Into the Fire (Bridge Book 2) (5 page)

Was that such a terrible thing? If his bed was anything like mine, it was soft and luxurious and smelled like the tropical flowers they put in our rooms every afternoon. Add the scent of Darren, and I was a goner. I might never leave.

Hooking up with Darren wasn’t the problem. What worried me more were the stirrings I was already feeling around him—feelings that made me long for more, something that maybe had been missing from my life for too long.

But Darren wasn’t on the market for
more,
and nothing with him would last for long. Didn’t change the fact that one look at him made my ovaries hurt. Every time he shot me that perfect smile of his, the small-town girl in me wanted to cook him dinner and press his shirts for the rest of my life. For the first time in a very long time, that insane thought almost seemed worth considering. Except that domestic fantasy wasn’t what he wanted, and that definitely wasn’t what I moved seven hundred miles from home to do.

In a private room off the main dining area, our group of guests had gathered for a late breakfast. I scanned the long tables set with colorful juices, fresh flower arrangements, and clean white tablecloths. I found Eli and Maya and quickly placed myself between them.

A server poured me a steaming cup of coffee, and I knew the instant Darren had joined the party. He paused at the entryway when I met his gaze. I could feel his eyes on me like a sunray. Warm, and not entirely unwelcome. Still, I shifted my focus back to small talk with Eli, forcing myself to think about planning our day with Maya. Darren had overrun my thoughts, but I had a long day planned and I hadn’t penciled him in anywhere. Spa activities with Maya and the girls and Eli, and the guys were going fishing or something. Maybe a good activity-filled day away from him would cool down this raging attraction I felt for the man.

After breakfast, I wandered to the balcony to admire the view. Turquoise waters lapped up on the soft sandy beach dotted with blue-and-white beach chairs. Paradise. The object of a lot of daydreaming lately, and here I was, a distracted mess. Every peaceful moment was shaken up with thoughts of Darren.

As much as my brain shouted at me to be careful, I’d wanted Darren to kiss me last night. Hell, I wanted him to stop talking to his cousins and come kiss me right now. I wanted to be back in his arms, a place that gave me more comfort than I’d ever expected.

We barely knew each other, but being near him felt right. And for some inexplicable reason, he was trying to get to know me. Maybe it was all an act, a good play by a master player. A warm breeze kissed my bare shoulders, and I closed my eyes, caring less and less.

Cameron came by my side. He was tall and thickly built, the same as Darren. They shared some features, but they were so different. Cameron was so serious. The only times I’d seen him smile were with Maya. They lit up near each other, like two halves that needed each other to become whole.

“How are you doing?”

I lifted my mimosa and gestured toward the gorgeous view. “Could be worse. This place is amazing. Great choice.”

He leaned down and rested his forearms on the railing. “We thought so too. It’s very tranquil here, this little spot.” He was quiet a moment.

“How about you? Cold feet?”

He didn’t appear to be in a joking mood. He barely cracked a smile. “Not a chance.”

“Figured as much.”

“Have you been able to talk with Maya much lately?”

“Not a lot, I guess. Eli, Olivia…you know, there’s always someone around. Why, what’s up?”

He straightened, and the seriousness of his expression had me concerned.

“I was wondering… Can you try to talk to her today? She’s close to you.”

“She’s closer to you.”

“Something is off. I don’t know what it is, and every time I try to bring it up, she brushes me off and changes the subject to something about the wedding. I don’t know if it’s nerves or what, but I’m worried about her.”

“I’m sure there’s nothing to be concerned about, but I’ll talk to her. Probably just pre-wedding jitters, you know.”

“I hope that’s all it is. I want tomorrow to be perfect for her. She deserves it. If there’s something else bothering her, I want to address it now. I don’t want anything getting in the way of giving her the perfect day. God knows she deserves this one day to go right.”

I nodded and touched his shoulder. “I’ll talk to her. In the meantime, try not to worry. Today’s your last day as a bachelor. Enjoy it.”

“I’ll guarantee he does.”

I sensed Darren’s warmth behind me before his voice broke into my conversation with Cameron. We both turned toward him. Cameron’s intensity seemed to soften in Darren’s presence. He was so carefree. I envied that, and I wanted to be near it. Like a moth to a flame, his energy drew me in every time. Even knowing the feeling couldn’t last forever, I felt that little bubble of giddiness rising inside me again.

Cameron eyed him steadily. “You better not have anything crazy planned for today.”

“How crazy can things get on a fishing charter?” Darren winked at me. “How about you, red? Have any strippers lined up for this afternoon?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. Not Maya’s style at all. Not to mention the fact that we’d be hard-pressed to find strippers whose hotness rivaled Cameron’s and Darren’s. “I’m afraid not. Manicures and massages are about as wild as we’re getting today.”

“Glad to hear it,” Cameron grumbled.

Darren’s beautiful eyes scorched my skin, and the air around us grew warm. The way he looked at me seemed too intimate for present company.

“Me too. Wouldn’t want you getting too distracted.”

“He’s not bothering you, is he?”

A deep frown marred Darren’s brow as he shifted to glaring at his brother. Cameron met his glare and then looked back to me.

Was Darren bothering me? Well, yes. But I’d sooner throw myself into traffic than ask someone to stop his advances.

“Of course not,” I said. I straightened out the collar of Darren’s shirt. “You know Darren. He’s the perfect gentleman.”

That got Cameron to crack a smile, but the tension between them lingered. I caught a glimpse of Maya chatting with Diane and Olivia again, so I figured I’d get on my way.

“You two have fun today. Hope you catch lots of fish. Don’t fall off the boat, okay?”

Darren’s jaw was still tight, but he’d relaxed a little. “Give me a little credit,” he murmured, gently grasping my arm as I passed.

I glanced up into his eyes. That quickly I was at risk of losing any semblance of control being this close to him. Close enough to feel his energy. An invisible current pulsed between us. I felt it in places I wished I didn’t.

“You’ll have to earn it,” I whispered, leaving him before my legs failed me.

“What the fuck was that?”

Cameron pivoted away. “Stop taking yourself so seriously. It doesn’t suit you.”

I leaned in. “You think because you’re getting married tomorrow that I won’t bust your nose for being an asshole? Think again, Cam.”

Cameron smirked and nudged me back a step. “Someone needs to say it. You going after someone like her is like watching a lion go after a gazelle on National Geographic. You know as well as I do she doesn’t have a chance.”

I couldn’t rightly argue with him. I’d set my sights on Vanessa, and I had every intention of having her. All the signs pointed to success. The physical attraction was real, and the more time we spent together, the stronger it grew. I’d never once considered that we wouldn’t sleep together on this trip. Before long, unless I did something really fucked up and unforgivable, she’d give in to me.

What business that was of my brother’s was another matter.

“Why the hell would you care?”

“Because she’s Maya’s best friend. I told you to back off before. I didn’t expect to have to remind you again.”

“Listen, I was good.” I jabbed my finger into his chest. “I played nice like you asked. Time’s up.”

“Not enough pretty girls on this island? You have to go for her again?”

“She’s a fucking ten, and I want her.”

He shook his head, glanced over to Maya, and back to the expansive ocean horizon. “You ever ask yourself why? Why does this one mean so much that you need to bed her and leave her more than all the others? Haven’t you played this routine out enough?”

I ground my teeth down. “I know you love Maya and want to settle down and have a million babies, but fuck, what’s with the judgment? This is my life.”

He was silent. I wanted him to say more, argue with me some more. But he didn’t give me anything else to work with.

“I… Listen, I want to be…” I shoved a hand through my hair and closed my eyes. Vanessa was there in my mind, smiling at me with those luscious lips. She was vibrant, a goddamn wet dream for any man. Why wouldn’t I want her? The fact that some guy hadn’t already stolen her heart and walked her down the aisle was a goddamn miracle. The mere thought of someone else claiming her for his own spurred something primal in me, an inexplicable need to make her mine.

“You want to be what?” Cameron was leaning against the balcony rail, his arms crossed.

I straightened slowly. “She knows my number, all right? If anything happens between us, she’s going into it knowing I’m a bad fucking bet. And, maybe because of that, I want to show her I’m worth the risk.”

“You mean she’s more of a challenge now that you’re working with a handicap. Nice.”

“No!” I growled. I could have sucker-punched him.

Cameron snorted air through his nose and stared at me in silent challenge.

“I just want to see where things go. We’re getting to know each other. That’s not something I usually make time for. So who knows? Maybe there’s a chance we’ll see more of each other after this trip.”

He shook his head with a sigh. “Whatever. She’s an adult, so I guess she can make her own choices. I’d just like to see you not be so selfish with a woman for a change. If you’re intent on getting Vanessa into bed, I’d like to see her be the one you give a fighting chance. That’s all I’m going to say about it.”

“Fine. You’ve made your point. Can we get drunk and go fishing now?”

“Sure.”

“Prick,” I muttered.

A
fter a lengthy massage
, a French manicure, and more champagne than I needed in my already relaxed state, I found a spot beside Maya. She was lounging under an umbrella by one of the resort’s pools. I hadn’t had a chance to catch her alone all afternoon, and even now I hesitated to pry at Cameron’s bidding.

“Come sit.” Maya motioned to the lounge chair beside her.

I took the invitation and made myself comfortable. My muscles went lax. “That massage was killer.”

“Agreed. The staff here is amazing.”

“I never want to leave.”

She smiled. “Maybe they’re hiring.”

I laughed. Only Maya knew how stressful my work life could be. The thought of staying on this heavenly island was tempting, if totally unrealistic.

“I noticed you disappeared with Darren at the barbecue last night. Any news to report?”

“Other than him pulling out all the stops trying to hook up, not really.”

“Figured as much. He sure is nice to look at, though.”

I chuckled softly. Couldn’t argue there.

I fiddled with a menu left on the small table between us. “Are you hungry?”

She shook her head. “I shouldn’t. I’ve gained like five pounds in a week. It’ll be a miracle if I fit into my dress tomorrow.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll make it fit.”

“Yeah, I’m going to look like a stuffed sausage in white satin.” Her hand went to her stomach concealed under her tankini.

“Is everything okay?”

She turned her head, but I couldn’t read her expression behind her sunglasses. “Yeah, why?”

What could I say?
Cameron sent me on a fact-finding mission because he’s worried about you?
I hadn’t written off his concerns though. Maya had a way of keeping her feelings socked down deep enough where no one else could find them. She was private, and for the most part, I’d always respected that. It was her way, and who was I to make her put her feelings out there?

“Just wondered. You seem…thoughtful lately. I just want to make sure it’s the usual wedding feelings and not something else.”

She nodded quietly and took in a deep breath. A minute passed in silence before she spoke. “I’m pregnant,” she said, her voice quiet.

My jaw fell, and I ripped my sunglasses off my face. “What… Wait. How? Have you been trying?”

“No. It’s my fault. I fucked up.”

“What?”

She took her sunglasses off and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I missed pills. Between everything that’s happened these past few months. My mom, moving in with Cam, and pulling this wedding trip together, I missed pills, and here we are.”

“How far along do you think you are?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure. I took tests, but I haven’t seen a doctor yet. I’ve been putting it off. I didn’t want to believe it could be true.”

I was silent. Maya’s life had been chaotic and at some points, extremely troubling. Maybe this wasn’t what she was expecting, but still, this was news Cameron would welcome.

“You haven’t told Cam.” This had to be what he’d sensed her holding back.

Suddenly her calm exterior started to crumble. She winced, and her eyes became glassy. “This is a nightmare. I’m getting married tomorrow. How the hell am I supposed to keep this from Cam? He’s going to freak out, but I can’t tell him the night before our wedding. He’s going to be a mess the same way I’m a mess and—”

“Okay, stop right there. Breathe. This is… Maya, this is a blessing. You both want a family, right?”

She sucked in an unsteady breath and exhaled, a slow tear traveling down her cheek. “Yeah, we’ve talked about it, but I didn’t think it’d be this soon.”

“Cameron is the love of your life. You made a baby. I can’t think of anything more romantic. Tell him. He’s going to be so thrilled. I just know it.”

She shook her head, but I could tell she wanted to believe me. “I don’t want him to be angry with me for being irresponsible.” Her voice was a whisper.

I wanted to pull her into a tight hug. Instead, I reached for her hands and held them in mine, wanting her to believe me and take comfort in the words I knew to be true.

“Cameron loves you. No matter how it happened, it’s happened, and it’s something to celebrate now. Okay?” I wiped away her tear and smiled. Not for her sake, but because my happiness in that moment was too big to temper. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like…to love someone as much as she loved Cameron and to be carrying proof of that love. To be taking that next step together.

She smiled a little, and my heart felt even lighter.

“When should I tell him? We’re not supposed to see each other until the wedding tomorrow. I’ll ruin everything. I don’t want anything to ruin our day, but I don’t want to keep this from him anymore either. It’s been weighing on me. God, you have no idea.”

I hushed her, smoothing my thumbs over the backs of her hands. “Maya, tell him tonight if you want to.”

“Do you think I should?”

“Do what feels right, and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks, okay? We’re all here for
you
.”

She nodded. “Thank you.”

* * *

M
aya had retired early
for the night. Too restless for sleep, I hung around one of the outdoor bars at the hotel. The sky was a midnight blue, and the sweet smell of plumeria wafted through the warm ocean air. I twirled my half glass of pinot grigio by the base.

Maya’s news was overwhelming. Not in the same way that it was for her, but an overwhelming reminder of how quickly life can change. Months ago she was barely living. Working hard every day, partying harder every weekend. Starting all over again on Monday. Not too different from my world, really. And now she was hours away from being married to the man of her dreams. In a matter of months, their family of two would grow.

More than anything, I was happy for my friend, but I couldn’t ignore the sting of regret I felt under that happiness. I took a deep breath. Filling my lungs with the ocean air, I refused to let my thoughts linger too long on my own unfulfilled dreams.

I swallowed down the last of my lukewarm wine and did the one thing I promised myself I wouldn’t do. I powered on my phone and checked my messages. Mom had texted a few times, asking me how things were. I texted her back, letting her know I couldn’t stay in touch as regularly being out of the country.

Then I checked my e-mail, and dread quickly overrode all my other emotions. My phone loaded dozens of e-mails from work, many from Reilly, including a calendar invite for a review lunch scheduled for when I got back. Subtle. I stifled a groan and turned the phone off.

“Hey, beautiful.” Darren took the bar stool beside me.

“Where’s Cam? I thought you were going into town tonight.”

“Nah. He turned in early. I’ll give you one guess where he is.”

With Maya no doubt. I grinned to myself, knowing better than Darren did why that was a good thing.

“Can I buy you another drink?”

“Actually, I should head back to the room. Big day tomorrow.” I grabbed my purse and stood.

I may have been restless, and reconnecting to my work e-mail wasn’t helping matters, but I wasn’t sure my mind was in the right place to fight off Darren’s flirtations.

Darren caught my hand, keeping me from leaving. “You look tense. What’s going on?”

I hesitated. “Nothing. I’m fine.”

“Come on. Take a walk with me.” He tipped his head toward the dark shore that met the black horizon.

He smiled like he knew I couldn’t and wouldn’t say no.

“Okay.” I slipped the tiny black strap of the purse over my shoulder and let him take my hand and lead me out to the moonlit beach.

“Talk to me, red. What’s going on?”

“Just work. I made the mistake of checking my e-mail. Real life sucks.”

He laughed and tightened his grasp around my hand. “I can’t imagine getting thrown back into reality right now. Why on earth would you check in when you’ve got days left here?”

“I don’t know. I’m a glutton for pain, I guess. Catching up is going to be a mess. I figured maybe I could get ahead of it.”

“Does your job have any redeeming qualities?”

I stared down at the dark shadows our steps made dragging through the soft sand. “Probably not by your standards. I don’t get to save anyone’s life when I’m fetching my boss’s dry cleaning.”

“Does he respect you?” His eyes were serious now.

I shrugged. “I think deep down he probably appreciates all I do, but on the surface, he’s too busy to really take the time to show it. I get it. It’s part of the job. How about you? Is being a firefighter your dream job?”

His lips curved into a boyish smile. “I love it. Even when it sucks. Sometimes it feels like it’s in my blood or something—what I was meant to do. Every once in a while I’ll have a few rough shifts in a row and start to second-guess things, but once I’m recharged I can’t wait to get back. I find myself missing it.”

“Do you miss it now?”

He stared down the coastline, a distant look in his eyes, before he turned back to me.

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else than here with you right now. And that’s the honest to God truth.”

The more time I spent with Darren, the more glimpses I got of the man beneath the handsome, charming exterior. Despite all the warnings, despite my mind shouting at me to be careful, I was hooked. I wanted to know more. I wanted to unravel him and see him the way he’d never let anyone else see him before.

“Anyway. To hell with all that. We’re on vacation. Let’s do something crazy.”

“Like what?”

I laughed and stared as he pulled his shirt over his head.

“Let’s go skinny-dipping,” he said in a hushed whisper.

My jaw fell open a fraction as he went for the zipper on his shorts.

“In the ocean? You’re insane.”

“Yes, and yes. Come on, don’t be a prude,” he said.

“It’s against the rules. No swimming after dark.” I pointed behind us to a sign I’d noticed when it was still daylight.

“We’re on vacation. There are no rules.”

He stripped his boxers off, leaving him naked in the moonlight. My jaw was gaping now, and I forced myself to look away. What I wouldn’t give for a few minutes just to look…

“I’m not going in there naked,” I insisted.

“Suit yourself.” His voice rang out from a few feet away. When I turned back, he was making strides across the sand, his taut ass my only thought until he dove into the water.

“Water’s fine!” he called out, his smile bright in the darkness.

I bounced in place, letting his infectious energy come over me.

Am I doing this?
Yes. No. Yes. No way.
What the hell?

I took a breath and stripped off the jersey sundress I wore.

Darren hollered from the distance. I couldn’t believe I was doing this, but I couldn’t stop smiling. Darren was crazy, but I kind of loved it. The truth was, no one else could make me do this but him. A fresh wave of terror hit me when I contemplated my bra and panties. I couldn’t go in there stark naked. I had to draw the line somewhere.

“Come on, red. I’m getting pruned out here. Hurry up.”

Without thinking, I unsnapped my bra, covered my breasts with my arm, and ran out to join him.

The water was warm, but still a shock against skin that wasn’t used to being bare there. I swam toward Darren, trying not to think about all of the unknowns in the dark water. When one of those unknowns flickered against my foot, I screamed.

“What’s wrong?” Darren swam close and caught my hand, grinning broadly.

“Something touched my foot. I’m freaking out.” I looked across the dark water that I couldn’t see through.

A wave pushed his body closer to mine, and then his hands were on me and he pulled me against him. “Don’t freak out. I’ll protect you,” he murmured.

I swallowed over the breath that was caught in my throat. We were chest-to-chest, bare, and suddenly nothing had ever felt so perfect. My toes curled into the sand below.

“You know I’m more than my hair color, right?”

He traced a damp strand of hair that clung to my cheek. “So much more… You’re like this streak of bright red through my head. Whenever I see you or think about you, it’s vibrant. I can’t think of anything else. Or anyone else.”

I was speechless. If that came from his player toolbox of pickup lines, he deserved a medal. Silence fell between us, making my nakedness against him all the more tense.

A gentle wave crashed against us, but he held me solidly. His eyes were the darkest I’d ever seen them. He caught my face in his palms, caressing his thumbs over the apples of my cheeks.

“I still want that kiss you promised me.”

My breath hitched. “That wasn’t a promise. That was a threat.”

“Then teach me a lesson.”

I lifted my chin, saying yes in every silent way I could think of. I wanted him to kiss me. And I wanted a hell of a lot more than that. I slid my fingers into his wet hair in wordless assent.

“Vanessa.”

My heart raced at hearing my name on his lips. Not a nickname, but my name. I gasped at the feel of his erection against me, his lips on me at the same time. I moaned into his mouth. I was instantly overwhelmed, consumed at the first touch of his tongue sweeping against mine.