Free Salsa Heat by Rae Winters

romantic getaway for us,” Shay said. Her blood boiled when she thought back on the three years, she wasted with that snake .
    “I can’t believe he’d be stupid enough to cheat on you in St. Lucia—right underneath your nose,” Tatiana replied.
    “He’s arrogant enough to believe he could get away with it. The challenge must have made it even sweeter for him,” Shay said, rancor sharpened her voice.
    “So, you’re moping around here because of him. Let’s go out and get two Philly Cheesesteaks . I’m starving!”
    Shay groaned at the thought of biting into a greasy Philly Cheesesteak .
    “I’m not hungry, and I’m not moping over Michael.”
    “It looks to me like you are!”
    “No, I’m not. I went to a club in St. Lucia and picked up a man,” Shay admitted.
    Tatiana dropped her nail file. “Tell me…tell me, more,” she said, smiling at Shay—who also had a big grin on her face.
    “The sex was incredible, and his smoldering violet eyes...”
    “His smoldering, violet eyes—don’t tell me you picked up a white boy, in St. Lucia, Shay?”
    “Yes, I did it with a white boy. I rode him, and he rode my black ass, too!”
    “You-you let him do you in the ass? How could you? You wouldn’t even allow Michael to touch that. ”
    “Linden was different. He’s a gentle lover; a giving-passionate man. It felt natural—right in his arms. He swept me away and believe me Tee, I wanted to be swept away,” she mumbled, tears once again sliding down her cheeks.
    “Girl, I’ve never seen you this way. Now you’re mooning over this guy, Linden?”
    “I need him. I love him, Tee!”
    “You’re just an island fling to him, cuz !”
    “No, I won’t and don’t believe that.”
    “Has he called you since you returned home, Shay?”
    “No, he hasn’t called me as he promised. But he will.”
    Look, Linden gave me this, ” Shay said, extending out her pendant in Tatiana’s direction.
    Tatiana’s eyes lit up to the diamond, star pendant gracing Shay’s neck.
    “He paid a pretty penny for that,” Tatiana declared.
    She knew her jewelry. The brilliant color and the shine reflecting from the diamonds said it all.
    “He spends money like water, Tatiana.”
    “That’s a goodbye gift, Shay!”
    “It wasn’t a goodbye gift.”
    “Shay…Michael hurt you, and Linden will do the same if you don’t wise up. Besides, it can’t be anything more, and you need to give your love to a brother!”
    “When you fall in love Tee, it isn’t with the color of a man’s skin. I fell in love with him. Our souls connected. Linden’s a passionate lover, and we revealed personal, intimate details about ourselves. He spent a lot of money on tickets for the last night of the jazz festival. His gift to me was a manicure, a pedicure, a hairstylist, and he purchased a dress for me that evening.”
    “You said he spends money like water. That gift doesn’t prove a thing.”
    “But he did it for me! No one has ever done that for me,” Shay said, as she slapped her chest. “He’s here,” she said pointing to her heart. “I’ll admit it was a one-night stand that led to seven days of sexual bliss. I love him, Tatiana, and I know he loves me!”
    “It’s been three weeks since you’ve returned. Why hasn’t he called you?” Tatiana questioned. Her tone was as gentle as it could be. Her cousin was heading for a big fall.
    “I don’t know,” Shay mumbled, tears rolling down her cheeks.
    §
     
    Two weeks later, Shay passed out at work. It was a Wednesday morning, and she was escorted down to the nurse’s office. The nurse suggested Shay make an appointment with her family doctor. Shay didn’t need to see her doctor. All she needed was some rest; so she left work early that day, and climbed into bed. Linden invaded her dreams, and all she really needed was a decent night’s sleep.
    Thursday morning, as she prepared for work, her eyes glanced over at the calendar and noticed the date. Shay realized she’d