Teaser Tuesday - Dark Storms

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​It's Teaser Tuesday again and I'm sharing a scene from Dark Storms, the third Pelican Cay story. Hero's sister, Adriana, craves excitement but gets more than she bargains for.

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Gabe was sprawled face down on his bed, the twisted sheet draped loosely over one leg and pinned beneath the other, when he was roused by a rap on his door. He shook himself awake as another knock sounded. The digital clock on the bedside table told him it was nearly two in the afternoon.

Grunting and groaning, he rolled to his side and rubbed his eyes. “Hang on. I’m coming.”

He swung his legs off the bed, grabbed the untucked sheet, and wrapped it around his waist as he shuffled to the door. Still a little drowsy, he tried and failed to manage the chain stop and gave up, pulling the door open without it.

Adriana was on the other side. Her eyebrows shot up and she gave him a wicked grin. “Good afternoon. I brought coffee from the lobby.” She looked him over, very carefully, and her smile widened. “Why don’t you get dressed and meet me on your little patio?”

“Ah…” He followed her eyes down his bare torso to the loose bed sheet and rubbed the back of his neck. “Sure. Be right with you.”

“Good.”

She put a little extra wiggle in her walk as she wandered off. Grateful and grinning now himself, he closed the door. Whatever was on top in the bureau drawers is what he grabbed and took into the bathroom.

Adriana was relaxing in one of his two patio chairs when he joined her. She took in his lightweight track pants and Navy t-shirt and gave a sad little sigh. “Gone, but not forgotten.” Before he could respond, she picked up a thermal mug from the little table next to her and offered it to him.

“Thanks.” The mug was brand new and stamped on the outside with the resort’s logo.

“I didn’t know what you like, so I just went with our special Pelican Cay roast and two amaretto creamers.”

He leaned against the railing and took a taste. “Mmm, works for me. Thanks again.”

“Did you get enough sleep?”

“Plenty. I usually only need about six hours a night.”

She frowned. “So you didn’t go to bed right away?”

“I needed to wind down first.”

“Hmm.” She seemed to mull that over for a moment then shook herself and looked up at him, brows arched. “I noticed you don’t have a shift until tomorrow morning. Would you like me to show you around? I’ll give you a tour of the island.”

“Aren’t you working?”

“It’s slow. I asked if I could leave early.” She winked at him. “I have an in with the boss.”

He took another pleasurable swallow, finally waking up. “Lucky. Sure, I’d love a tour.”

“Bring your trunks. Who knows, we might find time to take in a little swim.” She stood up and tipped back her own cup, draining it. “I have a couple of things to finish. Why don’t you meet me at the front desk? I’ll introduce you to Rosa. After that, I’m all yours.”

It was hard to mistake her invitation when it came coupled with a flirty little smile. Not only were they on the same wavelength, but he was receptive to the idea. “Sounds good. I’ll catch up with you.”

She left him there and Gabe ran back into his quarters to brush his teeth, find his trunks, and grab his wraparound sunglasses. Working his feet into his leather sandals, he looked around, wondering how he was supposed to carry his damn trunks. He didn’t have a bag small enough. Ah, screw it. He wadded them in his hand, slid his wallet into his back pocket and plucked his keys off the bedside table. Out of habit, he tested the door once it closed to be sure it locked properly.

The grounds crew was busy. He could hear the buzz of trimmers being used around beds and borders. At least one riding mower passed nearby, making curving patterns in the grass on its way back between the buildings.

Skipping up the two steps and into the airy lobby, he met Adriana’s gaze over the counter and they both smiled. His heart beat just a little faster at seeing her again. It was ridiculous. She’d just left him five minutes ago. Yet, he couldn’t stop his blazing grin from flaring to life when she looked at him.

“Hey,” he greeted her. “Almost ready?”

“Just about. I have to put the paychecks into the boxes then I’m done. Hang on.” She turned and called, “Mom? Gabe’s here.”

An attractive woman stepped out of the office. She was a little shorter, a bit thicker through the body, but clearly Adriana’s mother. Smiling, she approached the tall counter, giving him a friendly once over. The women’s smiles were identical. Where they differed was the eyes, or rather the expression in the eyes. Adriana looked at him with familiarity, intimacy, and open amusement.

“Gabe? I’m Rosa. It’s nice to have you here with us. Are you settling in okay? Have any questions or concerns?”

Startled, his eyes cut to Adriana and he shook his head. “Um, no. Your daughter was very helpful.”

Rosa patted Adriana on the back. “I’m glad to hear it. Honey, I’ll take those checks. Don’t make him stand around waiting for you.”

“Thanks.” Handing them over, Adriana gave her mom a quick kiss on the cheek. “I guess we’re out of here. I’ve got my phone if you need to reach me.”

Rosa turned her around and with hands on both shoulders, walked Adriana out from behind the counter.

Summarily dismissed, Adriana spun around. “Wait, I need my bag.”

Gabe was snickering when she came back out of the office swinging a canvas bag by the straps.

“Here.” She opened the top of the bag and thrust it at him. “Drop your drawers.”

She cringed at how that came out, but he was grinning when he dunked his swim trunks in her bag.

“You have a talent for innuendo.”

Adriana slapped herself in the forehead and laughed. “This isn’t me. I have no idea where it’s
coming from, but I can’t seem to help it.”

“I’m not complaining.” In fact, he was enjoying it. He hoped she didn’t stop.

“Good.” Still shaking with the giggles, she admitted, “The last thing I want to do is make you uncomfortable.”

“That’s not possible.”

“Whew.” Fanning her face to cool her blush, she gestured to the double doors. “Let’s go.”

It was when they rounded the building and followed the walkway to the parking lot that he felt the same damn prickling sensation on the back of his neck again. Glancing around, he spotted the same maintenance man who’d glared at him the day before. He was working on a guestroom lock today.

Gabe quietly pointed him out to Adriana. “Who is that?”

She released a deep, uneasy breath. “Derrick Palmer. He’s been here about six years, a couple of years longer than me anyway.”

“I don’t think he likes me.”

“Lucky you,” she muttered quietly.

His head turned sharply back to her and he frowned. “What do you mean?”

She threw up a hand, waving his question away. “Just being flippant. It’s nothing.”

“Is he hassling you?”

“Not exactly.” She picked up the pace, forcing him to pursue her if he was going to read her face.

“It’s not even what he says. It’s how he looks at me when he says it. He watches me. It makes me uncomfortable. It’s my issue.”

“I could talk to him.” Regardless of what she said, he was going to keep an eye on Derrick. She wasn’t the only one getting a bad vibe from the guy.

“That’s the last thing I want.” She stopped on the edge of the parking lot and looked up at him with a tight, apologetic smile. “Do you mind driving? All I have is my motor scooter.”

“My Jeep is a piece of shit.”

Adriana laughed. “I don’t mind.” He pointed it out to her and she grinned. “I’ve seen worse.”

“You’ve been forewarned.”

“I’ll risk it.”

They hopped in. She looked up from fastening her seatbelt and made another request. “Can we stop at my house so I can run in for my bathing suit?”

He slipped on his sunglasses. “That depends. Is it a bikini?”

She shoved him in the shoulder and broke into another wonderful laugh. “A sexy one.”

​“Point the way.”

Enjoy this sultry island romance today.

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