As if he senses me watching him, he looks my way, a smile forming on his lips, making me smile back. Inching forward, I stutter, my eyes going wide. Pulling my gaze from Romeo, I look behind me and see that my sarong is trapped in the door.
I pull on the material, but it won't move. Panic rises in my chest as I glance anxiously at Romeo, who approaches. Trying not to attract attention, I tug harder.
My heart races in my chest as I look between the door that is holding me hostage and the man who brought me here.
“Fuck, come on, you flimsy piece of shit,” I grunt and tug again. I hear the material rip, but it does not come free.
“Nell? Are you okay?” Romeo calls as he steps closer.
I simply nod, my voice lost in the panic.
Do not freak out in front of him.
Do not freak out in front of him.
Do not freak out in front of him.
Shit, I am going to freak out.
Fuck.
“What’s wrong?” He looks down my body, assessing me, until he follows where my hand is. “Are you stuck?”
I nod. I can’t pull it free.
My heart is racing, trying to break free to run and hide. Why me? God, why did you lump me with all of these misfortunate mishaps?
I give it one last tug before he can move, just as someone opens the door. The force of me pulling on the material and the door opening sends me flying into Romeo, who is holding a cocktail in his hand.
I let out a yelp as the orange liquid splashes over the side of the glass and over his chest.
Time freezes for a split second, then I regain my senses and humiliation rages over all emotion.
“Oh, I am so sorry, I didn’t see anyone on the other side,” an older couple mutters as they move away from us.
By this time, my skin is hot as I blush to high heaven. Where the hell are the MIB when you need them with that memory zappy thing?
I drop my gaze, adjusting the material of my sarong to put it back in place. Laughter echoes around the pool area, and I know for a fact that people just saw what happened.
My heart rate kicks up a notch, and I want the ground to open up and swallow me whole. I will never live this down, but I guess that I will only see these people for this week. And once I get home, I never have to look them in the eyes again.
A pang of disappointment and hurt hits me in the chest, but I knew this would happen and I know that separating will happen.
“Shit,” I mutter, rubbing my sternum.
Hands rub my biceps, and I feel like a stranger being comforted. I inch back from his touch, making him frown. I don’t know why the contact irks me so much. It is not like he needs to comfort me; few of his family members are here to see yet another of my misfortunes.
“Hey, it’s okay. No one saw,” Romeo states to pacify me, but I brush his comment off.
“Oh come on, Romeo, people are laughing for fuck’s sake.” I frown. “I am going to go. Maybe have a shower and find a quiet spot on the beach to read. Go back to your boys.” I turn to leave, but he grips my wrist.
Pulling me back to him, my feet twist and I fall against him, his chest sticky from the cocktail, and the scent of oranges and vanilla hits my senses.
“I am not leaving my girlfriend alone when she is clearly upset,” he murmurs in that sexy low tone.
I shiver at the words and tone, my nipples beading under the thin material of my bikini top. Damn this hot man.
“But I’m not your girlfriend though, am I? And clearly you do not see or care when I’m upset, so let’s just leave it at that. Go back to your family, and I will see you later tonight.”
