by Claire Adams
"You sure?" I tossed them to her without a second thought. I hated driving.
"Yeah. Get in, and let's go check this place out. I'm going to give you a pass on not taking advantage of hottie business boy, but only this once. Next cute guy who flirts with you gets some of your attention. Got it?" She got in the car and turned to pin me with a stare.
I got in and buckled up, ignoring her until she cleared her throat. "Yeah, I got it. He wasn't my type, okay?"
"What?" She snorted and started up the car. "Easton is everyone's type. Black hair and blue eyes, tanned skin, strong arms, and a flat tummy? He had a great smile too." She let out a girlie sigh. "And he smelled so good."
"Right, so he's your type. Getcha some of that." I pulled out my phone and hid my disappointment. The only text I had was from Casey before we boarded the flight. Having focused on nothing but school, her, and Jackson, I was without too many friends when it was all said and done. I was going to have to right the wrong when I got back to New York.
I turned to look out the window as we drove from the airport toward the beachfront.
Casey turned on the radio, and I couldn't help but sing along with her as we rolled down the windows and let the cool air blow our hair about. I could find relaxation and peace in the middle of the beach scene, if nothing else. Casey was looking for a party, a good time, but I was looking for rest and reprieve. I needed to find a bookstore.
"So I heard this place has six gourmet restaurants." She tapped the steering wheel as we pulled up to the stoplight.
"I know. It's going to be kick-ass." Excitement raced through me, and I took a deep breath, trying to reset my emotions. I could have a great time. I would make it happen.
"I say we try them all in the first few days so that we know where to spend the rest of the week eating. You could even write up some of your critiques and try to submit them to the paper when we get back home. Whatcha think?" Her tone was hopeful.
"I like it." I ran my fingers through my hair and smiled as a dark-skinned boy waved at me.
"Heya, beautiful. Want to pull over and come catch some waves with us? It's the perfect day to make a new friend." He called out to me as Casey started to pull away.
"Maybe another time?" I called back and worked to get my hair out of my face.
He pressed both hands to his bare chest over his heart and looked up to the sky as if heartbroken.
I leaned back in my seat and laughed. "Is everyone here dramatic?"
"God, I hope so. New Yorkers can be so focused sometimes that it's hard to crack through their shell of lust toward success." Casey pointed to the large resort ahead of us that was nuzzled on the beach. "That's it."
I leaned forward and let my eyes run across the elaborate structure that seemed to go on for miles. "It's beautiful. I hope it's filled with more than horny freshman and old geezers."
"Oh I bet the mix is far and wide, but we're looking for a specific type of man, or at least I am." She pulled up to the gate and turned her attention to the good-looking guard as he moved from his guard stand.
"Hi ladies. Are you staying the week with us?" He leaned down and pressed his thick forearms to the window frame as his eyes moved across Casey and then over to me.
"Yes, sir. We'd not stay anywhere else." Casey used her bedroom voice, which didn't seem to faze the big guy too much. I had to stifle a laugh, as I always did around her. She was inappropriate all the time.
"Good. Visitor parking is over there to the left, and the check-in has a big white sign that says registration on it. Make sure you get a schedule of events and try to be at Black's Beach on Thursday." He moved back, and I couldn't help but lean across Casey to catch the guy’s attention.
"Why? Someone else mentioned that to us. What's the big deal?" I couldn't help but appreciate the thickness of his arms and chest. The gym had to be stained in his sweat no doubt.
"It's something that's better experienced than explained. Just go if you can, and welcome." He winked at me and moved back to his guard stand, motioning us through.
"Weird. I want to know what we're getting ourselves into before we just go over there. It might end up being roofie night for the idiot tourists." I sat back in my seat and let out a frustrated sigh as Casey parked the car.
"I doubt that's the case, but we'll figure it out. It's only Sunday. We still have a while." She turned and looked out the back window at the beach as a smile lifted her lips. "This place is hopping with people, Viv. There is no way in hell we're not going to find ourselves right in the middle of the party. Look at this place. Insane."
I got out of the car and turned to let my eyes scan across the half-dressed bodies that moved about in the gold and white sand. The sound of the water rushed up to greet me, and the breeze pulled in the smell of salt water and coconut scented sun-tanning lotion.
I breathed in deeply and closed my eyes. I'd never tell Casey in a million years that I was far more interested in partying all by myself instead of with a crowd. I knew my friend well enough to know that we'd have ten new people around us by nightfall. As long as they appeared legit, and she promised to keep her phone with her, I'd let her go off to "party," and I'd find a comfy spot to read and relax. The promise of such a reprieve left me ready to dump our stuff and commence mingling.
We walked toward the grand entrance and were greeted by two people that could have been swimsuit models. The girl's hair was blonde and her breasts huge. The guy was ripped from his throat to the thick muscles that ran down into his swimsuit.
"Welcome to La Mage. We're glad to have you girls. Check-in is that way, and information on restaurants and bars is at the end of the hall on the wall mount." The girl smiled at us with a warmth I didn't expect.
"Yep, and there are parties non-stop here. Make sure you grab an activities schedule from the front desk, and if you need anything at all, I'm Marco." He took my hand, kissed my fingers, and smiled seductively. "Anything at all."
"Thanks," I responded, a little breathless more from the frontal assault of beautiful people and less from the guy’s attention on me. It was all part of the production, anyway.
"Why do you always get the sexy ones?" Casey grumbled at me as we got in line.
"What?" I laughed and turned back in time to see Marco kissing an older woman's hand as she giggled and blushed. "Nothing to worry about. He's already moved on."
Casey glanced back and busted out laughing. "Such a typical male, right?"
"Age before beauty, young lady." I poked at her softly. "Besides, I'm saving myself for a nerdy type this time around. Looks and money have a stigma with them, and it's rang true in my life since I started dating."
"They're all assholes, Viv. Money, looks, nerdy, sensitive...all of them."
"Then why do we try?" I picked up my bag and moved up to stand at the front of the line. A handsome, frat-boy type called us toward him to check-in.
"Because they're so pretty to look at?" Casey giggled and dropped her bag in front of the counter before glancing toward me. "Am I right?"
"Spot on." I pulled out my credit card and played along as he flirted his way into talking us into an upgrade on our dining package. Little did he know that it was far more about the culinary treats and less about the twinkle in his eyes that sold me.
Chapter Six
Easton
It was best to leave the girls behind on the plane. I didn't want any further connection to the lovely woman that was sure to haunt my dreams that night. My career was first and foremost in my life. Getting involved with anyone, especially a girl still in college, wasn't going to happen. I glanced down at my phone, contemplating deleting the number her ballsy friend had typed in, but decided against it. I didn't have to call her, and without her having my number, there was no way we would connect again without me initiating it.
"Easton! Wait up, dude." Kevin's voice surprised me as I moved through the terminal toward baggage claim. The guy wasn't supposed to be in Miami until later that day.
; "Hey, Kev. What are you doing here?" I glanced around idly, not looking for Viv and yet very much looking for her.
"I got on that flight with you. You must have scored first class or something." He snorted and ran his chubby fingers over his balding head. "The sandwich they served was horrible. Far too dry for my liking."
"They had mayonnaise that you could have used." I gave him a sideways glance as we paused by the baggage turn style.
"There's no need to add sauce of any sort to a properly made sandwich." Kevin rubbed his protruding belly and gave me a cocky smile. "I'm the food critic, remember? Stick with me, and you'll never have a bad meal."
I awarded him a short chuckle, grabbed my bag and glanced back at him. "Are you headed to La Mage now?"
"Yeah. Let's grab a cab together. Maybe we can chat about the various events coming up this week. I want to try and hit most of them if you're up for it." He wrestled his over-sized bag to his side and nodded toward the door. "You grab the cab. I'll meet you there in a minute. I need to go to the bathroom. Actually, can you drag my bag with you?"
I took a sharp breath and nodded, wanting very much to be a dick, but knowing it would do no good. "Yeah. I'll see you out there."
"Good man." He winked and walked off as my eyes moved across the hordes of people that walked from the main terminal to the baggage claim area. Viv was nowhere in sight, but some part of me wanted one more encounter with her. It was silly and rather childish, but I couldn't help but stand there for a few, elongated minutes.
Turning on my heel, I walked languidly to the exit and moved to the line of yellow cabs, getting behind the ten people who were waiting, their voices a chorus of excitement. I couldn't remember the last time I was on vacation, and I wasn't now either. The feeling of anticipation was almost dead inside of me, but contemplating running into the cute girl from my flight left it swirling in the pit of my stomach.
"Damn," I growled and turned back to watch the door. Maybe I should just go back in and wait for her. A drink wouldn't hurt anything. A night of dancing? Making love until the morning and letting her go? It doesn't have to be a relationship, right?
"Next!" A gruff voice called from behind me, and surprisingly, I turned to find the line gone.
"Right. Thanks. I'm headed downtown to La Mage." I worked to help the guy get my and Kevin's bags in the back of the car. "My co-worker is–”
"Right here." Kevin moved up beside the car and got in without offering to help with the bags.
Typical ass.
"No problem, man. Get in, and I'll have you down there in a jiffy." The cab driver closed the trunk and moved to his side of the car.
I paused and glanced back over my shoulder before giving up on having one more chance encounter with Vivian.
After getting in the car, I worked on my seatbelt and turned to find Kevin watching me with uncomfortable intensity.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing. Just wondering why you're not married. Seems weird to me." He shrugged and worked to get something out of his teeth.
I adverted my attention from him and leaned back in the seat, turning my head to watch the people walk from the airport building. "I just haven't found the right girl. Forever is a long time."
"Ahhh, so you're a romantic who believes in true love and such. Not at all the type of guy I pegged you to be." He chuckled.
I turned my head toward him. "No? And what kind of guy did you peg me to be?"
"The turn and burn kind. You're young, obviously smart, good looking... And don't forget, I've seen you in a few meetings that didn't go well. You know how to handle yourself and how to shut someone down pretty quickly." He sucked at his teeth once more and shrugged. "Romantic wouldn't have been on the list."
"I'm not a romantic, or at least I don't think I am." I closed my eyes and ran my hand down my face. "I'm far too focused on my career right now to even think about it, to be perfectly honest. Marriage and family isn't on my radar at all right now."
"I get that. I turn the ladies down all the time because they're far too needy nowadays."
I kept my eyes closed and simply nodded, hoping like hell he would shut up and leave me be. He was full of hot air, and if it were up to me, his days would be significantly limited. He was an ass to the restaurants he serviced, and I'd yet to see a favorable write up from him in the two years I'd been with my employer.
"We're here," the cabbie called out from the front seat. "Credit or cash?"
"You got this, right?" Kevin opened his door and got out without waiting for my reply.
"Yeah. I guess." I pulled out my card and let my eyes scan the beautiful design at the front of the resort. It was one of my favorites and I was glad to be back in Florida, though I was a New Yorker through and through.
Vivian moved past my mind's eyes again, her pretty blue eyes watching me over the top of her drink as she seemingly played with my emotions. She had no clue of her power as a beautiful woman. She'd been through something recently from what I could tell, and now that I'd lost the chance to ask what, I was kicking myself. I shouldn't have wanted to know, but I did.
I paid, got out of the car and took a deep breath. The salty goodness of the ocean filled my senses, and I lifted my hands to the heavens and stretched, taking a moment to enjoy the beauty around me.
"Mr. Parks. So nice to have you back with us again, sir." An older gentleman in a nice suit walked from the hotel and extended his hand. "I'm Jeffry Bryan. One of the managers here at La Mage."
"Jeffry, of course. I remember you." I extended my hand and shook his firmly. "This is my co-worker, Kevin Jarrett. He'll be sampling some of the new dishes you have in your restaurants this year."
"Ah yes..." The manager turned and extended his hand to Kevin. "I believe we've met as well."
"I don't remember you at all, actually." Kevin shook his hand as I cringed. The man had no class at all.
"Well, thanks for hosting us again this year. We're going to get settled in this afternoon, and then I'd like to meet with your hospitality manager around five, if possible." I picked up my bag as someone rushed toward me, taking it and welcoming me warmly.
The two models at the door offered their greeting as well, which was a nice touch from my previous visit. Where I might expect them to be stiff and uppity, they weren't at all. Both the male and female were warm in their greeting and conversational to the guests that moved in alongside me.
"I will arrange that, no worries. We have you in a penthouse suite tonight and other various sizes of rooms throughout the week. I remember that you like to try out everything while you're here." Jeffry motioned for me to move up to the checkout. "One of our staff will get you checked in and settled. Come down a few minutes before five, and we'll have a room set up for you to talk with Brian. He's new to us, but I think you'll find him pleasant."
"Excellent." I turned and moved into the VIP line for check-in. The brilliant, silky, red locks of a pretty girl just to my right grabbed my attention and my breath caught in my chest. Viv?
"Why do you get to stay in the penthouse, and I have to have a regular room?" Kevin grumbled as he moved up beside me in the non-VIP line. The scowl on his face almost caused my lip to turn up in a smirk, but I forced myself to behave. No need to egg the poor guy on unless he kept pressing his luck. He would find a reason to be pissy no matter what. He didn't need my help with it, but he’d get some if he wasn’t careful.
"I'm here testing out their resort, Kev. I have to experience everything from decor to food to the hotel rooms. My write up covers everything. Yours covers the dining experience. You should feel lucky that they didn't give you a cot in the kitchen." I smirked at him as his face shaded red.
"Whatever. I'm asking for an upgrade. I'm an important client, and if they want a good review on their culinary offerings, then they'd better treat me well." He huffed and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Your opinion should be unbiased and focused solely on the food." I lifted my eyebrow at him. "That
's how you critique, correct? If not, Jon should be made aware of the score card you're using."
"Are you threatening me?" He asked, his voice pinching slightly.
"Absolutely. Your ethics reflect the company I'm investing my future in. Don't fuck around with it." I locked my jaw and turned to pin him with a warning stare.
He lifted his hands as the crimson on his cheeks bled to white. "Alright. Damn. I was just saying."
"Well don't." I turned to the front and moved up as the pretty redhead and her blonde friend moved down toward the elevators. It was Viv and Casey. I pressed my hands to the counter in front of me and let my eyes follow her, memorizing how well her small rear fit into her jeans.
"Mr. Parks. Nice to have you with us. Will you need just one key?"
I bit my bottom lip as I contemplated how fun it would be to have a fling with her. Was she up for it? Here she was at the same hotel as me. Was I up for it?
"No. I'll take two." I turned back to face the woman.
"Sounds good. We'll switch your room each afternoon at three, and I'll be sure to leave a note in your file that you are to receive a text with the new room numbers. The card will work without fail as you shift around. Should you need anything at all, just let us know." The woman smiled and handed me the cards. "Don't forget the penthouse has a code, too. It's four-one-five."
"Excellent." I picked up my bag and walked toward the elevator. Kevin's voice rose up behind me as if he were owed something by the hotel for simply being there. I shook my head, pressed the button, and pulled out my phone, putting in a call to my boss.
"This is Jon." He was out of breath, which gave me pause.
"Bad time, boss?" I asked.
"No. Just got done with my mid-day run. You in Florida?"
"Yeah. Kevin is here as well." I moved over to let more people in the elevator and wondered why the hell I didn't wait a few minutes to call. Idiot.