Shimmer Read online

  “You couldn’t have called ahead, I’ve been with you the whole time, and I never saw you use a cell phone.”

  “Quite true. Sometimes my brother or my sister joins me for lunch.”

  “But if one of them shows up, where will they sit?”

  “Should my brother or sister appear, another table can easily be prepared. Please do not worry.” He took her hand in his and stroked the back with his thumb, sending all sorts of tingles along her skin. One of the men who helped her aboard earlier, now stood at Rey’s side, holding a chilled bottle. At Rey’s nod, the man poured white wine into their glasses.

  “I’ve never been on a yacht before.”

  “I’ll be happy to take you on a tour after our meal.”

  “You must be doing okay to afford something like this. So, what do you do for a living?”

  “If I told you I am nothing more than a playboy, would you be disappointed?”

  “Are you?”

  “No. I am a marine biologist.”

  “I’m impressed. Sure seems to pay well.”

  He laughed, “Actually, it does not. My research is funded by a very small grant.”

  “Then how–never mind, it’s rude of me to ask.”

  “My family owns the boat.

  “Wow. Well, they sure have good taste.” And a lot of money, she thought.

  She sensed a presence at her elbow and looked up to see another crew member standing there, and looking expectantly at her host. The two men chatted in rapid-fire Spanish–at least that’s what it sounded like on the surface. But she detected an underlying flavor to the words, much like the difference between her own southern twang and someone from Boston.

  When the crewman left, Rey explained, “There is red snapper, grilled with lime, Ensalada de Aguacate y Tomate, or avocado and tomato salad with scallions, in a vinaigrette dressing. And for dessert, fresh piña colada sorbet.”

  “That sounds delicious!”

  “If there is anything else you would like, you need only tell me.”

  “Well, you did promise to tell me all about adamas.”

  “So I did. The stones are somewhat rare and usually found on the bottom of the ocean floor, trapped in gullies and potholes.”

  “They look like rough diamonds to me, but my brother-in-law thought they were just ordinary sea glass.”

  “Sometimes they are called sea diamonds. The legends say that once upon a time a mermaid princess fell in love with a human man, a sea captain. This enraged her father, Neptune, so he struck out at the captain’s ship, sending it crashing into the sharp rocks along the coast. The captain drowned and the poor mermaid could not save him in time. She cried forty days and forty nights until all the water in her body was gone. Then she crawled onto the beach for the sun to take her. The pure essence, the magical energy within her burst free, and she transcended into a glorious ball of light. Later, the islanders found hundreds of tiny crystals, much like the ones you have, left in the sand were she’d lain. The discharge of so much energy, had created a residual mineral–”

  “Adamas. Oh, how beautiful.” The mermaid tale sure fit what she’d seen last night. Had he seen it too? Maybe she wasn’t crazy.

  “Yes. The problem is that several mining consortiums are now looking at the Cay and the surrounding waters as a possible source for offshore marine diamond mining. I’ve been given a grant to do an impact study on how such an operation will affect not only the marine life, but also beach erosion.”

  “I remember reading on the plane, that the island sits on top of a once active volcano. Made me wonder what would happen if it suddenly decided to be active again.”

  “The results would be devastating.”

  She shivered. Imagine sitting on an erupting island and the only way off was by plane or boat. It would be chaos!

  Their food arrived and a content silence descended as they dug into their lunch. By the time the crewman cleared their plates and brought out dessert, the sun began to dip toward the horizon.

  “Everything was so delicious. You were right; your chef is a genius.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be pleased to know you enjoyed the meal.”

  “You mentioned earlier adamas is rare. How much would one of my stones be worth?”

  “Uncut, in today’s market, perhaps five thousand of your American dollars for the smallest of stones. The largest of them, maybe fifteen to twenty thousand, uncut.”

  “And cut? In a setting?”

  “Perhaps forty to fifty thousand a piece, depending on size, cut and clarity.”

  “I’m rich!”

  He laughed. “You must pay for them to be cut and set or sell them first.”

  “Is there a dealer in town? Someone honest, that would buy them from me?”

  “There is. His name is Silas Mariner.”

  “I know you probably have important things to do tomorrow, but could you go with me to see Mr. Mariner?”

  “I would be glad to, Dixie.”

  “Our second date.”

  “You do move quickly, querida.”

  Oh Lordy, if he only knew! His eyes deepened as though he had the same thought. Third date’s charm. It was more than a silly fancy–it was her rule–one she’d made a long time ago, a promise to herself not to jump in bed with any man until she knew more about him than just his name. She wondered if she could hold out until that third date.

  Rules applied to ordinary men. Her eyes traveled over the intense eyes, strong, chiseled jaw and chin of the man seated across from her. Rey didn’t fit that category. Oh no. She bet if she looked up the word hot, his picture would be there next to it.

  She scooped a generous portion of the piña colada sorbet into her mouth to cool down her overactive libido, and couldn’t help the yummy sounds coming from her throat. “It’s incredible. I’ve never had sorbet before...so creamy.” She looked up and caught him staring almost transfixed.

  “What?”

  “You have a bit of the coconut and cream on the edge of your mouth.”

  “Oh.” She tried to lick it off, but judging by the deep glow in his eyes, all she’d succeeded in doing was getting her handsome host aroused. An image flashed in her head, one of him drizzling melted sorbet over her breasts and flicking his tongue over her nipples. They tightened in response. Down girl! Remember the third date rule.

  “Allow me.” He leaned across the table and brushed a finger over the dab of sorbet, carrying it to his mouth. He sucked the sweet cream off of his finger. “You are right, it is incredible.”

  Excitement and anticipation warred before they settled low in her stomach. She squeezed her legs together tight. When had she ever wanted a man this much? The very timbre of his voice made her abdomen quiver and heat pool between her thighs.

  “You feel this too, don’t you? The chemistry between us.” He stood, held out his hands. She placed her palms in his and let him pull her into his arms. He slid a hand behind her waist, while the other hand clasped hers firm. He swayed on the balls of his feet, and encouraged her to follow his lead. The ocean waves created the background music for perfect for seduction.

  “You move beautifully. I first noticed that about you. So carefree and joyous splashing at the water’s edge.” He pulled her closer and bent to nuzzle the nape of her neck. A shiver spread down her spine, awakening every nerve ending along the path.

  Her grandmama always said if you want to know if a man is good in bed, watch how he moves when he’s dancing. She had a feeling granny would have given Rey high marks. Whew. Smooth and slow and so damn sexy, it made her ache. And he thought she was joyous! No one had ever called her that before.

  She’d just been feeling defiantly happy the other night, as she shimmied down the beach. Well, happy until she saw those damn–wait, when had he seen her near the water?

  She’d only met him today–not ten feet from the hotel’s stairs! Only her and the moon, and a few of those freaky glowing balls had been on the beach last night.

 
; Dixie pushed at the bronzed wall of muscle. “You saw me? I was alone.”

  “Not completely alone,” he admitted.

  “Then you saw them–you saw the UFO’s!”

  “I saw them.”

  “What are they? Have you seen them before?”

  He lifted her hands to his lips and kissed them. “You remember the legend, si?”

  “Please, you’re not going to pass that wild hare of a story off on me, are you? Mermaids crying ‘til they turn into lights?”

  “You would rather believe in aliens come to Earth to wreck havoc and harm the innocent?”

  “If you were there and saw me, then you must have seen one of them come after me. Why didn’t you try to help me?”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “No, I’m sorry. You probably were here on the ship, right? I mean, what could you do to help me when you were out at sea?”

  “You would have come to no harm. He was merely curious about you.”

  “He? You sound as though you know them personally.”

  “Last night was not the first time I’ve encountered them. We are not so far from the waters of the Bermuda Triangle. I’ve seen many things, Dixie, that cannot be easily explained by science.”

  “Most scientists think there are logical explanations, though. You’re different.”

  “How so?”

  “More romantic.” She leaned up on tiptoe to pull his head down to hers. Just a sip, a taste, she told herself–nothing more. Then his lips parted under her own, eager to sample all she had to offer. She couldn’t resist taking more. His tongue played along the roof of her mouth, flickered around her own tongue, testing her resolve. Third times charm. Remember the rule!

  She pulled back with reluctance, and took a deep, calming breath. “I’d love to take that tour of the ship now.”

  Could her voice be any more shaky? Come on girl, get it together!

  “I would love to take you to my bedroom, but I think our tour must be postponed. It is time I returned you to your people. They must be worried about you.”

  “I didn’t–I mean, that’s not what I–l”

  “Shh.” He put a finger over her lips. “I know. I merely enjoy the spark in your eyes and the blush on your cheeks.” His let his finger trail down her chin and throat.

  “Your skin is so soft...you have no idea how much you tempt me, querida.”

  He took her hand, guided her down the ladder, and into the dingy.

  “You don’t have to return me personally, one of your crewmembers...”

  “No. I want to make sure you are safe.”

  “Rey, if you don’t want to help me with the stones tomorrow. I’ll understand.”

  “Why would I change my mind? No, I will meet you at your hotel’s lobby tomorrow morning at ten o’clock. It might be best for you to give the adamas to the hotel manager to put in their safe for the night.”

  * * *

  Dixie opened the balcony doors and welcomed the ocean-scented breeze. The night air cooled the stuffy, sweltering room. Of course, her hotel room wasn’t the only thing that needed cooling. The last two hours, she’d turned in bed, fidgeting–and all because of one man. Tomorrow she’d be on her second date with Rey.

  Lordy, but she wanted to nibble on those lips of his! Run her hand along the swirling line of dark hair that bisected his abs and see if the hair below his waist was as silky. Caress his strong thighs and tease him with her fingernails.

  A cool wash of air passed over skin, causing gooseflesh. She rubbed her arms, prepared to get back in bed, but stopped when she saw something strange move within her peripheral vision. She twisted fast, saw the ball of light. What the hell did it want with her? She backed up a step, looking wildly for something to hit it with.

  The weird thing seems to sense her fear and backed away, almost like it was frightened too.

  “What do you want with me?”

  The sphere pulsed, glowing. Was it trying to communicate? “I promise I won’t hurt you, but you gotta promise not to hurt me. We gotta deal?” She held out her hand and the light shrank to the size of a softball and settled there. It tingled on her palm, warm, but not hot to the touch. Could she be dreaming?

  “Do you have a name, little fella?”

  It pulsed again. Were those pulses some kind of language? “I don’t want to hurt you, but I need to get my video camera out so I can tape this...otherwise no one will believe me.”

  She reached to open the nightstand and the little ball of light shot away, darting out the balcony doors.

  So much for her evidence. She sighed, shutting the balcony doors and getting back into bed. Finally, an hour later she sensed herself about to doze off. Her last thoughts were of Rey and the odd, pulsing ball of light.

  She lay on the deck of Rey’s yacht, letting the sun bake warmth into her skin. He knelt beside her, squirting sunblock lotion into his large hands. Then he turned her over, rubbed the liquid over her skin, massaging as he went... He slid his hands under her bikini bottom, cupped her ass and squeezed. Now those same hands caressed the sides of her breasts. She could feel his hot breath stirring the fine hairs on the back of her neck, his lips whispering what he wanted to do to her, asking her permission.

  Yes! Oh yes! He pushed her bottoms down, pulled them completely off and positioned her so that she now bent on her hands and knees. His fingers teased her, parted her nether lips and pinched her clit. Over and over he tormented the soft pink flesh beneath his fingers until her pussy wept. When she squirmed under him, he slapped a firm hand on her ass. She shuddered, and waited to see if he would continue.

  He worked two then three fingers inside her, thrusting them while his thumb teased her clit. She bucked as an orgasm hit her hard, and felt another stinging slap on her ass.

  She tried to call out, to plead, but her voice could make no sound. He removed his fingers and replaced them with his cock, driving into her. He grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled her head back.

  She trembled, unable to stop the quiver of excitement that raced throughout her body. He tensed, and pulled out, spilling his seed on her ass and thighs.

  The dream shifted, and she lay on a large bed. Rey leaned over her, sucked her nipples. His tongue traced a fiery path along the valley between her breasts and down her slightly curved stomach. He parted the folds of her pussy with his fingers and blew his warm breath on the sensitive flesh.

  “You want me?”

  “Yes!”

  “All of me? There is no turning back. Once I am inside you, you are mine. Do you understand?”

  “Please! You are all I want! Fill me up, make me whole, Rey.”

  “Mine, querida. All mine.”

  The man between her legs began to glow in the darkness, his body pulsating with brilliant light. Then he surged, thrust his cock deep and the light began to pulse inside her too.

  Rey cried out, “Mi amour. T’amo!” A loud buzz swirled around her head. She tried to find where the sound come from. When she looked back, Rey had disappeared.

  * * *

  Dixie jerked awake, pulled from the most intense, erotic dream of her life by the buzz of her alarm clock. She smacked the snooze button and rolled over, hugging herself. God, it had seemed so real. If sex with Rey was anything like that, she needed to rethink her third date rule!

  She stretched, grabbed a towel from the rack in the bathroom, and turned on the water. Anticipation made this the quickest shower on record. Partly, she knew because of finding out the exact value of her adamas stones, but also because of being with Rey.

  By the time she got the stones out of the hotel safe, and met him in the lobby, her stomach fluttered in knots. He wore dark blue slacks and a crisp white shirt, with the arms rolled to his elbows. The first few buttons were left undone, exposing a wide swath of bronzed skin. She had an urge to lick the indent at the base of his throat and unbutton his shirt, then trace her tongue all along that path. She clenched her stomach and thighs in an effort to stop the qu
iver that her thoughts set in motion.

  He placed his hand at the small of her back, and guided her to his car.

  “Silas is expecting us.”

  “I can’t wait to see how much these are all worth! This is so exciting,” she said, unable to help the bubbling enthusiasm in her voice. Nothing special like this had ever happened to her before.

  After a few minutes, they arrived at their destination. She wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting, but this wasn’t it. Banana leaves sat in a bucket on the front stoop of what appeared to be a shack. The bucket sat next to a cat lounging in a rocking chair. Kitty dozed, so she didn’t pet it, and instead followed Rey into the store.

  Beaded curtains made makeshift doors, and a rack held tie-dyed T-shirts. A spinning rack held both sunglasses and puka shells choker necklaces. Sixties music played in the background, and heady incense burned in a large clamshell filled with sand. It was like she’d walked into a time warp.

  “Silas!” Rey called out. A minute later, an older man with salt and pepper hair poked his head out from the beaded doorway to their left, walked over to clasp Rey’s arm, and pulled the younger man into a bear hug.

  “Rey! Long time, mi amigo.”

  He turned to look at her and smiled, “You must be the beautiful senorita Rey talked so much about,” he released Rey and took her hand. “Welcome to Mermaid’s Cove, Dixie.” He lowered his head and kissed the back of her hand.

  “Rey says you deal in adamas and can tell me their value.”

  “Sure can. Been collecting them for the past forty years.”

  She opened her purse and removed a small baggie filled with the uncut gemstones. They shimmered brighter than diamonds. She placed the baggie on the counter and unzipped the bag. Silas took a jeweler’s loupe from behind the counter and leaned over her stones for a look.

  “May I?” He pointed to one of the smaller, whiter stones.

  “Sure.”

  He picked it up and looked at it under the loupe, turning it between his thumb and forefinger. “Nice quality. Seldom see one with so few imperfections. Very pure.” He shot a glance at Rey. “Must have come from a very strong source.”