10: ZENON

"What happened to you? I thought you would come back down here after you checked on your friend."

The way that she says "friend" sounds like something deplorable, and she spits it out of her mouth like an expletive.

"I was tired after I left the bonfire. It had been a long day," I say, wading into the water.

"Too bad. You missed out on a lot of fun. Some of us will be heading back home after this weekend," Amaris says, taking steps into the water with me.

"Oh yeah?"

"We all can't have the same vacations that celebrities might take, if you know what I mean. Some of us aren't fortunate enough to not have to work," she says, taking the volleyball she'd been carrying and tossing it to me.

"Who doesn't have to work?" I ask.

"I don't know. I doubt Danica has to do much work. From what I've seen, she hasn't been on any of her shows in quite some time, and the network has pulled Sabrina Sims in for the rest of the season," Amaris says, catching the ball that I send sailing back her way.

"Who told you that?"

"I read it on a celebrity blog site."

"Can't believe everything that you read," I say, catching the ball that she lobs back to me.

"Maybe. So, are you seeing her, or is she truly just a friend?"

I think about all the things that Danica has shared with me and what we've gone through over the last eleven years. She will always be so much more than a friend to me even if we never get together again. Yet, she's made it clear where she stands.

"Dani and I are good friends. We have been for a very long time."

"That sounds like you're not involved."

"We're not."

"Well, maybe we can have some fun over the next couple of weeks."

"I thought you said you all were heading back home?"

"No. I said some of us. I never specifically said me."

Laughing, I say, "Oh, you love the word play, huh?"

"It's what I do for a living. Everything is debatable, and everything can be argued."

"What is it that you do for a living, if you don't mind me asking?"

"I'm an attorney. A divorce attorney, and I'm very good at what I do."

"Ouch," I say, placing a hand over my heart and wincing.

I hold the ball to my chest and back up several steps in the water towards the beach.

"Where are you going?" she laughs.

"You know those little red flags that they warn you ladies about?" I ask as she slowly stalks me.

"Mm-hmm," she says, biting sexily down onto her bottom lip.

"Those are the little red flags that they warn men about. Run when you see a divorce attorney because she's going to take you for everything."

Laughing, she draws closer still and says, "I would never do that."

"Not as long as I stay on your good side," I reply.

Laughing, she splashes me with water at the same time that a wave comes up and knocks me on my ass.

The ball bounces out of my arm, and Amaris makes it her business to stretch her hand towards me.

"Despite the mean things you're saying about me, I'll still help you," she says, winking at me.

When I take her hand, she pulls, and I'm surprised at her strength. My body is pressed against her soft one when I come to a stand, and she's looking up at me with her head tilted at an odd angle.

I stare down at her for several seconds. Droplets of water cling to her long, dark eyelashes, and merriment dances in her eyes. Amaris pulls her bottom lip under her top row of teeth and smirks at me. I glance down and notice that her nipples are hard, poking through her bikini top that barely covers her breasts.

When I glance back up at her, that's when I see Danica walking out onto the beach. She lays a towel out, and I can tell that she's trying hard not to look in our direction, but I know that she sees Amaris and me.

Amaris reaches a hand up, caresses the side of my face, and grabs my hand with her free one.

"This is the part where you're supposed to kiss me," she says softly.

Dropping my head, I scratch the back of my neck before I say, "You really go for it, don't you, Amaris?"

She catches me off guard again when she splashes me once more, and this time, she runs back into the water, expecting me to chase her. I glance back once and see that Danica's on the phone with someone, but she's not paying attention to me.

I chase after Amaris in the water and splash her, and she laughs before she sinks down and swims away from me. I swim after her, my shouts and her laughter floating over the water and into the air.

When I finally catch up to her, I reach out a hand to grab her arm, but she spins quickly and the only thing that I grasp is the string of her bikini top that trails behind her. It falls away from her so easily that I wonder if she had loosened it before I caught up to her.

Turning around in the water, she stares up at me with unabashed sensuality.

"I think this belongs to you, Amaris," I say, holding her top out to her.

She floats to me in the water and says, "I think I need some help putting it back on."

Before I can do anything, Amaris presses her full bare breasts against me. The heat between our skin is like hot concrete on a summer day, causing me to jump backward.

Amaris swims forward and presses herself against me again and then loops her arms around my neck.

"Please."

"You really know how to tease a man, Amaris," I say, looping the string around her neck.

Grabbing my hands as I finish tying her string, she places them flush against her bikini-covered breasts.

"Do you feel how hard my nipples are?"

It's my turn to bite my bottom lip and close my eyes. "Amaris," I say.

I hope she doesn't feel how hard my dick is.

"Zenon, don't call my name like that, sweetheart, unless you want me riding your dick out here in the middle of this ocean in point seven seconds," she says, winking at me and smiling flirtatiously as she grabs my erection under the water.

"I think we'd better get back to shore," I say, pulling her hand away.

"Where's the fun in that? I'm hard, and you're hard. That's a perfect combi + nation."

"I might be misinterpreting what's happening here, and I've never been a man who takes advantage of a lady."

"I am a grown-ass woman who isn't afraid to ask for what she wants. I'm attracted to you, Zenon, and I don't make any apologies for it. I will never be taken advantage of, especially not when I'm here offering myself to you on a silver platter. You're not misinterpreting anything. I want you, and I have since the moment that I saw you. Now, if you aren't taken, I don't see any reason why we couldn't spend some quality time together over the next couple of weeks."

She swims back to shore, and I slowly follow in her wake, thinking about worms and maggots. I remember the foul odor of garbage in the summer on the streets of Rio growing up. I also recall how I hate the slime of worms.

That instantly does the trick.

When we're standing on the sand again, she makes it her business to stand as close to me as possible before she grabs my hand.

"What do you think about my proposal of us spending quality time together?" she asks.

I turn her hand over and rub slow, sensual circles into the palm of her hand. Looking back up at her, I say, "That depends on how you define quality time."

"Again, I say what I mean and mean what I say. I have an entire life back in Atlanta. I don't live in South Carolina. It's just one of the many places that I choose to visit for vacation from time to time. I was thinking that we could have two weeks of hot sex, and then I would return home. I'm not into long-distance relationships, so I'm not pretending that we would try to pursue that. However, if you would like for me to come back and visit to get my back blown out and depending on how good you are, we can work that out, too. I don't mind returning to South Carolina for good sex."

"I don't live here," I say, gently releasing her hand.

Amaris turns and begins walking in the opposite direction from where Danica is sitting. She continues talking and I know that she expects me to follow her. And I do.

"Oh, where do you live?"

"Florence."

"As in Italy?"

I nod.

"I would have thought you would have said South America, perhaps. I thought I heard a Brazilian accent there."

"You do."

"Mm...a man of few words. I guess you don't care to elaborate."

"How about we grab dinner together this evening?" I suggest, wanting desperately to change the subject.

The last thing that I need is for her to discover my identity and start asking questions. She's obviously not a soccer fan, or she would know who I am. It works to my advantage that I don't have the same celebrity status that Danica has. It makes it easier to hide out unless you're in a country or region that is fueled by their love of soccer.

"Well, with the others leaving soon, we were having a big dinner tonight. It will be at least six months before I see any of them again. But you can join us if you'd like."

Amaris stops again and says, "Then we could let that lead into hot sex, preferably at my cottage. I would hate to disturb your friend."

Her lips tilt slightly in a smirk as she tilts her head in a coy fashion.

"Let's play it by ear. I'm game for dinner, though."

"Perfect. We're having dinner at Cady's cottage tonight on the patio. It's six houses down from the one that you're staying in."

"I will be there."

"If you would like to extend the invitation to your friend, Danica is welcome to come. But make no mistake about it, Zenon, I'm here to entertain you and you alone," Amaris says, smiling broadly at me.

She walks away from me, and her ass bounces with every step that she takes. That little string bikini disappears with each step, and the only thing that I see is a glistening bronze ass with speckles of sand sprinkled generously over each cheek, shining like diamonds.

***

"I see that you didn't bring a guest," Amaris says when I arrive that evening.

It's the first time that I've been around this group, and no one is wearing swimwear. Amaris is wearing a light-yellow, halter sundress. Her back is out, and her breasts aren't completely covered on the sides.

She's wearing the cutest jeweled thong sandals on her feet, and her hair is pulled up into a chignon, leaving her neck exposed.

"Danica wanted to rest," I say, glancing around at the others with us.

"Have one," Cady says, walking up to me and extending a tray of fruity drinks.

I glance at Tobias, Jeremiah, and Leo, who are sitting on the opposite side of the patio. Bobbing my head in their direction, I say, "No thanks. I think I'll take one of what they're having."

Mike and Steve are at the grill debating loudly about the best way to marinate meat for the grill. That's not an argument that I want to partake of, so I head off in Tobias, Jeremiah, and Leo's direction.

As I'm walking away, I hear Cady ask, "You bagged that yet?"

"Nope. But I plan to tonight," Amaris replies.

"Hey, dude! Glad you could make it," Jeremiah says.

"Want one?" Leo asks, holding up a beer bottle that he just pulled fresh from a cooler of ice.

"Don't mind if I do," I say, accepting the cold beer and nodding my head in thanks.

I take a seat with the rest of the guys and accept the bottle opener from Leo.

"Don't know how you do it," Leo says.

"Do what?" I ask, glancing at him.

"Not give Amaris exactly what she wants. She's beautiful, fine as fuck, and she's lusting after you, dude," Leo says, taking another swig of his beer.

"Can't quit talking about you. It's so bad that Cady is trying to get me to plot with her to find out if you're interested in Amaris or not," Jeremiah says.

"Same here," Tobias says of his wife, Allyson.

Chuckling, I say, "I'm not here for that. I came to the island to relax."

"The best way to relax sometimes is with a woman," Leo says.

"Can also be the best way to be stressed the fuck out," Jeremiah counters. Scratching his blonde head, he says, "I swear if you don't fuck Amaris, it's gonna drive me insane."

Leo and Tobias chuckle.

"Dude, you're a bit too invested in my sex life, don't you think," I say.

"I have to be, man. If you knew the shit that Cady was taking me through you'd understand. I have to promise to speak to you about Amaris just to get a kiss and some squeezes. I have to promise that I'll tell her everything you say just to get some," Jeremiah whines.

"It hasn't gotten that bad for me yet," Tobias says. "But it's getting there."

"Tell you what, guys. You can tell your wives that I said I'm not interested in a relationship, a casual affair, or a summer fling. I'm only here for a little R and R, and I'm on time out from women. They bring too many problems."

Leo eyes me warily. "Time out from women. Bro, does that mean...?"

"Mean what?" I ask, eyeing him casually.

"That you're into men? I mean, dude, if that's your thing—"

I spit my beer out, and Tobias slaps me on the back a couple of times.

"What the fuck?"

Shrugging, Leo says, "Well, you said you were on a time-out from women."

"And that leads to me being gay somehow?" I ask him.

"Not necessarily. Just wondering. It might easily explain to these guys why they're being hassled and may ease the pressure they're under."

"Nah, I'm not into guys. I love women. It's just that..." I pause, considering my next words. "I need some time to get my life in order. Sex and women often complicate things when you're trying to clear your mind."

"What about Danica? Are you doing her?" Jeremiah asks.

"No. When I introduced her as my friend, that's exactly what I meant."

"Speaking of, I apologize on my wife's behalf," Tobias says.

"For what?"

"Her being a part of the gossip about Danica and celebrities in general. I'm sure that Danica overheard them, and I can only imagine that shit had to hurt," he says.

"She's good," I say, waving my hand and discarding his apology.

Although I say that, I know that it's not true. That's the real reason Dani didn't come back tonight. She knew they were judging her and didn't have anything nice to say. The ladies weren't exactly super friendly with her or nice to her that night.

What's worse is that I didn't speak up to say anything. That may have hurt Dani more than the words those ladies spoke.

"No, it's not fine. Allyson's not normally that way. She sometimes gets caught up when she's around Amaris," Tobias says.

Nodding, Leo says, "Amaris isn't going to let up until she gets you."

"She has no choice. I'm not interested," I say, looking up and spotting Amaris staring and smiling in my direction.

We make small talk for another twenty minutes until it's time to eat. Amaris brings a plate over to me and invites me to join her by the firepit.

"Thanks. You didn't have to do this, you know," I say, lifting my plate.

Smiling, she says, "It was no problem. Besides, I wanted to. It was the best way that I could think of to get you away from the fellows and all to myself."

My mouth is full of the burger that I'm chewing, so I can't say anything. Amaris goes on about how nice I look tonight and how wonderful I smell.

When I finish chewing, I mutter something along the lines of thank you, but my mind is on Dani. Amaris chatters on about her work in Atlanta, her niece and nephew, and her plans for a winter vacation.

"Penny for your thoughts," Amaris says after a few minutes of me eating in silence.

"Sorry. I guess I'm not good company tonight," I say.

"Only with me, it seems. I watched you while you were with the guys, and you seemed to have a lot to say. Have I done something to offend you, Zenon?"

"No, nothing at all."

I set my plate aside as I've mostly finished my food anyway.

"Then what is it?"

Sighing, I say, "You've been very open and honest with me from the start, Amaris, and I appreciate it. You're a beautiful woman, and I swear I must be crazy to not have jumped on your offer from the start."

"There's still time."

"That's just it, Amaris. I'm honestly not interested in having a fling, casual affair, one-night stand or any of that with anyone right now. There's so much going on in my life that I came here to get away, relax, and just breathe. This getaway was supposed to be a time of reflection, and where I plan out my next phase in life. Not to party, have wild, hot sex or any of those things."

Amaris is staring at me as if I've lost my mind, but I continue with my explanation.

"So, while you're a beautiful, sexy woman that I know my friends would tell me that I've lost my mind to turn down, I can't do anything with you. I don't want to keep leading you on by spending time with you when I know that my answer is a firm and resolute no."

Amaris slowly nods as she turns her head away from me and presses her palms down her sundress.

"Okay, then. I've heard you loud and clear. But can I ask one question?"

"Sure."

"Is it because you're in love with Danica?"

"What makes you think that?"

"The way that you watch her when she's around. And although you've never said a lot in her defense, you don't have to. It's the way you separate yourself from everyone else whenever they say anything about her that makes me know that she's special to you. The night we were gossiping about her, you didn't say anything, but you gave each of us scathing looks. And then you got up and left. Zenon, you are protective of her," Amaris explains.

"I am. She's been a friend and so much more over the years. It's not easy to discard that as meaningless. Danica is my friend. I was wrong not to say anything to you all that night. I don't care what the gossip magazines and talk shows say. They don't know that woman. She's an amazing woman with a beautiful heart, and she's a terrific friend who I'm grateful to have in my life."

I breathe out and then look into Amaris' eyes.

"That night when I said nothing, I think I damaged our friendship. I didn't mean to do that, and she didn't deserve that. So, I'm going to fight for my friendship because it's worth fighting for. Hell, to be honest, Dani is worth fighting for."

"You know, Zenon, I hope that one day I meet a man as amazing and dedicated as you are. And when I do, I will never let him go."

I smile as I stand. "You will meet him, Amaris. And you make sure that you hold on tight for all it's worth. It's been a pleasure getting to know you these last few days."

"You as well, Zenon. Take care," she says, waving as I walk away from her.

I tell the others goodbye and head back to the cottage.

For the remainder of the time that I have here on this island, I'm going to fight for Dani. I'm going to fight to make sure that she sees her worth and that she's worth fighting for.

Most importantly, I'm going to fight to make her see that I love her and that with me is where she belongs.