An hour later I was waiting for Jeff in the reception that led straight out to the pool area — there wasn’t even a wall. The evening breeze was calming and the air smelled of tropical flowers and sea salt.
I took a deep breath. This really was paradise.
Suddenly hands covered my eyes.
“Guess who?” Jeff said behind me with a contorted voice.
I laughed.
“Uhm, let’s see: tall, dark and handsome with a penchant for adventure?”
“That’s about right,” Jeff said and let me go with a laugh. “Shall we?” He held out his arm — offering me to link arms in an old-fashioned manner.
Smiling, I took his arm.
“What a gentleman,” I joked.
“But of course, my lady!” He replied with a wink.
And then we walked along the beach as the sun set. We didn’t say much, apart from the odd comment about the scenery. At one point we stopped to watch as whales sprayed water into the air. We didn’t have to say anything — we were simply enjoying paradise together.
As I felt Jeff’s body next to mine, holding my hand on his arm, I couldn’t resist inhaling his aroma and relaxing into him. He was so strong, masculine and…kind. It was hard not to have unsuitable thoughts about him. I’d seen a lot of his body on the beach today. I’d seen the way his muscles rippled as he moved and I could imagine the same muscles in my bed. I wondered what it would feel like to caress him all over? Feel those muscles of steel and the softness of his skin. It made me dizzy just thinking about it…but if all he wanted was a fling…
I shook my head. I didn’t want to think right now, I just wanted to enjoy the presence of a man I actually respected. A man who wasn’t promising me anything, but also wasn’t cheating on me.
As we reached the doors to our rooms after the walk I didn’t want to let Jeff go. I knew I had to, but…
“Now that’s what I call a proper evening stroll — sunset, palm trees swaying in the wind, a beautiful woman on my arm…” Jeff grinned at me and winked, but I could sense the warmth radiating from him, too. The desire. The kindness. It made my legs feel like jelly. As I looked into his eyes, I wanted to kiss him goodnight.
Scrap that: I wanted to throw myself at him and tear his clothes off. But, I reminded myself, not now. Not yet. I needed to know more.
“I fully agree with you. That was one hell of an evening stroll!” I remarked. “Now I need my beauty sleep. As do you. It’s a full day tomorrow!”
“So it is, so it is,” Jeff nodded, looking just a tad disappointed. “Alrighty then, good night and sweet dreams to you!”
“And you,” I said and disappeared into my room before I did something I’d regret.
As I stepped inside, I checked my cell that I’d left behind. There was a message from Bill.
“Really Pat, I’m sorry. I’ve looked for you everywhere in L.A. Please. We need to talk. I need to see you. We need to make this right. I love you.”
Oh, please. We? No, he needed to make it right. Still, I wasn’t interested.
“I’m in Hawaii, filming. Leave me be, Bill. I’m not interested in making things right. We’ve had our time and it’s over. I want a divorce and nothing will change my mind.”
Fuming, I got ready for bed — this was not the kind of thing I had expected to ruin my peace!
