Marrying an Athlete

by Anne-Marie Meyer

  “Well, not many with, like, fifteen nozzles,” she said, waving toward the offenders.

  He walked over to the wall and motioned toward a dial. “You can control the nozzles,” he said, flipping it a few times.

  “How the heck was I supposed to know that?” Why did this resort have to make showering so complicated? It seemed like an unnecessary strain to put on a person. Especially if they were here for a complicated marriage.

  Michael shrugged and made his way to the door. “Let me know if I can assist you with anything else,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows and shutting the door.

  Anna rolled her eyes and shook her head. Only Michael.

  Once she was showered and dried off, she wrapped the complimentary robe around her and made her way into the room. Michael was standing by the door with a pained expression.

  “You okay?” she asked as she passed by him.

  “Yes, Miss Queen of the long showers. Geez, there are people who need to pee out here.” He pushed past her and slammed the door behind him.

  Anna moved to apologize, but he was gone before she could say anything. She eyed the bathroom door as she made her way across the room, pulled up her suitcase, and set it on the bed. She unzipped it and stared at her clothes. What was she going to wear today?

  There was a knock on the door. She stared at it and then back to the bathroom. She could hear the shower going so she pulled her robe tighter around her body and made her way over. After she unlocked the bolts, she pulled the door open, exposing Javier.

  He stood there, looking like a tanned god. He had on a linen shirt and pressed shorts. His hair was slicked back and he had a pair of sunglasses perched on his head.

  “Good morning,” he said. He leaned forward in sort of a half bow. “How was your second night’s stay at the Rekindle Resort?”

  Anna held the top of her robe closed as she forced a smile. She had no makeup on and her hair was still disheveled from her shower. Why did Javier have to show up at this moment?

  “You’re here early,” she said and then winced. What was that?

  He smiled and the glanced down at his watch. “It’s nine. You are meeting with your therapist first and then your snorkeling excursion is after that. I’m to bring you and Michael to the boat.”

  Anna brought her hand up to her forehead. “Right. I completely forgot. Long night.” As she said the last words, heat rushed across her skin. What was Javier going to think?

  When she turned around to see him smiling, she blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. “Not like that. We didn’t spend the night together—I slept on the couch.”

  Javier held up his hand. “No need to explain. I understand. Couples come here with differing relationships.”

  Anna sighed. Well, this conversation was off to a great start. So instead of pinching her lips shut and stopping any more stupid things coming out, she opened her mouth and said, “Michael and I aren’t technically married. We’re here to help his sister and my best friend. You know, McKenna?” Anna waved toward the hut down the boardwalk.

  Javier’s gaze followed where she motioned, and then he turned back to her. “So, you and Mr. Michael are not married?”

  Heat flushed her cheeks as she studied him. “No. Is that a bad thing?” She leaned closer. “They’re not going to kick us out, are they? I mean, the brochure did say married couples only.”

  Javier laughed. It was a deep, smooth laugh. Like chocolate with a hint of heat. “Ms. Anna, we are a twenty-first century resort. We know not every couple feels like getting married is the route for them.” He leaned closer to her and suddenly, she became very aware that she was only wearing a robe. Plus, his cologne was wafting around her in the breeze causing her head to spin.

  “Would it be wrong if I said that I’m happy to hear that you are single?” He glanced up at her and for a moment, she forgot to speak. She was too focused on getting lost in his sultry blue eyes.

  “You are?” she breathed out. What was happening to her?

  “Yes.”

  Just one word, and she melted a bit.

  The sound of someone clearing their throat behind her snapped her out of the trance that Javier had put her in. She whipped around to see Michael standing there, his hair damp from the shower. He had a pair of shorts on and nothing else. What was with him? Didn’t he own any shirts?

  “Can I help?” he asked, approaching the door and resting his hand on the wall just behind her head.

  “Javier.” Nope. Her voice was still too muddled. She cleared her throat and tried again. “Javier is here to take us to the therapist and then snorkeling.”

  “Snorkeling?” He turned his attention over to Anna. “And you’re going in a bathrobe?”

  Anna shook her head. “No. Of course not. I’m going to go change.” Anna turned away from the door and headed back into the room. She needed a second to gather her thoughts.

  Javier stepped forward to say something, but Michael had already slammed the door on his face.

  When she got to her suitcase, she rummaged around until she found her swimsuit. When she looked up, Michael was standing next to the bed with his arms folded. He had a scowl on his face.

  “What?” she asked as she walked past him.

  He grabbed her elbow to stop her. She hesitated and then turned.

  “What was that?” he asked. There was an earnestness to his gaze that caused her breath to catch in her throat. As if she’d betrayed him or something.

  “What was what?”

  He quirked an eyebrow. “Javier? You two were standing pretty close to each other.”

  A feeling of relief rushed through her when she realized that he hadn’t heard their conversation. There was no way that she wanted him to know that she’d just confessed to their guide that she wasn’t technically married.

  “I can’t help it. I think it’s his background. You know, some people aren’t as concerned about personal space as Americans are.” She forced a smile in his direction. Why did he care? It wasn’t like he was chomping at the bit to get closer to her. He’d all but rejected her yesterday. Why would he care if she was trying to move on with the exotic resort guide?

  “I guess. . . well, we made rules for a reason, right? This kind of breaks the whole, no flirting with people here rule.”

  Anna hesitated. He did have her there. She glanced over at the door and then sighed. “You’re right. I agreed to no flirting. There’s no reason to get confused when we’re here to help with McKenna and Sam.” She raised her hand. “I promise, I will not flirt with Javier.” What she didn’t say was, if he flirted with her, she wasn’t really going to stop him. If anything, focusing on another guy just might be what she needed to move on from Michael.

  Michael studied her and then nodded. “I’m really just thinking about McKenna here. She really deserves to have our full attention.”

  Anna sighed. That was true. She was here to help and nothing else. “Got it.” She walked over to her suitcase and pulled out her swimsuit and cover-up. Then she made her way into the bathroom and shut the door.

  After she was dressed, she came out to find Michael sitting on the bed with his trunks and a t-shirt on. He had on his sunglasses and flip-flops. His eyebrows rose above his glasses as she felt his gaze on her. Part of her hoped that he enjoyed the cute swimsuit cover up Betsy had insisted she wear. Heat flushed her skin, but she tried to play it off as she made her way over to her sandals and slipped them on.

  She grabbed her sunhat and purse and waved to him. “Ready?”

  Michael stood and opened the door. Javier was leaning against the railing. He glanced up and smiled as Anna stepped out.

  “You look amazing,” Javier said.

  Michael cleared his throat as he pulled the door shut and locked it. “Thank you, Javier. Although, I’m not really into guys.” He turned and dropped his arm around Anna’s shoulders. As if he owned her or something.

  Javier parted his lips as he glanced from Michael and t
hen over to Anna. She silently pleaded with him to just let it go. Javier laughed and then he turned back to Michael.

  “Of course. I apologize. It must be my upbringing. We are quick to compliment.” He extended his hand and motioned toward the Jeep that was parked on the shore.

  Anna pushed forward, hoping Michael would leave the conversation alone. Thankfully, no one spoke as they made their way to the vehicle. As they got close, she could hear McKenna’s voice. She quickened her pace. Hopefully, she’d be able to lose herself in conversation so she didn’t have to think about the strange interactions she was having with either man.

  McKenna was leaning against the Jeep with her arms folded when Anna rounded the hood. She looked disgruntled as her gaze kept slipping to Sam who was sitting on one of the back seats.

  “Hey, Kenna,” Anna said, approaching slowly.

  McKenna turned, and a relieved look crossed over her face. “Anna, thank goodness you’re coming. I don’t think I have the strength to do this today,” she said, motioning toward Sam.

  Anna gave her a sympathetic smile. “Michael and Javier are right behind me. Maybe you just need some sun and ocean to feel better.”

  McKenna’s skin paled as she pinched her lips together. After a moment, she took a deep breath and sighed. “I don’t know. I’ve been feeling really off since last night. I’m thinking it may have been the shrimp at dinner. Are you feeling sick?”

  Anna shook her head. Sick of men—specifically Michael. Yes. But sick to her stomach? No. “Sorry, I feel fine. Maybe it was just your batch.”

  McKenna dabbed her lips as she stared at the trashcan a few feet away. “Maybe. Man, it would be just fitting to get sick on this trip. Perfect way to end everything.”

  Anna’s gaze made its way from McKenna over to Sam. He looked as if he were listening. For a moment, she saw his expression falter but then he shook his head slightly and the same deadpanned look crossed his features.

  Before she could wonder what that was about, Javier came up from behind her and pressed his hand on the small of her back.

  “This way, Miss Anna,” he said. His voice was deep and sent shivers down her spine.

  She turned to see him smiling at her.

  “I think I can help her in.” Michael’s voice grew louder as he approached. Suddenly, his hand was in hers, and he was leading her toward the open door.

  “I can get into the car myself—” she started, but Michael was ignoring her. He scooped her up and then set her gently down on the seat.

  She tried to protest, but he was buckling her in before she could get the words out. What the heck was happening? What was Michael’s problem? They weren’t married. They weren’t even dating. The fact that he seemed to have marked her as his territory annoyed her.

  Everyone piled in around her, and Javier started the Jeep. The roar of the wind around them cut any conversation short. So, she sat back and folded her arms. She was going to have this conversation with him eventually. But for now, she’d just sit here and stew on it.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Michael

  Michael’s blood boiled as he kept glancing in Javier’s direction. What was with that guy? From the way he was leering at Anna this morning, to the way he’d touched her at the Jeep. It took all his control not to punch the guy.

  And Anna? Why was she so okay with it all? Had he been completely misreading her these last few days?

  He felt like an idiot. Of course, he had. For some reason, he thought that they were growing closer together. But after her flirty encounter with Javier, he was beginning to doubt his ability to read women.

  Javier pulled up to a small building with a faux straw roof. Like they were trying to make the building appear authentic. He turned off the Jeep and nodded toward the front door. “Both of your therapy appointments are in there. I’ll be back in an hour and a half to pick you up.”

  They piled out, and Anna turned and waved at Javier before he drove away. “I’ll see you,” she said.

  Michael stared at her. What was with the sudden flirting with the resort guide? It didn’t seem like her. He wanted to say something but then set his jaw. It wasn’t his place to say anything. He’d already made the stupid mistake of picking her up and putting her in the Jeep. Something was seriously the matter with him.

  He lengthened his stride and was the first to the front door. He pulled it open, and the cool air flowed out around him. After they all stepped into the building, he followed them. There was a woman sitting at a desk at the far end of the room. She was busy reading a book with a half-naked man on the cover.

  They approached, and she didn’t look up. Michael tried not to laugh at her saucer sized eyes.

  “Excuse us,” Anna said.

  The woman yelped and slammed the book closed. She whipped her gaze up and her cheeks turned red. “I apologize. I didn’t hear you coming in,” she said, laughing uncomfortably.

  “It’s okay,” Anna said. “I get that way sometimes when I’m sucked into a book.”

  The woman pinched her lips together as she opened a drawer of her desk and slipped it in. Then she planted her hands on the desktop and smiled. “How can I help you?”

  “We have a therapy appointment,” Anna said.

  The woman glanced at each of them. “Together? All of you?” She let out her breath. “That’s a first.”

  “No, no. Not the four of us. Me and her and McKenna and Sam,” Michael said, waving his hand to each person as he listed them off. “That would be gross. We’re siblings,” he said, motioning toward McKenna.

  The woman followed his gesture and then nodded. “Okay. I see. Sorry,” she said as she picked up two packets and motioned for them to follow. “This way. I’ll get you set up and the therapists will be in shortly to meet with you.”

  Michael kept step with Anna as the woman led McKenna and Sam to their room, and then across the hall to where she opened the door and ushered them in. “This one is for you two,” she said, nodding toward the couch.

  They took a seat, and the woman set the packet on the side table that was next to the large armchair across from them.

  “Can I get you guys some water? Or a soda?” She glanced from Michael over to Anna.

  “Water would be great,” Anna said.

  The woman’s gaze fell on Michael.

  “Yeah, for me, too.”

  She nodded and left the room.

  Michael leaned back, resting his hands on his thighs. The room was quiet and grated on his nerves. Things with Anna had gotten so weird this morning. What had that been with Javier? Why was she flirting with him?

  He cleared his throat and glanced around. The room was decorated in a Polynesian manner. A palm tree mural adorned one wall and the colors of the furniture and pillows matched the beach.

  “So, how are we going to handle this?” Anna asked. She was studying her hands but then turned to look at him.

  He scrubbed his face with his hand. Why had he allowed this to become so complicated? Problem was, it only seemed complicated with him. He was the only one allowing his feelings to cloud his judgment. Anna seemed so relaxed.

  “I’m guessing we just answer their questions. Shouldn’t be too hard,” he said.

  Anna smiled and nodded. “Yeah. I’m probably over thinking it.”

  “Who knows, maybe we can get Javier to join us. You two seem to be hitting it off.” He winced as the words tumbled from his mouth. What was the matter with him? Anna could flirt with anyone she wanted to. It wasn’t like they were dating or married.

  Anna’s eyebrows rose as she turned her attention over to him. “We’re doing this again? Javier isn’t interested in me.”

  Michael leaned back as he studied her. “Right. Anna you can be so naive sometimes. You don’t ever see that someone’s interested in you until it’s hitting you over the head.” Heat raced up his spine at his words. Even though they rang true in more ways than one, he felt bad saying it. “I’m—”

  The door ope
ned, and a small woman entered. She looked no taller than five feet. She had on thick glasses, and her dark hair was pulled up into a bun on her head. She glanced over at them and smiled. “Mr. and Mrs. Jones, I presume,” she said. Her accent was heavy on her words.

  Michael straightened and nodded. “Michael. And this is Anna.”

  “Sefina Lopez, but you can call me Sefina.” She made her way over to the arm chair and sat down. She grabbed the folder next to her and opened it. Her gaze roamed over whatever was inside of it. After a moment, she glanced up.

  “How long have you two been married?” she asked.

  Michael glanced over at Anna whose skin had paled. They really hadn’t gone over the specifics. She met his gaze and looked as if she were waiting for him to answer.

  “Just a few months. It’s relatively new.” Being vague seemed like the best idea.

  Sefina nodded and turned her attention back to the folder. “Well, most couples fill out the questionnaire before they come, but it seems as if you two didn’t do that.” She reached over and grabbed a pen. “Is there a reason why?”

  Michael leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “To tell you the truth, Doc. We’re here because we are helping out my sister McKenna. She’s struggling with her marriage and wanted us to come along for moral support.”

  Sefina glanced from Michael to Anna. She clicked on her pen and wrote something down. “Interesting. So, there’s nothing you want to discuss? You have me for an hour.” She gave him a smile. It was warm and reminded him of a grandmother.

  “I think we’re good,” he said, leaning back.

  “I have something.” Anna’s voice surprised him. He glanced over to see her studying her hands.

  “Perfect. Why don’t you speak, Anna,” Sefina said with her pen poised.

  “I guess I’d like to discuss why I was most recently called naive.” She turned to look at Michael. “I may have made some mistakes in the past, but I’m not the only one.”

  Michael stared at her. Was she serious? “Anna, I’m just looking out for you. You know, protecting you.”