The Possessive Groom by Alexa Riley

Chapter 9

Lindsey

“Got a second?” Mary asks as she sits on the cabana bed beside me.

It’s been a good hour since Gibson took off, and it’s shameful how much I’ve glanced back towards the hotel to see if he’s coming. He said he’d be back, but I’m starting to think that’s not happening. His mood swings are beginning to annoy me. I’m not made for this yo-yo of emotions because it’s overwhelming. I can be so good with helping others handle theirs, but I’m shit with my own.

“Always for you.” I smile over at her, but my stomach turns at what she might be about to say. I don’t think Cora said anything, but as she mentioned, Mary might have already picked up on my attraction to Gibson.

“Gibson.” She shakes her head, and I guess she doesn't think this is a good idea. “He tried to get a charter off the island.”

My stomach drops. That’s not what I thought she was going to say. Why does this feel worse than her thinking Gibson and me hooking up isn’t a good idea?

“Okay, I guess we can’t stop him.” He wants away from me so badly he’s willing to try and get a last-minute charter out of here. Ouch.

“No, we can’t, but the weather can.” She nods out to the ocean. The sun is still shining down on us, but in the distance I can see another storm rolling in. The water is already looking rougher than it did when we first got down to the beach.

“Right.” An ache forms in my heart, and I try to ignore its throbbing demand. I haven't felt it since I was a kid and my mom left me standing outside of a fire station. I barely remember her. I’m thankful for that.

A flash of anger hits me when I realize I’ve given him the power to make me feel like this. Still, it doesn't make me want him any less, and I hate myself for how desperate that makes me feel. I will not be one of those pathetic women that chases after a man. It’s not happening.

“So how do you want to play this?” I ask, and she shrugs.

“I was only giving you a heads up because I thought you should know. I trust you to play it any way you like.”

“You said we need to make sure he stays,” I remind her, and this is her world. I’ll suck up any guidance she’s willing to give me.

“I would like that, but we can only control so much. I think you’ll make happen what needs to happen.” She stands and smiles at the sunshine. “Enjoy the beach while you can. No one is going anywhere right now.” She winks at me before she heads off, and somehow she doesn't look silly in her wide-leg slacks and silk blouse on the beach.

I lean back, thinking over what she said. Gibson would have bolted out of here without so much as a word? I should keep my distance because this is evidence he’s only going to break my heart. Too bad it’s easier said than done.

What if he’s fighting his feelings toward me like I’m doing with him? I should understand that, but really it hurts. I always thought if one day a man knocked me on my ass it was because he would be something special and he’d fight for me in ways no one else ever had.

“Need some more?” Peter stands beside my cabana, holding up his extra-strength sunscreen.

“She’s fine,” I hear Gibson answer, and instantly those flutters hit my stomach at the sound of his voice. I don’t glance his way as I stand up.

“I’m good, Peter, but thanks. I’m going to go for a dip before the storm rolls in,” I tell him, still not acknowledging Gibson. “Maybe catch me after.” Did I really just say that? I’m trying to provoke Gibson, and I know it. I don’t think this is what Mary had in mind when she told me to handle it.

“I’ll join you,” Gibson tries.

“I’m okay by myself.” I don’t wait for a response as I head into the water and make my escape. Now I’m the one running.

After I dip under the water and come back up, I don’t have the willpower to not look for him. Gibson stands at the end of my cabana, his eyes trained on me the whole time. I swear I can feel the heat of his gaze burning me hotter than the sun.

The water is getting rougher by the second, and when I get out, I go straight to the sun bed and grab my things as I try to ignore him. It’s impossible to avoid him with us all being in a group, but what I can do is make sure I have a buffer between us. Throughout the day’s activities I make sure we’re never alone, and I dive into the work we’re here to do.

The one positive thing about focusing on Gibson is I forget how much anxiety I was feeling about fitting in. At times I still feel in over my head when people talk about things I don’t understand. The numbers and codes can feel like they're speaking another language, but I can get the surface idea when it’s explained to me.

I don’t know if Gibson realized that I was struggling at times, but he kept asking people to pitch him their idea or to explain it like they would to a consumer. I knew he understood everything they were saying, but having them break it down for someone that wouldn’t already know the information benefited me.

If that was his motivation for always clarifying a response, then it’s kinda sweet. How can something be sweet and irritate me at the same time? Gah! This man has me all over the place.

“You mind if we have a moment alone?” Gibson asks close to my ear as dinner wraps up. He’d taken the seat next to mine before I could ask anyone else to sit down. He’s been glued to my side since I got out of the water.

“I actually need to make a call.” I give him a tight smile, not wanting to draw attention, and he narrows his eyes at me. For some reason it feels like a warning, and a delicious thrill runs through my body that I can’t explain.

“We had the outside bar area reserved, but that won’t be happening,” Cora announces as she stands up from her chair. The storm hit about an hour ago, and we’ve been watching it rain from the safety of the restaurant. “They are saving a section in the main bar if anyone wants to keep hanging out.”

As everyone rises from the table, some people are calling it a night, and others are more than ready to keep the party going.

“You coming back down after your call?” Peter asks from across the table.

“Depends.” I shrug. I don’t really have a call, but I could try to reach the twins. They are always good at distracting me and making me laugh.

“Gibson. Can I snag you for just a second before everyone breaks?” Cora says loudly so he doesn't really have much of a choice. I have no clue what Cora makes, but one of my first orders of business when I get back is giving that woman a raise.

I don’t linger as I sneak away from the table and up to my suite. At least this time I make it back to my room before we once again lose power. The storm is raging outside, almost as hard as the one raging inside of me.