Hotter Than The Caribbean (Building Love Book 2)

by Stacy Hoff

  ‘Hahaha back at ‘ya.’ A yellow emoji face blowing a kiss followed. ‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder.’

  ‘No need. I’m already fond of you.’ It’d be juvenile to tell her I’ve got a crush. The seconds waiting for her response crawled by slowly. Father Time must have broken his legs.

  Finally her message flashed. ‘I agree. No need for patience. I am already in your car.’

  Luis yelled to Olivia, slugging along at her desk outside his office, to go home. He shut down his computer and bolted out the office door. If there was ever a bigger incentive to get to his car, he had no idea when.

  He practically tore off the car door as soon as his fingers touched the handle. Pedro didn’t even have a chance to come around. Luis slid inside the back seat. Mel was in his arms instantly.

  Instead of kissing him, she rested her head against his shoulder. For a moment neither of them said anything. He closed his eyes, enjoying her warmth. He found he was holding her like a child, one arm wrapped around her body, the other cradling her head. “Hey, is everything okay?” he asked her, giving her arm a small squeeze. She pulled away to look him in the eye.

  “I guess so. I feel better now that I’m with you.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. Talk to me.”

  “Okay, let’s talk about where we’re going.”

  “That’s not what I meant,” he answered. “Lucky for you though, I can take a hint. We’re going to Bio Bay, which is in a different part of the island. Ever heard of it?”

  “No. I’d love to find out.”

  “You will soon enough. Trust me, Bio Bay is amazing. There’s a place along the way we can stop for dinner. After that, we’re going kayaking.”

  “Really? Kayaking sounds fun. I’ve only gone once before. Is that okay?”

  “Not a problem. The area we’re going has calm water.”

  “Good. I wouldn’t want my novice skill level dragging you down.” She gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “I’m excited to go, but why at night?”

  “Night is when marine creatures perform their light show. The bioluminescent spectacle is very popular among tourists. I’ve arranged for our own private tour.”

  Her excitement was palpable. “Thank you, Luis. I can’t wait to get there.”

  They talked and laughed during the long limo ride. Her delight in learning more about their marine excursion gave him a lot of unknown gooey feelings, ones he ought to cast aside. Nevertheless, she had reeled him in. Hook, line, and sinker.

  ~ ~ ~

  Luis enjoyed one of the best evenings of his life for the second night in a row. Kayaking in Fajardo’s bioluminescent bay had never been more enjoyable. He had not left anything to chance, checking the lunar calendar before booking their private tour. The moon’s crescent shape was wonderful timing. The pitch-dark sky allowed for the brightest lightshow he had ever seen in Bio Bay.

  Seeing the bay through Mel’s eyes gave him a fresh experience. The dinoflagellates and other micro-creatures shined their unearthly, blue-green neon light from underneath the dark water. Judging from Mel’s open-mouthed expression, and the way she leaned dangerously over the side of the kayak, she’d been positively entranced. Her erratic movements had almost tipped the kayak. Mel found paddling, especially at night, a real challenge. A city girl, she had limited knowledge of the outdoors. She had come close to wearing the extra set of his clothes he had packed in case of such a mishap. He was almost disappointed he didn’t get to see her wear them. Watching her wear his shirt would have given him a sense of ownership he had no right to.

  They had paddled Bio Bay for hours in awe of their surroundings. Their guide continuously talked about the “fire plant” plankton lighting up the water. Luis already knew about the fire plants. Mel hung on every word. The smile she wore in the bay was larger than the crescent moon above.

  On the way back to the resort she had snuggled against him. Cuddling soon turned into activities requiring the limo’s privacy screen. Desire and modesty tore through Mel in a tug of war, knowing Pedro was on the other side of the dark glass partition. Luis had managed to stoke her fire hot enough to make her give in. The persuasive tactics he employed were hardly fair, filling her ear with explanations of what exactly they could do during the hour-and-a-half ride back home and a solemn promise she would look presentable when the limo finally pulled into the resort.

  He had left on her shirt, unbuttoning the blouse until it hung open. Pushing her bra up over her breasts he sat her on his lap, facing him. She lifted herself up to wiggle out of her khaki shorts and silky panties. When she straddled him again, his own shorts and underwear were pushed down below his knees.

  Her soft, semi-nude body sunk on top of him, slowly taking him in, inch-by-inch. Heat flared within him, way hotter than any furnace. Everything she did, all her reactions, made him desperate for more. Everything from watching her eyes close in ecstasy to hearing her hitched breathing.

  It had certainly been his most exciting limo ride. He was still reeling from the erotic experience. Her afterglow, however, dimmed a few minutes before they arrived. Her mood shifting immediately upon receiving a text from her sister. Mel hadn’t said anything specific, including what the message said. She simply chucked the phone back into her purse and frowned.

  He had teased her to get her to talk, joking about the lobby’s slow progress to egg her on. Weirdly, Mel didn’t react. “Maybe loosening you up with alcohol will persuade you to talk. I can buy us a bottle of rum.”

  Mel shook her head while keeping her gaze on the floor.

  “Mel, what’s wrong? Something’s bothering you. Have a glass of rum and we’ll toast our problems.”

  “Sorry. I’m being oversensitive tonight.”

  “Did the text message upset you?”

  “No.” She paused. “I mean yes. Maybe.”

  “Well, that answer ran the gamut.”

  She sighed, the sound soft and delicate. “It’s not the message from my sister per se but what she means.” Mel closed her eyes as if fighting off a headache.

  He stopped asking her questions until they were back in her hotel room. Fortunately he didn’t have to wait too long. She hurried to sit down on the bed, her face stony. “Talk to me, Mel. What’s upsetting you?”

  “Okay, let’s start with your mentioning alcohol. I drink socially, not to solve my problems. Alcohol can’t solve anything,” she answered. “I know. I tried.”

  Chapter 18

  Luis sat down on the bed next to Mel, his arm wrapping around her shoulders. “I suggested we toast our problems. Not drown in them,” he corrected gently.

  “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not asking you to apologize. I’m simply trying to understand you.”

  “I drank too much in college,” she admitted. “Acting wild. Enjoying my freedom more than I should. I was trying to forget my problems.”

  He squeezed her hand. “What problems were you trying to forget?”

  “My parents were very strict with my sister and me when we were growing up. They were super conservative. We needed to get straight A’s in school. Denny accomplished that easily. Not me. We also had to attend religious services. Denny didn’t mind because her voice was good enough to join Mom and Dad in the choir. I sat alone on the sidelines, praying for the sermon to end. There were always chores to do around the house. Denny experimented with cooking. I got stuck cleaning dishes. When I told my parents I wanted to participate in after-school activities, they enrolled both of us in sports programs. I don’t know why. They knew I hated sports. Denny became a terrific softball pitcher. I floundered from sport to sport trying to decide which one I hated least.”

  “At least your parents cared about you.”

  “They cared about what they wanted for us, not about what Denny and
I wanted for ourselves. For Denny, this wasn’t a problem. She was happy fitting into their mold. I was miserable.”

  Luis rubbed tiny circles in the palm of her hand with his thumb. “Did you tell them you weren’t happy?”

  “Yes, I tried. Although not often. I was usually too scared. The few times I did, they were firm about not wanting to hear me complain. I’d get a lecture on what it meant to be productive and well behaved.” Her words trailed off.

  “Did they say anything else?” he prompted.

  “Never mind. Doesn’t matter.”

  “Of course it matters,” he protested.

  “They said I needed to be more like my sister. Denny did everything right. I was the wild child. I was too opinionated. Too defiant. Danced to my own drummer.” She let out a sharp laugh. “The drummer’s music had one sick beat as far as my parents were concerned. They hated the cacophony.”

  “I hope your family situation improved over time.”

  “A little. My parents eventually relented. Somewhat. They let me drop sports and take art classes instead. When they saw how happy I was, they enrolled Denny in the same program. In a few short weeks, Denny was better than me. As an added bonus, the classes she chose focused on design. My parents loved her taking an interest in the family’s business. All I wanted to do was creatively paint and draw. My goal was to enjoy art for art’s sake. I didn’t view art as merely a way to make money. My parents disagreed. Creative art was a mega waste of time, according to them.”

  “I’m surprised. Design firms need to be creative to thrive.”

  “Sure they do, just not my kind of creative, I guess. They think my creativity is way too off-beat.” Mel exhaled a hard breath. “When I turned eighteen I went away to college. I was really proud to get into Rhode Island School of Design. Pratt and Parsons also accepted me, although I didn’t seriously consider enrolling in a New York City school. I wanted to leave home. Being far away from my parents was exciting. I gained new friends at RISD quickly. I loved being with people who had similar views.”

  “I’m glad you got a break from your parents. Your college years sound happy.”

  “They were. Sometimes a little too happy. One night I went to an off-campus party and drank too much. That’s how I know alcohol doesn’t make anything better. It can make things worse.”

  He squeezed her hand. “What happened?”

  “I woke up in an alleyway on a Sunday morning toward the end of my senior year. The friends I had partied with were nowhere to be found. My wallet and phone were gone. I did find one thing, though. This tattoo.” She gestured toward her left leg.

  “I think it’s cute.” He shot her a wicked smile. “I’ve seen it up close to know.”

  “Thanks. My parents didn’t think so. They still don’t. After I walked three miles back to my dorm, I had to explain to them I needed to cancel the credit cards they gave me. I also needed more money so I could eat, and admitted I had gotten a tattoo. My parents were furious. They said I was irresponsible. Ruining my life. Their life, too, since they were funding my education. Which, they said, I was wasting.” Mel bit down on her lip. “I told them I loved the tattoo. Unfortunately, that made them even angrier.”

  “Did they let you finish school?”

  “They did. First, I had to tell them I was sorry. I screwed up and it wouldn’t happen again. I think they relented because I was almost done with my senior year. They really would have thrown away their money if I didn’t graduate.”

  “Are things still strained with your family?”

  “Definitely. I get along with Denny better. Our ability to function as sisters is hard, given the dynamic. She went on to graduate from Pratt without a single problem. High grades. Excellent references from her professors. During the summer breaks she interned with our parents. They love her work, and always have. When I was in college, I made sure to spend my summers in Providence. I took classes, helped professors, and used every other excuse I could think of to stay away. After I graduated, I had to come home. My parents told me I had to work for the family business. Here I am.”

  “Yes,” he said kissing her nose. “Here you are. Thank God for that.”

  “You say that now. What happens when Denny arrives? I’m nervous she’s going to be mad at me for making changes to her plans. I don’t want our fight to negatively impact your project. But giving in to my family’s constant demands is becoming less viable every day. How do I balance my own needs against everyone else’s?”

  His brow furrowed. “How do you usually balance?”

  “I don’t. I simply do what they want to keep them happy. Well, happy enough anyway.” She kissed him. “I’m grateful I met you, Luis. Really. I wouldn’t have dreaded coming to Puerto Rico if I had a crystal ball. This is the only assignment my family gave me that’s actually made me happy.” Mel peered at him through her glasses, her eyes large and round. “It gets tiring being the black sheep. I want to fit in. No matter what I do, I’m on the outside.”

  “I understand. Trust me.”

  “I do trust you,” she answered. “I may need to lean on you for support.”

  He entwined their fingers, holding their locked hands against his heart. “Don’t worry. I will fully support your design ideas. I’ll speak to Alonso and make sure they happen.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate what you’re doing. Your faith in me is more than I’ve gotten from my family.”

  “I’m glad I’ve made you happy.”

  “You have. Just being with you makes me happy.” She swallowed audibly. “Unfortunately, your approval of my design ideas won’t solve my problem.”

  “My approval won’t help? Why not?”

  “Because your rubber stamp will clue Denny in to our relationship.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “So? She’d be right. This client is plenty satisfied.” He shot her a grin.

  Her expression, however, stayed flat. “Doesn’t matter. I risked an important business relationship. The positive outcome is irrelevant.”

  “Okay. How about I explain to them that you showed me your ideas and I decided to move the work in your creative direction?”

  “You could, although going over their heads for client approval won’t go over real well. They’d see my action as a lack of faith in their work.”

  He watched her hesitate a moment, biting down on her lower lip.

  “I guess I’ll find out for sure,” she added with a falsely animated voice. “Denny will be here soon.”

  Chapter 19

  Luis wiped a tear off Mel’s cheek. “Stop worrying. Everything is going to work out fine.”

  Mel jolted. “Don’t do that. Don’t act kind when I’ve gone ahead and depressed you.” She sunk her head in her hands as she inched away. “I never should have said anything. Now you’re going to think I’m the outspoken loony my parents think I am.”

  He scooted himself closer to her. “You’ve read me wrong. Your story hasn’t frightened me away. How could it, when my family is hardly any different from yours?”

  “But—”

  Luis cut her off. “Trust me. I know what you’re going through. Until my mother got pregnant, nobody knew for certain my father was cheating on his wife, Luisa. People suspected he was having an affair with my mother, but they couldn’t prove it. Eventually the truth came out. A growing belly is hard to hide. My father freaked out about the rumors and the pregnancy. Despite my dad caring about my mom, or at least claiming to care about her, he tried to get her to relocate somewhere—anywhere. My mother refused. Eventually the whole island seemed to know about their affair.”

  “Nobody was supportive of your mother?”

  “Nobody besides her parents, who helped her out when they could. They pretended not to hear all the talk. Of course they knew.”

  “Wh
at about others?”

  “If she had friends I don’t know about them. When I was about five years old I remember asking my mother what a bastard was, I heard the word so much. Looking back, I don’t know if people were referring to me or my father.” He laughed.

  “If people said that to your face they were cruel.”

  “My father says he tried to get people to accept me. Unfortunately, he chose a poor way to persuade them.”

  “Which was what?” she prompted.

  “In order to alleviate his wife’s anger, he persuaded my mother to name me after her.”

  “You’re kidding! Why would your mother agree to that?”

  “He told her that my life would be better if Luisa accepted me. That my mother’s life would be better because of it. He’d be freer to pay child support and visit me.”

  “It didn’t work?”

  “No. I’ve got Luis on my birth certificate anyway.”

  “I think it’s a sexy name.”

  He laughed, louder and heartfelt this time. “Okay. Now the name works for me.”

  “Everything you do works for me.”

  He kissed her hand. “Thanks.”

  “Do your mother and father ever see each other?”

  “There would be no point. My mother barely knows who I am, despite my best efforts. I visit her in the convalescent home regularly. When she started needing care, a little over ten years ago, I wasn’t able to afford the kind of help she needed. I demanded that my father pay for her. He didn’t want to because he was worried Luisa would find out. I was ready to walk away from my relationship with him if he didn’t come through for my mom. He had treated her horribly enough, leaving her to spend the rest of her days with no care was unacceptable.”