by Mia Carson
“I do,” Amy said. “I also remember what it was like in the end, and that’s what’s important: there was an ending. That wasn’t even the kind of break up that leaves room for a make-up. It is over, and you need to move on and stop wasting time and energy on that loser. No offense.”
“None taken,” Claire added. “It just reminds me of something Chance said this morning,” she said sadly, her head down.
“What did he say?” Amy wanted to know.
“He told me that Trent doesn’t deserve my tears, and that I am beautiful.”
“You already know that. And any man who doesn’t appreciate you is a fool,” Amy said.
“I guess.”
“Don’t lose out on future happiness because you are too busy being sad about the past, Amy.”
“Well, Chance is the past,” Claire said.
“Are you kidding me? For all the effort he put into this, do you think he would just give up like that? I know men like Chance, and they always have a game. I’m thinking he might just be bruised from his encounter with you this morning. Trust me, he’ll watch you from afar until you show him you want him.”
“I don’t know that I want him,” Claire admitted. “Or don’t want him.”
“One day at a time,” Amy said to her.
CHAPTER 10
Chance sat at the corner table watching her. She couldn’t see him now, but he could make her out perfectly. Never in his entire existence had he been so callously cast aside by a woman, and it only made him want her more. He would play it smart, though. He realized that constantly showing her he wanted her wasn’t working, so he was experimenting with something else. When their eyes had locked before, he had pretended she meant nothing to him when all he wanted to do was run over and scoop her up in his arms and kiss the lips he had been yearning for.
He had turned away but had seen how disappointed she had looked—or was it surprise? Still, he reveled in his small victory, though at present he didn’t feel like a winner. She would be at the hotel for a few more days, according to Amy, and if she left before he got through to her, he would be forced to follow her halfway across the world. Or lose her forever.
He was still brooding when Bryan walked up to the table. “What’s so interesting over there?” he asked him as he sat down.
“Hey,” he answered, but he didn’t answer his dad’s question.
Bryan looked around and smiled. “I’ve seen you with that girl. I think she is pretty. But then, you always did know how to pick ‘em.”
“Not now, Dad,” Chance grumbled. “I’m not that into her.”
“Really? I wouldn’t have guessed that based on how fixated your eyes are on that particular table.”
“There happen to be two women over there,” he said and sipped his coffee. “Anyway, what have you been up to?”
“Me? Nothing much.” He looked absently around the room.
“That’s what you call her?” he asked. “I’ve seen you sneaking out of your room like a teenager.”
“Watch it, son,” Bryan said sternly.
Chance laughed. “Every bit the player you have always been.”
“No reason to quit the game while I’m still breathing, right?” he asked. “But I kind of like this one, you know. She is different, and there comes a time when a man must stop running.”
“You’ve been running?” Chance asked.
“When was the last time you saw me serious about a woman?”
Chance thought about that for a minute. “I believe you are right. No one really since Mom died.”
“Your mom was my life, but I have to move on at some point.” He looked over at the table where Amy and Claire sat. “Besides, I have set a bad example for you.”
“Teaching me to be a player? Of course not, Dad.”
“All I’m trying to say, son, is don’t be a rolling stone like your old man. Find a woman that means something and stick to her.”
“Wait, was that actual fatherly advice?” Chance grinned. “When did you get so philosophical?”
“Yeah, don’t get used to it; I’m not so good at that,” he said and ruffled his hair. “I do need some heirs, you know. Anyway, I need to get some sleep.”
“Sleep? It’s only eight in the…oh…I see what’s happening,” Chance laughed. “Or happened.”
“Too smart for your own good,” he grinned sheepishly. “I’ll see you later.”
“You know what,” he said to his father. “I believe you just gave me an idea.”
“Uh-oh. Should I be concerned?”
“You should be proud,” he said to him and ruffled the old man’s hair when he walked past.
Chance had no intention of surrendering his game; if anything, he planned to up the ante. His stunt this morning was just to get her attention, to test how much of an effect he’d had on her. It probably wasn’t the best thing to have done, but he had to do something to get a reaction out of her. Better any reaction than a cold shoulder. Chance made sure not to look at her when he was leaving but still walked by close enough so she could see him walking by her. He smiled when he imagined what Amy and Claire would think as he hurried to his room to make preparations for what he was sure would happen soon enough.
***
Chance waited on his balcony until he saw movement in her room. He leaned against the rail and pretended he didn’t see her watching him. He flexed his muscles and searched the beach for nothing in particular, all the while spying on her out of the corner of his eye. Almost nonchalantly, he turned and stretched, and his face showed recognition when he saw her. He smiled and waved quickly before going back into his room.
He fell against the bed, feeling like an idiot. What if she didn’t take the bait? He wasn’t even sure this was going to work. Damn it! Maybe he should just go over and ask her to dinner before another man beat him to it. Or, even worse, before she believed he was no longer interested and the opportunity passed him by. He was doing it all wrong.
With his heart in his hands, he crossed the courtyard and stood just beneath her window. He picked up a pebble and tossed it at the lattice door. He waited anxiously for a few seconds before tossing another. He was just about to toss the third when she came out on the balcony.
“I thought that might be you,” she said and leaned over to look at him. “You need to grow up, you know.”
“Would you like to go to dinner with me?” he asked. “You can’t say no.”
“In that case, I guess I have no choice,” she smiled back. “But I’m not hungry.”
“Okay then, how about a stroll on the beach? We can eat dinner later,” he said. His confidence was returning now that he hadn’t been rejected.
“I guess,” she said. “Nothing better to do. Let me get dressed.”
“I’ll be waiting here,” he responded and watched as she disappeared inside.
Chance couldn’t remember the last time he felt so nervous about being with a person; Claire was a force to be reckoned with. She was strong and stubborn, from what he could tell, and she could easily blow him off whenever she felt like it. He wasn’t really in control of this game.
Claire walked up behind him without him realizing it. She tapped him on the shoulder.
Chance jumped and turned to her. “I didn’t see you come up.”
“Maybe you should pay more attention,” she said.
“Maybe,” he replied with a grin.
Claire was absolutely taken by his good looks, his dimples, and the commanding air he possessed. He seemed confident and self-assured, and she wasn’t sure she was a good fit for him. Still, this was a vacation, and this fling would probably end with the week.
“So deep,” she smiled.
Chance beamed as he enjoyed his mini victory, and he cringed when he passed the same girl who had been vying for his attention the day before. She stared at him incredulously and looked Claire up and down.
Claire glanced back at the girl after they had passed, and she noticed Chance looking
dead ahead. “One of your admirers?” she asked.
“Yep,” he replied, rubbing the back of his head nervously. “Nothing happened between us if that’s what you are wondering. Not when you’ve occupied my head.”
“Is that so?”
He smiled and took her hand as they wove through the tables and chairs in the courtyard. He was content to be in control of his game once more, at least for the time being.
***
Chance shared his knowledge and adventures with Claire as they sat in the dinghy on the lagoon.
“Are you sure about this?’ Claire asked as she looked at the little space they shared on the small boat.
“About what? Have you never been in a canoe?”
“No,” she said as she shook her head.
“Now that’s frightening. The first time my father took me in that thing I almost died,” he laughed. “Especially after it collapsed.”
“I’m a good swimmer, but that doesn’t mean I want to be stuck underwater with this thing over me,” Claire laughed. “So if you’re trying to frighten me, it won’t work.”
“I won’t let you drown, Claire,” he grinned. “Even if my life depended on it.”
Hearing him say her name for the first time, she felt warm and fuzzy inside as she recorded his words and played them over and over again in her mind. “You’d better not,” she exclaimed and looked down into the water.
From where he sat across from her, Chance watched Claire stare at the water below them and put her hand over the side of the boat to comb the water as it moved. They could see the sand at the bottom, and the small fish that raced along. He watched her as she focused on taking in all the sights around her like a child might. Gosh, she was beautiful, and all he wanted to do was pull her to him and kiss her, but he didn’t want to spook her. It had taken him far too long to gain her attention to lose it by doing something stupid.
They spent the rest of the morning and mid-afternoon on the water; by the time they got back to the bay and resort, Claire was red all over.
“Did I do that to you?” Chance blushed as he touched her parched skin.
“Not unless you instructed the sun to shine,” she said and smiled. “Don’t worry about it; it will be fine after I shower and cool off. I should have applied sunscreen.”
“We are still on for dinner, right?” he asked as he stopped in front of her door, wishing she would invite him in, but he knew it was too early in the game. They hadn’t kissed yet, and from what he had already learned about Claire, there was no way she would get closer to him that night than she already had.
“Dinner? Did we agree to that?” she asked as she grinned and opened her door.
“Yes, dinner,” Chance said. “You said yes.”
“I never did, but yes, I’d love to go to dinner with you,” she said before disappearing into her room and closing the door. Then she braced against the door and inhaled deeply. She had only been leaning on the door for a moment when she heard a knock.
CHAPTER 11
“Claire?” Amy called from outside. Claire opened the door for her friend. “Was that Chance I just saw leaving?”
“Leaving?” Claire asked. “He wasn’t in here.”
“You know what I mean,” Amy pressed and folded her arms over her chest. “Well?”
“We were just out on the bay. Satisfied? I need to go shower,” she said as she headed to the shower.
“No.” Amy followed her into the bathroom. “What happened?”
“What normally happens on a bay,” Claire shot back. “He rented a boat and we went out into the water. Is that exciting enough for you? Stop looking for a story here.”
“Well, stop writing one,” the girl grinned. “For so long you have ignored him as I forced myself onto him, and now you expect me to sit back and miss all the gossip?”
“There is nothing to tell,” Claire said as she turned the water on.
“Really?” Amy said in disbelief.
“Okay, we have dinner plans later, if you must know.”
Amy squealed and clapped her hands. “So, are you going to wear the emerald he gave you?”
“I wasn’t planning on it,” Claire said.
“Can I see it?”
“Yes, if you’ll leave me in peace. It’s somewhere on the dresser,” she told Amy. A few seconds later Claire heard a scream and Amy rushing back into the bathroom. “Is this it?”
Claire pulled the shower curtain back and looked at the emerald. “The one and only. Please hand me a towel.”
Amy handed her a towel. “You should wear it tonight.”
Claire toweled herself off and stuck her head out of the shower curtain. “Really? Are you serious?”
“Yes. It’ll show him you’re interested.” Claire grunted and walked back to the room. Amy followed closely behind. “What are you wearing?”
“Have you always been this annoying?” Claire asked as she patted her hair dry.
“Have you always gone out with a billionaire? This isn’t your everyday occurrence.”
“I don’t about his money,” Claire said. “I don’t want anyone’s money.”
“Maybe, but you have to admit it’s nice to date a really rich guy,” Amy said.
“I don’t know. I haven’t dated one,” Claire replied.
“Anyway, when you do start dating him, you’ll be in his company and certain things will be expected of you,” Amy said.
“Certain things will be expected?” Claire asked. “What is that supposed to mean? Are you saying that because I am not a billionaire I don’t have proper social etiquette?”
“No, that’s not what I am saying,” Amy said quickly.
“Well, what are you saying? That I’m not good enough for him?”
“I never said that,” Amy said.
“Whatever we’re doing is just for a few more days. In a week, Chance will be nothing more than a distant memory.”
“I guess,” Amy said. “But try to be nice to him tonight.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“See you. I have a hunk of a man waiting for me in the lobby,” she smiled and started walking away before Claire could respond.
“You what?” Claire laughed as she tried to grab her. “And here you are drilling me about a man. Tell me more!”
“No news yet,” she said as she reached the door. “But I will fill you in later.”
Claire laughed when the door abruptly closed behind Amy. Her thoughts drifted back to the suggestion she had made earlier. What was she going to wear? She went to her suitcase and started rummaging inside until she found a white spaghetti strap dress that fell to her knees. It had a low neckline which allowed just enough of her breasts to be covered and just a hint of cleavage peeking out. She glanced at the black box, thinking of the emerald stone, but decided not to wear it; she didn’t want to send the wrong signals.
Time flew faster than Claire had imagined, and before she knew it, the sun was setting. Dinner was usually at seven, so she assumed Chance would be at her door by then. She readied herself in anticipation. And right before seven, she broke down and put on the necklace.
At exactly seven, she heard a knock at the door. She skipped a few steps, then paused as she tried to still her beating heart. She took a deep breath and opened the door to a rather dashing Chance on the other side. He was sporting a pair of soft, denim pants with a white shirt that had three buttons at the top opened to reveal a rope necklace that had what looked like a shell as a pendant. He looked handsome, and his smile completed his outfit.
When he saw her, he whistled. “I didn’t know emerald would look so good against hazel and white,” he grinned and held his arm out for her. She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm and pulled the door closed behind her.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” she said to him. She wanted to add that he looked sexy and she was sort of happy to be hanging out with him, but that was mushier than she wanted to be.
“I had no idea I’d
actually get the chance to be here with you,” he told her as they sat for dinner. “Especially after Amy told me about…him.”
“Let’s not talk about that,” she murmured, looking down.
“I’m sorry,” he told her. “But I want you to tell me about it whenever you feel you can talk.”
“There is nothing to say, really. We were together for over three years, we were supposed to get married, and the day before, I caught him cheating on me. The end.”
“I’m so sorry,” he said, looking into her eyes. “Okay, no more depressing talk. Let’s drink some wine and forget about everything bad.”
Claire smiled at his words, but her heart had been reminded of the hurt. But the evening refilled her happiness, and soon she was laughing at Chance’s stories about his adventures and misdeeds. She had never imagined she would enjoy herself so much in his company, but she did. By the end of dinner, she was completely comfortable with him, and she had even started fantasizing about him.
They danced to a live band playing, and when he held her close, she felt the ground move under her feet. His touch sent volts of electricity racing along her spine. Chance didn’t seem to notice her discomfort, or if he did, he had a good way of hiding it.
“Did you enjoy your evening?” he asked her when they stood outside her door at the end of the night.
Claire leaned against the doorjamb and folded her arms. “It wasn’t what I expected. I must say, I thought you would be a complete asshole.”
“Oh, so I guess I was only half an asshole,” he teased.
“Maybe just a little,” she giggled. “But not too bad.”
“Would you mind terribly if I kissed you right now?” he asked.
Claire’s heart flipped as he spoke the words. She felt her body rising from the ground, and she held onto the door for support. She couldn’t recall if any man had ever asked her permission before he kissed her.
Claire felt him lean forward, holding her eyes with his, blue on hazel, and brought his lips to touch hers, softly and gently. Then she closed her eyes as they touched. She felt his breath on her skin, and it intensified the deeper she got into the kiss. His hands touched her body, and she felt him shiver like he could hardly contain himself. Then he ended their kiss.
