Before anyone could say another word I turned and fled after Nikolai, listening to my mother scolding my father.
Outside, the warm air hit me, heating my skin after the cold air conditioning of the restaurant. I looked around but couldn’t see him anymore and I scowled. He must have run to make sure he got away from me. Well, screw him then.
I stomped down the stairs to the beach, letting the sand push between my toes as I stalked towards the water. I felt calmer out here. The waves moving lazily against the shoreline, the sun setting and turning everything a warm orange; it was all so relaxing and it was hard to stay mad or offended. I sighed and headed along the beach towards the dock, wishing--not for the first time--that we stayed at a resort that was actually on the mainland. It would be so much easier.
I heard the rumble of an engine and picked up the pace. Nik was at the helm of one of the boats--TheOcean Darling--and he was pulling away from the dock.That jerk had heard that I wanted to go with him, and he really was trying to leave me behind.
I glanced behind me, watching my bodyguard a few yards back following and my anger at the world increased again. I needed to get drunk. I needed to fuck. I needed to dance and forget that my father was trying to marry me off to anyone rich enough to afford me. To forget that Alexander was incredibly happy, that he’d found his soul mate whilst I was still floundering for a connection with anyone. The whole thing was so unfair, and I knew I shouldn’t wish anything but happiness for my brother, but it was hard when all it did was reflect how pathetic my own life was. The world always seemed to fall at Alex’s feet, yet it felt at times that I had to fight for everything I wanted.
I headed back towards the resort. Surely, I could have someone ferry me over to the main island. It wasn’t that late in the evening. Nik didn’t want me with him to cheer him up?Fine.Then my night had three goals: alcohol, hot music, and a man for the night. I walked into the front lobby, moving fast and making my bodyguard huff.
“I’d like to go off island,” I tapped the glossy countertop with my manicured nails.
“Certainly, Ms. Vasiliev. We’ll have a helmsman out at the dock in five minutes.”
“Perfect,” I nodded, thanking the man before turning and leaving the building at a brisk pace. My bodyguard, infuriatingly, was waiting just outside the door. I felt like a bird in a cage. I couldn’t open my own door and fly out. I always had to wait for permission. Thankfully, I’d gotten good at sneaking away.
“I’m going to my room, Kuznetsov. You don’t need to follow me.”
“Your father has instructed that I--”
“Did he tell you to go into my suite? Did he tell you to follow me into the bathroom? Would you like to watch me shower?” I bit out the words angrily, purposefully jutting out my hip and crossing my arms to make best use of my breasts again.
“Well… no, ma’am,” he admitted, his wide bearded face going red with blush.
“Then listen to the words coming out of my mouth. You are released off duty for the night. Go to the restaurant bar. Have a drink. I am fine.” Without waiting for him to respond, I began walking in the direction of my suite. I wondered if he would follow, but no footstep sounds pursued me. After I turned the corner and went out of sight, I waited for a while so he’d have time to leave, and then I redirected towards the dock.
“Where to?” the boatman asked.
“The mainland. Near Suva,” I said, glancing over at the beach to find Kuznetsov racing back across the sand towards me. I hadn’t tricked him for long. I waved, and as the boat pulled away. He was already on his cell, no doubt giving the rest of security the boat registration so they could find me later.
They always found me, no matter how hard I hid. And there were plenty of other boats waiting to follow me.
It was amazing how quickly we cut through the dark waters and docked at a marina near Suva. But time flew by with the sounds of the ocean around me, the stars above me, and the feel of salt spray dampening my cheeks. I set up a return time with the boatman, and then hopped out, heading straight for a yellow cab that was blinking at me cheerily beneath a streetlamp past marina’s office.
“Ready for some Fiji nightlife?” the driver asked, winking into the mirror.
“Take me somewhere fun and exclusive,” I answered, confirming his suspicion.
Ten minutes went by, and I was beginning to worry that the driver was taking me somewhere to be murdered, because we’d passed all the bars and clubs and were now deep in the hills.
“Where are we going?” I asked, leaning forwards, acutely aware of how low cut my dress was when his eyes dipped to it before looking at me directly in the rearview mirror reflection.
“Somewhere fun and exclusive,” he replied with a smile.
“Like your dungeon,” I mumbled, pulling out my cell phone ready to call for help. The security detail typically found me quickly, but would they be fast enough if I’d jumped into a cab with a serial killer? For once, I wouldn’t be irritated that they found me so fast...
The driver took a sharp right through some trees and after several moments of following just the moonlight, the tree line broke and we were out into a clearing. A bar sat in the distance, music sounding out from it. People were dancing on the sand around a firepit and fairy lights were up in every tree. There were several outdoor bar areas with small queues at each one. Drinks were being served in coconuts and shots being set alight along the length of the bar.
I grinned and thanked the driver, slipping him a good tip for bringing me here and I stepped out, letting the hot air surround me once again. The exuberant atmosphere washing away my dark mood.
Walking forwards, I stopped at a bar and ordered myself a shot and a cocktail, downing the single quickly before taking my cocktail with me. The music was vibrating in the air, loud enough to get lost in but not so loud that it was crude, and I began to dance by the firepit, getting lost in the vibrations.
Hands gripped my hips and swayed with me from behind, and I stared over my shoulder at the handsome male face, smiling and grinding my ass against him. He gripped me tighter, his fingertips digging into my waist and smiled, flashing perfect teeth and bright blue eyes set against tanned skin.
Now this was a vacation.
Not sitting around a stuffy table with my family.
