“I was never his girl. He was my client. And I never envisioned that I’d find myself being the focus of a paparazzi blitz.” She looked about. “I’m afraid that today they’ll show up and the few hours of relief I’ve had will go up in smoke. I’m hiding out at Shar’s because of the housing situation. Shar doesn’t rent this bungalow or own it. She lives here as a housesitter for the absentee owners of the estate. That being the case, I’m a little less traceable here than anywhere else. But Windswept Bay is a small place. I was alerting Levi of the almost inevitable invasion to come since my status as the ‘mystery woman’ was revealed.”
“That’s too bad. Why don’t you tell them what’s going on?”
“I will, but at that moment, it wouldn’t have mattered. If I spoke out too soon, they would have just added to the speculation since, as you can guess, they make their money off speculation, lies, and sometimes the truth. Any story about Brad is worth something and it can be twisted and blown up many different ways. Silence from me was my first best defense.”
That didn’t make sense to him. “But if you’d called him out on it, at least you would have put your story out there.”
“It’s not that easy. I’m trying to salvage my reputation too, and that’s where the majority of my trouble stemmed from. And Brad is calling me. His most recent message was him insisting that he’s in love with me. That he has been hiding his feelings.”
“Well, at least the guy is showing some smarts on that end.”
“Excuse me?”
BJ shrugged. “I’ve only known you for a short while but I already know you’re a…great person. I can see where he could fall for you.”
“Well, thank you.”
“Don’t look so uncomfortable. I won’t start stalking you and the paparazzi won’t be coming after you because of me—even if they did snap a photo of me kissing you.”
She looked slightly uncomfortable then, hesitation in her eyes, and it only made him want to protect her all the more from the hounds that had her hiding out. And yes, he wanted to kiss her.
She took a deep breath and her gaze shifted to his lips, causing a sharp catch in his chest. She felt the same pull that he was. The thought sent his heart thundering against his ribs.
“You have a lot going on in your life too,” she said in a sprint and started to walk again. He didn’t move at first, letting the attraction bouncing between them settle over him. Yes, he did have a lot going on in his life. And flirting with an attraction between his new brother’s sister-in-law might be a little too close to home. But as he took two strides and caught up with Olivia, he shoved that thought out of the way. He and Olivia were adults and they didn’t need anyone’s approval but their own where dating came into play.
“I have a few things going on,” he said, trying to keep the conversation light. Keeping the darker aspects of his newfound history at bay.
“I’m sure that it was a shock to learn you had a brother. Shar said it was for Gage. But he was and is excited about having someone in his family now. Do you have any other family?”
He had been able to tell in the brief time he’d had around Gage before he and Shar had headed off on their honeymoon that Gage was excited to have him as a brother. BJ was adjusting. “I have to admit that it’s a harder acceptance for me. Not that I don’t think, at least in the little that I’ve known Gage, that he’s a good man. It’s just that, I had a family that I loved. My dad was a great man and suddenly realizing he wasn’t my biological dad is unsettling. Learning that my mother kept this from me is even more upsetting. But learning that she took me and ran away and hid me from my biological dad is the most disturbing and unbelievable part. Why? The question won’t ease up. Why would she do that?” Feeling bewildered, as he had for days, BJ met Olivia’s sympathetic gaze. “It doesn’t make sense to me. And yes, I have a sister. Her name is Lilly.”
He raked a hand through his hair as all the questions surged forward. Why was he revealing all of this to Olivia? She had enough on her plate and yes, despite being attracted to her, she was a virtual stranger to him.
She placed a hand on his arm and stopped him. They were closer to the end of the beach now; there were rocks and the surf was washing up and hitting the rocks. Salty, damp air surrounded them as she smiled gently up at him.
“I suspect all those emotions you’re experiencing would be rational and normal right now. I can only speculate how you must feel. I mean, everything you believed about your life has been turned upside down and shaken around like puzzle pieces in a jar.”
“That’s a perfect metaphor. I haven’t even told my sister yet. It’s going to be just as surprising to her too.”
“Get it straight in your own head and then let her know. I tend to hold things back myself. My family gets frustrated at times but being a triplet—it’s always been great, but also a struggle to be my own individual. I hold back bits of myself because of that. But I can tell you I’ve missed my sisters. My brothers and my parents, too.” She didn’t blush but she looked shocked. “And here I am telling you this.” She groaned softly. “This is so not like me. Please forget everything.” She laughed.
“We’ve both been through a really trying time. Getting you off that roof was a lifelong bonding experience.”
A smile burst across her face. “Of course, that explains everything. You saved my life and now you know all my secrets. I’d still be sitting up there if you hadn’t shown up because my family had no idea I was here and I didn’t have a phone on me.”
“That explains it all. And now I know your secrets and you know mine.” As unusual as his life had been since he’d arrived in Windswept Bay, standing here with her felt absolutely right.
“Would you like to go for a boat ride?” he asked, on a whim. He wasn’t expecting the look that came over her the moment she heard the question.
Chapter Five
Olivia was even more startled by his question than she had been by how much about her troubles she’d just revealed to him. But getting on a boat…it had been a long time.
Her stomach dipped at the thought of going out to sea.
“Are you afraid of the water too?” he asked almost immediately and she wondered whether her expression had confused him.
“No, I don’t get seasick. I just have a problem with heights. I actually adore the water.”
“That’s a very good thing. I could sail around the world and be perfectly happy not touching land again, ever.”
“Now, I’m not that in love with the water but I used to enjoy going out for a day trip. I was once a decent fisherman.”
“A woman after my own heart. This is getting better and better, since I’m a charter boat captain.” His lip hitched, enticingly. “Come, take a ride with me. Let your cares go for a little while. I’ll take you out early in the morning and bring you back whenever you’re ready.”
She shouldn’t. She needed to hole up and get prepared for when the reporters descended on Windswept Bay…
But then BJ held out his hand. “Come on. Getting out on that perfect blue water will be good for you.”
Despite all her reasons for not wanting to go on the water, and there were many, she slipped her hand into his.
Something about BJ magnetized her. Drew her to him, as if drawn by an irresistible force. Her heart beat too rapidly as he smiled at her with excitement shining in his eyes.
She melted instantly as he tugged her gently and they fell into step together, heading back down the beach. He did not let go of her hand and though she knew the right thing was to release his hand, she didn’t want to. Everything about BJ told her he was a kind man, a good and honest man. And after dealing with the likes of Brad Pearson, maybe she just needed to wipe that bad memory away by spending time with a man like BJ.
They were several yards down the beach and he released her hand. “I guess I better give your hand back.” He grinned and then looked out at the water.
“Thanks.”
“I lo
ve the water,” he said after a few awkward moments in which they walked silently down the beach. “My dad loved the water. He taught me much of what I know and inspired me to carve a career out of what I loved. I’ve seen much of the world and almost every US port in that boat.”
“Really? So you’re not ever in one place long?”
“I love to move around. I like not being tied to one place.”
“It sounds lonely.”
“Not really. I meet people. And I stay along the coast of Florida and the Keys a lot during the year and have made friends everywhere.”
“How long do you usually stay in one place?” She wondered how long he’d be in Windswept Bay.
“Not usually more than three to five months at the most. Too much to see and not enough time.”
He had a restless or adventurous spirit, she noted. She picked adventurous because nothing about him seemed restless. “I had felt like that once.” A long time ago.
“Kindred spirits,” he commented.
That perfect smile turned sexy enough to turn her knees to mush. Of course, that shirtless chest with his well-toned muscles hadn’t helped. She’d been fighting the urge not to stare ever since he’d walked up.
And she was losing the battle.
When they reached the path that led to Shar’s bungalow, they stopped. She didn’t want the afternoon to end but the idea of spending time on the water with him tomorrow instead of dealing with the tabloids was extremely enticing.
“We can stay out tomorrow as long as you want. I’ll pack a lunch and there are facilities in the cabin area.”
“I like you more already. I’m not fond of buckets.” She chuckled, remembering boat trips as a kid.
A sexy smile slashed across his tanned face. “I’ll do whatever it takes to win you over.”
“Well, I thank you. I’m sure all clients, especially female fishermen, thank you.”
“Right now you’re the only one I’m trying to impress.”
She laughed. “Well, facilities certainly did the trick.”
“Great. Then I’ll shoot for the moon. My house has seven bathrooms.”
Olivia nearly crumpled over with laughter at the exaggerated look of pride on his face. The man had a great sense of humor. “I am overwhelmed with excitement for you.”
“As you should be.”
“Sooo,” she said, focusing down the beach where the massive, multi-level house stood in the late afternoon sun. It was impossible to make it secluded like the other homes in this section. “Not to change the subject from the fascinating subject that we’ve been exploring, but I’m curious. The way I understand the situation, Gage came here to get away after his—your—father passed away. Only after he was here, he discovered this house had secrets and he found out about you through photos he found inside the house. And then learned at the reading of the will more about you and that you both own the house?”
“And share equal ownership of the aforementioned seven bathrooms,” BJ added lightly. “Yes, confusing as heck but that about sums it up. Or at least that’s my understanding of the situation. I’m supposed to fly out to New York and meet the lawyer and hear the details. Problem is, I have not one bit of interest in flying into that overpopulated city and being hemmed in by all those skyscrapers. Not when my life is on open water.”
Olivia had an ah-ha moment. “You are afraid of congested cities.”
“You are not the only one with hang-ups.” He grinned delightfully.
Olivia’s own smile began to widen automatically. “Wow, and you even admitted it. I like that. No macho man denial.”
He hitched a shoulder. “No—with me, you get what you see. I’m comfortable in my own skin and I don’t like cities. At least not the heart of cities. At least not those with buildings so tall and tightly located that the only way to see the sky is by riding an elevator to the top or being satisfied with a strip of sky the width of the street. Me not being there just leaves more room for the people who love them. I’m just not going there.”
“I completely see the logic in your thinking. I feel the same way about rooftops. From here on out, I will not under any circumstances climb up there.”
“See, we understand each other. I better go. I’ll meet you at the dock at six. Is that too early? The water’s great at that time.”
“I’ll be ready.” She watched him walk away while butterflies played in her chest. Earlier, she’d been dreading tomorrow and what it held for her but now, she couldn’t wait for the sun to come up.
BJ liked her and found himself whistling as he strode down the sand toward the monstrosity of a house at the curve of the beach. He liked the way Olivia thought, the way she teased, the way she looked with her blonde hair and alert green eyes, and her totally unassuming air. Olivia was a woman who knew herself and was comfortable in her skin. At least for the most part.
He could tell from the little she’d talked about it that this deal with the paparazzi coming after her, instead of after her clientele, had shaken her up. But she was getting her feet back under her and maybe a day on the water would be just the boost she needed. At least it would relax her; he’d make sure of that.
Time on the water could help a lot of things. It was the place where he thought the best. It was the place that he loved and he was excited to share it with Olivia. Tomorrow would be a good day.
No, tomorrow would be a great day.
“I’ve missed this,” Olivia called over the rushing wind, the next morning as they cut through the water at a fast, but safe speed. They were cruising across the blue water toward several small islands and the sun was still soft and new on the early morning horizon.
The boat was large enough that the spray from the water didn’t splatter over them but Olivia wouldn’t have minded if it had. She loved it.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” BJ called from the captain’s chair next to her, his words buffeted by the wind.
The wind whipped his curls across his forehead, giving him a happy, youthful look. It made her realize as she smiled at him that he carried a more serious attitude in his expression when on land. It was obvious the ocean was where his heart was. Right now, with the wind in his face, he looked exuberant.
“Oh.” She stared across the bay toward the mangroves that grew off the coast like barrier shrubs. “Head that way and I may be able to share something really cool with you. If it is still there after all these years.”
“Sure thing.” He immediately turned the boat toward the mangroves. As they approached, the water grew more shallow and she knew he wouldn’t be able to get as close to them as smaller boats but still, he’d be able to see her surprise.
Here in the shallows, the water was very calm and completely clear. The rock and sand at the bottom could be seen and there wasn’t a fish in sight for the most part. They were hiding in the mangrove roots that were a tangled mass above and beneath the water’s surface. Then the nurse sharks appeared. Small ones, flat and nearly white in the water as they darted out from the extensive root system. “I always think mangroves are pretty creepy.” She laughed. “I mean, they grow out here in the shallows with all their roots and you have no idea what is living in there among them. Like these sharks. The first time I saw these when I was young, it really shocked me. Because I thought it looked like you could jump into the water and swim, and many people do, but this girl doesn’t. Have I mentioned that I am not a fan of sharks? Even baby nurse sharks. You never see the moms but I can’t help thinking that they are near.”
“I hear you. It’s not nurse sharks that keep me in the boat.”
“Me either. There.” She spied the opening in the mangroves that she thought was right. It had been years, but she’d come here often back then. “Can you get through that channel? I believe if you stay in the middle, it’s deep enough for this boat and you’ll get through to the far side.”
“Can do. And if not, I don’t mind being stuck here with you,” he teased.
“I b
elieve you’re a flirt,” she shot back as he maneuvered through the rows of green bushes until the channel opened up and they were on the other side of the maze of mangroves.
“I have my moments,” he agreed.
She sat up as she spotted it. “There.” She pointed across the expanse. “Do you see it?”
“Hey, it’s an eagle’s nest.” Excitement vibrated in his words.
She smiled and felt the excitement fill her too. “I first discovered it when I was in high school. Isn’t it cool? The eagle comes back here every year to have her babies. I’m sure because of storms she’s had to rebuild a few times. But the mangroves protect it.”
Because the gnarly trees were short and squat, the nest was only about six feet above the water. It sat among the limbs like a cone.
“The mangroves help the ecosystem and are essential to the environment. This is just another example of their value.”
“You sure know a lot about the environment.”
“I used to research them,” she admitted. “Back when I thought I would go into some type of career that would have to do with the ecosystem.”
He stared at her. “So, you are an enigma, Miss Sinclair. You thought you might go into a career involving the ecological system but instead you ended up in Hollywood protecting the rights of movie stars. Why do the two choices not jive at all?”
She looked down and then away, avoiding his gaze. She hadn’t spoken of her career choice in a very long time. “I just decided along the way that I was better suited to deal with Hollywood.”
Tilting his head, he studied her, as if seeing all her secrets. She fought hard not to convey any emotion.
“Why can’t I believe it’s that simple?” he mused, after a moment.
They had known each other a short time and yet he was reading her like a biography. She shot him an irritated look. “You don’t have to believe it.”
He looked mildly abashed. “Okay, so you’re saying back off. That’ll really make me believe you’re not hiding something.”
The man was irritating. “Look, I just don’t want to talk about it.”
Forever and For Always Page 4