​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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rosa turned her around and with hands on both shoulders, walked Adriana out from behind the counter.
Gabe was snickering when she came back out of the office swinging a canvas bag by the straps.
She cringed at how that came out, but he was grinning when he dunked his swim trunks in her bag.
“I’m not complaining.” In fact, he was enjoying it. He hoped she didn’t stop.
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.
“Lucky you,” she muttered quietly.
“Not exactly.” She picked up the pace, forcing him to pursue her if he was going to read her face.
“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.
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