CHAPTER 16
After a long, quiet ride from the airport in a SUV limousine, Jackie and Antonio made it to Alma y Tierra, an exclusive wellness resort on the beaches of Playa del Carmen.
Large white gates opened to a long driveway lined with palm trees, leading to the most gorgeous, gilded entrance.
Standing outside were several resort staff wearing all white, including a woman dressed in a long white dress and a massive white headwrap.
She was definitely giving late nineties Erykah Badu.
Her arms were adorned with so many bangles they would have put Bronwyn’s collection to shame.
When the limo came to a stop, two men stepped forward to open their doors and retrieve their luggage. Behind her shades, Jackie watched as Antonio took in just how many bags she’d brought. Jackie was a notorious over-packer, even for the shortest of trips.
“Welcome to Alma y Tierra,” said the woman with the headwrap. “I’m Graciela, your personal concierge for the duration of your stay. We hope that you find comfort and healing through our doors.”
A waiter presented a tray of shot glasses full of a mossy green liquid. Jackie picked up a glass and smelled it—and dear God did it stink. She hadn’t imagined she could smell something worse than the concoctions Thyme had her drinking a couple of days ago.
“A sea moss, blue algae, hemp, and wheatgrass booster shot. Helps to boost your immune system after the germ-filled flight,” explained the woman.
Jackie shook her head in a clear no thanks, placing the glass back onto the tray. She’d already thrown up once and didn’t need to embarrass herself anymore. The woman motioned toward Antonio, who looked skeptical.
“What the hell. Might as well,” Antonio mumbled before downing the shot. His face soured, and he coughed. “That was…uhm… interesting.” Another attendant brought over warm, scented towels to wipe their hands.
“Now, if you would follow me, I’d like to give you a tour of our facilities.” Graciela turned her back toward them as the large golden doors opened.
Jackie looked around. It was like stepping into a jungle oasis or an opulent greenhouse.
Flowers were everywhere in the open-air lobby, as soft, new age music played throughout the speakers.
There were large couches and chairs nestled between foliage; gold and stone fixtures lined the space.
The concierge desks blended right into the decor.
“This is our lobby. Here, you can sit and enjoy the natural ambience. Of course, guest services are just steps away.”
Jackie opened her phone to type but realized the Wi-Fi was down. Again. She only had a few bars, indicating weak cellular service.
“Oh, cell service is a bit spotty,” Graciela explained.
“Okay, well what’s the Wi-Fi password?” asked Antonio. He looked at Jackie, acknowledging she needed her app to communicate.
“We ask that you take a break from technology while you’re here at Alma y Tierra. Get in touch with yourself. You won’t miss it.”
Who the hell restricted Wi-Fi in a $2,000 per night resort? Jackie pulled out her Notes app and typed, turning the phone to Antonio.
IS SHE FUCKING SERIOUS?
Antonio rubbed his forehead, mumbling, “Apparently.” He looked around the lobby. “Is there a bar? Maybe out by the pool?” He pointed toward the expansive infinity pool that overlooked the beaches below.
Graciela looked at Antonio as if he was an alien. “Absolutely not, Senor! No alcohol or other recreational drugs are permitted on the premises. This retreat is about clearing your mind and body. Such substances impede the path to wholeness.”
“Okay.” Antonio nodded. “I mean, I guess we can survive without a margarita.” He rubbed his belly. “But where can a guy get a good taco around here? Maybe a bomb mole enchilada?”
It had been a while since they’d had anything—besides cookies and crackers on the plane. Plus, Jackie had thrown up. Her stomach was touching her back. She could eat for sure.
“Yes.” Graciela’s smile brightened. “Our James-Beard-award-winning executive chef has an amazing selection of Mexican vegan options! Might I suggest our oyster mushroom tacos. They are riquisimos!”
Vegan? Jackie sighed loudly. She would rather eat a boiled jean jacket than a taco made of fungus.
There was no way in hell she’d survive this time with Antonio without a drink and some real tacos.
This was turning into a trip from hell, and it hadn’t even really started.
And to think, she was missing out on turning up with her sorority sisters and boss chicks at Homecoming for this!
Graciela clasped her hands. “If I may, I’d like to finish the tour before you all settle into your living quarters.”
Jackie motioned for Graciela to proceed as they followed behind her. She showed them sauna rooms of various temperatures and elements, the spa, meditation spaces, classrooms, and the onsite restaurant that had somehow earned a Michelin Star for fake meat. Clearly, some food critics had no taste.
Graciela led them down a winding path overlooking the beach, which was lined with hanging orchids and gorgeous vines. She stopped in front of a heavy, wooden door. “And here is your suite, Mr. And Mrs. Steele. We hope that the accommodations are to your standards. Your luggage is already inside.”
Okay, maybe it was the long flight and drive, but Jackie was sure she was hearing things. It’d sounded like Graciela said, Mr. and Mrs. Steele. Jackie looked up at Antonio, whose mouth was slightly agape.
He cleared his throat. “I…uh…I think there’s been a mistake. There should have been two reservations. One for Mr. Steele and another for Ms. Miles.”
Graciela frowned and consulted a tablet. She scrolled until she found what she was looking for. “This reservation was made under Mr. Antonio Steele, for two. We assumed the other party was Mr. Steele’s wife.” She looked at Jackie. “I’m very sorry.”
This place might have been pretty, but it was the armpit of hell. Calvin was definitely fired. Jackie looked up at Antonio, eyes pleading for him to do something.
“Okay, can you just give us an extra room? It doesn’t matter the cost,” Antonio said, about to pull out his wallet.
Graciela shook her head. “Ah! ?Lo lamento! We are fully booked. We have no other vacancies. But there is plenty of room for the two of you. ?Mire!” She opened the door to the villa.
Jackie entered and looked around. Tasteful neutral furnishings with natural fibers were throughout.
Massive windows opened up to their own private infinity pool.
The suite was huge. But there wasn’t a television.
And…oh God. There was one bedroom with one damned bed.
Jackie peeked inside the room. Granted, the bed could probably fit six people, but it was one bed nonetheless. She was sweating.
Antonio glanced at Jackie, then followed her gaze into the bedroom. A small smile formed at the corners of his lips. “Graciela, I think we’ll be fine.”
Graciela nodded with relief. “?Que bien! Please, enjoy your stay. The afternoon’s activities will begin soon.
I’ll send up some refreshments via Lupe in the meantime.
She’ll be your attendant for the duration of your stay, but please let me know if there is anything I can personally assist you with. ?Con permiso!”
Jackie peeled out of her suit jacket and threw it across one of the sofas.
She sat, but the cushions were uncomfortable as hell.
She moved her bottom back and forth, trying to find a reasonable spot to settle in.
Jeesh. It was like sitting on a pile of rocks.
For a place this expensive, they should have had sofas made from heaven’s clouds.
Instead, she was sitting on a tombstone. Antonio was watching her, arms folded.
“I’ll sleep on one of the couches, Jackie. It’ll be fine. You take the bed.”
Jackie looked at the sofa options and back to Antonio. The man was massive. There was no way that he’d be able to fit on these couches, let alone be comfortable. She typed in her Notes app and pointed her phone in his direction.
This sofa is hard as a brick. We can share the bed. Just don’t touch me.
“Don’t touch you? Please. You’re the one who can’t resist all this.” Antonio motioned down his body, and when he did, Jackie’s gaze landed right on the faint outline of his dick print in his sweats. Lord have mercy. She quickly diverted her eyes.
Thankfully, Antonio and his penis moved out of Jackie’s line of sight as he took in their surroundings. “I think I’m going to go find the shower, since someone barfed on the plane…”
While Antonio explored the suite in search of the shower, Jackie considered unpacking. Before she could make a move, she heard a knock on the window outside and jumped. Antonio was there.
“The shower is outside,” he said. “It’s like a whole wet room out here. And I’m pretty sure you can see it through the bedroom.”
Jackie bit her bottom lip as her nerves began to swell.
Great. First, one bed, and now a sexy shower situation.
Jackie wasn’t normally self-conscious. She was no free-spirit exhibitionist like Bronwyn, but she generally didn’t care about being naked in front of people.
Especially not someone she’d been naked with before.
But things were different now. Her body was different—a lot had changed and gone south, gotten fuller and wider, in ten years.
There was a knock on the door. “Room service,” the small voice said. Jackie went to the door and was greeted by Lupe, their attendant. She was a petite woman with a dark, braided crown on her head. Jackie motioned her in.
The woman placed a tray of snacks on the dining room table. As she turned to leave, Jackie grabbed her arm. She held up a finger and began to type in her best elementary-level Spanish.
Habla ingles?
Puzzled, the woman read the note on the screen. She looked back up at Jackie, who pointed to her own throat.
“Oh,” she said with understanding. “?Si! I speak English.”