I pulled in a breath to respond, but nothing came. I tried again and this time, I found my voice and whispered, "Okay."
A million thoughts ran through my head, but the picture of Kofi undressing and getting into bed had my temperature climbing through the roof.
This sensory disturbance would make it difficult for me to turn off my thoughts and go to sleep. Maybe by the time Chase left, I’d be able to unwind. The clock on my bedside table told me it was too late to talk to my bestie in Jamaica. First thing in the morning though, I'd call Casey to let her in on what was turning out to be an exciting time in my life.
Chapter 7
Kofi
THREE WEEKS PASSEDso quickly, it was hard to imagine. In that time, I rearranged my schedule and contacted my clients to let them know I'd be out of the country for two to three weeks. For those who didn't mind, I arranged for a buddy of mine, Lionel, to conduct their sessions with them. The others, I emailed individual exercise regimens along with instructions, depending on their injuries and special health conditions.
Now, I exhaled while looking at the sea. Kemar, who flew in a few days earlier, came with a friend to pick us up from the airport and we were en route to the hotel where he had booked a room for me to spend the next few nights. The adjoining cottage at his parents' property was undergoing repairs and would be finished by Monday, which was when I could move in.
He'd been charming and polite when I introduced Gina. I'd given him a silent warning because Kemar could be tactless.
Beside me, Gina stared out the other window while biting her thumbnail. I squeezed her other hand in mine. When she turned her head, I whispered. "Everything good?"
She nodded and smiled, but I wasn't convinced she was one hundred per cent relaxed. Gina had grown more withdrawn the closer we came to Jamaica. Now, I wondered if she a secret because she kept looking at me sideways the entire time we sat next to each other on the plane.
I ran my thumb run across the back of her hand, hoping it would comfort her. Something wasn't right, but until she told me what that was, I didn't have much choice but to be patient.
The narrow two-lane road gave way to what appeared to be a slum. We passed bars and shops where people stood and sat near the entrances laughing and talking. Jamaica was familiar and yet different from where I grew up and where I now lived. The landscape changed as we headed northward past businesses, schools, the army camp and into another business district.
We pulled into a parking lot where Kemar asked his friend, Devon, to wait while the three of us walked to a pair of high-rise buildings. I didn't remark on the fact that Gina removed her small suitcase from the Noah.
Kemar waited until we were checked in to tap Gina on the shoulder and shake my hand. "Call me if you need anything. Gina, I'm leaving him in your hands."
"I'll see that he doesn't get into any trouble," she said, laughing.
A bellman came with a trolley, took our things and led the way to the elevators. He was a sociable man, who introduced himself as George. When he realized I wasn't Jamaican, he told me to feel free to ask for him if I needed anything. Five floors up, he walked us down a carpeted corridor to our room. After tipping him, I closed the door and crossed the floor to stand next to Gina.
Through the plate glass, she stared at the pool below. Only a few persons were outside at this time of the afternoon and those who ventured out, sat under umbrellas. From what I saw, the hotel's clientele consisted of people visiting the capital city on business.
I turned Gina to face me, resting both hands on her shoulders. "Why didn't you tell me?"
She shrugged and wouldn't meet my eyes.
