Renee watched as the cab pulled away from the front of the hotel. She had three more days here what the hell was she going to do now? She did have a picture of him lying in her bed naked from the waist up. He didn't mind the picture, but he refused to let her take one completely naked. He heard too many horror stories about naked pictures ending up on the internet. He pulled the sheet up as she took the picture. He got a little shot of her half-dressed standing on the balcony the ocean in the background. She struck a sexy pose that he was thrilled with. He knew he would spend hours looking at that picture remembering their time together.
He hoped his picture looked sexy. She needed something to remember him by, that tingle would be gone in a day or two. He left her with his business card, his cell number, and home address. He looked back to where he left her and saw a very sad face. He had to go back they had meetings on a new site Monday morning. For a new three-story office building that is going to require a lot of work. That was one of the reasons they took this trip. They needed to relax and if Caleb was more relaxed, he would be asleep. *
Dan pats him on his knee when he turned and settled in the seat. "So how did you leave it?"
"I think good, she was sad I was leaving, and I offered her all my info which she gladly took. I guess we will see next week when she is back in Texas," Caleb said looked back really quickly but could only see the palm trees. "So, looks like you had something going on here other than poker," Caleb mentioned.
"A little but it's going nowhere. We are using each other is all. You know pregnant women get horny and I was handy. She also knew I wouldn't pressure her any further. I can't move here, and she won't leave."
"Is that truly how you feel?"
"No; but I know how she feels. Her life is here, and she is not leaving it period and mine is in Dallas period. So, having a fling every few months may be all I get from her. I guess I shouldn't complain she is a hot one," Dan said a little embarrassed.
"No, you're right she is amazing, and I can see why Lucas grabbed her up when he did. I may be in the same predicament as Renee and yes, I know I can't move to Austin. But she would make a good wife," Caleb lamented as the cab moved away.
*
Renee turned and walked back into the hotel when the cab made the turn away from the beach heading to the heart of the island.
She turned and smiled sadly at Lauren the desk clerk as she walked to the elevator.
"We have a whole new group coming at two maybe someone will catch your fancy," Lauren called out.
Renee laughed changed her direction and approached the desk. "So, you think I need to find another man?"
"Sure, why not; you're here to enjoy your vacation. You may find someone perfect on the next plane. Then again you may find that Caleb was the right one. You may also find none of them are the right one. But I must say Caleb is a handsome man and as cute as he can be. Men with a sense of humor are hard to find. Can you imagine a Christmas dinner with his family? It must be a hoot."
"I'm sure it would be. Your right he is funny and handsome. He is also very smart. I think I would have to follow him if I want something to come of this," Renee said and that gave her something to think about. What was keeping her in Austin Monica, the dealership, or fear?
"I hear you, but I had to push myself to pursue Caleb. Another man would have to set off sparks for me to be interested. I could also use a few days to recuperate. Caleb is very good and eager."
"See another reason to hang on to him. My boyfriend isn't that cute, but he is very attentive. That means more than looks." Lauren offered and raised her eyebrows, so she understood what she was talking about.
"I hear you and I did come here to have a good time. I guess I'll see what comes in today," Renee told her giving her a lusty smile, and headed for the elevator. She needed to put on her swimsuit and get some sun. No one is going to believe she went to the Caribbean without coming back with a tan.
*
She dove into the deepest end of the pool when she came up the air and the water was the same temperature. It felt wonderful; she expected it to be freezing when she went in. This was great she flipped to her back and floated for a while enjoying the sun. Floating to the shallow end she stood and turned around scanning the cabanas and loungers. The place was empty she noticed; then she remembered the new group was coming after 2:00.
Yesterday came out looking like a summer breeze in a flowery cotton sundress. She was not as tall as Tomorrow, but she was a beauty. As she understands Ty the manager staked his claim the day she came to this island.
"Hey sweetie are you enjoying your stay?" she asked standing at the edge of the pool.
"I am I was just noticing how quiet it is today."
"It is they all seemed to be sleeping in or just left. We have ten or twelve coming around two, but this is the quiet time of the year until Christmas then it quiets down from mid-January to March for spring break. Then it goes crazy and continues until late summer," she told her scanning the area for anything out of place. Renee knew that look she did the same thing at the dealership during downtimes. Her guys called it looking for trouble. "So, when is the wedding?"
"Oh, not until next fall he just asked, and we need time to save and decide where to have it. You know he is from Austin too. His mother wants us to have it there, but we want to have it here and just have the families come here. But we have to work out the logistics with Tomorrow. They aren't all single younger people some are old and crabby as I understand," she joked.
"Well good luck figuring it all out; he is a cutie."
"I know and so sweet. I lucked out big time," she told her and picked up an empty beer can stuffed in a planter. Raising the can she showed it to Renee smiled and left the area.
The quiet kind of overwhelmed her so she dove under the water again. She wanted to have a cutie of her own. She wanted to worry about figuring out a wedding. She watched the bubbles escape as she screamed at the bottom of the pool sending out her frustrations of the life she is left with. She wondered if the sound came out as they popped on the surface feeling much better after the release. She figures she will never know as she surfaced. She was tired of being alone even though it had only been a couple of hours since Caleb left. He was no more than a fling so far, but she does know he wants more.
"Wow that was a primal scream," was called out as she came out of the water. Twisting to see who spoke to her she grabbed the side of the pool and looked up. A handsome man stood grinning at her.
"That is a good description of that scream. So, you could hear it," she asked smiling excited he could hear her frustration.
"Yes, and it made me afraid to dive in with you," he teased.
"Silly you should come in the water, it is wonderful. I'll get out. I didn't mean to scare you," she said making her way to the steps a little embarrassed if he was being truthful.
As she ascends the stairs, he gets a good look at what is coming out of the water and groans feeling badly he ran her off.
"No come on and stay we can swim together. We seem to be all alone here. If you leave, I'll be screaming at the bottom from boredom."
She turned and looked at him and asked, "Would you please I want to hear," she begged and smiled at him.
"Sure, I can do that, but you have to stay and swim with me. I'm Keith and you are?" he asks hoping for a reply.
"I'm Renee. Make sure you scream loud because I put everything I had into that scream," she told him acting as if she was excited for him to do it. She sat on the edge waiting for her question to be answered. Could you hear the frustration and how loud is it? She watched as he dove in sinking to the bottom and the bubbles came up seconds later. A low rumble rose from the water as the bubbles popped. He surfaced seconds later grinning, "Well?"
"A dull roar basically," She told him not impressed with the sound level.
"That is the sound of my frustration; a dull roar." He pushed back and swam the length of the pool. He pushed off from the other end and was flying towards her. When he came up out of the water it reminded her of Poseidon as the water poured off of him. The man was buff all he needed was a triton to stake his claim to the ocean. With his bright blue eyes and sandy blond hair, he was impressive. His smile alone was a panty dropper. She knew she was in trouble. Had she found someone else who made her tingle?
What the hell is with this place and the men? Good God she could become such a slut here, she mused as she watched him move to comfortably sit on the side of the pool. He seemed ready for a long conversation once he settled in.
A cool breeze forced Renee back in the water to stay warm she didn't want to be a wussy, but she was chilled. Moving closer to Keith she held on to the edge right next to him waiting for him to start talking.
"So, Renee what brings you here?"
"Oh, you don't want to hear my sad story. I'll give you this. I needed to get away and relax for a while. What brings you here?"
"My best friend's wife had a baby and I wanted to see him."
"Oh, that is sweet. Is that Lucas Jr.?
"It is have you seen him?" he asked sounding excited to hear about him.
"Better than that, I got to hold him at dinner last night. I ate with Tomorrow and her friend Dan last night."
"Lucky you, I haven't seen him yet. I was told she should be out here for dinner tonight."
"Why don't you just knock on her door?" Renee asked dipping and swishing in the water trying to stay warm.
"I don't want to be a pest. I just keep showing up and she may get mad," Keith told her looking a little embarrassed. "Was that Dan, Dan the poker man you were talking about?"
"Yes, he and his brother came for the weekend. They all seem to be good friends. I'm sorry you lost your friend," Renee told him. "It sounds like it was a very difficult time around here."
"Yes, it does seem so. Lucas and I had been friends since we were five. We went to the same preschool, and I lost my mind for a while, and we lost touch about two years ago. I don't want to push myself on Tomorrow, but I would like to see his son."
"I hear he looks just like him. I know he is a handsome boy and growing fast. Tomorrow is stunning for just having a baby. I could only hope to look so good when I have one."
"So, you want kids?" Keith asked and his expression was as if he was put off.
Renee noticed but she didn't care. She had no plans to have a relationship with this man beyond a possible fling for a night. She does need to make sure Caleb is good at this sex thing. Who knows maybe Martin was bad and Caleb had a lot to learn. She didn't see how, but this guy looks like he has had a lot of experience. Now she has to decide if she wants to be another notch on his belt.
"I do someday one or two, not a baseball team but yeah I want kids. You don't?"
"I do in a few years. Not right now."
She looked at him thinking he was not a spring chicken he needed to get on with it.
"Sure, me neither I'm still young but I don't want to be too old when I settle down and have them," she told him swishing her bottom in the water.
"So, have you been wild until now?" he asked just to keep her talking. Hoping she has been he would like to taste this cute little thing before he leaves.
Renee laughed at the question, "No not at all. Now see you're pushing to hear my sad story," she said as her expression changed and a flash of sadness strobes across her face.
"Only if you want to share, I shared my sad story of losing Lucas," He offered not sure if he should ask.
"True; Ok you asked. I was married to a much older man for nine years. He was arrested for drunk driving in Nevada and the men in jail beat him to death before he could go to trial."
"Wow, that is a sad story. You don't look like you're old enough to have been married that long."
She laughed lightly and said, "Thanks I just look young. I even graduated college before I married him. So yeah, I'm older than I look," she told him he moved to get back in the pool.
"That is good to hear I was feeling like I was trying to rob a cradle."
"Everyone tells me that. But you're seeing me without make-up so yeah, I look younger. Will you be down for dinner around seven," she asked as the weather changed quickly. A cold front or storm was blowing in as they talked.
"Sure, I'll see you down here for dinner. Sounds good to me," Keith offered looking forward to seeing how his evening went.
Renee got out and dried off quickly. "Sounds good I'll see you later. You really should go find Tomorrow she doesn't bring the baby out often. She doesn't like to disrupt the meals with a crying baby. That doesn't bode well for singles."
"Sure, I can see that. I'll find her later," he told her and followed her to dry off.
"It was nice meeting you," she told him and walked away quickly to avoid the storm. She thought about what he would be like in her room. When she opened the door, she heard her phone chime letting her know she had messages.
Dropping her towel on the floor in the bathroom she slipped on her robe, closed her patio door, and sat down to listen to her messages. The first one was Bradley. It seemed so strange hearing his voice she felt like it had been a lifetime ago that she left Austin behind.
"Everything is fine we sold nine cars, so we are doing well. I hope you're having fun and come back ready to work," he said with a slight chuckle.
"Yeah right," she mumbled and cleared the message.
The next was a strange number but also the Austin area code.
"Mrs. Blankenship, we have an offer on your house. They are willing to pay nine- twenty- seven. I know that is not the price you wanted but it is an offer," the realtor told her. "Call if you are willing to take the offer,"
The next one was the same number.
"Well, maybe it was good you didn't get back to me this morning. We have another offer of nine- ninety- nine,"
That one made her smile. She thought the realtor suggesting she price it at nine- ninety- nine was too cheap, but they paid seven-nine a few years ago. Renee knows how many Californians are moving into the area changing the look and government. She also knows they can pay more.
"Ok, one more message," she said and deleted that one.
"Ok, now we have a competition both people want the house. The highest bid is one point two-five million. I think that is the most they are willing to pay. So, call me or we can wait and see if anyone else wants it,"
Renee sat smiling at her phone taking in the fact it was earlier in Austin she called and took the deal. The closing will be in thirty days if everything goes as planned. She lay back on her bed grinning from ear to ear. Now the question is what is she going to buy? No does she want to stay in Austin is the bigger question? Tucking her legs up inside her robe a nap sounds good to her. Caleb had kept her busy both nights and neither of them got much sleep. The sound of rain falling lulled her to sleep quickly.
Two hours later the sound of laughing from the hallway woke her. Probably the new people having a good time settling into their rooms she surmised and stretched needing to get up. She had been having the best dream. She and Caleb were together sitting in front of a nice fireplace. She was sitting in his lap holding a baby that looked just like a Caleb Jr.
It appeared to be theirs because they don't have fireplaces on this island Renee surmised and laughed at how silly she was being. The nice thing about her dream was she didn't get fat having that baby. At least in her dream, she didn't. Taking a deep breath, she looked at the clock on the nightstand. She had an hour and a half to be ready for dinner. Now the next question is does she want to take on another man tonight? A little tingle started to grow in the pit of her stomach that pretty well answered that question. Now that she knows how good sex can feel she would like to keep feeling good.
What if she decides to keep seeing Caleb and he asks what she did after he left? "Do I lie for the rest of my life?" she questioned. "No one said I was going to invest my life with Caleb. Hell, I just became single," she grumped making her way to the bathroom. A nice hot shower later she blew her hair dry, did her make-up, found another cute little number to wear, and wondered if Keith found another woman to keep him company while she was gone. He looked the type. "Oh well there are other fish in the sea," she told the walls as she finished dressing.
"I guess I will find out," she quipped and stepped out into the hallway. She was starving she hadn't eaten all day. Food was not what she wanted this morning and then once Caleb left, she still was not hungry. Now the day had caught up to her and she was ready to eat.
Stepping out of the elevator she saw Keith standing at the office entrance. A soft whimper echoed in the lobby, and she knew he was visiting with Tomorrow. Now the question is does she go ahead and get a table or join him? She was impressed he was down here waiting for her. She wondered if it was her that had his attention or if was he down here visiting with Tomorrow a coincidence. Ignoring the whole thing she headed for the restaurant she would sit by herself and see how long it took for a man to sit with her.
She almost made it into the place when she heard her name called out and looked over at the office. Keith had turned and was smiling at her waving for her to come to him. Stepping away from the door he walked towards her. Tomorrow poked her head out the door and smiled too. Renee made her way towards them thinking how embarrassing Caleb just left this morning. She hopes Keith hasn't made it sound like they are seeing each other already. It was dinner and nothing more as she approached the happy couple.
"Yeah, how is it going?" She asked as she walked up. Tomorrow slipped by Keith gave her a one-shoulder hug and whispered, "I see you met Keith, he is a hunk."
"We did in the pool earlier today and he asked me to dinner." she offered with a bashful smile. It was her to ask him.
"He told me he met a beauty I'm glad to see it is you," she said as the baby slept in her arms.
"Are you going to join us," Renee asked hopeful for the distraction. Keith was eyeing her up and down apparently, he liked the work she did preparing for dinner. She was a far cry from the wet fourteen-year-old he came on to in the pool.
"No, you two have a nice dinner they are bringing me something in a few minutes. Keith, it is good to see you and yes you can tell his mother about the baby. But you tell her I'm not putting up with her mouth this time. One day is all she gets." Tomorrow said and pat him on his chest walking away.
"Ok sweetie expect to hear from her soon," he warned. Turning his attention back to Renee he took her arm placing it over his and walked her to the entrance of the restaurant. "You look gorgeous as I assumed you would. But I still wouldn't give you almost thirty for your age," he teased and asked for a table for two.
They were seated at a two-top over to the side with a fairly crowded restaurant.
"So how did you spend your day?" Keith asked as he looked over the menu.
"Me? I took a nap. It was raining what else was there to do? What did you do?"
"I made a few calls," Keith said and watched a smile grow on her face.
"I forgot I did too. My house sold and I had to call the realtor back. I made a half a million-dollar profit. Not too bad for an afternoon."
"No not bad are you in Vegas or Reno?" he asked setting the menu down it appeared he knew what he wanted.
"Neither I'm from Austin Texas," she told him wondering why he thought she lived out there.
"Oh, I assumed you lived out there you said your husband was arrested for a DUI in Nevada."
"No, he was out there doing God knows what. But he didn't bother to go back to court. My divorce attorney found his arrest warrant and had him picked up in Austin."
"So, you were divorcing him before he died?" Keith asked.
"I was I found out he had a liking for young girls, and I was not young enough for him anymore," Renee told him, and he looked at her like that sounds crazy.
"I know it all sounded too crazy to me too. I thought my attorney was full of it when he started talking about what he found on our home computer, but it was even worse than I could have imagined. The men in jail found out what his charges were going to be and beat him to death. He had a fetish for young girls. I thought he married me for my money; but no, my looks, and then I got too old to hold his interest. So that is my sad story. But I did inherit our home and the car dealership we owned so I'm set," she told him if he runs off so be it.
"I would say so. So, you're in Austin? I hear you're being overrun with Californians running from the high cost of living."
"We are and I'm sure that is who bought my house. Now I need to decide do I want to sell the dealership and move away or stay and hope all the stuff my husband was doing stays quiet. My biggest concern is it all will come out and no one buys cars from me anymore."
"Yes, that is a concern. People can be vindictive. How long ago did he die?'
"Almost three weeks."
"Oh, Renee you kind of breaking the rules," Keith told her reaching out his hand to hold hers. "A person shouldn't make any drastic changes after a death for at least six months if not more."
"I have heard that, but I couldn't stand living in that house. I caught him with one of his girls in that house. It had to go first thing." Renee shook her head and said, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to dump this on you."
"No, I understand you're still trying to process everything, you took a hard blow to your esteem."
"Yes, I did," she said and looked away at all the other people laughing and having fun as they ate dinner.
"You do realize he had the problem, not you."
She leaned against the table and whispered angrily, "But I was married to the pervert and had no idea. I couldn't tell that something was going on with my husband."
"You're a normal person. My wife was cheating on me and I had no idea until I caught her too. I felt like a fool for months plus she cost me my best friend."
"So, you're divorced?" she asked wanting to have a subject change. She hadn't meant to dump all that on him. She was feeling overwhelmed all of a sudden. Maybe because the house sold, she was not sure where she was going to live.
"Yes, a little over a year but the marriage only lasted six months," Keith told her. "So, I know how it feels to feel like a fool."
"Sorry, nine years to your one I win. I'm the biggest fool."
"Ok you're right, you win, but I have an idea how you feel," Keith told her.
"So, what do you do for a living?" Renee asked if he knew what she did. Plus, it was another subject change.
"Attorney in the DC area," he said like it was a bad thing.
"You're kidding. I had a great attorney," she said finding it quite funny. She fought to keep from laughing in his face. She would have never pegged him as a lawyer.
"No, I'm not kidding, I'm glad to hear you had a good one. I'm so sick of hearing smart-ass remarks about attorneys. We all aren't mindless jerks out to chase ambulances."
"No mine was great, but you don't look like an attorney to me at all. Maybe a journalist for the Times or an entrepreneur, you're too handsome to be sitting in some courtroom."
"Well thank you; but no, I'm an attorney. I followed in my grandfather's and father's footsteps and became an attorney and I do hate being one, but I'm stuck."
"So, what kind of attorney are you?"
"I do family law, wills, divorces, things stupid kids get into. We have a decent size practice. Nothing heavy I was not interested in the government or corporate law if I was going to be a lawyer, I at least wanted to enjoy the work. I have had some interesting cases," he told her.
Renee told him how she found her attorney with a 1-800 number. "But I tell you he did his job and more the FBI was impressed with him and his brother."
"Wow, he did get in deep to have the FBI involved."
"He did and they were only scratching the surface when he died. They have agents all over the country checking out leads and informing parents their young daughters were involved in a sex ring." Renee told him.
"Can you imagine that conversation," Keith asked shaking his head in disbelief. Thank God he hadn't received any calls about that subject.
"No, I can't. Someone was not watching what their child was doing online at all. I have no idea what he paid but I do believe I would notice my child had more money than I gave them."
"Geez let's talk about something happy. What do you think of the hotel?"
"I love it," she told him with a cheesy smile. "I have never been to any place like this before it is paradise."
"I love what Lucas has done. I came here often as a kid and as an adult, he and I had a great time during our spring and fall breaks. The changes are amazing. And the restaurant is also amazing. His grandfather had a decent chef, but Rocco is very good."
"He is. I had the shrimp dinner the first night and I think I'll have it again," she told him placing her menu down. As soon as she did the waiter approached their table.
Making their request they both ordered the same thing half the customers did too. The smell of the huge shrimp made her mouth water. So did Keith's. She wondered if she ran him off with her life story of whoa.
Her wine came and his beer before she could find another subject to discuss. She scanned the room to try to find something interesting. She noticed they were all new faces a few men tried to catch her eye as she passed them by. One waved and she smiled only slightly causing Keith to turn to see who had her attention.
"Do you know him?"
"No, but he seems to want to know me."
"Well so do I," he said giving the man a get lost look.
"I think that is called the stink eye. Which reminds me how long are you going to be here?"
"Just the night; I hadn't planned on running into the most beautiful girl in the world."
"That is sweet, but it doesn't give me much time to get to know you," Renee lamented. She looked up and the flirt was zoning in on another woman. She had nothing on Renee, but she was free. Keith seems to have staked his claim with that look. She knew he was teasing he smiled right after he did it.
"So, what are your plans for tonight?" Keith asked and downed his beer.
"I'm not sure the weather is pretty bad so walking the beach is out. Have you played poker since you came?"
"I did but the players weren't all that motivated. I let them have it and came out to have dinner with you."
"Oh, I thought you had been visiting with Tomorrow."
"I had been for about fifteen minutes. She wasn't going to let me hold Jr., but we visited for a while. "
"Her plight makes my problems seem like a kindergarten class."
"I thought the same thing. So, your wife was a cheater at least she is alive. But it is our pain, and we must deal with it," Keith complained.
"I take it you're not over yours yet?"
"No, I think it is that she took me away from my friend. I didn't get to see him for a year before his death. I missed all that time, and I was not here to help him with this redo. That is my biggest regret losing my friend."
"How did she keep you from him?" Renee asked seeing the pain in his eyes.
"Oh, Renee you're going to think I'm a dog," he told her looking so ashamed.
"Maybe so what did you do?" she asked seeming very interested.
"My wife was his fiancée. His grandfather became ill, and Lucas was spending all his time here. She is a beautiful woman and we started spending time together and one thing led to the other and we ended up together. She kept talking about this wonderful life we could have together, and I was hooked."
"Wow; yeah, that's pretty low. Sounds to me like she set you up. She was pissed he walked away so let me steal his best friend and devastate him."
Keith looked at Renee like a light bulb went off in his brain. "I'll be damned, and then she went after my partner thinking I would break up the partnership over her. Too bad bitch it didn't work." He said still thinking about the situation and working with the pain when it all fell apart.
"Have you seen her lately?" Renee asked.
"No not since I told her to get out. It was my place, and we had a prenup, so she got nothing. So, you think she planned all that."
"I do; I saw a made-for-TV movie along the same lines about two years ago. The woman was a bitch big time just trying to cause those men as much trouble as possible," Renee told him sounding like it was a true story, and it was a TV show.
"I can't even write a book about the mess it has already been written."
"Are you a writer?" Renee asked. That sounds exciting to be able to write a book about your life.
"I try. I have written some stories, but I haven't received any feedback just reject letters. You know the life of a frustrated novelist," he told her looking sad. "You know who has the time to sit around and write a book? I must make a living. I was hoping to be the next James Cameron writing suspense novels."
"I'm sure it is difficult to find the time and work full time."
"So that is my aspiration what are yours?"
"I want a husband that doesn't cheat on me, and I want babies before I'm thirty-five. I think I'm going to sell the dealership and start over doing something I will enjoy. Now that is the question what would I enjoy?"
"Isn't that the meaning of life? Find something you enjoy and make money doing it."
"That is about it," she said as her meal was sat in front of her. Tapping her wine glass for a refill the shrimp had all her attention. She is going to be spoiled after eating here everything else will taste like crap back home.