by Ancelli
Oh God, she was a goner the moment she’d met Kyle, and he was making it worse. Why was he being so nice?
***
For lunch, they were on a small deserted island. White, powdery sand beaches lined the shore; it was breathtaking. They were served lobster etouffée, chilled prawns, delicate fresh chicken salad, and fresh French bread, all accompanied by exquisite champagne. “How much do I owe you for this magical day?”
“Are you enjoying yourself?” Kyle took a sip of his champagne, and she nodded her head. “Then you don’t owe me a cent.”
Destinee touched his hand, and the electricity that always passed through them was stronger than ever. “You’re spoiling me.” She hadn’t felt so happy and content in months. This was what she’d needed. Kyle was what she wanted.
He entwined his fingers with hers, and kissed her knuckles. “I enjoy wining and dining you, because you’re worth it.”
They continued eating, and fell asleep in each other’s arms, on a huge hammock hanging between two palm trees.
“Ladies and gents, it’s time to head back, or else you’ll miss the ship,” one of the crewmen yelled.
Kyle kissed her forehead. “Babe, it’s time to go.”
“Already?” She twisted in his arms.
“Yes.” Kyle placed his feet on the ground and helped her out the hammock first, and then she took his hands in hers and pulled him out. “That thing is comfortable, once you get the hang of it, but it’s hard to get out of.”
“For you.” She chuckled.
“Are you busy when we get back?”
“Yes.” She circled her hands around his neck.
“Friends?” He lifted an eyebrow.
“Yes,” she whispered, and got on her tiptoes. Destinee knew she had to come clean, sooner or later. This running around was exhausting. “Thank you.” She kissed his lips.
“Don’t thank me yet. This isn’t over yet.” He wrapped his arms around her waist, letting her feel his arousal. “Tomorrow is another day, so be ready.”
“For?”
“Another day full of memories in San Juan…”
Destinee couldn’t wait until tomorrow, but she couldn’t wait to get back to the ship and see her other man, too. Living two lives wasn’t easy, but in the end it had better be worthwhile.
Chapter Five
Day Four (San Juan, P.R)
Kyle held Destinee’s hand as they strolled through the brick roads of Old San Juan. His father had talked about growing up on the island, but Kyle had never gotten to experience it himself. For him, it was like being a kid again. They entered every mom-and-pop shop and even the expensive, name-brand stores.
“This is beautiful.” Destinee stopped and touched a skimpy, blue dress in one of the many stores. She looked at the price tag. “Damn.” She chuckled.
“You like it?” Kyle surveyed the dress. It was a little too revealing for his tastes, but if she liked it, that was all that mattered. Seeing her smile made his day. “Do you?”
“Yes.” She continued to eye it. “The material is so soft. Okay, I’m done window shopping.”
Kyle waved his hand in the air and then pointed at the dress. Destinee looked back at the salesperson approaching them. “Dame este.”
“Que talla?” the sales associate asked.
“What size?” Kyle asked her.
“Kyle, you don’t have to. If I wanted it that bad, I would’ve purchased it.” She watched him.
“If you don’t tell me what size, I’ll get whatever size is on the mannequin.” He waited for her answer.
“Fine.” Destinee chuckled. “A large. It looks like it runs small.”
“Grande.” He followed the guy in and returned with a pink, plastic shopping bag in his hand. “Whatever you want, I will get you.”
“Thank you.” She blushed.
Kyle wondered why she was blushing. This was who he was. She made him feel alive. Nothing else mattered today but him and her. “From now on I’m going to keep my window shopping thoughts to myself.” She chuckled.
He took her hand in his as they continued down the road, admiring all the historical buildings.
“I want to see the Moro.” Destinee pointed at the famous fort.
“Come on.” Kyle was excited, himself, about exploring the fort. His dad and uncle always talked about the old castles and all the artifacts in it. He paid their admissions, and entered. El Moro was a maze of tunnels, dungeons, barracks, outposts, and ramps, and Destinee wanted to explore each one of them.
“All this history.” She stared at the old, black cannonballs. “That I didn’t know about…” She touched the signs on the wall. “Spaniard, African, and Indian,” she read.
“Yep,” he smiled. “All of those races run through my blood and then my mother’s side too.” Kyle snickered.
Destinee walked in to one of the circular sentry boxes called garitas, which had become a national symbol in Puerto Rico. The view of the bay was spectacular; it took his breath away. “Let’s take a picture.”
Kyle held up his phone and they took a selfie.
“Would you like me to take a picture for you?” an older man asked.
“Yes, please,” Destinee gave him her phone, and she wrapped her arms around Kyle’s waist, surprising him a bit. He then circled his hand around her waist.
“One, two, three,” the older man said before snapping the picture. “You make a lovely couple.” He handed the device back to Destinee.
“Thank you.” She beamed. “This has been two magnificent days.” She looked over the wall at the ocean. “I never really had a honeymoon.”
“Maybe this could be that honeymoon you never had,” he said, moving behind her, “I love seeing you this happy,” he whispered in her ear, giving her goose bumps.
“I am.” She laid her head back against his chest. “Leaving everything behind was the best thing for me.”
Kyle kissed her neck. “It was. I told you we could make ourselves forget, at least for the days we have left on this vacation.”
“Mmm,” Destinee moaned, closing her eyes. “You were right.”
“I’m always right.” He nibbled on her collarbone. “Are you hungry yet?”
“Yes, I’m starving.” She turned in his arms. “I can’t wait to eat some real Puerto Rican cuisine.”
He chuckled. “Real. You never had Puerto Rican food before?” Kyle raised his eyebrow.
“Yes, but never made in Puerto Rico.” She started walking, leaving him behind.
He shook his head, and followed behind her, gazing at her ass. “I’m hungry, but it’s not for food.”
“Stop being nasty.” She smiled.
Kyle knew she loved it when he talked dirty to her. “I have a taste for milk chocolate.” He gazed at her as he placed his palm on the arch of her back.
“Maybe for dessert.” Destinee’s lips curled up in to a naughty smirk, making his dick throb. She was pulling at his heartstrings. He was going to regret trying to seduce her. Kyle had a feeling he was going to end up with blue balls again that night.
***
They walked to a pier side restaurant, overlooking the ocean. “Puerto Rico is beautiful,” Destinee said, admiring the scenery. The colorful buildings, the museums, the historical Catholic church, and the castles. She was taking in the whole day, and the amazing man she shared it with. Kyle was everything a man should be: caring, attentive, a gentleman in every sense of the word, but was that enough? Could she have a fling with him and carry on like nothing had happened? She had to think really hard, because her heart couldn’t take anymore letdowns. Destinee took a sip of her virgin Piña Colada, poured into an actual coconut. “This is delicious,” she said, savoring the beverage.
Kyle just gazed at her, taking a sip of his fruity, alcoholic drink. She knew he had questions, but she wasn’t ready to answer any of them at the moment. Destinee had to get her shit together first, because when he found out what she was really up to, he might hate her.
/> The waiter placed their food in the middle of the table. “Buen provecho.”
“Gracias,” Kyle replied.
“What did he say?” Destinee leaned forward.
“Bon appétit,” he said.
“Oh.” The food in front of her: mashed green plaintains with huge prawns on top, all floating in a red soup…it smelled divine. “What was the name of this dish again?”
“Mofongo.” He took a bite of his onion steak. “It’s an Afro-Puerto Rican dish with fried plantains and seafood.”
She took out her phone and snapped pictures of her cuisine.
“Really?” He chuckled.
“Food is part of the experience.” She picked up her fork. “I let you order for me. I hope this is good.” Destinee took a bite of the mofongo and moaned as the spices hit her taste buds. “Oh, this is delicious.”
“I told you.” He continued to eat. “Do you want a taste of mine?” She nodded her head and cut a piece of his steak, and let her eat from his fork.
“Hmmm…” She chewed, and then grabbed the napkin off the table and dabbed her lips. “That’s good.”
“So, Destinee.” Kyle pushed his plate aside. “Are you having fun?”
“Of course.” She continued eating her food. Destinee wasn’t letting any of it go to waste. “I’ve always wanted to visit the Caribbean, especially Puerto Rico. It was something me and my ex had on our bucket list.” She cleared her throat, looking at the ocean.
He stared at her. “Well, now you can scratch that off your list.”
Still looking away from him, Destinee didn’t answer.
Kyle touched her knuckles. “Hey, don’t do that. We were having the time of our life. Don’t go thinking about the past.”
She picked up her coconut, and wrapped her lips around the straw.
“Are you okay?” Kyle asked.
“Yes, I’m fine. I was just admiring the scenery.” She glanced at her wrist watch. “Oh, God, I have to get back to the ship,” Destinee grabbed her purse, and pulled out a few twenty-dollar bills.
Kyle drew his eyebrows together. “Why?” he asked as he picked up her money and stuffed it back in her purse.
She stood. “My friends are expecting me.”
Kyle pushed his chair back, eyeing her, then pulled out his wallet and placed a hundred-dollar bill on the table. “Come on. I’ll walk you back.”
“You don’t have to.” She picked up the bag of souvenirs he’d also purchased for her.
“I want to.” He took her hand in his and they walked down the sidewalk to the port where the ship was docked. “Destinee, what’s going on?”
“What do you mean?” She continued walking.
“We were having a great time and out of nowhere you’re telling me you have to go back to the ship.” Kyle released her hand, “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” She peered at him. “I promised my friend that I would be back by five, that’s all.” Destinee prayed that he would leave it alone. She was running late and it wasn’t fair to them. To either of them. He needed her now; her body never betrayed her. “Kyle, go have fun exploring this beautiful island.” She stopped walking. “I’ll meet you tomorrow.”
“Is that a date?” Kyle rubbed his neck. Damn sunburn.
“Yes.” She smiled. “And thank you, Kyle, so much.”
“Are you going have to run again tomorrow?”
“I have to share myself with them, too.” She slowly began to walk up the ramp. “Enjoy the rest of your day.” Destinee waved, disappearing into the ship, and then stopped, taking a deep breath. She didn’t want their day to end, but she had no choice. She rushed down the hallway toward the cabin, and knocked. “I’m so sorry I’m late.”
***
“What the fuck just happened?” Kyle watched as Destinee entered the ship. Yep, he would need another cold shower. He turned back around and decided to continue sightseeing. He’d forgotten to give her the dress he’d bought. Kyle went down to the plaza, looking at the many artifacts they were selling. He stopped at one of the vendors. Those blue topaz earrings, bracelet. and ring would go great with her dress. “Cuanto?” He pointed at the set.
“Cinquenta,” the man said.
Fifty dollars? He had to be joking. He was going to try and hustle the guy. Kyle pulled out a twenty and a ten-dollar bill. “Treinta.”
The guy shook his head. “Cuarenta.”
Kyle put the bills back into his wallet and walked away. He wasn’t going to pay more than what it was worth.
“Esta bien treinta.” The guy had followed him.
He smiled to himself and turned. “Gracias.” He took the small bag from the man and handed him the money.
“Bro!” Kirk and his wife strolled down the stairs. “We should come here next year, explore the whole island.”
“Sound like a good idea.” Kyle actually wouldn’t mind coming and staying for a couple of days. Maybe he would invite Destinee.
“Maybe dad, uncle, Victoria…” Kirk counted on his fingers. “Andrew and Matt and their families can come too, make it a family vacation. We haven’t seen them in a while.” Kirk watched him.
“Then make it happen.” Kyle wouldn’t mind spending some time with his father and cousins.
“Is everything okay?” His brother stared at him. “I thought you had a friend with you?”
“I’m fine.” Kyle watched his sister-in-law. She was sunburned. “How are you enjoying your vacation so far, Nicole?” His brother’s wife was a bit much for him to handle at times, but she made Kirk happy.
“It’s been so much fun.” She beamed. “We snorkeled, went kayaking, and he visited the rum factory.” Nicole chuckled, and pointed at herself. “Can’t you tell? The best honeymoon ever.”
“Great.” Kyle smirked. “Continue having fun, newlyweds. I’m going back to the ship.”
“Come on, join us for some more cocktails,” Kirk said.
“We have two more hours before we have to be on the ship,” Nicole added. “Come on!”
“Fine.” Kyle followed his brother and Nicole to a nearby bar. They were a little too wasted for him to leave them alone.
An hour later, after taking Kirk and Nicole to their cabin, he knocked on Destinee’s door. “Hey, beautiful, I forgot to give you your dress.” Kyle knocked again but there was no answer. He slipped his card in to his room slot, opened the door, and threw the bag on his bed. Who the fuck were her friends, and why wouldn’t she introduce him to them?
He sighed. She didn’t owe him any explanations. Kyle picked up the room phone, pressing the white button.
“Spa,” a woman’s voice echoed.
He was going to win Destinee, one way or another. “I would like the ultimate special.”
Chapter Six
Day Five at Sea
Destinee smiled, re-reading the note she’d found stuck to her door last night, after coming from her friend’s room. Kyle was making all the right moves. He’d also left the bag with the dress he’d bought for her, with a few other things like earrings, a bracelet, and a ring that went perfectly with the dress.
Destinee,
This little gift is to help you relax, enjoy! Everything is paid for. Meet me at the buffet for breakfast at 7.
Kyle.
8am: Manicure and pedicure
9am: Facial treatment
10am: Deep tissue massage
12pm: Salon
6pm: Dinner
8pm: Lounge
“Little gift?” This must have cost Kyle a lot, especially on a cruise ship. Things tended to cost double what they normally were on land. She glanced over the list again. How had she gotten so lucky? First St. Thomas, then Puerto Rico, and now this. Destinee couldn’t stop grinning. Yesterday had been magical. Hopefully, he could forgive her for leaving like she had.
Destinee looked at the clock on the nightstand next to the bed. It was six-thirty. This was supposed to be a vacation…why was he getting up so freaking early? She wasn’t a morni
ng person. She needed her beauty sleep. Destinee chuckled and started getting dressed. “I hope they have a black hairstylist.” She ran her fingers through her dry hair. “Ocean water isn’t for me.”
***
Kyle sat in the middle of the restaurant, making sure he didn’t miss Destinee. He glanced at his watch for the third time. She was fifteen minutes late, and her first appointment was in forty-five minutes. He wouldn’t be able to spend much time with her before she disappeared for the day. Kyle wondered where Destinee had gone after he’d walked her back to the ship. He’d returned after making her reservations, and knocked on her door, but she hadn’t answered.
Two women stopped in front of his table with trays in their hands. “Can we sit with you?” the blond lady asked.
Kyle looked around the room. Empty tables surrounded them. The other woman, a brunette, smiled, exposing her pearly whites. Why not? My date stood me up. “Sure.” He pushed his chair back, stood, pulling out a seat for the blonde first, and then the other. He sat back down.
“I didn’t know gentlemen still existed.” The brunette winked. “Hi, I’m Paola and this is my friend Lettie.”
“Good morning, Paola and Lettie,” Kyle scooted his chair in, under the table.
“You pronounced my name so well,” Paola commented. “Are you Hispanic?”
“I’m a combination.” He chuckled. “Equal mixture of Puerto Rican and Italian, thanks to my mother and father. And I’m fluent in Spanish. Isn’t it the language of love?” He flirted as he saw Destinee enter the restaurant.
“I’m not sure, but any language you speak sounds sexy,” Paola flirted back. “Did you enjoy PR?”
“Yes, I did.” He picked up his cup. “Did you?”
“The rainforest was breathtaking.” She continued gazing at him. Kyle felt like her prey, at the moment. “And the food was exquisite.”