Chapter 25
Riley
I stand in the steaming hot shower until my skin is pink and my fingers are wrinkling. I’ve washed my hair, my body, and now I’m trying to wash away my memories.
What the fuck was I thinking?! I let Sebastian bring me to orgasm on a hotel countertop. I may have reached a new level of shame. Then again, it’s not like I touched him, I argue with myself.
I had retreated to my room last night, feeling guilty and also giddy. It made no sense. I knew Sebastian was pissed beyond belief. And I knew I needed to do some groveling to get back in his good graces, or at least not get fired from this internship.
I also knew that I needed to figure out where I wanted my marriage to go. I had basically cheated on Nate knowing what it felt like to possibly be cheated on myself. What kind of person does that make me? Savage? Vengeful? Pitiful?
I spent the night tossing and turning, trying to figure out exactly why I had let what had happened between Sebastian and I transpire in the first place. When I awoke, the sun was shining blissfully through the window in my room, instantly reminding me where I was.
I had peeked into the main area of the house, seeing if Sebastian was awake. I had chased sleep most of the night, only managing to squeeze in a couple hours early this morning. So now I was running behind, and felt a little sheepish knowing Sebastian had already risen and left the villa. I managed to find coffee pods for the little machine on the counter and started to make a cup before I noticed that my phone had a couple messages.
Sebastian had written over an hour ago, ‘You must be too busy to work today. I will be playing a few rounds of tennis at the courts and will plan to start our research late this morning.’
Too busy? Does he mean too ashamed? Sighing, I grab the fresh coffee and head to shower.
I may be in a beautiful place but I need to act like I’m working, not on some tropical paradise getaway. I’ve dressed and mentally prepared myself for conversations with Sebastian and Nate at this point. In a silk blouse tucked into high waist trouser pants, I like to think I’m incorporating the ease of the tropics with the professionalism of a lawyer. At least that’s what I’m going for. Maybe I can keep my pants on this time.
I take one last look in the mirror and call Nate’s cell as I’m walking out the door of our villa.
The line rings on and on before going to voicemail. “Nate,” I say on his voicemail. “Can we talk when you get this? Call me please.”
I follow the signs of the resort and wind my way back toward the tennis courts. I pass the pools on my right, seeing the beautiful ocean beyond the pools. It’s breathtaking here, and I can’t help but wonder if Sebastian has brought women here before for non-work purposes. Jealousy flares and I mentally slap myself. Get it together Riley, he doesn't belong to you.
I hear his voice before I see him, and round another corner on the path to find Sebastian talking with a gorgeous blonde outside the tennis courts.
“I’m here for business,” he’s saying, “but I will have some time this evening for fun.”
The woman smiles fully, clearly interested in where this conversation is going.
“Well I do love fun,” she says.
I can’t help it. I roll my eyes as I insert myself into their conversation.
“Hi there. Sebastian, should we get to work?”
“Ah,” he says, “this is my intern Riley Green,” he waves his hand toward me. “Riley, I was just chatting with..” he looks at the woman again, having already forgotten her name .
“Kristin.” She smiles, extending her hand.
I just nod, I have no obligation to be friendly with Sebastian’s prey. Also, I find myself slightly furious that he’s showing interest in someone else on this trip.
“Here’s my info Kristin,” Sebastian says and hands her a card. “Maybe we’ll see one another later.” He smiles and leads me away towards the lobby.
I decide to cut right to the chase. “Sebastian, can we talk about last night?” I look up at him as we both settle around a small table in the resort’s gorgeous lobby.
“Miss Green,” he says and looks at me, “I shouldn’t have tried to insert myself last night. This is a business trip and we work together. That’s it.”
What the fuck? What’s with his sudden attitude? Is he really that mad about me calling him Nate?
“It’s just I got confused and maybe I was a little tipsy,” I trail off.
“Nothing to discuss Riley.” He pulls out his phone and looks to be checking emails, completely disregarding me. My feelings are instantly hurt. Not that I thought we were going steady or something, but he doesn’t need to treat me so coldly.
“Ok,” I start, “are we meeting with Frederick again today? Or did you want me to start pulling together the case?”
“We need to understand where Galant is investing the money. My guess is drug or skin trade. The fact that Degerson is hesitant to broadcast information on Galant makes me wonder how much clients sign up for. Degerson is willing to show us some of his cards, but there’s got to be more going on under Galant.”
I nod, but feel my brows pinching together in confusion. “You think Degerson is involved in human trafficking? Like through Galant?”
“I’d never put words in a client’s mouth Riley. We just need to firm up the case against Galant with the information we do have access to.”
Sebastian continues on his phone and I feel someone walking up behind me.
“Ready for lunch, you two?” Frederick asks from behind me. I turn and see his flushed face, either sweaty from the humidity or from some morning drinks. This man is definitely creepy. His whole vibe and demeanor creeps me out.
“Of course,” Sebastian says. “Bloody Mary by the pool?”
“My man!” Frederick exclaims. What a good old boy relationship these two have. I watch as they head out the doors toward the pools, trailing behind and wondering once again why I’m here.
“I miss you. Can we have dinner when you get back home?” Nate sounds genuine and it’s so rare that he actually speaks this way that I’m taken aback. I had retreated to the villa after our long, leisurely lunch with Frederick. Sebastian was heading out to the golf course with him and I felt like I needed some time alone. And also, I was still pissed that he was chatting up another woman, potentially meeting with her while we’re here.
“Well I’m back late tomorrow. Maybe we could have dinner Monday?” I say to Nate. I’m still not fully committed when I don’t know that we’re on the same page. He never apologized or explained the situation with him and Sasha. And while I want to be married, I don’t want to be treated like trash anymore. Things need to change if we are going to work this out.
“That’s great. Monday is perfect. Want to meet at the house and we can go to our old spot down on Oak?”
“Sure.” I say. “Listen Nate, I know things have been weird between us.” I pause and think through what I want to say. “I want honesty between us going forward.”
“Could we start with what’s honestly going on with you and your boss on this trip?” Nate says and I sigh. There’s the man I’m used to.
“I told you, we had some confidential client work to get into here. Nothing’s happening with me and Sebastian. I have no idea where he even is. ”
I don’t know why I feel the need to defend myself. Even more so, I don't know why the fact that Sebastian is still not back and it’s after 8:00 pm makes me so upset. I had had visions of wearing one of Kaz’s beautiful dresses to have cocktails on the beach. Instead, I’m in sweats drinking room service wine and talking to my jealous husband.
“Well, don’t let him take advantage of you,” Nate says. “You’re an employee, an intern, not his assistant.”
I bite my tongue as I think of Sasha, the original assistant who apparently also “knew” my husband.
I sigh. “I’ve got to go. I’ll see you when I’m back.” I hang up and lean back against the armrest of the couch. This may be a long evening.