Chapter 2 THE STRANGER

RENEE

"Apply the sunscreen all over your body. Don't leave a part dry. We're staying at the beach all through the afternoon, and we won't be back till...."

I rolled my eyes, my hands clumsily massaging my skin while I tried to obey my best friend's orders. Finally, we were in Miami, ready to enjoy ourselves.

With Nicole's persistence and support, I was able to muster my courage and go back to the apartment I shared with my cheating ex-boyfriend to get my stuff. Luckily, he was not at home when I went there, and so I just left him a goodbye note.

I didn't care about the money or refund he owed me since I wasn't staying all through the rental period and the groceries we'd bought together, I left it all for him. I was turning over a new leaf, just like Nicole suggested, and I was intent on seeing it through.

Also, I'd cut all ties with him by erasing his information from my phone and blocking him on all my social media accounts. I knew I had to move on with my life, and slowly I was embracing this new step.

I was now single. Nicole was also single, and together the both of us decided to enjoy life to the fullest. Starting from the moment we left for the vacation in Miami, we would forget all our worries and focus solely on ourselves. Doing each and everything that would bid well for us.

Today was our second day and so far, my experience has been satisfying. Ever since I'd stepped down from the train and inhaled the fresh air and breeze in this new city, I felt refreshed and hopeful. I was going to have fun, irrespective of whatever or whomever and I was so grateful to Nicole for persuading me into going on this trip.

"You look damn stunning, girl." Nicole whistled, standing behind me by the full-length mirror in our tiny motel room and I grinned happily.

My eyes inspected the nearly see-through outfit I had on. "Well, last night I was acting too shy at the beach party, so today I decided to be bolder. That's why, I'm going for something more daring."

"Well, this is more than daring bitch. You look hot." Nicole chimed in, her jaw dropping open at the same time.

A blush crept up my cheeks. The little powder and makeup I'd applied earlier did well in concealing my embarrassment.

Turning back to the mirror, I once again appraised my outfit. I'd worn a large hat, a see-through woolen wrap skirt, and a bra top. My curves were on full display, and with the line of my panties accentuating my assets, I did look hot, just like Nicole confirmed, and the realization had me swallowing heavily. I was not so voluptuous, but still, I was curvy.

With large breasts and hips that went on for days, I could easily describe myself as an hourglass. I had everything necessary to make a man go crazy, and once again, I wondered why Dylan had cheated on me.

The saying 'nothing can keep a man except one who wanted to be kept' was all too true and I believed it now, especially. I was curvier than that bitch he'd been in bed with. I was even prettier. But still, he'd-

"Hey, Renee..." Nicole interrupted my thoughts, waving her hands in front of my face and I shook my head, blinking twice, and returning to reality. "I've been talking to you, but you're ignoring me. What's in your head, girl? Don't tell me you're thinking about that good for nothing...."

"No!" I answered quickly, lying through my teeth. "I'm not thinking about him at all, Nicole. He's the past, and this is the present."

"Then why didn't you r-"

"I was staring at my beautiful body." I winked, doing a little twirl and grabbing Nicole's hands, I added, "What are we waiting for? Let's go!"

Nicole didn't believe me by the look on her face, but I wasn't divulging more information, that's for sure. Gripping her wrist, I dragged her toward the room's exit, and then we left for the beach.

~•~

The sun was scorching this afternoon, burning heavily, and now I was grateful to Nicole for forcing me to wear sunscreen before coming out. I would've burned if I'd disobeyed her and done as I pleased.

As I remembered my very delicate skin, I shuddered, thinking about the red patches that would have been on my skin had I refused to obey my best friend's suggestions.

Stretched on a lounge chair, my sunglasses atop my pert nose, I was sunbathing and tanning beautifully. I was all alone as Nicole had gone to talk to some random stranger she'd met. I wasn't in the mood to make small talk, so being here was convenient.

Yawning slightly, I winced slowly, my hands going to my dry, parched throat, and I hissed softly in pain. The tropical fruit juice I'd gotten earlier was almost finished, and my mouth was burning up already.

"Dang it!" I cursed inwardly, slowly getting up from the chair and putting on my mini flip-flops.

I then decided to refill my drink and come back to rest. I went to the mini snacks shop and requested an order. I paid, and just as I was about to leave, I heard a deep baritone behind me.

"I'll have what the lady is having, please. Two cups." I stepped back, wanting to leave, but I was trapped. The stranger was behind me, keeping me in between him and the bar counter.

His cool breath fanned my neck, making the hair on my neck stand at attention. I gulped nervously, about to say something. Still, I couldn't speak, because the veiniest hands I'd ever seen stretched forward, placing stacks of dollar bills on the counter. Those hands... looked so strong.

I could only imagine the face behind such vein-scorched wrists.

"You can keep the change." The voice from behind me said again, and then there was some shuffle like he was trying to give me some space.

Luckily, I was right because he wasn't behind me when I took a step back, and swirling around, intent on seeing the rather prude stranger, I opened my mouth to say something.

"Damn!" I mumbled softly to myself.

Whatever crude remark I'd been thinking flew away the instant I set my eyes on him, and heat wafted through my cheeks as I blinked again and again.

Standing in front of me, with a wink and sneaky smile, was the most handsome man I'd ever seen. If 'sin' were human, then he'd be the embodiment of it effortlessly. That was the first word that came to mind as soon as I caught a full glimpse of his face. It was unlike any other I'd ever seen.

His eyes were like two deep hypnotic oceans, intense and sharp, with an unreadable glint. I could undoubtedly lose myself in them, this I knew. His face was also an example of perfection. I'd been taught that everyone was excellent in different ways. But this man right here took the definition of that word to a completely different level. His lips were an enticing shade of pink, and the fact that it was stretched in a sneaky smirk had my insides melting into a gooey mess.

My thighs clenched at the same time, and I was seemingly drowning in this hulk of a man. He looked like he was in his late thirties with his broad shoulders and veiny hands. Fuck it, he was handsome. Literally, physically and in every other way.

A grin bubbled across his face when he spoke up, and my trance was cut short instantly.

"Hello. You seem quite enraptured? Is there anything you'd like to say to me?"