Too-Perfect & Stranded by Cami Checketts
CHAPTERFOUR
Holden returned to his room, changed, and didn’t even check his phone or emails. He was happy that the home gym down the hall by the theater was empty. He could hear the loud bangs of an action movie playing in the theater. Hopefully he’d have the gym to himself. He started pushing through a shoulder and chest workout, his anger giving him the fuel to lift heavy.
He was upset with Colt Quinn, with Navy Quinn, but most of all, with himself. He had known he needed to keep his distance from Navy. He’d never allowed himself more than a handshake, brief conversations, and longing glances for years … and now this. Interesting that she found out about the relationship between Colt and Holden’s cousin, Kim Heathrow, tonight. He wondered why, after all these years, the story had come out now, and he also wondered how much Colt had told her. How the man had skewed it to somehow make himself look innocent to his older sister.
Holden was very protective of his cousin, especially after he’d lost his own sister in a tragic accident as a teenager, and then Kim had been stalked by a man who had never been caught. She’d withdrawn into herself and stopped acting. When Kim met Colt through some friends she had fallen much too fast for him. Holden had some concerns and he wondered if Kim was just desperate for the safety and positive attention a man like Colt could bring—he was retired Army Special Forces and one of those too good-looking guys with a silky, smooth tongue around women.
Holden had also heard that Colt was the type that every woman fell for, but Colt never took any of them serious. About five years ago, Holden had risked the media exposure and arranged with Kim to meet her and Colt for dinner one night. He had invited himself along, telling Kim he would like to get to know her boyfriend, but really wanting to assess the situation for himself. Colt was late, so after he and Kim hugged and caught up on each other’s lives for a while they decided to be seated and wait for him at the table. As they rounded a corner, they found Colt snuggled in a corner booth, kissing another woman. Holden had about taken the man out, but upon seeing Kim’s distraught face he whisked her away instead.
Righteous indignation for his cousin and her anguish surfaced. It had been a long time, and she hadn’t healed. He talked to her regularly, encouraging her to accept a part in a film or TV series, but she always claimed she was happy and fulfilled, living in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, selling her paintings at local markets, away from the craziness of Hollywood. She almost convinced him, but he knew how much she had loved acting. Between Colt’s betrayal and the stalker who was still on the loose, the only way he knew to help Kim was to make sure she had Sutton Smith in charge of her security and to keep her location secret.
Holden was lying on a bench, pushing through a set of chest flies when the gym door swung open. Glancing to the side, Holden saw the most beautiful form encased in a tank top and shorts. He rolled up to a seated position, set the weights down, and stood. Navy wavered in the door, obviously not expecting him to be there.
“Welcome,” he said.
She arched her eyebrows and tossed her long, blonde hair. “It’s not your gym. I have every right to be here.”
Whew, she was feisty, and despite himself and all the garbage between them, he loved her spice. He walked toward her. To her credit she stood as straight and tall as her five-four frame could allow and glared up at him. He stopped, far too close to her. She smelled like lemon candy—tart, sweet, and irresistible. It fit her perfectly.
“I just meant you’re welcome anywhere I am.”
She harrumphed. “Too bad for you I don’t want to be anywhere you are.” She stomped around him, tossing over her shoulder. “Just stay on your side of the gym, pretty boy.”
Holden laughed. Navy always had a tinge of sarcasm to her, but she’d been very respectful of him, until now. He hated that she’d quit as his sponsor tonight and that she seemed to loathe him, but he liked this sassy side of her. They were both mature adults. Maybe they could get past the deal with Colt and Kim.
“I think you’re the only pretty one in here,” he threw back at her.
“I’ve thumped men for comments less obnoxious than that,” she said.
“I’d like to see you try,” Holden returned, following her across the gym. He didn’t get too close again, in case she decided to punch him. He hadn’t so much as grunted on the beach, but her little fists were hard, and she was tough.
Navy simply glared up at him. “I’ve got five brothers, two are professional football players and two have been elite military men. Yes, Kaleb is a wussy singer, but his wife could take you down easily, and they’ve all taught me how to defend myself. You think I can’t best you?”
He smiled. Their relationship had gone completely off track today, but for some reason this interaction—that they could still banter and might have a chance at talking things through—made him almost as happy as kissing her had. Almost. Nothing could be as good as kissing this fireball.
He took a step forward and then he made the mistake of brushing her long hair over her shoulder, his fingers lingering on her smooth skin. She let out a small gasp that made his stomach fill with warmth. “I think you’re one of the toughest and bravest women I know, but I was a professional hockey player. I’d take on a football player any day.”
She smirked at him. “You hockey players are so padded up you can’t even feel the hits.”
He laughed. “I could show you all my scars from fighting to prove how hard those hits are.”
Her blue eyes turned smoky and he had no clue how he was going to resist grabbing her and kissing her again. Would she hit him, slap him, tell him she wasn’t staying even the week? Or was there any hope she would kiss him back?
She swallowed and he watched that lovely neck as it bobbed. “Please don’t show me any scars.”
Holden rested his hand on the treadmill behind her. His arm brushed hers and the desire for her only grew. “What do you want me to show you?” he asked, his voice going all deep and husky.
Navy stared at him. She was so soft and appealing that he couldn’t resist wrapping an arm around her waist. Something had broken in him when he’d kissed her by the ocean and now that she’d quit he wasn’t her boss anymore. The only thing between them was Colt and Kim. It was a big something but he knew Navy was a smart, reasonable woman. If they talked through what had happened he was sure she could see that her brother was in the wrong and Holden had only been trying to protect his vulnerable cousin.
“I don’t think you’d better show me anything,” she said, but her voice wasn’t sarcastic and tough like usual. It was soft … for him.
“What if I showed you how to kiss?”
Navy let out a cute little gasp and then she ran her hands up his chest to his shoulders. Holden was panting for air. Maybe her quitting was the best thing that had ever happened to him.
“I already know how to kiss,” she flung back at him.
Holden smiled and wrapped both hands around her lower back, pulling her up closer to him as he bent down lower. “Yes, you do.”
A brief smile flickered across her face.
“Would you show me how to kiss?” Holden prayed she could forget about all the disputes between them and give him another chance.
“Since I’m a generous person, maybe I could give you some tips.”
Holden ran his hands along her smooth back, half expecting her to punch him in the gut, but it would be worth a little pain to kiss her again. “I’d appreciate that.”
She smiled. “So what are you waiting for?”
“I have no idea.” Holden crossed the short distance and their lips connected. It was even more powerful than on the beach. They were both choosing this kiss, choosing to take their relationship to the next level, despite their concerns. His only question at the moment was … why had he waited all these years to hold her in his arms? She was the perfect fit, even though she was small, she was tough, and their bodies bonded together.
The house seemed to tremble with him. Holden felt like his insides were as turbulent and stirred up as the storm outside. He loved the feeling—excitement, danger, and fulfillment all rolled together as he made Navy his. He deepened the kiss, and knew no matter how feisty she was, or even if she punched him again, he was going to talk everything through with her. When they stopped kissing … in a few hours.
“Mr. Jennings.” Ollie banged through the workout room door. “Oh, sorry, sir.”
Holden released Navy from the kiss and smiled down at her. “To be continued,” he murmured.
Navy pulled from his arms. “I don’t think so,” she muttered. “I keep having these moments of insanity with you.”
Holden didn’t like the sound of that, but he would talk it through with her later, when they were alone, and they could kiss some more. “I like you insane then.”
She stuck out her tongue at him and he laughed.
“Mr. Jennings?” Ollie sounded panicked, and though he had a large camera in his even larger hands, he wasn’t filming with it. That was a first.
“Yes?” Holden forced himself to focus on the young man. “What can I help you with, Ollie?”
“Sir, the storm. The windows are rattling and the waves are huge! Are we going to be okay?”
Holden took a deep breath. Ollie had interrupted that kiss, for a little wind and waves? He’d go check his email and make sure the storm was nothing to worry about … after he kissed Navy for a few hours. “We’ll be fine. This house was built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane; every window and door is watertight. There’s even a waterproof fully-equipped storm shelter under the theater if we need.”
Ollie nodded but didn’t look reassured. “Come look, please.”
It was disconcerting to see such a big and usually laidback guy acting like a little baby.
“Of course,” Holden agreed.
He rested his hand on Navy’s lower back and guided her after Ollie. She glanced up at him. “I think you’re taking my insanity a little too far.”
“Am I making you insane then?” he bent down and whispered in her ear.
“Yes! And I need you to ease off. I’m ticked at you.”
“Maybe I can make you un-ticked?”
“I highly doubt it, Mr. Jennings.”
Holden chuckled, following Ollie down the hallway. She was mad at him about the deal with her brother and his cousin, but they could talk that out. It had been years. Surely Colt had moved on. If Navy knew what the cheating incident had done to Kim, she’d think Holden should be the upset one. But he couldn’t blame Navy for her brother’s actions and he wanted to be with her far more than he wanted to hold a grudge.
Ollie seemed to regain his grit as they reached the main area and he immediately rushed to the windows and started filming the massive waves spotlighted by the exterior lights illuminating the patio and the beach below.
Holden barely had a chance to register the onslaught of the wind and rain and that the storm had definitely increased in strength when the lights died. A girl screamed. Holden was betting on Alecia. Navy let out a little gasp of surprise.
Holden wrapped his arm around Navy’s hip and pulled her against his side. “It’s no worry. The solar generator must’ve gotten disrupted. If the backup doesn’t kick on, I can fix the power in the morning.” He had been here with Zack and Maddie a few times and Zack had shown him how his power and other systems worked. Holden was surprised the backup generator hadn’t already kicked on.
Several of the people in the room pulled out their phones and turned on their flashlights. The lights bobbed eerily around the room as the storm screamed outside.
“I can hold you all night if you’re scared,” Holden said quietly to Navy. The offer was out there before he could pull it back. He didn’t spend the night with women, no matter how perfect or appealing they were.
Navy pushed at him. “I’m not some scaredy-girl. I’ll be fine.”
“You’re an impressive woman, Navy Quinn.”
Holden hoped he wasn’t coming on to her as obnoxiously as Ryan did. He wished he could see her face more clearly, but at least she didn’t pull free from his arm.
“What do we do?” Alecia cried out, clinging to her cell phone.
“I’ll go check my laptop. If there’s any concern, the weather service will have sent me a warning. They said a storm is headed our way but it will be mild and over in twenty-four hours. I’m sure everything is fine,” Holden said.
The windows rattled ominously and Holden looked out. The moon was almost hidden by the clouds but Ollie had been right, the waves that were rolling in were mammoth. Holden felt a moment of worry, not about the house or their safety, but for his yacht. He’d tied it securely and it was in a sheltered bay, but it would sustain damage from waves this huge.
One of the patio doors flung open and wind and rain rushed in. Alecia screamed again. Holden released Navy and hurried across the dark space. He shut the door firmly, and dead-bolted it. Somebody must not have closed it tight.
“We’re going to die!” Alecia shrieked.
Oh, wow.Holden always tried to react compassionately but she was being ridiculous. “We’re not going to die,” Holden said. He could only see outlines of the people in the room but he thought everybody was there. “This house has been built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane and there’s a storm shelter if the storm gets worse,” he repeated what he’d told Ollie. “We’re very safe.”
“I want out of here,” Ryan said. “Let’s take your yacht and get to the mainland.”
Holden grunted in disgust. “Do you know how stupid it would be to go out in this storm? Not to mention in the dark?”
“I thought your yacht was one of the best in the world,” Ryan taunted.
“It is, but I’m not suicidal enough to take it out in this storm.”
“I don’t want to stay here,” Alecia cried.
Holden hoped one of the men would try to comfort her but none of them moved. He strode toward her voice. “Alecia,” he lowered his voice and hoped it sounded comforting. “I promise you, we are safe.”
The rattling windows and shriek of the wind outside didn’t back him up, but Holden knew how prepared Zack and Maddie were for storms worse than this.
“I’ll find us some flashlights so you can save your phone batteries and everyone should just go to bed. In the morning the storm will be gone.”
“I can’t sleep in this,” Alecia wailed.
“Me either,” Ryan backed her up. “Let’s leave now.”
Wow.Ryan had played professional football and was a complete wuss. Holden had never liked him because of the way he constantly hit on Navy, but this just reaffirmed that his dislike had been justified.
“We are all going to sleep,” Holden commanded, using his owner voice. He could still check the emails or calls that might have come in about the storm but he was sure it was nothing to be concerned about and wasn’t going to exacerbate the situation even if there were extreme storm warnings. He probably should have checked earlier, instead of being so caught up in Navy. “In the morning you’ll see that it’s no big deal.”
“Can you at least sleep in the storm shelter with me?” Alecia begged, grabbing on to his arm.
Holden didn’t yank his arm free, though he wanted to. “You’ll be much more comfortable in your room. The storm shelter has blankets and food and water but it’s small and the floors are hard plastic. It would be a miserable night.”
“Sleeping through this is going to be a miserable night.” Ryan’s face was pinched. “But I’m not going in any nasty storm shelter,” he muttered.
Ollie, Taya, and Michael hadn’t said anything and Holden didn’t think Jorge was even in the room. Probably sleeping through this stupidity like the smart guy he was.
“I guess you were right,” Navy piped up.
“About what?” Holden loved that she sounded as feisty and sarcastic as ever. He stepped away from Alecia and she finally let him go.
“Hockey players must be tougher than football players.”
Holden chuckled. “Told you so.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Ryan demanded.
“It means you are acting like a total and complete baby,” Navy said. “Go to sleep. You’re going to be humiliated in the morning.”
Holden wanted to cheer. He loved Navy’s backbone. The silence in the room was thick. Ryan didn’t say anything. The only sound was the rain slashing against the windows, the high whine of the wind, and the annoying whimpering coming from Alecia.
Holden walked toward the kitchen with the light from the phones behind him. He found the cabinet door closest to the pantry. He opened it and fumbled around for a few seconds before he grasped a flashlight. Clicking it on, he was rewarded with a far brighter light than the phones provided and some sighs of relief from the people behind him. They’d feel better now.
The windows were rattling louder and louder and the wind had its own eerie tune. Holden ignored the sounds and grabbed a handful of the smaller flashlights. He walked back to the group and handed them out to everyone.
Taya’s face was pale, but Ollie was close by her side. “I’ll walk you to your room,” he murmured. She glanced up at him with a tight, grateful smile.
“Thanks,” Michael muttered, as he took his flashlight and strode off down the hall, looking more annoyed than concerned.
Ryan grabbed a flashlight from his hand and stalked off.
“You’re welcome,” Navy called after him.
Holden grinned at her and handed over a flashlight.
“Thank you kindly, Mr. Jennings.” She bowed mockingly.
“Stop with the Mr. Jennings,” he said, but honestly she could call him anything she wanted. As long as she let him date her.
Navy simply smiled and walked away, a swing to her hips that he found much too appealing.
Holden started after her when he heard a cry of, “Holden, don’t leave me!”
He glanced back. Alecia was cowering against the wall by the kitchen cabinets, farthest away from the windows. The rain slammed against the windows in torrents and the wind turned to a howl. Her face pinched and she let out a wail louder than the rain.
“You’re going to be fine,” he tried to say soothingly. He tried to imagine she was Kim, but even though Kim had been stalked for years, lost the love of her life, her acting career, and her home, she was still tough and living on her own in a foreign country. She would never shriek at a rainstorm.
Alecia ran at him, throwing herself against his chest. Holden pushed out a breath and forced himself to put one arm around her. “Let’s get you to your room,” he said.
“Can’t I sleep with you?” she begged.
“No!” Holden hurried down the hallway, clutching the bright flashlight as Alecia clung to him. He kept his arm loosely around her simply to try to calm her down. He felt no attraction to the girl and wished somebody else would take care of her, but he was the one in charge.
They passed Ryan and Navy’s suites. He could see faint lights under each door. He wished he could be holding Navy, but she was too tough to need a man’s comfort. He hoped he could offer her something more than comfort.
They made it to the bunk bed rooms and the girls’ door was open. Ollie’s huge frame was squatting next to the lower bunk and he was singing softly, trailing his hand over Taya’s back as she stared worshipfully at him. Both of their flashlights were pointed up at the ceiling.
Ollie straightened to his full height when he heard them but glanced back at Taya and asked, “Will you be okay?”
Taya nodded. “Thank you. That was very sweet of you.”
Holden hated to interrupt their romance, but he needed to get Alecia off his arm. “Okay.” He gently pushed her toward her bed. “Sleep tight. Everything will be fine.”
She tried to come back at him, but luckily Ollie stepped in her way. “Why don’t you lay down, Alecia, and I’ll sing to both of you?” He took Alecia’s arm and guided her to the opposite bunk bed.
Alecia stared back at Holden. He made a mental note to give Ollie a raise and a thank you later. Ollie was a great guy. “Good night,” Holden said, shutting the door behind him.
He glanced back down the hall at Navy’s closed door. If only he dared go knock. The wind seemed to shake the house. He had a feeling it was going to be a long night, and if the storm didn’t clear, a longer day tomorrow. He trudged to his own room. The good news was, Navy had kissed him, and teased him brutally. There was hope, and he was persistent and knew how to work hard for something he really wanted. Navy Quinn was the woman he really wanted.
