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Chapter 1
Sunday
"My job should've bookedthe reservation months ago," I said, trying to keep my irritation out of my tone. I'd been awake since three this morning to catch a five am flight only to have a delayed flight that didn't leave until seven. After an hour of confusion trying to get transportation that would take me to my resort, I arrived at the beautiful Royal Secrets. Now the patient Jamaican woman is telling me my name is nowhere to be found.
"Ms. Wade, our apologies, but we're not seeing it in our system," the professional resort manager smiled kindly. "We've used your name and your company's name."
I held out my confirmation paper. "Then explain this. I have a presentation at this conference that's held here."
The older woman with skin the color of a smooth walnut took my paper, and her face immediately relaxed. "Ahh...I see what happened. We're Royal Secrets, and you're supposed to stay at our sister site, Royal Star. It's five minutes down the street."
"I don't understand. Is the Association of Chemical Engineers meeting here?"
"Yes."
"But I'm staying at another resort? I thought the resort stay was included in the registration?" Sweat dripped down my face partially because of my frustration and the temperature. The lobby was a hybrid indoor and outdoor design with direct access to the beach, and this heat was getting to me. I fanned myself with my hand impatiently.
“No, it’s not. Two separate fees. And according to your reservations made by Ms. R. Toler back in March, you're at Royal Star.”
I tapped the counter. “Is there any way for me to switch my reservations to this site? I have several workshops to attend, and I’m leading one. I had no intention of leaving the resort for the duration of my trip. And I don’t have time to travel between two different places.”
“We don’t have any available suites comparable to the rates of Royal Star. All the open suites are usually exclusive to our tier members. Still, I can show you the amenities and the rates as a courtesy for the inconvenience.” The woman continued to smile brightly, though I knew she was ready for me to get out of her face.
I shook my head and backed away from the counter. “I’ll just go to my resort. Is there a shuttle?”
“No need to worry, Ms. Wade. There's a complimentary shuttle between the resorts every thirty minutes or so. Taxi service is always available if you need to travel faster." She walked around the counter and pointed to a spot outside near a sky-blue bench. "There will be a shuttle soon that will take you to Royal Star, and soon you'll be settled in your suite. I can call ahead and ensure that the staff is awaiting your arrival and has you checked in and your guest band ready. Again, sorry for the confusion."
No longer able to hide my annoyance, I said crisply, "I don't understand if you’re sister resorts why your systems aren't connected. And why did the transportation van with my reservation drop me off here instead of the right resort? I gave them the same paper I showed you. Thank you for the last forty minutes; I can't get back." I lifted my backpack higher on my shoulder, pulled my suitcase behind me, and trudged to the plush bench. I plopped down and closed my eyes, cursing Rachon, my inept assistant, who always made mistakes like this. Like scheduling an international flight at dawn when there was a much later flight. She knows I have restless nights. I never had the heart to report her to my supervisor because she was a single mother with three children and needed her job. I cursed again silently. The way I felt right now, I didn't care. This mistake wouldn't be a big deal if I was on vacation, but I was here for a work conference. I would have to be mindful of shuttle times every day, so I wouldn't be late for the workshops and meetings. And in between sessions, I wouldn’t be able to crash in my room. UGH! I shut my eyes and took deep, calming breaths before I checked my watch to see if I had time to jot down notes on my tablet. I might have ten minutes to get a little work done.
"Excuse me." A deep voice rumbled from above me.
I wearily looked up, and suddenly I worried about my posture. The man smiling down at me had to be a model, an actor, or someone important. He was drop-dead gorgeous. The white t-shirt and khaki shorts emphasized his warm, toned, rich brown skin that seemed to glisten in the sun. His thick black hair begged to be played in with its fullness on top, faded on the sides. And his full lips were surrounded by a groomed mustache and goatee that didn’t quite connect with his growing beard.
"Didn’t mean to interrupt your nap.” He smiled again. Why, oh, why does he have dimples, too?Damn.Damn. This man was undeniably fine.
I continued to gape, wondering why my brain had temporarily stopped functioning.
He bit the corner of his lip and shook his head slightly. “Um...I think you dropped this back there.” He held up the paper that I thought confirmed my stay at this resort.
“Oh...thank you.” I took the paper from him, and he remained standing above me. I looked back up at him, unsure what to say. Drops of sweat suddenly rolled down between my cleavage, peeking from my white tank top. His gaze dropped for a second before appropriately raising them back to my face.
“I heard a little of your conversation while talking to the other hostess. The shuttle is pretty reliable. I’ve gone back and forth a couple of times since I’ve been here for the entertainment. If it’s any consolation, your resort is nicer than mine.” He placed his hands in the pockets of his shorts and smiled again.
“I guess that’s a consolation because this one is gorgeous.”And so are you. “Thank you.”
He took a step back. “Most welcome. Hope you cool off soon. Maybe I’ll see you around.”
I finally smiled. “Maybe.”
The handsome stranger nodded, turned, and headed to the escalator that led to the beach and the suites. I watched him until he disappeared before I smacked my hand on my head, belatedly realizing the man was trying to strike up a conversation. He’d even let me know he noticed the sweat on my breasts. I can’t believe I’d lost an opportunity to flirt with a man that fine in sexy Jamaica. I picked up my cell and called my brother.
“Hey. Checking in.”
“You made it?”
“Yes, and before I tell you about the drama about getting here, let me tell you that I let this fine-ass man walk away from me. I even think he was low-key flirting.”
He chuckled. “Then why are you on the phone with me? Go after him if he’s still around.”
