“Where are you calling?”
“Texas,” she said, then put her hand on her hip. “Would you like a name and phone number?”
“Nah,” Stuart said, either not hearing her irritation or ignoring it. “It’s just that they’re an hour behind. Soit’s only ten there, and it’s Sunday, so you oughta at least wait an hour. Let whoever you’re calling sleep in and play a game or two with us.”
Kyra looked mildly terrified. “But I’ve never… I don’t know how.”
Apparently Stuart took that as a yes, because he was up out of his chair and helping her off with her jacket. He tossed it Tony’s way. “It’s easy. You’ll have a ball.”
“Um, but…” She looked from Stuart to C.J., and then to Tony, her gaze lingering on him.
Tony grinned. “Have fun.”
“Thanks.You’rea lot of help.”
That just made his smile broader, and as Stuart led her away, he realized how much he enjoyed being near her. He’d loved the feel of her in his arms last night, but he wanted more than just to have Kyra in his bed. A lot more. And he hadn’t the faintest idea how to go about getting her.
“Nice girl,” C.J. said, pulling Tony away from the enticing view of Kyra stripping off her shorts to reveal a matching swimsuit bottom.
“Hmm?”
C.J. chuckled. “I said, nice girl.”
“Kyra?” Tony said, feigning nonchalance. “Yeah. I guess so.”
“Give it up, son. You’re talking to a man who’s been infatuated with a woman once or twice in his life.”
“I didn’t realize I was so transparent.” He glancedtoward the pool, wondering if Kyra’d been glad to get away from the scarred guy who had the hots for her.
“Don’t worry, kid. I don’t think she noticed.”
“You read minds professionally? Or is it just a hobby?”
“I just recognize a kindred spirit when I see one.” He gestured toward the bar. “I’m not flying today. Can I buy you a beer?”
“Sure.”
The older man left for the bar as Tony wondered what he meant about kindred spirits. When C.J. came back with two ice-cold long necks, Tony didn’t waste time letting the man sit down. “You’ve got a girl on one of the islands,” he guessed.
The older man’s eyes sparkled. “Got? No. But I’m working on it.”
Tony leaned forward, his mind sifting through the possibilities. “Staff or guest?”
“What is this? Twenty questions?”
“Just curious.” Tony genuinely liked this man. C.J. was one of those salt-of-the-earth guys, the kind who looked like they carried around a ton of baggage, yet never let it get to them. The kind of man who deserved to be genuinely off-the-scale happy, but always seemed to come in a few points short. “So who is she?”
“Not yet, buddy.” C.J. took a long swallow of beer. “I like you, kid, I really do. And maybe one of these days I’ll tell you. In the meantime, I’ll keep your secret from Kyra if you keep mine to yourself, okay?”
Tony chuckled, but nodded, and they watched the game in companionable silence until C.J. stood up. “Time for me to go clean out the plane.” He polished off the rest of his beer. “Remember my advice, kid. You want to get to know Miss Cartwright, you have to work for it.”
“What if she doesn’t want me?”
C.J. shrugged. “Change her mind. Figure out some way to make her want you.” He leaned closer. “All’s fair in love and war.”
“You really think I can?”
The older man tossed his empty bottle toward the trashcan, hitting the center dead-on. “I think there comes a point in your life when you just have to go after what you want and damn the consequences.” He stood up, clapping Tony on the shoulder, then leaned over, close to his ear. “Take it from one who knows—it’s better to learn that lesson when you’re young. Less catching up to do.”
