Unfortunately for me, his plan worked.
Looking at the man across the table from me, I know if I sleep with him, it won’t feel anywhere near as perfect as it does with Owen. Sex with Mark is good. I wouldn’t have booked a ticket three months ago if it weren’t. But I’m not sure I want his good anymore.
I’ve always been a woman who dates freely and rarely commits to relationships. I’m the fun girl men have a good time with, and once the fun wears off, they inevitably end things. I’m not ashamed that I’ve had a decent amount of uncommitted sex in my day. Contrary to what my friends may think, I don’t sleep with men on the first date. And I’m actually pretty picky.
My problem tonight is that I was just with Owen six days ago. I can still feel his hands on my skin. I can still smell him. The thought of Mark erasing those things is almost as unappealing as the oysters he’s devouring. The sound of his slurping spreads irritation throughout my body as knots twist in my stomach.
Why the hell did I get on the plane this afternoon?
I don’t want to sleep with him. I spent the entire flight thinking of what I would say to him when I ended things on Sunday. So, why am I here?
Owen may think I need to sleep with Mark to realize he doesn’t compare, but for once he’s wrong.
Waiting until his third oyster is down and his disgusting sounds have ceased; I take a hefty chug of my wine. “Mark, I don’t think I’m going home with you tonight.”
“Excuse me?” His head is on a swivel as he looks around the restaurant, making sure we aren’t being watched.
“I know what we have is casual, and there’s no breakup happening here, but I think I’m done with whatever this is. You’re a great guy, but after dinner, I’m gonna call a car and head to a hotel.”
“Did I do something?”
Besides the oysters, no. You just aren’t the guy for me.
“No. I’m just gonna take these two days to myself.”
“Did you know this before you got on the plane this afternoon?”
“Maybe?” I shrug.
“Then why did you come?” He sounds confused and maybe disappointed, but his tone is gentle.
“I’m not sure, if I’m being honest.”
“Let’s have dinner and see how you feel after. Don’t decide right now.”
But my mind doesn’t change. After dinner, I take a car to the Sunset Marquis.
By some stroke of dumb luck, Villa forty-four is available. I book it for two nights and have sweet dreams full of memories made in this very suite two and a half years ago.
Chapter Seventeen
Daisy
Sunset Marquis
2 years and 4 months ago
Knock... Knock... Knock...
As the door to villa forty-four swings open, it’s clear I've been duped.
A towel-clad Owen leans against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his tan bare chest. He’s still wet from a shower, so his light brown hair appears darker than usual. That cocky Owen Swift look is smug on his face. The one that says he knows he’s irresistible and that my knocking on his door was inevitable.
He’s not wrong. Unfortunately for me the man is irresistible. This much arrogance from one human would usually turn me off. But when his dimples come out to play and his bright blueeyes sparkle with mischief the way they are right now, all I see is Owen.
And he is beautiful.
The nearly naked man before me sticks his head out the door, looking both ways, checking to make sure the coast is clear. “Clover... to what do I owe the pleasure?”
