Marie was on a Caribbean cruise with her family for March break. It was so nice to get away from the cold weather. It had been another long winter in upstate New York. She and her husband and teenaged children had been enjoying a very relaxing cruise. They had been to Grand Cayman and the Bahamas and now they had come to the Barclay Islands. They were in port for 2 days, and on the first morning they were scheduled to go for a beach day.
The family was all outfitted for the beach, and Marie was wearing her turquoise bathing suit and a white cover up with Bahamas written in turquoise cursive across the bust. She also wore a big white, turquoise and navy floppy hat and turquoise flip flops. Marie was curvy and petite with light ash brown hair, fair skin and blue eyes. She loved the sun but it didn't like her, so she had to cover up. She felt a little out of place being so round, short and white in the sea of tourists, many of them women who looked like trophy wives, tanned and taut and turned out in skimpy bikinis and pareos.
She carried the beach bag and brought up the rear, herding her kids towards the ferry that would take them to the beach. Looking ahead, she saw a tall handsome caramel coloured man, who stood out from the darker fellows on the dock. She looked out over the ocean, lost in thought, and suddenly it was her turn to step into the boat.
"Hey Bahama Mama! Welcome aboard!" he said.
She was confused because he didn't have an island accent but he was clearly at home here. She was also confused as to why he called her Bahama Mama, and then she realized: her cover up. She giggled and smiled as he gave her his arm. He steadied her with his other hand and when he put his hand on her lower back, he glided his hand to the side and gave her hip a squeeze. Marie looked up at him, her eyes widened and a blush rose on her cheeks while he looked down at her and winked. She giggled.
The handsome man leaned in and said "My name is James. Don't hesitate to let me know if I can help you during your visit."
"Thank you!" Marie squeaked.
"Marie, come on, let's sit on the top deck" her husband called.
Marie turned back and smiled, blushing more, and then followed her husband upstairs.
After a nice cruise across the harbour, by small islands with beautiful houses, resorts and palm trees, they had arrived at the beach resort. The ferry docked, and in the scramble to disembark, Marie lost sight of James. Inwardly she sighed, but after a few minutes, she was distracted by her family. She got them settled on some loungers, put on their sunscreen, got the kids passes for the water obstacle course, and then she got her husband a beer, and a strawberry daiquiri for herself. After enjoying their drinks, she and her husband went to play in the water. They were having so much fun, she didn't realize that she had forgotten to apply her own sunscreen.
After swimming, they had lunch and headed back to the ferry. Marie was really starting to feel the sun. As they approached the ferry, she saw James and immediately felt better.
"Hello again, Bahama Mama." He stopped and winced. "Oh, you got a lot of sun".
Marie looked down at her chest and saw that it was bright red. "Oh my goodness!"
James smiled and leaned in. "See me when we get back to the port. I can hook you up with a local remedy. Your face and chest will feel much better once it is applied".
"Is it coconut milk?" she asked.
He chuckled and said "No, but it is creamy and refreshing."
She looked at him gratefully and said "Thank you, you're too kind."
When they arrived at the port, Marie ushered her family off the ferry and said "Go back to the ship. Honey, you have your beer tasting at 3:30. The ticket is in the envelope on the tall dresser in our stateroom. I am going to go with James here to get a local remedy for my sunburn".
They all said goodbye and Marie's husband shook James' hand and thanked him for taking care of his wife. James smiled broadly and said "My pleasure!"
James held out his arm to Marie gallantly and said "Come this way!"
She smiled up at him. What a gentleman, she thought to herself.
They walked towards a condominium complex not far from the port. She assumed they were going to the offices of the beach resort, but as they entered the lobby, it seemed that there were no offices.
"Where are we going?" Marie asked.
"The third floor" James replied.
He put his hand on the small of her back and guiding her into the elevator. He pushed 3 and smiled at her. Once the elevator doors opened, he ushered her down the hall and to the unit at the end of the hall. He unlocked the door, and led her into a nicely decorated suite. It wasn't personalized but it was welcoming and comfortable. He motioned for her to sit on the pale grey leather sofa and she sat down, now conscious that she was in an apartment alone with a man she didn't know wearing a bathing suit and a cover up. Her breathing sped up and she sat on the edge of the cushion. James went into the kitchen and poured them each a glass of water.
He handed her a glass, toasted, and said "Drink up, it's important to stay hydrated!"
She drank her water and then began to relax back into the couch.
