Bound: The Pentagon Group, Book 3 (15 page)

A female crew member interrupted my nap to inform me dinner would be served on the top deck within half an hour. Never before experiencing being out at sea, it relaxed me. I dressed and applied the makeup found in the bathroom. The hair products worked wonders for my curls. The cute slip on sandals rounded out my look. I was nervous. I knew Shay’s intentions, expecting a romantic evening. And when I arrived at the top deck, my expectations were confirmed. The top deck, under the setting sun, was lined with candles. He stood waiting for me, reaching out his hand as I approached. I sat next to him, facing toward the lights from the other boats and resorts on the beach. The twinkling in the distance helped illuminate the sky as the horizon darkened slowly around us. The moon made its shy appearance, slowly climbing to its mark on the galaxy’s stage. We listened to soft music as we took sips of our drinks; my virgin drink in hand and his amber liquid filled tumbler in his.

There was no doubt Shay had his romance game down. I wondered if all the other women he did this for were practice; to be as-near-perfect as he could be for me. His fingers traced along my forearm, sliding to my hand and he grabbed my drink, which he placed on the table. He took my hand and pulled me to standing. No words were passed between us. He pulled me close and set me to dance to the slow songs playing.

The songstress sounded tortured about a lost love. I couldn’t help but think it was his anthem for how he felt about us. His heart beat so strong and fast within his hardened chest, and I felt so much emotion. I hurt for him; bleeding sadness for what he couldn’t have—me. I couldn’t give him what he wanted although I wanted him to be happy with someone else. If I could only give him this moment, these four days, I hoped it would be enough to fulfill his hunger for me. However, it was unfair to bring him closer to the joy he was denying himself with another woman when I couldn’t leave Matt.

Shay’s hands slid up my back, getting stronger with each inch. When I was impossibly close to his body, I tried to pull away, and he held me tight. Placing his temple low to meet mine, I readjusted my head up to get a breath of fresh air. His scent was exhilarating and nauseating at the same time.

“I need air, Shay,” I groaned. He relented, but I remained close. “I thought ‘no touching’,” I reminded.

“As long as we’re not naked,” he retorted.

‘With these thin clothes, we might as well be,’ I thought.

He gave me more space, but was no less affectionate. One of my favorite slow songs with a heavy bass guitar came on and I got emotional, not for Shay or for Matt, but for myself. I spent two years mourning the loss of my marriage to my first boyfriend and lover. Before me swayed a man who claimed a life-long devotion. Back in Boston remained a man who I knew was going out of his mind with worry. How I became so lucky and so cursed was beyond my comprehension.

“Why me?” I asked again. “And not a question with a question. Why me?”

“Because I promised your mother I’d take care of you,” he whispered. My heart stalled and I couldn’t breathe.

“What?” I pulled away to look at him, needing to see if there was sincerity in his eyes.

“I promised her the day we took the pictures on the piano. I told her I would make sure you’re safe and sound. She told me I was a good young man who would become a great man,” he remembered wistfully, caressing my thumb with his thumb. The sensation was relaxing and soothing.

“It was too big of a promise. You were just a boy,” I reminded.

“Which is why I waited until I was a man. I made my life better to fulfill that promise, but you didn’t wait,” he said.

“I didn’t know. I still don’t understand why me. I was a girl, who had nothing to offer you?”

“Because you were just as needy for love and attention as I was. You smiled brighter back then. You’ve kept that smile hidden for so long. I waited too long to come to you. You married so young. Why?” He asked. I didn’t answer. He continued without a response because I suspected he truly knew why.

Looking up into his beautiful hazel eyes, they darkened as we held the gaze and continued to rock to the music. I could barely look at Matt, but Shay had mesmerized me. It was as if I was trying to get much deeper and complete answers from his eyes because everything he said was so implausible.

“I haven’t seen you dance in so long. I imagined us like this, dancing under the stars,”

“Do you ever think you’ve been missing out on dancing with ‘the one’ because you’ve been fixated on me,” I said. He pulled away. At the instant, I missed his warmth and hardness against me. I crossed my arms to fill the void.

“I haven’t missed out having women. I’ve missed out on ‘the one,’ and it’s you. And yet again, you were taken from me,” he revealed with anger in his voice. All I wanted to do was go to him and comfort him, but the comfort would be misconstrued. The young girl within me, who was watching her friend in pain, I wanted to console him. However, I’d done enough of it throughout the day.

The crew brought up the first course. We ate in silence. I didn’t have much of an appetite. The emotional rollercoaster ride was wreaking havoc with my sleep and eating habits.

He looked over at my pushing food around the plate, and he sighed heavily.

“I’m sorry. I know this is too much pressure for you. I promise tomorrow will be better,” he smiled. “I have something I want to show you, and I hope it can bring some excitement while you’re with me,” he said. I turned away and rolled my eyes, straining not to tear up. I didn’t want to feel this heartache again.

*****

Sleep eluded me throughout the night. I was tired, lonely, and missing Matt. Not even self-pleasuring helped me to fall asleep. My hands weren’t strong enough, nor my fingers long enough to reach the spots and grip the places Matt always successfully handled. I woke up and ran to the bathroom, throwing up the little contents in my stomach. The yacht seemed to sway more aggressively when I realized we were gearing up to move. I cleaned up slowly, unable to get my bearings. My stomach quivered. I felt hung over without the consumption of alcohol. I dressed in the last dress available.

When I felt like the sudden sickness passed, I walked up to the main deck and found Shay sitting at the table with coffee in hand.

“Good morning,” he said with a restrained smile. He looked angry. Actually, it was more like frustrated, and I wondered if he was as sexually exasperated with me as I was not having Matt to fulfill my needs.

Giving him an equally contained smile, “Mornin’,” and attempted to take a seat on the opposite side of the table when he patted the seat next to him for me to sit. Biting my lip from denying him, I walked slowly, holding onto the bolted furniture, I went to the seat and sat down beside him.

“Are you sick?” He looked at me.

“Yeah. I think the sea sickness just hit me,” I responded. He put the back of his hand on my forehead and again onto my jawline.

“You don’t feel like you have a fever, so it must be sea sickness. I can have the doctor check you out when we dock,” he offered.

“I’m fine. This is my first time on a ship, so I was due to have a moment of illness,” I assured.

He watched me for a while, and called a crew member. He ordered me some tea and dry toast. I was grateful and a little miffed at having him take care of me like a child. I was prepared to block his seduction, not his nurturing.

‘One more day,’ I reminded myself. “So what is the plan for today?”

“We’re going back home,” he said casually. I cringed at his calling the main house as ‘home’, implying it was ours. Playa de Perlas was most certainly not my home. Boston was home. Matt was my home. “If you’re up to it and get your land legs, we can do another swim lesson? We’ll rest a bit and then head over to the resort, so I can give you a tour. We’ll eat dinner, go to the casino, dance . . . we’ll go home thereafter,” he rattled off.

“At some point will I speak to the police and give them my account of what happened?” I asked.

His eyes narrowed and the smile formed a frustrated line, “No.” He finally admitted.

“Why?” I asked in frustration.

“There is nothing more you need to add here in this country. You’ll be able to talk to the Feds back in Boston.”

“Feds?” I shook my head in query.

“She’s already back in Boston with a report of what she did to us. There’s no reason for you to talk to the authorities here.”

“Why didn’t you just say so?”

“Because I don’t want to keep talking about these things when I just want to talk to you about us,” he said. I went to stand, and he grabbed my wrist. “Sit. You’re mine until tomorrow, and I want you to eat your breakfast like a good little girl,” he snarled through clenched jaw. The shock of him speaking to me in that manner made me comply without hesitation. I was bound to him while we were in open water on this tropical paradise.

While we sailed back to port, Shay talked animatedly. I feigned interest, feeling uneasy. He showed me his true self and I didn’t like being silenced like a child, or controlled like one. I had every right to speak to the police, give my report, and find out where my wedding ring and purse were. However, Shay’s influence in the region should have given me every indication of his power over me.

The sickness didn’t subside even after we were in the car back to his home. I excused myself and went back to bed in the room I inhabited. When Shay tried to object, I stated, “If you want me feeling at my best tonight, then you’ll let me rest until it’s time to leave.” He nodded, giving me the permission to be alone.

I woke up a few hours later, feeling refreshed. I walked to the double doors, and without opening up the curtains, I slipped outside to the balcony. Shay exited the pool. Amaryllis was standing with an open towel to receive him. He turned his back to her and she towel dried him. I watched as her small hands gently patted his shoulders, back and down his waist in slow motion. It was highly irregular. He turned to face her where she proceeded to reciprocate on the front. It was deeply sensual as she followed the ripples of his chest, down his abdomen until she slowed to his obviously erect cock, which was shielded by the tight swim briefs. He grabbed her wrist. I thought he was refusing her touch, but he pressed her hand harder onto him, sliding it slowly up and down his length until she gripped his sack. She stepped closer and kissed his collarbone.

Aroused, he threw his head back and bit his lip. I knew she was giving him just what he needed to change his bad mood, which I wasn’t willing to give. It was obvious she had served him well during her employment. The way he let her touch him was the sign of a man who enjoyed a woman catering to his every whim and desire. Amaryllis was his perfect subservient match to his dominant personality. I would never be able to control him like I could with Matt.

I smiled wistfully to myself, and quietly stepped backwards to give them their privacy. Their interaction was just the permission I needed to keep Shay from invading my heart. I knew I wouldn’t be enough for him, and I would never believe in his fidelity. He didn’t give it to either Aida or Brigit. Despite his assurances I was the only woman he wanted, seeing him get felt up by the tall, slender, brunette with caramel colored skin who served as his maid indicated otherwise. I was in the home he built in my mother’s birthplace in a compound named after me, sleeping just steps away from him, and he couldn’t help but collect a feel from another woman. I decided to go downstairs and make an appearance.

As I walked toward them, I saw Shay’s nervous glance. He whispered something to Amaryllis, taking the towel from her hand. He wrapped it around himself, adjusting his cock. She turned and shielded his body from my vision. I smiled at her, and she nervously returned the smile. When she was close enough, I asked for a drink of water and lemonade. She nodded and rushed to retrieve my request.

“Hi,” I greeted. “Good time?” I asked. He looked at me nervously.

I truly loved fucking with people’s heads, and I hadn’t had the chance to do so in a while.

“Good time?” he asked uncertainly.

“Swimming, of course,” I pursed my lips and furrowed my brow. “What else could I have meant?” I asked.

“Yes. I always have a good time swimming,” he answered sheepishly. And I could sense he definitely meant a double entendre. I smiled. He stood firmly in place, not moving. I couldn’t help, but think the spectacular bulge under the towel prevented him from moving.

“I just want to know what time we’re leaving, so I can ensure I have plenty of time to doll up for you,” I said. He looked surprised and smiled a toothy grin.

“How about in two hours? We can have a tour first, so wear flats and bring heels for dinner and dancing,” he finished enthusiastically.

I smiled and nodded, turning to see Amaryllis with drinks. I walked toward her, and stopped in her track. I took the glass of water and drank it while looking intently at her. Her eyes shifted, looking all around, everywhere but directly into my eyes. I put the empty glass on the tray and grabbed the lemonade to take back to the room.

“Thank you. He’s all yours,” I said with a knowing gaze. I could hear the imperceptible gasp as I walked past her toward the house.”

*****

We were driven to the resort by Manuel in a white SUV. Shay indicated he didn’t want to chance drinking and driving in the rough terrain. The drive wasn’t long. In little time, we arrived at the front entrance of an amazingly appointed edifice. It was bustling with activity; guests and visitors coming and going. It was too early for dinner, so a staff member gave me the grand tour and allowed us access to everything at the resort.