The Resilient One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance (8 page)

“A.A. is really here,” a woman shrieked.

Alyssa smiled and stood to greet her. The woman skirted the table next to Alyssa and pulled her into a bone-crunching hug. Alyssa laughed at her exuberance and started signing the pictures the woman thrust at her. “I’ve bought almost a dozen. I need more. What do you have available today?”

“There are quite a few left,” Alyssa said. She glanced over the photographs the woman had already purchased and said, “You’ll love the pictures of the children from Hana.”

“Oooh! Perfect.” The woman handed off the photography she’d brought from home for Alyssa to sign and started perusing the stock on hand. The door creaked open and Alyssa’s head jerked up when a broad-shouldered, dark-haired man walked in. Her breath caught. He turned to face her and she deflated. Not Beck. It was okay. She was okay.

A couple of hours flew by and the worry over Beck coming, and then over him not coming, was always there at the corner of her mind. If he never showed up, she wouldn’t have to explain everything, but her chest tightened at the thought of not seeing him. She’d become addicted to his grin pretty quick.

While signing an eight by eight photograph and handing it to the smiling woman, and her not-so-smiling husband, who’d paid over two grand for a relatively small picture, Alyssa heard a familiar voice behind her, “So, the famous A.A. is actually my friend, Alyssa Armsworth.”

She spun around and sighed his name, “Beck. You came.”

He looked good in a short-sleeved button-down shirt and slacks with his dark hair styled perfectly. Okay, better than good, he was “drool-worthy” as Maryn would say.

He cocked his head to the side and his brow furrowed. “Were you expecting me?”

“Um, no. I just kind of hoped you would.” She fiddled with some business cards on the table.

“I had no clue A.A. was you.” He folded his arms across his chest and she caught a breath at the solidness of his biceps. “Why didn’t you tell me? The ‘what do you do for work’ question usually comes up before the scheming grandmother pushes me into the ocean with a woman.”

His smile told her he was teasing, but she still wasn’t feeling very comfortable hiding what she knew about him. She bit at her lip and shrugged. “It’s not something I tell many people.”

He walked a few steps closer. She could smell his intoxicating woodsy cologne. “I kind of hoped I was a bit closer to you than ‘many people’. We swam in the ocean together, twice because of Granny Ellie body checking us in last night.”

Alyssa let loose the tension she’d held with a laugh. This was Beck. He was so easygoing, nothing seemed to upset him. She’d tell him about Maryn and the tabloid pictures, when the time was right. “Definitely makes us closer. Sorry. There just wasn’t a good time to tell you.”

He took her hand. “It’s okay. Crazy that the reason I came to Maui was to meet you.”

“Really?” Her heartbeat quickened at the look in his eyes.
He came to Maui just for me
? Alyssa all but melted at his feet. Was Beck the dream she’d had all those years ago? Before other men ruined her innocent hopes.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re A.A.” That warmed her all over until he continued, “I have a business proposition for you.”

“Huh?” The dreams fragmented again. He hadn’t come to fulfill her destiny, he’d come for a “business proposition”. Oh, how she hated those words, her dad’s favorite phrase, before he manipulated and used her and everybody else he met.

“Are you almost done here?”

Pa gave them a thumbs up. “She’s sold almost everything I have in stock. Take her, buddy.”

“Take her?” Alyssa mouthed to Beck.

He laughed and wrapped his fingers around her elbow. “You up for an early dinner?”

“Let me just check in with Granny.”

“Great.”

She placed the call while still staring at Beck. She’d hated the words “business proposition” because of her dad, but she had also learned to be concerned when she heard them because of her talent. She never knew if someone was interested in her for her or for her artwork. That was probably how Beck felt about his wealth. Hmm.

“Hello,” Granny Ellie answered.

“Grans, Beck just came to the gallery and wants to take me to dinner. Do you want us to come get you?”

“Heavens, no. I’m going on a nice walk and then I’ll eat my leftovers from lunch and watch a chick flick. You two enjoy yourselves.”

Granny hung up before she could respond.

“Granny turned me down flat. Guess it’s just us.” She shivered at the thought of being alone with him, not only was he strong but she was drawn to him like she’d never been to another man. She could easily let her guard down and he could hurt her physically or emotionally, and as much as she liked him, she might never heal.

It’s Beck
, she kept repeating.
He’d never hurt me
.

But really, did she know that? Did she really know him? He’d flown all the way to Hawaii to find A.A. Maybe he’d known all along who she was. Maybe he had someone like Maryn on his staff who could dig through people’s dirt and find out what they wanted. Maybe he was here to proposition her for more than just business. Oh, my heavens, that was silly. He was exquisitely handsome, wealthy, and great to be around. He didn’t need to be stalking women.

Dinner alone with him would be fine. They’d be at a crowded restaurant and then if she didn’t feel comfortable with him driving her home, she could walk to the bed and breakfast from there.

“Perfect,” he said.

Beck offered her a smile and his arm. They walked out into a windy afternoon, but she hardly noticed her hair knotting as she studied Beck. He was extremely handsome in that pale blue color and the soft material of his shirt did nothing to hide the musculature underneath, but for some horrid reason she kept waiting for him to unzip his perfect costume and allow the creep to crawl out. Why did she have to be so untrusting?

They strolled to the Lahaina Pizza Company. Alyssa watched Beck as he asked for a table for two. Polite, friendly, but never leering or smutty. They climbed the stairs to the upper dining area. Her right foot landed halfway onto a step and she flung out her hands to catch herself. Beck steadied her with his firm hands and his warmth lingered even after he pulled her chair out and was no longer touching her. Why couldn’t she have some faith that the good Lord hadn’t created an entire gender of monsters? She knew that most men were good guys and didn’t have hidden agendas, but it was kind of like convincing a two-year old that the dark wasn’t scary. She had just been exposed to an excessive amount of greed and lust.

The waitress arrived and Beck looked to Alyssa. “You’re the expert here. What should we order?”

“Shrimp thermadour,” Alyssa responded without hesitation. Man, he just did everything right, but the words “business proposition” kept repeating in her head.

“Shrimp thermadour,” Beck repeated to the waitress, “And two salads?” He smiled at Alyssa.

“Yes, please. Ranch with mine.”

“I’ll have the house. Thank you.” Beck handed the waitress the menus and then fully focused on Alyssa.

She smiled shyly and ducked her head. A few seconds ticked by as Alyssa played with the straw in her water, tucked some hair behind her ear, and finally got brave enough to ask, “Business proposition?”

“You seem… nervous,” Beck said.

Alyssa inhaled and then released it. “Sorry. I’ve had my share of… propositions over the years.”

“I bet.” His understanding gaze met hers. “So have I.”

Something passed between them that was so real she felt she could reach out and hold it. Why couldn’t she let go of the distrust and give Beck a chance? A chance at a business proposition or something else? She wasn’t sure she was ready to know.

The waitress brought their salads and garlic bread. Alyssa drizzled her greens with ranch and took a bite of the fresh lettuce, mozzarella, and tomatoes. Her stomach tumbled a little bit with the anxiety over what Beck was going to say. She set her fork down and faced him.

“Let’s use a different word. Partnership?” Beck leaned forward, his face lit with excitement. “I love your work. I’ve been following your photography for the past couple years and have bought several pieces for my home and office.”

“Thank you.” She blushed with the compliment.

“My business takes me all over the world, mostly developing nations who have a lot of need. We do everything from securing clean drinking water to building schools and teaching people how to plant gardens. I’d love for you to come with me. To take pictures of the children—their beauty and their suffering. You have power in your photography that no one else has. I need you, Alyssa.”

Beck focused on her and for a moment she forgot her fears and the crowded restaurant around them. She was amazed at how long she could hold his gaze and instead of feeling awkward, wanted to just keep staring into his eyes and communicating without words.

“You need
me
?” her voice cracked and she took a drink of her water to break the intensity of the moment.

“Yes.” He placed his hand over hers. Alyssa liked the feel of his large palm on her fingers. “And the children need you. The attention you’ll bring to Jordan’s Buds could finance clothing, food, water, and so much more. I wish I could self-fund the entire program, but unfortunately a lot of my resources are tied up in real estate, the stock market, and other investments. I only have so much liquid cash to give to the children and the operating costs of Jordan’s Buds each month.” He glanced down at the table as if embarrassed to be sharing too much.

Alyssa could tell he wasn’t bragging about all the money he had, but he really was putting as much as possible into helping others. Driving a cheap rental car and staying in an affordable bed and breakfast proved his point without him having to say anything.

“So you flew to Hawaii, hoping to get A.A. to come with you on trips around the world. What if I was ugly?” Her hands trembled and she had to clench them in her lap.

He barked a short laugh then pressed his lips together and took a drink of his water. “Do you want to know the truth?”

Alyssa braced her hands on the table. Here it was. The truth. She’d been waiting for it to come out, but now she wasn’t so sure she wanted to hear it. “Yes,” she whispered.

“I thought you were a man.”

“What?” Alyssa didn’t know whether to laugh or be offended. She looked down at her body. She’d never been mistaken for a man before.

“No!” Beck shook his head, hiding a smile. “Not when I met you. Before I came.”

“Why?”

“I’d convinced myself A.A. was a man because a woman would maybe do a first name or not be such an impressive business person.” He held up his hands in defense, his face red. “Sorry.”

“Chauvinist,” she muttered, but she found herself smiling at his honesty and embarrassment.

He chuckled. “I didn’t really think too much about what A.A. would be like. I always meant it to be a business deal. I wasn’t concerned with anything but A.A.’s photography talent so I didn’t concentrate on who he or she was. I have to admit though, knowing you, the idea of traveling together has a lot more appeal.”

Alyssa’s lips twitched with a smile. She picked up her fork and stabbed some more lettuce before asking, “So you want to hire me, join forces…what?” Was she really considering this? Granny and Maryn would scream to go for it, but something held her back. She could barely handle going to dinner alone with a man, how in the world was she going to travel with Beck? Would he expect more? Would he pressure her into sharing a room? She shuddered, remembering her college boyfriend, Tyler, and the trip he took her on to Mazatlan. She’d barely noticed the adjoining doors, until he was pawing her in the middle of the night and she had to fight him off.

“Hire you. I wouldn’t expect you to donate your time without compensation.” He tore off a hunk of garlic bread and slowly chewed. “This is really good.”

Alyssa tried a bite, loving the warmth and freshness of the crusty bread. Her stomach was finally settling. “It is. You said you’ve been following my career…” Alyssa trailed off as an awful thought entered her mind. If he followed her career, did he already know about the pictures she’d taken of him and his sister? She swallowed and continued. “You probably noticed I donate a lot of money to children’s charities. Admit it, part of you was hoping I would offer to come for free.”

Beck pushed his hand against the lacquered wood table. “With the impact you can make, I’m not worried about the expense of hiring you. Is twenty-thousand a month reasonable? You could have rights to at least half of the pictures you take, and I’ll cover all traveling expenses.”

Alyssa placed her hand over his. This discussion needed to slow down. She wasn’t ready to talk numbers when she still couldn’t commit to what he was asking. “Can I have some time to think about it?”

“I’ll give you a week, but on one condition. Let me spend the week with you and convince you I’ll be the best work buddy you’ll ever have.” He held her gaze, not winking or pumping eyebrows or anything that would push that statement into too much for her.

Alyssa was the one blushing now. The idea of spending the next week and maybe even more time with him sounded fabulous, but sadly it scared her too. She’d loved spending time with Tyler until he pushed himself on her and she had to find a way home in a foreign country. She focused on Beck and some of her reservations melted away. “I
think
I could spare some time for you, but maybe you want to find A. A. and try to convince him.”

“A.A. was just some initials. You’re Alyssa. Beautiful, talented, and fun, and hopefully if I play my cards right, the woman who’ll be traveling the world with me and rescuing children along the way.”

He grinned and Alyssa almost told him right then she’d pack her bags, but her usual caution with men held her back. What did she really know about Beckham Taylor? It was time for some Maryn type research and in the meantime, she’d get to know him and make an informed decision. Unfortunately, her eyes strayed to his lips and she found herself hoping he’d convince her in ways that had nothing to do with trusting a man’s character or furthering children’s charities.