while. He’d dated. He had beautiful women who adorned his elbow to functions for both pleasure and work. But that was all they’d been—accessories. He didn’t mention his no longer wife, and I didn’t ask. Were they divorced or had she passed? I didn’t know.
It would break our rule.
I also didn’t know what he did, other than ran businesses.
Often he’d spend the morning in his suite working long distance. Noon in California was already three in the afternoon in New York and the close of the day in London. He could have almost a full day’s worth of phone calls and web conferences complete before I was ready for lunch. A few times he’d left the resort, but never for long.
“His balls aren’t blue,” I responded matter-of-factly.
“And you know this because…” She paused, but when I only looked at her with wide eyes, she continued, “…you’ve seen them and you… Oh! I know. You’ve at least given him a—”
“Chelsea, stop! I’m not giving you the gory details.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Gory? So he’s a looker but doesn’t have the equipment?”
“Stop. He has the equipment. I believe. I mean from what I’ve observed.”
She shook her head. “If you leave Del Mar without getting laid it’s totally your fault. And if you ask me, that man will be the best you’ve ever had. Stop letting Alex get into your head. You have three more days and two nights as Charli.” She straightened her shoulders and looked at me over the rim of her sunglasses. “Don’t come home tonight.”
“Hey, it’s my suite. I can come home,” I responded playfully.
“It’s in my name.”
She had me there. “Even if we, you know…”
“Have wild-ape-crazed sex?” Chelsea offered.
“Do it,” I corrected. “I’m not spending the night. He gets up at some ungodly hour to do whatever it is he does. Besides, I’m not taking the walk of shame down that private hallway.” I visibly shivered. “The doormen who work that desk and private elevator already know my name.”
“No, they know Charli’s name. And I bet they already think you’ve had crazy-gorilla sex every time you leave the suite.”
“Gorilla? I thought it was ape?”
She laughed. “Well, they both can do it hanging upside down.” She kissed my cheek as we stepped into the hallway. “Give that some thought and I bet you don’t come home tonight.”
EARLY THAT EVENING, I winked at Chelsea as I smoothed the black silk material of my dress. “I can’t believe I’m really doing this.”
“Who are you doing it for?”
I turned toward her and gained strength from the sparkle in her hazel eyes. “Me.”
Her smile broadened. “Right answer!”
“I’m not sure I’ll even tell him.”
“Where did you say he’s taking you? I mean he took you to that rooftop place last night, Pacifica?”
I nodded like a giddy teenager. “The resort had a driver for us and oh… the place was gorgeous. The view was amazing. Tonight he said he has a car and we’re going up Highway 101 to Oceanside.”
Her eyes were wide. “Charli may not be getting laid, but she’s doing some fine eating.”
“Tonight’s 333 Pacific.” I lowered my voice. “I Googled it. That’s why I bought this new dress.”
Chelsea crossed her arms and inspected me from head to toe. “And you’re rocking it, too. You look beautiful. Remember what I said. Charli has come a long way, but you’re still not Chelsea. Wasn’t that the plan?”
I inhaled deeply and the tightly fitted bodice of my dress pulled against my breasts. With only thin spaghetti straps, the way the dress accentuated my curves and held tight to my breasts was what kept it from falling. The lightweight material flowed to just above my knees.
The week of relaxing by the pool had left my normally pale complexion a nice golden brown. Even though my hair had red, the deep brown from my mother’s side prevailed, giving me the bonus of vibrant hair without the disposition to freckles and sunburns. As long as I was faithful with my hat and sunscreen, the sun and I played nicely together.
“I’d say there’s more Chelsea in Charli than Alex, but it’s not that easy…”
She hugged me. “Do what you want. This is your vacation. I’m just happy seeing that perpetual smile on your face. Go… don’t be late for Mr. Handsome.”
“We know his name—it’s Nox.”
“Yes, but not his last name. I’ve dubbed him Nox Tall-Dark-and-Handsome, Mr. Handsome for short.”
I laughed. That was a lot of names, but for someone who had four names herself, six if I included Alex