Caribbean Cowboy: Under the Caribbean Sun, Book 4

  What’s a little fantasy between strangers?

  Under the Caribbean Sun, Book 4

  If Dr. Janny Baird is sure of anything, it’s that love isn’t written in her stars. She keeps her libido in check and fuels her imagination with paperback fantasies. Suffering through a friend’s wedding on a remote Aleutian island, she indulges in a little Bedded by the Bad Boy by taking a wild, erotic ride on the back of a stranger’s motorcycle.

  When the previous night’s distraction turns up at the wedding looking all Taken by the Tycoon, she decides one more fantasy night won’t hurt, and gives Nik Hansen total control.

  The last thing she expects is for Mr. Bad Boy/Tycoon to show up in the Caribbean, disrupting her regularly scheduled life and ready to play Claimed by the Cowboy. As much as Nik wants to make every one of Janny’s fantasies come true, he wouldn’t mind being part of her reality. He’s determined to stake a claim…on island life and on Janny’s heart.

  Warning: Your secret fantasies are not safe. This cowboy is a patient man. He’ll reach deep inside you to make them all come true…one red-hot fantasy at a time.

  Caribbean Cowboy

  Jenna Bayley-Burke

  Dedication

  For my sweet Hayden. You can be anything you want to be, so long as you know who you are.

  Chapter One

  “I need a screaming orgasm.” The curly haired goddess said with an exotic Caribbean lilt that had been catching his ear all evening. She tapped her fingertips on the bar set up in a corner of the ballroom. At least that’s what the hotel called this oversized event space. He doubted there had ever been an actual ball in Dutch Harbor. Brawl, sure. But they weren’t exactly known for class and debutants around here.

  “Come again?” The bartender blinked and then shook his balding head.

  Nik Hansen coughed, not sure if he were being punked. He had eight brothers in the room, and any of them were capable of a practical joke like this. But the bartender looked lost, much more accustomed to demands for beer and whiskey more suited to Alaskan fishermen. Someone should have given the guy a heads up that this rehearsal dinner might require a basic knowledge of chick drinks.

  “A screaming orgasm?” she repeated and then licked her full lips. “It’s a blowjob with vodka.”

  The bartender’s eyes widened, and Nik shook his head. This place hadn’t changed a bit in the four years since he’d last been here. He stepped forward and set his elbow on the bar, blocking the view of one of the deckhands who’d worked his father’s crab boat since he could remember.

  “Princess, I’ll help you out.” He turned to the bartender and counted the ingredients with his fingers. “Ice, vodka, Bailey’s, Kahlua.”

  She narrowed her gaze at him, her eyes as clear and blue as a glacier, a striking contrast against her creamy cocoa skin.

  The bartender shook his head. “I’m out of Bailey’s.”

  Nik scanned the bottles behind the bar and nodded at the exotic beauty. “No screaming orgasms or blowjobs with him tonight.”

  She blinked those luminous eyes. “Not sure I’ll last much longer without a real drink.”

  “Sex on the beach?” He smiled wide, suddenly thankful for poor liquor distribution. “I wouldn’t recommend ordering sex with the captain around this bunch of wheelhouse jockeys, unless you’re up for a cockfight.”

  Her shoulders shook as she laughed, and she licked those perfect lips again. “I think Holly might object if I turn her rehearsal dinner into a melee.”

  “Sex on the beach it is.” He turned to the bartender. “Orange juice, cranberry juice peach schnapps and vodka. I’ll take a shot of Jäger.” He should have guessed the beauty would be one of his sister’s friends.

  The bartender served her first. She picked up the glass and gave it a stir with the plastic straw. “Thanks for translating.”

  “I’m at your service, Princess. Anything you need, just ask.”

  “I bet you are.” She turned and walked away, her lavender dress hugging her spectacular assets.

  “Nice try, cowboy.” His younger brother, Val, appeared, laughing as he stole the shot of Jäger on the bar.

  Nik shrugged. The night was young, and so was he.

  “You’re trying too hard to smile. It’s giving you bitchy resting face.” Falco sank into his chair and stared at Janny from two seats away at the empty table.

  “Perhaps I’m just annoyed to have to talk to you.” Janny grabbed for the fruity concoction the hot biker at the bar had ordered for her and found it empty. She should have ordered two.

  “You try too hard to put me off to actually dislike me.” Falco’s tailored suit and dark blond hair were styled to slick perfection. He might not carry the Prinsen name, but he’d been raised like one. That alone made him worth avoiding. “It’s a wedding. Happiness is in the air, covering up the lingering aroma of the harbor. Why are you in such a mood?”

  She shook her head, the reasons too stupid to articulate. And sitting with the European charmer did not help matters. She wiped the condensation from her glass and checked the watch embedded in the bangle on her wrist. Almost an hour until she could escape for the pre-wedding festivities with her friends.

  “You don’t have a thing for Harm, do you?”

  She wrinkled her nose and squeezed her glass. “That’s disgusting.”

  He held up his hands. “Just checking. No need to break anything, sweetheart.” He took the glass from her hand and set it on the table. “You need to perk up. You’re making the girls worry.”

  “I am not your sweetheart, and we are women, not girls.” She stared at the bustling rehearsal dinner party. She’d come to this wedding to support her best girlfriends, not concern them.

  “I stand corrected, Dr. Baird. I’ll correct my English vernacular if you will stop being so sour. Everyone knows you have a hate on for the Prinsen brothers. I’ve heard all about how you tried to warn Saskia off Joe, and how you told Holly that Harm was some kind of Casanova. Plus, you’ve gone out of your way to make Tonnis uncomfortable whenever he stays over with Kristen. Luckily, they’re all smart enough not to listen to you.”

  She didn’t deny it. Having her friends date the Prinsens was a nightmare. She didn’t want anything to do with them, and yet she couldn’t get away now that they’d attached themselves to her favorite people. She prayed everything would work out for her girlfriends, but the guys had horrible track records when it came to women.

  “Look, Janny, can you just try a little harder to be happy for your friends so that they can stop worrying about you and enjoy themselves?”

  “If you would stop hounding me, I’m sure my frown would turn upside down all on its own.”

  A lazy grin lifted his model-worthy features. “Then get better at faking happy, or I will be all over you.”

  “I’m sure you’re used to women faking it, Falco.” Janny stood and smoothed her skirt. “You want to see me happy? Stay the hell away from me.”

  The hotel balcony might not be far enough for a true escape, but hopefully enough time in a Prinsen-free zone would keep her from smacking one upside the head.

  She closed the door and turned toward the view of the harbor, her heart leaping to her throat as her gaze targeted the tight butt of the hot biker she had been trying not to notice since he’d roared up in front of the hotel lobby and left his motorcycle right there in the middle of the walkway.

  He tossed a glance over his shoulder, a naughty grin spreading across his face. “I’m going to pretend
you came out here looking for screaming orgasms and blowjobs.”

  “I’ll pretend you’re not here at all.” She made her way to the railing, giving him a wide berth. As sexy as he looked in his black work boots and jeans that fit like they were made for him, she didn’t want to encourage him.

  “You’re as icy as your blue eyes, aren’t you?” He turned toward her, leaning his hip against the rail. His white T-shirt settled to outline the cut of his muscles and set off the deep tan on his skin.

  “So I’ve been told. It’s nothing personal.” Janny knew she sounded harsh, but she truly needed to be alone, to get her bearings before having to face the festivities again. She didn’t belong here, couldn’t believe she’d been talked into it by her best friend. She’d spent her whole life avoiding any interaction with the Prinsen family, and yet here she was, attending the wedding of Harm Prinsen. Watching Sebastian Prinsen dote on his three sons, throwing money at whatever problem came up.

  “If you didn’t come out here to brighten my evening, what has you sneaking out of a perfectly good party?”

  “You snuck out too.” She turned to face him, noticing a silver chain that disappeared beneath his shirt and tattoo of thick black lines peeking beneath his short sleeve.

  “I’m not used to being around this many people at once. I need to clear my head before I jump back in.” He turned back to the harbor and she did the same.

  “I know the feeling. Maybe if I stay here long enough, I’ll be able to sneak away.”

  “Like I said before, I’ll help you with anything you need.”

  “I bet you would.” The harbor stretched out in front of them, still active even at the late hour. “I thought fishermen had the weekend off.”

  He turned his head and arched a dark brow. “There are no days off in fishing.”

  “Are you a fisherman?”

  “Oh, hell no. I prefer to stay on solid ground the way nature intended.” He nodded and turned his gaze back to the boats.

  “I just figured it was some kind of holiday since Holly moved the wedding from Anguilla to Alaska because her dad and brothers are all fishermen. But from the looks of the ships coming in and out and all the bustle on the docks, that’s not the case.”

  “Alaska fishery never takes a day off. These guys will leave a harbor choked with ice to battle hurricane-force winds. It’s hard to tell if they’re lacking in fear or common sense.” He turned toward her, moving so close they nearly touched. “It’s nice that you would come all this way for Holly’s wedding.”

  “Holly is amazing.” Janny swallowed the truth. She didn’t admit to anyone that she was related to the Prinsens, let alone some bad boy on the make.

  “She’s amazing for talking me into coming all the way up here.”

  “You’re a friend of Holly’s too?” She’d pegged his confident masculinity and cocksure attitude for one of Harm’s buddies. Alpha males tended to pack together.

  “I’m the best friend she’s ever had.”

  “And yet you’re not a bridesmaid. That must have broken your heart not to be asked.”

  He had a warm laugh, full of joy and mirth. He leaned his arms on the railing, the silence companionable. No one came looking for either of them. Good to know she wasn’t the only unnecessary entity at this event. A shiver of awareness raced down her spine, and she knew he was gazing at her, not the harbor.

  “I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but you’re gorgeous.” He reached out and twirled a dark curl around his finger. “Your skin has me thinking about hot cocoa and your eyes are as blue as the summer sky.”

  “Can’t you do better than that for a come-on? Really. That’s pretty tired.” Pasting on her best haughty look so he wouldn’t know his words had touched a part of her she rarely let out, she turned to face him. He didn’t let go of her hair, just kept sliding a ringlet between his thumb and finger.

  He shrugged, the movement somehow sending a waft of his spicy cologne in her direction. He smelled amazing, like leather and danger. “It’s only a come-on if you want it to be. I was just appreciating the view.”

  “As opposed to watching the scramble of Dutch Harbor.” She turned her head and her hair slipped from his grasp. She really should return to the party and leave the biker bad boy to his own devices. No doubt, there were a dozen women inside who would show him a much better time. But she’d never felt so alone in a crowded room in all her life. And out here, well, it wasn’t lonely. “I pictured Alaska differently. I expected icy-blue glaciers and tall mountains, forests full of fat grizzly bears and moose standing in the middle of the road.”

  “Unalaska is a rock in the middle of the Bering Sea. It’s really only Alaska by zip code. The island does have its charms. I could take you for a ride on my motorcycle and show you around.” Those hazel eyes sent her a message that had nothing to do with the scenery.

  “I bet you could. I’m sure there’s lots you want to show me on that thundering monster of yours.”

  “So you’ve seen Laverne. I rebuilt her as a teenager when I thought loud meant fast. Poor girl hasn’t had a proper ride in ages.”

  “Of course, you named your bike.”

  “It’s pretty standard. I needed to make sure she still ran before I shipped her back to Oregon so she can meet her much sleeker sister.”

  “Shirley?”

  “Of course.” His laugh was back, and she couldn’t help but join in. He leaned closer, pressing his body against hers only to point out toward the bay. “See those birds circling and touching down in the water?”

  She nodded and followed his gaze, trying her best not to notice how her body heated everywhere they touched. He’d somehow managed to kindle a fire within her, like a long fuse had been lit and everything in her waited for the explosion.

  “It’s a humpback whale. Wait for it, it’ll blow.”

  He had no idea. The soft baritone of his voice so close to her ear sent fantasies breaking free. She’d hoped for a little romance on her holiday, she’d just expected it to happen next week in Greece on the trip she and her best friend had delayed in order to attend the wedding. But maybe now would be better. Goodness knew, she could use the distraction. And who hadn’t dreamed of being swept away by a bad boy a time or two?

  A spout of water shot up and the birds launched to avoid it. He reached his arm around her and squeezed. “Pretty cool, right?”

  She turned her face to look up at him and saw his hazel eyes were dancing with mischief. She knew in that moment he would kiss her, and she would let him. Welcome it even. His sensual smile neared, and she closed her eyes, letting sensation take over as his lips brushed hers. Once, twice, and then his tongue traced her lower lip.

  The slow precision of his kiss coiled exquisite longing deep in her belly. He captured her mouth, filling her with the taste of wild freedom and warm spices. The unhurried slide of his tongue beside hers tightened everything within her.

  Didn’t he realize anyone could open the balcony door and find them? They ought to hurry. Or stop. Or get the hell out of here.

  She melted into him, a willing prisoner to his persistence. She crushed her breasts to the hard planes of his chest, wanting more. Wanting to forget how out of place she felt at a Prinsen wedding and wanting to indulge in the secret biker fantasy she’d harbored since her teens.

  Except this wasn’t a fantasy. Her best friend was inside, and the people biology declared her family. Parading past them with Mr. Sex-on-legs would be more than the walk of shame. It would be the path of scandal.

  She pressed against his chest and he tipped his head up, his breathing as labored as hers. A storm gathered in his hazel eyes, the golden flecks seeming to glow. What she wouldn’t give to be the one who thundered a release from him. How she liked the rain.

  “Want to get out of here?” He nuzzled her nose with his.

  “Yes.” Did s
he ever. Because that kiss had been better than any she’d ever read about. And she could see a night unfolding exactly the way it would if life were like the novels she read. “But I’ll be leaving with my friend, the actual bridesmaid. Girls’ night before the big day tomorrow.”

  He nodded. “If you get lonely, just give me a call.”

  “I don’t even know your name.” She took a step back, drying her palms on the skirt of her floral sundress. Had she really just kissed a stranger?

  He held out his hand. “I’m Nik.”

  “Janny.” She slid her hand into his and tingles danced up her arm. She pulled away lest she forget herself. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Nik.”

  “I hope I don’t have to wait that long.”

  Nik Hansen sidled up next to his eldest brother at the bar. Holly was the first of the Hansen dozen to marry, so they’d all gathered for the event. It rated higher than birthdays, graduations or salmon tendering.

  “Ice, just ice,” he said to another bartender he didn’t recognize. He hadn’t been home since Christmas of his senior year in college. Things had changed thanks to a bit of notoriety courtesy of reality television and a handful of red crab boats. There’d been an influx of new faces, making him feel even more out of place than he had growing up.

  “What the hell? Ice?” Brand held up his empty shot glass. “Have another Jäger with me.”

  Nik shook his head and thanked the bartender when his ice appeared, not responding until Brand’s glass was filled to the brim. “I need to take Laverne out and burn up whatever shit gas Rainier filled her up with.”

  Brand downed the shot without a wince. “Rainier’s had his own wheels for years. My money is on Finn.”

  Nik did a double blink. He had a hard time thinking of his youngest brother doing anything but watching SpongeBob. “Finn is fourteen. Who’s letting him ride my bike?”

  “Fourteen is when they let us drive, remember?”

  Yes, well, he’d been much older at fourteen, hadn’t he? He crunched an ice cube. “We could only drive if we were working.”