Mara woke with a feeling of expectation, knowing that she was going to be spending the day with Cole. She went through her suitcases, planning what she was going to wear. She chose a pair of white shorts and light pink tank top that was cropped just above the navel. She didn't like things that were too revealing, but she didn't mind showing a little discreet skin.
Packing her beach bag, she had a flutter of excitement with a modicum of fear. She wasn't afraid of Cole, she was scared of how intense her feelings were for him. She ordered breakfast from room service, then called her mother. Rosaline answered in the same breathy manner.
"Mara, how lovely! How was your first full day?"
"Fantastic, Mom. I visited Auria's shop and got the most darling dress!" She described it to her mother who made the appropriate sounds of delight. "And I've met someone." She hesitated, wondering how much to say.
Rosaline Cross was a very astute woman. She had watched her daughter climb the ladder of success, pushing aside every opportunity for a relationship as she went. It wasn't her way to pry into her daughter's business, but Mara's voice held something she wanted to identify.
"Oh?"
Keeping it non-committal was the best way to get anything out of Mara. Lots of questions usually got a conversation broken off early, with the click of a phone to follow.
"Yes, he's very nice. His name's Cole Bayard."
"I think I may have met him once or twice," Rosaline answered casually. She knew Cole quite well, having taken one or two of his personalized tours, and liked him. She could see the appeal he held for her daughter.
"He's going to be taking me on a tour of the island the next few days. I'm going to take scuba lessons from him."
"Really, dear? That sounds lovely! Oh, you'll have a wonderful time with scuba diving. I enjoyed it so much, the last time I was there."
"You took scuba lessons?"
"Of course, Mara! A trip down there isn't complete without taking lessons from a handsome instructor with nice buns and clinging swim trunks!"
"Mom!" Mara didn't know whether to be shocked or laugh. "You're full of surprises!"
"I'm a window, Mara. I'm not dead! I still like to look at a tight ass from time to time."
"Mom!" This time the shock was uncontrollable. "Did you look at Cole's tight ass in wet trunks?"
"Me? Heavens no! He was dry the entire time. But now you mention it, he is rather nicely blessed."
"Oh, Mother!" Mara giggled. "He's gorgeous, we both know it. Charming, graceful, handsome. Mama, would it be horrible, just terrible and slutty of me if I.... If..."
"You enjoyed yourself? Mara, for an intelligent woman, you can be such a naive little girl. My advice is to enjoy yourself, relax and just be careful."
"Careful?"
"I don't want you to come home in a cast. Enjoy what life offers, Mara. You've never done that before, it's time to start."
"Thanks, Mom."
"Have fun, Mara. No regrets allowed."
Mara hung up, stunned by the conversation she'd had with her mother. She had practically given her blessing to sleep with Cole. She sat on the bed staring out at the ocean. A knock at the door got her attention. It was room service.
She ate breakfast on the balcony overlooking the water. The food was probably delicious, but she hardly knew what she was eating. When she'd finished, she put the tray outside her door and sat on the end of the bed. A glance at the clock showed her it wasn't even nine thirty. An entire hour to wait.
The science fiction book was lying on the table by the bed. She flipped it open and tried to read, but found she couldn't concentrate and didn't really care what the hero was doing. Just as she was giving up in despair, her phone rang. Only two people were likely to be calling her, she hadn't told the office where she was going.
"Mom?"
"Not the last time I looked." Cole's voice sounded like he was suppressing a chuckle.
"Cole! I thought you weren't going to be done until ten."
"I begged off early. Red has more to discuss than I do, so I did my thing and left. You ready?"
"Almost." She didn't want to appear too anxious.
"Cool, I'll be there in a few minutes. I'm in route as we speak."
"Shall I meet you in the lobby?"
"Sure! Probably best that way."
"Oh?" She didn't know whether to be offended or not.
"Yeah," he sighed heavily. "If I'm that close to you and a bed again, we might not make our trip. See you soon!"
She giggled happily. "Probably right! See you shortly."
Grabbing her things, she rushed out to the elevator waiting impatiently for it to arrive. Cole was just walking in the door when she exited the elevator. He waved at her from across the lobby. Keeping herself under control, she managed to walk to him, not run full tilt all the way like she wanted to.
©2021 Dellani Oakes
To Buy Dellani's Books https://www.amazon.com/Dellani-Oakes/e/B007ZQCW3A/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
No comments:
Post a Comment