Fumbled Hearts (A Tender Hearts Novel)

by Meagan Brandy

“Don’t do that,” he whispers, his eyes locking onto mine. He quickly looks away. “Man.”

  “What?”

  He sighs, and looks back at me. “Your eyes can really put a guy on his ass, that’s all.”

  “Well, stay on your damn feet, Hollins,” I disregard his comment with a laugh. “You’re too damn heavy for me to pick back up.”

  He laughs too, but it doesn’t sound all that genuine.

  Hopping off the stool, I clutch the bar to keep from falling, the effects of the alcohol stalling my reflexes momentarily.

  Jarrod’s hand grabs my hip to steady me and I quickly pull away.

  “Catch you later, Hollins.” Picking up my drink, I wave it at him.

  He watches me the whole time, probably even after I turn around and walk off.

  Nate spots me from across the water and winks, turning back to the conversation with his boys.

  Once in the warm pool, I dip down to my shoulders, careful to keep my drink high above the water, and walk toward Parker and Mia.

  He spots me instantly and smiles, wrestling free of Mia’s grasp.

  “Hey.”

  “Getting the party started?” He grabs my wrist and brings my straw to his mouth for a quick drink.

  “Yep.” I laugh, offering Mia some.

  “No thanks. I’m gonna go get something. Catch you guys later,” she says, making her way out of the pool.

  “So, what’s the plan for tonight, Lolli Bear?” Parker asks, lifting me into a cradle position in his arms and spinning in circles.

  I lay my head back and throw my hand out, letting the water create a wave over my palm. “Not sure exactly. Dinner, drinking, and dancing, I think. Per Mia, it doesn’t matter what we do as long as we’re out when the clock strikes midnight.”

  “Well, anything special you want to do today?” he asks, setting me on my feet, a big smile on his boy next door face. “I could take you on a hike or something?”

  I smile at my friend. “I ever tell you, you look like Paul Walker?”

  He laughs, dipping his head back to wet his hair, then runs his fingers through the thick blond tufts. “I thought I looked like your grandpa?” he teases.

  “I said you remind me of my grandpa, ass, not that you looked like him.” I hit him in the chest. “Seriously, though, you look like you just stepped out of Fast and the Furious, ready to take a ride.”

  “You want to go for a ride, Lolli Bear?” There’s a wicked gleam his eyes, so I jump back, thrusting my hand out.

  “Oh, no you don’t.” I wiggle my cup. “I have a drink in my hand.”

  He steps closer, so my palm is flat against his pecs. “You better down that thing then.”

  I narrow my eyes and his grin grows.

  Groaning, I down the drink, tossing the plastic cup to the side, and try to dodge him, but he’s quicker and has me spun around and over his shoulder in seconds.

  I kick my feet, laughing hysterically, trying to get free. When he makes it to the steps of the pool, he clasps my thighs tight so I can’t wiggle.

  “Don’t try to get free or you might fall and get hurt,” he laughs and starts jogging away from the resort pool.

  “You are so dead!” I shout, still trying to control my laughter.

  Nate catches my eye on our way past, and stands, but we’re out of sight before I can see anything else.

  I see the sand, then the water, where Parker’s dunking us both into the warm Caribbean. He doesn’t let go when we come up for air; just walks further into the water, laughing.

  He shifts my body, holding in a cradle position so I sprawl out like I did in the pool, and he takes the cue, spinning me around, only slower this time.

  “Man, Hero,” I gaze up at the orange-streaked sky. “This is nice.”

  “Yeah,” he rasps. “It is.”

  I glance at him, finding him looking down at me.

  He smiles.

  “Can I have my girl back now, Baylor?”

  Parker spins around to see Nate making his way into the water, and the sight of him makes my mouth water.

  Parker sets me on the floor and kisses my temple. “See you guys in a bit.”

  I nod, sinking down to my shoulders, waiting for Nate to come to me.

  He hands his drink off to Parker on his way, smacking his shoulder in thanks.

  Nate smirks and dips all the way under the water, coming up once he has my legs wrapped in his arms.

  He lifts me out of the water and I slide down his body until I wrap my legs around his waist, water beads rolling down his face.

  “Hi.”

  “Hi.” I lean forward, running my tongue across his lips.

  “Whiskey?” he grins.

  I nod, grinding into him in response.

  “I thought it was the tequila that made your clothes come off,” he teases, his hands rubbing up and down my thighs.

  I shake my head. “Nope. It’s you.”

  His eyes dilate. “Me, huh?” He slides his hands into my bottoms, cupping my ass roughly.

  I nod.

  He walks us further into the water, sliding me back and forth against his dick.

  “Handsome,” I roll my hips into him. “Take me to my room.”

  “No.”

  I pull back, raising a brow. “No?”

  “Nuh-uh.” He stops walking when his shoulders are submerged, his hand coming between us to pull himself from his trunks.

  I gasp, clutching his neck tighter, and look around. While there isn’t anyone around us, there are people on the shoreline.

  “Someone will see.”

  “I would never let anyone see you.” He kisses my shoulder, my neck, my ear.

  “But the water is clear.” I grin.

  “We’ll have to be discreet.”

  “But-”

  He pulls back, narrowing his lust-filled eyes at me. “When I want, where I want…remember?” He raises a cocky eyebrow at me.

  All I can do is nod. I love him like this, all bossy and sexy and shit.

  His fingers slip under my suit and find their way inside me. He groans instantly, and my head tucks into the crook of his neck. “Damn, baby. I can feel how ready you are, even in the water.” He teases me with his fingers and thumb, giving me no choice but to roll my body against his hand. “You ready for me?”

  “Yes,” I pant into his wet skin.

  In one fluid motion, he slides into me, wrapping his arms around my back to pull me as close as possible.

  I moan into his neck.

  “There you go, baby,” he coos into my ear, one hand coming down to guide my hips in slow, rotating movements. “Nice and slow.”

  “Mmm… ” My hands leave his neck to rub on his biceps, loving the way they flex under my touch.

  He lowers us further into the water, so only a sliver of our necks and heads are bobbing on top.

  Apparently, Nate is no longer concerned with discreet, because he fists my hair and brings my mouth to his, kissing me hard and deep. Groaning, as he bruises my ass with his grip and bounces my body against his.

  He swells inside me and I know he’s about to burst like I am. He starts to lift my hips, but I lock my legs tighter around his back, grinding down hard, not letting him pull out.

  We come together, moaning and biting at each other’s mouths.

  He pulls my bottom lip between his teeth, his body shuddering against mine. “You’re so fucking perfect.”

  “Right back atcha.” My legs fall from his and he catches my sated body in his arms.

  Smiling, he kisses my forehead, and starts walking back to shore.

  “That’s what vacations are made of.” I grin, winking up at him.

  “Just wait. After midnight tonight,” he kisses my lips quickly, “I’ll show you what birthdays are made of.”

  “After midnight,” I muse, closing my eyes, letting him carry me through the water. “Sounds perfect.”

  Nate sits by the poolside bar, chatting with a few guys I don’t know.<
br />
  As soon as he sees me walking up, he gives me his goofy drunken grin.

  “Hey.”

  “Hey,” I laugh, saying hello to his new friends. “I’m gonna start getting ready. We leave in about two hours.”

  He nods, pulling me in for a quick kiss. “Alright. I’ll head up in an hour or so. Meet me at my room and we’ll walk down together?”

  “Okay.” I make a dash for it, happy he isn’t insisting on walking me. This way, he won’t distract me with his naked body in the shower, and we won’t be late for once.

  I bump into Mia on my way to the elevator.

  “Hey!” She smiles brightly. “I put a new dress on hold at the little shop just outside the hotel. I’m running to grab it really quick. Wanna come?”

  “I’m actually going to start getting ready before Nate comes up,” I laugh. “Meet you downstairs at seven?”

  “Yep!” She smiles and bounces away.

  Right when I step into the elevator, a hand slips through to stop the doors from closing, and Jarrod stumbles in, laughing.

  “Almost missed it.” He smiles.

  “Yep.” I press the number twelve and the doors close again. “You on twelve too?”

  “Yeah.” He nods, pulling his phone from his pocket to check the time.

  “You coming out with us tonight?” I ask him, leaning against the wall.

  “Yeah, I’ll be there, but a little later.” He smiles. “Gotta sleep off this buzz and refresh for another one.”

  “Sleep sounds nice.”

  The door dings open and he motions for me to go first.

  Neither of us speak as we make our way down the hall toward our rooms, but when I stop at my door, he grabs the door handle in one hand and places the other on my back. I look up at him, confused, and he smiles down at me.

  “Just in case I miss the midnight mark.” He leans down and places his lips to my jaw quickly. “Happy Birthday, Lolli.”

  I shrug him off and smile to be polite, mentally deciding Jarrod Hollins is trouble. “Thanks,” I mumble, then squeeze inside, not looking back when I shut the door behind me.

  “Alright, fellas.” I toss a five on the bar top and stand, thanking the bartender. “I’m running out of time. Gotta go get ready for tonight.” I tip my chin at Austin.

  He downs his drink, motioning for another. “I’m headed that way in a few. Grabbing one for the road.”

  “Just be in the lobby by seven, yeah?” I raise a brow. “We’re heading over to the next resort for dinner, then going to Coco Bongo for drinks and shit.”

  He nods, brushing me away with the back of his hand.

  I don’t even make it through the glass, wall-length sliding doors before I’m stopped.

  When she walks right in front of me, my hands find my hips, my head dropping back to stare at the gold-flecked covered ceiling. “What, Olivia?”

  “Got a minute?” She cuts her eyes around nervously.

  “No. Actually, I don’t.” I step past her. “I’m running short on time already.”

  “It’s about Lolli!” she shouts, desperation dripping off her tongue.

  I keep moving for the elevator, pushing the little green arrow when I reach it.

  “Look, Liv.” I turn to her. “I get it. You don’t like her, but that’s too damn bad. We,” I motion my hand between the two of us, “were never a thing. We hooked up a couple times. That’s it.”

  She looks at her bare feet, then back up at me through sad eyes, hidden by heavy makeup. “I know, but this isn’t about that. I’m just worried about you.”

  When I roll my eyes, she steps closer. “I’m serious.” She looks up at me. “She’s lying to you. Tricking you.”

  I throw my hands up and take a step back. “Okay.” My brows jump, making my hat lift off my head slightly. “I’ve heard enough.” The elevator door chimes at the perfect time and I step inside. “Go away, Olivia.”

  She doesn’t, and she’s quick to step in with me, making it a point to push her ass out a little further than necessary, rushing to push the button to close the doors before anyone else can join us. “I’m serious. She’s using you!” she all but yells at me.

  Running my hands down my face, I can’t help but laugh. “Yeah, okay.” I shake my head, praying someone else gets on along the way up.

  They don’t.

  Olivia rambles on about how Kalani doesn’t care about me, about how she’s using me for status, and I tune her ass out the entire time, jumping out of the tiny silver box the second the doors open.

  “Go away, Olivia!” I shout, not bothering to look behind me.

  “Nate, please! How can you not see it?” she pleads, her feet padding the floor in her attempt to keep up with me.

  Eyes on the white door in front of me, I slip my key card in. “Have a nice night,” I throw over my shoulder, stepping into my room.

  “I have proof!” she rushes out, running each word together, her eyes darting down the hall, then back to me.

  When the door freezes, half-closed in my hand, I think I see her lip twitch as she steps in front of me.

  Her shaky hand lifts, waving her phone back in forth a few inches from my face.

  When I don’t slam the door on her, she steps even closer. “Let me come in,” she whispers, “and I’ll show you.”

  My eyes narrow.

  She gives me a sad, side smile, tucking her long blonde hair behind her ear.

  Against my better judgment, I demand, “Show me.”

  “Let me in and-”

  “Show. Me. Olivia.” I all but growl, determined to call her bluff. Needing to, really.

  She sighs and looks at her phone. Pressing some buttons, she bites her lip, turning the screen to me.

  It’s Kalani and Jarrod, a picture from last night when they were dancing. He has his sloppy hands on her hips. Her head is tilted back as she laughs.

  I shrug, cutting my eyes back to Liv. “Nice try. I’m well-aware they were dancing last night. You were the one that pointed it out to me.” I raise a dark brow at her. “Remember?”

  “That’s not the only one.” She pulls the phone back, swipes to the left, and thrusts it back in my face. “See. Today. They were drinking together.”

  This photo is of Kalani in her sinful white two-piece that shows off her sun-kissed skin, sitting next to a shirtless Jarrod. They’re clinking shot glasses, smiling at each other.

  My jaw ticks, but I shrug. “Already knew this too. Seen ‘em.”

  My eyes still on the phone, I see Liv nod in my peripheral. She reaches around and swipes, not pulling the phone away.

  Jarrod and Kalani laughing.

  Jarrod and Kalani leaning toward each other.

  Kalani lifting her glasses to look at the prick.

  Jarrod’s hand on Kalani’s arm.

  My eyes fly to Liv then back to her phone. “Why did you take all these? So they hung out a little.” My shoulder jerks up in a not so casual shrug. “Big deal. They’re...” What? Friends? “Cordial.”

  She nods and steps closer. “I thought so too, until I came up here earlier to switch swimsuits and saw...” She turns her phone toward her, pulling up another set of pictures. “This.”

  This picture is Kalani walking into the elevator, Jarrod following close behind. The next one is him stepping in with her.

  My pulse spikes, thumping against my neck. “Not a big deal.”

  Liv laughs lightly, hearing the tightness in my voice.

  She nods, pulling up on more picture. “And this one.”

  It’s a clear shot of Kalani standing in front of her room.

  With Jarrod.

  One of his hands is on her door that’s cracked open slightly, the other holding her bicep. I can’t see her face because his is tilted, blocking her, but it’s as clear as a fucking blitz his mouth is on her.

  I lose balance slightly, having to take a half step back to right myself.

  Olivia takes it as in invitation, stepping inside, closing th
e door behind her. “I’m really sorry, Nate.”

  I squeeze my eyes shut, shaking my head.

  No. No.

  “Get the fuck out of here, Olivia.” I narrow my eyes. “I know that’s all bullshit. You’re just trying to cause problems.”

  My chest tightens. That’s all it is…right?

  “Seriously, Nate?” She gapes at me, her eyes glazing over. “I give you proof and you still believe in her?”

  “Yeah.” I step toward her. “I do.”

  With a shake of her head, she sits down on the edge of my bed.

  When her gaze lowers to her phone once again, I hold my breath.

  “I didn’t want to have to do this,” she mumbles, sounding not at all remorseful. “I thought the pictures would be enough, but clearly they’re not. She’s worked some serious magic on you, Nate.”

  When my brows pull up, Olivia rubs the silk comforter, motioning for me to sit beside her.

  I sit in the chair across the room.

  She sighs, crosses her long legs, and pushes a button on her phone, before setting it beside her and leaning back on her elbows.

  Kalani’s raspy voice fills the room, sounding a little muffled by distance.

  “What is this?” I ask, my eyes locked on the lit screen.

  “Shh...” Olivia answers.

  “Olivia.”

  “A recording, Nate. You need to hear what your precious Kalani really thinks.” When my eyes fly to hers, hers seem to soften around the edges. “She admitted everything, Nate,” she tells me, then presses play on her and Kalani’s conversation once more.

  “What about him?” Kalani spews, irritation lacing her words.

  “Why are you with Nate?”

  “NFL pays high for recognizable talent,” she states, matter-of-factly.

  My brows grow close, my chest tightening slightly.

  “So, that’s all this is to you?” Olivia sobs. “What about Nate?”

  “I don’t care about Nate!” Kalani yells.

  It feels like my heart has stopped beating. Using the heels of my hands, I push into my eye sockets, not wanting, but needing to hear the rest.

  “So, what is he to you?”

  “Easy. Money, a title, and a ticket.”

  Kalani’s voice is so calm and unaffected, I want to puke.