Crazy in Paradise Read online

  Mother looked summery and cool in a white linen dress, and red belt. I got my love of dress-up from my mother. I can’t remember a time when she wasn’t fashionable.

  “How’d the move go?”

  “Very easy, at least for me,” she laughed. “I hired a moving organizer who supervised all the details. Her men came in, packed up everything and clearly marked each box. When we arrived in Coral Gables, they unpacked the furniture and boxes and put them in all of the right rooms. Having done many moves on my own, I consider this the best one. I kept your things separate.”

  “I appreciate you doing that for me. I’ll get some muscle to come up to your place and move it down here.”

  “You didn’t have very much. What happened to all of your possessions? Tell me Dickhead didn’t get everything in the divorce.”

  “It’s just stuff, Mother.” I’d said those words to myself constantly from the start of the divorce until it was final. I’d managed to hide away a few favorite items that Dickhead never found.

  “You had more going into the marriage,” she insisted.

  “In the end, I had to decide if I wanted my freedom or a fight.”

  “I could’ve gotten you a top lawyer.”

  “You can’t blame my lawyer. He came highly recommended. He advised me of my options, and most of them were dismal. The last thing I wanted was a long, drawn-out fight. Trust me when I tell you that Dickhead would’ve been willing to do battle over every piece of silverware and he would’ve enjoyed himself.”

  “You should’ve let me help you.”

  “I love you for offering, but I needed to do this for myself.” I drew the line at him humiliating me in front of my family any further. Once I made up my mind about getting the divorce, it was all about my freedom. My only regret is that it didn’t come sooner.

  Changing the subject, Mother said, “I’m going to love Coral Gables. Now that the three of us will be living close to one another again, life is good, and we’ll be as close as ever.

  “Come on. Let’s go and have some fun,” she offered. “My new goal is to encourage you to enjoy life more.”

  “Don’t worry so much. I’m meeting new people and I think I’ll find plenty of excitement.”

  “Tell me over dinner. I’m hungry.”

  “Let’s go to The Beach House and sit outside overlooking the water,” I suggested. “The view is incredible, and they have the best key lime pie in town.”

  * * *

  The hostess showed us to a table outside. “Can I get you something to drink?”

  “Jack, straight up,” Mother ordered.

  “Iced tea, please.” I pointed to what looked like cigarettes. “What are those?”

  “Hand rolled cigars.” She held one out. “I wanted a change from a regular cigarette.”

  “Oh Mother, you’re too much,” I laughed. “I’m glad you’re back.”

  We gossiped about mutual friends, wondered when Brad would be getting a new girlfriend, talked over the events of the last couple of weeks. I’d missed Mother more than I thought. I won’t take one moment of time with my family for granted.

  The cool breeze off the blue-green waters of the Atlantic made sitting outside the perfect choice. Waves rolled up on the white sand, while egrets and pelicans walked along the shore in search of their own dinner. I noticed my mother fixating on something directly over my shoulder, a pleased, cat-like smile on her face. I knew Zach was standing behind me.

  Zach leaned down and kissed my cheek. “How’s my girlfriend?” he whispered in my ear.

  Did he say girlfriend? My cheeks turned red and I was suddenly flustered.

  “Introduce us, Madison,” Mother said with a huge smile on her face.

  How was I going to explain Zach? “This is my mother, Madeline Westin,” I introduced. “Zach Lazarro, a friend of Elizabeth’s.”

  “Join us, Zach,” mother said. “How did you know my sister?”

  “Elizabeth was a family friend. I’m very sorry for your loss.”

  “Thank you.” Then after a brief pause, “So how did you meet Madison?” Mother seemed puzzled. “I don’t remember seeing you at the funeral.”

  “I’m sorry I was out of town at the time and didn’t find out until I got back. I stopped by the house to offer my condolences.”

  “You’re kissing my daughter. There must be more to the story than that.”

  “Mother, please.” I knew there was no stopping her from asking questions. “Zach is just being nice.”

  “Actually, I stopped by to ask your daughter out for dinner tomorrow night.” He rubbed the back of my neck.

  “She’d love to go,” Mother answered.

  “Really, Mother, I can accept my own date.” I didn’t want to have this conversation in front of her. “I’m busy.” I stared at her, willing her to stop embarrassing me.

  She shook her head, “You are not. She’s just acting shy. She’d love to go.”

  He winked at me. “I’ll pick you up early. We’ll take a drive through the Keys.”

  They were both clearly pleased with themselves. Neither one noticed that I’d said ‘no’. I wanted to go on the date, but not one arranged by my mother.

  “Would you like a cigar, Zach?”

  “No thanks.”

  “At least join us for a drink.” Mother motioned to the waiter. “Another Jack, please.” Zach ordered a beer, but I passed. I needed to be sober for what was coming next.

  “Tell me about yourself,” Mother said to Zach.

  “Mother, stop.”

  “I don’t mind,” Zach interjected.

  I shook my head. “You’re crazy,” I whispered. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “Madison, please, I just want to get to know a little about the man you’re dating.”

  “One date is not dating. Besides, aren’t these questions you should ask before accepting for me? When you find out he’s homeless and unemployed, will you also cancel for me?”

  “Ignore her, Zach. I’m always interested in any man my daughter dates.”

  “Mother, maybe when I was in high school. I’m a grown woman, a divorced woman.”

  “Have you been married, Zach?”

  “Yes, married and divorced.”

  “Look, you do have something in common,” Mother said.

  “Divorce. That’s nice. Does your family refer to your ex as ‘Dickhead’, Zach?”

  Zach laughed. “No, I can’t say I’ve ever heard anyone say that.”

  “What do you do for a living?” Mother asked.

  “What she means is, can you afford to pay for dinner?” I said.

  Zach pulled me close, and kissed my cheek. “I can answer these questions. Trust me,” he whispered in my ear.

  We looked at one another and laughed. I relaxed and sat back and resumed normal breathing.

  I listened as my mother fired her questions. He gave the briefest responses to each one, giving her absolutely no information. He’s good, I thought. Way better at the ‘no info’ answer than I am.

  I tuned out of the conversation, and started thinking about our upcoming date. I was excited. I heard Elizabeth’s name and realized the personal questions were over, and they had moved on.

  When Zach’s phone rang, he stepped away to answer the call. He said a few words and came back. “One of my clients has had an interruption in service and I need to go check on the building. It was very nice to meet you, Madeline.” He kissed her cheek and turned to me. “I’ll pick you up at 6:00.” His lips briefly touched mine.

  “I like him,” Mother said as he walked away.

  “I like him too, but I don’t want you setting up dates for me.”

  “You were going to decline. You know damn well you’re not busy, now are you?”

  “That’s not the point,” I said.

  She looked at me. “What’s wrong with you? You want to go, and you’re going. What else matters? I bet you have a good time.”

  She’s right. I di
d want to go.

  Chapter 9

  I was running behind when I raced through the French doors, rushed up the stairs, hurled myself into the shower and jumped out in record time. I didn’t have the patience to tame my hair, and decided on wild curls.

  I’d spent the day getting ready for my date, had my nails done in a French manicure, and my toes painted a bright pink. I managed a quick stop at my favorite clothing store, where I’d found a great black dress. I put on a lacy push-up bra and matching boy shorts, stepped into my dress, and checked myself out in the mirror. I was probably overdressed but didn’t care.

  I transferred a few things to a mother-of-pearl purse I’d found in a second hand shop, wondering yet again why anyone would give it away because it was so unusual. I added crystal earrings and a bracelet that completed my look, checked myself again in the mirror and this time decided I was definitely overdressed.

  I rummaged through the closet, and pulled out a green flowered tropical dress, then a black skirt that was far too business-like. I tried on a dozen outfits, threw them in a pile on the bed, and decided to wear my original choice. I slipped in and out of several pairs of shoes before choosing my favorite black slides.

  A friend once told me a great tan trumps average looks. If that were true then I was well on my way. Though I’m allergic to the gym, I do like biking and swimming, and my body looked good.

  I heard Zach’s knock and my stomach started doing cartwheels. When I opened the front door, he looked me over from head to toe, and gave me a seductive smile. “Very nice,” he said, reaching out and pulling me into a kiss.

  He looked totally delicious in black linen shorts, a short-sleeved tropical silk shirt, and boat shoes.

  “I thought we’d drive down to Sand Dollar Isle,” he said, helping me into his Escalade. “They have an excellent Mexican restaurant there. You’ll like the food.” He reached across and took my hand in his.

  The Tortilla Bar was an old adobe structure that hung out over an inlet of water that flowed to and from the gulf. The outside had leftover Christmas decorations everywhere and ropes of lights around the building and in every tree. The bar was loud, noisy and full of people. To the side were a pool table and darts, while the noise from big screen televisions competed with a jukebox and a pinball machine.

  We sat in front of a large window and ordered margaritas.

  “Why does Spoon think you’re my girlfriend?” he asked straight out.

  The question caught me off guard. “I didn’t say you were my boyfriend. I just told him I had one. I’d appreciate your not telling him I lied.”

  “What happened?”

  “He asked me out on a date.”

  Zach rocked back in his chair and laughed.

  “I’m glad you think it’s funny. I certainly do not. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but I’m not going out with him,” I scowled. “I just blurted out the boyfriend story.”

  “What’s my silence worth to you?”

  “Worth?” I said. “I only met him doing you a favor. In my opinion, this is your fault.”

  “Blaming me isn’t going to work. I want my own IOU.”

  “You have to be kidding.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “I’ll cancel out one of mine.”

  “No way. I want one of my own.”

  “Fine,” I said. “This date’s beginning to suck.”

  “I promise the night will get better. I already took care of Spoon. I told him you belong to me. And his scurvy friends are off limits.”

  “Belong to you? Like a piece of furniture?”

  “Relax. He thinks we’re serious, so he won’t be bothering you. I have to warn you…our being a couple is probably all over town.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get you caught up in my lie.”

  “Now that we’re in a relationship, can I expect benefits?”

  “Sex?” I squeaked. My stomach started doing flip-flops. The idea was a total turn on. “How are you feeling?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

  “Don’t think I’m going to forget what we were talking about.” He ran his finger across my lips.

  “How’s the bullet wound?”

  “It’s healing. My shoulder still hurts.”

  “And your case?”

  “I’m a little frustrated. I expected it to be wrapped up by now. The team ran into some complications we didn’t anticipate. It looks like it’ll be a couple more days.”

  “Be careful,” I said softly.

  “Are you worried?”

  “You can’t collect IOU’s from a dead man.” I did worry, but I wasn’t going to tell him.

  The waiter appeared with our food. My enchiladas tasted as good as they looked. I’d already had two margaritas. Liquid courage.

  “Another round of drinks?”

  I did want another, but one more and I might not be able to walk out of the restaurant on my own. “No, thank you.” One drink too many and who knew what outrageous thing I might do. Zach didn’t need to see me dancing on the table on the first date.

  “Let’s go to the bar,” Zach said. “Can you play pool?”

  “I’m not bad.”

  “You surprise me.”

  “I play on occasion. You up for a game or not?” I asked, challenging him.

  “Oh, I’m up for it. I just don’t think this will be an even match up.”

  “You worry about yourself; this won’t be as easy as you think. Want to put some money down?”

  “Twenty bucks says you don’t stand a chance of coming close to beating me.”

  “You’re so arrogant.”

  He gave me a long kiss on the lips. “Shut up and break, darlin’.”

  * * *

  “I had you on the ropes a couple of times,” I told him. I’d played a decent game, but I was no match for him.

  “When?” he laughed. “Did you actually think you were going to win?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Keep your twenty bucks. I want this.” He picked me up, put me on the edge of the pool table and kissed me thoroughly. One hand was wrapped in my hair, the other running down my back. He nibbled on my neck, kissed the swell of my breasts, then pushed me back and stared at me. “Time for us to leave.”

  The drive to my house seemed all too short. I’d relaxed a little from the double dose of tequila. I tried hard not to be nervous, but I definitely had a case of the jitters.

  At my house, we walked through the back patio area. We stopped and stood beside the pool, kissing. It had been a long time since I wanted to kiss a man, and I enjoyed every moment; the roughness of his mouth, the sensation of his tongue. He was tall and I considerably shorter, yet our bodies molded together in all the right places.

  Was I making a mistake? Too late. I didn’t give a damn. There’s no bigger turn on than to make love with someone you’re hot for.

  He slowly pushed the straps of my dress off my shoulders, exposing my breasts. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered, his tongue caressing my nipples with a great deal of expertise. The sensation of Zach touching me in such intimate ways took my breath away.

  Waves of desire overwhelmed me. I hurriedly unbuttoned his shirt, desperate to feel his skin against mine, as his hands moved down my back, unzipping my dress the rest of the way.

  “This isn’t fair,” I murmured. “I’m standing here naked while you’re fully dressed.”

  “You standing there naked has been my dream since the first time I watched you walk across this very patio. I had all kinds of hot thoughts while you nursed me,” he whispered in my ear.

  “Take off your clothes,” I demanded, kicking off my shoes, and stepping out of my dress.

  “You’re so bossy,” he said, his teeth nipping my neck. He took his shirt off and let it fall to the ground. He played with his belt, slowly unzipping his pants.

  “You’re deliberately taking too long.”

  He threw them aside.

  I stood, admiring his hard
body.

  Neither one of us was able to hold off another second. He wrapped his arms around my waist, then lifted me straight up and laid my body down onto a chaise. He was on top of me, and then we reversed positions, I astride him. It felt so damn good!

  The sex was hot, frenzied, carnal. We were both so into each other. It went on and on before we reached climaxes together.

  “You do not disappoint,” he said rolling off me.

  “And neither do you,” I murmured, every fiber of my body tingling.

  He stood, pulling me to him, and lifting me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist, and he carried me upstairs to my bed. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this satisfied, my skin still tender from his touch.

  “Why did we wait so long?” Zach whispered.

  So long and so quick at the same time. I couldn’t help smiling. The sex was sensational and he’s easy to be around. Not what I expected. I laid my head on his chest, and drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter 10

  Instead of Zach stretched out next to me, only Jazz lay there. I felt tender all over, the imprint of Zach’s fingers etched into my skin.

  I listened to the sounds of the house. It was too quiet; Jazz and I were alone. A piece of paper lay on the pillow next to me. It was a sure sign he’d left and, instead of a good-bye kiss, a crummy note.

  ‘Call you later, Zach’.

  I started to cry. I wanted morning sex. I wanted to hear I was the best something. And, what did later mean? An hour? Next month? What a letdown; a fun evening with hot sex had ended with three words. Four, if you count his name.

  I dragged myself into the shower and cried until I got all wrinkly and the water turned cold. I put on a sundress with a built-in bra to keep the girls from jiggling. They were sensitive and I wouldn’t be able to tolerate them moving around.

  I walked downstairs to the kitchen. Jazz stood there waiting by his food bowl, howling at the top of his lungs. He wanted fresh water and his bowl of kibble topped off. He stared at me with a ‘fill it up now’ look on his face. I knew if I didn’t, the howling would never end.

  “Sssh, Jazz please. I always feed you. Do you have to do this every morning?” I quickly filled his bowl. He took a bite, then moved to the water bowl and waited, looking at me. “Meow.”