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  Sunny and 75

  Sammi Starlight

  Copyright © 2018 by Sammi Starlight

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  About the Author

  Also by Sammi Starlight

  1

  Julia

  My hands didn’t stop shaking until the plane landed in Punta Cana. I clutched my turned-off phone in one hand and my purse in the other. I almost turned my phone on out of habit but I didn't want to face all the missed calls and text messages that probably awaited me.

  I closed my eyes and sighed, leaning my head back against my seat. We hadn’t been given the okay to exit the plane and the stale air was stifling; I was beginning to feel as if I was suffocating. The plane was full of people anxious to start their tropical vacation in paradise. Me? I was here to escape.

  There was a ding and people started getting up from their seats, grabbing their bags and other items from the overhead compartment. I rose to my feet and turned towards the back of the plane when I saw a young couple smiling sweetly at each other, her hands all over his chest while he reached up for their items in the overhead compartment. He turned his head for a kiss and I threw up in my mouth a little when I saw some tongue. It was probably a newlywed couple here for their honeymoon. I glanced around the plane and was suddenly painfully aware of all the other couples snuggling closely all over the place. In fact, I seemed to be the only one traveling alone. I'd been too anxious to notice it until now.

  I rolled my eyes and sat back down. I didn’t need to see any of that; I was going to wait until everyone was gone to get my stuff and get off the plane.

  I glanced at the empty seat beside me. I was supposed to be one half of a couple also on their honeymoon, although I doubted we would be snuggling much. He'd probably be too busy checking his phone to even pay any attention to me. I'm on this trip alone, still single.

  I fought back the tears that stung my eyes and watched the people file down the aisle, exiting the plane. Why had I chosen the honeymoon capital of the world to run away to? I hadn't been thinking when I decided to leave. I'd come across the plane tickets when packing my bag and it just seemed an easy way out. With one call, I was even able to move up my flight by a day.

  Why was I escaping my life at the age of twenty-two? Well, I was about to marry a total asshole my father had hand picked for me. It was pretty much an arranged marriage and I don't know why it'd taken me so long to wake up. The night before the wedding was the final straw when I walked in on him fucking one of his friend's wife. My hands started to shake again, thinking about the events of that night.

  "Ma'am?"

  I looked up, thankful to be rescued from my own thoughts, and saw a pretty young blonde flight attendant standing in the aisle next to me. "Is there a problem?" she asked.

  "No," I shook my head. "I was just waiting for most of the people to leave so it wasn't so crowded."

  She nodded and but I could see her hands balled together into tight fists. Maybe she was ready to put on her bikini and hit the beach. Everyone was probably here for a good time except for me.

  I stood up and reached above me, finding my small bag. I slung it over my shoulder and began my exodus from the plane. As I walked down the steps, I was hit by a wave of warm air and humidity. I took a deep breath and had to admit, the warmth was a nice break from the cold Chicago winter I'd just left.

  I found the baggage claim quickly and waited for my suitcase to appear. Even with my delayed exit from the plane, they still hadn't gotten the luggage off yet. The couple I'd spotted making out on the plane were standing right next to me and still had their hands all over each other. Gag me.

  I looked down at my phone; I still hadn't turned it on. I noticed the garbage can nearby and had an idea. No one could get a hold of me if I didn't have my phone, right? I walked over and tossed my phone in it. It was totally liberating and I already felt as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. They'd probably figure out soon I'd left town and gone on our honeymoon trip alone, but maybe I would have a little time before all the questions.

  The whir of the baggage belt filled my ears and I watched for my Coach bags to pass by. I couldn't wait to get to my room, take a shower, and sleep for days. I’d barely slept from the stress of the wedding the past few months. Rest was all I had planned for this trip. Beyond that, I had no idea. I didn’t even know if I would go back to Chicago. I didn’t want to face my father after the whole wedding debacle. I’m sure he was pissed. I could stay here until I figured out what to do with my life.

  Eventually my bags appeared. I grabbed them quickly and followed the signs to go through customs. Thankfully, I made it through without much fuss and headed to the exit of the airport. At the front door there were about ten taxis waiting to take people to their various vacation destinations. I gave my driver the name of my resort and he put my stuff in the trunk while I got into the back seat.

  The drive to the resort was about twenty minutes long. I watched the scenery whiz by my window and I quickly could see why so many people came here to visit; it was a beautiful island with the colorful flowers and gorgeous beaches. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to hang out for a while. It certainly was better than dismal and gray Chicago.

  When we arrived at the resort, my driver got out my bags and took them to a spot near the check in. I thanked him and paid along with a generous tip. I gave them my name at the front desk and waited while they looked up my reservation.

  "You have the honeymoon suite for ten days?" the receptionist asked me, glancing around to look for my groom.

  I caught my bottom lip between my teeth and shook my head. "Actually, can I get something smaller on the beach, and can you please make it indefinitely?" My face felt warm; I was so embarrassed to admit I was here alone.

  She looked at her computer, typing in some things. "Let me check,” she replied and I waited, noticing a line forming behind me. More humiliation. Might as well shout out to everyone there I was alone and my wedding never happened.

  "I think I found you something. It's a little bit away from the main resort, but it's on the beach and you can have it for as long as you need it," she finally said, reaching in the drawer to get me some key cards. "I'll have someone come and drive you over there."

  I breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

  "One key or two?" she asked.

  "Just one," I said softly.

  She slid it across the counter at me. "You're all set." She glanced over on the desk. "Oh wait. Julia Thompson, right?"

  "Yes," I replied, leaning over and trying to get a glimpse of what she was looking at.

  "We have a bunch of messages for you." She reached over to grab a pile of post it notes and handed them to me.

  I clutched them in my hand. Crap. So much for hiding out unnoticed. "Thanks." I slung my purse over my shoulder. "One more thing, if anyone else calls here looking for me, please tell them I'm not here."

  "Yes, ma'am." She nodded. "Your driver is here to take you to your villa." She pointed over to the golf cart near the entrance.

  "Thank you," I nodded back, walking over to the cart, clutching the stac
k of messages tightly in my hand. I told the driver what villa I was in and pointed out which bags were mine. As he put them on the back of the cart, I sat down with a sigh. I was suddenly so exhausted.

  The drive to my villa was bumpy and the receptionist wasn't kidding when she said it was away from everything. That's ok though; hopefully I wouldn't be near any honeymooning couples.

  We arrived at the villa and I tipped the driver after he took my bags inside. He gave me a flyer with a number I could call any time for a ride to the main part of the resort or if I wanted to go into town.

  I thanked him and shut the door behind him with a sigh. I leaned against the back of the door and closed my eyes. My emotions were all over the place and part of me wanted to cry, but I was pretty sure I'd used up all my tears the night before. I made a vow not to shed any more tears over that man.

  I set the pile of messages on the edge of the dresser; I would deal with those later. I took my suitcase into the bedroom and found some yoga pants and a tank top. I dug my shampoo and other toiletries out; I was dying to get the grime from my hours of travel off of me.

  The shower stall was huge with dual showerheads. There was room for probably three people in this stall. After a long hot shower, I got dressed and ran a comb through my hair. I pulled it on top of my head into a messy bun and climbed into the California king size bed. It must've had about ten pillows. I hugged one to my chest, my eyes heavy. I pushed out any thoughts I had about the last few days as I drifted off to sleep, relieved to be away from everyone and everything.

  2

  Aiden

  I rolled over in bed and cringed when I noticed where I was. Next to me was a small blonde, lying on her stomach, her long hair falling down her bare back, stopping above the tramp stamp tattoo. I rolled my eyes; if I had a dollar for every girl I've fucked here with one of those, I could buy my own resort.

  When I'd closed up the bar last night, I stumbled home with some girl who had been hanging around and we ended up going back to her room to fuck. This was a common occurrence most nights but I tried not to make it a habit to sleep over. The morning after was too awkward, with the girl making plans of all the tourist shit they wanted to do together that day.

  I glanced at my watch. It was six in the morning. Maybe I could sneak out before she woke up. I slipped from the bed and looked for my clothes. I managed to find my shorts and boxers but my shirt and flip-flops were nowhere to be found. It wouldn't be the first time I left clothes behind so I could make my escape. I tiptoed out of the bedroom, almost breathing a sigh of relief when I found my shoes and t-shirt. I slipped them on and headed out of the condo.

  My heartbeat slowed down the further I got away from my latest one-night stand. I racked my brain, but I couldn't remember her name. I think she was still in town for a few more days, so she probably would find me at the bar again tonight. I worked there almost every night, so I wasn't hard to find.

  I didn't really mind though. After all, tourists came and went through Punta Cana and I had my fair share of beauties to choose from to fuck and didn’t have to worry about anyone getting attached. Been there, done that, not happening again. I touched the tattoo on the inside of my right arm, the one that reminded me of her whenever I looked at it.

  "Walk of shame this morning again, Aiden?"

  I moved my hand from my arm and turned around to see my best friend and boss Jason behind me. "Something like that," I grinned.

  He laughed and shook his head. "How do you keep them all straight?"

  I waited for him to catch up before continuing my walk. "I don't," I shrugged. "But I don't have to. They're usually gone in a week or two. Then I move on to the next one."

  He let out a hearty laugh and slapped me on the back. "Some day you're going to meet your match, mister, just you wait."

  I shook my head and looked down at the ground. "I already did once,” I mumbled, my voice barely a whisper.

  Jason frowned. "I'm sorry, man. I didn’t mean to bring it up."

  I dismissed his apology with a wave of my hand. I didn't want to talk about her right now - I never did actually. That was my past. I had known Jason for a couple of years and even he didn’t now about my past. He totally respected it and he never asked questions. I was thankful for that because it hurt too much to even whisper her name.

  "Why are you up so early?" I asked him, changing the subject.

  "I couldn't sleep and there are some contractors coming to look at the spot on the other side of the beach where they want to put another bar so I have to meet with them." Jason was the manager of the bars and restaurants at the resort. We met in the Marines but he was one for much longer than I was. He was in fifteen years as opposed to my five and when he retired, he came to the Dominican. I had a feeling he had his own demons he was escaping here, but I didn’t push it; it seemed like most of us living here were running away from something back in the States.

  “Do you want to go get some breakfast?” I must’ve worked up an appetite last night with the blonde bombshell whose bed I just left, because I was starving.

  Jason looked down at his watch. “Sure, I have about forty-five minutes. I was going to go for a run, but breakfast sounds much better.”

  We hit up the resort dining room, making small talk while we were eating our eggs and bacon. Our resort had some of the best food in all of Punta Cana and one of the perks of working there was that we got to eat for free. When I first started, I gained fifteen pounds from all of the good food.

  “What're you up to today?” Jason asked me before taking a sip of his coffee.

  I ran my hand over my closely shaved head. Once upon a time I had long hair, but when I had to cut it short for the military, I grew to like it and kept it that way ever since. “Well, bed, then maybe a run before work,” I replied. My days consisted of late nights, sleeping in until mid-afternoon and working all night at the bar.

  Jason laughed. “Must be the life. And I’m sure you’ll have the women lining up for you like usual. I’m surprised they haven’t put you in the resort brochure as an attraction.”

  “I’ve seen you in action, you don’t do too bad yourself with the ladies,” I grinned at him. “You should come by tonight.”

  “Maybe I will,” he nodded. “The busy season is winding down and I could use some fun.” He stood up from the table. “But now, some of us have to get to work. I’ll catch you later.”

  “See ya, man,” I replied, pouring myself another cup of coffee as he walked away. I stifled a yawn and sat back in my chair, looking around the dining room. My gaze stopped to rest on a dark-haired beauty sipping her coffee and reading a People magazine. She was wearing a black strapless maxi dress, her long hair up in a high ponytail. She had silver hoop earrings dangling from her ears and she was playing with one as she read. She wasn’t really wearing much make up from what I could tell, but I noticed her high cheekbones and luscious lips. For a second I thought about what it would be like to kiss her. Her Louis Vuitton purse was on the chair next to her and it was obvious she had money - at least more money than I did.

  Butterflies started to form in my stomach when she glanced up and caught me watching her. I looked away quickly, embarrassed to have been caught staring, but before I did, I couldn’t help but notice a certain sadness in her dark brown eyes.

  I glanced around, looking for her husband or friends nearby but she appeared to be alone. Surely a gorgeous girl like her was here with at least a boyfriend. The Dominican wasn't exactly the place people traveled to alone. Maybe she was an early riser and came for some coffee before anyone else woke up.

  I yawned again; it was time to get my ass back to my room for a shower and bed. I looked over at the girl again and shook my head. If I were back in Chicago, she would be way out of my league. Girls like her used to never even give me a second look. Stuck up bitches. Now rich girls like that begged me to fuck them on a nightly basis.

  She didn’t seem like the type to have one-night stands though. Then
again, if there's one thing I've learned since tending bar, it's the ones you least expect that are most willing to go back for a night of inhibited sex with a stranger.

  I drank the last of my coffee and got up from the table. I scrubbed my face with my hand and began the walk back to my little villa. I took a deep breath, the sweet scent of the blooming flowers on the path filling my nose. This place was paradise with the white sandy beaches and lush island greenery.

  I'd been in Punta Cana for almost three years and I had no plan to leave any time soon. There was nothing left for me back in the States anyway. Everyone there was better off with me on a little island in the middle of the ocean.

  I slipped the key in the door and went inside. My villa was a mess as usual. That was why I rarely brought women back here; if they saw what a slob I was, they'd probably never fuck me.

  I walked to the kitchenette and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. I closed the door and noticed the date on the calendar hanging on the door. My heart started to pound. It was her birthday. She would've been twenty-five. I set the water down on the cupboard and pulled a bottle of whiskey from the shelf. If I was going to sleep today, I was going to need something stronger. Hell, I might just drink until I pass out. If I did that, I wouldn't have the horrible nightmares about that night that plague almost every night.

  I opened the bottle and took a long swig, the liquid burning as it went down my throat. I went to the bed and sat down, turning on the TV. I opened the drawer in the nightstand, checking to make sure my gun was there. The first few months in the Dominican, I didn't leave my room without my gun. I'd finally relaxed enough to keep it in my room when I went out, but I never went to sleep without it nearby.