Chapter Seven
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived at San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport. The local time is, one thirty p.m., and the temperature is eighty-seven degrees. For your safety, please make sure your seats are back and remain seated with your belts securely fastened.
When the Captain turns off the fasten your seat belt sign, we will have parked at the gate. This would be the best time to use your cellular devices if the need arises.
Make sure to check your area compartments for additional luggage, and please use caution when opening the overhead bins. On behalf of Southwest Airlines and the crew, I’d like to thank you for flying with us.
Enjoy your stay.”
The seat belt sign disappeared, and Samiyah stood, stretching her arms. She had taken a fantastic nap on the way to San Juan. The day was young, and since she’d been coached into taking the trip, Samiyah planned to make the most of it. The airport hustled and bustled with many tourists, gatekeepers, police officers, and airport employees. Today, Samiyah wore a knee-length light blue and white sundress with white wedge heels. Her earrings, bracelets, and sunglasses matched her ensemble. As she made her way outside dragging her luggage on wheels, Samiyah passed vendors selling everything from suntan crèmes to t-shirts and handbags. Standing with a group of other men holding signs was her complimentary chauffeur. Samiyah strolled to the older gentleman holding Samiyah Manhattan.
“Hi, I’m Samiyah,” she handed the man her I.D.
A polite smile lit up the man’s face, and he bent slightly forward. “How are you today, Miss Manhattan?”
“I’m doing great, how about yourself?”
“Oh I’m splendid,” he said giving her a flirtatious wink. “If you’ll follow me this way, I’ll lead you to your transportation.” They walked to a limo, and Samiyah got in as he held the door open. In route, Samiyah mused about Jonas Alexander Rose. After she kicked him out, she never heard anything from him. It didn’t surprise her, what did she expect? It wasn’t like he knew her, but at the same time, she felt such a strong connection to him.
Too bad… Samiyah knew Jonas had moved on and never gave her a second thought. A resigned sigh escaped her. If she got the chance to see him again, she would let loose and have fun if only for one night. Samiyah tried to shake the pleasant thoughts away; she was getting herself worked up for nothing. The limo pulled up in front of La Concha Renaissance Resort and parked. The chauffeur hopped out strolling quickly around to her door. He held his hand out, and Samiyah slid out one foot first.
“Thank you,” she said.
“You’re most welcome, enjoy your stay.”
Samiyah handed the chauffeur a tip. “No thank you, ma’am, I’ve been compensated handsomely.”
Again, he winked, and she gave him another thanks. Inside the resort, Samiyah checked in, received her key, and found the elevators. Being in the tropical island atmosphere lifted Samiyah’s mood. She rode the elevator to her floor and entered the room. It was nicely designed with a king size bed, upscale fixtures, modern furniture, LCD TV’s, and a patio overlooking the beach. Samiyah opened the doors and stepped out looking over the railings. With her nose in the air, her eyes closed, and a vibrant smile on her face she inhaled the exotic air. After having an appreciative look around, Samiyah placed her suitcase on the bed and opened it.
Before leaving Victoria Secret, Samiyah made it her mission to grab some swimsuits, and although she would go to the beach later, she wanted to find the hotel swimming pool now. Changing into her two-piece apple red bikini, Samiyah checked her reflection in the mirror. The sexy number was recommended by the same saleswoman who’d taken her measurements, and it fit around her breasts impeccably. The bottom half outlined her hips and cupped her butt, giving off a slight peek a boo effect.
Samiyah sat in a chair and used a natural shea butter crème to shine her feet, ankles, legs, and thighs. She worked the crème up her mid-section, rubbing it on her arms, hands, and fingers. Now she was glowing. Samiyah twisted her hair up using a pair of hair chopsticks to hold it in place. Grabbing her cherry blossom lip balm, Samiyah applied a coat of shine to her full lips. Taking another twirl in the mirror to check out her whole look gave Samiyah a satisfying grin. She headed out with a beach bag. When she found the pool area, Samiyah felt a thrill of pleasure. Claudia had been right; this is exactly what she needed. As she sauntered across the area, Samiyah found a lounge chair and sat down gracefully swinging her legs onto the extended furniture.
Leaning back, she rested her head and shoulders. In her beach bag, Samiyah pulled out a pair of sunglasses and a romance novel and began to read. After an hour, she put her book down for a moment and pulled out her mp3 player. She would listen to a couple of songs before taking a swim. Her focus was drawn toward a commotion at the entrance to the pool.
Heather Headley’s 2008 neo-soul hit, “He is,” wafted through her singular ear piece. Jonas strolled into the pool area with a cluster of women around him. He paused long enough to give a few autographs and pose to take a few selfies with fans. All of a sudden, Samiyah’s throat went dry. What was he doing here, and most importantly, who was he here with?”
Samiyah’s mind whirled as she thought about several possibilities for his attendance. Jonas looked from side to side and surveyed the area stopping dead center when his eyes met hers. Lord in Heaven, she thought to herself, this man was so deliciously designed. He took slow, deliberate steps in her direction and shed his shirt presenting a wide sexy chiseled torso. Samiyah could hear some of the women swoon as all eyes turned to his glorious perfection. Her heart beat raced, and she held her breath. Abruptly he stopped and pulled out his cell phone checking the caller ID.
Jonas answered the call, “Rose.”
“Just the man I was looking for,” Kevin quipped.
Jonas felt an annoyance, irritation, and frustration, none of which was displayed on his face. He kept his features neutral and continued to watch Samiyah as she rose to her feet beating a hasty retreat. Her beautiful brown body graciously glided across the cement surroundings of the pool, and she removed the chopsticks that held her hair in place allowing her tresses to tumble free past her shoulders down the middle of her back. The flick of her mane pushed back off her shoulders sent warm liquid coursing through his veins. Kevin was saying something about money being doubled for a fight. One thing Jonas had to give Kevin was his persistence, but Jonas was equally unrelenting.
“If this is about money just let me know, I’d be willing to help you out. How much do you need?”
A contemptuous scowl sounded through the speaker. “What?” Kevin said offended. “I’m not some charity case.”
“You can work it off if that makes you feel any better, I have a job for you,” Jonas offered.
Still, Jonas’ eyes never left Samiyah. On the diving board now Samiyah leaped, bouncing twice; her body folding into a ball turning full circle before stretching her arms and legs out slicing into the water head first with the tenacity of an experienced swimmer.
“I’ve gotta go,” Jonas ended the phone call and stepped out of his sandals making an unseen entrance into the pool. He watched her swim under water in his direction and wondered if her eyes were open. From his angle, he couldn’t tell. Her long legs gracefully moved in waves like flippers behind her. When she came up for air, he got his answer. Samiyah thought she’d hit a brick wall when she collided with his broad chest. She opened her eyes, water dripping all over her face. Even in the cool water, the sight of him warmed her blood, and their collision caught her off guard causing her to grab hold of him.
“Jonas!” she breathed breathlessly. “I didn’t see you.” Her hand slid down his carved chest leaving a tingling in her fingers.
“That’s because you had your eyes closed, love.”
Samiyah blushed and attempted to take a step back from him, but his rough hands held her in place.
“What are you doing here, if you don’t mind me asking?” It’s not that she cared, she just wanted to know.
“I’m on vacation, you?”
“I was actually gifted this trip from a client, so,” she held her arms out, “here I am.”
Her radiant smile set a flame in him that dived right to the center of his groin. Never had he met a woman that set him ablaze like she did.
“Are you alone?”
“Yes, every time we cross paths I’m alone. It seems to be the story of my life.”
He heard the sad undertone in her voice, and she looked away. With the tip of his fingers, he turned her back to him.
“That just makes me a lucky man.”
Again, Samiyah blushed, her heart racing at his careful touch and sensitive words. “You’re too nice; you don’t have to say that.”
“I don’t say anything I don’t mean, remember?”
She did remember.
“I don’t play games, Miss Manhattan.”
She held her hand up. “Please for the love of God call me Samiyah.” To be clear she insisted, “at all times.”
After Samiyah had spoken those words, she realized it indicated they would be together again. He caught it, too. A charming grin laced his handsome sculpted face. It was a good thing they were already wet, so Samiyah wouldn’t have to worry about soaking her bikini bottoms.
“Have dinner with me.”
Samiyah lifted a shoulder to her chin. Her head turned slightly, and her eyes lowered. “Was that a request or an order?” she batted her long thick eyelashes.
“That depends,” he said closing what little gap was left between them. His torso touched her breasts and chills fled down Samiyah’s skin.
“On what?”
“On how you like to be handled.”
His breath danced across her lips like a stolen kiss. The fire between them crackled. Samiyah closed her eyes and inhaled his masculine scent. Their mouths were separated by a wisp of a breeze. Jonas reached for her.
“The water is boiling around you two, get a room!”
Samiyah’s head whipped up; her eyes landing on a gorgeous, tall, delectable male. “Never mind him, that’s my brother, Jaden,” Jonas informed never moving an inch away from her. Now that Samiyah got a good look at him, he was one of the men on the front of the magazine cover. Of course, he was his brother. She remembered them all being strikingly handsome.
Her eyes traveled back to Jonas. “Good genes,” she offered.
He cracked a smile, “Ditto.”
His gaze held her in a deep sanctuary reeling her in with every second that passed. She swallowed back a lump in her throat.
“So tell me Samiyah, how do you like to be handled?”
Samiyah bit down on her lower lip driving him completely insane. “I guess you’ll have to find out,” she cooed letting her legs drop taking her underwater. She turned and swam off in the opposite direction, and Jonas swam after her, his sturdy arms catching her within seconds. He pulled her to the surface, twisting her around in his arms and Samiyah fell into a heap of laughter. Jonas pinned her against the pool wall and went under water placing his mouth on the softest part of her using his tongue to tease her most sensitive spot.
She gasped and shuddered trying to get out of his grasp, but her efforts were ineffective. “Okay, okay,” she repeated. Slowly he gravitated above the water.
“What was that? I didn’t hear you?”
She splashed him. “I’ll have dinner with you.”