Mystery-Romance Author

The Curse Of The Carnaval

Excerpts

Excerpt #1...

Dark-red blood dripped on my toe.

It rolled under the double strap of my sandal and hid camouflaged by the scarlet leather strap. Like a bottle of rich cab-merlot carelessly spilled, the blood pooled at my feet. Crimson droplets speckled the oak grain of the table. But there was so much more ... on the couch ... on the white marble floor. Puddles of red rain.

A sickly-sweet smell permeated the room.

Someone had draped the man's face and chest with a white fluffy towel the edges brushing the floor. A shroud no longer white. Blood-soaked terry cloth.

It wasn't a question of whether help should be called. Not anymore. No one could lose that much blood and live. Gulping down the bile rising in my throat, I brought my hand to my mouth and backed away to the entrance.

* * * *

Hours ago ...

I'd been standing with Janine on the powdery-white beach of the Primavera Hotel - the most exclusive hotel on the island of Cozumel.

"Not a problem," I said. "I'm going up to change anyway. I'll get the garter for you. Promise." I had flown in from Toronto to be her bridesmaid and was wearing the silver-metallic bikini and sandals to prove it.

"Thanks, girlfriend." Janine grinned widely. "If you weren't right next door, I wouldn't have asked. Our rooms are in the other building. But take your time, no hurry. Dean said he'd take a nap before the real party begins."

I touched her arm. "I'm so sorry I arrived too late. There was an engine malfunction. I was afraid I wouldn't get here till tomorrow. When I got in, I changed and rushed over to the beach but the ceremony was already over. You forgive me?"

"No worries, Adie. Everything else went as scheduled. It was out of your control." Staring out at the Caribbean, she murmured under her breath, "Sometimes things are."

When I'd met Janine a few months ago, I'd been entranced by her vivacious personality. She was like a beautiful colorful bird, flitting about, chirping happily. Now I sensed an underlying sadness. This wasn't the Janine I knew.

I gave her shoulders a little squeeze. "Don't think about anything except your happiness today, Janine. After all, it is your wedding day and we're all here to celebrate it."

Her fist tightly clenched her gold cover-up. Looking down at her hand, she loosened her grip. "I'm so lucky you're here. Without you, I don't think it would have been quite the same."

"We haven't been friends long, but I feel a connection. Know what I mean?"

"Mm-mm, me too, Adie. Sam is a little jealous of you." Janine glanced at my silver string bikini. "She wanted the silver. I had to persuade her that the bronze was better with her coloring."

"You've known her a long time, haven't you?"

"We went to school together, took trips everywhere, and now," Janine frowned, "she works for Dean."

"Well, don't worry, we'll get along fine, I'm sure. You and Jim couldn't have picked a better time to get married."

"Yep, it should be a great party. I heard the Carnaval is just like the Mardi Gras."

I nodded. "Not quite as risqué but still a fantastic party. It's perfect planning for me to be here now, Janine. My latest research for the agency is the Carnaval. If I see enough interesting stuff, I'll be back next year with a tour group."

"Interesting it'll be."

When she clenched her jaw, I started to worry. For a newlywed, she lacked the sparkle I would have expected. But what did I know. My last fiancé had run away with my money and given it all to his other fiancée. Hopefully, my instincts about men had improved.

Janine's clear gray eyes shot over to the reception hall where the sultry beat of a salsa drifted over to us. "Yep, the Carnaval will be a big bash. Should make the honeymoon fun. Tell Dean it's on the table near the door, Adie."

"Okay."

"Got to go. They probably need me in there. See you in a while? Okay?"

I nodded.

Janine sashayed away in her glittery gold bikini. That's what she'd worn for her wedding ceremony. In the end, Don, Janine's uncle, had persuaded her to drop the idea of an all nude ceremony on the beach. Even he, a laid-back sort of teddy bear from California, had drawn the line on that idea.

I dug out a translucent silver paraeo from my bag and tied it low on my hips. It was getting cooler with the sun near the horizon. The turquoise waters of the Caribbean lapped the shore, sparkling lavender in the rays of the setting sun. Shadows from the palm fronds danced on the empty beach. Or was it empty?

A tall athletic man stood silhouetted near the water's edge. As I drew near I saw him more clearly. My heart skipped a beat. A black, short-sleeved shirt covered his wide shoulders and hung open, displaying his strong chest and flat abs. Gold rays from the sun lent a glowing halo effect to his ruffled blond hair.

Wolf's lips turned up into a slow smile that spoke of secret pleasures. "Adie," he called out softly, "you made it."

My pulse raced wildly.

He strode confidently towards me, an untamed panther inspecting his jungle territory.

Electricity filled the air.

"Flight delay," I managed to whisper. I gazed up at a man who oozed sexuality with every breath.

Excerpt #2...

Dramatic black-liner rimmed slanty turquoise eyes. With sparkling gold eye shadow and glitter on her cheeks, the woman in the mirror had the unreal appearance of a wingless- fantasy fairy. The unfamiliar image frowned at me. My skin ached for moisture. Opening a jar of chocolate body butter, I rubbed the creamy lotion into my hands, thinking of the slut pirate wench, Sam. I smiled, pleased I'd wrenched Wolf away from the viper. She'd lost this one and I would get the spoils of the victory.

I glanced back up. The makeup was beautiful. No doubt about it, but it had to go. There was no use delaying it. That woman in the mirror wasn't really me, anyway. "I have to wash this makeup off," I called back over my shoulder to Wolf. Picking at a sequin on my cheek, I knocked it off. It flashed purple as it dropped to the floor. Taking a cleansing cloth from a package, I started wiping off the glitter around my eyes. Running some warm water, I filled the sink and rinsed my face, ridding myself of the remaining glue and grime. With closed eyes, I reached over and grabbed a towel to dry off. After dabbing my face, I looked up to check my cleanup job. Most of the makeup was gone but some sooty-black liner remained.

I reached over for another cleansing cloth. I felt rather than heard his presence behind me. I glanced in the mirror to see Wolf's ruggedly asymmetrical face. From the mirror lights his bare broad shoulders and strong chest had a moist sheen. He wore black pirate breeches but that was all.

Standing behind me, he wrapped his arms around my waist and leaned down to kiss my ear. I bent my head away to allow him access to the curve of my neck, all the time watching him from half-closed eyes. His lips pressed softly, lingering with each kiss. His image oozed sexuality.

Seeing him in the mirror did strange things to me. It was as if he were a fantasy man and I was in a dream. When he pushed my hair aside for his mouth to nuzzle the hollow of my throat, fire blazed my body. His tongue and lips caressed me so sensuously I held my breath and let out a sigh that edged into a moan.

Slowly his hands left my naked waist and drifted up my sides. The journey of his fingers mesmerized me. I watched in wonder, my excitement mounting as they neared their destination. When the swell of my breasts received his light touch, my nipples stood to attention, waiting. His fingertips circled sensitively and with every movement I lost myself and entered his world.

Moving behind me, Wolf undid the tiny buttons of my gauzy top. His heavy-lidded eyes met mine. Quickfire surged down the length of my body. In the mirror I hardly recognized the woman whose eyes burned feverishly.

I shrugged off my gold top, letting it drop down to the tile floor. I stared back at his image as he pulled down the straps of my bra. My view was blocked for a moment as he moved forward, tenderly kissing my shoulder, while his hands lightly stroked my breasts through the silky fabric.

Behind me, he bent his head down. I could see his ruffled blond hair falling over his forehead. I felt him unfasten the hooks of my bra. Lifting my arms up to reach him, I ran my fingers through his tousled hair - smooth and silky-soft. I let my arms drop and my bra fell to the floor.

Delicious chocolate wafted in the air - the scent of the body butter lured me. Scooping out the thick balm, I brought my hands to my breasts and thickly coated them. He watched my fingers circle, slowly spreading the creamy lotion, stroking my palms over my nipples. Wolf pushed himself forward against my body, his eyes mesmerized by my hands gliding over my peaks.

Turning around, I gripped his pants to undo them but he took over and unbuttoned his breeches and pushed them down.

The aroma of chocolate lotion assailed my nostrils and again, I turned about and scooped some out. Still facing the mirror, I reached behind me to spread the thick cream over the velvety texture of his skin, staring at his face.

In the mirror, his blue eyes glimmered, like the waters of a fresh-water stream, so intense was his gaze. I was riveted to the pirate's darkly lined eyes as he was to the reflection of the woman stroking him.

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Whiskey Creek Press