“This is definitely a different type of breakfast,” Samson noted.
“This is as normal as eating eggs and bacon in North America,” Alyson explained. “We always start with grits for breakfast, and add fish as our protein. And you can’t have any Bahamian meal without a johnnycake.”
“I’ve definitely had my share of johnnycakes since being in the Bahamas.” Samson smiled. “However, these can’t hold a candle to your mother’s.”
“She would kiss your face if she heard you say that. I think my parents like you. But I can’t think of many people they don’t like. They’re a congenial bunch of people...that family of mine.”
“I feel as if I’ve known them forever,” he said. “You have a wonderful family.”
“I like them most times,” Alyson teased, though there was some truth to her statement.
“I get the impression that you and Jasmine haven’t always been on the same page.”
“When we were younger, there was a boy who lived in the next town over. I was hopelessly in love with him. His name was Jimmy Franklin.” Alyson cut her mackerel croquet into fours. “Jasmine talked my father into having him sent away. And I never knew why.”
“And you blamed her,” he concluded.
“I hated her! For years, I hated her.” The pain of the memory caused her to drop her fork. She placed her hands over her face.
“We don’t have to talk about it, love.”
She gave him a warm smile, and tears filled her eyes. He was so gentle with her, so accommodating. She hadn’t met a man like that before.
“I don’t mind talking about it. We’re past it now,” she explained. “One day after school, Jimmy Franklin followed her home, and...and he tried to rape her. She fought him, kicked him where it hurts and ran all the way home. She told my father what happened, and the next thing I knew, Jimmy was on a one-way flight to Philadelphia. I never saw him again after that. I blamed Jasmine for years. It was just last year that she told me what happened. The tragedy is, we lost so much time...so many years because I was stubborn.”
“But things are better now, right?”
“Things are wonderful now! I have my sister back, and I’ve been lucky enough to be an integral part of her wedding and her life.”
Samson grabbed Alyson’s hands in his. He kissed her fingertips and smiled.
“So where are we going after this?” he asked.
“We aren’t going anywhere until you finish all of your food.” She stuffed fish and grits into her mouth.
“Yes, ma’am.” He took a hearty spoonful of fish stew.
* * *
After brunch, they headed over to Marsh Harbour, which was the heart of the Abacos. Alyson explained the history of it. “It’s where the majority of the island’s services are located, including the post office, grocery stores and laundries. Marsh Harbour is the ‘bright lights, big city’ of all the Out Islands, with one traffic light.”
“Plenty of boat docks and marinas,” he observed.
“Yep, it’s the main gateway to the other Out Islands.”
Samson swung his legs as they hung over the boat dock. “The waterways are busy.”
“American R & B singer Aaliyah was leaving Marsh Harbour Airport when her plane crashed,” Alyson said.
“I remember that. She was filming a music video somewhere in the Bahamas. That was here, huh?”
“Right here. Such a sad time.”
“Yes, it was. She was so young.”
“Only proves how short life is,” said Alyson. “We should enjoy every moment.”
“I intend to.” Samson grabbed her hand and held it tightly.
* * *
When they jetted across the turquoise waters, Alyson held on to his waist as tightly as she could. Her chin pressed against the center of his back as water splashed in her face. She loved being close to him. The Jet Ski bounced against the water, and she laughed like she’d never laughed before. She would never have been caught dead on anyone’s Jet Ski before, yet suddenly Samson Steel had her doing things outside of her comfort zone.
As they reached the shore, she hopped off the Jet Ski. Wearing her one-piece bathing suit, she went for a swim while Samson returned their rented equipment. Soon he joined her in the water. She did several flips, turns, breaststrokes and backstrokes. Samson watched with a grin.
“Stop showing off,” he said.
“What are you talking about?”
“Turning flips and doing backstrokes. Being a show-off.”
“I’m not being a show-off. I’m a swimmer. Been one all my life.” She laughed. “I grew up in the Bahamas. And I took swimming lessons.”
“You’re a show-off.” He jumped into the water and grabbed her by the waist. His cold, wet lips gently touched hers.
“Would you like me to teach you some techniques?” she flirted.
“No! I can swim rings around you.”
“Well, let’s see what you got,” she said.
He began to swim a backstroke and attempted to do a flip turn. She looked away as she laughed at his flip.
“So you think I’m funny?” he asked.
“No.” She couldn’t help but laugh.
“You think I’m funny.”
He swam toward her and lifted her in his arms. She screamed as he picked her up and dunked her into the water. She wiped her face as she popped up out of the water. She splashed water at him. He, in turn, splashed her, and before long the two were engaged in a water-splashing war. Finally Samson called a truce, held his hands in the air in surrender. He invited her to jump onto his back, and he carried her to shore.
They made the short walk back to the resort. With wet, bare feet, they rushed across the hardwood floor in their suite. Samson flipped on the shower and warmed the bathroom. He stepped into the shower and beckoned for Alyson to join him.
“We don’t have time to mess around. Stephen will be here to pick us up soon.”
“We have to shower. Get the sand out of our cracks and crevices,” Samson reasoned. “Come on. It’ll only save time if we shower together.”
Alyson removed her bathing suit and stepped into the shower. The warm water cascaded over her body. Samson washed her back and caressed her breasts with warm, soapy water. She closed her eyes and relished his touch. She leaned her back against his strong chest as he explored her naked body, touched her in places that had lacked attention for so long. His fingertips danced between her thighs and found her warm spot—explored it. She moaned. Her breathing increased, and she lost control.
“Just relax,” he whispered and nibbled on her earlobe.
She turned to face him, began to wash his chest. She reached for his groin, caressed it as gently as she knew how. He kissed her lips with vigor.
He carried her to their bed and hovered over her. His lips kissed wet breasts and nibbled on hardened nipples. A trail of kisses was planted along her stomach, lingered at her navel. He kissed her inner thighs, and she held her breath. His tongue explored the place where his fingers had just abandoned. She curled her toes and dredged her heels into the mattress. Samson moved from her thighs and back up to her breasts. He relaxed his muscular body against hers. Pressed her legs apart, pushed himself into her. Made sweet love to her.
When her phone rang, she wished it would stop. Tried to ignore it as she moaned and buried her face in Samson’s neck.
“It’s probably Stephen,” she finally whispered.
“I can’t let you go.”
“I should get it.”
“Tell him to go back to Harbour Island. Let’s stay another night.”
“I have work this week. I need to get back to Miami,” she said. “I have to schedule a meeting with Jonathan Madison.”
He pressed into her one last time, collapsed on top of her and then rolled to the other side of the bed. She could tell the mention of Jonathan Madison’s name annoyed him. Killed the mood for him. He stood and grabbed Alyson’s phone from the nightstand, handed it to her.<
br />
“You should call Stephen back,” he said.
“What’s wrong?” she asked the obvious.
“Nothing,” he lied.
“Oh, you thought that I wouldn’t do business with Jonathan Madison because you saw him talking to your archenemy?”
“It’s not just that I saw them talking, Alyson. Don’t you get it? It’s that there’s probably more to that relationship than you know. And you shouldn’t pursue this venture.”
“In business we have to take risks.”
“Indeed we do, love. Indeed we do.” He grabbed a pair of trousers and went into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.
* * *
On the boat ride back to Harbour Island, the atmosphere was just as cold as it had been on their first return trip from Abaco. Samson sat in the bow of the boat and never turned around to look at Alyson, who sat in the port and stared into the ocean. Stephen made small talk with Samson.
“We’re expecting rain this week, and it looks like we might be getting quite a bit over the next few weeks,” said Stephen. “I hope the weather is cooperative for Jazzy’s wedding.”
“I hope so, too,” Samson said drily. The last thing he wanted to discuss was Jackson and Jasmine’s impending wedding. He wanted to get through to Alyson. Shake some sense into her.
Once they reached Harbour Island, Samson and Stephen guided the boat to the deck and secured it with a rope. Samson helped Alyson climb out of the boat.
He held his hand out to Stephen. “Thanks again, man,” he said.
Stephen grabbed Samson’s hand in a strong shake. “Don’t mention it.”
“Are you bringing a date to Jasmine’s wedding?” Alyson asked Stephen.
“I haven’t decided yet,” said Stephen.
“You should probably let us know sooner rather than later so that we can plan accordingly,” Alyson said. “We haven’t received your RSVP.”
“I’ll probably just come alone.”
“What about that girl from Spanish Wells?” she asked. “The one you were all cozy with at the Grove’s grand opening.”
“We were just friends. And besides, she moved to Nassau,” Stephen explained.
“Well, I know a nice young lady you might be interested in.”
“I don’t need any help in that area, Alyson. But thank you.”
“She’s young, beautiful...a musician,” insisted Alyson. “She’s in the band that we’ve hired for the wedding reception. Her name is Bijou.”
Samson glanced at Alyson and shook his head. He couldn’t believe she was actually trying to pawn Bijou off on her cousin. Anything to remove her from Samson’s reach—if, in fact, he had any intentions of reaching.
“I don’t need you playing matchmaker,” said Stephen. “Just put me down for one.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to meet her?” Alyson asked.
“Positive.” Stephen shook his head. “You’re something else.”
“I’m just trying to help.”
“Handle your own affairs,” said Stephen, who leaned in for a kiss to his cousin’s cheek. “It seems you’re not doing a very good job at it.”
“I’m doing just fine, for your information,” Alyson insisted.
“Really?” asked Stephen. He patted Samson on the back. “Well, let’s just hope you don’t run this guy away. He has an enormous amount of tolerance.”
“Goodbye, Stephen.” Alyson walked away from the men, pulling her cell phone out. “Thanks for the ride.”
“You’re quite welcome,” said Stephen with a smirk. “Love you.”
“Love you, too.” Alyson held the phone to her ear.
Stephen turned to Samson and whispered, “She doesn’t like to be challenged. Have to keep her on her toes.”
“I’ll remember that.”
The men shook hands once more before parting ways.
* * *
Pictures were scattered about on the coffee table. Scissors and scrapbooks were on the floor. A near-empty bottle of wine was in the center of the table. Jasmine sat on the floor, her head resting against the leather chair, and Whitney laughed at something until she cried.
“What is going on?” Alyson asked her sisters.
“Well, well, well... I see we made it back from Abaco,” said Whitney as she looked past Alyson and smiled at Samson. She stood and held her hand out to him. “Hello, I’m Whitney. Alyson’s sister.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Whitney. I’m Samson Steel.”
“Yes, you are,” Whitney said as she gave him a long examination.
“What is all this mess?” Alyson asked.
“We’re scrapbooking. And looking for photos for the video presentation we have planned for the reception,” Jasmine explained.
“We have photos of Jackson, too. His mama sent them.” Whitney held a photo in the air. “Wasn’t he just the cutest?”
“Adorable.” Alyson was unimpressed. “And how much wine have you two had while walking down memory lane?”
“We are not drunk, if that’s what you’re asking,” said Jasmine. “We’re tipsy.”
Both women giggled.
“This doesn’t look good, ladies,” explained Alyson. “We have guests staying here, and this just isn’t a good look for the Grove.”
“We’re fine, Alyson. Really.” Whitney changed the subject. “How was your trip?”
“It was wonderful,” said Alyson.
“I’m going on up to my room,” Samson whispered to Alyson. “I’ll catch you later.”
“You want to have dinner on the terrace tonight? I can have Raquel whip something up for us.”
“Nah, I’ll probably just grab a burger from Ma Ruby’s later.” Samson kissed Alyson’s cheek.
“Okay, then. I’ll chat with you later.” She tried to remain upbeat in front of her sisters, but knew that something was different between them.
She watched as he climbed the stairs. Her sisters witnessed the entire exchange in silence.
“Trouble in paradise?” Whitney asked.
“No!” said Alyson. “We had a great time. He’s just tired.”
Jasmine and Whitney gave each other a look. Alyson took a seat in the leather chair and began to sift through the photos. She hated that the weekend hadn’t ended on the best note, but she figured Samson would let things go soon. He would see that he was wrong about Jonathan Madison. He would understand that she needed to do what was best for her company.
Her business was all she had.
Chapter 18
The Brazilian restaurant was crowded during the lunch period. With an extensive wine list and one of the best porterhouse steaks in Florida, the Capital Grille was where important business meetings were held. Alyson had chosen her best business attire—a black Ralph Lauren suit with a gray silk blouse underneath. She wanted her appearance to prove that she was capable of handling most anything—particularly Jonathan Madison’s collection of commercial properties.
A young, dark-haired gentleman sat across from Jonathan at the table. Both men stood when she approached the table.
“Alyson, good to see you again. You left so abruptly the other night, I didn’t get to say goodbye,” said Jonathan.
“My apologies. I had an urgent matter to attend to.”
“I’m glad to know that everything is all right. I’d like for you to meet Dustin Rose. He’s head of finance at Madison. He works diligently to get our buyers qualified for financing. And he has a pretty good track record.”
Dustin took Alyson’s hand in his. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Talbot.”
“Likewise,” said Alyson.
“Alyson, should we hire your company to handle our leasing and sales, you’d be working very closely with Dustin. So I thought it fitting that he join us tonight.”
Alyson picked up her menu and gave it a quick glance. Her nerves had the best of her, and her appetite was barely there.
“I explained to Dustin that you’ve come highly recommended.”
“Your credentials are impressive.” Dustin smiled.
His facial expression seemed obscure, and Alyson couldn’t quite read him.
“I’d like to hear your plans for our inventory in Miami, Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach,” said Jonathan. “They’re close to being completely developed, and we’d like to get them on the market as soon as possible.”
“I’ve already done a market analysis of your properties in those areas. And I’ve developed a marketing plan for each of them.” Alyson opened her briefcase and handed Jonathan and Dustin copies of her plans. She was grateful that she’d printed an extra copy. “If you’d turn to page one, I’d like to walk you through what I have in mind.”
Alyson had worked hard on her proposal. She’d done her homework and presented a well-developed plan. It was aggressive, yet realistic, and Jonathan seemed impressed with her. He knew that because her business was new, she was hungry and would put forth more effort than someone who was a veteran. She couldn’t quite read Dustin’s thoughts about her plan. But she didn’t care. As long as she’d impressed Jonathan, it was all that mattered.
“I know that I’m being somewhat optimistic here, and this is a great deal of responsibility for a small agency such as yours...” Jonathan began.
“We’re small, but capable.”
“This will require your intentness. You don’t have anything pressing that would distract you from this, do you?”
You mean besides my sister’s impending wedding that’s scheduled to take place soon?
“No, of course not,” she said.
“I like your marketing strategy. Let’s get these properties listed right away,” he said. “Can we do that?”
“Absolutely,” said Alyson.
“Then congratulations are in order.” Jonathan smiled and reached across the table to shake Alyson’s hand. “Welcome to the team.”
Dustin took a long drink of his Cognac and then shook Alyson’s hand. He cleared his throat. “The holidays are upon us. Christmas is right around the corner. But at Madison...we don’t really have time for celebrations. Time is money, and we can’t afford to waste either one,” he explained. “On December 24 we have a huge company meeting at our resort in Daytona Beach.”
A Yuletide Affair Page 12