51

BRICE

I call Soleil only for her to tell me she's still out shopping.

Knowing myself, I figure we were either going to fuck or fight about her outfit – probably both. Despite not wanting to, I leave with the boys for the yacht and give my girl some space.

I wouldn't mind spending the rest of my holiday exclusively with her in bed, but I also want her to enjoy herself. I'm glad she's getting along with everyone for the most part.

We take Hidde's car to the dock and get on board one of the largest boats there. We crack some cold beers and toast to the end of an era and a stressful year.

Of course, the guys give me shit about last night calling me jealous and possessive. I don't care what they think. They're all single losers except for Didier.

"Where's Baptiste?" asks Olivier

"He met a girl last night and they went out for breakfast this morning so I guess things are going pretty well," answers his cousin Louis.

Speak of the devil and he shall appear.

Baptiste walks up the pier with none other than Ariel in tow. Fuck my life. I seriously hope this is not the girl Louis was talking about. However, I know she is.

He introduces her to everyone and when they get to me the sarcasm is dripping as I say, "Ariel, what a surprise seeing you here."

"You two know each other?" asks Baptiste.

"We go back way back," answers Ariel, not taking her eyes off me.

I grab her wrist and pull her inside.

"What are you doing here?" I question.

"Exploring my options," she answers flirtatiously.

"Can you explore elsewhere or are you hell bent on stalking me?"

She throws her head back and laughs. She's beautiful and cunning and it sends a chill through my nerves.

"No can do. I'm still waiting on you tell me what you've decided."

The decision has been weighing heavily on my mind. Despite being mandated to celibacy, I'd gotten caught up with Soleil. Sex with her hadn't weakened me. However, I would be an idiot to start sleeping around especially with a being like Ariel.

Then again, she wasn't asking me for sex. She just needed my seed. I could give it to her without giving in to her. How many times had I jerked off for the sake of it?

"How can I trust you – to give me the information I'm looking for and for it to be true?"

"What have I done to break your trust?" Ariel counters. She was right in that regard. "For your benefit, I will reveal that Thierry is on trial for keeping you away from Soleil which is why I know about her and that you've consummated your relationship. Together, you're a powerful force, but far out of his control."

"What are you talking about?" I ask.

She has my interest peaked, now more than ever.

"I've already told you more than I should. Do you agree to the deal, My Lord?"

I run my fingers through my hair in frustration. Fuck. She has me by the balls especially when it comes to Soleil.

"How do you know all this?" I ask.

"The person who told me is the same one that took Daddy Dearest to court and the same person that gave me a skin on loan. So..."

I sigh in frustration. This was some high-level shit. The kind I tended to avoid in search of easier pleasures like fucking and fighting. The curiosity gnaws at me. I can't believe I'm even considering this, but then again, I've done the most for less.

"I won't force you. Your loss Brice," says Ariel, shrugging her shoulders as she turns to walk away.

I grab her elbow and pull her back.

"Fine." She raises one of her red eyebrows in question. "I'll give you my seed. Just spit it out. What do you know and what does Thierry have to do with Soleil?"

Ariel proceeds to tell me everything about my trip to the Southern continent we currently reside on millennia ago where I first met Soleil right up until the moment I sent her off with Hidde to protect her from the oncoming war. Everything she says lines up with the visions and dreams Soleil has been having.

The trial was initiated by The Queen of the Coast who reigns in this region and thereby over Soleil. At the end of it all I'm livid and confused. We had a son, a family, and Thierry – my own father – took that away from me.

"No need to get upset," says Ariel reading the emotion written all over my face. "It was such a long time ago. You don't even remember that family. You've had others," she consoles, rubbing her hands up and down my chest.

I don't care about others. I care about Soleil - my wife, and the child we had.

While deep in my thoughts and feelings, Ariel unbuttons my shirt and pushes it off my shoulders.

"Time to pay up," her lyrical voice rings.

She kisses her way down my chest. There's nothing I can do. I gave my word – a king's word. I am bound to it.

"Hurry up and save your seduction for someone who cares. I'm not in the mood."

"Your no fun," she replies dropping to her knees.

I can't even look at her. I try and focus on something else but my gaze lands on Soleil who's standing at the door, her gaze pinning mine.

SOLEIL

The decision was tough, but I decide to wear the green bikini with the matching caftan. I accessories with gold jewelry, a floppy hat, and a bamboo clutch when we make our way back to the beach house to change.

I throw in some essentials like sunblock, lotion, trail mix, and water into the bag. I was not going to be caught looking ashy or feeling hungry in the event it was one of those drinks only cruises. I needed to line my stomach with something.

Jessica and Hailey sit up in the front while Antonella and I are in the back of Brice's car.

Why is Hailey driving his car?

I then have to remind myself to get a license instead of feeling some type of way. I shake my insecurities off and focus on the present. They're talking about going to the club tomorrow. It seems like every day is a party.

Where is this damn itinerary or do they just come up with this shit?

We soon arrive at the destination, park, and walk along the pier. We get to the dock of the boat, and I immediately go in search of my boo.

"Where's Brice?" I ask the guys.

"That's a good question," scoffs Baptiste who doesn't look too happy.

"He's talking to Ariel-" answers Didier.

Louis elbows him mid-sentence. Didier looks thrown off which immediately raises my suspicions.

"Who's Ariel?"

No one says a word.

I make my way inside the boat looking for Brice. The yacht is spacious but not as big as some vessels I've seen. I pass the lounge and bar wondering if he's around the back.

An ominous feeling comes over me, but I keep going. When I open one of the doors, I finally find him except he's not alone. He stares at me wide eyed and topless with a girl on her knees grabbing at his crotch.

"Soleil!"

He sounds guilty.

I cant believe what I'm seeing.

I slam the door shut and walk away. Before I can make it across the interior and back outside, he snatches my wrist.

"Don't touch me!" I snap, snatching my arm back.

"It's not what it looks like."

"And what does it look like?"

Like an idiot, I wait for him to come up with a plausible answer but there isn't one. I turn around and try leave again, but he won't let me. He grabs me by the waist and hoists me over his shoulder, carrying me down a set of stairs.

I'm pounding on his back, kicking and screaming.

"If you don't put me down, I'll scream," I threaten.

"Stretch your lungs out. I don't give a fuck."

His blase attitude infuriates me even more. I do scream but that doesn't faze him. Brice slams the door to the room shut and throws me on the bed. I spring up and try to leave but he blocks my path.

"Get out of my way!"

"No."

I snap and slap him.

I try to leave once again, but he blocks my path.

"Move or I'll scream bloody murder!"

"Do it. I don't care. You're not going anywhere!" he shouts back.

I step away agitated and start pacing.

"What were you doing, Brice?"

He doesn't say anything and that hurts me even more. Antonella's words come back to haunt me: They sow their wild oats until it's time to settle down. Clearly, he's into you but there have been others. I'm a realist. A man like that can have any woman he wants. Why you? Why Hailey, for that matter?

"Am I not enough for you?" I voice the question ringing in my subconscious.

"You're more than enough."

"Then what the hell were you doing with her? Who is she?!"

"An ex... we were talking."

"On her knees Brice?" I holler, insulted by his answer.

Does he think I'm stupid?

It looked like something was about to happen and I just walked in at the right or wrong time depending on who you asked.

"Things got out of hand. I – "

"Out of hand?? If I hadn't interrupted, would you have stopped her?" I cut him off.

"She means nothing to me."

"And neither do I," I whisper, my voice breaking.

I can't do this. I can't be here. I can't be around him. I try to leave again but he stops me.

"Don't say that," he says catching me on the way to the door.

"Move. Leave me alone." I try wiggle out of his hold.

"Never!"

The word stills my motions. Deep down, I know he can't let me go or he won't for one reason or another. I just need to get away from him for now. I feel betrayed, hurt and used.

I can't seem to escape him but my words do.

"What am I supposed to think? You fucked me last night and you're with another bitch this morning. You're so full of shit!" Fresh tears escape my eyes and all fight leaves me at the thought that I'm just a number. My legs give way as I give into my raging emotions. I break down and cry. "I trusted you!" I sob.

His arms are still wrapped around me despite my efforts to break free.

"Nothing happened. She means nothing to me. I promise you." He attempts to wipe the tears away from my face, picks me up and carries me over to the bed in the room. "Stop!" He cups my face, forcing me to look at him. "I would never choose her over you. Never!"

I want to believe him. I want to believe him so badly that I do.

2024 / 06 / 23

WC 1 919

June marks the 2 year anniversary of this story!

I have a few more in the works though...

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