Tropical Storm

by Stefanie Graham

  Cairo held the door for her to enter the hotel. She brushed against him deliberately and smiled at him when he jumped at the unexpected contact.

  “There is more where that came from, Cairo. You just wait and see.” She promised.

  Cairo pulled her into his embrace. The kiss he gave her was intoxicating. She was limp in his arms when he let her go.

  “No, you wait and see.” He said his voice rough with desire. You can have her. You don’t have to love her he told himself. “Don’t unpack. I want to take you and Shane somewhere special.”

  “Where?” Shane asked.

  Cairo leaned down and whispered into his ear.

  “We’re going to Ochi. We’re going to Ochi.” Shane said jumping up and down excitedly.

  “Where’s Ochi, darling?” Storm inquired.

  “Dunn’s River Falls is in Ocho Rios, mommy. Cairo’s taking us there.” He explained happily.

  Cairo’s hand on Shane’s shoulder stopped his bouncing. “Wait a minute, little man. Your mother has to agree.”

  Shane shrugged off the statement. “She’ll say yes, Cairo.”

  Cairo looked down at him. “Why are you always so certain your mother will agree, Shane?” His brow furrowed with curiosity.

  “Because—” Shane started bouncing again.

  “Because . . . ” Storm interrupted him. “Because he knows we have known each other a long time.”

  Cairo didn’t miss the quick look that mother and son exchanged. There was definitely more to the story, more than both Storm and Shane were ready to share.

  “When are we leaving?” Storm inquired.

  “So you’ll come?” He asked.

  Storm’s look was admonishing. “Of course I’ll come, silly. Do you really think I would pass up an opportunity like this? I’m not crazy. Let’s go.”

  How could Cairo argue with that?

  Storm fell in love instantly with the beauty of Dunn’s River Falls. The long winding drive out to Montego Bay had obviously been worth it. She’d been to Niagara Falls but Cairo knew that nothing could compare to the magnificent 600-foot high falls in Ocho Rios. The falls of Niagara were beautiful, but you couldn’t climb it or get into the swiftly foaming waters like you could in Dunn’s River where people were laughing and playing in the cascading water. As they stood on the rocky precipice to the entrance to the falls, Storm stripped out of her clothes to reveal her bikini. She was then in the water and frolicking in minutes.

  Cairo and Shane watched Storm play in the water. Used to his mother’s carefree nature, Shane slipped in after her. Cairo had forgotten how to be spontaneous. He watched them in wonder. Had he ever been that uninhibited? For the first time since the dissolution of their marriage, Cairo regretted their break up. He watched mother and son play in the pools of water created by the falls and the rocks and wished, not for the first time, that they were a family. Shane should have been his son, but instead he belonged to James Montague. Cairo’s mouth tightened in anger. The thought of any man touching Storm filled him with fury. She was his and always would be. It’s possessiveness I feel and nothing else. The voice in his head told him.

  Cairo entered the cool crisp water and emerged at Storm’s side their bodies touching. When Storm turned her emerald eyes on him, Cairo encircled her waist with his arms and pulled her closer. She came willingly.

  “Will you ever refuse me, Jessica? Will you always come when I want you to?” He asked seriously.

  Storm voice was husky. “I will always come to you, Cairo. Whether you want me to or not, I’ll come. I want you. I’ve never made a secret of that.”

  If she waited expectantly for similar words of want and longing, they never came. If she was disappointed she did her best to hide her feelings as she slid her body as close to his as breath would allow. “Tell me you want me too, Cairo.” She begged him. “Tell me that if we were alone now that you would lay me down on the rocks and make love to me.”

  His hand tightened around Storm’s waist. Instead of speaking, he captured her mouth with his. The kiss he gave her was hungry and passionate. When he reluctantly slid his lips from hers, Storm’s mouth was swollen with his passion.

  “You don’t want to be alone with me, Jessica. If you knew what I felt right now you would be afraid, maybe even terrified.”

  Storm’s eyes smoldered. “What I know is that on our wedding night you taught me what it meant to be fulfilled in every way. No other man has ever made me feel that way. I want that feeling again. Stop denying me. Stop denying us both.”

  Cairo’s body hardened. Grabbing her by the hand, he began to haul her out of the water. He was halfway to the rocks when Shane called their names.

  “Hey you guys,” he protested. “Where ya going?”

  Cairo and Storm stopped and looked at each other. Their eyes reflected their barely contained passion.

  Cairo wondered what he would have done had they been alone? Would he have taken Storm outside against a tree somewhere? Would she have liked it?

  The eyes that stared back at him said that she would have.

  Tearing his gaze away, Cairo slipped back into the water: the chill still not sufficient to cool him.

  “I’m ravenous,” Storm said later as she bit heartily into a beef patty. “I feel like I haven’t eaten for days.”

  Shane nodded in agreement his mouth full of food.

  Cairo stretched out under the shade of a tree and watched them. He watched how unselfconscious they were of their own physical beauty. They ate happily oblivious to the stares they were getting from the locals. Storm and Shane’s beauty awed the Jamaican people. On their own they were beautiful, together they were stunning. Storm’s hair had dried in the sun and was now riotous abundance of honey, gold and platinum curls. Her skin, now a golden bronze glowed in the afternoon sun. Their luminous green eyes were lit bright with joy and happiness. At the hotel, the locals called Shane the Golden Boy, and he was. With slightly darker coloring than his mother, Shane was the image of health and energy. His youthfulness and engaging temperament shone through. His laughter was spontaneous and unrestrained. He was his mother’s son in every way. There was very little sign of his father in his features. Cairo thanked providence for that small comfort.

  “I’ve had an awesome time today!” Shane said interrupting Cairo’s thoughts by launching himself on top of him.

  “So have I.” Cairo said laughing as he scooped the boy up into his arms. He cradled the six-year-old, and content to snuggle, Shane lay back in his embrace.

  Cairo looked down on the child and stroked a stray curl from his face. His hand was gentle as he caressed his tawny-gold skin. Held in Cairo’s strong embrace, Shane drowsily closed his eyes; it had been a long day.

  Cairo looked at Shane tenderly. His lips brushed against the softness of his skin. He was a child still in so many ways.

  “Sleep tight, Shane.” He whispered quietly.

  Shane turned and snuggled deeper into Cairo’s arms. “Goodnight . . . daddy.” He said sleepily unaware of how Cairo’s body stiffened against his. Storm’s face blanched when Cairo’s glance shot her way. He stared at her for a long time before his body relaxed again.

  “He obviously misses his father. What’s the state of your relationship with James? No matter what it is, maybe the two of you should try forming some sort of partnership for Shane’s sake.” He grudgingly suggested.

  Storm sat down stiffly next to Cairo. When she spoke her words were measured. “James has never been a father to Shane. James wanted me. Children were never part of the bargain. He couldn’t get rid of me fast enough when he found out I was pregnant. He wanted to live a playboy life equipped with trophy wife at his side. Me swollen with child didn’t exactly fit his plans.”

  “Then he’s a fool.” Cairo said angrily, trying not to wake the sle
eping boy in his arms. “He had everything most men dream about. Only a very foolish man would give you two up.”

  “Is that what you dream about?” She asked taking her sleeping son from him.

  Cairo watched as Storm stretched Shane out on a beach towel before she came back to sit beside him.

  “I dream of many things, Jessica.” He sighed. “One day I would like a child of my own.”

  “What about a wife?” Storm asked edging closer. “Wouldn’t you want a wife too, Cairo?”

  His gaze was level. “I had a wife once. I had her for as long as it took me to lose her. I don’t think I could survive marriage again.” He told her honestly.

  Storm’s lashes swept down to hide her thoughts. Cairo raised her chin with a gentle finger.

  “What’s this?” He said lightly. “Surely the carefree Jessica Storm wouldn’t want to be tied down in the bonds of matrimony? You’ve already tried marriage twice.”

  “So why wouldn’t I want to try marriage again? Maybe this time I’ll get it right. I had a husband once. When I married him, it was the happiest day of my life. I have never been as happy since. Unlike you, I think marriage and children should go hand in hand. I would like another baby someday.” Storm’s eyes bored deeply into his. “I would like the next child I have to be a girl, a girl with beautiful dark eyes and brown curls.”

  Cairo went very still. His gaze caught and held Storm’s for what seemed to him like forever. When he was finally able to speak, his voice was stiff.

  “If you work it out with your husband maybe when you get back to the States he can give you that baby girl you want.”

  Storm smiled wistfully. “Life is filled with possibilities. In the meantime, can I ask if this day date comes with any perks?”

  “What do you mean?” He asked frowning.

  Storm wasn’t coy. “Well,” she murmured. “I just thought you might want to invite me back to your room later.”

  “You’re very direct.” Cairo was caught off guard.

  “Why shouldn’t I be?” She said defiantly. “I know what I want. Why should I waste my time pretending?”

  Her words were meant to heat Cairo’s blood and they did exactly that.

  “I had a great time with you, Jessica. But sex will only complicate things. I just wanted to get to know you better outside of the bad memories.”

  “I like my sex complicated.” She said trailing her hands down the front of his chest until it reached the waistband of his shorts.

  Cairo quickly grabbed her hand.

  “Isn’t getting to know my body a part of getting to know me?” She said closing the gap that separated them.

  The breath left Cairo in a rush. The effect her bold words had on his body was obvious.

  Storm looked down at him and smiled triumphantly. “It’s good to know that you’re not totally immune to me. If not today, then it will be tomorrow or the next night. We’ll be together; it’s just a matter of time.”

  Chapter Six

  “How was the big date?” Tyrone asked as he strolled into the office the next morning looking very pleased with himself.

  Cairo gave him an ill-humored frown.

  Tyrone laughed. “Now that’s a face of a highly frustrated male. What did you do now cuz, say no?”

  Cairo looked up sharply.

  “Tell me you didn’t!” Tyrone laughed in disbelief. “Please don’t tell me that she offered to give you some and you refused.”

  Cairo lowered his head guiltily.

  “Now that’s it!” Tyrone said in mock anger. “This is the last straw. You came to Jamaica, I let you be my friend, I let you give me a job, I let you pay me good wages, but it all has to come to an end. You’re ruining my reputation. What will my lady friends think of me when they hear that my cousin has refused the favors of yet another beautiful woman? I’ll have to move to escape the shame.”

  Tyrone sank down in a chair and dropped his head into his hands.

  Laughing, Cairo went to him and put an understanding hand on his shoulder.

  “If it’s any consolation cousin, I feel the same way. I didn’t sleep a wink last night. I was in agony.” He admitted.

  “Serves you right!” Tyrone said getting up from the chair. “You’ve lost your damn mind and as your only relative, I feel it’s my duty to make sure such a shocking incident doesn’t happen again.” Tyrone stated before he walked out of the office.

  Cairo would never know what he meant.

  A few moments later Tyrone found Storm in the hotel gym, she was sweaty from her workout.

  “May I have a word with you?” Tyrone asked, his usual smile absent from his face.

  Storm quizzically arched a brow. “Sure you may have a word. But if memory serves, you decided you and I weren’t going to be friends.” She challenged openly.

  Tyrone, who was equally forthright, did not pull his punches. “That’s true.” He admitted honestly. “But I didn’t like you then. I have recently decided to reserve my judgment until later.”

  “That’s fine, Tyrone.” Storm said grinning. “Since I already like you, you can follow me to my room. We’ll talk there.”

  Tyrone sat down and waited until Storm threw down her stuff, poured a glass of water and made herself comfortable in a chair before he spoke his piece.

  “Where’s your son?” He inquired looking around the room.

  “He’s in KP as usual.” She responded easily. “Between the staff and Cairo, I barely see him anymore.” She said with a smile.

  Tyrone nodded at this and folded his hands in his lap. “Okay, well now that I know we won’t be interrupted, I’ll get straight to the point. I want to know what are your intentions are concerning Cairo.” He said without preamble.

  Storm burst out laughing.

  Tyrone just looked at her.

  Still grinning, Storm leaned forward. “You came to make sure my intentions toward your cousin were honorable? Excuse me for saying so, but what I do or don’t intend to do is none of your business.”

  Tyrone was undeterred.

  “I’m not sure you’re aware of this, Storm, but Cairo is more than just my cousin, he’s my best friend and I love him. I’m the only family he has. It was me he came to when your marriage ended. I was the one who encouraged him to get to know you again. Tell me, Storm; was I wrong to do that? I wouldn’t be very happy if you hurt him again.”

  Storm’s gaze was direct. “Tyrone, I love Cairo, always have. I’m the only one that can ever make him happy. I made many mistakes in my past, but I have paid dearly for them. He was not the only one who suffered.”

  Not trusting her words, Tyrone studied her eyes, before he continued. “I believe you mean my cousin no harm. So let me give you some advice.”

  Storm leaned forward expectantly.

  “Don’t take no for an answer.” He advised simply.

  Storm looked up at him. “Is that it?” She slumped back into the chair.

  He smiled. “Yes, that’s it. Cairo loves saying no. Ignore him the next time he says no to you. It works for me all the time.”

  Storm jumped up and gave Tyrone a hug.

  He let her hug him then he said, “He was wrong about you, wasn’t he?”

  Storm didn’t mince words. “Terribly wrong. But I’m as much to blame.”

  The two people that loved Cairo the most now understood each other.

  Aside from the horrible night she and Cairo had gone looking for Shane, Storm had seen very little of the parish. For this reason, she could hardly contain her excitement. It was market day and Tyrone had agreed to let her accompany him. As she walked through the town with him, she looked around her in awe at all the sights and sounds that assailed her. The country parish was devoid of all the tourist attractions that Ocho Rios and Negr
il offered, but it had its own attractions. Storm had never in her life seen so many people in such a small place. Everywhere she looked there were people selling their wares. Loud and high-pitched voices belted out outrageous prices for the mere necessities of life. When she remembered that the exchange rate of the currency was about a hundred Jamaican dollars to one U.S dollar, the prices seemed cheaper than she’d originally thought.

  The Morant Bay shopping center was abuzz with activity. Crisp British accents mingled with the more lilting Jamaican patois and everywhere she went, she heard raucous reggae music. Storm twisted and turned trying to take everything in. Her smile shone bright like the sun and her joy was apparent in every step she took. It was amazing to watch ladies in rough homespun garments balancing great shopping baskets on their heads while school kids in their starched blue and white uniforms danced in an out of the chaos sipping from their little cartons of sour sop and sugar cane juice. In astonishment she watched half-naked Rastafarians wielding machetes high above their head to slice through the tops of coconuts and offer up the juice with a simple straw. She saw well-dressed and well-to-do Jamaicans haggling with the street vendors for the best prices. Exhilarated by the sights and sounds, she bombarded Tyrone with questions and tugged on his sleeve incessantly to point out the smallest little thing.

  “Look at that!” She yelled pointing to a mini-bus packed to capacity with people. “How on earth is everyone going to fit?” She asked. Then she looked on in awe when several more men jumped onto the back of the bus as it careened out of sight.

  Tyrone laughed and said, “As you see, the bus is only half full.”

  Storm ran after him still looking back at the spectacle.

  Not that it was the most amazing thing she would see for the day. By the time she was ready to go back to the hotel she would have seen many more sights amazing to a woman, who despite her wealth, had never been to the Caribbean; who had never experienced a country so teeming with life and energy, despite the poverty and strife. Storm had to be tugged away as she stared at a Rastafarian family with dreadlocks far past their waists. She listened in amazement to Chinese people who spoke fluent Jamaican patois. She saw “high yellow” Jamaicans with long wavy hair, blue-eyed, Jamaicans with frizzy blond hair, and deep ebony black Jamaicans with their hair in bushy Afros, braids, or intricate cornrows. She saw school children of every color, from white to the deepest black all laughing and playing together. She had no idea that Jamaica was a country with a wide range of people and cultures. She couldn’t have loved it more.