Wild Ride(5)
She followed him along the dock, enjoying the stunning view of the glittering ocean and white sand. Soon they arrived at an elegant marble staircase leading up to the jewel-like castle glittering in the sunlight above. As they reached the top of the steps, the majestic entrance to the castle stood before them. Bill led her inside, past a beautiful fountain. The air-conditioned interior was welcome after the heat of the outside air. Within moments he had her checked in and handed her a black bracelet.
“Just attach this around your wrist. It acts as your key.”
It was soft and pliable and she easily pulled it onto her wrist.
“Just hold it close to your door,” he explained, “and it will open.”
“Thanks.”
At that point, he walked her to a stone wall which opened to reveal an elevator, then he guided her to her room. Sure enough, when she held her bracelet to the door, it swung open like magic.
“Oh my God, it’s beautiful.”
“I hope you enjoy your stay.” Bill smiled and strolled back down the hall.
Marissa strode through the large room furnished with a bright colored sofa and chairs, teak furniture and tropical plants, and headed for the big windows. Outside was a large balcony with loungers, a table and chairs, and even a private hot tub. Lovely flowering potted plants added splashes of color, and beyond was a breathtaking view of white sandy beaches and the ocean.
Marissa opened the sliding door and stepped outside, breathing in the flower scented air, then leaned against the railing, taking it all in.
She could spend the whole week right here. But she had promised Lana she would get out and meet people. Lana had actually insisted she meet some hunky guys and try to get lucky. She’d made Marissa promise to hit the pool and the bar as soon as she got settled in and find some hunky guys to spend time with.
A knock sounded at the door and Marissa ran to answer it. A staff member delivered her bags. After the man had put her bags in her bedroom, placing the big suitcases on a luggage rack, he left. Marissa unzipped her bag and unpacked, placing everything neatly in the dresser drawers, then she pulled on her new bathing suit and wrapped the matching sarong around her waist.
Ten minutes later, she stepped off the elevator and headed out the door to the pool. She walked to a lounge chair close to the pool, unwrapped her sarong and sat down. Before long, she was sipping a Pina Colada and relaxing as she watched scantily clad men and woman mingle at the bar across the pool from where she sat.
She began to relax, feeling the warm sun on her skin, and the warm glow inside from the delicious drink. She reached into her beach bag and grabbed her book, then sat back and gazed around at the idyllic setting around her. She noticed a couple of women a few chairs down glancing to their right, smiling and whispering to each other.
Marissa looked around, and her stomach clenched. Two tall, muscular men, their arms and torsos heavily inked, walked toward the bar. One had longish hair tied back in a ponytail while the other had a shaved head. Both looked tough, and a little scary.
At least to her.
All the other women around them seemed to be drooling as they watched the men walk by. They settled on stools at the bar and ordered drinks and the female bartender turned her attention to them immediately with a bright smile,
Marissa finished her drink and grabbed her stuff, then headed back to her room.
* * *
The next morning, Marissa decided to leave the castle and go into the little town nearby. Apparently, there was a marketplace where she could buy souvenirs and postcards, have her fortune told, buy some unique artwork, and enjoy some quaint little cafes and restaurants.
She wore a short denim skirt and blouse over her bikini, intending to take a walk along the beach near the town in the afternoon and go for a swim. She finished her lemonade in the little café overlooking the ocean, having just finished a lunch salad. After paying her bill, she left the restaurant, and headed toward the fortune teller’s she’d seen earlier.
“Marissa.”
As the sound of that voice, her blood ran cold. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Rip, big as life in his faded jeans and black T-shirt, sleeves rolled up to reveal his tattooed arms, standing about thirty yards behind her. Her eyes widened as she stood frozen to the spot.
Then he stepped toward her. Her heart lurched and she raced forward, running past the booths and heading toward the street. Traffic passed by ahead and all she could think of was finding a policeman to protect her.
But when she reached the road, she gazed around, searching, but could see no one in uniform anywhere. Her heart pounded as she glanced behind her at Rip closing the distance between them. She raced along the street, then around a corner.