“That’s my wife,” Jack said proudly. “Possibly the mother of my children someday,” he said, pointing toward her as she swam away.
“She seems very nice,” said an older British woman. Her husband bent over the glass to get a better look at her lithe retreating form.
After exploring the colorful reefs, Jenna and Summer sat on a cushioned bench at the back of the boat, watching the wake spread over the water.
As the boat skimmed the ocean back to Couples, over the drone of the engine, Jenna asked, “While I’ve got you alone for a moment, can I ask you a question?” She pulled her right leg onto the bench and shifted her body to face Summer.
“Of course, you can ask me anything,” she said.
“Jack and I were discussing ground rules for flirting and stuff. And we were wondering what your rules are.”
“We have situation specific rules,” she said.
Jenna scrunched her eyebrows. “Okay, not entirely sure what that means.”
“For flirting that may include kissing,” she explained, “Marc must be present, but if we’re developing a long term friendship like ours, different rules apply. Like you and Marc going out to dinner tonight. That wouldn’t happen with just anyone. With you guys we see long-term potential.”
“Honestly, I’m taking this one day at a time. I can’t think that far ahead,” Jenna said as she steadied her body against the sudden turn of the boat. “So what I’m asking you—are there rules we need to know about? Like kissing or holding hands?”
“Hey guys, why are you all the way back here?” Jack asked as he and Marc made their way past several hotel guests.
“Jenna was asking me about ground rules,” Summer said, patting the seat next to her for Marc to sit down.
“Yeah, Jenna and I talked about that last night,” Jack said. He sat down next to Jenna.
“They’re pretty basic,” Marc said, wrapping his arm around Summer. “In the beginning, all activity of a sexual nature other than kissing only happens when all of us are present. If an issue arises, we deal with it as quickly as possible and no conversation is private if it concerns the four of us. Does that make sense?”
“That’s pretty much what we came up with although we didn’t discuss what happens if there’s conflict,” Jenna said, leaning back against Jack. “So holding hands and kissing is okay when we’re apart? Do we care what the people here will think? I mean are we going to play platonic in public?”
“That’s a good question,” Jack said, running his fingers through his hair.
“I guess that’s up to you guys,” Marc said, looking at Summer and then back to Jack and Jenna.
“Yeah, I’m cool either way,” Summer said.
“Jack? How do you feel about it?” Jenna asked.
“You know me, I don’t care what people think of me. So, it’s up to you, Jen,” Jack said. He reached his arms around her waist and placed his hands on her stomach.
The wind caught Jenna’s hair, throwing out the pin that held it in place, allowing it to fly free. She could see Tower Island in the distance dwarfed by the resort hotel that reflected radiant white. As they passed the island, Jenna waved ‘hi’ to a young woman sitting by herself on the lounge she had used only yesterday. It already felt like a lifetime ago.
“Well, if we’re going to do it, we might as well go all the way,” Jenna said, laughing anxiously about her quickly shifting life.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“That was fantastic. Thanks for sharing the snorkeling with me,” Summer said as they walked into their room.
“Back atcha,” Marc said, touching the end of her nose.
They heard a buzzing sound, but couldn’t place the exact location. Each took separate paths in an effort to pinpoint the origin of the mystery. Summer slunk down next to the door of the room and listened. The hum ceased. Just as they were about to rejoin, it started again.
“It’s the damn cellphone,” Marc said. He stepped over to open the drawer in the end table. He picked up the phone and flipped it open. The pad indicated ten missed calls from Rich. Marc hit call return and sat back on the dresser.
Summer left the room for a shower.
“Wellness center. How may I direct your call?”
“Carol, Marc. Is Rich around?”
“Yes, sir. Hang on one second.”
“Marc, I’ve been trying to reach you for the last few hours, man. Where the hell were you?”
“Rich, I left my phone in the room. I’m sorry. Now calm down and tell me what’s going on.”
“You remember Dr. Hofstetter?”
“Yes, I remember him,” he said cautiously.
“He had a heart attack and went down like a ton of bricks on a treadmill yesterday. He’s dead, Marc, and because he never clamped the power key to his clothes, the machine kept grinding away at his arm.”
“God, that’s an ugly image. Did you contact our attorneys?”
“Of course I did, but I wanted you to know what’s going on.”
“Sorry you had to deal with this without me. Listen, send a huge bouquet of flowers to his family on our behalf. There’s not really a whole lot that you and I can do. Stay in touch as you need to and let the attorneys do the worrying, not you. Okay?”
“Okay. I wanted you to be up-to-date.”
“You handled it just the way I would have. Make sure to send those flowers ASAP.”
“Will do. See you in a few days.”
“Okay. Bye.”
Marc replaced the cellphone and crossed his arms thinking about the possible repercussions of the accident. He then lay on the bed waiting for Summer to finish her shower.
As she emerged from the bathroom, he asked, “Would you still love me if we were broke?”
“I’d still love you, but that doesn’t mean I’d stay with you,” she teased. She dropped her towel to the floor and held out her arms.
“I need to tell you something.”
She picked up the towel and sat on the edge of the bed.
“One of our clients died on the treadmill, and to make it worse, the son-of-a-bitch always refused to wear the power key attached to his clothes so when he went down the machine ground against his arm until he was found.”
“Oh my God. Who was it?”
“Hofstetter.”
“No shit. What’s going to happen?”
“I don’t know. Rich contacted the attorneys. Now we’ll have to wait and see,” he said, reaching over and pulling her closer to him. “I feel bad for his family, but I don’t know how they’re going to react. I had Rich send them a huge bouquet of flowers. We should be okay because he signed a membership agreement stating that he’d adhere to the gym rules, including wearing that damn power key.”
“You know I was only kidding about leaving you. I had no idea you were dealing with this when I said it. I’m sorry.”
“Come here love, I knew you were just joking.”
*****
“I can’t believe you mooned me and everyone else on the boat,” Jack said proudly, soaping Jenna’s back. “It’s great to see you so alive again.”
“I feel more myself than I have in a long while,” she said.
“I hope this change in you isn’t Marc,” he said, lathering his chest and stomach.
“Jack, don’t be silly. It’s us,” she said. She stroked his face to his chin, lifting it so that his eyes stood parallel to hers. “We’re talking again … making love again … sharing adventures again. I’m alive again because you and I are reconnecting.”
“Thank you for that.” He pulled her to him and hugged her. “I needed to hear it. I feel like over the last couple of days a great weight has been lifted from us.”
“I know exactly what you mean,” she said. “I haven’t felt this light in ages. But I’m kind of nervous about tonight.”
“I’m sure,” he said. “I actually feel a little weird about spending time with someone without you. That’s alien, not natural anymore. Did I ever date be
fore you? I don’t even remember.”
“Oh, it’ll come back to you. You do fine dating as I recall,” she said. She opened the bathroom door to let the cool air in and the steam out. “All those little chicks, the cool artist, the bad boy. Even now, women are still attracted to the romance in you.”
“I hope you understand what I’m about to say, because I’m not exactly sure I do, but this is like … making me want you more than ever.”
“I hear that,” she said as she walked from the bathroom. “I wonder if they feel this much anxiety?”
“Nah. They probably do this all the time.”
“If we’re to believe them, this is rare,” she called out from the bedroom.
“Yeah? Really? I’m going to take a deep breath and let this take its course,” he said as he stuck his head around the doorjamb. “Remember, you’re the fire of my loins, the inspiration for my art.”
“Come over here and kiss me like you mean it.”
*****
“Hmm … I really needed that,” Jenna said upon waking. She stretched her arms above her head and then curled up against Jack.
“Yeah, napping’s good,” he said. He wrapped his arms around her, spooning her closely. “What time is it?”
“I’m guessing around 4:00 or so. I’d get up and check,” she said, nuzzling up against him, “but I’m way too comfortable.”
“Yeah, me too. Do you think they’re up yet?” He smoothed her hair away from her face.
“Want to call? You’re closer to the phone.”
“How about inviting them to play a game or two of strip pool?” he said, pulling Jenna toward him for a kiss. He grasped her gently by the chin, lowering his lips to hers. He lingered for a moment as their breath mixed a potent aphrodisiac. He broke just as gently and gazed into her eyes.
“Hmm … now, what were you saying?” she said, playing with his hair. “You’ve always been an excellent kisser.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Harper, for that compliment and may I say you have excellent lips for kissing.”
“How does Summer kiss, by the way?”
“Why don’t you try it out for yourself?” he said, laughing.
She playfully pushed him away. “One thing at a time, you brute!” she said. “Really now, how does she kiss?”
“This isn’t a comparison question is it?” he asked seriously.
She sat up in the bed cross-legged. “Not at all. Just wondering what you think.”
He ran his finger along her thigh. “She’s a good kisser and Marc?”
“Did you see us kiss?”
“No actually, I didn’t,” he said. “I saw you break apart. I don’t know how I would take it.”
“I couldn’t see you that well across the pool either. I’m not sure I’d like to see it up close. But anyway, to answer your question, I’d like to kiss him again tonight because both times I was too nervous, so I really couldn’t tell,” she said and laughed.
“Well, you’re going to kiss him again tonight, right?” Jack said with a furrowed brow.
“You know I’m pretty shy when it comes to that sort of thing .I’ll have to work up my nerve.” She scooted to the edge of the bed. “So should I call or you?”
“Go ahead. I need to pee,” he said.
Jenna sauntered over toward the telephone, stopping for a moment to look at her reflection in the mirror. She smiled. Sun does a body good! She pulled her hair out of the bun and piled it on top of her head, trying to imagine the best way to impress Marc. She picked up the telephone and dialed their room.
“Hello,” Marc said.
“Hi. Am I interrupting anything?” she asked playfully.
“No. I wouldn’t have answered the phone, believe me,” he said, laughing lightly.
“Well, on behalf of the Harpers, I’ve been appointed to challenge you guys to a game of strip pool in the rec area commencing at five o’clock sharp and no padding allowed. What say ye?”
“You’re on. And if I were you, I would pad a bit,” Marc said, chuckling. “I made my way through college playing pool.”
“Ha. I’m planning to wear a bikini,” Jenna said.
“Fantastic.”
She replaced the telephone and strolled to the bathroom door. “Honey, we’ve got a hot date at the pool room. Shall we go down early and get a drink?”
“Sounds like a plan to me,” Jack said as he emerged from the bathroom. “Let me grab a quick smoke and get dressed, but then I’m good to go.”
“Marc said we better pad up because he was a pool shark in college. I wonder if this necklace will count,” she said, walking to the drawers and retrieving a short pleated skirt and a fitted spaghetti strap top. She took out a pair of thong underwear holding them up on her finger as she passed Jack.
“Going daring, I see,” he said, passing Jenna on his way to the balcony.
“Yes, do you mind?” she asked. She slipped on her shirt and adjusted her necklace.
“Not if we win,” he said, laughing. “No, seriously, I don’t mind, just make sure you flash me at least once.” He walked back to kiss her. “I like your tanned body. You look so good.”
Jenna went over to the closet and looked at herself in the full-length mirror that hung on the back of the door. “I think it’ll do,” she said, flipping up the back of her skirt as she moved away.
Jenna and Jack casually strolled hand in hand over to the Terrace Bar. The lull of the afternoon created a relaxed atmosphere in contrast with the usual hustle and bustle.
“Can I get a piña colada and a rumrunner please,” Jenna asked the bartender as he approached.
“Daniel, what’s up? How’s it going?” Jack said, reaching over to shake his hand. “Can I get two Red Stripes?”
“Hey mon, how are you doing this evening? Ready to do a little partying?” Daniel said with a big smile as he shook Jack’s hand.
“Irie, mon. Going to play some strip pool,” Jack said.
“Is this your lady? I’d be wanting to go watch this game,” he said. He placed their drinks down in front of them. “Ya mon,” he said, exchanging a high five with Jack.
“Thank you,” Jenna said, smiling from ear to ear. “For the drinks as well.”
They walked across the pool deck to the recreation room where Marc and Summer had secured a table for their games.
“Hey there,” Jenna said, leaning forward to give Summer a kiss. “Got you a rumrunner.”
“Thank you,” Summer said. “Don’t you look cute in your little skirt.”
“Thank you. You must feel safe, only wearing a sarong.” She peered over Summer’s shoulder to see Marc in brown shorts and a beige t-shirt. She watched him inspect a cue stick and place it on the table rolling it lightly back and forth to check for straightness. Marc patted Jack on the back as he passed, making his way toward Jenna.
“Where’s your bikini?” Marc asked, bending down to give her a hug.
“I see you didn’t even bother to wear shoes,” Jenna said.
He pointed to the black skirt slung low on her hips. “Hope you’re wearing something sexy under that.”
“You won’t see it,” she said, putting her hand on his chest.
“I’m ready to get this started,” he said with a big grin.
“Me too,” she said and then sashayed over to Jack.
“Okay. Are we playing by game or by ball?” Summer asked, chalking the end of her cue.
“Oh shit,” Jenna whispered to Jack.
“Get ready to get naked,” Jack said. He picked a cue stick from the rack on the wall for Jenna.
“I’ll use yours. Is that okay?”
“Sure, no problem. Do you feel the melt coming on?” Jack asked.
“What?” she asked.
“We’ve got a snowball’s chance in hell of winning this game,” he said, watching Summer and Marc move around the table.
“Should we lag for the break?” Marc asked.
“Is that some kind of British term?” Jenna asked.<
br />
“I hope you padded,” Marc answered with a devilish smile.
“We’ll break,” Jack said and then whispered to Jenna, “Don’t let them see you sweat.” He stroked using left English, sending the balls careening off the rails in all directions, sinking both a high ball and a low ball. “We’ll take low balls,” he said.
“Which ones are those and why are we taking them?” Jenna asked.
“They’re the solid ones and it’s because there’s more of them closer to the pockets than the others,” Jack said with a laugh. “Good thing this is for fun.”
Jack took the next shot and missed. Summer looked over the table, waved her stick, and called, “Nine ball corner pocket.” A cracking sounded and the nine ball disappeared. Repeatedly she called pocket after pocket as she banked shots and combined balls for the win. “Thanks, that was fun,” she said, standing the cue stick beside her.
“That was amazing!” Jack said. “I’m thoroughly impressed.”
Marc and Jenna stood against the wall, waiting their turn.
“Okay. What’s going?” Marc asked Jenna.
“Jack’s pants.”
“Hey, not so fast. I’m good for the island but—”
“Jenna, let’s see some skin,” Summer called out.
Jenna promptly turned around, bent over, and flipped her skirt over her waist.
“Fantastic,” Marc called out. “I give. You win. Let’s switch partners for the next game. It’ll make it more interesting.”
“Good idea. I take Summer,” Jack said, walking over next to her.
“I hope you’re as good as she is, otherwise we don’t have a shot in hell,” Jenna said to Marc.
“Not to worry my love,” he said and then whispered, “I taught her everything she knows.”
The Demarcation of Jack Page 17