Rebel(62)

I tear my eyes away to meet her icy gaze. I’ve done a lot of things I’m not proud of, but this was supposed to be one of the good things. “I was trying to help, for Christ’s sake.”

“Giving money as a freaking test isn’t helping, dimwit. What, it wasn’t enough to screw up what we had before we even had a chance? You had to go ruin it for our parents too?” She picks up a pillow and flings it at me which I only barely bat out of the way. Arguing while naked isn’t playing fair. Not when you look like Angie.

Alright, I’m done with this. I can’t win. “You know what? Fuck this. I’m leaving. I’ll ask for another cabin for the rest of the cruise. You win. Happy?” I talk while I pull dry clothes out of my suitcase. She huffs, still naked and in full view, watching me pick up my stuff.

Does that make me hard? Of course it does, but I ignore it. I’ll get my own cabin, jerk off and I won’t even have to worry about her walking in on me. Fucking magnificent. I tug the zippers shut on my suitcase and open the door. With a last glance back, I meet her steely gaze with one of my own. “Have a nice fucking cruise.” Then I step out, closing the door behind me.

Done.





Chapter 32: Angie


I shift on the deck chair, finding a better angle for reading. A sip of sangria, then back to rippling chests and heaving bosoms. Funny how the reality of muscle bound alpha males never seems to match up with the fantasy. It’d be nice if every time I picture the hero in this story, he didn’t look like Gavin.

I haven’t talked to him in three days. The storm raged on for most of the day we fought, and then blew out overnight. Since then I’ve been living in paradise, and hating every second of it. I got what I wanted, so I should be happy. Pleased. Thrilled. I have an amazing suite to myself, a magnificent view, a huge bed, and best of all, I don’t have a hotshot asshole of a stepbrother running around cracking jokes and trying to get in my panties.

Whoopde-freakin-do.

It’s given me plenty of time to work on my tan, and while I’ll never make a serious dent in my to-be-read pile, I’ve made the best progress in months. Just me, my e-reader, the blazing sun and sangrias. Perfect.

And lonely. I spend my days in imaginary worlds and my nights ignoring how empty my bed feels. If the storm hadn’t knocked out the cell antenna it might not be so bad, but I can’t even get in touch with Cassie or Mom. It’s enough to make me miss Gavin’s paranoia and asshattery. Not really. But I do miss his smile, and the way he sometimes looked at me before it all fell apart.

With a sigh, I put the reader down and roll onto my back, closing my eyes to the bright sun on my face. I’ve seen him around, of course. The ship isn’t that big. Usually he’s just wearing a pair of board shorts and a smile, showing off his bronzed chest and tattoos. Either a lot of the passengers didn’t catch the whole wedding thing, or he’s really going out of his way to show that it’s not a problem, because I every time I see him he has a new girl on his arm. Or arms. I bet it took him all of an hour to replace me.

Fuck him. I’m sure those girls are.

I hate that I’m weak enough to be jealous, and that I’m still thinking about him.

Even with my eyes shut, I sense the shadow passing in front of me, blocking the sun for a moment. I open them immediately, expecting Gavin. I’m not sure why I thought it’d be him, but it turns out to be Joyce, leading Mabel to one of the deck chairs.

“Right over here, Mabel. Here are two chairs for us.” She might be a little batty, but the love she has for her friend is plain in her voice. I wonder if Cassie and I will be like that when we’re old. Looking at them, I smile a little. I could do a lot worse than cruising around and speaking my mind.

Joyce settles Mabel on the chair, giving her a hand when she sits down. “There you go. I’ll go get drinks.” She gives me a wave and a smile before heading to the snack bar. I peek over at Mabel, who looks after her with a sweet smile. Maybe they’re more than friends? I grin at the thought. Never too old for love, I guess. Maybe there’s hope for me yet.

I lean back, close my eyes and soak up the sun.

“You seem to be taking it well.” Joyce is back, and I’m assuming she’s talking to me. Opening one eye half-way, I peer in her direction to find her examining me, her eyes crinkled tightly at the corners. “I’ve had some short affairs, but I’m pretty sure I never had a marriage that didn’t last a day.” Her face is full of sympathy.

How much do I tell her? “It’s complicated.”

“It always is, dearie, otherwise it wouldn’t hurt so much.” She looks at me expectantly, her open eyes and slight curves at the corners of her lips saying, “Of course you’re going to tell me everything.”