“Three,” Willow quickly added. “Do you want to freshen up first, or…”
“What is it?” Claire asked as she turned to look at what had caught her mother’s attention and frozen her speech. Bryan was in the lobby, looking so handsome and smiling at her mother.
“Excuse me, girls,” Willow said as she walked over to him.
“I think we are on our own for dinner,” Claire murmured as she watched her mother walk away. “Great. Mom gets a man who comes searching for her after one date. She must have given him one hell of a blow job.”
“Claire! Stop talking trash about your mom!”
“Well, why else would he be here? He probably wants something from her,” Claire said, annoyed at herself more than anything. She couldn’t keep a man for more than a second and her mom had a man chasing after her.
“Well, speak for yourself. I know what I want,” Amy said, looking around for someone.
“What are you looking for?” Claire asked.
“Chance,” she said. “If Bryan is here, maybe Chance is here, too.”
“Chance? What does he have to do with Bryan?” she asked.
Amy looked at her as if she were stupid. “Bryan is Chance’s father, or did that escape you?”
“Oh.” Claire’s heart suddenly beat faster as she thought about Chance, but she quickly turned her mind away from him. “I think I’ll go freshen up while you two catch up with your men.”
“Come on, Claire,” Amy said as her eyes roamed. “Come with me.”
“No chance,” Claire mumbled as she started walking away from Amy. “Have fun. I don’t want to distract you.”
“Hold on, Claire,” Amy ran after her and wrapped her hand around her wrist. “I’m sorry. It must seem selfish of me to consider myself when you just had a crappy night. I’ll find him later.”
“No,” Claire said and removed her hand. “Go out and have some fun; don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?” Amy asked. “I mean, I don’t want you to say that just because…”
“Amy, just go,” Claire urged. Her mother was across the room waving, and she waved at her too.
“Okay,” she grinned and kissed Claire on the cheeks. “I will check in on you later.”
Claire shook her head and headed for the elevator. They could have all the fun they wanted; she was content in her world now. The elevator bell dinged, and she walked ahead and ran straight into the hard chest of a man as he was exiting. “Sorry,” she mumbled as she fell back and strong arms reached out and caught her. She looked up once she regained her balance. Chance and his blue eyes were burning holes thorough her.
“Hello again,” he said with smile. “You could have told me you like aggression.”
Claire stepped back, the elevator all but forgotten now, and folded her arms across her chest. “Fancy seeing you here,” she said, eyebrow arched.
“Don’t get it twisted,” he said, winking at her. “My father had to make a stop.”
“Your father had to make a stop? That’s the best you can do?”
She felt Chance bore down on her until her heart pumped hard beneath the flimsy dress she wore. She felt his eyes find the rise on her chest, and he followed the trail downwards before he brought his eyes back to hers. “I don’t need an excuse, Claire; I always get what I want.”
Claire swallowed; her throat had gone dry. She tried to get around him. “I’m glad to hear that.”
He put his hand out to stop her. “What are you so afraid of?”
His hold on her made her throb in places she shouldn’t. She couldn’t be near Chance any longer. “I’m not afraid. I’m just not interested.”
But just as Chance was about to reply, they both heard Amy calling him. “I didn’t know you were here,” Amy said.
“I think she was looking for you,” Claire whispered as she slipped from his grasp and hopped into the elevator before it closed. As it did, she saw him looking after her, and once the metal doors closed, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Alone in the room, Claire was forced to order room service; the other two women had not emerged for dinner. The room had been swept and there was no reminder of the honeymoon that should have been happening. She was able to enjoy her braised tilapia in peace. Her balcony, which was just above the courtyard, overlooked the ocean, so she sat on the wicker chair with her wine in hand as she watched the other guests having fun. Her mind was at ease, and she felt relaxed.