52

BRICE

It took a while but eventually Soleil calmed down. She hasn't spoken to me since we left the cabin though and that was a couple of hours ago. The tension between us is so thick that no one dares to bother us.

I don't know whether they overheard our fight and I don't care. What I do know is that she can't stand to look at me and doesn't want to be here.

What am I even doing here? Fuck me for getting on this damn boat. Now I'm stuck with this pathetic piece of shit. Fuck my life.

A variation of those thoughts has been running through her mind since we left the bedroom downstairs.

I would gladly take us home but I'm afraid she'd use the opportunity to pack up and leave. I'm grateful that while we were down, the yacht left the pier so she's stuck with me until we get back to land. Even though she knows nothing happened she's still pissed off with me.

Have you lost your damn mind? We gotta go.

Then again, the Good Lord tells us to forgive.

Wait a minute. Had this been on an episode of Cheaters or Jola 99 you would have left with the crew after he humiliated you on national TV.

But then again, nothing technically happened.

What is this, bitch? Get a grip!

I can hear her questioning her sanity. There seems to be two voices warring in her head as she deliberates on whether to forgive me or not. I hate this – how I can peer into her mind yet not have the power to change it. I wish I could allay her fears.

She won't eat or drink anything and won't talk to anyone. She's poor company and it's my fault. To make matters worse Baptiste is pissed off with me too. I don't have the energy to square things out with him because my focus is on the woman who's side I'm glued to despite the fact that she's thinking of throwing me overboard this very minute.

Dumb-ass, ghost-eyed, pink dick piece of shit. I would throw him overboard but unfortunately, he can swim.

I look over at Soleil who's laid out on the day bed with the overly large hat covering her face and shoulders probably concealing the contempt she holds for me.

She looks incredible in the green swimsuit with her brown skin glistening under the afternoon sun. The fact that she thinks anybody could compare to her, let alone Ariel, is laughable.

Soleil is in a league of her own.

I want to devour her.

However, I hold myself back because I don't think I could handle it if she tells me not to touch her again. I'm already on edge when her thoughts rear towards hooking up with another guy just to get back at me.

Maybe he needs to find me alone in a room with another guy to understand how I feel. At least I got to kiss Mark. Since I'm no longer a virgin, I should sleep with him to get even... That's if he's keen on a hook up. Brice'd never know unless I told him or he caught me.

I look over at the group across the deck hoping to tune her out.

They're livelier than we are laid out here in silence. The girls are chatting and tanning as they're served another round of cocktails while the guys are about to get on the water as the crew sets up the jet-skis.

As fun as it looks, I refuse to leave Soleil's side in case she decides to do something stupid like jump overboard and attempt to swim back to shore.

It looks like Ariel is gone – for now. I don't know when she left. I haven't seen her since Soliel caught us together and I wasn't about to ask about her.

The sun is setting and I now notice I can't hear her thoughts anymore. I think she's asleep. I relax a little and get up to grab myself a drink. I didn't feel comfortable helping myself to the bar or food when she wasn't having anything.

As I wait for my drink at the bar, Baptiste comes over.

"Where's Ariel?"

"Don't know; don't care."

I take a stip of the stiff brandy the bartender sets before me.

"What happened earlier with you two?"

"None of your business."

"You made it my business when you decided to try and pull my girl. If you wanted to swap partners all you had to do was ask. Soleil looks like a good time. I wouldn't mind having her," he continues and turns around to eye my girl.

I lose it and drop my glass when I reach for his throat. If the fucker insists on talking so recklessly then he might as well choke on his words. Louis and Olivier rush over and manage to pull me off Baptiste before I can do any real damage.

He's breathing all heavy and staring me down stewing for a fight. I'll gladly give it to him. His cousin pushes him back while mine stands between us before pulling me aside.

"You need to get it together. I don't even want to know what that was about but I can take a good guess. Why can't you control yourself? Why must you be such a fuck up? Not every fight is worth having," says Hidde sounding thoroughly annoyed.

"I will fight anyone that talks shit about my girlfriend."

"You're kidding," he scoffs. "You expect anyone who witnessed the lover's spat you two had to believe you're some kind of knight in shining armour? That you're in a relationship that deserves respect when you can't show the sentiment to anyone including your so-called girlfriend?"

"What are you talking about? Of course, I respect Soleil."

"Is that why you went off with Baptiste's girl behind closed doors?"

"We were just talking."

"Right. And you were talking to her last night as well."

I run a frustrated hand through my hair. Ariel is becoming a problem.

I didn't think anyone had noticed us last night, but nothing seems to escape Hidde. Baptiste hadn't seen us together otherwise he wouldn't have been surprised that we knew each other when he introduced her to me today.

"As I said before, get it together. You need to tighten up. We're no longer kids. The world is bigger than Milton. You can't go around making enemies of everyone unless you plan on being a lonely man who constantly has to watch his back. We're headed back to shore. Sort this shit out and make it right before it comes back to bite you in the ass."

With that, Hidde walks off leaving me to my thoughts.

Once I've calmed down, I make my way back to where I left Soleil only to see that she's gone. I move to the back of the boat where everyone is gathered ready to disembark. We're back at the harbour and hop off onto the pier one by one. I get off first and hold my hand out to help Soleil. She ignores me in favour of a crew member who's stationed on the opposite side.

I take the snub in stride.

The car ride back to the house is quiet. I'm driving my car with Soleil seated in the passenger's side and the rest of the girls at the back. The tension is so thick I open the sunroof in the hopes of airing it out. I think back to happier times like when I took her to Maverick's for breakfast or when I drove her to the beach house from the airport.

It's been a long ass day and I'm glad to be home. Hopefully, we can talk this out once we're alone.

"Take care, Soleil," calls Baptiste as we head for the pool house.

I don't miss the way his eyes run over her body or the cheeky wink he gives her. She offers him a smile and a wave but doesn't say anything in turn. It looks like he has a death wish if he's making a pass at my girl right in front of me.

All this over a fish-broad who's probably hosted more bodies than an open-air market.

We enter the private space of the pool house not having said a word to each other in I don't know how many hours. Soleil must be hungry. After spending so much time with her, I know food is one of her love languages. The last time I saw her have something to eat was around breakfast. I would take her out, but I can guarantee her answer would be no.

"Hey, do you want to order something to eat?" I chance an ask.

Silence.

"I could order pizza and pasta with a side of garlic bread and salad."

I'm met with more silence as she walks into the bedroom to set her bag down and starts taking off her shoes.

"Any particular toppings you want or don't want?"

She gives me nothing. In fact, she grabs the remote of the TV that we've never used in my room  and turns it on, dialing the volume all the way up. The surround sound vibrates the walls.

"Alright then. Meat Lovers it is," I shout over the blaring noise.

As the night wears on, it's clear that Soleil is ignoring me.

Instead of eating the food I ordered once it arrives, she makes her way to the kitchen in the main house and fixes herself a sandwich. When I try join her at the island, she leaves with her plate to join everybody else watching a movie in the TV room.

I trail after her but as soon as she's done, she exits and heads back to the pool house where she locks herself in the bedroom - my bedroom might I add.

I try to give her the space she wants and last about an hour. I call for her through the door in an attempt to talk to her. All I hear in response is the obnoxiously loud TV. I'm done with this shit. I unlock the door using my powers and enter only to find her passed out.

It's a wonder she can sleep with all of this noise.

I turn the TV off, lock up and switch off the lights. I climb into bed behind her and pull her into my arms, inhaling her citrus and rose scent. I know she's still mad at me but in time she'll forgive me, hopefully sooner rather than later. I don't know how much more of this I can take.

I don't know what I would do if I lost her. Today was a sudden glimpse of what that would look like. I tighten my hold and try to fall asleep then I remember the cause of my troubles – Ariel. I still owe her. And whether or not I pay my dues, I am royally screwed.

***

Initially, I thought hearing Soleil's thoughts would be a good thing, but I've changed my mind. It's become torture.

They say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. No matter how many times I apologise, she can't get the thought of what she saw of me and Ariel out of her head. Even worse, she's started to fantasize about me catching her in a compromising position with another man and what my reaction would be.

Of course, I would lose it.

In fact, I'd probably kill whoever she was with. When she's not thinking about getting back at me, she's thinking of getting away. I've become so paranoid it's seeped into my unconscious and I had a nightmare of waking up to find her gone. Worse yet, I was unable to find her.

"Are you still giving me the silent treatment?" I ask when she wakes up and heads to the bathroom to freshen up.

I follow closely behind to relieve myself not expecting a response.

"Are you still holding me hostage?" she counters after spitting out toothpaste.

"Don't be dramatic. If you want me to tie you to the bed to make your accusations valid, I'd be more than happy to oblige."

She rolls her eyes and leaves after rinsing.

I follow her like the lost puppy I've become since she put me in the doghouse. We leave the cottage to join everyone else for lunch where they discuss the party happening later tonight. It's a Friday and everyone is keen to go clubbing. Swedish House Mafia is playing.

"Soleil are you coming?" asks Baptiste.

"I don't know."

"Brice?" asks Hailey

"Depends on Soleil."

She gives me a look out of the corner of the eye and only I'm able to read her thoughts.

Really? Now you value my opinion you insipid sea-snake. Spare me squidward. Spare me.

We eat our fill and lounge around in the main house. Soleil doesn't want to be alone with me. She joins the guys gaming in the TV room and I have to admit she's pretty good.

I keep an eye out on Baptiste who's still touched about the Ariel situation and making sly passes at my girl. It seems like the guys are taking his side as they join Soleil in ignoring me too.

"Another one bites the dust!" she sings after employing her finishing move.

"Katana is badass. Her character suits you," says Baptiste.

"Thank you!" she replies swinging an imaginary sword. "Baraka isn't to bad either,"

"Maybe I should challenge you to a Last-Man-Standing match at the club if I have any chances of winning against you, gamer girl."

"I don't know about that. I'm not much of a drinker and I may decide to stay in."

"Come on, it'll be fun," Baptiste cajoles, winking at her. Again.

He keeps. fucking. winking. at. her.

Even though she rolls her eyes I can hear her thoughts and know she's affected by his flirting.

Smooth, and a gamer. Why couldn't I have fallen for this Frenchie?

I get up and leave the room before I do something I'll probably regret. If I were to choke him, I'd most likely crush his windpipe this time

I'm back at the poolhouse sprawled out on the couch, staring at the blank screen, and pondering whether my agreement with Ariel was worth it when Soleil comes in. I'm drawn to her like a magnet.

She heads for the bathroom, and I try my luck. Unfortunately, the door is locked.

It's a minor obstacle.  I unlock it and enter.

Her naked body stands beneath the shower spray as the water runs through her coiled hair and curves. I'm immediately aroused. I'm so caught up staring at her that she catches me off guard when she turns around and gives me a nasty look.

"Get. Out. Brice," she grits out, turning back around and effectively dismissing me.

Of course, I don't listen. Instead, I strip down and join her. When she feels me behind her, she reaches for the knob to turn off the shower.

My hand closes over hers. "Enough."

She pulls her hand away. "Since you couldn't wait for me to finish, you're welcome to stay."

She tries to sidestep me, but I won't let her. I grab her by the waist and draw her flush against my front.

"Stop it. Stop with the silent treatment and avoidance tactics."

"I need space Brice."

"Space for what?"

"To think."

"You've been doing a whole lot of thinking and by the sounds of things, I don't think it's been very helpful."

"What do you mean?"

I decide to be honest about this. Hopefully, it will bridge some sort of understanding between us and she will know where I'm coming from.

"I can hear you – your thoughts. I know what you're thinking."

"Is this some sort of joke?"

"I wish it was. Especially after yesterday."

There is a moment of silence that passes between us as she regards me in the shower, the water falling over us. Even her thoughts are silent for a moment before they start up again.

What the fuck?

Why am I even here?

This is madness.

His supernatural ass can't even be faithful despite knowing what I think.

He still chose to hurt me knowing how I'd feel.

What's the point in staying with him?

"I can hear your thoughts not feel your emotions." I try to defend myself.

"Woooow! How long have you been doing that - listening in?"

"It started after we made love."

"Made love?" she scoffs, turning her back on me. "How can you call it that and then go off and... What would have happened if I hadn't walked in when I did?"

She turns around to face me once again.

She's not wrong and I won't deny it.

I try again phrasing the situation in a different light. "Have you ever watched Minority Report?"

"What?"

"Minority Report – it's a movie about a specialised police department operating in pre-crime. The cops have the power to arrest suspects before they even commit the offence. Long story short, I feel like the lead guy - John Anderson who's been set up."

"What are you... Where are you going with this? Are you seriously turning yourself into the victim right now?"

She's becoming angrier by the second. I can see a vein throbbing at her temple.

"No! Listen to me Sunshine." I try take her hands in mine but she slaps them away. "In the movie three mutants foresee all crimes before they occur but sometimes there is a dissenting opinion among the three – a minority report – when they don't agree with each other on what they saw. Therein lies the possibility that the suspect changed their mind and didn't do it. All I'm saying is that I didn't do it. Is it morally fair to have me persecuted as if I did?"

Her nostrils flare with her temper. "What are you getting at Brice? You were thinking about doing it but changed your mind?"

Yes, but technically I don't have much of a choice on this.

I can't tell her that though. I'll lose her if I do.

"You caught me in a compromising position. I can't - won't deny it. The fact remains that nothing happened. You're upset over the fact that I could have cheated on you and you're punishing me for it. Don't make me pay for a crime I didn't commit."

I swear these Frenchies are smooth fuckers, she thinks.

It sounds like I'm getting somewhere. I reach for her and this time she doesn't pull away.

I place a kiss on one cheek and then the other. I push a little more and place a chaste one on her lips. Her mind is still and I'm somewhat grateful.

"I miss you. You're the only woman I care about," I tell her.

Don't. Fold. her inner voice threatens.

"I have never been more stressed than in the past 24 hours and that's saying a lot." I rub my hands up and down her back molding her body with mine and kiss her neck. "I'm sorry Sunshine that I ever made you question your importance to me."

Don't you dare fold, bitch. her inner voice warns her again.

She closes her eyes and groans. Her thoughts may be saying one thing but her body is saying another. I have her. I trail my hands lower down her back and squeeze her ass cheeks.

My dick jumps, swelling at the possibilities.

I continue the trail my lips down her neck, her chest and ultimately ending with a nipple in my mouth. I hoist her onto my waist and press her against the wall as I continue my assault on the dark pebble.

The wetness between her folds coats my dick as she wraps her legs around me and grinds on the little guy making him even harder. I use my bodyweight and one arm to keep her pressed against the wall as I stroke my tip against her clit with the other.

Her hands suddenly grip my hair pulling my head back. "No Brice."

"How can you deny it when you're so wet for me."

"Doesn't matter. The answer is still no. Besides we're going out and I need to finish getting ready."

She pushes against my shoulders and unwraps her legs from around my waist.

I can't risk passing out after god knows how many rounds with you.

Her thoughts bring a smile to my face for the first time in what seems like forever despite the rejection.

"You heard that didn't you?"

I tilt her head back and lean in for a passionate kiss in answer. She's right about passing out. I won't be able to stop once I start. I can't get enough of her.

"Okay! Okay!" she pants after breaking the kiss. "Can I take a rain check?"

I gladly oblige now that the air between us has been cleared. She best believe I plan to cash it sooner rather than later.

2024 / 06 / 26

WC: 3506

Soooo... Are we forgiving Brice or nah?

♡

Shout out to

lilsin_6 🌸

amith294 🌻

PathHew 💐

bias_jungkook97 💮

GEEKEDDD 🌷

AlexiaLee1995 🌺

nkm100 🌼

Jaymay1234 🏵

star_glitter09 🥀

PizzaRollsLover 🌹

jakaranda20 🌳(one of my favourite trees lining the streets of Kensington, JHB during spring)