Page 24 of Paradise West
He smiled as she sighed and closed her eyes. “Thanks, Jack.”
Giving in to temptation, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “You’re welcome, baby.”
Jack padded out of the room with the image of her smooth curves encased in matching blue underwear burned into his brain. He sighed...it would be a long time before he’d forget how utterly beautiful she looked.
6
Key West, Florida
“Cock-a-doodle-dooooooo!” came the arrogant cry from across the street.
Charli groaned and pulled the comforter over her head. The movement made her head pound and stomach lurch, and she hugged her pillow until the nausea passed.
George crowed again, expecting everyone else to be as equally enthusiastic about the morning. She flopped onto her back and glared toward the window, mentally sending a torrent of curses at the obnoxious fowl.
She laid there for another moment wondering whether she could handle getting up, then smacked her lips and looked around for a water glass. She spotted one on her bedside table and smiled gratefully at the two ibuprofen tablets that lay next to the glass. Jack was so thoughtful.
Charli grimaced as she leaned up on an elbow and reached for the glass. She swallowed the pills down, taking in huge gulps of water that sloshed around in her empty stomach.
She jumped at the sound of an enraged squawk outside and glanced toward the window. This was followed by the commotion of wings flapping and another outraged shriek from the rooster.
Several voices shouted and were accompanied by Jack’s aggravated curse. “God dammit, George. Knock your shit off!”
She chuckled softly, then moaned as she laid back against her pillow and closed her eyes, laying an arm over her head. Based on the sounds from below, Jack’s crew must be relocating the chickens.
She rolled to her side and waited until she was certain she wouldn’t vomit, then carefully stood, moaning as her stomach lurched again.
Memo to me...no more sangria...
Charli lurched toward the balcony doors, fumbled to open them, and stumbled out. She braced her arms on the railing and squinted her eyes at the brilliant light, trying to see the activity across the street.
Several workers were clustered around the compound wall, and as she searched for Jack, a long low whistle caught her attention.
“Damn, would you look at that?” one worker called out. “Hey there, sexy. Want some help up there? I can take care of anything you need.”
“Peters!” Jack snapped as he stepped into view. “What did I tell you about harassing women on the job? Especially the ones who pay your salary?”
“Sorry, boss.” Peters appeared appropriately chastised as he ducked his head and turned back to watch the progress over the wall.
Jack glanced up at her and did a double take. He walked over to the sidewalk, concern on his face. “Uh...Charli? You okay?”
“Other than feeling like I’m about to throw up on you, yeah. Why?”
One side of his mouth tilted up as he gestured toward her. “Uh...you’re standing on the balcony in your underwear.” He held his hands up. “Not that I’m complaining, but everyone down here can see you.”
Charli gasped and jumped back, her hands coming up to cover herself.
“Shit,” she yelped and whirled for the balcony door with Jack’s deep chuckle following her into the room. She slammed the doors behind her and leaned back on them, the glass a cool contrast against the hot flush of the skin on her nearly bare backside.
“Oh, no.” Charli groaned and closed her eyes, mortification sweeping through her. How could shepossibly look Jack in the eyes again? Much less his crew that she would no doubt be working with for the foreseeable future.
Her stomach twisted at the thought and suddenly her nausea turned into an urgent need to vomit. She covered her mouth and raced for the bathroom, getting there just in time. Her body cramped as she heaved over and over into the toilet, purging the toxins from the night before.
After what felt like an eternity, her stomach finally calmed. She flushed the toilet and rested her clammy forehead on the cold porcelain for a moment, panting lightly from the exertion. Shaking and doused in a cold sweat, she was completely wrung out.
Never, ever, ever again with the sangria!
After several minutes, Charli carefully stood up , wobbling slightly. Holding on to the counter for help, she walked over to sink and gasped when she saw herself in the mirror. “Oh, no...no, no, no...”
