It was a gorgeous, warm day, and the weather for Friday was going to be clear and mild. The perfect weather for an opening night for Riker and Nash’s place.
The thought of them filled her with mixed emotions. She looked over the railing in the sea lion area, and watched the amazing animals swim beneath the water. There were a set of stairs leading underneath the tank where she could watch them swim below. She walked that way and entered as a couple exited.
She watched for a few minutes and enjoyed the underwater activity. Glancing at her watch, she knew that the underwater aquarium exhibit was just down the way, and she loved seeing all the sea creatures and assortment of fish. She headed that way.
Walking in the sun, she felt her cell phone vibrate and her chest tightened. This was the new reaction she had every time her phone rang or buzzed. She worried that it was Desi and that he would continue to make her life miserable. Sometimes she wondered if she should just meet with him one more time in a public place and make him understand that it was over between them.
She glanced at the message box. Colton.
Hey, are you still at the aquarium?
She texted back as she walked to the line for the underwater sea life exhibit.
Yes. What are you up to?
Just trying to get word out about the opening tomorrow night. Where are you exactly?
The aquarium underwater sea life exhibit. You know I love this place.
Great! Call me later and let me know how your responses are for tomorrow. We need a successful turnout.
No problem. Bye.
Chastity smiled to herself then walked along with the small crowd down to the underwater aquarium. It was huge and very beautiful. Most of the people walked through quickly, but not Chastity. Sure, there were other things to see at the exhibit, and even some new things, brought in each year, but the aquarium that remained all year round at the exhibit was her favorite. It was a thirty-five minute ride to get here, but well worth it. It made Chastity feel like she was getting away from it all. As she took a seat on one of the benches, hidden to the side of a little cove area, she imagined being in the tropics. Someplace warm and relaxing with white sandy beaches and not a care in the world. The reality of her life was that she could never afford such vacations. But here, even for just a little while, in her mind, she could pretend.
She watched the various tropical fish swimming through the water. There were so many different species. Maybe one day she could go snorkeling.
“Is this seat taken?”
She swung her head around the moment she heard Nash’s voice. Surprised to see him here, she felt her jaw drop and then the second voice sounded on her other side.
“How about this one?” Riker asked, and she looked back and forth between them. They leaned forward and she leaned back so it would be easier to talk with them.
“What are you two doing here?”
“We came to see you,” Riker said then smiled. She absorbed the sight of the tight dark blue shirt he wore and his designer jeans. A glance toward Nash, and she was surprised to see him wearing jeans and a nice navy-blue T-shirt. A Polo Ralph Lauren, by the label on the sleeve.
“What? Why? How did you—” She closed her eyes and gave a sigh of understanding. “Colt.” She whispered.
Then she crossed her legs and leaned back against the bench.
What was that man thinking? She was trying to maintain some control and sanity here. Staying away from Nash and Riker was her plan. She just needed to get through opening night tomorrow. Then she wouldn’t have to see them again.
“So, is this why you came up with the idea for our club? You like this stuff?” Nash asked.
She swallowed hard. She could do this. She could have a perfectly natural, platonic conversation and relationship with these two men. So what that her heart was causing her voice box to shut down? Maybe they didn’t notice her nipples pressing hard against the white tank top she wore beneath the sheer white blouse.
“Chastity?” Nash whispered, and then Riker placed his hand over her knee but kept his eyes straight ahead as if he were transfixed on the sea life.
His warm, large hand felt so good against her skin. She felt instantly shielded from harm. Wasn’t that a misconception?
She cleared her throat and tried to push Riker’s hand off her knee, but he wouldn’t budge. “Riker?”
“Tell me about how you came up with the aquarium idea?” Nash asked then faced her as he took her hand into his and held it on his leg. She looked down at it. She felt the excitement, the connection of having both men touch her at once. It was an amazing feeling. She had to look away from Nash. She couldn’t look at either man’s perfect face. It was too much. She felt too much.
She stared at the water in front of her.
“I didn’t pick it because I like this stuff. I asked your staff what things interested you and Riker. After some deep research, and a bit of snooping around, I found out about your fishing magazines and snorkeling trips to Maui, New Zealand, and Costa Rica, Nash. I heard you enjoy going to the beach. And Riker, I found out about your love of collecting unique art, and a bit of a fantasy about mermaids.” She smiled.