The Irresistible Groom_Texas Titan Romances Read online

  He exhaled and couldn’t help but smile. He missed Anne more than he would ever admit to anyone. He knocked softly on the door and waited. Finally, a sniffle and a whispered “yes?” came through the door.

  “Are you okay? I heard … crying.”

  She opened the door a crack. The storm had blown over, and all was calm outside, but all was not calm for Maddie. A lamp by the bedside revealed red, puffy eyes. Zack could swear his sister’s ghost must’ve nudged him forward, because no sane man who wanted to stay sane, happy, and alone in the world would walk toward a distraught beauty and enfold her in his arms.

  Maddie jerked in surprise as his arms wrapped around her; then she leaned into him, and her arms found their way around him, too. Zack rested his cheek on top of her head and simply held her. After a few minutes, which stirred all kinds of longings and romantic feelings he had no right to be feeling with this stranger, he hoped he’d offered her some kind of comfort. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  Maddie bit at her lower lip for a second, then spit out, “I think my father’s dead.” She shook her head. “I’m pretty sure he’s dead.”

  “I’m sorry.” More questions raced through Zack’s mind, but he didn’t feel it was the right time to ask if that was why she’d shown up on his island. “Were you close to him?”

  “Not really. I only saw him a few times growing up. He always took my mom on trips, but never me. He asked me to come to the Caribbean to celebrate graduating with my master’s degree. I thought it was going to be this great vacation, but then …” Her voice trailed off. “Are you close to your father?”

  The question was a surprise. Zack’s arms fell away from her, and he stepped back. “No. I wish I’d only seen him a few times growing up.” He forced a smile and pushed memories of his father back into the closed compartment he thought he’d sealed tight enough that nothing would leak out—especially at moments like this. How would he feel if his father was dead? Probably relieved and guiltier than ever. “Do you think you can sleep now?”

  “Probably not, but I really appreciate the, um, comfort.”

  “Anytime.” Zack started. How had he said that and actually meant it? She would be gone in the morning. He’d figure out where he could take her that she deemed safe, and he’d never see her again. There wasn’t going to be an “anytime.” He backed out of her room, muttered “good night,” and fled down the wide hallway.

  Find Caribbean Rescue on Amazon or buy the entire set of Billionaire Beach Romances here.

  Also by Cami Checketts

  Navy Seal Romance

  The Protective Warrior

  The Captivating Warrior

  Texas Titan Romance

  The Fearless Groom

  The Trustworthy Groom

  The Beastly Groom

  Billionaire Beach Romance

  Caribbean Rescue

  Cozumel Escape

  Cancun Getaway

  Trusting the Billionaire

  How to Kiss a Billionaire

  Onboard for Love

  Shadows in the Curtain

  Billionaire Bride Pact Romance

  The Resilient One

  The Feisty One

  The Independent One

  The Protective One

  The Faithful One

  The Daring One

  Park City Firefighter Romance

  Rescued by Love

  Reluctant Rescue

  Stone Cold Sparks

  Echo Ridge Romance

  Christmas Makeover

  Last of the Gentlemen

  My Best Man’s Wedding

  Change of Plans

  Counterfeit Date

  Snow Valley

  Full Court Devotion: Christmas in Snow Valley

  A Touch of Love: Summer in Snow Valley

  Running from the Cowboy: Spring in Snow Valley

  Light in Your Eyes: Winter in Snow Valley

  Romancing the Singer: Return to Snow Valley

  Other Books by Cami

  Pass Interference: A Last Play Romance

  Saving Sycamore Bay

  How to Design Love

  Oh, Come On, Be Faithful

  Protect This

  Blog This

  Redeem This

  The Broken Path

  Dead Running

  Dying to Run

  Fourth of July

  Poison Me

  The Colony

  Copyright

  The Irresistible Groom: Texas Titans Romance

  Copyright © 2018 by Cami Checketts

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Cover art: Novak Illustrations