PRINCE CHARMING: A Stepbrother Secret Baby Romance(107)

“Not now, Dad,” Chance grumbled. “I’m not that into her.”

“Really? I wouldn’t have guessed that based on how fixated your eyes are on that particular table.”

“There happen to be two women over there,” he said and sipped his coffee. “Anyway, what have you been up to?”

“Me? Nothing much.” He looked absently around the room.

“That’s what you call her?” he asked. “I’ve seen you sneaking out of your room like a teenager.”

“Watch it, son,” Bryan said sternly.

Chance laughed. “Every bit the player you have always been.”

“No reason to quit the game while I’m still breathing, right?” he asked. “But I kind of like this one, you know. She is different, and there comes a time when a man must stop running.”

“You’ve been running?” Chance asked.

“When was the last time you saw me serious about a woman?”

Chance thought about that for a minute. “I believe you are right. No one really since Mom died.”

“Your mom was my life, but I have to move on at some point.” He looked over at the table where Amy and Claire sat. “Besides, I have set a bad example for you.”

“Teaching me to be a player? Of course not, Dad.”

“All I’m trying to say, son, is don’t be a rolling stone like your old man. Find a woman that means something and stick to her.”

“Wait, was that actual fatherly advice?” Chance grinned. “When did you get so philosophical?”

“Yeah, don’t get used to it; I’m not so good at that,” he said and ruffled his hair. “I do need some heirs, you know. Anyway, I need to get some sleep.”

“Sleep? It’s only eight in the…oh…I see what’s happening,” Chance laughed. “Or happened.”

“Too smart for your own good,” he grinned sheepishly. “I’ll see you later.”

“You know what,” he said to his father. “I believe you just gave me an idea.”

“Uh-oh. Should I be concerned?”

“You should be proud,” he said to him and ruffled the old man’s hair when he walked past.

Chance had no intention of surrendering his game; if anything, he planned to up the ante. His stunt this morning was just to get her attention, to test how much of an effect he’d had on her. It probably wasn’t the best thing to have done, but he had to do something to get a reaction out of her. Better any reaction than a cold shoulder. Chance made sure not to look at her when he was leaving but still walked by close enough so she could see him walking by her. He smiled when he imagined what Amy and Claire would think as he hurried to his room to make preparations for what he was sure would happen soon enough.

***

Chance waited on his balcony until he saw movement in her room. He leaned against the rail and pretended he didn’t see her watching him. He flexed his muscles and searched the beach for nothing in particular, all the while spying on her out of the corner of his eye. Almost nonchalantly, he turned and stretched, and his face showed recognition when he saw her. He smiled and waved quickly before going back into his room.

He fell against the bed, feeling like an idiot. What if she didn’t take the bait? He wasn’t even sure this was going to work. Damn it! Maybe he should just go over and ask her to dinner before another man beat him to it. Or, even worse, before she believed he was no longer interested and the opportunity passed him by. He was doing it all wrong.

With his heart in his hands, he crossed the courtyard and stood just beneath her window. He picked up a pebble and tossed it at the lattice door. He waited anxiously for a few seconds before tossing another. He was just about to toss the third when she came out on the balcony.

“I thought that might be you,” she said and leaned over to look at him. “You need to grow up, you know.”

“Would you like to go to dinner with me?” he asked. “You can’t say no.”

“In that case, I guess I have no choice,” she smiled back. “But I’m not hungry.”

“Okay then, how about a stroll on the beach? We can eat dinner later,” he said. His confidence was returning now that he hadn’t been rejected.

“I guess,” she said. “Nothing better to do. Let me get dressed.”

“I’ll be waiting here,” he responded and watched as she disappeared inside.

Chance couldn’t remember the last time he felt so nervous about being with a person; Claire was a force to be reckoned with. She was strong and stubborn, from what he could tell, and she could easily blow him off whenever she felt like it. He wasn’t really in control of this game.

Claire walked up behind him without him realizing it. She tapped him on the shoulder.

Chance jumped and turned to her. “I didn’t see you come up.”

“Maybe you should pay more attention,” she said.

“Maybe,” he replied with a grin.

Claire was absolutely taken by his good looks, his dimples, and the commanding air he possessed. He seemed confident and self-assured, and she wasn’t sure she was a good fit for him. Still, this was a vacation, and this fling would probably end with the week.

“So deep,” she smiled.