I don’t know why, but that man sure has my attention.
***
Later that night, Ashley and Yvette decided to go out and enjoy the Bahamian nightlife. Yvette invited Michael. Ashley watched as they danced the night away. Ashley turned down a few invitations to dance opting instead to edit and upload pictures to social media from her phone. While she was looking down at her phone, a man walked up to the bar next to her and ordered a glass of wine. The voice sounded familiar. She looked away from her phone surprised to find Niles standing next to her.
“Niles Parker,” she smiled.
He turned to see her sitting next to him.
“Hey, you,” he said to her.
“Funny running into you again.”
“Yes, indeed. Can I get you something?” Niles offered.
“Good luck, brother. I’ve been trying to get this beautiful woman to dance with me all night. You’re getting nowhere with that vault,” a guy said to Niles in passing.
Ashley’s mouth dropped open, she was appalled. How rude was this guy? No wonder he was at the club by himself. For starters, he needed to learn how to talk to a woman. His cheap cologne reminded Ashley of sweat and WD40. Ashley watched as the man with his one curved bow leg strutted to the dance floor.
“Yeah, make sure you keep on walking, guy. Learn how to talk to a lady,” Niles said. “Watch, I’ll show you,” Niles looked at Ashley. “I’m sorry, he’s a jerk.”
She shook her head. “It’s not your problem.”
“Let’s say we shake some of that off. Would you accompany me to the dance floor?” Niles extended his hand.
Ashley smiled at him. “Sure, I would love to.”
Ashley and Niles started dancing and swaying to the reggaeton music the DJ was playing, and it seemed like they danced all night. Ashley noticed Michael and Yvette sitting at a nearby table enjoying each other’s company.
A slower jazz song, still keeping the flavor of the island, began to play. Niles looked down at Ashley and with a smile, gently pulled her closer to him.
“Now two-stepping is one of my specialties,” Niles admitted.
“I see you got skills,” Ashley teased.
Niles spun her around and caught a glimpse of the clock over the bar.
“Right when the fun really begins,” Niles said to Ashley. “I have to go, Ashley. I have to work in the morning.”
“Aww shucks, Cinderella, the ball has just begun. Well, I enjoyed your company and your dance moves,” Ashley grinned so hard her cheeks hurt. She couldn’t help it.
“You have great moves too, girl,” Niles said.
“Well, I guess I’ll head back upstairs,” Ashley said.
“Your room is in this hotel? So is mine. Let me walk you up. It’s the least I can do.”
Ashley looked over at Yvette. “Sure, let me tell my cousin I’m turning in.” Once she had Yvette’s attention, Ashley waved at her and Yvette waved back.
Niles walked Ashley to her room.
“So, Niles, what do you do for work? I know this is crazy, but I think I’ve seen you somewhere before.”
“I’m an author; I write self-help books. My latest is about marriage, divorce and relationships,” Niles said.
“That is awesome, I would love a copy of your book or books.”
“I will make sure to get you some signed copies then. I had a great time tonight, Ashley. You’re a gem.”
When they reached Ashley’s door, he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “Let me open that for you,” he said, reaching for the key Ashley held in her hand.
“You’re such a gentleman.”
Niles opened the door, and Ashley placed her hand on top of his gently rubbing the back of his hand. His hand was soft and his skin smooth. Niles looked at her, and she flashed him a warm smile before removing his hand from the door. Ashley placed his hand on her cheek.
“I have two cheeks,” Ashley teased.
Niles’ eyes widened in shock, but he managed to smile at her before leaning in to kiss her other cheek. At the last minute, he decided to kiss her softly on her full plump lips. When Ashley kissed him back, it was hard for either of them to let go.
Ashley led him into her room. She had sense enough to take a break from their kissing to lock the adjoining door to Yvette’s room. Back in Niles’s arms, they soon were under the covers making love.
Ashley had never felt so alive. Niles was very attentive to her every need. He made love to her all night until the wee hours of the morning. Ashley vaguely remembered him leaving to go to his room. Before he left, he kissed her on the other cheek. What a beautiful night the two of them had shared. A smile lit up Ashley’s face, she felt like she had left her body and was floating on cloud nine. Niles made her feel amazing, but there was a slight feeling of guilt as well. She had had a one night stand, a good one but she could never do that again. One night stands were out of character for her and her beliefs.
Chapter 4
The fresh wind from the open French doors blew inside of Ashley’s suite, and the white sheer curtains sailed in the air. The sound of waves crashing against the rocks outside collided with the sound of the seagulls squawking and a boat horn in the distance.
Ashley laid on the side of the bed where Niles had been. She inhaled his cologne. It brought back memories of the night before. Interrupted by a knock on the door connecting her room to Yvette, the thoughts were short-lived. Ashley stretched and got out of bed, collecting her large white hotel spa robe. She wrapped it around her body and proceeded to the door.
Good thing I thought to lock the door last night.
