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Chapter 17
TheAdventurerrockedagainst the waves, cutting through the water quickly. Once the sun had set, the sky darkened and the air over the water was much cooler. I shivered against the wind whipping at our faces as Marv drove the boat. The roar of the motor was so loud, we didn’t speak for the duration of the ride. Nearly a half-hour later, lights from Sweratt Island came into view. Marv steered us toward a dock set up on the far side of the island. A light hung from the end, swaying back and forth. Two men dressed in white pants and blue dress shirts hurried forward as we docked. They secured the boat while Marv took my hand and helped me onto thedocks.
“Ma’am, may I take your bags?” I looked up as a familiar voice spoke nearby. Texas’ dark brown eyes met mine and he gently reached for thebags.
“Thank you,” I said. He winked before he turned and strode away. I had no doubt that wherever Marv and I would end up tonight, we would have a way to contact Texas and the rest of the guyslater.
Marv took my hand and we walked towards a narrow road behind the dock house where a six-person golf cart awaited us. We climbed into the backseat, his arm around my waist while the two men who had assisted us got into the front and set the cart in motion. I leaned my head against Marv’s chest, and yawned. Marv toyed with the ends of my hair. I inhaled and he chuckled, rubbing a hand over myhead.
“Are you smelling me?” heteased.
“Mmm hmm,” I mumbled, inhalingagain.
“What do I smell like?” heasked.
“Coffee,” I said. “You always smell likecoffee.”
He laughed. “We all have our addictions. Just so happens that mine is caffeine and a smartass, little brunette.” I blushed, but couldn’t help the small smile that stretched across mymouth.
I looked in awe at the immense resort as the golf cart stopped in front of a lavish entrance. Marv stepped off the cart and held his hand out for me. I smirked, and took the offered hand, allowing him to help me step down. He kissed my knuckles, sending sparks jumping up my arms, before tucking my hand to hisside.
“Welcome Mr. Carter.” An older gentleman, with graying sideburns extending from dark brown hair, greeted us the moment we were through the doors. “My name is Jonathan. I will be your personal steward, and I will be on call for you for the entirety of yourstay.”
“This is my girlfriend, Harley,” Marvintroduced.
I blinked at the name, confused, but quickly recalled the pseudonym we had used at the hotel meet and greet. It would be odd to give my real name after I had already been introduced as ‘Harley’.
“Pleased to meet you.” I held out a hand for Jonathan to shake. He nodded firmly after dropping my hand and gestured towards a grand staircase just to the front of the lobbydesk.
“Shall I take you to your quarters to dress and prepare for the meal thisevening?”
“I thought we missed that,” Marv said, his eyebrowsrising.
“No sir,” Jonathan replied. “Dinner will be served in another half-hour.”
“I would like to change before then. Yes of course, please lead theway.”
We followed Jonathan up the grand staircase and through a complex maze of hallways to a door with a gold plaque on the front. I memorized the number, knowing I would likely need it later when I would inevitably getlost.
“Thank you, Jonathan,” Marvsaid.
I wandered into the room as Marv tipped the man. We had been given a suite of rooms instead of just one. There was a sitting area, larger than the living room in my duplex. There was a basket of apples on the counter. Plain shapes piled onto canvas masquerading as artwork on the walls. Otherwise, ocean themes layered every other inch of the space. I explored further. There was one bedroom with a light-blue and white duvet and an oak trunk at the foot of the four-poster bed. A grand bathroom was attached, larger than my bedroom at home, with a frosted-glass shower and a tub set into the side of a wall with small whirlpool holes along the sides, a Jacuzzi. It smelled like sand and water throughout every inch of the room. Marv followed me into the bathroom, his arms banding around me. My hands came up to hold onto him. Though it was cold in the room, I wondered if I trembled for otherreasons.
“Our bags were just delivered. We have to get ready,” hesaid.
“What’s it going to belike?”
He rested his chin on the top of my head and looked at us in the mirror. “It’ll be loud. There will be lots of drinking. Not everyone here is as kind as the people you met at the meet and greet. Some are morepompous.”
“Snooty,” I guessed. He nodded, his chin bumping against me. I laughed and turned, poking him in the ribs. “Get out, I’ll change inhere.”
“No,” he said, tugging me into the room. He grabbed a few things from his bag. “I’ll change in there, you change here. I’ll knock when I’m done so you know I’m comingout.”
“Wait!” I called out as he headed back into the bathroom. He paused, glancing back. “What should Iwear?”
He shrugged. “Whatever you want.” The bathroom door closed behind him, locking him away from my sight. I sighed and looked towards mybag.
Ten minutes and three coats of mascara later, Marv knocked against the bathroom door before opening it slowly and peeking out. I stood at the white-wood vanity fixing my makeup in a black and white floral-patterned cocktail dress. My red heels were chafing at the skin of my ankles, but Texas and Bellamy had assured me that a few well-placed band aids would help with that. How they knew, I hadn’t asked, but it made sense. I might not have worn heels in years, but that didn’t mean I had forgotten the curse that they brought with them, especially new ones. Marv straightened his white dress shirt, rolling up the sleeves to his elbows. His checkered bow tie lay against his collar,undone.
