Dark Chocolate and Strawberries
Author – Daryl Devore
Heat – 4/5
On board,
Red meets Andrew Woodsman and Willem Olf. One a cutie with the biggest puppy
eyes and the other a dark, sophisticated predator. Her grandmother's warning
rings in Red's ear "Never trust a wolf in sheep's clothing."
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Excerpt
Swiping the card through the
lock, she opened the door when the light turned green. As promised, her luggage
had been placed just inside the room. She stepped around the two suitcases, and
tossed her shoulder bag and key card on the desk. A page of Wi-Fi instructions
rested next to the flat screen TV. Good.
I won't be cut off from the real world.
She glanced down at her
cellphone. If I check my messages there
will only be a coupla dozen from mom asking for updates. Who needs that?
She tossed the cell onto the table. She was on vacation – sort of.
Turning around, she continued
her exploration. The living room area had a couch with four emerald green throw
pillows, two comfortable looking chairs and large seascape hung on the wall,
above the couch. A spectacular bouquet sat on the coffee table. Red pulled the
little card out of its holder - Compliments
of The Emerald Forest.
To the right, were a closet
and the bathroom. Walking into the bedroom area, Red jumped on the king-sized
bed and sighed. A huge bed. Now if I
could get Hot and Sexy in here. Or maybe Mr. I'm-So-Lost. I think I could use a
little ship board action and release some pent-up frustration.
Glancing at her watch, she
saw she didn't have a lot of time to spare before she was to meet Chopper for
lunch. She walked back to the living room to get her luggage, but the view from
the balcony stopped her. Sliding the glass door open, she stepped outside. The
warm gulf air brushed across her face. We
left port? How can a ship this big move and I not notice?
Captivated by the view, Red
watched the waves ripple past and the occasional seagull soar overhead. She
inhaled the warm air and let the sun shine on her face. A knock at the door
brought her out of her reverie. She crossed the room and opened it.
“Hello. Did you forget about
lunch?” Chopper asked.
Red glanced at her watch. “Oh,
good heavens. I was standing on the balcony. I guess I lost track of the time.
Come in. Have a seat. Give me a minute to change.”
Chopper whistled as he
entered. “Look at this place. This is great. I've got a closet with a bed in
it. You've got a palace. And your own balcony.” He pointed at the glass doors. “May
I?”
“Go ahead. I'll only be a
second.” Red grabbed the suitcases and hurried to the bedroom. Rifling through
the clothes, she found a tank top and a pair of shorts that didn't look too
much like she'd packed for the cruise in under fifteen minutes. As she changed,
she caught her reflection in the mirror. Gawd,
I look like a ghost. I really need a tan. She slipped on a pair of black
flip-flops.
When she stepped into the
living room, Chopper pointed at the bouquet. “Nice flowers. Boyfriend?”
Red shook her head. “No.
They're compliments of the cruise line.” She picked up her purse and key card. “Let's
go, I'm starved.”
Inside the elevator, Chopper
said, “I have a confession to make.”
“We've known each other for
like five minutes, what do you have to confess?”
“I don't exactly know where
the restaurant is. We might just end up in the engine room.”
She put her hands on her
hips. “Oh, so you're just using me as a tour guide?”
“Yes, but I'll pay for lunch.”
“The food's free.”
He chucked her under the
chin. “I can afford free.”
Red laughed. As the elevator
doors opened, she led the way to the small restaurant.
They ordered cheeseburgers,
fries and beer, then requested their meal be served on deck. Chopper spotted
two unoccupied lounge chairs on the starboard side of the ship, partially in
the shade with a view of the ocean, if a person hunched down and looked under
the lifeboat.
Tilting his head toward the
boats, he said, “I'm glad we found those. I'll be able to find them when the
lifeboat drill happens. It's important you know.” His face looked serious.
Red tilted her head. “Why?”
“I saw Titanic. Six times.”
She snickered. “No icebergs
in the Caribbean. I think you can relax.”
He pointed at her. “Bermuda
Triangle.”
Thanks for sharing,
