Page 4 of Passion

I slapped my floppy hat on my head faster than a seagull steals a French fry on the beach, covered my eyes with my sunglasses, and pretended to be fully absorbed in my phone. He didn’t look in my direction, but I didn’t want him to. Today was about me, and if I spent it talking to yet another man, I’d end up being swept away by his charm and being played. It’s how I met Daven. It’s how I met almost every man I'd dated after that first creep.

No, I was fine being alone for a while. Or at least I thought I was. I snuck glances at him as he stood talking to resort security personnel, and secretly, I was disappointed when he walked away without even noticing I was there. It was for the best. For all I knew, he wasn’t vacationing here. He probably owned the place or something.

I removed my sunglasses and laid my head back. A nap before dinner sounded nice. If it was meant to happen, the fates would line it up. If not, I’d just drink myself into oblivion and stare at the wall feeling sorry for myself later on.

4

LUCAS

I'd sat in my dark corner of the resort lounge staring at her for the past hour. She had showered. Her hair now screamed of style and elegance. The short, choppy inverted bob bounced with curls and product. She was sexy and she knew it. Her red lipstick stained the glass she made love to, laughing and flirting with the bartender. She hadn’t seen me, and I had no idea she’d be staying at Firefly, my usual dive.

I was biding my time, waiting for the right opportunity to go and speak with her, maybe buy her a drink. She seemed to like the solitude, though. Each time someone sat next to her, she moved to a new space at the bar with seats on either side of herself. I could read her like a book. She was here to sulk and get wasted, but she wanted everyone to leave her alone except for the man giving her the whiskey.

My phone rang and I pulled it out. It was late. The only person to ever call me at this time was Henry, and he’d have landed after his trip to Europe.

“Yeah?”

“Lucas, man, we almost didn’t land. Winds are something awful.” Henry sounded out of breath like he’d been running. “It’s starting to rain here. Did you hear the path of Bryan changed? Looks like he’ll drive straight up the peninsula. Miami’s going to get smacked.”

I hadn’t heard, but I wasn't worried. The projected path took the hurricane far enough west to leave the island alone, and my staff at the house knew how to protect the property when storms like this rode in.

“I didn’t hear, but I’m sure it will be fine. They haven’t made any announcements here yet.” I sipped my gin and tonic and kept my eyes glued to Vera. She’d moved to yet another seat, yet another drink in her hand.

“Well, they’ve grounded all commercial flights. We have that important board meeting on Thursday. I’m concerned you won’t make it back.” Henry was a worry wart, always mothering me. My mother had passed years ago, but here he was, acting like I still needed her.

“It’s fine. I’ll call Harvey and have the jet sent over when I’m ready to come back. Money talks, buddy. I’ll be there.” Yet another simple luxury that our software genius had provided us. When others were grounded, we just paid a higher price to use the runway. It had gotten us out of Reykjavik when a blizzard was bearing down, and so long as Harvey was confident flying, I was certain he’d get me off this island and back home in time for the darned meeting Henry insisted I attend.

“Well, you’re just an important player. The Feds want this deal pretty bad, and we can make it happen, but you’re the face guy.” Henry was finally starting to catch his breath.

“I’ll be there. Just keep the jet fueled and ready for me.” I hung up just as Vera stood and strolled to a new seat. I wasn’t waiting around anymore. She swayed as she walked, which meant she was starting to get tipsy, and I wanted a chance to talk to her before she was too drunk to remember me.

I stood, heading straight to the bar to order her another drink and one for myself as well, and when I turned to make sure she was still in the same place, she was gone. No longer seated at the end of the long bar, she was standing on the stage, microphone in hand. Karaoke was beginning, and she was the first one in line. The DJ started a track, and she swayed as she hummed the first few lines.

When she got to the chorus, the entire place lit up with cheers. “Baby you’re a firework. Come on, show ’em what you’re worth…” I was mesmerized like everyone in this place. Not only was she drop-dead gorgeous, but she could sing. I listened intently as she continued, moving her body seductively as she finished the song, and I was there to greet her as she stepped off the stage to make space for someone else to sing.

“Wow, that was amazing.” I handed her the drink I had bought for her, and she eyed it suspiciously without saying a word. “I swear it’s safe.”

“What do you want?” She walked past me, heading toward the bar, and I followed, chuckling at her snarky tone.

“I want to talk.” I had to jog a few steps to catch up to her, and we found spots at the bar to sit. She placed the drink down without taking a sip and stared up at me.

“I came here to get over someone, not to hook up.” She wasn’t unpleasant, but I could tell she was guarded. Rightly so. It was impossible to determine based on someone’s looks whether they had ill intentions or not. My only intention was to get to know her a bit better.

“Look, you don't have to drink it if you don’t trust me. I can have the bartender pour you a drink right here so you know it’s not doctored.” I raised my hand for the barkeep to come my way, but his back was toward us. She yanked my hand down and shook her head.

“I believe you.” When I relaxed, she took the drink and downed it in one swallow, which made me grin. “I just don’t know why you’re targeting me. Are you following me? I mean, the airport bar, the plane, and now here?”

“I think that is called coincidence, not following. But I’m not disappointed by the coincidences that led us to this spot." I finished my drink and set the empty glass on the bar. “Are you?”

“I don’t know you.” Vera shrugged nonchalantly. Still guarded. I didn’t blame her.

“I’m not a bad guy, Vera. Take a moment to get to know me and let me show you that.” The bartender looked my way, and I raised two fingers, indicating we’d each like another drink. He nodded and came in our direction, but he knew better than to interrupt us. I’d been a regular around here long enough to build a solid rapport with the entire staff of this place.

She sighed. “I’m sorry, you’re right. I just got out of a relationship and I’m feeling a little skittish, that’s all.” She angled her body more toward me, the dip of the black dress she wore revealing more cleavage than the bikini I’d seen her in at the pool when she didn’t notice me looking at her. My cock stirred, but I focused on her face to keep my body under control.

“So, tell me. Why you’d come to this island alone? Was he that horrible?” The bartender set our drinks out and took the empty glasses and vanished. I offered her the new drink, and she took it, this time sipping instead of chugging.

“He cheated on me with my best friend. When I called him on it, he fired me. He was my agent. So now, I have no job and no best friend. This trip was entirely paid for, so why not?” She stared into her glass, a sullen expression on her face. Then she looked back up at my face through her thick lashes. “What’s your story? Why are you here alone?”

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