“Did I do that to you?” Chance blushed as he touched her parched skin.
“Not unless you instructed the sun to shine,” she said and smiled. “Don’t worry about it; it will be fine after I shower and cool off. I should have applied sunscreen.”
“We are still on for dinner, right?” he asked as he stopped in front of her door, wishing she would invite him in, but he knew it was too early in the game. They hadn’t kissed yet, and from what he had already learned about Claire, there was no way she would get closer to him that night than she already had.
“Dinner? Did we agree to that?” she asked as she grinned and opened her door.
“Yes, dinner,” Chance said. “You said yes.”
“I never did, but yes, I’d love to go to dinner with you,” she said before disappearing into her room and closing the door. Then she braced against the door and inhaled deeply. She had only been leaning on the door for a moment when she heard a knock.
CHAPTER 11
“Claire?” Amy called from outside. Claire opened the door for her friend. “Was that Chance I just saw leaving?”
“Leaving?” Claire asked. “He wasn’t in here.”
“You know what I mean,” Amy pressed and folded her arms over her chest. “Well?”
“We were just out on the bay. Satisfied? I need to go shower,” she said as she headed to the shower.
“No.” Amy followed her into the bathroom. “What happened?”
“What normally happens on a bay,” Claire shot back. “He rented a boat and we went out into the water. Is that exciting enough for you? Stop looking for a story here.”
“Well, stop writing one,” the girl grinned. “For so long you have ignored him as I forced myself onto him, and now you expect me to sit back and miss all the gossip?”
“There is nothing to tell,” Claire said as she turned the water on.
“Really?” Amy said in disbelief.
“Okay, we have dinner plans later, if you must know.”
Amy squealed and clapped her hands. “So, are you going to wear the emerald he gave you?”
“I wasn’t planning on it,” Claire said.
“Can I see it?”
“Yes, if you’ll leave me in peace. It’s somewhere on the dresser,” she told Amy. A few seconds later Claire heard a scream and Amy rushing back into the bathroom. “Is this it?”
Claire pulled the shower curtain back and looked at the emerald. “The one and only. Please hand me a towel.”
Amy handed her a towel. “You should wear it tonight.”
Claire toweled herself off and stuck her head out of the shower curtain. “Really? Are you serious?”
“Yes. It’ll show him you’re interested.” Claire grunted and walked back to the room. Amy followed closely behind. “What are you wearing?”
“Have you always been this annoying?” Claire asked as she patted her hair dry.
“Have you always gone out with a billionaire? This isn’t your everyday occurrence.”
“I don’t about his money,” Claire said. “I don’t want anyone’s money.”
“Maybe, but you have to admit it’s nice to date a really rich guy,” Amy said.
“I don’t know. I haven’t dated one,” Claire replied.
“Anyway, when you do start dating him, you’ll be in his company and certain things will be expected of you,” Amy said.
“Certain things will be expected?” Claire asked. “What is that supposed to mean? Are you saying that because I am not a billionaire I don’t have proper social etiquette?”
“No, that’s not what I am saying,” Amy said quickly.
“Well, what are you saying? That I’m not good enough for him?”
“I never said that,” Amy said.
“Whatever we’re doing is just for a few more days. In a week, Chance will be nothing more than a distant memory.”
“I guess,” Amy said. “But try to be nice to him tonight.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“See you. I have a hunk of a man waiting for me in the lobby,” she smiled and started walking away before Claire could respond.
“You what?” Claire laughed as she tried to grab her. “And here you are drilling me about a man. Tell me more!”
“No news yet,” she said as she reached the door. “But I will fill you in later.”
Claire laughed when the door abruptly closed behind Amy. Her thoughts drifted back to the suggestion she had made earlier. What was she going to wear? She went to her suitcase and started rummaging inside until she found a white spaghetti strap dress that fell to her knees. It had a low neckline which allowed just enough of her breasts to be covered and just a hint of cleavage peeking out. She glanced at the black box, thinking of the emerald stone, but decided not to wear it; she didn’t want to send the wrong signals.