Page 25 of Tamed By You

“I didn’t… It’s not what you think.”

“Not what I think? Save it. Let’s just tolerate each other for another couple of days, and then we never have to speak till the wedding, okay?”

I don't let him answer. Instead, I turn on my heel and sit back down in my space on the day bed, picking up my champagne flute and draining its contents.

Stupid me for thinking about going there again.

An hour passes and I’ve managed to avoid speaking to Harry. The guys eventually went back to their daybed and us girls played some drinking games and chatted about the wedding and the plans for tonight.

“Okay, who's joining me in the pool?” Kate asks, standing up and sliding off her wedged sandals.

“Me,” Harley says, raising her arm enthusiastically.

“I'm gonna go see Jack for a minute. Anyone wanna come?” Ria asks.

“Nah, I’m good, babes. I’m gonna relax here for a minute.” I say.

She nods and Gabby gets up and follows her. I go to pour another drink when a shadow forms over me. I turn and see it’s the guy from the club last night. Dark hair, clean shaven, and the most defined jaw I’ve ever seen. He’s shirtless, wearing a dark blue pair of swim shorts and aviator sunglasses.

“Hey, this seat taken?” His voice low with a sexy husk to it.

“No, please sit.” I gesture to the space beside me.

“I’m Ryan,” he says holding out a hand.

“Ali.” Placing my hand in his, he brings it to his mouth and places a feather-light kiss on my knuckles.

“This will sound like a cheesy chat up line but, I’ve not been able to keep my eyes off you since I saw you last night and I wanted to come, say hi.”

I do my best girly giggle. “Yeah, it does, but I’m here for it.” I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

Will I marry this man? No. Will we have a fun time? Probably, and it will help me forget a certain someone.

We fall into an easy conversation and Ryan seems like a really nice guy. He works in advertising and is based in New York, as luck would have it.Hmmm, maybe we could meet up back home.

Out of nowhere, the daybed dips beside me and when I look, Harry is there clutching his stomach. “Oh, babe, you were right. I should have stayed clear of the shellfish.”

“Excuse me,” I say, narrowing my eyes at him.

“Gone through me like lightning. Heads up, my man. Stay out of the second cubicle in the gents over there.” He gestures with his thumb.

“Who are you?” Ryan asks. Annoyance in his tone.

“Someone who's leaving. Off you go,” I say, shoving Harry.

“Babe, I can’t. I need some of that stuff you took to stop the diarrhea.”

My eyes widen. “Dear god, stop talking,” I say through gritted teeth.

“Are you sick, Ali?” Ryan asks, concern in his voice.

Harry wraps an arm around my shoulder and awkwardly tugs me towards him. “Up all night she was. We had to call housekeeping up to the suite because it got a bit messy, didn't it, babe. But look at her now, acting like nothing happened, soldiering on. What a trooper.”

Sweet Jesus, I’m gonna kill him.

“I’m fine, Ryan, I can assure you. The only one full of shit here is him.”

Ryan rises to his feet, looking around, avoiding my gaze. “I'm, uh… just gonna go, get another drink.”

---