Trapped in Paradise (4 page)

He took out his door card and entered the suite next to hers.

“Well, I’ll be…”
The “Twilight Zone” has nothing on this.
A few seconds later, she heard a knock from the interior door of her room, which connected to his. She went inside and opened it. “This is entirely too crazy.”

“Isn’t it though. If I had known we were in the same hotel, we could have shared the taxi.”

“Well.” She tossed the novel onto the nightstand. “Want to order a movie?”

“That would be nice.” He propped the door open on his side of the connecting suite.

“Thank you, Jeremy King.”

“For what?”

“Being you.”
He’s not Nathan. Don’t allow Nathan to keep you from your king.

Chapter Three

Much of Jeremy’s time after arriving at the hotel had been spent searching the Internet for every Saundra Right, Wright, Write and Rite he could find. Fortunately, he only found a few instances of any variation of her names. Unfortunately, none of them were his Mrs. Right. Next, he began listing publishing companies contact information. She had said she was a ghostwriter, but never stated the genre or if she wrote fiction or non-fiction. During his search, he learned of a book called the Writers Market, which listed agents and publishers. He hopped on over to Amazon and ordered the thousand plus page book. He didn’t care if he had to contact every individual listed in the book to find Saundra. Then he realized he was obsessing and stopped. She would either call as she said had promised or she would run scared.

He fully understood her fear. For a short time, the fear of the impossible had gripped him until he accepted what was happening between them. When she hadn’t called, he had been disappointed, but somehow knew they would meet again. Then he saw her in the lobby, and there was no doubt in his mind that they would be together.

The pain on her face when he first saw her gripping the novel in the chair had him ready to beat someone within an inch of his life. Whoever had hurt her had really done a job on her, but he would be patient and show her his heart.

As the early morning sun filled the room, he watched her sleep, so calm, so peaceful, so beautiful. Jeremy had woken with his Mrs. Right in his arms. She just didn’t know it. Or at least she wasn’t ready to admit to it yet. Everything had happened so quickly, too quickly. Before yesterday, he would have said the events of the last twenty-four hours were impossible. Two sensible adults didn’t just fall in love over night.

With all of their conversation, they had never told where they came from or where they were going. Not that he hadn’t wanted to. When he inquired or tried to give his information, Saundra would steer the conversation elsewhere, so he let it go.

The reason behind her actions worried him. She wanted to remain as close yet as distant as possible. Someone had broken more than her heart, they had broken her trust and spirit, that much he was sure of. As Miranda had said, he would have to be patient. For now all he could do was enjoy their few remaining hours.

He fingered the soft curls that framed her face. This cruise would now be a working cruise for him. A project manager by trade, winning over his Mrs. Right would be his next assignment.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

From the moment Jeremy saw her to the taxi and took her cell number, Saundra felt she was making a mistake, but she couldn’t trust her feelings. Now, sitting on a lounge chair on the deck of the ship, she was glad to be away from the magnetism he had over her. With no doubt in her mind he would contact her after their respective vacations, this time and distance apart would give her the space she needed to regroup and decide what her next step would be.

The past twenty-four hours had been overwhelming, to say the least. What was happening to her was all fairytale, romance novel stuff, not real life. In real life, she’d found who she thought was her king, and he’d turned out to be cruel dictator. What if her instincts were failing her again? What if Jeremy pulled a Nathan on her?

Being with Jeremy taught her an important lesson: She had never been in love with Nathan. With their breakup, her heart hadn’t been broken, but her pride and spirit were. Pride was her downfall. Initially she had been too proud to let her family know she had made a mistake. Then came the shame and guilt of knowing the situation she was in was all her fault. Miranda had warned her against marrying Nathan. Even her parents had misgivings. But she had been too pigheaded, too rebellious to listen. Truly in love with Jeremy, she couldn’t fathom the pain she would have if she were wrong about him. If Jeremy hurt her, she wouldn’t be able to just walk away with a bruised ego but her heart in tact.

“What’s that you’re reading?” asked an attractive, middle-aged woman with a short afro and billion-watt smile.

Glad for a break from her non-relationship with Jeremy, she answered, “I just finished Indigo by Beverly Jenkins. This was my second romance. I actually liked them, which shocked the hell out of me.” Saundra’s mouth and eyes opened wide in surprise. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to curse.”

The woman chuckled. “Don’t worry yourself. I’ve said a few colorful words myself from time to time. I’m Bev.” She held her hand out to shake.

“Saundra.” They shook hands. “Pleased to meet you.”

“Are you here for the Romance Slam Jam Conference?”

“Not really, but I’m seriously reconsidering.” She glanced down at the second book she was carrying. Miranda had next day aired it to the hotel and insisted she read it. “Have you ever read anything by Francis Ray?”

“Oh yes, she’s quite good.”

“Do you actually believe in these romances? I mean the
love conquers all
and
love at first sight
mumbo jumbo?”

With a smile in her voice, she answered, “Yes, I believe in the ‘mumbo jumbo.’ Why don’t you?”

“Don’t get me wrong. I used to, but my prince charming turned into a toad after we kissed. A mean, controlling, abusive toad at that.”

With a slight nod, Bev said, “I see. You’ve been burned by the fire once, and don’t want to be burned again.”

“Exactly! I need to have you talk to my sister. She just doesn’t get it. I’m never falling into that trap again. Never.”

A compassionate smile tipped Bev’s lips. “You know, just because it’s hot, doesn’t mean there’s fire. Passion, love, desire… all hot. I’d even say burning hot, but in a good way.” She stood to leave. “I’d best get back inside before they send a search party out for me. Come on down to the conference tomorrow and hang out with us.”

“I think I will. It was nice meeting you.”

“You, too.”

You did good, Miranda. This cruise is just what I need.

“Oh—my—God,” a young woman gushed and rushed across the deck toward Saundra. “Do you know who that was?” She pointed at the door Bev had just stepped through. “That’s THE Beverly Jenkins. I can’t believe I’m on the same cruise as Beverly Jenkins. I have got to get her autograph.”

Embarrassment warmed Saundra’s cheeks. Growing up, it seemed as though just about every other female was named Saundra. With the name Beverly being so common, she hadn’t considered the woman she had just met could be the author of the wonderful novel she had just read. “I know I did not just sit here and tell her… Never mind. I think I’ll go die now.”

Laughing, the young woman said, “Girl, don’t worry about it. I’ve been tripping all afternoon. I was on the elevator and realized Rochelle Alers was standing beside me. I just about fainted.” She turned her cell phone screen for Saundra to see. “Look at this picture I took of you two. Would you like me to send it to your phone?”

“Oh thank you, I’ll have to forward it to my sister. She’s a huge romance fan.” She gave her the cell number.

“I’m not trying to get into your business.” She keyed in Saundra’s cell number. “But why would you let one bad relationship turn you off relationships all together?”

The price of this picture was a little bit too high for Saundra, but it was too late. There was a no return policy on it.

The young woman lifted her hands slightly. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked such a personal question. Don’t answer.”

“Oh no. It’s okay. I wish I knew the answer.”

“It’s such a calm night. Give it some thought. I’m sure it’ll come to you. By the way, my name is Reba.”

“I’m Saundra, pleased to meet you.”

“I hope to see you at the conference.” She stuffed her cell phone into her back pocket. “Let me get back inside and see who else I can just about faint over.” She chuckled and headed for the door.

Saundra relaxed on the lounge chair and looked over the calm sea. The sun had set a while ago, yet she still hadn’t gone to her room. She had been told the porters would place her bags outside of her door. She smiled, thinking she might just want to head on down to her room before she had to purchase a new wardrobe.

Why is it so hard? Why can’t I move on?
She picked up her purse and the two books she’d carried around with her. With four more days of her cruise left, there was plenty of time to do some serious internal scanning for the answers.

As beautiful as it was large, the Destiny was a magnificent ship. Whoever wrote the brochure wasn’t kidding when they said the ship was as long as three football fields. Saundra would venture to guess she had walked just about all twelve decks. Once she finally found her room, she was past ready to call it an early night. Just as she had been told, her bags were sitting outside of the cabin door.

She slipped in the keycard and entered the room. To her surprise, tall, dark, and all too fine was exiting the bathroom with nothing on but a towel wrapped around his waist. A million and one thoughts flashed through her mind in the blink of an eye from full-blown lust to, “Am I being stalked?”

He stopped mid-stride.

“What are you doing in my room?” they said in unison.

 The confusion in his eyes verified he wasn’t some sort of high-tech, psycho stalker, but that didn’t explain why he was in her room.

He brought her bags into the room fully through the narrow entranceway and closed the door. “What’s going on?”

Dazed, she sat on the bed. No author would write a plot this unbelievable. “This isn’t adding up. This is past coincidence. Cruise lines don’t make this type of mistake.” She closed her eyes as tight as she could and prayed harder than she had in years that what she thought happened hadn’t really happened.

“I was supposed to fly first class but switched to coach,” she said timidly. “When I boarded, the seat next to yours was empty. Was it ever filled?” She peeked his way.

He shook his head no.

Dread filled her. “There’s only one explanation.”

“Miranda,” they said in unison.

“She’s dead meat!” Saundra pounded the bed and rose. Fury at an all time high, she paced the thin walkway from the door to the window. “What in the world was she thinking? Who does she think she is? How could she?” she verbally shot off faster than a speeding bullet. “Trapped. I walked right into her trap.” So disgusted she trembled, she bit out, “I knew she was up to something. I knew it!”