A strong gust of wind tousled Ashley’s hair, whipping the mass of sandy red afro curls into her face. In the wind, a faint scent of a man’s cologne invaded her nostrils. Ashley inhaled the amazing smell. Ashley slowly removed her hair from her face and turned in the direction of the scent. As soon as she did, a large light brown straw hat collided with her face.
“Oh my God!” Ashley gasped.
“Ma’am, I’m so sorry. Here let me help you,” a gentleman said taking the straw hat from Ashley. “I’m so sorry. The wind took my hat right off the top of my head. Were you injured?”
Finding herself face to face with a man’s chest, Ashley touched her face and then the top of her head. The man wore a light blue button-down linen shirt. The top two buttons on his shirt were unbuttoned revealing a well-oiled milk chocolate bare chest. The sleeves on his shirt were rolled up showing off muscular arms. Ashley was entranced by the smoothness of the stranger’s skin.
She shook her head, remembering that he’d asked her a question. “No, no…” Her voice sounded squeaky to her ears.
“That’s good. I’m Niles Parker,” he said to her.
The man smelled even better now that he was closer. Ashley raised her eyes, slowly scanning the man’s chiseled features. Before settling on wide eyes that were dark and beautiful, she cataloged his full lips, groomed goatee, thin mustache, and perfect nose.
The two of them stood fixed, looking at one another, and Ashley’s breathing became shallow. What an attractive man he was. Ashley’s nerves were all over the place, and her knees quivered a bit. But she was not about to let him see what effect he had on her.
Ashley’s heart felt like it was going to pound out of her chest as she gently rubbed her sweaty palms against the sides of her dress.
“What’s your name?” Niles asked.
“Ash…Ashley Hernandez,” she heard herself whisper. Thankfully, Niles was close enough to hear her.
He handed her his hand. “Nice to meet you, Ashley.” Ashley looked at it.
“It’s clean. Can’t afford to take any chances after experiencing that pandemic we had a few years back.”
“Right…hold on just a second,” Ashley reached into her purse and pulled out a small bottle of hand sanitizer. She cleaned her hands and offered some to Niles who complied. Then they shook hands. Afterwards, he turned her hand over and sweetly kissed it.
Ashley noticed Yvette eyeing her interaction with Niles.
“Nice to meet you,” Niles said releasing her hand.
Ashley smiled, “You too.”
“See you around and sorry again about the hat ordeal.” Niles turned to walk away.
“Oh, heck. No, you don’t,” Yvette left Michael talking in midsentence and ran over to Niles. She reached in her purse and pulled out one of her business cards. “Sir, here take this. Why don’t you join us for drinks later?”
Niles accepted her card and peered down at her name. “Thanks, Ms. Yvette. I’m here on business, but thank you for your information.” He took another look at Ashley.
Ashley wondered if he liked what he saw. She watched as he admired the silhouette of her curves filling up her tangerine sundress. When his gaze finally reached her face, Ashley met his smile with a smile of her own.
“Bye, Niles,” Ashley said before walking towards the taxi. He smiled once more and waved. Ashley noticed Niles had gorgeous adult teeth. He is fine, but he didn’t even ask for my number. Wonder why he’s not interested?
***
Passing through town on the way to the luxurious five-star beach resort Ashley and Yvette were staying at, the two women marveled over the scenery. The marketplaces were crowded with people. Caribbean music not only played inside of the taxi, they could also hear the exotic sounds of an African calypso type rhythm mixed with island groove. Ashley and Yvette noticed a group of men standing outside of a bar, shirtless. They looked at each and playfully squealed as they did in high school. Their excitement startled the driver.
When they reached their destination, the driver looked into his rearview mirror and said, “Here we are, ladies. This is a nice resort. I hope you enjoy your stay.”
“I know you’re going to help us with our bags,” Yvette interjected.
“Of course,” the driver said unbuckling his seat belt.
“Liar,” Yvette said.
After their bags were unloaded from the car and the ladies were checked in, Ashley and Yvette took an elevator up to their rooms, which were connected to each other. Ashley opened her door and took in the room perfumed by the scent of light tropical flowers. Her bed was dressed in white linen and a lightweight quilted comforter of the same color. Sheer curtains tied to a cherry wood four-poster bed swayed in the ocean breeze that entered the room through open balcony doors. Ashley placed her luggage on the bed and walked over to the opened patio doors. The beach looked inviting. She couldn’t wait to change into her bikini and soak up the sun.
An hour later, Ashley and Yvette laid out on the beach under an umbrella looking out at the ocean. This was the life: blue skies, crystal blue waters, and white sandy beaches.
“I could get used to this,” Yvette said, wearing all things Chanel. Chanel sunglasses, Chanel earrings, and a Chanel bathing suit. She’s a fancy one, Ashley thought.
“Ash, can you put some sunscreen on my back? I’m going to splash around in this big gorgeous ocean. I sure didn’t buy this bathing suit to hide it under an umbrella.”
“Sure.”
Ashley laughed as she heard Yvette squeal from the ocean water rushing over her legs. She was content with staying under the umbrella. Plus it was fun to watch people.
As Ashley glanced over the crowd of beachgoers she was surprised to see Niles jogging on the beach. Her eyes widened at his exposed bare chest and
