Escape To Paradise: A Perfect Escapist Sweet and Spicy Summer Beach Read For 2024

Chapter 6

The Love Story Begins

We went on another 7-day charter. The route was from Grenada to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and then back to Grenada. Maverick would text me ‘Good morning’ and ‘Good night’ every day and send me memes. He would also just randomly text me throughout the day. Most of the time, I ignored his text messages. I wasn’t really that interested in seeing his texts. Deep inside, I was hoping they were from Julian. I humored Maverick because he was a good guy, although he was trying too hard to win me over.

Julian finally texted me when we had gotten back to Grenada. At that point, I didn’t expect him to call or text me anymore.

Julian: Hey beautiful, are you back in Grenada?

Me: Yes, we just got back.

Julian: Great. You want to meet up?

Me: Sure. When?

Julian: How about tonight?”

Me: Where?

Julian: I can pick you up near where the yacht is docked.

Me: How about The Flamingo?

Julian: You mean the bar?

Me: Yes.

Julian: Sure. I’ll see you at seven?

Me: Sure. I’ll be at the bar.

I didn’t know why I had even replied. I was disappointed that he hadn’t even bothered to text me for seven days. But I figured, he might have been busy. The girls had planned to go hiking and diving for the next three days, but when I told them that Julian had texted me, they figured I wasn’t planning on joining them.

Zofia teased, “I hope you guys have a great time together.”

“We’re just meeting up.”

“I don’t think he just wants to ‘meet up,’ if you know what I mean,” Zofia said, and she and Kathleen giggled.

“Anyway, I wish you could join us, maybe next time,” Kathleen said.

We still went to our favorite bar in town, The Flamingo. We went there early, around 6 p.m. Maverick, as usual, was happy to see his regular customers.

“What will you gals be having?” Maverick asked.

“I’ll be having a gin and tonic,” I said.

“One gin and tonic for this pretty lady. And how about you two?” Maverick asked Zofia and Kathleen.

“Fruit cocktails!” Zofia said.

“Fruit cocktails, that is.”

Maverick was getting faster on mixing the drinks. He handed us our drinks, but I noticed he served me first. He, then, moved on to the order of the night and proceeded to talk business.

“So, Harper, about our business proposition. When are you planning on training my chef and working on the menu?”

“I can start a day from now if your staff has time. I’ve already prepared the menu and the recipes. I will email it to you shortly if you give me your email address.”

Maverick replied, “It’s [email protected].”

“That’s clever.” I smirked. With a few taps on my phone, I e-mailed him the menu and the recipes.

“So, what time should my staff be here?”

“We can start early in the morning. Like 9 a.m. I mean, it won’t be the only time I’ll train your cook. I’ll have to train him a few more times, depending on his skill level.”

“That’s great, Harper. And can you train me too? To make better cocktails?” Maverick wasn’t trying to flirt with me this time; he really meant business.

“That might take a little longer,” I joked.

“Yeah, I know, I’m an old dog. It’s hard to teach me new tricks. I get it.” He was fidgeting; he kept wiping the table with a washcloth.

I teased, “Are you nervous, Maverick?”

“No. What made you say that?” he asked.

“Well, you’ve been wiping the same spot since talking to me.”

He blushed. “Old habit.”

“Is that all?” It seemed like he had something to tell me.

“Yes, yes, for now,” he said dismissively. “Although, I can’t help but notice how pretty you look tonight.”

I was wearing makeup, a red lipstick, and a dress with cleavage. It was for Julian; I just wanted to look pretty for him. It’s been a long time since I felt this way for anyone.

“Thanks.” I drank my gin and tonic and then looked at my watch, tapping my fingers on the bar.

“You are waiting for someone?” Maverick asked.

“Sort of,” I said coyly.

That seemed to pique Maverick’s attention, because he tilted his head a bit and looked around.

“Is that person around here somewhere?”

“Soon.”

“Do you have a date, Harper?” Maverick looked concerned.

“Yeah, I hope.” I smiled. “Why do you have that look on your face?”

“What look?”

“That look,” I pointed out.

“I am just wondering how you’ve gotten a date. I mean, isn’t that too soon?”

“Why are you so interested in my personal life, Maverick?”

He shook his head. “I’m not. I’m just worried. I mean, who is this guy you’re going out with?”

“You’ll soon find out.” I twirled my glass and watched the clear liquid swirl inside.

The girls ordered another round of drinks, and I was relieved. Maverick seemed like he was watching me like a hawk, which annoyed me.

I heard footsteps from behind me. I turned around, and there was Julian. He was as handsome as ever. His muscular chest was on display as he wore his white shirt with the top buttons open. He also smelled fabulous, wearing his signature aftershave.

“How are you doing, gorgeous?” he whispered in my ear and touched my shoulder.

“I’m doing great. I haven’t heard from you in a while.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve been working.” He touched my face.

“What do you have planned for me?” I asked.

“I’ll show you around my villa. And I’ll make you a better cocktail than the one they have here. I didn’t know this place was still open.”

“You know this place?” I looked up at him.

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

“Okay, I’ll just pay for my drink.”

When I turned around, Maverick was standing there, looking dumbfounded.

“You know this guy?” Maverick asked. There was a hint of intensity in his green eyes that I had never seen before. Maybe even a look of hostility.

“Yeah, this is Julian,” I told him.

“Small world, Maverick. I didn’t know you work here.” Julian sneered.

Was there some rivalry between the two? I could sense tension in the air.

Maverick replied, “I own this place.”

Julian looked around and shrugged his shoulders. “Well, good luck to you, then. Come on, Harper. Let’s get out of here.” Julian turned around to leave.

I took money from my purse and placed it in front of the half-consumed gin and tonic.

Maverick grabbed my hand as I was standing up.

“Don’t go with him, Harper.” Maverick’s voice was low, and he sounded serious. His piercing, green eyes were pleading.

“Why?”

“Just don’t. I know him. You don’t want to get involved with him.”

“I’m a big girl, Maverick. I can take care of myself.”

The happy-go-lucky Maverick was gone; gone was the smile.

“I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Hurt? What do you mean?”

Julian called my name. Maverick let go of my hand, and I walked off towards Julian. I turned to look at Maverick again. He still had a strange expression on his face, which I couldn’t read.

When I caught up with Julian, he placed his arm around my waist and led me to a red Jeep. He opened the passenger door for me, and I stepped inside.

I tried to ignore Maverick’s strange behavior and focused on my date. But it bothered me why he felt he needed to do that. I doubt that Julian is capable of whatever Maverick had thought him capable of. I shrugged off my thoughts. Julian played some reggae music, and it lifted my mood. Still, I had to bring up Maverick.

“So, you guys know each other?” I asked.

Julian’s jaws clenched, as he started his jeep. “Yes, I know him from before. There’s not a lot of Americans on this island. We all know each other.”

“It seemed you guys didn’t get along. Or am I wrong to assume that?” I asked again, glancing at Julian; he was focused on the road.

“Yes. We had some business dealings before that went sour. I didn’t want to associate with him after that. Our personalities just clashed. Are you friends with him?” he asked. He shifted his attention to me briefly, hoping for a quick response.

“We’re not friends. We’re friendly. He wants me to help him with his restaurant.”

“In what way?” Julian’s jeep was a stick shift, so he shifted gear as we sped up on the bumpy road.

“Just help him with the menu and train his staff.”

“If you could get away from that deal, you should,” was Julian’s curt reply.

Julian didn’t elaborate, and he turned on the volume of his music. I felt conflicted because I liked Maverick, and I felt like I was lying to Julian. Maverick and I were not friendly, but we were becoming friends. I’m not the type of person who would renege on a deal. So, I decided to still work with Maverick and not let Julian know. He didn’t have to know my personal dealings.

We rode in silence for a few minutes. I looked outside the window and could see the ocean view. I asked Julian if I could open the window, and he allowed me to do it. So, I opened it halfway and just allowed the island’s evening breeze to touch my face. It felt good. The breeze felt fresh and cool. I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the moment.

Julian reached over and held my hand, and then he kissed it. “Are you enjoying the ride, Harper?”

“It’s a lovely night.”

“It is, especially with you by my side.”

After driving for about fifteen more minutes, we finally arrived at his property. He drove us into a gated community, passing several villas before finally driving through a long driveway. We stopped in front of a massive door. Julian turned off his engine and got out. He opened the passenger door and helped me get out of his jeep.

“This is my villa. Welcome to my home.”

Holding my hand, he opened the enormous front door. When I stepped inside his villa, it felt luxurious. It boasted a tall ceiling and a crystal chandelier, while the floor was made of marble. Julian took me straight to his living room area, where he had leather couches and a fancy coffee table. I sat on the low couch, which was comfortable and huge.

“What do you like to drink?”

“Make me any cocktail you want,” I told him.

He went to his kitchen and grabbed a bunch of fresh strawberries, a full ice tray, and a blender. Then he walked up to his bar area; the assortment of liquor and syrups he possessed was remarkable.

“You want me to guess what you’re making?” I asked. I was still sitting comfortably on his couch.

“I’m sure you’ll guess right away.” He poured all the ice from the ice cube tray into the blender, and the strawberries followed. After blending them, he added cane sugar. He also added lime juice and lime soda from the mini fridge in his bar. As a final touch, he mixed in some rum. He grabbed two hurricane glasses from under the countertop, filled it up with the blended daiquiri almost up to the brim, and then garnished it with a strawberry. He walked towards me with the drinks in his hand.

I smiled. “Pretty impressive.” I sipped the daiquiri, and it tasted very good. It wasn’t too sweet; it tasted just right.

“I told you. I could make a mean cocktail. I wasn’t boasting or anything.”

“Did you have any training as a bartender?” I realized I didn’t know too much about his life.

“My family used to own a bar in the Northeast. It was my grandfather who owned a bar in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. I helped around when I was a teenager. But we sold it and moved out of LES after my grandfather died.”

“You’re a New Yorker? I don’t hear the accent,” I teased.

“It comes out occasionally. But we moved to Florida.”

“Well, we’re rivals then. I grew up in Chicago.”

“New York pizza all the way.” He winked.

“Deep dish rules!” I laughed.

“We’re never going to get along then. I make a mean Neapolitan pizza.”

“I make an amazing deep-dish pizza.”

“One of these days, let’s have a cook off. In my backyard. Speaking of which, let’s go.”

He helped me get up from the low couch, and we went to the back. Julian had a pool. It was a moderate-sized in-ground swimming pool with a hot tub. His house was amazing. I looked at the view in the distance and I could see the ocean. The moonlight glimmered on the water. It was a calm breezy night. It made me wonder what his views are in the morning.

“You have a great view here.”

“Yes, I have a wonderful view of the sunrise. Maybe you want to see it with me tonight.”

It was a very bold invitation, implying he wanted me to stay over. He turned the hot tub on and invited me to get in.

“I don’t have a swimming suit.”

“You don’t need one.”

He grabbed the drink from my hand and placed it on the ground. His drink followed. With his body pressed close to mine, I could feel his warmth through my dress. And I could feel the hardness beneath his pants. He stepped back and took his shirt off, and then, he unbuttoned his pants and stripped. He stood there in front of me, naked, well-toned and well-endowed.

“It’s your turn.” His gaze was intense.

I unhooked my bra and took it off, dropping it in front of him. And then my underwear. I teased him by slowly pulling one strap of my dress down, and then the other. I slowly lowered my dress until I was fully naked.

He was quiet, and then, he moved closer, fixated on my breasts. He towered over me, but he bent down and sucked on my nipples, which turned me on. I leaned back and moaned. His member became more erect. Julian grabbed my head and guided me down: I knelt and started sucking his dick.

There was something titillating about being with a different man. Julian was bigger than Benoit. I sucked on the tip of his member, but he placed his hand on the back of my head, guiding me to suck him all in. His dick was thick, hard and long; he was almost at the back of my throat. I could taste some pre-cum. Julian was moaning in pleasure, and I was too.

He grabbed my wrist and pulled me to stand. Placing his big hands around my waist, he lifted me up like I weighed nothing and carried me to the hot tub. The water was warm and pleasant against my skin. The water was at chest level as we sat. Julian pulled me close to him and kissed my neck, my face, and then passionately kissed me on the lips.

“You taste so good, Harper,” he whispered in my ear.

I placed my hand on his hair. “You taste good, too.”

His lips were soft, and the rest of his body was hard. I rested my hand on his chest while we kissed.

There was a deep ache inside of me that was waiting to be filled. “Julian, I want you inside me.”

“How badly do you want me?”

I arched my back. “Please, come inside me.”

He gently grabbed me by the wrist and led me out of the hot tub. We walked back inside, and he didn’t let go even as we walked upstairs to his bedroom. Nearing his bed, he lifted me up again and gently placed me in the middle of the bed.

“You want me inside you?” His eyes were steely blue.

“Yes, please, and don’t be gentle.”

“You want me rough?”

“Yes.”

He spread my legs and kissed my navel, the sides of my thighs, and then my center. I had never been this wet in my whole life, and never wanted a man this much. It was just pure lust, and it was oozing from every pore of my body as I waited for him to enter me. He teased me first by just poking my pussy with the tip of his member. Then he pushed in some more.

I waited for him patiently, but he was still teasing me.

“Please,” I begged him. “Please.”

Finally, he entered me with his thick, taut cock. He was huge, and he stretched me. It was painful at first, but the more he pumped into me, the more delicious it felt. Then, he pumped even more. This time harder and deeper, and I found myself moaning louder and louder with each thrust. I could feel my wetness oozing out of me.

Julian thrust even faster. He grabbed my legs and draped them over his shoulders and he thrust in me even deeper and harder, faster until all I could do was moan in ecstasy. He was breathing heavily as he pumped into me.

He was an even better lover than Benoit. I climaxed with my eyes rolling up in ecstasy. But Julian wouldn’t stop and kept pushing deeper. Until suddenly, he took out his dick and flipped me on my stomach. Again, he slipped his hard dick into me. I was screaming at this point as he pumped me hard, making a loud slapping sound with each thrust. He grabbed my hair without stopping, until my entire body was trembling in pure pleasure.

“Is this what you want?” Julian said.

“Yes,” I said weakly.

He pulled my stomach so that I was on all fours. In this different angle, his dick slid inside me even deeper. He just kept pumping, pushing, and grinding against me until my knees were weak and breathless. Then Julian slapped my right buttock. It was a combination of pleasure and pain. Then another slap this time harder. I felt my butt cheek sting but it was a good type of stinging pain.

“Slap me again. Hurt me even more.”

“You like that?” He was breathing heavily but he didn’t show any signs of slowing down.

He kept on slapping me and it felt good. He repositioned me again on my side. He came behind me. He wrapped his arms around me. I could feel his body against my back. He was sweating now. I could feel the warmth of his breath against the nape of my neck.

“You’re so tight, Harper. You feel so good.”

This time, he thrust slowly until he came inside of me. We cuddled after and he kissed me on the lips. Julian slept from exhaustion from love making. I slept to the sound of his breathing.