Heartbreaker

by Monica Robinson

  Sort of.

  She was doggie paddling and it was the greatest thing he’d seen in years. He reached her side and slid an arm around her.

  “Are you okay?”

  Using his shoulder for support, she pushed her hair back with her free hand. “Y-yeah, I’m okay.”

  Upon closer inspection, he noticed the tears glistening in her eyes. “Why do I get the feeling you’re not telling me the truth?”

  She shook her head and dipped out of his hold. He opened his mouth to ask her what she was doing when she turned on her back, her lush body on full display for his view. Now was not the time to entertain sexual thoughts, especially since they were a good distance from shore. Just the same, the sight of her nipples puckering in the early evening air was difficult to ignore.

  “No, that’s not it,” she said, bringing him mercifully back to reality. “I jumped off a boulder! Last night I freaked out in the shower and earlier today you had to fish me out of a swimming pool. This has got to be the craziest, most amazing thing I’ve ever done. You were right there with me, just as you always have. It was incredible.”

  He pulled himself through the water until he was a few feet in front of her and mimicked her position. “Do you want to do it again? If you do—”

  “Hell no!” She turned over to tread water and shook her head. “It might have been amazing, but I was scared witless. In fact, I may need a tranquilizer now that I think about it.”

  A chuckle rumbled in his chest and he began to pull himself through the water. She followed easily, oblivious to the fact that she was swimming on her own.

  “Don’t you think you’re being a bit melodramatic, baby? Jumping off the boulder was your idea. I only wanted to show you my favorite spot.”

  “Maybe,” she admitted. “If I wasn’t melodramatic in some fashion, then people would doubt I was related to Joe.”

  “Melodramatic or neurotic?”

  “Both.” She paused. “Why are you smiling at me like that?”

  During their conversation, she seemed oblivious to the fact he was leading them to shore. He’d wanted to tell her, to let her realize the accomplishment, but thought better of it. No sense causing panic when she was doing so well.

  “No reason. I was just thinking. If you take a pill, you might be too sleepy for fun. Wouldn’t you rather have dinner in the cabin and share a bottle of champagne?”

  “Mmm. You make a valid point.”

  When his feet could easily touch bottom, he took her hands and draped her arms around his neck. She clung to him, her breath catching as she shook her head.

  “What are you doing?” she demanded. “I’m fine. You’re going to pull us under and we’ll both drown.”

  So much for not causing panic. The only thing he could do now was damage control. Slipping his arms around her waist, he held her against him and smothered her next protest with a kiss.

  “Relax, sweetheart,” he said once their lips parted. “We’re only a few yards from shore.”

  Loosening her grip, she twisted her head to look in the direction of where they’d landed. She returned her attention to him with a mystified expression. “I don’t understand. I can’t swim—”

  “Yes, you can,” he interrupted. “Not well, but good enough to get from point A to point B.”

  She harrumphed. “Let me guess, I was doggie paddling like a mad woman.”

  He tightened his arms around her and winked. “Perhaps, but it was the sexiest doggie paddle I’ve ever seen.”

  Leaning her forehead against his shoulder, she laughed. “Do me a favor, would you?”

  “What’s that?”

  “Once we set sail for San Diego, promise me we’ll forget this excursion to Pleasure Island ever happened. With the exception of the make-up sex, it was a bust.”

  He wouldn’t necessarily say that. Some good had come from it. Discovering that Charity had deceived him hurt like hell, but then he supposed it couldn’t have done much for her ego to hear that he’d originally planned to sleep with her and move on. Just the same, they’d been able to clear the air and get everything out in the open.

  Not to mention, he realized that he loved her. Perhaps deep down he always had and that was why he’d never bothered to stop being the Heartbreaker. Maybe he’d wanted to see if someone could fill the void in his heart when he left. Sappy, yes, but it was worth a thought.

  “No can do, Cherry.”

  She lifted her head and frowned. “Why not? You can’t tell me you enjoyed our fight or listening to me freak out on Joe about my father or being forced to jump off a boulder because your lunatic lover gets a wild hair up her ass.”

  “More like my lunatic girlfriend,” he corrected. “Given our history together, calling you my lover doesn’t quite cover it.” She opened her mouth to protest, when he shook his head to silence her. “No, you’re right. I didn’t enjoy any of that. But if we forget this excursion happened, then I would have to forget the part where you told me you loved me. I think I want to hold onto that memory for a long while.”

  Charity closed her eyes and released a trembling breath. When she looked up at him again, there was a glimmer reflecting back at him that made his pulse spike. Without having to say a word, he knew what she was thinking.

  She did love him.

  “In that case, why don’t we go back to the ship and forget the less favorable parts of this adventure?”

  “Sounds like a plan to me.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Late the next afternoon, Charity found herself driving down her street, her fingers tapping against the steering wheel in time with the song playing on the radio. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror and smothered a grin. She definitely had the telltale glow of a woman who’d been loved by a man. Shoot, her thighs were still trembling from the incredible experience she’d shared with Scott that morning. Just the memory of his mouth on her body was enough to reignite the embers smoldering deep in her belly.

  Then, there was the way Scott insisted on holding her against him when they made love. It seemed as though he couldn’t get close enough. Pressed against him, she’d felt his need in his rapid heartbeats and tasted it in his fevered kisses. Caught up in the moment, she’d once more declared her love for him. He hadn’t said anything. Instead, he rolled atop of her and gave himself to her the only way he could. He made love to her. It wasn’t the admittance she’d been hoping for, but it would do for now.

  Blinking the memory from her mind, Charity slowed when she approached her house. Parked in the double driveway was her brother’s black truck and, pulling up beside him, she found Joe leaning against the rear bumper with his arms crossed. Instinctively, she fought the urge to sigh while gripping the steering wheel. She shouldn’t be surprised by his presence. After all, it wasn’t in her nature to take off without telling anyone. Given the way she’d left things after the radio fiasco, could she blame him for wanting to find out what she’d been thinking?

  Sending up a silent prayer for patience, she cut the engine and opened the door. “You didn’t have to come all the way up here to greet me.” She got out and stretched her arms for a hug. “A phone call would have sufficed.”

  “Believe it or not, this wasn’t my idea.” He pushed off the truck and removed his sunglasses before putting his arms around her in a tight hug. When he pulled back, he looked her over carefully. “I take it things went…well?”

  Charity smiled at the slow blush seeping into his cheeks. “Fantasy Cruises isn’t what you think. It’s what you want it to be.” She paused and tilted her head to study him. “So who put you up to this? Emily or Laney?”

  Joe shook his head, unable to meet her gaze. “Neither Emily or Laney are talking to me right now. They’re still pissed that I didn’t recognize Nick’s voice sooner.” He offered her a weak shrug. “It was Dad’s idea. He wanted me to talk to you.”

  Oh, how classic. What better way to get to her than to use her brother’s OCD tendencies to his benefit? Her f
ather knew Joe was a compulsive worrier, so it was only fitting to make her feel guilty for refusing to go to the wedding. As soon as she was calm enough to speak to the man, she planned to let her father know just what she thought of his plan.

  “Well, it’s good to know our family is still as dysfunctional as ever. Since you’re here, why don’t you give me a hand with my bag and, as compensation, we’ll have a beer. How does that sound?”

  “What? No tequila?” Joe ducked the swat she made at him and peered inside the car while making his way to the trunk. “How did things turn out with Scott?”

  “Good.” She slid past him to unlatch the trunk and stepped back. “He had to tie up a few loose ends at work and fill out his leave slip, but he should be here in a couple of hours.” She grinned at her brother’s stunned expression. “Most people bring home shot glasses and T-shirts for souvenirs. I bring home crewmembers. Is that a bad thing?”

  Joe feigned a shudder before retrieving her suitcase. “I usually charge a hundred and fifty dollars an hour to discuss questions like that.” He shut the trunk and gestured to the house with his free hand. “Is there anything else you want to tell me or am I better off not knowing?”

  The image of jumping from the boulder on Pleasure Island sprung to mind and she hesitated while fishing her house key out of her purse. No, that was one escapade she would keep to herself. Joe would never understand and, even if he did, it was a private thing between her and Scott. Call her selfish, but she wanted to keep as many of those memories to herself.

  “No, not really,” she said at last. After unlocking the door, she stepped inside to let him pass. “Well, there is one thing. You’re probably going to laugh, come to think of it.” Or tell me I’m an idiot.

  “Oh?”

  “I think I’m still in love with Scott.” She rushed on when Joe sighed. “You said yourself that friends who sleep together can sometimes become closer.”

  Scrubbing a palm over his face, he turned to face her. “I also said you should hide in your cabin until the cruise was over. See? I’m full of useless advice.” He dropped his hand and sucked his lower lip. “Look, you’re a grown woman and I know that. I have a hard time seeing you hurt. Scott broke your heart once. Do you want to risk it again when a long-distance romance will most likely fail?”

  When Charity didn’t say anything, he strode into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. “I’m sorry. I know I should be more supportive, but I want to make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.” He retrieved two beers and handed her one. “In light of recent events, can you blame me for wondering if this might be a rebound thing?”

  No, but she hadn’t wanted him calling her on it either. Logically, he was right, but he hadn’t been there. It had been more than sex—though the fact Scott was the only man who could make her come had to count for something, right? They’d been able to reconnect after a decade of separation and hurt. He’d looked past her initially wanting to use him and she, well, she trusted Scott. If he said his Heartbreaker days were behind him, then she believed him.

  “I appreciate your concern, but I think I’ll be okay. Scott and I already established that we’re not promising forever. We just want a chance to see where things go. If we’re destined to remain friends, that’s fine. If it’s more, then we’ll figure out arrangements later.” She twisted off the top and took a swig from the bottle. “So when are Dad and Clorette leaving for Reno?”

  Joe eyed her for a moment, but didn’t protest the subject change. “The day after tomorrow. Just enough time for you to change your mind. At least, that’s the impression I got when he asked me to meet you here.”

  “He used you, you know.”

  “I’m aware of that. I also knew it wouldn’t work. It just gave me the excuse to apologize in person for that radio mess. By the way, Merlin was wondering if you’d be interested in coming to the station for a payback show he’s doing next week. Turns out Nick started a maelstrom of jilted lover calls.”

  Charity’s eyes widened and she let out a low whistle. “I knew Nick was a creep, but this really proves it. What did you tell him?”

  “I told him you’d be there.” He chuckled at her slack-jawed expression. “I may be analytical to a fault, but I’m also your brother. This saves me the trouble of finding him myself. Didn’t you say there was tequila?”

  She shook her head in amazement and gestured to the kitchen. “You know where I keep the liquor and shot glasses. I’ll be right back. I want to take a quick shower before Scott gets here.”

  Just when she thought she had Joe figured out, leave it to him to do something completely out-of-character to keep her guessing. It wasn’t an entirely bad thing. In fact, she kind of liked it.

  ****

  “Two weeks?” Kathy looked at the leave sheet on her desk and then at Scott. When he nodded, she let out a low breath before scribbling her name at the bottom of the slip. “Ordinarily, I wouldn’t allow you to be gone this long, but it so happens I need you to do something for me involving our sweet girl-next-door reporter.”

  Scott felt the air in his lungs freeze. He plunked into the chair Kathy was pointing to with her pen and tried to swallow the lump stuck in his throat. How had his boss found out? He supposed it couldn’t have been difficult. From the way Charity described her plans for the article, she would have needed to be brazen in her approach when interviewing passengers. After all, there was no polite way to ask someone if they viewed the Hedonna as a floating orgy.

  She removed her reading glasses and arched an eyebrow. “What? You didn’t think I’d find out Miss Charity Kendrick is a reporter for the San Rico Tribune or that her douche bag editor sent her here to check out Fantasy Cruises? Come on, Scott, give me some credit.”

  “What do you want me to do? She already destroyed her notes involving the Heartbreaker—”

  Kathy leapt to her feet. “She knows who you are?” He resisted the urge to flinch at her shrill tone. “Are you out of your fucking mind? If that woman blabs—”

  “She’s not going to tell anyone. Charity’s not like that.” God, he hated how lame he sounded, but it was the truth. At least, he was pretty sure it was. He was certain she wouldn’t sell them out to win her editor’s favor.

  Pressing her fingertips on the surface of her desk, Kathy leaned forward. “Prove it. I want you to search her laptop and find everything she wrote about this cruise. If so much as one thing would set off the captain’s warning bells then I want you to destroy it. You got us into this mess, now get us out of it.”

  Not intimidated, Scott rose and squared his shoulders. “You’re a bitch, you know that? No wonder we stopped fucking.”

  She grinned. “Oh, don’t be like that. If I’m wrong about your friend, I’ll send her a gift basket for the two of you to enjoy. How’s that?”

  He snatched the leave sheet from her desk and started for the door. “If you’re wrong about this and it goes any way but smoothly, then you can consider this my resignation.” With that, he left making sure the door slammed behind him.

  The twenty minute drive to San Rico did little to calm Scott’s fury, despite the fact he was finally getting the opportunity to drive his vintage American sports car. What had he been thinking to agree to Kathy’s demands? On the one hand, he could almost understand her need for proof that Charity was telling the truth. But hadn’t he just told the woman he loved that it would take time before he could trust her again? What did it say about him to turn around and snoop through her computer?

  The simple solution would be to come clean and ask for the notes. She would want to know why, and that’s where the problem lie. How to word Kathy’s demands without coming off like a jerk? Damn if he knew. But as his hometown’s welcome sign came into view, a new dread filled him.

  Home.

  He hadn’t been here in twelve years and with good reason. With the exception of Charity and his mother, no one missed him. Not his father and, more disheartening, not his former buddy. At l
east the former didn’t hate him. Joe? Well, Joe hated his guts for leaving him to deal with Charity’s broken heart.

  “I know Cherry thinks I’m leaving for good, but I’m not. I’ll be back during breaks and, when she graduates, she can come see me if she wants. I think it would be a trip to have her at UNLV with me.”

  Scott could still remember the incredulous look in Joe’s eyes. “You know how she feels about you. Do you really think it’s fair to string her along any more than you already have? You want out of here so bad, then make it a clean break. Get on that bus and don’t look back. Trust me, it’s the best thing you can do for her.”

  So much for that theory. Worse yet, he couldn’t even tell her. It was bad enough that she thought he’d abandoned her, she didn’t need to know her brother had ensured it. The best he could hope for was that time had mellowed Joe in this regard.

  Enough. He had time to think about what he would say to Joe. In the meantime, there was a smoking-hot woman living on Callhoune Lane waiting for him. His mind painted a picture of what she might be wearing when she greeted him at the door. Some of his anxiety lessened at the image. If he was lucky, she’d be wearing the skimpy silk robe he saw her packing this morning and nothing else. Ah yes. He could almost see those rosy pink nipples hardening beneath the white fabric now.

  Shaking the image from his head, he slowed in front of Charity’s house. He saw the old sedan she’d described parked in the drive, but what was with the black truck? For all he knew, one of her girlfriends had come over to see how the cruise went. Charity had never been the gossiping type, but then he’d never known her to have many female friends until now. Throughout their childhood, he and Joe had been stuck to her hip like glue.

  What if it isn’t one of her girlfriends?

  No, he wasn’t going to be one of those guys. Charity had seen more than her share of jerks and he didn’t want to be lumped in that category—again. Dismissing the prickling across his skin, he pulled into the driveway behind her car and cut the engine. He climbed out and reached for the duffle bag on the passenger seat. Passing the truck, he made a point to take a glance inside the window.