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nd groan. The sun was strong, the air thick, and Chase worried if he didn’t get something cold to drink, he’d pass out from the stifling heat.
“Nice play, bro.” Ezekiel clapped Chase on the back and shook his shoulder. “Jonas has been messing with you all day, so I knew it was just a matter of time before you got even. I never imagined you’d take him out with a football, though. You’re a beast!”
“Zeke, it was an accident. My mind wandered and I lost focus.”
“Still thinking about Demi, huh?”
Cringing, Chase dodged his brother’s gaze. He wished his family didn’t know about his one-night stand, but they’d put two-and-two together when he’d returned to the suite that morning. They’d wanted details, pressured him to reveal all, but he’d refused. Couldn’t do it. Didn’t want to disrespect Demi by blabbing to his family about their encounter. “I feel like crap,” he blurted, tired of keeping the truth bottled up inside. Jonas was his twin, but Chase had always been closest to Ezekiel. He enjoyed spending time at his brother’s estate, playing soccer and board games with his nieces. Ezekiel was a pharmacist by day and a saxophonist by night, and when he wasn’t performing with his band at local jazz bars, he was romancing his wife, Moriah. “Bro, I screwed up. I shouldn’t have left Demi’s suite without saying goodbye—”
“Then why did you?”
Because I got scared and I panicked. Chase shrugged, wandered over to the wooden bench he’d left his backpack on earlier and sat. He picked up his bottle and finished his water in three gulps. He couldn’t put his feelings into words, struggled to explain to Ezekiel why he’d done what he had. With his ex, he’d always had trouble showing affection and sharing his emotions, but not with Demi. He’d confided in her about the struggles of being a twin, the pressures he was under at work, and his past relationships. In turn, she’d told him about growing up in poverty and the stress of living in the shadow of her successful, older sister. But, most shocking of all, was their emotional connection. The heartfelt things he’d said while they were making love. He’d awoken that morning, heard Demi singing in the shower, and bolted upright in bed. Everything he’d said the night before had flooded his memory and his skin had burned with shame. His feelings for her scared the hell out of him. And when Juliet showed up, banging on the suite door, he’d decided to leave to prevent an argument between the two women.
“Are you sure things are over with Juliet? I’m just asking because Moriah adores her and wants them to be sisters-in-law.” Ezekiel sat on the bench and stretched his long legs in front of him. “I’m not a therapist, but maybe you ditched Demi because deep down you still want to be with Juliet.”
Hell no! I’d rather stick my head in a beehive. “That’s not it,” he said, deciding not to tell his brother about his run-in with Juliet outside Demi’s hotel suite. “I left because I was embarrassed. I was all in my feelings last night and I couldn’t face Demi this morning.”
“Wow.” Ezekiel’s eyes went wide. “She put it on you for real.”
“I’m not going to lie. The sex was amazing, but it was more than that. We connected, bro.”
“I bet. You probably connected on the couch, the bed, the desk and the floor. It’s a wonder you don’t have third-degree rug burns!” he teased, laughing at his own joke.
Moving in close, Chase glanced around his surroundings to ensure no one was listening in on their conversation and asked the question at the forefront of his mind. “Have you ever met someone who knocked you off your game? Who made you act out of character?”
“I’ll kill you if you repeat this to anyone, but the first time Moriah and I made love, I was so overwhelmed, I teared up,” Ezekiel confessed, slowly shaking his head. “We’ve been married for twelve years, but Moriah still teases me about it every chance she gets.”
“Damn, bro, I never would have guessed it.”
“What can I say? She put it on me that night and I haven’t been the same since!”
The brothers bumped fists. In that moment Chase realized his feelings for Demi had nothing to do with weakness and everything to do with their bond. Hearing shrieks and giggles, he stared at the play structure. Colorful balloons and kites waved in the breeze, and families laughed and danced in the sunshine.
“Do you plan to see Demi when you return to the States?”
“Definitely,” he answered without a moment’s hesitation. When he returned to Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, his first order of business was to get Demi’s contact information. “Demi’s in Manhattan a lot, so seeing her again is a no brainer.”
“Hold on. Let’s Google her before you profess your undying love,” Ezekiel teased, giving him a shot in the arm. “Demi’s gorgeous, but she could be a serial killer, for all you know.”
“You need to stop watching crime TV. It’s making you paranoid.”
“Better safe than sorry!” Chuckling, Ezekiel grabbed his nylon backpack, unzipped the front pocket and took out his iPhone. “What’s Demi’s last name?” he asked, typing in his password.
Chase stroked his chin. “I don’t know. I never asked.”
“Who does she work for?”
“She’s a personal assistant for an actress...no, a dancer...no, a singer...” Scratching his head, he wore a sheepish smile. “Honestly, I can’t remember.”
Ezekiel scoffed. “Good luck, bro! You’re going to need it.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“A lot of people look normal but they’re actually crazy as hell and, for your sake, I hope Demi isn’t one of them.”
“She’s not.” At the thought of her, a grin filled his mouth. “She’s vibrant, passionate and laugh-out-loud funny, and my gut’s telling me that she’s good people.”
“Your gut or your—”
