chapter 59
Dana awoke next to Cody’s warm embrace.
“Hey, you.” She traced her fingers over his face.
“Good morning.”
“Late morning,” Dana corrected. “I have to get ready to go to work.”
“Oh, work...what a nasty four letter word.”
“I know.” She kissed him quickly, reluctantly sliding from the bed to get ready.
Cody watched Dana dress. “You are so beautiful.”
She blushed. “Thanks.”
“So...I’ll occupy myself somehow while you’re working...and meet up with you for our afternoon?”
“Perfect,” Dana said, hating to leave Cody.
“Yes this is.”
*
Dana finished up her on air shift by the pool with a high five from Liam. It was another perfect island day – a flawless blue sky, slight breeze and warm sunlight.
“You are the best my dear,” Liam said in his charming accent.
“As are you,” she answered blowing him an air kiss.
“Hey, should I be jealous?” Cody appeared from the glare of the sun wearing tan shorts and a navy blue shirt.
“Hi there,” Dana said, rising to kiss Cody.
“I should be jealous,” Liam replied, “She never greets me like that and I’ve been with her for years.”
“I’m the one who’s jealous,” Sharon piped in, “when are two guys going to fight over me?”
“I’ll have you my dear,” Liam said, taking Sharon’s hand.
“Great, now I’m second prize.” Sharon rolled her eyes with feigned anguish.
“You’ll always be first to me...who needs them.” Liam brushed Dana and Cody off with a flourish causing the foursome to collapse in laughter.
“I hate to be the one to break up the party,” Cody said, “but, Dana I do believe we have a date with the fishes.”
Liam raised his eyebrows. “Sounds a little risky to me.”
“He said date with the fishes Liam, not sleep with the fishes,” Dana giggled. “We’re going snorkeling.”
“Well, have fun then and don’t mind us...we just have to clean up the whole remote set up and put everything away...”
Sharon played an imaginary violin to Liam’s woe-is-me routine. “Go, have fun.” She winked at Dana.
Dana and Cody left the broadcast table and headed for Adventure Bay, a special area set up by the hotel for renting snorkeling gear. They approached a faux cave like structure and rented their equipment: fins, masks and snorkels.
“I’ll be right back,” Dana said. “Just need to change.”
“Me too.”
They each disappeared into their respective locker rooms, coming out to each other’s delight. Dana’s heart jumped at the sight of Cody. His blue eyes were especially bright, crinkling with a wide smile at the sight of her. She took in his lean, muscular frame, which was accentuated by his navy board shorts. His body was a perfect V - broad shoulders, strong arms and solid abs. His tan skin glistened under the hot sun. Dana felt her pulse race.
Cody’s reaction was similar. Dana wore a pale pink string bikini showing off her curvy shape. The light colored swimwear offered a sexy contrast to her olive skin, raven hair and green eyes.
They embraced at first sight enjoying the feeling of skin on skin.
“I could just stay like this all day,” Dana whispered.
“Me, too...but the fish...”
“They’d be disappointed, wouldn’t they?” Dana said, her head resting on Cody’s chest.
“Probably.”
Dana and Cody put on their snorkeling gear and dove into the crystal clear water. Holding hands they explored the blue sea, watching schools of fish cut expertly through the water. There were hundreds in every size and color, dancing together, playing hide and seek with each other. A group of silver fish, perfectly synchronized, darted left then right. Like a Seurat pointillist painting, they looked like one big fish from far away, but up close each was visible, a tiny point in a giant ruse. Neon blues, yellows and oranges swam among milky white soft coral tinged with violet. Large sting rays, like looming UFOs, slid across the bottom of the sea barely kicking up sand in their wake.
Their journey to this enchanted world was breathtaking. They swam slowly, taking it all in, enjoying being part of a living painting. It was a shared experience each was glad they were sharing with each other.
“This is amazing!” Dana said as they popped up out of the water in a shallow hidden cove.
“It’s you that’s amazing,” Cody said, drawing her close to him, pulling her body against his.
Dana looked around over her shoulders, “Cody, someone will see us.” She kissed his lips, salty and soft.
“Dana, there’s no one around us,” his hands caressed her skin. She felt his touch go through her.
She leaned in closer wrapping her legs around his waist. “I can’t tread water that long…”
“I’ve got you,” he said smiling, “and I can stand.”
He kissed her hungrily, Dana feeling every bit of his intensity. He reached his arms around her back and untied her bikini strings. Her top immediately rose to the surface. She felt the warm water against her body and then his hands. She responded, bringing her arms around his strong back then down slowly, loosening his bathing suit, feeling his desire. He pulled her even closer until they were one, riding the rhythm of the waves to its intense crest, then melting downward, spent in each other’s arms.
They floated for a while, hearts racing, then made their way on shore.
Their snorkeling gear and bathing suits had washed up on the hidden beach. After dressing, they sat on the warm sand watching the waves roll in and out.
“I could stay here forever,” Dana said.
“Me too. We could leave the world behind,” Cody said wrapping his arms around her.
Dana smiled, “And eat Beef Wellington.”
“…and pizza and chocolate cake!” he finished holding her tight.
The sun started its lazy descent. They gathered their things and swam back, wanting to return before dark.
“Well, that was awesome,” Dana said as they walked out of the ocean.
“Understatement,” Cody said pulling her close to him for a kiss. “I’m having an incredible time with you.”
“And you...” Dana’s voice trailed as she gently stroked his face.
“So we’ll have dinner?”
“Yes.”
“And then...”
“And then.”
A promise for later was made.
They returned to the room to get ready. Cody showered first, quickly, to give Dana the most time to get ready.
He emerged, clad only in a towel from the shower. “It’s all yours.”
Dana showered with Cody on her mind. Her skin was tinged with red from the sun. Every drop of water made her body tingle. She lathered her body with lavender soap luxuriating under the hot steamy water thinking of their afternoon rendezvous and the words he said to her last night, words she never thought she’d hear again. He loved her. She could feel it in his touch, in his kiss. She could not believe the depth of her emotions for this man, this incredible man. Dana stepped out of the shower awash in happiness. She pulled on a thick terry cloth robe and brushed out her hair. She felt clean and refreshed. Dana blew out her mane then slipped into a form fitting white sundress. Her long black hair framed her narrow face, curling slightly around her shoulders. A pair of strappy white sandals completed the look. She was ready.
Cody was waiting for her on the white couch. He stood when she entered the room looking amazing in dark blue jeans and an untucked button down black shirt.
“Hey beautiful,” he said.
“Hey yourself.”
They took each other’s hands feeling the perfect fit of their skin. Walking down to dinner they talked and laughed like old friends.
They arrived at Tropical Nights restaurant and were surrounded by an island fantasy world. The wood plank floor was sprinkled with sand. Tall palm trees rose from the floor adorned with coconuts and bright yellow flowers. Torches were scattered throughout the restaurant, their orange flame was the only light in the room. The restaurant’s back wall was a huge open-air window overlooking the ocean. In the dark, the deep blue waters crashed foamy white waves along the shore. The roar of the sea echoed an enchanting melody through the restaurant.
Cody and Dana sat at a table for two next to the window. They dined on blackened mahi mahi with sweet plantains. The dish was a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. The mahi was encased in a bright green banana leaf resting on a colorful black bean mango salsa.
“The fish is delicious.” Dana pulled her fork slowly from her mouth savoring every bite.
“Fantastic.”
“So tell me, what’s with this obscure president game you started to tell me about once upon a time?”
Cody laughed. “It all started in a little restaurant in Gainesville. The guys and I were all sitting around talking about what it would be like to be famous...you know, having a tour bus, throngs of fans...all that fun stuff.” He gestured with his hands. “Then Alex pipes up and says that when fame hit we wouldn’t even be able to stay in hotels anymore under our name. So we made a pact that if we did start to become famous, we would use the name of an obscure president. When we got to the well-known presidents we’d know that we’d really and truly made it ‘cause we used up all the lesser known leaders.”
“Cute idea.”
“Yeah, we’re still in the obscure list, so I guess really big fame has eluded us.”
“Clever and historical.”
They both laughed.
“Hey, on a more serious note, what is happening with Alex and the baby situation?”
“That’s a whole other issue,” he sighed. “He and Kylie are trying to work this out, but it’s a disaster. Alex has no desire to be a father and Kylie is determined to keep the baby. Seems she comes from an extremely religious family, who, aside from being mortified by their daughter’s pregnancy, are hell bent on the baby being born. They want Alex to either marry their daughter and take care of her or get the hell out of her life.”
“Woah...that’s a mess.”
“It is and it’s tearing Alex up. I think he knows what he needs to do to ease his own mind. I mean he comes from a close family...I don’t think he’d want his kid growing up in some illegitimate situation, or without a dad. But the timing for all this is bad...he’s been acting more than a little off lately.”
“The pressure...”
“He’s not dealing with it very well. The problem is seeping into every aspect of his life...including the band. To be honest with you, I was glad to get away from them for a bit...I needed a vacation from the band issues.”
“And I thought you were down here for me!” Dana pouted.
“I am...I am.” Cody took Dana’s hand. “Being away from them is just a nice side effect.”
“You had me worried for a moment there.”
Cody leaned in for a kiss. “You should know better than that.”
They shared a knowing glance.
“I’m ready to get out of here, how about you?” Cody asked.
Dana twirled her hair between her fingers. “Very ready.”
They moved from the table swiftly to the lobby to their room. There was an unspoken invitation. Once the door closed, they drew close to each other, pulled together as if by another force.
“Dana, I meant what I said yesterday,” Cody said, looking deep into her eyes, “I’m falling in love with you...I am in love with you.”
“I feel the same way,” Dana replied breathlessly feeling his strong body beneath her hands. Her eyes met his. “I love you, Cody.”
He could see the love in her eyes.
Her words filled his heart.
She loved him.
They shared a long passionate kiss, their bodies mirroring their words of love. Cody moved his lips slowly down her neck with gentle kisses. He toyed with the straps of her sundress, teasing her, then dropped the straps revealing her gorgeous body.
Skin on skin. Electrifying touch.
Two bodies became one.
Two souls joined.
It was passion.
It was...
True love.