Chapter 5
FIVE
Willow
The way Brock was touching me tonight makes me feel like he really does like me. But I know he doesn’t. Not really. I mean, this is all fake, right?
So why does my tummy tingle every time his hand traces down my cheek? The way he kissed me didn’t feel fake at all.
But it was.
Oh my god.
He’s been drinking. Yes, that’s it.
Brock isn’t into me. He’s drunk—like plastered—and here I am telling him I want people to think I’m into BDSM.
Oh god.
How embarrassing.
We pretended to head up to our room to keep his family and our friends guessing, but now I think it’s a stupid idea. I know Anya and Hartford are going to ask me about sexy times, and I will have nothing for them.
I swear when Brock was touching me it felt so so real.
I guess he deserves some sort of Academy Award for best acting, because the man can put on a show.
Brock and I have never gotten along. Even now as we wait for the elevator his breathing is getting on my nerves. Why does he have to breathe so sexy?
I cross my arms over my chest. “You put on quite the show back there.”
He studies me for a moment and then gives me this cocky grin. “I told you this plan would work.”
I want to stomp my foot and smack him across his perfectly chiseled face. I want to pinch him, and throw my high heel at him. I want to slam my fists against his solid chest. Instead I say, “Well, you sure fooled everyone.” I turn away from him. “I’m going for a walk.”
“Wait. We’re supposed to be having sex.”
I want to cry, because my body betrays me and actually wants to go upstairs with him and talk him into having sex with me. But this is Brock. Brock Atwood. Never in my life did I ever think I’d get it on with Brock. “I need to clear my head.”
His face tilts slightly. “Really?”
“Yes, Brock. I’m not tired and the thought of sitting upstairs with you in our room sounds nauseating.” It really doesn’t. The thought of continuing the show we were putting on earlier sounds like the perfect way to end an evening. But again. This is Brock we’re talking about here.
“Yeah. I came here to get drunk and party, not hang out with you for every second of every day. See ya,” he says as the elevator doors open and he steps on.
I huff off in the opposite direction, wanting to find the closest bar. And I want to avoid the Atwood clan.
I head to a different casino entirely, not wanting to get ‘caught’ by anyone. I sneak into the Mandalay Bay resort, and find the nearest bar, order a glass of Chardonnay, and have a seat.
“Thank you,” I tell the bartender, handing over my credit card to start a tab.
A large hand stops me from paying. “I got it,” he says, and I recognize the voice immediately.
“You don’t have to pay for my drink,” I say, turning my nose up at this awful intruder.
Lake blinks at me, his blue eyes growing wide. “Where’s the boyfriend?”
“Back at the room,” I tell him, not really wanting to divulge too much information. I feel like Lake knows when I’m lying and I want to make sure he believes me.
Lake nods, slowly. Like he’s looking for the bullshit. “I see. He really shouldn’t leave his girlfriend unattended at a bar in Vegas.”
“I can fend for myself.”
He raises a brow. “Can you?”
And as I sit here and stare at Lake, I ask myself, “What was I thinking dating this loser?”
Even now as we sit here, he still views me as some weak woman who can’t take care of herself.
Little does he know, I am doing just fine on my own.
When Lake cheated on me I felt like my world crashed and burned.
I was so hurt. I was so heartbroken, but now, as I study his sharp angles and scarily-blue eyes, I feel nothing for the man.
He’s my past, and I don’t know what my future holds, but I know it’s not him.
I swallow my glass of wine in one quick gulp. “Well, I’m off to find my boyfriend and give him some much needed hanky panky.”
Oh god, I can’t believe I just said that. Hanky Panky? Who says things like that?
My cheeks flame red-hot as I rush away from the bar, heading back to the Excalibur, and into the room I share with Brock.
Of course, he’s passed out.
And oh no, he’s snoring.
The next morning I’m out of the hotel room before Brock has even had a chance to wake up. I meet the girls down at the breakfast buffet and smile at Anya, who stops me before I join the others.
“Seriously. I let shit slide last night because we were in a group, but you didn’t even tell me you were dating my brother.” She parks a hand on her hip. “You two hate each other.”
“I know. I know.” I glance over at the table where Hartford, Paxton’s mother, Carol, Hartford’s mother, Grace, and Hartford’s cousins’ wives, Clara, Emma, and Shayne, along with Shepherd’s girlfriend, Felicity, are sitting. “Maybe we should join the others.”
Hartford waves a hand in the air. “Over here,” she yells across the restaurant.
“We can discuss this later.” I make my way over to the table, saying hello to the women I barely know, and sit between Anya and Hartford.
“I’m mad at you,” Hartford says with a little nudge. “Carol, did you know Brock and Willow are dating?”
Carol’s eyes widen. “I think it’s lovely. I’ve been hoping he meets somebody new.”
I blush. “It’s all very new.”
“What about Lake?” Carol asks me.
I pour a glass of orange juice from the carafe on the table.
“We broke up a few weeks ago,” I say, trying my best to change the subject.
I need to escape. I grab my plate with both hands and stand back up, abruptly.
“I’m going to hit the buffet,” I spill out in a rush, and beeline across the restaurant toward the buffet.
I study the contents of the buffet. It's a feast for the senses.
There are freshly baked croissants, buttery and golden brown, and an assortment of pastries filled with creams and fruits.
A platter of smoked salmon is elegantly arranged next to a variety of cheeses and cold cuts.
The salad station offers fresh greens, roasted vegetables, and a selection of dressings.
There's a carving station with a chef slicing succulent roast beef and honey-glazed ham.
Bowls of creamy mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables sit nearby.
The dessert section tempts with miniature cakes, tarts, and chocolate-covered strawberries.
“Think you could slip away that easily?” Hartford asks.
She stands next to Anya, and they both assess me with their questioning gazes.
I breathe out an exasperated sigh. I should just tell them the truth, but I can’t. I can’t let anyone know the truth. That was the deal with Brock. “Look, it all happened so fast.”
“What about Lake? What if he asked you to get back together?” Anya asks. “I saw the way he was watching you last night.”
“Yeah, like he regretted every decision he’s ever made.” Hartford grabs a croissant and plops it onto her plate. “Would you take him back?”
“What?” My eyes grow as big as saucers. “No, never.” I can’t help it if it doesn’t make me beam on the inside that Lake looked upset, but I don’t want him back. “Look, what Lake did to me hurt me really badly.”
“Yeah, you need time to heal,” Anya offers.
“I know. And this thing with Brock isn’t serious. It’s something fun.”
“Like a rebound?” Hartford asks.
I shake my head, not wanting her to think I’m using Brock in any way.
“No, not like a rebound. Just something fun and new. I realized last night, I don’t love Lake.
Honestly, I’m not sure if I ever even did, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to flaunt Brock in front of him.
It also doesn’t mean I don’t want to make him jealous. Because I do.”
Anya smiles wide. “Let him see what he gave up.”
“Exactly. I’ll never take him back, but I can’t help to want to make him regret ever cheating on me,” I say, looking into each of their eyes.
Anya’s green eyes light up. “I can get behind that.”
“Yeah, he can eat his heart out,” Hartford says with a small giggle. “C’mon, let’s eat, we’ve got a scavenger hunt to do today.”
“Did you change the teams around?” Anya asks Hartford. “Brock and Willow should be on the same team now, considering.”
“No, that’s okay,” I say in a quick rush. I honestly don’t want to spend another second with Brock. He infuriates me.
“It’s fine. I already swapped out Tripp for Brock. So, now instead of Tripp, you’ll be with Brock.”
I try to hide my disappointment. “Great. Can’t wait.” And now I’m no longer in the mood for this breakfast on my plate.