Chapter 24

 

 

O’Neil slipped back into a professional mode as Ryan pulled into the marina. He tipped his head toward the man leaning against a gate with his camera.

“Yeah, they’re always watching. Unfortunately.” Ryan parked and climbed out, pulling off his shirt. “Ignore them.”

Shannon grabbed his bag out of the trunk and kept his hands to himself. He also left his shirt on. The scar didn’t usually bother him, but he didn’t want to talk about the injury just then, and no one besides Ryan had seen the scar.

Better to avoid the conversation. At least until he could gauge Aubrey.

Ryan led him to the yacht. It was beautiful.

Shannon’s only response was, “Wow.”

“Yeah, I got lucky when I found this.”

Shannon’s brow cocked.

Ryan laughed. “Not like that. An actress had an ugly divorce from her husband. She won the yacht and sold it cheap. All because he thought she was fucking me. Asshole lost out on an amazing woman for something that never happened.”

“That’s a great story.”

He nodded. “I didn’t touch her, except one scene we did have together, and well, it was scripted and not at all as sexy as it looks on screen.”

“You’d think an actor would know about that side of the job.”

Ryan shrugged. “Some people just read too much into that shit.” They were the first ones there. Ryan took the time to show him around.

Elegant. Not the biggest boat in the marina, but definitely one of the nicest. “I’m looking forward to a day on the ocean with you and no one else.”

Ryan grinned. “Yeah, me too. I should have asked you about that before having everyone join us.”

“No, this is perfect. Manny needs reassurance. Luke and Leona are fun to hang out with. And I really do like Raven. Though I wish she were bringing someone with her. But with Aubrey here, I’ll have to pick my moments to touch you unless we tell her.”

“Fuck, I want you to touch me now.” Ryan dragged him into one of the cabins and pulled him against his body. His hands slid under Shannon’s shirt to grip his waist.

Shannon kissed him hard, forgetting about being professional. He spun Ryan, pinning him against the wall. Ryan slid a hand under his waistband, squeezing his perfect ass.

Shannon gripped the back of his head and deepened the kiss as he rocked his hips, grinding their hard lengths against one another.

“Ryan, you here?” Manny called out.

Shannon backed away, adjusting his hard-on. “Sorry.”

“I said I wanted you to touch me,” Ryan whispered, a devilish smirk on his face. “Be right there,” he called back.

Shannon rubbed a hand over his face. “Shit,” he whispered.

Ryan looked him over, biting his bottom lip. God, the man was sexy. “We should have been earlier. I could have had you before anyone showed up.”

“I’m surprised Raven isn’t here,” Shannon admitted.

“Won’t be long. And with that guy out there, with the camera, I’m sure we’ll wind up in the tabloids again.”

“Which makes it look like you’re with her, but I know whose name you’ll be calling tonight.”

“I’ll cry out Shannon all night long.” Ryan straightened his clothes and stepped into the hall.

O’Neil stood there a moment, catching his breath. He didn’t want to make it obvious what he’d been doing when he met this woman.

Ryan stepped into the hall and followed the sound of voices. They had stepped outside. Aubrey clung to Manny’s hand.

Ryan smiled. “Aubrey, this is O’Neil. I’m happy to finally actually meet the woman keeping my big brother busy.”

A nervous giggle escaped. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. He assures me you aren’t like the actors I’ve met, Ryan. And neither are Luke or Raven. Forgive me if I’m nervous.”

“Don’t worry about us. We’re just like you,” Ryan offered.

“Manny keeps telling me that. But I’ve met a few real jerks thanks to a friend who thinks hanging out in clubs will land her a movie star.”

“Anyone in particular?” Shannon asked.

“One with money.” She rolled her eyes. “I swear, I need new friends.”

“Sounds like,” Ryan muttered.

“How long before the rest get here?” Aubrey asked.

“Now?” Raven announced as she came up the stairs to the top deck, followed by Leona and Luke.

Manny took over. “Hey, everyone. This is Aubrey. Bright, bubbly, but very nervous about today. This is Raven Star, Leona Shay, and Luke Chance.”

“Wait, Leona Shay? The author of so many books I love?”

Leona nodded, smiling. “Yeah, that’s me.”

“I’m a fan.”

Luke chuckled. “Not big on movies?”

She lifted a shoulder and ducked her gaze. “More into written word. I do like movies, though.”

He shook his head. “Don’t worry. I love it when Leona gets more recognition than me.”

“Are you for real?” Her head tipped, her brow pinched. “Honestly, I can’t imagine that.”

Leona laughed. “Yeah, he’s amazing. Not at all what I expected.”

Aubrey’s shoulders relaxed. “Good to know.”

Raven took Aubrey’s arm and pulled her toward the seats. “Before you go hang with Manny, why don’t you talk to us for a bit?”

“I’ll go with Manny,” Ryan said.

Shannon gave him a slight nod. This would give him a few minutes to figure her out.

Raven asked, “What do you do for a living?”

“I’m a high school counselor. I’ve always loved to work with young people.”

The conversation easily turned to hobbies, which Shannon didn’t have much of, besides working out, so he stayed quiet, gleaning any information from Aubrey he could.

The woman was sincere, sweet, and had no ulterior motives that he could discern. Ten minutes and he felt she was genuine.

 

* * * *

 

Ryan sat in a chair near Manny. “Still worried?”

His face scrunched up. “She’s so damned perfect I have to wonder what she’s hiding. She has to be hiding something. And why would she be so leery of movie stars?”

“Remember Leona? She was even more nervous that first trip on the yacht.”

“That didn’t last long,” Manny muttered.

“Longer than Aubrey’s been on the boat. Give everyone a few minutes to help her acclimate.”

“Yeah, okay.”

Ryan couldn’t help being curious. Aubrey didn’t look like the bombshells he usually went for. She was definitely pretty, but more girl next door. “What do you like so much about this woman?”

“She sees me. She’s interested in what I have to say.”

Ryan shrugged. “So why do you think there’s something wrong with that?”

“Every damned woman I desire wants a star more than me.”

Ryan sighed. “To be fair, you usually pick women at a club full of celebrities. There’s bound to be a few who are only there for their friends. Not for a star.”

“Wish that made me feel better.”

Ryan shook his head. “Nothing makes you feel better, Manny.”

He sighed. “She does. When we’re together. Doesn’t make sense, but when we’re together everything seems perfect. When we’re not, I fall into this gaping pit of doubt.”

“So, don’t spend so much time away from her.”

“Not that simple, Ryan. And it’s probably all in my damned head.”

“Probably,” Ryan muttered.

Manny side-eyed him. “Thanks.”

“Look, it seems like you’ve turned over a new leaf. Why don’t you relax and see where things go?”

Manny shifted his weight. “I’m trying, but it’s hard.”

“What’s hard about just hanging out with her?”

“I’m nervous about her friends and family. People still look at me like I’m a murderer, not a victim in the mess.”

“She doesn’t, though, right?”

A smile crept across Manny’s lips. “No, and I finally opened up about how much Tara hurt me. About how she acted like she was falling for me, only to rip my heart out when she drugged Luke.”

“Finally see how Tara used you?”

Manny’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t rub it in.”

Ryan held up his hands in surrender. “I’m not. I just want to hear you say it. She used you. Plain and simple. She never cared about you. And you didn’t want to hear it.”

“She used me. Happy?” Manny spat the words.

“No. I don’t like that she did it. I hate that bitch.”

“Me too.” He sighed. “Think you could send Aubrey in here?”

“Yeah, sure. You need help getting us going?”

He shook his head. “Nope. I did that before calling for you.”

“Sorry. I was showing O’Neil the boat.”

“Or that you were at full mast?” Manny winked.

Ryan shook his head as he headed back to the group. “Hey Aubrey, we’re about to take off. Manny wants you with him. I’ll show you to the wheelhouse.”

“Fancy,” she said with a smile. At least she had relaxed.

Ryan dipped his head. “Right this way.”

Manny steered the boat away from the dock and Aubrey moved to him and rubbed his shoulders.

Turning, Ryan found Shannon watching them with his head cocked. He wanted to know what was going on in Shannon’s head. The man was intelligent. He drew conclusions Ryan could never come up with. And he got Ryan in a way no one did.

Ryan grabbed his arm and brought him back to a cabin. Inside, he closed the door. “What do you think about Aubrey?”

Shannon ran a hand over his face. “She genuinely likes him. Her friend dragged her to the club. He just needs to relax and take things one day at a time.”

“Hopefully he’ll calm down. Especially once we anchor and hang out in a group.”

“I’m happy with whatever we do.”

“We better go back out there before I get you naked,” Ryan whispered.

“Maybe we should stay on the yacht tonight.”

Ryan looked away. “Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who hang out here, hoping for a picture of a celebrity.”

“Think anyone caught anything?”

“I’m sure they did, but I don’t care. It’s the not first time Raven, Luke, and I have been snapped leaving the marina together. There was a rumor that died out quickly that Luke and I were competing for Raven. Probably because she’s never gone to anything with him. Which reminds me, you’re going to see shit in the tabloids while I’m out filming that I’m with so and so. It’s not going to be true.”

“Yeah, I get it, Ryan. I’m not stressing over that.”

“Thank God. Come on.” He slipped through the door, and Shannon followed. They found the rest of the group on the deck.

Luke looked up. “Aubrey is…different.”

Leona shook her head. “Why? She’s not used to being around you all. Can you blame her?”

Raven smiled. “Let’s hope that’s all it is. Manny really likes her, but he seems to be cracking from all the shit a few months back.”

Luke sighed. “I wish I knew how to make him believe I don’t hold any of that against him.”

Ryan really wanted to slap him and say he should. But at the same time, he got it. And if Luke did hold a grudge against Manny, he would be pissed at Luke. “Let’s talk about anything else.”

“Yeah, like how is O’Neil planning to torture us tomorrow? Are we going to need a ton of sleep before then?” Luke asked.

O’Neil chuckled. “I’m going to be as tired or more than you tomorrow.”

Luke’s brow arched, then he laughed. “You tortured Ryan all week. I’m guessing this started before he finally told me.”

“Started late Monday night,” Ryan admitted.

“If I had known, I wouldn’t have tried to hook you up with all those women,” Luke told Ryan.

Ryan couldn’t help laughing. “Yeah, well, it made for interesting times the few times we did try the double date thing.”

“When you weren’t interested at all, were you?”

He lifted a shoulder. “Nope. And that was before I was ready to admit it to anyone. While I was still trying to work it out for myself.”

Luke patted his back. “I’m glad I know now.”

“Me too,” he admitted. “Felt like I was lying to you for years. I hated it.”

“You never needed to. God, it makes so much sense, but I would’ve never guessed. That must make me stupid.”

“You’re not stupid,” Leona said.

“You’re not,” Ryan assured. “Raven told me a million times I should fess up.”

“She’s smart,” Leona said.

Ryan nodded. “She is.”

Luke hugged him. “You’re still my best friend, Ryan. I get why you hid it. Just don’t hide anymore. You don’t need to. Not from us.”

“Thanks.” He stepped back, and O’Neil squeezed his shoulder.

Luke looked at him. “And you know?”

He nodded. “I’ve been in his shoes. Only the man involved did not accept it. Probably because I stole his girlfriend in high school.”

“What?” Luke asked, then laughed. “You’re kidding, right?”

“I’m bi. Always have been. I didn’t wind up falling for him until later. Haters, to friends, to bitter enemies after he learned the truth.”

“Damn, I’m sorry,” Luke said.

“Don’t. I learned a lesson,” O’Neil answered.

Ryan blinked, then glared at Shannon. “You wanted me to tell him.”

“Yeah, because Luke is not a closed-minded asshole. I knew he wasn’t going to shut you out because of that. Look, that’s ancient history, and it ended quickly just before I left for the Naval Academy.”

“Luke has never been that guy,” Ryan admitted.

“Now that we have that out of the way, I propose a toast,” Luke said, moving to the alcohol cabinet.

 

* * * *

 

Far from the shore and away from other boats, Ryan sat close to Shannon, who had an arm over his shoulder. Ryan, Luke, and Raven were comparing the craziest scenes they’d ever filmed.

Aubrey and Manny came out, and Aubrey paused for a minute. Her gaze was locked on Ryan and Shannon’s intertwined fingers.

“Wait, you two are a couple?” she asked.

Ryan grinned. “Yeah. Just don’t tell anyone, please. I’m not ready for the world to know.”

“But you hardly know me,” she blurted out.

“Manny trusts you. And you make him happy. I’m hoping that means you’ll keep it quiet.”

She nodded slowly. “Never say a word. I just wasn’t expecting…” She moved her finger back and forth between them.

Shannon lifted a shoulder. “Yeah, I never imagined either.”

A laugh escaped her. “Actually, you’re more of the shock. You were a SEAL, right?”

“Yes, but that doesn’t dictate my sexuality.”

Manny guided her to a chair. “Hungry?”

She nodded. “What are we eating?”

Raven smiled. “I picked up lunch from Minae’s. Normally we all bring something, but we were at dinner late, discussing things for Leona’s next book.”

“Oh?” Aubrey asked, lighting up. “Anything you can share?”

“Not yet. I’m in the research phase. But it will involve a special forces team. I haven’t decided what branch of the military or anything yet.”

O’Neil nodded. “I filled her in on what types of missions various branches cover.”

“That must be fascinating.”

Raven and Ryan moved to the refrigerator to unpack lunch while Aubrey and Manny joined the conversation. Even Manny relaxed as Aubrey meshed into the group.