by Joy Avery
* * *
Alonso ran a hand over his head as he waited for Roth to come back on the line. What in the hell was taking him so long? He peeped through the opened balcony doors to check the bathroom door again. Still closed. Good.
“Sorry about that, man. What’s up?” Roth said.
“I’m in trouble. Big trouble. This woman... She’s under my skin. Way under my skin. Like way, way under my skin. I think I’m falling for her,” Alonso said in a whisper. Who was he afraid would hear him, the seagulls?
Roth laughed. “So what’s the problem?”
Was this man he trusted with his life laughing at him? “This shit’s not funny, Ro. I expected her to have some effect on me.” He sighed heavily. “But nothing like this. I’m in trouble,” he reemphasized. “Dammit. I knew I shouldn’t have spent the night with her,” he said more to himself than Roth. Like he’d had any other options. His body had fiended for her. “How was I to know she would imprint on me?”
“Come again?”
“Imprint. The movie Twilight. The werewolf—”
“Man, I know what imprint means. I’ve seen the movies. What I don’t know is if I heard you correctly when you said, and I quote, ‘I knew I shouldn’t have spent the night with her.’ End quote. If I’m remembering correctly, you specifically stated you had no plans of seducing her.”
Alonso tossed another quick glance inside the room. “I didn’t seduce her.” Okay, he kinda did, but there was no need to overshare. “Anyway, my sleeping with her is not the issue.” Well, it kinda amplified the issue, but one thing at a time. Right now, trying to figure out what in the hell Vivian was doing to him held precedence.
“Sounds like love to me.”
Alonso stopped so abruptly his upper body tilted forward, nearly sending him toppling over. “Whoa! No one said anything about love. I haven’t even known her long enough to entertain a notion of love.” Love? Was Roth insane? Love? Strong like, maybe. But not love. Definitely not love.
“My grandparents met on a Wednesday. Fell in love on Friday. Were married on Saturday. They lived in wedded bliss for fifty-two years. Anything is possible.”
“Things were different in those days. Those kinds of connections don’t happen anymore.”
“Sorry to break it to you, man, but love is love, despite what decade it is.”
Alonso mulled over Roth’s words. He liked Vivian, a lot, that was for damn sure. But love? Roth’s words pulled Alonso out of his thoughts.
“I’m going to venture and say your time on the island is going great.”
“Better than great. There was a wrinkle, but I ironed it out. Vivian overheard a conversation with Garth about her house.”
“Damn. I bet that didn’t go over well.”
“It got hairy for a minute, but it’s all good now.”
“So what now? You can’t exactly go forward with the project without her house, can you? Sounds to me like the house is no longer on your radar.”
“No, but I have something else in mind. Something I think she’ll appreciate. I just need to work on the logistics.”
“Yeah, sounds like love to me.”
Not this again. Alonso barked a laugh. Did men really talk about this type of shit? “Whatever.”
After a few more minutes of small talk, Alonso ended the call. Leaning against the banister, he stared out into the water. If everyone had a view like this, there would be no need for therapists.
Enjoying the calming effects of the ocean, Roth’s words haunted him. Love? No, his life had never been that simple. Nothing had ever come that easy for him. Especially love.
“Don’t jump.”
The mere sound of Vivian’s voice brought a smile to his face. When he turned to face her, his words snagged. She mesmerized him in an off-the-shoulder silver sequined shirt that flashed just enough skin to stir his hunger, a pair of dark denim capri pants that hugged the curves he’d ridden all night, and a pair of sparkly open-toed sandals. “Wow. You look amazing.”
She performed a slow turn to show off her outfit. “You like?”
“I do, I do.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her flush against him. “Me likey a whole lot. I’m not sure I want to share you with the world today. Someone might eye you too hard, and I just might get jealous.”
“Are you a jealous man, Mr. Wright?”
The seductive manner in which she said his name stirred him below the waist. “I’m a protective man, Ms. Moore.”
“Huh. That’s good to know. Especially since I haven’t felt protected in a long while.”
“I’m here now. You’ll never have to feel unprotected again.”
He tilted forward and kissed her tenderly. Roth’s words invaded his thoughts again. This wasn’t love, but damn if it didn’t feel like it could be. That was far more than he was comfortable admitting. Even to himself.
Chapter 16
Vivian hadn’t believed the island could get more beautiful, but she’d been wrong. The large area she’d admired when they’d first arrived had been transformed into something spectacular. Tiny string lights lit the entire space, while colored canon lights highlighted the stage. The plain white gazebo had been draped in white fabric and decorated in pink and white flowers and also outlined in tiny lights. Vivian couldn’t believe how romantic the once-drab structure now looked.
The greenest lawn she’d ever seen was overflowing with people dancing, laughing and chatting, lounging in chairs, and some were snuggled up on blankets.
Several artists had already graced the raised platform, filling the large area with some of the best jazz she’d ever heard. Some performances were upbeat and a take on current hits, while others were superseductive. Those were the ones she’d taken the most pleasure in, because she’d enjoyed teasing Alonso with her sensual moves.
“If you keep grinding your ass against me like that, these people are going to get one helluva show,” Alonso whispered in Vivian’s ears, then kissed her lobe. “You have me hard as a rock.”
She smirked and gyrated against him with even more determination.
“Woman, you are going to pay for this when we get home.”
Promises, promises.
“Good to see we’re not going to be the only dirty dancers here.”
Vivian whipped around, embarrassment warming her cheeks. She instantly recognized the couple as the one they’d seen walking along the beach. The Jenkinses, if she remembered correctly.
“Don’t stop on our account,” Mrs. Jenkins said.
Alonso wrapped an arm around Vivian’s waist and pulled her close to him. “Vivian Moore, please meet Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins.”
The older woman waved Alonso’s words off and extended her hand. “Flora,” Mrs. Jenkins said. “And this is my Theodore.”
When the woman glanced up at her husband, she regarded the man with so much admiration Vivian couldn’t help but smile. She swore it was the most enduring thing she’d ever seen.
“‘Mr. and Mrs.’ You trying to make us sound old, or something?” said Theodore Jenkins.
They all laughed.
Sobering, Alonso said, “No way would anyone ever mistake you two for being old. You’re the hippest couple on the island.”
Theodore snapped his fingers with a loud crack, then pointed at Alonso. “You better believe it.”
Vivian liked these two already.
“I know you’ve probably been told this already, but you two make a striking couple,” said Flora.
Vivian glanced up at Alonso, the comment not giving her pause as it had previous times. “Once or twice. But thank you just the same.”
Alonso regarded her with a look of esteem. It made her heart race.
“Young love,” Theodore said with a hearty laugh.
The mention of love seemed to snap Alonso out of his daze. His focus drifted from her and back to Flora and Theodore.
“Um...you...you two are late on the scene. You’re usually the first ones here.”
Vivian could tell that Theodore’s words really had Alonso rattled. She understood why. Love played no part in whatever this was they had going on. They were just having fun. She ignored the voice in the back of her head that suggested fun could easily turn into love.
Flora glanced up at her husband with adoring eyes. “We were...um...busy.”
The two giggled like school kids who’d just been asked an embarrassing question by their teacher. Vivian loved their playful manner and the way they seemed to truly adore one another. Alonso had been right about their energy. The brief time she’d been in their presence, she’d experienced it.
“Sounds like we’re bordering TMI,” said Alonso.
Theodore laughed, then slid his attention to Vivian. “Mind if we camp out beside y’all? Wouldn’t want to intrude or anything.”
“No intrusion at all,” she said. “Please join us.”
Vivian could feel Alonso’s eyes on her. When she glanced up at him, a corner of his beautiful mouth lifted into a half smile. He was there but not completely. What was racing through his mind—Theodore’s love comment? If so, Alonso didn’t have to trouble himself with that. She wasn’t under any delusions of love.
After Theodore spread the blanket, he clapped Alonso on the shoulder. “Let’s check out that bar. I hope they have a better bartender this year than they had last.”
Theodore’s words appeared to yank Alonso out of his stupor. “Sounds good. What would you like?” he asked Vivian.
After the bottle of champagne they’d already polished off, she should have declined any more alcohol. But since it was their last night on the island, might as well live it up. “Surprise me.”
“Surprise you, I shall.” He planted a kiss to her lips before moving away.
Vivian and Flora lowered to their respective blankets.
“Rumor had it Alonso was on the island with someone as gorgeous as a baby doll. For once, the rumors have been accurate.”
Cleary news traveled fast here. “Thank you.” Curious, Vivian shifted toward Flora. “Does he bring women to the island often?”
Flora flashed an all-knowing smile. “It’s been years.”
Vivian attempted to mask the relief she felt, but it escaped in the form of a low-wattage smile.
“You’ve got yourself a good man.” Flora eyed the direction their men had ventured. “Despite it not working out with him and my granddaughter, I still think the world of Alonso. He reminds me a lot of my Theo.”
Granddaughter? Had Vivian heard Flora correctly? “Alonso dated your granddaughter?” When Flora eyed her, Vivian guessed the woman regretted allowing the tidbit of information to slip out.
“Yes. My granddaughter did something foolish, something unforgivable.” She shook her head. “Anyway... Alonso doesn’t know that I know the real reason for their split, but my granddaughter finally broke down and told me everything.”
Her face contorted in what Vivian took as disgust.
“Needless to say, I was appalled. Alonso had had every right to dump her flat on her ass. No woman should ever need to trap a man. He either wants you or he doesn’t. Plain and simple.”
Vivian deduced that the woman who’d poked holes in the condoms and Flora’s granddaughter were one and the same.
Vivian wasn’t sure how she felt about the information she’d just learned. Why hadn’t Alonso told her this when they’d first seen the Jenkinses walking along the beach at Mama Tu’s? Because there hadn’t been a need. At that point, they weren’t even really friends.
Heck, what were they now? Friends with benefits? Lovers? Homey lover friends? She wasn’t sure. They hadn’t discussed it. Maybe they needed to.
Vivian spotted Alonso and Theodore headed their way, drinks in hand.
“Please keep this conversation between us, Vivian. I probably should have kept my big mouth shut about my granddaughter. I can be a real chatterbox at times.”
“No, it’s fine. I won’t repeat a word.”
Once the initial shock of what Mrs. Jenkins had told Vivian had worn off, Vivian had really enjoyed the amusing older couple. They’d spent hours talking, chatting, dancing and goofing around. When the show ended—a little after eleven—Vivian hadn’t wanted to part ways with the two.
A short time later, Vivian and Alonso arrived at the house. The full moon bounced rays of brilliant light off the water, causing the waves to sparkle like jewels. As she waited for Alonso to round the vehicle to open her door, she had an idea. Exiting the Jeep, she said, “It’s such a beautiful night. Let’s relax on the beach awhile. It is our last night here.”
“It’s almost midnight, gorgeous.”
“And?” Vivian walked her fingers up his chest. “Are you saying you don’t want to cuddle with me in the sand, under the stars, with the sound of waves crashing? The midnight—”
“Okay, okay. I’m sold. I’ll grab the blanket.”
Several moments later, Vivian was positioned between Alonso’s legs, her back snuggled against his warm, hard chest, his strong arms cocooned around her. It was sheer heaven.
“You were right, this was a good idea,” he said, nuzzling the side of her neck.
“Told you.”
“Know-it-all.”
When Vivian lowered her head back and grew quiet, he jostled her playfully. “What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing. It’s just...” Did she really want to bring up their unknown status now? No. The moment was too perfect to disturb. “Never mind.”
“Out with it.”
She searched her mind for something benign to use to fill the gap she’d opened. “I was going to say it’s been a while since my brain hasn’t been in overdrive, thinking about a thousand things I needed to do. It’s kind of nice to just live in the moment. And this is a very beautiful moment. Thank you.”
“Why are you thanking me?”
“Because if it hadn’t been for you inviting me—and Tressa convincing me to come,” she said in a whisper, “I never would have—”
“Whoa. Your best friend convinced you to come?”
Vivian tilted her head to eye him. “Let’s just say I had...reservations about your intent.”
“Because you thought I was up to something?”
“Yes,” she said plainly. “And because...” She slid her attention away from him.
“And because, what?”
“Because... I was a wee bit attracted to you.”
Alonso barked a laugh. “Damn. I never would have guessed that.”
She wasn’t sure if he was being cynical or truthful.
Alonso laughed more, then asked, “And now? Do you still believe I’m up to something?”
She hoped not. “No.”
He placed his hand under her chin and rotated her head toward him. “Good.” Planting a delicate kiss to her lips, he said, “Very good.”
His arms tightened around her again and they returned their attention to the ocean.
“Please remind me to send Tressa flowers, a necklace, a pair of diamond earrings...something to express my sincere gratitude,” Alonso said.
“You are so full of it. I’m glad I got a chance to experience this serenity. So, yes, a thank-you is in order.”
“In that case, you are very welcome.”
Comfortable silence shrouded them again. Unfortunately, it provided a breeding ground for Vivian’s inquisitiveness to spawn. “The Jenkinses are great. How long have you known them?”
“A while.”
When he didn’t say more—like, I dated their granddaughter—she experienced
a hint of disappointment. “I see.”
“Do you remember the ex I told you about? The one who’d wanted to get married?”
“Yes.”
“She’s Flora and Theo’s granddaughter.”
His honesty was a caress to her soul. She played clueless. “Really? I guess us hanging with them tonight had to be awkward, right?”
“Why would it be?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I just...” She just what? She didn’t even know. “Do you ever see her? When you come here, I mean?”
“Yes.”
Vivian’s body tensed. Yes. Was that all he was going to give her? “Oh.”
Alonso squeezed her. “Oh. What does that mean?”
“Just...oh.”
“Nothing sexual has happened between us since we split. She’s here. I’m here. We keep things cordial. That’s it. It shouldn’t bother you.”
Vivian released a clumsy laugh. “Bother me? It doesn’t bother me. Why would it bother me?”
“Your body tensed when I said yes. It was faint, but I felt it.”
Well, what the hell else could she say? She definitely wasn’t going to admit that maybe it did bother her a little. That would suggest she didn’t trust him, which she did—well, was trying to do. There would always be a minute amount of doubt floating about. Because of the betrayals she’d experienced in her past, she wasn’t sure that would ever change. But she was trying. That had to mean something, right? That had to be enough.
Alonso didn’t press her for a response; he simply kissed the back of her head and allowed her to hide in her silence. His endurance was one of the many things she liked about him. In an attempt to lighten the mood, she said, “Have you ever gone skinny-dipping?”
“Yes. In the lake when I was much younger.”
“Let’s do it.”
“Let’s do what?”
“Let’s go skinny-dipping.” Vivian peeled out of Alonso’s arms and pushed to her feet. “It’ll be fun,” she said, holding her hand out for him to take.