by Rye Hart
I could tell Sebastian wasn't at the top of his game. Not that I blamed him, but what happened with Jessica really had really thrown him off. When he'd come back to pick me up before we left for the meeting, he hadn't even come into my room, choosing to stay outside the front door and wait for me.
And as we walked toward the resort, he stared straight ahead and kept the conversation purely to business-related matters. Even though I'd tried to bring Jessica up, he'd refused to talk about her, instead saying he'd deal with it.
He apparently wasn't the only one off kilter, though. Paula looked over at me, a concerned look upon her face.
“Violet?” she asked.
“Yes?”
“I asked if you'd made the arrangements with the driver to pick us up?”
I tried to clear my head, tried to banish all other thoughts about Sebastian, Jessica, and the photos, but I couldn't remember. Had I made the arrangements? I could have sworn I'd booked all travel arrangements for the meetings, but for some reason, this one wasn't coming to me. As I was sifting through all of my paperwork in my file, trying to find it, I caught sight of a blonde woman sitting in the lobby with a glass of champagne, watching us closely, flashing a predatory grin our way.
“What is – ” But then I stopped myself.
I couldn't talk about Jessica with Paula and Steve here, so instead, I cleared my throat, tore my gaze away from her, and continued flipping through my papers until I found the reservation with the limo company.
“Oh, there it is,” I said, pulling out the confirmation sheet. “I knew I made it, wanted to make sure.”
“Great,” Paula said. “Looks like we have a few minutes to spare, maybe we should get a drink at the bar?”
Sebastian must have seen Jessica as well. “You two go ahead,” he said. “I need a little air, so I'm going to wait outside.”
There was no way I wanted to remain inside alone with Jessica, so I followed Sebastian outside. As soon as we were out of hearing distance, I turned to him feeling a surge of panic course through me.
“What is she doing here?” I asked.
“She's staying here,” he said, not meeting my eyes. “At the resort. As a guest.”
Raising an eyebrow, I looked at him, an expression of bewilderment upon my face.
“What? There's nothing I can do about it,” he asked, shrugging. “She's a paying guest. I can't just kick her out.”
“And why can't you? You own the place?”
“Because it would look really bad if I kicked people out of my properties based on personal reasons,” he said. “Besides, I think I've pissed her off enough already. God knows what she'd do if I kicked her off the property.”
I was stunned. Seriously stunned. After what she had done to us earlier today, I would have suspected he would want to be as far away from that bitch as possible, but he just shook his head, an inscrutable look upon his face.
“I have to be able to separate business from my personal life, Violet,” he said, obviously frustrated. “I don't like it any more than you do, but that's the way it has to be. I hate that she's in the same set of bungalows we are, but there's nothing I can do.”
“Wait. So, you mean she's staying a few bungalows down from me?” I asked. “I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that.”
And I wasn't. What if she spied on me, or worse? She was crazy, we already knew that. The fact that she was staying only like a few yards away from where I slept only made things that much creepier.
At least now it all made sense, the fact that Sebastian seemed to be keeping his distance from me. But it made me wonder, was he doing it to keep the drama at bay? Or was it because he still had feelings for his ex? I wouldn't have thought it would be the latter, but now that I'd slept with him, I had to wonder. And I certainly didn't want any ex-girlfriends stepping back into his life, or mine. Especially crazy ones like Jessica.
“What do you want me to do, Violet?” he asked, turning to me with an annoyed look on his face. “I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. I think for the time being, it's best if we just keep everything professional and get our work done, then head home. I'll deal with Jessica, but kicking her off the property after she paid for the room isn't how you run a business. No matter how annoying she is. Not if you have a reputation to maintain.”
A knot formed in my throat. In all the years I'd know him, Sebastian had never before taken that tone of voice with me, and it hurt to hear him talk to me like that. It was condescending and dismissive and not at all like him. As I stared up into his eyes, I fought back the tears because I was a grown-up and needed to act like one, crying in front of your boss wasn't what adults did; they sucked it up and carried on.
“I'm sorry, Sebastian,” I said, my voice flat. “I wasn't thinking. I let my emotions get in the way. It won't happen again.”
His eyes softened, almost like he wanted to comfort me, but the moment passed quickly. His gaze fell past me, and he turned away.
“The driver is here,” he said. “Can you run in and let Paula and Steve know, please?”
“Yes, Sebastian.” I did as I was told, and when I went inside, Jessica was already gone.
Maybe she'd made her point by being there, publicly, allowing me to see her. Or maybe she was outside with Sebastian now. Not that it was any of my business. What had happened last night was great, but perhaps there'd be nothing more that came of it. Maybe, for Sebastian, it had been a fun, one time only show. No repeat performances. How in the hell was I supposed to know what was going on in that head of his if he refused to talk to me?
I needed to understand that sometimes, things didn't always work out the way you wanted them to. I knew last night when I'd slept with him that we probably wouldn't hop into some hot and heavy lifelong committed relationship, and I'd slept with him anyway. Deep down, however, I was still hopeful.
“Stupid girl,” I muttered to myself, scolding myself for believing in happily-ever-afters. “Stupid, stupid, immature little girl.”
I hid my face so Paula and Steve wouldn't see my tears, and I did my job for the rest of the day. I did the work I was there to do and offered little more. And at the end of the day, Sebastian and I went to our separate bungalows and kept our distance. I had a hard time even relaxing as I sat out on the deck, trying to enjoy the ocean breeze because I was fearful that Jessica might be watching me.
Everything good that had happened quickly crumbled away, leaving me feeling incredibly alone and sad. In the span of twenty-four hours I’d gone from the heights of elation to the pits of despair, and it had been my own damn fault. Sebastian had been trying so hard to fight his attraction to me, I should have just let it go. Now I was sitting alone in the most beautiful place on earth with a hole where my heart was.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN - VIOLET
After another round of property tours the next day, Sebastian and I parted ways again. I asked him about dinner plans, if we were meeting with Paula and Steve and he avoided my eyes, giving me a brusque reply.
“No, we're on our own tonight,” he said.
“Should we grab something at the resort?” I asked, feeling hesitant to suggest it.
“I'm just going to call in room service and stay in,” he said. “I'm really tired.”
Biting my lip, I nodded. I didn’t argue with him because I didn’t want to face the rejection I was sure he would give.
“Okay, I guess I'll do the same then,” I said.
Sebastian looked over at me, and there was a sadness in his eyes. “Maybe you should go out,” he said. Go and have a little fun. See Bali, Violet. The company will pick up the tab.”
Truthfully, I didn't want to go out without him. The idea of eating alone in a place like this just made the heartache that was crippling me even worse. That last thing I wanted was to be surrounded by couples when I was alone and my heart was breaking. No, thank you.
I shook my head. “No, I think I'll just eat dinner on the deck outside the bungalow. It'll be
nice. Maybe I'll go for a swim.”
He nodded. “Just let me know if you change your mind.”
I so badly wanted to stop him, to ask him what had changed or whether our night had just been a one-time thing for him. I didn't think so, not after what he'd said the next morning, but I was suddenly feeling insecure and uncertain. I wanted to fix things, to make them right, but I also didn't want to be clingy and crazy like Jessica either.
So instead of having a meltdown, we parted ways. I went to my bungalow and he went to his. As much as I wanted to sit on my bed and cry over how quickly my dreams had been shattered, I forced myself to put on my bikini. I was in Bali, goddammit, and the last thing I was going to do was lock myself in my room and cry into my pillow.
My bikini was a sexy two-piece, vintage style with the high waist that accentuated my curves. At one time, I pictured how hot I'd look wearing it for Sebastian and the effect it would have on him. But now, he wouldn't even see it because he was keeping his distance.
I stepped out onto the deck, walked to the edge, and dipped my toe into the water. The water was warmer than I thought it would be so I slipped into the ocean, dunking my head and staying underwater for a bit, just floating there and feeling all the tension in my body seeming to float away on the currents.
When I came back up for air, my eyes fell on Sebastian's bungalow. I caught him at the window, staring out at me. But the moment our eyes met, he turned and walked away from the window as fast as he could. I floated on my back, staring up at the sun, trying to relax as best I could. I wanted to forget all about Sebastian and Jessica and all of the drama. I was in paradise and didn't want to think about the real world and all of its bullshit for a while.
The sun set, and it was starting to get chilly, so I climbed out of the water and reached for the towel. As I wrapped it around my waist, I caught sight of Sebastian looking over at me again. This time, he was sitting on the deck by himself, eating what looked to be a very nice dinner.
He was close enough, I considered swimming over to him, but I could tell he wanted to be left alone. Still, when our eyes met, I could see that he was regretting that decision.
Dropping the towel, I decided to walk around in my bikini, just to show him what he was missing. Since I knew he was watching me, I figured that I'd give him a show. I'd make him regret pulling away. I picked up the room service menu as I sat down, crossing my legs and looking it over. Once I knew what I wanted, I called the order in.
Sebastian was still across the water from me, staring at me as he ate. I stared back, hoping it might make him react, do something, say something. When it didn't, I looked away and stared out at the ocean.
My phone rang, and at first, I assumed it was room service calling to confirm my order. But when I looked down at the screen, I was surprised to see that it was Sebastian. I looked across at him, and saw him point to the Bluetooth in his ear. I grinned to myself and shook my head.
Picking it up, I teased, “You know, you could just walk your sexy little ass over here if you wanted to talk.”
He was quiet for a moment, as if he didn't know what to say.
“I can't be there with you, Violet. Especially with you looking like that,” he said. “It's dangerous.”
“What do you mean it's dangerous?” I said, scowling in his direction.
“Because I wouldn't be able to control myself. After the other night – ”
I knew exactly what he meant. “So don’t control yourself. We're both consenting adults, Sebastian. We did nothing wrong.”
“Violet,” he said softly. “I can't be with you that way . I just can't.”
“Why not?” I asked. “Is this about Jessica?”
Sebastian sighed, and for the first time since we'd started talking, he looked away from me.
“Well? Is it?” I pressed. “Because ever since she knocked on the door, you've been acting like a completely different person, so I assume – ”
“Yes and no, Violet,” he said, stopping me. “Yes, it does have to do with her somewhat. But not in the way you think it does. It actually got me thinking that I just can't do this to you. What about your family? Your mother? What would she think if she found out your dad's best friend was sleeping with you. Christ, I'm old enough to be your father, Violet.”
“And I don't care. About any of it,” I said. “My mom, well, she can think whatever she wants, but I'm a grown woman. I can make my own decisions. I can be with whoever I want and I don't let anybody tell me I can't.”
“I'm not sure it's that easy, Violet,” he said. “If I were anyone else, maybe so, but – ”
“But what? Sounds like maybe it's you who can't deal with the fallout, Sebastian,” I said, my blood starting to boil. “Maybe you're the one who can't handle the world knowing you're sleeping with your best friend's daughter because you're ashamed. Am I right? Does that about sum it all up?”
He didn't answer for a moment. “Listen, I didn't want to argue with you.”
“Then what did you want, Sebastian?” I asked. “Because dammit, I am tired of being treated like a child. Not just by you, but by everybody. You don't have to watch out for me, I am actually pretty capable of taking care of myself.”
“I called because I wanted to tell you that you were beautiful,” he said.
And then there was a click as he disconnected the call. I stared across the water with tears in my eyes, as he picked up his glass of champagne and went inside his bungalow, closing the door and the curtain so I couldn't see inside.
Dammit, Sebastian. Dammit all to hell.
Suddenly, the very idea of dinner didn't appeal to me at all. All I wanted in that moment was a bottle of something I could drown my sorrows in. When room service came, I put in the request for some wine, and I sat there, staring down at my food, scallops with a white wine sauce over rice and fresh asparagus, something I would have scarfed down in a heartbeat if I wasn't too busy hurting.
When the knock sounded at my door, I assumed it was room service again.
“You're fast,” I said, wiping my tears away with my hands.
I opened the door, but instead of room service, it was Sebastian. And as soon as he saw me, he pushed through the door, shut it behind him and kissed me harder than he'd ever kissed me before.
We didn't even make it to the bedroom this time. He pushed me up against the wall and pulled my bikini bottom down, dropping to his knees in front of me. Without saying a word, Sebastian started eating me out, savoring me like I was the finest, juiciest piece of fruit he'd ever put his mouth upon.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN - SEBASTIAN
It was wrong of me and I knew I should find a way to control myself, but as I paced my room, I couldn't stop thinking about her. The way her polka dotted bikini hugged her curves, the way her perky breasts nearly burst from the top, how her hair was dripping wet and the droplets covered her bare flesh.
It was too much.
The erection was painful, and even though I'd tried to take care of it myself, it was no match for the feel of Violet's tight, wet pussy. I needed her, and her words echoed through my head.
Maybe she was right, it was me. Maybe I was the one afraid of the backlash. She said she didn't care if her mom knew about us; didn't care if anybody knew about us. Who was I to determine what I thought was best for her?
She was right, I spent so much time looking out for her that sometimes I forgot she was a grown woman who could take care of herself.
And God, I wanted that woman.
I prayed it wasn't just lust and selfishness making me walk over to her bungalow. Jessica said if I didn't cut things off with Violet, that she'd release the images. And yet, there I was between her legs, sucking and licking her delicious pussy, pressing my tongue between the folds of her vagina, sliding it into her slit as he grabbed onto my head and called out my name over and over again.
God, it was amazing. When her body shuddered, I knew she was close. I felt the spasms take hold in her pussy, reverberating t
hrough my tongue as her knees started to give out on her. I held her steady as I flicked my tongue all around the juicy opening and she came with my tongue buried inside of her. She cried out and gripped my head tightly, making me one happy man.
My cock was bulging in my pants, however, and the ache was almost too much for me to bear. I should have stopped right there, but before I could say another word, Violet pulled me up and was kissing me again, tasting her own juices from my lips.
“Violet, I need to tell you something first,” I said.
But she wasn't listening. She put her finger to my lips, dropped to her knees before me and took my pants down.
“Violet, one second, I should – ”
But her lips parted and she took my cock all the way into her mouth, making my entire body jerk uncontrollably for a moment.
“Oh fuck,” I said, my eyes rolling back into my head as this beautiful woman sucked my cock like a lollipop.
She licked and sucked, and rolled her tongue down the sides while taking me deep into her mouth. When she couldn't take me all the way in, her hand made up the distance, and slowly, my hips started moving back and forth as I fucked her pretty little mouth.
All mention of Jessica and the photos was gone. The only thing I could think about was her lips and her mouth on my dick; and she was good. Damn good. I could tell it wasn't her first time sucking a man off, and I feared that if she kept up the pace she was on, I might lose it. And as much as I'd love to shoot my load between those red lips of hers, I wanted to be inside of her. No, I needed to be inside of her.
“Stop,” I said, pulling her hair back and keeping her from going down once more.
She playfully pouted at me, but then she stood up and kissed me again, her tongue pushing past my lips with a ferocity born of need. All this time, I was worried I was the one taking advantage of her, and yet, there she was, horny as hell, doing everything she could to get me to bed.