Chapter 33

Chapter 33: After the Storm I wake up next morning without him by my side. Yet there’s a delicious smell of fresh brewed coffee and French Toast coming from the kitchen. I immediately get out of bed and head towards the kitchen.

Eason is standing in the kitchen, pouring coffee into the mug. There’s already two plates of ready French Toast on the counter with some fresh berries by the side and wiped cream on top.

“Oh my god.” I fake a shocking expression walking up towards him. “Did you make this? Maybe I was wrong about you being a useless rich brat.” His eyes light up immediately when he sees me, and he drags me into his arms. A soft kiss lands on my forehead. “It’s not too late to change your mind.” I giggle and tiptoe to kiss him back. He holds the back of my head with one hand, fingers threading into my hairs deepening the kiss, while he brings the other hand down past my waist and gently squeezes my ass. I immediately feel a familiar heat building between my thighs. He has the magic to turn me on so easily.

“Hey,” he whispers in a hoarse and desire-filled tone. “What do you say we do something else before breakfast Suddenly, a voice comes from the back of us and makes us jerk apart: “Mr. Ramirez. Is there something else you need?”

I snap my head around and find a middle-age, very kind-looking woman standing beside the door, smiling at us. My cheeks instantly burn with embarrassment. I thought there’s only the two of us here! I’m only wearing his shirt and my bottom is naked.

Eason puts his fist besides his lips and clears his throat, “No we are good. Thank you, Brenda.”

“OK, let me know if you need anything else,” the woman smiles. “I’ve laid out some towels by the pool in case you want to take a swim. And there’s hand-squeezed lemonade and iced tea in the fridge. Oh and if you want to take a boat ride, I’ll call the crew and let them know.”

“OK thanks.”

“You are welcome, sir. And I hope you enjoy that French Toast before it gets cold.” She nods at us and then disappears behind the door.

I turn around and catch a fleeting embarrassment pass through Eason’s eyes.

“You said you made the French Toast!” I point a finger at him and yell. “You evil liar!”

He grins, “at least I made the coffee.”

He pulls me closer and tries to kiss me again, but I move back quickly.

“Wait. Who’s Brenda?” I ask.

“Our housekeeper,” he shrugs. Then he sees the worried look on my face and adds. “Don’t worry. She doesn’t even know who you are.” I gulp. Yet I still can’t help but feel anxious. “What if Mr.

Ramirez comes down here one day and she mentions this to him-”

“Hey, listen to me,” He raises my chin and palms my cheeks. “The last time they came here was like 5 or 6 years ago. And Brenda is very professional. She would never tell such things to my dad without my permission.”

“OK,” I murmur.

He smiles and lowers his head to kiss me. His lips taste like butter and cream. I’m soon tempted by him again and start to return his passion. Just when things heat up again, my phone suddenly rings. “Wait…”

I escape his hungry kiss and pant, reaching out to take my phone. “Let me see who it is…it’s Alex! »

“Fuck him,” Eason curses in an irritated tone and grabs my arm. “Turn it off.”

“I have to take this. He might be worried.” I manage to break free from him and press the answer button.”…Hello?”

“Thank god Natalia! You finally answered,” Alex’s worried voice immediately rushes out from the speaker.

“After you said you were going to find Eason, you just disappeared into the storm. No texts, no calls. We were so close to call the police.”

I do feel guilty about leaving the house like that without a single word. But yesterday was such a rollercoaster. My mind was so occupied by Eason that I never thought of calling them back and letting them know I’m ok.

“I’m so sorry,” I walk a few steps away from Eason’s intense gaze and lower my voice. “It took me a while to find him yesterday. And after that we were both exhausted and spent the night at his house. I’m sorry for getting you worried. Truly.”

He signs. “Well, as long as you are ok…but I still have to say this: what Eason did last night was extremely irresponsible. What if he got you into any danger? Has he thought of the consequences? –”

Right at this moment, Eason’s voice suddenly pops up right behind my back, “Nat. The breakfast is getting cold.” His voice is intentionally loud. I bet he was doing that on purpose to let Alex hear him. I quickly cover the speaker and shot him a warning glare. But he only lets out a cold sneer and looks away.

Alex pauses, “…he is with you?”

“Umm, yeah.” I try to dislodge the uneasiness that’s stealing over me and say in a light tone.” You guys are going to the beach today, right? How about we meet you there later?” “Fine. See you later.” I hang up the phone and scowl at Eason. “What the hell was that?” “That guy is definitely up to something, “Eason shrugs. “Don’t tell me you had no idea.”

He was right. I know Alex has feelings for me. But that still doesn’t justify his behavior.

“But-”

“I was jealous, OK?”

My lips part slightly. I’m shocked by how straightforward he is. He takes this chance to move closer to me and gently pulls me into his arms again. “You are my girlfriend now. Am I not entitled to get jealousy from time to time? Are you mad at me?” I was mad. But how can I stay mad at him when he looks at me with those beautiful green eyes and calls me his girlfriend?

I am totally losing my mind over him.

***

The weather is so good today that it feels like yesterday’s storm was just a dream. When Eason and I arrive at the beach, the guys are already lying on the deck chair putting on sunscreen for each other.

“Hey Nat! Eason!” Katherine waves her arms and yells at us. “Come here! Did you guys bring the iced beer we asked for?”

“Sure!” I laugh and show her the ice bucket in my hand.

She cheers in excitement and takes over the ice bucket, as I find an empty chair and lie down, bathing under the warm sunlight.

This feels so good. Sure we had plenty of beaches in Miami back in the days. But those are public beaches and it’s always packed with people. Not mention the parking was also a pain in the ass.

It feels so nice not to have to share the beach with others. I guess being privileged does have its own upsides.

Katherine is on her phone, and she asks us, “Hey my uncle said he can send some people down here and set up a barbecue grill on the beach. So do you guys want to play a round of beach volleyball before the feast to burn some calories?”. Beach volleyball was our to-go game back in Miami. So I jump on board immediately, “Sure! Count me in.”

The rest of the guys nod in agreement as well. “Well then, two groups…same as yesterday?” James asks. “No,” Eason says quickly. “Nat will be on my team.” I frown as Alex stands up from his chair, raising his eyebrows at Eason and says, “I think Nat is fully capable of making her own decision.” They look at each other. Both of their eyes are alight with malice.

I sign internally. Not this again.

“Come on you guys. It’s not a big deal,” I say. “We’ll just do the same grouping as yesterday.

Easier this way.”

Eason’s chest rises as if he’s trying to hold back the anger. But instead of saying anything, he simply gives me a cold look and turns around heading towards the volleyball court. “Let’s go.” Alex pats me and Eddie’s shoulder and smiles. “Let’s go beat the crap out of them.”