Bravura (Portentous Destiny Series Book 3) Read online

  I sigh and pick up my phone and dial her number.

  “What?”

  “Geez, so good to talk to you, too,” Lily says, and I can practically hear her eyes rolling.

  “Lil, I just came off a forty-eight-hour, scratch that, fifty-plus-hour shift, and Olivia coded again, and I just want to sleep,” I whine. My whole family knows Olivia’s family. After I formed a friendship with Mandy and Ethan, we became friends outside of the hospital setting. It’s not something that should really happen, but sometimes nurses and doctors form lifelong friendships with patients and their families, and I definitely have done that with Olivia’s family. I know even if I move or change jobs, I’ll always keep in touch with them. I haven’t ever bonded with any other patient like I have with Olivia. I usually distance myself, so I can do my job with no emotions involved. It’s hard, very hard, but living in the moment helps me think less about my past or where my future may be going, and I like that about my career.

  “OMG, is she OK?”

  “Yeah, we brought her back.” I sigh. “Honestly, I don’t know how much longer she’s going to hold on.”

  “Sorry, Zoe, I know how much you like her,” Lily says, and for a second, I think I actually sense empathy. Lily isn’t always the best at expressing empathy.

  “So, to what do I owe the honor of this phone call?” I ask as I stretch out in my bed.

  “What are you doing in two weeks?”

  “Lil, seriously? I don’t even know what I’m eating for breakfast today.”

  “OK, let me rephrase that. Are you working the week after next?”

  I open my calendar on my phone and look at it.

  “Nope.”

  I hear a shrill scream at the other end of the phone.

  “What have I just not agreed to?”

  “We, my dear cousin, are going to the Galapagos!!”

  “Wait, hold up, we? The Galapagos?”

  Lily laughs. “Yes, I need someone to come with me. I’m doing the whole South America trip that I have been planning forever, but I don’t want to do it all alone. Everyone else is working and I thought, well, you know. You have all these weeks off between shifts so…”

  I sigh and scratch my head. “How much?”

  “Two thousand plus airfare for a week,” she says.

  “Will there be drinks?”

  “Of course!”

  “Fine, just tell me what I need to do.”

  I hold the phone back from my ear as I can physically hear Lily jumping up and down and squealing, which is very un-Lily-like.

  “I just knew you’d agree! Thanks, Zoe!! You’re the best!” Lily screams into my ear.

  “Yeah, yeah,” I say, although in my head I can’t help but think, “sure you are happy because you got what you wanted.” Typical Lily.

  Lily gives me all the details, and then I hang up and book my portion of things online. After that, I call my brother, Rob, and let him know that he needs to check in on my stuff while I’m gone. In typical Rob fashion, he asks why our mother can’t do it. After giving him a lecture on adult responsibilities, he tells me to fuck off and leave the key under the mat.

  I grab my suitcase and start to toss things in it. I travel enough that I’ve got the packing thing down to a science. I work hard, live modestly, and use my extra funds to travel. Unlike many of my colleagues, I have no kids, no pets, besides a fish, no responsibilities, so I can play hard and I do. My friends have been dying to make me get a YOLO tattoo, but that nagging responsible and intelligent part of me has so far resisted. International travel is different from a quick stateside trip. I have to get my passport and make sure I have things that are sometimes harder to find abroad if I forget them, plus chargers, converters for power cords, and other crucial items. I spend a few minutes tossing stuff in the bag. I’ll sort it all out later, but at least for now I’ve got a good start on packing.

  I spend the next few days getting ready for the trip. I manage to work one last shift and make sure to tell Mandy and Ethan to text me if anything changes with Olivia. By the time the travel day arrives, I’m actually feeling psyched about it and ready to go. I haven’t traveled alone with Lily yet, and I think this trip will be a good adult-bonding experience for us and perhaps I’ll be able to squeeze in a little fun time, too.

  Chapter 3

  Zoe’s Playlist: “From Finner” by Of Monsters and Men

  As I sip my drink and look around the eco-hotel, I have to think to myself that Lily actually has not done a half-bad job of planning this trip. The room is nice, the hotel is beautiful, and I’m actually psyched to see the wildlife tomorrow. So far, we’ve had two piña coladas, and I decide we need third ones.

  I head to the bar and tap my fingers on the counter while waiting for a middle-aged guy named Mario to make the drinks. He’s alright looking, but not really my type. Mario hands me the drinks and gives me a wink. I smile while internally groaning. I’m just under five feet eight inches and thanks to my mother, well-endowed. My high school “friends with benefits” always compared me to a Victoria’s Secret angel. Typical horny teenage boys, every time I heard that I couldn’t help but stifle a laugh as I imagined them jerking off to their mom’s catalog in the bathroom.

  I head back toward our table and see Lily looking in the distance. I glance in the direction of her gaze and nearly spill the drinks on her as I gawk at the double hotness walking in our direction.

  Lily gives me the look of death, and I shrug. “Sorry, I got distracted by the eye candy that just arrived,” I explain as I take my seat again and suck a large gulp of my drink.

  We watch the hotsy twins walk past us and toward the registration desk. Lily tries to shrug off the pure unadulterated sex dripping off those men, but I smile thinking of all the fun vacation activities that I could add to my agenda. Even her protest that the Charles Darwin Research Center has a smorgasbord of international hotties doesn’t keep me from fantasizing about being a Gemini sandwich. So what that there are researchers in this town from all over the world? I got my eye candy right here at the hotel! I spend the rest of the afternoon daydreaming about the two devilishly handsome twins, while Lily rattles off details of each day trip we’re scheduled to go on while we are here.

  At dinner, Lily literally runs into one of the hotsy twins, which works out great because we get to meet them. And we learn their names, Lance and Cody. I am instantly assured that I will most definitely have some off-the-charts, toe-curling vacation sex. Thank you, Lily and your always klutzy tendencies.

  After dinner, some more drinks and meeting some more interesting fellow passengers, I fall asleep dreaming about the prospects for one of the twins.

  I practically fall into the restaurant the next morning. “Caffeine!” I cry as I see the coffee. I sit down and start on my first mug. I’ll need at least three and probably one of those chocolate croissants, I mean what goes better with coffee than chocolate croissants. I am licking the buttery, flaky goodness from my lower lip as I see the hotties from yesterday meander over to the table next to us. They give us polite nods, and we acknowledge them, although I’m fairly certain my cousin is turning three shades of red; however, her skin tone makes it a little less obvious. If I blushed, you could probably spot me from the International Space Station. I giggle to myself, thanking the powers that be that I’m not as pale as my aunt. Lily’s mom is so pale she’s nearly translucent, and when she blushes, there is absolutely no hiding it at all.

  The guide that introduced himself to everyone at dinner the night before announces that the boat will leave in fifteen minutes for our first trip, Santa Fe Island. I look across the water and see the island in the far distance. I know the whole point of this trip is to explore the various islands, but I’m not thrilled at the idea of the boat. I’d rather explore the city here; however, I know it’s my one chance to see some amazing wildlife, so what the hell. This is why I came on this trip, plus it’s going to be fun bonding with Lily.

  Lily is grabbing her
bag and telling me we are going before I can even finish cup number two.

  “Hey, where’s the fire? Wait a minute, I’m not done with my coffee,” I whine. Cody and Lance glance over at me. So, I do what any hot, young woman would do, I give them my best flirty smile and wink. “You won’t like me when I’m caffeineless,” I explain.

  Lance and Cody laugh, and Lily sulks off to a chaise by the pool. I do my best to chug the hot liquid upper that I so desperately need. I see Lance heading toward the pool and Lily. Well, I think to myself, guess I know which hottie I’ll be flirting with today. I turn to Cody, who I see looking at me. Interestingly, his gaze doesn’t falter as I make eye contact with him.

  “So, you boys come here often?” I say as I down a third cup of coffee like I’m a regular at this coffee bar.

  Cody smiles at me. “First time, and you?”

  I smile and shake my head. “Also a Galapagos virgin.”

  Cody laughs. I link arms with him and saunter toward the pool. “Come on, let’s go get our Darwin cherry popped.” I stop just short of Lance and Lily. “FYI…I’m the older overprotective cousin, so if your brother hurts Lily I will have to kill him.”

  Cody shakes his head. “I highly doubt that could happen. Lance is on a woman hiatus, plus from the looks of it, I think Lily wouldn’t put up with any shit from anyone.”

  I look at the body language between them and laugh. “Point taken.”

  I see Lily turn to me. “Come on, Juliet! It’s time to board,” she calls out with an eye roll. Cody walks over to Lance, and they start chatting as they head toward the boat. I start after them. Lily catches up with me.

  “What the hell is your problem?” I ask. “Lance and Cody are seriously cute and you’re acting like a total bitch!”

  “Sorry,” she mumbles as we walk toward the boat.

  I take a look at her, and I can tell she’s regretting her words. I decide to be silly and see if I can snap her out of it. We can salvage the day. She seems amicable to this idea and even laughs at my goofiness.

  Once we are on the boat and cruising through the clear waters, I see my first sea turtle. I point it out to Lily who takes about a hundred photos of it. Eventually, I make my way over to Cody who’s on the port side of the boat. I point out another sea turtle to him.

  “It’s beautiful here,” he says loudly so I can hear him over the wind. I nod. I lean in closer to him and grab his arm as I spot a giant manta ray not far from the boat.

  “Look,” I shout. He nods. I see Lily talking to Lance, and I hope that they are having fun. Heck, I hope she is having fun! I snap a few photos with my camera.

  “So, do you two travel a lot together?” Cody asks, glancing over at his brother and Lily.

  “No, we haven’t been on a trip together in a long time,” I answer. “Lily had a rough year last year, and she just graduated from college. Basically, I think this is a soul-searching trip for her.”

  He nods his understanding. “And for you?”

  I place my head in my hands and prop my elbows on the railing, staring out into the sea at dolphins that are swimming nearby. “Let’s just say, I needed a break and this opportunity came at the perfect time.”

  We chitchat about the wildlife as various animals pass by us, and then we hurry to get in line on the first dinghy heading to the island when we pull up into a small cove. I watch as a sea turtle swims right past us. I lean toward Lily and smile.

  “Thanks, Lily, this is amazing,” I whisper in her ear. She beams at me and we disembark right by a long line of sea lions sleeping on the shore. We spend the next hour wandering the island, taking photos of iguanas, blue-footed boobies and a million other types of birds. The four of us decide to head back to the boat early so we can enjoy snorkeling in the cove.

  I see Lily swim off toward the juvenile sea lions along the rocky jetty that wraps around the one side of the cove. Birds of all types sit on the rocks, and I have a hard time deciding whether to pop up out of the water to photograph them or keep my head under the water to photograph the sea lions that are trying to play Simon Says games with Lily. I end up recording her interactions because it is just too cute.

  Eventually, Cody grabs my arm, startling me.

  “Sorry,” he mutters. “Do you want to head back? It looks like the others are heading back toward the boat.” He motions to our fellow passengers who are making their way back toward the yacht.

  “Sure.” I see Lance getting Lily’s attention. I decide to leave those two alone, and I head back with Cody. He climbs up the ladder first and offers me his hand as I wrangle my camera and snorkel gear.

  “Thanks,” I gasp as his big hand pulls me up easily onto the boat’s deck.

  He doesn’t let go right away, and I feel the sexual tension grow between us. It isn’t until one of the crew ushers us back into the cabin that he breaks our connection.

  Lily comes in and immediately starts going through her photos. We all look at a few of them, which I have to say, are quite good. These two funny old ladies, Betty and Beatrice, announce that we should move our party to the pool bar after we disembark. And so, we do.

  Several drinks later, I discover that Cody is an engineer, like my cousin Nick, BORING, and Lance owns a media company, like Lily’s uncle Jesse. Everyone is getting very liquored up and enjoying their fellow passengers’ company. Cody announces he wants to go walk the beach.

  “Oh, me too!” I say, trying to sound interested, but not too interested. I study Cody as he walks in front of me down the boardwalk toward the beach. He’s tall, maybe six feet four inches or so and built. He definitely played a sport growing up and from the look of his muscles he either still hits the gym or plays a sport. He has sandy-blondish-brown hair and amazing aquamarine eyes. He has about a day’s worth of stubble on his face, and I have to say, it is super-sexy and makes me want to run my hand over his jaw. He looks amazing in his swim trunks and a polo shirt. I’m lost in my swooning when he turns to me and grins.

  “Like the view?,” he asks.

  “Perhaps,” I answer with a grin of my own.

  “Come on,” he says as he holds out his hand, and we walk down toward the water. He sits down in the sand, and I sit down next to him. The sun is fading in the sky and the colors are fantastic.

  “It’s beautiful here,” I whisper as I hug my knees to my chest.

  Cody turns to me and the corners of his lips turn up just slightly. “I agree the view is beautiful.”

  I blush. I’m not normally shy, I’m normally the take charge type of girl, but something about the way Cody is looking at me makes me feel like a wallflower. I feel his hand under my chin, and he pushes my face up until I’m looking into his eyes. “I know we just met, Zoe, but I really want to kiss you right now.”

  I search his eyes and all I see is passion. “Then kiss me,” I murmur as I lean in closer to him, our lips just barely touching. And with that invitation, his mouth is on me. His lips caress mine gently at first. They are smooth and warm against my skin, and I get a little lost in the way he knows just how to use those lips. He takes his time building me up before he runs his tongue over my lower lip. I gladly part my lips and our tongues begin a tango that I don’t want to stop. His hands run over my body, and I feel like I light up like a Christmas tree. Maybe it’s been too many weeks since I was touched like this, but something about Cody is taking me to a new level and fast.

  I lose track of time as we sit and kiss and touch. I’m vaguely aware that it has gotten dark out and that the dull murmur of our fellow passengers up at the bar has died down. But I don’t pay attention to any of that; I’m lost in this never-ending kiss, this kiss to end all kisses. I’ve kissed a lot, and I mean a lot of men, but never like this and never for this long.

  I want more of him, but at the same time, I’m content just kissing him. I try not to think and just go with it. That’s my normal philosophy. I decide to let myself enjoy this, whatever this is. I deserve to let loose and have fun. And this is just
fun, after all, this is just a vacation fling and why the hell not?

  I don’t feel my shivering until Cody finally pulls away from me.

  “You’re cold,” he breathes against my lips. I take a moment to check in with my body. I am shivering, and I notice I’m clinging to Cody for warmth.

  “A little,” I agree.

  Cody laughs. “Come on, Princess Anna, you are going to turn into ice if I don’t get you inside soon.” I roll my eyes and giggle at his Frozen reference. I take his hand as we stand up and he wraps his arm around me as we walk back toward our rooms. We walk past his room, and he stays with me until we reach the door to mine. It’s eerily quiet as everyone else has gone to bed. I can’t believe we sat there kissing for that long. I’ve never done that, ever. Kissing is so personal, and I don’t do personal.

  When we reach my room, he pulls me against him and brings his lips down to mine again. This kiss is gentle and quick, and he pulls away all too soon. I actually whimper, which is so unlike me. Why does he have to be such a good kisser?

  “Better get some sleep, princess, long day tomorrow,” he says with a smile against my lips.

  I roll my eyes at the princess reference. “OK, Prince Charming, I hope you don’t turn into a pumpkin.”

  “I believe that was the carriage, not the prince, darling,” he says as he kisses my hand before letting me go. I open the door to Lily and my room and turn to him again.

  “Goodnight, Cody,” I whisper not wanting to wake my cousin.

  “Goodnight, Zoe,” he says softly and then turns to walk back down toward his room.

  After I lie down in bed, it feels like five seconds before I’m awake again. This time though, I jump out of bed, ready to start the day. OK, I’m actually just stoked to see Cody. After breakfast, our group takes off to more islands. The four of us naturally flock to one another. I think those old ladies are already playing matchmaker as they have noted our foursome more than once on the boat ride this morning. Lance and Lily are looking at their photos from yesterday. Eventually, I bore of photo perusing, and I head to the front of the boat. I’m deep in thought about Olivia when Cody joins me.