Tropical Tryst: 25 All New and Exclusive Sexy Reads

by Nicole Morgan

  HUNTER TURNED on the shower so Bree would feel comfortable in calling her best friend. He knew they had a lot to talk about. After all, this was a trip they’d planned on taking together. He shouldn’t have done it but he stayed by the door trying to listen to what Bree was saying, just because he was curious how she really felt about him. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe her when she said she had feelings for him and hated to see the week end but he wanted to hear the girl talk. Unfortunately, he couldn’t hear much with the shower running. He tried turning the shower head toward the wall to make it sound like the water was hitting me but it also made it a bit less noisy. If she knew what he was doing, she’d be so mad.

  He also didn’t want to let on that he was just as worried as her about what was going to happen when their week ended. He never imagined he’d find someone like her and by accident too, literal accident. He wanted to see her again after this week, and keep seeing her. She was everything he didn’t realize he was looking for in a woman. He’d been so busy with his career, he never stopped to think about anything else. She was easy to talk to, they liked a lot of the same things and he felt like himself when he was around her which was an important thing. A few girls in his past had changed who he was when he was with them and he didn’t like that side of himself. Neither of them stopped to think about it but they were extremely lucky that they both lived in New York, and not that far away from each other. Geographical distance would have made things much too complicated. Long distance relationships rarely worked.

  So, did he want to see her once they were home? “Absolutely. As much as humanly possible.” He would have no problem even moving closer to her. She already drove in the opposite direction to work so asking her to move closer to him wouldn’t be fair. He lived just around the corner from his office so he could give a little for sure. Plus, he hated his place. It was small and noisy. It was probably one of those things they would deal with the time comes but he would make sure to put the idea out there.

  Hunter adjusted the water temperature and climbed in. He’d look like an idiot if she did decide to join him like he’d invited her to do and he not be in there. As he moved the shower head back to the correct position he heard his cell vibrate on the sink.

  “Shit.” He grabbed for it and answered quickly.

  “Hey buddy, what’s going on. Having that much fun matchmaking?”

  “Ha, very funny. I haven’t been to one event or even talked to any of them.”

  “Why not, that’s why you’re there? You are there, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, I’m here. I’m not that stupid, I did have to pay for it all so why not enjoy the vacation.”

  “Then why haven’t you been in touch with the service?”

  “Because I found my own girl.”

  “What? Seriously? Dude, give me details, who is she?”

  “Nope. Not giving any details, you can meet her, maybe, once we’re back in New York.”

  “She’s coming here with you?”

  “Luke I gotta go, I’m in the shower. I’ll let you know when I’m back in town. Bye now.”

  He hung up before his buddy could ask any more questions. Luke had already done enough damage, Hunter wasn’t letting him have this moment, it was his.

  “Boy I bet he’s boiling mad right about now though.”

  “Are you talking to yourself?”

  “Oh, hey did you decide to join me? Come on in.” Hunter threw the curtain back to see Bree sitting Indian style on the toilet seat shaking her head.

  “As much as I want to, If I get in that shower, we’ll end up never leaving this room.”

  “You right about that, I’d keep you in my bed all day every day if I could. But we did agree to get out today and hit the buffet downstairs. Maybe we can walk around the resort too but I’d prefer if we could avoid the pier?”

  Her laugh was rejuvenating, he could listen to it every waking moment.

  “We probably should stay away from there. The resort manager is already worried we might sue for damages. I’m sure they’ve fixed the broken boards by now. Can’t have any more mishaps, I’m sure it’s bad for business. I know the doctor said you could shower after a couple days but I’m not sure the ocean is wise. Too much bacteria could get into your healing wounds, plus the salt water might hurt.”

  “Yeah even the soap stings a little but it looks like the stitches are already starting to recess a little.”

  “That’s a good thing, that means you’re starting to heal.”

  Hunter continued his shower, washing his hair first then running the wash cloth over his entire body, care not to catch any stitches. When he glanced at Bree, she was observing him with interest. He’d never been a voyeur of sorts but also didn’t have a problem changing in front of other people, but the way she was looking him up and down, scrutinizing his every move, made him proud. They hadn’t really talked specifics but for all tense and purposes, she was his girlfriend.

  “You know, I’ve been thinking, I really think we could make this work.”

  “Yeah, what work, me watching you shower? I don’t mind it either.”

  Bree giggled at him but he could see the nervous edge she was carrying. She knew he was talking about them making it work together as a couple and it scared her because they had separate lives. The way he saw it though, everyone had separate lives and becoming a couple is about merging those two lives into one. He just had to convince her it could work. Lots of people live on one side of the city and work on the other so it’s do-able for sure.

  He finished washing then shut the water off. When he opened the curtain all the way, she handed him a towel.

  “I know you’re worried about what happens when we leave here but you know what, I really do think we can make this work.” He stepped out of the shower, wrapped the towel around his waist and kneeled in front of her.

  “I need you to do me a favor okay?” Damn it she was so beautiful, even when sadness and fear etched her features. A single tear rimmed her eye and he moved his finger to brush it away as it fell. “Honey don’t cry, it’s really going to be okay. I promise.”

  She smiled but he could tell she was having a tough time believing him.

  “Listen, I had no pre-conceived notions about meeting anybody when I came here. You already heard the whole sorted story of why I was here. Then I met you, and I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am that I did, and not just because you helped me. When we pulled into the dock, I noticed you right away sitting in your chaise lounge on the beach and was heading right for you when I fell through the pier. Maybe it was divine intervention, who knows, but now that you’re in my life, I’m not letting you out that easy. A little drive isn’t going to deter me.”

  “Are you a lawyer, because that was a pretty convincing argument.”

  “No, a financial advisor. I just know how I feel and I hope you feel the same.”

  “I do feel the same.”

  “Ok then let’s give us the benefit of the doubt okay?”

  “I promise I’ll try.”

  “That’s all I can ask.” He kissed her once, twice and a very long third time. “Now let’s go eat.”

  “Uh Hunter, I think maybe you should put some clothes on first or I might have some competition once we are out in public.”

  “Oh shit, yeah you’re right.”

  CHAPTER 7

  “I cannot believe there is so much food on that bar. I want to try it all.”

  “Then, why don’t you?”

  “I would be full before I even got through a quarter of it. I didn’t even really know where to start. A few things looked familiar so I went with them.”

  “Do you like seafood?”

  “Well, I’ve never really stepped outside of the box when it came to food. I like fish, as in the cardboard box in the freezer of the grocery store kind.”

  “Do you trust me?”

  “In theory…”

  “Try this.” Hunter put the fork right up to Bree�
��s mouth and didn’t give her much choice but to take it.

  “Oh, that’s really good, what is it?”

  “It’s called crawfish. It looks like a lobster but about two or three inches long.”

  “Really? And they had those up there? I didn’t see anything like that.”

  “They aren’t in the shell anymore. They mixed them in a sauce and served it with pasta.”

  “I need to get some of that. What else do you have that I can try?”

  “So now you want to step out of your box?”

  “That’s not a terrible thing, is it? What’s the thing with the mushrooms in it?”

  “Oh, that is…”

  “Excuse me folks, please accept my apologies for interrupting your lunch. We have a situation that we are needing to deal with immediately.”

  “Okay, what’s happening?”

  The resort manager took a seat with Hunter and Bree and proceeded to explain that there has been a growing hurricane spotted and heading in their direction. Because they were on an Island, they couldn’t take any chances so they have taken it upon themselves to contact the airlines and change everyone’s return tickets to fly out between that evening and tomorrow. Theirs was processed together and will leave that evening. Because parts of their stay had been less than positive, in addition to giving them both a full refund, he was given authority to provide them with an all-expenses paid vacation for any future date of their choosing. He let them know their tickets would be waiting at the front desk when they checked out of their room and let them know the time. He bid them farewell, thanked them for being so understanding and disappeared.

  “I can’t believe it. We’re going home now.” Bree slumped in her chair, shocked at the news they’d just received.

  “We should probably be thankful. I for one am not keen on being here in the middle of a hurricane. I’ve already had enough mishaps on my own.”

  “I guess you’re right. We should probably get up to the room and pack.”

  A waiter stopped at their table and gave them take out containers and told them they were welcome to take lunch to go so they packed them full and headed for their room.

  “AT LEAST THEY got us on the same flight, right?”

  He couldn’t hardly believe a storm was forcing them to go home early. They had both counted on having a couple more days together but mother nature was working against them.

  “Did you park your car at the airport?”

  “Heck yeah, I didn’t want Luke taking me anywhere. I was pissed off at him when I left for getting me into this mess. I guess I owe him an apology and a thank you now, damn it. How are you getting home, is our car waiting for you too?”

  “No, I left from the hospital so a co-worker dropped me off on her way home. It was easier and saved on long term parking.”

  “Smart thinking. Does that mean I get to take you home?”

  “That would be great. I was just going to call a cab at the end of the week but I’d much rather you.”

  “Guess you’re stuck with me for a little bit longer.”

  She walked up to him and placed her hands on his cheeks, looked at him for a moment then kissed him. He felt the emotion seeping from her fingers as she held him. Then all too soon she’d released him and went into the bathroom, closing the door.

  “He went to the door and placed a hand against it. “Are you okay?”

  Her voice was muffled but she said she was fine. He didn’t think so but let her be and went to finish packing his bag. The bellhop appeared at their door at the same time they were preparing to open it.

  “Anton, thank you so much, you have perfect timing.”

  “Yes ma’am, we are sorry to see you go so soon but wish you pleasant travels home.” He collected their bags onto the cart and led the way to the elevators. “There is a transport waiting outside in the circle and I believe you are the last two scheduled to be on there.”

  The bellhop was correct. When they reached the front doors, there was a large transport bus waiting. He loaded their luggage in the underneath compartment and said a few words to the driver. Hunter gave him a sizable tip and they climbed on the bus. Hunter put his arm around Bree as they watched out the window while the resort got further and further away.

  As if the world were bowing at their feet, as soon as they stopped in front of the terminal, they were ushered to the curbside check in and directed right to their gate to board the plane to New York.

  Hunter held out his hand to Bree after they were situated in their seats. “We’re on the home stretch now.”

  The plane started to roll, taxiing out to the appropriate runway. The captain announced they had clearance for takeoff and the plane started moving faster. When Bree squeezed Hunter’s hand, he looked over at her. She was breathing heavy and had her eyes closed.

  “Honey, take off is the worst part. Just hold my hand, it’ll be okay.”

  CHAPTER 8

  Several hours and a plane change later, an exhausted Hunter and Bree arrived at the long-term parking lot at LaGuardia Airport. As luck would have it, the mini-bus dropped them off at the exact row he’d parked his car in. Giving the keys to Bree, he trudged ahead pulling both suitcases and he threw them in the back end before they jumped in his SUV.

  “How about you type your address into my GPS and we can head that way.”

  “This is a pretty fancy vehicle you have here. Makes mine look like the pinto in Cujo.”

  “Oh, man I loved that movie.”

  “I was thinking…” but her thoughts trailed off quietly.

  “’Bout what?”

  She so wanted to ask him to come to her house for the rest of the week but she was afraid and he probably needed to get back to work anyway.

  “Maybe next week we can get together for lunch. I’m supposed to have a light schedule at work with a few days off midweek.”

  “That would be great. Any chance you’ll be near the north side of the city then?”

  “I definitely can be. I’ll pick you up for lunch.”

  “It’s a date.”

  The rest of the drive was done in eerie silence, both lost in their own thoughts. All too soon the female GPS voice announced they had reached their destination. Hunter pulled into the circle in front of the hospital.

  “That didn’t take as long as I thought it would. I can take you to your car if you want.”

  “No this is okay. My car is in the gated employee parking lot. I’ll have to walk anyway.”

  Hunter nodded and pulled up a little further so they weren’t in front of the double set of doors, popped the trunk and climbed out of the car. After he set her suitcase on the sidewalk and shut the trunk, he went to the passenger door where she still sat inside the car. He tapped on the window and she looked up at him, tears streaming down her face. He opened the door and pulled her out of the car, right into his arms.

  “Honey please don’t cry, we are going to work this out, I promise you. Let me know when you make it home and we can talk more then.”

  She had an odd feeling that he was trying to hurry her off. She didn’t understand why, after the last few wonderful days they’d spent together. She knew the cold shoulder when it was being thrown her way.

  Surprisingly enough, he kissed her several times before he hurried back to his car and waved as he drove off.

  “Men are such liars.”

  Bree took the longest route home via Sleepy Hollow Road and pulled up to a dark townhouse.

  “Home sweet home. Seems like I just left.”

  Bree dropped her bags inside the front door, slid her keys into the crystal bowl on the entry table and flopped down on the couch. She should call Hunter and let him know she made it home. Not that it was a long drive but he didn’t know that. It wouldn’t have been much more out of his way to come here with her but he was acting weird and she got scared. Maybe she would call Stacy instead.

  When she’d found her phone in the bottom of her purse and powered it on, she had
4 unread voice messages and about a dozen missed calls.

  “Geez, at least someone wants to talk to me.”

  As she scrolled through the call history, she noticed a strange New York number and several California ones. She hit redial on the most recent Los Angeles area code.

  “Oh my god Bree, what in the world? I have called you so many times, what is going on?”

  “Hi to you too.”

  “I’m sorry sweetie, hi! How are you?”

  Stacy’s question was met with silence. Bree was shaking and couldn’t get herself composed as the tears yet again ran down her face.

  “Bree, are you there? Are you crying, oh my gosh what happened?”

  After a few sniffles, she cleared her throat. “I’m here, sorry. And by here, I mean I’m sitting in my living room.”

  “What? Why?”

  “The resort on the island sent us home early because there was a hurricane heading their way.”

  “No, they didn’t? Are you okay? Where’s Hunter?”

  “Not here.” As sad as it sounded, Bree couldn’t help it and started crying full-fledged crocodile tears. “Stacy, I really don’t think I’ll ever see him again.”

  “Awe now I don’t believe that. It sounded like he was crazy about you.”

  “Yeah that’s what I though too but once we were back here and he drove me to the hospital to get my car, he couldn’t get me out of his SUV fast enough. He kissed me a few times then got back in his car and waved as he pulled away.”

  “That’s it? No I love you and I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  “He told me to let him know when I made it home tonight. He also didn’t know I lived like three miles from the hospital so he’s probably not expecting to hear from me just yet. I did ask him if we could meet for lunch next week and he said yes but I’m not feeling too confident about that.”

  “Bree, just give it the benefit of the doubt at least until next week. If you guys meet for lunch, talk to him about it and tell him your concerns.”