Mint

by Blue Davis

“Good. That will give us leeway. We’ll act like we’re taking a romantic trip to a pretty island. They won’t suspect a thing.” His shoulders raised higher.

  “You scared?”

  James looked away, shaking his head. “What is there to be afraid of? It’s only the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. There’s nobody interested in this gold or money or anything. They’re content being as they are,” he commented in a mockingly high voice. He rocked back in his chair. “Aren’t you seriously underestimating this hunt? How is it you even came out here by yourself?”

  “Why do you think I want to get out of here? If we could get out to Strife tomorrow, they won’t have time to wonder what we’re up to.”

  “No. Let me make some of the decisions now. We reserve the boat for the following day--like normal people, and then we drive the heck out of it to that island.”

  Her throat closed. Please don’t tell me he’s going to screw this up.

  “You need me Lexi. You’re not thinking straight.” He motioned to the space where the young hustlers had stood a few moments earlier. “What do you think would have happened if I had come five minutes later?”

  “I can take care of myself.”

  “Can you?”

  “What’s that supposed to mean? There’s a fortune sitting out there. Don’t act like you’re not going to be rolling in dough in a few days. I called you to share it with me in exchange for your help getting the boat. What makes you think you can come here and run me around?” She pierced his watchful eyes, then broke away.

  “Alright, take it easy. Let’s rethink this. We don’t need to panic right now. They’ll smell the desperation. Let’s get the boat tomorrow, okay? We’ll give them a deposit, so they feel we’re real. And then we’ll take it out first thing the next morning. Can you trust me on this?”

  Pain hammered at the base of her skull. “How do you know so much about these people, anyway?” She squinted at him. It was strange now. The guy knows the citizens, the language. What else does he know, and why?

  “I do,” he responded, looking away.

  Why are you lying to me? One eye narrowed on him while the other begged to check the area. Waiters were busy tending to eating and drinking clientele. Street vendors were clearing away their tents. The crowd inside the restaurant was thinning, but no one was acting suspicious. If James was trying to play one over on her, he was doing a damn good job.

  She must have been obvious in her suspicion because he protested.

  “Come on. You think I…” he pursed his lips. “And how long have you known me?”

  She closed her eyes. “No. I’m not saying that. You’re not answering my questions.”

  He sighed, picked up his drink, and took a gulp. “I was here a few years ago.”

  She gasped. “What? In Port-au-Prince? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  He curled the edge of his drink napkin and unraveled it. “I don’t talk about it much.”

  “What were you doing here?”

  “I was helping people, after the earthquake.”

  Her heart fluttered. “Seriously? You?”

  “Come on… why not me? The whole country was suffering. My brother put a trip together and asked if I wanted to go.”

  She sat back in her seat. “Wow.” She shook her head, smiling. He’s got to be pulling my leg. “James Ashton lifting a finger to help someone? I’m sorry, I can’t believe it.”

  He shook his head. “See, this is why….” He didn’t finish the sentence, but shook his head and produced a light grin.

  Her smile grew so wide that she couldn’t contain it, so she covered it with her hand. “I’m sorry. I guess I’ve never seen this side of you. I’m a little surprised, that’s all.”

  “You’re seeing it right now, aren’t you? I’m helping you. Or did you forget?”

  “There’s as much in it for you as there is for me and you know it,” she reminded.

  “True, but I prefer to make my money in an easier way,” he countered.

  “How? With daddy?” She tore away from his gaze. Oh my god, what did I just say?

  He frowned.

  “I… I’m sorry. That was rude of me. Sometimes I think you think this is all just a game.”

  “It is a game, Lexi. This is supposed to be fun. A treasure hunt, you know?”

  “Yeah, well, some of us actually need money.”

  “Bullshit, Lexi. You don’t need this kind of money. You need money, you go downtown and get yourself a job. You’re doing this for the thrill of it. You like it.”

  He had a point. There’s no way in hell she would ever even consider working for someone and be a paycheck slave. There was too much freedom in the life she was living—even when it got straight-up dangerous. Like that time when she was forced to escape that high-rise building in Seattle. But going around diving and digging for treasure was hardly dangerous or criminal. Heck, people were happy and excited when she brought home the gold, as long as they got their cut. The key was to sell it before Uncle Sam got his greedy little hands all over it. “I do like it. Nothing like a good treasure hunt,” she admitted.

  “There you go,” he beamed, raising his glass.

  She clanked her glass against his. “To the hunt,” she said. Too loud. She looked at the people sitting next to her who were busy scooping rice into their mouths. Her shoulders crept upward as she whispered it again. “To the hunt.”

  James nodded. “Great start to a great adventure. You look like you’re on empty,” he noted, studying her cup. He turned and motioned for the waiter. “What are you drinking?”

  “I’m fine. It’s just juice. I don’t need anything else.”

  “Plain orange juice?”

  “Yeah, you think I’m going to be drinking out here?”

  “Uh, yeah, that’s what people normally do on vacation.”

  “Tss…” she blew out air and shook her head. “See, this is what I’m talking about.”

  “What?”

  Her head began to throb. He is going to screw up everything. Sure he was there at a moment’s notice to help me, but that was a fluke. And had he been on time, the young thugs wouldn’t have approached in the first place. “This is not a vacation. We have work to do tomorrow and the sooner you figure that out, the better.”

  James swayed back in his seat. “Yes, Ma’am,” he teased, cracking a smile. “This ship couldn’t get any tighter.” He raised a flat hand up to his head as if he were saluting a navy captain.

  The waiter came to the table. “Would you like to order anything from the dinner menu tonight?”

  “No, just the bill please,” Lexi blurted, plastering a smile to her face.

  A line etched between James’ brows. “You’re not hungry? I’ve barely—”

  “We have some snacks at the hotel.” She turned to the waiter. “Thank you so much, Monsieur,” she said, glancing at her watch.

  James threw his hands up and then leaned back in his chair. He closed in on her and whispered, “You know you really could just relax. We're here on the coast together. It’s clear skies. We can gaze at the stars and have a good time.”

  She pushed her tense shoulders down and drew them back. “Do I not look relaxed?” I’ll be better once I get my hands on that treasure and stop messing around with you.

  His lips pursed. “Massage maybe?”

  Don’t even go there. He had a way of sneaking into women’s panties. She allows the massage, then what? Soon he’s working his way down further. Not having any of it. They were both there to work and she needed a hunting partner, not a quick roll on the mattress. She ignored his offer.

  The waiter came and bowed. “Thank you for dining with us tonight.” He set the bill on the table.

  James picked it up immediately and slid out his wallet.

  She snatched the bill away and reached for her bag.

  He stiffened his jaw and pulled the bill toward him. “Allow me.”

  She had invited him to the café. Why did he
try to control by paying? There was only one logical thing to do. “Let’s split it.”

  “Absolutely not.”

  “I do have money. Do you think I’m that broke that I can’t pay for a glass of fruit juice?” She reached in the bag and grabbed hold of her wallet.

  His eyebrows knitted as he stared at what she was doing. “Damn it, Lexi. Put that away. I said I’d pay.”

  She scratched her head and sighed. “All right.” And so it begins. Soon he’ll be tallying up the total and then what will I owe him? A hug today? A kiss tomorrow? Maybe a hand job by the end of the trip for all the good deeds he’s done? His money didn’t impress her.

  They rose from the table.

  She clenched her thighs together and pushed away all thoughts of him. He was still the same blond-haired, blue-eyed guy she had craved for almost ten years. Only now, his muscles and intellect were even more defined. She needed to make sure she didn’t fall into one of his traps now more than ever.

  How many languages did he speak? It didn’t matter. She shook the thought from her mind. James was everybody’s heartthrob, and she wasn’t going to be suckered into the queue. Thank god he had shown up, but she needed to make sure the partnership remained strictly business. She wasn’t looking for a man. She was looking for treasure and anything that stood in the way of her finding it would be obliterated. Including molten-hot man-candy.

  He stood on the edge of the sidewalk. “Where to?”

  She walked passed him. He was a full foot taller than her. “Don’t you have a hotel booked? Presidential Palace or someplace like that?”

  He smiled. His teeth were always so straight and bright white. Rich man’s teeth.

  “That’s funny, but no, I came directly here. I don’t have a room yet.”

  No. Don’t even think about it. “Don’t look at me. I have a bed for one. You won’t fit,” she remarked.

  “Hmmm… I see what’s on your mind,” he said, unleashing a smile. “It hadn’t even crossed my mind to share a room with you. How could you even think such a thing?” He placed a flat palm on his cheek and opened his mouth wide, mockingly.

  What a jokester. “Tss…” She hit him on the arm. She wasn’t expecting the punch to send a spark of moist arousal to her core. She had almost regretted touching him. She parted her lips to bring in cool air.

  “Ow! What was that for?”

  “You know.”

  He laughed. “You hit hard, woman.”

  “You haven’t seen hard yet.” In her kickboxing days up in Seattle, she could really throw a punch. It didn’t take long before girls were punching back though. At one point, her face had become all swollen and bruised. “Shoulda’ seen me a few years back.” She rubbed her chin.

  “Yes, I heard about that. That’s kinda hot. Will I see you in action one day?”

  “Not gonna happen. Not unless you come to the ring. I’ve never used it in real life and I don’t intend to either.”

  “What made you decide to start kickboxing? No offense, but it’s kind of an odd thing for a woman to be in to.”

  She had no desire to go into details with him. No one in Florida knew about her past and that’s the way she intended to keep it. “Does it matter? I gave up both that and the jewel thieving. And now I’m in Miami, living a weird little life. But at least I don’t have to be worried about defending myself anymore. It’s all just digging and diving for treasure. Smooth, low-key sailing.”

  “It’s a good thing you’re living your weird little life now.” He grinned. “You met me.”

  She hit him on the arm again and concealed a smile.

  “Ow,” he remarked, rubbing it.

  She stepped on the sidewalk and looked at the intersection. Which way was it? She turned around. Ah yes. “Come on, let’s go. We’ll see if they have another room for you.”

  They headed to the hotel. When they arrived he held the door open. “Wait,” he commanded. “Here?” He gave the front lobby a once-over.

  She stepped forward. “Yes. Here,” she asserted.

  His eyebrows knitted. “But this isn’t…”

  “Isn’t what?”

  “This is barely habitable. Come on, let me get you a room at the Marriott.” He motioned her toward him.

  Her upper lip curled. “I’m not staying at the Marriott, James. Sorry it isn’t good enough for you, but I happen to like it here.”

  “Oh really? What’s your favorite feature--the water stains on the ceiling, or the mildewed stench coming from the carpet?”

  How dare he? Not everybody could afford the luxury life. Rich snobs threw money around while she and others were left picking up the scraps. “You know what? If you don’t want to stay here, fine. Go to your golden high-life at the Marriott. I’ll be here, amongst real, down-to-earth people. I’ll see you in the morning. Be here at 8.”

  He stood outside the doorway, stiff.

  He can stand out there all night for all I care. She let the door swing into his face.

  He caught the handle and pushed it open.

  Chapter 4

  James

  The place reeked. He grabbed a napkin and filtered air through his nostrils. They slept in different rooms--her in shithouse #1, him in shithouse #2. What was she thinking? Could she not see that the place needed to be condemned?

  The front desk man eyed him when he got downstairs and spoke first. “How was your evening, sir?”

  James shuffled last night's tortured sleep through his mind. He hadn’t slept a wink on the cardboard mattress, the sheets were rough and he had even found a few hairs in the bed. How could she live like this?

  “Fine,” he beamed, resting his hand on his chin, attempting to cover his tight jaw. He headed straight for a stained, rust-colored sofa sitting in the lobby. He drew in a breath and sat. Haiti exhausted him. They hadn’t even begun the actual hunt yet. Sleeping under the stars would be nice… with her. Her hair, the way she wore it these days. She was hot. Hotter than before. It had been far too long since he’d seen her last.

  He recalled the very first time he’d laid eyes on her. He had gone to a cocktail party of a fellow rival treasure hunter a couple years ago.

  “Pretty strange that we’re all here, huh?”

  He had heard the voice out of nowhere. He had been standing on the balcony, admiring the Miami skyline. He turned around and saw a young, bronzed woman standing in front of him. Her face was sweet and innocent, her skin smooth and dark. That soft, sultry voice… was it her? “Uh… Lexi?”

  The soft corners of her mouth creased into a smile. It was the kind of smile that created sunshine on the most withered day. Her body was small and lean, but had a nice curvature to her breast and waist. She was much, much cuter than he thought she’d be.

  “Hi James,” she beamed.

  Yes. It was her. They had called each other on the phone for help with stuff, but had never met. Her voice was amazing and hot, but he was unprepared for the sweet, stylish woman that stood in front of him.

  “I.. I… uh.. it’s nice to put a face on a voice.” Tingling heat spread to his ears. Get a hold of yourself, James. You’re acting as though this is the first time you’ve spoken to a woman. Stop stuttering. “Very nice to meet you, Lexi.”

  “Likewise.” She rocked back on her feet. “Chris said you were out here on the balcony, so I wanted to come out and introduce myself.”

  Excitement surged through his veins. “Yes. I’m glad you did. I gotta say, I didn’t know you were so cute. I kinda figured you were black, but—”

  “Did you?” She tilted her head to the side. Her eyebrows drew in.

  His breaths became shallowed attempts to force air through his lungs. She excited him. “Yeah. I love black women though,” he gushed.

  “Do you?” She was no longer smiling. “Listen James, it was very nice meeting you. I gotta run,” she said.

  What the hell did I say? He’d made a fool of himself. Stupid, stupid thing to say. A hot flush spread through his neck an
d face like wildfire. “I’m sorry. I’m an idiot. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

  Clarisse was now standing beside him, saying something.

  “What? Oh, sorry. Clarisse, this is Lexi. She’s a work friend. Likes to do the hunts.”

  Clarisse produced a thin smile in her usual reserved way. She was a girl he had literally begun dating two weeks ago. She was pretty, but she’d only last for a few more days. She had an awful habit of acting distant to other people. She wasn’t mean. She was just indifferent. If they were at a nice restaurant, instead of thanking the waitress for bringing the food, Clarisse would continue the conversation and then pick up her fork and eat as if there was no waitress standing there. It made things awkward. It was as if she saw him and no one else in the room. She obviously catered to him because of his money.

  Lexi extended her long, slender hand. She offered a warm smile to Clarisse, despite his obvious stupidity. “Nice to meet you.”

  Clarisse gave Lexi her hand while staring at James, in her usual fashion.

  Lexi didn’t notice Clarisse’s awkwardness. She raised her eyebrows and turned the corners of her mouth upward. “Your husband is a very talented treasure hunter. He’s sharp out in the field, I hear.”

  “Oh we’re not married,” he blurted, the words flying out of him. He didn’t dare look at Clarisse’s face. He knew it would be bound into a twist of disgust.

  Clarisse gripped his hand tighter.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. You two look like a lovely couple.”

  “We’re not. Uh... I mean, we just met,” James squeezed his eyes shut and then peeked at Clarisse.

  She wasn’t happy. He commanded himself to stop, before he’d say something that would land him in a four-hour fight.

  He blew out warm air from his heated lips. “Can I get you two ladies drinks?” He pretended they were old girlfriends, and that they had a lot to catch up on. Any excuse to exit the situation.

  “Actually, I was just leaving. I have an early morning meeting.”

  His heart sunk into his chest. Why was she leaving so soon when they had barely met? They had chatted on the phone almost every week. She had even sounded interested in him. And now she was… leaving? He swallowed. “On a Sunday?”