by S. Cook
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jem watching us carefully. She shook her head slowly and with a heavy sigh went back to work on the computer.
Chapter 7: Lydia
I loved the room the moment I walked in. The décor was graceful without being ostentatious, with an immaculately laid king bed and a whole wall made up of a window with a breathtaking view of the ocean.
The colors were welcoming and the fittings comfy, elegant. I loved the way the walls and floor were designed with geometric patterns softened by the exquisitely draped curtains.
I was glad Brian picked it out for me and I told him so, adding, “The management of the hotel must be so glad to have such a thoughtful employee as you.”
He grinned.
“Thanks. The resort’s not the biggest you’ll find but it prides itself on having personalized service. Every single guest should feel special.”
His smile faded as he looked at me and there was a stretch of silence that I wasn’t sure what to make of. For the first time I realized we were both alone in the room and his innocent presence – suddenly didn’t seem so innocent.
As if sensing my inner discomfort he made to leave. “Glad you like the room. I’ll have your things sent over. I wish you goodnight,” he said with a slight bow and his tone formal.
I hoped I hid my relief well and offered to walk him to the door. He appealed to me on levels I couldn’t begin to fathom, but I wasn’t about to tread that road. I liked that he was outgoing and that did a lot to bring me out of my shell, but I was too attracted to him to risk getting closer.
He stepped into the hallway and I stood in the open doorway about to thank him once again for his help. That was when I looked across the hall and saw another woman exiting her room. She was tall and slender with a mass of dramatic golden-brown curls. Her attire was like that of one about to go out on the town and as she turned from locking her door, her eyes met with mine.
We both gasped with identical looks of recognition.
“Lydia!”
“Brandi!”
Somehow we found our way across and threw our arms around each other in the middle of the hotel corridor.
“Goodness it’s been ages! You look amazing, Lydia!”
“So do you,” I said as we both drew back, beaming. “You’ve hardly changed since high school.”
“I could say the same for you. Though you definitely aren’t the skinny four-eyed Lydia anymore,” teased Brandi good-naturedly. “And as you can see, I lost my chubbiness. Well, most of it anyway.”
I laughed out loud, our hands still entwined as we stared at each other in glee. “You’re staying here too?” I asked. Seeing a familiar face, especially from back home and from my girlhood was such a thrill.
Brandi nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes, since yesterday but I was worn out by jetlag. To make it up to myself I’m going dancing!” Brandi said with a mischievous giggle. “There’s a nightclub I heard about when I first arrived and I can’t wait to check it out. It’s amazing to bump into you like this. You simply must come with me. We can live it up like we used to.”
“I’d love to, Brandi. It sounds like fun and I haven’t really had time to check out the club scene down here. I just need to change into something nicer first.”
“Your friend can come along too,” Brandi suggested, nodding at Brian who’d been hovering just behind me as our exchange had kept him from walking past.
I flushed with embarrassment as I finally remembered Brian standing there. He had on a small smile and before I knew what to say he put out his hand. “Hello, Brandi. I’m Brian.”
“Nice to meet you,” Brandi murmured, her gaze sweeping over him speculatively. I noted that Brandi held on a little too long with the handshake before drawing away. “We definitely need some arm candy and Brian here more than foots the bill.”
He chuckled, as I looked more embarrassed than ever. “Thanks for the offer, but...” Brian began regretfully.
“Seriously, I’m not taking no for an answer,” Brandi said. “Imagine two ladies out on our own in this strange, new town with all the unknown perils.”
“The security on the island is top notch so you really have nothing to fear,” Brian said, but when Brandi pouted with a playful frown, he laughed and added, “But then, escorting two beautiful ladies will be an honor I would be crazy to refuse.”
He turned to me with an arched brow. “That is if you have no objections?”
I figured Brandi had a point about going out on our own and besides, with Brandi as chaperone the night could go innocently enough.
“I think it’s a great idea for you to join us. I mean, if you aren’t otherwise occupied tonight?”
A small part of me was actually hoping he’d say he was.
“I’m done for the day,” he said. “Your bags will be up promptly. “Would you like for me to arrange the transportation? The resort has a car service you’ll find satisfactory.”
“Sounds perfect!” chirped Brandi.
“Very well ladies. I guess I’ll meet you in front of the hotel in...say twenty minutes?”
Ample time for me to prepare, I thought as I nodded, smiling despite my better judgment. Damn...it was just like old times with Brandi, always setting me up for trouble.
The moment he was out of sight Brandi linked her arm with mine and crowed, “What a hunk! He’s absolutely gorgeous. Is he yours?”
“No,” I said with a slight frown. “We met here at the hotel barely a week ago.”
“Funny; he looks mighty familiar,” said Brandi thoughtfully, following me into my room.
“That’s probably because he works here, in the hotel. He’s some kind of manager from what I can tell.”
My tone was disinterested though inwardly I was aiming to throw Brandi off Brian’s scent. I could tell that Brandi had already set her sights on him and I wasn’t sure how to feel about that. Hopefully Brandi might be put off on hearing he was a hotel employee.
Brandi was very much a silver spoon princess; her father was an investment mogul and her mother was a notable surgeon. As kids from affluent homes, both of us had gravitated to each other due to the fact we shared so much in common.
We’d lost touch when we were both accepted to different colleges. Brandi’s parents choosing to let Brandi go to London for a British education since Brandi’s mother was half-English.
Even with all the years that had passed since we’d last seen each other, I was glad our bond was still there. We were a little different in many ways but that had only helped to strengthen our friendship. I couldn’t wait for us to hang out like we used to and was looking forward to not having to spend another evening alone. Maybe letting loose and having fun was just the pick-up I needed after Theo’s unplanned departure.
Enjoy yourself, he’d said.
And that was exactly what I planned to do.
Chapter 8: Lydia
An SUV was waiting to pick us up by the time we were standing outside the hotel.
Brian was in front with the driver and he stepped out to help us into the vehicle. My eyes couldn’t help but take in how well he wore his clothes. He was in all black which complemented his blond, blue-eyed looks. His shirt was dressy and opened at the throat and the pants he wore emphasized his trim, athletic looking hips.
He was ‘HOT’ in capital letters and it amazed me how he made such a simple attire seem so classy and trendy. I saw the way Brandi couldn’t help giving him an admiring stare and I couldn’t say I blamed her.
We chatted easily as we were driven to the venue of the club. Brian pointed out a few of the sights as we went past and I noted the nightlife in the area looked very promising.
We arrived at the club which delivered as promised in terms of the ultra-modern setting and the secure surroundings which set one instantly at ease. The music was pumping along with the nice-looking crowd. There was energy pulsing through the speakers and already I felt my spirits uplifted.
The beats were somewhat dif
ferent from my usual tastes but I could totally see myself letting off some steam tonight. I’d enjoy the company, as well as the drinks which I rarely indulged in.
“I feel like shaking off the last traces of jet lag,” said Brandi over the noise of the club.
We’d found a table and had just ordered our first round of drinks. Brandi wriggled her shoulders bared by the strapless top she wore, dancing to the lively beat. “Hey, what do you say, Brian? You look like you know your way around the dance floor.”
“When the music’s right,” he said with an agreeable shrug, then grinned. “And this just happens to be my favorite.” He held out his hand to the beaming Brandi and turned to me. “How about you, Lydia? Are you up for a little dancing?”
I shook my head humorously. “I’ll stay busy enjoying my drink for now. You two go on ahead.”
The music was loud and the lights were low. I could still get a good sense of the crowd and easily followed the figures of Brian and Brandi as they headed for the dance floor.
I watched as Brian made Brandi laugh, their bodies moving easily to the music. Suddenly I felt like I had tunnel vision and all I could see was the two of them dancing. With every passing song Brandi seemed to close the gap between them.
It was easy to see how comfortable Brandi was with her body and how she loved to dance. Brian moved right along with her, matching her tempo and steadying her with his hands on her hips whenever it looked like she’d lose her balance and fall against him.
Brandi faced him with a happy smile, and once or twice she too sought to maintain her stance by placing a hand on his shoulder. Every time they came in contact I felt my teeth grit together even as I admired how well Brian could move.
Great, I thought a little sourly as I sipped on my drink; he’s a superb dancer to boot.
I was beginning to wonder if there was anything about Brian I didn’t like. He was incredibly good looking and had a cool sense of style. He was undoubtedly personable – the kind of man women warmed to immediately.
He was one hell of a man and I wasn’t surprised how well he got on with Brandi.
Brandi always knew a hot catch when she saw one and had no problems mixing with strangers. Even back in our early days in school, it had been Brandi who’d been the one to approach me and instantly we’d clicked. Watching Brandi and Brian had me thinking how well they suited each other, a realization that made me suddenly down the rest of my drink with a hasty gulp.
My eyes were irresistibly drawn to Brian again and again - and I didn’t fail to notice I wasn’t the only female in the club ogling the blond hunk. He stood out in the crowd of several European as well as American tourists.
I watched him dance and caught myself imagining him as a lover. He looked like he put so much life to everything and I could bet that he’d be great in bed. Realizing I was fantasizing about a man who wasn’t my fiancé I flushed and quickly ordered another drink. Reading Brandi’s obvious attraction for him made me consider my own reaction to everything about Brian.
Okay so he was hot and I liked him – end of story. If I kept my mind focused, this could just be some harmless case of a handsome man catching my fancy, nothing more. He was...different, no doubt and he got under my skin but all that would pass, I vowed. And once the vacation was over he’d be a forgotten memory no matter how much fun he was to be around.
It wasn’t long after that Brian was returning to our section of the club alone and I noticed with humor that Brandi seemed to have a new admirer whom she now danced with. He had deep brown skin and his thick black dreads tied back. He was ruggedly handsome, lean-hipped in blue jeans and broad-chested in his loose white shirt. And he seemed to have eyes only for Brandi who basked in his attention, dancing with zero inhibitions.
“Nice moves back there,” I said in greeting when Brian took his place next to me. My nostrils flared slightly at the warm, clean aroma of his cologne mixed with his signature scent of masculinity that teased my senses.
“You’re too kind,” he said, looking pleased at my comment. “It felt good dancing again. It’s been a while. There was never time in between tours to really get into the club scene. I’ll be rectifying that oversight now that I’m out of the military and working on a career in hospitality.”
I couldn’t help my curiosity getting pricked. “What do you mean, out of the military?”
He smiled. “I thought that would get your attention. I used to be USMC. Marines. Left after my last tour six months ago. Let my hair grow out and, I’m sorry to say let my body go too.”
I stared at him and it was on the tip of my tongue to say that in no way anyone could accuse him of letting his ‘body’ go. From what I could tell even in his trendy clothes, he was fit as hell.
I hadn’t been able to conceal my bemusement, as he seemed to tell. No wonder he’d moved like a god on the dance floor.
“So what happened? Why the career change?” I asked, wanting to kick myself for prying.
A corner of his lips curved in a small smile. “It had to do with family concerns. I’d been in the Marines since I was eighteen. Now it was time for me to do my duty to my family.” He shook his head as if to dismiss the topic. “It’s a long story. Maybe I could interest you in hearing it in full some time.”
He picked up his shot glass and held it up in a toast. “For now, I’m content to discover all the new, exciting experiences I’ve yet to explore.”
When he said these last words, he sent me a glance and I wondered if I was some kind of new ‘experience’ he was curious to explore. I remembered considering him just a ‘passing fancy’ and it stung to think he might see me as the same.
After all, I was engaged and yet was being much too carefree with another man by letting him take me out to a club, albeit with another friend of mine. What did that say about my principles?
Nothing’s happening, I thought firmly. It’s just harmless fun. Totally harmless, I kept saying to myself on and on.
“A lot on your mind?” Brian suddenly inquired, breaking into my troubling thoughts. “I was hoping you’d get to enjoy yourself as much as Brandi is certainly doing.”
I shrugged. “Oh, I’m having fun just being here. I’ll never be as wild and carefree as Brandi though. She’s always been the life of the crowd while I enjoy simply being on the fringe of things.”
“Or maybe you’re simply missing your fiancé,” Brian said lightly, his eyes averted as he signaled for his drink to be refreshed.
Toying with my half-filled glass, I replied in an easy tone, “Well yeah, I miss him. After all this was meant to be our great romantic vacation.”
I sighed somewhat dramatically even as I wondered if I was trying to make Brian jealous and if so, to what end? I quickly added that I was glad to have bumped into Brandi which almost made up for my fiancé leaving me on my own due to a work emergency.
“You were right; she does know how to rock a party,” Brian said, his grin widening. “She almost danced me off my feet. Which reminds me, I believe you owe me a twirl on the dance floor.”
My eyes rolled expressively. “No, really. I can’t. My dancing skills are far from impressive.”
“Let me be the judge of that,” was all Brian said, before wrapping his hand around my wrist in a gentle yet warmly firm grasp as he drew me up with him.
I wasn’t sure how it happened, but I was following his lead and making for the dance floor. All night the DJ had been playing a wide variety of music, fast tunes for disco-type gyrating, and urban Latin American pop.
It had been fun to simply relax and watch others get lost in the music and yet now, standing in the midst of the energetic crowd I fought back my restraint.
I’d always been a barely passable dancer and never seemed to learn any new steps. Still, the music mix was much too well delivered and then of course there was my handsome partner with the cool dance moves.
Brian soon had me relaxing with his twinkling gaze and his smiles of encouragement as he pulled me in until
I felt the beat in my pores.
It had been too long since I’d felt so light-hearted and alive, while feeling tense with excitement from all that adrenaline pumping through my system. It brought a side to me I hadn’t seen in a long while.
Since dating Theo actually.
I’d cut down a lot on my freaky side, the part of me that really wanted to let go and not care who was looking or judging. Brian made it so easy for me to forget it had been ages since I’d ‘got down’ in a club as he moved in perfect rhythm to the music, showing me how to take his lead.
What I hadn’t foreseen though was to have the music suddenly slow down into more romantic strains - which saw couples pulling in close without hesitation. I instantly panicked, even as I saw Brandi across the room casually step into the waiting arms of her partner. The last thing I wanted was to hurt Brian’s feelings by fleeing so I gingerly placed my hands on his upper arms.
His hands rested lightly on my waist and there was a teasing note to his smile as he said, “You sure you want to do this? Wouldn’t want you to get scared off.”
“How do you propose that could happen?” I asked, my palms sliding up to link behind his neck.
I didn’t like the idea he might be laughing at me. If he thought a little body contact terrified me, he was dead wrong. He might be used to women finding him hard to resist, but I would show him I was far from a silly female bowled over by a handsome face.
Brian’s sharp intake of breath from the way my soft, breasts now pressed against his chest made me hide a smile. I could tell he was far from immune to me; his whole frame seeming to tense as our bodies glided together from torso to knee.
There was no single gap between us and I tried to ignore what that meant to my suddenly racing heartbeat. My eyes were level with the corded expanse of his throat and I noted even in the dim club how smooth and silky his skin looked. His hands brushed against my sides, resting on my hips for a few moments as he let his hands truly linger on my body for the first time.
I let his hands stay where they were, thinking inwardly that with so many other people around we weren’t doing anything wrong. Even as Brian’s hands slowly slid from my hips to my lower back and he pulled my body even tighter to his, I wouldn’t let my mind tell me this was going too far.
