Biker's Virgin

“We have coconut water, ma’am,” he told me, in slightly-accented English. “But we also have a range of fresh juices—mango, papaya, orange, lime, watermelon, kiwi and mint, and mixed fruit. If you prefer something more complicated, I can also get you a mocktail of your choice.”

“Or a cocktail,” Ben interrupted. “Whatever you prefer.”

“Wow… I think I’m a little too jet lagged to process too many choices just now,” I said, self-consciously.

“Then might I recommend the kiwi and mint, ma’am,” the waiter suggested. “It’s wonderful.”

I smiled and nodded. “Kiwi and mint it is.”

He handed me a tall glass and the moment I brought it to my lips, the intoxicating scent of mint rose up to meet me. I intended to take one dainty sip, but the taste of the drink was so good that I kept going till I had emptied the glass.

“Sorry,” I said. “That probably wasn’t very ladylike.”

Ben said nothing, but Alani smiled. “I did the same thing when I tasted it the first time. I don’t blame you one bit.”

“Can I offer you another glass, ma’am?” the waiter asked.

“No, no thank you,” I said. “That was a generous glass.”

The waiter bowed courteously and headed off towards the elevators. I noticed that the resort wasn’t as crowded as I had expected it to be. But before I could ask, a young man in a pressed vest emerged from a hidden door to the side of the reception desk and went straight to Ben.

“Mr. Brown,” he said, sounding close to frantic. “There’s been a small mix up…”

“What now?” Ben asked, keeping his voice low for my benefit.

“The food delivery we were expecting for tonight’s dinner has been waylaid.”

Ben’s expression remained calm, but I saw a vein in his forehead pop. He turned to me and gave me a small, stiff smile. “I’m very sorry, Molly,” he said. “I was supposed to take you through to Mr. Dubois’ offi

ce, but I think I’ll need to handle this situation first.”

I tensed immediately at the mention of Tristan. Apparently, he had asked his assistant to bring me to him. I bristled slightly at the man’s presumption, but I reminded myself that it was just like Tristan to do something like that. It would never have occurred to him to meet me at the helipad or even here in the foyer.

“Of course,” I nodded. “You go ahead. I’ll just head to my room.”

Ben paused for a moment. “Uh… Mr. Dubois was very intent on meeting you the moment you arrived,” he said. “Alani will show you to his office.”

Cornered, I had no choice but to nod. Ideally, I would have liked to rest a little before I saw Tristan, but apparently, that wasn’t going to happen. I became aware of my rather shoddy appearance. Considering I was traveling, I had chosen to dress for comfort. I was wearing my favorite worn-in boyfriend jeans with a soft white t-shirt and my go-to black and white striped sneakers.

“Follow me, Molly,” Alani said, as she walked around the desk and led me to a different elevator on the right. I said goodbye to Ben, and we headed off to Tristan’s office.

“I must admit, the whole staff has been very curious about your arrival,” Alani said unexpectedly.

“Have they?” I asked, in surprise. “Why is that?”

“All Mr. Dubois’ guests so far have been important business contacts and investors,” Alani replied. “You’re the first personal friend he’s invited. It’s very mysterious.”

I laughed. “I assure you, there’s nothing mysterious going on here,” I said, with some confidence. “Tristan and my brother are close friends, and because Jason couldn’t come up here himself, he sent me along in his place.”

“Oh,” Alani said.

I smiled. “I’m sorry there’s not a more interesting reason I’m here,” I said. “The staff will just have to get their daily dose of intrigue and mystery somewhere else.”

“How disappointing,” she sighed, and I couldn’t help warm to her. I liked that she treated me more like a friend than a guest. It made me feel more comfortable.

We got off the elevator on the fifteenth floor and walked out into a massive hallway that faced floor-to-ceiling glass that boasted a spectacular view of the ocean and the beach.

“Wow,” I said again, walking up to the windows and gazing down at the inviting blue water. “Do you ever get used to this view?”