What Emma Craves (14 page)

At the shoreline, just before the wave break, she bent down to stretch. She did several leg lunges and squats. When she stood, the sun was just making its appearance over the horizon. It was stunning.

The bright yellow orb slowly lifted above the waves, turning the background of reds and oranges into pale blues as it went. Emma took a deep breath. This was going to be a good day.

She took off down the beach, the water to her left, the villas to her right. She moved at a good clip, the sand feeling good and firm under her feet. It was packed just enough, but the extra effort it took to push off felt good, working her calf muscles.

As she passed by all the villas, she noticed that they all looked the same. When she reached the last one, the vegetation changed dramatically. It went from lush and manicured to sparse and scrubby, like a line had been drawn in the sand, literally. She continued to run, following the contour of the beach. After about half a mile, she spotted a rock outcropping.

She wasn’t going to be able to run over it. So she’d either have to climb to the top and scout it out, turn inland, try to find a path, or turn back the way she’d come.

Emma chose to explore the rocks. They weren’t that tall, maybe ten to fifteen feet, and looked climbable. She began to pick her way to the top. It didn’t take her long. Once there, she gazed out over the water. It was truly majestic. The color, now that the sun was a little higher in the sky, was a warm blue. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. She turned and glanced the way she’d come. From her vantage point, she could see that the resort ran back inland fairly far, judging by the trees and other rooflines—probably employee housing—she spotted.

Then she glanced the other way and saw there was a cove with a half-moon beach. It looked about a mile long, and at the other end was another set of rocks. Making up her mind, she made her way down the other side and took off down the next beach.

Halfway into her run, she spotted a sea turtle swimming in the surf and she smiled. The turtle seemed to be keeping pace with her. Retiring to someplace like this was beginning to sound good. She could get used to this.

When she reached the next outcropping of rocks, instead of climbing up, she decided to turn back. She’d been running for about a half hour, and the day was starting to heat up. She was covered in sweat and was looking forward to jumping into the pool when she got back. She waved at the turtle as she passed by again.

Emma made her way back and up and over the first bunch of rocks. When she landed back on her beach, she could see movement and people walking and driving golf carts behind the resort.

The resort was rising for the day.

As she jogged down the beach toward her own villa, she counted the roofs so she would know which one was hers. She was dreaming of how good it was going to feel to douse herself in the water, so she didn’t register the shout the first time.

“Emma!” the voice called louder.

She stopped, turning. It was coming from the villa next to hers. A man stood waving at her from the deck. She walked closer, shielding her eyes with her hand. “Antonio?” she said. Then she laughed. “I didn’t think we’d see you guys here when you weren’t on the plane!”

“I’m coming down to the beach!” he called. “I can’t hear you from here.” He disappeared from view, and a moment later, he came around the side to meet her.

He was bare-chested, wearing gym shorts that hung loosely at his waist. He was unbelievably fit and had contours running along every plane of his body, including that coveted V that pointed straight downward.

Emma averted her eyes for a moment and swallowed. Her libido had spiked seeing him, and she was a little embarrassed about it.

“Come sit with me over here.” He waved her over to the double lounger that was nestled in the trees below his deck.

She paused for a second, thinking that she really should be getting back to Pete so they could figure out breakfast. But then she chastised herself. It was only seven in the morning, if that, and chatting with Antonio wasn’t a crime.

“How are you?” he asked jovially as she took a seat next to him. “Isn’t this wonderful?” He gestured out toward the ocean and the sun, which was still near the horizon, coloring the sky in warm tones.

“Yes, it truly is. I’m in awe. It’s perfection, really. I wasn’t expecting it to be so lovely.”

“This resort has quickly become one of my favorite places in the whole wide world to visit. The best part about it is that most people have no idea it exists, and I find that enchanting.”

Emma asked, “How come we didn’t see you guys at the airport to catch the connection over here? I thought I dropped a big enough hint that this was our final destination. Did you end up taking a later plane?”

He laughed. It was a deep, throaty sound, and it made Emma swallow. The guy was instantly magnetic, there was no denying it. “You did drop some hints, but I wasn’t sure if you were really coming here or not. There are so many islands in the Bahamas with small resorts. This place is secret for a reason, and I like to keep its integrity. And, no, we weren’t on a later plane. We came by boat.”

“Boat?” she commented. “I didn’t know you could charter something here. I should’ve thought of that. I bet it was a pretty ride.”

He laughed again. “It was a gorgeous ride, but I didn’t charter a boat. I used my own. I have a slip near the airport on Nassau. When I come to the Bahamas, I visit islands and travel by boat. My dream is to actually make it to Cuba someday. My mother is Cuban. My father’s an Irishman from Detroit.”

“Wow,” Emma said. “Having your own boat sounds amazing. What do you do for a living, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“I own my own company.”

It was her turn to laugh. “Yes, I figured that. I’m assuming your boat is actually a yacht, not a schooner. What does your company do?”

He turned and gazed at her. His eyes were a very light amber, and striking, especially with the sunlight directly on them. “My company started as an evolution, like many do. I designed my first rocket when I was in college. I’d always had a passion for all things aerospace, and somehow that process morphed into a satellite-launching business. Now we resupply space stations. It’s a very lucrative business.”

“It sounds like it.” Emma nodded. “That’s very impressive. Doing something you love and being able to experience the world on your own terms is a wonderful thing.”

“I think so, too.” He gave her a broad smile. “The world is a beautiful place to explore. Hey, do you guys want to join us for breakfast? We usually eat something at The Mayfair, since it’s on the other side of the resort near the marina, and then we head out on the boat.”

“They have a marina here?” Emma said. “Damn, I really need to take a look at a map.”

“They do,” he said. “It’s tiny, not more than ten slips. It’s mostly for boats that bring in supplies, but guests can also reserve a space for the time they’re here. A few of the regular guests have boats, but not many that I know of. Come on, have breakfast with us, and then I’ll take you and your husband for a ride. What is his name again?”

“Pete,” she said, standing. “And I really should be getting back. He’s probably up by now. I’ll talk to him and see what he wants to do. What time are you thinking?”

“How about eight thirty?”

“Okay, if you see us, you see us!” Emma said as she began to walk back to her villa.

“I’m sure I’ll see you, even if I don’t see you!” he called. “The island’s not that big.”

13

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P
ete and Emma walked into The Mayfair at eight twenty-five. Meeting the guy and girl they’d run into at the airport for breakfast hadn’t been Pete’s first choice this morning, but Emma wanted to do it, so he was game. After their discussion last night, he was happy Emma had been in a good mood after her run and had wanted to interact with others. It wouldn’t hurt to get to know some people here.

“This is so cute,” Emma said as they entered the restaurant.

The place looked like a café on the outside, whitewashed wood like the intake area, with shuttered windows open to the elements, but once inside it had a sports bar vibe. There was a big bar separating the two spaces. To the left were booths and various TVs mounted on the walls. To the right there were small, cozy round tables with lazy ceiling fans oscillating overhead. Big double doors were open to a covered veranda, which continued the café feel.

Most of the patrons were on the deck having breakfast.

“We’re out here!” a voice called.

“They’re on the porch,” Pete said as he placed his hand on the small of Emma’s back and steered her toward the doors. A few couples were seated around tables inside, but the restaurant wasn’t full by any means.

Once they reached the table, Emma pulled out a chair. “Thanks for inviting us,” she said as she sat. “This is lovely. The view is fantastic.”

Pete sat in the other chair. Antonio reached over to shake his hand. “Nice to see you, man,” Antonio said. “Glad you guys could make it.”

“It’s good to see you guys, too,” Pete said as he gazed out over the railing. Docks and a little marina sat about thirty feet from the restaurant. Right next to it was the beach. “This place is ridiculously nice.”

“Right here is the tip of the island, and the resort takes advantage of all the angles,” Antonio told them.

“How was your first night here? Did you guys sleep well?” Charlotte asked.

Emma cleared her throat. “I did. The beds are so comfortable, I almost didn’t get up for my run this morning.”

“We got in late last night,” Antonio said as he leaned back, draping his arm over the back of Charlotte’s chair. “So we’re a little tired. But I’m a natural early riser. No matter what time I go to bed, I always get up close to dawn.”

“He does.” Charlotte nodded. “And I’m just the opposite. I could sleep all day.”

“And sometimes you do,” Antonio kidded.

“How long have you two been together?” Emma asked. “If you don’t mind my asking.”

“We’ve been dating about eight months,” Antonio replied. “Give or take.”

“Yeah, this dude is hard to pin down.” Charlotte gestured at Antonio with her thumb. “He goes through his share of women, let me tell you. I’m hoping to last for a few more months, at least, but we shall see.” She laughed, her voice easy and content. “I’m enjoying the ride while I can. Isn’t that right, Tiger?”

Antonio laughed along with her, both of them seeming at ease with their relationship.

Pete was astounded. He appraised Charlotte. She was beautiful, more so than he’d thought at the airport when he was half-asleep. She had long brown hair with gold accents, eyes rimmed with naturally dark lashes, and an easy smile. She appeared to be athletic, and if he had to guess he’d venture to say she was a volleyball player, having met more than his fair share growing up in Southern California. It was clear she was confident, which he appreciated. But knowing her relationship with Antonio was short-lived had to suck, no matter how confident you were.

Antonio grinned. “Just to be clear, so you two don’t think I’m a heartless asshole, Charlotte knew I wasn’t in for a serious relationship, so she’s painting me a little dark. But I’ll forgive her. We’ve been friends for many, many years. Dating me has a lot of perks, so it’s not too much of a hardship on her.”

“Indeed, it’s not a hardship,” Charlotte replied playfully. “But he’s right. I knew exactly what I was getting into. It was hard to pass this up”—she waved an arm out toward the marina—“especially since I’d been after him for years. He’s fabulous in bed, by the way, and has scads of money he spends generously. The bottom line is he’s a really nice guy. What more could a girl ask for?” There was a wistful tone in her voice. “I wish there was a way to snare him for life, but since there’s not, I’m happy to take what I can get.”

Antonio seemed very comfortable and matter-of-fact with the direction the conversation was going, nodding along to what Charlotte had been saying. “Yes, I’ve found it hard to find women who are open to living the lifestyle, so I date very sporadically. But Charlotte and I have worked the longest, so who knows?” He shrugged. “Maybe this relationship will stand the test of time. I’m up for anything. How about you two? How long have you been together?”

Before either of them could answer, the waitress showed up with menus for Pete and Emma. “Can I bring you coffee, tea, or juice?” she asked.

“I’d love a grapefruit juice,” Emma said.

“I’d like one, too,” Antonio added.

“Coffee for me,” Pete said, “along with an orange juice.”

“A mimosa for me,” Charlotte replied. “We gotta start this party off right.”

“Got it,” the waitress answered. “I’ll be back soon to take your order.”

They picked up their menus. “So what’s good here?” Pete asked conversationally. “The food we had last night was fantastic. I’m assuming breakfast will be just as delicious.”

“Just about everything is superb,” Antonio said. “You really can’t go wrong. They have two very coveted chefs from the States here. They come out to the pool once in a while, so we’ve gotten to chat with them. Any place in New York would kill to have these two. But they get paid extremely well here. Plus, they get free plane rides anywhere they want on their days off. It’s hard to argue with that.”