Carefully, the charming stranger used the credit card to scrape off the jellyfish tentacles from her leg. Gently he turned her leg this way and that, checking to make sure he had gotten rid of every last one. Sarah fetched him another ice bucket of seawater at his request and he then again applied a new layer of baking soda paste to Cat’s injured limb. Feeling the pressure of his hands on her leg as he worked, Cat found herself suddenly hoping she could somehow convince this handsome man to minister to the rest of her body. She was enjoying his touch and the tenderness he showed her as he worked the paste over the stings the jellyfish had left on her. But all too quickly, however, he finished applying the needed paste.
After surveying his handiwork, he told her, “We should probably get you back to your room now and out of this sun.”
Unable to remember his name, Cat watched as he scooped her up into his arms, carefully placing his hands to avoid touching the sensitive areas where the jellyfish had left its stings. In his arms, she began to feel a little self-conscious and her face felt warm and flushed. To hide her delight at being in his arms and her growing blush, Cat relaxed into his embrace and gave into her desire to rest her head against his chest. Listening to this stranger’s heartbeat was reassuring and comforting to her somehow; she felt safe and at ease, all the while she heard Sarah instructing him on how to reach their room.
Once they arrived at their door, Sarah opened it with her key, motioning for him to go on in.
While walking into the room, Cat’s benefactor began to instruct the women on what to do next as he walked Cat toward her bed. “Soak your leg in a hot bath for at least twenty minutes. Make it as hot as you can stand. Then take some ibuprofen and get some rest.” He stopped and gently put Cat on the bed. Then he stared at her for what seemed a very long moment. “I’m sorry, I just realized I didn’t get your name.”
Giggling and still a bit embarrassed by the whole situation, she told him. “Oh, that. My name’s Cat Malley and this is my friend, Sarah. So aside from being my personal lifeguard, you are?”
“Glad to make your acquaintance, Ms. Malley . . . Sarah. Again, I’m Patrick, Patrick Ahearn, at your service.” He gave a slight bow of his head.
“Thanks, Patrick, for this . . . well, for everything. I really owe you, I wouldn’t have begun to know what to do about this.” Cat wasn’t sure why but she knew she was not willing to let him just walk out the door. As he walked past her side of the bed toward the door, Cat snagged Patrick’s hand and gave it a grateful squeeze. “Wait . . . Patrick, will you let me take you out for dinner as a way to say thank you for all that you’ve done?”
“Oh, I think I could manage that,” Patrick agreed with rather roguish grin. “How about we meet downstairs at, say, seven o’clock?”
“Okay, then seven it is, in the lobby. See you then, Patrick, and thanks again for all you have done.”
Patrick turned to leave and flashed a quick smile at Cat as he closed the door to their room behind him.
Sarah walked over and sat next to Cat on the edge of her bed, grinning from ear to ear. “If it weren’t for how painful that looks and how you almost drown, I’d say you are the luckiest lady I know!” Sarah giggled.
Cat couldn’t help but smile back at Sarah. Just the thought of dinner with this charming and handsome man brought a twinkle to her eye and a smile to her lips that encased her entire face in a beautiful glow.
“Guess I’d better get that bathwater running for you so you have time to soak, rest, and get ready for your hot date tonight . . . Ms. Malley,” Sarah said a bit sarcastically.
Chapter Seven
The Connection
While Cat soaked in the warm bubble bath, outside a knock sounded at the door. Cat could hear conversation and Sarah putting on her infamous “angry” voice while she spoke with whoever was at the door. But she was not able to hear exactly what was being said. A few minutes later, the door closed again and Sarah came trouncing in to the bathroom looking as victorious as ever.
“Okay, Sarah, spill it. What was that all about and who was here?”
“That was hotel management. They were very apologetic over your injury. When I mentioned you nearly died and that my brother was a litigation attorney, well they were even more apologetic.” Sarah snickered.
With a sigh, shaking her head, Cat pegged her friend with a knowing stare. “What did you manage to get out of them, Sarah?”
Looking triumphant, Sarah replied, “Not much really, a free hour-long couple’s massage, two tickets to the dinner show tomorrow night, and a $200 gift certificate at the gift shop.”
Cat rolled her eyes as her friend walked back out of the bathroom. “I’m surprised you didn’t get a complimentary stay out of them as well!” Cat called after Sarah, watching her leave.
“The day’s not over yet!” Sarah replied over her shoulder in a singsong voice.
After her bath, Sarah helped Cat back to her bed where she took a nap, tired from the warm water and the events of the morning. Cat slept for a long time, until the ringing of the hotel room phone woke her. From in the bedroom, she could hear Sarah talking to someone familiar but could not make out the conversation she was having or who it was with. Cat heard her hang up and called to Sarah. “Hey, Sarah! Can you come and help me get ready please?”
“Of course I’ll come and help you get ready Cat, be right in.”
“Sarah, who was on the phone just now?”
“Oh, that was just Brandon. He was checking up on us to make sure we were safe and enjoying ourselves. I told him about your date and the jellyfish episode this morning. He seemed relieved that we were okay. I’m not sure why he would have been worried, but he seems fine now.”
“I was just curious, heard you talking, I had no idea who would have called us here. Hope he is getting along okay without me there at the office?”
“He seemed to be just fine, said that Joey had come by a couple of times this week and passed on his hello to both of us too.”
“Joey? Brandon’s friend that did my jewelry appraisals?”
“Yep, one and the same. He’s been a friend of our family ever since I can remember. He didn’t have a great family and kind of adopted ours when we were kids. He’s a good guy, Cat, just needs a break is all.” Then Sarah helped Cat get ready for her dinner date with Patrick, the handsome and charming stranger that had waltzed, or more accurately swam, into Cat’s life.
Although Cat was still limping, her leg felt a bit better and the sting had begun to subside.
“So tell me, while I am at this dinner with Patrick, what will you be doing, Sarah? You know you are welcome to come along.”
“Oh, Cat, you don’t need to worry about me. You remember that handsome Italian businessman we met when we checked in?”
“Yes, Sarah, I remember him. Antonio Barbieri, wasn’t it, and the only reason we know his name is you had to pretend to fall on him after getting our keys. You couldn’t take your eyes off him, he’s probably the only other single guy here. What about him?”
“Yep, that’s him. He’s taking me out on the town tonight. Dinner, dancing, just a good time. So if I don’t come back till the morning . . . well, you will know I had a really good night.” Sarah smiled her devilish grin at Cat. “And besides, he caught me so nicely in his arms.” Then both girls were laughing.
“Please, Sarah, be careful. We don’t know these guys, and we are in Belize for God’s sake, so keep your cell on and call me at least a few times, okay? Or maybe I’ll just have to check in on you!”
“You got it, Cat. No worries, I’ll check in from time to time and let you know where we are, I promise.”
“All right then. How do I look, Sarah?”
“Stunning as always, Cat. Your hair and eyes look great with that dress, and you can hardly notice your limping sore leg.”
“Oh, thanks for reminding me, Sarah. Hope you and Antonio have a great time and remember to keep in touch every so often. By the way, when did he find time to ask
you out?”
“He called while you were soundly sleeping, and I accepted his invitation. He’s so continental looking and charming too.”
“Okay. Then I am off to go and meet Patrick in the lobby, and have a fabulous dinner. Just looking at him will make the food taste good. Have fun, see you later on, Sarah, and try to stay out of trouble.”
And with that, Cat walked out the door and closed it quietly behind her.
Cat exited the elevators and found Patrick standing by the fountain in the hotel lobby, dressed in a silk short-sleeved shirt and pressed khakis. She found herself thinking, “If it’s possible, he seems even more handsome now than I remembered from earlier in the day, the way his blond hair falls on his face and his striking blue eyes twinkle beneath his long lashes. Wow, I wonder why I didn’t see those eyes before, they are intoxicating.” As she began to limp slowly over to him, her soft summer dress and auburn curls blew lightly in the warm evening breeze.
Patrick saw her, and as their eyes met, he walked in her direction, meeting her halfway. “Good evening, Cat. Your leg is still sore, huh?”
“Yes,” Cat admitted, “and itchy.”
Patrick nodded his head. “The rash from the stings will probably be like that for a few days. Let’s see if I can do something to help take your mind off of it.”
As Patrick took her arm and helped her to the restaurant, Cat thought of several things she wanted Patrick to do to take her mind off of her injury. As they sat down, she realized he had continued speaking while she was daydreaming and she had not heard a word he had said.
“I’m so sorry. I completely missed what you were saying,” Cat admitted, slightly embarrassed, as she sipped her water.
Patrick repeated his question, “I said, ‘Are you seeing anyone?’”
After nearly choking on her water, Cat quickly regained her composure and admitted that her last boyfriend had eloped with another woman without the courtesy of breaking up first.
Although he gave her his condolences, Cat noticed that Patrick didn’t look a bit sorry to hear that she was single. And at this moment, she wasn’t sorry either. Over dinner, the two got to know each other a little more through casual conversation. While they had their dessert, Cat shared the story of Sarah wrangling complimentary gifts out of the management staff.
Patrick laughed out loud. “Is her brother really a litigation attorney?” he asked.
“Yes, as a matter a fact he is. That is how Sarah and I met actually. I work for her brother Brandon as a paralegal, and since we are on the topic of employment, what is it that you do, Patrick—that is, aside from saving drowning women and carrying them to their hotel rooms? Are you still in the Coast Guard?”
“No, I work for the FBI now,” he said simply, and clearly not wanting to talk about it.
Although she was intrigued, Cat didn’t pursue the subject just yet. So she decided to broach the subject of his availability. “So . . . you asked if I was seeing anyone. What about you, Patrick? Is there a Mrs. Patrick or a special someone in your life?”
Patrick began to laugh and then he smiled a broad and charming smile at Cat. “No, Cat, there is not Mrs. Patrick and I have not been dating anyone in quite some time. But you never know when that might change.” Patrick winked in Cat’s direction.
All through the wine, dinner, and the dessert, Cat felt as though she had known Patrick for a long time. She felt as ease and comfortable in the conversation, they easily laughed and responded to one another, and even in the quiet moments it was never awkward—just pleasant, engaging, and enjoyable. For the first time since she had been there, she began to really relax and enjoy her time, and particularly with Patrick.
“So how’s the leg? Good enough for a stroll on the beach? There is a real nice full moon out tonight. Thought we might take in the view, although I am enjoying the view from where I am sitting already.”
Although her leg was sore, Cat wasn’t about to pass up a chance to sit under the stars with this handsome and charming man.
“I do think it has healed sufficiently to take a walk. Thank you for the nice compliment, and besides, if my leg gives out, I’ll just have you carry me back to my room again.”
Patrick laughed as Cat managed an inviting smile at him and took his outstretched hand. “Then what are we waiting for, Ms. Malley? After you.”
Slowly they walked from the restaurant out on to the beach. Finding one of the couple’s lounges, Patrick sat down first and pulled Cat onto his lap so she could stretch out her sore leg. Quietly, the pair sat together and watched the moon, listening to the waves lapping gently up onto the shoreline. A full moon hung in the sky, against the darkness and the twinkling of scattered stars that reflected on the water. It was breathtaking to see. For the first time in a long while, Cat felt safe and content in Patrick’s arms. She leaned back and laid her head on his shoulder, closed her eyes and just felt the hum of energy between them. Cat’s phone vibrating broke the wonderful silence as she sat up to see who it was.
“It’s Sarah. Patrick, I need to answer this. I’m sorry.”
“Go ahead and take your time. I am still enjoying the view,” he said as he looked at her and not the beautiful night sky.
Cat blushed and answered her phone. “Hello, Sarah. How is your evening going, you having a good time?”
“Yes, Cat, it’s wonderful. Was just checking in as your requested. I’m fine and we are dancing, I will call you again later on. Ciao, Bella.”
“Okay, glad to hear it. Nice to see your Italian is coming in handy too. Ciao to you as well.”
“Ha. Well, I guess she is not coming back till late. Sarah is dancing with her date and sounds as if she is having a grand time. I am happy for her. Sorry the phone interrupted our nice quiet setting, but I did tell her to check in with me for safety reasons. I’m sure you understand.”
“Absolutely do. A woman alone needs to at least have regular contact with someone she knows, especially here in the tropics these days. Cat, you’re shivering. Are you cold?”
“Just a little. I am enjoying your company, Patrick, and I can stand a bit of a chill to continue to do so.”
“Hmmm, let me see if I can take the chill away for you.” As Patrick gently lifted Cat’s face, he lowered his to gently kiss her lips and pull her into an embrace. The two settled back against the soft cushion of the lounge.
Cat pulled back, slightly opening her eyes to look at Patrick. Both of them smiled and he folded her into his arms as she nuzzled up to his chest. “Patrick?”
“Yes, Cat?” he answered lazily.
“How do you feel about massages?”
“Interesting question.” Patrick laughed. “You mean giving them, getting them, or watching them?”
“As in getting them, I suppose. I have that complimentary couples massage here at the hotel. Would you like to accompany me for a massage tomorrow, my new friend?”
“Why, thank you, Ms. Malley. I’d be delighted to accompany you most anywhere. That sounds wonderful. Yes, I’d love to. It can be our second date.”
When Cat looked back at Patrick again, he kissed her, at first tenderly and then with a rising passion. Without thinking, she responded to him. When his hand stroked her back and down her leg, it brushed against a very tender spot, however, and Cat’s cry of pain abruptly ended the romantic moment.
“Oh Cat, I am so sorry. I did not intend to hurt you,” Patrick apologized.
“It’s all right really. I’m fine now. Maybe we need to call it a night and get some rest before breakfast in the morning. It’s been a pretty big day what with my almost drowning and you saving me, the jellyfish stings, and a lovely evening.”
“Certainly, Cat. I’ll walk you back to your room then and we will see each other in the morning.”
Patrick saw Cat back to her room. Promising again to see her in the morning for breakfast and then go to the massage, he wished her a goodnight. Before leaving, he gave Cat a brief but achingly sweet kiss that left her wanting
much more from him than just a kiss.
Chapter Eight
Growing Closer/Couples Massage
The next morning, Cat woke up to find Sarah was not in their room. Checking her phone, Cat saw Sarah had left her a voicemail. After listening to the message, she found out that her friend had indeed spent the night with Antonio and hoped that Cat was similarly occupied with “her savior.” She said she would call later in the morning, and then they could meet up for lunch that afternoon.
After taking another hot bath to soothe her still aching leg, Cat got dressed and headed downstairs to have breakfast with Patrick. The couple enjoyed each other’s company over their breakfast of croissants, fresh fruits, and coffee.
“And just what has Sarah been doing to keep out of trouble while you are here with me?” asked Patrick.
Cat laughed a hearty laugh. “Oh, she is definitely not staying out of trouble. She spent the night with a new acquaintance of hers, an Italian businessman named Antonio Barbieri.”
When Patrick heard Antonio’s name, his eyebrow shot up.
“Is there something wrong?” Cat asked.
“No, not at all, it’s nothing. Would you care for more coffee, Cat?”
“Yes, that would be nice, thank you.” Cat watched as Patrick took their cups to be refilled, and then stared out at the beautiful morning sun on the beach.
Patrick returned to the table bearing their hot coffee. When he sat back down, Cat’s cell phone rang; it was Sarah. “Excuse me, Patrick. It’s Sarah, I’ll only be a moment.”
While the women quickly caught up, Patrick watched Cat introspectively.
Covering the phone with her hand, she looked over at him. “Sarah says Antonio has invited the two of us to town for lunch. Somewhere called the . . . what is the name?” Cat double-checked the restaurant’s name with Sarah. “The Blue Doubloon. Did you want to go?”
Patrick let out a distracted sigh. “Tell her I’d be delighted.”
“Okay, Sarah. Patrick says that he’d be delighted. We will join the two of you for lunch in town. Sounds great, we will see you then. Enjoy your morning. Bye.”
Catrina And The Duchess` Necklace (Catrina Series PART-1) Page 3