Page 2 of The Book Signing

Eyeing the first drink of the day, my mouth curves and I lift the cup below my nose, just covering my lips. I take a whiff of the much-loved caffeinated scent, then follow with an indulgent sip.

My nose crinkles at the lukewarm taste, but I continue anyway.

“That’s what you get for starting with food first.” I mutter to myself. Sighing, I lean back in my chair and glance at others around, or as I call it, people watching. I notice so many people attached to their cell phones. As much as I am one of those people who can’t let go of their phones, after enough electronics on the airplane, I choose to embrace the peace of the moment to start my day.

Through the wall-to-wall glass windows, the outdoor view of the resort is perfect from this vantage point. My gaze passes the palm trees, the calm swimming pool, and the serene beach. Past the paddle boards and then over to the bungalows right on the sand. It’s like a small oasis, and much different from the windy streets of Chicago.

Then my perusal stops. I still, my cup midway to my mouth as my eyes zero in on something moving. Or better yet, someone.

Only twenty yards away, in the direction of my peaceful bubble, is the back of a man. My eyes go wide when I realize that he’s gloriously buck naked.

With the twin balcony doors open, the curtains billow in the wind. Yet he doesn’t seem to notice, nor care, because it looks as though he’s preoccupied.

My attention then falls onto the two hands grabbing his ass, and I immediately recognize what’s happening inside his room.

Look away. Stop being a peeping tom!

I force my gaze from the scene and snap myself out of the trance. Sighing, slightly wishing I had fun in the bedroom too, I take another two gulps of the now crappy, cold coffee and focus on the rest of the resort. The peacefulness and the copious amount of food.

Unfortunately, my mind only plays nice for a little while because I find myself riveted on the man again. It’s like my eyes found him of their own accord.

Damn thosemuscles on his back. Even his sculpted ass is better than the one that people travel all the way to Italy to see! It almost makes me envious of the person on their knees.

Suddenly, my peeping tom situation fizzles out. I go tight with panic as the man turns around and our eyes meet. Worst, he has the fucking audacity to wink at me! I flounder, not knowing how to react, so I quickly grab my phone and glancedown at it, pretending that I’m texting someone. I don’t look back up, instead I sit here mortified that he caught me red-handed.

*

After thirty minutes of reeling at my earlier behavior, I receive a call from my sister, Tiffany, a convenient distraction.

“Hey, Tiff.” I pause as she asks me her usual spiel on where I’m at in terms of preparation. “Yes, I’m ready with all my notes and—”. A sigh leaves me, as I don’t get a chance to continue. She is on a roll, and I know that it’s no use with her sometimes. I would know because when she is in business mode, you can’t get her to stop. Despite her being like a Commander on the phone before business events, I am very lucky to have her because she is an amazing agent. She even takes on my PR and Marketing. Fucking gold, that’s what she is!

When she finishes her speech on being pedantic and me being on my A game, I can’t help but chuckle in appreciation.

“Thanks, sis, I can always count on you. Also, I’mfineand ready to go. All good. Now, go to bed before the kids wake up.”

She adds a few hard ball comments and then her typical ‘love ya, Abi’, before hanging up. I roll my eyes at the childhood nickname she gave me.

With a chuckle as I remember our younger years, I set my phone on the table beside my empty cereal bowl and lean back into the chair.

I envy the people that have this life. Endless breakfast like this every morning.

I think about the possibilities of a luxurious life as I pick up a glass of orange juice that I grabbed on the way back to the table after my second helping of breakfast. Except a velvety voice disrupts my thoughts.

“You know, it’s not nice to stare when someone is doing naughty things in the bedroom. Usually, people turn the other way.”

I pause, the fresh, pulpy juice nearly spilling midway, and look up at the man.

Holy crap, who is this adonis?Excuse the cliché, but hot damn!

My eyes roam his appearance, really appreciating the features for the first time. His face is tan and holds the most mesmerizing blue eyes, with dark brown hair cropped on the side and gelled on top. Then my gaze travels down, and I get a marvellous view of the rest of his body. A black suit jacket sits over a white button-down shirt,showing off muscles beneath it. Black tailored pants and black leather shoes to follow. The whole set up shows style and taste. I wouldn’t be surprised if he also pays well for his clothing.

When I peer back up, I meet his gaze and his cheeky, yet haughty, expression doesn’t go unnoticed. He enjoyed my ogling.

“Uh, excuse me?” I say, praying drool hasn’t escaped my mouth.

The man chuckles and takes my empty glass, which I brought over for when I want something else to drink, because, well, choices.

Grabbing a jug of water that sits on the table, he fills it up with water, full of indifference as if this is his table too, and says, “Ah yes, you didn’t get to see the front side of me.” When he puts down the jug, I watch a mischievous grin grow, and that’s when the alarm bells ring.

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