“God, could she touch him any more?” I muttered, watching as the stewardess, a red-haired girl with big lips and fake boobs, place her hand on his shoulder and laugh at something one of the guys said.
“Sounds like someone else is a little jealous,” mused Blair.
“Yeah, well if the roles were reversed, we both know how Adam would react. He’d probably stop the flight in midair and parachute out of the plane, he’d be so pissed off.”
She chuckled. “No doubt.”
“At least he’s not drinking tequila today,” I said, noticing that he and Rory both had bottles of beer.
“I know. He needs to stay away from that stuff. They say tequila can make you say and do crazy things.”
I snorted. “Apparently.”
31
Chloe
When we arrived at LAX airport, Adam and I continued giving each other the silent treatment. It was awkward, but fortunately, Rory was so excited about the hotel, he rambled on about it as we made our way through the busy airport.
“I can’t wait, man. Something in my gut is telling me we’re going to get a lot of action tonight,” Rory said.
Blair laughed. “Are we still talking about ghosts?”
He smiled wickedly and put his arm around her waist. “Yes and no…” He leaned over and whispered into her ear, making her blush. I knew the two of them had sex the night before, so it was obviously something dirty.
“I’d say ‘get a room’, but you obviously don’t have to worry about that,” Adam said.
“Too bad we’re not sharing one,” Rory said to Blair with a pouty look on his face.
Blair looked at me and I narrowed my eyes. She’d promised not to make things uncomfortable and this wasn’t helping.
Sighing, she turned back to Rory. “We’ll still have a lot of fun. Besides, you’re going to be with Adam most of the time. Ghost hunting.”
“Come on, now. I’m sure I can spare thirty seconds to rock your world, mama,” he joked.
She burst out laughing. “In that time, we could be done and finished with our cigarettes.”
“Ouch,” he replied. “May I remind you that it was the first time for me in quite a while. Plus,” he swatted Blair on the ass, “you’re way too sexy; I can’t control myself when I’m with you.”
“Next time just try thinking of something gross when you’re on the verge of losing it. Like… Terry or Earl,” Adam said.
Rory cracked up. “Wait, are you saying that the last time you had sex, you were thinking of Earl?”
He grinned. “Hell, no. Just trying to help you out, bro.”
Remembering the last time we’d had sex, I felt an irritating stirring down below. I quickly looked away. Even pissed off at him, I was still horny for the bastard.
“Rory doesn’t need any help,” Blair said. “And I sure as hell don’t want him thinking of Earl or Terry when we’re doing it. I’d rather have him take off early then lose the engines entirely.”
This time all laughed.
When we arrived at the spot, where the hotel was supposed to pick us up, we were dismayed to find Earl, waiting for us. He was leaning against a black van, labeled Stratton Hills Hotel, and smoking a cigarette. He had on a pair of khaki pants and a white shirt with the hotel logo on it.
“Hold up. You’re our ride to the hotel?” Rory asked, looking about as thrilled as the rest of us.
Earl put out his smoke. “Yeah. I volunteered. I even took a couple of days off so that I can help you with the project.”
“You didn’t have to do that, man,” Rory replied.
“No. I insist. I told you before that I know where to find the most ghost activity.” He approached me and Blair. “Let me help you with your luggage.”
“Uh, okay. Thanks,” I replied as he grabbed my suitcase and then hers.
“I am so not missing the snow back home. It’s beautiful out here,” Blair said, removing her sunglasses and cleaning them. “I can’t wait to get my suit on and sit by the pool.”
I agreed. Plus, we’d both gotten our new bathing suits in the mail and I was looking forward to getting a tan. Considering the fact that I was going to try avoiding Adam for the entire trip, I knew I’d be spending a lot of time by the pool. “Yeah, it’s got to be about eighty out.”
“It’s eighty-five,” Earl said. “Hope you girls brought your suits. The hotel pool is kick ass and we have a couple of swim-bars. You can even rent a private cabana if you want to.”
“Too bad we’re underage,” I murmured.
“We’ll get you some drinks,” Rory said, overhearing me. “We’re not going to be spending every waking moment looking for ghosts.”
After our luggage was loaded, we climbed into the van. Fortunately, Adam sat in the front seat with Earl, while Rory sat in back with me and Blair.
“So, how long have you worked at the hotel?” Adam asked.
“Just a couple of years. I usually don’t stay in one place too long. I get bored.”
“How’d you find this place?” Adam replied.
“Was staying in California with a buddy and found out they were hiring.” He looked into the rearview mirror at me. “You girls in college?”
We both replied that we were.
“Good. Stay in school. I wish I would have,” he replied. “Of course, I’d still be a free-bird if I’d have went. Love traveling on the open road.”
The guys made small talk with Earl for the rest of the ride, which was almost two hours. The hotel was located in Santa Barbara, which turned out to be a beautiful city. When we finally pulled up to the massive hotel, Blair and I both sighed in pleasure. It was a gorgeous hotel located right off of the beach. The grounds were lush and well maintained, with flowers and a couple of waterfalls.
“Okay, now I’m excited,” Blair said, smiling in approval.
We checked in and learned that we were actually not staying directly in the hotel, but at bungalows.
“Thank you, Ransom,” Rory said as we approached them. They were just past the hotel’s luxurious pool, near the beach.
“He really went all out,” Adam said, grinning. “I haven’t stayed in anything this nice even when I was racing.”
The two-bedroom homes were gorgeous, identical, and sat right next to each other. When we walked into ours, Blair and I were ecstatic with how cute and immaculately clean it was. We were even provided with two fluffy white robes.
Blair was so happy, she threw herself at me and we hugged.
“Thank you for this. I know you would have rather stayed at home, but we are going to have so much fun!”
“Actually, I’m so glad I’m here. Screw Adam, we’re going to enjoy ourselves and forget he’s even here.”
“Screw Adam, huh?” an amused voice said behind us.
Realizing that we’d left the door open, Blair and I turned to see Earl standing in the doorway with our luggage, a smirk on his face. “Uh, oh. Trouble in paradise?”
Blair and I released each other.
“No. Everything is great. Um, thanks for bringing our stuff,” I replied. “You can just leave it there and we’ll take it from here.”
“Nonsense, I’ll bring everything to your rooms. Just lead the way.”
Blair cleared her throat. “We’re not sure which bedroom we want yet, so just leave it. Like she said.”
He smirked. “As you wish.”
After he was gone, Blair shut and locked the door. “That guy scares me. I don’t like the way he keeps staring at you, too.”
“You noticed that too? I thought it was just me.”
“No. Just, stay away from him. I don’t know who’s creepier, him or his cousin Terry.”
“Considering he’s older, and looks like someone who just got out of prison, Earl actually scares me a little more.”
There was a loud knock on the door, startling both of us.
Blair looked through the peep-hole and unlocked the door. “It’s just Rory.”
“So wh
at do you think?” he asked, stepping inside.
Blair grabbed his arm. “It’s amazing. Thank you so much for inviting me, too.”
He pulled her close. “It wouldn’t be the same without you.”
Her eyes softened. “Aw… you’re so sweet.”
He started kissing her.
I walked over to my suitcase and picked it up. “I get first-dibs on beds, considering I actually won the trip,” I called out.
“Go for it. I doubt I’ll be in my bed much anyway,” she said and giggled.
A week ago I would have said the same thing, and it made me both sad and angry. Part of me still wanted Adam. Just being around the guy left a little ache in my heart for what could have been. But, I couldn’t stop thinking about Saturday night and how he’d turned on me. I wanted to believe that it was just the alcohol, and maybe it was. But, it didn’t seem like we’d ever be able to put the past behind us.
Pushing thoughts of Adam aside, I picked out the bigger bedroom and plopped my suitcase onto the king-sized bed. I opened it up and started putting my things away, excited about exploring the hotel. We’d already walked by the pool area, which had smelled like Coppertone and chlorine, oddly my favorite summer scents. The hotel was also supposed to have an award-winning restaurant and two night clubs.
Blair walked into the room and dropped onto the bed. She stared up at the ceiling and sighed. “I wish we were staying here longer than a weekend.”
“I know.” I shoved my undergarments into a drawer and then turned to her. “Let’s go exploring.”
She sat up. “I told Rory we would meet them by the pool in ten minutes.”
I frowned. “Them?”
“I’m sorry. What could I say?”
“The truth. Adam knows I don’t want to be around him. It’s kind of obvious that he’s feeling the same way, too.”
Blair gave me a weird look. “No. He’s totally still into you. Every time you look away he’s staring at you like some heartbroken puppy-dog.”
“Right.”
“No, seriously.” She sighed. “Let’s just meet them for a drink and then we’ll go our separate ways. They’re meeting Earl at five anyway. He’s going to give them a tour of the hotel.”
I looked at the clock. It was three-thirty. “Fine.”
She got up off of the bed. “Wear your bikini. We’re going to meet them at Floaters. It’s a bar inside of the pool. Isn’t that cool?”
“Yeah.”
32
Adam
Rory and I put our swim trunks on and headed outside to Floaters, which was over by the Lazy River. We stepped into the water and drifted over to the bar. After ordering a couple of beers, Rory and I grinned at each other.
“Nice, huh? Thank you, Ransom.”
“No shit.” Rory dunked his head under the water and came back up. He wiped
The moisture off of his face. “Days like this I wonder why we’re not living down south.”
“Honestly, if we did, we wouldn’t appreciate it as much.”
“Oh, I would appreciate the hell out of it.”
I laughed. “Yeah. I probably would to.”
He whistled under his breath. “Damn, I know why they say never bring sand to the beach.
I glanced around at some of the women lounging by the pool, most wearing skimpy bathing suits. Two of them were staring at us as they sipped their cocktails. They looked like they were older than us by at least a decade.
Cougars. Attractive one.
I turned away. “We wouldn’t be here long enough for you to find the balls to hook up with a stranger anyway.”
Rory was the only guy I knew who talked himself out of one-night stands. He usually started off strong, but always chickened out in the end.
“True.” He stared past me and grinned. “Besides, the sand we’ve brought to this beach is so hot, it’s smokin’.”
I turned around and felt my throat grow dry as Chloe and Blair walked up to the pool wearing bikinis. They both definitely looked hot, but Chloe’s curves were mouthwatering and barely contained in her peach colored suit.
“You’d better get your shit together if you know what’s good for you,” Rory murmured.
“I keep trying,” I muttered. “She’s a hard nut to crack.”
“So, you’re giving up?”
I shrugged. “I don’t fuckin’ know.”
The girls waded toward us and I watched as Chloe adjusted her top. Remembering the feel of those luscious curves in my hands had me sinking lower into the water, grateful it hid my boner.
“What’s up guys?” Blair said, floating over to Rory. She put her hands around his neck and smiled. “You behaving over here?”
“I was planning to until you showed up.”
She giggled and whispered something in his ear.
Rory groaned. “You’re killing me, Blair. One of us is going to get kicked out of the pool for indecent exposure if you don’t stop.”
She laughed again.
I smiled at Chloe, but she turned away, avoiding eye contact.
“What do you want to drink?” Rory asked the girls.
“I’ll take Sex on the Beach,” Blair said.
His grinned. “Slow down, girl. We just got here. Whatcha want to drink?”
She slugged him playfully.
“What about you?” Rory asked Chloe.
“Pina Colada?”
“Sounds good.” Rory called the bartender over and he ordered the foo-foo drinks. “Just put it on our room tab.”
“Will do,” the bartender replied. I noticed his eyes lingering on Chloe and it irritated me. But, I knew I had no claim on her. I also knew that the green-eyed-monster was the reason she wasn’t talking to me now in the first place. I needed to control my shit.
“I’m surprised he didn’t card anyone,” Blair whispered.
“He knows you’re with us and probably assumes you’re legal. Anyway, where you going to put your I.D.?” Rory tugged playfully at her top. “In here?”
She slapped his fingers away and giggled. “Stop.”
“Maybe down here,” he said, his hand disappearing under the water.
She squealed and laughed. “Stop. You’re so bad.”
“So, when are you guys going to hunt for ghosts?” Chloe asked.
33
Chloe
“Five,” Rory answered, finally distracted from feeling up Blair.
Watching the two of them together, flirting and everything, was irritating. Not to mention, it was awkward. Especially while Adam and I were barely talking.
“So, we only have time for a couple of beers,” he added.
“And Earl is going to give you the full tour then?” I asked.
He took a swig of his beer and wiped his mouth. “Yeah. You girls should join us.”
I thought about the way Earl leered at me. He made my skin crawl. “No, thanks. That guy gives me the creeps. I don’t trust him.”
“I don’t care for him either,” Adam said.
Rory sighed. “Well, we’re stuck with him, unfortunately. At least for tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll blow him off.”
Adam raised his Samuel Adams. “Cheers. Good call.”
Rory tapped his beer bottle against Adam’s. “Cheers.”
Our drinks came and when the bartender handed me mine, I could tell he was checking me out. At least my bikini top. It was a little small, which was bugging me, but I’d thrown out my old suit, and now it was all I had.
Blair and I each took a sip of our cocktails. Out of the corner of my eye, I could feel Adam’s eyes on me, through his sunglasses.
“Mm, this is good,” Blair said, licking her lips.
“That’s what you said,” Rory teased, smiling wickedly.
“Bartender, where’s the hose?” Adam joked. “We need to cool this boy down. He’s getting way too frisky over here.”
The bartender chuckled.
“What are we going to do for dinner?” Blair suddenly asked.
/>
“I almost forgot. I made reservations for the four of us at Leonardo’s for seven o’clock,” Rory said. “The restaurant here at the hotel. I called a couple of weeks ago and was able to get us in.”
“Oh, good. The reviews say the food is amazing,” Blair replied.
“Yeah. They’ve won some awards, too,” he replied. “They’re not cheap either. But, we can all thank Ransom for footin’ most of the bill.”
“Speaking of, what was he like?” Blair asked Adam.
Adam cleared his throat. “Nice guy. I didn’t get a chance to talk to him for very long, but he’s pretty down to earth.”
Blair let out a sigh. “I had such a crush on him back in high school.”
“I think we all did,” I added.
“No, doubt,” Rory said, raising his voice and talking like a girl. “I had posters of him all over my bedroom. He’s sooo dreamy.”
Blair chuckled. “You’re such a clown.”
Rory’s smile fell. He looked at me. “Shit. The medium. I forgot to call her.”
“Let’s go back to the room then. I wanna take a shower,” Adam said.
“Yeah, we probably should.” Rory gave Blair a quick kiss. “I’ll text you later.”
“Okay.”
Rory looked at me. “Keep her out of trouble for me, will you?”
I grinned. “Easier said than done.”
“I’m beginning to find that out,” he replied with a wink.
“See you two later. Feel free to order more drinks if you want. Everything is being charged to our bungalow,” Adam said. “Enjoy yourselves.”
“Thanks, but I think I’ve had enough,” Blair said.
“Me, too. I just want to grab a tube and relax,” I added.
“Have fun,” Rory said as they took off.
I watched as the guys stepped out of the pool and noticed a couple of women checking them out from their lounge chairs. One of them said something to Adam as he was walking by. He stopped, grinned, and replied back. Both women laughed.
The Prize: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance (Diamond Lake Romance Book 3) Page 16