Episode 116
EPISODE 116
ARIEL MAKES A DECISION
Ariel
I can’t help watching Marc as he winks at me. His arms are corded and strong, but I follow Alex out of the kitchen and to the bar in the large living area of the mansion. I’ve been here for a couple weeks now, but part of me still feels like a catfish out of water in this grand place.
We haven’t spent much time in the actual house, other than the kitchen for this afternoon’s cook-off and our suites. Mostly we’ve been outside, so this is the first time I’m really looking at the bar. It’s nestled in a corner of the huge… I’m not sure what to call it. A family room, I guess, only it would be for a really big family. The counter is dark polished wood that shines and reflects the sparkle of the crystal glasses that are lined up and ready to be filled. The high-backed stools have velvet cushions that are the color of a ripe plum. Behind the bar, the mirrored wall creates an illusion with the bottles, making the space feel endless. When I breathe in, I smell something familiar. Whiskey and smoke—what Mama says smells like old money and whispered secrets.
“What can I get you, gorgeous?” Alex asks, his beautiful eyes twinkling as he reaches for a glass.
I haven’t given a thought to what I’d like to drink. “I don’t know. What are you having?”
“I’m a bourbon man.”
Right. I knew that. I don’t want bourbon. “Something light, I think. How about a?—”
“Mr. Maxwell! There you are.”
I turn my head to see a member of the staff rushing toward us. “Please. You need to come quickly.”
“I’m occupied with a beautiful lady, as you can well see.” Alex gives me a sexy smile.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but there’s an emergency. Evangeline is sick. She collapsed in her suite.”
I gasp, clasping my hand over my mouth. Evangeline has been acting strange for a couple days now. After I got hurt in the kitchen, she helped me, but then she disappeared until dinner was nearly over. And she hasn’t looked good at all. Tonight she looked as pale and wilted as a magnolia blossom after a summer storm.
Alex’s jaw tenses. “Shit.” He meets my gaze. “We’ll have a raincheck on the drink, Ariel. I need to see what’s going on upstairs.”
My heart is going superfast, and the cut on my leg is pulsing. “Yeah, of course. I understand.”
Alex follows the staffer, and I’m left.
Alone.
I hope Evangeline is okay. She seemed fine for the couple weeks we were here before the men arrived. Though she did take a lot of time off during the afternoons while we were all having our beauty treatments. I just assumed she was working on other stuff, but maybe she was napping in her room.
The God’s honest truth is that I didn’t give her a lot of thought. I was just high on the idea of being here. All I was thinking about was meeting all these amazing men.
What if Evangeline is really sick?
I’m beginning to think this island has some kind of curse or something.
First Rachel nearly drowns. Then I get hurt in the kitchen this afternoon. And now Evangeline…
I head back toward the kitchen. Marc is gone, but Heather is there grabbing a bottle of water out of the refrigerator.
“Ariel,” she says when she sees me, “did you hear about Evangeline?”
“Just now. Is she okay?”
Heather takes a sip of water and shrugs. “I don’t know. Sebastian left me to go to her, and I just saw River and Brett go into her suite as well. Where are the other women?”
“Probably still in the hot tub. I was there for a few minutes, but it’s not a lot of fun when all you can do is dangle your toes.” I point to my bandage.
“Crap, the hot tub! I was supposed to meet June there.” She glances at my leg. “You doing okay?”
I nod. “It’s fine. I’ve been hurt a lot worse.” I cock my head. “Why didn’t you go to the hot tub?”
She smiles. “I got waylaid. By Sebastian.”
I feel like a kudzu vine is tangled around my heart. Sebastian and I spent an amazing morning together. He pleasured me in the bathroom after I got hurt… But then he suggested a threesome with Heather. A jolt of jealousy hits me.
Heather, who—with her blue hair and snake tattoo—is nothing like me. She’s illegal moonshine and I’m sweet tea, complete with Tweety Bird on my ass.
We’re not the same. And after the debacle with June and Alex, I’m thinking I’ll say no to a threesome if it’s still on the table.
“Ariel?”
“What?”
“Everything okay? You went quiet for a while.”
“I’m just…” I sigh. “I’m worried about Evangeline.”
It’s not technically a lie. I am worried. I hope she’s okay. But that’s not what I was thinking about.
“So you and Sebastian…” I begin.
Heather takes another sip of water. “What about us?”
“Is it…serious?”
She laughs. “I don’t think anyone can be serious after three days.”
My cheeks warm. She doesn’t mean to belittle me, but that’s what it feels like. I pull my shoulders back and stand tall. “That’s not what I meant. I’m just wondering who’s on your radar, if anyone.”
She pauses a moment, takes another sip of water. “It’s hard to say at this point. I don’t think anyone has picked a favorite yet, other than Misty, and even she may have changed her mind. I was sure she would choose River for her date.”
“Yeah, me too.”
Heather closes her eyes. “River… He’s so sexy.”
“He is,” I agree.
She opens her eyes. “A great kisser, too.”
I stop my jaw from dropping. Has Heather been with River?
Another jolt of jealousy hits me, and this time it’s in my gut, like a clump of hot grits chewing through my belly.
I’m getting all bent out of shape when I’ve been with all the men except River. He hasn’t given me a look so far.
I need to get a grip.
So I make a decision.
No threesome with Sebastian and Heather.
No more threesomes, period.
I deserve all of a man’s attention.
I’ve gotten alone time with Brett, Alex, and Sebastian.
Tomorrow…I’m going after River.
Heather tilts her head, a small furrow forming on her forehead.
“What?” I ask.
“You just haven’t said anything. Again. Are you sure you’re okay?”
I shake my head to clear it. I’m not sure why Heather is volunteering information about the men she’s been with. “I’m fine. June and Misty are probably still in the tub. We should tell them what’s going on with Evangeline. And Emily… She said she had some personal stuff to do. I’ll go to her suite and find her. You tell the others.”
“Sounds good.” Heather downs the last of her water and leaves the kitchen through the French doors.
I watch as she walks toward the pool house.
Then I head toward the stairs when someone calls my name.