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everything was perfect…until that lizard skittered over the toe of her shoe! Penny let out a yelp, spinning around and landing in the arms of a total stranger.
    “ G’day luv. Falling for me already?” He smiled at her sardonically as he set her back on her feet while keeping his arms around her. Penny’s head was in the clouds. She attempted to focus on her rescuer. When their eyes met, it awakened a feeling she had never experienced before. He was rugged and handsome. His Australian accent captivated her. “Allow me to introduce myself,” he whispered close to her ear, “I’m Nicolas Kelly, but you can call me Nick,”
    Penny was having trouble regaining her senses. She couldn’t take her eyes off of his. They were as blue and deep as the tropical waters, with long dark lashes and he had thick wavy hair that longed to be stroked.
    He interrupted her thoughts, “May I know your name?”
    “ Um, oh yes… My name is Penelope Martin.”
    The desk clerk cleared his throat to get her attention and asked, “Miss Martin, would you like to check in now?”
    “ What? Oh… yes.”
    Nick grabbed her arm as she turned away. “Wait… can I take you to see the sights tomorrow?”
    “ I would really love to do that, but I first have to see if the hotel has plans for me. I’m here to review the resort for my travel agency.”
    “ I’ll take my chances. I will be here at noon to pick you up. If you have other things you must do, leave a message for me at the desk.” He took her hand, turned it palm upward and placed a light kiss on it, “Try not to disappoint me, my dear.”
    As he walked away, Penny turned to the desk clerk, still in a daze and wondering what had just happened. “Um… are there any messages for me?”
     
    After checking in, Penny followed the baggage porter down a long narrow pier that extended out into the ocean. A number of bungalows were perched on tall stilts in the ten foot deep tidal water with private walkways branching from the central pier. Her room had full windows on all sides, giving her a breathtaking view of the surroundings.
    The bed was centered in the room and adorned with sheer draperies. Next to it on a table sat an ice bucket that contained a chilled bottle of Chandon Moet. Beside it was a bowl of fresh fruits. The bathroom had a huge sunken tub that was open to the sea. It was filled with room temperature water and had red blossoms floating in it. She sighed with pleasure at the prospect of soaking in that tub with a strawberry in one hand and a champagne flute in the other.
    The phone rang and she dived for it, hoping it was that amazing stranger, Nick. “This is room service. We are preparing a sampling of our dinners for you. Will you be eating in the dining room or would you prefer to have your repast in your room?”
    “ I’ll be eating in my room, thank you. Please leave it at my door.” Penny had waited long enough. She undressed and slid into the tub. She was able to finally relax for the first time since arriving on the island. I need to organize my time so I can get everything done and still have time for Nicolas if he calls. She went over Nick’s image in her head. He’s tall; must be over six feet… and so muscular. I really did like his Australian accent. Her pulse quickened as she fantasized about meeting with him the next day. She closed her eyes and imagined his lips pressed against hers. There was a knock at the door.
     

Chapter 3
     
    Penny awoke with high hopes, anticipating a glorious day of infinite possibilities. She decided to have breakfast in the dining room. The buffet was quite good with a number of less-common dishes being offered that were spicy and delicious. After breakfast, she decided to use her time exploring the resort. The pool was first on her list… a state of the art infinity pool that edged right up to the sea. Next, was the full-treatment spa that offered couples massage treatments right next to the ocean. She could picture