by Krista Lakes
“Okay,” I answered. “I'll be good.”
Dr. James smiled and patted my shoulder. “I'll give you a packet with all the instructions. It'll have all the things you need to do, like see your regular doctor when you get home, and warning signs and such.”
I nodded and he gave me his hand to help me off the exam table. Together, we headed out to the waiting room. Logan and Tyler both stood as we came out. The nurse handed Dr. James a printed sheet of instructions which he then gave me.
“She's good to go, guys. Keep an eye on her, though. Don't let her nap today and she'll need someone to check on her tonight,” Dr. James told my visitors.
“Yes, sir,” Tyler said quickly. He had some color back in his face and a soda in his hand. By the way he was making sure I stayed close to him, though, he was going to be a little protective of me for a while. I loved that he was concerned and that I now had a pint-sized protector.
“Not a problem, doctor. I'll make sure she's woken up myself,” Logan said, shaking the doctor's hand.
“No, you won't,” I said vehemently. There was no way Logan Hayes would be coming in my bedroom to wake me up during the night. There was no way he was getting in my bedroom again, period. The doctor's eyebrows went up into his hair as he looked back and forth between us.
“What I mean is,” I explained, trying to keep calm. The doctor didn't need to know about my hatred for the man who apparently saved me. “I'll have the hotel staff do it. No reason for you to lose sleep.”
“As you wish,” Logan conceded. He flashed me his most charming smile, one that said he thought he was going to change my mind. I nearly smacked him. If the doctor and nurse hadn't been looking at us like I might be crazy, I would have.
“Thank you, Dr. James,” I said, turning to shake his hand a final time. “I appreciate your help. I should go get ready for dinner.”
His grip was strong on mine as his eyebrows returned to their rightful places on his face. “Keep that cut clean and come see me if you have any questions.”
“I will. Thank you.” I put my hand on Tyler's shoulder and nudged him toward the door. He smiled back at the doctor, and the two of us headed out the door with Logan trailing right behind.
Chapter 7
The three of us walked quietly along the manicured path back to the main building. The wind had picked up, but it was still warm as the sun prepared to dip her toes into the ocean below. I couldn't believe the day was almost over. With all the excitement, I had completely lost track of time.
“Are you going to the welcome banquet tonight?” Logan asked as we rounded one of the resort pools. No one was swimming, but the water rippled gently in the breeze as we passed.
“Yes,” I replied hesitantly. I had already planned on going with Tyler and Maddy, but the idea of him being there made me a little queasy. Despite all Logan’s help today, I still didn't trust him. Once burned, twice shy. I wasn't about to let him ruin me again, even if he did save me from drowning.
“I'll see you there, then,” he said with a grin. “Take care of her, Tyler.”
Tyler nodded, tightening his grip around my arm, which was still draped over his shoulder, even though I was perfectly capable of walking on my own. “You got it. See you tonight, Logan.”
Logan's smile softened as he turned to walk down a separate path. His shirt was still missing the sleeve, but he strutted like he was wearing a tuxedo. I wished he wasn't so damn attractive. I didn't want to keep looking at him, but my eyes wouldn’t leave his form. When he finally turned the corner, I shook my head, trying to clear the image of him from my mind.
“Tyler?” I pulled my arm away and turned so that we were facing one another. He was no longer pale, but he still looked shaken by the day's events. I felt horribly for having scared him so badly. “I really want to thank you. You saved my life.”
I was expecting him to blush or shrug, but instead he bit his cheek and looked down at the ground. He looked like he had a terrible secret.
“What's wrong?” I asked, putting my hands on his shoulders. He fidgeted slightly, but didn't attempt to escape.
“I didn't save you. Logan did.” He dug the toe of his shoe into a small pile of sand, refusing to look up at me.
“What do you mean? Logan said you were the hero.” I squeezed his shoulders slightly and waited as he deepened the hole with his foot. He took a slow breath before he spoke.
“When I saw you fall, I swam over to you as fast as I could, screaming the whole way.” He looked up tentatively at me, his big brown eyes unsure of what I was going to think of him. “I got to you first, but with my life jacket and the waves, I could barely hold onto you. I was able to get your head above the water, but you would have drowned if Logan hadn't shown up.”
“So, Logan was the one who got me to calmer waters?” I asked, keeping my voice gentle.
Tyler nodded, his face crumpling. “I didn't even get the jet-ski and your life jacket until he told me to. I didn't know what to do. You weren't moving. All I could think was that you were dead.”
I pulled him to me in a hug, and his skinny arms wrapped around my waist in reciprocation as he buried his face in my shoulder. I held him tightly, smoothing the hair on the back of his head. I could feel his fear and shame vibrating through him. He thought he had somehow failed me.
The idea that Logan would forfeit the glory to a skinny teenager baffled me. The Logan Hayes I knew loved the spotlight. He relished being the golden boy who could do no wrong. If reporters were here, he would have posed for pictures and signed autographs as “Logan Hayes: Hero.” But, according to Tyler's story, he hadn't done that. He had given Tyler all the credit and accepted a supporting role. I was sure there had to be a trick behind it.
“Tyler,” I said quietly. He sniffled and pulled his face out of my shoulder to look at me. I smiled down at him. “Tyler, if you hadn't been there, I would have drowned regardless of Logan’s intervention. If he's giving you the credit, then you deserve it. I owe you a lot. If Logan says you saved me, then you saved me. He wouldn't lie about something like that. The man likes his spotlight too much.”
Tyler frowned. “But Aunt Liv, I really didn't do anything special.”
“I think you did. You are my hero, Tyler. I'm very proud of you.”
Tyler thought for a moment, and his frown slowly morphed into a bashful smile. “I'm glad you're okay, Aunt Liv.”
“Me too,” I said, giving him one last squeeze before releasing him. “Now, let's get you back to your mom.”
“You sure you want to do that? You know she's going to be furious with you,” Tyler told me, positioning my arm over his shoulder again. “I can't save you from her.”
I laughed. “It will be painful. But, I'd rather get her lecture on life jacket safety over with before we go to dinner.”
“The trick is to say you're sorry. A lot. And give her hugs. Whenever she gets mad, it's really just because she's actually worried,” Tyler said knowingly. I stopped short and he turned to look up at me.
“You are a smart kid, you know that?”
He shrugged. “Nah, I just know my mom.”
Chapter 8
I checked my hair in the mirror one last time before opening the door to leave. My injury was barely visible, but I was surprised my ears weren't still red from the lecture Maddy had given me. She delivered a talking to that would have made my own mother pat her on the back for a job well done.
I had followed Tyler's advice and apologized profusely, promising never to take my life jacket off again, and then hugged her. She had stared at me for a moment before hugging me back like I had just been resurrected from the dead, but that was the end of the lecture.
Smoothing one last flyaway strand of dirty-blonde hair up into my loose bun, I felt pleased with my overall appearance. I wore a light blue chiffon dress with a sparkly rhinestone belt that hid a multitude of sins but still showed my curves. It was casual and elegant at the same time. Maddy had suggested that I put my hair
up with this dress, and I had to admit that with the addition of some dangling earrings, I looked pretty darn good.
I gave one last photographer-ready smile to the mirror, opened the door, and promptly smacked into a wall of solid muscle in a suit.
“I'm so sorry,” I apologized as I backed away from the figure I had just run into. “I didn't see you there.”
“No problem at all, Olivia,” Logan said warmly. I felt my cheeks heat instantly. Of all the people to crash into, I had to crash into him. This was just not my day. With an appreciative eye, he ogled me up and down, making me want to hit him upside the head. “You are stunning.”
“Thank you,” I huffed, simultaneously enjoying and resenting the compliment. “You look nice yourself.”
If anyone looked amazing, it was Logan. The playboy billionaire knew how to dress. He wore a dark suit with strong lines that accented his broad shoulders and muscular build. His usually messy hair was combed neatly back, making his jaw appear strong and chiseled. His friendly brown eyes were warmly set in a smiling, suntanned face. The only thing that kept him from airbrushed GQ magazine perfection was the red sunburn across the bridge of his nose.
“Blue is wonderful on you,” he mused, reminding me that he was watching me. The thought sent warmth through my core, which just made me blush harder. The last thing I wanted was any sort of attraction to a man like him. He was a snake in a very good-looking suit.
“Thank you.” I smoothed the front of my dress, suddenly feeling self-conscious under his intense gaze. The corners of his eyes crinkled with amusement at my discomfort, which only further raised my temperature. He had to know the effect he had on women—even women who were actively trying not to be flustered by him. “I was just on my way to go get Tyler. I take it you're staying at the resort as well?”
“I am. I was invited here just like you were.” He stood tall, unconsciously holding a handsome pose. I wished he wasn't so damn easy on the eyes. I couldn't stop looking at him in that suit and thinking of what was underneath it.
“I would think a billionaire playboy wouldn't need to take free vacations,” I said, hoping he couldn't see the effect his suit was having on me. His shoulders were just so deliciously broad and tapered down to a tight V that made me ache for his masculine touch. It just wasn't fair that he was so gorgeous and evil at the same time.
He shrugged, drawing my attention back up to his muscular shoulders. “I do actually look into places that my company promotes from time to time.”
“And the fact that the owner just happens to be one of your good college buddies certainly doesn't hurt either, I suppose.” I smoothed my hair back again and resumed my walk to the elevators. Logan fell into step beside me.
“You mean Noah Black?” He asked as we faced the silver elevator doors and waited for them to arrive. The stairs were available, but after the day's events, I didn't want to risk them in heels. Unfortunately, that meant I had to stand there and wait with Logan.
“As if there were another Noah Black?” I wished the elevator would hurry up. The door chimed softly, and I dashed inside. Logan hit the lobby button, but I hit the floor below us.
“Noah is always happy to help me with my travel arrangements. I certainly bring him enough business.” Logan definitely did give Noah Black and his hotel company, Diamond Hotels, enough business. Diamond Hotels was the preferred provider on Travel, Inc.'s website. The two men had made each other very rich.
The elevator rang as we reached the second floor. I quickly stepped out. I was about to let him continue on down to the lobby, but there was something I needed to know first. I turned and thrust my arm out to hold the door open.
“Did you or Tyler save me?” I asked, watching his face intently.
“Tyler,” he answered without hesitation. I couldn't detect any hints of deception in his face, but then again, I knew he was an expert liar. Especially when it came to me.
“That's not what he said.” The elevator chirped for the doors to close, but I kept them open. Logan looked thoughtful for a moment before answering.
“Tyler wasn't strong enough to keep you above the surface by himself. The waves were rough. I helped. He deserves the praise, though, not me.” Logan took a step closer to me but still within the confines of the elevator. “Tyler was the hero, and I'll stand by that.”
With that, he gently pushed my arm out of the way so the doors would close, and he continued down toward the lobby without me. I stared at my open-mouthed reflection in the shiny metal door. Tyler had said as much, but Logan's lack of desire for praise made no sense. He was the type of person who relished these kinds of opportunities, and carrying the hero's mantle seemed like something he would enjoy.
“Aunt Liv!” Tyler called out, yanking me from my thoughts. He hurried toward me as I turned from the elevator to see him and Maddy coming down the hallway. Tyler looked uncomfortable in his dress shirt and crisp pants; he was all awkward limbs and gawky angles that made the clothes look too small and too large at the same time. His nose and mouth were too big for his face, and his light brown hair was falling in his eyes.
He was totally geeky and graceless right now, but there was a handsome promise underneath his awkwardness. But, as he tripped on his oversized feet down the hallway, he was just a pre-teen boy with no grace. He was stuck being the ugly duckling for right now.
Perhaps that's what Logan saw, and that was why he was giving him this moment of glory. There weren't exactly a lot of paparazzi on the island. The media gain from this would be small without pictures, but making Tyler feel important would be huge. It was common knowledge that I considered him a part of my family and that he was Maddy's world. Perhaps Logan was going to use this as some sort of bargaining maneuver.
“You look really pretty, Aunt Liv,” Tyler said once he got to me. His hair was gelled and messy in an apparent attempt to mimic Logan's easy bed-head look. Unfortunately, without Logan's team of hairdresser's, it wasn't having quite the same effect. He still looked cute, though.
“You look very handsome yourself,” I complimented him. He grinned and stood up a little taller.
“What about me?” Maddy asked, finally catching up to her son. She wore a long, dark blue halter dress that hung in beautiful swoops. Maddy was curvy, and this dress hugged her in all the right places. She was always joking that she was trying to lose Tyler’s baby weight and that it would come off any month now. The dress was perfect on her, and it even managed to disguise her walking boot.
“Red-carpet-ready!” I told her as she struck a model pose.
“You're always pretty, Mom,” Tyler praised. She grinned at him and then kissed his cheek.
“You're just trying to get me on your good side,” she teased, but I knew she treasured his compliment. She turned to me and gave me a once over. “How are you feeling?”
“For the millionth time, I'm fine, Mom.” I rolled my eyes. She frowned and took my chin in her hand so she could look closer at the cut on my head. It didn't even hurt anymore. “Seriously, Maddy, I'm fine. Tyler did a great job of rescuing me, and the doctor says I'm going to live.”
Maddy frowned as she let me go, but as she looked at Tyler, the frown transitioned to a proud smile. He looked back and forth between the two of us and then rolled his eyes. He hit the button for the elevator, which arrived more quickly this time.
Tyler held his mother's arm, providing the support she needed with her walking boot as we came out into the lobby. She was a good six inches shorter than I was, so he was much more supportive for her than he was for me after the jet-ski accident. He looked incredibly pleased with himself as we stepped out of the building and into the night air. We walked quietly for a moment, enjoying the warm, tropical evening.
“This has been a much needed vacation,” she said, giving Tyler a gentle squeeze.
“You deserve it,” I told her. “You're the main reason we're able to be here. I never could have done this without you. The business never would have gotten off th
e ground without you.”
“Keep stroking my ego,” she said with a grin as we walked down the path to the main dining restaurant. “And I might forget your sins today.”
Chapter 9
The weather report said a storm was supposed to be moving in on the island the next day, but the sky above us was cloudless and full of stars. A gentle breeze, warm and moist, danced through the greenery, ruffled the pools and ponds, and then caressed our skin like the fingertips of a lover as we walked from the main building to the dining hall. It was exactly what a tropical paradise should be.
The resort boasted four restaurants, but this meet and greet banquet was being held in the main dining area. The only guests at the resort were travel agency representatives, so it was supposed to be just a laid-back, fun little get together. Since the resort wasn't officially open, and it was still technically the off season, we had the place to ourselves.
From a distance, the dining facility seemed to be made of windows and light. Music spilled out into the quiet night as the elegant silhouettes of the guests floated across the windows. I wondered how many people were here. I knew there was my agency, and also Travel, Inc., and at least three other agencies were on the island. Even with that in mind, the party looked small.
Tyler opened the door and held it open like a gentleman for his mother and me. He looked excited to be invited to an adult event, and I hoped it was going to live up to his expectations.
The room was large and spacious with a small buffet table in the center. I could see platters of chocolate strawberries, fresh fruit, finger sandwiches, cheese and crackers, and even what looked like fresh sushi. The room had ample seating but was also very spacious. There was plenty of room to move around and converse with the other guests. The windows facing the ocean were open to catch the sea breeze and let in the sound of the ocean.
An elegant woman with strawberry blonde hair was walking toward the three of us with a big smile across her face. A tall man with dark hair trailed behind her, stopping to pop a strawberry in his mouth before catching up.