AGATHA
Standing at the railing of the ferry taking us to Isla Del Perlas, I lift my face to the sun and soak up the rays. With my deadline coming closer and the final prep for the retreat, it’s been insane. But I’m grateful for the busy work. It helps keep my mind off the fact that Jessen and his team have been deployed God knows where.
I’m feeling excited to be working on my manuscript again on this trip, looking forward to getting some serious writing done. The only blip on my radar is the inscrutable Izabella Perez. Well, that and Jessen being gone.
Getting to know him over the last while, how he’s dealt with my intimacy issues, something has shifted in our relationship, intensified, and for the first time in my life, I can see forever with a man. I was never your typical girly-girl who dreamed of her wedding from the time she was old enough to understand what boys were.
I’ve had a couple of relationships and honestly never understood the hype. Until I met Jessen, that is. I always wondered about my friends who would wax lyrical about how incredible their love lives were. Now I completely get it.
Coming from a relationship where my partner was more concerned with himself and his own pleasure, never taking the time to ensure mine, I used to wonder if my friends were fabricating the whole “earth-shattering, died and gone to heaven” orgasm hype. Now I know they weren’t.
The sex with Jessen is – I’m not sure there’s a single word to describe what itis. But holy shit. It’s spine-tingling, leg-numbing, mind-blowingly out of this world. Our relationship is more than the sex. But it sure as hell has enriched our connection. I find myself falling for him a little more every day.
He’s sweet and attentive, always doing little things for me. Showing me in all kinds of little ways how much he cares. And I’m lapping it all up. Knowing he’s out there in places unknown putting his life on the line for strangers has my nerves jangling. It’s what he loves, I get it. Doesn’t meanIhave to like it though. Sighing, I put my thoughts aside and take in the beautiful vista from the deck of the ferry, pushing my worries aside.
A horn sounds, and when I turn, I see we’re headed for the dock. Excitement and nerves vie for attention. No matter how many times I’ve hosted these retreats for aspiring, new, and established authors alike, I always get nervous before we kick off. I still pinch myself that they’ve become so popular. The last few have been sold out, names having to be placed on a waiting list for a cancellation or, failing that, the next event.
The bump of the boat up against the moor pulls me out of my reverie. This is it.
“Ready, babe?” I hear Toni ask quietly beside me.
“Yeah. Let’s do this,” I reply, grinning over at her.
On the dock, there’s a representative from the resort, a board with my name printed in bold capital letters in his grasp. While Toni gathers the attendees, I make my way over to the man.
“Hello. I’m Ms. Traeger,” I say, pointing at his sign.
“Hola Señorita Traeger. Welcome to Isla Del Perlas. My name is Luis, and I am your concierge for the duration of your stay. If there is anything you require, I am the man to ask.” His brilliant white smile is friendly, happy – like he really loves what he does.
“Hola Luis. Thank you.”
He executes a quick bow. Pointing to a couple of golf carts – the longest ones I’ve ever seen – he continues, “Carlos is over by the buggies with which we’ll transport you to the resort just over that little hill.” His hand changes direction to indicate the green mound he was referring to.
I turn one eighty to look for Toni to find her a few feet away, our group in tow. When she stops beside me, I make introductions, and Luis leads us over to Carlos and our waiting transportation.
It takes a few minutes to get everyone and the luggage loaded up. Then we’re on our way, rolling through the gorgeous greenery that covers the island. But it’s when we crest the little hill that I lose my breath. The images of the resort on the internet don’t do the place justice.
Quaint rustic buildings, immaculate lush lawns, a sparkling blue pool, and an eye-popping view of the beach lay spread out before us. I must have made some sound as Luis turns, proud as a new dad. “She is beautiful, no?”
“I think a better word to describe it would be enchanting.”
His smile widens. “That is the main building, where we are headed now. And that” — his arm panning over the scattered little buildings — “is where you will be sleeping. Where you are to gather is here in main building.”
I nod but make no further comments. Rather, I attempt to see and absorb everything around me. Which is impossible. There’s simply too much to see and experience. One thing I know for sure is that I will be taking a dip in that oh-so-inviting swimming pool before dinner. Thankfully, day of arrival is a chance to settle in, not particularly formal other than dinner. I’m looking forward to a bit of quiet time in my cabin to just destress and rest.
Check-in is smooth, the staff friendly, and I’m pleased with our choice of venue. It’s always a gamble when doing these events unless we’ve used the hotel or resort before, making it stressful as the whole point of the retreat is for the attendees to have a wonderful experience.
Luis and Carlos load us all up again, dropping us off at our respective cabins with promises to collect us in time for dinner in the formal dining room.
I’m looking forward to the next seven days on this island paradise. Nothing more strenuous than eating, sleeping, and writing. Heaven. The only thing that damps my enthusiasm is how much I miss Jessen and would love to share this experience with him. I console myself with the thought that maybe one day we can come back here together.
Who knows? Depending on where this relationship goes, we could potentially have a destination wedding here. Laughing at how I’m getting ahead of myself, I flop down onto the swing chair on my small deck outside my bedroom.
As I stare off across the vast expanse of ocean, I allow my mind to empty of everything and exhale into the moment. Sending a prayer heavenward that Jessen and the team are safe, I make my way back inside to take a refreshing shower.
* * *
Day three dawnscloudy and humid. The mugginess is oppressive and, for no reason I can pinpoint, I’m uneasy as I get ready for breakfast and the day ahead. A hoot outside my cabin alerts me to Luis’s arrival to collect me for the morning meal, and I hurry to gather my things.
