51 - Joanna

51

Joanna

When I went down to breakfast, I didn't see Landon anywhere. That pissed me off: I wanted to know what the hell had happened back there. Guys were turned down for sex all the time, but as a woman? It had never happened to me. Especially not in the middle of the freaking act.

I stewed on that for a while, and felt marginally better after getting some food in my stomach. But even after the anger faded away, I was still confused about what had happened.

Whatever. If he wanted to be weird about it, then that was fine. I had other ways to channel my sexual frustration. Since Landon was probably down at the beach, I decided to go to the pool instead and create a group text with my other two male acquaintances on this trip.

Me : Good morning. I'm sitting by the pool with my book, but I can't focus. All I can think about is tonight.

Austin : Ditto.

Theo : So you were serious about doing it again?

Me : YES!

Theo : I was afraid you might change your mind this morning.

Austin : Can't say the thought didn't cross my mind, too.

Me : Please tell me, in explicit detail, what you two intend to do with me tonight.

Me : Correction: what you intend to do TO me.

Austin : I'm not really the creative type when it comes to writing. I'm a lot better at showing ;-)

Me : Aww.

Theo : I'm going to play with you for a while. With the toys. And then, when you've been tortured enough and can barely stand it, I'm going to bend you over the bed and fuck you so hard that the pictures fall off the walls and the neighbors complain to the front desk.

Me : OH DAMN

Austin : Yeah, what he said. That.

Me : Wait. You said toys, plural?

Theo : Sure. You found the bag in my suitcase.

Me : The only toy I saw was the, um, plug. Of the butt variety.

Austin : I think she means the butt plug.

Theo : Thanks, I figured out her secret code.

Theo : That was just one toy. I've got a few more. Two of them vibrate.

Me : I am officially unable to wait until tonight. What are you two doing right now?

"Getting a drink," Theo said over my shoulder. He walked by my chair and stood in front of me with a coconut drink in his hand, a long pink straw extending out of the top. "Hey there."

"You sent me that explicit text while getting a drink at the bar?"

"Oh yeah. The bartender gave me a really weird look." He sucked from the straw. "I might have been reading it out loud as I typed, now that I think about it."

I put my phone down. "Want to throw that drink away and suck on parts of my body instead?"

He gave me the most delicious lusty grin. "I thought you'd never ask."

"There's Teddy!" Bradyn exclaimed as he came running up. Right behind him were Wyatt… and Austin. "You still down to check out the sauna?"

"Sure," Theo replied, giving me a private little wink. "See ya, Joanna."

Austin gave me a sly smile as he passed. I pouted as he and the other guys walked away. I guess I could wait until tonight.

A text message came through a few seconds later, this time just to me instead of the group chat:

Austin : Ten seconds around you and I've got half a hard-on.

Me : I'm not even wearing a bathing suit! I'm fully clothed!

Austin : That's the only reason it's half a hard-on instead of a full one. Maybe I'll see you later.

Texting the two of them made me feel better, but only for a little bit. Soon I returned to the events of the morning: in bed with Landon, finally giving in to the feelings that had been growing, and then having him abruptly change his mind. It was maddening.

Maybe he wasn't attracted to me after all. Maybe he thought he was since we were faking it, but when it came time to actually get down and dirty, he realized otherwise. That possibility stung.

Whatever. He could feel however he wanted to feel. I had two other sexy men who could fulfill my desires this trip, and when we returned to Chicago. And now I had a job prospect thanks to Danicka. Maybe things were turning around. I certainly had more hope than I did yesterday.

I hung out by the pool most of the day. Marisa and the girls came by for a while, then went for a walk on the beach. Uncle Robert gave me finger-guns when he passed by the pool. Theo got some lunch at the Jerk Shack by the pool, gave me another private wink, then disappeared again.

An hour before dinner, I finally closed my book and left the pool. It had been a surprisingly relaxing day, in stark contrast to the drama from yesterday—and the sizzling excitement from last night.

On the stairs walking up to my room, I ran into Austin. He was on his way down in a hurry.

"Why, hello there," he said with a half-grin. "Almost ran right into you."

"You really ought to be more careful," I said.

Austin pushed me up against the wall and kissed me rough enough that I dropped my pool bag. My heart raced as his hands ran over my body, desperately grabbing and squeezing like he would die if he didn't get to touch me.

Finally, he tore his lips away from mine. "All right. I feel better now."

"You'll feel better later tonight," I said, breathless.

"Hope so." He grinned, then continued down the steps like nothing had happened. I had to take a few seconds to collect myself.

My suite was empty. I hadn't seen Landon at all since this morning, so I texted him to ask where we were doing dinner. He gave me a one-word reply: Seaside . The name of one of the seafood restaurants right down next to the beach.

I showered, changed, and then headed that way. There was a line to get in, and at the back of the line was a familiar man with chestnut brown hair.

"Teddy," I said teasingly. "Dressing fancy tonight, huh?"

He turned around and looked down at himself. "I brought too many button-downs and not enough polos. So tonight, I'm wearing a button-down."

"I like it. You clean up nicely."

He chuckled, then leaned closer to me to whisper, "You're going to need some cleaning up after Austin and I are through with you tonight."

I felt my cheeks redden. "I hope so."

"Hope doesn't factor into it," he replied quietly. "It's going to get wild."

I smiled, but didn't say anything else. We were in public, and although we were being quiet, people might see us interacting together. And if they saw how much I was blushing after what he whispered in my ear…

"Cozart party," Theo mentioned when we reached the hostess desk.

She led us over to the table, where most of the family was already waiting. Landon smiled politely at me, but nothing more.

"Hey, sweetie," I said, kissing him on the cheek.

"Hi. How was your day at the pool?" he replied blandly.

"Relaxing! I finished most of my book."

"Good."

Across the table, Wanda was frowning at me. Was she suspicious? Probably not. If anything, maybe she would think Landon and I had a fight.

After what had happened this morning, it was difficult to pretend like everything was fine. I turned and chatted with Marisa to make it seem like I was all right. Maybe it was just me, but the vibe at the dinner table felt different.

"Don't worry, dear," Danicka said, reaching over to squeeze my hand. "We'll get you all set up with a job when we get home."

I tried to give her a bashful little smile. If I seemed off, maybe everyone would assume it had to do with that .

After dinner, Danicka revealed that they had hired the professional photographer to take more photos—this time of the entire wedding party, not just the Cozart family. A few people ran back to their rooms to change clothes while the rest of us got after-dinner drinks and mingled on the beach. The sun was setting to the west, and the air was beginning to cool off.

"Sorry about this morning," Landon whispered to me.

"What are you sorry for?" I asked, feigning confusion.

He gave me a hard look. "You know what I mean."

"I really, really don't," I replied.

He sighed and looked around. "Listen. Joanna. About what happened…"

"No!" Wanda snapped at Chloe. Landon and I immediately turned toward her. "Stop telling me I'm overreacting!"

"Now's not the time or the place," Chloe hissed at her.

"What do you mean?" Marisa asked, joining them.

"It's nothing…" Chloe said.

"It's not nothing!" Wanda said angrily. "I can't hold it in any longer."

"We were due for some honeymoon drama," Landon whispered to me. "Hopefully it takes the pressure off of us."

But then Wanda thrust out a finger, pointing directly at me.

"Joanna is cheating on Landon!"