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Hmm. Maybe Jagger could talk her into soaking in that jacuzzi.
They all sauntered back downstairs and out back to the patio. An explosion of tropical flowers decorated the pool area. The infinity pool dropped off with a view of the greenery directly below them and the beach and ocean beyond. A bark-lined path led through the thick trees to the mostly private beach area.
Jagger was itching to go for a long swim in the ocean and clear his mind before he got Belinda alone and got some answers. His fingers were itching to touch her soft skin and pull her close. Fourteen long years without talking to her, staring at her, holding her, kissing her. He couldn’t have cared less about this challenge or anything except Bee right now.
“This house and Kauai are off the charts, but you all promised me a waterfall hike. Let’s go!”
Paul chuckled. “Have you not traveled much?”
Jagger didn’t know what she’d been up to the past fourteen years, besides building an impressive charity, but he knew Bee. She could’ve seen more gorgeous tropical locations and houses than this and she’d still be vibrant and rambunctious and delighted by all of it.
“I actually travel far too often,” she admitted. “There are some exotic places in Africa, beaches and tropical forests to rival this, but most of my days are spent in areas that aren’t lush, to put it mildly. Digging wells and irrigation ditches through sunbaked dirt.” She smiled as if that was no big deal. “Don’t you agree Kauai is incredible?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Paul nodded, and then he glanced at Jagger and his face went from grinning to impassive when he noticed Jagger and Hays waiting for an answer. Was Paul going to admit he knew Kauai well or that this was his first visit? The guy was playing the game, and Jagger didn’t blame him. He’d been all set in his mind to go even harder than he had the past two weeks. He’d been happy for the ladies to win their money through the last two episodes, but he was ticked that he’d lost. He’d never been a fan of losing.
Now that he knew it was Bee, it about killed him to think of defeating her and her lifelong work. Actually, now that he knew the parameters, he wanted to hunt them down quickly each day and have that much more time to spend with her. It might hurt like a gunshot wound to get those answers, but he was pushing the fear away and focusing on winning the battle. He wasn’t certain what the prize would be for winning the battle. Belinda’s heart? That seemed too much to hope for. Especially since she acted like he was the one to blame for their split.
“You spend most of your time in Africa’s poorest countries,” Jagger clarified. That’s what Shawn had said in his intro.
“Yes.” She gave him a questioning look.
“Are you safe? Who’s in charge of your security? Do you ever get into dangerous situations?”
Belinda stared at him, and fire flashed in her blue eyes. “I don’t see what business it is of yours if I am safe.”
Jagger’s nostrils flared. She’d meant the world to him, still did truthfully. He hated the thought of her being in danger. “I’m just concerned for you,” he managed in a level tone.
“Well, maybe you should’ve thought of that before …” She broke off and asked in a cheery tone, “So … who knows where to go hike?”
‘Thought of that before’? Why did she keep intoning he’d dumped her, not the other way around?
Despite her feisty nature, Belinda was innocent and loving, without guile. Did that mean she hadn’t been hurt? He hoped so.
She also wouldn’t realize nobody wanted to admit they knew where to hike. The men were plotting and holding their cards close to not reveal what they knew or didn’t know.
“I’ll Google it,” Hays said.
“Oh, perfect. Thank you. I’ll go change into hiking gear.” She grinned and all but danced up the open staircase.
Jagger pushed out a breath, watching her go. Hays focused on his phone. Paul looked at Jagger and tilted his head outside.
Oh, the guy wanted to talk? Sure. Jagger would love to talk.
“Pardon us,” Paul murmured to Hays.
Hays’s head snapped up and he arched his brows, his dark eyes questioning if Jagger wanted him to come. Jagger didn’t need anybody holding his hand, but he’d learned throughout their fourteen-year friendship that sometimes it was good to have a calming influence like Hays around. Right now, he was fine. He wasn’t going to start a brawl. He shook his head at his friend.
He and Paul strode out onto the back deck, past the patio where cameras were mounted and down the path to the beach far enough away to not be heard by cameras.
Paul stopped and turned to him. “My job is to protect and help Belinda this week. Are your feelings for her going to be a problem?”
“I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” Jagger said shortly, cracking his knuckles.
Paul’s blue gaze grew perceptive. He was a steady kind of guy like Hays. That was probably good, or he and Jagger would probably already be brawling.
“It’s obvious you care deeply for her, but you also hurt her deeply. I don’t know Miss Ralphs well, but I don’t want to see her hurt.”
Jagger wanted to flare up again, but he blew out a breath instead. “I never wanted to hurt Bee and would never want to. I appreciate you looking out for her.” What to admit to? “Our past is a mess.” He wasn’t going to get into all of it with Paul. “What did she say to you on the plane? You came off the plane already defensive about me.”
