when there’s good news. I’ll keep anybody’s yucky secrets.”
They all laughed at that. Ever since Maryn stopped writing for magazines she had no problem keeping secrets. Before, she’d been paid to dig into people’s lives and sell dirt to the world. She’d told Haley many times how happy she was to be past all of that.
“How are you feeling?” Haley asked.
“Pretty good.” Alyssa pulled a face. “I throw up every morning and I’m exhausted by eight o’clock, but you know, besides that I’m fabulous.”
Haley nodded in commiseration. “The vomiting stopped at thirteen weeks with Taz.”
“So there is hope?”
Maryn opened the fridge and started pulling out containers of chicken salad, potato salad, green salad, and salsa.
“For sure.” Haley nodded, though just the thought of it was making her a bit queasy. The vomiting had stopped but the nausea never really left until Taz was born. “Have you tried the ginger pops?”
“No. Those work?”
“They actually do. Plus peppermint essential oil really helped me.”
“Thanks.” Alyssa’s hands strayed to her abdomen. “I’ll try both of those. I just hate this constant feeling of nausea. It only goes away when I’m eating.”
“That’s why I gained forty-five pounds.”
“You?” Alyssa scoffed. “You’ve always been so thin.”
“I’m not thin. I’m tough.” Haley flexed and they all laughed.
“I’m kind of feeling left out here.” Maryn set croissant rolls and tortilla chips on the counter.
“It’ll happen for you soon,” Alyssa reassured her. “What can I help you with?”
“Nothing. The deli did all the work.” Maryn winked. “Just grab a plate and dish up. We’ll feed the boys when they get back.”
Haley felt another twinge of worry. She didn’t like Taz being away from her, especially with someone she didn’t know.
“So, Haley, tell us about your week. Isn’t the Isla del Sol gorgeous?” Maryn handed her a plate and waited as Haley started to fill a croissant with chicken salad.
“It’s amazing. I can’t believe you had your wedding there. What a dream come true.”
“It was.” Maryn’s eyes took on a vacant glaze, obviously remembering. “Our friend owns it so he had his wedding planner take care of everything. Such a great guy.”
“Your friend… owns it?” Haley paused with the spoon from the potato salad in her hand. They couldn’t possibly know Cal, could they? Maybe all these rich people stuck together though. She didn’t want to generalize her best friends, but she knew they were both extremely wealthy. “Is his name Cal?”
“Cal?” Maryn exchanged a glance with Alyssa that Haley wasn’t able to decipher.
“Yeah, he’s, well, I just met him, and he’s been really nice to Taz and me.” That was an understatement. He’d been much more than nice in so many ways. “I think he’s like the part-owner or something.”
“Or something,” Maryn murmured.
“What?” Haley’s stomach clenched. She served herself some green salad and tried to act nonchalant.
“Cal Johnson,” Maryn said. “We all call him Johnson. I’ve never heard him use his first name.” She glanced at Alyssa again. Her eyes filled with questions. “Why would he tell her his first name?”
Haley’s insides went cold. Maryn knew Cal, but she was acting really odd about it.
“She must be special
to him.” Alyssa pursed her lips.
Haley shook her head, not sure what to think. “How do you know Cal?”
“He’s Tuck’s best friend. One of the greatest guy’s I know, besides Tuck and Beck, of course.” She winked at Alyssa. “And he isn’t part-owner of the hotel.”
“Oh?” Her heart rate picked up. He’d lied to her to make himself look good? She placed some chips on her plate to hide her red face. Casually she asked, “Does Tucker own it? Is Cal the manager or something?”
Out of the corner of her eye, Haley caught Maryn giving Alyssa a discreet shake of the head.
“Tell her,” Alyssa prodded.
Maryn paused for a second then spilled out, “Johnson, I mean, Cal, owns the hotel and the island.”
Haley rocked back and dropped the serving spoon for the salsa onto the granite counter top. “He owns an entire stinking island?”
“Among other properties.”
“A lot of properties,” Alyssa murmured.
Haley closed her eyes. Cal had been lying to her. Not in the way she thought, but still, he’d downplayed his ownership and never told her about anything else he owned. It was silly that she felt like he owed her the truth. She’d known him for what, four days? But she had tried to get more information out of him a few times and he’d dodged the question. “How wealthy is he?”
“As wealthy as Tuck or maybe more so. He’s a genius with real estate. He finds amazing deals and fixes them up. He owns apartments and commercial properties and has recently bought several hotels. He loves the Hotel Del Sol so he’s staying there and fixing up a few things while they finish renovating his new house.”
“Where is this house?”
“A mile down the beach from us.” Maryn looked at her compassionately. “Haley, have you been dating Johnson?”
“Yes,” it squeaked out and she didn’t know why she was holding in tears. So Cal was ridiculously wealthy. She’d fallen for a good-looking, rich man. Why was that so awful? Her stomach tightened. Because he’d misled her, that was why.
“I know you’re not really comfortable with wealthy guys because of dip wad.” Maryn patted her arm. “But Cal really is a great guy.”
The Independent One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance Page 11
