CHAPTER ONE
“Strike!”
Dammit. Ryan O’Donnell swiped the back of his gloved hand across his brow. He stomped on the ground, tapping the bat on his cleat. Hunkering back down, he flexed his fingers on the grip.
Sweat trickled into his eyes. He blinked, keeping his sights on the pitcher’s shoulder. The moment the guy took a step back and then rotated his hips, Ryan shifted his gaze to the ball.
Another splitter.
He bent his knees, but as the ball shot forward, Ryan’s heart thundered. Blood roared in his ears, and he thought he might pass out. What the hell’s the matter with me?
His mind sent the signal, but his body didn’t swing. At least not soon enough.
“Stee-rike two.”
Holy shit. The scouts are watching.
He pushed back his shoulders and shook out his arms. Come on. Focus on the mound. But even as he thought it, he couldn’t resist glancing at his coach. The big man stood like a statue, brow furrowed in confusion and concern over Ryan’s performance.
Boos and laughter from the stands trickled into his consciousness.
“Never seen you choke before, O’Donnell,” the catcher said.
Block the scouts, block the crowd. Just hit the ball.
The pitcher jerked his knee up, whipped his arm out from behind his back, and in that split second before release, Ryan was pretty sure the guy’s fingers shifted into a slider.
I got this.
But his pulse jackhammered. His body felt weak, shaky. Like he hadn’t eaten in a while. Swing. His arms moved a fraction of a second after his brain had given the command.
“Strike three. You’re out.”
Ryan hurled the bat. Noise filled his head. He needed to get to the cover of the dugout, away from the eyes of scouts, teammates, and the coach who’d supported him for four years.
Just as he hit the concrete, he caught movement above. Hands gripping the railing, his buddy Jake swung his legs over and dropped to the ground. “Let’s go.”
He’d known Jake most of his life, so it only took a moment of silent communication to get that his friend had come to save him.
Fuck, yes. A break. Thank Christ his friends had stopped in Florida to catch his game before they headed off on their vacation. He’d take a breather, grab an energy drink.
Coach clapped a hand on his shoulder. “What’s going on?”
“Family emergency.” Jake didn’t betray an ounce of uncertainty. “I’ve got to get him out of here.”
Wait. Was he serious? But Jake wouldn’t look at him.
“Can it wait an hour?” Coach looked caught between concern and frustration.
“Absolutely not,” Jake said. “We’ve got to go right now.”
If something were really wrong, Jake would say it. Your dad’s in the hospital. Your brother’s been in an accident.
Coach jerked his chin. “Go on.”
When Ryan hesitated—because he had no idea where Jake was going with the family emergency ploy—Coach said, “We’ll take care of the game, and I’ll talk to the scouts.” He pointed a finger. “Keep in touch. Let me know what’s going on.”
Jake grabbed his sleeve and gave a hard shake. “Let’s go. Now.”
Body still jittery, Ryan dropped his helmet and peeled off his gloves, barely hearing his teammates’ solemn voices.
“Hope everything’s okay, dude.”
“Text me.”
His world narrowed to Jake’s gray T-shirt, as he followed him into the tunnel.
Something was wrong with his legs. It felt like walking through water. And the pain in his chest…was he having a heart attack? “Jake, man. Hold up.”
“No.” Jake powered ahead. “Move it.”
“What’re you doing?”
Jake’s stride didn’t break. “Getting you out of here before you blow your shot at the Bigs.”
The dance floor teemed with grinding bodies—flashes of bare skin, red lipstick, and glittering jewels.
With a cocky grin, Jake jammed his hands into his pockets. “Like shootin’ fish in a barrel.”
Dixon, another guy he’d known since they were kids, tipped his chin. “I’m going for the hot blonde with the tight ass.”
“That narrows it down,” Jake said.
Ryan’s friends burst out laughing and then spread out to claim their fun for the night.
When he’d left the stadium that morning to find Dixon waiting in a rented Mustang with Ryan’s duffle bag stowed in the trunk, he’d jumped right in. At the time he hadn’t known he was headed to the airport to join them at an exclusive singles resort.
But his team had lost the game—because I crapped out—and Ryan was in a shit mood. He’d let them and himself down.
A hot brunette sitting alone at a table wiggled her fingers to get his attention. He gave her a smile, but…yeah, not feeling it. Maybe a drink first? They’d arrived twenty minutes ago, and he’d been traveling all day. He needed to loosen up a little.
As he headed towards the bar, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He tensed. Pulling it out, he scanned a couple of the most recent texts.
Everything okay?
When you coming back?
Dude, you okay?
Damn, he hated lying to the guys.
When he saw a voicemail from his coach, his chest went tight. Either he returned the call now and made up a story about his family emergency or he ignored it and took this break.
He really needed one. If he’d stayed, he’d have kept fucking up. He needed to shake it off. Take a few days with his buddies. Get back to normal.
“Hey, there.”
Ryan’s head snapped up at the sound of a sultry voice. The accompanying face and body didn’t disappoint. He shoved the phone back in his pocket. “Hey. Ryan O’Donnell.”
“Carrie Winters. I saw the three of you standing there.” She blew out a slow breath. “The trifecta of holy hotness. It’s like winning the lottery.”
His smile broadened. As athletes, they tended to get attention like that. Jake, at six-six, with his dark hair and olive skin, had women falling all over him. Dixon might’ve been shorter than the two of them, but he was a powerhouse of muscle. His blonde hair, shaggy and overgrown like a surfer, got him the attention his height and looks didn’t.
“Can I get you something to drink, Carrie?” Unlike most island resorts with tiki lamps and strings of lights, Isla de los Amantes had gleaming black lacquer tables, silver vases filled with exotic orchids, and crystal chandeliers. A safe haven for wealthy singles, it was known for its Vegas attitude. What happens on Santa Grenada stays on Santa Grenada.
He made a move to the bar, but she stepped in front of him, planting her hands on his chest.
“Let’s just skip to the part where I’m in bed with all three of you at once.”
Yup. He really needed that drink. “How about we start with a beer?”
“I’ve got a better idea. Let’s raid my minibar instead.” She got up on her toes, her breasts brushing against him, and whispered in his ear. “I just got here.” Gliding a hand from his shoulder to his biceps, she gave it a squeeze. “You’re seriously the hottest man I’ve ever seen, and I can’t wait to unwrap my welcome-to-paradise present.”
Step one in letting loose stood before him. This woman was ready to get down and dirty, no strings attached. He should go for it.
Instead, he stepped sideways and moved around her. “I’m going to grab a beer. You want one?” He pushed through to the bar and lifted a finger to get the bartender’s attention.
“You must be a newbie.” Carrie cupped his ass and gave it a squeeze. “Because it doesn’t work like that here. You don’t need to buy me a drink or make small talk. We all want the same thing.”
“Yeah? And what’s that?”
“An escape from the real world. A chance to just go wild.”
He grinned at her. “So, Carrie Winters, where’s your real world?”
“Boston. You?”
“I go to school in Michigan.” But I’m supposed to be at a week-long tournament in Florida this week.
“You’re still in school?”
“Senior, but yeah. What do you do?”
“I’m a realtor, and I’m about four years older than you. I’ve never been a cougar, but that’s what I love about this place. I can be whatever I want.”
“And what do you want to be?”
An ocean-scented breeze fanned her hair out. Her skin-tight dress revealed a toned body with generous mounds of flesh bursting out of the deep neckline. “When I’m here? Fucking wild. I work in my dad’s firm, so I have to be perfect. All the time. And I love it. I’m not complaining. I make a ton of money, and the clients come to me. But sometimes I need to let loose, you know?”
“I do.” Christ, did he know.
Her features turned sultry. “Glad to hear we’re on the same page. I’ve been coming to this resort for four years because there’s no bullshit. You can just do your thing with anyone, anywhere, anytime. And there’s no walk of shame. No worrying if the guy’ll call you again. I love it.”
He tugged at the collar of his shirt. Was it warm in here? He checked to see if he stood under a heat lamp.
“So, come on, gorgeous. What do you say we take that movie star smile up to my room? As sensational as it is, I’d love to replace it with something a whole lot filthier.”
He appreciated her straight-forward approach—he did—but maybe what he needed was a work-out, a hot shower, and a good night’s sleep. Start fresh tomorrow.
Just then Jake bustled up to them. “Hey, how’s it going?” But before either could respond, he nudged Ryan with his elbow. “Can I talk to you for a sec?” Then, he turned to Carrie. “Will you excuse us?”
“Sure. We’ll catch up later.” She smiled and headed toward the dance floor.
Jake led him to the side of the outdoor bar. “How’s it going?”
“Great, why?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Remember when you struck out at the plate this morning?”
Guilt stabbed into him. “Back off, Jake.”
“I was kind of hoping that very nice young woman could fuck some sense back into you.”
And that’s the problem with knowing someone all your life. His friend could see he wasn’t into it. “Look, my head’s not in it right now. I’m going to hit the gym and crash early.”
“That’s pretty much what you’d be doing if you were at school. So, yeah, you could go to the gym like you always do. Or, I don’t know…” He gave a chin lift to Carrie, who’d already turned her attention to another guy. “You could motorboat the bodacious tits of that woman who clearly wants to climb you like a tree.”
Jesus Christ.
“Maybe she’s not your type? Not a problem, since you’ve basically got a Babes-R-Us selection here. But, hell, man, look around. Every woman you see wants the same thing we do. That’s the whole point of coming here—everyone gets what they want without the bullshit. So, come on. Who you bangin’ first?” Jake gestured to the crowd like a game show host.
He took a step into Jake’s space. “Don’t push me.”
Jamming his hands deep into his pockets, Jake looked thoughtful for a moment. “You want to know why we took you out of that game?”
The reminder hit like a fastball to the gut. Christ. He’d never lied to a coach in his life.
He’d never had to.
It made him sick to think his coach was worried about him, while Ryan was getting his ass groped at a resort.
“’Cause you’re gonna blow. That’s why. You’re on the edge, and it’s better to pull your ass out of there than let your coach, your agent, the scouts, watch you fuck up.” He gave Ryan a meaningful look. “Number one shortstop in the country.”
“I hear you. But let me do things my way. I appreciate you guys pulling me out of that disaster, but…” Ryan blew out a breath. “You’ve got to give me room.”
Looking thoughtful, Jake scrubbed his jaw. “Not tellin’ you anything you don’t already know.” He stabbed his finger into Ryan’s chest. “But you need to go hard for a few days. Trust me on this. You’re too fuckin’ controlled. Yeah, all that discipline and focus is great—you wouldn’t be a first-round draft pick without it—but you’ve got to hit that release valve sometimes, man. Take a few days to blow it all off. And, trust me, you need some good, hard fucking to get you loosened up and relaxed.”
Damn, that rang true. Just hearing the words relieved some of the pressure. His friend was right. He did need to go hard.
Jake spun around. When he spotted Dixon at the bar, he waved him over.
Dix gave a jerk of his chin in acknowledgment, then whispered in his companion’s ear before making his way to them. “What’s up?”
“Our man here needs a little help selecting tonight’s entertainment.” Jake shoved his hands in his pockets and turned to the dance floor. “Who’s a good starter chick for a guy who’s been monogamous the last six years?”
“Cut the shit.” Ryan had ended things with Emma over Christmas break. “I’ve been single for three months.”
They ignored him, as Dixon checked out the dance floor. “You want someone like Emma? Blonde, skinny?”
“I’ve been with other women besides Emma. We’ve broken up a lot over the last six years.”
“Not the point. You always had Emma in the back of your mind. This time, you’re totally free.” Jake turned to him. “You are totally free, right?”
“Completely.”
“Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about.” Jake pointed to a curvy woman striding around the perimeter of the dance floor. “And see, the thing is, you can have fun with her tonight and not have to hang out with her tomorrow. She won’t want to.” His finger shifted to a woman who looked very much like Emma. Slender, long blonde hair, fragile. “Look at the way she’s eyein’ you, bro. Hungry little minx. I’ll bet she’s a tiger in the sack. What do you say? Feel like kickin’ back and lettin’ her do the work?”
Jake had no idea how appealing that sounded. After six years on-and-off with the same woman, Ryan had had enough of the dead fish routine. He’d loved Emma, of course, but begging for sex? Never again.
“That one.” Jake’s feral gaze landed on a sexy blonde with an hourglass figure, half-lidded eyes, and shiny red lipstick. “Now that’s my kind of woman.”
Irritation whipped through him. He’d had enough. “Have at it, man.” He stalked off.
With all this energy barreling through him, he needed to go for a long, hard run. The moment he headed out, he saw a dark-haired woman kneeling on a bar stool, surveying the area with a concerned expression. In her white shorts and pale pink tank top, she didn’t look anything like the other women in the bar. Her oversized white sweater drooped off one shoulder and didn’t cover the ample breasts straining against the top. Her round ass stretched the cotton of her shorts, and when she licked her pink lips, biting down on the bottom one, a jolt of energy blasted through him.
Her.
He got the rules of this place now, understood no one came here for conversation. That suited him just fine.
Bailing on his team might’ve cost him a shot with the scouts. Bailing on his ex might cost him his lifelong relationship with her family—and her dad was practically a father to him. Even he could see that, for the first time in his life, he wasn’t making the smartest decisions. But just then?
This woman with her rosy complexion, sexy as fuck mouth, and body so ripe he wanted to sink his teeth into her ass? He knew exactly what he wanted.
With every step he took toward her, his heart beat faster. When he reached her, electricity flashed across his skin. She was beautiful and undoubtedly the sexiest woman he’d ever seen.
It went against his nature to be so blunt, but what the hell. He’d play by the resort rules. He stroked a finger down her thigh.
She jerked, looking down at him. “What the hell?”
Holding her fiery gaze, his breath froze in his lungs. “I want you.” And, oh, man, did he want her.
“Excuse me?”
Not exactly the reaction he’d expected. A little outside my comfort zone here. But he wouldn’t give up. “You. I want you.”
“Are you high?” She let out a huff of breath, yanking the sweater back up her shoulder. “Wow. That was super classy.” Confusion turned to humor. “Yeah, for sure. Let me just shuck off my clothes and we can do it right here. Or did you want to drag me by my hair to the nearest cabana?”
Yes. But the outrage in her eyes doused his lust, leaving him flustered and uncomfortable. “Take it easy. I didn’t mean…” He shook his head. “What a night.”
She laughed. “Well, if that’s been your approach, no wonder your night’s not going so well. Little tip for ya? Start off with a simple hello. Then maybe offer to buy a girl a drink. Jeez.”
Ryan tipped his head back and dragged a hand through his hair. What the hell was he doing here? He’d rather be sitting alone in his room working on code than trying to navigate the waters of an exclusive singles resort.
“Fuck it. Never mind.” He struck off, thinking he’d check with the concierge for a good running route. But he didn’t get more than a few feet before he realized he’d been a jerk. He turned back to apologize and found her climbing off the stool, her round ass hoisted high, her leg reaching for the floor. He took her arm, helping her.
Once she had her footing, she looked up at him. “Thank you.”
Her long, dark hair gleamed in the yellow lights, and her blue eyes were lit with intelligence and an irresistible spark. And he felt like a total ass for treating her the way he had. “Look, I’m sorry for touching you. I don’t…I’m not like that.” He let out a breath and scratched the scruff on his chin. “Can I buy you a drink?”
Her good humor seemed to fade. “Three things. I don’t drink, I have zero interest in a one-night stand, and I really need to find my friend right now.” Her phone clattered to the wood floor, and they both crouched at the same time to retrieve it. When she leaned forward, her breasts plumped in the top, and a surge of lust rushed him so hard his dick pressed uncomfortably against the buttons of his jeans.
He handed her the phone, his whole world narrowing to this woman who smelled like vanilla and flowers and looked so luscious he wanted to do filthy things to her.
She gave him a distracted, “Thank you,” before touching the screen of her phone as she stood.
Following her out of the bar, he couldn’t help catching her conversation. “Hey. I don’t see Laura anywhere, and she’s not answering her phone.” She paused. “I said I can’t find Laura.” She was nearly shouting now. “I know, but she’s got my wallet.” Another pause. “I handed her my bag when we got off the boat so I could take some pictures. Anyhow, I’ll go to the front desk and see if they’ll loan me some cash, but then I’ll jump in a taxi and come get you. Are you going to be all right until I get there?”
They were both headed to the lobby, so he couldn’t miss the way her shoulders hunched and her arm wrapped across her stomach. “God, Kat. I can’t believe this. Can you talk to the bartender? Is there someone there you can trust? Yeah, yeah, okay, don’t worry. Let me get some money, and then I’m on my way.”
Ryan stepped up to her. “What do you need?”
She lowered the phone from her mouth. “I’m seriously not interested. I mean, at all.” Striding down the stone walkway, she continued her conversation. “You sure you don’t want to call the police?”
“I’m not trying to hit on you. You obviously need help.” But she ignored him. Well, Christ. When did he become the creep a girl had to get away from?
All right, enough. Time to put an end to this day. Screw the concierge. He’d head up to his room and change into gym shorts.
“Kat, I am hurrying. But I need cash for a cab, and I think town’s at least twenty minutes away.”
They’d reached the door to the lobby, so he held it open. Blocking her way, he pulled out his wallet, yanked out some bills, and thrust them at her.
She stopped, gazing up at him as though trying to figure out his motives. “Hang on a second,” she said into the phone. “Are you sure? I mean, why are you doing this?”
“I’m paying for sex. How much will this get me?”
When her jaw dropped and her eyes went round, he gave her a disbelieving look. Really? She thought he was capable of that? “You need some cash. I’m happy to give you some.”
“Kat? I’m good. I got it, so I’m on my way.” She started to lower the phone, but then jerked the phone back to her ear. “Wait, Kat? Listen. Stay in the bathroom until I get there. Promise me you’ll lock yourself in a stall. Okay, see you.” She took the money. “I don’t know what to make of you, but I need this, so, thank you. I’ll pay you back tomorrow.”
Ryan shoved his wallet back in his pocket. “Not necessary.” He stepped aside, letting her go through the doors. She breezed past, leaving him in a cloud of her sweet scent.
He followed behind her. “Is your friend all right? I heard you talking.”
“She went into town with some guy she met here.” She glanced at him over her shoulder, as she headed across the wide-planked wood floor of the vast lobby. “He dumped her for someone else, and now she’s stuck in a really scary bar. You know it’s DJ week on the island, right? So the town’s jammed with people, everyone partying like it’s the end of the world, and she’s scared to death.”
“Is she in danger?”
“A bunch of drunken idiots had her backed against a wall. She managed to run into the bathroom, but she’s afraid to come out. She can hear them outside the door.”
“Do you need me to come with you?”
“I…what?”
Why did she still look like she couldn’t trust him? Him, for Christ’s sake.
Right. Because he’d touched her. Told her he wanted her. Had he really done that? He was more fucked up than he realized. “Do you have a plan for how you’re going to help your friend against those guys?”
Her features fell. “I didn’t really think about it, but no, I guess not.”
“Then I’ll go with you.”
“I don’t have time to argue, and I really could use the help of those nice muscles you’ve got there, so I’m not going to argue if you want to come.” She strode forward, heading outside.
“I’ll get a cab.” As he made his way to the valet station, he thought about all those women in the bar down to party with him right then. He could be pounding babes and brews, just like his friends.
Instead, he was heading into town with the one woman at the resort who had no interest in him.