EMMA DAMIAN 10

D A M I A N

“Yo! Are you okay in there? ”

I was standing in front of the bedroom door that Emma had burst through. I considered checking to see if she'd locked it, but I didn't want to risk it. I was already in a lot of trouble with her.

“Fine! Go away! ”

I knew I should've kept the smartassiness to a bare minimum. I couldn't help myself, though. "I couldn't help but notice you took the master suite. I'm just thinking that's a little bold. Would you mind coming out here at least to draw straws? ”

"Go away, Damian," she responded, her tone as plain as the beautiful Bora day outside that she didn't find anything amusing in what I'd said.

I understood why she was angry with me for saying what I did. Things had been a little messed up back then, but she wasn't the only one who'd been harmed. I'd crushed her heart and left her wondering what had gone wrong between us. But I was dealing with my own drama at the moment, including Marian and her illness.

It wasn't like I'd escaped with my life intact. “Emma? ”

When she didn't respond, I decided to cut my losses and let her cry it out. I'd gotten myself into trouble with my remarks, and if I kept pushing her, I'd only dig myself deeper into my grave. So I returned to the main living area, gathered my belongings, and proceeded to Emma's bedroom on the opposite side. I placed the bag on my bed and removed a change of clothes and my toiletry kit from it.

Minutes later I was dressed in a white button-up and board shorts, a pair of brown, Tom’s shoes on my feet. My Patek Philippe on my wrist completed the look. I stepped out onto the balcony, slipping my Ray Ban Wayfarers over my eyes as I took in the sight of the Beach.

The island was primed for conquest. And I was more than willing to help.

I decided to make conversing with Emma the first test of my day's luck after spritzing on some cologne. I gave her bedroom door a light knuckle rap once it was still closed.

"Hey, Emma. I'm not sure what you have planned, but I'm heading downstairs to do some gambling. Do you want to join us? Maybe grab a bite to eat? ”

No reply. Was she serious about giving me the silent treatment?

"How about you—"

“No! " she yelled through the door, her voice muffled. "I'm sleeping!" Whatever you want to do! ”

My mouth let out a sigh of irritation. I shook my head, annoyed that she was attempting the sleepy ruse. Saying she was exhausted used to be her go-to response to situations that made her feel overwhelmed. I knew Emma was in a terrible mood when she said she needed to get home and nap.

And I realized there was no way I could talk her out of it unless I wanted her to get even more enraged at me than she already was. Allowing her to relax and come out on her own time is the best option. I was fine with giving her some space because being thrown from a penthouse balcony wasn't how I'd envisioned our Bora trip going.

I rode the elevator to the ground level. The sights and sounds of the casino shocked me awake when the doors opened and I went outside. I was ready to have a good time.

There was nothing like Caesar's Palace in Bora. The Roman aesthetic was cheesy in all the right ways, and it had a fantastic blend of old-school flair and current fun. I snuck my way through the mob, dodging between tourists and employees as they rushed past me.

There was nothing quite like the Bora casino floor. From Chinese tourist groups to middle-Americans to wealthy Europeans sauntering around like they owned the place, people from all over the world were there.

I went to the bar and ordered a finger of fine whiskey while taking in the atmosphere and soaking up the energy. But darned if my mind didn't wander back to Emma.

I'd made a joke out of it, accusing her of sleeping with me. However, it had not been a joke. Of course, she'd seen right through it — Emma was a lot of things, but dumb wasn't one of them. She was truly one of the brightest persons I'd ever met. It's no wonder she was able to get into a difficult industry like hers and make a decent livelihood.

How badly did I want to sleep with her once more? That was not a joke in the least. I'd known without a doubt that I desired her since the first time I saw her after all these years. And I was a man who always got his way.

But how do you go about it? My eyes landed on a middle-aged man with a brilliant green golf polo stretched over his huge belly as I sipped my drink and watched the controlled mayhem of the casino floor. He was sitting at a blackjack table, dealing cards and placing chips on the green felt. As one of the cards was flipped, a smile spread across his face, and I knew he'd won big.

It made me want to play some more and do some gambling. I walked over to one of the Poker tables after completing my drink and purchasing some chips, slid into an open seat, and tossed a few chips on the table.

"This is a twenty thousand buy-in, sir," the dealer said, jolting me out of my reverie.

“Huh?

”

My chips were nodded down by the reedy, elderly man. “This table’s a twenty thousand peso buy-in. That’s thirty worth of chips.”

"Sure," I said, sorting through my chips and tossing a couple thousand onto the table. I'd intended to gamble, but as soon as I sat down at the table, my thoughts reverted to Emma. I began to imagine what it would have been like if she had accepted my small proposal.

Just thinking about being in bed with her had me half-hard right there at the table. I envisioned squeezing her large, gorgeous tits while carefully slipping her underpants down her bare, shapely legs. Then I'd go up between her legs, my cock brushing up against her thigh. She'd nod, indicating that she wanted exactly what I was thinking. I'd pressed my head against her door, Emma's tight warmth wrapping itself about me as I—

"The flop," the dealer said as he dealt the first three cards into the hand. I shook my head, returning to the present.

I'd played a lot of poker in medical school, so sizing up cards and understanding how to bluff were second nature to me. I put another thousand dollars on the table, upping the stakes enough to knock one of the players, a young man in a Polo baseball cap, off his feet.

The dealer dealt one additional card to the table for the river. I assessed it and then held it, intending for the other players to be unsure of what I was holding.

Emma, Emma, Emma, Emma! My gaze wandered, eventually settling on a group of twenty-something women exiting a lengthy corridor. I was more concerned with what they wore over their short-shorts and tank tops — large, fluffy white robes with gold lettering on the chest.

They'd just returned from a spa day.

I smiled, knowing just what I was planning.

"And now for the turn," the dealer stated as he slid the final card onto the table.

"I'm all in," I declared.

This eliminated a couple more people. One man remained, a wealthy man who mistook my lack of attention for a lack of ability. With a shark smile on his lips, he pushed his chips onto the table. A bit more than $12,000 was on the table. However, I was prepared.

As we flipped over our cards, the tiny throng gathered around the table let out gasps. Mr. Fancy-countenance Pant's was completely shocked and disappointed, which I noticed out of the corner of my eye.

The dealer said, "Two pair," referring to my opponent's hand. "As well as a flush."

The dealer pushed over ten thousand pesos in chips in front of me, eliciting applause from the small crowd. Winnings were not the most essential thing on my mind. Before grabbing my winnings and rushing to the exchange booth, I quickly slipped one of the thousand dollar chips over to the dealer. After getting my money, I went to the front desk of the Goddess Spa, Caesar's Palace's official spa.

"All right," I murmured as I rolled up the desk, my joy palpable. "Are you scheduled for anything right now?" ”

The attractive, well-dressed woman behind the counter cocked her head in surprise. "Certainly, sir. However, last-minute appointments though isn’t cheap at all,"

"It's not an issue." I'd like to schedule a thirty-minute appointment right now. And I want the best deal you can offer."

She grinned as she heard it. "Well, our whole package includes a hot stone treatment, Thai massage, and a full chakra realignment," says the therapist.

“Perfect. Emma Ramos will receive one package."

She called, and as soon as I got the card, I pulled out my phone and dialed Emma. It rang a few times, and I was scared that she was still angry and wouldn't answer.

“Yes? " she murmured, her voice tinged with frustration when she eventually picked up.

"Emma," I said cheerfully. "I'd like you to meet me in the lobby."

"I can't," she replied, her voice firm. "I'm in the thick of it."

"What are you working on? " I inquired, trying to conceal my annoyance at her famous obstinacy.

“Work. I'm taking care of a few things in preparation for the next activities. I'll be busy for the majority of the afternoon, so go ahead and do anything you want down there."

"Wrong response. You're going to turn off your computer and walk down to the lobby with your magnificent booty."

"I told you I was busy, Damian."

"You've arrived in Bora, Emmie. It's a crime to spend this weekend in the hotel room working on spreadsheets or whatever, regardless of how much work you have. Let your hair down and enjoy yourself."

"You're welcome to let your hair down for both of us."

Now for my ace in the hole. "How about this — someone, who I won't name, might have booked you a spa day."

“What? " I caught a touch of enjoyment in her voice, which startled me.

"Of course, it was me," says the narrator.

She breathed deeply. “Damian, you didn’t have to do that.”

It was now time for me to swallow my pride. "I didn't have to; I just wanted to. Since we arrived, I've been a touch out of line, and I don't want you to miss out on the pleasure because I can't keep my big mouth quiet."

"Did you actually schedule me a spa day?" she questioned quietly after a brief pause. ”

"I really did." And it's exclusively for you. You can relax for the next few hours and not worry about anything. And when you're finished and your chakras have been re-chakra'd or whatever, we can go out to eat and watch the show."

Another pause in the music. "I'm not sure, Damian." It appears to be excessive."

"Here's the thing," I said, a grin on my face. "Get your a$$ down here and get treated as you've never been pampered before, or I'll come up there and toss you over my shoulder like I used to."

She chuckled. "What time is it? ”

"Come down right now." You won't have to bother about getting dressed because they'll offer the soft robe."

"All right, fine. In five minutes, we'll meet in the lobby."

“Perfect.”

The connection was lost. It would take a lot of effort to repair my relationship with Emma, but I was prepared for the challenge.

In any case, I had a sense this trip would be memorable.