The Mighty Quinns: Ryan

He waved and walked to the house, five pairs of eyes fixed on his retreat.

“That man needs an agent. He is all kinds of hot,” Arabella said. She turned to Serena. “And you, my darling Serena, are smitten.”

Serena gasped. “What?”

“Totally smitten,” Cecily said. “So, how was he in bed?”

“I did not sleep with him!” Serena cried.

“Then what was all that talk about sleeping well?” Caroline asked. “And that stare. He looked like he was about to devour you.”

“In case you’ve all forgotten, I’m getting married next month.”

“Yeah, but you don’t love Ben,” Arabella said.

Serena frowned. “What—what makes you say that?”

“You never talk about him,” Cecily said. “You haven’t mentioned him once since we left L.A. We understand. It’s all for show. And it’s a great PR move. We’ll play our part.”

“I’d do the same if I had the chance,” Caroline said. “And after a while, you just get a divorce. It’s no big deal. Every great actress goes through a few marriages before she finds the one that works.”

“Besides, Ben messes around,” Cecily said. “You should be able to have some fun of your own.”

Serena scrambled off her chaise. “It’s not like that. And I am not smitten with Ryan Quinn. Now get up and get dressed. We’re going on an adventure.” She spun around and stalked toward the house. They were right. She didn’t love Ben. She’d been able to convince herself she did, at first, but somewhere between the cheating and the time apart, she’d realized what she really wanted.

She’d fallen for the fantasy, the security of love and marriage, the happily-ever-after. Her parents, both actors, had divorced when she was six and had stumbled through a long series of affairs and marriages. Why had she thought she’d be any different?

She stopped and turned around, then strode back to the girls when she realized they weren’t following. “Are you coming or not?”

Lizzy waved her off. “Let’s just say we did and stay here. I’m still working on my hangover from last night and the jet lag is starting to set in.”

“Count me out,” Caroline said.

“Me, too,” Lizzy added.

Serena frowned. “Bella, you’ll come, right?”

Arabella groaned. “Maybe tomorrow, Serena. I really want to work on my tan. A real tan is so much nicer than a spray tan, and I’m just so white right now. But you go, if you want. Sounds like...fun.” She lowered her sunglasses. “Just be careful. You don’t want a guy like that going to the tabloids and telling all.”

“I’m not going to sleep with him,” Serena shouted. “God, you are the worst bridesmaids in the world.” When she got into the house, Juni was waiting for her with a large basket. “A picnic,” she said. “In case you get hungry?”

Serena took the basket from her. “Thank you. That was thoughtful.”

“He is waiting out front. Are the others coming?”

“No, they just want to rest.”

Juni frowned, her eyebrow arching. “Not very good bridesmaids, I’d say.”

Serena laughed. “No, Juni, not good at all.”

She passed Miles in the hall. “I’m leaving.”

“Wait. Let me grab the camera and I’ll come along,” he said.

“No need. My bridesmaids are staying behind. It’s just me and Ryan.”

“Alone? Just the two of you?” Miles asked. “Wait a moment. Are you really sure you should—”

“Don’t worry, Miles. I’ll behave myself.”

She found Ryan leaning casually against the van parked in the circular drive. She handed him the basket, then pointed to the Jeep parked behind it. “Do you have the keys?” she asked.

“I think they’re already inside,” he replied. “But we can’t take that. There’s not enough room.”

“It’s just going to be you and me,” she said. “And I’ll drive. But we’ve got to move quick or we’ll have to take Miles.” She hopped in behind the wheel and waited for him to get inside.

He tossed his day pack in the backseat, then tucked the basket in a spot on the floor before sliding into the passenger seat.

“Forget my lazy bridesmaids.” She reached for the ignition, and the Jeep roared to life. Serena smiled. “Who cares about them? I’m going to do what I want to do.”

With a hoot, she threw the Jeep into gear and pressed the accelerator to the floor just as Miles emerged from the front door.

Right now, she wanted to forget about the wedding and Ben and the mess that she’d created. She wanted to forget about her bridesmaids and publicity photos and her career. Serena wanted a lovely day with sunshine and happiness and beauty. She’d decide about the rest of it later.

* * *

IT WAS THE perfect day, Ryan mused. The sky was blue, the air was warm and the scents of Fiji filled his head. And for once, he planned to have some fun on the job.

He was usually worried about one thing or another in his professional life, but what could go wrong today? No one was going to fall off a mountainside, no one was going to freeze to death or succumb to altitude sickness. And he had an entire afternoon with Serena Hightower.

Ryan knew he had to ignore his attraction, or at least control it. So he’d decided to admire her from a distance and keep his feelings to himself. He’d be a professional and wouldn’t let his attraction show.

He didn’t have to remind himself that she was engaged. That fact was firmly embedded in his brain. And yet the moment he looked at her, Ryan forgot all about that wall between them. Instead, his mind was hijacked with thoughts of seduction, of casting aside moral objections and letting passion take over.

He drew a deep breath and made a silent vow to behave himself.

She drove along the coastal highway for a few kilometers, then turned inland, smoothly navigating the curves as they headed into the hills. Ryan gave her directions, and they left the paved road and started down a narrow dirt track cut out of the thick rain forest.

“Sorry about the other girls,” Serena said. “They’re really not the hiking sort.”

“This is your hen party. Shouldn’t they do what you want to do? I thought that was their duty as bridesmaids and as friends.”

“They’re not really my friends. I mean, I know them, but we’re not friends.”

“I don’t understand.”

“My wedding planner picked them. Mostly because they looked great in the dresses she chose. They agreed because it’s great publicity for them. And I really didn’t care.”