Page 30 of Sapphire

“Hey, don’t hide, I mean it, Zoe. I think you are incredibly beautiful. I would be so honored to paint you.”

She looks around the studio. “Let me think about it, okay?”

“That is all I ask. Gracias. Come, let’s join Tomas in the pool. I need a cool down.”

10

ZOE

“I’m sick of you fighting me every step of the way, just accept your fate. Damn it, Zoe. All the other girls have. Why are you so fucking stubborn?”

I wiggle, trying to get free, but my hands are tied behind my back tightly, and it’s almost impossible to move.

A strong hand grips my neck, fingers digging into my skin painfully.

“You have no choice. If you don’t obey me, I will come for your family, for your sisters, and I’ll especially come for Gracie.”

Photos are thrown in front of my face of my family, and I panic. How did they get photos of all of them?

“Don’t fucking touch my family!” I scream at him.

“Then stop fucking around and submit. There is no escape, no one ever escapes. Not alive anyway.” He laughs that evil laugh, and I know. I know he isn’t bluffing. My shoulders sink.

I’ve lost.

He’s won.

I wish that they would just kill me. Death is better than what they planned for me.

I wake up from my nightmare in a cold sweat, looking around the dark room as panic grips me. I jump out of bed and head to the window. I pull back the curtain and see the pool, the gardens, and the twinkling lights of Ibiza below us. Seeing them brings me back from my nightmare. I’m okay. I’m safe. No one is going to get me. I walk into my bathroom and splash my face a couple of times. Grabbing a fluffy white towel, I wipe the water off, feeling better. I’m not ready to go back to bed yet, the aftereffects of the nightmare are still lingering at the edges. Sighing, I decide to creep down the corridor into the quiet house. Luckily the boys have set me up on one side of the house while they are on the other. I shouldn’t disturb them with my late-night activities which usually involve grabbing a drink and watching some TV before falling back asleep again.

As I potter around the kitchen making myself a drink my thoughts wind back to the day. It was certainly interesting. Tomas surprising me, turning from this cold and aloof character to this carefree, happy, and funny guy. I wasn’t expecting to get drunk with him while watching Mateo’s show. I also wasn’t expecting to get addicted to Mateo’s show.

Movement in the pool area grabs my attention, and my heart starts racing.

Is someone out there trying to break in?

I move closer to the window and squint, trying to work out exactly what’s going on while trying to calm my nerves. Then I see Mateo and Tomas in the pool splashing around. My hand stills on my chest trying to slow down my beating heart. Thank goodness it’s only them enjoying a late-night swim. I really got lucky collapsing in front of their home. Two handsome men, who spoil me and look after my every whim, I think I’ve died and gone to heaven because men like Mateo and Tomas can’t be real. Not that I can remember if any of my past boyfriends were as wonderful as these two. Stupid brain. Why won’t you work? As much as the two of them tell me I’m not intruding on their holiday, I feel like I am. I’m all up in their personal space, and for two incredibly busy men like them, there must be a portion of them frustrated that I’m here. Especially as they haven’t brought any women home. Two men as good-looking as those two, they would have women lining up to date them. You’re the worst cockblocker, Zoe.

There was even a point today where I thought the two of them were flirting with me.Wishful thinking, Zoe. As if those two handsome men would want you.What am I thinking? I should be concentrating on getting my memory back not getting laid.

Throwing back the last of my drink, I take another look out at Tomas and Mateo in the pool, I contemplate going out there, but I should really leave these two alone; I’m sure they are sick of my presence. Midnight swims are probably the only time they have to enjoy their home without me getting in the way.

Wait, what just happened?

I shake my head as my eyes narrow in on Mateo and Tomas in the pool. I watch as Mateo grabs Tomas around the neck and pulls him in for a kiss.

I can’t quite believe what I’m seeing. Am I dreaming this?

Tomas kisses him back just as passionately, and I feel the kiss all the way down to my toes as my skin breaks out in goosebumps.

No … but …

I move toward the window to get a better look because I can’t believe what I am seeing.

Theyarekissing.

I swear I should look away, but I’m mesmerized. These two men are beautiful together. And here I thought they were flirting with me.Such an idiot, Zoe.They were just being kind. I bite my bottom lip as I continue to watch them, knowing I’m intruding on an intimate moment but unable to move away.

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