It Started In Paradise

In the hotel suite, Donovan got dressed and slipped into a pair of slacks and a button-down shirt before squirting on a few splashes of cologne. This time, he opted for the tiki bar outside of the hotel.

Salsa mixed with the sounds of the waves offered audible splendor. A cool breeze caressed his arms. Donovan smiled in response. Finding a table that provided the best view of the moonlit ocean, he sat facing the water as he waited for his server. A young man with a long ponytail, untamed facial hair and a floral shirt approached shortly after.

“I’ll take your best scotch,” Donovan said.

“Sure.” The waiter scribbled Donovan’s order on a pad.

“Wait. No.” He thought better of his decision to indulge in his signature selection. He was in the tropics. Why not order accordingly? “What do you recommend?”

“Rum, of course!” His accent made his words sound like music. “I’ll bring something you’ll like. Trust me?”

“I’ll go for it.” Donovan nodded in agreement.

“Be right back.”

As the waiter walked off, Donovan sat back in his chair, allowing the tropical breeze to soothe him. His mind drifted. What was it going to be like when Jewel and Chloe joined him later?

Chapter 3

“Great meetings. I’m really excited about the renovation now. I can’t wait to get back and share this information with Mom,” Chloe said to Jewel as she headed toward her room. She stepped out of her dress and laid it on the bed.

A few minutes later, Jewel joined Chloe in her room. “Technology is an amazing thing. We’ll be able to produce more pies using the same amount of space. We’ll never have a problem meeting demand now—especially during the holidays.” Posing in the mirror, Jewel checked out the flowing jumpsuit she’d just put on.

“How’s this?” Chloe presented herself to Jewel, twirling in the floral strapless sundress she’d selected for the evening.

“Oh! Very pretty.” Jewel offered a wide smile. “Donovan’s going to love that,” she teased.

“I’m not thinking about Donovan.” Chloe waved her off and slipped her feet into a pair of beaded flip-flops.

“You should be. It’s been months since you’ve dated—about a year, actually.”

“And I’m fine with that. Who’s counting anyway?” Chloe shrugged.

“Me! And so should you. It’s time to get back in the game.” Jewel put her hand on the doorknob. “Ready?”

“Yeah.” Chloe walked through the open door. “Truthfully, Jewel, I’ve been so into work I’ve hardly thought about it. I’m thrilled about taking the restaurant to another level. Chandlers can really become the sought-after venue for events once we start working with this consultant. It’s time to elevate our brand. When you love what you do, it’s easy to be caught up. After my breakup with Alan, the days and months have just rolled right on by.”

“Mom loved that guy for some reason.”

“I know. She just knew that he was going to be her son-in-law. At first, I thought that he would be the one, too. He seemed refined, debonair and worldly. He relished living up to the image of what we represented—two successful people with all the appropriate fixings and a glamorous lifestyle. I wanted genuine romance. I didn’t care what we looked like. Warm hugs, kisses, cozy movie nights and long walks are the things that I craved. He wanted to be seen at every major function. We just couldn’t seem to find our middle ground. I’d end up at home while he attended his high-profile parties. Eventually, we just grew apart. As much as it hurt, we both knew it was best to end the relationship. Mom will never get it.”

They had arrived at the elevator. Jewel pressed the call button and sighed. “I completely understand but I still think it’s time that you get out. I know it’s easy to get so involved in what you’re doing that you forget to have a life and I don’t want to see that happen to you any longer.”

“You’re right. I can’t remember the last time I had dinner with someone and it wasn’t about business.”

The elevator doors opened and the two of them stepped on.

“No better time to start than the present. Let’s go have some fun, girl. Woo!” Jewel raised a fist in the air.

Chloe shook her head at Jewel’s loud hoot, but laughed. She had to agree, it was time to begin carving a little extracurricular fun into her life. Loving what she did for a living shouldn’t prevent her from enjoying a fuller existence. Perhaps she’d start with a girls’ night out with her sisters and friends when she got back to New York.

A bustling lobby greeted them when the elevator doors opened. A festive vibe had taken over now that the evening had given way to the night. Music, laughter and jovial conversations in various languages blended like a symphony. Shorts, floral shirts and casual dresses replaced the business attire from earlier in the day.

Chloe and Jewel snaked through the crowd toward the outdoor bar that Donovan had directed them to via text. Chloe’s stomach clenched when she spotted Donovan’s handsome profile outlined by the glow of the moon. He was seated with his head resting against the back of the chair. He was gorgeous from every angle.

Chloe looked forward to hanging out with him. Though they’d operated within the same social circles for many years, they’d never spent much time together. Tonight, she’d get to know him a little better.

Donovan stood as they approached. Kissing both their cheeks, his lips lingered against Chloe’s for just a moment longer. His hand gently pressed against her lower back, causing shivers inside her core. She stepped back and smiled graciously and then turned toward the calming sound of the ocean waves. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply to compose herself rather than to delight in the ambiance.

“Have a seat.” Donovan pulled out a chair for both. The low timbre of his voice caused her core to react once again.

“Thanks.” She sat first and then Jewel.

“It’s beautiful out here,” Jewel acknowledged.

“There’s something mysterious about the sea at night. It’s frightening, yet intriguing,” Chloe said. When she looked up, Donovan was staring at her. She held his gaze for a moment and cleared her throat. “I’ve always wondered what it must be like to be out there in all that darkness.”

“It’s pretty cool,” Donovan said.

“Is it?” Jewel asked. “How so?”

“It’s peaceful. I took one of those midnight cruises before. We should see if they do those here at this hotel.”

“Oh. Let’s check into that. Sounds like fun.” Jewel turned to Chloe. “Doesn’t it?”

“It does.” Chloe sat back, allowing the breeze to relax her. It was almost as satisfying as Donovan’s presence.

Donovan waved the waiter over. “What are you ladies having?”

“I had this great drink by the pool earlier. It was fruity with rum in it,” Jewel said.

“I could use a nice glass of wine,” Chloe added.

As the waiter approached, Donovan nodded toward the women. “May I?” he asked, requesting their permission to order for them.

Chloe and Jewel looked at each other. Agreeing with raised brows, Chloe then turned to Donovan and said, “Sure.”

Donovan ordered wine for Chloe and a rum cocktail for Jewel.

“What are they doing over there?” Chloe leaned forward, squinting at a few of the bar’s staff members setting up speakers and a large projection screen against the backdrop of the dark ocean.

Donovan and Jewel turned toward Chloe’s line of sight.

“Are they showing a movie tonight?” Jewel inquired.

Donovan shrugged. “Perhaps.”

“How cool!” Chloe added. The idea of watching a movie under the velvet star-spangled sky charmed her. “How were your meetings today?” she asked Donovan.

“Pretty good.” Donovan told them about his day and the hotel his friend was renovating. The waiter returned with their drinks. They nodded their approval, which Donovan acknowledged with a confident smile.

“That sounds amazing! Let us know if he does a grand opening. We could come down to celebrate with you,” Jewel said.

“That would be great. I’ll make sure you have the best accommodations.” His comment was for both women, but his eyes were on Chloe.

If she wasn’t mistaken, there was more meaning behind his words that were spoken. His slightly narrowed gaze and the sultry smile that spread across his sexy lips gave her that indication.

Chloe felt warmth settle around her like a soft blanket. She matched his gaze for a moment before turning and looking out over the water.

“Just make sure we’re on the opposite side of the hotel from your mother,” she said and the three of them laughed.

“You’re right about that,” Donovan admitted. “If she knew we were here having a good time together, she’d probably faint.”

“I know,” Jewel added, releasing a belly laugh. “What’s up with them?”

Donovan shook his head. “I don’t know. My mother would never tell us.”

“Neither would ours,” Chloe said.

“It’s so crazy to me,” Jewel said.

“Me, too,” Chloe agreed. “Whatever it is, it has been going on for a long time.”

“That’s one thing I do know.” Donovan took another a sip of his rum and pointed toward the setup the bar staff was working on. “Looks like they’re setting up for karaoke.”

“Really?” Chloe got excited.

“Chloe. You should sing,” Jewel said, craning her neck toward the screen. “Donovan, you’ve got to hear her. She has an amazing voice.”

Donovan looked at Chloe and raised a brow. “Is that so?”

Chloe waved her hand dismissively and cast her eyes upward. “I don’t sing much. I haven’t done it in years.”

“She’s totally being modest.” Jewel grabbed Chloe’s hand and pulled her up. “Come on, let’s go pick a song. I’ll be your backup!” she hooted.

“Jewel!” Chloe pleaded but was ignored as Jewel dragged her over to the table that had been set up for people to sign up.

“I can’t sing here,” Chloe said, feeling nervous.

“Of course you can. Didn’t you say you wanted to start having more fun?”

Chloe groaned. “Let me look over the list.” Jewel squealed and Chloe squinted at her. “I didn’t say I was going to sing. I’m just checking this list out.”

Jewel handed her the clipboard containing the songs and peered at it over Chloe’s shoulder. “Oh. Do this one.” Jewel pointed to Natural Woman.

Chloe thought about it for a moment. She loved singing that song but the idea of doing so in front of Donovan would make her feel exposed. She already felt overtly aware of her senses in his presence.

People used to love listening to her jazzy voice. She’d won several talent competitions but she hadn’t sung in front of anyone besides her sisters since her mother chided her years ago for wasting time at an audition for a performing arts school. According to El, Chloe was going to be a successful businesswoman and the notion of her daughter attending school to sing was a ridiculous misuse of her time and energy. Her days of public crooning had ended then. She was disappointed but wouldn’t disobey her mother.

“I don’t know, Jewel.” She frowned. “I haven’t sung in a long time.”

“It’s just for fun.” Jewel pouted. “Please...for me. I love hearing you sing. Come on, Chloe.”

“What are you going to sing?”

Chloe spun around at the sound of Donovan’s voice. She hadn’t realized he’d come over to where they were.

“I’m still trying to convince her,” Jewel said.

“I’ll sing if you sing first.” Chloe raised a brow at Donovan.

“If you don’t mind the torture. I couldn’t hold a note if it was duct-taped to my chest but it’s all in good fun, right?”

“Exactly! All in good fun,” Jewel endorsed Donovan.

Chloe exhaled. “You first.” She pointed to Donovan.

“Whatever. Let me see what’s on this list.” Donovan took the clipboard from Jewel. His eyes scanned the paper and within seconds he tapped his finger on the selection sheet. “I’ll do this one.” Donovan selected a popular rap song from the late nineties.

Chloe and Jewel bent over laughing. “I can’t wait to see this,” Chloe said.

Each of them signed up for a song and headed back to their table.

“This is going to be epic!” Jewel cracked up.

They ordered more drinks while the people before them took to the karaoke microphone. Enjoying themselves immensely, they sang along with a group of men who hilariously performed the YMCA song. An obviously intoxicated woman with a nasally sounding voice sang an out-of-tune rendition of Love Shack. By the time she hit the last note, she and the entire audience were doubled over laughing. Being a great sport, she finished with an impressive bow as if she’d just brought down the house with a stellar performance.

It was Donovan’s turn. He took to the microphone with confidence. The music started and he captured Chloe’s gaze and smiled. She blushed, tickled by the way his smile affected her.

“Go, Donovan!” Jewel cheered him on.

Donovan pointed at Jewel and winked.

The words came up and Donovan missed the first line. He jumped in, tripping over the words in the second line until he caught up. He was off tune but clearly didn’t care. He swayed to the music and poorly belted out the words until he was breathless.

The crowd cheered him on. Jewel and Chloe both had tears streaming down their faces as they laughed and sang along. Donovan waved his hands instructing the crowd to join him. By the time he finished, everyone was waving and singing. Donovan stepped off the stage as confidently as he had stepped on.

“Your turn,” he said to Chloe when he got back to where they were seated.

“You did a fine job,” Jewel teased. They all laughed.

If Donovan could make a complete fool of himself in front of all those people, why should Chloe feel nervous? She had to admit she was having a great time.

The crowd settled down and the announcer called Chloe’s name. Her stomach fluttered but she stood and made her way over to the stage. She took the microphone and looked out over the crowd. Closing her eyes, she swallowed and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes, she noticed her hand trembling. She held the microphone with both hands to ease the shaking. The music started. Anticipating her performance, the crowd quieted. She felt exposed and tried to remember that she was there to have fun.

“You got this, Chloe!” Jewel yelled, which generated other random supportive shouts from the crowd.

“You can do it, girl!” one woman yelled.

“Have fun with it,” another said.

“Chloe!” Donovan’s deep voice reached her. When she looked over he was clapping, encouraging her in the distance.

Chloe closed her eyes and started singing. She didn’t need the words. Her exquisite voice floated out over the audience. Whistles, applause and whoops erupted from the crowd.

“Sing, honey!” someone else shouted.

Suddenly, the crowd no longer existed to Chloe. The joy of singing returned, rushing over her like the waves crashing into the shore.

Chloe removed one hand from the microphone and got so into the song that when she finished, she felt like she had blacked out. Cheers exploded from the audience, jolting her back to time and space. She opened her eyes and people were jumping up and down and whistling high-pitched shrieks through fingers. The standing ovation lasted until she’d made it all the way back to her seat where she found Jewel in tears and Donovan’s mouth agape.

Jewel wrapped her arms around her sister. “Oh my goodness! Chloe, that was absolutely beautiful!”

When Jewel finally pulled back, Chloe’s eyes met Donovan’s. This time she saw something different staring back at her. It was more than a flirtatious gesture. It was something stronger and magnetic that pulled her to him.

“That was amazing,” Donovan said, pinning her with his gaze.

“Thank you.” Chloe lowered her eyes, unable to withstand the intensity of his stare any longer.

In that moment, something new kindled between them. Emotions shifted. Chloe wondered if Donovan felt it, too.

Chapter 4

The sound of Chloe’s beautiful voice reached down deep inside Donovan and triggered something. When she returned from the stage in that flowing sundress, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Curiosities emerged and suddenly he wanted to find out more about her. Of course he’d known all about her family and where she’d grown up, but now he wanted to know more intimate things about her. What made her smile?

They continued to hang out for a while longer, listening to those bold enough to take to the microphone. Some were great, most were intoxicated and fumbled over the words to the songs they sang. Many were hilariously horrible, causing laughter to erupt, filling the beach with inebriated elation.

Despite the fact that Donovan had an early start to look forward to the next morning, he stayed by the bar talking to Chloe and Jewel well into the night. Jewel excused herself to use the restroom, leaving him alone with Chloe. At first, she squirmed under the scrutiny of his gaze. He enjoyed the fact that he affected her in some way. Perhaps she was curious about him as well.

Chloe closed her eyes and appeared to enjoy the breeze that washed over her. Donovan took that moment to admire how the moon cast soft light across her supple skin. Her shoulder-length hair danced gracefully with the wind. He found himself wanting to trace the outline of her nose and lips with his fingertips and run his fingers through her hair. She opened her eyes and he smiled.

“You never told me you could sing like that.” Donovan started conversation to shift his focus. He could have stared at her until the sun returned, but he knew that would have made her uncomfortable.

She chuckled. “When would I have had the opportunity to tell you?”

“You’ve got a point.” Donovan emptied the last of his drink. “You know what’s funny?”

“What?” Chloe asked, finally turning to fully face him.

Chloe blinked and Donovan could have sworn time slackened to slow motion. She fixed her doe eyes directly on him. His body reacted with a spasm in his groin.

“We’ve known each other since we were kids, attended the same schools and lived within the same social circles for years and there’s still a lot I don’t know about you.”

“You’re right,” Chloe acknowledged.

“We should do something about that.” His desire flew past his lips before he had a chance to filter the thought.

Chloe cleared her throat.

“How about dinner tomorrow night?” Why waste time, Donovan thought. He wanted to learn more about Chloe Chandler and he had no intentions of toying with his interest. “I know a beautiful place on the other side of the island.”

“That should be fine.” Chloe looked at her watch and then looked toward the resort’s entrance. “Let me check with Jewel and make sure—”

“Just you and I,” Donovan interjected.

“Oh...” Chloe’s surprise and coyness made him smile once again.

“I’m sure Jewel wouldn’t mind but do check with her to make sure. I wouldn’t want her to feel left out.” The fact that Jewel had never returned from her “bathroom” run wasn’t lost on him. Jewel was rooting for him and he was sure that she was intentionally giving them space.

“I’ll do that.” Chloe looked at the door again before sitting back.

“It’s been a while. I don’t think she’s coming back,” Donovan responded to Chloe’s constant looking back toward the hotel.

“Maybe I should go check on her. She did have quite a few of those rum cocktails.”

Donovan stood. “Come on.” He held his hand out. “I’ll walk you to your suite.”

Chloe looked at him for a moment before taking his outstretched hand. A quick current shot through him when their palms touched. Donovan liked it. He wondered if she felt it, too, and if she did, had she enjoyed it as much as he had?

Helping Chloe to her feet, he held on until she tamed her billowing dress from the gusty ocean breeze. Donovan deliberately slowed to an unhurried stride as they made their way into the hotel. Remembering his former years, he chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” Chloe asked.

“Did you know I had a crush on you back in high school?”

Chloe’s mouth fell open. “Really?”

“Yeah!”

“I never would have thought that, especially with all those girls that hung around you and your brother all of the time.”

“Those were just friends.” Donovan dismissed her comment with a flick of his hand.

“Yeah, right. Friends with benefits I’m sure.”

Donovan’s reply was a hearty laugh. “Maybe,” he finally said. He couldn’t deny the truth. As a star basketball player, he always had a healthy following of girls vying for his attention. “You always seemed so mature back then.”

“People always said that. I think it’s that oldest-child thing. I had to watch over my siblings and be the responsible one.”

“That’s not always fun,” Donovan said.

They had reached the door to the resort. Chloe paused with a faraway look in her eyes. “Sometimes I resented always being the responsible one.” She shook her head. “I missed out on a lot of fun.”

“It’s never too late,” Donovan said. Chloe shrugged as she walked through the door while Donovan held it open. “There’s no better time than the present.”

“I’m too old for that stuff now.” Chloe waved off his notion, continuing toward the elevator.

“You’ve always played it safe, huh?”

Chloe responded with a nod.

“No wonder I never saw you at the parties.”

“I bet you saw Jewel there.” Donovan nodded, confirming her suspicion, and Chloe tittered. “I remember her sneaking out her bedroom window. She hasn’t changed much, you know.”

“Oh, I know.” Donovan raised a brow and pressed the call button for the elevator.

They continued reminiscing about the years behind them, reaching her hotel suite far too soon. They stood silently for a moment.

“Are we on for dinner tomorrow?” Donovan leaned against the wall.

“I’ll let you know for sure tomorrow. Is that okay?”

“Not a problem.” Donovan leaned forward and kissed her cheek as if it was the most natural thing. “See you soon,” he said after she opened the door. “Good night, Jewel,” he said loud enough for her to hear from the hallway.

“Good night, Don,” Jewel yelled back.

Taking in the surprised look on Chloe’s face, Donovan grinned, winked and headed down the hall back toward the elevator. It was apparent that Chloe was the last to realize that Jewel truly did leave them alone on purpose.

Donovan was thankful for her intuition. He looked forward to spending more time with Chloe the next evening. Jewel’s actions tonight let him know he had an ally and he planned to use her help to satisfy his curiosity about Chloe.

Chapter 5

“Jewel!” Chloe shrieked when she had closed the hotel room door behind her. Jewel tucked her head into her shoulders and giggled. “You just left me out there by myself?”

“You weren’t by yourself. Donovan was there,” Jewel said matter-of-factly. She closed her laptop, got up from the desk and lay across the couch.

“You know what I mean.” Chloe rolled her eyes and sucked her teeth. She wasn’t really mad at Jewel, she just wished she’d given her a heads-up about leaving her alone with Donovan. “You could have said you weren’t coming back out.”

Jewel flopped on the couch, hit the mute button on the remote and faced Chloe. “Then you would have tried to come with me. Did you have a nice conversation?”

Chloe sat on the sofa, fixing a narrowed gaze on Jewel. “What made you think I wanted to be alone with him?”

“I knew that he wanted to be alone with you. You should have seen the way he stared when you started singing. That man was mesmerized. I thought he had fallen in love right then and there.” Jewel sat up suddenly. “Did you know he had a crush on you when we were in high school?”

“He told me tonight. How’d you know?” Chloe parked one hand on her hip. Everyone seemed to know what was going on except her.