Chapter Seven

Rio shielded her eyes from the bright sun and looked down at the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea lapping against the limestone cliff that had protected the Mayan city of Tulum for hundreds of years. This wasn’t her first trip to the seaside ruins, yet it never ceased to impress her.

Chase was just as amazed.

He’d chartered a private sailboat to bring them to the island, located only about an hour away from their resort. She’d been touched by the surprise. This was their seventh and last full day on the island together. He was supposed to leave on the first shuttle boat the next morning and Rio was scheduled to leave on the last one. They hadn’t talked about what would happen once they were back in L.A. Things couldn’t go back to how they had been, could they?

She pushed the thought away and concentrated on enjoying the afternoon exploring the ruins.

They made their way to the building known as “El Castillo” and read about its history and how it had been used as a lighthouse to guide canoes to the seaport city.

Chase looked up at the temple-like building and shook his head. “I still don’t get how they built this.”

“They meaning the Mayans?” she asked as she surveyed the rest of the site.

“Yeah. I mean, think about it. This is an island. Some of these stones have to weigh thousands of pounds. It just seems so inconceivable to me how an ancient civilization could come up with the tools and math to build something so massive and so lasting.”

“So you mean to tell me that you’re standing here looking at one of the world’s most famous archeological treasures and all you can think about is the math?”

“Are you laughing at me?” He looked at her, pretending to be outraged. It was adorable.

“Yep,” she said with a smile.

“Why? Because I don’t understand something?”

“No, because you’re so irritated that you don’t understand it. Why does everything have to make sense to you? Why does everything have to be logical or practical?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know why I think like that. I just do.”

“I’m not saying it’s wrong, but I do think that if you spend all your time looking for rationality or purpose in things, you’re going to miss out on some pretty amazing experiences. You have to learn to let it go and just enjoy, because sometimes the best things in life, the most beautiful things, are the ones you can’t explain.”

Chase smiled at her as if he understood, but she knew he wasn’t the type of man who could be told what to believe. He had to find faith in his own way, on his own time.

And whether he could ever believe in them as a couple remained to be seen.

Back on the boat, Rio thought about asking him what would happen after tomorrow. They sat alone in the small cabin as the captain navigated the calm waters back toward Isla Bonita. Chase wrapped his arm around her as she snuggled against his chest.

“I can’t believe that we’ll be home soon. I don’t think I’m ready,” she said.

He squeezed her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “Me either. I’m dreading it, actually. I’m sure my brother has done all sorts of things I’m going to have to end up fixing.”

“Does that mean you’ve officially taken over for your dad?”

“Not officially, but the Board has been pushing for some type of confirmation, so I guess it could happen when I get back.”

“For someone who’s about to become CEO of their family’s company, you don’t sound too thrilled. Can’t you just say no, you don’t want it?’

His chest puffed up and down, making her head jiggle as he laughed. “What and make my brother CEO? Yeah, right. This has never been a choice. It’s just been a fact that I would take over. Although, I thought I had a few more years. I sure as hell didn’t expect it to happen this way.”

She could hear the sadness in his voice, and she tried to change the subject. “Well, I think CEOs are just as sexy as CFOs. So it doesn’t matter to me what letters are behind your name.”

Chase lifted her head to look at him. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For today, for yesterday, for the day before. You have no idea how much I’ve needed a week like this.”

She did know, but she didn’t tell him. Instead, she lifted her head higher so she could kiss him on the lips. She broke away to say something, but the hunger in his eyes stopped her. Before she knew it, he pulled her over him so she could straddle his lap. Then he grabbed her head with both of hands and kissed her deeply. Rio opened to him and met his passion by rocking her pelvis back and forth over his groin until it grew hard beneath her.

“Fuck, Rio. I want to take you right here.”

“Then do it, Chase. Please,” she moaned into his mouth.

“We can’t. I didn’t bring anything with me. Plus, the captain—”

His words died as she licked and nibbled his ear. While she could kick herself for not bringing a condom with her either, she also decided that didn’t mean they couldn’t still have some fun. Captain or not.

“Let me do something for you then,” she whispered into the ear she’d just tasted.

“Here?”

She smiled against his neck before pushing herself off of him. “Yes, here.”

Chase’s eyes turned dark with lust and it flamed her own desire. She felt empowered knowing that she was the only one who could give him the ultimate satisfaction he’d been craving. Rio worked the button and zipper of his shorts and pulled them down past his knees, along with his boxer briefs. His erection pointed at her, thick and pulsing. She licked her lips in anticipation.

Rio kneeled in front of him and took a moment to appreciate how hard he’d become just for her. Then she curled her fingers around the shaft and licked the tip.

“Yeah, baby, just like that,” he said through clenched teeth.

She’d meant to tease him with a few more licks and rubs, but she couldn’t deny herself or him any longer. Rio took all of him in her mouth and Chase bucked his hips in response. He threaded his fingers through her hair and guided her head as she sucked him hard up and down and then up and down one more time.

“Holy fuck, Rio. I don’t think I can hold back any longer.”

“Then don’t.” She looked up at him and watched him watch her lick the sensitive spot of the tip before taking him deep again. His fingers curled tighter around her hair and he pushed himself further to the back of her throat. Rio savored and sucked him fully, quickening her pace to help spur his release. And after just two more thrusts into her mouth, he exploded.

Although she’d been close, Rio didn’t have her own climax. Feeling his need for her and seeing it reflected in his eyes, was enough to leave a very satisfied smile.

* * *

The sun was setting when they entered Chase’s villa.

Rio sighed as he took her into his arms again. “Today was perfect. Thank you,” she told him.

“After what happened on the boat, I think I’m the one that should be thanking you.” He found her lips for one sweet, soft kiss. The moment she tasted him again, the hungrier she became. He’d only been inside her this morning, yet it seemed like forever. Especially after their little romp in the cabin, she ached to be filled by him.

That’s why she whimpered when he pulled away first. “Baby, believe me, I can’t wait to get you naked again, but I’m not going to be any use to you if I don’t get some food in me soon.” Her stomach grumbled at the mention of food. Guess she was hungry for that too.

Rio patted his chest. “Good idea.”

After surveying the nearly empty fridge while Chase opened up the windows and patio door to let the breeze in, she called out, “There’s nothing here. Do you want me to run to the island mart for something to grill or do you want to head out to one of the restaurants?” When he didn’t answer right away, she walked out of the kitchen and saw him sitting on the living room couch with his head in his hands.

“Hey, you okay?” she asked and sat next to him.

He raised his head and nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just felt a little lightheaded for a second. I think the sun really got to me today.”

Concern and fear gripped her chest. “Are you sure that’s it? Maybe it was all the walking and climbing? I was worried it might be too much for you after everything that happened back in L.A. Did you take your blood pressure pill this morning?”

Chase looked at her with his eyebrows raised. “What do you mean ’after everything that happened in L.A.?’ And how do you know I take blood pressure meds?”

She thought about lying and saying she saw the prescription bottle in his medicine cabinet. But their relationship had definitely grown the past few days, and she had hoped they’d finally talk about it over dinner tonight. She decided that if there was any chance of them continuing their relationship off the island, then it would be better to come clean now.

“Cassandra told me,” she said on a sigh. “She told me everything about you being in the hospital and why John ordered you to take this vacation.”

He stood up as if he couldn’t stand to be next to her. “How? When?”

She stood up too and walked over to him. Panic washed over her. This wasn’t how she wanted to spend their last night on the island together. She needed to make things right again.

“I called her the first night from Marco’s land line. I was kind of pissed that she didn’t tell me you were going to be here, remember? But when she told me why you were here, I understood. Then John got on the phone and explained how important it was that you take the time to relax. He asked me to let you and I agreed to help.”

“So you felt sorry for me?” he roared and threw his hands up. “That’s what this whole thing has been? A seven-day pity fuck?”

“Of course not! Yes, I offered a truce because I was asked to keep your stress-free vacation exactly that, stress-free. But what happened that night in your living room, in your bedroom, that was because I wanted it too and I still want it.”

She moved to kiss him, but he turned his head. The rejection made her heart sink.

“How do I know that any of this has been real? My bed may not have been a dance floor, but we both know what an excellent performer you are.”

Rio stepped away from him, hurt and surprised. Just a few seconds ago she’d wanted to prove to him that she still wanted him. Now, she was irritated that he was making her.

What was that saying about being fooled twice?

Whatever it was, it was clear she was the fool here. Why else would she think for a minute that a few days in paradise would change who Chase Simon was? Who he would always be? A man who couldn’t see what was standing right in front of him.

Fighting back tears, she picked up her bag and headed for the front door. Before she opened it though, she turned back to look at him one last time.

“I’m sorry that you choose to believe that I’ve spent the last seven days in your arms because I was forced to by my sister and your best friend. If that’s the only logical reason you can come up with, if that’s the only thing that makes sense in your head and heart, then I can’t help you. And, honestly, I don’t want to anymore.”

Rio pulled it open and then slammed it hard behind her.

Paradise had just turned into hell on earth.