The Resilient One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance (4 page)

Well, he’d tried. Beck finished his breakfast, savoring the sweet papaya and wondering why
tried
was always such a lame word. Tried meant you’d given it an effort. It just didn’t seem like enough in this case. Why was Alyssa so offish with him? For a few seconds he felt like they’d connected. She’d looked into his eyes as he studied the dark depths of hers and he’d felt an electricity in the air between them. He’d started imagining all kinds of fun excursions with the beautiful Alyssa over the next week, but then a switch had flipped and she was worse than cold. It was as if he made her physically ill.

He was surprised that he’d been so bold with a stranger. He’d felt an instant connection to her when he’d plowed into her this morning, even though he didn’t know anything about her. She was definitely an uncommon beauty with her long, dark hair and that creamy skin, but he’d had a lot of beautiful and successful women hit on him and never felt the way he had the past few minutes around Alyssa. As if they had something between them, some kind of pull.

Maybe it was because she
didn’t
seem interested in him. That didn’t happen often and it definitely made her more intriguing. It could also be that she had looked as beautiful out running as she did at breakfast. She obviously wasn’t a fake, cover herself with a foot of makeup, kind of girl. Her dark eyes lured him in like some kind of siren. That must be it. She was a sea temptress. He laughed to himself and pushed away from the table. A temptress wouldn’t turn a guy down stone cold like that.

Beck wondered what he was going to do with himself today. Sitting on a beach always sounded good, but he would probably only last twenty minutes before he’d want to do something active. He decided to just walk around the neighborhood and down to Lahaina. If he couldn’t talk a beautiful woman into being his tour guide, he could at least try to enjoy the sites by himself.

By lunchtime Alyssa had several new photographs ready to send to the printers. She used to develop her own originals but found an effective company who did better quality work. They also framed and stored them for her until she was ready to ship to customers or galleries. It saved her a ton of mess and time. Taking pictures was much more fulfilling for her than developing them. She stretched and grabbed her purse. Sunrise Café sounded perfect for lunch.

Walking out of the bed and breakfast and down the street toward Lahaina, she heard a ruckus at the redbrick church on the corner. She glanced over, expecting to see the local boys on their skateboards. When she saw Beckham laughing with some tween boys as they coached him on how to ride one of those crazy Ripstiks, she wished she’d brought her camera along.

She stopped and watched, hoping none of them would look over. Beckham was an art form with his t-shirt clinging to his body as he swiveled his hips to keep the board in motion. The definition in his chest, shoulders, and arms was impressive. Alyssa told herself she was just appreciating the human body like any photographer would do, but this seemed a bit more personal. She was gawking at him because he was not only all man, he had a huge smile and was obviously interacting with these boys on their level.

Beckham ran into the curb and jumped clear of the Ripstik. He threw back his head and laughed and all the boys joined in, chortling and making fun of his crash. Beckham turned and focused right on Alyssa.

She gasped and took a step back. He raised a hand and offered her a friendly smile. She smiled back and waved quickly before striding off down the street. First, she turned him down because she couldn’t handle the thought of being alone with a strange man and now she gaped openly at him like a teenage stalker. Her neck was burning hot as she snuck one more glance and found that he was still watching her.

The next morning, Alyssa gave herself the day off from running and walked to Maulaka Beach so she could photograph the ocean, trees, and turtles. It was pure enjoyment to click some outdoor pictures in the pre-morning light. The pictures she sold were always of people, but it was fun to experiment with landscapes and animals sometimes. How she wished she could’ve captured those boys and Beckham yesterday. That kind of human interaction was exactly what she thrived on, not to mention she’d love to have a picture of Beckham for herself. She didn’t know if she would’ve dared sell them though. As a photographer she could photograph anyone and everyone who was in a public place, but she’d already taken pictures of Beckham she wasn’t proud of. She didn’t want to have any other pictures to make him think she was paparazzi if he ever got to know her and put two and two together.

She came back to the outdoor breakfast early and thought she’d be able to enjoy the spread alone, but Beckham was already seated at one of the tables. She was tempted to smile and rush past, maybe come back to eat later, but when he glanced up and grinned at her it was like a cord drew her right in. She nodded to him and went to fill her plate with fruit, granola, and yogurt.

Encouraged by his warm look and the hope that he really wasn’t like the wealthy men her dad pushed on her, she walked straight to his table and asked, “Is this seat taken?”

“All the other tables are full?” Beck’s wide grin tempered the teasing.

Alyssa laughed. “Guess I deserved that.”

Beck stood and took her plate from her hands, brushing her fingers in the process. Tingles shot through Alyssa. She swallowed and could hardly think straight. He set the plate down and then pulled out her chair. “Please, sit with me.”

Alyssa felt a jolt of nerves as a flashback came. She couldn’t even remember the man’s name or what he looked like except for greased black hair, but she could smell his spicy cologne and the way he’d asked her to please, sit with me, before he pulled her onto his lap. She’d been sixteen and it was one of her dad’s dinner parties. Taking a long breath, she reminded herself they were in a semi-public place and Beckham seemed like a really nice guy. He wasn’t going to make any untoward advances when one of the other guests or Jerry could come to breakfast any time.

“Thanks,” she murmured.

She sat and started eating her yogurt slowly, wondering how to start up a conversation. “Did you have a nice first day on the island?” she finally asked.

Beckham’s face lit up. “It was great. Some boys taught me to Ripstik.”

Alyssa blushed, knowing he’d seen her there.

“Then I found a great place to surf on the northwest end.”

“Sounds… great.” She almost rolled her eyes when she imitated the adjective he’d already used twice.

“Do you like to surf?” he asked.

Alyssa wondered how to answer that. She would love to try to surf, but with her foot her balance was too far off. “Um, I bodysurf or boogie board.”

“Maybe I could teach you.”

His blue eyes were so full of hope. She’d shot him down yesterday to tour the island together, and although she wasn’t ready to break her rule about being alone with a man she didn’t know, she hated to tell him no again. Maryn would probably tell her to break the rule she’d made after her dad forced her into a car alone with one of his politician friends. She’d been seventeen and terrified as the man clasped his long fingers around her thigh. Luckily, she’d been able to get out at a stop light and run until Maryn found her.

“Ally-girl. Hello!”

Alyssa’s head jerked up. That voice could only be one person. Granny Ellie rounded the corner of the building on Jerry’s arm. Jerry pulled several designer pieces of luggage. They both grinned as they saw Alyssa and Beckham seated together. Alyssa jumped to her feet and ran the few steps to wrap her tiny grandmother in her arms. Worry swept over Alyssa. Was Granny too thin? Her grandmother had fought and won against breast cancer eight years ago, but Alyssa always worried that it would come back. Plus, Granny was getting up in years, any number of things could rob Alyssa of the only family member who loved her unconditionally. Hugging her grandmother, she was safe. The feeling of coming home was overshadowed by knowing Beckham watched and would soon meet her grandmother, who’d never tried to install a filter between her thoughts and her words.

Jerry swept past them. “I’ll just take your luggage upstairs.”

“Thanks, Jerry, you’re a gem.”

“Granny?” Alyssa finally managed. “What are you doing here?”

“Idaho’s too cold this time of year. Your emails made me worry about my lonely little girl, so I caught a plane.” She tapped Alyssa’s cheek with her palm. “You look gorgeous, love, but are you so tired of being alone?”

Alyssa glanced to Beckham. He met her gaze then took a drink of his juice.

“Just lonely for you,” Alyssa said.

“Ha! I know you’re too busy for this old lady. Don’t worry, Jerry has a room for me, I’ll enjoy the island and you can fit me in during your spare time.” She walked purposefully toward Beckham, tugging Alyssa along. “
Who
is this?”

Beckham stood and extended his hand, completely engulfing Granny’s fingers with his own. Two feet taller and with all those nicely-formed muscles, the contrast between Beckham and her petite grandmother would make an unreal photograph.

“I’m Beck,” he offered.

Granny held onto his hand and tilted her head to the side. “Alyssa’s friend? Boyfriend? Fiancé?” She paused and winked. “Make-out buddy?”

“Granny! We haven’t even really met.” How embarrassing. Granny would have to throw in the make-out buddy. Did she even know what that meant?

“Not officially anyway,” Beck said with a smile.

“Oh, so you’re free? You ever heard of a cougar?” Granny Ellie made a sound that was somewhere between a meow and a growl and batted her fake eyelashes at him.

“Granny!” Alyssa wanted to go bury herself in the sand.

Beck laughed. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs…”

“
Ms
. Armsworth. Recently widowed. You can call me Ellie.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear about your husband, Ellie.”

She waved a hand. “It’s all right. I liked him, but once you bury four you start getting a little calloused. That’s why I’m looking for a younger man.” She winked obnoxiously.

Alyssa narrowed her eyes. She knew Granny had loved and mourned each of her husbands. What was she playing at?

“And this is my gorgeous, talented, and oh so sweet
,
granddaughter, Alyssa.”

Alyssa scowled at her.

“What?” Granny raised her shoulders. “You said you hadn’t met. Now use those manners I taught you.”

Alyssa rolled her eyes and extended her hand. “Alyssa Armsworth. It’s nice to meet you.”

Beck took her hand between both of his and looked deeply into her eyes. “The pleasure is mine.”

Oh, my.
She felt like she was a princess and he was the knight coming to formerly court her. Granny cackled and rubbed her small hands together. “This is going to be fun.” She linked an arm through Alyssa’s elbow and held her other hand out to Beck. “So, kids, how are you going to entertain an old lady today?”

“Granny!” Alyssa shook her head and met Beck’s amused glance. “I’m sorry,” she told him. “I’m sure you have plans.”

“I promised myself I’d try to sit on the beach, but it would be much more fun with you two.”

“Oh, yes it would.” Granny cocked her head to the side and gave his hand a squeeze. “I tell you what. Let’s go down to Ka’anapali Beach and rent us some nice lounge chairs and shade. We’ll watch the whales and the waves, I’ll take a nap to get over this jet lag, and you and Alyssa can get to know each other better.”

“Great idea.” Beck’s smile swung from Granny to Alyssa. “Let me go put on a swimsuit.”

“We’ll meet you back here in a few minutes.” Granny said. She waited until he walked away and then grinned at Alyssa. “Seeing that man in a swimsuit will be worth the six hour redeye.”

“Granny,” Alyssa protested half-heartedly. She couldn’t hold in a laugh, agreeing with Granny’s desire to see Beckham in a suit. A picture formed in her mind and she started to salivate. Too bad she didn’t dare bring her camera.