As I struggle to wrestle the wheel of my cart free from a snag in the sky-blue carpet, I'm startled by an unexpected voice next to me.

"Hey, Amancia." Trai attempts to get my attention.

I jump back, hitting the solid wall behind me. "Trai! Where did you come from? You scared the shit out of me."

Her eyes soften. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Come on, the sooner you finish up your rooms, the sooner we can get the hell out of here and get our drink on."

"Okay, okay. I only have one more to do. I'll meet you in the lobby in 30," I promise.

"Perfect." I watch my best friend bounce away, wishing I had half her energy and personality.

Trai's parents moved here to Negril, Jamaica, from America before she was born, and we've known each other since kindergarten. She's a beautiful blonde with a curvy body that stops men in their tracks. She's fun, and work is a little better having her here.

I work as a housekeeper at the Kuyaba Hotel here in Negril. The hotel has a tropical island vibe nestled in a tree-lined area surrounded by exotic plants next to the Caribbean Sea's Seven Mile Beach. It has a rustic look on the outside but has a modern feel once you enter the lobby doors with splashes of green, blue, and peach, giving our guests a calming atmosphere.

My work at the hotel is enjoyable. Meeting the tourists and imagining my father to be one of the many men who come through here is a favorite pastime of mine. My muma never speaks of him, so I don't know if he was a handsome businessman in a three-piece suit or a vacationer with a Hawaiian shirt and khaki shorts. I dream of him returning someday for my muma and me.

Negril has been my home my entire life. My muma is a pure-blood Jamaican who belongs to an upstanding family in the community. Her family thinks that it's shameful that she had a child out of wedlock. Which is crazy if you know of the free-loving people Jamaicans are. However, her family is highly religious, and if they knew Muma slept with a white man from America, they would disown her. That's a fear she's held in her heart since I was an embryo in her womb, so she lied about my true father by saying that she was drunk in a local bar and was taken advantage of. If you ask me, that sounds much worse, but she made me promise never to reveal her secret. Not even Trai, my best friend, knows because a promise is a promise, and I'll take her secret to my grave.

I push my cart to the last wooden cottage and knock.

"Housekeeping!" I call out.

After waiting a moment, there was no response, so I used my master key to enter the room. The spacious cottage has the simplistic charm of Old Negril, with large wood-slated blinds across one side of the room that looks out to a deck. I step inside and see it's relatively tidy. The blinds are open, allowing the warm ocean breeze to flow freely with the soothing sounds of the rustling foliage.

Since this area won't take much time, I first decided to clean the bathroom. Upon opening the door, my breath hitches.

"Oh, shit! I'm so sorry!" I exclaim as my eyes roam over an incredibly attractive man with a towel wrapped low around his slim waist. His tight, muscular abs don't go unnoticed before I run out of the room with heat working its way up my neck and settling in my cheeks. I'm embarrassed beyond belief.

"Wait!" he calls out to me.

I stop and turn around with my head down, apologizing, "I'm so sorry. I knocked and announced myself, but there was no answer."

"Don't worry about it. Can you give me 10 minutes? Then I'll be out of your way." His voice is smooth and sexy.

Not daring to look into his face, I grab my cart and exit his room. "Of course, sir. Again, I'm so sorry." I wait outside the room for him to finish and immediately text Trai.

You would not believe what I just walked into!

Trai's one-word answer makes me smile.

Spill!

I type out my reply.

A gorgeous man, naked and wrapped in a towel.

Her response was quick.

What?

Laughing, I type.

After knocking, Mr. Gorgeous didn't answer, so I went in to clean the bathroom; BAM, there he was in all his glory. I'm now outside of his room, dying of embarrassment.

I watch the bubbles till Trai's message comes through.

Damn! The best I've walked in on was two old farts banging each other. I can never erase that from my mind.

I never want to erase what I saw from my mind, ever!

Chuckling, I hit send.

The door opened and out came a fully clothed, handsome man. I would place his age in his late twenties or early thirties. His eyes are chocolate-brown to match his dark brown, unruly wet hair. He's about a foot taller than me and wearing khaki shorts and a tight white tee shirt. Damn, he's fine, I think to myself.

"The room is all yours," he kindly announces.

"Thank you, sir, and again I'm so sorry." I feel the heat rise once again into my cheeks.

"It wasn't a problem. Have a nice day." He looks at my name tag. "Amancia." He smiles at me, and I swear my heart skips a beat.

"Thank you. You have a nice day as well," I quietly say, then clean his room. It doesn't take long since the man is quite neat.

After replenishing supplies and putting away my cart, I hurry to the lobby to meet Trai. She's already dressed in a strapless, rosy pink tube top dress for our evening out, which hugs her curves perfectly. Her long blonde hair is in a high ponytail, with minimal makeup on her sun-kissed face.

"Girl, you're going to give someone a heart attack in that dress!" I exclaim.

I swear every man's eyes pop out when they look at her as they walk by. One woman smacked her man on the back of his head, her eyes blazing with jealousy.

Oblivious, Trai says, "Thanks, Ama! Now go get ready so we can go."

Without hesitating, I rush into the employee locker room, change into a satin off-the-shoulder mini dress that accentuates my long legs, brush my hair, and check myself in the mirror one last time. Good enough, I sigh.

While hurrying out, I run right into a brick wall of a man. My eyes widen; there he is, Mr. Gorgeous himself.

"Whoa! Well, hello, Beautiful." He looks at me intently and says, "Have we met?"

Should I tell him that I'm his housekeeper?

"No, I don't think so. Sorry, I have to run and meet up with my friend," I blurt out.

With that, I turn and run into the lobby.

Glancing back, I see him watch me, then turn and look up at the door I just opened. It's marked employees only. I'm sure he now knows where he might have met me. Damn.

"Are you finally ready?" Trai says, standing there with her hands on her hips.

My face probably shows my blushed cheeks from my encounter with Mr. Gorgeous.

"What the hell happened to you? Who do I have to kill?" Her eyes dart around, looking for whoever might have caused my flustered look.

"You won't believe who I literally just ran into," I huff, entirely out of breath.

"Who?" she continues to look around.

"Mr. Gorgeous!" I quietly say.

Her brows raise. "What? Where?"

Trying to look over my shoulder discreetly, I whisper, "Don't look now; he's outside the employee's locker room."

Of course, she looks.

"Holy shit! Do you mean that hottie who's still staring at you?" she practically yells.

If I wasn't bright red before, I am now. "Shh, yes. He asked me if we ever met, and I said no."

She quirks an eyebrow. "What? Why would you say that?"

"I don't know. I was getting ready to tell Mr. Gorgeous I was his housekeeper, but 'no' came out instead. Can we get the hell out of here, please?" I beg.

Her face relaxes, and then she gives me a sly grin. "Sure, let's go get drunk and make bad choices."

Trai grabs my hand and heads toward our favorite local bar, Sunset Pub, where my muma bartends. The pub is a beach bar on the sand of Seven Mile Beach; graffiti adorns the sturdy concrete bar with a palm branch thatched roof, giving shade to those escaping the sun's heat.

"What's up, daughter?" my muma greets us.

I wave. "Hi, Muma! We thought we'd stop by for a drink before hitting the club."

She grabs a couple of Red Stripes and asks about our day.

"Ama has a fun story to tell." Trai betrays me.

I give Trai the death stare. She looks at me and shrugs her shoulders. I don't want my muma to know about Mr. Gorgeous.

"It was nothing. I just accidentally walked in on a guest. They didn't answer when I knocked; no big deal."

"Ah... Did you eat yet?" Muma thankfully changes the subject.

I shake my head. "No, but we probably should. Can we have your famous jerk chicken and rice?"

"Ya!"

Muma gets us our food, so we'll have something in our bellies to soak up the alcohol we plan on consuming tonight.

"Delicious as always," Trai says with a mouthful of rice.

I roll my eyes at Trai, then look at Muma. "Thanks, Muma."

We finish our beers and dinner, kiss Muma goodbye, then leave for the club.

We get to The Jungle, and it's already hopping then head to the bar for a couple of Red Stripes and drink them thirstily.

The nightclub and sports bar is a favorite dance club of the locals and tourists, featuring Jamaican music, strategically placed low lights, and decorated in a rainforest jungle theme.

"So, are you ready to get your groove on?" Trai asks while putting her empty bottle on the bar.

I throw back my last swallow of beer. "I'm always ready."

We dance, drink, dance, drink, and dance some more. The Jungle's jammed-packed. I feel someone dance close to me, swaying with me in perfect harmony. Feeling frisky from the alcohol, I don't look back as I move closer and grind my ass on him. My eyes catch Trai's. She's just standing in the middle of the dance floor, staring behind me with her mouth wide open, so I curiously turn to look.

"Mr. Gorgeous!"

Damn! Did I say that out loud?

"Hello again, Beautiful." He smirks while taking hold of my hips.

"Um, uh, hi," I stutter.

"Do you mind if we keep dancing together?" His deep voice whispers into my ear, causing a shiver to quake down my spine.

"Um, I guess not," I say, feeling my cheeks warm up, remembering that I was grinding my ass all over him just a moment ago.

He turns me around, takes me in his arms, and looks down at me with the darkest brown eyes I've ever seen, which is saying something when you live in Jamaica.

We continue to move our bodies in perfect rhythm to the beat of the music. While in a crowd of people, we get lost in each other's eyes.

He moves his head down to speak so I can hear him over the music. "Can I buy you a drink?"

My face lights up. "Sure, thanks. Red Stripe, please."

He moves towards the bar, and I go to follow him when Trai runs over to me.

"What the hell? What are the chances Mr. Gorgeous shows up here?"

I laugh, "Pretty good, considering tourists love coming here."

"He's so hot, and it looks like he's really into you. Are you going to give him some Ama loving tonight?" She winks.

My jaw drops. "Seriously, Trai. I don't even know the man."

She lifts her shoulders. "So? ...that's what makes it so exciting."

Just then, Mr. Gorgeous walks up with our drinks.

"Ladies." He must have seen me talking to Trai because he comes with three Red Stripes.

"Please let me formally introduce myself. My name is Gregory Williams, also known as Mr. Gorgeous."

I want to die. Gregory did indeed hear me call him Mr. Gorgeous.

He leans over and whispers in my ear, "You're adorable when you blush."

My face is now more on fire, if possible, as he gave me a sexy sideways grin.

Trai sticks out her hand. "My name is Trai, and this blushing beauty is Ama."

"Do you ladies work at the Kuyaba Hotel?" he inquires.

"Yes, we both..."

I cut Trai off. "Let's dance," I say before grabbing Gregory's hand and dragging him to the dance floor.

A couple of Tequila shots later, I'm letting loose. I'm shaking and grinding my body all over Gregory. He doesn't seem to mind. He's a great dancer, keeping up with the rhythm and me. When he pulls me closer, I feel his hardness against my center.

Panic fills me. "Um, I should probably get going."

I have to get out of here. I'm afraid of what I would do with this attractive man. I don't want to repeat my muma's past, and I refuse to have a one-night stand with a tourist.

His face drops. "Really? I thought we were having a great time."

"I did have a great time," I admit, lowering my eyes.

He reaches out and lifts my chin. "Can I see you again?" He asks with a glimmer of hope in his mesmerizing chocolate eyes.

My eyes once again drop to the floor. "I don't think that's a good idea since you're a guest at the hotel I work for. I don't want to get fired."

I slowly raised my head, looking up at him, and saw his eyes droop with disappointment.

"I'm sorry."

He brushes it off. "Don't be. At least let me walk you to your car."

Relief brings a smile to my lips. "Okay. Let me text Trai."

I get my phone out to text Trai and find she's already texted me.

Hey Ama, I hooked up with a hottie. I'll see you tomorrow. Get yourself some of Mr. Gorgeous.

I flash Gregory a smile. "Looks like she already left. Do you still want to walk me to my car?"

He doesn't miss a beat. "Absolutely!" he says enthusiastically.

He takes my hand, which fits perfectly with his, and I feel lightheaded from his touch, which causes me to lean into him. He peeks down at me, smirking, and we walk silently to my car.

When we arrived at my vehicle, his eyes lit up. "Whoa! A Volkswagen Beetle! What year is it?"

"1969." I grin, proudly.

"That's so cool!" he says excitedly, which makes me laugh at his cuteness.

He spins me to face him, and his lips crash onto mine. At first, I didn't realize what was happening till his kisses turned passionate. While pressing myself into his body, my lips open, inviting him to kiss me deeper. He takes advantage of the opportunity and thrusts his tongue into my mouth. As our tongues dance, I feel my center heat with desire for this man. He slows down the kiss and pulls away, placing his forehead against mine.

"That was amazing, Ama. You're so lovely. I don't think I'll be able to stay away from you."

"You have to," I say, breathy and unconvincingly.

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