Lost in Paradise (Paradise Club #2)(9)

“Seems like they have some issues to sort out for themselves,” I add.

“You could say that,” she says with a sigh. “Do you think I should …” she asks me.

“I’ve known Axel for a while now, and I’ve never seen him so animated like that with a woman before … actually with anyone. He’s that quiet, mysterious broody guy at the party who keeps to himself. Which, of course, all the girls want,” I explain to her.

“I’ve never seen Liv so fired up either,” she muses.

“Looks like they have a lot of pent-up anger toward each other.”

“You could say that again.” Ivy chuckles.

“Hey, do you want to get out of here and go get a drink?” I ask.

She gives a look through the crowd of horny bystanders watching what’s happening in the cube and nods. “She’s going to be okay with him, isn’t she?” she asks me.

“The security here is tight. If they see a situation that isn’t right, they will step in quickly. Honestly, she’s in the safest of places.” Ivy doesn’t seem as convinced, judging by the frown that’s formed on her face. “We can stay if you want?” I don’t want her to feel bad about abandoning her friend, which I don’t think she is doing at all. Those two need space to work out whatever drama is going on between them.

“No, no, I’m fine. She needs to sort her shit out with Axel once and for all before she gets married,” Ivy mumbles.

So, Olivia is engaged?

Okay, I have a million and one questions that I’m going to have to ask when we get to the bar. I place my hand on the small of Ivy’s back and usher her through the crowd on the cube level. We then head back downstairs to the bar area, and we are now away from where the fun is had on those upper levels. I don’t think Ivy is into getting it on after witnessing all that, plus I have a feeling this is normally not her scene, and her sister has asked her to come help check it out like my brother did with me.

Once we are downstairs, I head to the outside seating area. We’re on a tropical island, so we might as well enjoy the gorgeous breeze and take a seat underneath a pavilion.

“This is cute,” Ivy muses as she drops onto a seat beside me on the long bench-style setting. “Hope they wash the cushions regularly.” She chuckles to herself before stopping. Those bright green eyes widen as she looks over at me. “Oh no, I’m so sorry ... I wasn’t saying anything bad about your brother’s place. It was a random thought that popped into my head.” She looks adorably embarrassed that she might have offended me with her comment.

“Seeing as clothing is optional in some places, I hope they clean them, too,” I tell her, giving her a genuine smile.

She seems to relax a little after my joke.

“Good evening, can I get you two a drink?” the waitress asks.

“I’ll grab an old fashioned, and what would you like?” I turn and ask Ivy.

“Margarita, thanks.”

I wait for the waitress to disappear before I start talking again. “Okay, I need to know what the hell is going on between your friend and Axel.”

Ivy smiles. “It’s a complicated story.”

“You don’t have to share. I was just being nosey,” I tell her honestly.

Ivy looks up at me, and the tiniest of frowns forms on her face. Oh no, did I say something to offend her?

“Didn’t pick you for a guy interested in gossip,” she teases.

“Not normally, but when I get dinner and show, I’m intrigued,” I tell her.

Ivy goes on to tell me all about what happened between Olivia and Axel from Monaco to now and everything in between.

“That’s a lot. Now I understand the hostility between the two of them.”

“It’s crazy, but I don’t understand why Axel’s so angry tonight. It’s as if he thinks she’s wronged him somehow. I mean, he’s the one who slept with her sister,” she muses while finishing off her second drink.

Ivy has a point there. Axel did react as if she was the one who cheated on him.

“Who knows, he’s a rock star,” I tell her. Ivy nods, mulling over what I have said. “Anyway, enough about them … tell me about you.”

“You want to know about me?” she asks as if it’s a rare question.

“Yes, who is Ivy?” Damn! I’m not sure of her surname, so I can’t continue with my question.

“Starr, my name is Ivy Starr. Am I supposed to use my real name here? Shit. Did I just break a rule?” Those green eyes widen with panic. Those two margaritas have certainly gone to her head, and it’s cute.

“No, no, you haven’t broken any rules. You can be as open and honest as you want,” I tell her with a chuckle.

“You’re probably used to all this,” she says, waving her hand in the air as her third drink arrives.

“What? Having drinks with a beautiful woman?”

Ivy stills, and her green eyes narrow on me. “You’re a player, aren’t you? I mean your brother owns sex clubs, so, of course, you are.” She sighs, taking a sip of her drink.

I’m not sure why her assessment of me being a player stings, but for some reason, it does.

“Believe me, I’m no player. I leave all that to my brother,” I reply honestly.