I Opia (21 page)

“I swear girls,” Charlotte began in her raspy voice as she took a drag off of her cigarette, “It is the craziest thing. We are gone for three weeks. We both get sick with that damn hantavirus. Hell, I haven’t shit that much in my entire life!”

As they played the next couple of holes, Charlotte proceeded to go into detail about her and Fred’s every symptom and every bowel movement.

Holy crap woman, get on with your story!
Then realizing the pun, she smiled to herself as she teed off on the next hole.

Charlotte teed off after Blaine and then continued, “So anyway, when we get home, poor Fred peeks in at his cars and all seems fine. It isn’t until a week later when we are feeling better that he goes out to tinker in the garage and notices the damndest thing. Five of our cars are missing!” She paused as Blaine and the other two women gasped.

Blaine’s eyes widened, “Are you kidding Charlotte? How could he not notice?”

“That’s the crazy part. Some loon replaced all the cars in the exact same way. Poor Fred didn’t even notice at first! He was just too sick.”

Loon?
Blaine thought,
Hell, woman, that’s sheer genius!
Blaine missed her putt and lost another hole to Charlotte.

As they walked off the green, Charlotte took a puff of her cigarette and asked, “Know what the craziest thing is? The loon took our Monet painting. That’s it! ONE painting! Who the fuck steals FIVE cars and ONE painting?”

Who the fuck indeed
. . . Blaine smiled to herself.

After they finished the golf round, Blaine paid off her lost bet to Charlotte. This time, however, Blaine just didn’t mind losing.
Charlotte, honey, if you only knew how much I truly owe you.

Blaine rolled over
to let the sun hit her back. She was taking a long vacation and enjoying the beach at The Four Seasons Tahitian Resort. She had given herself this vacation as a reward for the large payout she and Vince had received from Julian. Plus, she was turning 35 in a week and just wanted to get away. So the day after she received the Woman of the Year award from the Governor, she caught an early morning plane and flew to Tahiti alone. She needed some time and space to process all that had happened.

Before she left, she and Vince had discussed the possibility of only focusing on the legitimate side of iOpia, Inc. After all, they now had plenty of money and a successful international business procuring and selling art, antiques, and collectibles that were on the open market. There really was no need for them to continue to take the risk of procuring items that weren’t for sale. But then, how fun would that be?

Blaine rolled over again and signaled for the waiter to come over.

“Yes, miss?”

“Could you please bring me an Avion on the rocks?”

“Yes, miss. Anything else I can help you with?”

Blaine looked at the tan, tall and muscular young man.
A hot young cabana boy might be just what I need.

“Perhaps later. I just may need something more than you are serving.”

The young man grinned, “I am here to serve. Just let me know.”

“Oh, believe me. I will.” She smiled to herself as he walked away.
Damn girl, you still got it. I was going to take a break from men, but hell, I can resist anything but temptation.

Her phone beeped:

Vince:
Hate to admit it. Miss you already. Hope you are having a good vacation. Eric and I are enjoying Rome.

Hmmm. If you were enjoying it so much, why are you pinging me in the middle of the day?

Blaine:
I am indeed enjoying myself by myself. Just taking a break feels nice.

Vince:
Well we have lots to decide. Enjoy and think hard. I am trying to keep Eric happy and make it to all the sites. Gotta admit, one more tourist attraction and I may puke.

Blaine
: I told you to find a quiet beach. Just me and the cabana boy here
.

Vince:
Shut up! Already found a boy? I thought you were taking a break.

Blaine:
I did. It has been 3 full days since I have had sex.

Vince:
Dawg. Gotta run. Love ya.

Blaine:
Love you too. Try to enjoy. We have plenty of $ now.

Vince:
XOXO.

The cabana boy returned with Blaine’s drink. She smiled up at him, “So if a girl wanted to have some fun later, what would you suggest?”

“I can make lots of suggestions. Would this be plans for you and your husband?

Blaine laughed. “No husband. Just me. Starting my birthday celebration a bit early. And don’t you dare ask how old. What is your name by the way?”
Damn, the more I look at you, the sexier you become. Or is it just the sun and the tequila? Who cares, what happens in Tahiti stays in Tahiti.

He smiled, showing his beautiful white teeth against his tan skin, “Santiago. I work here three days a week. I play in a band and this is just until we hit it big.”

Well, I bet you can hit it big with me.

Blaine smiled, “So, Santiago, back to my original question. What kind of fun could a girl like me find here? The peace and quiet is beginning to get on my nerves a bit.”

Santiago laughed, “With all due respect, Miss, you don’t seem a peace and quiet type of woman.”

“Miss? My name is Blaine, “ she said as she extended her hand, “And no disrespect taken.”

Santiago returned her handshake. She couldn’t help but notice how smooth his hands were.
Almost as nice as Julian’s . . .

Santiago broke her train of thought, “Miss . . . Blaine, my band is playing tonight down the street at the Green Parrot. It is a fun place. Why don’t you come see us play and perhaps after, I could . . . um . . . show you some sites.” Even under his tan skin she could see that he was blushing.

“Just tell me when and where and I would be honored to meet you there. Just promise me that you will indeed show me some of your better sites.”

Santiago blushed again. He never could quite get used to American women—

they were always so bold. This one, however, was also irresistibly beautiful.

“I will show you whatever you like.”

“Sounds like we have a plan. Leave the information to the Green Parrot at the front desk and I will see you there.” She said as she stood to put on her swimsuit cover.

Santiago couldn’t help but stare at her long, tan legs and beautiful breasts that looked even better when she was standing.

“If it is okay with you, I would rather just write down the information now.” He looked around quickly. “They don’t really like for us to, umm you know, be with our guests.”

Blaine sat back on her chaise lounge. “Well, tell you what. Bring me one more Avion for the road with what I need to know. This will just be our little secret.”

He smiled and sprinted off to the bar.

Seriously, I am a total cougar! Did I really think that a nice, quiet vacation would work? There is only so much sun a girl can take alone. Geez, even Vinny is bored. But at least we aren’t broke.

Santiago returned with her drink and a folded slip of paper. He also handed her the check.
Oh, of course, a girl does have to pay to be bad.

She signed the check, leaving a larger than needed tip, and smiled up at him, “Until tonight.”

“Yes. Until tonight.”

And with that he headed back to the bar while Blaine walked back to her room.

The Green Parrot was within walking distance just as
the concierge had promised. He raised his eyebrows a bit when Blaine asked about the bar. It wasn’t a place an attractive American woman would normally go alone. Of course, Miss Anderson appeared to be anything but a normal American woman.

“Miss Anderson, the Green Parrot is within walking distance and though it is a safe walk, I can certainly provide one of our staff to escort you to and from the bar.”

“That won’t be necessary though I appreciate the offer.”
Plus I hope to have an escort that will be way more fun than one you would provide.

As she walked into the bar, she almost lost her nerve. Everyone turned to stare and she knew she probably looked a bit out of place walking in alone. She was wearing a white halter-top sundress with flat sandals. She had her hair up in a messy bun.
It can’t be my clothes—simple enough.

To her relief, Santiago appeared out of nowhere. “Wow! You look gorgeous! I can’t believe you really came.”

“Why? I said I would.”

“Oh, sometimes a tourist says a lot of things.”

“Well, I am just hoping a certain resident of this island keeps his promise and isn’t just saying things.” She smiled at him and realized that flirting made her feel a bit more comfortable and confident.

“You kept your promise. Santiago will keep his. Come, I have a seat for you.”

If walking in alone had caused people to take notice, walking through the bar to the front of the stage on the arm of a beautiful young man created even more attention.
Come on people! Haven’t you ever seen an American cougar before?

Santiago pulled her chair out for her. He signaled to the bar and an Avion on the rocks appeared.

Blaine smiled at him, “Well done, Santiago, well done.”

Before he could respond a man on the stage signaled him.

“I have to go. We are about to start. I will come back and visit you on our breaks. Will you be okay here by yourself?” He asked suddenly concerned.

“I will be better than okay. You have taken great care of me.”

With a relieved look, he nodded, and then headed off to the stage.

To her pleasant surprise, the band was good. Santiago was one of five band members and played the ukulele.
Damn, never knew a ukulele could sound and look so good!

Santiago was not shy on the stage. In fact, it was more than obvious that his attention was on Blaine. She enjoyed the attention as much as the music.
Well, well, I hope Vinny is having as much fun. This has turned out to be a great night!

As promised, Santiago joined her during the band’s breaks. Each time, he became more confident and more affectionate. On his last break, he kissed her on the lips, “Last set. Then we tour the sites.”

Blaine was a bit caught off guard by the kiss, but it only served to raise her anticipation of the night to come. In fact, she realized that she was craving sex.
That’s another thing—I was going to take a break from sex? Holy crap! I need to get laid!

Before she knew it, the band played their last song and Santiago was at her side. He was sweating from the effort of playing, and the sweat made his skin glisten. He looked incredibly sexy. Much more sexy than he had in his cabana uniform.

Yum. You think you are sweating now. Wait until I have my way with you.

“Are you ready to see some sites?” Santiago asked her playfully as he extended his hand to her. In his other hand, he had his ukulele case.

Blaine accepted the extended hand and stood, “I am more than ready. Lead the way.”

“As you wish. I am all yours now.”

Holy crap! If this is a dream, don’t let me wake up.

She had assumed they would go back to the resort and her bungalow, but she assumed incorrectly.

Instead Santiago led her out of the back door of the club and to his jeep that was parked and waiting. The jeep had no doors and Santiago had the top off as well.

He helped Blaine climb in and then looked apologetic, “I hope this is okay—I guess I could have put the top on.”

Blaine laughed, “Absolutely this is okay. And the less you put on, the better I like it.”

Santiago blushed and laughed. He placed his ukulele case in the back and climbed in the driver’s seat. “Ready?”

“I am indeed.”

Blaine enjoyed the warm wind blowing through her hair as they drove. She looked over at Santiago and he smiled, “You are very beautiful. Thank you for spending this evening with me.”

Blaine smiled, touched at his sentiment, “Santiago, thank you. I needed a fun evening out. That said, I am guessing we aren’t going back to the hotel?”

He grinned, “No. Like I said, we aren’t supposed to, um, hang out with our guests. I have a better idea.”

Blaine raised her eyebrows questioningly. Santiago just smiled. “You will see soon enough.”

They drove for another 10 minutes with only the music from the radio. They came to a clearing on the side of the road and Santiago pulled the jeep over and parked. He jumped out, reached into the back and pulled out a backpack and his ukulele case. He slung the backpack over his shoulder, and with his case in one hand walked around the jeep and took Blaine’s hand with his other.

“Come. I have something to show you.”

Blaine took his hand and stepped out of the jeep. He walked her a short distance on a trail that parted the dense forage. Suddenly, they came out on a beach with white sand that seemed to glow by the light of the moon. Blaine took in a breath.

“You like?”

“Oh Santiago, I don’t know that I have ever seen anything this beautiful. It is simply perfect.”

Santiago smiled, obviously pleased with himself. He walked her further onto the sand and then stopped. He sat down the ukulele case and his backpack. He reached into the backpack and took out a thin blanket and spread it on the sand. He did a mock bow, “Madam, will you please join me.”

Blaine laughed, “I will indeed.”

She sat on the blanket and watched as he pulled out a bottle of wine and two glasses. “Wow, you come prepared.”

“You doubted me?” He asked teasingly.

“Not for a minute.” She replied.

He poured the wine and each took a glass.

“Happy birthday.” He said as he raised his glass to hers.

She returned the gesture, “So far, it has been very happy indeed.”

He took a sip of his wine and reached for his ukulele. He pulled out the instrument and began to softly play. Blaine pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them as she sipped her wine and listened.
Could this evening be more perfect? So far from home, yet it feels so at home.

She was lost in thought and didn’t realize that he had stopped playing and was looking at her.

“What?” She asked him as he kept looking at her.

“I was wondering what you were thinking.” He responded.

“I was thinking that I wish you would kiss me.”

“Then I will grant that wish,” he murmured as he leaned toward her.

At first his kisses were very soft. His lips were warm and tasted of the wine. As she responded to his touch, his kiss intensified. Blaine felt her desire rise and her need for him was overpowering.