Page 7 of Passion

“Can I help you, Mr. Smith?” I looked up to see Eleanor smiling at me. She and I knew each other well, having had a fling a few years back when I first started my jaunts to the island. She always made sure to check on me and see that I was comfortable when I came.

“Hey, Elle, this is really crappy weather, huh?” I crumpled the paper up and stood, shoving the offending news into my pocket.

“Nothing we can do about it.”

“Yes, well, I understand. I’ll be leaving in my private jet probably tomorrow or the day after. Have a big board meeting.”

“Certainly. Is there anything I can do to make your stay more comfortable while you’re here? I can send you room service or our portable entertainment package?”

“Oh, no, no. I’m not a game player. I’ll entertain myself, but you can send some breakfast up for my guest.” My mind was already racing. If this was just the beginning of the storm, we’d likely have to ride out the rest of it in my condo. “And if you would, have someone go to Ms. Davids’s room and collect her things. Have them sent to mine. I don’t want her staying alone while the storm is going on.” Already knowing how she would respond, I pulled my wallet out and started sliding bills out.

“Lucas, I can’t have a guest’s things brought to your room without their permission.” She held her hand up as I offered her some cash.

“Eleanor, you know me well enough to know I do what I want. Now take the money and do as I ask, please.” I thrust my hand past hers, and she looked at the bills, over one hundred dollars.

“Sir, I?—”

“Good, then we’re on the same page. Vera would like a nice selection of everything on the breakfast menu so she can choose whatever she wants. Add it to my tab and have her things brought before lunch. Also, be a dear and when her clothing is done at the laundry, send it to my room as well.”

Eleanor looked frustrated, but I walked away, my phone already in my hand. I punched in the number for the pilot, Harvey, and he picked up on the third ring.

“Yeah, Boss.”

“Hey, Harvey. We have a situation. I have that board meeting this week but I’m on Elbow. I’ll need a flight back. The FAA grounded everything. Think you can manage?”

“No problem. We’ll have to wait out about twenty-four to forty-eight hours until the worst is passed. I’m not risking my life, despite how well you pay me.” He chuckled, and I smiled.

“Thank you. I will be in touch to communicate our plans as soon as we see how the weather develops.”

“Righto, talk later.”

Harvey hung up, and I strolled to the window and stared out. I’d lived through so many hurricanes they didn’t faze me anymore, but I didn’t like the idea of Vera staying in that honeymoon condo by herself. It butted right up to the beach, and if there were a storm surge, that building would be the first to take a hit. I’d rather she just be with me, and I hoped she understood.

I handled a few other business calls and grabbed a cup of coffee from the lounge before heading back. As I returned, I noticed it wasn’t raining anymore but the wind was stronger. It nearly blew me off my feet as I opened the door. I had to put my weight behind it to get it to shut. I turned and saw Vera wrapped snugly in a resort robe, seated at the foot of the bed with a tray table loaded down with food.

“Where were you?” she asked, shoving a slice of bacon into her mouth.

“Went to the front desk for a few things. How is breakfast?” Small talk was all the talk we had. Last night was a whirlwind. She had been intoxicated to the point of not making sense when she did talk, and it was mostly her broken heart seeping out. This morning, she seemed happier.

“Good, but I can’t find my clothes. I was going to go back to my condo and shower.” She talked with her mouth full. It was sweet that a woman of her stature was reduced to the same basic human instinct as all of us, and she was gorgeous doing it.

“You spilled some vodka on the dress. I sent it all out for cleaning.” I turned my collar down and rolled my sleeves up. My shirt was damp. If I were alone, I’d have taken it off, but I didn’t want Vera to feel uncomfortable. We knew nothing about each other.

She nodded but looked upset. I watched her dig into the scrambled eggs, then the sausage links. She appeared famished, and I wondered how she kept her figure so perfect if she ate like this.

"So, the storm?" Vera pushed her food around with the fork, collecting the last bits of scrambled egg. “Is it bad? I tried to call my roommate, but the call wouldn’t go through.”

I nodded. “It looks like we’re stuck here for a few days. The storm ended up going farther eastward than they thought. It will hit Miami directly, and we will get clipped by the outer edge of the storm bands. The FAA grounded all flights indefinitely.” Sitting beside her, I continued. “I had the resort staff go to your condo to gather your things. I thought maybe you’d like to have company to ride out the storm. You can stay here. I can sleep on the pullout.”

“What?” Her chewing slowed. She stared at me dumbfounded. “You had them get my things to bring here?”

I immediately knew my mistake. She probably felt like I was trying to control her or manipulate her. “I’m sorry. I honestly thought it would be safer here and you’d not be so lonely. I admit that I enjoy your company.”

She continued to chew, studying my face as if thinking about how to respond. Her nostrils flared and she pursed her lips, but she said nothing. Instead, she pushed the half-empty plate away and slid a plate of waffles in front of herself. I made a mental note not to order her sausage, biscuits, and gravy ever again.

“I can call and cancel the order.”

“No, it’s fine.” She shrugged and cut a bite of the waffle on the plate. Her voice said it was fine, but her body language said it was not fine.

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