A Price to Pay

by Alice Raine

  The look of revulsion in her eyes was one I would never forget, and I curled my hands into fists at my side as it played in my head over and over again.

  I might have been feeling protective and predatory after her run-in with the Spanish sleazebag, but she had been the one to initiate things between us, I was almost certain of that, which was what made it all the more difficult for me to try to understand. Why jump up at me with such lusty moves only to regret it afterwards? Had my performance really been that bad?

  Self-conscious worry mixed with my frustration and wriggled restlessly in my bloodstream until I could barely keep still. I needed to work off this restless energy before I did something I might regret later. In short, I needed to find my go-to relaxation method – a gym – and I needed to find it now.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Sasha

  I glanced up at the hotel name again to check I had the correct place and then strode in, trying to look confident. I didn’t feel confident, though. Not at all.

  ‘Good morning, I was hoping you could tell me which room my friend is staying in? His name is Marcus Price.’

  The receptionist glanced at the clock as if making a point of the early hour and gave me a scrutinising look before smiling politely. ‘I can place a call to his room for you?’

  I’d fully expected her to be cagey about giving out personal information, but as she lifted the phone from its cradle my reply almost squawked from my throat in my desperation to stop her. ‘No!’

  I didn’t want her to call him just to have him hang up on me, which I was fairly certain was exactly what Marcus would do when he heard my voice down the line. I’d tried calling his mobile already, but he’d ignored all my calls, so I couldn’t see how this would be any different.

  I was desperate to speak to him to iron out the misunderstanding of last night, but as he wouldn’t speak to me on the phone I’d decided I needed to pluck up the courage to do it in person.

  Which is why I was currently standing in the lobby of this fancy hotel staring at a woman who didn’t look like she was going to help me out at all.

  Quickly formulating a plan in my mind, I held up the small carrier bag I was holding and waggled it, hoping she couldn’t see that all the bag contained was my discarded cardigan, a bottle of water, and my battered sunhat.

  ‘I’m with the wedding party. Marcus is here with the groom, Oliver Wolfe? They’ve asked me to drop in a few last-minute essentials.’ I knew Oliver was friends with the owner of this place, so I was hoping that dropping his name might get me the information I needed.

  The receptionist’s eyes widened slightly and then she chomped down on her lower lip. ‘Ah, Señor Wolfe. Sí,’ she nodded, her voice sounding slightly husky, and a blush heating her cheeks. Ah, it was like that, was it? I smirked at her reaction; it would seem Oliver had a fan – with his good looks she was no doubt one of many among the young female staff here – so I used this knowledge to my advantage. ‘You know how Oliver can be. He was very insistent that I drop this off with Marcus… I’d really hate to disappoint him.’

  ‘Sí, sí. Of course.’ She nodded keenly, glanced down at a screen in front of her, and, after tapping a few buttons, looked up with a smile. ‘Mr Price is in the City Suite, next to Mr Wolfe who is in the Presidential Suite. Both are on the top floor, level six. The lifts are just over here to the right.’

  I gave her an appreciative nod, turned towards the lifts, and tried to suppress the nerves now tumbling around inside my stomach. I still couldn’t believe Marcus had mistaken my panicked look for one of regret and stormed off, but now that I had come to terms with the fact I really liked him and wanted to try for more I had to at least attempt to talk to him. I needed to explain that my expression hadn’t been regret, but panic because I’d realised I was falling for him.

  Falling hard. In such a short space of time he’d become all I could think about.

  I exited the lift and walked along the fancy corridor, checking the names on each room and not making a sound as my feet sunk into plush grey carpet. Glancing around at the silk wallpaper and oil paintings on the wall, I raised my eyebrows. This was a seriously fancy hotel.

  Finally locating his suite, I stopped by the door and chewed on a fingernail as I tried to work out what the hell I was going to say.

  In short, I had to face a man who no doubt thought I was a complete bitch who had only used him for sex, and tell him that not only did I like him a lot, but that my feelings for him were so strong they were terrifying to me. Terrifying, but also exciting. For the first time in my life, I actually wanted to move forward with a guy.

  Shifting on the spot, I drew in a shaky breath. It certainly wasn’t going to be an easy conversation to have, but I needed to dig up some confidence and get it done.

  I very much doubted that he would be expecting me to turn up at his hotel like this, but now I’d managed to get past the security I had to at least knock on his door.

  Whether or not he’d open it to me was another matter entirely.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Oliver

  Breakfast had just been delivered to the room, and it smelt divine; cured ham and potato omelettes with a large pot of fresh coffee. The staff had also included a side plate of lightly sugared churros and two chilled glasses with a pitcher of Mimosas – neither of which I had ordered but were presumably an added extra because I was paying for not only one, but two suites in the hotel and it was costing me an arm and a leg for the privilege.

  I carried the tray back out onto the balcony, glanced at the beautiful view, and placed the food down. I would have loved to be sharing the cityscape and breakfast with Robyn, but as I had insisted on separate hotels until our wedding night I was instead having breakfast with my best man, Marcus, in his room.

  Just that brief thought of Robyn made me smile, and I felt the now familiar tug of love inside my chest as I allowed my thoughts to linger on her for a few moments.

  Today she would become my wife, and I could barely stand the wait.

  ‘It’s only a few more hours, mate,’ Marcus said with a chuckle, breaking me from my daydream and correctly interpreting my apparently lovestruck expression. Giving a wry smile, I nodded and poured the cool champagne cocktail before handing him a glass.

  ‘I know. My apologies, I’m acting like a horny teenager.’ Holding my glass up, I grinned. ‘Cheers.’

  ‘Cheers.’ Marcus laughed and clinked his glass against mine. ‘I don’t need to know the details of your horn, thanks, mate, but in all seriousness, I’m really pleased to see you so happy.’ He knocked back a swig of his drink and gave me a long stare. ‘You always seemed so set in your single ways I literally never thought I’d see the day.’

  I could easily see why he’d think that; I had been happy as a bachelor, more than happy. I’d been untethered and free to share the bed of whoever I chose, and I had chosen many, many different beds over the years.

  It was a lifestyle that had suited me perfectly until a certain wide-eyed brunette had stumbled into Club Twist and caught my attention. Never in a million years had I ever expected to fall in love, but fall in love I had. Hard and fast and so deeply that I couldn’t ever imagine not having Robyn in my life now.

  ‘She’s incredible. She’s so perfect for me,’ was all I could manage as a response without getting overly sentimental.

  He nodded, and even though I was now staring out across the city view I could feel that Marcus was still watching me intently. ‘I can see that. I’m chuffed for you, both of you.’

  Marcus and I were close – he was one of the best friends I had – but we were both proud men and I didn’t want to show quite how much Robyn had softened me, so I decided to turn my attention to my breakfast as a way of ending the conversation.

  He obviously sensed my diversionary tactic, because he smiled and joined me in eating. ‘How was the family meal last night?’

  ‘Good. I thought it might be a bit intense with everyone there,
but actually, it was incredibly relaxed. What did you get up to?’

  A peculiar expression crossed Marcus’s face, one that I couldn’t quite pinpoint but had momentarily looked like misery, and then he shrugged. ‘Went out with a few of the wedding party for a bit and hit the gym later before bed.’

  His earlier pained look had gone, and none of what he’d done seemed particularly out of the ordinary, so I decided I must have misread his expression.

  It didn’t surprise me that Marcus would use the gym at night. He wasn’t addicted to exercise, but he certainly liked to hit the weights several times a week, regardless of the time of day.

  I had just bitten into a mouthful of omelette when there was a knock at the door to the suite that caused Marcus and I to share a confused look. Swallowing my food, I frowned. ‘You expecting someone?’

  Marcus shook his head. ‘No.’

  ‘Maybe room service forgot something?’ Although I couldn’t imagine what; we already had enough food here for a small army.

  ‘I’ll see who it is.’ Marcus stood up and chucked his napkin on the chair before heading towards the door.

  I was just lifting another mouthful of food onto my fork when I heard Marcus give a loud curse from inside the suite. Frowning, I pushed my plate away and went to investigate. He stood beside the door with a scowl on his face and his hands clenched at his sides, but when he saw me approaching he hurriedly came towards me and steered me back out onto the balcony.

  ‘Did you need Sasha for something?’ he asked tersely, giving me a heavy stare. The strangely pained look from earlier was back again, but I still had no idea what it meant.

  ‘What? No. Why?’

  His scowl deepened, and he jerked a thumb over his shoulder. ‘She’s outside.’

  Now I really was confused. Sasha was outside the door, but he wasn’t letting her in? My mind immediately went to Robyn, and worry settled in my stomach. ‘Maybe it’s something to do with Robyn and the wedding?’ As I ripped my phone from my pocket it vibrated in my hand, and my panic grew as I saw that it was a text arriving from her.

  Good morning husband to be. I can’t wait to marry you! See you soon xx

  Her words instantly relaxed me, and after sending out a quick reply I glanced at the door again, wondering why he wasn’t opening it. If Sasha wasn’t here about Robyn, then why was she knocking on Marcus’s door this early in the morning?

  ‘Aren’t you going to see what Sasha wants?’ I asked in confusion.

  Dropping back into his chair, Marcus downed the rest of his Mimosa and then refilled his glass. ‘Nope.’

  I paused briefly before asking the obvious question in my mind. ‘Do you want me to let her in?’

  ‘Nope.’ His eyes remained averted and his newly poured Mimosa disappeared down his throat quicker than a flash. At this rate we were going to be needing another jug.

  Clearly something was going on that I didn’t know about, so I took my seat and sipped my drink in silence as I waited patiently for Marcus to open up. It didn’t take too long. Barely ten seconds after I’d sat down, Marcus sighed and began to pick at some non-existent fluff on his trousers. ‘We had sex. Last night. In the club.’

  It was only three short sentences, but they almost made me choke on my drink.

  ‘It was just a quick fuck. No big deal,’ he added dismissively. Even though Marcus seemed to be aiming for a casual tone, his stiff posture and deep frown made it obvious that there was more to it than a simple “quick fuck”. It also explained that weird expression I’d seen on his face earlier.

  Recovering my composure, I put my glass down and cleared my throat. ‘But now you’re not speaking?’

  ‘We had sex and afterwards she regretted it, so no, I’m not speaking to her.’

  She regretted it? Did that mean that he didn’t? I could only assume that for Marcus this had started out as more than just casual sex. His bombshell made my eyebrows jump in my hairline but, trying not to look too shocked, I sat back and folded my arms. ‘Want to talk about it?’

  ‘No.’ His answer was immediate, but so was his confused grimace. A second later, he banged his nearly empty glass down on the table. ‘Yes.’ Marcus rubbed his hand over his face and sat back, pushing his breakfast away. ‘Fuck it, I don’t bloody know! It’s just screwed up, that’s all, because I really like her, and the sex was incredible, but she clearly doesn’t share the feelings I have.’

  ‘She told you she regretted it?’ Sasha might be brazen, and she was also one of the bluntest speakers I’d ever met, but even I was struggling to imagine her saying something so hurtful to Marcus. ‘She actually said those words?’

  Huffing out a breath, he raised his hands and ran them through his hair, leaving it sticking up like he’d been struck by lightning. ‘She didn’t need to, it was obvious in her expression. She looked horrified.’

  And yet she had just been here knocking on his door… Surely, she couldn’t have been that horrified?

  I knew the history between Marcus and Sasha was messy and complicated, but I was a good enough reader of people to see that regardless of whatever differences they might have, they were undeniably attracted to each other. I couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps Marcus had misread the situation somehow and jumped to the wrong conclusions.

  ‘But it was consensual, yes?’

  Marcus’s eyes bulged as he leaped out of his seat and started pacing the balcony like a caged animal. ‘Of course it was fucking consensual! Jesus, Oliver, I’m not a monster.’

  Holding up my hands in a calming gesture, I shook my head. ‘That came out wrong. What I meant was you said it happened in Fantasia, so I was wondering if you were using one of the private rooms and if perhaps things might have got a little out of hand? It’s easily done. I know from personal experience.’

  A brief memory of Robyn flitted to my mind, and the first time she’d agreed to let me show her some submissive positions. I’d promised her I would be on my best behaviour, but in the heat of the moment I’d gotten so carried away that I’d made her come in my arms. At that point in time we hadn’t been at a place in our relationship where that was appropriate, and I’d overstepped my boundaries big time, causing her to run away from me looking horrified – just as Marcus was describing with Sasha.

  ‘No, it was nothing like that. Some guy was hitting on her and she was telling him no, but he wouldn’t get the hint so I dealt with him.’

  Dealt with him? Glancing down at his clenched fists, I saw some blotchy bruising on his knuckles and raised an eyebrow but chose not to say anything.

  ‘When I came back, Sasha and I shared some insanely intense eye contact and then the next second we were all over each other in a dark corner.’ Marcus shook his head. ‘I think she started it, but the more I think back to it I’m not even sure, to be honest.’

  ‘And it was good?’

  His eyes fluttered shut briefly, as if he were remembering every detail of their encounter, and then a telling flush filled his cheeks. ‘Yeah, really good. The chemistry between us is so potent. It’s like she makes me lose all control. I’ve never felt that with a woman before.’

  I was well aware how that sensation felt. One sexy glance from Robyn could have me hard and throbbing within seconds.

  ‘If she regretted it I don’t see why she’d be here at your door now,’ I murmured, stating the obvious. ‘I can’t help but think maybe you’re missing something here, mate. I think you should talk to her.’

  Marcus gave a defiant shake of his head and flopped back down in his seat, looking like a deflating balloon. ‘Nope. I’ve made the same mistake twice, I won’t be making it again. Anything that might have been between Sasha and me is finished.’

  He topped up his glass yet again and sat back with a completely clear expression on his face as if he had wiped all memory of our conversation, and their sexual encounters, from his brain.

  ‘So, it’s your last morning as a free man. Anything you want to do before we start getting re
ady?’

  It was quite clear from his expression that the topic of Sasha was closed. For now, anyway. Maybe once the dust had settled I could have a go at playing Cupid, because my thick-skinned best mate was clearly besotted, and from everything Robyn had said over the past few months it seemed to me that Sasha shared the sentiment.

  They needed their heads banging together, and maybe I was the right guy for the job, but first I needed to get ready to marry my girl.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Robyn

  I woke up with nervous excitement swirling in my belly, but when I went to find Sasha to share my exhilaration I got no answer from her bedroom door. Thinking she might be sleeping off a hangover, or had perhaps had such a good night at the club that she’d hooked up with someone and not come home, I quietly opened the door to check. When I ventured inside I found a messy and unmade bed indicating that while she wasn’t here now, she had slept here.

  It wasn’t even eight in the morning yet, and Sasha usually loved her sleep, so even though she’d promised me she wouldn’t be hungover for today, I was surprised that she was up at this early hour.

  Assuming she was in the main house having breakfast, I got dressed and then composed a good morning text to Oliver.

  Good morning husband to be. I can’t wait to marry you! See you soon xx

  I pressed “send” and stood there hugging myself in excitement. Husband! We’d be married today, and that thought had me grinning like a loon as I eventually got my feet moving and made my way across the pretty cobbled courtyard to the house.

  Despite the early hour, there was a rush of activity going on; several people were carrying delicate white chairs across the yard towards the fruit grove where Oliver and I would marry later that day, and on the main lawn I saw the marquee being erected ready for the garden party that would follow the ceremony. It was just a canvas roof, really, and had no sides so any breeze would pass through. Its sole purpose was to provide people with some shade away from the blazing summer sun, because as lovely as this garden was, there wasn’t enough shade for a hot group of wedding guests. From what I could see of it so far, it had been a good pick and looked perfect for the job.