by Pamela Ann
“A month?” she asked, turning around.
“Only a month.”
Pressing her lips together and wiped another tear. “Okay, I’ll take it.”
I felt relieved for some reason. “All right then, I guess you can unpack and rest a bit while I work for awhile. You can keep this room but I expect you to share my bed every night.” She nodded and bit her bottom lip.
“Blake?”
“Yes?”
She looked so gorgeous it hurt even if she’s crying buckets and sniffing ‘til kingdom come, she always took my breath away. “Would it be too much if I asked you to kiss me?”
She melted a fraction of my cold heart. “No, not at all as long as you promise to stop crying, I don’t like seeing you cry.” I went to where she stood and gently wiped her tears away.
When our lips touched, she sighed delightfully. I meant to kiss her for a minute or two—but it was hard to pull away once it started to get heated and ardent with passionate need.
I stopped when I tasted tears and pulled away with worry. “What’s wrong?” I studied her face, but she smiled through her tears.
“I’m just happy—thank you for giving me this chance.” I nodded and left the room with troubled thoughts.
A month, Knightly….one long arduous month, surely you can manage to not fall back in the throes of love with her by your side?
Heaven help me if I do.
21
Sienna
The rest of the day passed quickly. Luce was leaving tomorrow, so Chad and I tried to spend as much time with her. She tried to avoid Toby as much as she could. The poor thing was so heartbroken anyone could see it every time he looked at her.
We were having dinner on the shore below Blake’s villa. There was a huge table that accommodated all of us and the beach was alight with torches and a few bonfires. There is even an Arabian tent with all the colorful silks and beaded pillow trenched with thick wooden poles. I suppose this is common around the area. The Moor influence was quite strong. The tent reminded me of that time when Blake took me to a spa and told me for the first time how much he’s wanted me. It felt so long ago now, I thought sadly.
He’s been strategically avoiding me since he emerged from his study. He wasn’t blatant about it and he did it so subtlety that not even Chad or Luce noticed. But I did. I noticed it and I pretended that it didn’t hurt me one bit.
Did he change his mind? I started to think that he did. I suppose the whole thing was too good to be true. I’ve never felt that kind of severe pain in my heart when he told me that he planned to marry Camilla again. I wanted the one month to validate how much I love him.
The moon was high tonight. It was a bit chilly tonight but it was tolerable while we were consuming alcohol. This was a private beach and it stretched for miles. The only people that can stroll about were home owners, so the area is totally secure.
Studying the moonlit path, I started to walk leisurely on the soft sand, loving the feel the soft waves as it pulled in and out of the sea on my toes. I held the edges of my white dress so it wouldn’t get soaked with water.
I sighed. It was so beautiful here…
“Do you mind if I join you?” Clive asked, matching my slow pace.
“Sure, why not?” I didn’t even notice that he had followed me out here. Since Friday, we didn’t speak much. He was pleasant though—a bit arrogant—but endurable.
We strolled along the shore for awhile without speaking. It was a comfortable silence. “I gathered that you’re Blake’s? But apparently not his girlfriend?” Clive’s smooth tone was very firm but curious.
Huh. “Well, I’m an ex, I suppose.”
“You’re an ex? But he still wants you I take it? I’ve noticed his eyes set ablaze when he looks at you.” Blake has been looking at me?
I stopped walking and looked back. The fire that came from the beach party looked like a puny dot from where I was standing. I glanced back at Clive. He looked confident and handsome. The moonlight highlighted his striking face. Blake and Clive really won the lottery for the best DNA.
“What’s with the twenty questions?” I quirked up a brow. He laughed huskily and shrugged.
“To be quite honest—when I first saw you—I was curious but later found out that you were Blake’s. I just wanted to know why you two aren’t together when his eyes tell me something else.”
Dish or not to dish? He will eventually hear it from someone. What’s the point of hiding things anyway? It gets exhausting and he seems to be decent. Well, apart from his womanizing lifestyle, there seemed to be a good man inside.
I sighed and consented. “We broke up because I found out about the thing with the Clayworth’s. We didn’t speak for about two months—then we sort of got together. After a couple days, that fell apart because I slept with my childhood best friend, Kyle—an ex as well. From then on, it went downhill. Today, he told me that he planned to rectify his marriage of convenience with Camilla. I then confessed that I loved him. Which he profusely didn’t believe—then he offered a month for me to prove it to him.”
“That was a copious amount of information. Knowing my kin, he doesn’t condone sharing his girlfriends. But if it’s just a shag—then that’s a different matter. You’re direct and forward. I find that rejuvenating—especially amongst these deluded façades of perfection our lot revolves in.” I looked at him in shock then guffawed.
What an amusing man. He doesn’t take himself too seriously. “Deluded façade of perfection? Seriously, coming from a man who only goes for the crème de la crème of women?” I wiggled a finger at him. “You can’t fool me—you’re quite the famous libertine around town.”
We carried on walking when he belted out a roaring laugh. “Precisely, I am part of that lot. In my defense, these lassies tend to not adhere to the word ‘no.’ An indecent, cheeky man such as myself, tends to not hold out for much. Truth be told, being naughty is certainly more diverting and gratifying rather than a monotonous repetitive lifestyle like some pompous, snobbish privileged folks. Alas, soon that will change when father gives me more responsibility. Then life as I know it will forever be a distant memory.”
“That must suck but I guess that comes with birthright, I suppose? You and Blake are quite lucky. You two have the world at the tips of your fingers.”
“Most people would say that—I must admit there are certain advantages to it. I suppose I could be thankful that my life isn’t like Blake’s. My father’s company is enormous but Blake’s responsibility—whew—I’d gladly take mine any time of the day.” Clive really did look relieved. Ha.
“He looks like he’s handling it well.”
“Precisely, he is Blake Knightly. Do you know when he was eighteen, he was acknowledged to already be a business whizz? That’s why it made sense for him to pair up with Camilla. I was quite shocked when I heard the news of the severed agreement—and even more so when I found out he did it due to another woman. I didn’t quite understand it—but now that I’ve met you—I do now. Tell me, what happens if the month is over and he still doesn’t believe your love and affection?”
Good question there buddy. I guess he moves on and gets married then I will be back to my college life. “He would resume his life as he saw it before I entered the picture.”
He nodded and placed his hands in his pockets. “That’s quite sad, isn’t it? To love someone and not have it work out?”
I took a quick peek at him and he seemed to be deep in thought. “Yes, it definitely does. Are you speaking from experience, Clive?”
His face split into two, looking at me like I’ve lost it. “Good God no, that would be a bloody disaster. I thought—of all the satyr’s I never did think Blake had it in him to fall in love—but if he did—it could only be done by such a compelling woman. That proves a lot about you, Sienna.”
“Um…thanks?” I smiled at the handsome charming man. “We should get back. I don’t want them to worry. My friends tend to go overboard sometimes
with worrying. I don’t want to be the person in the hot seat tonight.”
“Of course”
The stroll back was quite nice, Clive was refreshingly funny. When we got there, Madeline looked at us scornfully. Ick, the woman has a serious thing for Clive, but he doesn’t want to entertain it from what I’ve seen for the past few days.
Clive Barrington did arrive with his own party crowd of twenty people or so. It included this weird Madeline woman. I shrugged and left them to party.
I entered the Arabian-themed tent and lounged next to Lucy. She was texting on her phone and looked up in surprise when she found me. “What have you been up to all on your own? Where’s Chad?” I inquired.
“Chad’s is about the perimeters with Luke. I think those two are bonking. I’m ecstatic! Lover needed to let off some heavy steam and I guarantee that the dishy Luke has the knob for it from what I’ve witnessed at the beach earlier on.”
I choked on my water and smacked her arm, gasping for air. “Lucy! You have such a dirty mind!” We shrieked in a boisterous laughter.
“Hey! I feel left out! What are you two beautiful babies laughing about hmmm?” Chad sauntered over and sat on the rug and leaned on large striking-colored beaded cushions.
I cleared my throat and wiped away the tears in my eyes. “Chad, are you bonking Luke Scott?” I mimicked Lucy.
“What if I am? He’s quite delish! I don’t need permission to have sex as well do I? I’m on vacation after all—whatevers babylove!”
“Chad! We’re happy for you!” Luce and I echoed together.
“Really??? O.M.G.! You guys—I just want to thank you for everything…I mean without you guys, I would’ve probably given up. Now with Luke, things are getting so awesome! I mean—I think I’m in lurve!” He fanned his face furiously and gushed like a teenager.
Luce and I sat next to him on the cushions and joined in the rowdy merriment.
Luce cleared her throat and hooked a strand of hair on her ear. She looked tense all of a sudden, “since we’re all here sharing, I wanted to share something with my best girlfriends.”
Chad gently tapped her arm. “Woman! Come on! I’m waiting, so focus!”
“This is might be unseemly but I have to ask. Sienna, would it be alright if I go out with Troy?”
Hold up, did she say Troy? Troy the model?
I tensed, “Troy….Troy Scott?” My eyes popped out of their sockets, “Troy from Friday night Troy?” Say Troy one more time then you’re going to get socked, Sienna.
I’m a little stunned, Okay—majorly stunned. Oh my God, what will become of Toby?
“Eh—yes, that’s the one. You were all there last Friday night. He was crushed to learn that you didn’t see him that way. I want to cheer him up and need a bit of a diversion myself. So—before I proceed—I wanted to get your permission and….say approval?” She bit her lip and looked from Chad then to me, then back again.
Last weekend, we met up with Troy in Malaga. When he hinted that he wanted to date me, I nicely shut his advances down.
Seeing Chad’s mouth still hanging ajar, I grabbed his chin and closed his mouth. “Luce—of course you have it! Thank you for letting me know….but what about Toby? Don’t you love him? I thought you love him? I don’t get it? I’m so speechless right now. Fuck! He’s going to go ballistic!”
All these images are running through my mind like a stampede. Poor Toby, I don’t think he could handle it.
“What the fuck Lucy! This is so fucking fucked up!” Chad held his palm inches away from Lucy’s face. “Listen—this isn’t about Troy. Great! I’m happy about you and Troy. I mean, a fine piece of ass needs to land himself a hot lover and you are that Luce. But what pisses me off is about Toby. I love that man. Both he and Blake had been a constant pillar of strength for me. You’re his life Luce—you can’t do this! You’re going to ruin him and I’m not going to stand back and watch this catastrophe happen.”
Holy, shit. Fierce Chad is coming out. He does have a point. Toby will be crushed and might never recover.
“I understand, Chad—I do. I love him too—but what if this thing with his family’s a sign that it wasn’t meant to be? I don’t want to waste my youth waiting and wondering if I made a mistake or not. We win and lose in love. I just have to handle it like a mature adult and go forth.”
I opened my mouth and closed again. Chad whimpered agonizingly next to me.
Wow, she’s total hardcore. I need some of her Zen pronto.
“I will support you—if it makes you happy—” I was speaking then Chad interjected. I glared at Chad for cutting me off.
“I will too, JUST AS LONG AS YOU KEEP THIS A SECRET from Toby—for little awhile at least. Comprende, chica?”
Lucy nodded sadly. She understood how delicate this is and she also knew we will protect Toby from getting hurt.
“Oookay—since we really are discussing dirty secrets! I have one on my own,” I added.
Chad dramatically tapped his forehead. “You’re pregnant?” I shook my head. “You’re banging that hot blondie, Clive? OMG! Hottest fucking cousins EVER! You’re the luckiest bitch in the world, although you should watch your back with Madeline—she’s a little on the obsessive side.”
“Definitely, negative! Hello? Will you let me finish here without interrupting?” I waved him off while he giggled like a ninny, daydreaming of “the hottest fucking cousins ever.” Aren’t they ever? I blushed. Clive is hot—I mean I love my tall dark and handsome men (insert Blake and Kyle) but Clive was the first blue-eyed blonde I have ever been attracted to BUT I will choose Blake without hesitation.
“Dear me—those two are undoubtedly, devilishly handsome cousins,” Luce murmured.
Chad fanned himself and spoke to Lucy, winded from his dirty thoughts. “You take hottie Clive then I’ll take the godlike Blake! I’d give my life to take a peek inside his pants. Sienna—is he really that great in bed? I’ve been curious—”
“Bloody hell—you have got to spill! The monkey sex you two shared got me so horny it was unreal. How big is he?” Luce chimed in.
Right, on people.
“OMG OMG! I’m dying here! Blake is such a yummy yummy screw!” Chad panted. I thought he was in lurve?
I snorted. “Get it together Chad! Okay—well he’s huge—maybe around nine inches in length and thick all around.”
Chad gulped half of the water bottle. “WOW, HOT DAMN! Gimme some of those munchies!”
“No bloody way! The man was made with perfect, flawless precision. How does he shag? I want details—since my sex life is kaput!” Luce and Chad both looked at me like I have the key to Pandora’s Box.
“He’s rough—but he hits the right spot whether it’s rough or not. He fucks like he wants to rob me of my integrity. He commands—he’s quite animalistic when he gets really turned on. I actually nicknamed him Trojan horse because he does have the stamina of a horse—and the beauty of one.”
“Dreamy! He’s a friend—but gosh—I can’t help seeing him in a different light. He’s just so….dreamy!” Luce sighed.
“You are so in love with him—you are aren’t you?” Chad waited a beat.
“I am—without a doubt. I love him so much it hurts. I made the mistake of sleeping with Kyle. I don’t know what the heck I was thinking. But it happened already.”
I played with the hem of my dress, “He gave me an ultimatum—I actually have a month to show him that I do—and mean it. I just hope that it’ll work. I don’t want to lose him. We’ve come this far—it would be such a waste if it doesn’t.”
Chad threw an arm around me and kissed my head. “He will. Don’t worry—now that you’re fighting for him, he doesn’t stand a chance. The man is nuts about you babylove. Trust me—he will believe you. As long as there is no more hanky-panky with Kyle, got it?”
“Chad! I will not make the same mistake with Kyle. Kyle and I have only been texting—can’t read his mind at the moment. This shit sucks—one way or the other I ha
ve to hurt someone.”
He sighed and winked at Lucy, “To quote what Luce said earlier, ‘We win and lose in love. We just have to handle it like mature adults and go forth.’ ”
It was past midnight when everyone decided to call it at night.
I knew I would be sharing Blake’s bed tonight so my panicked state was quite normal I suppose.
I showered which took a good thirty minutes because I had to make sure I was extremely clean. I shared a bed with him before—but not here, that’s why I’m freaked out and flustered. I’ve never been inside his room but I knew it was in the east wing overlooking the sea.
I sat on my bed in my pale pink silk shorts and camisole, contemplating what to do. He didn’t speak directly to me tonight. After he visited me in my bedroom earlier and threw that ultimatum in my face, I thought he’d be a bit warmer towards me—but he still went on like a stoic knight without giving me much notice.
Do I just go in there and go straight to bed? Or do I look for him and ask permission? Or I could just stay in here and not bother with either option since he looked like he didn’t care what I do?
I pondered for another ten minutes and gave up when the clock hit one-thirty in the morning.
I was exhausted and decided to sleep in my bedroom. I was a second away from dreamland when my bedroom door opened and the door banged against the wall. A furious looking Blake barged in my room wearing only his silk sleep pull-string pants—with that glorious fucking chest on display. What the fuck?
“Blake, what the—” I gasped when he gathered me out from bed and threw half of my body over his shoulder, with my ass hanging out—caveman style. He used his foot to close my door and marched towards the opposite side of house, to his bedroom. Once inside, he hurled me on his bed and my body bounced a few times before I landed still in bewildered shock.
