Chapter Five
Vivien
I wake up, and I’m alone in bed—gratefully so.
The night before is so clear in my head and it can’t be forgotten soon enough.
Throwing myself at him had been the most foolish thing I could have done.
He didn’t want me. Everything he did at the club and in the cab had been an act, a bit of a show for his family and friends to lay down the law that he has a woman he loves and everyone can see it.
I don’t think I can even face him again.
Thankfully he decided to go golfing with the guys, because being around him would be my undoing. There’s no way I can handle it for the rest of the holiday. In fact, I’ll be getting a separate hotel tonight.
For the next two days, he can play it however he wants, but I’ll be going to stay at another place as soon as I can.
The clock on the bedside table reads only ten in the morning, so I have time until spa day, but I need to find a hotel to stay at.
An hour later, I’m thoroughly pissed and upset.
Not a single hotel in the area has room for me.
They’re all booked for the next few days, but they can get me in next week if I’d like to book it.
Who the fuck is like, Sure, I’ll go ahead with that offer?
My head is pounding, and I finally get out of bed and realize what I’m wearing.
I’m still in just Caleb’s shirt and my little black panties.
I tried to seduce him, and he covered me up after he kissed me so violently, threatened to kill a man, and spanked my ass after caressing me, all where none of his family had been. Fucking asshole.
By the time I make it to the hotel spa, I’m aggravated beyond belief, so I need all the relief I can get.
I see the girls, but I can’t talk because some of them witnessed Caleb’s faux jealousy and they believe it was real.
They’re all under the impression that our relationship is true love and I want to cry, so I do my best to ditch them.
With my mud mask on and cucumber-covered eyes, I lay my head down and enjoy my neck and shoulder massage as my face mask sets. “You are extremely tense,” a stranger’s voice says.
“I just want to go back home already,” I mutter, feeling the frustration wearing on me to the point of breaking.
“Why? You’re in paradise.” Paradise? Ha!
“Man problems,” I answer. I don’t know this person, but since it’s not anyone associated with the wedding party and his mother doesn’t arrive for days, I don’t care.
“I’m sorry. Anything you want to vent about? I’m all ears.”
“The man I’m with isn’t worth my heart and effort. He’s not good enough for me, and I’m wasting my time for nothing.”
“I say… find yourself a new man.”
“Trust me, I will,” I sigh.
“Come, Miss Williams. It’s time for your manicure.” I take off the cold cucumbers when the masseuse leads me to the right area. I wave to the woman, whose face is still covered. Sometimes it’s nice to vent to a complete stranger.
When I leave the spa, I feel good and decide that I’ll spend the rest of the time avoiding Caleb as much as possible since I can’t get out of our hotel. The best thing for me to do is hang out with the girls when I can, if they’re even available.
When I get back to the room, Caleb isn’t around, which is good. He’s left me a note saying he’s gone out with a couple of the guys on a boat. Of course. I’m glad, because that means they won’t be back for hours. It gives me time to just relax for the rest of the day.
By the time nightfall comes, I leave for a bit to find dinner.
Caleb calls me and asks if I want to have dinner with him and I pass, letting him know that I’m already out and will be back in a bit.
I stop at a bar and grill along the beachside.
There are plenty of places around this beautiful getaway.
We live in Miami, but there’s something about this locale that really makes this different.
I wish I had someone to spend it with who loved me.
Finally, I make it back to the room and Caleb is there waiting for me with a scowl. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing. You’re just roaming around without anyone.”
“And? I’m a grown-ass woman.”
“It’s not safe.”
“What the fuck do you care? You were out, busy, and you’re not really my boyfriend, so please stop. I’m tired and going to bed. Please leave me be.” I walk over to the sofa, kick off my sandals, and pull out the covers. I’m too damn tired to argue with this man, boss or otherwise.
He comes to start with me again, but I just give him my back and he walks away. “Stubborn,” he mutters as he putters away.
****
“We’re going down to breakfast together. Please get ready.”
“Are we having breakfast with anyone?”
“No, but I just got some information from the office, and I thought you’d be excited to see it.”
“Oh, yeah?” I jump off the sofa and lose my footing, hitting the coffee table with my toe.
“Damn it, woman.” He catches me and sets me back on the sofa. With gentle hands, he checks my foot, inspecting the damage. “Thankfully, it looks okay. No need to chop it off or anything. I guess it’s hard for a mermaid to walk on two feet.”
“You got me.” I smile. “I’m just so excited about the news. I promise I’m done. Now let’s get going.” I get up properly this time and walk past him to get my things.
The rest of the day goes better, especially when we look at all the data we received from the sharks whose satellite tags checked in over the last few days.
We don’t touch each other again, and when we aren’t talking about marine science, we keep our distance, but I hope none of the wedding party notices.
We only see a handful of them throughout the day.
“Only a few more days and I’m home free,” I mutter to myself as I make my bed for the night.
“Yes.”
“Ah,” I scream, jumping out of my skin and sending the pillow flying out of the air. “You scared me half to death. I didn’t know you were right behind me.”
“I was. I’m glad no one else was up here.”
“Well, they shouldn’t be anyway. Goodnight, Dr. Hall.
” I take off my robe, and I have my long pajamas underneath.
There’s no repeat of the other night because I know where I’m not wanted.
I haven’t even remotely tried to appeal to him in any way, shape, or form since then.
What’s worse is he hasn’t tried to pull that I’m the boyfriend crap, and you’re going to listen to me or I’m going to spank you crap either. Could a girl be more heartbroken?