A day later, after much rest with James, I lay on the private beach of the place we were staying, enjoying the sun soaking into my skin. We had arrived with pure enjoyment and greeted James' friends with smiles.
Allegra, of course, remembered me very well, and even though we had fun the one time, we were slowly becoming close friends. Being friends with her differed completely from Tally, and I was glad for that.
“So when do you think the guys will be back from fishing?" Allegra asked me as she took her place back on one of the lounge chairs topless and with a smile upon her face.
“I don't know, but hopefully soon. Otherwise, we will have to start margarita hour on our own," I grinned, causing Allegra to laugh. It no longer bothered me that she was showing skin. She had an amazing body, so why not flaunt it?
“See, I knew why I loved you, Becca," she said as my phone rang.
More than once, Tally had tried to call me in the last twenty-four hours, and every time she did, I ignored her call, only to be blown up with tons of text messages telling me to call her back.
“Is that her again?" Allegra asked, lowering her glasses to look at me.
“Yeah, I better take this quickly, or she will never stop."
Not long after we had gotten here, we were all properly introduced, and over a few drinks with Allegra, I told her everything about Tally and my situation. I was surprised, though, at how easily she understood.
Because contrary to popular belief, she had issues that had been similar to mine once upon a time.
“Hello?" I sang sweetly as I answered the phone.
“Becca, where the f*ck have you been? I have been blowing your phone up all day, and you what… don't f*cking answer?" Tally snapped at me.
“Oh Tally…" I cooed playfully as I looked at Allegra with a smile. “I'm so sorry I have had horrible service where I'm at."
“Where are you at? You're not watching my dad?!" she exclaimed with irritation.
I wasn't watching him at the moment, but I sure have been watching him a lot lately.
Not that I would tell her, of course.
“Your dad, I think, had a business trip. So I went to visit my family. I didn't think you would mind since you're with your mom. After all, I can't exactly go with your father on his trip," I said, trying not to laugh as I watched Allegra mock heartache at my words.
The act was to mimic the way Tally acted, and I had to admit, Allegra acting like this made me laugh more than anything.
“That's bullshit, Becca. You should have found a way to go."
“Seriously?" I chuckled. “I already told you I'm not spying on your father. If you have a problem with him, you need to take it up with him, Tally. Now I have to go, so enjoy the rest of your trip!"
Tally screamed my name through the phone before I hung it up and continued enjoying the sun. I wasn't sure what I was going to do about her. Never had I been in this situation, but I had to admit, it felt good to tell her no.
Even though that's because I'm the one f*cking her father.
Letting a heavy breath escape me, I checked the time on my phone. “Do you think I'm wrong?" I asked Allegra, who looked over at me.
“Wrong about what?" she asked with slight confusion.
“For sleeping with James. Tally has been my best friend for years, and I'm lying to her and f*cking her father like I have no respect for her."
Raising her brows, Allegra shrugged, “So... who cares. From what I knew of Tally already from James, and what you have told me... she is a selfish little bitch who needs a reality check. James is a good man and has been through a lot lately. You're good for him."
Hearing someone say I'm good for him made me smile.
After all, I never really considered us to be more because he made it clear before we couldn't be. Allegra's words ran through my mind, making me space out for a moment, and before I knew it, a boat was pulling up near the shoreline. James stood there with two others, his silhouette darkened by the slowly falling sun.
“What are you girls doing?" one of the men yelled as they hit the sand, walking towards us.
“What's it look like?" Allegra laughed. “Soaking up the vitamin D and enjoying conversation."
As James came closer, I watched the dark lust filled gaze in his eyes turn to something more. “Come on… you're mine for the rest of the day."
“You guys aren't coming out with us tonight?" Allegra asked as she turned to me with a smile. “I was hoping we would enjoy the bar scene together."
“No, you heard me. Becca is mine for the rest of the day. You guys go have fun."
He didn't bother to wait for my reply as he pulled me to my feet, took my hand, and led me towards the house. I wasn't sure what he had planned, but the small cottage we had next to the others gave us the seclusion James wanted.
I was his privately for the next few days, and he made a point of claiming me in a way no one ever could.
Before the back door closed, I was pressed against the wall. His mouth was upon my skin as I moaned, watching my bathing suit fall to the floor. “You like teasing me with these little outfits, don't you?"
“What… my bathing suit?" I laughed, as he thrust his fingers inside of me, causing me to cry out.
“Yes, that," he all but growled as he captured my lips again.
*****
James POV
The sky had slowly darkened outside, and as it did, I looked down at Becca softly sleeping next to me. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever met, and everything about her was addicting.
From the moment I laid my eyes on her, I knew I wanted her, but never did I think she would have been capable of bringing feelings out of me like this. It was as if she had captivated a part of my soul that had long laid dormant.
I wanted to spoil her and show her the world.
Which was not part of the plan. I wasn't supposed to be doing these kinds of things, but slowly and surely I was. I was treating her like we were more than we were, and if I wasn't careful, I was going to find myself too deep in the situation we created.
It was a conversation we needed to properly have again, but for now, I would just enjoy this time with her. Enjoy the small moments, and relish them, because eventually she would be leaving. Even though my chest clenched with the idea, she would.
“Becca…" I whispered, watching her stretch as her eyes slowly fluttered open.
“Mmmm…" she moaned softly. “What are you doing?"
The soft purr of her voice made my balls ache to take her again. Yet, I didn't want this trip to just be about sex. I wanted her to enjoy a variety of things the islands had to offer.
“Why don't I take you out to get something to eat, and maybe we can look at some stores on the island? What do you think?"
Smiling up at me, she nodded before her lips softly met mine. “Give me a moment to get dressed."
I watched her hop from the bed, naked, and pad her way towards the bathroom. She stopped at the door and looked over her shoulder at me, smiling before she disappeared.
I checked myself and rolled over on to my stomach, groaning at how badly I did just want to f*ck her repeatedly until I was the only man she thought of.
“F*ck me… what am I doing?" I whispered to myself before sliding from the bed to get ready.
Thirty minutes later, and with much restraint, we left the cottage and headed towards the small shops of the town. Lights were strung up over the stores, and music flowed from the restaurants.
Her eyes seemed to light up with every twist and turn we made, and seeing her like this made me realize just how carefree she was. She wasn't like Allison or Tally... or any other woman I have ever dealt with.
Becca seemed to enjoy the small things in life and didn't care what anyone thought of her. The yellow sundress against her sun kissed skin made her stand out in the night.
I watched the way men all seemed to notice her, but in the end, I was the only one she paid attention to. I was the only one who made her smile.
“James, look at these sandals!" she squealed. “I'm going to get them."
Before she could reach into her purse, though, I had pulled out cash and handed it to the merchant, watching her smile fall. “What are you doing? I have money."
“I know you do, Becca. However, I was the one who asked you to come on this trip, and I want to be the one to spoil you. If you want to tell others you paid for it, you can, but I'm the only one spending money."
Rolling her eyes, she leaned forward and kissed me gently. “I'll just make it up to you later," she teased.
“Oh, I have no doubt that you will," I laughed, watching as she made her way towards the next stall.
My phone ringing distracted me for a moment, and as I looked down, I saw Tally's name flash across the screen. “Yes, Tally?" I said with a sigh as Becca's eyes met mine.
“Daddy, where are you?" she asked gruffly. “I think Becca is lying to me. Do you know where she is?"
“Uh–why would you think Becca is lying to you?" I asked, causing Becca's eyes to widen.
“Because I called her dad to make sure she was okay, and he said she wasn't there. She said she was going to stay with family," Tally whined, causing me to take a deep breath and try to sort the situation.
“Perhaps she had different family she was going to see? I don't know, Tally. I'm out of town for business right now overseas, so there isn't much I can do," I replied, not telling her the whole truth, but at least part of it.
“Do you think she is seeing someone? Maybe that's why she has been acting off and not wanting to tell me what she is doing. Have you seen her with anyone?"
I loved my daughter with all my heart, but right in this moment, I had to draw a line with her. She was acting beyond ridiculous. “Tally, you need to stop. She is a grown woman and doesn't have to tell you anything."
“How can you say that?! I invited her to come spend the summer with me, and she doesn't bother to let me know what she is doing when she's not at our house!"
“Taliana, enough," I snapped. “You, young lady, disappeared on her many times if you recall, and I will not tolerate you acting like this. Perhaps if you start being a better friend to her, she will be open with you. Honestly, I'm surprised she still talks to you at all."
“Daddy–" she gasped.
“No, Tally. I have to go. You need to figure your shit out. Don't call me about this again."
Hanging up the phone, I watched Becca's pale face drop even more. “She knows…"
“No, she doesn't. She thinks you are seeing someone." I pulled her close to me. “She has no idea it's me. So don't worry."
Nodding her head, she leaned up, kissing me softly, and my heart melted. I didn't want to see her upset, and I didn't want her to panic.
Perhaps Tally finding out about Becca and I would be for the best. I knew it would ruin their relationship, but it was already ruined. At least this way, I would be able to see Becca openly and not have to hide her.
There was still so much I wanted to show her.