The Bad Boys of Eden

by Avery Aster

  He refilled my glass and then leaned on the counter, his chin in his hand. “So luv, tell me your story.”

  “Nah, it’s boring. Tell me yours.” I took a sip of my drink, and that’s when I noticed his ring. His wedding ring. “Who’s the lucky lady?” I motioned to his hand.

  He grinned. “His name is Raphael.”

  I laughed. “Of course the first cute young guy I see on the island is gay.”

  “Having a bad week?”

  “You don’t know the half of it.” I picked up my drink and downed it in one.

  “You know, having a friend like me could work for you.”

  “How so?”

  “I hear people talk, I know things. I could give you the scoop on everyone on the island. And I’d tell you everything without ever wanting to get into your panties.”

  I laughed. “Now we’re talking.” I looked around, then nodded toward the older couple who had just swam up to the bar. “What’s their story?”

  He glanced over his shoulder than turned back to me. “Hank Bishop and Claudia Day, reunited on the island after a doomed love affair when they were both sixteen. He popped the question last night, she said yes, and they plan to marry when they return to Canada.”

  “Get out. You’re just making that up.”

  “Nope. It’s true.”

  I eyed him suspiciously. I didn’t know whether I believed him or not. “Okay, how about that guy?” I motioned toward the lone male patron across from bar from me. He was older, chubby and bald.

  “That’s Randy. He’s twice divorced, both his wives cheated on him and took him for millions.”

  I looked Randy over. “That’s crappy.”

  “It is.”

  “So, he’s here licking his wounds?”

  “Nope, he’s here to find true love.”

  I smirked. “Now I know you’re fucking with me.”

  “You don’t believe in true love?”

  “Hell no.” I laughed, and fidgeted with the empty glass in front of me.

  “You’re too young to be so cynical.” He picked up the glass. “I’ll get you another.” He moved down the bar to make me another Poison Ivy.

  I was already feeling the effects of the alcohol. My body felt light and airy. For the first time in a few weeks, I was feeling completely relaxed. Right at this moment, I didn’t give a flip about Derek, or school, or what my future was supposed to hold. Right now, was all that mattered.

  Chad returned with my drink and a little plate of tropical fruit, and some cheese.

  I plucked a piece of mango and put it in my mouth. He was a smart man, as I hadn’t eaten since before we left from San Diego, like over ten hours ago.

  “Okay, mister I know everything, what’s my story?”

  He leaned on the counter again and eyed me intensely. “Don’t know yet. I think you’re in the process of doing a rewrite.”

  I laughed and smacked him lightly on the arm. “That is so corny.”

  He laughed as well. “But it’s true, isn’t it?”

  “Maybe. I guess.”

  He left to go attend to the other patrons sitting at the bar. I sipped my drink and thought about what he’d said. I guess I was looking for a rewrite. Well maybe not a rewrite per se, but definitely a reset. A start again button.

  While Chad was occupied, I looked around at the pool area, interested in my fellow resortees. They all had stories. They were all here for a reason. Who were the couples secluded in the private cabanas? Celebrities maybe?

  I watched a woman who was maybe a few years old than me reading a book on one of the loungers. Was she here for rest and relaxation like I was? Or was she here for love? Or sex even? I’d overheard one of the other vacationers in the hotel whisper something about a BDSM dungeon in the basement of the resort. I’d laughed at the time, but who knew what was really going on at this place.

  Then a thought hit me and I paled. What if my parents were here for that?

  I shivered, and tried to scrub the horrible notion from my brain. The little hairs on the back of my neck rose and a shudder rushed down my back. That was not from my thoughts. Someone was watching me.

  I turned on my chair and peered over my shoulder. The pool was almost empty, except for a couple who were kissing in the corner. I looked past them to the cabanas I’d checked out earlier. Movement caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. I swiveled my view just in time to see the curtain of one cabana fall back into place.

  Chad returned with another drink for me. I hadn’t even noticed that my glass was empty again.

  I raised my glass to him. “Thank you.” Then I took a sip. They were going down like water now. I couldn’t even taste the alcohol.

  “So, most knowledgeable one, who’s the most interesting person here?”

  “Besides you?”

  I laughed. “Yes, besides me, of course.”

  “Well,” he tapped his chin with his finger, “there is this guy in one of the penthouse suites.”

  “Uhuh, and?”

  “He’s supposedly some European billionaire in hiding.”

  “In hiding from what?”

  He shrugged. “Don’t know. Maybe the mob, or a drug cartel.”

  “You’re lying.”

  He laughed. “Nope. It’s all true.”

  “Well then what does this guy look like? I bet you haven’t even seen him.”

  “He’s tall, wavy dark hair, intense green eyes. You don’t forget a man like that.” He waved his hand at his face. “He exuded so much power and sex that I nearly fainted.”

  I shook my head. “You’re so full of shit.”

  “Thee of little faith.” He straightened himself, adjusting his shirt. “I can prove it.”

  “How?”

  “He’s in one of the cabanas right now.”

  Chapter Four

  I nearly leapt across the counter to grab him. “He is not. You’re just messing with me.”

  “I never joke about hot older men. I married one.”

  I glanced over at the cabana from where I’d felt someone watching me. I had to know if this mystery man was behind the curtain. It was like my own search for the great and powerful Oz. With renewed purpose, I slid off the stool and back into the warm pool water.

  “What are you doing?” Chad asked.

  “I’m going to check it out.”

  He shook his head. “You’re going to get me fired.”

  “Then you shouldn’t have said anything to me.” I smiled, then waved at him.

  I swam down the length of the pool, peering into each cabana as I passed by. Two of them had the curtains open. I spied an elderly couple inside one, both sleeping, wrapped in each other’s arms. It was really sweet. The other cabana held five people, three women and two men, and they were doing something, not sure what, but I didn’t think it was G rated.

  The next one had the curtains closed, and it was the one I thought someone had been watching me from. I swam up to the side of the pool right in front of it. The curtain didn’t quite hit the tile; there was a crack beneath it. Inconspicuously, I set my head on my hands and tried to look into the cabana.

  I spied a pair of sandaled feet. Male feet. And a little bit of leg. Of course this could’ve been any random man’s feet, and not the mysterious billionaire in hiding.

  I glanced over at Chad. He was busy with another patron at the bar. He probably wouldn’t approve of what I was about to do.

  I lifted myself out of the pool. Standing in front of the cabana and dripping onto the ground, I counted to ten under my breath. I was trying to gather the nerve to yank the curtain aside and reveal the man. After that, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. Say hi, I suppose or something else just as lame. I mean who was I to bother this man?

  I reached ten, then grabbed the side of the curtain. I took in a deep breath and pulled it open. There was no one inside. The opposite curtain was open and I briefly spied a man with dark hair in a pair of khaki shorts and polo shirt
walking away. Had that been him?

  Sneaky bastard knew I was coming.

  An hour later, after I’d dried off and changed into something more my style, short skirt and tank top, I was in the elevator heading up to the penthouse suites. Chad had told me how to get to them. I’m not sure why he was helping me, maybe he loved playing with the guests on the island, but I was liquored up enough not to question it too much.

  When I reached the floor, the elevator door opened and I walked out into an opulent lobby. Chad had told me there were only four penthouse suites. They each boasted a living room, kitchen, dining room, entertainment center, and a winding staircase that lead to the massive bedroom with walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom. I definitely wanted to see that bedroom. Supposedly the view from the floor to ceiling windows was to die for.

  The major problem was I didn’t know which penthouse he was in. Chad hadn’t known either so he couldn’t tell me. I couldn’t go and knock on all four doors hoping one of them was the right one. What if the man had a wife or girlfriend with him? Although Chad had never mentioned one. And I didn’t think he would push me toward the idea if he’d known. Chad didn’t seem like a cruel man.

  This was a stupid idea. Most definitely one of the stupidest I’d ever had, and that was saying something. Some people would probably say I had at least one stupid idea every day. Although it was likely the truth, it still hurt to hear it.

  Looking down and fiddling with my purse for my card key, I turned to leave. I needed to get out of here before someone saw me. The elevator door opened and I took a step in. Only to run into someone very hard.

  I went sprawling onto the floor as did all the contents from my purse.

  “Damn it!” I got onto my knees and started to scramble for my stuff. “Look where you’re going buddy.”

  I glanced up to see a very sexy, very dangerous looking man with fierce green eyes looming over me.

  “I believe it was you, who needed to look to see where she was going.”

  His accent was definitely European. German maybe, or Russian. I think I found the mysterious billionaire. But by the sneer on his mouth I didn’t think he was too happy to have found me.

  I gathered all my stuff and crammed it into my purse. Then I noticed the last item right by his sandaled foot. It was a gag gift from Dahlia when we graduated. It was a bright pink magic bullet. The type of magic bullet that vibrated rather vigorously. I shut my eyes and groaned. Oh God, this was definitely not my week.

  He looked down, spied it, then reached down for it. I made a grab for it at the same time. Our heads bonked together.

  “Ow. Jesus.” I stood up and rubbed at the throbbing spot on my forehead.

  He rubbed at his right temple. And I noticed that he had the magic bullet in his hand.

  “Um, if I could just have that, then I’ll be on my way.”

  He opened his hand and looked at it, then he offered it to me. I snatched it from his palm and quickly shoved it into my purse.

  “Pink is a good color for you.”

  Stunned, I just walked around him and went into the elevator. I had no idea how to respond to that. Was he flirting with me? I honestly couldn’t tell. Except my body thought he was. Butterflies were typhooning in my belly and my thighs clenched hard.

  I looked up at him before the doors closed. His face hadn’t softened, but his eyes seemed to have darkened to a stormy green.

  “Suite two, ten o’clock,” he said.

  Then the doors slid shut.

  I don’t think my mouth closed until I reached my room. Once inside I set my purse on the coffee table and I went straight to the mini-bar and opened it. I plucked out a little bottle of fruit flavored vodka, then unscrewed the cap. I tipped it to my mouth and drained it in a few hearty gulps.

  I grabbed the small gold box of chocolates that was in the welcome basket. The word surrender was handwritten on the top. Weird. I tore it open and popped the first piece into my mouth. As I chewed I plopped down into the velvety covered chair near the balcony door and looked out at the island.

  I wasn’t sure exactly what had just happened. Although I was pretty sure that tall dark and sexy had just propositioned me. It wasn’t like I hadn’t been propositioned before. In high school, a pretty girl got offers every other day. Offers to have sex, to give blowjobs. If it was sexual in nature, it had been suggested in one way or another.

  But this, this had sounded like a command. It didn’t sound like he was asking. He was telling.

  And I wasn’t so sure how I felt about that. Or what I was going to do about it either.

  I ate another chocolate, then wandered over to the big bed and laid down on it. I yawned and stretched out. The hot sun and alcohol I’d consumed was starting to take its toll on me. I was a lightweight drinker. It didn’t take much for me to get tipsy.

  Maybe I would just have a little nap, then I could figure out what to do if anything later. I mean I didn’t have to go to his suite. It was my decision completely. No one could force me. He’d put it out there and now it was up to me to grasp it or not.

  The man was definitely good looking. He was tall and I loved tall men. I was five foot six myself so sometimes it was hard finding men who could tower over me. This one definitely did. He was definitely in good shape. His legs and arms had been well muscled but lean like an athlete. I loved athletic men. He had a sculpted face. His cheekbones probably could’ve cut glass and his eyes. Man alive, they were intense. When he’d looked at me, it was like he was looking at me. All of me.

  A little shiver rushed up my back. A not unpleasant shiver. I rolled over onto my side. I didn’t think I would get those eyes, and that face, out of my mind for one minute. His lips had been quite full, and my fingers itched to trace my thumb over the bottom one. I imagined doing that, and the tip of his tongue just poking out to gently touch my skin.

  I rolled onto my back again. I was not going to be able to nap now. Not with his image playing around in my mind. I sat up, walked over to the table with my purse and opened it. I took out my pretty pink vibrator and took it back to the bed. I needed to just cut the edge off. Nothing too mind blowing. Just enough where I could switch off for a few minutes and not think about Mr. Mysterious and what he had planned for me.

  Chapter Five

  After a refreshing nap of two hours, I got up, showered and dressed in a cute little flowery sundress. I kept my hair down for a change and smeared on some lip gloss. I was having dinner with my parents out on the terrace overlooking the water. There had been a note from them slid under my door when I’d woken. It was all kind of clandestine, but I thought it was fun. My parents were probably getting a kick out of it.

  My dad had always fancied himself a screenwriter. He was always going on about this idea and that. He’d come up with a hundred spy capers or murder mysteries, but out of all of those I think he’d only ever finished one script. He was probably in his glory with all the secretiveness on the island.

  I would eat something wonderful then I would decide what I was going to do about the billionaire’s proposition. Maybe he thought I was a prostitute or something. This was definitely not Pretty Woman. I know that thought should’ve disgusted me, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t do something interesting to my insides.

  I arrived to find my parents already seated and sipping on margaritas. Their chairs were close together, and they were laughing, and my mom kept touching my dad’s arm. I hadn’t seen them this close in more years than I could remember. They looked like a new couple falling in love. I had to admit I was a little jealous.

  “Baby doll!” My mom got up and hugged me tight.

  “Hey Mom.” When she let me go, I sat.

  “We ordered you a margarita.” My dad pointed to the full glass on the table.

  “Thanks.”

  “So, how’s Eden treating you so far?” my mom asked.

  “Not bad. I’m starting to feel relaxed. Met a really cool guy.”

  Her eyebrow lifte
d. “Really?”

  “Don’t get your hopes up. He’s one of the bartenders here and he’s wonderfully gay.”

  “Oh.” She waved her hand at me. “I’m sure you’ll find someone. You’re too pretty to be alone for long.”

  “You make it sound like being alone is this horrible punishment.”

  “No, that’s not what I mean.”

  “Because I think maybe being alone for a while is just what I need. So I can figure some stuff out. Figure out what I want to do with my life.”

  My dad looked at me seriously then, and reached across the table and touched my hand. This was completely out of character for him. “Funny that you should say that.”

  “Is it? Why is it funny?”

  “Well, your mom and I have something we need to tell you.”

  A million things went through my mind. Divorce. Death. Loss of job. None of them made sense in connection to these two goofy grinning people sitting in front of me.

  “Okay?” I took a drink of the margarita. “But maybe could we order first. Because I have a feeling I’m not going to want to eat after you tell me.”

  “Oh honey, don’t be so dramatic. It’s not bad news or anything. No one’s died.”

  “Is it going to make me happy or sad?”

  My dad looked at my mom, then she waved her hand at the waiter. “Could we order please?”

  I didn’t like where this was going, but I was too hungry to care at the moment. I wanted my food, then they could tell me the bad news, or the good news, or the news that was going to make me sad, after I’d eaten something.

  After we ordered, they told me all about their beach cottage and the swim in the ocean they’d taken, and the love making they did after the swim on the floor of their cabin. Despite being squicked out about hearing about their sex, I did see a change in them both. My mom was practically glowing. My dad too, if men could glow. This trip had definitely done something for them, and it was just day one.

  When we’d finished our meal, salmon with a peppercorn and lemon sauce which was delicious, I set down my fork, wiped my mouth then said, “Okay, spill it.”

  “We’re moving,” my dad said.