Passion in Paradise

Penny sat staring at her airline ticket, marveling at the thought that she would soon be boarding a flight to the Maldives. Who would have believed she would ever get an opportunity like this? And what happens next is adventure, danger and pure passion in paradise.

Penny sat staring at her airline ticket, marveling at the thought that she would soon be boarding a flight to the Maldives. Who would have believed she would ever get an opportunity like this?

It was the result of one miracle after another… getting the job at Exotic Destinations was a fluke. She had simply been fancifully staring at the travel agency window when a young girl flew out of the store in a tizzy, followed by a harried-looking older woman, who turned to Penny and asked, “Want a job?”

Penny’s eyes lit up, “Yes! Absolutely! But I’m not sure I qualify to work in a travel agency.”

“
Can you handle a computer? Can you answer a phone? Do you know how to read?”

“
Well, yes!”

“
Can you start now?”

“
Yes! Yes, thank you!” she said, eagerly following her new boss back into the store.

“
My name is Margaret Smith. What’s yours?”

“
Penelope Martin,” she replied.

As she filled out her employment forms, her boss explained why the job had come up so suddenly.

“
I just fired the girl you saw running out.”

“
Why? May I ask what happened?”

“
Let’s just say, it isn’t wise to get involved with your married customers! The reason I need a replacement so quickly is because I am leaving for the Maldives soon and I need time to train someone.”

“
How exciting! Is this for business or pleasure?”

“
Both! It’s all expenses paid to a beautiful tropical island. What could be bad about that?”

Penny shook her head as she remembered what happened next. She had only been working there for two weeks when Margaret fell off the curb, broke her hip and shattered her chance at the trip of a lifetime; only a few days before she was supposed to leave.

It was a mad dash getting Penny prepared for the trip. She needed appropriate clothing for a Muslim city, her passport had to be rushed through, she needed a travel guide and dictionary to mitigate the language barrier, and she needed a clear understanding of what was expected of her.

And here I am, one lucky Iowa farm girl!

Just then, her flight was announced. She gathered her carry-ons and joined the boarding line.

The pilot’s announcement abruptly woke Penny from her nap.

“
Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll be landing at Malé International Airport in fifteen minutes.” The plane swooped in low over the water and landed on a runway which spanned the entire length of the island.

When Penny stepped off the plane, she couldn’t believe her eyes. This was the most beautiful place she’d ever seen, surrounded by azure seas and exotically dressed Muslims. She wasn’t sure what to do next until she spied the man holding the sign that read,
Exotic Destinations
.

“
I think you’re here for me.”

“
Are you Miss Martin?”

“
Yes.”

“
Then I’m here to walk you through customs and take you to the resort. We will travel by ferry so you can see our wonderful island.”

The ferry’s seaworthiness was questionable but Penny was mesmerized by the coral reef which was teeming with sea life. Dolphins played in the bow’s waves while herons waded in the shallows and tropical fish of every color filled the reef around her.

As she panned the beautiful scenery, something else caught her eye. “Look at that gorgeous yacht out there,” she exclaimed while pointing it out to her guide. “Do you know who owns it?”

 “
I don’t know, but I’ve seen it here before. Madam, we have arrived,” he informed her. The ferry pulled up to a dock which was literally right in front of the lobby of her resort.

Penny didn’t know where to look first. The island was lush and tropical, with palm trees and flowers as far as the eye could see. Her escort gathered her belongings and led her to the check-in desk. She was amazed by the large, open-air lobby, with its wicker and rattan furnishings and paddle ceiling fans. The flower arrangements on the counter were magnificent.

In fact, everything was perfect…until that lizard skittered over the toe of her shoe! Penny let out a yelp, spinning around and landing in the arms of a total stranger.

“
G’day luv. Falling for me already?” He smiled at her sardonically as he set her back on her feet while keeping his arms around her. Penny’s head was in the clouds. She attempted to focus on her rescuer. When their eyes met, it awakened a feeling she had never experienced before. He was rugged and handsome. His Australian accent captivated her. “Allow me to introduce myself,” he whispered close to her ear, “I’m Nicolas Kelly, but you can call me Nick,”

Penny was having trouble regaining her senses. She couldn’t take her eyes off of his. They were as blue and deep as the tropical waters, with long dark lashes and he had thick wavy hair that longed to be stroked.

He interrupted her thoughts, “May I know your name?”

“
Um, oh yes… My name is Penelope Martin.”

The desk clerk cleared his throat to get her attention and asked, “Miss Martin, would you like to check in now?”

“
What? Oh… yes.”

Nick grabbed her arm as she turned away. “Wait… can I take you to see the sights tomorrow?”

“
I would really love to do that, but I first have to see if the hotel has plans for me. I’m here to review the resort for my travel agency.”

“
I’ll take my chances. I will be here at noon to pick you up. If you have other things you must do, leave a message for me at the desk.” He took her hand, turned it palm upward and placed a light kiss on it, “Try not to disappoint me, my dear.”

As he walked away, Penny turned to the desk clerk, still in a daze and wondering what had just happened. “Um… are there any messages for me?”

After checking in, Penny followed the baggage porter down a long narrow pier that extended out into the ocean. A number of bungalows were perched on tall stilts in the ten foot deep tidal water with private walkways branching from the central pier. Her room had full windows on all sides, giving her a breathtaking view of the surroundings.

The bed was centered in the room and adorned with sheer draperies. Next to it on a table sat an ice bucket that contained a chilled bottle of Chandon Moet. Beside it was a bowl of fresh fruits. The bathroom had a huge sunken tub that was open to the sea. It was filled with room temperature water and had red blossoms floating in it. She sighed with pleasure at the prospect of soaking in that tub with a strawberry in one hand and a champagne flute in the other.

The phone rang and she dived for it, hoping it was that amazing stranger, Nick. “This is room service. We are preparing a sampling of our dinners for you. Will you be eating in the dining room or would you prefer to have your repast in your room?”

“
I’ll be eating in my room, thank you. Please leave it at my door.” Penny had waited long enough. She undressed and slid into the tub. She was able to finally relax for the first time since arriving on the island.
I need to organize my time so I can get everything done and still have time for Nicolas if he calls.
She went over Nick’s image in her head.
He’s tall; must be over six feet… and so muscular.
I really did like his Australian accent.
Her pulse quickened as she fantasized about meeting with him the next day. She closed her eyes and imagined his lips pressed against hers. There was a knock at the door.

Penny awoke with high hopes, anticipating a glorious day of infinite possibilities. She decided to have breakfast in the dining room. The buffet was quite good with a number of less-common dishes being offered that were spicy and delicious. After breakfast, she decided to use her time exploring the resort. The pool was first on her list… a state of the art infinity pool that edged right up to the sea. Next, was the full-treatment spa that offered couples massage treatments right next to the ocean. She could picture herself and Nick lying naked side by side on the massage tables while the masseurs worked their magic.

Penny kept looking at her watch. It was almost noon. Nicolas said he would meet her in the lobby, but what if he didn’t show up? Should she return to her bungalow or wait here and risk embarrassing rejection? She was still debating with herself when Nick came up behind her, covered her eyes, and whispered, “Guess who?” in her ear.

Penny smiled. “The man I’ve been waiting for?”

“
That remains to be seen,” said the voice from behind.

Nick and Penny took the ferry to downtown Malé and walked to a sidewalk café he knew well. The waiter led them to a table and laid menus down in front of them. Nick wasted no time looking over the lunch selections. “We’re ready to order now. We’ll have the lobster,” he informed the waiter, turning to Penny. “You really can’t go wrong with that.”

“
So, you’ve been here before?”

“
Whenever I get to town I make a point of dining here.”

“
How long are you staying at the resort?” Penny asked.

“
I’m not. I have other accommodations,” he replied cryptically. It was their first date and Penny didn’t want to seem nosey so she decided not to press him on the subject. Nick was a well-traveled man of the world whereas she had never really been anywhere before.

Nick lustfully eyed her perfectly shaped small breasts and slender, lithe body as he mentally undressed her. She didn’t notice the inspection: she was far too busy examining her surroundings and taking mental notes for her report. The waiter brought their coffee. It was served in charming demitasse cups and was strong, sweet, and Turkish. As they sipped, they flirted with their eyes.

What should have been an ideal moment was shattered by the untimely chiming of his cell phone. His demeanor changed as he glanced down to read the text message. After texting his reply, he set the phone back down on the table without saying a word.

“
Business partner,” he responded to Penny, who was looking inquisitively at him.

“
Oh, so you’re here on business too?” Penny asked innocently.

“
Yes. I’m a…salesman.”

Then, it happened again. Another interruption. The cell phone rang this time. Nick stood up and stepped a few feet away from the table before answering. All Penny heard from his side of the conversation was, “Then, we have to make the sale tonight!”

Nick hung up the phone and said, “I am sorry. I have to go.”

“
You’re leaving now? What about lunch?” she asked.

“
I want you to enjoy it,” he replied, laying 1000 rufiyaa, the local currency, down on the table.

“
Will I see you again?” she asked, but Nick was already out of sight before she could finish her sentence.

Penny looked down on the table and stared angrily at the money, as if she had just won the consolation prize at the county fair. The irony was almost more than she could handle. She had wasted the morning worrying over whether or not to let him kiss her, and he didn’t even want to stay for lunch. Not the perfect end! Not the perfect day!