Tomorrow, Meet David At A Mile High

"Well, this felt more like a date, and it is late should we start the interview at noon tomorrow. That should give you time to sleep in," Tomorrow suggested. 

"If it did, that was a long trip for a date."

"It was, I have enjoyed it and thank you for the nice seat on the plane, I enjoyed the room."

"You're welcome I figured you're going to help me make a fortune, so a nice impression was worth it. But your interview was during the Skype. I like your energy, your honesty, and your spirit. I can tell you have an I don't give up attitude, so you're my go to girl. You and I will learn to run my hotel and make it a success."

"You know people get a degree in hotel management," Tomorrow pointed out she really had no interest in running a hotel. 

"I know and I have two coming next week to do just that, but we need to learn too. Besides, there is more to a hotel than management so we will learn it all together," Lucas told her. 

"Very good idea," she smiled and said, "I will gladly learn anything you want to teach me," she said as he paid the bill. 

He cut his eye towards her and smiled. "I was hoping you might." That unmistakable glint of desire filled his eye for a split second. His smile met his eyes, and he turned away. He didn't want to show his hand so soon, but she was exquisite, as he knew she would be. "Let's go and I will show you my new hotel," he offered and extended his hand. 

They drove across the island indulging in chitchat, pointing out things she could barely see in the dark. He was telling her his hopes and dreams for the hotel. She didn't find any of his ideas outrageous. He was smart, handsome, and had an eye for her. As she assumes, he would. He became far too interested in her looks on their Skype chat. She would use this to her advantage. She needs time to heal, to hide, and most of all to have some fun. Something she can't remember ever doing. She did wonder where he got the six million to do the renovations. 

Watching his animated talk, she knew he would show her a good time. If nothing else, life will be interesting. She would play the game he had set up and hold him off as long as she could. However, watching his hands grip the steering wheel, his finger drum to the beat of the music playing softly in the car, she wondered how long that would be. All of her nerve endings stood to attention when he turned and smiled after saying something witty that she missed completely as she marveled over his hands, his wrist, and arms the strength in his grip. That was all she could see from the glow of the dashboard, occasionally he would turn and flash that smile that she took notice of so quickly. 

Tomorrow knew she was doomed if his kiss didn't set her on fire as Dante's did. Why had his? Was it because he needed her as none of the others had? Lucas needs her, she could tell. He was lost, with too much money, and no one to share his goals and life with as far as she can see. He in so many words told her that the night they Skyped. He was lost, with no family, and now no friends, they had been stolen by his ex-lover. Yes, Lucas was lost and alone and he hoped she would save him. The saying, money can't buy you happiness, was true. Aren't they a pair? 

"So, what are your plans for me?" Tomorrow asked. 

"To make you the Queen of the Virgin Islands." 

"But I'm not a virgin," she offered back quickly. Then wished she hadn't.

"No, but you haven't been sullied by the hundreds of men who chase after you for just a touch of your body."

"Hundreds you think?"

"I do. Even your David from the plane would stake his claim if he could."

Tomorrow laughed, "he was a handsome hunk."

"Huh, if you like that kind."

"What tall, dark and handsome," she shot back. 

"If that is what appeals to you. He is a bureaucrat in a suit."

"And you are tall, blonde, handsome, a free spirit, with your casual linen slacks and V neck shirt."

"Yes, exactly doesn't that sound better?" 

Breathing deeply, she sighed, "yes it does," she said and watched a smile spread across his face. She liked that smile and will have to make that happen often. "So, you checked on my case this morning?"

"Actually, I sat-up my computer to notify me if anything new came up so I would know. I was concerned you may not make it because of those new charges."

"No, I was never contacted, my mother called me at the airport to tell me. They didn't even contact me when they let him out in the first place. I couldn't add anything to the investigation, I didn't know he had a friend," Tomorrow told him. "Let's just forget any of this is going on. It doesn't change my life. I'm here with you and that is all that matters."

"Yes, it does. You're here and he can rot," Lucas said, taking a left, he drove along the water. Tomorrow sat mesmerized looking out at the ocean, it was glowing as the moon lit up the area. The white caps seemed to be luminous as they rolled to the shore. She thought if it is this beautiful at night, it will be glorious in the morning. A hotel blocked her view. It was lit up like daylight with a huge fountain out front. They passed it by, and Lucas turned into the drive. A young black man handsomely dressed, rushed out as he stopped the car. Lucas tossed him his keys and came around to open the door for Tomorrow. 

Her eyes searched every square inch of the entry to get the feel of the place for a first-time guest's perspective. She was impressed. There was a covered drive, but you could still see the fountain and the palm trees. The entrance was clear and the check in desk was easily seen. No distractions, you knew where to go. A nice sitting area encourages you to come in and relax. She has never stayed in a hotel. This would be interesting.

"Ok, I told you your room would be ready, but the tile grout hasn't had enough time to set, so you will spend the first night in one of our guest rooms. That should give you an idea of what our guests will encounter."

"That is good for my first night in a hotel. I like what I have seen so far. It is impressive and the drive in is nice. The area doesn't appear to be overcrowded, so that is good," she said as he escorted her in, as she took it all in.

"Yes, my grandfather bought all the land from the turn to the next hotel to keep other hotels from crowding him in. He has a couple thousand feet of beach in both directions. Some have sand and some are rock, but the area off the hotel is sand. You'll see in the morning. I'm sure you can tell I'm very proud," he said as he escorted her inside. 

Another young black man stood near the front counter, "Diego this is Miss Tomorrow Jones, I told you about," Lucas announced as he approached. 

He smiled and walked towards them, "you did Sir, but you said she was beautiful. She is more than beautiful. Welcome Miss Tomorrow, our boss was excited about your arrival."

"Hey, don't tell her all my secrets she will use them against me," Lucas complained but was happy.

"Oh yes, sorry Sir, but she doesn't look like the type," he teased back. The sound of luggage wheels being rolled over tile caught everyone's attention. 

"Oh no, we can't have that" Lucas called out, "I know they are heavy, but we will have more help after the opening and they will be carried from the vehicles or put on a rolling cart," Lucas announced when the other helper stopped walking looking embarrassed at his mistake.

"Come on live and learn. But we can't have that echoing through the lobby as people are trying to check in," Lucas encouraged him to keep going. He was new to the hotel game and had a lot to learn, as did Lucas. His one advantage is that he has been in and out of hotels his entire life.

"No sir, I was not thinking it won't happen again," the young man confirmed with a very Caribbean accent. 

"Let's get those up to her room and then you two go to sleep, we have more workers coming in the morning. We will be busy," Lucas told them and locked the front doors. Which was a production in itself. Doors spanned the front tucked away for that open feeling. He now closed them off. As she stepped in the elevators the lobby lights went out. "When we are open, those will stay open. We will have staff 24/7 but for now we close and lock at night. Can't trust the locals, some have quick hands," Lucas offered as they rode up the elevator. 

Minutes later, she sat on a bed in a tropically decorated room. The man had placed her luggage on a rack near a spacious bathroom. The place was quiet, and she was alone again. She hated it. Her mind went to the feel of Dante's hands on her body, and it sent a surge through her. 

A light tap on a door, she thought, was a closet that forced her to drop those thoughts. She said, "What is behind door number one?"

Lucas stood casually leaning against the doorframe. She looked past him into a room decorated exactly like hers.

"I took the room next to you in case you feel lost or lonely."

"Thank you, I was feeling both please come in," she offered, stepping back so he could gain access to the room. 

"So, what do you think of the room?"

"It is nice and airy, comfortable, quiet, and lonely," Tomorrow added as he made himself at home in her room.

Sitting back in a chair, he said, "yeah, my room also, this is the cheapest room we have. I was hoping that you felt it was comfortable, so that was good."

Tomorrow sat back on the bed. "It is and the bed is great, I guess I 

 Just need some sleep?"

"That makes sense, you have been going for a long time," he got the hint and stood. "So, I'm going to let you rest when you're ready come downstairs in the morning and I will show you around." He turned to go back to his room.

"Thanks Lucas and I will see you in the morning, but not too early. You need some sleep too," it's well past two in the morning she noted. 

"You can tell? But I will tell you, I will sleep well tonight, knowing you're here," he assured her.

"That is sweet, good night, Lucas." 

He took his cue and closed the door. Now she was back to being lonely.

If he thought, she was going to invite him to share her room the first night he is barking up the wrong skirt. She had known Dante for months and participated in foreplay all along. She knew him well; the final incentive was when they kissed. He has some work to do before she sleeps with him, but she knows she will.

She pulled out a nightgown Billy's mother gave her for Christmas a few years ago. She never wore it; she had never felt inspired. She saw it hanging in her closet and thought why not and brought it along. She would take a shower and put it on going to bed feeling sexy. 

"But Lucas you're going to have to do more than hold up the doorframe looking like a stud muffin to entice me," Tomorrow said into the foggy mirror. "He is handsome, smart, rich, witty, doesn't smoke, everything a woman wants, so why is he still single," she wondered, checking her reflection in the mirror, "until that question is answered I'm off-limits mister."

By morning she was naked. The lace on the front of the gown drove her crazy itching her chest so she couldn't sleep. It was only for looks and to be taken off quickly. She surmised and tossed it on her chair around four. She slept well once she pulled it off. 

She walked to what she thought was a window, but it was a balcony she pulled back the drapes. The beauty of the sky, the water, and the day drew her out. She stood on the balcony taking it all in and she was mesmerized by the ebb and flow of the waves. The crispness of the air she could see forever. A dolphin jumped in the water and three others followed as a game of follow the leader she watched as it continued. She walked to the railing and looked down a beautifully manicured lawn and a large wading pool was over to one side, but the ocean drew her eyes right back. 

"Good morning, nice view," was called out from a distance. Looking down Lucas stood in the courtyard looking up. Tomorrow jumped back into her room and scrambled for her clothes. What the hell had she been thinking? "Apparently Oh how pretty," she complained, pulling on her underwear. "Maybe I am brain damaged, who walks around naked in a strange place. How am I ever going to face him again?" She put on her bra. "Ok, he was four stories below, maybe he has bad eyesight." She could only hope. Slipping a summer dress on she went back to the bathroom to check her appearance. She hadn't worn this dress in years. It was a carefree summer dress, and she hadn't had one of those since she bought it. Checking the sway of the skirt, she felt good about the outcome. 

Another light knock startled her. "Room service," the familiar voice called out. 

"I didn't call for room service."

"We anticipate our guest's needs. You looked hungry, come on Morrow don't be embarrassed. I know the view is fantastic."

'Which one' she thought as she opened the door fresh faced if he had seen her body, he might as well see her true face. "Of me or the ocean?"

"From my perspective you, but then I have been looking at this ocean all my life," he said, pushing a cart into the room, he gave her his, I'm so handsome smile, as he passed her.

"I thought we could have breakfast together and then get busy."

"Sounds good shall we eat on the balcony," she offered.

"I would love that," he said and continued to push the cart towards the door. 

The fall sun was working its way to this side of the building. In the dead of winter, the whole side is bathed in sunshine. The sun pouring into the windows was glorious. It never gets cold here, but the wet season is coming. He knew this was not the right time of year to reopen a resort, but his grandfather's passing hadn't been the right time in his life either. Between his grandfather, his mother, and her pompous ass husband his life has been a nonstop crisis for more than fifteen years. Happy birthday your life just went to shit. 

He sat the plates and coffee on the table and waited for Tomorrow to come out. He knew she was embarrassed, but she had to get over that. It won't be the last time he sees her naked. 

He hoped and yes, her legs went on and on. 

"Come on Morrow it is not like I haven't seen a naked girl before. If you want, I'll stand on my balcony naked, and you can look up at me."

"Good after breakfast, and I expect a good view," Tomorrow said, finishing up her makeup as he watched from the bathroom door.

"Why do you bother, it is just us and I prefer you not wear any, the sun will kiss your face soon and make up will not be needed," Lucas said as she sat down.

"My luck, I'll get skin cancer instead of sun kissed. I am a blonde. I burn easily. My make-up has SPF 15. I think I'll wear it until I do have a sun kissed face," she said, flashing him a pretty smile. 

"Sounds good you are very blonde," he noted. The carpet matches her long mane. "My hair is blonde from the sun and surf, otherwise."

"No, don't tell me I'll see later," Tomorrow teased and smugly popped a piece of fruit in her mouth as she shifted in her seat. Breakfast was mainly fruit and some bacon. Wondrously crisp bacon she moaned with satisfaction as she chewed. "I bought a digital camera with me. It is old but does a good job. I thought I would start out taking pictures and getting the lay of the land. So, do you think if I leave now can you pull your clothes off and step out on your balcony?" She teased. "Oh, that is silly of me, you can stay here on this balcony or yours it doesn't matter does it. I'll be down below waiting," she said, trying her best not to smile.

"Why leave the room if you want to see me naked, I'll finish my breakfast naked," Lucas said, standing and lifting his shirt over his head. Dropping it to the side he started for his pants. Tomorrow I was impressed. He was well muscled, nicely tanned with a light sprinkling of hair on his chest and a good happy trail trailing down into his shorts. 

"No, slow down I want to enjoy this," she sat back and watched. "Come here, I want to see if you have one of those nice V's," she said, reaching out to loop her finger in the belt loop of his cargo shorts pulling him towards her. 

"OK, now lower them slowly so I can see," she said, staring intently at his stomach waiting for the show. She reached over and ran her hand over his calf. He had nice muscular legs, and his hair had been bleached blonde by the sun. Billy never had a 'V' and Dante wasn't in shape anymore; she wanted to see that 'V' on a man in real life. 

Turning red even with his tan Lucas stepped back out of her clutches. "OK, I'm sorry to make a joke out of your morning exposure."

"Oh, thanks, it was kind of you, but I still want to see if you have a 'V'," she teased again, reaching out to touch his stomach. 

Unzipping his shorts, he said, "you can see but not touch, if you do, I can't be responsible for what might happen." 

"OK, so let me get this right, you have anxiety attacks and can't control your sexual urges, what else should I be concerned about with you," she asked, acting very concerned, tapping her finger to her lips as if she was mulling the situation over. 

"You're cruel," Lucas said, turning away and zipping his pants.

"Oh, and you don't like to be teased. OK, I got it. Let me finish getting dressed, make-up and all and I will meet you downstairs as planned," Tomorrow told him as she stood. She went into her bathroom and closed the door. 

Lucas stood on the balcony and watched her walk away. 

"Wow, she is bold," he mumbled, put his shirt back on and as he walked by the bathroom door, he said, "I'll be down in the lobby." 

She stuck her head out the door when she heard the door to the room closed. She went out and finished that really good breakfast he brought her. She was here for a job not to be sexually harassment suited. He may have had some fantasy of when she got here that she would be so needy she would swoon at his attention, but she was not the type. Maybe she had been a bitch to Billy. Dismissing that as BS she knew she hadn't, with a 'teeth check', one last dab of lipstick, she then left her room. 

Lucas was pacing downstairs; he too was mulling over the situation. She was bold and could handle herself, which is good. Plus, she did it with style; disgruntled guests will be putty in her hands. He did learn a good lesson; she is not going to go easily into his bed. He had to put his ego in check and go into boss mode. If she wants a working relationship, he will give her that. He had a brand-new digital camera in his hand when he heard the elevator ding. He raised it so he could take a picture of her first day on the job. When she saw him, she smiled, it was not a working relationship smile. He took that picture as he walked towards her. Raising the camera as he approached, 

"I bought us one you didn't give me a chance to tell you," he said and handed it to her. "It is simple. It needs to be for me. I also purchased a computer the salesman said, 'it was set up for art, photography, to make web sites and advertising.'"

"Taking the camera, she looked it over; she was far from being an expert on anything, but it looked simple. She checked for a memory card and was ready to go. One thing she did know is how to take pictures. She had a class in high school, and she enjoyed working with the teacher and the other students creating beautiful pictures in their mundane town. Here it should be easy. Like the lighting in the lobby, she took a number of pictures at different angles. They stopped and reviewed them. Lucas pointed out the ones he liked best, giving him hundreds to pick from. 

He continued the tour, and she caught all of it with the camera. She was awed at the sights and impressed at all the work he had done. To her it would be the perfect place to bring someone special. Just being there made her feel closer to him so as they toured, she walked up and looped her arm in his.

"I'm impressed Mr. Monroe, this is beautiful, I love this part, what do you envision here," Tomorrow asked after she took dozens of pictures of a Grecian type of pavilion area overlooking the pools.

"I see dozens of good-looking women lounging in the sun and men trying to get their attention." 

"But they can't because they are all looking at you," Tomorrow teased. 

"Well of course I need to be the center of attention," he quipped back. "After all it is my place. I would be a catch for most women." 

"Is this what this hotel is set up for, a bevy of women wanting your attention?" Tomorrow asked, feeding his ego. 

"I have had that here my whole life. Spend the summer with grandpa and have your pick. Even with it being a family hotel the teenage girls bored with family time were lined up for me when I was much younger." 

"So that is where you learned to put out a little charm and they lay down for you."

"Yes, until you," he said. She could hear the disappointment in his voice.

"No, you want the challenge, you're tired of easy women and ones who let you down," Tomorrow chimed back she was happy enough with the view to not let anything he said bring her down. Taking his hand, she pulled him down the beach, turning she took more pictures. She knew she struck a nerve with the mention of his ex, but he had to get over her, as she had to get over Billy. 

Lucas stood back as she took pictures and watched her every move. She was right; he would have lost interest if she had given in so quickly. She wanted a defined 'V', he would work on that for a few days and try to impress her by doing a few pushups and sit-ups. He normally didn't put too much effort into exercising. Swimming, working around this place has been enough, except Tomorrow wants a defined 'V'. Lucas thought as he watched her move, taking a stance to take another picture. It will be interesting to see how they turn out and what caught her eye. 

Spending hours they scoured the hotel, and they took pictures from every different room. She took pictures from the balconies for the views of the ocean, the courtyard and the surrounding land. Everywhere she looked was beauty far beyond anything she had ever seen. Sparkles started in her eyes, and she realized the day was almost over. A few shots of the sunset and Lucas escorted her to his office. They sparred all day, and she was exhausted, but he was growing on her, and she had to fight the attraction. She had to become invaluable to him. She would learn all she could about the hotel business if need be, then move on from here. But this place will be a success before she leaves, set deep in her soul.

"OK Lucas you have done your part, let me do mine." She pulled the memory card and tucked it into her bra. "I'm going to go clean up so I can have dinner and then I will work on this tomorrow."

"That sounds good, will you have dinner with me?" Lucas asked, sounding tired also. He had no idea where she would eat if he didn't take her to someplace around here.

"Sure, if you give me about twenty minutes."

"Sounds good, meet me down here, dinner will be on me." 

"Well thank you. Until I learn my way around here, I think I'll stick with you." She offered.