Pineapple Persuasion Valentine Read online

James quickened his step relieved that Brittany hadn’t been offended by his thoughtless kiss. The woman or perhaps the beach was doing strange things to his head, and he was beginning to wonder if he had over done it this season.

  A moment later Brittany’s hand slid down his arm and twining with his fingers as she dragged him toward a group of people dressed in various layers of beach attire each holding a drink in their hand as they moved about filling plates and chatting.

  “Come meet Manue,” Brittany said pulling him toward an older man in a wildly bright Hawaiian shirt. “He’s the old man of the crew and makes sure everything gets done on time.”

  “I heard that,” the man said flashing a bright smile as he ran a hand over his crew cut salt and pepper hair. “Who do you think you are calling me an old man?” he leaned in kissing Brittany on the cheek. “Who’s your friend?”

  “Manue, I’d like you to meet James. He’s a guest at the hotel, and we met over a pineapple incident.”

  “Nice to meet you,” the other man said shaking James’ hand. “Are you a new employee?”

  Brittany laughed. “No, he’s a guest, but after dropping a bunch of pineapples on his toes, I thought I should bring him along to say sorry.”

  The older man chuckled. “Glad you could join us.” His Fijian accent was crisp English and James wondered about his history.

  “Glad I could come. It looks like you’ve got things really fired up,” he nodded toward the bon fire where people were setting up chairs and various other items to sit on.

  “It’s nice to get together now and then. I like to think it is getting back to tradition,” Manue said. He smiled again at Brittany. “Why don’t you two fix yourselves a plate? The roasting went well. Just don’t dump the pineapple dressing all over your friend,” he finished smiling and walking toward another group of participants.

  “Manue is a retired English teacher,” Brittany said leading James toward the table. “He works part-time here and sometimes hosts a big feast for the hotel. He says since his knees forced him to stop playing rugby as a hobby, his wife needed him to do something to get him out of the house.”

  James laughed. “What do they say about retirement? ‘Half as much pay with twice as much husband.”

  Brittany laughed picking up a paper plate and handing it to him. “I suppose that’s about right. I’ve heard there are couples who just do something completely new when they retire. Some even move into a motor home and start traveling all over.”

  James took the plate from Brittany’s hand and followed her along the buffet style table surrounded by a tent like structure. His mouth was already watering over the delectable smells that met his nostrils.

  He knew he was on vacation, but he couldn’t help noting the variety and types of food for future reference.

  “Stop cataloguing,” Brittany teased. “You’re supposed to be having fun.”

  James laughed. “How’d you know?”

  “Because I do the same thing. I’m always taking pictures and making notes on my phone about things I could do for an upcoming event. You should see my Pinterest page. Every time I open it, I get hungry.”

  James laughed as he walked along filling his plate with a variety of new dishes then pausing at the center of the table where the carving platter stood filled with crisp brown slices of roasted pig.

  “Looks good doesn’t it?” Brittany said her gray eyes bright.

  “What no pictures?” James teased. He seemed to grow more comfortable with this woman every second.

  “Nope, tonight we’re just out at a party. No pictures, not pins, and no work.”

  James leaned toward her, drawn in by her bright smile and laughing eyes. “Sounds like a good plan,” he whispered.

  “Now let’s see if it works.”

  A few minutes later James found himself taking a seat near the roaring fire while Brittany introduced him to at least a dozen friends.

  Someone shoved a frothy white iced drink in his hand, and he settled in to observe the fun.

  Deep inside something seemed to be unlocking in his very soul, and James drank in the atmosphere of the festivities.

  Tonight he was free to enjoy the party and the company of a beautiful woman that made him feel more confident than he’d ever been before.

  Chapter 7

  James dropped into bed his head buzzing with the events of the night. He’d had a wonderful time at the party and meeting Brittany’s friends and fellow workers.

  It had been refreshing to see things from the other side of the table so to speak and not be responsible for every aspect of the event.

  On top of all of that the food was fantastic even if Brittany did spoon a huge scoop of pineapple chutney over his pork.

  He laughed stretching his hands above his head and trying to piece together the series of events that had seen him home.

  If he didn’t know better, he would think he was drunk, but he’d been assured that because everyone had different shifts coming up, the only alcohol available was beer and none of the mixed drinks were spiked.

  Still his muddled brain swam with the thoughts of the night.

  ***

  James sat in his chair as several of the other party goers rose to their feet and turned off the music.

  Manue had lifted a hand and several of the other Fijian members of the group had taken a stance in the sand.

  “Tonight,” Manue’s rich velvety voice rang out into the night, “we will perform the Hakka. If you would like to give it a try, I will invite you to join us after we begin.”

  Brittany looked over at James a happy smile on her face. She was a truly beautiful woman. It seemed as if her inner soul illuminated her whole being and the longer he spent with her the more he wanted to bask in that glow.

  A member of the staff picked up a wooden drum and settled in the sand as others lined up. Even in shorts and colorful shirts the dance was mesmerizing.

  James watched as the men of the group turned their arms and stomped in the radiant orange light of the flickering fire.

  A chill ran through him as he absorbed the essence and tradition of the ancient war dance.

  As the dance came to an abrupt stop, several of the women, including Manue’s shapely wife joined the men and the notes of the drum changed.

  “Come join us now,” Manue called beckoning with his hand. “Tonight we dance.” He slipped his hand into his wife’s smaller one and they began to shuffle and sway along the line.

  Brittany jumped to her feet her eyes alight and grabbed James hand. “Come on, it’ll be fun,” she urged.

  “I don’t know,” James hedged looking down at his oversized feet. “I’m not very good at this sort of thing.”

  Brittany took both of his hands and tugged. “Trust me, it will be fun.”

  Absorbing some of the young woman’s excitement James let himself be dragged onto the beach as he tried to follow along and mimic the movements of the primary dancers.

  Beside him Brittany seemed to sway as if blown by the ocean breeze. She was sultry and sweet and innocent and alluring all wrapped in one lovely package.

  James’ heart had quickened and his hands had gone instinctively to her waist joining into the rhythmic jubilation of the dance.

  They’d laughed and danced until everyone was exhausted and the fire had died to a ruby glow.

  As guests began gathering belongings and others settled in the sand to watch the fire until it had fully gone out Brittany turned to him with a sad smile.

  “I’m afraid I have to work in the morning, so we’ll have to cut the night short.”

  “That’s alright,” James said as she yelled a final farewell to her friends and waved them down the beach. “I had a really good time.”

  “Me too,” Brittany said slipping her hand in his once more. “It’s strange, but I’m super comfortable with you. I barely know you, but I feel like I’ve known you for ages.”

  James grinned. He had felt the same way throughout the eveni
ng yet he wanted to know everything about her at the same time.

  They walked quietly down the beach for a while with only the glow of the stars above and the bright lights of the hotel in the distance as a guide.

  “When do you go back?” Brittany asked kicking her toes in the sand. She’d taken her shoes off earlier and dangled the strappy sandals in her other hand.

  “I’ve got nearly six more days,” James admitted sadly.

  Again they walked on in silence soaking in the gentle shushing sound of the waves as they lapped at the sand.

  The peace and tranquility of the shore line was a soothing counterpart to the exuberant noise and festive atmosphere of the earlier party.

  “What’s your shift look like tomorrow?” James asked, cutting his eyes toward her as he studied his flip-flops.

  Brittany slowed her pace as they neared the hotel and the little hut that James called home.

  “I’ll be back at the breakfast shack tomorrow; do you think you could be persuaded to stop by?”

  “I do like breakfast,” James admitted with a grin.

  Brittany squeezed his hand in hers as she turned to look at him fully. He was tall and lean and so cute in his shy way.

  “I’m going to kiss you now,” she said boldly wondering where the words came from as she lifted on her bare toes and placed her lips on his.

  James was too surprised by Brittany’s announcement to even react, but forgot all about it when her lips met his.

  Skyrockets seemed to burst in his head as her arms came around his neck pulling close, and he reached for her slim waist drawing her in.

  As the kiss deepened James dug his toes into the sand feeling as if he might take wing at any moment and drift away.

  He desperately wanted nothing more than to stay rooted to the spot with this astounding woman in his arms.

  Brittany kissed him with utter abandonment. The man would be gone in six days, and she embraced the idea of a not so summer love with open arms.

  She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been interested in a man like she was James. He was sweet, cute, and totally clueless as to how good looking he was.

  It was refreshing to spend time with him and having so much in common made it easy to communicate. She didn’t feel like she had to be anyone but herself.

  Unwinding her arms from around James’ neck Brittany eased her feet back down into the sand and gazed up at the slightly goofy, dazed expression on her companion’s face.

  His eyes were still closed, and he seemed to have lost any will to go home.

  Smiling wickedly Brittany rose on her toes once more pecked him on the lips then dashed away across the sand.

  “See you tomorrow,” she shouted back, her words grasped by the wind to dance around the man left standing in the cold sand.

  ***

  Rolling over on his side, James looked out the bank of windows on the front of his bungalow. The soft sigh of the sea drifting in and out along the shoreline hushed his soul, and with a grin on his lips, he drifted off to sleep dreaming of a young woman who had kissed him then run away.

  Chapter 8

  James blinked as a yellow light flashed across his eyes; once, twice, three times. Lifting a hand over sleep filled eyes he squinted toward his little ornament that seemed to shoot arrows of light directly at him.

  “Alright, alright,” he grumbled. “I’m up.”

  Hurrying to the tiny shower in the back of his hut he rushed through his ablutions, jumping into shorts and an old red T shirt.

  The little jeweled fruit sparkled one more time as if hurrying him along as he headed for the door, his hair still wet.

  A few clouds skidded across the blue sky as James made his way toward the little hut his eyes hungry for a glimpse of the woman who had so turned his head the night before.

  The little shack came into view, smoke from the griddle puffing through its stack as people crowded around the counter ordering fancy drinks and breakfast goodies.

  Brittany and another young lady were hopping to keep up with the sudden onslaught of guests all wanting to have an island breakfast on the beach.

  James made his way to the back of the line watching as the two women slid back and forth around each other in the tiny structure.

  They were efficient, but somewhat overwhelmed by the sheer number of people clambering for frothy drinks, and scrambled eggs.

  As James watched, Brittany took orders, handed out platters, and drinks, keeping a smile on her face, but he could see the strain around her gray eyes.

  Sometimes things just took on a life of their own as the unexpected happened, and he could see how hard it was to calmly manage the guests.

  Scooting around to the little door on the side of the shack, James stepped in and grabbed a note pad then headed back out making his way to the back of the line and taking orders from those who were ready.

  In fifteen minutes the majority of hungry men woman and children were seated at the tables under the palm trees with the promise that their meal would be delivered.

  “James what did you do?” Brittany hissed as he stepped up to the counter and handed her another slip. “You don’t work for the hotel.”

  “I won’t tell if you don’t,” James teased. “Besides everyone’s happily waiting for their breakfast now, so hand over the next round of drinks and let me wait on tables. How do you think I paid my way through college in the first place?”

  Brittany blew a wisp of hair off of her fore head and sighed.

  “If you’re worried tell them you subcontracted me on the spot and are paying me out of your own pocket. You were only doing what had to be done to keep people happy.”

  A smile finally slipped across Brittany’s face as the sense of the thing fell into place.

  “Thanks,” she said as her partner handed James a tray full of colorful umbrella drinks. “I’ll pay you back somehow.”

  James hefted the tray and headed toward what he had dubbed table four a bright grin on his face as he served the older ‘Claus’ couple and their short cocky looking friend.

  ***

  “That him?” the dark man with the curl in the middle of his forehead asked as he sipped his strawberry banana smoothie, his Jersey accent a harsh contrast to his bright pink and red floral print shirt.

  “That’s him,” Candy said lifting the brim of her wide hat so she could see better.

  “Tough nut?” Q asked nodding toward James’ retreating form.

  “Not exactly,” Nick replied dabbing at the bit of pineapple and coconut concoction that had dribbled into his beard. “He just doesn’t believe in himself when it comes to love.

  “Inferiority complex huh?” Q asked.

  “Cupid, don’t be rude,” Candy chided. “James is a sweet boy. He’s just always found it hard to believe anyone could love him.”

  The little man looked around him his dark eyes flashing. “Don’t call me that,” he scolded. His narrow face and trim form was more suited to a featherweight boxer than the ambassador of love.

  “Alright, alright, if you insist,” Candy said. “You just need to understand. He grew up in foster care, shuffled from one place to another for years before he ended up in Springtown. You can see he likes this girl though.”

  “Well it looks like you gots the ball rollin’” Q replied. “I might just need to give him a little shove in the right direction. At least I get to hang out here in da’ sun a while. Yous guys know I hate the cold.”

  Nick smiled sipping his drink quietly. Somehow he suspected that things might not be quite as easy as Q supposed.

  As James returned from the little shack with their breakfasts Candy tipped her hat back over her face shading it from prying eyes.

  ***

  James finished delivering the last dish and a bottle of catsup to the tables then hurried back to the breakfast shack where Brittany was wiping her brow.

  “Thanks,” she said again. “I owe you.”

  “How about breakfast,�
� he said patting his flat stomach. “I’m starved.”

  “What would you like?”

  “No, no. You owe me,” James teased waggling a finger at her. “You have to cook me your specialty.”

  “I’m not sure I have one, but I’ll make my favorite dish. You want to find a table or just hang out here?”

  “I think I’ll stick around, it’s too crowded over there,” he nodded toward the collection of tables and the happily noshing guests.

  “I’ll mix you two up a couple drinks,” the younger server said with a grin and turned back to her blender.

  James watched as Brittany whisked eggs, chopped vegetables and fried bacon mixing it all together and scooping it onto an English muffin then drowning it in hollandaise sauce with a splash of Tabasco.

  This was going to be an adventurous breakfast if he’d ever seen one.

  “Follow me,” Brittany said as she plated the meal and led him around the back of the little shack were two tiny tables were nestled in the shadow of the building. “It’s for staff breaks.”

  James sat the drinks he’d been given on the table while Brittany put the plates down with a flourish.

  “Will your friend be alright on her own?” James asked looking over his shoulder.

  “She’ll call if she needs me. You cleared up the rush hour so well for us it should be quiet for a bit.”

  James nodded happy that he could help.

  “You really are very organized aren’t you?” Brittany asked picking up her drink and taking a sip. The blended ice and golden fruit made her lips glisten and James found himself wanting to taste their lush curves.

  “What?” he asked still gazing at her pineapple frosted lips.

  “Organized. You seemed to see what needed done and just got to it.”

  “Oh, yes I guess I am. My friends and I have always been that way. Ever since we met in grade school before Audrey’s parents disappeared.”

  Brittany spluttered with her next sip her gray eyes searching his face. “You’ve known her since middle school?” her voice held a hint of awe. “And her parents disappeared?”

  James nodded brought back to those strained years when Audrey and Lisa had decided to be his friend.