Formula for Passion

by Yahrah St. John

  She wasn’t pleased to have to sit in the hair and makeup chair as extensions were added to her short hair, but doing this was a necessary evil. Her family hadn’t been too happy when she’d chopped off her hair a couple of years ago, but she’d been tired of the long hair and wanted a new, edgier look. Of course, it was moments like this, when she had to sit for well over an hour while the hairdresser added extensions, that were no fun, but at least when it was over she didn’t have to live with it for long. Once the shoot was over, they would come out, but she had to admit the long honey-blond extensions looked good. They hung in wavy curls down her back, and they would be perfect for blowing in the wind, the photographer had said.

  The makeup artist completed the look by adding soft, natural foundation to her face, a light gloss to her lips and sparkly eye shadow and mascara to her eyes.

  Courtney wasn’t looking forward to the bikini portion. She hated her curves and always wanted to lose another five pounds. Not to mention that she’d eaten like a cow with Jasper the night before at Captain Cook’s. Reluctantly, she slid into her bikini and when she was done, she came and stood in front of the photographer.

  “Do I pass muster?” she asked, spinning around on her heel.

  “You’ll do.” He smiled. Though his appreciative glance said otherwise.

  “Where is the male model?” Courtney inquired when he began taking photos of her.

  “Came down with a case of food poisoning,” the photographer said. “We’ll have to do those shots tomorrow.”

  Courtney wasn’t happy about that, since she’d been hoping to have tomorrow to herself.

  “We’re going to do all your bikini shots first while the sunrise is coming up. Then I’ll have you change into resort wear at the end.”

  “Gotcha!” Courtney gave him a salute. “Where would you like me?”

  For the next hour Courtney worked her magic. She didn’t see Jasper come down to the beach to watch her.

  He’d woken up in her bed half an hour ago and found her gone but then remembered she’d mentioned an early-morning photo shoot. A pang of guilt had surged in him for keeping her up so late and not allowing her to get her beauty rest. But then again the sex they’d shared last night had been nothing short of explosive and one time hadn’t been enough. After a short nap, he’d awoken her and they’d made love again until he heard her soft cries of pleasure.

  Blinking, Jasper focused on Courtney ahead. From his vantage point, he could see her in a skimpy bikini. It was a zebra print with gold-plated detail at the shoulder and hip. He watched as she easily glided through several poses: splashing in the water, kneeling in the sand, lying in the sand while running her fingers through her hair.

  Her hair was much longer. They must have added some extensions, he thought, but that only added to her allure. When she rose to sit in the sand with her chin in her hand and put her fingers in her mouth, his groin tightened in response.

  What was wrong with him? He was acting like some infatuated teenage boy watching his crush from afar. The thing was, he couldn’t look away and he doubted any man, heck, any woman, who saw her would be able to without wanting to know what she was selling.

  He would love to stay and watch her work, but he had to get to work himself. He had to see exactly what was going on at his hotel site. Otherwise, Palace at Punta Cana would never get off the ground.

  Later that afternoon, after he’d worked at the construction site, Jasper showered at his villa and made his way back to the resort. He’d noticed that the crew seemed to stop working at 3:00 p.m., which left him more time for Courtney, but definitely meant they were slacking. He’d reviewed the foundation materials used and felt they were inadequate, but the loan inspector had signed off for Dorchester to continue. Jasper was going to have to bide his time until he found something more incriminating. He was walking through the resort when Miguel stopped him.

  “Sir, is everything okay?” he asked. Jasper was known for stopping by the resort unexpectedly, but he’d been dropping by a lot more the past few days.

  “Of course, Miguel,” Jasper replied, patting the man’s shoulder. “You remember that matter I mentioned the other day?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Well, I need you to keep up the charade, ol’ boy. To everyone here, I’m just a hardworking construction worker.”

  “Of course.”

  Jasper spied Courtney walking through the lobby. When she saw him, she began walking over. Jasper had to admit no one could wear a pair of shorts quite like Courtney. She was wearing a bikini top and a skimpy pair of cream shorts that stopped dangerously close to the apex at her thighs, causing him to lust for those long, shapely legs of hers that went on for miles.

  Jasper watched Miguel swallow beside him.

  “What are you doing here?” Courtney asked. “I thought I wouldn’t see you until later.” She glanced down at her watch and saw that it read 4:00 p.m.

  “I know,” Jasper said. “We got off earlier than I thought.”

  “I was just about to go swimming.” Courtney motioned down to her attire. After her photo shoot this morning, she’d had to come in and take a nap, but now she had her second wind. “Care to join me?”

  Jasper looked down at his shorts and Bermuda shirt. He hadn’t brought any swim shorts with him.

  “I’m sure I could procure some swim shorts for you, sir, if you need them?” Miguel said from his side.

  “Miguel, ol’ boy.” Jasper patted his manager’s shoulder as if he were an old friend. “You wouldn’t mind?”

  Miguel smiled, catching on to the hint and playing along. “Of course not. I really appreciated the help you gave me with me adding that room in my house, so you know I’ve got your back.”

  “Thanks.” Jasper shook his hand and Miguel walked away, leaving the two of them alone.

  Courtney stepped back and folded her hands across her chest. “I don’t know what it is, but everyone around this town seems to cater to your every whim.”

  “That’s not true.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “I’m not imagining it, Jasper. Everyone seems powerless to say no to you.”

  Jasper drew her closer and whispered so that only she could hear him. “Would that include you?”

  “Well, that would depend on what you want.”

  He grinned devilishly and Courtney just knew he was thinking something lascivious. She was about to respond, but Miguel returned with a bag and handed it to Jasper.

  “I believe those should work for you,” Miguel said. “If not, let me know.” He inclined his head to the front desk clerk. “And she’ll be happy to assist you.”

  “Thanks again, Miguel.” Jasper shook his hand. “Ready for that swim?”

  Courtney and Jasper did more than swim in the Olympic-

  size pool, which was one of three the resort had. They also went out to the beach and rode on WaveRunners. Courtney had always wanted to try one, but had been afraid to go out on her own, but with Jasper driving she knew she would be safe.

  After putting on a life vest and wading in the ocean, Jasper hopped onto the Yamaha WaveRunner, and after lending her a hand to scoot behind him, he started the engine.

  They were off in a flash, flying through the ocean waters, and Courtney enjoyed every minute of it, from the splash of the water to the wind in her face.

  “I loved it!” Courtney said when the ride was over and they were back on dry land.

  Jasper glanced at her cheeks that were flushed with excitement. With her coloring, he could read her pretty easily. “Glad you liked it,” he said, helping her to remove her life vest.

  “What’s in store for tomorrow?” she asked. She was enjoying her adventures in Punta Cana.

  “Hmm...” Jasper rubbed his goatee thoughtfully. “I’ll think of something. In the meantime, I�
��m starved. How about a hot shower and some food?”

  At the mention of food, her stomach grumbled. “I wholeheartedly agree.”

  An hour later, after a shower in her suite, they were having dinner in one of the five restaurants that the resort had. This time Courtney insisted she pay for the meal.

  “You’ve already done so much,” she said when he balked. “This is my treat.” She was sure he didn’t make much on his salary, and he’d already paid during most of their outings.

  “Fine, this time.” He’d reluctantly agreed to allow Courtney to pay, because he knew he couldn’t keep spending so much money without her getting suspicious. It was just that Courtney wasn’t the average woman he’d encountered, and he wanted to shower her with the best, but he’d put himself in an untenable position by lying to her about his profession.

  At the time, it seemed innocent enough because he hadn’t expected it to be anything other than a one-night stand. The joke had been on him, because one night with Courtney had turned into more, and he’d found he enjoyed the lady’s company. And the feeling was mutual. He’d seen the way she’d lit up when she’d spotted him in the lobby earlier and he’d gotten an inner satisfaction from it.

  Of course now he didn’t know how to get himself out of the lie. He doubted Courtney would be happy to learn that he’d duped her because he’d thought her a superficial socialite.

  “You ready to order?” Courtney said, breaking into his thoughts. The waiter was standing at the table ready to take their order.

  “Uh, yes,” Jasper answered. One of these days he would have to figure out a way to tell Courtney that he’d been less than truthful with her.

  But between working at the construction site, stopping into the office and spending his evenings with Courtney, the moment had never presented itself.

  After Courtney finished the second day of the photo shoot, he’d set about showing her the best of Punta Cana. Whether they were exploring another beach or throwing the dice at a hotel casino, she was impressed by his knowledge of the local culture.

  One day, he took Courtney shopping at the Plaza Bávaro so she could browse the gift shops. Jasper found Courtney was great at bargaining with the locals. Watching her converse with them at ease, he forgot she’d been born with a silver spoon in her mouth.

  Courtney was having fun milling around the shops and bargain shopping. She found several handmade souvenirs and ceramics for Kayla and her mother and hand-rolled cigars and rum for her father, Shane and Ethan.

  She was so enraptured by her shopping that she didn’t see Jasper leave the shop she was in. When she’d made her purchase and handed the shop owner several pesos, she walked outside to find Jasper.

  She found him across the street surrounded by several children, who by their tattered clothes seemed homeless. Her eyes darted back and forth nervously, especially when she heard one of them ask, “Spare change? We real hungry.”

  “What’s your name?” Jasper asked the youngster who couldn’t be more than eleven or twelve years old. His face was smeared with dirt and his dark, straight hair looked as if it hadn’t been combed in days.

  “Diego.”

  Courtney was concerned when Jasper reached for his wallet in front of the children. What if they snatched it and ran away? It wasn’t as though Jasper was rich and could afford the loss. If he tried to chase them, he was outnumbered. But Jasper didn’t seem to have any fear and continued to interact with them.

  Cautiously, Courtney waited a safe distance on the other side of the street, but close enough that she could hear Jasper ask them several questions about their parents.

  “Died during a hurricane,” Diego said.

  “How are you surviving?” Jasper inquired.

  “Kindness of strangers,” the boy replied. “My friends and I were in the same village that got wiped out. We hate the orphanage, so we left.”

  His story tore at Jasper’s heartstrings and he put his wallet away. “Come with me.” He started to lead them to his favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurant down the road when he noticed Courtney standing across the street. “C’mon,” he said. “They won’t bite.”

  Reluctantly, Courtney started toward them. “This is Señora Courtney,” Jasper told Diego, who appeared to be the leader.

  “Señora.” The boy inclined his head.

  “We’re going to get you boys something to eat.” Jasper smiled at Courtney as he led the way to the restaurant.

  “Are you sure about this?” Courtney whispered in his ear.

  “Yeah. Don’t worry. These kids just need a helping hand.”

  A short walk later, they arrived at a Mexican restaurant, and while the children settled themselves at several tables, Courtney watched Jasper speak with the owner of the dive. She watched him open his wallet and tuck several bills into the pocket of the owner’s shirt. Soon a waitress was coming to the table and taking the children’s order.

  Jasper returned with a satisfied smile on his face.

  “Don’t tell me you have an arrangement with this owner too?” Courtney raised a brow. She was having a hard time buying that Jasper knew this many people.

  “No, I don’t.” Jasper shook his head. “But I gave him enough money to feed the children for a week or so until I can give him some more money.”

  “What will you do?”

  Jasper shrugged. “I’ll make do.”

  Courtney was touched by Jasper’s generosity. He didn’t know these children, but he was willing to go without in order for them to be fed. If she had any preconceived notions about Jasper being unrefined, she’d been completely wrong. He was a strong, honorable man who when he saw someone in distress couldn’t resist helping out. Look how they had met. She had been stranded on the side of the road and he’d helped her. Despite herself, Courtney’s heart began pounding in an erratic rhythm and her pulse quickened. This wasn’t good. She was starting to feel something for Jasper. She was just supposed to be having an island fling, and if that had turned into something more, what exactly would that mean?

  * * *

  “What’s going on down there, Courtney?” Kayla asked from the other end of the line later that afternoon.

  Heck, Courtney wished she had the answer to that question. Her fling with Jasper was becoming more than she had bargained for. But instead she said, “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t play coy,” Kayla replied. “It doesn’t become you. I heard your shoot for Bliss is over, but you’re still in the Dominican Republic. Why?”

  “Sorry,” Courtney said. It was true that she’d finished the photo shoot a few days ago, but she had gotten so caught up with Jasper that she had forgotten to contact her family. “I decided spur of the moment to take a vacation.”

  “That’s fine.” Kayla sighed on the other end. “But I just wish you had let me or Shane know. We were worried about you. Mother called me and told me you hadn’t returned home when expected, and I wanted to make sure you were all right.”

  Courtney felt bad. She would never want her family to worry about her. “I’m truly sorry. I’ll be sure to contact you guys next time. Scout’s honor.”

  “It’s okay,” Kayla said. “It was just so unlike you. We wondered what had gotten into you.” The question should have been, who had gotten into her? His name was Jasper and he had her mind spinning. They had spent the past few days together and she wasn’t nearly tired of him yet as she typically was with other men. It was as if he’d cast a spell over her.

  “I guess too much fun and sun,” Courtney said after a long pause.

  Kayla laughed, hoping to ease some of the tension out of their conversation. “So, how is Punta Cana? I heard it’s beautiful this time of year.”

  “It’s great.”

  “So, how much longer do you think you’ll be staying?”

 
“Oh, I don’t know. Another few days,” Courtney replied offhandedly. “It’s been nice not having any public appearances and having to get all dressed up. I can just be myself.”

  “I thought you liked being in the public eye,” Kayla said. That’s what she’d always thought. Of course, before her trip Courtney had indicated she wanted more.

  “I did,” Courtney replied. “I mean, I do, but as I told you before, I need to make some changes and I’ll be ready to discuss them with you when I get back.”

  “Okay.” Kayla would never deny her sister a larger role at the company. Adams Cosmetics was a family business.

  “Well, I have to run.” Courtney wanted to get off the phone before Kayla could ask any more questions. Other than Tea, she didn’t want to tell anyone else about Jasper, at least not yet. She just wanted to savor the experience without any questions or comments from the peanut gallery. “See you soon.” She hung up the phone.

  On Sunday, Jasper’s day off from Dorchester’s, he decided to take Courtney on a horseback ride up to spectacular El Limón Waterfall in the Samana Peninsula. If he was by himself, he would have hiked it, but with the rough terrain and heat, Jasper knew Courtney would be better off on horseback.

  “Are you enjoying the scenery?” Jasper asked from his horse as he turned behind him to check on Courtney.

  “It’s beautiful!” Courtney enjoyed the fern-lined trail along the Limón River with its low-hanging trees and thatched huts along the route. It was a beautiful path in a tropical rainforest.

  They arrived at the waterfall after a short hike down the path, and the view took Courtney’s breath away. The waterfall was nestled deep in a thick palm forest and, according to their guide, rose nine hundred feet above sea level and cascaded 150 feet into a deep pool of water below.

  “You wanna swim?” Jasper asked.

  “In front of all these people?” Courtney asked. Several tourists were milling about taking pictures, but only a few had ventured out into the water.