by Lily Bishop
His hand made maddening circles on her back, and she pulled him closer. He raised up so that he was half above her, one hand supporting him and the other free. She didn’t noticed he had moved until his hand squeezed her breast. When he palmed her nipple, tingles worked their way lower. Lindsey moaned.
“Maybe I’m tired of being a virgin.” She whispered the words against his collarbone and followed them with a little lick.
“Qué? … What?”
“I said, maybe I’m tired of being a virgin.”
“Sweetie, don’t say that. You should wait for your husband.”
“I don’t know anyone waiting for marriage these days. None of my friends have waited this long. What if I don’t ever marry?”
“You will. You’re young yet.” He kissed her neck, and she felt his tongue moving in circles. “There’s other things we can do. In fact, there’s other things we should do. Especially after your performance in the shower.”
Lindsey’s heart started beating faster. She knew she was blushing and she could feel the extra heat in her face. “I wasn’t performing. I just wanted to see what it felt like, to make you come apart in my hands.”
He touched his forehead to hers. “You never cease to amaze me.”
“I don’t know why I’ve been so free around you. You’re the only one who has seen me naked.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that!” he said.
Lindsey heard the possessive tone in his voice and decided she didn’t mind.
He slid his pinkie under the sheet, lifting it slightly. She grinned and kept the sheet taut.
“What do we have here?”
“Why don’t you come see?” She let go, and he eased one edge of the sheet down.
“Look what I found.” Lindsey gasped when he circled her nipple with his tongue.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“We used to call them party hats,” he said.
Lindsey giggled. “I like that. Party hats. My party hats are happy to see you.”
“Are they now?”
He squeezed and pinched one at the same time that he kissed the other. She wriggled, seeking more. Or less. Seeking something.
The sensation built, and she grabbed the back of his head. “Yes. Happy.”
He slid one finger along her side, down to her waist, circling around her navel. She giggled, and he skimmed still lower, edging between her slick center.
Lindsey arched her hips and cooed at the feeling that pulsed from her core. “I didn’t shave down there,” she whispered, wondering what he preferred. She had heard that shaving was more popular now.
“You’re perfect the way you are,” he whispered, his fingers not stopping their movement. Lindsey took his hand and shifted it to give her the pressure she wanted. First one finger, then two—she felt close to an ending, but didn't know how to get there.
He nibbled on her nipple and Lindsey almost came off the bed. He flicked her with the nail of his thumb and Lindsey gasped, too wound up to breathe. Then, as if something let go inside her, a wave pulsed through her. The breathed out in a big whoosh, feeling the release almost immediately.
“Wow. What was that?” she asked, instinctively moving her hand to cover his, pulling him away.
“Just a sample, a taste of things to come, when you’re ready,” he whispered, smiling.
“Are you sure you don’t want to do more?” she asked, her voice trailing into nothingness.
“We will. When you’re sure.”
He turned off the lights and snuggled behind her. She could feel his chest moving as he breathed, his chest hair tickling just a little.
Lindsey tried to relax. She thought about each of her arms and legs becoming weightless. She thought about floating in the sea. Normally, that eased her mind, but tonight nothing worked.
The heat came from him in waves. She forced her breathing to even out. She heard the minute his breathing changed and he slept. She thought she would be able to relax then, but sleep still eluded her.
What would it be like to be so comfortable with someone that she wanted to snuggle in his arms all night? Lindsey couldn’t imagine. Sleep for her was something to do apart, not all piled up together.
The music stopped. She looked at the clock by the bed. It had been over an hour and she was no closer to sleep. It didn’t make sense that she could fall asleep with him in her bed in Clemson but not here.
He shifted and his hand cupped her bottom. That wasn’t helping her attempt to relax. Lindsey bit her lip. Now all she could think about was that warm hand on her naked bottom. Not sure what else to do, she eased out from under his touch. Using the moonlight pouring into the bedroom, she crept into the other bedroom.
Lindsey didn’t even bother turning on a light. She dressed in her sleep shirt and fresh panties and climbed in bed. She fell asleep without even closing the curtains.
#
Pretending to be asleep, Ric watched as Lindsey abandoned the bed and slipped out. He had hoped she would relax and fall asleep, but her issues ran deep. He thought pulling her into his embrace would soothe her mind, but it had not.
After a while had passed and she didn’t return, he went to check on her. She was sleeping soundly in the other room. Disappointed, he went back to his own bed. He told himself that she just needed time. She was so young, but how could he convince her that the two of them were meant to be together?
Ric did not sleep well. He woke several times, and each time it took him longer to go back to sleep. Finally, when the sun rose at five in the morning, he got up and sat on the back porch, watching the morning tide come in. An eerie mist floated over the beach, but as soon as the sun gained its full light, the mist faded.
After a few cups of coffee, he had better perspective. He still felt a strong connection with Lindsey. He just had to be patient. He knew that she completed him, but he had to give her time to find that out.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Island Natives
Of course she had agreed to go to the funeral with him—how could she not—but she was under no illusions. It would be a long day, and it would not be fun.
Lindsey stepped out of the shop, by now experienced enough in the high heels that she didn’t wobble. She fingered the emerald green silk, still nervous about going to the funeral. She had chosen a sheath dress with a lace overlay, heels dyed to match, and a broad hat that swooped down over one eye. She felt way too overdressed.
Ric waited for her outside on the bench. She didn’t know how he wasn’t pouring sweat in his long-sleeved dress shirt and tie. He had left his jacket in the car. He stood up to greet her. “You look beautiful.”
“Are you sure this is what I should wear? The clerk picked it out, but it feels overdone.”
“No, it’s perfect. You will fit right in.”
Despite his reassurance, Lindsey still had her doubts. She hadn’t gone to many funerals, but she remembered guests in dark-colored church clothes. This dress was too bright and it felt more like something one would wear to a celebration. The straight skirt had a long slit in the back but was still difficult to maneuver into the tall car. He helped her into the front seat of his SUV.
“I thought you said that there weren’t many people living on the island?”
“We have a thousand or so, but the ones who don’t live at the resort live in this one village.”
“Oh. And you’re sure I’m not intruding?”
“Not at all. You’re my guest. We’ll pick up the food from the resort then head over.”
Ric drove up the hill to the main resort and pulled behind to the staff entrance.
“What is that?”
“Chef Etienne prepared food for the gathering after.”
Lindsey waited in the car while Ric helped the kitchen staff load the food. She squirmed in the pantyhose, which she never would have worn, but the shop clerk had insisted.
"The church is formal. It will be expected,” she had said. Lindsey hated pantyhose, but she
had agreed, not wanting to stand out.
With the food loaded, they set off past the airport and up a winding curvy road into the hills. When he turned down a gravel road with deep ruts, Lindsey gripped the door handle to avoid slamming into Ric. Trees and undergrowth crowded the narrow road, so close she could reach out the window and touch the leaves. She took a deep breath, trying to avoid a panic attack.
“This road is in bad shape,” she said.
“Yes, the last big hurricane washed a lot of it away. We plan to repair it as soon as the rainy season ends in November. Until then, they limp along. The islanders who have vehicles all have four-wheel drives. A shuttle picks up for the two main shifts, and some of them walk the three miles home just to be outside."
As they rounded the bend, a small white church with a plain steeple came into view. The village consisted of a church and small buildings made of tabby or painted clapboard. Green grass formed a village square in the center. Villagers poured into the open space from small whitewashed houses. Two main paths roads circled around a green village square that had a covered stage. The stage was ready with chairs and a PA system, all under a large white canopy. Under the canopy, a hundred chairs faced the stage.
He found the man coordinating the meal, a big native Bahamian who he introduced as Dureau. They shook hands and Dureau smiled, showing perfect white teeth too big for his mouth.
“Mama Odie would sure thank you for all that you’ve done. She loved you like a grandson,” Dureau said. He kept his smile, but his lips trembled enough for her to know he had loved her.
“I know, Dureau. I loved her too. She reached out to me when I came to the island. Without her, we wouldn’t be as successful as we are today.” The two men hugged, and then Ric stepped back.
“This is Lindsey. We met few months ago, and she is the best thing to happen to me since I opened this resort. Lindsey, meet Dureau, Jacquetta’s brother.”
“Nice to meet you,” she said, offering her hand.
“Likewise,” he said. He bowed over her hand in an old world gesture that seemed odd coming from someone so large.
Ric pointed out the food in the back of the van, and gave Dureau the keys. “Our cooks made a feast for Mama Odie’s family and friends. When you get everything unloaded, just leave the windows down and park it in the shade. I don’t want that food smell to accumulate.”
“Will do, man. Thank you.”
Ric slapped the big man on the back. After they left Dureau with the food, they walked over to the main square of the village.
“Her name was Odie?”
“Odette, but everyone called her Mama Odie. Even people completely unrelated. Her family emigrated here from Haiti when she was a young thing. Some say she brought the voodoo with her, but if she did, she never used it to harm anyone. She was a gentle old soul.”
“The service isn’t in the church?” she asked, surprised.
“No, it only holds about fifty people.”
She watched as people went into the church. “Oh. Well, if the service isn’t in there, what are they doing?”
“The casket is open for viewing inside the church. Anyone who wants to view the body can go in.”
“Are you going to?”
Ric shrugged. “It’s expected,” he said. “But you don’t have to.”
Lindsey wasn’t interested in the viewing, but she felt that her place should be beside Ric. “It’s fine. I’ll walk with you.”
Inside the church, Lindsey saw that the shop clerk had not steered her wrong. The women wore bright, cheerful colors with big hats. The few women in black huddled around the casket and wore veils draped over their hats and faces. Lindsey averted her eyes, not sure what to think.
“Want Wick!” A child screamed, running away from his mother, one of the women in black.
“Rudy, come back!” A tall thin woman in black ran towards a little boy who ran across the church to hurl himself into Ric’s arms. Ric took it in stride and scooped him up.
The woman got closer. When she pulled the veil off her face and draped it around her neck, Lindsey recognized Jacquetta.
“He’s been begging for you,” she told Ric. "He loved Mama Odie and doesn’t understand why she won’t wake up.”
“Want Wick!” he said sobbing, and buried his face in Ric’s shoulder.
Jacquetta looked from Ric to Lindsey. “I’m sorry—he just doesn’t understand.”
“I don’t mind holding him. He is el mío, my bróder pequeño,” Ric said.
Lindsey smiled at the little boy, who looked like a little Ric with a white dress shirt and black pants. His rolled up pants showed off his dusty feet.
“I’m Lindsey,” she offered, holding up her hand for a high-five. Rudy ignored her and stuffed his thumb in his mouth.
“He’s shy,” Ric mouthed over the little boy’s head.
They approached the casket, a simple pine box set across a stand. Lindsey glanced at the woman in the casket, a small woman with gray hair and a face with few lines. She looked peaceful. Lindsey could understand why Rudy was upset that she wouldn’t wake up. She looked as if she was just taking a nap.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Lindsey murmured when she reached the receiving line. She shook hands with each of the women standing around the head of the casket. Some of them pulled their veils back, but some didn’t. The only sound was their quiet sobs and the murmurs from people talking as they waited.
Lindsey teared up a bit, thinking of her own mother. She suppressed her remembered pain from when she lost her mother to the cancer. This day wasn’t about her. They filed back outside where all the chairs were set up.
Rudy wouldn’t let go of Ric, so Ric continued to hold him when they sat down on the far left of the front row. The seats filled up the longer they sat there. Several men came up and shook Ric’s hand. Lindsey shook hands with them when they offered, but most nodded and took their seats. She noticed Xavier standing back against the tree line. He acknowledged her with a nod, but otherwise kept his eye on the crowd.
The funeral started with several hymns sang without any books or music. The mournful voices rang clear in the village, echoing off the small buildings. Without knowing the words, Lindsey felt awkward. She just waited, fanning herself with the printed program. The heat swirled around them, multiplied by so many bodies packed together. At least the canopy shielded them from the worst of the sun’s rays.
After the priest spoke, Ric stood up and gave a short homily. Still holding Rudy on his hip, Ric praised Mama Odie for her help in starting the resort.
“She watched the children before we could afford a childcare center. When we had a building and hired more teachers, she taught the first preschoool classes. Her babies—her words, not mine—started school already fluent in French and English. The best we can do for Mama Odie is to live our lives with love, laughter, family, and friendship.”
When he sat back down, Lindsey squeezed Ric’s hand. Rudy had fallen asleep, his thumb still in his mouth.
Four of the grandchildren spoke of Mama Odie's wisdom when it came to marriage and children. Jacquetta was the final speaker.
“Mama Odie warned me to never settle. She said I would find the man who meant for me, but that I shouldn’t settle along the way. I love you, Mama Odie, and I’ll never forget.” She looked straight at Ric, and Lindsey wished she were anywhere but there. It didn’t matter what Ric said. The woman had a serious thing for him, whether he could see it or not.
The service ended with another old hymn sung half in English and half in French. The pallbearers lifted the casket and bore it out of the church for the graveside service. They passed with a unified march, expressions somber as they honored their beloved matriarch.
As Lindsey walked across the graveyard, her heels sank into the grass. She held Ric's arm for balance.
When the graveside service finished, the family visited with guests. Dureau directed the people setting up the food.
Everyone lined up to ge
t food at the funeral banquet organized by Dureau. Rudy woke up and went with his mother to eat, but he never took his eyes off Ric. Tables with benches had been set up under the trees, and Ric and Lindsey found a seat. The meal included roasted pork, grilled fish, potatoes, salads, and fresh fruit. Xavier joined them, along with a couple of skinny teenage girls who kept making eyes at Xavier and Ric.
Lindsey tried to make conversation, but the girls were too busy giggling to talk. When they left, Lindsey shook her head.
“I don’t remember being that giggly as a teenager.”
“From what I have seen, all teenage girls giggle. That’s what they do,” Ric offered.
“This has been a long day,” Lindsey said. “I did not expect we would be gone this long.”
“It is an all-day affair, but we can leave after the meal,” Ric reassured her.
Lindsey didn't want to intrude on the family’s grief, so sooner they left, the better. Jacquetta kept glaring at her from across the room, but she just smiled and kept talking to Ric.
“How old is Rudy?” she asked.
“He just turned four.” Ric started on his dessert, a fried fruit pie of some sort. Lindsey was so full she hadn’t even bothered with dessert.
“He likes you a lot,” she offered.
“He hangs around the office some, and I always keep toys and candy for him. It’s traumatic losing someone when you’re that young. I’m sure his mother’s been distracted the past few days, so I can hardly blame him for focusing on me today.”
“Where is his dad?” Lindsey asked.
Ric shrugged. “His mom graduated from college and came back to the island expecting. We assume it was someone she met there. She didn't want to talk about it.”
Lindsey nodded. “I understand. After everything my mother went through to raise us alone, I admire single mothers.”
