My full lips slowly morph into a smile as I inhale the saltwater scent drifting into my hotel room from the open balcony door. I sit in my room, happily eating the fruit that’d come with a stack of pancakes and eggs I’d had delivered to my room. A feeling of peace comes over me, that even the fear and self-doubt that’d gripped me for weeks now can’t touch.
I finally ended things with Matthew. Packed up my belongings, moved to a new city, and am now taking a much needed vacation.
A second smile touches my lips when I glance down at my dark-chocolate brown skin and notice the glow. I’ve been in Cabo for less than twenty-four hours now. However, and after hours of traveling, complete with flight delays the day before, I talked myself into wearing one of the five bathing suits I brought with me, down to the resort’s main pool. I laid out for two hours yesterday, just soaking up the sun rays. My skin is at least a shade darker than my usual color, and the moisturizer I’d just put on enhanced it’s glow even more. I sit up in my chair a little straighter and turn toward the sounds of the ocean, again, patting myself on the back for booking a hotel right on the beach. The view alone is worth the arm and leg I’d spent on this resort, but after finally leaving Matt, a career change, and deciding to relocate from Boston to Williamsport, I deserve this.
Dragging my gaze from the ocean back to my planner on the table before me, I remind myself that I have a full day and need to get going. Luckily, I met some really cool women the previous night and they invited me to spend the day with them on the tour they booked. I’d already made plans, but decided to go against my usual, by-the-book ways and postponed the glass bottom boat tour for the following day, to hang out with these women. Truth be told, while I was all gung-ho about going on this trip alone, I’m excited to connect with some other women while in Mexico.
After quickly finishing my breakfast, I layer a pair of cutoff jean shorts and a sleeveless, pink T-shirt over the one-piece bathing suit I chose to wear. Though the suit is one piece, the sides are cut out, exposing much of my mid-section. The bathing suits I’d bought for this trip go completely against the more conservative and covered look I typically wear. But, much like the rest of my life, I’m looking for a change in my wardrobe, at least while I on vacation.
Standing, I take one last look in the mirror. I run my hand over the cornrow braids I’d gotten for the trip. I haven’t worn my hair in cornrows since I was ten years old, but now at twenty-eight, I’m wondering why. The braids look great. I’d opted for extensions so they stopped halfway down my back. I’m sure the style will hold up great against all of the sightseeing, swimming, and genuine relaxing I plan on doing during the trip. Smearing some clear lip gloss over my lips and placing my square-rimmed sunglasses at the top of my head, I grab my bag, slide my feet into my strappy sandals, and head out the door … only to run into a damn brick wall.
“Oof!” I grumble, almost panicking when I feel myself falling backwards. Just before I can make a total fool of myself, two strong hands wrap around my arms, preventing my fall. I can’t decide which hold is tighter—the arms or the scent that wrap around my entire body, filling my nostrils with the most delicious smell. He smells like patchouli, with a hint of oranges and something unique. I know it is ahebecause of the goosebumps on my arms that stand.
“Whoa there, beauty. Are you all right?”
Holy hell.
No man’s voice should be that deep. Or that sexy.
“I—” I start to reply but the words fizzle on my lips when I peer up into the most alluring eyes. They were a honey-brown color with flecks of gold in them. And to top it off, they’re framed by the longest lashes I’ve ever seen on a man. I suck in a deep breath when he stands to his full height, and the edges of those eyes wrinkle as a smile creases his plump lips. This man’s entire face was put together perfectly. Da Vinci himself couldn’t have done a better job.
“I-I’m okay. I’m sorry. I should’ve been paying attention.” I take a step back and swallow when his smile spreads even farther. A twinkle in his eyes shoots off alarm bells in my ears.
“Don’t worry about it,” he replies, rising up to his full height. He has to be at least six-four. “You’ve got a great room.”
I blink, shaking my head. “What?”
He nods his head toward my door but all I notice is his smooth, tanned skin. It makes me wonder about his background. From his looks, I surmise that his heritage has to come from somewhere in the Mediterranean.
“Your room. It’s got a great view of the ocean. I’m right next door.”
I turn my head, blinking again, realizing that he’s talking about our hotel rooms.
“We’re neighbors.”
Did his voice get deeper when he said that?
“That’s nice,” I add, not knowing what else to say. I can’t remain in this man’s presence much longer. His eyes are too alluring and his scent too captivating. He is just too … everything. “Well, uh, sorry again. Enjoy your stay!” I wave and immediately feel like a fool, as I pivot on my heels and proceed down the hall. I take about six steps away when I wonder if he is still there. Daring to take a glance over my shoulder, I turn and almost trip over my own two feet to see him still there, watching me, sporting a grin.
“Nope,” I mumble to myself, turning back around and picking up my steps. I am not on vacation to meet men. I just broke up with Matt three months ago. I’m still grieving the loss of that relationship. At least, I should be. But even as I stroll off the elevator toward the lobby of my hotel, pulling my sunglasses down to cover my eyes, the smile that’d played at the man’s lips and his scent remain with me.
****
“I had so much fun!” I exclaim. “Thank you for inviting me,” I tell the group of women I’d spent the day with. We’d gone on a day-long excursion that included snorkeling, lunch in a lagoon, and cave sightseeing. It was one of the best days I’ve had in a really long time.
“Oh, the day’s not over yet, my friend,” Rose, the blonde-haired vixen of the group, states as she wraps her arm around my shoulders. Rose always seems to have a little mischief in her hazel eyes.
“Not by a long shot.” This was said by Tracey, who is the polar opposite of Rose physically with her chestnut coloring and shortly cropped haircut, but I can tell the two are akin to soulmates by the twin mischief in her eyes. Tracey intertwines her arm with mine and tugs me along toward our hotel lobby. “We’re going dancing tonight after dinner on the beach. I hope you brought going out attire.” She laughs.
“I may have a little something,” I respond, feeling comfortable around these women. Their two other friends, Shawna and Jackie, who are staying at a different hotel, were dropped off there by the shuttle. We’re going to meet up with them on the beach at six o’clock for dinner and drinks. And now, apparently, going out somewhere after that.
“Excellent!” Rose claps. “We’ll meet you down here at ten of six.”
I nod in agreement. That gives me plenty of time to rest a little and then shower and change before meeting up with the ladies again. This is the first vacation I’ve ever taken alone. At first, I feared I’d spend most of my time solo and in my room, but so far, it’s going great. A smile I hadn’t even realized I’m wearing, welcomes me as I turn, seeing myself in the mirrored elevator door.
A few hours later, after a shower and a short nap, I glare at the two dresses laid out on my bed. My confidence has waned slightly. I can’t decide which one to wear. One dress is an off-the-shoulder, light blue, floral print dress. It’s cute and flirty. The second is a rose-colored wrap dress with spaghetti straps, stopping just above the knee, but with a slit that exposes a lot of thigh. Both dresses are out of my wheelhouse, though the floral dress is something I feel safer wearing.
I reach for the floral print dress, but at the last second, I opt for the more revealing of the two. I don’t know why but something is driving me to be a little more daring than I usually am. And hell, Iamin Mexico. My first international trip. Maybe for a little while I can get over playing it safe.
