Chapter – 15

I lay breathless, my eyes rolled back into my skull as his lips took possession of my mouth again. His fingers were still buried deep in me. Orlando’s thumb applied pressure on my bundle of nerves, making my body jerk. Climbing down from the high, every inch of my apex was still sensitive to his touch.

When his lips finally released mine, I opened my eyes to peer into his lust-filled gray ones. That was my best and first orgasm at the hands of a man. A gasp left my mouth when he pulled his fingers out. I looked between us to see my virgin blood coating them, and I felt a blush creep onto my cheeks.

“I’m sorry about that,” I muttered, mild embarrassment lacing my voice.

Orlando’s smile was unfazed. “This isn’t something I’d be embarrassed about,” he whispered thickly. “This is an honor. Thanks for giving it to me, Arianna.”

His words dumbfounded me, and I felt those weird feelings snaking into my heart, taking possession. What is he doing to me? “You’re welcome, I guess.”

Orlando pecked my lips before getting up. “I’ll be right back.”

I adjusted my clothes as I tried to catch my breath. One second, we were dancing, and the next, I was writhing under him with pleasure. There was a mild ache in my sweet spot. It was mourning the loss of his fingers. My heart fluttered while thinking how intimate we had become. I still couldn’t comprehend why he wouldn’t go all the way when he had my consent.

“As much as I’d like to stay, I have to leave now,” Orlando said when he came in. “I have a conference call with one of our European clients in less than ten minutes.” He checked his watch. “I’ll see you at dinner tonight.”

“Sure.”

He turned to leave but seemed to have a change of heart before he came toward me, kissing me again.

***

The smell of barbeque roused my hunger as I lounged on a chair, watching my friends swim. The wedding was only two days away and we’d get busy with the festivities from tomorrow. My days here on the estate had been filled with activities, and for the first time in my life, I had a great vacation.

The girls were excited about everything and anything. Boxer had warmed up to everyone a bit, but he was most comfortable with me and Orlando, and he cozied up to me in the absence of his papa. Thoughts about Orlando consumed my being day and night. While I was feeling sad about his business trip, something in me looked forward to his return.

My phone beeped, distracting me from my thoughts. I had a few notifications and a message on my I*******m since I last checked.

Brian: We need to talk.

There was nothing to talk about.

Brian: I know you’ve seen my message. Stop ignoring me.

He was getting on my nerves. Did he think he had the right to talk to me after everything he had done?

Arianna: Oh, hello there, brother-in-law. Wassup?

Self-satisfaction filled me when I hit send. I could already imagine his handsome face growing red with anger.

Brian: I saw your photo on I*******m. The brunette look suits you well.

My heart flipped. No, it wasn’t because of the feelings I had for him. Maybe a little. But, I recognized the majority of my emotions were fueled by anger and resentment. Who does he think he is?

Brian: It didn’t take you long to find another guy.

If his previous message wasn’t enough, this did it.

Arianna: It’s funny, considering who’s saying this. At least I cut ties with my ex before jumping into bed with another one.

Brian: Don’t act smart.

Arianna: What do you want, Brian? There is nothing for us to talk about.

Brian: There is.

Brian: Look, I don’t know why you’re doing this. But this should stop.

I looked around me and then at the fresh smoothie in my hand. What was wrong with what I was doing now?

Arianna: What I do is not your concern, brother-in-law.

Brian: It’s every bit my concern when what you do ruins my family’s reputation. You’re headed down a path of self-destruction.

Brian: You are ruining your life.

Arianna: You’re wrong. I’m just living my life the way I want. I’ll tell you one last time, Brian. Don’t poke your nose in my business.

Brian: I won’t if you keep your private matters private. I don’t want to see any more photos of yours.

Arianna: Who do you think you are? Get the fuck out of my account and block me for all I care. I don’t give a damn about your reputation. We are fucking over, and don’t talk to me again.

I locked the phone and threw it on the table as I tried to calm my raging nerves. That bastard. What was he thinking? I shouldn’t have replied to him.

Fuck!

He ruined my mood.

“What’s bothering you?” A pair of strong hands massaged my bare shoulders, and I relaxed instantly.

“See for yourself.” I waved toward my phone.

Orlando picked it up with a puzzled look before swiping his thumb across the screen. The phone lit up, showing the screen saver, which was a photo of Orlando pecking my cheek at the costume party. His lips stretched as he cast me a questioning look.

“Check my I*******m inbox,” I answered while trying to hide the fluttering of my heart. I wasn’t thinking when I told him to check my phone. I wondered what was on his mind as he read the messages.

“What does he want?” Orlando’s voice took a hard edge as he returned the phone. His eyes were narrowed and flashing with anger.

“I’m not sure.” I sighed. “But I have an idea about what I want to do.”

Orlando raised his eyebrow in question before I climbed on his lap, pulling him closer. A knowing smile spread on his lips. “Let them burn,” I whispered, closing the distance between our lips.

My initial plan was to take a selfie of us kissing, but the thoughts flew out of my mind when our lips touched. The phone was long forgotten as his tongue laced with mine.

Brian and my family can all go to hell.

***

“That was one hell of a show you put on for us.” Rosie winked.

Chiara handed us both our drinks before taking a seat beside us. It was one of the rare moments we had for ourselves. I loved it here. We were mostly spending our time at the beach. Now, we lay on the sand as we admired the orange hues of the sky. The guys were playing soccer a few yards away.

“Yeah,” Skyler agreed.

“You complain as if you were being modest with Jeff. You guys are always at it like rabbits.”

Skyler snickered. “And our influence is rubbing on you too.”

“A little.” I grinned, shaking my head.

“So, how was it?” Rosie asked, and her eyes filled with amusement.

I looked at the guys. Orlando effortlessly kicked the ball, chasing it to the goal. He laughed when Enrique tackled him. It was something we didn’t see often. “It was good. We didn’t go all the way, though.”

“What? She’s kidding, right?” Chiara asked.

“Shush, girl. They might hear us.” Rosie silenced her.

Sitting up, I grabbed a drink. “No. We danced, and we made out.”

“And?” Skyler asked, grabbing a drink for herself.

“Um…he touched me…there.” My cheeks heated up.

“So, you’re telling us that you guys got intimate, but there was no penetration.”

I pinched my best friend a bit harder. “That sounded ugly.”

“I was just stating the fact,” Rosie said defensively. “I mean, that’s the meaning of ‘we touched, but we didn’t go all the way,’ isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Skyler and Chiara agreed.

“Give her some credit, Rosie. They got somewhere, didn’t they?” Skyler sided with me.

“Of course,” Rosie said. “But it isn’t enough. Tell us what’s stopping you. Don’t tell us there are cockblockers here.”

“I don’t know. He wouldn’t do it, even after I told him I wanted to.”

“Hmm…” Rosie looked thoughtful. “Do you know anything about his ex?”

I shook my head. “He won’t talk about his past.”

“Let them take it slow,” Chiara piped in. “We’re surprised that Orlando has come out of his shell for once. We want this to last. Uncle Rick and Grandpapa approve of you, Arianna. They know you’re good for Orlando.”

“I’m not going to expect anything at this point. We both have been betrayed. I don’t want to jump to conclusions.”

“It’s okay, Ari.” Rosie patted my thigh. “Take it slow and keep an open mind. Just know that you’ll always have us with you, no matter what happens, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Show me Brian’s message,” Rosie demanded suddenly. I handed her my phone and waited as she read the message. “Did Orlando say anything?”

“No.”

She appeared thoughtful for a moment. “Why would he spew the same bullshit as your family? You’re with your friends. What did he mean by the path of self-destruction?”

Chiara took my phone from her hand, and Skyler poked her head in, reading our conversation.

“Something is fishy,” Skyler agreed.

“Be careful around him, Ari. I think your sister has something to do with it,” Rosie said.

I shrugged. “I don’t care anymore. It’s not my problem.” Not anymore. I meant every word. While his betrayal still stung, I taught myself not to dwell on it anymore. The pain motivated me to live a better life before the people who wanted to see me perish. If life taught me one thing, it was not to cry over spilled milk. In Brian’s case, he was not just spilled milk, he was spoiled. He didn’t deserve my tears.

Rosie told me once that the pain of the betrayal would always be there. We could only learn to forget and move on. I wanted to go as far as possible from Alana and Brian. However, I’d attend this wedding not because I wanted to see them exchange vows and rings. I agreed to go not because I wanted to bless the happy couple. I would go because I didn’t want them to think I was a coward. It would change nothing, but it would give me satisfaction.

I decided to check my I*******m since it’d been a while. There were a lot of posts from Rosie. Laughter bubbled in my throat when I stumbled on photos of the hot men we met at the beach today. It turned out that Orlando hadn’t hired just one lifeguard. He had a team of them stationed across the private beach.

I noticed Enrique was reckless as always, and despite several warnings, he got in the water after drinking. It worried me that he couldn’t care less about his life, and it also warmed my heart knowing how Orlando cared for his brother. Rosie had posted so many photos of the lifeguards. Jeff’s hands are full with this one. I shook my head with a smile.

“Enrique should be careful with his drinking habits.” Rosie turned to Chiara. “The lifeguards can’t always be with him, you know,” she said, voicing my thoughts.

Chiara smiled. “I know. It worries me a lot, but he promised he wouldn’t touch alcohol after our wedding.”

“That sounds good.” Skyler patted her hand.

“Enrique hasn’t looked at another woman since you came into his life. I’m sure he’ll change for the better,” I told her. Enrique used to be a playboy, the exact opposite of Orlando. He dated models and actresses. No one thought he would settle down this early. Chiara changed him for good.

Chiara smiled. “Thanks, Ari.”

“Holy smokes! Look at them,” Rosie gushed, distracting us, and I turned to see the lifeguards parading on the sand with only their swim trunks that hung low on their hips.

“Your man is over there, Rosie.” I pinched her arm.

“Stop that, bish! I was just looking.”

“No more looking for you now.”

Rosie rolled her eyes. “My eyes won’t be starved, and looking is allowed.”

“Preach, girl.” Our laughter rhymed with the ocean waves, my heart feeling lighter than when I first arrived.