“Maybe you two will be the love of each other’s lives,” Dani said. “I’m tired of being the only one to know your true identity, or should I say Josh Ridley’s biological gender.”
“Break a leg,” Jade said. “I’m tired of your whining.”
“Wow, what’s gotten into you? Are you seriously turning into the exact woman you made up in your dating profile?”
“No, but I’m furious that Aiden Assbite has put me in a closet while he takes the king-sized bed with the overhead ceiling fan.” Jade told Dani about drawing the short straw.
“Whine, whine, whine,” Dani said, and Jade could imagine her playing an imaginary violin. “You know there’s nothing wrong with women writing thrillers. Jenna Ford has a popular series, and all the military guys I know like her.”
“Except there’s one big difference.” Jade slapped the flimsy cot mattress. “Jenna doesn’t write romance. If Josh Ridley’s fans find out he’s a she and writes romance, they’d drop him like a hot coal in the Sahara. My Jade Reed fans might not be thrilled with me writing male adventure thrillers either.”
“Double, double, toil, and trouble,” Dani jeered with her mellifluous voice. “All of this stems back to Keith, doesn’t it? You’re still hung up on that thieving ex of yours. Saw him on top of the charts again.”
“Which unsuspecting woman did he plagiarize this time?” Jade couldn’t help the acid dripping from her lips.
Once, long ago, when Jade was naïve and stupid, she’d shown her military thriller manuscript to the man she thought she was going to marry. He’d torn it apart and told her it was no good, then turned around and submitted it to his agent.
Six months later, he walked away with a multimillion dollar book deal, a hit movie, and bestseller status across all of the tracked lists.
Leaving Jade Reed to write romances and driving her alter-ego, Josh Ridley, into obscurity, known by critics as an author who emulated the great Keith Kirkland.
****
Aiden yawned and stretched, waking up from a delicious nap. It was hot and muggy, but he didn’t feel like turning on the air conditioning.
Besides, he rather enjoyed sleeping naked under the ceiling fan.
Outside, the sun was setting over the deep-blue sea, and he wondered how long Jade was going to stay locked up in the bathroom.
Sure, it was awkward going on vacation with a complete stranger. But then again, everyone who signed up for Perfect Match was supposedly interested in pursuing a love relationship.
Aiden glanced at his watch and decided Jade was going to risk missing their romantic dinner and their orientation meeting with the sponsor.
No skin off his nose. He’d order room service for one and dig into the Josh Ridley book he started. The counterterrorist operative, Slade Garrison, had just infiltrated a terrorist operation deep in the jungles of New Guinea where cannibals roamed, and jihadists used cannibalism to terrorize their enemies.
Turning on his back, Aiden hoisted the paperback up in front of his face and was soon on a forced march through crocodile-infested swamps with Slade Garrison.
A dainty female gasp jerked him from the cage his captors kept him confined in at night. Jade stood at the foot of his bed with her eyes wide and mouth covered.
“Put on some clothes,” she scolded, her face reddening.
By reflex, he dropped his paperback over his naked groin and sat up. “Who told you to sneak into my room and invade my privacy.”
“News flash. There’s no other way in and out of the closet you stuffed me in.” Her chest heaved, probably from the excitement of confronting his ample package, and she pointed at the book. “So, how are you liking it so far?”
Aiden blinked at the sudden segue. “Like what? The Josh Ridley book or the king-sized bed?”
“The book, you ninny.” The fire was back in her voice.
“What does it matter whether I like it or not?” He picked up the book, uncovering his crotch. “This isn’t your kind of book.”
She swallowed and licked her lips, then forcibly raised her eyes level with his. “Oh, really. And what type of book do you think is my type?”
“Something fluffy and sugary sweet. Romantic hearts and flowers.”
She narrowed her eyes and grabbed the book from him. “Stereotype much?”
Aiden felt his groin stir and quickly covered himself with his hands. “Oh, come on, you don’t have to prove anything to me.”
“I’m not proving anything, just interested in what a big, arrogant, inconsiderate, and overly muscular man like you reads. Is this Josh Ridley one of your favorite authors?”
Aiden twisted his lips and gave his head a quick shake. “He’s okay, but not the best.”
“How so?” She flipped through the pages, her eyes narrow and assessing.
“His writing’s over the top. Jihadists using cannibals. Really? I like Keith Kirkland better.”
“A Keith Kirkland fan, I see.” Jade set the book down and spoke in an eerily subdued voice. “What are some of your favorite books of his?”
“Oh, that’s easy,” Aiden said. “Keith Kirkland’s legendary book, The Patriot and the Whore. It was brilliant, especially since it was his first book.”
Jade’s upper lip curled as if she disagreed with his assessment, and she wobbled on her feet, looking like she was trying to stay in control.
“Anyway, not your genre,” Aiden said. “Looks like we’re supposed to meet Dawson Yates at the cocktail lounge before dinner. Care if I take a shower and change? The weather here is stickier than I’m used to.”
“I don’t particularly care what you do.” Jade whirled around and headed toward the kitchen. She’d already changed into a floral sundress, looking festive and sexy—ready for a night out in paradise.
“You can borrow my book while you wait,” Aiden called after her.
She stuck her head back into the room. “Don’t bother. I have a hot love scene to write. I’m sure it’s something you’re quite unable to appreciate.”
Chapter Five
“I have full confidence in my proprietary algorithm in making the perfect match for you,” Dawson Yates, the owner of Perfect Match, pronounced. “It’s common to react negatively to a blind date, especially if he or she is not what you envisioned, but I’m betting after a week in paradise, both of you will be singing a different song.”
Jade sneaked a peek at Aiden, but his face was as poker as a royal flush. Obviously, neither he nor Jade admitted to Dawson that they hadn’t filled out the profile honestly.
“In any case,” Dawson continued. “We have an ironclad contract. You are free to leave at any time, and we will bill you for any expense we’ve incurred. Otherwise, we’ll be interviewing you throughout the week for footage to use in our commercials. Any other questions?”
The business tycoon spread a cool gaze between Jade and Aiden as if they were a pair of misbehaving children.
“I’m on board,” Aiden said, perking up and shaking Mr. Yates’ hand. “I’m very grateful for the all-expenses-paid vacation and the amenities you have here. And I’m definitely looking forward to exploring the island with my beautiful date.”
He was, of course, playing for the cameras recording their interview and acting the part of a military hero.
Jade couldn’t seem like an ungrateful sourpuss, so she piped in as sweetly as she could, “It’s an honor to receive such an exclusive invitation to this enchanted island of love. I will surely make the best of my time here.”
The entrepreneur put both of his hands on the bar counter and pushed away. “Very well. I’ll leave you two lovebirds to an evening of magic, music, and moonlight. I trust you will enjoy your week in paradise. Be sure to let Georges know your whereabouts.”
After Dawson departed, Jade and Aiden finished their rum punch cocktails in silence. The seconds ticked by. Jade didn’t want to make the first move to the dining area, and from the looks of it, Aiden wasn’t in a hurry.
What happen
ed to the confident and flirtatious Navy SEAL who’d teased her from the airport to the villa?
A nagging thought poked the back of Jade’s mind. Maybe Aiden wasn’t as thrilled with her as he’d pretended to be. No sane man would want his mother choosing a date for him—not even a Chinese man with their legendary respect for parents.
Jade cleared her throat and pulled herself from the barstool. “Let’s try and at least get along. It’s awfully kind of Dawson to gift us this vacation, and we shouldn’t make him lose face.”
“I agree.” Aiden nodded slowly, as if coming to a difficult decision. “His company put out a lot of money for this promotion, hoping to get advertising out of it. It’s not his fault we didn’t fill out our profiles honestly.”
“I feel bad for you having your mother fill yours out. I would never date someone my parents recommended.”
The muscles in Aiden’s forearms tensed. “We can make lemonade from lemons.”
“True. I acted like a spoiled brat carrying on in front of Georges.”
Aiden swiveled his barstool around and faced her. “Are you saying you’re not as difficult as you put in your profile?”
Oops. Jade didn’t want to take a chance that Aiden might actually like her. Having a boyfriend was not on her bucket list, especially one who saw her alter-ego, Josh Ridley, as a second-rate writer.
“It is what it is,” Jade huffed. “I feel bad that I’m here under false pretenses. I didn’t think about how much money Mr. Yates put out to have this event.”
“Tell you what.” The confident jut was back in Aiden’s jaw. “We put on a good show for them by having fun. After my last tour of duty, I need to decompress and make some good memories to carry to my next deployment.”
“Right, except you should have had someone else be your match. I’ve cheated you of that.” A heavy layer of guilt draped over Jade’s head and shoulders like a damp wool blanket after being caught in the rain at the stadium. Aiden was, after all, a man whose life was in constant danger. He deserved a week of fun and relaxation—not to be stuck with a sourpuss like her.
Aiden reached out and stroked the back of Jade’s hand, causing electric tingles to clash with the remorse she wore. “Look, I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable. Why don’t we agree to have a good time and not worry about romance?”
“I can do that. No romance. Adventure only.” Jade’s heart dropped as if she’d lost her purse or wallet. It was a woman’s job to offer up resistance, but a man’s job to push to overcome. At least that was how her heroes worked—if they were attracted.
But then, Aiden was no hero—despite being in the military. He was certainly no gentleman, having taken the king-sized bed and leaving her with the closet.
Which kind of meant he saw her as a non-entity or a wallflower—not interested. Looked like she’d blown any chance with him.
At the same time, it might not be a bad thing to be squired around a tropical island with a hot Navy SEAL. At least her fans would enjoy imagining her with a real-life romance.
Then, she had an idea. “Since I’m a romance writer, I get first dibs in interviewing you. What made you become a SEAL? Any war stories you might have, and what you like doing when you’re not on duty.”
“I can definitely show you anything you want,” he said in a voice that held more than a hint of tease. “In return, I get a firsthand look at an author’s life. How you decide what to write about. What you do about writer’s block. Where you get inspiration, especially for the hot love scenes.”
“I can’t give away all my secrets.” Jade felt her cheeks broil at his brazen requests. “I bet you don’t even read romances.”
“Only the good parts.” Aiden blew in his hands and rubbed them together. “While we were waiting for Mr. Yates, I downloaded a few of yours.”
“Which ones?” Jade couldn’t keep the panic out of her voice.
“Secret Harbor Housewives, Island Boys After Dark, Brides for Breakfast—”
“I don’t have to put up with this.” Jade swung her shoulder bag and whacked Aiden’s much too broad and sturdy chest. “You’re the meanest, most despicable, annoying, arrogant and horrid man I’ve ever met.”
“Your Perfect Match.” Aiden grabbed her wrist, stopping the blows. “Come, let’s take a stroll on the lovely, romantic beach. We have dinner reservations at The Boathouse Grill and then dancing around the bonfire until midnight.”
“Delete those books,” Jade said through gritted teeth.
“Georges is watching us,” Aiden replied, also through gritted teeth. “Let’s go.”
****
Aiden was used to taking charge of a situation. He had to. The survival of his platoon depended on decisiveness and action.
He’d let Jade jerk him around like the rotten princess she claimed to be, but now that his mission had been clarified—provide Perfect Match with footage for their commercials and a testimonial to put in their brochure, he wasn’t going to let a frustrated romance writer ruin his well-earned vacation.
From the way she behaved, he was willing to bet she hadn’t had real romance for a very long time, if ever.
With only a firm hand on the small of her back, Aiden steered her to the exit of the bar.
“Will you stop manhandling me?” Jade flipped her long, silky hair over her shoulder and glared back at him.
“I’m a man, how else do you expect me to handle you?” He loved the feel of her smooth, hot skin and the way her behind curved and swayed as she walked at his side, appearing to the untrained eyes as his affectionate date.
“You don’t have to get so close.”
“I’m as close as you want me,” he murmured. “You have only to walk away.”
She stayed at his side as they wound their way through a passageway lined with trickling water walls and fragrant tropical plants.
“And have you stick to me like glue?” Her voice held a note of challenge, as if she was both flattered and annoyed by his attention.
“If you desire,” he drew out the last word and felt a shiver run down her back.
“I don’t desire.”
“Because you’re too busy analyzing everything, and you can’t relax.” He traced his hand up to the back of her neck as she turned toward him. “Is that part and parcel for being a writer? Always observing, taking down notes, thinking about your characters and plot, but never enjoying the moment.”
“And warriors like you never analyze and take stock of the situation in front of them?” Her brow wrinkled with an irritated scowl, but those shiny, dark eyes held traces of curiosity and restrained passion.
“No time to hesitate,” Aiden replied evenly. “I live in the moment with my instincts and desires.”
“A hedonist.”
“Who’s walking with a beautiful woman on a tropical paradise with the swish of surf in the distance.”
“Flattery will get you—”
“Everywhere.” He caressed the back of her neck and held her gaze, leaning in.
Her lips moistened, and she didn’t blink as desire flushed over her porcelain cheeks.
His warrior’s brain clicked everything in place—noting the angle of her neck, the fluttering of her eyelids, and the slight nervous tremor tightening her shoulders.
He smiled and backed off. “I’m here to decompress, not to fight. And I intend to enjoy every minute of my vacation.”
“Same here.” Her voice quavered, and she broke eye contact. “I’m really not as bad as my profile says.”
“And I’m not as good as my mother thinks.”
This time he made his move, and she was there, lips meeting his, wet and warm. The kiss was an explosion of heat and unanswered questions. What started as a serious of short pecks melded together into a jockeying of lips and tongues, a few awkward teeth bumps, and a hasty withdrawal, like two prize fighters snapping back into their respective corners.
Jade made a halfway motion to wipe the kiss off her lips, but she dropped her hand, and
a smile crept to the corners of her mouth. Shaking her head, she turned away and headed for the beach. “Be careful what you do, soldier boy, or you’ll end up in one of my books.”
“The kind you want me to delete?” He followed her to the edge of the sand, and they both removed their shoes.
“Exactly. I’m not looking for romance, but experiences to write about.” She stepped out onto the warm sand, her dress and hair wafting from the gentle tropical breeze.
He claimed her, naturally, an arm around her shoulders, and the scent of her vegan shampoo and conditioner in his nose. He kissed the side of her head and lifted his eyes to the constellations dotting the night sky above.
He wasn’t looking for love—not with the kind of job he had—but if love found him, who was he to argue against fate?
Or his mother’s wishes?
Chapter Six
“Twenty minutes. I need you dressed and ready.” Aiden knocked on Jade’s closet door bright and early the next morning.
Okay, so she wasn’t sure how “bright” things were outside of her closet, but early wasn’t an understatement.
Last night, after a few exploratory kisses and surreptitious feels of the Navy SEAL’s muscles, Jade had hastily retired to her closet to write down her impressions.
Aiden had tried to get her to relax on the king-sized bed, but she was onto his tricks. She was a romance writer, and she knew exactly where a few drinks and massages would lead.
Would it have been so bad? A little voice niggled from the naughty portion of her mind. Could have added that to your research and enjoyed it too.
“Hey, are you awake?” Aiden’s deep booming drill-sergeant voice resounded outside the closet. “You said you wanted to push your limits, so let’s get to it.”
That was the excuse she’d given him to underscore her “no romance” determination. She’d been able to segue the conversation from foot rubs to a grueling hike in the Caribbean sun where she could question Aiden about his survival skills
“Yeah, I’ll be out,” Jade said, stretching from her cramped cot. “What’s the weather like out there?”
Jade (Perfect Match Book 4) Page 3