Chapter 5

5

I really am slut.

I smile to myself as Trick and I make our way down to the boat that's going to take us out for snorkeling. Of course, I don't mean it in a negative way like I had the night before. No, after a night of laying awake thinking about what had happened and the way that Trick had stood up for me and threatened Chad, I'd come to the conclusion that if he'd turned to me in bed in that moment and asked me to spread my legs for him, I would have. It didn't matter anymore that I had come on the trip with his brother. Chad had never done anything like that for me before. He'd been more of the backhanded compliment kind of guy, telling me what a pretty face I had or how an outfit made me look skinnier, things like that.

The second I'd walked out of the bathroom the night before in my red heart dress, Trick had ran his gaze over my body, slowly, appreciatively, in the privacy of our suite without anyone else there to put on a show for, and then he told me that I looked beautiful and it had felt like he meant it. So yeah, maybe it did make me slutty to want to jump into bed with a man I hadn't been in a relationship with two days ago, and technically still wasn't, but it's not like I'd been holding out from having sex because I wanted to save myself for marriage. I just wanted to be sure that it would mean something to the other person.

And the way that Trick looked at me sometimes, when he didn't think I would notice or was paying attention, it made me wonder if he was exactly the kind of man I'd been waiting for, that he would take it very seriously if I gave him my virginity. We spent the day out in the water watching the most beautiful and brightly colored fish, as well as some small sharks and stingrays moving around us and below us. I'd never done anything like snorkeling before, but it was amazing. Every time I looked over in excitement at Trick, he was already looking back at me, smiling around his mouthpiece.

The only thing that marred the beautiful moment for me was Chad's presence. I thought it was funny he had decided to go at the last minute, considering when I tried to plan excursions for our trip, he'd blown me off saying he'd rather just go with the flow and hang out at the pool than be traipsing all over the place. And yet, this morning when Trick had asked if I wanted to go to shore and I had suggested doing something, he'd immediately pulled up the available options to see what we could book last minute. It was just one more way he was completely different from his brother. One more way I wish what we had pretended last night was real.

I'd been so tempted when we got back to the suite to just throw myself at him and kiss him, partly in thanks and partly because of what Annabeth had said about actually enjoying my vacation and using Trick to do it. Not that I wanted to use him, but if he was open to the idea, I wouldn't say no. Too bad I was pretty sure he was just being a good person, though sometimes when we were on the boat or as we walked around checking out local shops before heading back to the ship, I'd realized he was touching me or standing a little too close, but that Chad wasn't around. I didn't say anything, though. I didn't want to spoil the moment, even if it made me selfish and greedy. After everything Chad had put me through the last few days, I argued that I deserved a little bit of extra, even if Trick didn't really mean it that way.

All in all, it's a spectacular day. My shoulders are a little red, as well as my nose, and there's salt water tangling in my hair making it a mess, but I can't quit smiling on our way back to the suite. Chad had disappeared ahead of us as soon as we had gotten back to the ship, and I was glad to be rid of him for the day. There was only a few more days left before I had to go back to my real life in Stonewood Ridge. I wanted to soak in every unblemished moment, and that's exactly what Chad was. A big, crusty blemish.

Kicking off my flip-flops, I head over to the couch and flop down in the corner of it. My sundress, a little shorter than the one that I'd worn to dinner last night, was pulled on over the bathing suit I'd worn for snorkeling, a more conservative one-piece than the bikini I'd bought specifically for the cruise, though I wasn't sure I'd have the guts to wear it.

"That was so fun," I say, popping my elbow up on the back of the couch and resting my hand on my closed fist. I smile at Trick as he toes off his own shoes and rolls up his pant legs before mirroring my position on the other end of the couch. It was fun. It was a good idea. I hope that my light sunburn is enough to cover the fact that my cheeks are getting red. It's ridiculous that such a small compliment can have such an effect on me. Thanks for going with me. He cocks his head to the side. Why wouldn't I? I shrug, not wanting to bring Chad into the conversation. He already feels like a specter hovering over us. "Not everyone would have," I simply say. Though, I guess it turned out to be a good thing, considering he showed up.

I grimace. So much for not talking about him. Trick frowns at me. He mentioned that he had wanted to do this and was one of the reasons he'd agreed to go on the cruise. I arched my eyebrows stunned. When did he say that? He was talking to the guide while you were using the restroom. I shake my head. He's so full of shit. He wouldn't book any excursions ahead of time with me. I figured I wouldn't get to go on very many because I didn't know if they would allow me, allow us to book last minute and it didn't feel right.

Why didn't you just book what you wanted to do by yourself or ask me or my parents to go with you? I shrug. It didn't feel right to make the trip about me and what I wanted. This was your guys's family trip, I'm just tagging along. He shakes his head, letting his... drawing his hand down his face. You're so silly sometimes. I can't help but chuckle at that. Silly? Why? You have just as much right to have fun on this trip as anyone. No, I disagree immediately. I didn't pay for it so that wouldn't be right. It's bad enough I already feel like I should pay Chad back since I ditched him, not that I didn't have a good reason.

Trick narrowed his eyes and scooted forward. Did he tell you he paid for this trip? I'm not sure what he means. I lift my head from my hand. I know you paid to upgrade the rooms. He lifted his lip in a sneer. God, he's such a tool. Cruise was a gift to my parents from me for Christmas last year. They asked if we would come with them, so I bought tickets for me and Chad, and he insisted that he couldn't possibly go without his girlfriend at the time. I don't even remember her name. He adds with an eye roll, so I paid for that ticket, too.

He just let you pay for him and his plus one on your parents cruise that was a gift? Trick holds his hands out in a way that suggests he's revealing something important, and that, ladies and gentlemen, is the beauty of Chad. I can't believe it. He'd let me think that he'd paid for our room, had been embarrassed when I overheard his mom say something about Trick upgrading them to suites, but didn't want to talk about it when I suggested we thank him. Now I know why. He didn't want me to find out that he hadn't paid a damned thing.

I sit up straight remembering his words from the night before. "That asshole," I say vehemently. He said last night that I should sleep with him because I owed him for this trip. Trick snorted. He sure did. "I guess by that logic," I say without thinking, "I really owe you a thank you romp in the sack." The smile that had been curving Trick's lips slowly fades. His eyes, so dark and dreamy, heating with intensity at my words. "I'm never one to say no to a good time." He says it like it's a joke, but his face and voice are too serious.

I lick my lips and try and change the subject. Thank you for being such a good guy and helping me make Chad jealous. I'm sure you'd rather be off doing your own thing or finding someone to spend your cruise with. I glance toward the bedroom just in case he didn't understand what I meant. But he doesn't take his eyes off me, just moves a little closer until his bent knee touches mine. "Is that what you think?" He says, his voice low and a little huskier, "That I'm just being a good guy and helping you out like a friend?"

It kills a little part of me to say it, but I nod. I know that's how you see me. Just some damsel who got in over her head and needs rescuing. The fact that you're sharing your personal space with me, eating food in your suite instead of with your family, and going on excursions with me, I can't tell you how much it means to me and I have no way of ever paying you back. I hope you know what a good person you. My words cut off with a muffled sound of surprise as Trick's firm lips seal over my mouth.