Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
VERA
Cara had left for her morning walk about two hours ago, and still hadn’t returned.
Every morning since we’d arrived, she’d woken up well before me and walked on the beach until the sunrise, then she’d come back and we’d go downstairs for breakfast together.
The first night we all ate together. Yesterday we had breakfast with Kaia and Daisy.
And today we were having breakfast with Fallon and Mackenzie, which I wasn’t looking forward to for many reasons.
One being the fact that, even though I told Cara I’d be nicer to Mackenzie, I was still finding it very difficult when we were around each other for a long period of time. If other people were around us, I could avoid her without seeming rude, but when it was just the four of us, It was a struggle.
I had found myself being very protective of Cara, and thinking back to what she told me about Mackenzie, and what she had said to her about Fallon, angered me all over again. Being young was not an excuse for being an asshole, and I planned to tell her that if I ever got the chance.
The second reason I was not excited for our breakfast together, was because we hadn’t talked about the kiss, and I didn’t know how to act around her friends. I didn’t know what was okay and what wasn’t. I’d been just letting her take the lead in the moment.
Yesterday had been the closest we’d gotten to anything more than a kiss.
I had to take a little longer in the shower to finish what she’d started.
I couldn’t help myself. If I would’ve had her against the wall any longer, or if she would’ve taken one article of clothing off, I probably could’ve come right there.
She was just so incredibly perfect in every way and I could hardly control myself around her. I knew she liked me, so that was a plus, but I also knew I wasn’t her type and physical attraction was one thing but emotional was another.
I didn’t want to wake up the next morning and find her gone again.
I wanted to wake up every morning next to her.
Feel her next to me every night. I wanted everything with her, and I wanted her to give me a chance.
So that’s what I’d been doing. Following her lead, but showing her what she’d been missing since the masquerade ball.
As if my thoughts summoned her, Cara walked in with a wide smile on her face. “You’ve got to get out there with me at least once more before we leave. It’s absolutely breathtaking to watch the sunrise.”
She bounced around the room as if the sun had given her a shot of energy. I smiled, watching her walk around, skin getting a golden glow from the sun, and a happiness about her that was contagious.
“Bali looks good on you, princesa. You’re glowing. I’m a little jealous that your smile isn’t from me.”
She turned around and looked at me, frowning. “You’re in there, don’t worry. I’m in Bali. My friends are getting married tomorrow, and I have some pretty amazing company.”
She walked over and planted a kiss on my cheek. “I’m going to get ready and then we can head down for breakfast?”
“Sounds good,” I lied. “Do you need any help? I know it can be very stressful taking a shower by yourself,” I added in a mock-serious tone.
She rolled her eyes, but the blush still appeared. “I think I’ll manage.”
Unfortunately for me, she did manage to get ready without any help.
However, if I had to look at her all day in that dress, I’d be the one needing help getting my oxygen levels back to normal.
She wore an emerald green spaghetti-strap dress that was so short I prayed she dropped something and needed to bend over to pick it up.
She’d worn it before, but I’d get turned on seeing it on her every damn time.
Hey, I may have been chivalrous as hell, but I did have eyes, too. I was only human, after all, and Cara showing any sort of skin was my weakness. Especially those damn calves. They were the sexiest calves I’d ever seen.
“Ready?” she asked. For what? To take her to bed? Hell yeah, I was ready.
I made sure there was no drool on my face and cleared my throat. “Absoulutely.”
Fallon and Mackenzie had already grabbed a table by the time we made it down and they waved us over when they spotted us. I instinctively stepped closer to Cara, placing my hand on her back.
“Is this okay?” I asked, my eyes not leaving Mackenzie’s. I knew she was married and had a baby on the way, but I still didn’t trust her.
“Perfect.” Cara’s voice was quiet, almost a whisper.
“You two look absolutely gorgeous together,” Fallon said, coming over to give us a hug.
“My baby’s right. You are one hot pair.” Mackenzie tried to hug Cara, but I stepped in front of her. She gave me a skeptical look, but didn’t say anything about the interruption. Good.
“We should get some breakfast. Babe, is there anything in particular you want? I’ll get our plates.”
Cara smiled wearily, like she knew I was acting weird. “I’ll go with you and see what they have.” She took my hand and led me away from the table and toward the food.
It all smelled amazing and I didn’t know what to start with first. Cara knew instantly, and filled her plate with eggs, pancakes, muffins, and a banana.
I was about to put an apple on my plate when Cara stopped me. “Okay, what’s your deal? You’ve looked back towards the table at least five times since we left.”
“What? Nothing. I’m fine. I’m just surveying the room, that’s all.”
She gave me a look. “Vera.” Her tone was stern and I had to look away from her. That dress with that tone was sending me over the edge.
“I’m fine, Cara. promise. Is there anything else you want to get before we head back?”
She furrowed her brows. “No. I think I’ve got enough. I’ll come back and get some orange juice.”
I smiled. “Can I kiss your cheek?”
“Why are you asking?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know where we stand and I don’t want to overstep.”
She rolled her eyes, reaching up to kiss me on the lips. “That’s where we stand.” She winked and headed back to the table, giving me the best view in the entire hotel. ?Ay dios mío!
Cara had kept the conversation going with Fallon and Mackenzie, and I just sat there listening and presenting a politeness I didn’t necessarily feel.
Fallon was sweet and funny, but I don’t know, there was just something about Mackenzie that didn’t sit right with me.
I couldn’t let go of what had gone down between the three of them, and even though it wasn’t my place, I felt a duty to protect Cara, and so I’d kept a watchful eye on Mackenzie ever since I’d met her.
Unfortunately, the breakfast wasn’t going to end as quickly as I’d liked when Mackenzie turned her attention to me. For the life of me, I couldn’t produce even a hint of a smile toward her.
“So, Vera. What are your intentions with our Cara? She deserves only the best!”
“Babe! Don’t interrogate the poor woman! I’m sorry, Vera. My wife gets a little protective sometimes, but she means no harm.”
Cara groaned, her face turning a few shades of red. “Vera, you don’t have to answer that.”
Yes, I did. I couldn’t hold it in any longer. Ignoring her, I sat in my chair a little straighter. “You want to know my intentions, Mackenzie? And what rights do you have to know that, exactly? What makes you think you know what she deserves?”
Cara nudged me slightly, probably trying to get my attention, but I couldn’t look at her. I knew if I did, I’d be met with a scowl and dark, angry eyes.
Mackenzie frowned. “I’m sorry, did I do something wrong? Have I upset you in some way? I’ve gotten the feeling that you don’t like me.”
Cara shook her head. “No, of course not, Kenz—”
“Actually, you have. I don’t appreciate the way you’ve talked to Cara in the past, and I don’t trust you. Did you even apologize for throwing a drink on her and humiliating both her and Fallon? Was that the ‘best’ you say she deserves?”
I saw Cara out of the corner of my eye, which was a mistake. The fire in her eyes would’ve been hot if it wasn’t directed toward me.
She told me to let it go, but I couldn’t. I don’t care what her excuses were, Cara didn’t deserve that, and I was going to let Mackenzie know just how I felt about it, even if I knew I didn’t have the right to.
None of it was real. Our relationship was fake.
Anything she felt for me was fake, but my feelings were very much real.
Yeah, we’ve kissed, but I knew she’d say it was a mistake.
Everything I felt for her was real and raw and I wasn’t going to let anyone hurt her in any way, no matter what happened between us.
Mackenzie looked at Fallon and Cara before looking back at me and wincing.
“I have, yes. I’ve apologized so many times since that night.
I was young and stupid, and I know that’s not an excuse.
Things were complicated between us back then, and if I could’ve redone the whole thing differently, I would’ve.
Neither of them deserved to be treated the way I had treated them. ”
“You’ve got that right. And being young is not an excuse for being a dick. I’m surprised you guys are still friends, honestly. I would’ve had a different reaction.”
“Vera.” Cara’s tone was demanding and angry.
“No, it’s okay, Cara.”
Fallon grabbed Mackenzie’s hand on the table, and Mackenzie squeezed it and kissed her wife on the cheek before turning back to us.
“Honestly, so am I. I know it’s not an excuse, but it’s the truth.
Things should’ve gone a different way after that night, but all I can do is thank whoever is willing to listen that it didn’t.
I’ve been lucky enough to have a very compassionate wife and friend in my life.
Both of our women are some of the most genuinely caring and understanding people I’ve met. ”