Free Jamaica Dreaming (Caribbean Heat) by Eugenia O'Neal

themselves.
    “Wow, he knew my songs.”
    “Everyone who works here loves music. I’m not surprised he looked you up.”
    “It would be nice if he and his wife could come to the next Kingston concert. Perhaps I can buy a pair of tickets for them?”
    “No need. You’re entitled to some complimentary tickets. They should have been included in your packet.”
    “They weren’t.”
    “Okay, I’ll have a couple sent to him.”
    A young waiter came to take their order. Julissa decided to have a glass of red wine and to try the spicy ackee on bammies for her appetizer. Sebastian explained bammies were little cakes made from a type of tuber like a potato, but different. She ordered the guava–glazed lamb chops as her main course. Sebastian also picked red wine but chose the lobster ravioli to start, followed by the tamarind glazed salmon.
    Just as they’d finished their first course, a man with short dreadlocks grabbed the mike to announce the imminent arrival of Adriana Gil, the visiting Brazilian singer Redbones was featuring for that week’s World Night event. A buxom woman in a tight red dress which displayed all her assets to advantage sauntered on stage in four–inch stiletto heels. Julissa was amused to see several of the men, even those with dates, sitting up and taking notice, feasting their eyes on the beauty on stage as she segued into the first lines of a soulful song. Only Sebastian seemed unmoved, digging into his salmon with relish.
    “You know, I’m really enjoying everything about my stay here,” Julissa said, leaning forward over the table so she didn’t have to raise her voice.
    “I’m enjoying having you here.” Just the sight of her sitting across from him was something of a minor miracle.
    “Even though I’m engaged?” She didn’t know why it mattered, but she waited apprehensively for his answer.
    Sebastian reached for his wineglass. “I’m glad you’re here, Julissa,” he said, his voice low. “I’d rather you weren’t engaged, I’m not going to pretend about that, but you’re here and that thrills me more than you can possibly know.”
    Satisfaction and guilt warred on her face but it was worry that won. Her eyes clouded with regret as they searched his face.
    Sebastian’s heart lurched at her expression. Was this the part where she told him she planned to keep her distance from him?
    She rearranged the cutlery on the table and cleared her throat. “We’ve been engaged for a while. His name is Earle and, actually, he wants to come down to Jamaica. He thinks he can get away on Friday and stay for the weekend.”
    “You’ll be in Ocho Rios,” he pointed out, unable to help his anger though he knew it was unjustified. The man had a right to want to be with his woman.
    “Yes, I know.”
    “Huh.” Sebastian felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach. He didn’t know what to say.
    “It’s okay. I’ll tell him I’m staying at your place and I can’t really ask you to put him up, too.”
    “It’s fine. Of course he can stay at Sun View with you.” Sebastian hated the very idea, but how could he refuse? He’d known going in that she had a fiancé but he’d still chosen to pursue her. It was his fault.
    “You don’t––. I don’t think you understand. I don’t want him to come.”
    “You don’t?”
    “Remember my accident?”
    He nodded, not trusting himself to speak and glad when the waiter arrived to refill their wine glasses. He took a long swallow.
    “I was in the hospital for weeks and, after that, I had months of physical therapy. Anyway, everybody around me has been very, I guess you could say, protective. You know, treating me with kid gloves.”
    He nodded again. He completely understood why her relatives and friends would feel she needed protecting. “Lori told me you didn’t want to drive. Is it because of what happened?”
    “Yes. The thought of getting behind a wheel…” She shivered and didn’t finish the sentence. “Maybe