Too-Perfect & Stranded by Cami Checketts
CHAPTERONE
Navy Quinn yelled thank you to the pilot and stepped out of the helicopter, the wind from the rotors tugging at her long, blonde hair. She wrapped it up in her left hand and clung to her small suitcase with her right. The rest of the group filed out behind her and the helicopter lifted off. She assumed the pilot was heading back to the Belize airport where they’d flown in.
She smiled at the two fitness contestants and her fellow trainer, Ryan, who were all staring at the gorgeous island and the one-story sprawling mansion in awe. The sun sparkled off the ocean and a white-sand beach could be seen down a flight of steps below the bluff where they stood. A long dock stretched lazily over the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Flower and vegetable gardens circled the gorgeous pool area, close to where they’d been dropped off in the helicopter.
She knew around the other side of the house there was a sheltered bay for yachts to pull into. She’d never been here, but she and Ryan had been sent the link on Google Earth and she had studied the images, getting more and more excited to film the season finale for Muscle Up on the small island. She had agreed to do the twelve-week show for the past few seasons, and they were now in their final week of filming. The show was similar to The Biggest Loser, except the elimination, or retention, was based not on weight loss but change in body fat percentages, a combination of fitness tests, and voter input. The best personal trainers in the world were hired to take an average person and mold him or her into the perfect body.
Everybody wanted the perfect body. Navy had worked her entire adult life to maintain her shape, be the instigator of fitness trends, and stay at the top of the fitness world. She was approaching her thirty-fourth birthday and would never admit to anyone she was burning out quickly. Especially not her mama who begged her weekly to find a good man, stop being so darn skinny, and have babies already. All three sounded nice, despite the fact that it was her mama who suggested them. But how could Navy find a good man when only a certain one would do, and he was out of her reach?
“Isn’t the island fabulous?” she asked the group.
Everyone nodded. The two finalists, Alecia and Michael, were still taking in the details. Ryan was staring at her with one of his usual too-friendly, too-cocky glances.
“Is this really Zack Tyndale’s house?” Alecia asked. Her deep brown eyes were wide with awe.
Navy nodded. Zack Tyndale was an ex-Olympian and billionaire. He and his wife Madeline were one of those perfectly beautiful and benevolent couples who adopted children, ran orphanages, and made mere mortals realize how inferior they were. Navy supposed the same thing could be said about her brothers and their wives. But the Quinn brothers had all been through hard things and were down-to-earth, amazing people. She loved the way they’d overcome challenges to be with their wives, but didn’t think she would ever head down that same path of heartache and romance.
“Is Holden Jennings really coming to the filming and the finale?” Alecia asked again, her eyes going even wider. Alecia was a beautiful brunette and Ryan had done a fabulous job of forming the twenty-two year old’s body into a shape every fitness model would envy. But truly, how hard was it to look perfect at twenty-two? Navy had thought she worked hard in her twenties to stay in tip-top shape. She’d had no clue what hard was.
“That’s the word.” Navy kept her smile, but the mere mention of her boss’s name could send her into a tailspin. Holden Jennings. He was the owner of Superior Sports and a former professional hockey star. He sponsored many things, including the Texas Titans football team, the Atlanta Cats basketball team, the Boston Bruins hockey team, Muscle Up, and Navy Quinn. Maybe “sponsor” wasn’t the right word for what she was for Holden’s company. She was the fitness model and spokeswoman for Superior Sports and had been for almost ten years now. You’d think in that time she’d get the guts to tell her boss she liked him far too much, but no. Holden was an amazing man but as far as she knew no one got close to him, least of all her. Not even the media had personal information on him. The rumor was he’d changed his name before he even started college. Most assumed he’d done it to protect his family from media exposure because he knew he’d be a big name in hockey. If only he would share personal info with Navy.
Someday she was going to be brave, throw caution to the wind, and plant a kiss on him. Even if he immediately rejected her, at least he’d know exactly where she stood. Sadly, she hadn’t dared yet. She was such a wimp she should rescind the Quinn family name and stop pretending she was some tough chick.
“She’s hoping he’ll holden her,” Michael joked lamely. He was the other finalist and under Navy’s instruction. He was a good kid, but a little annoying and selfish sometimes. He was also young—twenty-one—and hoping to break into the MLB. He looked as good as the million dollars he might win at the end of this week and was in fabulous shape for his final year of college baseball, thanks to Navy.
Alecia giggled and blushed prettily. Navy forced herself not to roll her eyes. Ryan edged in closer to her. “As long as he doesn’t try to holden you.”
Navy shot him a death glare. Most people would shrink from it—even her tough brothers, except for Griff—Ryan simply laughed. He was a former running back for the Georgia Patriots turned fitness model and coach. With his striking pale blue eyes and wavy golden hair, most women swooned when he smiled their direction. Navy knew him too well. He was a flirt who lived to add numbers to his “Have Kissed” list. She was too savvy to fall for that. Sadly he reminded her of her brother, Colt, in regards to dating a different woman every week. But Colt had a golden heart and wasn’t a slimeball who could make a woman cringe with one leering glance like Ryan.
“Nobody will be holding me.” She smiled brilliantly at him. Her smile was supposedly a better asset than her fit body and golden, wavy hair. Navy thought the magazines that claimed that were stupid. Obviously they couldn’t see how fake her smile was. She was fulfilled in her life, but she was also lonely. Only her brothers knew the real her, sarcastic and overprotective of them to a fault. She didn’t see any of them near enough, mostly keeping up through frequent phone calls and texts.
“Every male in the world just groaned at his loss,” Ryan said, placing a hand to his heart to increase the drama.
“Save it for the camera.” Navy held her smile and didn’t even roll her eyes. She’d learned well over the years that a camera was usually recording and only her brothers truly appreciated her sarcasm. But she should have let her eyes roll, as the cameras weren’t here yet. Ollie, their huge and hilarious cameraman, Taya, their petite and adorable makeup and wardrobe artist, and Jorge, their crazy but talented Russian chef, would float in on Holden’s yacht. They had too much equipment to fit on the helicopter from Belize and were waiting for Holden to pick them up at the dock. Lucky, lucky people. Navy would have happily waited in the hot sun to spend more time with Holden. Stop it, stupid, sappy, female heart.
“Well, let’s get settled in.” Navy, for some reason, was always in charge. Maybe it came from being the oldest and having five wild and fun brothers to keep in line. Maybe it came from being in a career that was dominated by young people for over twelve years. People just seemed to naturally turn to her because she had experience and could direct them. Maybe it came from being bossy like her mama. She frowned, not liking that perception of herself.
“I can’t believe how lucky I am,” Alecia gushed as they wandered through the French doors and into gorgeous living area of the house, gaping at the circular wall of windows and patio doors that overlooked the pool area and beach and ocean. The house was unreal. Floor-to-ceiling windows circled the open great room. The kitchen was bright with modern, white cabinets and stainless-steel appliances. Red and teal blue accents wove into the tans and grays of the granite countertop and slate floor and were used in the decorations and throw pillows on the white and tan furniture. It all brought the feeling of comfort and vacation.
“Staying in Zack Tyndale’s house,” Alecia continued, “getting to spend a week with Holden Jennings, and we get to see Sawyer at the end of the week for the finale.” Alecia was crushing hard on both Holden and the host of the show, Sawyer Klein. Sawyer was a former NBA player turned talk show host. Ryan and Michael had both made quips about Alecia’s infatuation with the 6’6” basketball superstar as well as the boss and billionaire Holden, but Alecia hadn’t picked up on the slams. Bless her heart. It was a good thing she was pretty and nice because It was a good thing she was pretty and nice because Navy feared she was incapable of understanding the basics of life. Alecia was in danger of drowning standing up in the shower.
“We are lucky.” Navy gave her an encouraging smile. “It’s a beautiful spot to stay for a week, and Holden and Sawyer are very good men.”
They made their way down the hallway where various suites were fresh and ready for them. A cleaning crew must have been here recently; everything was sparkling and beautiful. Ryan was suddenly at her elbow. “Am I a very good man?” He winked at her.
“A very persistent man. Not sure about good.”
“I could convince you how good.” His blue eyes were full of innuendos.
“Lay off, friend.” Navy pointed at the door on the right. “This one’s for Alecia and Taya.”
“Thanks,” Alecia said brightly and rolled her suitcase in.
“You, Ollie, and Jorge are in that one,” she told Michael, inclining her head to the left. Both bedrooms at the far end of the hallway had two sets of bunk beds and a private bath, one done up for girls and one for boys. Zack and Madeline had six children and counting. Navy liked to imagine their huge, beautiful family in this house. It would be a lot like her growing-up years, she was sure. Lots of noise, fighting, and drama, but love overrode it all.
Michael nodded. “It’s kind of … terrifying to think of sleeping in the same room as Jorge.”
Navy laughed. “I promise we make him keep his knives in the kitchen.”
His eyes widened. “I wasn’t even going there! You have to admit he’s a weirdo.”
Navy shrugged. “He’d probably admit it too. You can’t fault his cooking though.” Jorge was one of the most impressive chefs she’d ever met. Nobody knew much about his life before relocating to America in his teens and working his way through culinary school then fighting up the ladder the past twenty years until he was fought over by celebrities. Navy heard he had gone into the private sector two years ago, but he still cooked for the Muscle Up set. He specialized in light, healthy dishes that tasted fabulous. Navy was more than willing to put up with any oddness from Jorge, as long as he cooked for her.
“True.” Michael waved and walked into the room.
“So that leaves us sharing?” Ryan asked.
“It’s getting stale,” Navy told him, letting herself roll her eyes now that their clients weren’t there.
Ryan placed his hands on either side of her head on the wall behind her and gave her a smoldering look. “Being close to you could never get stale for me.”
Navy ducked under his arm and hurried away from the children’s bedrooms and the huge master suite next door to them where Holden would be staying. She made it back down the hallway to the open doors of two spacious guest suites closest to the living area. Ryan caught her easily, but luckily didn’t try to corner her again. The show’s fans loved the “sparks” between her and Ryan. She couldn’t believe no one was smart enough to realize she loathed him. Each of her brothers had offered to thrash him anytime she wanted. She had to keep reminding her well-meaning brothers she could hold her own.
“You can have your pick,” she said.
“Ladies before gentlemen.” He bowed low. The man might not have planned on a television career but he was perfect for it.
“Thanks,” she murmured, taking her suitcase through the closest door and shutting it firmly behind her. The large bedroom had a white four-poster bed and bedroom furniture. The slate floor was covered with a plush rug that was tan, orange, and blue. The bedspread weaved the three colors together nicely. The decorations were nautical and fun, with huge windows covered by retractable blinds.
Navy immediately found the remote and opened the blinds. She was on the side of the house opposite of the bay where the yacht would dock. Dang. She really wanted to know when Holden got here, and if she was honest with herself, watch him maneuver his yacht into the bay and then confidently stride up the dock to the staircase. His deep brown eyes would meet hers and he’d finally read the interest written all over her face. His own eyes would grow warm and he’d reveal he’d always wanted her as well.
Navy laughed at her immature and unrealistic vision. Holden Jennings didn’t allow anyone into his heart or personal life, why would he make an exception for her?
She admired the view of the green island, white-sand beach, and bright blue water. She should lie down and sleep. As soon as Ollie got here they would want to do a video shoot of the teams pretending to arrive at the island and do their first workout. Looking fresh and rested was a good thing, but Navy was more interested in going down to the beach and taking a swim in the calm ocean.
She hurried to open her suitcase and pull out one of her swimsuits. Nani Swimwear had become her official choice lately, and since Superior Sports’ focus was weight and cardio equipment, she could wear whatever swimwear and workout wear she chose. She had plenty. Smiling, she put on a navy blue floral two-piece and her flip flops and hurried to her door. She cautiously opened it and peeked out. Ryan’s door was shut, and the coast was clear. Hurrying down the hallway to the main area, she felt light and giddy, like a child escaping homework. Staying away from Ryan’s flirtations and not being responsible to make anyone else—most of all herself—look perfect sounded like heaven.
