Silas (A Playboy's Lair Novel Book 1)
Page 18
It takes me about a half an hour to look presentable. Kassius is dressed in a designer labeled button-down short sleeve shirt and knee-length shorts. His muscular build fills them out well. We look totally opposite on the fashion scale, yet he doesn’t seem to care. He jumps off the bed to help me with my top knot. I can’t help but giggle.
“What’s so funny?” He looks at me puzzled as he secures the elastic around my still damp hair.
“You. I miss thinking you were gay. You helping with my hair is just a reminder. I’ve never really had a girlfriend before, and I had already claimed you.”
“Hey now. You can’t unclaimed me. You’re stuck with me. I’m still me—just your boyfriend now.”
There is a pregnant pause between us. I know what he means. He’s still my friend who is a boy, but the comment sounds different from when I say girlfriend. Kassius is undeniably sexy, so to know that he sees me from a straight man’s eyes makes things a little awkward. Not that I think he’s interested in me; it’s just now it’s just different than before.
“There. You’re good,” he says adjusting my top knot. I give him a megawatt smile. “Come on, crazy girl.”
And just like that, the awkwardness melts away.
“Wait. You’re missing one thing.” He pulls off the shades resting on his head and puts them on my eyes. “There. Perfect.”
“I’m pretty sure these cost more than my whole outfit,” I protest. I try to remove them, but he taps my hands.
“Hush. They look better on you, and they complete your ensemble.” He winks at me, and I’m glad I’m wearing the shades. It doesn’t have the same effect as when Silas does it, but I’m not sure how it makes me feel is exactly friendly either.
“Ensemble? You’re wearing an ensemble. I’m wearing shorts I made with flip-flops. I don’t think my outfit would qualify as such.”
I chuckle, and he pulls me into a bear hug. I inhale the scent of his cologne, and I’m almost tempted to hug him tighter. I don’t, though. What the hell is wrong with me. He tousles my hair in a sisterly way, and I’m brought back to the present.
“What am I going to do with you, woman? Who cares about the actual definition of ensemble? You look nice, and my sunglasses looks great on you. Enough said. Let’s do this.”
He heads to the door, leaving me no choice but to follow. I quickly grab my ChapStick, debit card, ID, and room key card before stuffing everything in my pockets. “Ready,” I announce.
He looks as if he’s going to say something, but then he just gives me another wink. He is going to have to stop that. I bet he has no idea he’s doing it—kind of like a reflex. Still, it’s confusing. It’s sexy. It’s hard not see him as an available hot guy when he does that. He’s sweet to me, and he’s gorgeous—bad combination. My heart is still broken from the other Lair cousin. I’ll just have to be extra careful not to let rebound emotions get the best of me. Kassius and I are working to rebuild our friendship. Friendship. Nothing more.
Kassius and I get off the yacht just in time to see the man who plagues my every waking thought. And he is not alone. Jasper is with him. She’s wearing shorts that barely cover her ass cheeks with an off the shoulder halter top. Even I have to admit she looks amazing. Her Hercules sandals come up to her knees. A black limo pulls up, and I watch as Silas places a hand at the small of her back to guide her to get in. Again, I’m thankful for the sunglasses. I fight the tears that threaten to fall. I finally look away rather than watch him get in with her. I don’t want to watch them drive away.
Kassius grabs my hand and squeeze. No words are needed. He was witness to the same scene that just played out in front of me. It’s one thing to know Silas had been with her, but it is another thing to see it. I don’t even know how I can put one foot in front of the other at the moment, let alone spend the day with Kassius. I want to be alone. I want to be hurt in private—not in front of him.
“Where do you want to go first, buttercup?”
I look back toward the ship, but before the words can leave my mouth, my suggestion is shot down.
“Anywhere, but there. You’re not going back to your room. Today, you’ll enjoy yourself. Today is about you.”
“That’s a tall order,” I say barely above a whisper—afraid the hurt will be evident in my voice.
“That’s okay. Challenge accepted,” he assures me.
After spending countless hours of getting a story just right, it still has a way to go before it can come to fruition. I’m blessed and thankful for the amazing team that helped to make Silas better than I could have imagined. These key players are Ryan “Stacks” Harmon (cover model—Silas), Golden Czermak (FuriousFotog), Sommer Stein (Perfect Pear Creative Covers), Jenny Sims (Editing4Indies), and Stacey Ryan Blake (Champagne Formats). I’m thankful for their critical eyes, encouragement, creativity, and incredible talent. Then, there is my promo team. Kylie Dermott (Give Me Books), and Debra Presley (Buoni Amici Press) rocked at helping to get Silas out there and into the hands of many blogs. Big thanks go to all the blogs who participated in the cover reveal, release day blitz, and release boost. Next I have a special mention about a colleague, a fellow cardiac operating room nurse named Claire Pohlman. Sometimes ideas for a story, character dialogue, etc. comes from a source you least expect. Claire told me a wildly hilarious story one afternoon and the context found its way into my writing. The phrase, “smug little bitch”, taken from her story evolved into Silas’ nickname—Mr. Smug Hottie. When inspiration strikes, you just run with it. Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank my personal assistants, Lauren Weber and Heather Coker, for keeping me organized, motivated, and sane at times. They listen to my ideas and visions when I need sound advice. I can always count on them to be honest with their feedback. Everyone mentioned played a vital role with the creation of Silas. Each contribution is recognized and appreciated.
S.R. Watson is a Texas native, who currently resides in Wisconsin. She grew up reading the Sweet Valley series (Twins, High, & University) among others. Although she wrote countless stories during high school, she never published any of them. She continued her education and became a registered nurse. After reading the Twilight series and 50 Shades Trilogy, she decided to pursue her passion for writing once again.
S.R. Watson published the first book in 2014. She is the bestselling author of the Forbidden Trilogy, The Object of His Desire, and the co-authored S.I.N. Trilogy with Shawn Dawson.
When S.R. Watson is not writing, or working as a CVOR nurse, she loves to read and binge watch her favorite shows (Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, Elementary, etc.)