The Cancun Trilogy, An Erotic Beach Romance (17 page)

When the sun went down, they built a
bonfire on the beach, bigger than usual. Terra guessed there was
close to a hundred people there. Huge plates of food were hauled
from the kitchen to the beach. Terra made the rounds, trying to
find a moment to talk to everyone, doing her best to be social.
Being a natural introvert, it was challenging, and after a couple
of hours, as eating turned to drinking and dancing, Terra needed
some time alone.

She wandered over to the medical
clinic. Carmine had shown it to her earlier, but she looked forward
to coming back and spending time here by herself. Carmine had
worked on it little by little, as his other work allowed. He’d
occasionally Skyped with Terra, showing her what new piece of
equipment arrived, or to ask her a question about how something
should be built. Now, as she walked around the room, Terra felt
herself swelling with pride. There was a cardiac monitor,
orthopedic equipment, a suture tray, and other standard equipment
for treating a variety of ailments.

Terra picked up a stethoscope, pealing
the new plastic off the metal facing. She heard a sound and turned,
startled.

“Sorry, Terra, I didn’t mean to
frighten you. I had a feeling I’d find you here.”

“Anna!” Terra said, relieved.
Throughout the day, Terra kept peering through the faces, hoping to
spot Anna. She felt closer to her than anyone else in Nik’s family,
and missed her sisterly presence. “Did you just get here?” Terra
asked as they embraced.

“Yes, I only just arrived.”

“My God,” Terra said, stepping back
and looking at her. “I think you’re the only person in the world
that’s more beautiful than Nik.” It was true. Anna had a beauty
that seemed otherworldly, with her emerald green eyes, perfect
features and graceful figure.

“Oh, stop it. You’re the beautiful
one. No woman is more beautiful than a bride on the night before
her wedding. Are you ready?”

“Yes. I’m more than ready. Has the
rest of your family arrived?” Terra asked tentatively.

“No. My mother arrives tomorrow
morning. My dad won’t make it. Business—always his
excuse.”

Terra let out a sigh. “Your mother
hates me.”

“No, she doesn’t.”

“Yes. I’m afraid she does. She thinks
I’m marrying Nik for all the wrong reasons. She doesn’t believe
that I had no idea about his money.”

“She sees herself in you. She’s made
some terrible mistakes, and I think you remind her of that. Did you
know she was a nurse before she met my father?”

“No, I didn’t know that.”

“Apparently a very good one, better
than some of the doctors she worked with.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed,” Terra said.
“I guess I’ve never seen the nurturing side of her.”

“I told her something yesterday,
before leaving for the airport. Terra, do you remember when I first
met you, at the Circle Rock bar that night when I was with
Nik?”

“Yeah, you were about to leave for
your final year of college.”

“Yes. I had a strong feeling that
night. I couldn’t explain it. When I saw you and Nik look at each
other, I just knew you two were someday going to be married. Don’t
ask me how I knew. I just did. I kept it a secret—until yesterday,
when I told my mom. She didn’t say anything. She just listened. But
I could tell, she believed me.”

“You really felt that?”

“Yes!” Anna laughed. “Somehow I knew.
I took one look at you and thought,
it’s her!
”

Terra embraced her. “Anna, I’m so glad
we’re going to be family.”

“Me, too.”

“Hey, you two,” said a male voice.
“You’re missing all the fun.” It was Nik. He strolled in, managing
to look insanely sexy in bare feet, jeans and a t-shirt.

“You’re right,” Anna said, breaking
away from Terra. “I’m going to go find the best looking guy on the
beach and dance the night away.” She gave Terra a sly smile and
slipped away.

Nik stepped into Terra, taking her in
his arms. “Hey, lover,” he said as his hand stroked her
hair.

“Umm,” she said. “I don’t like sharing
you with so many people.” She wrapped her arms around him. “I want
you all for myself.” She snuggled in close.

“I’m all yours. Now and forever.” His
hand moved to her cheek as his other hand slid down her back. She
tilted her head back, stretching up. Nik ran his thumb over her
lips as she closed her eyes. He kissed her. As her mouth opened,
his tongue slipped in, causing electric charges to cascade through
her body. Terra tightened her grip on him, pressing her body into
his. He put both hands on her face, kissing her deep. His passion
poured though his kiss and right into her, causing her knee to move
up his leg. She squeezed tightly against him, relishing the sweet,
salty taste of his kisses.

“Now and forever,” he said again,
briefly breaking away. He nibbled her chin. “Forever and ever,” he
whispered, before kissing her again.

Chapter 10

The next morning, the first thing Terra did was to go see
Spidey. It was barely light out. The embers from the beach fire
were still smoldering, giving off a dense, woodsy smell. A dreamy
fog settled along the shoreline as small waves lapped the beach in
a soft rhythm. Terra padded over the cool sand in her bare feet to
the tall palm that Spidey was usually perched in.

“Morning, Spidey,” she called up to
him. He responded with a few clucks, then ran around the tree trunk
once before climbing back up to the top. “Okay, sorry to disturb
you.”

Perfect
, thought Terra. Though
the sky looked clear, she wanted to be sure. Spidey was there
resident weather forecaster. He always knew if bad weather was
coming. If rain was on the way, he would have let her know by
making his barking sound. Even when there wasn’t a hint of rain, if
Spidey made his barking sound, you knew it would soon arrive. He
was never wrong.

Terra went back to the house. She
wanted to make coffee before the others got up. Some people had
driven back to town for the night, planning to come back later for
the wedding, but a lot of them were sleeping in the house. More of
the guests were sleeping in makeshift quarters in the various
buildings of the dive sanctuary. A few brave souls slept in tents
on the beach.

Terra was determined not to see Nik
until the wedding. It may have been a silly tradition, but she had
insisted, and Nik happily obliged. She and Anna had set up blankets
and sleeping bags in the medical clinic and slept there, talking
and laughing half the night.

When Terra came into the kitchen, she
was glad to find Carmine already there. The rich aroma of fresh
coffee filled the air. “Morning,” she said.

“Ah, good morning, Little T. How is
the beautiful bride to be?” he asked with a broad smile. “I’m
good,” Terra said. “No rain in the forecast, according to Spidey.”
Carmine was stirring something on the stove. The coffee maker stood
empty. “I thought I smelled coffee.”

“Oh, you did,” Carmine said with a
happy chuckle. “You don’t make real coffee in one of
those.
”
He waived a wooden spoon dismissively at the coffee maker. “Here is
how you make
real
coffee.” He poured a dark liquid from the
pot through a strainer, then did some elaborate shaking routine.
Eventually, he poured the liquid slowly into two mugs. He
triumphantly handed one to Terra. She was hesitant. She usually
drank her coffee with lots of cream and sugar. She sipped the black
liquid.

“Oh, my God,” she said, her face
brightening. “I’ve never tasted coffee this good.” Carmine smiled.
“How do you make it?”

“With lots of love. And a few
secrets.”

“You? Secrets?” Terra loved the
relationship she had with Carmine. He gave her glimpses of what it
would have been like to grow up with a brother.

“I have a few,” Carmine said over his
coffee mug. “I have one right now.”

“You do?”

“Um hum.”

“Do tell,” Terra said, enjoying
herself immensely.

“It’s your wedding day, so you really
don’t need to be thinking about anything else. But… I like your
friend, Vicky. A lot. But I’d never do anything without asking you
first.” Terra never thought of Carmine as shy, but he seemed as
bashful as a little boy now. “May I—I mean, would you be okay if
I—if I were to—”

“Yes
! Yes, of course, Carmine!”
Terra burst out, smiling a mile wide.

“Oh, good.” He let out a sigh of
relief. “Of course, I don’t know if she likes me, but I’d like to
find out.”

“Oh, I have a feeling she
might.”

“I hope you’re right. She’s pretty
cool.”

“Well, you’re pretty cool,” Terra
said.

They sipped their coffee, comfortable
with the silence. “Carmine, can I ask you something?” Terra had
been thinking about this for awhile, looking for the right time to
ask. She’d been putting it off, but it really couldn’t wait any
longer. Carmine had done so much for her, she hated to ask anything
more of him.

“Yes, of course.”

“I don’t really have any family. I was
wondering if—” her voice cracked. She looked at the
floor.

“What?” He put his mug on the counter,
giving her his full attention.

“If you would walk me down the
aisle.”

“Oh, Terra,” he said, stepping forward
and wrapping her up in his arms. “Little T, I would be so honored.
It would make me so happy.” She felt a flood of relief.

Everything seemed to be falling
perfectly into place. There was only one problem that still nagged
at Terra—the only thing in the way of a perfect wedding day—the
only thing in the way of a perfect life with Nik. Nik’s
mother.

And she would be arriving in a few
hours.

Chapter 11

The wedding was scheduled for three o’clock. Vicky had
planned it so the reception would be around the time the sun was
setting. It was all going to be on the beach—the wedding, the
reception, and the after party, which was likely to go on all
night. That is, if it didn’t rain.

Terra’s wedding dress was simple and
tasteful. The material was a luxurious white silk blend, soft as
baby hair—spaghetti strapped, but with a below the knee cut, giving
it a playful, informal look. She had very little makeup on, and her
only jewelry was a bracelet. Her dress was so simple that she was
ready too soon. She waited impatiently with Anna and Vicky in the
living room of the house, having commandeered it as a dressing
room.

Vicky continued to futz with Terra’s
hair, tying it up in different ways. “What about this?” Vicky said,
holding Terra’s hair up in an elaborate twist with one hand as she
took a sip of her wine with the other. Terra looked at herself in a
mirror they had propped up against some books on the coffee table.
“Really?” Terra said. “Okay, maybe not,” Vicky said, dropping
Terra’s hair back into place, letting it cascade naturally over her
shoulders. Vicky realized there really was no way to improve
Terra’s natural look. “I just feel like I should do
something
.” Vicky had planned and executed everything
perfectly—now she was having trouble letting go.

“Everything’s perfect,” Anna reassured
Vicky, giving her shoulder a light squeeze.

Red popped her head in. “Hey, girls!”
She tried to sound like her usual enthusiastic self, but Terra
thought she looked pale and tired.

“Red, are you alright?” Terra asked.
Anna looked at her as well and said, “Red, why don’t you sit
down?”

“Oh no, I’m great. Just wanted to say
good luck. You look absolutely beautiful.” She smiled at Terra as
she held her swollen belly.

“Where’s Nik’s mother? Is she sitting
in the front?” Terra asked. She knew she shouldn’t, but couldn’t
help it. Vicky shot her a stern look, having spent most of the
morning trying to convince Terra to just forget about Nik’s
mom.

“No,” Red said. “She’s standing off to
the side, not making much effort to talk to anyone. And she’s
wearing that medallion you told me about.”

“You sure you don’t want to sit down?”
Terra asked her again.

“Nah, I’m good,” Red said, but she
looked unsteady. She came over to Terra and put a thin daisy chain
of small white flowers in her hair. It was the perfect touch. She
gave Terra a hug, her big belly pressing against her.

“Congratulations, Terra. You guys are
going to be so happy.” She squeezed Terra’s hand before turning to
walk out. “Oh, baby’s kicking! I think it’s a good sign!” she said
as she left.

Ten minutes to go. The three of them
paced the room. “Why did she have to wear that stupid medallion?”
Terra asked, breaking the nervous silence. “Stop it, T,” Vicky
said. “Just forget about her. This is
your
day.”

The time finally came. Vicky kissed
Terra on the cheek. “See you out there, kiddo,” she said, and
started out. Terra grabbed her arm. “You have the ring?” she
asked.

“The
ring!
Oh, my
GOD!
”
Vicky said.