What Emma Craves by Amanda Abbott Page A

colored cushions in reds, oranges, and yellows. Three of the areas were occupied by couples, and one by a group of four. All the others were empty.
    “Welcome!” a guy on a barstool announced in a booming voice as they walked up. He looked to be mid-thirties. He had blond hair, balding on top. “Is this your first time in Paradise?” The guy picked up his drink and swung around on his stool. “I’m Harry, but I’m not really that hairy , as you can plainly see.” He winked, pointing to his head. “This is my wife, Jennifer. It’s our third time on the island, and it only gets better each time we visit.”
    The guy was naked except for an extremely small bright blue Speedo.
    He stretched out his hand, and Pete shook it. “I’m Pete, and this is my wife, Emma. Yes, this is our first time.”
    “It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” Emma added, nodding to Jennifer, who was naked from the waist up. Her breasts hung like two long pendulums. She gave Emma a small smile.
    “Come on and join us,” Harry said, sliding a barstool closer to him and patting the seat. “Get to know the natives. We can let you know what’s what around here. Lots to do and explore.”
    Pete hesitated. His arm was still wrapped firmly around his wife’s waist. He knew Emma’s first choice would not be to sit with these people, but being rude wouldn’t start them off on the right foot here either. It was a small resort, and Pete was curious about the rules and the culture. Besides, if he snubbed them now, they would end up running into them daily, guaranteed.
    He glanced down at Emma before he answered.
    She gave him a slight nod.
    “We can stay for one drink,” Pete said as he ushered Emma to the stool farther away from Harry. “We just got here and we’re tired from a long day of travel, so we’re going to get room service once we get back.”
    “What are you guys drinking? The first round is on me,” Harry announced. The bartender was washing glasses nearby. “Paul, get these guys whatever they want,” he said, “and put it on my tab.”
    Paul glanced at Pete. “I’ll take a Heineken if you have one,” Pete said. “If not, anything’s fine.”
    “That’s very kind of you,” Emma told Harry. “I’ll have a piña colada.”
    Paul nodded and left to get the drinks.
    “Getting into the island groove, huh?” Harry grinned at Emma. “I like it. Jen, come over this way, so we can talk in a group.”
    They watched as Jennifer maneuvered off her barstool slowly, and Harry manhandled the chair so it was now in front of him. Jennifer was very curvy and wore a blue thong bikini bottom, similar in hue to her husband’s.
    “Were you guys at the pool before this?” Pete asked, trying to be cordial.
    “Yep, did some laps, spent some time under the waterfall,” Harry replied. “Good times. The pool is my favorite spot here. Nothing beats it.”
    “Waterfall?” Emma asked. “They have a waterfall at the pool?”
    “Oh, you haven’t been yet?” Jennifer said softly. “It’s right down that path over there.” She gestured in the direction behind the bar. “It’s really amazing. A big waterfall separates three parts of the pool. There’s even seating underneath. Everything here is world-class, but the pool is the best. It’s surrounded by flowers and greenery. It feels like you’re in an oasis. That’s where we spend most of every day.”
    Harry nodded along. “They have those double loungers set up all over, some with curtains and some without, get my meaning?” He leaned over and elbowed Pete.
    Unfortunately, Pete got his meaning.
    The guy meant well, but he was annoying as hell. Pete knew his type: the loud, overcompensating entertainer. There was no way he and Emma would be hooking up with him and Jennifer. Next time they ran into them, however, Pete would give their excuses and move on. But while they were here, Pete was going to pump him for as much information as he could.
    “So are you guys regulars? Do