Chapter 33
33
JASMINE
I stared at my phone screen.
For the last ten minutes, I’d been trying to work out how best to reply to Alejandro’s messages.
I read them again.
How are you?
I miss you. I really need to see you.
Meet Bob tomorrow at reception at 5.45 in the morning (I know it is early but I promise it will be worth it).
He will take you to meet me somewhere private where we will not be seen. You will be back in time to start work.
When I’d woken up and seen his messages, my heart had flipped. I’d missed him too.
I’d been playing the playlist he’d sent me non-stop. In the office, in my room… but always through my headphones. I didn’t want to risk him hearing it through the bedroom wall or in the unlikely event he came into the office.
But like I’d said when he’d messaged yesterday and the day before, seeing each other wasn’t a good idea.
I had to admit though, with every day that passed, my resolve weakened.
After seeing him every day last week and spending that magical weekend together, it was so hard to be apart. There were so many things I wanted to talk to him about.
I wanted to tell him how much I loved the artists that he’d introduced me to and tell him my favourite ?Téo? songs.
I wanted to hear about how things were going with the chef. I’d been so busy that I either ordered food to eat in the office or the couple of times I’d eaten in the restaurant, I’d had to sit with Hortense and Alejandro was hidden away in the kitchen.
Sometimes, I’d heard him come in at night or leave in the morning. And when I heard the shower turn on through the bathroom wall, I wished I was there with him.
It was crazy to think that our rooms were right next door, but we’d managed to avoid seeing each other for almost three days. And I couldn’t lie. I was at breaking point.
My fingers hovered over the phone keys.
I knew what I should write. I should just copy and paste my previous messages and remind him that it wasn’t a good idea. Hazel already suspected something and Hortense seemed to be watching me like a hawk too. That was the sensible thing to do. So far, we’d gotten away with it, so we should quit whilst we were ahead.
But before I knew it, I’d typed out a reply that definitely wasn’t a good idea and pressed send.
Okay. See you tomorrow morning.
* * *
It was now Thursday morning and I was in the car with Bob, heading to the secret location to meet Alejandro.
My heart thundered in my chest. Partly with fear of getting caught, but mostly with excitement about seeing Alejandro again.
When I’d crept out of my room, I’d checked that the coast was clear and didn’t see anyone around. Reception was empty too.
I’d subtly asked Nadine last night what time she started this morning and she’d said she’d be here at eleven, which was fine.
Hortense seemed to come to the office after ten, so as long as I was at my desk by nine-ish, I’d be fine. That gave me a clear three hours to spend with Alejandro. Not that we’d need that long of course. I was only going there to tell him in person that Hazel was suspicious and we couldn’t continue, so depending on where this secret location was, I could be back in my room (alone) within the hour.
Yes . As soon as I’d explained the situation to Alejandro, I’d leave.
‘How have you been, Bob?’ I asked as Bob Marley’s ‘Three Little Birds’ blared from the car speaker.
‘Dem get rid ah mi.’
‘Who got rid of you? The hotel?’
‘Ya mon. Dem seh mi unprofessional.’
‘No way!’ I gasped. ‘When did this happen?’
As Bob explained that he’d gotten a call on Monday evening to say his services would no longer be required, my stomach twisted.
Hazel .
She must’ve arranged for him to be sacked after our conversation. Yeah, he was drunk or stoned, but I know he wouldn’t have tried to drive us home in that state. And anyway, I’d told Hazel he was tired. That wasn’t a reason to fire him.
‘That’s not right.’ I shook my head. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll look into it and try and find a way to get you your job back. You’re a good man.’
‘Tanks, Miss Jasmine.’
About ten minutes later, Bob pulled over. The sky was lighter now and painted with orange and pink hues as the sun started to peek through on the horizon.
When I stepped out of the car, I spotted Alejandro.
God, he looked incredible. All I wanted to do was race over to him and sink my head in his chest as he wrapped his arms around me.
But I couldn’t. I was only here to talk, tell him it was over, then leave.
‘I won’t be long,’ I said to Bob, both to keep him informed and serve as a reminder to myself that I couldn’t stay a minute longer than necessary.
‘You came!’ Alejandro smiled as I got closer.
‘Yes, but I can’t stay. I’m just here to talk.’
Alejandro didn’t reply. Instead, he took my hand and led me down a pathway.
I knew I should pull away, but I couldn’t. I loved the feeling of our fingers being intertwined; it was like his palm was a magnet and the force was too strong for me to break.
It was so peaceful here. All I could hear was the sound of the birds chirping and I think I heard water too, but couldn’t be sure.
As we continued walking, the sound of water became louder. Were we near the sea? Alejandro had told me to bring swimwear so that would make sense. I didn’t know why I was wearing the bikini Alejandro had bought me when we stayed in Negril under my dress when I already knew I wouldn’t be staying for a swim.
But then when he led me around a corner and I saw a waterfall, I gasped.
It wasn’t on the same scale as Dunn’s River Falls, but it was still beautiful.
In the centre was a tall waterfall with water cascading down a rocky cliff, but on either side were two large, flat rocks where the flow of water was more gentle.
It wasn’t just the beauty of the waterfall and the lush, green surroundings that caught my eye. It was the little table that had been set up on top of one of the rocks.
On top of the table was a beautiful spread of food.
‘Wow!’ I gasped. ‘You made breakfast? What time did you get up to prepare all this?’
‘Four.’ He shrugged like it was no big deal.
‘But you need your sleep!’
‘Jasmine.’ He took both my hands in his and I instantly melted. ‘Even if I only slept for ten minutes, it would be worth it to see you. And since we got back, I have not been able to sleep, so I would prefer to do something more productive like cook for you.’
Alejandro looked into my eyes and the intensity of his gaze was like a laser burning through me. My stomach somersaulted and desire coursed through my veins.
If I continued looking at him and let him hold me with those soft, warm hands for a second longer, I’d want to kiss him and I couldn’t let that happen.
‘Thank you.’ I pulled away. ‘I’m starving!’
I headed to the table. It’d be better to sit on the wet rock in my bikini, so I pulled off my dress then put it in my waterproof bag on the driest area I could find.
It was funny. This time last week, I wouldn’t have worn a bikini. I would’ve preferred to cover up in my swimming costume. But something had shifted. I felt more comfortable in my skin and judging by the way Alejandro was admiring me as he strode over to the rock, his eyes wide with desire, he approved too. Not that his opinion mattered any more.
As Alejandro peeled off his T-shirt, revealing his delicious, bare chest, I quickly diverted my gaze to the table.
He’d prepared slices of fresh mango, pineapple, banana and papaya and when I saw what was on the plate beside it, my mouth fell open.
‘Are those saltfish fritters?’ I asked.
‘ Sí .’ He nodded. ‘Dudley showed me how to make them yesterday. I remembered they were your favourite.’
‘Thanks.’ I smiled, warning my stomach to stop flipping. That was sweet of him to get up early to make them for me, though. ‘Dudley’s the Cuisine King, right?’
‘ Sí ,’ he repeated.
‘How’s it going with him?’ I said, taking a bite of the fritter. It was delicious.
‘Not good.’
‘Why?’
‘He is very… how do you say in English? Set in his ways? He is old fashioned. He does not like to try new things. He likes to remind me that he is the expert in Jamaican food, which of course is true. I told him that I already know this. I am not here to teach him how to cook Jamaican food. That would be stupid. I told him I am here to learn from him, to bring ideas back to the Spanish hotel, and to introduce him to some ideas which may complement his menu, but he says he does not need new ideas.’
‘Oof.’ I winced.
‘And you? How is it with your manager here?’
‘It’s okay. We locked horns the first day or two but we’re making good progress on the itinerary. She wasn’t sure about including Nadine’s class or a visit to Rick’s Café, but I said I thought it was good for fostering romance and creating a… connection between couples.’
‘It worked for us.’ Alejandro’s mouth curved into a smile.
‘About that.’ I rested the fritter on the plate. ‘I like you, but we can’t see each other any more. Hazel already suspects something.’
Alejandro’s eyes widened.
I explained the conversation I had and how I got around it. Now that I thought about it, we were lucky she didn’t ask Alejandro to verify the story. I should’ve filled him in sooner on what I’d said.
‘Even if she is suspicious, she does not have proof. We have been careful. We have not done anything at the hotel. We have not been in each other’s rooms. She has nothing.’
‘And the only way to make sure it stays that way is to end this. Before it’s too late.’
‘It is already too late.’ He leant forward and brushed my cheek, setting my skin on fire. ‘I have already fallen for you.’
I squeezed my eyes shut, savouring the sweet sensation of his hand on me. As the realisation of what he’d just said hit me, first I felt butterflies, then fear.
No, no, no. We couldn’t afford to catch feelings. He probably just felt close to me because I was the first woman he’d slept with since Freya.
‘Alejandro, I really appreciate you setting all of this up and making breakfast, but I’ve got to go.’ I jumped up and raced forward.
‘Jasmine!’ he called out. Just as I reached the waterfall, he grabbed my arm and pulled me into him.
My head told me to resist and pull away, but I couldn’t. My body didn’t want to. Alejandro tilted my chin upwards, then slammed his mouth onto mine. The kiss was a desperate collision of lips. It was hot, hungry and feral. Like we’d been told the world was about to end and we were determined to savour every last moment together.
As Alejandro’s tongue swept through my mouth, I let out a groan of desire. Wetness pooled between my legs and it had nothing to do with the water streaming over us from the waterfall.
I knew Alejandro was overcome with desire too as his hardness pressed against me.
‘I need you, Jasmine.’
‘I need you too. But we can’t. It’s too risky.’
Alejandro slowly pulled away and when I opened my eyes, his pupils were the colour of charcoal.
Without saying a word, he scooped me up in his arms, carried me over to the other large flat rock, then laid me down.
‘What are you…?’ I looked up at him, my chest heaving with desire. ‘You want to…? Here?’
He nodded. ‘There is no one around. Bob said this place is quiet. People only start visiting later in the morning. We are all alone. I need you so much right now. Every part of me aches for you.’
‘Me too.’ I ran my hand over my pussy.
‘Fuck, Jasmine. The sight of you touching yourself.’ He winced like he was in agony. ‘I… Please let me taste you. Let me bury myself inside you.’
Alejandro dropped to his knees and rested his hand on the sides of my bikini bottoms.
‘Is it okay?’ he asked.
‘Yes.’ I nodded.
‘Tell me what you want,’ he growled as he slid my bikini bottoms down my thighs, then past my legs and ankles until I was laid bare on the rock for him. ‘Would you like me to eat you or fuck you?’
‘I’d like both, but I’d also like not to get arrested and thrown into a Jamaican jail cell, so because we need to be quick, please just fuck me.’
Alejandro reached into the pocket of his trunks and pulled out a condom.
‘Someone was confident.’ I arched my eyebrow.
‘I was not sure if this would happen, but I wanted to be prepared.’
He pulled his trunks down and as his enormous cock sprang free, I swallowed hard before running my hand down it. How was it possible that I’d missed it after just a few days when I’d gone without sex for years?
Anticipation raced through me and I spread my legs wide, ready for him.
Once he’d rolled the condom on, he lined himself up at my entrance.
‘Sure?’ he asked.
‘Yes.’
Alejandro sunk inside me and I cried out. He’d only just started and it already felt amazing. I hooked my legs around his back, pushing him deeper.
‘Are you okay?’ he asked.
‘ More than okay,’ I said, the sound of our bodies slapping together in the shallow water echoing around me.
I couldn’t believe I was outside, my legs spread open whilst Alejandro fucked me at a waterfall. This definitely gave a new meaning to morning sex.
But as Alejandro looked down at me like I was the most incredible creature ever created and stroked my cheek, something felt different to the first night we had sex. Somehow this felt more… intimate?
‘You are sure the rock is not too hard and cold for you?’
‘A little.’
Alejandro froze.
‘I will lift you up so you sit on my lap. Vale? ’
‘Okay,’ I said.
A couple of swift moves later, I was straddling Alejandro’s lap. I loved the feeling of being impaled on his dick. I started riding him, hard.
Alejandro groaned, then leant forward and kissed me.
‘You are beautiful,’ he groaned.
As our bodies moved together in perfect harmony, I was overcome not only with desire, but the sense that everything was just so… right.
It was like being stranded in the ocean and finally finding a stretch of safe land.
Like being reunited with a long-lost love after years apart.
Like travelling for months, sleeping in different shitty hotel beds, then finally coming home and sleeping on your own comfortable mattress.
Yes . That was it. When Alejandro was inside me, it felt like I’d come home.
Knowing that we were doing this outside where there was always a danger of getting caught should mean that we should be quick. But I felt so close to him right now, I never wanted this to end.
Alejandro unclipped the back of my bikini, leant forward and took my nipple in his mouth. I threw my head back, crying out with pleasure, just as he took the other nipple in his mouth.
‘You are so… Jasmine, I…’ He nuzzled his face in my chest as I continued riding him.
Just as I thought I had the build-up of my orgasm under control, Alejandro reached between my legs and started stroking my clit.
‘Ohhhh! Oh God.’ I rocked my hips faster. ‘I’m going to… I’m close.’
As he peppered soft kisses along my neck and continued touching me, I knew I was about to lose control.
My orgasm erupted like a volcano. My blood felt like molten lava and despite the cool water gently lapping against our bare skin, every part of my body was on fire.
Alejandro continued thrusting, then several seconds later, his body stilled and he groaned as he emptied himself inside me.
My head dropped forward onto his shoulder and he wrapped his arms around me, our chests heaving as we struggled to catch our breath.
When I eventually had the energy to lift my head and open my eyes, Alejandro began trailing his fingers gently down my back. It was so soothing that I could fall asleep right here.
‘Mmm,’ I murmured. ‘I wish we didn’t have to go to work.’
‘I know,’ he sighed. ‘I could stay like this, with you, here, forever.’
Alejandro traced circles on my back and a feeling of complete bliss and happiness washed over me.
I didn’t remember ever feeling so at peace or experiencing such complete and utter satisfaction.
Last weekend was out of this world. I thought nothing could top it, but there was something about this morning that made me feel even more connected to Alejandro.
Knowing that we were supposed to be distancing ourselves, not getting closer, should make me want to run for the hills right now. But I couldn’t. I didn’t want to.
And so I stayed.
When Alejandro gently pressed his lips on my mouth and kissed me tenderly, I didn’t pull away.
Instead, I savoured every delicious moment. Hoping and praying it wouldn’t be our last.