by Blue Davis
“Yes. Some of us have to work on Sundays.” She winked and pursed her sultry lips into a smile.
God, he wanted to devour those plump, ruby lips. Why did she taunt him so? He cleared his throat and fought to control the growing stiff rod in his pants. “Oh okay. Well, it was very nice to finally meet you, Lexi.”
The way she turned… the way she walked away. She was so fluid. She had him completely tongue-tied. No wonder she wasn’t interested.
Now in present day, he waited for her in the lobby of Port-Au-Prince Econotel. A couple of backpackers approached the desk and chatted with the staff about the trails in the area.
Did they have enough equipment? Why didn’t she better prepare for this trip? It was as if there was a panic to get the gold. The gold has been there for hundreds of years. It’s not going anywhere. Why didn’t she make the necessary phone calls to get the boat before arriving? If we’re going to rough it on an island, does she have a sleeping bag? Sweat broke out on his brow. Does she have two sleeping bags, two water canisters, and two of whatever else they might need? The back of his neck ached. I should have stayed in Cuba, on my golf course, Jacuzzi at night, cocktails during the day. He shook his head.
“Morning, James,” she sung.
Her silken voice jolted him out of his thoughts.
She was standing in front of him, pulling her long black locks back with one hand. He froze as his heart thudded against his chest. God, she was cute. The stiff morning erection he hadn’t taken care of in bed now came thundering back with a vengeance.
His eyes became glued. “Morning. You look fresh,” he said. Spicy cool mint filled his nostrils.
“Thanks. And you… not so much.”
He rubbed the stubble forming on his chin. It was true. He lifted an eyebrow. “No. I couldn’t adapt to that crusty thing the hotel is labeling a pillow.”
“Ah. So sorry things weren’t up to millionaire standard,” she teased. “Most people that come here are normal, everyday folk. We don’t know what to do. Maybe you can show us one day—how to live in style.”
His shoulders dropped. He needed bandages to endure her snide wealth-mocking all day. “Don’t be mad, Lexi. I’m not use to this. When I go hunting, it’s more of a relaxing treat. It’s… fun.”
“Well, my hunts are not leisure-based.” She turned away. “I have a map with a whole bunch of hard work attached to it. My father gave it to me.”
“And where did he get the map?”
“His father maybe? Grandpa was always into coin collecting. He’s the one that bought me my first metal detector. He never did any big dives or anything like that.” She placed her hand on her heart. “But he believed the treasure was out there, and he passed that belief to me. My father thought he was a foolish old man, but he must’ve thought his ramblings held some value, since he locked away the map for all these years. He was the holder of the map to Black Caesar’s treasure. Who knew?”
James lost control of his mouth as it stretched into a wide grin. “Who knew?”
She crossed her arms and shifted to one foot. “Is this a joke to you? You’ll just have to tag along and see what I’m talking about.”
His shoulders rose as he chuckled. Lexi was cute and she was smart. It was obvious she was playing into his kind side. And he did have a soft spot for sassy, sexy creatures named Lexi. He could smell the street-smart in her from a mile away, yet he couldn’t control his own tendency to fall prey to it. “Okay Lexi. I’ll tag along. I’ll tag along all the way to the harbor to get us a boat,” he jested, shaking his head.
Her eyes brightened. “Come on, let’s eat breakfast.”
“Here?”
“Of course. Food’s fine.”
“I’m not hungry,” he protested, raising a hand to his stomach. The idea of them cooking food in a roach-infested hotel sent chills to his arms.
“Well, I am. These people were kind enough to make a warm breakfast for the guests. They’re being nice. Please don’t make them throw it away.”
Plates were stacked high, the food steaming from large metal trays. He was hungry. What was the worst that could happen? “All right,” he grumbled.
She grabbed his hand and pulled. The touch sent hot vibrations to his member. Her hand felt soft and warm, small and tender. His cock twitched. Impossible timing. He fought to control a heated flush that took over his face. He hesitated before letting go of her hand. Did she see? He peeked at her. Why was he so nervous around her? Snap out of it, James. She’s just a girl, for crying out loud.
A big tray of eggs sat next to a smaller tray of cooked plantains. “We ate this the last time I was here too. It’s filling. Perfect for a good journey.” He removed a plate and handed it to her.
“Might be the last decent meal we eat for a while, so dig in,” she advised, taking the plate.
He stopped. “Uh, yeah. I wanted to talk to you about that.”
She piled eggs onto her plate. “What?”
The tables and entryway were empty. He leaned over and whispered. “Are you all prepared for the trip, like with supplies and stuff?”
She pouted her lips, then bit the lower one. “I was just gonna sleep on the beach. It’s warm out.”
James rubbed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “And what about drinking water?”
She held a finger in the air for a moment. “Right,” she chirped from embarrassment.
“Dammit, Lexi. Do you want to end up dying out there due to lack of preparedness?”
“I can handle whatever nature throws at me. I’m from Seattle.”
James rocked his head back and gripped his belly to contain the laughter that spilled out. “Seattle? You think being from the Pacific Northwest will protect you from this?”
She lifted her chin. “No. I was going to get the water bottles. I just wanted to get to the boat first.”
She scooped the eggs onto a fork and shoveled them into her mouth. “Oh, these eggs are divine.”
Sure, it’s no big deal, Lexi. We’re only going out to the middle of nowhere. Why is it I’m the only one who’s worried about anything here?
“Okay. I’ll tell you what. I’ll go out and secure the boat today, you get the supplies.”
Her lips tightened. “No. And leave you to choose the boat? No.”
“We need supplies. I’ll give you money. Just get the damn supplies.”
“I knew you were gonna come here and screw everything up. That’s why I was hesitant to invite you in the first place.”
“You’re kidding right? By the time all is said and done, I will have rescued your ass three or four more times. Don’t you need me?”
She shook her head, smirking. “I don’t need you. I have the map. Worth way more than a boat.”
His napkin crumpled in his fisted hand. “Yeah, but can you pull it off without me?”
“Well, I’m not going to sit here and argue about this. We’re going to get the boat. Together.”
James raised an eyebrow and threw his napkin on the table. “This food wasn’t half-bad. Good idea to eat here,” he said, his mouth curling to a smile. He obviously needed to bring more smooth-talking to charm his way into having her trust him. “Look, sweetness. You’ve done an excellent job of finding the map and you’re going to be the perfect navigator once we’re on the island. But let me go by myself to get the boat. We’re going to need a big one because Strife is surrounded by coral reefs. A rowboat won’t cut it. Don’t you think they’ll be more likely to loan the boat if you’re not there?”
She opened her mouth wide, but no words came out. “What?”
“You know it’s true. We don’t need to raise any eyebrows out there. They saw you begging for the boat yesterday. You come back again the next day, frantically looking for a boat, they’ll call the police.”
She rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips. “Do I look dangerous?”
He continued. “I know these people. I speak the language. Shouldn’t I go alone?”<
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“But, what if—”
“Lexi,” he interrupted. “Don’t worry. I’ll get the boat.”
She leaned back against her chair and crossed her arms. “All right. But you better get it. Don’t mess this up,” she warned.
“How could I mess this up?”
“I’ll get the supplies. What do you need? A Mission Impossible DVD, popcorn, and a bottle of Scotch?”
James broke into a smile. She was mean, but she was funny. “Come on.”
“No seriously, I’m not used to being with someone who requires scores of comfort and luxury.”
“You and I have different hunting styles. I do it for the heck of it. I’m always trying to have a good time in life you know? Why do it if it’s not fun?”
“Whatever, James. Some of us weren’t born into lobster and caviar. We have to work to make money.”
Why did she hate people with money so much? Her rejection injured him, but he covered his pain with a smile and leaned closer to her. “There’s babies born into lobster and caviar? Gross.” He stuck out his tongue.
She put her hands on her hips again. “You got jokes, huh? Let’s see you laugh when you’re holding that gold in your hands.”
“Well I certainly won’t be frowning,” he quipped.
She jammed her mouth closed. “Let’s go, smart ass.”
They agreed to meet up for lunch at the café and went their separate ways.
His smooth tongue got him out of trouble often. She was a rough donut, but he liked that sassy mouth of hers. She was sulky, but getting her to laugh was part of the fun.
It would be at her most relaxed moment that he would get her to spread her legs for him. He craved the tenderness between her thighs. A primal urge in him surpassed all reason. He walked through the street vendors until he turned to the path that would take him to the harbor. He had to have her.
Watchful eyes kept close tabs on him. The staring would have been completely out of control if it wasn’t for the occasional nod or tip of the hat from a well-meaning person. He had been at the port before and the natives had never been particularly aggressive toward him, as long as he kept a pleasant look on his face. He curled the corners of his lips upward as he marched down the wooden floorboards. He saw a man chatting with a younger man and approached them. “Excuse me, either one of you fellas the owner of this exquisite boat?”
“Who is asking?” The man lifted his chin and moved a toothpick to the side of his mouth.
“James Ashton. Looking to take the boat out to Strife for a few days.”
“The boat owner is not here,” the man said with a polite smile. “Come again tomorrow.”
He is lying. Must be. “Is there any way I can talk to him today?”
“No, there isn’t, Monsieur Ashton.”
Hmm. Ummm. Okay. Funny. Let’s move on to the next. He walked to the next man seated on the dock. His boat was a good-sized vessel, perfect for taking out to the island. He stood in front of the man. “Hello.”
The man said nothing and continued to stare at the ground.
James glanced behind him at the empty platform. Geez, is the floor more interesting than me standing right here in front of you?
“Hello?” He raised his voice a tad higher. “Sir, I’m looking for a boat.” He enunciated the words.
The clamor at the harbor quieted.
The man still said nothing.
What is this? What is going on here? His temples throbbed. I’m James Ashton, dammit. Speak to me! He backed away from the man and walked away, shaking his head. There were still ten to fifteen more boats up the path. His stomach hardened. No problem.
The next trawler had no one readily available, so he continued further. Come on. Someone loan me a damn boat. “Hello. Hi. I’m looking for a boat to take to Strife Island. I’ll only be away for a few hours. You can even come with me and watch over the boat.” If he sounded desperate, it’s because he was.
The man wore a striped shirt and a cap. “Dangerous waters out there. You’ll damage the boat.”
“Please. You can drive the boat yourself.” Who else was going to drive it? He and Lexi knew next to nothing about driving boats. He could follow a manual and a couple of You Tube how-to videos, but that was about the extent of it. He'd always preferred to let his brother or a hired captain drive.
The man maintained a permanent frown. “Sorry. All booked today.”
“Good. I don’t need it today. I need it tomorrow.” Getting a boat proved more difficult than he imagined. Why the hell is everybody acting so standoffish? Do I look like I could wreck a boat?
The fisherman frowned and quietly looked him dead in the eye. “What you do out there?”
James’ chest tightened. Scavenging for gold, my dear friend. And no, you’re not getting a cut. What do people do on islands besides build fires and catch fish? A private, secluded island sounded great in theory. But it was nothing without a beach house, a pool, and a barbecue grill out back. Strife was more like the island in Lost. No alcohol, no internet. On top of that, shark-infested coral reefs surrounded the place, so you had to nearly lose your life to get there. How in the world had she talked him into this? He squared his shoulders. “Nothing. Just a quick hike.”
“Boat is rented tomorrow too.”
James swallowed. Unbelievable. “I have money. I’ll give you $5000.”
The man raised his eyebrows and rocked back on his feet. He turned down the corners of his mouth. “Whoo. Why didn’t you say something earlier?”
James relaxed his shoulders. Money talks doesn’t it? Especially when you’re standing in Haiti. “Good. Now we’re talking. I’ll give you $2500 now, and $2500 to bring us back.”
The man pouted his mouth as his eyebrows became furrowed. His eyes narrowed on to James. “Who is us?” He spoke the words slowly and clearly.
Dammit. My big mouth. He should have just shown up with the money and Lexi. The old captain’s eyes would have been so transfixed on the handfuls of dollars that he wouldn’t have even noticed the pretty girl standing next to him. But the damage was done. “A hiking buddy. A good friend,” he said.
The man said nothing as he picked up a blue bucket and opened the boat door.
James lifted his chin and called out to him. “You interested or not?”
The man came back to him. “We’re booked tomorrow,” he announced. He turned and walked away.
James shifted feet. His throat began to close. “$10,000. Bring us to the island and back. Money’s yours.”
The man stopped and looked at him. He nodded once and opened his mouth a moment later. “You have a deal.”
James’ chest expanded as he stretched his shoulders back. Oh thank god. Finally, a boat. “Thank you, sir,” he said, extending his hand.
The man gripped it tight and shook it. “Be here at 6 am tomorrow. We leave early in the morning.”
James nodded. The deal was horrible, but he might not have gotten any deal at all if he hadn’t offered the cash up front. That amount of cash was enough to buy the boat entirely. But what would he do with a Haitian vessel in U.S. waters? That fisherman got very lucky. That old boat wasn’t worth a fraction of the amount James paid for it.
There’s no way Lexi would have ever scored a boat. These people are nuts. How dangerous is that island? And why do you have to pay thousands to get there? There better be some damn gold hidden in that dirt, ‘cause this trip is getting expensive.
He wandered off the dock into a crowd of staring eyes. Yeah, that’s right. I’m a foreigner and I’m in your town. Not up to anything bad though. Just lookin’ for gold to stockpile and bring back home.
His throat was dry and his stomach grumpy. Definitely not his style of vacation. His skin enflamed and boiled under the hot sun. His baseball cap shielded some rays, but the rest beat down on his sweaty back like the beat of a drum. Why the hell did she choose that shitty motel? He shook his head and sat on a short concrete wall. He took a water bottle out of his
bag and swigged the entire contents. He stretched his neck and looked at his watch. Might as well get to truckin’. No rest for the weary. He threw his bag on his shoulder. He wavered in and out of crowds until he arrived at the restaurant and took a seat at their usual table.
A thin waitress came and asked for his order. Her dress wrinkled around her breasts.
“Give me whatever you got that’s filling and some water.”
She fidgeted with the notepad in her hands. “Whatever I have that’s filling?”
“Yes. I haven’t eaten all day. Starved.”
“Okay. Chicken or goat?”
He had had enough experimenting for the day. Chicken was normal. “I’ll have the chicken. Make it two.”
“Great. I will bring you the Poule en Sauce.”
“Thanks.”
He hadn’t had a moment in all the craziness to think about what to do with Sheila. The girl was obsessive, manipulative, and completely not his type. Would she fly off the handle if he told her it was over? It was the only right thing to do. Lexi was so damn tempting. He shook his head and glared at the phone. What if he got out to that island and could no longer control himself around her?
He swallowed and pushed through to Sheila's number.
Her hoity-toity voice answered. “Hi Honey,” she said.
He closed his eyes and reopened them. “Hi Sheila.”
“You remembered my number. I’m surprised,” she hissed.
It was no time to get into a fight. He wanted a clean cut. His heart pounded as he eyed the sidewalk. “Sheila…” he hesitated. “Can I talk to you about something?”
“What is it?” Her voice pressured.
“This isn’t working.”
A loud gasp vibrated the line.
Here we go.
“What do you mean it’s not working? It was working when you fucked me last weekend. Why are you running off to some godforsaken foreign country when it’s time for a real conversation?”
“Sheila. I’m not going to engage in this type of discussion. I’m going to take the higher road here and just say that I had a great time with you while it lasted, but now it seems as though the glitter of the relationship has worn off.”