Last Resort: Marriage

by Pamela Stone

  Aaron ordered dinner and kept one eye on the odd couple. It was closing in on midnight when the Frenchman stood up and stumbled toward the men’s room for the fifth time.

  Aaron maneuvered his way to Sal’s table and sat down. “Sal, isn’t it?”

  “Do I know you?” Sal squinted through bloodshot eyes.

  “Aaron Brody.”

  “Oh, sí, the Free Wind guy.”

  He nodded. “Who’s the fancy pants?”

  Sparks lit Sal’s dark eyes. “Qué el infierno? I no hang with no fancy pants.”

  Aaron stood as he saw the Frenchman staggering their way. “Looks pretty fancy to me, pal.”

  He didn’t have long to wait until the odd couple weaved their way out of the bar. He handed Raul a couple bills to cover his tab and stopped to see which way they went. Just as he expected, they headed in opposite directions.

  Aaron followed Sal at a distance. The guy finally stepped into a phone booth, placed a call, and then made a beeline down the wharf. He moved pretty fast for a guy who’d consumed five beers.

  “I’ll be damned,” Aaron muttered when Thurman stepped out of the shadows. He and Sal exchanged a few words, Sal handed Thurman a piece of paper, probably the tab from the Gecko, and Thurman greased Sal’s palm with a sizeable number of bills.

  He waited until they were out of earshot and called Raul. “He met Thurman all right. Don’t think Sal cares much for me. Can you find out what kind of deal they’ve got cooking?”

  “I’ll give it a shot. Don’t do anything stupid.”

  “Yeah,” Aaron commented. “Hey, listen, I’m sleeping on the boat tonight, so if you see smoke, send out the posse.”

  CHARLOTTE JUMPED AND SAT straight up in bed. The phone rang a second time and she grabbed the receiver. “Aaron?”

  “Funny, that’s who I was looking for,” a bubbly female voice said. “He was supposed to be here an hour ago.”

  “Who is this?”

  The phone clicked off.

  Charlotte got up and paced across the room, spun, and glared at the offending phone. Her throat went dry. She didn’t recognize the voice and didn’t want to believe Aaron might be meeting another woman. She’d thought…What had she thought? That just because they’d become lovers that it meant something to Aaron? That he cared? She of all people should know better.

  There was barely enough light to make her way to the kitchen and she stumbled over a pair of Aaron’s sneakers in the hall. She growled as she kicked them out of her way.

  She grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and twisted the cap off. If he were seeing someone else, why would he give the woman this number? The man wasn’t stupid.

  She gulped down the water and practiced breathing. Her heart thudded so fast she worried it might jump out of her chest. Aaron’s affairs were nothing to her. It was just a stupid phone call. She wouldn’t act like some ticked off, jealous wife. She climbed back into bed, but sleep was impossible.

  Charlotte tossed until the sheets were in knots. She worried about Aaron sleeping on that deserted boat. She worried more that he might be sleeping with some other woman. She…she…she simply worried.

  A LARGE TOUR ARRIVED PROMPTLY at three. At five minutes after, Charlotte’s phone rang. She rushed to the front desk to try and calm a furious tour director who had booked twenty-seven rooms and arrived to find only twenty-three available.

  As Charlotte was calling another resort to see if they could accommodate the other guests, Perry stepped up and took the tour director’s hand. “Ms. O’Connor, isn’t it? What seems to be the problem?”

  Before Charlotte could close her gaping mouth, he offered the entire group a voucher for free dinner in the resort with complimentary drinks and dessert if they’d give them a few minutes to straighten out the issue.

  Charlotte finally managed to accommodate the entire group at Harrington’s. She’d have to explain to the other guests that there’d been a mix-up and they’d be spending their first night at another hotel. That should go over well.

  Ms. O’Connor took the room keys, smiled, and thanked Perry profusely for his special care. She shook her head in disgust at Charlotte and followed the bellboy into the elevator.

  Perry leaned across the front desk, eye level with her chest. “How did you mess up the reservation?”

  Charlotte shivered at the dirty feel of his eyes on her body. “Someone cancelled their reservation. I wonder who could’ve done something like that?” she asked facetiously.

  “All I’ve done since I’ve been here is solve problems.”

  She didn’t flinch. “Strange thing is, Perry, the problems didn’t start until you arrived.”

  He patted her cheek. “You need me, Charlotte. When are you going to admit it?”

  “Get your hand off me,” she spat, stepping out of reach.

  Perry withdrew his hand as if he’d been scalded and his cunning grin evaporated.

  She waited until he walked away, then hurried back to her office, and pulled up the reservation to see if she could tell what had happened. Someone onsite with an employee number of 287519 had altered the reservation at 12:58 p.m.

  She called Grace, the office manager, and asked her to look up the employee number. Within five minutes she had Maria Estevez sitting in front of her desk.

  “No, ma’am. I didn’t do anything with that reservation.” Her bottom lip quivered.

  “Maybe you made a mistake? That happens.”

  “No. I didn’t even touch that reservation,” Maria said.

  Charlotte tried to keep her voice calm. “What time did you go to lunch?”

  “We were so busy all morning. I didn’t take my lunch until twelve forty-five.”

  “Did you go alone?”

  She nodded. “Sí. We take separate breaks so there are always two at the desk.”

  “Did you sign out of the workstation before you left?”

  “I thought so. I’m always careful.” Maria sniffed. “It won’t happen again.”

  Charlotte stared at the tears threatening to overflow Maria’s eyes and felt like an ogre. Was she turning into her grandfather? What a horrible thought.

  Taking a deep breath, she leaned forward. “It’s okay, Maria. I believe you.” She couldn’t very well come right out and ask if Perry Thurman was around when she left. “Was there anyone else at the desk besides the other two attendants?”

  “There were still guests, but the line had gone down. I don’t remember anyone out of the ordinary.”

  Charlotte accompanied Maria back to the desk and asked the other two attendants if they’d noticed anyone lurking about. They assured her they never left the counter unattended and neither had seen a soul behind the desk who could have changed the reservation.

  She needed to talk through this with someone. Aaron would have a fresh perspective. When had she started to rely so much on his judgment?

  AARON YANKED OFF HIS WET T-shirt, shucked his swim trunks, and stepped into a pair of faded cutoffs. He grabbed a wild Hawaiian shirt he’d bought at a Jimmy Buffet concert in Key West last summer, popped a painkiller for his aching arm, and headed topside. The storm was moving in fast. The cloud of sand blowing across the beach had sun-baked tourists gathering up their paraphernalia and darting for cover. The sooner he finished securing the boat, the sooner he could track Charlie down. He wanted to see her face when he told her about Perry arranging to get her chef plastered.

  As he wiped the sand out of his eyes and started cleaning up, Charlie came aboard. He grinned at her baggy khaki slacks and bright orange blouse. She wore little strappy sandals with matching orange beads and a thick French braid hung down her back.

  “Nice shirt,” she said, watching him fasten the last button. “Did you go in the water today?”

  Granted, he probably should have stayed out for another day, but he’d live. “The cut isn’t that serious.” He smiled and attempted to change the subject. “You’re keeping banker’s hours these days.”

&n
bsp; “I wanted to tell you what happened and see what you think.”

  “Shoot. Talk while I tie things up before this storm blows in.”

  She followed him into his office, giving every detail about the reservation being cancelled for some large tour.

  Aaron placed the cash in the cashbox and locked it. “And Thurman was behind it?”

  “I think he waited until Maria left for lunch, found the computer signed in, and cancelled the reservation so we couldn’t trace it to him. Then he could show up and play hero.”

  Aaron looked up from his desk. “Could be. I know for sure he’s paying Sal to get your morning chef drunk. I personally saw him give Sal the money.”

  “Oohh!” She stomped across the deck, twirled, and came back to stand in the doorway. “So that’s why Pierre has called in sick so often. When he does come in, he’s late. I’ve got an ad running for a replacement so I can fire him.”

  “Why not fire Thurman instead? The Frenchman doesn’t have a clue. He just thinks he’s found a new best bud.”

  “I have to think about how to handle this.”

  “Easy. I tell Sal his meal ticket’s about to dry up.”

  A gust of wind sent Brody’s Charters caps tumbling across the deck. Aaron dropped a dive weight on top of the papers and he and Charlie ran to chase the runaway caps. The air was heavy with the musty scent of rain. The first large drops pelted down as he captured the last cap and darted under the canopy with Charlie.

  He couldn’t resist a quick kiss. “Here, pitch the caps in my office. I’ll deal with them later.”

  She deposited her armful and giggled. “There are some things about your job that are a lot more fun than mine.”

  God, he loved the sound of her laughter. Amazingly, she didn’t seem scared of the storm at all with the boat docked.

  “There are a lot of things about my job that are more fun than yours.” He eased her down on his lap and wrapped her in his arms. “Especially when you come down to help.”

  Thunder rumbled across the gray sky and the rain peppered down around them. Amazing how Charlotte felt so safe from the storm. She loved the electricity and the smell of the rain when she had the security of sitting cradled in Aaron’s arms.

  They were both half-wet from chasing the caps and the damp wind was finishing the job. She snuggled against him, relishing the erotic warmth. The man brought her to life.

  Maybe that phone call last night was just a woman from his past?

  Aaron slid one hand under the hem of her blouse and pressed it flat against her rumbling belly. “Skip lunch again?”

  She covered his hand with hers. “I didn’t have time.”

  “Wait here.” He scooted her off his lap. “I’ll see what’s in the fridge.”

  A few minutes later, she was munching on a bag of chips and sipping a beer. “Such a big spender.” The rain provided a secluded curtain around them. Water dripped off the edge of the canopy, creating an intimate setting for their impromptu picnic.

  “First you make fun of my shirt and now you’re complaining about the gourmet cuisine. There’s no pleasing some women.”

  “Easier than you think. Maybe you could sleep at the bungalow tonight?”

  CHARLOTTE SNUGGLED AGAINST Aaron’s bare chest and looked out her bedroom window as the day faded to dusk, still awed at how comfortable she was with this relationship. “What’s so fun at the Gecko?”

  Her hand pressed against his heart and she listened for any hesitation. “Nothing particular.”

  She ran the inside of one foot up his calf, trying not to think about that stupid phone call. “You spend a lot of time there.”

  “My friends are there. Why the sudden interest?”

  “No specific reason. Just wondering. I’ve never frequented bars.”

  “No! Really?” he kidded. “I’m shocked.”

  “I know. I’m not exactly the party girl type you’re used to hanging out with.” Great. Was she stooping to fishing for compliments now?

  He rolled to the edge of the bed, stood, and reached for his shorts. “We never did have much dinner. You hungry?”

  If she was fishing, Aaron didn’t bite. She clenched her teeth and rolled to the other side. Why invite rejection? The man obviously wasn’t interested in making their marriage real. This was temporary. He probably couldn’t wait to return to his playboy lifestyle. Or maybe he already had.

  She watched him fry bacon and scramble eggs, even ate what he set in front of her, but she didn’t taste it. She had to remember this pretend relationship was her brainstorm. The plan didn’t include falling in love. It certainly didn’t include forever. Aaron was nice, he was pleasant, and he was fulfilling his end of the bargain.

  Do not fall for this man.

  Aaron had barely uttered three words since they’d gotten out of bed. She picked up her plate. “I’ll clean up the kitchen.”

  “Thanks.” He placed his plate on the counter by the sink and left the room.

  She listened to the shower and wondered if he planned to go to the Gecko. That’d be about par. But, by the time she finished the dishes and turned out the kitchen light, he had parked himself in front of the television.

  Fine. I can handle this. If he wanted to watch TV all night, she’d catch up on her reading. They could pretend to be husband and wife just like any other miserable couple.

  In a huff, she stalked into the bathroom. Look at this mess! Geez, didn’t the man ever put anything away? Furiously, she stashed razor and shaving cream under the cabinet. A wet washcloth, a pair of dirty socks, and navy plaid boxers lay crumpled in a pile in a corner.

  This is what living with a man’s like? Messy, nerve-racking, pain in the—She grabbed his shirt off the peg on the back of the door and inhaled. Sunscreen. Suddenly weak in the knees she hugged the shirt to her chest and dropped to the side of the tub. Aaron. She closed her eyes and pictured his teasing grin. His green eyes smoldering after a warm kiss. His quick temper. A rush of longing swirled around her like a warm mist.

  Carrying the shirt, she peeped into the living room. He looked so sexy just sitting there watching TV. She groaned. He looked sexy washing dishes or wearing sneakers with holes.

  The whole thing suddenly wasn’t such a mystery. She had fallen totally and unconditionally in love with her husband.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “What?” Aaron paused. “Hold on a minute. Let me go outside.”

  Voices, both male and female, laughed in the background. Obviously he was hanging out at the Gecko, as usual. A woman said something about guarding his stool. Charlotte’s heart plummeted. She was far from the only woman Aaron had unleashed those lethal charms on. He was there with someone. Probably the girl from the phone call.

  She waited for him to get outside.

  “Charlie, is that you?”

  “It’s me,” she whispered, suddenly feeling awkward for interrupting his evening.

  “What’s up?”

  “Nothing.” What was she supposed to say now? “I just wanted to make sure you were planning to sleep on the boat.”

  “Yeah, I thought we covered that.”

  “We did, I just—” Charlotte’s thoughts vanished. She couldn’t just blurt out that she missed him.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Sure. I just thought we should touch base.”

  “Hey, Thurman’s paying Sal twice whatever tab he can run up while getting your chef soused. He’s making a killing tonight. Might want to make arrangements for tomorrow morning. The guy’s already leaning on the table and slurring his drink orders.”

  “Thanks for the tip.” She didn’t want Aaron sleeping alone on that boat with Perry’s goons lurking about. “Be careful.”

  “I’ll be fine. Sleep tight.”

  Charlotte grabbed a paperback and crawled in bed. She read a couple of paragraphs before realizing she had no idea what had just happened in the story. Disgusted, she pitched the book on the nightstand, rolled over, and turned the li
ght out. Why was she so restless? Maybe because she was alone at home while Aaron was at the Gecko partying with other women?

  THE PHONE JARRED HER OUT of a sound sleep. Charlotte grabbed the receiver and tried to focus on the clock. One o’clock in the morning!

  “Hey, baby. Are you coming over tonight?” the sultry female voice asked.

  “Who the hell is this?” Charlotte demanded. The caller ID read Out of Area, which could mean anything from the next island to an unlisted number.

  “Shit! I meant to call the cell,” the girl said and disconnected.

  Charlotte banged the receiver back into the cradle. “Damn Aaron Brody!”

  THE NEXT NIGHT WHEN THE WOMAN called, Charlotte was ready. “Who are you?”

  “A friend of your husband’s.” There was a slight pause. “I think it’d be a waste for Aaron to spend all that sex appeal in one place, don’t you?”

  Charlotte hung up the receiver, picked it back up, and dialed Aaron’s cell phone. She had to know where he was.

  “Brody,” he answered on the third ring, stifling a yawn.

  “Aaron?”

  “Charlie?” She heard the mattress give. “What’s wrong?”

  “You were asleep?” she muttered.

  “It’s one o’clock in the morning. Where else would I be?”

  “So you’re on the boat?” She suddenly realized her mistake. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have bothered you.” She hung up, but the phone immediately rang.

  Aaron didn’t even wait for her to say hello. “What the hell’s going on?”

  “This is the third night a woman has called here looking for you.”

  He paused. “And you just figured I was sleeping with her?”

  “She never calls when you’re home.”

  His tone changed from anger to guarded and cold. “Thanks for the confidence.”

  Before she could defend herself, he continued. “You get a couple random phone calls and decide I’m in some other woman’s bed.” She could hear the boat creak. “Hell, I could be at her place right now.”