[Bianca]
When we arrived on the island, they promptly took away my phone. MY PHONE. I already had limited control over events. Now I was completely cut off from knowing what was going on. Needless to say, I was a heartbroken mess. The world wasn't allowed to see that. It would cast suspicion on my identity.
So I caked makeup onto my face to hide the puffy eyes from all the crying I did on the plane. Then Brianna made a public appearance. I allowed myself to be hit on while I got tipsy on cocktails.
Maybe it was the heartbreak talking or I was just done with celebs, but they all failed to impress. I was amused, yes, by all the cheesy pick up lines, but not impressed.
Until him.
Cole Hunter had me sliding straight into flirt mode like I really was my harlot sister. My pseudo bravado seemed to charm him. Heaven knew why. I was awful to him… and he was just… nice. On the plane. Clearing out the restaurant for me. His kind gestures and flirty smirk made me want to swoon.
"Uuurgh," I screamed in frustration. "It's a wonder we're allowed these." I glared at the cordless landline in my hand, refusing to indulge in any more mushy thoughts of Cole Hunter.
"Easy there, tigress. Your engine's quite revved up this morning and I haven't had coffee yet," said Macy, yawning on the other end of the line.
I flopped down onto the bed with a sigh. "I'm sorry, Mace. I'm just so… All that work. Countless hours of law school. The sacrifices I made to get into a top law firm. All of it, down the drain, in one night. And me? What did I do? Jet off on vacation, of course. So stupid. So juvenile. So… not me."
"Not to be a bitch, baby girl, but the fuck ups started long ago, with he who shall not be named," said Macy, without sympathy. "This vay-cay may be the most sensible thing you've done in months."
Her words were a dagger to the chest. The tough love felt a little premature. Resisting the urge to ask after my ex, I chose to remain on track and focus on the task at hand. Damage control.
"Still no word from Brat?" I asked hopefully.
"Not a peep," Macy confirmed. "She disappeared almost as soon as you did. Meanwhile, Star Agency's phones won't stop ringing. We need Brianna to release an official statement. Merida is driving us all crazy. I've left emails and voicemails for Brat so she can clear your name, but you know as well as I do that she doesn't check either."
"That's it, I'm coming home," I said, wanting to join the search for my trainwreck of a sister so I could get my life back on track.
My professional life at least.
"Unless the sexy billionaire that's hot for you is escorting you, the hell you are."
"Mace, I can't just sit here, sipping Mai Tais, waiting for Brat to eventually give a shit and finally return a call."
"Okay one, Brat has a million phones. Who knows when that will be?"
"Thanks a lot, Mace," I moped, in full panic mode in addition to the persistent, dull ache in my chest.
"Two," Macy continued, dismissing my irritable tone. "What are you going to do around here anyway other than obsess over things you can't change? Take a beat, have a beach day. You know I got you. I'll find Brat. You just… heal."
I sat up in bed and pulled my knees up to my chest, hugging myself in Macy's stead. The concern for my well being in her voice triggered something in me. Before I knew it, my cheeks were wet and my walls were down.
"So about this sexy billionaire," Macy pepped up.
I laughed through the tears. Good old Macy. She knew just when not to push.
"Even if men weren't the last thing on my mind right now, which they are, he's not hot for me. He wants Brianna Chase. Every man on this island does," I said, glad she couldn't see the light blush on my cheeks.
Cole Hunter was the last thing I needed right now.
"Same thing," said Macy, nonchalantly. "You are Brianna Chase. And so what if he just wants some? You're both on vacation. I say get some."
"Yes, I'm hanging up now."
"Put out, you prude," Macy said in lieu of a goodbye.
I sat there for some time, lost in thought. Jason and Brianna's betrayal was fresh. Wouldn't leave my mind. I had turned the situation round and round in my head. Guilt. Humiliation. Embarrassment. Sadness. My heart couldn't take it anymore.
So I let my thoughts wander to the one man who made breathing bearable. Cole snuck up on me. Handsome. Charming. Cocky. The man exuded mystique and possibilities. Being in his presence simultaneously made you feel like a woman and a teenage girl, and like he could fulfill the desires of both.
What the hell was I thinking? Brianna Chase might go around touching men's lips and letting them suck on her finger. I didn't.
I was perfectly fine cordially, but sternly, rebuffing the other nine men who approached me last night. Why not him? I acted like a fumbling school girl, trying to be sexy and then not and then… Oh to hell with it.
Yesterday's events had me off my game. Yes, that was all it was. The more I tried to make sensible decisions and fix the mess that was my life, the more I made a fool of myself.
I slapped my cheeks and jumped off the bed.
"That's it, enough wallowing," I said to myself. "Let's have a beach day, like Macy said."
My mind wouldn't let me stop thinking though. The naughty glimpses Cole stole of my thighs earlier today. Both times. The scent of masculinity that hung in the air around him. His kindness, even if it was perfectly clear he wanted pussy. I was undeniably attracted to him. It was a perfectly normal response to having your world blown up. So was noticing his handsome face. His broad back and shoulders. Inviting, mischievous hazel eyes. Sea-swept hair.
My fists clenched and I felt my thighs squeeze together. A knock on the door snapped me out of my daydreaming. I stuffed my hair behind my ears in an effort to make myself look presentable, before crossing the suite to get to the door.
"Harmon Chancellor, at your service Ms Chase," said the man on the other side of the door. When I opened the door for him, he handed me an envelope. "We do hope that you attend."
"Thank you," I said with a wry smile.
I closed the door before opening the envelope. It contained an invitation, cordially inviting all of the guests to a party to allow everyone to mingle tonight.
"Well I suppose I can't stay in my room forever. There's an entire island to explore and people to meet," I rationalized, but I could hardly keep calm.
Surely the notion of Cole throwing a party simply to draw me out was utterly ridiculous. He wouldn't have a whole get together just for me. The ugly truth of my real personality punched me in the gut. There was a man who might be waiting to see me tonight. Did I go? And if I did, what would I say?
Another knock on the door broke my train of thought. When I opened the door once more, two women accompanied by a selection of dresses, shoes and jewelry walked in.
"Compliments of Mr. Hunter. He sends his apologies for having inconvenienced you this afternoon. Pick anything you like for tonight's dinner party," said one of the women.
"Scratch the might," I mumbled to myself with a gulp.
He wasn't going to let me be. Now I'd gone and done it.