He exhaled and couldn’t help but smile. He missed Anne more than he would ever admit to anyone. He knocked softly on the door and waited. Finally, a sniffle and a whispered “yes?” came through the door.
“Are you okay? I heard … crying.”
She opened the door a crack. The storm had blown over, and all was calm outside, but all was not calm for Maddie. A lamp by the bedside revealed red, puffy eyes. Zack could swear his sister’s ghost must’ve nudged him forward, because no sane man who wanted to stay sane, happy, and alone in the world would walk toward a distraught beauty and enfold her in his arms.
Maddie jerked in surprise as his arms wrapped around her; then she leaned into him, and her arms found their way around him, too. Zack rested his cheek on top of her head and simply held her. After a few minutes, which stirred all kinds of longings and romantic feelings he had no right to be feeling with this stranger, he hoped he’d offered her some kind of comfort. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Maddie bit at her lower lip for a second, then spit out, “I think my father’s dead.” She shook her head. “I’m pretty sure he’s dead.”
“I’m sorry.” More questions raced through Zack’s mind, but he didn’t feel it was the right time to ask if that was why she’d shown up on his island. “Were you close to him?”
“Not really. I only saw him a few times growing up. He always took my mom on trips, but never me. He asked me to come to the Caribbean to celebrate graduating with my master’s degree. I thought it was going to be this great vacation, but then …” Her voice trailed off. “Are you close to your father?”
The question was a surprise. Zack’s arms fell away from her, and he stepped back. “No. I wish I’d only seen him a few times growing up.” He forced a smile and pushed memories of his father back into the closed compartment he thought he’d sealed tight enough that nothing would leak out—especially at moments like this. How would he feel if his father was dead? Probably relieved and guiltier than ever. “Do you think you can sleep now?”
“Probably not, but I really appreciate the, um, comfort.”
“Anytime.” Zack started. How had he said that and actually meant it? She would be gone in the morning. He’d figure out where he could take her that she deemed safe, and he’d never see her again. There wasn’t going to be an “anytime.” He backed out of her room, muttered “good night,” and fled down the wide hallway.
Find Caribbean Rescue on Amazon or buy the entire set of Billionaire Beach Romances here.
Also by Cami Checketts
Navy Seal Romance
The Protective Warrior
The Captivating Warrior
Texas Titan Romance
The Fearless Groom
The Trustworthy Groom
The Beastly Groom
Billionaire Beach Romance
Caribbean Rescue
Cozumel Escape
Cancun Getaway
Trusting the Billionaire
How to Kiss a Billionaire
Onboard for Love
Shadows in the Curtain
Billionaire Bride Pact Romance
The Resilient One
The Feisty One
The Independent One
The Protective One
The Faithful One
The Daring One
Park City Firefighter Romance
Rescued by Love
Reluctant Rescue
Stone Cold Sparks
Echo Ridge Romance
Christmas Makeover
Last of the Gentlemen
My Best Man’s Wedding
Change of Plans
Counterfeit Date
Snow Valley
Full Court Devotion: Christmas in Snow Valley
A Touch of Love: Summer in Snow Valley
Running from the Cowboy: Spring in Snow Valley
Light in Your Eyes: Winter in Snow Valley
Romancing the Singer: Return to Snow Valley
Other Books by Cami
Pass Interference: A Last Play Romance
Saving Sycamore Bay
How to Design Love
Oh, Come On, Be Faithful
Protect This
Blog This
Redeem This
The Broken Path
Dead Running
Dying to Run
Fourth of July
Poison Me
The Colony
Copyright
The Irresistible Groom: Texas Titans Romance
Copyright © 2018 by Cami Checketts
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Cover art: Novak Illustrations
The Irresistible Groom: Texas Titan Romances Page 11