The Rules In Paradise (Playing By The Rules) (7 page)

             
"Where in the world have you been?"

             
"I've been many places. I've traveled all over the United States and Europe. I've traveled to India and Australia. The list is quite lengthy."

             
"Have you always had the means to do these things?"

             
"Money? No. Desire? Yes. I knew that I was made for more than just a 9 to 5 office job. I had to find a way to be able to live the lifestyle I desired. Luckily Jason had some background in design and hospitality and I brought the business sense. Though Jason is quite the businessman himself. We have since created a way for us to maintain a life and career that makes us both happy."

             
"Is Jason attached?" Cole smiled at me.

             
"He is not. Your friend is safe with him. He is actually a really good guy. I look up to him for many reasons."

             
"And you, are you a good guy?"

             
"I am much too biased to answer that question." I couldn't tell if he was smiling or not as he walked ahead of me.

             
We arrived back at the car and Adrian and Jason were already there waiting. Both were smiling and involved in their conversation. We packed up the Jeep and headed back the way we had come this morning. The drive seemed shorter than this morning as we pulled up in front of the hotel. All four of us hopped out and started bringing things into the lobby and Cole returned the car to a parking space. I was unsure what to do. Did I wait for him to come back or did I go about my business? Adrian and Jason were oblivious to anything else, so I stood awkwardly.

             
Cole came walking into the hotel and gave a sideways glance at the two in the corner.

             
"I'm going to head to the restaurant around the corner if you'd like to accompany me." He started to walk towards the lobby doors until he abruptly turned and focused his intense gaze on me. "I don't mean this to take us back a previous conversation but I do hope you'll come. I am not quite ready to give you up for the day."

             
How could a girl say no to that?

             
"I'd love to come. For some reason I can't imagine you being ok with no for an answer."

             
"See, you already are catching on."

             
We were seated quickly at a table and the hostess left us with menus.

             
"I'll have a whiskey, water, little ice." He was so matter of fact with everything that it often times took me aback.

             
"Jack and Coke, please." I smiled at the waiter, almost as if I were apologizing for Cole's abrasiveness and turned my attention to him. "Do you always drink hard liquor."

             
"Yes."

             
"Why?"

             
"Beer tastes like piss and nobody running a restaurant ever has any clue about wine. Whiskey is whiskey no matter where you go." I had to agree with him on the first part.

             
"If you are here working, then how do you have the time to go out so much?"

             
"Because this trip is a mixture of business and pleasure. Since I have been here I've met with no fewer than seven prospective clients. The pleasure part is a celebration of sorts, and now it is entertaining you while we're both here in paradise." He smiled at me before reaching into his pocket. "Excuse me, I need to take this just for a moment." He got up from the table and walked toward the exit as he put his phone to his ear.

             
I felt like I was in a tornado. On one hand Cole was incredibly attractive and smart. On the other I was frustrated with what was going on. One moment we were battling for the honor of wits on the boat and today he had kissed me while saying it was a mistake. He was sending me in so many directions my head was spinning. The waiter brought our glasses and I took a large sip of mine. Just let it be. Don't over-think it, just enjoy the company. That is exactly what I set out to do.

             
Cole came back to the table and apologized. I couldn't quite read his expression, but it bordered on nervous and upset.

             
"Is everything ok?" He must have assumed I'd asked for a reason and his face was again a clean slate.

             
"All is well, just a minor interruption. So, Olivia I am intensely interested in finding out more about you. Tell me something, anything." He leaned back in his seat and was focused solely on me. I felt the air become compact around me as his intenseness filled our table and possibly the room.

             
"I'm not sure what you want to know."

             
"Everything," he said matter-of-factly.

             
"I'm sorry to disappoint. I promise I'm not as interesting as you think."

             
"I disagree. I don't know why, but I cannot leave you alone. That first evening I told you, bashfully, that I could not stop thinking of you. For the life of me I cannot figure out why."

             
"Wow, you sure have a way with words." I couldn't help but feel moderately offended at his words.

             
"Perhaps it is because you are so open with your emotions. Your insecurities are abound and I cannot figure out why. Those insecurities are why you get so bent out of shape and contort my words as if I'm trying to offend you."

             
"You can't figure out why you enjoy my company. I don't exactly feel like that is a compliment."

             
"I cannot figure out why I enjoy spending so much time with you when that is not my purpose for being in town. Forgive me for being presumptuous but I take it you enjoy my company, otherwise you wouldn't have indulged me for nearly three days now. Why is that?"

             
He had me there. Even if I knew the answer to that I'm not sure I would share it with him. I felt my face begin to get red as he stared at me, waiting for my answer.

             
"I don't know."

             
He shrugged and shifted in his chair. "See, I am not offended."

             
"Have you always been this way?" I asked.

             
"Which way is that Olivia?"

             
"Always have to have your way?"

             
"Yes, absolutely."

             
The waiter interrupted and asked for our order. We were less talkative while we ate and Cole paid the bill and we stood to leave. We took our time walking back from the restaurant.

             
"I do sincerely apologize if what I say offends you. I tend to think out loud sometimes. I'm just trying to figure you out."

             
"Why?"

             
"Because it is what I do. I make a lot of money by figuring people out. However, you have me stumped. I like a challenge." He smile and in the dim light of dusk it softened his face. "I don't think you should be as self-conscious as you are. You are smart, and attractive and you're not easily over taken. I've tried, you don't back down. Those are admirable qualities."

             
I looked over and gave him a small smile. He was so confusing. I never knew where we stood or what to expect. We finally arrived at the condo.

             
"As usual I have enjoyed your company. I'm being sincere when I say I become uncomfortable when we part. I don't want you to read into that, I just want to be honest."

             
I didn't have a response for that so I stayed quiet.

             
"Listen, I have a large amount of work to do tomorrow. I would like to invite you on an excursion the day after. You are more than welcome to decline, I understand if you do not wish to see me given the way I behaved this morning. I do really hope you'll come though." He stared at me, waiting for an answer. All my mind could think about was how attractive he looked under the dim lights of the building.

             
"What are we doing?"

             
"That is information I will not reveal. I want you to come because you are willing to spend time with me, not for any other reason."

             
"Fine, what time?"

             
"I will see you at noon. Until then make sure you do not think of me nearly as much as I will be thinking of you." He smiled and hit the button for the elevator. He motioned me in when the door opened. I hit the button and all I saw was his small smile disappear as the doors closed.

Chapter 6

             
"It's maddening Char, I mean I honestly can't hardly stand it." I threw my head back against my lounge chair.

             
"So why did you agree to see him tomorrow?"

             
"That's the thing, I don't know! I don't know what the deal is. One minute he is being coy, the next he kissed me, then he's cold and then he's infuriating. I literally feel like I've been run over by a tornado.

             
"How does he feel about you?"

             
"Let me refer you to my previous answer. He says he is interested by me. That does not mean interested in me. He acted like that kiss was the worst thing he could have done. It made me feel stupid because in my head I wanted him to do it again."

             
"What if he has a girlfriend and that's why he said he shouldn't have done it?" Char was laying on her stomach, facing me as we spoke. She was my sounding board because she had noticed I was obviously affected by something.

             
"He said he didn't have a girlfriend. I mean, I know he could be lying but how would I know? Why wouldn't he go for it if he's on vacation and has a girlfriend I'll never meet? I just can't gauge what this is."

             
"Well, he's hot Olivia. I can't deny that. You clearly like being with him, can you leave it like that? Can you just hang out and let things happen? Maybe you'll realize he is just a friend and that's enough. It's ruining the moment if you're so worried about what's happening. If you're worrying then that means you're probably not living in the present. Enjoy it, if he leaves and that's it then you had a good time."
             

             
I knew she was right. I had to just enjoy our time together. I wasn't asking for a label, heavens knows that was not my goal. I wasn't even looking for us to be on the same page. I only wanted us to be in the same book. I wanted to feel like I wasn't under his scrutinizing eye all the time.

             
"He's just so intense. I'm shocked by what he says sometimes and how he says it. He's just truly unlike anyone I've ever met."

             
"And probably will ever meet. So enjoy it. I'm telling you Olivia. You've been more outgoing and more willing to get out of your comfort zone since that first night. I don't blame Mexico for it, or even alcohol. I blame a certain blue eyed hottie. Enjoy it!" Char practically yelled the last part and I smiled. She was right and I knew it. I had to take this adventure for what it was and have no regrets. I willed myself to keep this information in the front of my brain.

             
I pressed the button to the elevator so that I could go down to the lobby. I waited impatiently for the doors to open. When they did I was shocked to see Cole standing there playing with his phone.

             
"Uh, hi," I said. He raised his head and I watched realization wash over his face.

             
"Well hello, this is a pleasant surprise. I was just on my way down to wait on you." He moved over and I stood next to him, leaning against the back of the elevator. Elevators were awkward and uncomfortable in the best of situations. This was clearly not the best of situations. My hands felt clammy and I felt stifled by his presence.

             
"How was work?" I asked nervously.

             
"It was work, successful, but still not as fun as finding something to do with you." I smiled at the fact that he, of course, had to slide in the word successful.

             
"Are you ever not successful in any of your endeavors?" I asked.

             
He smiled for a moment before he answered. "Not usually."

             
We walked out to the parking lot and got into the Jeep.

             
"Are you still not telling me where we're going?"

             
"You would be correct. Tell me, what did you do yesterday?"