chapter 4
Present
Trista
We arrived in Aspasia mid-afternoon on a Tuesday. Lindsey look well rested since she slept most of the flight from LA to London, and another few more hours from London to Athens. I was glad she was wide - awake during our short Cessna flight from Athens to Aspasia. I didn’t sleep a wink on either flight since , it had been impossible. I was left alone with my thoughts, which liberally played havoc with my sanity, so having Lindsey final awake during the last leg of our journey had been a relief.
I heard Lindsey make an excited squeal. “Man, Emma wasn’t kidding about these pimped out golf carts.” I saw her greet the driver and shake his hand. The young Greek male looked enthralled but a bit shy about it. I walked over to the cart and hopped inside.
Lindsey was busy talking to the man. How long have you worked here? How old are you? Do you watch when they start filming? She kept going on and on about everything. That’s Lindsey for you.
Okay, I admit that the island was absolutely gorgeous, and that I am a wee bit excited to be spending a month here. The beautiful Aegean Sea was breathtaking to look at. The soft clean breeze that went along with the view helped ease some of my tension.
From the looks of it, this private island was well equipped with everything. The lavish design and architecture showed understated elegance. It was modern-meets-old-school-Mediterranean-style.
When the driver stopped at the very last cottage on the lane, Linds and I immediately hopped out. “Your belongings will be delivered shortly. Miss Emma is still out filming, but someone is here to welcome you. Enjoy your stay in Aspasia. More importantly, have a lot of fun in Greece. You have never seen true beauty until you’ve seen Greece.” The young man grinned at us and gave us a nod before he left.
“Oh, God! I think I really love the idea of being friends with a celebrity now!” Lindsey announced gleefully before she strode towards the cottage and pushed the buzzer. I was about to respond to her statement with some smartass remark, but the door was yanked open by a guy who was only wearing beach shorts and nothing more. Ripped, tanned muscles , up close and personal was such a heady thing. His hazel eyes looked amused as he watched both of our faces. “I’m Taylor Montgomery, Bass’s friend. Come on in. They should be here in a couple hours or so.”
Lindsey held out her hand. “Lindsey, Emma’s best friend.” Taylor jovially shook it, smiling down at her. She then pointed her thumb at me. “This is Trista, second in command.”
I wanted to roll my eyes at her statement but refrained from doing so. “Second in command of what?” Taylor inquired as he smiled down at me . , H h is eyes twinkled mischievously.
Now, why wasn’t I surprised that Bass Cole’s best friend was another version of him? True, Bass rocked his own hotness planet, but this Taylor dude was not far off. He could be the moon of that hotness planet. Bass was… well, just Bass… but this dude was sculpted more and it was topped off with a pretty face. In what sense? You couldn’t find a singlefault with his facial features, that’s what. Not like I could find any with Bass, but there was just something more to his friend.
“Top secret girly protocols.” Lindsey started to stroll towards the living room, leaving me with Mister Pretty.
“Are you an actor, too?” I asked while I followed Lindsey inside.
Taylor gave a light chuckle before he shook his head. “Nah, nothing like that, though I model from time to time. I’m a law student, actually.”
I perked up from his response. Mister pretty boy is loaded with legal mumbo jumbo, interesting mix. I definitely didn’t see that one coming. He looked like he wanted to chat some more, but I wasn’t up for it. He and Lindsey could do that without me. “Do you know which rooms are available? I want to rest for now.”
Lindsey immediately spun around from the wide - open sliding doors. “Oh boo! Come on, we’re in Greece and you want to rest? I’m only going to let you off if you promise to join us once Emma and Bass come back, comprende?” she pouted while folding her hands underneath her breasts, making them pop out more.
I smirked. One thing I admired about my childhood best friend, Lindsey, was her power to use her body like a weapon. It came naturally to her, but when she’s on a hell bent mission, that shit is absolutely lethal—a definite must see. Just ask all the fallen, besotted men. It was never a wonder to me why Cece hated her guts—bitch hated Emma, too. I had reservations with Cece before, but she declared war when she and the skankerette club betrayed Emma that way.
“Yes, Miss Nazi, I hear you loud and clear.” I genuinely smiled back at my friend, a real smile after weeks of not having one. Lindsey blew me kisses before she took her wedge sandals off and went out on the patio. She certainly was not going to waste any time enjoying her heart out of Greece.
I made a quick glance at the man close to me, who stood confidently like a goddamned gladiator, taking in his features once again. Taylor Montgomery was your typical pretty boy. Blonde hair with hazel eyes, tanned skin, awesome six-pack, cherry-red lips and facial features that could easily make other people jealous.
Taylor cleared his throat and gestured towards the other end of the hall, breaking my thoughts. “Bass will be sleeping in Emma’s room since he gave me his. There’s two more available, so you get first dibs.” he played host and gestured towards the other two oak doors on the left.
I didn’t even bother checking out the rooms. I picked the last one and strode towards it. Surprise caught me when Taylor came up and managed to open the door before I did. How chivalrous of him. I murmured my thanks and strode inside the room, checking it out.
“Just in case you can’t nap, there’s a nice alcove half a mile from here. There are also a few taverns and a tiny fishing village if you walk towards your left. The family that owns the island have their own people, I guess. It’s a pretty tight-knit community. You’ll like it here.” Taylor stood against the door, his face animated.
Okay, right on. Could he shoo himself out now?
“Great, thanks for the deets. I’ll see you later.” I know my dry attitude didn’t match the earthy, light atmosphere of this place, but it was impossible to let go of my dark shackles. They’re there and I was bonded to them.
I was glad when he took the cue and bid me goodbye. I guess that smart brain really did work, I mused darkly. I looked around my room and felt right at home. The light blue and white color schematics worked and blended perfectly, along with the wide windows and the rustic accented furniture.
I placed my purse on the cushioned seat and started to take my clothes off. With only my underwear on, I slid inside the bed. The instant my head hit the pillow, my brain—for the very first time in a month—shutdown completely.