As Mikki awaited Ronnie's arrival, she admired the green gem on her right ring finger. In the soft morning light, the color of her birthstone reminded her of the key lime pies she baked with her mother as a child. Ronnie had pleasantly surprised her once again, offering the ring and a promise to propose if she chose him. She'd accepted the gift but avoided making any guarantees.
They would be flying from Jamaica to Cuba today for their one-on-one date. She was excited about spending time with him in one of her favorite places. Her previous girls' trip had been filled with art, music and dancing. She looked forward to exploring the island with Ronnie this time around. She was also in desperate need of an escape, after her argument with Sasha last night.
Mikki had decided not to bring Terence back onto show and was completely honest with Sasha about wanting to focus on the men who remained.
"None of whom are Black," Sasha had said. "What? You think you're too good to marry my brother?" That last bit had stung.
Mikki had kept her cool, knowing Sasha was just being protective of her brother. She apologized for having given her the wrong impression. The conversation ended there, but then Mikki found out this morning that Sasha had quit the show for good. She couldn't help but feel guilty.
And then there was Steve. She tried not to let thoughts of him encroach upon her date. She'd slowly come to terms with her feelings - she was falling in love with him, yet had no clue how he felt about her. It made her yearn for him even more and she hated herself for it. The common denominator in her failed relationships had been falling in love with someone who didn't love her back. She would give her body and soul to the relationship, to her man, only to have him walk away with a piece of her heart. She refused to make the same mistake again. The man who owned her in bed, would not own her heart.
"Hey there, darlin'," Ronnie said, wrapping his arms around her from behind. Even though she was in heels, he still towered over her; with Steve, they would be at equal heights.
Stop comparing him to Steve.
"Hey," she said, falling into the sway of his rocking motion. With Ronnie, she felt a sense of safety, a sense of protection she'd never allowed herself to seek or accept from a man. With him, it came naturally.
"I missed you," he whispered, pecking her lightly on the neck. "Mmmm, you smell really good, like coconut with a hint of vanilla."
"And you're as disarming as ever," Mikki rolled her eyes facetiously. She enjoyed his confidence and Southern charm, but she had yet to see Ronnie with his guard down, the real man behind the charisma. "It's good to see you too. You ready for Cuba?"
"I'm ready for you."
She turned to face him and her breath hitched. In a white fedora, bright blue floral shirt and linen pants, he looked more handsome than ever. His radiant smile matched the warmth of the morning sun. He was exactly what she needed.
She kissed him on the cheek before taking his hand and leading him up the stairs of a small jet. The pilot welcomed them personally, letting them know their flight would last just under an hour. After reaching cruising altitude, Ronnie popped open a bottle of champagne, the foam spilling onto the carpet. He filled the two crystal flutes Mikki held out to him. He leaned in, intertwining arms with her, so they would have to look into each other's eyes as they drank.
"To many more adventures together," he said. They each took a sip. "And to the future mother of my five children."
Mikki choked on her champagne. "Five?" She leaned away.
He nodded. "Of course. With your smarts and my brawn, our little clan would rule this damn world."
She laughed, shaking her head. "That's pretty ambitious for a 46-year-old. You really think you're up to it?"
He smirked. "Honey, my dad was 49 when I was born. And I'm the oldest of three kids. And my engine is revved and ready to go. Just say the word." He kissed her hand.
Mikki's heart flipped at the thought of becoming a mother and raising children with a man who wanted kids as much as she did; a man who wanted her to be the mother of his children. She reached for the bowl of fragrant strawberries, dipping one into a saucer of dark chocolate. She nibbled on the sweet morsel. "Like I said the first night, you're trouble."
Ronnie leaned over, taking a small bite of the strawberry between her lips. He licked a bit of chocolate from the corner of her mouth. "Mmm hmm. I'll never have another strawberry without chocolate again."
Mikki's cheeks blazed hot.
He held her eyes with his hazel ones. "And like I told you the first night, I know what I want and I'm not afraid to go after it." She found his words refreshing. She needed a man with confidence and clarity, not one that made her question her choices in life.
Ronnie was refilling their glasses when the small plane began to jerk and bounce like a carriage on a cobblestone road. The champagne made a fizzy mess on the side table, dripping onto the carpet. Mikki clawed the arms of her leather chair. "What's happening?" She struggled to take in air, but just couldn't get it into her lungs. Small planes were notorious death traps.
"Breathe, darlin'," Ronnie said, moving her right hand from the armrest and lacing his fingers with hers.
They hit another bump and the pilot made an announcement over the intercom, promising they'd be through the turbulence in no time. She began to hyperventilate - her breaths short and wheezy - beginning to feel lightheaded.
"Mikki, look at me," Ronnie said calmly. "You're going to be okay."
He slid into the seat in front of her. And then he did something she hadn't expected at all - he removed her stiletto. He grabbed the small bowl of melted chocolate, pouring a generous amount onto her red-painted toes.
"What are you doing?" Mikki squeaked.
He began to massage her right foot, the aroma of chocolate filling the cabin. His strong hands kneaded and rubbed and squeezed.
She was starting to feel lightheaded for an entirely different reason. "Ahh," she breathed, when he stroked the arch of her foot, a tinge of arousal shooting to her core.
"Just relax," he said with a wicked smile. He'd found her second most erogenous zone.
"There's a camera in here." The plane was too small to fit a camera crew, so Sarah had a camera mounted in the small cabin.
"Why do you think I chose this spot? I'm blocking the view."
She arched her back when he laced his fingers through her toes, the sticky chocolate creating the most tantalizing sensation. She clenched down below. "Ronnie..."
By now, the turbulence had stopped, but she'd forgotten all about it. He wiped her foot clean with a damp cloth, bending down to fit her stiletto back over her foot. He returned to his seat beside her, kissing her lightly on the cheek. "All better now."
Ronnie had this uncanny ability to make her let go and just be. And, for some reason, she trusted he wouldn't take advantage of that.
#
"He's not here for the right reasons," Kevin said adamantly.
"What makes you say that?" Steve asked, hoping Kevin would make it clear to the audience why Ronnie was such a poor choice for Mikki.
"He's more interested in winning than he is in finding true love. Plus, he's a narcissist. The only person a narcissist loves is himself."
"Let's cut there," Sarah said, bringing the interview to an end.
"I couldn't have said it better myself," Steve addressed Kevin, who sat facing him on the plush red couch.
Kevin shook his head. "Ronnie and I couldn't be further apart, yet we're both still here, in the final stretch. Mikki is an intelligent woman. Can't she see through him?"
Steve wondered the same. "She's only seen the side of Ronnie that he wants her to see. Sooner or later she'll see the real Ronnie, hopefully before it's too late."
"I hope you're right. Mikki deserves only the best."
Maggie headed their way, her smile brightening when she saw Kevin. "Hey, Kevin. That was a really great interview just now. You're incredibly photogenic."
"Thanks Maggie," Kevin responded. "Though my mom would disagree with you. She thinks I've got more forehead than is good for me."
Maggie giggled. "Well, I think large foreheads are manly."
Steve crinkled his brow. She wasn't the giggling type.
"That's a first. Thanks for the compliment." Kevin patted Steve on the back. "Great interview, man. Ronnie can expect a fight on his hands. I'm not giving up a woman like Mikki that easily."
Maggie watched Kevin go, the longing unmistakable.
"Think twice before involving yourself in a love triangle," Steve warned. "Kevin is going all in with Mikki and things can get pretty serious during hometown visits. Meeting family is a huge step in a relationship."
Maggie blushed. "Kevin and I are just friends. And I would never get involved with a contestant, it would be the end of my career."
Steve could sympathize with that last statement. "I just don't want to see you get hurt."
"You shouldn't keep Sarah waiting."
Steve took the hint and headed to the production room, the heart of the beast that was
The Bachelorette
.
Who am I to be giving advice, anyway? The woman of my dreams is slipping through my fingers.
Sarah sat alone in the production room, which was essentially a spare family room filled with televisions, computers and various video production equipment. She swiveled from side to side in an executive chair as she watched the latest footage on the big screen: Mikki and Ronnie in Cuba. Mikki looked casual and sexy in jean cutoffs and a red tank top displaying the toned midriff he often drowned in wet kisses.
He imagined how different things might have been if he'd met Mikki outside of the show. No secrets, no hiding. He could have invited her to Jamaica with the kids to explore the island together. The thought of family time with Mikki made his heart swell.
"Close the door," Sarah said with her back still to him.
