Episode 162
EPISODE 162
IN LOVE OR LUST?
Emily
I’m back in my own suite.
Alone.
Still wearing the sheet from River’s bed. It’s tangled around me, infused with his perfect scent of spice, outdoors, and raw sensual musk.
I can’t help inhaling.
I opened myself up to him this morning. Told him those three bloody words that I wasn’t sure I’d ever say to a man.
I’m ready to drop the sheet when someone knocks. I tighten it around me, walk to the door, and look through the peephole.
It’s Ariel.
And she’s...
Not crying, exactly, but she looks distraught. I open the door. “What’s wrong, love?” I ask.
She walks in without invitation. “Oh, Emily. I think I’ve made a terrible mistake. ”
“You and me both,” I say dryly, though my words don’t ring true. River may not have returned my sentiment, but I love him with all my heart. Telling him was the right thing to do. I’m sure of it. Even if it ends in heartbreak.
At least he’s going to help me pay off the arsehole who’s holding my designs hostage.
And here I go again. Making this all about the bloody money, when I’ve gone and gotten my heart involved.
I’m not sure Ariel heard me. I gesture to her to have a seat on the sofa. I adjust my sheet and sit down next to her.
“Tell me,” I say.
She sniffles. “I’ve been such an idiot. This whole time. And when I finally find someone who seems to want me for me...” She fidgets with the bandage on her leg.
“Do you want me to check that for you?”
She shakes her head. “It hardly hurts at all today. Marc took great care of me yesterday. God, Marc...”
“The sous chef, right?”
“Yeah. He and I... And...”
“So it’s Marc you’re blubbing about?”
“No. Oh, Emily, I’ve gone and screwed everything up!” She falls against me and whimpers.
I let her cry for a moment, but then I grip her shoulders and force her to meet my gaze. “Now you listen to me. Not one of these men is worth getting your panties in a bunch about. Do you hear me?”
She sniffles, nodding.
“Do you want to tell me what happened?”
She swallows. “It’s Alex.”
Uh-oh. Alex. Alex, who I’m supposed to have a date with this evening. Alex, who I chose to have a date with because River was acting like an impudent child yesterday .
“What about him?” I ask.
“He said... He said he loves me.”
I jerk backward. “Really? Now is that anything to cry over?”
“You don’t understand, Em. I said it back to him. And I’m really feeling it, but now...”
“All right, all right. Maybe you’d better start at the beginning. Would you like some tea?”
“No, thank you.”
I grab the box of tissues from an end table and hand it to her. She takes one and quietly blows her nose.
“Tell me,” I say.
I listen as she goes through everything that’s happened since she’s been here. Brett, the first night. Alex, the second. Neither of them would bed her. The threesome with Alex and June, but no sex. Then Sebastian, of course, did bed her. I’m pretty sure he’s bedded everyone but me, and he would have done that if we hadn’t been interrupted the first night. Another threesome, this time with Marc and Zion—damn, Zion had a giant cock—and sex with both. All leading up to this morning. With Alex. A hard fuck, as she put it, and then his confession of love.
The young lady from the south has certainly gotten around.
Then again, I’ve enjoyed Zion’s treasures myself. And a bit of Sebastian’s.
“So what’s got you so upset? Alex is in love with you, and you’re in love with him.”
“We ran into Sebastian and Brett downstairs, and they told us that Sienna is returning.”
“Is she?” I perk up. “That’s great. I like her tons better than either Heather or June. ”
“No, you don’t understand. Alex was with Sienna the first night. He... He had sex with her. And when Brett said she was coming back, Alex dropped my hand. Just dropped it. I don’t think he even noticed when I came up here.”
“Did you tell him you were leaving?”
“No. But he saw me leave.”
I rise, drop my sheet, and stand naked in front of her. “Let me put something decent on and we’ll go down and find out what’s going on.”
“No!” Ariel stands and follows me into the bedroom. “I can’t be the needy little hayseed from bumfuck Alabama.”
I turn to her. “Then don’t be. You and I will put on our sexiest swimsuits and?—”
“I can’t get into the water, Emily. My leg.”
“Who says we get into the water?” I say. “We’ll just hang out at the pool. Maybe have the bartenders mix us up some margaritas or something.”
“Emily...”
“Yes?”
“You have a date with Alex.”
“I do. Do you want me to pump him for information?”
“God, no! I want?—”
Another knock on the door interrupts me. “Damn. Could you get that, love? I need to put on some clothes.”
“Sure.” She leaves the bedroom.
I hastily throw on a short sundress. I could use a shower, but I’ll get to that later, before the date. I return to the front room where Ariel has let Evangeline in.
“Emily, there you are. I came to talk about your date with Alex tonight. Brett asked me to plan the dates, and?—”
I hold up a hand. “Perfect. You plan a spectacular evening for Alex...and Ariel. ”
Ariel gasps. “No, Emily.”
“Yes.”
“But Emily,” Evangeline says, “ you chose Alex.”
“I did. I should have chosen River, but he’s not here, anyway.”
“What?” Evangeline grits out.
“He didn’t bother to tell you? He’s flying to Miami.”
“What for?”
“Do I look like I know?” I throw my hands up. “I don’t know what’s going on anymore. All I know is that I want Ariel to take my place on the date tonight.”
“But Alex is expecting you.”
“He’s expecting a charming dinner companion,” I say, “and that’s what he’ll get.”
“I’m afraid I can’t allow that.” Evangeline makes notes on her iPad.
“Yeah,” Ariel says. “I don’t want that either, Em. Alex needs to figure things out. Maybe being away from me will help him.”
I sigh. “For the love of God. Fine. I’ll have the bloody date. Plan something early. I’m bloody exhausted.”
“I can do that.” Evangeline makes more notes. “How about an early dinner on the beach? Fresh fish with local fruits and vegetables?”
“Sounds delightful,” I say, again dryly.
“I’ll get it set up.” Evangeline turns and looks over her shoulder. “River is coming back, isn’t he?”
I nod. “He said he’ll be back tomorrow.”
Evangeline grimaces. “All right. Just another thing that’s gone wrong. If you’ll excuse me, I need to go throw up.”
I close the door behind her and turn to Ariel .
“Be honest with me,” I say. “Do you truly love Alex? Or are you more in love with the idea of marrying a billionaire?”
“Emily...”
“It’s a valid question, Ariel, and one I’ve been asking myself. I know my answer. What is yours?”