Boone
“Could I please get two piña coladas and then one additional, without the alcohol?”
The Hawaiian bartender smiles. “Sure thing.”
Swinging into action, I watch him efficiently whip up our drinks.
The night is perfect.
A cool breeze off the ocean is keeping away any mosquitoes that may have been attracted to the Tiki torches. Two torches are perched at the end of each side of the bar.
Similar torches stretch on the beach, until the water’s edge. Spaced around ten feet apart, they create a huge circle showcasing the paved dance floor and round tables for the spectators.
The covered bar and serving area face the ocean, where the luau is still in full swing.
The Samoan fire knife dancer had just finished.
People were starting to leave their tables and proceed to the dance floor.
I’m not sure how well I’ll be able to dance after eating all that kalua pork. It really was a feast after being cooked in their underground oven over hot coals.
Tipping the bartender, I grab our drinks and head back to the table.
“For my beautiful women.” I wink at them individually as I pass the drinks.
“Thanks, Daddy!” Amelia had taken to calling me her father almost immediately. I’m so lucky!
But I know it will take me years before I get used to it. Each time she says it, with her sweet, high voice, I melt. But then, I melt whenever she says just about anything.
Margot has even tried to have a little talk with me about being stricter. I just laughed. She can’t expect me to be strict for at least a year, or two or more.
Isn’t that the same period for a baby to grow up sassy and spoiled? Everything is just so new, and I’m learning as I go. I want to do everything perfectly, but it will take time.
Margot says I’m a great dad, but she worries that Amelia might take advantage of the situation.
“Can I go dance with them, Daddy?” Amelia’s pointing to three other girls her age. They are carefully watching and imitating a belly dancer on the dance floor.
“Of course, you can.” Margot’s words spur Amelia into action.
She takes a long draw of her drink before pushing out her chair and standing.
“Just stay in sight.” Margot is smiling as Amelia turns and takes off.
“Oh no,” Margot sips her drink and looks at me suggestively over the rim. “It looks like everyone has left. What will we do?”
What a fucking little tease.
I love it.
“Well, I can certainly think of a few things, but since you just told Amelia to stay in sight, I don’t think any of them will work.” I try to look disappointed. Margot’s laughter draws a few curious gazes from others on the dance floor.
“When you finish your drink, will you dance with me?” I run my hand suggestively up her arm and behind her neck, kneading it softly.
Her light summer dress flaps in the breeze and seems to tease me, as it tightens against her lightly tanned skin.
“That can definitely be arranged,” Margot then takes a long drag of her drink, all the while never breaking eye contact.
“Be careful, or you’ll get brain freeze,” I joke.
I take a drink and then proceed to join our cool lips, rubbing my cold tongue against hers before pulling away.
Our wedding had been a small, quiet affair with Amelia as the flower girl.
We didn’t want to invite a lot of people, especially with all the craziness surrounding my father’s involvement in trying to have Margot and Amelia killed.
Everything was so crazy for a while, but I’m determined to only dwell on the positive.
Amelia comes running up to the table and immediately picks up her drink. She takes a long swig.
“Are you having fun?”
Glancing over her shoulder at her new friends, Amelia answers her mother.
“Yes! Did you see me? I can do it now. Watch!” Dropping her glass back on the table, she takes off to join her new friends and resumes dancing.
She’s facing us now, and we both smile while she beams at us. I give her a thumbs up to let her know that I think she’s doing great. It does look a bit like she’s having a seizure.
“She’s really getting into it, isn’t she?” Margot laughs and stands to move in front of me.
Slowly, she brings her hands up and begins the slow, gyrating Hawaiian dance that’s made hula dancing so popular around the world.
I can’t take my eyes off her.
The small smile on her face lets me know she’s aware of the power she has over me.
Sliding out of my chair, I turn to face her more fully, enjoying the show.
Her shoulders drop in exasperation, and she grabs my hand and tries to pull me out of the chair.
“Oh, no. You’re doing great!” I use her grip to pull her closer, so she can dance right in front of me.
For a few seconds more, she continues to dance before her face reddens. Standing up, I pull her into my arms and begin to sway back and forth.
“I was enjoying the show. Why did you stop?” My soft words in her ear make her shiver in my arms.
Running her hands up my chest and then linking them around my neck, she tilts her head back and smiles.
“You know why. I embarrass myself. I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m sure I look like an idiot with how bad I am.” Her self-depreciating talk is so silly.
It’s one of the most endearing qualities about her. She doesn’t seem to have any idea how beautiful she is.
“You and Amelia are the most beautiful women here. And, personally, I don’t think any dancing you would ever do would be bad,” I kissed the tip of her nose.
“Look at how good Amelia is doing already.” I angle us so that we can both look at her.
She’s having a great time. Dancing and chatting with her new friends, she looks like a pixie under the fire light. When she notices us looking at her, we both wave.
She blows a kiss back enthusiastically, but that’s it. Her attention is consumed by her new friends as she continues to dance.
“Well,” Margot wiggles closer into my arms. “I don’t know if I would call what she’s doing good.”
I laugh, and she joins in.
“Okay. It’s a little jerky and stiff still. We could get you ladies lessons?”
Margot looks me in the eye seriously. “Will you take them with us?”
Fuck. What have I gotten myself into?
“I guess if it’s that important to you.” I respond hesitantly.
I’m relieved when Margot succumbs to a fit of giggles.
“You should’ve seen your face!” She’s still giggling, and I can barely understand her words.
Moving my hands from being wrapped behind her back, I gently stroke the sides of her body, where I’ve discovered it doesn’t take much to tickle her.
“No!” Her giggling is abruptly cut off, as her hands slide down my arms to stop me from tickling her.
“I won’t,” I soothe her quickly, as I pull her tightly against me. “You just deserved it for that little tease.”
Moving her hands back up to circle my neck, she tugs me forward until our lips meet. Sliding my tongue to taste hers, I’m consumed by all that is Margot.
My life.
My inspiration.
She’s everything to me. She and Amelia have filled the void I didn’t even realize I had. Imagining a life without them is impossible.
Breaking our kiss, I rest my forehead against hers as we gently continue to sway to the Hawaiian beat.
“I love you, Margot Masters. I love everything about you, now and forever.”