Everyone’s eyes swung to her. Ally was light-headed with happiness. Preston had come to support her idea. It meant the world to her. “Yes, of course. It’s a brilliant plan.”
Reporters started calling out questions, but Preston turned to her. “Ally, I’m so sorry. I couldn’t remember everything, but last night it all came back. The reason I turned away from you was because you’re the most desirable, beautiful woman I’ve ever touched. I turned away in that tent to preserve your innocence and virtue.”
Ally’s stomach pitched. Preston wanted her, and he wanted her so much he’d turned his back on her to keep her safe.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Bucky sprang in front of them and covered the mic with his palm. It was then that Ally registered how quiet the room had gotten. He glanced back at them. “Private conversation?”
Ally couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re teaching me about decorum now?”
He chuckled and uncovered the mic. “We’re thrilled to have Preston Steele on board for this philanthropic mission. He and Miss Heathrow have some unfinished business from their time on a tropical island. I’ll tell you a little about their crazy experience while they skedaddle to my office.”
Ally gave him a pointed look.
He shrugged. “I’ll keep it vague.” He tilted his head. “Go!”
The reporters were clamoring for Preston and Ally to answer their questions, but Preston wrapped his arm around Ally’s waist and escorted her out the rear door of the conference room, down a hallway and into Bucky’s spacious office. Ally found she didn’t much care what Bucky told the press.
Preston turned to face her and handed her the shoebox.
“What is this?” She opened it, and her jaw dropped. “My Christian Louboutins! How did you …?” They were identical to the ones he’d chopped the heels off.
Preston grinned. “Sutton’s men cleaned up the island, and Gunner was able to get a picture and the size of the shoes. Then, early this morning, Jex had one of his many girlfriends open her shop and get me the shoes.”
“Thank you.” She clutched the box to her chest.
Preston wrapped his arms around her waist. “Sorry, probably shouldn’t have said that little bit about turning away to preserve your innocence on national television.” He grimaced.
Ally set the shoebox on the nearby desk and reached up to cup his jaw with both her hands. “I don’t care, as long as it’s true. You honestly wanted me so bad, you turned away to stay under control?”
He nodded solemnly. “You’re the only one I want, Ally, for your brain, your bravery, your sense of humor, your great attitude, but also your beautiful face and body. But I want to do this right, date and get to know each other.”
She simply stared at him.
“Is that okay?” he asked.
“Is it okay? It’s more than okay.” She slid her arms around his neck, tugged him down, and kissed him.
Preston kissed her back, sighing against her mouth. “There are some rules, though.”
“Rules? I don’t like the sound of rules.”
“Me neither.” He pulled her closer. “But as irresistible as you are, I need rules.”
Ally knew she’d never tire of him saying she was irresistible. Even more wonderful to her, she believed him. “Such as?”
“No kissing lying down in a tent.”
She laughed. “That should be easy, since I don’t even own a tent. Do you?”
“No.” He grinned, and he looked so good she could hardly resist kissing him again. “No kissing lying down anywhere.”
“But kissing standing up in Bucky’s office?”
“That I can get on board with.” He lifted her off her feet and against his chest, taking his time exploring her mouth and lighting up her world. Ally didn’t care where they kissed, as long as they kissed. She didn’t care what they did for dates, or how long they dated. All that mattered was being with Preston.
Epilogue
Preston and Ally were exploring the beaches of Tybee Island, near Savannah, with Lottie. Preston had the day off practice, and it was great to get away with his two favorite women on this beautiful fall day. They walked contentedly along as Lottie exclaimed over seashells and shrieked about jellyfish, stopping to chat with families on the beach and making friends everywhere she went.
“She’s absolutely adorable,” Ally whispered in Preston’s ear.
“I only know of one woman who I love as much as her and my mom,” he said back.
Ally’s eyes widened and she stopped walking. They’d been dating for over a month now and he’d known he loved her since that day at the press conference, but he hadn’t let it slip yet. He didn’t want to rush things with Ally.
“Oh?” She lifted her eyebrows.
“Yeah. She’s a beautiful, smart, funny marketing genius, who ropes me into all kinds of things I wouldn’t normally do.”
“Such as?”
“Jumping out of an airplane with Jex. Do you have any clue how many times I told him no before you asked?”
She grinned impishly. “I only asked once and you set it all up.”
He nodded seriously. “I’d do anything for you.”
“Such as?”
“You name it.” He’d give her the world and it wouldn’t be enough.
“Just love me,” she whispered, looking vulnerable and scared as she said it. That girl was back—the uncertain girl he’d first fallen in love with on that island, who didn’t know how desirable she was to him.
“I love you,” he said firmly. “I love you,” he repeated, louder.
“Kiss her, you tater tot.” Lottie giggled from far too close, her face pressed up next to theirs.
They both laughed and Ally said, “He will, sweet girl, but first I need to tell him.” She smiled sweetly and looked as innocent and perfect as she was, definitely not the driven marketing executive he’d once imagined. “I love you, Preston Steele.”
Preston swooped her off her feet and into his arms. He kissed her until Lottie finally tugged them apart. It was just as well. Ally was simply too irresistible to him. He didn’t want to rush things, but he was going to have a wedding ring on her finger soon. He leaned in close. “What do you think about eloping on a tropical island?”
She laughed. “As long as there aren’t any snakes, I’m in.”
Preston whooped and kissed her again.
* * *
Don’t miss the rest of the Steele Family Romances:
Steele Family Romance
Her Dream Date Boss
The Stranded Patriot
The Committed Warrior
Extreme Devotion
The Pursued Patriot
Chapter One
Mike Kohler walked onto the wooden plank patio of the outdoor restaurant on the picturesque Hilton Head Island, searching for a seat. He hated eating alone but supposed he’d have to get used to it. At least now the Patriots were back in season, and most meals would be eaten with the team, or he could get a teammate or friend in Atlanta to go out with him.
Dating any of the beautiful women who pursued him wasn’t a risk he was willing to take. After most dates, he’d get crazy emails from his stalker, claiming she was going to dismember his date, or worse, especially if he dared to go out with the same woman twice. The threats had escalated lately, and some of the women had sent him texts about weird accidents happening to them. Accidents that were exactly like the threat issued. Quite often, he’d get a follow-up email explaining how the accident could’ve been fatal if this had been a second date. Luckily none of them had been seriously injured, but it was so creepy that he hardly dared go out with a woman even once. He refused to involve anyone else in the psychotic web of his stalker.
He was here on Hilton Head Island, off the coast of South Carolina, because he’d been ordered by the Patriots’ owner, Bucky Buchanan, to “get out of Dodge and clear your head of that idiot stalker for a weekend.” As this was their bye weekend, he’d been excused from practice. M
issing practice made him feel out of sorts, but at least he now had the best security money could buy. Sutton Smith had recently assigned Gunner and Lily Steele to protect him. He liked the newlywed couple, a lot. Gunner was a tougher-than-nails ex-Navy SEAL and Mike’s teammate Preston Steele’s brother. The connection was nice and made him more comfortable than the bodyguards Bucky had been providing the past few years. Lily had an interesting past with her mother being Bella Jolie, a famous actress who had cracked and tried to kill Gunner and Lily for publicity. Mike might have a crazy stalker, but at least he had a nice, normal family.
Gunner and Lily had a connecting suite to his at the Hilton. Mike knew with them close by, no stalker would hurt him, but he was more concerned about her hurting a woman he might find interesting. For the present time, his dating life had screeched to a halt.
Gunner and Lily walked into the restaurant on his four o’clock and took an intimate table a few over from where he sat. He glanced around the beach-front restaurant, loving the view and the scent of salty air mingled with grilling meat. He was looking over the menu when a friendly voice greeted him, “Welcome to the Crabby Grill.” A redheaded girl, who looked barely out of braces, set an ice water down in front of him and grinned. “You want something different to drink? A recommendation for dinner?”
“Thanks.” Mike took a swallow of the water and peered at the menu. “I’d love a strawberry daiquiri, virgin, and yeah, what are your recommendations?”
She wrinkled her nose, and her blue eyes sparkled. “Well, first, I’m going to recommend that you take my friend, Shar, out on a date. She’s a huge fan of yours. I mean, crazy huge!”
“Excuse me?” Mike straightened. So he’d been recognized. It was fine, it happened, but hopefully it wouldn’t bring his stalker here. If this child wanted him to take her teenage friend out, they were both in for a disappointment.
The redhead tilted her head toward the open doors that led to the kitchen. Mike followed her gaze, ready to explain that he didn’t date teenagers. There was another teenager there, a pixy blonde, but she tugged someone else to the opening, and his eyes caught on an absolutely exquisite woman. She was maybe in her mid-twenties, close to his own age. She had olive skin, long, dark hair, and deep brown eyes. Wearing a flowered apron over a tank top and shorts, she was obviously fit and lean. Her gaze met his, and his stomach swooped. She wanted to meet him? If only he felt safe dating. He’d take her out in a second.
There was something so familiar about her, and suddenly it struck him. Her friend, Shar? No, that woman was … Ally Steele, his friend Preston’s wife, and he definitely shouldn’t be checking her out. He remembered Ally being more rounded, not quite as lean, but he really shouldn’t be analyzing her shape at all.
He whipped back around, and the redhead was watching him expectantly. “So?” She winked. “Shar? What’d you think? She’s pretty, huh?”
He thought this girl was completely unprofessional. “About those recommendations?” he asked.
Her mouth drooped, and her blue eyes filled with confusion. “You didn’t think she was pretty? What are you, blind?”
Mike clenched the menu. “She is gorgeous, but that woman is Ally Steele, my friend’s wife.”
The redhead’s grin returned. “No! Shar is Ally’s twin sister, and this is her restaurant. You think she’s gorgeous. Yes!” She pumped a fist in the air.
Mike’s shoulders relaxed as understanding filled him, but then he went back to thinking about how unprofessional this was. Shar Heathrow, Ally’s sister, owned this restaurant. He remembered now from Preston and Ally’s wedding that Ally had a twin, but he’d never met her, just admired her from afar. Why was she hiring teenagers to be waitresses and fix her up on dates? Did they not have child labor laws in South Carolina?
“You stay right here. I’ll go get your daiquiri and tell Shar she has to come meet you. Oh, and I’ll get you some fried pickles, on the house. They’re delicious. And a big guy like you? Get the platter—crab, lobster, steak, and barbecued chicken. You’ll love it.” She squealed happily and took off toward the kitchen entrance.
Mike’s head was whirling as she skipped away from him. He’d love to meet Shar officially, but it might be awkward after the young girl tried to set them up. He couldn’t imagine Shar instigating that, but he didn’t know anything about her.
He waited and waited, shifting impatiently in the chair. He tried to focus on the calming beach waves and the delicious scents emanating from the kitchen, but knowing Shar Heathrow was coming to talk to him had him sitting straighter and trying to appear confident yet relaxed. He didn’t dare take his phone out and check his emails, so he didn’t look so desperate, but he was more worried about looking like one of those guys who couldn’t disconnect. As time ticked by, it was getting a little unnerving wondering when she’d appear. He didn’t think it was smart to date, but his stalker couldn’t be watching him right now. Nobody knew they’d left Atlanta except Bucky, Gunner, Lily, and Sutton Smith, their boss. There was nothing wrong with simply meeting a beautiful woman.
He kept sneaking glances back at the kitchen, and suddenly, Lily was slowly walking by him, her blue eyes full of concern.
“Everything okay?” she whispered when she reached him, pulling her long, blonde hair forward to cover her face.
“Yeah.”
She nodded and walked on past. Had he looked that nervous? He would’ve done the signal if he was in distress, but he must be really fidgety for Lily to approach him.
Someone rushed out of the kitchen entrance, and he straightened his back and turned slightly with a welcoming smile. His smile drooped a little bit when the redhead came back out alone. She set the daiquiri down and a plate of fried pickles. She looked … upset.
“Thanks,” Mike said.
“I’m sorry,” she burst out in almost a wail then she wrapped her arms tightly around herself and rocked back and forth.
“It’s okay.” Mike tried for a soothing tone. He knew he was big and often intimidated people at six-six and two-fifty, but this girl didn’t seem afraid of him. She was more frustrated and in despair. “Are you okay?”
“Yes!” She flung her hands around. “Shar’s too nice to ever get mad at me, but I think I embarrassed her. When I told her what I’d said, and what you’d said, her face got all stiff, and she said she was too busy cooking to come meet you right now, and then she rushed off out back, hiding in the alley behind the restaurant. I’m no dummy, okay? I can read between the lines. I messed it up, and now she’s never going to meet you, and you’re like her hero. I mean she even has posters of you all over the kitchen. I wouldn’t be surprised if she has some at her house. That’s how much she loves you, and now I’ve messed up your cute-meet. Oh, crap-shooters!”
The girl finally stopped her rant, and Mike should’ve been worried that half the restaurant was staring at him, but something was churning in his gut. Posters of him? Her hero? How much she loved him? It was an absolutely crazy thought … but at the same time, it wasn’t. Could Shar Heathrow be his stalker? He glanced pointedly at Gunner and Lily, rubbed at his jaw, and then rubbed his hand over his hair. Lily’s eyes widened, and Gunner looked more serious than usual, which was saying something as he was a pretty stiff guy, except for with his wife.
Mike stood, towering over the teenage redhead. “You didn’t mess it up,” he tried to say reassuringly. “I’ll go find Shar, talk it out with her. You said she went behind the restaurant?”
The girl’s eyes filled with relief. “Yeah.” She pointed. “Thanks.”
Mike threw a couple of twenties down on the table, and she raised a questioning eyebrow. “Just in case I don’t make it back.” He forced a smile, but his gut was churning. If Shar was his stalker, he wouldn’t dare eat anything she cooked. He was going to try to play charming and maybe get the truth out of her. If only Gunner and Lily agreed.
He eased to the side of the restaurant, waiting in the shadows. Gunner and Lily approached him and moved
in close. “What’s going on?” Gunner asked.
“This is Shar Heathrow’s restaurant.”
“Ally’s sister? Like my sister-in-law’s sister, so we’re basically related?” Lily said in her usual funny way of phrasing things. “That’s a cool coincidence.”
“I don’t know what to think. The little redhead wanted me to meet her, said I’m her hero and she has posters of me at the restaurant and possibly even at her home.” He arched an eyebrow. “Then she was all upset because she said Shar got embarrassed and took off behind the restaurant.”
“Posters of you?” Lily repeated. “A grown woman? That’s … a bit sketchy.”
“She could easily be the stalker,” Gunner got there quick, his dark eyes full of concern.
“That’s what I wondered. She’d have access to a lot of information about me through Preston and Ally.”
“Didn’t you meet her at their wedding?” Lily asked.
“No. I saw her and thought she was beautiful, but it was a big wedding, and I never got close enough to talk to her.”
“Hmm.” Gunner was rubbing at his short beard. “We can check into her. Let’s go find food somewhere else, though. I don’t want to eat anything your stalker might have cooked.”
Mike nodded, but he had another idea. “What if I approach her with you two following me? I could gain her trust and see if she reveals anything.” It made him a little nervous, but if there was any chance to catch this stalker and move on with his life, he’d take it.
“That could be dangerous,” Lily said.
“You two can keep me in your sights. It’s not like my stalker has ever threatened me, only the women I date.”
Cami’s Georgia Patriots Romance Collection Page 41
