Trust in Us

by Altonya Washington

  The amount and variation of the excitement must have appeased Orchid, Jeena and Myrna, for they were quick to abandon their male love interests. Their plan was to follow the baggage carriers to their suites for a quick change of attire and then return to the array of bars, hot-tub lounges and poolside cafés for an afternoon of socializing.

  As pleased by her friends’ contentment as a mom leaving her squealing child with a sitter, Alythia envisioned an afternoon of sleep. She hoped her friends would find much to do and not miss her company for at least a couple of hours.

  Aly could have kissed Clive Weeks when she discovered she and her girls had been spread out in suites along different wings of the resort. Satisfaction settled like a warm blanket the moment the door closed behind the polite porter. The middle-aged Haitian man must have sensed Alythia’s exhaustion, for he bid her pleasant dreams before making his departure. Happiness manifested then in the form of a sigh when Aly marveled at the king bed with its four tall posters. The engraved mahogany supported gauzy curtains that puffed out in an elegant display thanks to the tropical breezes that circulated through the open windows. The broad frames were bumped infrequently by the heavy leaves of gigantic palm trees that danced wildly amid the wind.

  Alythia approached the windows, wishing to be showered by the strong gusts of air. She discovered that there were fine screens behind the panes that admitted the sensational breeze and not much else.

  The lullaby performed by the palm-tree leaves gradually returned Aly’s thoughts to her desire for sleep. She’d kicked off her sandals and managed to exchange her travel clothes for a new pink-and-black sleep ensemble when the sound of jolly chimes mingled with the palm tree’s song. Her mobile. She’d almost forgotten having taken it off airplane mode after they left the jet. Myrna and Jeena had suffered no bouts of amnesia. They’d made quick work of reminding everyone to rejoin the land of the living when they dug out their phones.

  Tired as she was, Aly didn’t resent answering the call when she saw the name on the faceplate.

  “Well, hello!” she greeted her business manager.

  “You sound awfully chipper.” Marianne Young’s husky voice would’ve sounded much deeper were it not for the underlying amusement that often colored her words.

  “So how goes it?” Mari queried. “Any new scandals brewing?”

  “Mari, shame on you,” Alythia halfheartedly scolded while she placed her sandals in the elm-wood wardrobe across the bedroom. “Why would you think such a thing?”

  “Oh, Lord...is it that bad?”

  “Not yet. Suffice it to say that bed partners have already been selected and...tested.”

  Marianne whistled. “Wait a minute. How are you talking about this? Where is everyone else?”

  “Separate suites, on separate wings of a huge resort.”

  Another whistle sang through the phone line. “Did you arrange that?” Marianne asked.

  “Hmph.” Aly wiggled her freed toes. “Not me. The fates did.” She smiled when Marianne laughed.

  “So? Any word?” she asked once the woman’s chuckles softened.

  “No decision has been made yet.” Marianne needed no clarity on what her client was referring to. Alythia had been in an almost-constant state of anxiety over the past few months. “Our proposal is sound, Aly. Try not to worry over this while you’re there.”

  “Do you think there’s anything more we can do to better our chances?” Aly persisted, perching on the arm of a deep chair near the open windows. “Maybe we could amp up our radio and TV advertisements. Do you think that might help?”

  Marianne’s laughter had returned. “Girl, you’re too keyed up. You know that, right?”

  “I know....” Alythia went boneless as she eased down into the chair, her long legs dangling over the arm. “I’ve been really edgy with the girls, too, and they don’t deserve it. They’re here to have fun, like I should be doing.”

  “Exactly.” Marianne’s strong voice was successful at driving home her encouragement. “We’ve done everything we can for the time being. Trust me, I’ve checked to see if we’ve left any stones unturned and I’ll continue to check, all right?”

  “All right.”

  “All we can do is wait.”

  “All we can do is wait.” Alythia came down from her anxious high while repeating Marianne’s precaution.

  “Good. Now, you enjoy what I’m sure is gonna be an exquisite getaway.”

  “It is that.” Aly closed her eyes as a strong breeze hit her face. “It’s definitely that, but all I want to do right now is go to sleep.”

  “Well, there you go! I’m hanging up now. Sweet dreams...” Marianne’s connection ended a second later.

  “Sweet dreams indeed.” Alythia sent a dreamy look in the bed’s direction. She left the chair with the intention of placing her mobile on the stately elm-wood-and-bamboo nightstand. Rethinking that decision, she returned it to her overnight case. There was enough business to keep her occupied in Anegada without calling home for more.

  Aly was on her way to bed when there was a knock. She stopped just short of the door to offer up a fast prayer that it be none of her friends. Not yet—she really needed just a couple of hours of downtime. Heck, she’d settle for one hour at this point.

  Fortified by the prayer, she pulled open the door and let Gage witness her relief when she saw him in the hallway.

  As relieved as Alythia was, though, Gage appeared anything but. A mixture of uncertainty had illuminated his dark, handsome face. “Is this a bad time?” He put obvious effort into asking the question.

  “Going to bed.” Aly rested her head on the side of the door. Her tone was lazy, eyelids heavy in anticipation of sleep.

  “That part’s obvious.” A peculiar smile curved his fascinating mouth.

  Alythia hadn’t noticed him blatantly raking his beckoning stare along her body before. When he lowered his gaze in a more direct manner that time, she took heed and received her second round of mortification for the day.

  She’d been so focused on praying for it not to be her BFFs on the other side of the door that she had completely dismissed what she was wearing when she opened it.

  Gage briefly set his hand across his mouth to shield a broadening smile as she bolted from the door to go in search of a robe.

  * * *

  He shut the room door and followed her deeper into the suite. In the bedroom he leaned back against the door and indulged in the long, unconscious glimpses she offered of surprisingly shapely limbs and other plump assets that were emphasized by the skimpy top and panties she was about to wear to bed.

  A scrap of peach-colored material caught his eye and Gage braced off the door to investigate. He discovered the robe she was so obviously searching for. A light fragrance drifted from the satiny garment when he pulled it from beneath a bag on the armchair nearest the closet. He stole a moment to savor the feel of the material between his fingers. He let himself imagine how the item must feel with her filling it.

  “Is this what you want?”

  Alythia straightened, turning into his deep, close voice. She resisted the urge to let her lashes flutter out of embarrassment as she took what he offered.

  “Thanks.” Her tone was hushed as she slipped on the robe. “I probably shouldn’t tell you I’m sorry about this, huh?”

  His laughter was short but humor filled. “I can’t think of one thing you have to be sorry for right now.”

  “Most men don’t like to be teased.” She reached for the ties at her waist.

  Gage moved in, locating the other end of the belt. “Is that what you believed I’d think?” He secured the belt for her.

  “I...shouldn’t have said that.”

  Gage bumped her chin with his fist and then propped it there and waited for her eyes to meet his. “Will you answer me?”

  “How could you not think that when all your friends have had their worlds rocked by all of mine?”

  As impressed as he was that she had co
me right out and said it, Gage was still taken aback that she had. Her voice sounded strong, but he could sense that she was very exhausted. “Maybe it’s a little early for this discussion?” he noted.

  Exhaustion had indeed claimed the energetic lilt of her laughter. “Never is too early to have this discussion,” she mused.

  “If that’s the case, I’m afraid we’ll have to find something else to talk about over dinner.”

  “Another meal with the gang? Yaay.” She gave a lazy twirl of an index finger. “What time do we need to be there?”

  “You and I should be there around seven.”

  She blinked. “Just us? Just...you and me?”

  “That’s right.” Gage realized he’d been rubbing the underside of her wrist where she had been holding her arms folded near where he still held on to the robe’s belt.

  “Seven?” he queried, smiling in a manner that proved he sensed both her reluctance and her willingness.

  “Seven.” She gave in to what she wanted. “What should I wear?”

  Gage had a fine idea that his expression was probably all the response she needed. “I don’t really think you’d benefit from my suggestion. It’d be a pretty self-serving one anyway.”

  The words made Alythia laugh until he gave the belt a sharp tug, which caused her to balance herself by bracing her hands against his unyielding chest when she jostled him. She dug in her fingers just enough to determine whether he felt as unbelievable as he appeared.

  He dropped a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “Rest up,” he murmured while his lips still grazed her skin.

  Alythia stood fixed to her spot when Gage moved away. She watched him make his way out of the room. She maintained her position until a minute after the main door closed behind him.

  * * *

  What the hell was going on? The words blasted around inside her head, which must’ve had a stimulating effect, because she stripped off the robe. She let it lie where it fell and then eased beneath the inviting turned-down bedcovers.

  She hadn’t come here for this. She’d come for work and, if time permitted, a little lazing near the pool, a few drinks... She hadn’t come here to fall in—

  “Stop it.” She punched the closest pillow as though it had somehow been to blame for such thoughts filling her mind. She barely had time for her friends. She surely had no time for a high-maintenance relationship.

  Something told her that an involvement with Gage Vincent would be high maintenance. Not in a bad way, of course. She could, however, take one look at the man and be pretty much reassured that he’d keep her...busier than business ever could.

  “Stop it...” She moaned the word as if begging herself for mercy.

  Sex—or the lack of it—was the very last thing she needed at the forefront of her mind. The idea gave her pause and she ceased her fidgeting beneath the sheets. Giving in might not be such a bad thing after all. Well...no, it wouldn’t be a bad thing at all. Would it really matter what he thought of her later?

  Chances were high that they wouldn’t even see each other after the wedding. It’d just be a Caribbean fling. Who didn’t deserve to have at least one of those? she thought, renewed drowsiness beginning to settle in as the perfect mattress and pillows cushioned her entire body, beckoning it into relaxation.

  “No...a Caribbean fling wouldn’t be a bad thing. He already wants you, Aly...” she murmured, the breeze and palm leaves lulling her as surely as the bed and its trimmings.

  “And he’d really be a pleasure to...have.... Mmm...” She snuggled down almost into the center of the bed, thinking of those stunning eyes of his, the flawless coffee skin taut across that amazing chest.

  A Caribbean fling wouldn’t be a bad thing at all....

  Chapter 5

  Alythia’s late-afternoon nap had worked wonders. The exhaustion that had threatened to buckle her knees when the plane had landed in San Juan had been effectively vanquished by the three-hour snooze. She awoke refreshed—and starving. The delicious and filling onboard lunch had worn off hours ago.

  Thankfully, the hunger hadn’t affected her appearance. She looked rested and stunning. She’d showered, dressed and then critiqued her image in the full-length mirror. Unless she was going out on the town, she rarely wore foundation. Her usual enhancement was a light dousing of eye shadow and lipstick. She’d packed a nice supply of all things makeup related but decided in that moment that they would remain packed. A healthy dose of sleep, rustling palm-tree leaves and a heavenly bed were the real secrets to radiance!

  There was a knock and she felt a twinge of self-consciousness then. “Let’s hope my date thinks so.” She checked the gold-filigree clock on the dresser across the bedroom. She spared a minute for one last twirl in the mirror, loving the way the long hem of the lavender halter dress whirled around the flat sandals that highlighted her fresh pedicure. With one last quick toss of her blue-black waves, she headed for the door.

  Had she had any concerns about whether Gage would disapprove of her joining him barefaced, she did away with them the instant she noticed the brilliant smile that set his gaze sparkling.

  “You already answered my first question—did you sleep okay?” he asked with a striking grin. “Hungry?”

  Alythia threw back her head as though she were depleted. “Starved, but sleep had to come first for me.”

  “Surprised that you got three uninterrupted hours of it.” He leaned on the doorframe while voicing the observation.

  “I still can’t believe that, either.” She blinked as if the remark gave her pause. “Did I miss anything...best left unmentioned?”

  Gage bowed his head, studying his thumb as it traced the links of the silver timepiece he sported. “I think it’s safe to say that everybody had a pretty quiet day.” He pushed off the frame then, invading Alythia’s space to course his hands over her bare arms.

  “Got a wrap or anything?”

  Gage’s question went unanswered, his touch having rendered Alythia speechless and immovable for a weighty second. “I, um...” She motioned to the sofa, where a mosaic-print garment lay carelessly on a cushion. “Just there,” she directed, thinking that he’d intended to collect it for her.

  “Gage?” she called, tilting her head curiously when he only stood there smoothing his hands across her arms. “Hey?” She gave a tug to the cuff of the black shirt he wore outside cream-colored trousers.

  “Right.” He blinked and seemed to snap out of his reverie.

  Alythia returned to the bedroom to grab her purse while Gage went to claim the wrap. She couldn’t resist making another stop before the mirror to tousle her naturally windswept hair.

  * * *

  Gage was in possession of the wrap and had come to the bedroom door to watch her fussing in the mirror. Where the devil had she come from? He posed the question in silence but could still hear the bewilderment holding the words.

  How was it he had never heard of her? He posed the second silent query and then caught himself. Heard of her? Exactly how up-to-date was he on any movers and shakers in the boutique business? Besides, Charlotte wasn’t exactly a town where one saw his or her neighbors at the corner market on the regular. Still...what were the odds of meeting such a woman on a trip like this?

  Such a woman? He considered that wording. Exactly what type of woman did he mean? He had a fine idea what type of women her friends were. He didn’t hold that against them, but that wasn’t Alythia.

  She was very protective of her girls and he admired her for that. But was that all? Her looks and sexual appeal had captured him, there was no doubting that, but there was more. He believed that solving the mystery of her would simply ensnare him, happily entrap him far more than he already was.

  Alythia offered up a sheepish smile when she turned from the mirror and found Gage staring. “Ready,” she gushed, not reading the true intensity lurking in the liquid chocolate of his stare.

  She reached for the wrap, but Gage held it out of her grasp, choosing to place
it across her shoulders.

  “You think I’ll need this inside?” she asked.

  “Doubt it.” His response was canyon deep and absent.

  Alythia didn’t ask why he was draping it over her shoulders, then.

  A good thing, too, because Gage wasn’t sure she’d appreciate knowing that his reason was only that he wanted to touch her. The flat sandals were chic, sexy in a totally subtle way. She would most likely have been closer to his eye level were she wearing anything with a more substantial heel. Her lithe, fragile build beautifully enhanced the full B-cups and nicely rounded bottom that Gage was more than a little curious to discover the feel of cradled in his palms.

  “Second thoughts?” she was asking, seeming curious about his fixed expression. She gave another light tug to his shirt cuff and smiled a bit brighter when he dipped his head to veil a suddenly bashful expression.

  “Let’s go.” He cocked his head just slightly toward the door.

  Quietly, they headed out.

  * * *

  Alythia was surprised to feel faint pinpricks of apprehension take hold. She knew what had stirred them but had no plan as to how to approach the subject.

  “So where are we eating?” she asked instead.

  “The resort’s got a pretty good Italian restaurant. Um, loads of other stuff, too, if Italian’s not...not your thing.”

  Uneasiness aside, Alythia couldn’t help but smile over how concerned he seemed about making her aware that the choice was hers.

  “You seem to know a lot about this place.” She eased into the next phase of quelling her curiosity and satisfying those annoying pinpricks. “Must be nice to have a friend in the hospitality business.”

  They had arrived at the elevator bay. Gage had already pulled Alythia’s arm into its usual place across the crook of his elbow. They walked the corridor, golden lit at night by the electric candles lining the walls. By day, rich sunlight was powerful enough to filter through the picture windows at either end of the space. Softly evocative tunes from the band on schedule for that evening piped in to enhance their stroll along the otherwise silent hall.