Saturday dawned a clear and beautiful day. Perfect for traveling.
The clock showed that it was 7:30. Vin was already up and dressed, and I found him in the living room playing with Melkor.
“So, what do you think about my new friend?” I ask, sitting on the couch with them.
“He’s not too bad. I like his name.”
“I remembered you saying something about Melkor being the name of your Dungeons and Dragons character, so that’s what I named him.”
“I can’t believe you remembered that.”
“Well, I did. And as long as he doesn’t go around casting spells or killing everything in sight, we’ll get along just fine.”
Vin started to laugh. “Only you would think of something like that. Actually, I think it’s cool that you remembered. Who’s going to take care of him while you’re gone this week?”
“Jenn, of course.”
“Of course.” Looking at the clock he asks, “How long is it going to take you to get ready to go?”
“Not long. I’ve got to shower and pack, so give me about 30 minutes.”
“Will do. Melkor will keep me entertained. Male bonding and all that,” Vin replies, picking up one of the kitten’s toys.
“Just play nice, boys.” I said, disappearing into the bathroom.
About ten minutes later, I come out of the bathroom to find Vin making up the bed. “Need some help?” I offer.
“No thanks. I’m almost done.”
“Thanks for doing that. You know you don’t have to.”
“I know.” He says, dropping a quick kiss on my lips.
“Ok, all male’s out of the bedroom,” I say, picking Melkor up off of the bed and handing him to Vin. “I need to get dressed and packed, and I can’t do that with you here.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’ve got a surprise for you and I don’t want you to see it yet.”
He pulls me against him. “Hmmmm, what kind of surprise?”
“Did you not hear what I just said? I don’t want you to see it yet.”
“Alright.” To Melkor, he says, “Come on, buddy, I know when we’re not wanted.” He carries Melkor into the living room, closing the door behind them.
I hurry and get dressed, then pack my bag. I put Vin’s gift in a secret compartment in the bottom of my bag so he won’t see it.
Coming out of the bedroom he asks, “Why all the secrecy?”
“Now you know how I feel with your secrets and surprises. Ok, I’m packed and ready to go.”
Vin grabs the keys off of the table and locks the door behind us.
We get into the truck and head to the airport. “Would you please stop somewhere so I can get something to eat. I’m starved and I need my morning shot of caffeine.”
“Ok, just tell me where.”
We pull into a bakery and get some croissants and my morning shot of Dr. Pepper to take on the plane with us. Then it’s on to the airport.
Vin parks the truck by the hangar and grabs our bags from the backseat, taking them onto the plane. Tony has everything ready to go. As soon as we get settled, he taxis out onto the runway and gets the green-light from the tower for us to take off.
Vin pulls me down onto the couch with him. “No questions about where we’re going?”
“No. You’ll tell me when you want me to know.”
We take off and head south over the Gulf of Mexico. Hmmm, many destinations south of the border, but exactly where, I don’t know. I grab a book out of my bag and get comfortable, losing myself in the story. Vin grabs his laptop and plays games.
A couple of hours later, Tony announces that we’re almost there. I look out and see beautiful blue water. Shortly thereafter, he lands the plane at an airport, where a jeep is waiting to take us to our hotel. Vin says to Tony, “Be back next Saturday around noon to pick us up.”
“No problem. See you guys next weekend.”
Grinning, Vin looks over at me and asks, “Still no questions?”
“Nope.”
Vin puts our bags in the back of the jeep and we’re off. The ride takes about twenty minutes and before I know it, we pull up to a massive hotel. Vin gets our bags out and we head to the front desk to check in. Obviously the receptionist is used to stars coming to the hotel because seeing him doesn’t even faze her. Either that or she’s really good at hiding it. He had booked the room under an assumed name so people wouldn’t find him once they heard that he was in the area. Just another quirk tied to his fame. She called over a bellboy to get our bags and show us where our room was.
We climbed into a golf cart and the bellboy drove us around to the end of the hotel, and then down a winding path covered with trees.
The room, as it turned out, was a private sea-side cottage set apart from the hotel. The hotel has several of these cottages specifically for people like Vin. The bellboy opened the door and carried our bags through the living room into the bedroom, with Vin and myself following.
The cottage is precious. It’s divided into two separate areas, one with the kitchen, dining, and living area and the other with the bedroom and bathroom. Each of the two rooms has patio doors that open onto the porch that spans the length of the cottage, overlooking the beach and ocean. The windows and patio doors have already been opened, letting the sea breeze drift in. A small wicker table with two chairs and a swing are on the porch, while a couple of lounge chairs, a small table and umbrella are on the beach area in front of our cottage, and a double-size hammock is hanging between two palm trees. A small portion of the porch has been sectioned off by lattice where an outside shower has been installed so you can rinse off after you swim.
Vin tipped the boy as he left and I wandered out onto the porch, where he joins me, pulling me into his arms. “Welcome to Cozumel.”
“It’s beautiful."
“Just wait until sunset.”
Turning in his arms, I look up at him and ask, “Why are you so good to me? What have I done to deserve this, to deserve you?”
“You’ve been a very good girl and Santa is rewarding you early.” he jokingly replies.
“Remind me to give Santa a proper thank you later.” “Oh, I don’t think he’ll forget,” he says as he slowly lowers his lips to mine.
The kiss is unhurried and filled with passion. Tongues circle each other as if dancing together. Without breaking the kiss, Vin backs up and leans against the porch railing, settling me against him.
I reach up and caress his cheek. “Thank you for all of this. For everything you’ve done.”
He turns and kisses the palm of my hand. “You’re welcome.”
Pulling away from him, I walk back into the bedroom and begin to unpack, leaving his gift hidden in my bag. Vin follows me in and unpacks his things as I walk into the bathroom and find a huge Jacuzzi tub and shower. No expense spared here.
I’m walking back into the bedroom when Vin asks, “So, what do you want to do first?” He hands me a list of activities that are available through the hotel. Anything you could possibly want to do is listed. jet skiing, sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, complete gym and day-spa, water skiing, swimming pools, tennis, volleyball.
“I have no idea where to even begin.”
“I have a suggestion,” Vin comments with a sly grin on his face.
“Does it involve the bed?”
“Surprisingly, not this time. Why don’t you change into your bathing suit and we’ll go lounge on the beach. I seem to remember a conversation we had where you mentioned the fact that you would love to just lie around on a beach somewhere and forget about the world. Well, here you can do that.” Swatting my butt, he adds, “Go get your suit on.“
I walk over to the drawer and pull out a yellow bikini, one of several new suits I bought for the trip. Turning to Vin I ask, “Do you think you can control those manly urges of yours while I change out here, or should I play it safe and change in the bathroom?”
