Mystery-Romance Author

A Corpse For Cozumel

Excerpts

Excerpt #1...

Rancid sweat and stale cigarette smoke. Darkness. I wasn't alone. A few minutes ago, I remembered a rosy-hued sky reflecting on shimmering Caribbean waters. Now, the hotel drapes were drawn shut. I stared into the blackness. A flash of steel. Wrapping my wet towel around my hand, I whipped it at my target and heard the satisfying clatter of a knife, followed by a guttural curse. I screamed, kicked him and ran, but he didn't want to let me off easy. He came at me from behind, his arm tightening around my throat. I was losing consciousness, but at the last minute, I thrust my hand out behind me, over my shoulder, making contact with something wet and slippery. Jerking back in pain, he withdrew, but he was pumped and wouldn't be stopped. He was enormous and he wanted me dead.

This was not my idea of a fun Cozumel vacation. Instead of going out for a romantic evening, I was fighting a losing battle for my life.

* * * *

A couple days back ...

I was home resting on the couch, my eyes closed, daydreaming about my upcoming holiday - a white powdery beach, a frothy strawberry daiquiri and a cool guy beside me. He's buff and tanned, with incredibly sexy eyes. His magic hands soothe my skin, massaging me with suntan oil, sending hot tingles of pleasure down my body, until I'm aching for more.

Escape. That's what I needed. My Christmas reality is too much for anyone to handle, what with my overbearing brother, his tactless wife, not to mention snotty little Tasha. When the phone rang, I let it ring. I felt comfortably relaxed, with my cat resting on top of me. I had another sip of red wine, a soft-in-the-mouth Shiraz, and ignored the ringing. Let the answering machine deal with it.

My fantasy man slowly brushes my hair aside, his fingers lightly stroking my neck before he kisses my throat, capturing my skin with his lips. His tongue trails to my shoulder and flicks over to the rise of my breast, silken and hot, feathering downwards to the flimsy fabric of my bikini. I thread my fingers through his hair, thick and clean, smelling of soap and balmy ocean breeze. My hand glides over his broad shoulders to his muscular arms. He's so firm and powerful, yet he's all natural, untamed and wild. The intense passion in his eyes fills me with longing, and I know he wants me as much as I need him. He lowers my strap and his lips caress my breast, his tongue tracing the contours of my nipple. I feel like a bird flying too close to the sun - his lips sear my skin with their heat. Lightly, his hand slides along my thigh and hesitates before he teases me with his lingering touch. My hips move in response, and then everything in me sparks, igniting into flames -

"Adie, pick up! Where's the bitch? She owes me a grand." His voice grated in my ears. "Tell her to pay up or she'll be dog meat by the time I get through with her."

Excerpt #2...

Sitting back from the table, his legs outstretched, Don's companion flicked his hazel eyes up. Black wavy hair, a lean face, full lips - drop dead sexy! Inclining his head towards me, he got on his feet and waited for an introduction.

"Adie, let me introduce you to Diego."

"Santiago Francisco Bolivar Alvarez," rolled melodically off his lips before he caught up my hand, and lightly kissed my wrist. He smiled slightly and said, "Diego, to my friends."

This was Santiago Alvarez? I froze, momentarily stunned as Diego folded up the map and tossed it in his attaché case.

"Gee, I've got to learn how to do that kiss-the-wrist thing." Don nodded admiringly.

Diego pulled out a chair for me as I said, "Adie Sturm." I watched his face for a reaction.

He studied me for a moment. "Adie? Is it a nick name?"

"Yes, short for Adelina."

"Lovely. And Sturm means storm, does it not?" His brandy eyes watched me curiously. "Are you?"

"What?"

"A temperamental woman?"

"Sometimes."

His eyes crinkled at the corners. "Intriguing."

Don coughed politely. "Diego, this lady is taken -"

"Women aren't possessions, Don. They can only be taken if they wish it."

"Whoa! That's deep."

"Would you like something to drink, Adelina?" Diego signaled the waiter with a wave, bringing a square gold pinky ring with a black insignia to my attention. "A margarita, perhaps."

"Thank you, but -"

"Come now, Adelina," he said persuasively, "it's an afternoon of celebration here at the square."

"All right, thank you, but no salt, please."

Diego explained my margarita preference to our server.

"I met Adie a couple of days ago," Don told Diego.

"I suppose it's common for people to meet up again all the time here in Cozumel, being it's a small island," I said.

"So, true," Don admitted distractedly, his attention riveted to a table at the rear of the restaurant. "And those ladies - I met them at the disco last night. "You two wouldn't mind if I went over and said 'hello' would you?"

A freckled redhead and a plump brunette, deep in conversation sat in the enclosed area of the restaurant. Not waiting for a reply, Don made his way over to them, greeting each of them with a kiss. Whatever he said afterwards produced some laughter, and I could see by the way he looked at them that he had completely forgotten about us.

"So kind of Don to leave us alone, wasn't it?" Diego sipped his beer and set it down. "Happy sort of fellow."

"Yes, he seems nice if a bit -"

"Of an airhead."

I smiled. "He is likeable, Diego."

"Let's not talk about him, Adelina. Are you here for long?"

"About a week."

"Hopefully we can become better acquainted during your visit."

The waiter brought over my margarita in a large goblet. I stirred it and took a sip. "What do you do here, Diego?" I asked, pretending not to know.

"I have an investment firm called Royal Investments. Is your margarita to your liking?"

I nodded. "Excellent," I said, "thanks."

Diego leaned back in his chair and regarded me. "Are you interested in investments in Cozumel?"

"Maybe, someday - I love the island."

"I have come to love it, too."

"You're not from here then?"

"No. My family is from Madrid originally. They settled in Mexico City twenty years ago. My parents still live there."

"What brought you here?"

"Sun, sea and a slow pace." Diego smiled. "How have you been passing your time?"

"Snorkeling, shopping ..."

"Not sightseeing?"

"I am planning on seeing San Gervasio soon with a friend." I took my sunglasses off and wiped a smudge off with my napkin.

"A female friend?"

"Um-mm."

Diego's eyes searched mine, but didn't follow up his question.

"Has Don invested with you at Royal?" I asked.

"That is rather confidential. Are you always this inquisitive?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry."

"Pardon me. I was unnecessarily rude. What about you? What do you do, Adelina?"

"I'm a travel guide and consultant. I take people on tours."

"Are you with a tour group right now?"

"No, this is a vacation, but I'm always researching, finding out things that would interest my clients."

I glanced over at Don, hugging both women close to him. The redhead shrieked exuberantly, "We're going with you, Don! You can share the wealth!" She kissed him hotly on the lips, where upon the brunette snorted boisterously.

Diego frowned, regarding Don and his companions before he turned his attention back to me. "Would your clients be interested in investment opportunities?"

"Some might."

On the podium, the band started up. Some of the crowd dispersed to sit, while others got up to dance. Diego shoved his chair closer to mine to continue our conversation. Discretely, I peeked at Don and his lady friends from behind my goblet. One of them was sitting on his lap and the other was chugging back beer. Every once in a while we'd hear a hoot from their table. Indignant looks from the other patrons flew in their direction.

The sky darkened. An awning covered our table, so I wasn't too concerned when the rain started. A cool breeze picked up and blew a strand of hair into my face. I was about to brush it away when I felt Diego's hand on my cheek, pushing my hair back.

"Your hair is very attractive," he said, his fingertips resting on my arm now, as his eyes met mine.

"Are you always this forward?"

Diego smiled and withdrew his fingers. "My turn to apologize. Sorry, Adelina. You haven't told me where you're from."

"I'm Canadian. I live close to Toronto. Do you know where that is?"

"Yes, I've been to Toronto and Montreal. Canada's picturesque, but somewhat cold in winter."

I lifted my glass and sipped the cool liquid. "I'd agree to that."

"With your sort of job, you must have traveled extensively." He leaned over to speak in my ear, his hand touching my shoulder lightly as the band picked up the tempo.

"Yes, the Caribbean and Europe." I had to get close to his ear to answer and I placed my hand at the back of his chair to get near enough to him.

Seeing my difficulty, Diego drew his chair right up to mine and swung his legs away. "Have you been to Spain?"

I nodded. "I spent a month there."

Lowering his dark lashes, his eyes dropped to the edge of my lacy top. Diego's nearness made me shiver. I felt a strange undercurrent with him beside me. My hormones kicked in. This was nuts. For all I knew he was plotting right now to have me killed. Surveying the restaurant for his bodyguards, I sighted a slight fellow with a scarred face and a moustache sitting on his own, on the other side of the patio, inside Loritas. I scanned the table next to Don. Was I seeing double? My margarita must be powerful. Two massive males sat silently staring in our direction - men that rivaled the biker from last night, and won hands down when it came to ugliness and bulk. They looked amazingly similar.

A gust of cool breeze disturbed the serviettes.

"You're cold." Diego glanced at the goosebumps on my arms. "I would put my arm around you, but I know that would be too forward for you."

"Yes, it would." I crossed my arms over my chest and rubbed my arms. "It will get warmer," I said optimistically.

Diego glanced down at my legs. "That's something I wish Mexican ladies would do."

"What do you mean?"

"Wear shorts. They like tight clothing but you never see them in shorts. Mind you, some of them I wouldn't want to see in shorts, but in your case, your legs are perfect. They should be shown off for a man to admire."

"Thank you, I guess."

Diego lightly stroked my forearm, sending a tingle down my body. "You're not accustomed to compliments, are you?" he noted. "Canadian men don't know how to appreciate a woman. You deserve to be showered with adoration."

Skepticism must have been evident on my face because he smiled and shrugged. "Adelina, it's a cultural thing. I'm Spanish and we've been taught to place our women on pedestals. But, I wouldn't say this to any woman. I prefer intelligent blondes, like you."

"Intelligent?" I smiled. "How can you tell?"

"It's in your eyes. It's that sparkle."

A low vibration droned, followed by a high-pitched ring. What was that? Then it dawned on me. My new cell. I zipped open my purse and dug around for the phone. Flipping it open, I said, "Excuse me a moment, Diego? I've been expecting this call."

Diego nodded, as I said, "Bueno?"

"Adie, I'll be back in half an hour. Meet me at the bar?"

"Sure, see you." I ended the call and picked up my purse and packages.

"You look like you're getting ready to leave." Pulling his wallet out, he picked out a business card and gave it to me. "I'm having a luncheon for a few friends on my boat tomorrow. Could you come?"

"When -"

"Around noon."

"Well, I'm not sure what my plans are tomorrow."

"My phone number is on the card. Call me and I'll send my driver around to bring you to the marina."

"What should I wear?"

"It's casual, but we're not leaving the harbor, so nothing too practical."

I smiled. "You mean leave my Nikes at my hotel along with my T-shirt and shorts?"

"You are astute, Adelina."

"Who's coming for lunch, Diego?"

"Don, my sister, maybe my former assistant. Don't worry ..." he said, seemingly amused at my reticence, his generous mouth turning upwards. "You won't be alone with me, if that's your concern."

I gathered up my umbrella and stood up. "Thank you for the drink."

Diego got to his feet and inclined his head politely, "I hope you will come tomorrow. I've enjoyed your company." Swiveling around to an old lady selling roses, he beckoned for her to approach. "Wait, a moment, Adelina," he said. He pulled out his wallet, tossed her five dollars and picked out a red rose just opening up, and gave it to me with a flourish.

I handled the rose carefully, aware of the thorns on the stem, and placed it gently in my bag with my purchases. "It's lovely - so sweet of you, Diego. Maybe I will come."

A Corpse For Cozumel

Days Of The Dead

The Curse Of The Carnaval

Exploring Irresistible

Whiskey Creek Press