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Chapter One
Hannah
“Bend over Shirley with your Pink silk panties.”
My eyes popped open to see my personal pool attendant holding out a tray with two delicious pink and red drinks perched on top.
“With extra cherries just like you like Hannah.” He offered me a sexy smile as he handed the cocktails to me.
The sun warmed my skin, but nothing compared to the heat growing between my legs. The eye candy around here was never in short supply. Sure, New Jersey had all the seasons, but there was something about being just a little further south that made the weather so much more enjoyable. Tilting my head back on the striped cushion of my lounger, all it took was one long exhale to melt away a fraction of an ounce more of my stress.
My mind was still reeling over the events that occurred just a few days before this. When life seemed to go perfectly fine for me. Maybe I had become complacent. It wouldn’t have been the first time. Nevertheless, I swear, if I heard that stupid damn line one more time, I think I might snap. Honestly, I wanted to know who came up with it and wring their neck.
It’s not you, it’s me.
Really? Could we get any more cliché than that? Of course, it has to be me. Why else would you break up with someone if they didn’t have something wrong with them?
Except in this case.
Walking in on Felix screwing my now ex-best friend was a ‘him problem’, not a ‘me one’ this time.
Honestly, thebestpart of the entire thing was when she came out of the bedroom. Her face was stoic with the evilest look in her blue eyes. She turned her sights on me as she swiped her smeared lipstick from the corner of her mouth. She pushed her long poker straight hair over her shoulder, and practically chuckled. Then she spoke in the most monotone voice I had ever heard someone use.
“See I told you he would cheat on you.”
That’s what landed me here. In the middle of this resort, in North Carolina, alone, with the delicious pool boys bringing me drinks before I could ask for some. The alcohol had been nice the last three days, numbing the pain of my latest relationship floundering.
What I really needed was to focus on my work and stop worrying so much about men. If I wanted to be taken seriously at my job, I needed to act the part. Pulling my long, naturally blonde hair up into a bun I promised myself no more distractions. No more going out partying every weekend. I was going to get serious and start acting like the adult I wanted people to see me for.
More than that, I would not let Felix and his wandering fidelity get me down. Sure, I was supposed to be taking this trip with Christina, but now I didn’t have to worry about her anymore. I could find friends who didn’t decide the best way to prove a boyfriend was a cheater was to open her own legs.
“Mind if I borrow this chair?” A deep, masculine voice distracted me from my thoughts. Picking my head up, I looked over to see who was disturbing my very important, people suck, pep talk. How dare they not see I was mentally going through the motions of grief? This had to be the acceptance part, right?
“Uh, yeah, I guess. I don’t own it.” Trying my best to sound indifferent, my sunglasses provided enough concealment that he couldn’t see where I was looking. Because I sure as hell was looking.
“Shut up, Rowan.” Looking over his shoulder, he yelled back at his friend before turning back to me. “Thanks. Have a good day ma’am.”
Watching as he lifted the pool chair with little effort, a slick layer of glistening sweat covered his muscles. The edge of his swim trunks shifted at his hip as he turned, and the deep V resting under his perfect six-pack only became more noticeable. His skin, a crisp golden shade. I sat, trying to decide if it was from sitting by the pool. More than likely, he came here looking that good.
“Sure, you too,” I responded while the heat previously settled between my legs rose to my cheeks. There weren’t many times in my life that I stumbled over my words or had a blush fall over my cheeks. I prided myself on my confidence. Well, until recently I had. This whole thing with Christina and Felix had been a major curveball. On a typical day, I would exude confidence, now I questioned everything about myself. Was it my body that wasn’t enough for him? Was my personality too reserved or maybe it was too much sometimes? It may have been his dick that wandered but it was me it wandered from.
This chair-stealing man was something else. The low grumble of his words, the almost southern like drawl as he said, ma’am. He was just what I needed to stay away from. Good for one night but not the type that would stick around long. If by chance he did, he would look at every other ass that walked by. He was nice to look at, which would have to be enough for now.
After an hour of rereading the same passage of the book I had purchased to distract myself, I shoved my Kindle into my bag. There was no point sitting out here any longer. Pushing the shoulder strap of my bag up, I turned to grab my towel off my chair. Perhaps a nap would clear my mind.
*****
Rolling over, the once bright sunlight no longer shone through my balcony window. Patting the bed next to me, I searched for my phone. Finally feeling the rectangle under the pillow, I pulled it out. It was already eight. Shit. I hadn’t meant to sleep so long.
Pulling myself from the comfort of the soft and overly fluffy comforter I went into the bathroom. I looked like I hadn’t showered in a week. Hair sticking out in all directions and the minimal makeup I put on this morning smeared under my eyes.
“No wonder he slept with someone else. You’re an absolute mess.” I mumbled to myself. “Room service it is. No need to scare the poor guests on vacation.”
The menu next to the phone had become my best friend the last few days. I wasn’t a stranger to dining alone, but that was back home. Now, the idea made me feel pathetic. My new single status didn’t need to be flaunted. I also didn’t need to be hit on by a bunch of guys who were looking for a vacation screw.
Picking up the receiver, I dialed for room service. “Hi, yes room 508. I’m good and you? That’s good, can I get a cheeseburger with fries? Medium. And an order of mozzarella sticks. Just water is fine. Thanks.”
I knew it was a bad idea to order so much greasy food when I probably wouldn’t work out. Not that I couldn’t workout, I brought my gym clothing. Besides the walk past the treadmills, I hadn’t actually used the gym on site. Even though I specifically told myself I would.
