Butterflies the size of the lilies overflowing from the flowerpots on either side of the glass entrance doors bloomed in her belly. She could do this. Or she could put the car in drive and head back the way she’d come. She could see and do more at Disney. Or maybe she could check out Universal.
A valet opened her car door, taking the decision away from her.
"Good afternoon, ma'am, welcome to Casa Blanca Resort. Are you checking in or only dining with us today?"
"Ch-checking in." Oh my God, could she sound more like a Nervous Nelly? Even facing down the men who’d bought her company, she hadn’t stuttered on a single word.
"Excellent. Do you require assistance with your luggage?"
She really could handle her own luggage, but she was at five-star resort, so why not take advantage of everything they had to offer? Caryn got out of the car and handed over the key.
"Yes, that will be lovely. Thank you."
"Excellent, ma'am. The concierge will ensure your luggage is in your villa or room by the time you get there."
Judging by the efficient way he escorted her to the main entrance, she had no doubt her stay here was going to be an enjoyable one.
She was under no illusion that Brad Jones was going to be her Mr. Right—her dream of marriage and kids had screeched to a halt, thanks to her ex, Jasper, but hopefully, she and Brad would have some good times. Maybe he would see the real Caryn Stapleton and wouldn’t try to bamboozle her with smooth words and actions. If the whole process bombed, at least she was in a gorgeous location. From everything she'd read online, the resort had a world-class spa, and she planned to make the most of everything they had to offer. It was one of the reasons she’d taken Brad up on his suggestion to come to Mimosa Key. She also had a car so she could tour around the little island if things did implode.
The unique aroma of the lilies teased her nostrils. She cupped the nearest flower and took a moment to inhale the heady fragrance. Cool air caressed her arms as the main entrance doors whisked open. The buzz of chatter from the folks gathered in the foyer comforted her. Being a stranger in a crowd of people never bothered her. She'd make some friends by the end of her stay here.
Within minutes, she'd checked in and was riding a golf cart to her villa with one of the resort’s representatives. They drove slowly around the complex as the employee explained the history of the resort. Caryn couldn’t believe something so beautiful had been created out of nothing after the original house had been totally destroyed by a hurricane.
"Here we are, Ms. Stapleton,” said the staff member. “Our lovely Rockrose villa, named after the gorgeous flowers surrounding the building. We're very proud of our landscaping. Make sure you take a walk around the grounds and stop in at our organic farm as well."
"Oh, I plan to explore everything you have to offer. Thank you," Caryn said as she stepped out of the golf cart, keycard firmly in her grasp.
With a swipe, she entered the oasis that would be her home for the next two weeks. She didn't know how long Brad was planning on staying. He'd seemed reluctant to put a timeframe on their trip. All she knew was the date of his arrival. Darts of apprehension started to fill her. What if he didn’t show up? What if he was like the other jerks and looked completely different than his profile picture?
Caryn pushed the thought aside. If he didn’t appear, she’d give up on online dating and enjoy her time in Mimosa Key and the rest of her trip. The resort’s slogan did say “Kick off your shoes and fall in love”. If Brad turned out to be a no-show, maybe a fling would be what she needed to get back into the swing of loving. Flings never expected perfection.
As the valet promised, Caryn found her suitcases sitting at the foot of the canopied bed. Indulging in a little girl fantasy, she rushed up and flopped down on the bed. The mattress contoured her body, and her head sank into the soft pillows. If another one of their marketing ploys was to make guests feel like royalty, they certainly succeeded. Never before had she felt like a princess. Yes, it would be no hardship to spend the next few weeks in paradise.
The butterflies that had taken possession of her tummy on her arrival seemed to have changed to bats the way her stomach fluttered with every breath she took. So what if she was about to meet an absolute stranger, in a location where no one knew her, halfway around the world from her family and friends? People took giant leaps off a cliff into the unknown, didn’t they? On her drive down here she’d decided that would be her mantra for this visit to Barefoot Bay: leap into the unfamiliar. Hopefully, her landing would be soft.
A giggle bubbled out of her. Nerves—that was the only explanation for the high-pitched sound emanating from her. A sound she'd never made before.
"It's now or never," she muttered to herself as she stopped just inside the entrance of the bar.
The setting sun cast a golden glow over the room in front of her, making it difficult to tell if a solitary man sat at the bar, waiting. Waiting for her to move her glued feet off the floor and into the room and toward his general direction. If he was in there, of course. Man, what if all her fears came to fruition? Her email had remained ominously quiet all afternoon after she’d sent Brad a note to let him know she’d arrived at the resort. She tried not to read too much into the radio silence.
Okay, enough pussyfooting around. Get your skinny ass in that bar. What's the worst that could happen? You spend the next two weeks alone in a tropical paradise.
Oh, that voice was just ever so helpful. But her inner self had a point. Caryn had known the moment she'd sent the email that it could all blow up in her face. If it did happen, at least none of her family or friends would see her ultimate humiliation.
Lifting her foot encased in impractical, but gorgeous, gold sandals, she started on her trek toward the bar. Soft piano music enveloped the room. Conversations were muted, as though everyone was respectful of each other. The atmosphere was sophisticated but friendly. Let's hope my evening ends up being friendly.
The bar took up the center of the room, and she walked in that direction, her eyes darting left and right, taking in a table of couples laughing over brightly colored cocktails. Two men having a serious discussion were seated at one table, oblivious to the other conversations being conducted around them. Finally, she zeroed in on the long, wooden bar and the black and chrome stools that lined it.
Only one was occupied—by a man with dark hair. Brad Jones had dark hair.
Oh shit. She couldn't do this.
Caryn took a couple of steps back toward the exit to make her escape, when the man swiveled his stool around so he faced the room, beer bottle in his hand. The action gave her an unobstructed view of his face. He hadn't seen her yet, but her heart leaped in anticipation as recognition flowed through her.
Time to jump off the cliff.
Also by Nicole Flockton
The Elite
Fighting to Win
Fighting to Dream
Fighting for Love
Fighting for Redemption
The Freemasons:
The Victor
The Hunter
Sweet Texas Secrets
Sweet Texas Fire
Sweet Texas Series Boxed Set
Bound Series
Bound by Her Ring
Bound by His Desire
Bound by Their Love
Bound by The Billionaire’s Desire - Boxed Set
Lovers Unmasked Series
Lovers Unmasked: The Complete Series
Masquerade
Rescuing Dawn
Seducing Phoebe
Emerald Springs Legacy Series
Daniel’s Decision
Emerald Springs Legacy Collection
Novellas
Tangled Vines
Melt My Heart Anthology
Tango Love
A Vacation Affair
Swipe for Mr. Right - Barefoot Bay Kindle World
Wrong Time for Mr. Right - Barefoot Bay Kindle World
Protecting Lily
Pro
tecting Maria - Special Forces Operation Alpha Kindle World
Barefoot Bay: Wrong Time for Mr. Right (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 10
