Chapter 1: Introduction
The air hit them like a warm, wet kiss as they stepped off the plane. Marcia exhaled, letting the salty Gulf breeze tangle her blond hair into a tousled halo. She adjusted her oversized sunglasses and grinned at the chaos of the airport—neon signs flickered above in garish promises of rum and rumba, the scent of fried plantains and saltwater clinging to everything.
Dustin lumbered behind her, his stomach pressing against the waistband of his khakis, his usual worried frown creasing his forehead. He adjusted the strap of his duffel bag and muttered, “You sure about this rental car, babe?
I think we should’ve gotten a bigger one.”
Marcia hooked her arm through his, her fingers warm against his clammy skin. “Relax, Dustin. It’s fine. Barry’s driving, anyway.”
Barry, who had somehow ended up three steps ahead of them, turned back with a lazy grin, his belly straining against the faded Hawaiian shirt he’d insisted on wearing. “Relax? Nah, man. Live a little. We’re in Key West. The only thing we should be worrying about is whether we’re gonna find margaritas strong enough to make us forget our lives for a night.”
Marcia laughed, a bright, throaty sound that drew a sideways glance from a passing flight attendant.
She dropped Dustin’s arm and sauntered toward Barry with the confidence of someone who knew exactly how good she looked in her fitted tank top and denim shorts. The fabric clung to her tanned thighs, the hem teasing just above the curve of her ass—perfect, tight, and unmistakable even beneath the loose cotton.
Barry’s eyes flicked down, then back up with deliberate slowness, his grin widening. “Damn, Marcia,” he said, voice rough with amusement. “You ever think about walking like that in public? Because I’d pay good money to see the looks on people’s faces.”
Marcia tossed her hair, her bangles jingling.