After the Pain

by Gia Riley

  Sean ends the kiss to move his lips to my neck, licking and sucking his way down to my chest. I throw my head back to give him better access. In between kisses he carries me over to the sink, sitting me on the edge of the countertop. The marble is ice cold underneath me and I yelp in surprise.

  He cups my face in his palms, looking into my eyes as he says, “Hallie, you’re beautiful. I apologize for my freak out. I got a little upset about anyone other than me being able to see your gorgeous body in that bikini. Both of them look amazing on you, so wear whatever you want. I’ll get it together.”

  “I bought them for you. I wasn’t thinking about anyone else looking at me,” I confess.

  “I know, babe. You look smoking hot. I saw the way you covered yourself up and knew you took my reaction completely wrong. Please never feel self-conscious around me or anyone else. You’re so beautiful.” He kisses me one more time, then lifts me off the counter and carries me out to the patio surrounding our pool.

  “Sean! Put me down!” I smack his arms but he doesn’t budge.

  “My girl wants to go swimming, so we’re going in the pool.”

  “I can walk. Put me down,” I beg.

  “You sure about that?” he asks. He has a mischievous gleam in his eyes I know I should worry about.

  “Yes!”

  My body is suddenly flying through the air as Sean tosses me into the pool. The change in temperature is a shock to my system. I come up from underneath the water, wipe my eyes and race to the ladder as fast as I can. “You asshole! I’m going to get you back for that.” I hear someone snicker from the other side of the privacy wall separating us from our neighbor’s suite. I’m glad they think he’s amusing!

  Sean’s busy cracking up, still standing in the same place he dropped me from. “What? You did say to put you down. I was just following directions!”

  I climb up the last rung of the ladder and slowly walk over to him. I make sure to squeeze my boobs together, creating some irresistible cleavage. His expression changes from playful to smoldering in all of five seconds. I stop in my tracks to lean my head back and run my fingers through my tangled, wet hair, removing the knots. I make sure to stick my chest out and arch my back. In my mind I look just like Carmen Electra when she was on Baywatch. A girl can dream!

  “Damn, Hallie. I’m trying really hard to control myself right now. Please get your sexy ass over here.”

  I walk over to him, letting him believe I’m over what just happened. When I get there, he leans down to kiss my lips. I let him get close to me before I push him with all my might into the pool. I watch him fall over the edge, plunging into the cool water below.

  He kicks to the surface appearing shocked by my boldness. “I can’t believe you just did that! I was about to kiss you.”

  I shrug my shoulders. “When you play with fire, you get burned. Sorry.” I’m not sorry at all. “You looked like you needed to cool down a little from all of this.” I run my hands up and down my body as seductively as I can, feeling absolutely ridiculous. I jump back into the pool, and swim underwater to his legs. Popping up, I climb onto his back like I’m going for a piggy back ride. I whisper in his ear, “I win.”

  He must not like to lose because with me still on his back, he throws his whole body backwards and dunks me under the water again. The only difference being I come up laughing this time.

  “Truce?” he asks.

  “No way, I won!”

  “We both win,” he says as he kisses me sweetly.

  “You’re right, we both definitely won. Thank you for bringing me here, Sean.”

  “I told you I plan on showing you the world, babe.”

  Back in the room I fling my pool bag onto the table and flop down on the couch. Sean wastes no time jumping in the shower to wash the chlorine off his tanned body. He’s one of those types that can get a beautiful bronze glow with absolutely no effort.

  “Hallie,” Sean yells from the bathroom.

  “Yeah.”

  “Get your ass in here woman.”

  “I’m comfy. Do you need something?” I close my eyes and continue lounging on the most comfortable couch I’ve ever been on in my life. I’m tempted to search for a tag so I can figure out the brand name and buy one for myself. I feel warm water droplets on my face and when I open my eyes; a very naked Sean is standing above me. “What are you doing? You’re making a puddle all over the floor, you know.”

  “Maybe that will teach you that when I call you, you should come.”

  “Oh yeah. What’s in it for me if I come.”

  “Exactly.”

  I laugh at his playfulness and get up to toss him a towel. That must have been what he was calling me for in the first place. I may have removed them all from the bathroom as a joke earlier today. The little show I just got was absolutely worth it.

  I WAKE UP THE NEXT MORNING feeling like I never went to sleep. Our late night activities kept us up most of the night. The casino was a blast even if I wasn’t sure what was happening on the craps table most of the time. Just the excitement was enough to have me hooked. They say New York City is the city that never sleeps but I think Vegas is also a contender for that title. I pull the blanket up closer to my chin and snuggle into the warmth of Sean’s body. This is my happy place. He’s still out cold but I can’t get back to sleep now that I’m up. His conference starts today so I want to let him get some more rest. I decide to put on my black bikini and lounge outside until Sean gets up. I can’t get enough of the sun here. It’s nothing like the sun at home. I’m convinced it’s a different sun altogether. The temperature is high but there’s no humidity. I tip toe quietly around the room and inch open the bedroom door so it doesn’t wake him. I grab a banana and walk outside to relax.

  Immediately I jump into the pool to cool off. I don’t want to go home with a pink front and white back so I lay on my stomach when I get back to my lounger. My tops pulling at my neck, so I untie it and push my hair to the side. I’m not sure how much time goes by when I feel someone tapping my shoulder. I must have been so relaxed I dozed off.

  “Sorry to bug you, but you’re turning into a lobster,” a deep male voice says with a hint of an accent. It’s obviously not Sean.

  “What? Oh. Thanks.” I start to sit up forgetting I don’t have my top tied around my body. Quickly, I cover myself and search for my towel, but I think I forgot to bring one out with me. I guess the jokes on me now.

  “Sorry to scare you. I’m staying in the suite next to you and saw you out here. I’m Patrick.” Maybe he’s Irish. He holds out his hand for me to shake but I can’t move my arms or he’ll get a full show of my goods. I look up at him and then down at my chest. Thankfully he catches on and turns around so I can slip my top back on.

  “In my country nude sunbathing is encouraged. You don’t have to cover up on my account.”

  “I didn’t know the Irish were so free with their bodies.”

  “I’m French, mon mignon.”

  “I didn’t realize Patrick was a French name, sorry.” Wait a minute. “Did you just call me a piece of meat?” I question with a laugh.

  “It means my cutie.”

  Rolling my eyes, I make sure everything is where it’s supposed to be in my northern hemisphere. He turns around and his eyes immediately land on my breasts. Openly gawking at me, I stick out my hand for him to shake but he doesn’t notice. “I’m up here, Patrick.” Finally he notices my hand and shakes it. “My name’s Hallie, nice to meet you.”

  “Pleasure’s all mine. You’re very beautiful, American girl.” He takes this exact moment to strip off his white t-shirt. I’m met with a hairy chest and a tiny speedo that makes me want to gag. If this is part of his attempt at seduction it’s not working. I’m willing myself to keep my laughter inside.

  “Thanks. I better go find my lotion.”

  “You can use mine, just one minute.” He runs around the divider wall and comes jogging over with his suntan lotion. Please stop running in that s
peedo! Oh, please stop the running. There’s too much jostling and things are moving in all the wrong places. He squirts some lotion into his hands that I assume will be put onto his own body. I’m slightly shocked when he proceeds to rub his hands all over my back.

  “Shit, that’s cold! What are you doing?”

  “You won’t be able to reach your back, I’m helping you.”

  I grab the bottle of lotion from his hands before he can squirt any more onto my body. “I appreciate the gesture, but I can get it.”

  “The guy always puts the lotion on the lady, just like in the movies. It’s what a gentleman does,” he says as he continues to rub all over his chest.

  “Name one,” I challenge

  “I’m not sure you know of my French movies, cutie.”

  “You’re probably right about that.” I finish rubbing in my lotion that I really didn’t need in the first place. My eyes wander to his banana hammock all on their own accord and I know it’s so very wrong to ever look at a man’s junk and laugh but I just can’t help it. It’s like seeing Borat in the flesh. He mistakes my glance for more than it is and winks at me. I see him lick his lips and suddenly I’m no longer craving the sunshine. I grab my white cotton cover-up and prepare to make a mad dash. “Thanks for waking me up. I’ll see you around I’m sure.”

  “Going so soon?” he questions.

  “Yeah, busy day planned.”

  He nods his head and watches me go inside. I stop and grab some grapes before heading into the bedroom. Sean is sitting on the edge of the bed stretching, clueless about our interesting neighbor.

  “Morning, sleepyhead.” I walk over and give him a kiss.

  “Whatcha got?” he asks in his raspy sleepy voice. God, that’s sexy.

  “My cover-up and some grapes. I was outside for a while. Want one?” I pop a grape into his mouth and when I go to lay my cover-up on the bed I realize I must have grabbed Patrick’s shirt by mistake. Shit! Now I have to go back outside and give it back. I’ve had enough of his charm for one day. With my best puppy dog face I decide to ask Sean to do my dirty work.

  “Can you do me a quick favor, babe?”

  “Sure. I love favors. Which part of your body needs some attention, first?”

  I run my hands down his chiseled abs, placing a string of kisses across his chest. “I’ll show you as soon as you come back.”

  He groans and grabs my ass. “Where am I going?”

  “To give Patrick his shirt back and get my cover-up.”

  Sean stops kissing my neck and abruptly pushes me back. “Who the fuck is Patrick?”

  I fill him in on how I fell asleep outside, and all about our overly helpful neighbor who desperately needs to invest in a pair of swim trunks.

  “Did that punk see your tits? He and I are going to have words, Hallie.”

  “He just tapped my shoulder to wake me up. I covered myself up right away.”

  Sean growls in frustration and flops back onto the bed. His hands are in his hair tugging on the strands. “Baby, please keep your clothes on in public. It’s bad enough guys like him get to see you in a bikini at all. If you go taking it off, absolutely nothing is left to their imagination.”

  “Sorry. I thought I was the only one out there. It was early.”

  “I’m not mad, beautiful. Just frustrated that I can’t control who looks at you.”

  “Well that’s silly,” I tell him. “I can’t control who looks at you either.”

  “That’s different,” he tells me.

  “How so?”

  “You don’t have to worry about losing me,” he says as he turns his head, staring at the wall with a blank gaze.

  “Sean.” I gently put my fingers under his chin and bring his eyes back to my own. “That’s ridiculous. You don’t have to worry either. I only want you.”

  “Come here.” Sean sits me down on the edge of the bed.

  “Careful, I’m burnt.”

  “Then I guess you’re staying in bed today.” He tosses me over to my side of the bed and immediately begins nibbling on my body like I’m his breakfast. We need to order room service before the start of his session at the conference, so his exploration gets cuts short.

  “I know I already told you, but thank you for bringing me here, Sean.” He’s playing with a strand of my hair, wrapping it around his finger. It usually ends up in a knot, but it’s a relaxing gesture so I don’t mind.

  “This is the first of many trips together, Hallie.

  I smile at his sweet words. “I got really lucky to find you, Mr. Thomas. You’re always spoiling me.”

  He rolls on his side and runs his finger down my cheek softly. “I’d like to think we found each other.”

  “That’s deep.”

  “I’m a complex guy. You haven’t had the full Sean experience yet.”

  “Is that so? Will I like the entire ride?”

  “You usually do,” he says with sarcasm as he gets up off the bed. I can’t argue with him on that one, so I just laugh and shrug my shoulders as I check out every inch of his naked body.

  “What are you looking at, woman?”

  “You’re hot ass,” I say as I toss on a different cover-up over my clothes. It’s a good thing I brought more than one. This is why women pack extra clothing. You never know when a speedo wearing man will steal your cover-up.

  “I forgot you’re an ass woman.”

  “No, I like the front too.”

  He snorts and shakes his head. “That you do.”

  “I meant I like all of you, not just one part, wise ass.” He walks over and kisses the top of my head. He picks me up and starts carrying me into the bathroom with him.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Taking a shower with my girl.”

  “Do you not see my clothes?”

  “Then I guess they’re gonna get wet unless you hurry up and take them off.”

  “Sean!”

  “Don’t worry about it; I’ll buy you another outfit if you run out.”

  Before I have a chance to argue or take my clothes off, the hot water shoots out and soaks me. “You’re lucky I didn’t listen to you and packed plenty of extra clothes.” I look like a drowned rat while he’s looking very pleased with himself. Men!

  I hop out of the shower and shed my clothes letting him finish up his own shower so he’s not late for the meeting. I gather up my wet clothing and slide into a luxurious robe. I melt into the cozy blankets on the bed while watching Sean get ready. I figure I’ll lie out and have a drink before I need to re-shower and meet him for dinner. I have no idea which restaurant he plans on taking me to. The only clue he’s given me is that I need to dress up.

  After he kisses me goodbye, I put on my dry bathing suit and gather my pool bag. When I open the door to the suite, I’m met with a resort employee about to knock on our door. She hands me an envelope and walks away. I would have tipped her but she didn’t hang around long enough for me to get a single word out of my mouth. I sit down on the couch and tear the envelope open. Inside is a note in Sean’s handwriting letting me know he has booked a massage, pedicure and manicure at the spa for me this afternoon. I’m not usually one to pamper myself, so this is my first time in an actual spa. I’ve had pedicures before but not on this scale of grandeur.

  I love that Sean thought to plan something for me while he was busy today. I’m more than happy to entertain myself since this is a business trip after all. Knowing that he put this together so I wouldn’t be bored means a lot to me. He always makes sure I’m taken care of and that makes me feel cherished. Without wasting another second, I drop my pool bag and find my way to the spa.

  I haven’t had a chance to talk to Sean all afternoon thanks to my day of pampering. He sent a few texts letting me know to meet him in the small lounge next to the casino. From there he’s taking me to our special dinner reservation. I’ve been massaged, polished and feel like a million bucks. I brought a black Herve Leger bandage dress from home that fits me li
ke a glove. I spent entirely too much money on it even though it was on sale at Nordstrom. Everyone needs one impulse purchase in their closet though. The day I found it I was actually dress shopping with Amie for her trip to Florida. If I had been alone, I never would have wandered into the designer dress section in the first place, or have been coaxed into buying such a pricey item. She knows I don’t need expensive labels in my clothes to be happy, but I caved after she resorted to begging. Luckily, I didn’t have to wait forever to have a reason to wear it. Let’s hope Sean thinks I look as sexy as I feel.

  I briefly head in the wrong direction when I leave the suite but get myself turned back around and moving towards the lounge. This place seems bigger at night when it’s flooded with guests gearing up for a night of gambling and partying. I can tell some have already done their fair share of partying as their drunken banter fills the hallways.

  The lounge itself is dimly lit with deep red and black fabrics. Silver tiles coat every inch of the seating areas, walls and floor. I feel eyes following me as I enter the room, but pay them no mind. There’s only one guy I want to see tonight. His back is to me but I spot him leaning up against the bar. I’m a few minutes early so he probably doesn’t think to look around for me yet. I don’t miss the leggy blond standing entirely too close to him. I’m not sure who this chick thinks she is, but she needs to step away from my man. I’m just a few steps away from Sean when I hear a snippet of their conversation. Neither of them notices me approaching, so I wait, pretending to look around for someone else.

  “I loved spending time with you today; I know we could have an even better night, Sean. Just like old times.”