Reckless (Fractured Farrells: A Damaged Billionaire Series Book 2) Read online

  That perfect mask was right back in place. Nope. Robert was just as much of a Farrell as his father.

  Robert was itching to get back to New York. It was some strange torture to be stuck in paradise while shit was hitting the fan back home.

  The land deal in LA that he’d been working on for the past seven months was about to fall through for no reason at all. He’d had all the bankers and lawyers and agents ready to go, and for some fucking reason, the seller was about to back out and he couldn’t do anything while he was on this island.

  Nathan and Alex were already on their way to the airport to hop on a plane to smooth things over, but Robert didn’t like being this far out of the game.

  “Is everything okay?” asked Jean.

  Before Robert could answer, he noticed the warning look Colin gave him. Obviously he didn’t want Robert to stress out Jean with work problems. “Nothing Nathan can’t take care of,” he said with a forced smile. “Now, I heard there was jerky.”

  The rest of the lunch was spent with casual, shallow conversation. Malia and Jean talked about the must-see places on Oahu, and Malia told them about the fishing techniques used by the native islanders on this very beach.

  By the time they packed up to head out to the sandbar, Robert was halfway to being calm again. Listening to Malia speak had a strange calming effect on him. She looked so natural sitting on a beach, it was hard to imagine her in the hustle and bustle of New York.

  Her tan skin practically glowed under the sun, and she smiled as she gave her historical and geographical lessons about the island. A sign that she truly loved where she was. He was so used to being surrounded by people who either always worked or just worked for the weekend. It was strange to be around someone so...content.

  He helped her load up the boat and watched her as she pulled in the anchor. If he knew some way to help her pull it in, he would’ve done that too, though he couldn’t deny the joy he got simply from watching her.

  She had the body of someone who never stopped moving. Her legs were strong from walking or biking everywhere, and she could handle the heavy cooler with ease as she positioned it on the boat. The best moments were when the sun shone just right and her shirt became semi-transparent, allowing him to see through the billowy tank to the outline of her fit body.

  It probably made matters worse that he knew what that body would feel like in his hands. Pressed up against him.

  Well, not as well as he’d like to. He hadn’t had a chance to fill his palms with the weight of her breasts or to lift her up until she wrapped her legs around him as he held her up by her ass.

  Robert turned away as Colin and Jean got back into the boat. He’d have to keep his fantasies about Malia confined to when he was alone in his hotel and could have as much time as he wanted to indulge.

  By the time she brought the boat to a stop on the sandbar and set the anchor in, he was more than ready to get into some cold water. Jean and Colin were the first ones in, and it looked as if Colin was finally going to take the chance to get Jean to himself as they walked through the shallow water to explore.

  “You said the sand is exposed at low tide?” Robert stared into the crystal-clear water below them.

  “Yep.” Malia sat down at the front of the boat and pulled out a book to read.

  “So you’re back to one-word answers now?”

  She glanced up at him and tightened her lips. “I just don’t have a lot to say.”

  Robert crossed to the front of the boat and took a seat next to her. The sudden tension in her body was unmistakable.

  “For fuck’s sake, Malia, can you give me a chance?”

  She inched away from him as she opened her book, flipping the pages as though searching for where she left off. “I gave you a chance, Robert.”

  “No, you didn’t. The second you saw me this morning, you wrote me off and you haven’t given me more than two seconds to make it up to you.”

  She rolled her eyes and set the book down. “Maybe I don’t want you to make it up. You’ll just have to get used to the idea that someone doesn’t like you, as shocking as it might be.”

  Robert let out a bitter laugh. “You think that’s why I’m so bothered by your reaction?” Malia didn’t answer, so he continued. “I’m so used to people hating me that every time I step outside my apartment, I’m surprised when someone isn’t there to hold some sort of protest. I’m just really confused how I can go halfway across the world and still get the cold shoulder from people who barely know me.”

  Malia started to say something before she stopped herself. She sighed as she considered him, and for a second, he thought she was actually starting to warm up to him. “Why don’t people like you?” she finally asked.

  Well, fuck. Did she have five hours to listen to all the reasons? But he could give her the bare-bones explanation. “My father amassed a vast empire and huge amounts of money by being a horrible person and I’ve spent my entire life working for the son of a bitch. Now that he’s gone, I’m the head of one of the most evil corporations that has ever existed.”

  Her brows drew together and she was quiet again. He wasn’t sure what he expected from his little confession, but it wasn’t silence.

  “So you aren’t like Walter then?”

  He let out a low whistle. “That’s it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You know who I am. What I am.”

  “The Farrell reputation precedes itself, Robert.”

  “So the second I handed you my card, I ruined any chance of anything happening between us, didn’t I?” Mother fucker...

  Malia fidgeted in her seat. “There was no chance of anything happening between us before that. Remember when I told you repeatedly that I needed to leave?”

  “My memory is a bit fuzzy. Is that before or after you stuck your tongue down my throat?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t make me slap you in front of your sister.”

  He leaned in. “I dare you to try.”

  She shook her head and ran a hand through her hair, pushing the loose strands of hair out of her face. “Only you would turn me threatening to slap you into flirting. Go swim, Robert. The water is great and this is a fantastic place to relax.”

  “If it’s so great, why don’t you come in with me?”

  “I’m working. I can’t play.”

  “Come on. Jean and Colin are too busy to judge you for having fun.”

  Malia glanced out over the water and he knew he was starting to sway her.

  “Who were you on the phone with earlier?”

  Robert sat back and considered how much to tell her. “A deal was supposed to be finalized today but the seller is backing out at the last minute.”

  “Isn’t that a normal business thing? Deals fall through all the time.”

  “Not this kind. We’ve been in negotiations for seven months.”

  “So did he give a reason?”

  A woman’s squeal came over the sound of the waves. He looked out to see Colin and Jean playing in the water.

  “Come in the ocean with me, and I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”

  For a moment, she didn’t say anything, but then she set her book down and stood. “All right, Farrell. I’ll play your game.” Without waiting a second longer, she pulled off her shirt and started to push her shorts over her tan legs.

  Robert had to bite his lip as he tried to commit the image to memory. He only had a few minutes to savor the sight before she climbed over the edge and hopped into the shallow water.

  Suddenly realizing that he was alone on the boat, Robert pulled off his white shirt and followed her into the water. If he stood, the water stopped at mid-thigh, but Malia was swimming to the other side of the boat.

  Once he reached her, she turned around. “Okay, spill the beans. What is really happening?”

  He didn’t know how he could be in one of the sexiest situations of his life and was being forced to talk about one of the least sexy topic
s.

  “Last week, a corrupt congressman in California was arrested. A string of his emails was released to the press and it came out that he helped my company cover up an oil spill about ten years ago. So I’m in the middle of a shit storm of bad press and the seller doesn’t want his name associated with mine.”

  “Did you have anything to do with the cover up?”

  “I was just out of college ten years ago. I was lucky if Walter would let me open his mail, let alone clue me in on the shit he was involved in.”

  “Well, if the press thinks you’re scum, you have to do something to convince them you’re not, right?”

  He let out a little laugh. If only it were that easy. “You think I’m scum. What could I do to convince you I’m not?”

  She crooked her head at him. “I’m harder to please than the press,” she assured. “Just think of it like some cheesy romance flick. When the guy messes up, he needs to pull off some grand gesture to apologize to the girl.”

  “You want me to treat the press like a wronged lover?”

  “No. Treat the earth like one. You said it was an oil spill? Pump a bunch of money into conservation efforts. All I hear about from the geology and biology students here is about all the grants they’re trying to get for conservation. Well, start throwing some money at it. Try to do good with all the cash your father got through less than honorable means.”

  “The company donates millions to charities every year.”

  “Well then, you need to be less modest. Make a big deal of it. Make an event. Make sure that people know it.”

  “Malia, are you trying to help me?”

  “I’m trying to use your forces of evil for good.”

  “So does that mean you’re changing your mind about me?” He approached her slowly. She was kneeling down in the water, so the gentle waves brushed over her breasts.

  Robert knelt so he was at her height as well. The water was cold at first, but the second he was under, it felt warm.

  “No,” said Malia. “I haven’t changed my mind about you at all.”

  “Then tell me something.”

  “I don’t have to explain myself.”

  But he continued on anyway. “I know you had fun with me on the beach. I know you liked kissing me. So what the hell is stopping you?”

  “I still don’t have to explain myself to you.”

  “Damn it. Give me something. I’m dying here.”

  She let out a laugh and bit her bottom lip as she looked him up and down. “Dying? I doubt that. In fact, I’d be surprised if you don’t have some hot—”

  Robert finally gave up and kissed her. He was so sure about this. So sure that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. He wouldn’t apologize for being too forward with scheduling this. He’d wanted to see her again and he’d found out how. Everything in his past had taught him to go after what he wanted and not stop until he got it.

  And he was damn tired of people thinking of him as the bad guy just because of his last name.

  He cupped the back of her neck as his mouth moved over hers. He waited for the slap or her pulling back and cursing him, but she kissed him back. He would’ve muttered a “thank fuck” if he weren’t too afraid to break his string of good luck.

  Under the water, his free hand wrapped around her back and pulled her against him. The feel of her tight body pressed against him. Before he could deepen the kiss, the sounds of splashing and laughter grew closer. Reluctantly, Robert pulled his head back and savored the sight in front of him. Malia was taking deep breaths, her breasts pressing against his chest with each inhale, as her hands ran along his arms.

  “So you don’t completely hate me then?”

  Malia rested her forehead against his chest. “I don’t like you either.”

  He’d take that as a win. “From now on, you can’t deny it. There’s something between us.”

  Before she could say anything, Colin’s and Jean’s voices came from the other side of the boat and Malia pulled away.

  Robert stayed where he was. He didn’t think he should be getting out of the water until he had better control over himself, or else Colin and Jean would know exactly what he and Malia had been doing behind the boat.

  Even as he waited, he smiled to himself. Malia was warming to him. It was only a matter of time now.

  After Robert said good-bye to Jean and Colin, he headed back to his room, which doubled as his office for the week. The resort had cordoned off a separate conference room to use as much as he wanted during the week, but unless he was meeting with someone, he worked better in his presidential suite.

  Mainly because the only people who would walk in to interrupt him there were the maids, and they would stay away if he left the notification on the door.

  He powered up his laptop and cleared his mountain of emails one by one, even though he only thought of one thing. How he could see Malia again. It was hard to get back into the working mode after the day he’d had. He thought back to how Malia had looked as she’d steered the boat back to the dock. The flush that crept under her tanned skin every time she glanced in his direction.

  It was obvious she regretted the kiss. Both kisses. But she still kissed him back. He smiled in victory at the memory. No, he had gotten closer to cracking the mystery that was Malia. Even though she acted like they were no more than strangers as she’d said good-bye to Jean and Colin, there was something more between them. Damn, it was going to be fun to figure out what that was.

  She already thought he was a stalker after his surprise appearance today, and he didn’t want to spook her more. She had just started to thaw before they had to head back for the day. He’d closed enough deals in his time to know that once he had momentum, he had to keep charging ahead until his adversary gave in.

  Malia would probably slap him cold if she knew he was thinking of her in terms of a real estate deal. He smiled at the thought. As strange as it was, that was a compliment in his world. She was complex and intricate and one hundred percent worth all of his effort.

  Make that two hundred percent, he mentally corrected as he remembered the feel of her strong, soft body against his.

  But getting Malia out of his mind became much more difficult when the picture popped up in the next email he opened. More specifically, pictures of them kissing. One from that first night on the beach and one from just a few hours ago. Robert straightened as he scrolled up to the email address. Nothing he recognized. Just a random assortment of numbers and letters in no particular order.

  Then he read the note. “Touch her again and she dies.”

  Malia might have accused Robert of being a stalker before, but he’d shrugged off the comment. Now that he was standing outside her home, he was one hundred percent certain he’d crossed a line somewhere.

  He was also one hundred percent certain he didn’t care.

  The house she was staying at was a few miles out of Honolulu, so the streets weren’t quite as crowded or packed in. Not that the place was huge. It was a modest cream-colored place with the open garage area that was filled with bikes and various swimming gear. There was no door on the garage, so Robert was willing to bet that there were surfboards or paddle boards in the back.

  Based off what the bartender, Moe, had told him, she rented out a room in the place, but Robert didn’t know who she lived with. Another reminder that he knew nothing about her.

  He glanced up and down the road where the cab had dropped him off. He’d purposefully gone with the cab so he wouldn’t draw as much attention to himself. He didn’t see anyone keeping tabs on him, but he hadn’t noticed anyone snapping photos earlier. Not that he would. He was surrounded by people on a normal basis. He was used to tuning out the people in his peripheral.

  But the longer he stood on the street staring at the house, the more attention he was going to draw. So Robert finally bit the bullet and strode up the driveway, where he rang the bell. And then rang it again. And as the minutes ticked by, he rang it a third time.
>
  He knew it was working because he could hear the chimes even from his position on the porch. There was a chance she wasn’t home. It was eight o’clock in the morning, and even though plenty of people here lived on island time, Malia seemed as if she was the kind who was always on the go.

  But Robert wasn’t ready to give up yet. He switched tactics and pounded on the door. “Malia! Open up!” And he kept right on pounding until the door finally opened and a pissed-off Malia stared him down.

  “Have you gone full psycho?” she snapped.

  Well, it was even harder to feel bad when she looked so damn cute. She wore another pair of short denim cutoffs and a skintight blue tank top that showed off more than it covered up. “Well, I called first.”

  “I screen my calls.”

  “I left messages.”

  “Take a hint, Farrell. I don’t want anything to do with you. I know you think there’s something between us, and I know that being told no is a revolutionary concept to you, but I. Don’t. Want. You.”

  People didn’t ignore his messages. Maybe his assistant’s calls, but when he personally picked up the damn phone, he expected a response. “If you had listened to those messages, you would’ve known about these.” He handed over a manila folder and for a second Malia didn’t take it. She just stared suspiciously as though it were a snake about to bite her at any moment.

  “What is it?”

  “One more thing you would’ve known if you’d bothered to listen to my messages.” Son of a bitch. She must’ve just deleted them without listening.

  Malia snatched the folder from him and opened it. He had to admit that she kept her face rather steady as she looked over the photos and the threatening note in the email. “Where did you get these from?”

  “That’s the exact email I opened when I got back to my room yesterday. It looks like you have a secret admirer.”

  “Me? Hey, my life is perfectly normal. You’re the one who must’ve pissed someone off. You’re a Farrell.”