Johnny was in his room changing into a brand new Armani suit. He looked the part of a powerful business man with everything from head to toe designer and posh. He was curious to see what gown Maya would be wearing. They were going to go to dinner first at one of the resorts five star restaurants. That would give him the chance to have some one on one time with her and really get to know her. No interruptions. No Ethan in sight.
Thank God no Ethan wasn't around. The other night at the Haunted Star Ethan was practically burning a hole in his back with those envious eyes. It wasn't Johnny's fault he couldn't give Maya what she wanted. He wanted to be all strong and experienced one minute then act like a teenager the next. Johnny couldn't imagine any woman putting up with that. Especially not a go getter like Maya. She seemed to be the type that knew what they wanted in life.
"Johnny!" he heard Maya call out. He walked out the living room and he could barely breathe. Maya had put her curly afro into a ponytail so that her hair was off her neck. She was wearing a berry colored gown that hugged her curves and showed just the right amount of cleavage to drive a man wild without it looking trashy. Her long legs looked endless.
"Do I look good?" she asked him smiling. "You look beautiful." He told her. "I…I have something for you." He said. "Close your eyes." He instructed. Then he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a jewelry box. He opened it revealing a beautiful gold necklace with diamond accents. He walked behind her and took in her sweet scent. She smelled of coconut and vanilla and it was intoxicating. He slipped the necklace around her neck and it hung down to her cleavage. As he clasped it closed she opened her eyes.
"It's beautiful." She said touching it. "You didn't have to get me such an opulent gift." She told him. "I wanted too. You're gonna be on my arm tonight. And Johnny Zacharra takes care of his women." He said and she laughed.
"The suit is very James Bond. Let's just hope that the only thing you have in common with him." She said. "What's that's supposed to mean?" he asked. "Just that James Bond is very charming and he garners a lot of female attention." Maya tried to explain nicely. "Is that a nice way of saying that you hope I'm not a manwhore?" Johnny asked.
She immediately felt embarrassed. "It's alright. I'm not. I'm a one woman man even though my relationships tend not to last long. Are you hungry?' he asked.
"Famished." She answered. "Then lets head downstairs." He said putting out his hand for her. She took it and he led her out of the room and to the elevator.
In the elevator they ran into another one of Johnny's enemies, Mario Russo. He was an Old Italian man with a strong accent. Maya could tell he was a charmer. "Ah, Giovanni! So nice for you to finally grace us with your presence." Mario said. "And who is this lovely woman on your arm? And here I thought Francesca would be the loveliest woman in the casino tonight, but this beauty has her beat." He said reaching for Maya's hand and kissing it. Johnny outraged but he kept his composure. "Keep your hands off my date, Russo." He warned. "All I was trying to do was introduce myself. My name is Mario Russo and who are you?" he asked Maya. "Maya." She answered quietly. "It's alright. Don't be shy. We're all in good company here." Mario said.
Johnny wanted to punch this man. He knew Mario was undressing Maya with his eyes. "So tell me, Maya. Where did Giovanni here find you?" Mario asked completely ignoring Johnny's glares.
"We've known each other for quite some time now. Maya's my girl." Johnny answered wrapping an arm around her waist.
Mario just laughed. "Yeah right. Tell me honey, how much is he paying you?' Mario asked. Maya was offended that this man thought she was a prostitute. "He's not paying me anything. I'm not a whore I'm a doctor." She answered.
"If you two are together let me see you kiss." Mario challenged. Maya was stunned. Why would some mobster want to see them kiss? Johnny looked pissed.
"No, we don't have to do anything for you old pervert." Johnny said. Maya knew he had a reputation to maintain. She didn't want people to be talking. "Johnny, it's alright." She said. "No it's not alright. We don't need to…" she cut him off by planting her lips on his.
The kiss took him by surprise. All that talk he planned about not giving Mario a show was lost as Maya licked his lips so her tongue could gain entry. He opened his mouth deepening the kiss. He put his hands on her waist and started backing her up against the elevator wall. He was so caught up in this moment. The first kiss was better than he expected and all he wanted to do was continue tasting those luscious lips. Their tongues were battling for control.
"Damn! She kisses you like it's the first time." Mario commented. That brought Johnny right back to reality. He broke away from Maya. The elevator finally stopped on their intended floor.
"I could say it was nice seeing you, Russo. But that would be a lie." Johnny said grabbing Maya's hand. "I suggest you wipe that lipstick off your lips before you run into anymore familiar faces." Mario said.
Johnny pulled Maya into the ladies room. "Johnny, this is the women's bathroom you can't be here." She said taking a seat on one of the large cushions in front of the mirror. He stared around surprised. Women spent so much time in here that added seats now?
"What was that?" he asked her. "What was what?" she said taking her lipstick out of her purse and reapplying. He grabbed a paper towel and rubbed his lips trying to wipe her lipstick off. "You grabbed me and kissed me." he said. "I know. I had to protect your reputation. We sure gave that man something to talk about." She said.
"You really didn't have to kiss me." he said. "But I did and you didn't seem to be complaining. I felt it. You know 'it'." She said giggling. He blushed. "It's alright. I'm just teasing. It's a natural reaction I understand." She said. "Let's just go get some food before some ladies come into this bathroom." He said.
He saw some men he recognized when they walked into the restaurant. He made sure to get a table far away from theirs. He didn't want anyone eavesdropping on his conversations with Maya. They sat at a table in a dark corner.
"Are we hiding from somebody?" Maya asked. "I just don't want people staring at us." Johnny said. "Are you ashamed?" she asked. "No, no I just don't want to hear them gossip. And I'm sure you don't either." he said. "Let them talk. It's means we must be doing something for them to take notice." She said. "I guess that a good attitude to have." He said. "My family used to always tell me that. I grew up a Ward so people were always talking. Everyone in my family was pushed to be a successful doctor or lawyer I always had high standards to measure up to." She told him
A waiter came over to take their order. "We haven't even looked at the menu yet." Johnny said. "Can we start out with a round of cocktails first? How about this blue one?" Maya suggested pointing to a picture on the menu. The waiter nodded and wrote down the cocktail order.
"I've never eaten at a five star restaurant in the Caribbean before." Maya said. "I'm not sure what to order." "The rockfish meal looks good." Johnny said. "Yeah, but the lobster looks better. But I could have lobster back home." She said. "What about the pasta with the oysters?" he said. "You know oysters are an aphrodisiac. They bring up a man's libido." She said.
"I didn't think you'd be this comfortable talking about sex." Johnny said. "Well now you know something else about me. I'm very comfortable discussing human sexuality. I'm a doctor so I've seen plenty of naked bodies. And I like to have good sex." She said. He smiled. "Doesn't everybody? I think it's something that could make over break a relationship with me." he said. Their drinks arrived and they kept the discussion going. In between bites of dinner and cocktail number two they shared their most embarrassing sex stories and noteworthy nights. They felt so comfortable around each other. More comfortable than with anyone else.