Sea of Seduction: A Single Dad Sports Romance

by Jennifer Evans

  Mom picked up the bottle of dish soap and squirted so much into the sink that the detergent bottle sucked in in the middle making a loud squishing sound. She pointed the bottle in my direction. “I know you promised your father you were going to be the best surfer in the world. I know he would’ve loved you just the way you are.” Her eyes filled with tears. “But you need to be around to take care of Lola. Your Papai would’ve wanted that. Not out there killing yourself on some stupid big wave.”

  “Stop it. You sound just like Coco.”

  My mother clutched the side of the sink as though she were in the middle of an earthquake. Finally, her gaze met mine. She let out a sigh and touched my cheek. “There’s something I never told you.”

  “What, Mamae?”

  She bit her lip and blinked rapidly. “Your father and I broke up once.”

  “What? I don’t remember that.”

  “You were just a baby.” She fidgeted with one of her apron strings. “He cheated on me.”

  I held her arm and looked her in the eye. “Papai would never cheat on you.”

  She shrugged out of my grasp. “What do you know?” She pressed her fingers to her lips before continuing. “He met somebody.” She made a dismissive gesture with her hands. “It doesn’t matter who she was.” She folded her arms. “He had sex with her, and I found out.” I sucked in my breath. I could only imagine the fight they’d had when Mom found out. “I nearly killed your father when I caught him.”

  I ran a hand through my hair. “Why are you telling me this?”

  “I’m telling you because I forgave him. When he was dying, we talked about our life together.” Tears brimmed in her eyes and I reached up to wipe them away. “We talked about a lot of things in those last few weeks. Things like how lucky we were to have each other. How well things worked out and how proud we were of you.” She reached up and stroked my cheek. She stared at me for so long that I wondered if she’d continue. “Your father wanted you to be a star. He told me that when he was in heaven, he wanted to be able to tell all the angels that his only son was the best surfer in the world. He made me promise to support you in your surfing.”

  The earth stopped moving as I gazed into my mother’s eyes. My throat constricted with emotion as I thought of my father—all the days we’d spent surfing perfect tubes at our home break in Sao Paulo and the way he’d encouraged me.

  I held my mother’s hand. “That’s why I need to go to Cortes Bank.” I looked at the floor. “You know the pro tour is done with me.”

  She gripped my hand so hard I thought it would break. “You be careful, okay?”

  “Yes, Mamae.”

  She wagged a finger in my face. “You need to remember how special it is when you meet someone to love, someone to build a life with.” Her gaze was unwavering. “You make sure to keep Coco’s feelings in mind. She doesn’t like this Cortes Bank idea, you know.”

  I smiled at my mother. Coco would come around and understand.

  My mind pushed the previous decade of pro surfing into the background. I wanted a life with Coco, wanted to give the two of us a chance. “I’ve been thinking of taking her away for a romantic night. Just the two of us.

  My mother clapped her hands together. “That would be wonderful. Somewhere nice, I hope? You can afford it. Don’t skimp. She’s a lady.”

  I already had a place in mind. La Rosa was La Fortuna’s premier resort; a historic structure that overlooked the Pacific. I chuckled. “Only the best.”

  “I’ll watch Lola. You two lovebirds have a good time.” She forced me to look at her. “And Dominick, you listen to your mother. Don’t let love slip through your fingers. Before you know it, you’re going to be old like your mom.” When she spoke, her voice was barely audible. “You need to propose to that woman.”

  I bit down a smile. My mother was right.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Coco

  My running shoes pounded the dirt trail as I took a deep breath of bracing ocean air mixed with the scent of sage. Gnarled up Torrey Pine trees stood next to red boulders and California Manzanita trees offered a feast of blooming flowers to honey bees.

  I struggled for air as Rhys sprinted ahead. “Slow down!” I had to yell twice before he slowed his pace.

  “Come on, pansy.” He offered me his arm for support. “Should I order a walker?”

  I swatted his arm away. “Where’s the fire?”

  We trotted down the final few yards to the beach. “I, my friend, am in love.”

  I slowed and placed my hands on my knees. “Give me a sec here. You’re about to give me a coronary.”

  He laughed and ran onto the sand where he twirled around like a ballerina, his arms in the air. “I don’t care who knows. I want to shout from the rooftops. Rhys is in love!” His enthusiasm was infectious, and I joined him in his dance. “Ain’t love grand?” He twirled me around twice.

  I slipped my arm through his. “Come on, let’s cool down.”

  He took a sip off his water bottle and smiled at me. “Can you believe it? We both found boyfriends.”

  I nudged him. “Don’t think this means I’m letting you off the hook for junk food night.”

  He wiped his brow. “Are you kidding me? Why do you think we do all this crazy working out?” His voice raised into a shrill pitch that competed with the pounding of the ocean. “Double chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream is my god.”

  We broke out in laughter. “I’m with you,” I said. “It’s a religious experience all right.”

  We slowed our pace. “So, you ready for your night of passion with that sexy Brazilian?” He let out a hoot. “La Rosa. Get ready to eat some gourmet food and have hot sex all night long. There’s only one reason he’s taking you there.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “He likes you. A lot.” He elbowed me. “You think maybe he wants to take it to the next level?”

  I shrugged. “Don’t I wish.”

  Rhys stopped walking. “What’s the matter?” He touched my arm and forced me to meet his gaze. “I know that look. Talk to me.”

  I shrugged. “It’s just a bummer about the way we met.”

  “You mean the bet? Who cares about that anymore?”

  I bit my lip and looked away. “It’s just that I really like him. And I love his daughter. And his mom. The bet was kind of a mean thing to do.” I never took the prize because I found out that Dominick was a real person, and I’d played a stupid game. Thank goodness I gave love a chance.

  “Who cares how you guys ended up together? You’re happy, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “So we got you two together after our drunken night and that dumb wager. We thought it was a good idea at the time.” He waved his hands dismissively. “That’s all in the past. Nobody ever needs to know.”

  I glanced at Rhys. “Dominick can never find out.”

  “Who’s going to tell him? It’s one of those harmless things in life that’s best swept under the rug. Ten years from now, who’s going to care?” He smiled. “Now, let’s talk about what you’re going to do to make him scream tomorrow night.”

  I broke into an easy jog back to the parking lot and called over my shoulder, “Last one back buys Taco Bell!”

  Rhys picked up the pace until he was so close I could feel his breath. “Coco Bennett, you are a dead woman,” he called back as he passed me easily.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Coco

  Before heading out to the hotel, I made sure Victor Jose was safely boarded with the veterinary hospital that had saved his life.

  The La Rosa Hotel was sometimes called “The Pink Lady” because of its dramatic Mediterranean style. Built in 1926, it sits on the bluff of La Fortuna Cove, the Pacific Ocean backdrop an artist’s dream.

  When Dominick and I walked in, I fell in love with the intimate vintage vibe. When we checked into our suite, and I sat on the plush designer comforter, I had never been happier.

  Dominick
and I had arrived just before sunset and dressed for dinner. “You are looking darn handsome, Mr. Cortes.” Dominick wore a form-fitting suit that hugged his athletic frame along with a crisp white shirt and a red silk tie. His dark wavy hair brushed the edge of his collar, and I reached out to run my fingers through his silken mane.

  “And you, minha flor, are stunning as always.”

  I twirled around once. I had gone shopping and purchased a slinky silver cocktail dress with a plunging neckline and a slit up one side. “Wait until you see what’s underneath.” Feeling exceptionally flirtatious, I winked at him.

  He pulled me in for a hug, his powerful hands grasping the back of my head. His mouth was on mine, and my knees buckled as I sunk into his embrace. “If you don’t stop flashing your legs at me, we’ll never get dinner. And you need your strength.” We smiled at each other.

  Dominick had made reservations at the hotel’s premier restaurant. It sat on the top floor and was a small, intimate dining room with only ten tables. The restaurant jutted out from the rest of the building so that it felt like we were floating in space, the ocean booming around us, the star-studded sky a blanket of jewels out of every picture window.

  A bleached blond surfer girl wearing a tuxedo jacket greeted us with leather-bound menus and herded us to a table overlooking the ocean. She smiled at Dominick, a twinkle in her eye. “Best table in the house, Mr. Cortes. Just like you requested.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Your server will be right with you.”

  And there he was. “Welcome.” Said the waiter with a low bow. “What can I get you two to drink?”

  Dominick said, “Can you send over the sommelier?”

  “But of course, sir.”

  I nudged Dominick under the table. “Sommelier? I thought all you guys drank on the tour was beer and cheap vodka.”

  He puffed up his chest. “There’s a lot more to me than you think.”

  The sommelier appeared bearing a wine menu that looked to be the size of a dictionary. I leaned over for a surreptitious glance and was shocked at the prices. The two men discussed the wines, and Dominick finally decided on the Chateau Montelena Cabernet. “Excellent choice, sir.”

  When the wine appeared, a great show was made of uncorking, swirling and tasting. “Take a deep breath and allow the oaky aroma to permeate your nostrils.”

  Finally, Dominick approved the wine, and I took the first heavenly sip. The nectar was smooth, rich and went down like honey. “Whoa. This is ecstasy.”

  He held his glass aloft. “A toast. To my beautiful amor. The woman who will never age.” He gazed at me with those sensuous green eyes, and I couldn’t wait to make love to him. “I’m so happy we met.”

  We clinked glasses. In the few months we’d been dating, I had fallen in love with Dominick. Neither one of us used the word love yet, but the way he looked at me, the way he touched me, the way he opened up to me about his family, personal stories of things that had happened on the tour, gave me hope that to Dominick I was more than a passing fancy.

  “Can I ask you a question?” I said.

  He took another sip of wine. “What’s up, meu amor?”

  “Why didn’t you have a girlfriend after you moved to town?” I grazed his thigh with my fingernails. “I know you told me you were busy with work and Lola. But what would it have hurt to date? All the women in town were dying to go out with you.”

  He laughed and held my hand. “And you were the first.” He smiled that enamoring smile and I wanted to kiss his full lips. “I was waiting for the right one.”

  I shoved him playfully. “This is a small town. Word got around fast that you were single.” I inspected the contents of my wine glass. “I think a lot of women besides me tried to get in your … I mean were interested in you.”

  “Tried to get in what? My pants? Come on Coco; you can talk dirty with me.” He winked. “I’ve seen you naked.”

  The server interrupted us, a white coated man who described the “succulent, mouthwatering, delightful blends,” of the various entrees. Dominick ordered the filet mignon, and I ordered the sea bass with a side of quinoa and farm-to-table asparagus and mushroom risotto. “Excellent choices.” And he was gone with a flourish.

  “Come on Dominick. Spill the beans. Why didn’t you have a girlfriend?”

  “I suppose I could ask you the same question.”

  I pointed at myself. “I didn’t have a girlfriend because I like guys.”

  Dominick stared off into the distance. He swallowed hard. Then he took my hand in his and looked me in the eye. “I took a vow of celibacy.”

  “What? Why’d you do that?” I lowered my voice. “Sweetheart, I don’t think I’ve ever met a more sexual man. Was that a religious thing?” I realized there was probably a lot I didn’t know about Dominick. I had seen all the photos on the Internet of Dominick with gorgeous women. The headline “De Playboy” from that Brazilian magazine still burned in my mind. Vow of celibacy?

  He drummed his fingers on the table. “No. Not a religious thing.” He drained his glass and looked me in the eye again. “I hurt a lot of women.” He raked a hand through his hair and let out a nervous laugh. “They might not look at it that way.” His smile was slight. “But I was on a downward spiral.” He shrugged. “I’m not proud of what I did. I let my mom raise Lola while I surfed the best spots on the tour raising hell.” He swallowed hard again and looked me in the eye. “After I punched that judge I realized just how out of control my life had gotten.” He stopped speaking and seemed to wince. He held my hand. “Every time anything went wrong in life I used sex to make me feel better. I didn’t care about who I was screw—”

  “Your dinners are here,” said the server. “And I must say, that filet mignon looks delicious.” He arranged the plates in front of us and refilled our wine glasses. “Freshly ground pepper?”

  We both declined and sat silently until he was out of earshot.

  Dominick cracked a smile and said, “Let’s not get so heavy. I want tonight to be special.”

  My skin prickled. Dominick had given up his vow of celibacy for me? I placed my arm around him and kissed his cheek. My voice stuttered. “Oh honey, it is special. I like it when you open up to me.” I urged him to continue. Dominick had taken a vow of celibacy?

  He placed the cloth napkin on his lap. “Let’s just say I never thought about anybody but myself. I got Lola’s mom pregnant and let my mom raise my baby. When I came home from touring Lola always gave me penny candies and sweet hand drawn pictures. Was that enough to make me want to be more of a dad?” His gaze fell to his lap. “No.”

  He looked so sad that I wanted to hug him and tell him it would all be okay. “You’re making up to her now.”

  His body stiffened. “I can never get back those years away from Lola.” He looked me in the eye, and this time, instead of playfulness or passion, there was sadness in his clear green eyes. “That’s why I decided to take the vow. I figured staying away from women would be one thing I could control.” He shrugged. “It would force me to focus on my business, be a better dad.” His body relaxed. He reached out and stroked my hair. “But then I met you.”

  My throat tightened. “Have I distracted you?”

  He picked up his fork. “You, meu amor, are the best thing that’s happened to me since I moved to California.”

  I put my arms around him. “And you to me.” I gazed at Dominick. The man was a Brazilian god with his dark lustrous hair, his strong jaw, his mesmerizing green eyes set against olive skin, his broad shoulders chiseled from a lifetime of surfing. He looked so sexy in his suit, the way it accentuated every line of his rugged body. “Can I ask you something else?”

  “Sure.”

  “Have you ever been in love?”

  He barked out a laugh. “Lots of times. But never any that meant much.” He looked at me, and his fingers trailed my chin. He tilted my head up until we fell into each other’s eyes. “Tonight is all about love. With you.” He gazed at me for so lon
g that time stopped. His voice was hoarse. “Have you ever been in love?”

  “I thought I was. But you know all about that.”

  He raised his glass. “To love.” He took a long pull off his wine. We both sampled our delicious dinners. Dominick picked up his glass again. “To winning the drink contest.”

  “Any word?”

  He fiddled with the cutlery. “Not yet.”

  “We’re going to beat that judge, I know it.”

  “Ah, Harold.” He stabbed a fork into his steak, cut a piece and looked out the window.

  “Honey, you did what you thought was right at the time.”

  He let out a gruff laugh. “I call my mom emotional? No. I messed up. But let’s not talk about Harold.” He set his fork down and looked me in the eye. “Thank you for helping.”

  “It was fun. I loved working with Lola. And with you.”

  He licked his lips. “Do you know how much I wanted to kiss you the whole time we worked on the drink?”

  “Well, why didn’t you?”

  He looked at his lap. “I … I knew I’d get carried away.” He squeezed my hand. “I hope you don’t think it’s strange that I took the vow. I’m happy we’re together, minha flor. You’re special. Lola loves you, and my mom loves you.” I leaned forward until I could feel his breath on my face. Do you love me? “We’re so good together.” He kissed my cheek. “Let’s eat. Then I’ll show you just how good.” His hand slid the length of my leg and grazed my panties. “God, you’re beautiful.”

  We ate our gourmet meal and when dessert was served, a decadent chocolate mousse with homemade whipped cream, Dominick ordered us both strong brandies.

  I felt ashamed that my intentions had been less than pure. But Rhys was right. Why did it matter how we’d come together? What was important was that we had. I would just have to live with my secret.

  He swirled the thick amber fluid around in his glass once. We clinked glasses, and I downed mine in one swallow. Dominick placed a warm hand on my arm. “Slow down there baby. This stuff’s strong.”