Chapter 4
STEPPING ONTO HER BALCONY with a fruit-infused cocktail in her hand, Cali enjoyed the cool ocean breeze as it lifted loose strands of her hair off her face. She rarely drank alcohol but figured that tonight warranted an exception. After all, she was in paradise without a care in the world. At least that was what she kept trying to convince herself of, to no avail.
“I wish that were true,” she said softly as she looked out over the moonlit water.
Night had arrived, ushering in a dark sky full of stars. Each one resembled a tiny glittering pinpoint on a black ceiling. And though she couldn’t see the ocean itself, she could smell the recognizable scent of salt in the air. The aroma had a calming effect on her psyche, which she could always use in her line of work.
Taking a seat in one of the wooden teak chairs, Cali listened to the waves lap against the shore in the distance. The breeze had begun to pick up a bit, flirting with the edge of her sundress. It still hadn’t quite sunk in that she was on this trip in the first place.
“I hope you’re right about this vacation, Em.”
Ordinarily, she would’ve been embarrassed to be sitting alone, talking to herself. There was no one in the immediate vicinity, though, so for now it didn’t really matter if she conversed aloud or not. In fact, she had half a mind to stay out on her balcony for a few more hours and talk up a storm. Reaching for her drink once more, Cali sipped, instantly tasting the sweet note of the peaches and the tartness of the mango. It contained more vodka than she was used to, but mixed with the other flavors, it blended together sufficiently.
The realization hit her that she was doing the exact same thing she would normally do back home in Boston and she sighed in frustration. “You’re truly pathetic,” she said out loud.
Cali was used to feeling invisible. Shy, smart, and conservative, she’d never been the most beautiful woman in any room. That, coupled with her normally boring wardrobe and social awkwardness, made it all too easy to disappear.
Emily kept saying she wanted Cali to let loose while on this trip. How did one relinquish control when she had spent her entire life trying to remain in it? She’d always watched others from the shadows, hoping that one day things would change for her. She had no idea how to “make things happen” because she couldn’t even master simple things like flirting. Small talk for her was usually a nightmare. If Emily had her say, though, she’d tell her to march over to the bar and mingle with the other guests. Yet, here she was all alone, as usual, after convincing herself that she needed to ease into things.
“There’s always tomorrow,” she said to no one in particular.
Lost in her own thoughts, Cali didn’t immediately realize that she was not as alone as she believed. At first, she attributed the shiver that wracked her small frame to the cool ocean breeze. It wasn’t until she rose from her seat and turned that Cali realized someone was watching her from the pool area to her left.
Aided by the moonlight and lighting around the building, she could barely make out his profile. He was tall—very tall—with light-colored hair brushing his broad shoulders. His clothes outlined a muscular shape that she found extremely appealing. Unable to resist, Cali stepped forward in an attempt to get a better look. When his gaze met hers, she inhaled sharply, quickly taking a few steps backward.
Again, drawn to edge of her balcony, she looked over in that direction, realizing the man hadn’t moved from his spot. She couldn’t discern what color his eyes were, but it was almost as though he could see straight through her. He was content to simply stare at her until finally, his gaze shifted, making her frown.
It figures. Once again, I’m not pretty or glamorous enough.Shaking her head, Cali was about to go back inside when she swore she could feel him staring once more.
Curious and more than slightly intrigued, she couldn’t help herself and peered over the railing. This time it wasn’t her face that attracted his attention. His gaze practically singed her skin as it swept over the thin material of her dress before resting on her breasts. Her common sense returned when her nipples tightened into hard peaks. Cali grabbed her glass and without a second glance, headed back inside the safety of her room. She had no business standing out there allowing herself to be ogled by a stranger. Where did he get off, anyway? He’d made her feel transparent and her body had responded to him. That knowledge had her cheeks turning a deep shade of crimson.
You’re an idiot, Calista.She couldn’t help but berate herself. What kind of person gets turned on by a few fleeting glances?
Odds were that he was looking at something or someone different until she gaped at him. Humiliation stained her cheeks and had her groaning aloud. Even in her limited experience, she knew that was not the way to pick up men.
I need a cold shower and then maybe a second drink.The latter seemed the most appealing at the moment as her thoughts were now consumed with the mysterious stranger.
This was a large enough resort. Hopefully she would never see him again. As soon as the thought crossed her mind, though, Cali was immediately consumed with sadness. Her voyeur was nothing like the males she regularly in Boston. Granted she didn’t date many men there, but still, there was something very interesting about this particular one. It was then that she realized he resembled and very possibly was the same man she’d seen in the lobby when checking in earlier that day.
Lightheaded and wobbly on her feet, she blamed it on the alcohol she had just polished off. Cali decided to bypass the second drink after all. A hot shower would help clear her head. Or was it a cold shower? Shrugging, she removed her clothes and padded naked into the small bathroom.