by Gina Gordon
“Not a stalker, honey.” Ian winked at her from across the table. “Just nosy.”
Cole hated the fact that people wanted to be nosy and get the details on his private life. He did his best not to indulge in anything that might be considered a good news story. If there was going to be any press on him, he wanted it to be about the Boys and Girls Club, not about who he might or might not be screwing.
The interrogation continued while they ate their meal. Mostly from her siblings. Penn’s father remained quiet at the head of the table.
Cole scarfed down a T-bone steak with scalloped potatoes and a Caesar salad. It was delicious. His steak was cooked to a perfect medium-rare.
When their plates were cleared, Penn visited with her niece and nephew at the other end of the table. She was good with them. Smiling and happy. Interested in what they had to say. She’d be a great mom.
Parenting was something Cole had never learned. It wasn’t until Vivian had taken him in that he’d experienced the unconditional love of a real parent. But after the many years as an alone and neglected child, what if he came by those traits honestly? If so, he should steer clear of procreation.
“Perfect timing,” her father said as a server brought around a tray of champagne cocktails.
Without a second thought, Cole asked the server, “Can you please bring one glass of straight champagne?” Penn was a purist at heart, at least with her alcohol.
The server nodded, delivered the rest of his drinks, and then rushed off.
“The time has come.” Harold clinked his glass while Margot rustled under the table.
Cathy was ready to sit beside her husband, so she switched seats with Penn, who sat down beside him with a smile. Her sweet lilac scent infused his senses. It was better than the scent of any gourmet meal he’d ever eaten.
“This is what we’re playing for, children.” Her mother placed the infamous Foster cup on the table. The entire family, with the exception of Penn and himself, gave a collective sigh.
The trophy was exactly as Cole had expected. Something that you’d find in a high school athletics case. The base was dark wood. Two sides were covered with gold plates that identified the winners.
Poor Penn. She’d spent the last twenty years striving for something that was completely out of her reach. A matter of pride for the woman who, on a daily basis, expertly battled the media and developed marketing blitz campaigns. But sports? Not so much.
Determination washed over him. He wasn’t leaving this island until her name was on that trophy. He owed her this. For all the moody, broody grunts she’d had to put up with over the past three years, it was the least he could do.
“I am officially ringing in the 2015 Foster Family Fun-cation,” Mr. Foster announced.
The children cheered from their seats. Andy slapped his fork against the table, and Sara danced in her seat to her own music.
Cole couldn’t wait for Finn and Veronica’s baby to arrive so their family get-togethers had one of these adorable kids to fawn over.
Harold pointed down to the trophy. “Beth and Dave, you are the returning champions.”
“Five years in a row,” Beth boasted, looking over at Penn and staring her down.
Okay, someone was a little too competitive.
Penn fidgeted beside Cole. The need to protect blazed inside his chest, coupled with a sense of ownership. He wanted desperately to wrap his arms around her shoulders and pull her close, but that would only make things more complicated.
“Cole, this trophy is now twenty years old.” Her father held it up. “Because of the special occasion, I have arranged for a very tough, very meticulous scavenger hunt as the final event.”
“Yes!” Dave yelled out. “We kill at scavenger hunts.” He held up his hand, and Beth high-fived her husband.
Penn leaned in and whispered, “The key to the scavenger hunt is splitting up the list. It’s been my biggest disadvantage.” She smiled a devious grin, apparently forgetting about the humiliating kiss they’d just shared.
But she was right to. The scavenger hunt was why he was here. Awkward kisses be damned.
“Not this year,” he said. “Not with me here.”
She tilted her head, and it was just about to rest on his shoulder when the server came up beside her. She straightened. “Oh, do you think you could—”
He placed the flute of plain champagne beside her.
“Thank…you.” She smiled up at the server, then looked over at Cole, and her smile grew even wider. “Thank you.”
He shrugged. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t made it clear on more than one occasion that champagne was not to be trifled with.
When dinner was over, the group walked out of the restaurant and congregated in the hotel lobby.
“Cole,” Ian yelled over an impromptu serenade by Sara. “We’re going to walk on the beach with the kids. Do you and Penn want to join us?”
“We’d lo—”
Penn squeezed his arm tight. “I need to get the hell out of here,” she whispered in his ear. “Drink?”
Cole glanced between Ian and Penn. He knew where his loyalty lay. With Penn. “Maybe tomorrow night. I’m a little tired from the flight this morning.”
“Sure. I get it.” Ian waggled his eyebrows and gathered up the children’s sweaters and toys.
They were just going for drinks, Cole reminded himself.
Man, did Ian have it all wrong.
Chapter Four
Penn hiccupped. Too much champagne. If she could have slapped her face without looking like an idiot, she would have. This whole scenario was just asking for trouble.
For once, she had been looking forward to the Foster Family Fun-cation because it meant a break from temptation. But here it was, temptation with a capital T in the living, breathing, all-too-tempting flesh.
She’d touched that flesh. Practically humped that flesh back in her bathroom. Her insides heated just thinking about that kiss, but she tamped it down.
Don’t go there. He stepped away from you, remember?
Cole returned to the bar, tucking his cell phone in the pocket of his cargo shorts. He’d left her alone for a few minutes to let his brothers know he’d arrived safe.
“How are your brothers?” she asked, spinning the champagne flute between her fingers.
“Good.” He settled into the seat beside her. “Keeping busy. Lots to do even without launching the club.”
“Right.” She tried to act casual. This was the first segue she’d had since she’d found out the spot on the board was vacant. And this was exactly where her head should be, in business, not analyzing a heated moment that they both knew was a mistake.
“You’ll have to fill the board seat now that Gloria has decided to step down.”
He nodded, then sipped his beer, refusing to look her in the eye.
“Any ideas who you might get to replace her?” She downed the rest of her drink in hopes her face didn’t give away her interest, or her poor attempt at fishing for information.
“We haven’t formally discussed anything yet.” His phone buzzed in his pocket, but he didn’t bother looking. Instead, he smiled. “Finn wanted me to tell you that you’re in charge of showing me a good time.”
I’ll show you a good time, cowboy.
No, no she would not. Funny how she’d changed gears from career plans to sex in one-point-five seconds. She seemed to be good at that since she’d let him maul her mouth only a few hours ago in the middle of talking about his family.
But his words solved the mystery she’d been struggling with since he’d shown up at the pool.
“They sent you here, didn’t they?” She cocked her head, waiting for an answer.
He’d been running himself ragged trying to get the club up and running. She knew an impromptu vacation wasn’t his idea.
When he nodded, she smiled. “Nothing’s going to happen while you’re gone,” she said.
“I know.”
She remembered t
he day he pitched the idea for the Madewood Boys and Girls Club to his brothers. He’d shown up at Bistro just as she was leaving. But she couldn’t very well leave while he was so flustered. And it had broken her heart. She’d seen the pain in his eyes. Seen the tears he refused to cry. And she’d spent all night in his office, just sitting silently with him. She knew the kid being stabbed to death weighed heavy on his shoulders. For some reason, he blamed himself.
She’d decided right then and there that she’d do whatever she could to back his idea. Because she knew that if she ever needed him, he’d do the same for her.
Case in point—spending an entire week with her crazy family just so she could try and get her name on a dumb trophy.
He sat facing forward, his feet on the lower rung of the high stool, his legs wide open, taking up way too much space for her liking. He always crowded the area around her. Even when he was twenty feet away.
The bartender, an attractive man in his twenties with piercing blue eyes and golden skin, wiped the wood bar in front of them, cleaning up the condensation from their drinks.
She pushed out a breath. Damn, he wasn’t the only one who needed to relax. Let loose. She’d felt stifled all day. Unlike her usual self. He’d wanted to take a walk on the beach with her family, but she’d made him choose. She’d had enough of the Foster clan for one day. She wanted some me-time. As a bonus, she was also getting some Cole-time in the process.
“Let’s do something.” Now that she was separated from her family, she felt like herself again, and the anticipation of trying something new danced in her stomach.
“I’m a little tired from the flight.” He slumped in his seat, that so-sad face taking up residence once again.
“You would think growing up with Jack Vaughn, you’d know how to have fun.”
From what she’d heard, and read on the internet, Jack had been the wild Madewood brother. The love-em-and-leave-em type who had women all over the world and VIP status at every party. Present-day Jack was happily married to her best friend, Sterling Andrews.
He sat back in his chair, his body still facing forward, but his head swiveled to look at her. He leveled her with an unamused sneer. “I don’t think you’re in any position to be judging, Pennie.”
She returned his sneer with one of her own. “Ha ha.”
“Did you maybe forget to tell your family that you’re the life of the party?”
“My family is…complicated.” Okay. It wasn’t really that complicated. She didn’t want to disappoint her parents. Having a daughter who bucked at every rule and ideal they had wouldn’t garner parental pride. So she kept a low profile. Although, until Cole had brought it up, she hadn’t realized just how different she became when she was around them.
“Bullshit. You’re afraid to show them who you are.”
He swiveled in his chair, and his leg brushed against hers. The coarse hair rubbed against her skin and sent a shiver down her spine. Body hair wasn’t supposed to be sexy or an aphrodisiac. But with Cole, everything about him had her engines revved.
“I am not afraid.”
She’d never admit that he was right. But she was afraid. Of her brothers’ criticism. Of not living up to the woman her parents expected her to be. But most of all, of not earning her father’s love and respect.
And you would wash all that down the drain if you pursued Cole.
“I just… It was rough trying to live up to my father’s standards. Not to mention anytime one of us did anything wrong we had to drop and give him ten.”
Which was why she had arms of steel. Silver lining.
“Wow. Maybe you’re the one who needs to loosen up.” He laughed. And it warmed her heart. She loved to see him laugh and smile. It didn’t happen very often.
There was a reason he was so guarded, so fearful of getting close to someone. And she knew it stemmed from his childhood—both his mother, and later, the foster care system.
Maybe if she got a little alcohol in him, he’d finally open up. Explain why he was so sad all the time. Why he was so opposed to letting her—or anyone—in. Above all, even her libido, she wanted his trust.
She called over to the bartender. “Four shots of tequila, please.”
The bartender nodded and turned to grab a bottle from the back of the bar.
Cole leaned in, his fresh scent washing over her, causing her thoughts to hiccup. “Are you trying to get me drunk, Ms. Foster?”
The bartender placed the shot glasses on the bar and filled them to the top.
She handed Cole one of the shots. “To the Foster Family Fun-cation.” She held up her shot glass. “And to finally winning that fucking cup.”
Cole nodded and clinked his glass with hers. She lost sight of him when she tilted her head back and let the fiery liquid coat her throat. They both reached for the second shot.
This time, Cole said their toast. “To building a club that will make a difference.” He reached out and held his glass up to hers. Of course his toast would have something to do with saving people. He let out a heavy breath, and some of his sad expression dissipated with it. “But first, to finally having some fucking fun.”
She smiled and clinked her glass to his. “Here, here.” She sucked in a deep breath. The second shot went down worse than the first. “And I’m just the right crazy person to take on that challenge.”
He shook his head with a laugh. “You definitely make me crazy.”
What kind of crazy, Cole?
“My first suggestion… You need to take that stick out of your butt and loosen up.”
“Is that right?” He swayed in closer. His knee brushed the inside of her thigh, and the contact sent a shockwave through her system.
Something was up. Cole Murphy never got this close. Ever.
If she looked up into the sky, would she see pigs flying?
“You can have fun anywhere, Penn. I hate that about you, but admire it at the same time.”
A compliment. Sort of. Definitely weird. She laughed. If she didn’t know any better, she would have thought Cole Murphy was flirting with her. And doing a pretty damn good job, considering the man was all business and no play.
Penn laughed to herself. Sweet, sweet Cole. If he wanted to play with the big girls, he’d best put on his big boy pants.
The closer he leaned in, the more her insides heated. The alcohol was working its magic on him. They were making progress— He was actually talking. Steering away from their usual relationship, built on supportive silence.
Because right now, the kind of fun she wanted to have involved him in her bed. Naked. Thrusting. And whispering dirty things in her ear.
Her core spasmed the more detailed her thoughts became. Screw professionalism. Even if she did have a chance at the spot on the board, she knew Cole would never let sex cloud his decision to hire her.
That kiss had ignited the very fire she’d known would exist between them if they gave it the opportunity. Maybe they could play by the “what happens in Hawaii, stays in Hawaii” rules. If no one knew about their encounter, then her career moves could never be questioned.
Besides, right now she was feeling the need to break out of the stereotypes her family had placed on her, and a fling with the object of three years’ worth of her fantasies was the exact way to challenge that.
Game on.
“You’re right. I do like to have fun.” She ran her finger down the back of his hand where it rested on his thigh. “And there’s a specific type of fun I’m thinking of right now.”
His eyes lifted quickly and wordlessly locked on hers.
She gave him her best dirty-girl smile. “I know all the reasons why we shouldn’t, but I can’t stop thinking about that kiss.” Her finger moved up and traced his forearm, then circled in the crook of his elbow. “Maybe we should explore whatever this is.” She ran her finger back and forth between them.
He swallowed hard, then gulped in a breath. “Why here? Why now?”
“Can you think o
f a better place?” She held out her arms, coaxing him to take in the luscious scenery, feel the gentle breeze, smell the fresh ocean air. “I know you want to.” She didn’t think it would take much to turn him on, but convincing him to actually go along with it, well that was the bigger task. “No one has to know. Ever.”
She reached out and grabbed his hand, then settled his palm against her thigh. It twitched. And that simple reaction told her everything she needed to know. But she wasn’t ready to stop playing. Even if he pretended he didn’t, he loved it when she teased him. And he deserved every bit of it. “I’ve often wondered what these would feel like between my legs.”
Fire blazed in his eyes. “I was afraid you’d be a talker.”
Did he not like the dirty talk? She sure did.
Moving his hand higher, she pressed his fingertips against her center. He tried to pull away, but she held his hand in place and locked her thighs together. When he stifled a groan, she knew she’d won.
“I knew the moment I saw these hands that you’d know how to handle a woman.” And so he had no question as to where she was going with this, she added, “How to handle every inch of me.”
With her other hand, she traced up and down his fingers resting on the bar. He made no attempt to move his hand from between her legs. And that muscle in his jaw was twitching like crazy.
“This isn’t a funny game, Penn.” His voice was thick, heavy with desire, and he demonstrated by rubbing the edge of his finger against her panties.
“This…” She shivered. “Is no game.” She meant every word she’d said. “I want to have fun here, too. And sex just happens to be my favorite way to have fun.”
He’d probably thought that by coming to this island he’d help her win a cup, but he had no idea he was also going to help her find release from her familial chains.
He blew out a long breath. The more blatant and aggressive her words, the more fear darkened his gaze. “Why are you so willing to offer yourself to me like this?”
Because I’ve only dreamed of fucking you for three entire years. It’s about damn time.
“Maybe this is my way of repaying you for helping me finally win.”