Ruthless Read online

  She sighed. She’d already cooled off where her brother was concerned. Luc’s secret wasn’t his to share. Tell him he’s off the hook. I’m not mad at him anymore.”

  “I’m glad to hear that, honey. You know how much he loves you; we both do. We just want what’s best for you.”

  “I know. Listen, I gotta go. The car’s here to take me to the condo.”

  “Okay, well, you know it’s part of a five-star resort, so you have access to the pools, bars, restaurants, spa, everything. You just need to relax and enjoy, okay?”

  Marisa smiled. “I can’t thank you enough for this, Sierra. This is exactly what I need to get over Luc.”

  Sierra chuckled. “I think getting over him may take longer than a couple of weeks, but it’s a step in the right direction. Love you, be safe.”

  “I love you, too. I’ll touch base with you later.”

  Luc had tried everything short of using his key to access Marisa’s apartment. He’d thought about it, but decided that would only count as another strike against him. With no other recourse, Trey was his last resort.

  He tapped on the door to Trey’s studio before turning the knob. “Trey, you here, man?”

  Trey came out of the back room with sheet music in his hand. “Hey, Luc, what’s up, buddy?”

  “Sierra told me I’d find you down here. You got a minute?”

  “Sure.” He pointed to the leather sofa. “Take a load off. You want anything? You look like you could use a drink.”

  Luc shook his head. Alcohol wouldn’t numb his pain. He needed to see Marisa and make things right.

  Trey chuckled. “Okay, you look like shit. Why don’t you tell me what’s goin’ on, man?”

  Luc tipped his head back and covered his face with his hands. “Do you know where your sister is, Trey? I really need to see her.”

  Trey sighed and sank into the chair across from him. “She left town for a while.”

  Luc felt his pulse begin to race. If Marisa was willing to leave town just to get away from him, that didn’t bode well. “What do you mean she left town? Where the hell did she go?”

  Trey shrugged. “Don’t know. My wife won’t tell me.”

  Luc jumped up and reached for the door. “She may not tell you, but she’s sure as hell gonna tell me.”

  Trey grabbed his arm. “No, she’s not, ‘cause you’re not gonna ask her.”

  Luc shook him off, wishing he could release some of his frustration. “Like hell I’m not. I need to find Marisa before...”

  “Before what, Luc? The damage is already done.” Trey sighed. “Marisa’s done with you, man.”

  Luc felt panic gripping him. Trey obviously had information he wasn’t privy to, but he wasn’t ready to hear it. He’d rather live in denial than admit that Marisa had written him off. “No, she’s not. She’s just pissed at me for not telling her about Nikki. I’ll talk to her, I’ll explain...”

  Trey grabbed his arm. “Sit down, Luc. We need to get some things straight.”

  He knew that look; his friend wasn’t asking him, he was telling him. “I don’t have time for this bullshit, Trey.” Even as he said it, he sat down on the couch. “I need to talk to Marisa, not you.”

  “Yeah, well, you’re gonna have to go through me to get to her this time, Spencer.” Trey sat on the edge of the chair and glared at him, his arms crossed.

  “What the hell are you talking about? You tryin’ to keep me away from your sister?”

  “I think it’s about time I stepped up, don’t you?”

  Luc leaned forward, poised to strike. He and Trey had never come to blows before, but he had a feeling that was about to change. No one was going to keep him from seeing Marisa. He was going to find her, and God help anyone stupid enough to stand in his way. “Look, your sister is a grown woman, and what happens between us is our business, not yours.”

  “I beg to differ. My sister has already made her position clear. She doesn’t want anything more to do with you. I’m gonna respect her decision, and so are you, man.”

  “Screw you, asshole. I don’t take orders from you.”

  Both men stood up and faced each other, toe to toe.

  “I’m not gonna stand by and let you tear her to shreds again. It’s not gonna happen. You get me?” Trey asked through clenched teeth.

  Luc shoved him hard, causing him to stumble back. “You think that’s what I wanna do, dumbass? I wanna ask her, hell, I wanna beg her, to marry me.”

  Trey’s mouth dropped open. “Seriously? You’re finally gonna propose to her?”

  Luc forced himself to take a step back and a deep breath to calm his nerves. Coming to blows with Marisa’s brother wasn’t going to help his cause. “Look, I get why you want to protect her. I’ve been as thick as a brick about her, but I just wanna make things right, man.” He looked his best friend in the eye. “Please, can you help me do that?”

  Trey grabbed his shoulder. “Luc, I would if I could, but I can’t. Not because I don’t want to, but because I honestly don’t know where she is.”

  Luc raked his hands through his hair and barely suppressed the urge to bellow in frustration. “Let me talk to Sierra. She knows where Marisa is. I know I can convince her to tell me.”

  Trey picked up the phone. “I doubt that very much, but you’re welcome to try.”

  Sierra sat with her arms folded, looking unimpressed by his plea. “Sorry, Luc, I promised Marisa I wouldn’t tell anyone where she went.”

  He looked to his friend for support, but Trey just threw his hands up in the air. Luc pulled out the only weapon he had left in his arsenal. He handed Sierra the small, black velvet box. “I wanted to give her this.”

  Sierra looked skeptical, but she took the box and opened it. She covered her mouth when she saw the huge marquis cut diamond flanked by triangular cut side stones. “Ohmigod, is this what I think it is? You’re going to ask Marisa to marry you?”

  He shook his head. He asked his jeweler to make the ring after his first inept proposal. The next time he asked her to be his wife, he intended to do it right, with a diamond ring, flowers, candlelight, champagne, and soft music. Given everything he’d put her through, he wanted to give her a night she would never forget. “Yeah, so will you help me or what?”

  Sierra snapped the box closed and thrust it at him. “Not so fast, buddy. What about the rest of it?”

  He was tired, frustrated, and panic-stricken. The last thing he wanted was to play twenty questions with his well-meaning friends. “What’re you talking about, Sierra?”

  “Marriage is only part of the equation. What about kids?”

  “I already have a kid, remember?”

  Sierra shoved him. “I’m serious. Do you or do you not want to have a family with Marisa?”

  “Yes, yes, yes.” He growled. “What do I have to do to get through to you people, write an oath in blood? I love her. I want marry her. I want us to have a dozen babies. Okay, are you happy now?”

  Sierra grinned. “I don’t think she wants a dozen babies. Two or three will probably be enough.”

  Trey nudged her from behind. “Will you just put the guy out of his misery already? Tell him where she is.”

  She crossed the room and opened a desk drawer, withdrawing a pen and slip of paper. She scribbled something on the paper before removing a gold key from a key ring. “So what changed your mind? About having kids, I mean?”

  “Nikki changed my mind. She made me realize I’m not the same guy now that I was at twenty-five. I may have screwed up back then, but she thinks I’ve got what it takes to be a good dad.” He shrugged, feeling self-conscious. “If she believes in me, maybe...”

  Sierra laughed and hugged him. “I have no doubt you’re gonna be a fantastic father, Luc.”

  He kissed her cheek. “Thanks, for everything.”

  Trey reached out to offer his hand. “Don’t screw this up, buddy. You’re not gonna get another chance.”

  “I won’t.” Luc glanced at the piece
of paper Sierra handed him. “Panama, huh?”

  “She’s staying at the condo?” Trey asked.

  Luc grinned. “Don’t make any plans over the next week. You may have to fly out there for a wedding.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Marisa had read the same sentence at least a dozen times, but she couldn’t concentrate. No matter how hard she tried to banish Luc from her mind, he remained front and center.

  She looked out at the ocean, marveling at the beauty of the sun’s reflection off the rippling waves. She had positioned her lounge chair in the sand close enough to feel the water brush her feet when the tide came in. It was a spectacular day, but everywhere she looked were couples and families spending quality time together. She was the only person pitiful enough to travel to a tropical paradise alone.

  “Hi there. Beautiful day, isn’t it?”

  She looked up to see a man blocking the sun’s rays. He had a lean swimmer’s physique, sun-kissed blonde hair, and an enticing British accent. “It is,” she said, lowering her sunglasses.

  He knelt down so they were face to face. “I hope you don’t think I’m being too bold, but I noticed you were alone. You are alone, aren’t you?”

  “I am.”

  He grinned, revealing straight white teeth. “That’s great. I mean...”

  She laughed, extending her hand. “I know what you meant. I’m Marisa.”

  He accepted her outstretched hand. “My mother would be appalled at my manners. My name’s Iain. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Marisa. Mind if I pull up a chair?”

  She considered telling him she’d prefer to be alone, but she knew being alone with her thoughts meant thinking of Luc. “Sure, why not?”

  “Great, can I get you a drink?”

  She glanced at her watch. “It’s a little early for a drink, isn’t it?”

  He laughed. “You’re on vacation, Marisa. Live a little.”

  “Okay, a strawberry daiquiri it is.”

  Marisa closed her eyes and enjoyed the warmth of the sun as she waited for Iain to return. She wasn’t ready to consider even an anonymous fling, much less a relationship, but conversation with a handsome man might serve as a pleasant distraction. She watched him jog down the beach toward her. If not for Luc, her toes would be curling in anticipation of what lie ahead. As it was, she was only mildly interested in learning more about her new acquaintance.

  She sat up and reached out to take the drinks from him as he retrieved another lounge chair.

  He settled his chair in the sand next to hers and reclaimed his beer. Sitting back, he raised his glass. “Cheers.”

  She smiled and touched her glass to his. Taking a sip, she enjoyed the sweet, icy eruption against her sunburned lips.

  “Ooh, looks like your shoulders are getting a bit red.” He shifted off his chair and picked up the sunscreen bottle she’d tossed in the sand. “Let me put some of this on you before you get fried.”

  She moved down to make room for him behind her. She wore her hair in a high ponytail, so he had easy access to her neck and upper back. She felt his hands glide over her skin and waited to feel something, some current of awareness pass between them, but she felt nothing. When she felt his hands dip lower, massaging the base of her spine, she quickly seized the bottle of sunscreen.

  “Ah, thanks, that should do it.”

  “What you need is a proper massage, Marisa. You’re all tied up in knots.”

  A massage was definitely one of the pleasures she intended to indulge in during her stay. “You’re right. In fact, I’ve booked one for tomorrow morning.”

  He grinned. “Lucky for you, you won’t have to wait that long.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He laughed. “I’m the massage therapist at the resort. Your appointment is with me.”

  She felt the heat creep up her neck. “Oh, I, uh...”

  He took her hand. “Here, let’s get to work on those knots right now.”

  She tried to pull back. “Oh no, I couldn’t ask you to do that. It’s your day off, right?” When she tried to book the appointment for today, they’d told her their massage therapist wouldn’t be returning to work until tomorrow.

  “It would be my pleasure.” He pointed to an enclosed massage table on the beach. “Look, we wouldn’t even have to leave the beach.”

  “Uh, okay, if you’re sure?”

  He kissed her hand. “Nothing would give me greater pleasure.”

  Luc used the key Sierra had given him to enter Trey’s apartment. He had already made the arrangements for a night that he hoped would set the stage for the romantic proposal he planned. He slipped in the door and closed it quietly behind him. He thought of knocking, but he would prefer to have the element of surprise working in his favor. He set his suitcase in the foyer and cast a glance around the condominium. It felt like an upscale hotel, and Trey told him when he bought it that many of the owners chose to rent the suites to vacationers when they weren’t in use.

  He took a deep breath when he saw the expansive view of the ocean through the floor to ceiling windows. No doubt about it, this was the perfect place for him and Marisa to start their new life together.

  Walking over to the window, he paused to look down at the beach. He knew the private beachfront was reserved for the resort’s guests, and since it was their off-season, it was fairly quiet. He smiled when he saw a couple lifting a delighted toddler inches off ground each time the waves rolled in.

  With any luck, he and Marisa would be enjoying simple pleasures with their own baby soon. He was still amazed that after wasting so many years, he finally had the chance to be the father he should have been. He’d missed out on so many firsts with Nikki. He looked forward to sharing every word, every step, every milestone with Marisa and their baby.

  His gaze settled on a woman in a red bikini getting a massage on a sheltered massage table. She was spectacular, and even though her boyfriend probably wouldn’t appreciate him staring, he couldn’t help himself. He met gorgeous women in his line of work every day, but few even turned his head, much less piqued his interest. There was something about this woman. Maybe it was the sensuous curve of her neck or the enticing swell of her bottom as the man slipped his hands under the scrap of material covering her buttocks. Or maybe it was the roundness of her breasts pressed against the table when he un-did her bikini top to massage her sun-kissed back.

  He felt himself getting aroused just looking at her. A woman hadn’t had that kind of effect on him since long before he and Marisa started dating.

  She turned her head, and for the first time, he saw her face. He clenched his fists when he realized it was Marisa, and some half-naked guy was fondling her ass.

  He was glad he’d thought to dress for the warm climate so he wouldn’t have to waste time changing his clothes. He didn’t even want to think about her friendly masseuse stripping her clothes off in the time it took him to put clothes on. He threw his t-shirt on the bed and stalked out of the room. The countless hours he spent paying a high-priced personal trainer to beat him into submission were finally going to pay off.

  Luc tread soundlessly across the sand until he reached their private oasis. He watched the guy knead her moist flesh with his strong, capable hands.

  She moaned when his hands dipped lower, massaging the indentation at the base of her spine. “God, that feels so good, Iain.”

  Luc’s tongue had caressed that sensitive area enough times to know the gentle pressure was arousing her. Just the thought of another man turning her on made Luc snap. “If you don’t get your hands off her now, I’ll break every one of your fingers.”

  Marisa’s eyes flew open and she shot up, oblivious to her state of undress.

  Iain took the opportunity to ogle her full breasts.

  Luc growled and grabbed a folded towel from a bin at the foot of the table. He threw it at her. “Put this on, now.”

  She wrapped the towel around her shoulders. “What the hell are you doing here?”
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  “Looks like I got here just in time.” He took a step toward the guy with the magic fingers, but Marisa stepped between them.

  “Oh no, you don’t.” She flattened her palms against Luc’s bare chest. “Iain’s the massage therapist at the resort. He was just giving me a massage.”

  Luc glared at the other man’s state of undress. “Some uniform you got there.”

  The guy smirked. “It’s my day off. I was just trying to help the lady unwind.”

  Luc took a step closer. “Yeah, I got that.” He pointed a finger at his chest. “You touch her again and I’ll...”

  “Stop it!” Marisa shouted. She turned to Iain. “I’m sorry about this. Please have them bill the massage to suite 702.”

  He smiled. “This one’s on me.”

  Luc reached over Marisa’s shoulder to grab him, intent on making him regret his words.

  Marisa took a step back, flattening her backside against Luc’s abdomen.

  He had to hand it to her; she knew how to shut him up. The only thing he could think about with her tight little derriere pressed up against him was throwing her down on the massage table and proving to any man who might be inclined to make a play for her that she was his.

  “I’ll see you later, okay?” she said.

  Iain glanced at Luc. “About that dinner tonight...”

  “Ah, no, I can’t. It looks like I’m gonna be busy tonight.”

  Luc wrapped his arm around her waist from behind and nipped her bare shoulder with his teeth. “You can count on it, darlin’.”

  Iain smirked. “Fine, okay. I get the message, buddy.” His hot gaze travelled over Marisa from head to toe. “But when they look like this, you can’t blame a guy for trying.”

  Luc thought about shutting him down, but the guy was right, Marisa was a sight to behold, especially in that string bikini. Half of which was lying on the massage table. He picked up the skimpy top and fisted it in his hand. “What the hell is this?” he asked, shaking it at her.

  “Uh, my bikini?”

  He grunted. “Barely qualifies. I’m surprised they didn’t arrest you for indecent exposure.”