Page 5 of Promise Not to Fall for the Rich & Famous

Gage followed him into the lounge.

Then onto the staff’s patio.

And finally to the tennis courts. Still no Carly.

Along the way, Christian introduced him to a dozen of the Royal Palm’s finest, including the owners, a couple who’d followed Christian’s entire dance career. They were also big fans of Mark Craven, Gage’s father. Most people were.

Gage wasn’t sure why, but as he and Christian explored every quarter of the resort while looking for this Carly chick, a knot of nerves rolled through his gut. To make matters worse, the anticipation mounded each time they came up empty at yet another spot. At last they came to an outdoor dining establishment not too far off from the beach.

“She’s carving the wave, guys,” a bartender told them while shaking a stainless steel mixer with both hands. The short man squinted and nodded toward the beach. “The red wetsuit. You can’t miss her.”

Gage twisted to look over his shoulder. At first glance, he couldn’t see her at all. But as he looked closer, sharpening his gaze with narrowed eyes, a small blonde in a bright red top emerged from a massive tunnel of water. She cut beyond the crashing wave, seeming to hover above the foaming white as sherode the remaining swell. If he didn’t know better, Gage might say she controlled the water itself, like some sort of sea goddess.

If she’s Amphitrite, I want to be her Poseidon.

Gage scolded himself at the thought, not that he could’ve helped it; she was incredible. Sure, he couldn’t exactly see her face from there, but a woman who could surf like that was definitely sexy.

Chuckles sounded behind his back. “Yeah,” the bartender said. “That’s what I said when I first saw her out there.”

Gage hadn’t noticed until then that he’d taken a few steps away from the bar and was facing the ocean with a dropped jaw. He shot the man a disapproving look. “I didn’t say anything.”

“Exactly,” the man bellowed with a laugh.

Christian rolled his eyes.

The bartender, a mustached man in his mid thirties, Gage guessed, leaned an arm over the bar. “William’s the name. Can I get you anything to drink?”

Gage crossed back over to the bar and shook the man’s hand. “Gage Craven. And thanks, but I’m good for now.”

“Craven?” His brows lifted. “You’re not?—”

“Yep, that’s him.” Christian slapped a hand on Gage’s shoulder. “Mark Craven’s son. Of course, you know the rules—got to keep that tidbit on the down low. But between us, he’s taking surf lessons from Carly to train for a lead role in an upcoming film.”

“Ah,” William said. “Lucky guy.”

A spark of unwarranted jealousy rumbled through Gage. “Yeah, thanks.”

“Looks like she’s heading back, guys,” William said with a nod. “Here’s your chance.”

Gage glanced over his shoulder to see Carly striding away from the shore. A fresh round of nerves stirred in his belly.

Christian tapped out a riff on the counter before stepping away from it. “Thanks, man,” he said. “Catch you later.”

Bright sunrays soaked into Gage’s skin as they crossed the sandy beach. He tried to keep his eyes trained on his steps, but he couldn’t help but glance up and take in the sight ahead.

Carly was running fingers through her blonde, shoulder-length hair, leaning to one side so the water dripped onto the sand.

“I hope Cyree already told her about the changes,” Christian mumbled.

Gage squinted over at him. “What changes? And what difference will it make?”

Christian kept on walking. “A lot,” he said with a dark chuckle.

Gage’s nerves spiked up a notch. “Are you serious?” He grabbed Christian’s arm to stop him. “Why? Why does she care who she’s working with?”

Christian spun to face him. “She prefers working with children. In fact, I’d say it’s one of the only reasons she even took this job. She requests training any kids twelve and under. Teens too, if she has room for more. But Carlynevertrains our adult guests.”

Gage’s heart pounded out of beat at the news.Sheesh. First Christian practically accuses him of toying with the woman’s emotions—before he’d even met her—and now he finds out she only wants to train kids? Gage was starting to feel more like an intruder than a guest.