Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fourteen
Nikki
The competition back in Seaville seems like a million years ago. I was so focused on the event, I couldn’t think of anything else. Now my future’s before me, and I’m unsure what’s coming next. I’m worlds away from Seaville, California and can’t believe I’m standing on a gorgeous sandy beach in the Bahamas. I gaze at the turquoise ocean stretching out in front of me, the sun dipping low in the sky, casting everything in a warm golden glow.
I smile over at Victor who’s grinning back. This is all so crazy, and I love it. If my work continues to take me to places like this I’ve certainly picked the right profession. I don’t think it’s possible for life to get much better than it is right now.
“Not having second thoughts, are you?” Victor asks.
“It must be the pure look of ecstasy on my face that’s confusing you,” I tell him with a laugh.
“I thought I was supposed to put that look on your face.”
“Oh, believe me you do, but you have to admit this view is a close second to an orgasm.” I sigh as the need to jump into the water fills me. I’ve always dreamed of traveling like this, but it’s taken this long for the dream to become reality. It’s funny that it’s happening with the man I would’ve sworn up until a few days ago was my enemy. What a foolish girl I’ve been. My friends are right in their advice that fear does nothing but hold us back.
He takes my hand, his touch sending a spark through me. We’ve been lovers for nearly a week, and our desire isn’t backing down at all. If anything, it’s growing stronger. The more I’m with this man, the more I want to be.
We walk along the coast, enjoying the locals and tourists as they play with their families and enjoy the beautiful weather that certainly rivals that in Seaville. I feel sorry for those who never get to see the world. There’s so much to explore. Sure, there’s a lot to see in the US alone, but I want to travel the world. I want to dip my toes in every ocean. I want to live like I have no tomorrow.
We make our way to an open-air restaurant with the most heavenly smells wafting out to us. The place is bustling with locals and tourists all enjoying each other’s company. The sounds of clinking glasses, laughter, and a live band playing an upbeat, rhythmic tune fills the air, adding to the already inviting atmosphere.
Before long, a tall, muscular Jamaican man with a wide grin spots us from behind the bar. He waves us over as he steps out. “Victor! Bout time you got here,” he shouts in a rich Jamaican accent, his deep voice carrying over the conversations and music.
“Kofi!” Victor waves back. He pulls me through the crowd as we weave our way toward the incredibly large man. “Nikki, meet Kofi, the best chef in Nassau, and one of my favorite Marine brothers.”
Kofi reaches us and envelopes Victor in a bear hug as they pound each other’s backs so hard I don’t know how either of them are still standing. Both men are smiling though and don’t show a single flinch. I hope my greeting is a lot less aggressive. Kofi turns to me with a warm smile that makes me feel welcome.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Nikki. Any fren of Victor’s is a fren of mine.” I could simply sit here all day and listen to this man’s rich accent. Absolutely beautiful.
“The pleasure truly is mine,” I say, accepting his much gentler hug before giving him a wicked grin and a wink. “I might have to challenge you to the best chef title though.”
Kofi throws his head back and laughs, the sound infectious. “I like dis one, Victor! She’s got fight in her. You betta hold on tight!”
The man speaks with passion no matter what he’s saying. “I’m trying but she’s a slippery one,” Victor replies.
“Come and play wit me in the kitchen,” Kofi says.
“I can’t wait,” Victor replies.
We’re quickly ushered to the back where a large kitchen is alive with activity. It’s hot, chaotic, and filled with the most incredible aromas. I’m picking up on pimento, scotch bonnet peppers, ginger, and so much more. I feel a rush of excitement, the same kind of rush I felt during the festival challenges. This time, though, we’re here to learn and have fun. There’s nobody I need to impress or beat. I hope I can turn that aspect of me off. I want this to be about a love of cooking, no competition needed.
Victor hands me a cutting board and knife. “Do you think you can handle some Jamaican spice?” he challenges.
I grin, grabbing a handful of fresh herbs. “Oh please, I was born ready,” I quickly reply.
Kofi looks between us and laughs, joining us as ingredients are placed at our workstation. This is incredible, and something I never would’ve gotten to do if I wasn’t here with Victor. The man can charm anyone and most likely has brothers all over the world. This alone is a reason to stick to his side.
We start chopping, sauteing, mixing, and tasting, all while Kofi keeps up a steady stream of stories and jokes. He has a way with words, and his accent makes everything sound like it has an extra little sprinkle of magic added.
“Did Victor ever tell yuh about de time he tried to cook for de whole unit in de middle of a jungle training?” Kofi asks, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
I glance at Victor, who suddenly looks like he wants to disappear.
“There’s no need to be sharing stories,” Victor says.
Kofi laughs as he turns back to me. “He didn’t tell me. I can’t wait to hear,” I quickly say.
Kofi is loving every moment of this. “It was a sight to behold. We’re deep in de jungle, sweating like stuck pigs, and Victor decides we need a proper meal. He sends all of us out trapping rabbits, and we come back with about twenty of em. In the meantime he collected some roots and berries, whatever he could find. He even built himself a stove out of rocks and everyting. We thought he was mad.”
“It sounds a bit crazy to me,” I say with a chuckle. It also sounds incredible. How fun would it be to make an outdoor stove and cook with only what you have in the natural environment? I’ll have to try it when we get back home.
Victor lets out a groan. “Kofi, man, you’re supposed to be my brother, not make me sound like a lunatic.”
Kofi ignores him and continues. “Yuh know what? He made de best damn meal any of us had ever tasted in de field. No MREs for us for dinner wit Victor there. Even de commanding officer was licking his plate clean. He didn’t complain at all about the special mission within our training.”
I laugh, imagining Victor orchestrating a gourmet meal in the middle of the jungle. This man is much more talented than I imagined. I’m glad I’m not competing against him anymore. I want to learn from him, and maybe, just maybe, teach him a few things as well.
“It seems you’ve always been a culinary rebel. I guess that’s why our last challenge didn’t bother you at all,” I tell him with a smile.
Victor grins, pride showing in his face. “I like to keep things interesting.”
“And keep everyone around you well fed,” I tease, nudging him with my hip.
He leans closer, his voice dropping to a flirtatious whisper. “I always aim to please. Just ask, and I’m your willing puppet.”
“I might take you up on that,” I tell him as I lick my lips and watch his pupils dilate. He’s so easy to tease and I’ll benefit from turning him on as soon as we’re alone again. I can’t wait.
The playful banter keeps up as we cook, and I love how Victor watches me, his eyes full of humor and something more that makes my stomach do several flips. There’s an easy rhythm to our movements, a connection that feels natural, like we’ve been doing this for years instead of days.
I guess technically we’ve been doing this for years, given we shared culinary classes in high school. We’ve always sparred, but we’ve also always come together. Maybe fate’s playing a part in us being together. Who am I to deny anything the universe throws at me?
Before long the beach crowd gets into a partying spirit. I smile as the live band turns up their volume and plays a lively reggae tune that has my feet itching to move.
“Come on,” Victor says as the last of our food finishes. “I want to dance.” He takes my hand and pulls me from the kitchen.
“We’re supposed to cook more,” I say with a laugh, but I easily follow him.
“We’re in the Bahamas which means we cook, dance, swim, and make love. Let’s live,” he insists.
“You better not step on my toes, Fortier,” I warn.
“Oh, we’ve moved to last names now?” he teases.
“When I want to save my feet.”
He throws his head back and laughs. It doesn’t take long to reach the dance floor, and Victor immediately pulls me against him, before sending me back out and twirling me, making me laugh with raw joy. Kofi joins us on the dance floor with a stunning woman, showing his own dramatic moves that make the entire crowd cheer and laugh as they dance around us.
“You have some serious moves, Fortier,” I say.
“Impressed?” he asks.
“Very,” I admit.
“Mom taught me. She told me from the time I was young that any man worth keeping better impress his woman with moves.”
“Your mom was incredible.”
“She’s most likely teaching dance lessons in heaven right now,” he says.
“I agree with you on that.” It’s bittersweet to talk about the ones we’ve lost. The last thing I want to do is be sad in this beautiful place among incredible people.
Victor must feel the same, because he suddenly twirls me again before pulling me close and holding me tight, our faces mere inches apart. For a moment everyone else disappears.
“I think you might be in love with the Bahamas,” he says.
I might be falling in love with more than the Bahamas. I don’t say this though. “Don’t tell Sia, but I might like the Bahamas better than Seaville.”
“Oh, that will certainly get you into trouble. Your bestie might never forgive you.”
“She will if I bring her some spices then whisk her here for the next trip,” I tell him.
“We’re coming back?” he asks.
“Anytime you want,” I quickly reply.
“I’ll take you anywhere you want to go,” he says with such intensity I know he means it. We might travel the world together. That doesn’t sound too bad at all.
Victor spins me again, making me laugh, and I’m having the time of my life. I’m in a beautiful place, already having cooked incredible food, met a beautiful man who’s shown me more about Victor’s character, and now I’m dancing with the person I’m quickly falling in love with. I’m more alive than I’ve ever been.
The night continues with more dancing and conversation before we finally sit to enjoy the feast we helped prepare for the buffet. There’s grilled snapper with jerk seasoning, coconut rice, plantains, and a papaya salad with a tangy lime dressing among many other items. There’s no shortage of food for us and everyone else.
“Amazing,” I say with a deep sigh as I continue stuffing more bites than I need into my mouth.
Kofi grins. “Dat’s how we do it in de islands. Good food, good vibes, and all of it topped wit love.”
“We don’t need to ever leave,” Victor says with a wink.
I gaze at him, warmth settling in my chest. “Maybe we shouldn’t.” I might mean this in the moment, but eventually Seaville will call me home. It always does. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to enjoy every minute of my time here.
Right now, surrounded by laughter, music, and the delicious taste of adventure I’m pretty damn content. I’m ready to leap off the cliff with Victor, not holding anything back. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the best things in life truly do come when we least expect them. Victor Fortier might be the best of all.