Chapter 12
12
JASMINE
I switched off the computer and exhaled. I’d just finished writing up my report on Dunn’s River Falls, recommending it as one of the activities for our guests.
I’d noted that Alejandro had given it the thumbs up and as much as I hated to admit it, I agreed with what he’d said about the necessity for hand-holding helping to spark romance.
That was why I spent far too much time replaying those moments of his hand wrapped in mine, when I should’ve been focused on work.
The way that Alejandro described the connection was spot on. I’d felt those same sparks. The electricity. The desire . Thankfully, I’d pushed them away.
Obviously, I hadn’t mentioned in my report how good it felt having my fingers intertwined with Alejandro’s. I’d kept it more neutral and spoken about the human chain instead. But the point was, if climbing the waterfall stirred up those sensations when I was only holding hands with a colleague, imagine how magnetic it’d be for a couple who’d actually been expertly matched.
Anyway, the activity was over now and I had the whole evening to myself. Maybe I’d read on the beach or go for a swim. Alejandro was sure to be busy catching up with the tasks he’d planned before he’d been forced to come out with me, so at least I wouldn’t see him.
I headed back to my room and pulled a fresh swimming costume out of my suitcase. I’d bought three which were identical to the one I’d worn earlier. Once I found something I liked, it was easier to buy multiple items. That way if one was in the wash, I still had one to wear and another as a contingency.
After changing, I headed to the beach with a towel and my Kindle.
This place really was idyllic. I still couldn’t get over the sand and the sea. I put my stuff on the sun lounger then ran into the crystal-clear water.
It felt even better than it looked: warm and beautifully refreshing.
After having a swim, I dried myself off then laid on the lounger.
My stomach rumbled. I needed to think about what to do for dinner. Luckily, when we’d come back from the trip, Nadine had got some Jamaican patties for us.
Patties were similar to a Cornish pasty. Except the Jamaican patty could be filled with different varieties of meat or veg and spices baked inside a flaky pastry shell, which was usually a golden-yellow shade, thanks to being brushed with turmeric.
I opted for the jerk chicken one which was deliciously spicy and devoured it so quickly, you’d think I hadn’t eaten for days.
Once I’d returned to my room and showered, I headed out to find Nadine to get a recommendation on where was best to go for dinner. But instead of seeing Nadine, I saw Alejandro heading towards me.
‘Hi.’ I swallowed hard.
‘I was just coming to find you,’ he said.
‘Oh?’
‘I need your help.’
‘Of course, anything!’ I said, then regretted agreeing so quickly without first knowing what he needed. ‘What do you need?’ I added.
‘I have been trying to follow the recipe the chef left for the jerk chicken. I bought the ingredients earlier from a place that Bob took me to, but something is not right.’
‘I wish I could help but when it comes to cooking, pasta and sauce from a jar is my area of expertise!’ I laughed.
‘I do not need you to cook. I need you to come to a restaurant with me. I need to taste authentic jerk chicken. Bob said he can take us to his favourite place, but I will need a second opinion. He is a local but you know the food and understand the standards we have at the Love Hotel.’
Shit, shit, shit.
Going to an adventurous activity like Dunn’s River Falls together was one thing, but sitting in a restaurant having a candlelit meal, staring into each other’s eyes was far too dangerous.
I’d barely recovered from the hand-holding earlier.
‘I…’ I wanted to say no. I should say no. It was the smart thing to do. But how could I when Alejandro had taken hours out of his schedule today to help me?
And he was right. It wasn’t just good enough for the food on the menu to be authentic. It had to be top-notch quality too.
‘Will you help?’ He looked at me with puppy-dog eyes and my stomach flipped. How could I say no to that face?
‘I wouldn’t really call myself an expert, but I do understand the level of cuisine the hotel would expect. So if you think my opinion will help…’
‘It will.’
‘Okay. I’ll come with you,’ I said, then my cheeks heated as I realised that could have another meaning. ‘To the restaurant,’ I clarified. ‘To do the market research.’
‘ Gracias! ’ Alejandro beamed and seeing his smile made my stomach flutter again. ‘I will call Bob and ask him to meet us in half an hour.’
‘Great!’ I said, trying to sound enthusiastic.
I had thirty minutes to work out how to keep my hormones under control whilst sat at a table for two with a man I was growing increasingly attracted to.
I asked the universe to send me strength and willpower.
Here’s hoping it delivered.