I stared at Amelia's hand as she shamelessly caressed Tobias's leg. Should I say something? How did she have the audacity to do that with me right next to them?

I coughed loudly, trying to make it clear that I could see what was going on. But her hand just paused, and continued a moment later.

The buzz from my three drinks from earlier was still there, and I found my hand suddenly on Tobias's thigh as well. What was I doing?

I felt him stiffen and saw him frown, his eyes turning to me for a brief second. I started to move my hand up and down, just like Amelia, but his hand grasped mine before I could really do anything.

He placed my hand back on my lap and I felt an inkling of disappointment.

The dishes were served and I dug in to hide my embarrassment at getting rejected. I hadn't eaten since my feast on the plane.

When I was done I looked over at Amelia's plate. It was basically untouched. Either she didn't like food or she was too busy using her hands on something else.

Kyle, seated next to me, started making light conversation. He was flirty but still very funny and I found myself enjoying his company more and more.

"Do you want to go take a walk on the beach?" he asked me later on in the night.

"Sure."

He took my hand and pulled me along to the beautiful white sand beach, pointing out all the constellations to me.

"I can't see it!" I was starting to get frustrated. There was no tea kettle in the sky.

"Look, right there. That's the handle..." I zoned out again as he tried gratuitously to help me find the stupid constellation.

"How long have you known Tobias?" he asked me suddenly.

"Well, we're married, so..."

"Yeah, it's just... I've known the guy for a while. He was very, ah, single a month before you two tied the knot."

"I'm sorry, I don't see how our marriage is any of your business."

"I didn't mean to pry–"

"Well you're prying."

"Talia, you're an extraordinary girl. You shouldn't be trapped in a loveless marriage."

"What makes you think I am?"

"The fact that your husband was about to take Amelia to bed before we came across you. The fact that you two make next to no physical contact unless you have to. The fact–"

"This was a mistake. I'm going back inside." I got up, brushing the sand off my dress.

"Don't leave. It would really upset me if you left."

"Wow, because I care so much about whether I upset you or not."

"Tobias would care."

"No–"

"He would care when his billion-dollar deal falls through because his wife couldn't be nice to some guy."

I stared at him in disbelief. What the hell?

"Are you being serious?"

"Serious as a heart attack."

"I think Tobias would also care when he finds out his business partner is a blackmailing prick?"

"I think Tobias has his priorities straight."

Of course he did. And even if he didn't, he wouldn't care about me. He wouldn't defend me and I knew it.

"So what do you want?"

"Just some tender love and care." He winked at me.

I rolled my eyes in disgust. "Forget it. I don't care about some business deal. I'm not going to let you manipulate me. I'm going back inside." And with that, I left.

I felt pretty proud of myself for being able to get myself out of that situation, but I was also scared. What if he actually did back out of the deal? Tobias would murder me. He would literally murder me.

I guess I'd cross that bridge when I got there.

I found Tobias sitting on a couch with Amelia all but sprawled on his lap. She looked really drunk, which made me kind of happy because she was kind of making a fool of herself.

I went up to him. "Can we go home now?"

"Not yet."

"Please, Tobias... I really want to go home."

I guess something in my face made me look desperate, because Tobias nodded and untangled himself from Amelia.

He said his polite goodbyes before leading me back to the car.

"I'm glad you and Kyle hit it off."

"Ew, no we did not. He's a jerk."

"Do you realize how much you use that word?"

"Because most men are jerks these days."

"I don't care what you think of him; if he's taken an interest in you then be polite."

"Are you selling me?"

"No. I'm just asking you to entertain him until I can get him to sign the contract."

"Why is your business partner here on our honeymoon?"

"I asked him to come out here. I don't have time to take a week off."

"Wow. Thanks. Great to know my company is so appreciated."

"You're always either eating or sleeping. That doesn't allow for much quality time."

"As if you would want to spend any quality time with me."

He chuckled, and I took that as confirmation.

When we got back to our room, I realized we had a problem.

"So where are you going to sleep?" I asked Tobias.

"On the bed."

"Wrong. I'm sleeping on the bed."

"Funny, but I think you would fit better in one of the chairs."

I jumped onto the bed quickly, spreading my body out so that I was covering as much of it as I could.

"You're not even in your pyjamas." He smirked at me.

Dammit. He was right. I was stuck in my tight uncomfortable dress.

"It's okay. This is a comfortable dress."

"I could easily carry you out of the bed you know."

"I'd like to see you try."

And he did try. And he was very successful.

"Urgh!"

He plopped down on the bed and it was only then that I realized he was shirtless.

I couldn't help but stare. Just... damn.

But then I remembered the matter at hand.

"This is a pretty big bed you know. Just sleep on the other side," he offered.

"I don't feel comfortable sleeping next to a stranger."

He shrugged. "Have it your way."

*

I flipped over in the tiny cramped bathtub. This was my only alternative to sleeping next to Tobias.

It was freezing and hard and I kept bumping my head against the faucet. I would surely have a huge bump on my skull by tomorrow.

I glanced at my watch. 3:27 AM. I groaned.

I sat up quietly and crept over to the bed. Tobias was on the very edge of the bed, looking peaceful in his sleep. It made him look more handsome, as if that was even possible.

I laid down as far as I could from him, sighing when my body felt the warm softness of the plush bed.

I was asleep within moments.