by Jaci Burton
He hopped on a low-riding wave, dropped down into the tube, and rode it out. It was weak, but still good practice.
Before he turned to paddle back out, he caught a glimpse of Tori sitting on the shore watching him.
Now there was a sleek-looking woman. She had a certain spark, and he enjoyed an intelligent woman.
He wanted to spend more time with her, though he knew he should focus on the upcoming competition.
Then again, he always had time for some fun.
He grinned and paddled out onto the waves.
* * *
Tori had caught sight of Alex. She was mesmerized as he rode the waves like a pro.
Of course he did. He was one. After she’d eaten, she’d gone up to her room, grabbed her laptop, and spent some time researching him.
Such interesting reading. He’d won several surfing championships at the international level, and had started at the junior level when he was just fifteen. Since then he’d always placed in the top five, and he’d won a number of championships.
The guy was internationally famous and had been for nearly twenty years. He’d done multiple endorsements and commercials and was the highest-grossing surfer in terms of monetary prizes there was.
Alex McConnell was a winner.
Tori liked backing winners. She wondered who his agent was, and who did his PR. She’d looked into the endorsements he’d been doing, but it wasn’t enough considering his appeal. Why wasn’t he doing commercials for energy drinks or gracing the covers of sports magazines? She’d never even heard of him. Obviously his representation wasn’t doing a good job for him. Granted, surfing wasn’t a mainstream sport like football, basketball, or baseball, but she could turn that around.
She mulled that over while she watched the surfers master the incredible waves.
“Yeah, the waves kind of suck today.”
She turned to look at a girl who’d plopped down on the sand next to her.
“Really? They look enormous to me.”
The girl grinned. “They’re okay. Kind of puny, actually. They’ll need to roll higher for the competition.”
Tori turned in her chair to face the girl, who had to be no more than in her early to mid-twenties. Absolutely beautiful, with long black hair, a sprinkling of freckles across her cheeks and nose, and the prettiest dark eyes Tori had ever seen.
She held out her hand. “I’m Victoria, or Tori.”
The girl shook her hand. “I’m Whitney. Everyone calls me Whitney.”
Tori laughed. “Are you a surfer, Whitney?”
“Yes. Been surfing my whole life.”
“So you’re here for the competition?”
She shook her head. “Oh, God no. I live here on the island.”
“You do? That’s great.”
She nodded. “I think so. My dad manages one of the hotels.”
“He does? Which one?”
She pointed a few hotels down the beach. “That one. My mom works there, too. So do I.”
“That’s convenient. So when you’re not working, I assume you’re surfing?”
Whitney grinned. “Yes. It’s what I’d rather be doing, but you know, gotta pay the bills.”
“I understand that. So you love surfing. Do you compete?”
“I’m not that good. I only wish I was. I surf for fun, and I love to watch the competitions every year.” Her gaze drifted out over the water. “They’re amazing.”
“So I’ve noticed.”
“Women compete, too, though not right now. They compete in a separate event from the guys. The one going on now is men only.”
“I met one of them today.”
“Yeah? Who?”
“Alex McConnell.”
She nodded. “Alex is an unbelievable surfer. He comes here every year to compete, and he’s won . . . so many times.”
“Yes, he has.”
Whitney frowned. “So you do know Alex?”
Tori was almost embarrassed to admit it. “No. I Googled him.”
“Oh.” She laughed. “Checking him out, were you?”
“I might have been. Though he’s really too young for me.”
Whitney leaned back and looked her over. “Too young? Please. You’re hot.”
Getting a compliment from a guy was one thing. Getting one from another woman—and a young, beautiful one? That was an entirely different matter. “Thank you. I’ll live on that for the rest of my vacation.”
“What are you, maybe thirty or something?”
“Now I’m in love with you.”
Whitney laughed. “Come on. Age is only a number. The important thing is to live your life and enjoy the hell out of it. I know I’m young, but I live on the island, and while I might not have the job of my dreams, I get to surf every day. I have nothing to complain about.”
She liked Whitney. “And what is the job of your dreams?”
Whitney shrugged. “Not sure I’ve figured that out yet. I’m twenty-four and I realize I can’t hang out on the beach forever, but I can’t think of any other life that suits me better. I work customer service at the hotel part-time, and I’m finishing up my degree in business at night. Once I graduate, I’d like to work for one of the sports management companies that oversee the women’s surf teams. If there’s one thing I do know about, it’s surfing. If there’s another thing I’ve learned a lot about, it’s marketing and business.”
“I think you’re light-years ahead in terms of thinking like a grown-up.”
Whitney gave her a smile. “Thank you. Could you tell my parents that? They think I’m wasting my life because I don’t already have a master’s degree at twenty-four.”
“A little pushy, are they?”
“A little, but I know they want what’s best for me, so I take it in stride.”
“It sounds to me like you already know what you want for your future.”
“Maybe. I want to get away from my parents. Not that I don’t love them. I do. But I don’t want to be part of the family business. I need to make my own life.”
“I understand. You want to be independent. I was where you are once, needing to strike out on my own. It’s tough, but doable.”
Whitney shifted position to face Tori. “What do you do for a living?”
“I’m a sports agent.”
Whitney’s brows lifted. “Really? That must be an awesome career. Do you love it?”
“I do love it. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but also the most fun, most rewarding job.”
“Not to mention all those hot and sexy sports players.”
Tori’s lips curved. “Those are the perks, honey.”
Whitney laughed. “I can only imagine. See, that’s the kind of thing I could see myself doing. I love every sport there is, and when I’m not working or studying or catching a wave, I’m glued to the television. The only drawback to living in Hawaii—and believe me, there aren’t many—is no professional sports. So I have to get my fix by watching them on TV.”
“I can’t imagine many drawbacks to living here. I love the islands.”
“Me, too, but I have a yen to go to the mainland every now and then. If for nothing more than to catch a football or baseball game. Or hockey. Oh, God, I love hockey.”
“The grass-is-always-greener kind of thing.”
“Exactly.”
“I see you’ve found a friend.”
Tori looked up to see Alex standing at the foot of her chaise. Dripping wet, droplets sliding down his magnificent body, she could already envision him in his wet suit, just like that, gracing the cover of a sports magazine.
“What’s up, Alex?” Whitney said.
“Hey, Whitney. How’s it goin’?”
“Good. Tori and I were chatting about our careers.”
“Yeah?” Alex looked over at Tori, and she got lost in the sexy way he smiled at her. “You finding our girl here a new career?”
Tori laughed. “I think Whitney is doing fine on her own.”
“She is,” Whitney said, standing and brushing sand off her legs and butt. “And speaking of careers, I have an errand to run for the hotel, so I’ll catch you both later.”
Tori pulled her business card out of her bag and jotted down her personal cell number, then handed it to Whitney. “Call me when you have some free time and we’ll have lunch. I’m here for a while.”
Whitney beamed a smile. “Awesome.”
Alex dropped down on the sand next to her. “Whitney’s great. She’s a champion for the surf crowd, and her parents rock. They put up a few of the new guys in their hotel when they couldn’t afford a room last year.”
Tori laughed. “I like her. She’s very smart and fun to talk to.”
“She is. She also likes surfing, so she’s okay.”
“Is that how you judge people? By whether they like surfing or not?”
“Totally.”
He kept a straight face, but Tori knew he was joking. “So if I hated surfing, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
“No way. I don’t waste my time with people who dismiss what I do for a living. Would you?”
He had a point. “Of course not. I’ve faced plenty of my own prejudices in my field.”
“Yeah? What kind?”
“Men who think women shouldn’t be managing the multimillion-dollar careers of top athletes, or people who, when they find out what I do, want to complain about overpaid, whiny athletes or agents who get paid too much money and think we do nothing to earn our pay. I get plenty, believe me.”
“So what do you do?”
She shrugged. “I walk away. It’s always best not to engage people like that, because you’re never going to change their minds.”
“Yeah, I get a lot of the ‘surfing isn’t a real sport’ kind of people, and folks who ask me when I’m going to get an actual job.”
“I imagine you make a decent enough living.”
“Decent enough to be able to travel the world doing what I love. Of course sponsorship helps with that.”
“I’m sure it does.” She wanted to talk to him about that. She had so many questions about his management team and his advertising opportunities. But she didn’t want to spoil the friendship they’d started. She was attracted to him, plus she was on vacation, and she’d long ago made a vow never to do business while she was on vacation. Opportunities came and went. This was one of those times where she’d just have to let it go.
“So, you want to surf today?”
“Me?” She took a look at those rolling waves that seemed to her as tall and imposing as the high-rise she lived in. “No, thanks.”
“Aww, come on. It’s a challenge.”
“It’s a death trap. I like my waves a little more manageable.”
“I can take you to another part of the island to surf. On the south side the waves are much calmer.”
She hadn’t thought of that. “You need to concentrate on getting ready for the competition. Some other time.”
“Aw, come on. It can’t be all about business. Now you sound like Ben.”
“Who’s Ben?”
“Ben Reynolds. My business manager. And one of my sponsors. Great guy. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”
“Is he here?”
“Not yet. He’s flying in tomorrow. He’s a former surfer. One of the best.”
“Did he teach you how to surf?”
“Babe, nobody teaches you how to surf. You’re either born with it or not.”
“I see.” She’d had lessons and certainly hadn’t been born with surfing knowledge, but if that was his mantra, who was she to argue?
“Hey, I know I said I’d take you to dinner, but there’s a party on the beach tonight, kind of a precursor to the competition. Will you come?”
“Is it open to the public?”
“No. But you can be my date.”
She liked where this was going. “Sure.”
“Awesome. I’ve got some interviews and stuff I need to do. How about I pick you up at your room at like . . . five thirty?”
“That sounds great.”
He stood. “I’ll see you then. Later, Tori.”
She watched him walk away, admiring his great legs, his amazing strong back, and his very fine ass.
So . . . she had a date. With a hot surfer.
She got up and threw on her wrap, grabbed her bag and headed back to the hotel to take a shower, a smile creeping onto her face.
Apparently, she still had it going on.
* * *
Alex smiled as he wandered away from Tori.
He liked this woman. She was smart, and kind of a smartass.
He liked smart women who thought of other things besides hooking up with a surfer. He’d met plenty of those—pretty women, sure, but after he got out of bed he wanted to be able to have a conversation. He already knew he could have an intelligent conversation with Tori. And he sure as hell wouldn’t mind having her in his bed, either. Whether she was interested in that part or not remained to be seen.
Even though he was here for work, he could take some time for fun as well.
He walked along the shoreline, studying the swells and wind. Great timing for the event. Waves were solid and high, and should make for some stellar barrels.
He was itching to get out there and compete.
But in the meantime, he had a date tonight with a beautiful woman.
His smile widened.
THREE
Victoria had been more than ready for tonight. She surprised herself by anticipating Alex’s arrival with a bout of nervousness. And she was never nervous.
Fortunately, Alex picked her up right on time. She’d dressed casual, putting on a simple sundress and sandals, figuring this wouldn’t be a fancy event. Alex wore board shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, so she’d guessed correctly.
He smiled and leaned an arm against the door. “You look gorgeous.”
She closed the door and slid her arm through his. “And you’re great for my ego. I might just stick you in my suitcase and take you back to New York with me.”
He shook his head. “Nah. The city would stifle me. Can’t surf in your Hudson River.”
She laughed. “No, you definitely couldn’t.”
They walked outside and down the sidewalk leading toward where he’d surfed today.
“So tell me about this party tonight.”
“Most of the surfers competing are already in, especially the newcomers. Sponsors and advertisers are throwing a party. Everyone will chill, unwind a little before the big events get started. It’s a chance for some of the newer competitors to get to know everyone and do a meet-and-greet with the sponsors.”
“That’s nice for them.”
“Yeah. Getting sponsorship is a big deal for the young guys. If they can hook up with someone, and do well in the competition, it’ll keep them going for the next year.”
“Is that how you did so well?”
“It helps to score high when you’re first starting out. You don’t have to work so hard to gain sponsorship. They’ll come to you, then.”
“So what you’re saying is you didn’t have to go to the sponsors.”
He gave her a sexy, wide grin. “I won. A lot when I first started. After that, the sponsors started coming to me. I got lucky.”
“Darling, I don’t think luck had anything to do with it.”
Tents had been set up on the beach with drinks and food. The sponsors each had a booth, too. Anything from surfboards and clothes to wax and tanning supplies was represented.
“Any of those your sponsors?
” Tori asked as they walked by a tent to grab some food and a drink.
Alex leaned back to peruse the booths. “A couple.”
“So when you’re surfing, do you wear ball caps emblazoned with your sponsor logos?”
He laughed. “Uh, no.”
There were a lot of people here—not just the guys competing, but apparently their families, too. Plus a lot of very young, very attractive women.
“Hey, Alex.”
“Hey, yourself, Heather,” Alex said to a girl who came up and hugged him.
The girl was wearing low-slung shorts and a skimpy bikini top that barely contained her ample breasts. She had a great tan and a model-type body, and she was definitely giving Tori the once-over.
“Heather, this is my friend, Tori. This is Heather.”
Tori held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Heather.”
Heather smiled. She had perfect teeth, too. “Nice to meet you, Tori.” She shifted her gaze back to Alex. “We’re going to take a little dip tonight over at the cove. You up for it?”
Alex wound his arm around Tori’s waist. “We’ll see.”
Again, Heather gave Tori a look. “Okay, then. Maybe I’ll see you later. Nice to meet you, Tori.”
“You, too, Heather.”
After Heather left, she turned to Alex. “Ex-girlfriend?”
Alex cocked a brow. “How did you know?”
“I’m a woman. I know the vibe we give off when our ex is with a new woman.”
“Oh. I don’t get that vibe.”
“That’s because you have a penis. It blinds you to the signals.”
He laughed. “Is that what it is? Come on, I’ll introduce you to people.”
They entered the fray. It was a wild party, but a lot of fun. Some surfers did, in fact, bring their entire families, so she not only met some of the competing surfers, she also met parents and brothers and sisters and in some cases, even grandparents. Wives and girlfriends were there, too. Of course, if she’d had a son who was a surfer, she’d have dragged her entire family to Hawaii to watch him compete. There was obviously a lot of family pride among the surfers, and as Victoria spoke to some of them she could tell they all supported their kids.