The Bad Boys of Eden (70 page)

“Okay, mister I know everything, what’s
my
story?”

He leaned on the counter again and eyed me intensely. “Don’t know yet.  I think you’re in the process of doing a rewrite.”

I laughed and smacked him lightly on the arm. “That is so corny.”

He laughed as well.  “But it’s true, isn’t it?”

“Maybe. I guess.”

He left to go attend to the other patrons sitting at the bar. I sipped my drink and thought about what he’d said. I guess I was looking for a rewrite. Well maybe not a rewrite per se, but definitely a reset.  A start again button.

While Chad was occupied, I looked around at the pool area, interested in my fellow resortees.  They all had stories. They were all here for a reason.  Who were the couples secluded in the private cabanas?  Celebrities maybe?

I watched a woman who was maybe a few years old than me reading a book on one of the loungers. Was she here for rest and relaxation like I was? Or was she here for love? Or sex even?  I’d overheard one of the other vacationers in the hotel whisper something about a BDSM dungeon in the basement of the resort.  I’d laughed at the time, but who knew what was really going on at this place.

Then a thought hit me and I paled. What if my parents were here for that?

I shivered, and tried to scrub the horrible notion from my brain.  The little hairs on the back of my neck rose and a shudder rushed down my back.  That was
not
from my thoughts. Someone was watching me.

I turned on my chair and peered over my shoulder.  The pool was almost empty, except for a couple who were kissing in the corner.  I looked past them to the cabanas I’d checked out earlier.  Movement caught my attention out of the corner of my eye.  I swiveled my view just in time to see the curtain of one cabana fall back into place.

Chad returned with another drink for me.  I hadn’t even noticed that my glass was empty again.

I raised my glass to him. “Thank you.”  Then I took a sip. They were going down like water now. I couldn’t even taste the alcohol.

“So, most knowledgeable one, who’s the most interesting person here?”

“Besides you?”

I laughed. “Yes, besides me, of course.”

“Well,” he tapped his chin with his finger, “there is this guy in one of the penthouse suites.”

“Uhuh, and?”

“He’s supposedly some European billionaire in hiding.”

“In hiding from what?”

He shrugged. “Don’t know. Maybe the mob, or a drug cartel.”

“You’re lying.”

He laughed. “Nope.  It’s all true.”

“Well then what does this guy look like? I bet you haven’t even seen him.”

“He’s tall, wavy dark hair, intense green eyes.  You don’t forget a man like that.” He waved his hand at his face.  “He exuded so much power and sex that I nearly fainted.”

I shook my head. “You’re so full of shit.”

“Thee of little faith.” He straightened himself, adjusting his shirt. “I can prove it.”

“How?”

“He’s in one of the cabanas right now.”

Chapter Four

I nearly leapt across the counter to grab him. “He is not. You’re just messing with me.”

“I never joke about hot older men. I married one.”

I glanced over at the cabana from where I’d felt someone watching me. I had to know if this mystery man was behind the curtain.   It was like my own search for the great and powerful Oz.  With renewed purpose, I slid off the stool and back into the warm pool water.

“What are you doing?” Chad asked.

“I’m going to check it out.”

He shook his head. “You’re going to get me fired.”

“Then you shouldn’t have said anything to me.”  I smiled, then waved at him.

I swam down the length of the pool, peering into each cabana as I passed by.  Two of them had the curtains open. I spied an elderly couple inside one, both sleeping, wrapped in each other’s arms.  It was really sweet.  The other cabana held five people, three women and two men, and they were doing something, not sure what, but I didn’t think it was G rated.

The next one had the curtains closed, and it was the one I thought someone had been watching me from.  I swam up to the side of the pool right in front of it.  The curtain didn’t quite hit the tile; there was a crack beneath it.  Inconspicuously, I set my head on my hands and tried to look into the cabana.

I spied a pair of sandaled feet. Male feet. And a little bit of leg. Of course this could’ve been any random man’s feet, and not the mysterious billionaire in hiding.

I glanced over at Chad. He was busy with another patron at the bar.  He probably wouldn’t approve of what I was about to do.

I lifted myself out of the pool.  Standing in front of the cabana and dripping onto the ground, I counted to ten under my breath.  I was trying to gather the nerve to yank the curtain aside and reveal the man.  After that, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do.  Say hi, I suppose or something else just as lame. I mean who was I to bother this man?

I reached ten, then grabbed the side of the curtain.  I took in a deep breath and pulled it open.  There was no one inside.  The opposite curtain was open and I briefly spied a man with dark hair in a pair of khaki shorts and polo shirt walking away.  Had that been him?

Sneaky bastard knew I was coming.

An hour later, after I’d dried off and changed into something more my style, short skirt and tank top, I was in the elevator heading up to the penthouse suites. Chad had told me how to get to them.  I’m not sure why he was helping me, maybe he loved playing with the guests on the island, but I was liquored up enough not to question it too much.

When I reached the floor, the elevator door opened and I walked out into an opulent lobby.  Chad had told me there were only four penthouse suites. They each boasted a living room, kitchen, dining room, entertainment center, and a winding staircase that lead to the massive bedroom with walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom.  I definitely wanted to see that bedroom. Supposedly the view from the floor to ceiling windows was to die for.

The major problem was I didn’t know which penthouse he was in. Chad hadn’t known either so he couldn’t tell me.  I couldn’t go and knock on all four doors hoping one of them was the right one. What if the man had a wife or girlfriend with him? Although Chad had never mentioned one. And I didn’t think he would push me toward the idea if he’d known. Chad didn’t seem like a cruel man.

This was a stupid idea.  Most definitely one of the stupidest I’d ever had, and that was saying something. Some people would probably say I had at least one stupid idea every day.  Although it was likely the truth, it still hurt to hear it.

Looking down and fiddling with my purse for my card key, I turned to leave. I needed to get out of here before someone saw me.  The elevator door opened and I took a step in. Only to run into someone very hard.

I went sprawling onto the floor as did all the contents from my purse.

“Damn it!”  I got onto my knees and started to scramble for my stuff.  “Look where you’re going buddy.”

I glanced up to see a very sexy, very dangerous looking man with fierce green eyes looming over me.

“I believe it was you, who needed to look to see where she was going.”

His accent was definitely European.  German maybe, or Russian. I think I found the mysterious billionaire. But by the sneer on his mouth I didn’t think he was too happy to have found me.

I gathered all my stuff and crammed it into my purse. Then I noticed the last item right by his sandaled foot.  It was a gag gift from Dahlia when we graduated.  It was a bright pink magic bullet.  The type of magic bullet that vibrated rather vigorously.  I shut my eyes and groaned. Oh God, this was definitely not my week.

He looked down, spied it, then reached down for it. I made a grab for it at the same time. Our heads bonked together.

“Ow. Jesus.” I stood up and rubbed at the throbbing spot on my forehead.

He rubbed at his right temple. And I noticed that he had the magic bullet in his hand.

“Um, if I could just have that, then I’ll be on my way.”

He opened his hand and looked at it, then he offered it to me.  I snatched it from his palm and quickly shoved it into my purse.

“Pink is a good color for you.”

Stunned, I just walked around him and went into the elevator. I had no idea how to respond to that.  Was he flirting with me? I honestly couldn’t tell.  Except my body thought he was.  Butterflies were typhooning in my belly and my thighs clenched hard.

I looked up at him before the doors closed.  His face hadn’t softened, but his eyes seemed to have darkened to a stormy green.

“Suite two, ten o’clock,” he said.

Then the doors slid shut.

I don’t think my mouth closed until I reached my room.  Once inside I set my purse on the coffee table and I went straight to the mini-bar and opened it. I plucked out a little bottle of fruit flavored vodka, then unscrewed the cap. I tipped it to my mouth and drained it in a few hearty gulps.

I grabbed the small gold box of chocolates that was in the welcome basket.  The word
surrender
was handwritten on the top.  Weird.  I tore it open and popped the first piece into my mouth. As I chewed I plopped down into the velvety covered chair near the balcony door and looked out at the island.

I wasn’t sure exactly what had just happened.  Although I was pretty sure that tall dark and sexy had just propositioned me.  It wasn’t like I hadn’t been propositioned before.  In high school, a pretty girl got offers every other day.  Offers to have sex, to give blowjobs.  If it was sexual in nature, it had been suggested in one way or another.

But this, this had sounded like a command.  It didn’t sound like he was asking.  He was telling.

And I wasn’t so sure how I felt about that. Or what I was going to do about it either.

I ate another chocolate, then wandered over to the big bed and laid down on it.  I yawned and stretched out.  The hot sun and alcohol I’d consumed was starting to take its toll on me.   I was a lightweight drinker.  It didn’t take much for me to get tipsy.

Maybe I would just have a little nap, then I could figure out what to do if anything later.  I mean I didn’t have to go to his suite.  It was my decision completely.  No one could force me.  He’d put it out there and now it was up to me to grasp it or not.

The man was definitely good looking.  He was tall and I loved tall men.  I was five foot six myself so sometimes it was hard finding men who could tower over me. This one definitely did.  He was definitely in good shape.  His legs and arms had been well muscled but lean like an athlete. I loved athletic men. He had a sculpted face.  His cheekbones probably could’ve cut glass and his eyes.  Man alive, they were intense.  When he’d looked at me, it was like he was looking
at
me. All of me.

A little shiver rushed up my back.  A not unpleasant shiver.  I rolled over onto my side.  I didn’t think I would get those eyes, and that face, out of my mind for one minute.  His lips had been quite full, and my fingers itched to trace my thumb over the bottom one.  I imagined doing that, and the tip of his tongue just poking out to gently touch my skin.

I rolled onto my back again.  I was not going to be able to nap now. Not with his image playing around in my mind.  I sat up, walked over to the table with my purse and opened it.  I took out my pretty pink vibrator and took it back to the bed.  I needed to just cut the edge off.  Nothing too mind blowing.  Just enough where I could switch off for a few minutes and not think about Mr. Mysterious and what he had planned for me.

Chapter Five

After a refreshing nap of two hours, I got up, showered and dressed in a cute little flowery sundress.  I kept my hair down for a change and smeared on some lip gloss.  I was having dinner with my parents out on the terrace overlooking the water.  There had been a note from them slid under my door when I’d woken.  It was all kind of clandestine, but I thought it was fun.  My parents were probably getting a kick out of it.

My dad had always fancied himself a screenwriter.  He was always going on about this idea and that.  He’d come up with a hundred spy capers or murder mysteries, but out of all of those I think he’d only ever finished one script.  He was probably in his glory with all the secretiveness on the island.

I would eat something wonderful then I would decide what I was going to do about the billionaire’s proposition.  Maybe he thought I was a prostitute or something.  This was definitely not
Pretty Woman
.  I know that thought should’ve disgusted me, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t do something interesting to my insides.

I arrived to find my parents already seated and sipping on margaritas.  Their chairs were close together, and they were laughing, and my mom kept touching my dad’s arm.  I hadn’t seen them this close in more years than I could remember. They looked like a new couple falling in love. I had to admit I was a little jealous.

“Baby doll!” My mom got up and hugged me tight.

“Hey Mom.”  When she let me go, I sat.

“We ordered you a margarita.” My dad pointed to the full glass on the table.

“Thanks.”

“So, how’s Eden treating you so far?” my mom asked.

“Not bad. I’m starting to feel relaxed.   Met a really cool guy.”

Her eyebrow lifted. “Really?”

“Don’t get your hopes up. He’s one of the bartenders here and he’s wonderfully gay.”

“Oh.” She waved her hand at me. “I’m sure you’ll find someone.  You’re too pretty to be alone for long.”

“You make it sound like being alone is this horrible punishment.”

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

“Because I think maybe being alone for a while is just what I need. So I can figure some stuff out. Figure out what I want to do with my life.”

My dad looked at me seriously then, and reached across the table and touched my hand. This was completely out of character for him.  “Funny that you should say that.”

“Is it? Why is it funny?”

“Well, your mom and I have something we need to tell you.”

A million things went through my mind. Divorce. Death. Loss of job. None of them made sense in connection to these two goofy grinning people sitting in front of me.

“Okay?” I took a drink of the margarita. “But maybe could we order first. Because I have a feeling I’m not going to want to eat after you tell me.”

“Oh honey, don’t be so dramatic. It’s not bad news or anything. No one’s died.”

“Is it going to make me happy or sad?”

My dad looked at my mom, then she waved her hand at the waiter. “Could we order please?”

I didn’t like where this was going, but I was too hungry to care at the moment. I wanted my food, then they could tell me the bad news, or the good news, or the news that was going to make me sad, after I’d eaten something.

After we ordered, they told me all about their beach cottage and the swim in the ocean they’d taken, and the love making they did after the swim on the floor of their cabin.  Despite being squicked out about hearing about their sex, I did see a change in them both.  My mom was practically glowing.  My dad too, if men could glow. This trip had definitely done something for them, and it was just day one.

When we’d finished our meal, salmon with a peppercorn and lemon sauce which was delicious, I set down my fork, wiped my mouth then said, “Okay, spill it.”

“We’re moving,” my dad said.

“Okay? So to where? LA finally?”

“Italy.” My mom nearly bounced in her seat.

“Ah excuse me? You’re moving to Italy?”

“We found this cute villa in Tuscany. It’s a bit of a fixer upper but it’s perfect.”

“What are you going to do there? What about Dad’s job?”

“I’m finally going to do what I’ve always wanted to,” my dad said, “Write a novel.”

I gaped at him.  “You’re going to write a book? Seriously? C’mon you haven’t even managed to write all those screenplays you had brilliant ideas for.”

“Ivy, don’t be mean.”

“What about the house?”

“Well, we’re going to sell it of course and all our cars and furniture and everything.” My mom grinned like a hyena.  “We’re going to go over there with just a few suitcases and nothing else. Start from scratch.”

“I can’t believe this.” I tossed my napkin onto my plate.

“Aren’t you excited for us?  We’ve always talked about living in Europe.  We went to Italy on our honeymoon.”

“You never told me you wanted to live in Europe. Never. Not once.” I was aware that my voice was rising, but I couldn’t stop it.  Panic was clearly settling in.

“Ivy, you’re behaving like we’ve completely ruined your life.  This is about us, not you.”

“If you sell the house where am I going to live?”

“We paid for that apartment in Glendale,” my dad said.

“I’m not going to college anymore Dad, I told you that.”

He leaned back in his chair, and the glow faded instantly. “Well, then you will have to find a job and pay for your own place.”

“You’re just going to throw me out. Sink or swim, is that it?”

“Ivy,” my mom tried to grab my hand, but I pulled it away. “We’re not throwing you out.  It’s not like we’re moving next week. It will take a few months for us to plan everything. You’ll have time to figure out what you’re going to do.”

I stood.  I could feel tears welling in my eyes. I didn’t want to let them fall in public. “I have no idea what I want to do with my life. None. And I wish you would help me instead of pushing me off the edge.”

My mom went to reach for me, but my dad held her back.

I left the terrace before I made even more of a scene. Not too many people’s gazes followed me out.  I stormed across the resort lobby and went into the elevator.  I pushed the button and waited.

I was angry that my parents had sprung that on me, especially here of all places. I was supposed to be relaxing. Now how could I possibly do that, knowing that when I returned to San Diego I was going to be chin deep in stress trying to figure out what in hell I was going to do? I would have to find a job and there really wasn’t too many possibilities for a twenty year old girl without a degree and no work experience, except for that one summer six years ago when I helped teach dance to little kids at my old dance studio.  I didn’t think that would really add anything to my resume.

I was also going to have to find a place to live.  There was no way I could afford the kind of apartment I wanted in a good neighborhood, especially since I didn’t have a job.  I thought briefly that maybe Violet would let me crash at her family’s place for a while, until I figured stuff out. But the fact was I couldn’t mooch off my friends forever.

When the elevator stopped and the door opened, I walked out without thinking. It wasn’t until I was staring at a Van Gogh painting on the wall, that I realized I’d pushed the button for the penthouse suites.

I should’ve turned around and went back into the elevator and gone down to my room to sulk, but I didn’t.  I walked the short distance across the lobby floor to stand in front of suite two.  I didn’t know what time it was, although I knew it wasn’t ten o’clock.  It might’ve been seven or eight at the latest. But at this point I just didn’t care.

I knocked on the door and waited.

I was just about to turn around when the door opened.

“I know I’m early, but deal with it.” I walked into his suite, brushing past him as I did.

The scent of his cologne touched my nose and my gut clenched. I adored a man that smelled good.  I hated that so many guys of my generation just went au natural.  I mean, most of them probably had no idea what that odor was really like. It was not a good smell.

I’d expected a luxury suite, but the reality of it was quite breathtaking.  I immediately walked to the 180 degree bank of floor to ceiling windows and looked out across the island. It was spectacular.

“Holy shit,” I mumbled.

When I turned back around, he was standing near the bar with a bottle of something uncorked. “Would you like a glass of Riesling?” he poured the white wine into two crystal wine glasses. “It is a 1998.” He picked up one of the glasses and took a deep sniff. “Two thousand American dollars a bottle.”

I crossed the room to where he stood and took the offered glass.  I took a tentative sip. I wasn’t much of a wine drinker.  I didn’t really acquire a taste for it.  It was usually too bitter. But this was quite sweet and refreshing.

“It’s good.” I took another sip, then turned to survey his room.

The furniture was all light colored, beige mostly, with a lot of bright colored throw pillows and cushions.   There were vases of flowers on every table.  I looked over my shoulder at him.  For some reason, it just didn’t suit him.  I wondered not for the first time, whether he had a travelling companion. A female one.

“I’m not a prostitute, you know?”  I said as I roamed the room taking small sips of the wine.

I think I may have taken him a bit by surprise because he coughed slightly into his fist, then seemed to have gained control again.  “I didn’t think you were.”

“Then why did you invite me to your room?”

“Why not?  I like to take risks. I like adventures. Don’t you?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, I guess maybe, since I’m here.”

“Yes, you are.” He gestured to one of the sofas for me to sit.

I did.  He sat on the one opposite me, and crossed his legs.

He watched me over the rim of his glass.  Nerves zipped through me, and I found it hard to sit still.

“What’s your name?” I asked. “I feel weird sitting here without even knowing who you are.”

“Jakob Werner.”

“Where are you from?”

“I was born and raised in Germany.”

“Do you still live there?”

“No.”

“How old are you?  Like thirty something?”

His eyebrow lifted a little. “Yes around there.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “You’re not some weird creepy pervert are you?”

“I assure you I’m not.”

I eyed him some more. He of course could just be saying that. I had no way of knowing if it was true or not. Except with the way the island brought guests in, I suspected the powers that be wouldn’t invite some sicko criminal to stay.

“Great. Nice to meet you Jakob. I’m Ivy.”

He didn’t say anything just set his glass down on the side table.  “And now that we know each other, why are you here?”

“Ah, you invited me remember?”

“Yes, I know, but why
are you here
?”

I sighed. “Because I’m having a shit day, well a shit week to be honest, and I don’t want to think about it anymore.  I just want to escape, even if it’s for a few hours.”

“I understand this. To want to escape.”

“Good, then I came to the right hotel room.”  I laughed, and finished off the wine. I set the glass down on the table, then looked around nervously at my opulent surroundings.  “So, what do you do? I imagine it’s major considering this room probably costs like five thousand a night.”

“You wish to waste this night to small talk?”

“Um, no, I suppose not.  Just trying to get a handle on you, that’s all.”

“What does it matter what I do for a living?”

“I guess it doesn’t.”

“We both know what this night is about, don’t we Ivy?”

“Yes.” My heart started to hammer in my chest. He was looking at me so hard.

“Stand up and take off your dress.”

“Excuse me?” I gaped at him.

“I said stand up and take off your dress.”

“And what if I say no?”

He gestured toward the door. “Then you may leave. I’m not going to keep you here against your will.”

I looked at the door, and worried my bottom lip with my teeth.  My whole body thrummed with desire, but also fear.  I wasn’t afraid of him hurting me, but of releasing something inside me that I’d been denying myself for a long time.  Unbridled passion and surrender.

In the past, all my sexual encounters had been in my control. I’d even decided when I was going to lose my virginity, by whom and where.  I’d booked the hotel room, picked up my then boyfriend, Parker, and took him there. I’d initiated it and told him exactly what to do and how.  Every encounter since then, I’d called the shots.  On one occasion I’d even tied my partner up and spanked him. He’d loved it, and so had I.

But I didn’t think this man would ever allow me to do that to him.

I got to my feet, and looked at the door again.