A VERY UN-SHAKESPEARE ROMANCE: ‘A Fake Dad Grumpy Sunshine Romantic Comedy’

Her strategy had paid off.

Granted, it had taken her two days to find the right opportunity, but Robbie had flirted back but good. He’d stolen her breath when he’d stripped off his sweaty shirt, revealing the kind of muscular, masculine back guaranteed to make women drool. Of course, it wasn’t professional to check out a target like that, but she was only human.

Lily practically skipped back to the house at her success. The moment she entered, she caught Sheila fanning herself as she fussed with the flowers they’d bought at the store and stuck in a round white vase. Little domestic covers like that could help an op seem legit. Buck always said it was the details that counted, and as Lily looked around their rental, she decided it was starting to pay off.

“Robbie O’Connor certainly takes care of the body God gave him,” Sheila declared with a breathy sigh as she righted a red gerbera daisy. “I’m only sorry you didn’t get a chance to see his chest. It was hold the phone gorgeous!”

Lily could imagine. If it was anything like his back…but she refrained from saying so aloud. “I told you he wanted a challenge.”

Sheila’s soft drink hissed as she opened it, and she took a healthy sip before smacking her lips. “I assume you have another challenge planned for Lieutenant Hottie O’Connor? Wanna bet how long it takes before we have a dinner or drinks with him and his brother? Poor Billie has wanted it so bad the last couple of days even I felt sorry for the guy. But he gets props for not pulling the trigger without his brother’s consent.”

“Billie loves those girls and his family.” She grabbed a coconut water from the fridge and then a beach towel she’d set out earlier on the white barstool, rubbing it over her sweat-slicked skin. The humidity was suffocating outside, and it was barely eight o’clock. “But I think I got us some new momentum. I’m going to do a little surfing with the surfboard I rented so I can intrigue Robbie a little more. How could I pass up the best surfing on the Atlantic Coast? Later, how do you feel about some bikini volleyball? Do you think you can maneuver the O’Connor boys into a game?”

“Honey.” Sheila mimed striking the ball as she shot her a dry glance. “Putty in my hands—only I’d better wear my sports bra. The girls would fall right out of my bikini when I serve. While some would love the view, there are children around.”

Lily saluted her as she left for the shower. “I give it two days before Robbie breaks and agrees to a date. Which will put Billie out of his misery.”

“One!” Sheila shouted back.

Grinning, Lily headed upstairs. Sheila really was an optimist sometimes. Nothing would please her more than for her partner to be right. She was itching for movement on this case.

When she exited the house again after a light breakfast, carrying her new yellow surfboard, the men were playing with the girls on the beach. Reagan was shoring up a new sandcastle with Tim while Cassidy attempted to shovel their construction material into her matching red plastic bucket with Robbie as her assistant. Billie was making some kind of moat with his pointer finger. If she was a normal person not on an undercover case, she would have thought they all looked completely adorable together. Three large men and two little girls. Quaint.

“Put a sway into those little hips of yours, Sunshine.” Sheila sauntered beside her, decked out in a white sports bra with matching bikini bottoms, white sunglasses, and white flip-flops. She looked hot. Like straight out of a music video hot.

“I’ll do my best,” she answered, throwing a little motion into her gait. But she knew she didn’t have the curves or hip rotation Sheila did.

One pair of eyes found them immediately. Billie waved, which prompted Reagan and Cassidy to pause their playing and do the same. She and Sheila both returned the greeting, but Lily kept her pace casual as she left Sheila to spread her towel and catch some sun.

Carrying her board toward the water, she could feel Robbie’s eyes on her. She didn’t know why, but she knew it was him. His gaze seemed to sear her skin. No question about it, he knew how to watch and assess discreetly—but thoroughly—like any seasoned law enforcement officer. She wondered if he’d worked undercover before. They would have that in common.

Stop it, Lily. Eyes on the prize.

“Hey, Summer!” She turned as Billie called her name, sprung up like a giant, and jogged over. “Wow! You surf?”

“Yeah.” She kept walking as he trekked alongside her, waving at Sheila playfully with his power-watt you know you want this smile. “Since I was a kid. I can’t wait to get out on the water.”

“Cool!” His fingers skimmed the board with obvious appreciation. “I’ve only boogie boarded and even then, they don’t make too many boards big enough for me. Hey! Watch out for jellyfish. There seems to be a ton today.”

“Thanks!” she responded, heading into the water, not wanting to get stopped for more conversation.

She had a focus, and that was intriguing Robbie O’Connor more. She waded out into the ocean, enjoying the feeling of the warm water moving against her skin. Growing up beside the Pacific, she’d had to balance her love of the water with its coldness, ensuring her core temperature stayed strong. Here, she was already misting with sweat.

The ocean was one of the few places she felt safe, free, and in control, perhaps because she had no one to rely on but herself. No one interfering with her. That had been a heady feeling for a young girl who’d often felt trapped.

Breathing deeply, she tuned in to her surroundings, letting the waves rock over her. Sure enough, she spotted a pale brown undulating jellyfish. She wasn’t thrilled about the bell-shaped stingers, but the ocean always carried some risks. Undertow had been her greatest in the Pacific, but she’d managed. She’d manage today too.

She slid onto her board and started paddling out, eyeing the crest of approaching waves. God, they were beautiful with their turquoise and darker blues mixing with the white where the waves broke. She chose her wave, preparing herself to rise up onto her board and ride it out. Right before it reached her, she pushed up gently onto her board, setting her feet and balancing her weight. The thrill of it had her heart dancing in her chest.

God, she loved that moment. The wind rushed over her face, and she felt the water hold the board as she moved in harmony with the subtle movement under her feet. She’d tried to teach her ex-boyfriend to surf, but he’d fought the water. One had to move with the water to balance on top of it and let it carry you.

Much like she’d learned about life.

When the wave brought her in and receded, she heard enthusiastic clapping from little people. She’d wondered if the girls would be curious. Not all children liked the water. Sure, Cassidy seemed to try and run into it every chance she had, but so far, none of the O’Connor brothers had let Reagan and Cassidy into the water much past the tide coming in.

They were smart about disguising their protectiveness by putting the girls on their shoulders and wading into the water, but she’d noted it. The girls had floaties for safety, but the brothers didn’t let them get in the ocean alone for one minute. She wondered if they would have been as vigilant if the girls were older. When she’d been young, no one had worried about her being in the water, and frankly, she’d been glad. There had been enough stifling in other quarters.

When Lily slipped back into the water, she heard a male whistle of appreciation and Sheila’s hoot. Sure enough, like he had for the last couple of days, Billie was sitting next to her partner on the beach as Sheila slowly applied sunscreen to her arms. He hadn’t reached for the bottle to help yet, but Lily wouldn’t be surprised if Sheila let him help her with her back today.

What a girl had to do on a case…

“That was so cool!”

She glanced to the right. Reagan was running over, Robbie jogging behind her. Tim rushed after Cassidy, who was flailing her red sand shovel in the air with glee. Waving again at the girls, she turned and swam out, smiling. The girls were going to make this easy. So far, they’d kept their distance, something she imagined was due to Robbie. But today she was going to change that. She might even give Reagan a little surf lesson if the O’Connors approved. She was a certified swimming teacher, after all, something she’d enjoyed doing when she’d run children’s programs during summer vacations. Plus, the extra money had been nice.

Riding the board a few more times, she started putting on a show, punching up her hops onto the board as she rode a wave in. The girls were now cheering her every move, jumping up and down, the sandcastle long forgotten. Tim was grinning in that easy way of his.

Robbie was trying not to look intrigued as well as downright concerned. His arms were crossed over his shirtless chest. She should have known his protectiveness would come out with her on the water. Clearly, he didn’t like it. Attitude radiated from every hard, masculine line of his gorgeous body. Like he was pissed off she had forced him to pay her attention, worry about her even.

God, she loved her job sometimes.

She upped the wattage of her smiles and waves to the girls as she danced with her board and the ocean. On her final run, she did a backflip off the board before heading into shallow water, a trick she’d mastered when she was about Reagan’s age. Not from her mother, of course. A kind surfer had taken her under his wing when she’d showed an interest in surfing. He’d given her one of his old boards, and to her back then, he’d given her the sweetest gift of all: freedom.

When she surfaced, more cheering sounded. Feeling that rush of excitement in her veins she always got from watersports, she grabbed her surfboard and swam to shore. She noted the large jellyfish before it collided with her right leg, and she darted out of its path. When she looked up, Robbie had waded into the water with a massive frown.

“Do you have a cramp?” he called.

She shook her head. “Jellyfish.”

His jaw popping reached her ears. “Did you get stung?”

The edge of his voice was razor-sharp with concern. “No. I’m good.”

Had he planned on saving her?

When she reached the shallows, she kept her gaze on the water for any other stinging inhabitants. She sidestepped a trio of smaller jellyfish and broke from the water, the sand pulling under her feet. Robbie had a protective arm around Reagan, who had a tense, worried look on her little face.

“You okay?” he asked as she approached. His gaze ran over her, as if to ensure she hadn’t been stung. She kinda liked that. After the kind of abuse she’d been around as a child, she was a sucker for a guy who so obviously cared about other people’s well-being.

You are undercover, Lily.

“I’m great! The water feels terrific and being back on a board was heaven.”

He finally lifted his hand from Reagan, who rushed up to her with wide and excited eyes. “I’m glad you’re okay because that was so cool! You were like a ballet dancer on the water.”

“Thank you,” she said humbly, slicking the water from her ponytail. “I’ve been a water sprite since I was younger than you. There’s nothing better.”

“You looked like you were one with the ocean,” Tim commented as he walked over with a gurgling, drooling Cassidy. “Having tried surfing once, I know you made it seem easier than it really is.”

Cassidy thrust out her shovel, like she was inviting her to join their party. “Are you a water baby?” she asked with a grin.

“Cassidy likes to play in the water, but there’s a lot of jellyfish around,” her sister supplied. “Can I see your board?”

Robbie continued watching quietly as she smiled and looked over. “If your dad says it’s okay.”

For a moment, she saw the truth ripple across Reagan’s face, and then Robbie was putting his hand gently on the little girl’s shoulder. “It’s very nice of you to offer,” she said in a small voice.

“Sure thing. If you want, your dad or one of your uncles can help you paddle on it. Or I could.”

She turned around and beamed a smile at Robbie. “Can I?”

“Me too!” Cassidy cried out, waving her shovel wildly.

Tim glanced at his older brother, and there was enough silent communication in the look to speak volumes.

“Reagan, I’m a little worried about the jellyfish,” he told her, kneeling down in front of her. “It would really be bad if you got stung. Trust me. I know. It feels terrible. Like I’d have to buy you a new Barbie terrible. Let’s see if the water is clearer tomorrow, and then we’ll reassess. Did you see how Miss Sunshine had to swim really fast to get out of the way of one? She’s a professional, and it almost got her. Okay?”

Reagan looked down, fingering Summer’s board. “You promise about tomorrow?”

Lily noted the way he tipped her face up and nodded very seriously. “You have my word. But with the ocean—or any water—safety is our number one concern.”

He sounded so much like a by-the-books law enforcement officer, her mouth twitched. His brow suddenly rose, and his blue eyes blazed with challenge.

“That’s what Mom would say,” Reagan said with a heartfelt sigh before turning back to Lily. “Would tomorrow be okay for you, Miss Sunshine?”

“Please call me Summer.” She laid the board on the wet sand. “Tomorrow would be great. But how about you start your first lesson on land? Try standing on the board and holding your arms out. See if you can balance. If it’s okay with your dad, of course.”

Robbie’s jaw tightened. “It’s fine.”

Calling him dad clearly struck a nerve. She would have to remember that. She only smiled at him innocently, knowing it would drive him a little crazy. Her smile seemed to make him frown sometimes, and she suspected it was because it had a powerful effect on him, one he really wanted to resist. Well, too bad, Lieutenant O’Connor.

Reagan cast a glance between them before stepping on and bobbling a little as the board gave. Her eyes flew to Lily’s. “It is hard!”

“Told ya, Miss Pixie.” Tim set Cassidy down and took the little cherub’s hand as he helped her onto the board as well. “All right, sweetheart, keep hold of my hand. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Cassidy jumped up and down, waving her shovel in the air, making Reagan wobble again. Before Lily could steady the little girl, Robbie was next to her in a flash. His capable hands closed gently around her shoulders.

“Bend your knees a little more, Reagan. There you go. Feel your feet.”

He was a good coach, she realized. Patient. Competent.

Stop it, Lily Meadows. Next, you’ll be seeing him in knight’s armor.

“Cassidy is trying to topple me,” she cried out with a laugh as Cassidy gave another series of delighted jumps, squealing nonstop.

Billie and Sheila walked toward them, close enough to touch each other. Progress. Lily studied Robbie surreptitiously. He was paying attention to Reagan, but she knew he was watching her too.

God, he was good at it. In fact, he made that kind of regard totally hot.

“Summer!” Sheila’s hips were all an easy sway, filled with feminine allure. “Billie and I were just saying you’re like a gazelle or something. Girl, you were amazing!”

Her friend put her arm around her waist, and Lily did the same. Two friends having a moment on vacation.

“I know I was impressed.” Billie nudged the back of Robbie’s knee with his sand-covered foot, earning him a glare while Tim fought a smile. “You outran my brother this morning, I heard.”

Robbie looked to be biting the inside of his cheek. “She clearly had someplace to be. I’m on vacation.”

“Well, there’s always tomorrow to see if you can match my stride.” She gave a challenging smile, her insides zinging at the possibility. “Reagan, feel free to play with the board as long as you’d like. You can bring it over when you’re done. Clarice? Are you ready for a little volleyball?”

Sheila swatted her butt. “Girl, you’re insatiable. Why don’t you grab a drink, and then yes, we can play some volleyball. I know how much you love it. It’s been a while for me, so be gentle. Okay?”

Oh, the double entendre. Billie fell for it like the player he was. “If she isn’t, you can count on me, Clarice.”

Her partner batted her long black eyelashes at him, giving a low feminine murmur Sheila swore shot straight to a man’s crotch. Robbie clearly didn’t like the interaction by the pointed glance he sent his brother. She tried to keep her mouth from grinning. He certainly wasn’t going to be happy about her partner maneuvering them into playing some volleyball.

“Give me a sec, Clarice,” she said with extra cheer in her voice. “I’ll be right back with the ball.”

“Thanks for letting me play with your board, Miss Sunshine,” Reagan called as she walked off.

“Yeah, Miss Sunshine,” Cassidy echoed.

She waved without looking over her shoulder, knowing Robbie was watching her all the way. A little sway of her butt, and she wanted to break into a full-on celebratory dance by the time she hit the kitchen and chugged her coconut water. When she returned with the volleyball that came with the rental, as did the already set up net, Sheila was beaming that conspiratorial smile of hers. She could almost hear her partner saying see, putty in my hands. The O’Connors were all standing behind their rental house now, as the volleyball net was positioned off the main terrace.

“We have some fellow volleyball enthusiasts, Summer.” She caught the ball when Lily threw it her way. “How do you feel about having Billie and Robbie play against us?”

She shifted her weight to her right side, knowing Robbie would want to give her sun-kissed body a slow, full-on perusal. But he kept his gaze focused on her face as his jaw tightened, as if resisting his impulses cost him.

Their eyes locked. Her mouth went dry at the heat hovering in his clearwater blue eyes. Man, he was intense—and really hot, standing there with sweat glistening on his hard, muscular chest. Sheila was right. The view from the front was as good as the back.

She let her mouth tip up, wondering how Sheila had gotten Robbie to agree to play. Then again, her partner had a way of convincing men to do things without them realizing they’d been influenced, a trait she swore she’d gotten from her mother, who’d used it as a prosecutor before ascending to the bench as a federal judge.

“I’d love some healthy competition,” she responded, opening her hands for Sheila to throw back the ball. “Reagan, do you want to keep score for us?”

The little girl jumped in place and turned to Robbie. “Can I? Please?”

“Sure.” He broke his regard from her and turned to Reagan, smoothing her hair down. “You can count that high, right? Because we O’Connors have been known to score a lot of points. Right, Billie?”

“You bet, bro!” He went over and high-fived his brother, putting his arm companionably around his shoulders. “And if the women need a big shoulder to cry on afterward, I’ve got one right here for them.”

Robbie pointed to his shoulder as well, as if to suggest he would lend his gorgeous musculature to Lily. Swagger? Oh, this was going to be fun! If she hadn’t been holding the ball, she would have rubbed her hands together in sheer delight. They had no idea who they were dealing with, and now they’d paved the way for neither Sheila nor her to go easy on them. When she glanced over to Sheila, her friend nodded slyly.

They were going to beat the O’Connor boys senseless.