Chapter 22
22
JASMINE
I stared at the computer screen. I was in the Jamaican Love Hotel office and there was something I was supposed to be researching, but I’d completely forgotten what.
This wasn’t the first time that had happened this morning. I’d been at my desk for almost an hour and got zero work done. Why? Because I couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss yesterday on the way to my grandad’s house.
It’d played on repeat all night in my mind.
My brain alternated from feeling the humiliation and shame of what I’d done and the possible ramifications to pure, unadulterated lust and desire as I relived just how hot it was.
The sensation of Alejandro’s lips on mine was electric. It was like I’d been in a coma for years and he’d given me the kiss of life. Every atom in my body reacted like a jack springing out of its box.
I’d been desperately trying to get those memories out of my head, but it was proving impossible.
After hours of being unable to sleep, I was tempted to use my vibrator, but then worried that Alejandro would hear the buzzing through the wall. I needed to invest in one of those modern, silent ones.
So anyway, here I was spending time that I should be working, daydreaming about Alejandro’s lips being pressed on mine.
When we’d arrived at my grandad’s house, I was relieved. Firstly, because we’d made it there safely, but secondly, because I knew seeing him would make everything else fade into insignificance. There was no way I’d be able to focus on a kiss when I was reunited with my beloved grandfather. But despite ringing several times, there was no answer.
I waited for a while. But with nothing to do but think, my mind had returned to that irresponsible kiss. I started freaking out, so called Stella in a panic. I only managed to get a few words out, telling her that something had happened between me and Alejandro before the phone cut out. Seeing as we were in the middle of nowhere, it wasn’t a surprise that reception was so bad.
Then I remembered she said she was going to Madrid for a long weekend, so I decided I shouldn’t burden her with my indiscretions, and didn’t call back.
Just as I was contemplating whether I should wander down the street to try and find Grandad, one of the neighbours arrived home and said Grandad was attending a wedding out of town and would be gone all day, so I’d left. Now that I thought about it, I should’ve left a message or a note with the neighbour, but after what happened in the car, I wasn’t thinking straight.
This time though, when I got into the car I had the sense to tell Bob and Alejandro I was going to sleep. If we were going to have any more hairy, cliff-edge incidents, I’d rather not be awake to witness them. And I wasn’t going to lie: I couldn’t bear the thought of a car journey where I might have to look at Alejandro.
I knew that if I did, I’d start imagining the softness of his lips, the way my body reacted when he touched my nipples and when he…
The sound of a video call ring on my computer jolted me out of my thoughts. That must be Hazel. She said she’d be calling for an update. But of course, I’d been too busy fantasising about Alejandro slipping his fingers inside my knickers to remember.
‘Hazel, hi!’ I said brightly as I accepted the call and her face flashed up on the screen. ‘How are you?’
‘Ugh,’ Hazel sighed, squeezing her eyes shut in despair. ‘I’m in the middle of dealing with another employee crisis.’
‘Oh, no!’ I said, genuinely concerned. ‘What’s happened?’
‘I’ve had to fire two more staff for inappropriate behaviour. Caught them shagging in one of the bedrooms. Honestly! It’s like an epidemic! I’ve managed hotels all around the world and never seen anything like it! Does no one know how to just do their job any more without engaging in extra-curricular activities? Gosh, I wish there were more employees like you, Jasmine. At least I know I can trust you to never let me down.’
I swallowed hard as I tried to mask the guilt and shame crawling across my skin. Thank God mindreading wasn’t a thing, otherwise she’d know that just minutes ago, I’d been fantasising about fucking my colleague.
My stomach twisted.
Hazel thought I was a model employee that didn’t engage in extra-curricular activities with my co-workers. Little did she know that less than twenty-four hours ago, I had my tongue stuck down Alejandro’s throat whilst he flicked his thumb over my rock-hard nipples and was about to let him stroke my clit on the backseat of a car with the driver present.
Shit.
For a second, I wondered if somehow, Hazel knew. Bob wouldn’t say anything, would he?
No . He was too laid-back to tell tales. And I think he was too busy concentrating on the road and how to keep us alive to realise that Alejandro and I were playing tonsil hockey.
At least I hoped so…
‘Goodness!’ I said, trying to play it cool and avoid commenting on the fact that she thought she could trust me. ‘Who was it?’
‘One of the female Cuisine Champions and the Water Warrior.’ She rolled her eyes.
At first, I thought the names were silly. I mean, why not just say waitress and the pool guy? But I quickly realised that the titles mattered. They added a sense of pride and importance to everyone’s roles.
‘Oh, that’s a shame. Did they do it during working hours?’ I asked, not really certain of what else to say.
‘The horny idiots did it straight afterwards! That’s how I found out. I noticed that the girl’s awful car was still parked in the car park but her shift ended an hour earlier. So I made enquiries. And someone said they saw her heading in the direction of one of the old rooms.’
‘Well, at least they did it outside of working hours and didn’t use one of the renovated guest rooms.’
‘That’s not the point!’ Hazel slammed her hand on the desk. ‘They should not be fraternising together at all. We have to uphold standards! Without standards and rules, where would we be in life? Tell me, Jasmine!’
‘Um.’ I hadn’t realised she actually wanted me to answer. I thought it was just a rhetorical question. ‘Of course, standards are very important.’
‘ Exactly! Thank God, you understand! Anyway, how are things there? What new activities have you found to add to the list?’
‘Well, I discovered an authentic reggae dance class that I think could be a fun way to bring couples together.’
‘Good. What else? Have you visited any of the other locations recommended by Hortense?’
‘I was looking at a place she suggested called Rick’s Café – a cliffside bar restaurant in Negril. Apparently, it has an incredible view of the sunset.’
‘Great!’
‘People also like to go there to jump off the cliffs into the water below the café. Which could be good for thrill-seekers.’
‘You must go and check it out.’
Just as I was about to reply, I heard the office door open. I looked up and saw that it was Alejandro.
Oh God.
He looked so good, I wanted to weep.
His hair was slightly damp, like he’d just stepped out of the shower. His golden skin glowed and when he smiled at me, my stomach did more backflips than an Olympic gymnast.
Why did he have to be so bloody attractive?
‘Alejandro!’ I said loudly to announce to Hazel that he’d just walked in. ‘I’m just on a call with Hazel.’
Alejandro opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say anything, Hazel interjected.
‘Alejandro!’ she called out. ‘I was going to call you next, but now I don’t have to. Come here.’
He walked behind the desk and as his delicious scent surrounded me, I tried to keep my composure.
‘ Hola , Hazel. Cómo estás? ’
‘ Muy bien ,’ she replied. ‘So, I was just talking to Jasmine about a place called Rick’s Café.’
‘I know it!’ he said excitedly. ‘It is famous for the cliff-jumping of course, but they also serve traditional Jamaican food and interesting cocktails.’
‘That’s settled then!’ Hazel clapped her hands together. ‘The two of you must go. It’ll be good market research. See what you can find out there too, Jasmine. See if they do anything special to foster romance.’
‘Got it.’ I nodded. ‘I’ll do some research and make arrangements to travel there tomorrow.’
‘No!’ Hazel slammed her hand on the desk. I really wished she wouldn’t keep doing that. It always made me jump. ‘Go today.’
‘It’s actually in Negril, so it’ll take a while to get there.’
‘I think it takes about three hours,’ Alejandro added.
‘That’s fine! What’s the time in Jamaica right now?’ Hazel asked.
‘Just after ten,’ I said, my stomach tensing.
‘If you set off now, you can head there for a late lunch to sample the food, then you’ll have plenty of time to observe the safety of the diving before sunset, then your driver can take you back afterwards.’
‘No problem,’ I said enthusiastically despite the fact that I was groaning inside.
I was struggling to get that electrifying kiss out of my mind. The last thing I needed was to sit on the backseat again with Alejandro beside me for a three-hour car journey.
Then she wanted us to go to have lunch? That’d mean staring into each other’s eyes and making conversation.
And if that wasn’t enough, we’d have to watch a romantic sunset together.
Sweet Jesus.
Although I knew it wasn’t her intention, it felt like Hazel was deliberately trying to drive me into Alejandro’s arms. Or more realistically, drive me to climb onto his lap.
Give. Me. Strength .