Chapter Four
Elizabeth
He never asked me out.
I was still flushed with heat as I walked back to the room. Every nerve ignited. Skin prickling. My mood edgy.
Why was I so attracted to this guy? And was there something wrong with me that he hadn’t asked for my number? Was he married? Engaged? Leaving on a plane for Afghanistan? All good reasons but I hadn’t asked.
And he gave me a second book! What kind of man does that? Plus, did I look that boring? Maybe I should have worn a different bathing suit. Took off my hat so he could get a better look. Something. Did I appear so hopeless to the man that he thought I would spend all my time with a nose in a book? Let’s face it, reading was a very loner activity.
I wasn’t used to being ignored. Not that Damon had ignored me. Not really. He actually seemed pretty sweet, but I guess he found me dull. Unattractive maybe. What little happiness I’d experienced from being noticed by the opposite sex, went right out the window, replaced instead by an overwhelming desire to show Damon Donovan just what he was missing. I’d show him. I was not some little wallflower.
I threw my bag with the books and my beach towel on a chair and sighed.
I was used to head turning whenever I walked by so why hadn’t he noticed? Well, he had, but not in the way I thought he should.
I peered in the mirror, making certain my makeup wasn’t smeared, my push-up bra still in place, and my stomach toned above my black lace panties. Nope, everything was in check. I stuck out my chest, seeing how much cleavage I could pump out. Hmm, that looked good too. Then I checked my stockings front and back. Nope. No runs. Well, maybe Damon was gay. That had to be it. Feeling better with my own diagnosis of why the hottest personal trainer I’d ever laid eyes on. thought I was a boring bookworm, still rankled me though.
I took one of the books out of the bag. My fingers grazed the hardness of the binding. I smelled it, loving the scent of parchment. I’d always loved books. Almost more than anything. I held it to my bosom, smiling at my reflection.
Geeze, maybe Damon was right. I really am pathetic! It didn’t bother me though. I knew I was so much more. I just needed the right guy to see that. One day… One day, I thought.
I opened the book and turned to page one. Again. I’d already read this page a thousand times. It wasn’t the most likely place for disappearances, at least at first glance. I loved that line. Not only its poetry but its meaning.
And then it hit me. I would disappear. Reinvent myself. No one needed to know about my failed marriage, my track record with men, or even my suicide attempt. I could be whomever I wanted to be. Just wipe that slate clean. In my heart, I’d still be me, but the real book of my life had yet to be written. Jason was the only one that knew who I was, a spoiled little rich girl with a questionable past. A woman with dreams of being an artist, and like everyone else in the world, I wanted to love someone who would love me back.
I threw the book down on the bed and them opened my suitcase. Rustling through some very slinky loungewear that hugged me in all the right places, I settled on a floor length maroon sun dress that had slits up the sides. The bodice was high but it was completely backless and showed off my slender legs and curvy figure in what could only be described as sinful yet classy. I would wear this dress to the party tonight. I was going to knock Damon on his ever-loving ass if it killed me.
Music and drinks would be served by the pool followed by a six course dinner, dancing, and a stage show of some sort in the Venetian Ballroom. I usually didn’t go in for those kind of things. I was more of get-my-beauty-sleep kinda girl, but this was just what I needed. I would show Damon that I was definitely more than a silly little bookworm. I could be voluptuous, charming, and sexy as hell.
I picked up the phone, booked a deep-tissue message, professional makeup artist, and manipedi in the next three and a half hours.
I took the book with me into the bathroom, and set it on the toilet. I ran a bubble bath in the large claw-foot tub. “Outlander, here I come.”
***
I glanced at the clock on the wall beside the tub. I’d been asleep for nearly thirty minutes. My soak had been amazing, the book absolutely enthralling, and the water wasn’t even cold yet. Shit, there was a heater in the tub! Who knew? I yawned and stretched my arms, wondering how I’d not found this writer before now. I’d absorbed nearly two hundred more pages in just an hour and a half. That wasn’t the only thing I absorbed.
An open bottle of champagne sat on the ledge. Courtesy of the club. I picked it up and looked inside. Only a smidgen was left and I’d not even used a glass. I almost never drank. Bad things happened when I drank. Was this how I planned to change myself? By getting drunk. Not cool, Liz. Not cool at all. “Shut up,” I said aloud. Okay, was my plan again? Oh yeah. Show Damon Donovan what he passed the hell up! And then come back and go to bed. I was already tired as hell. Drinking champagne could do that to a girl.
I drank the last few drops of champagne, grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around me as I exited the tub. Padding across the carpet in my bare feet, I eyed my dress on a hanger. I threw off the towel and threw on some jeans and a T-shirt. I hiccupped again, giggling for no apparent reason and then locked up the room.
As I got on the elevator, I got butterflies in my stomach when I thought about seeing Damon again. But why? He was just a hot guy. He probably spent his down time playing video games and having sex with all the guests. Or at least the ones who were more interesting than me. He seemed genuine, but then again, they all seemed genuine. At first.
Three hours later, and after being perfectly pampered in the salon, which I was excited to find included as many glasses of sauvignon blanc as I dared touch, I was seated on the edge of the bed slipping on my silver strappy heels and feeling like a school girl going to her very first prom. I hoped I didn’t fall off the heels. If I was this nervous with two glasses of wine in me, I was in deep trouble. I thought of Damon. God, he was hot. Sexy and warm with the most incredible earnest smile. A pretty good mask for the playboy I thought he was. I reminded myself again, the promise I’d made my brother. I didn’t think guys like Damon were on his list. Nope tonight was just to show him and the world I was still in the game. I sighed, disappointed but reminding myself just why I was getting all dolled up tonight. Show them what you’re worth. Make a bang-up entrance and then leave. Yup, that just about summed it up. I could do this.
Until I couldn’t—because as I walked out onto the natural stone decking around the pool I saw him standing by a fountain.
Tall and strong as a bronzed Greek statue.
Dripping of sexuality.
Wearing a black silk jacket, turquoise patterned tie, and the most incredible grin that showed off his pearly whites as he laughed over something one of the waiters must have said to him.
My heart literally stopped. I mean…it didn’t, but it felt like it did because I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t move, and if anyone had asked me my name I would have had to consciously think about my answer.
I looked around me, wondering if everyone was seeing what I was seeing. They were. Damon had several women oogling him from afar but he looked right past them. I caught him scanning the surroundings before he settled on my brother, Jason and joined him.
I took a deep breath, and walked toward the two men trying to act like I did this every day and that I wasn’t picturing Damon In-the-body-of-a-God Donovan completely and utterly naked.
Heat crawled up my neck. As a waitress swept by, I plucked a champagne glass off a tray downing it with one swallow.
“Oh, there she is now,” said Jason grabbing my arm so I wouldn’t fall. He frowned and then scanned me from head to foot, raised one inquisitive eyebrow, obviously not having seen me dressed so provocatively before. I flashed him a ‘shut-the-fuck-up’ look. He turned to Damon and said, “So this is Liz, my sister. Liz this is Damon. He’s kind of my coach here, but we’ve become pretty good friends.”
“You didn’t tell me your sister was so gorgeous,” Damon said, pretending we hadn’t met before. As his lips touched my hand, electricity sparked. I felt a flush in my face. I attributed it to the wine.
Jason’s brows lowered. He swiveled his gaze between me to Damon, suspicious. He cleared his throat. “You have got to check out the library here, Liz. It’s fantastic.”
“Library,” I said, my eyes still locked onto Damon’s. “Now why would I be interested in a little ole library?” I asked, trying to look bored.
“You’ve had a bit to drink I see.” Damon frowned.
“Yeah, Liz. What the…”
I gave him that brother sister look again, and grabbed another wine glass off a tray passing by.
“You might just want to pace yourself with that,” Damon offered. “The night’s still early.”
Did he just say that? Did he actually think he had a right to criticize me? Who the fuck did this guy think he was, the wine police!
I turned to my brother rolling my eyes and giving a half snort. “Now, what’s this about a library?”
“Oh. Uh, yeah. It’s not just a library Liz, although it does have floor to ceiling books. There are some of the most priceless paintings in the world there and the places is huge. You have to see it for yourself.”
“Okay,” I said. “But I’m not really interested in books, Jason.”
“Huh. You don’t say. Who are you and what have you done with my sister?”
I cocked my head and put my hand on my hip. I nearly toppled over trying to look sexy in those ridiculously high heels. Damon caught me, his face pinched with worry. This was not the impression I’d hoped to make with him.
“It’s just I have way more to do with my life than just sit around reading all day, Jason. That’s all I meant. I need to cut back. You know, like to one book a month. I’m soooo busy.”
Jason’s laughter was deafening and the sound irritated me in the worst possible way. “You really have had too much to drink. I think we need to cut you off.”
“Cut what off?”
His laughter escalated.
“From the booze. I think you’ve had enough.”
“Excuse me!” My hackles raised, I gazed at my brother, shaking my head and trying not to feel like I was five.
Unfortunately, he was right. I rarely drank because when I did, I wasn’t usually in control of what came out of my mouth or worse. That didn’t matter though. Not now. “You do not tell me what to do!” I spat, slamming my glass so hard on a glass table, I was surprised it didn’t shatter. “And another thing. I will drink what I want where I want and how much I want. Got it?”
Damon took a step back, distancing himself. “Um, family squabbles are not really my thing. I think I’ll just….” We both glared at him. “Give you guys some space, shall I?”
“Some space,” I snarled lifting the slit further up my dress. “Isn’t this dress leggy enough for you? Got somewhere or someone more exciting to get back to, Mr. Donovan?”
Jason let out a breath, his next words calm and melodic. “Liz….I really think we need to get you home.”
“Home! I don’t live here, you imbecile!”
“Imbecile? Did you just call me an imbecile? Jesus, Liz. You’re out of control. Completely out of control. Now let’s go.” He grabbed my arm but I pulled free.
“Oh I get it. You think you own me. Gonna pick out the perfect man for me too, right? One that won’t fuck me and leave me in the gutter.” I leaned forward and both men backed up. “Well, it aint gonna work,” I whispered. Wanna know why? He doesn’t fucking exist. That’s why.”
“Jesus Christ, what the hell did you drink, anyway?”
I hiccupped. “I don’t… I…. I don’t feel that well, Jason.” I practically fell into a chair.
“Come on. We’re go…” He tried to pull me up.
“Let go of me! I can do stand up by myself.”
I pulled myself upright and the world started to spin. “Oh god.” Something was curdling in the back of my throat as I waved both men’s reaching hands away.
“It’s so pretty tonight.” I got the bright idea that I should check out the decorations and grand piano by the pool.
“I just wanna see something before I go…” I muttered, while holding up a finger. “I’ll be right back, and then I’ll go back to my room like a good little girl. Will that make you both happy?”
Both men stared at each other. Jason shrugged, wide eyed and stiff, apparently unsure of what to do with me. Neither man appeared comfortable with my independence. Jason was his usual fuming self, loud and undignified in his three piece suit, while Damon looked as if he wanted to throw me over his shoulder and carry me away.
Without waiting for an answer or permission from my would-be chaperones, I half stumbled, half hopped closer to the pool edge. When I reached the bar by the piano, I bent to sniff some flowers, but I misjudged just how shaky I was. I hadn’t eaten since lunch. It was now nine. I straightened, took a step back, did a sort of pirouette half-turn, lost my balance, and then plunged into the pool.