The Book of Rook

Chapter 2

PHOENIX

I open my eyes slowly and hear the wonderful waves of the ocean outside my window. So relaxing and soothing. Wait a minute, my room didn't have an ocean view. In fact, I remember complaining about my view and asked to change rooms but the hotel I was staying in was booked. I'm on my side and see a nightstand with a glass of water and a bottle of aspirin there. My mouth feels like I swallowed a ball of cotton so I reach for the glass but the weighted blanket on top of me stops me.

Focus, Phoenix. What happened last night? 

Right. Me and my friends took a spontaneous trip to Mexico. My divorce papers came through two days ago, so Violet, my partner in crime, insisted we celebrate. I was just glad to have these signed papers but she insisted. With my uncle's help, he was able to push the paperwork through. Uncle Adrian is a well-known New York lawyer and called one of his colleagues in Ohio, the state where I was living with Brad, my now ex-husband. I love saying that, ex-husband Brad. I do a whole body shiver.

It was a well-kept secret that Brad abused me physically and mentally. After two years, I built the courage to leave. Scrapping up money in order to sneak out when he was at work and making sure I didn't get caught like I had done three times before.

Yes I paid for that. A broken arm one time, a fat lip the other and the last time was just a concussion when he threw me down the stairs. Right after I got the papers, I went to the salon to cut off my long light brown hair and dyed it jet black. I was feeling sassy, so I had them add a silver streak. For the first time in the time I was with Brad, I smiled. The air smelled cleaner, food tasted better, and sleeping was relaxing. No more jumping when I hear the key in the door wondering if he was in a bad mood or not. No more walking on egg shells. The divorce took six months since Brad tried to fight it but then out of the blue, Uncle Adrian called me and told me Brad signed the papers and sent the certified papers in the mail.

But I digress. We landed in Cancun, quickly unpacked and headed to a cute local bar. Me, Violet and our two other friends, Tiffany and Eden. I vaguely remember dancing and drinking. I only had three Tequila Sunrises at the bar since I'm such a light weight. I'm not a drinker so when I do consume alcohol, it goes straight to my head. Tequila is my poison of preference. I can handle that a little better than rum, which makes me throw up almost instantly.

Again I try to move and realize it's not a weighted blanket but an arm, a male arm, around my waist holding me down. Warmth at my back and light breath tickling my ear while a leg was draped over mine. I feel like a koala is on me the way he's draped around me.

Shit! Shit! Shit! I'm not alone in my bed. Wait, was this even my bed? It didn't look like my room.

Ok, think.

The bar was loud and crowded. A group of American men were going table to table, making friends with everyone. Roaming around the bar as if they were holding court. The ringleader introduced himself as Luke, no Lucas. He was attractive with his buzz cut blonde hair and green eyes. He was talking to the guy who I spotted when I first walked into the bar. Not that I was noticing or anything.

My stranger was sitting at the bar most of the night. Every time I felt eyes on me, I would look to find him staring at me. Not in a creepy sort of way. I didn't get that vibe. My breath would catch, and I'd get a tingling in my core making me close my thighs. His smile was friendly but also seductive. Even from the distance, it felt like he was right next to me. I'm normally not instantly attracted to men. Brad had to chase me and wear me down before I gave him a chance. I'm more of a stay at home person. After Brad, I thought I'd never look at a guy the same again but this guy was different. His eyes felt like they were caressing my whole body.