Hi everyone. As always thanks so much for reading and for your reviews. I appreciate that you are still with me on this story. A little more fun in Miami, before we head back to Trenton...

Looking Up

I awoke the next morning, feeling sated, elated, and whole. Making love with Carlos was always a wonderful experience, but last night had seemed a little bit more special, as it felt like the final healing from the trauma of the last few months. I stretched languidly and reached over to feel the sheets beside me. They were sadly cool and empty, but still smelled enticingly like Carlos. I rolled over and smiled into his pillow.

A few minutes later, the door opened, and Carlos walked in. He was dressed in one of his delicious business suits and he smiled at me and came over to the bed to sit beside me. I smiled up at him without moving more than my head. He caressed my hair and leaned down to press a kiss to my temple. "Babe, I let you sleep as long as I could. It's nearly 8:30 so you need to get up and get ready for the meeting at 9:30. Carol is bringing you breakfast in 20 minutes."

I murmured incoherently and nodded into the pillow. He grinned, "I wish I could just climb back in with you, but I have another meeting at 9. By the way, I have made you the spa appointment at 11. Louisa, my cousin, was happy to fit you in and will give you the works. She is also a champion shopper, so she offered to have a late lunch with you when you're finished in the spa, and then take you to a couple of her favourite boutiques."

I rolled slightly so I could speak more clearly, "You spoil me, Carlos," I told him. "It all sounds divine. How will I get there?"

"Lester is going to drop you off and introduce you to Louisa. She's his cousin too, and he offered. I wish I could take you myself, but I have meetings all day until sixteen hundred. Marco tells me that we are going to eat at Versailles Restaurant, which is pretty popular and famous. Cuban. Booked for 8pm. Santos wants to take us to the club Amnesia, which is probably more infamous than famous, but they apparently have a Latin night tonight, so mostly salsa." He grimaced and I wondered what the club was normally more famous for. I would have to ask Lester.

Carlos added, "If Santos has not already asked her, make sure you invite Louisa and her husband along, if they want to come to the club." I nodded. He gave me a gentle slap on my sheet-covered backside, "Up, Babe! Breakfast time!"

I gave him a mock scowl, then deliberately let the sheet drop away from me as I rose up naked out of the bed and sauntered into the shower. Carlos groaned, "Killing me, Babe." I gave him a saucy smile over my shoulder and went to get cleaned up and dressed.

Ramon greeted us all warmly, smiling at me and shaking my hand as he had Carlos and Marco. We sat to start discussing the purchase of the Haywood Street building and I took copious notes as we chatted, and Carlos and Ramon referred to the Business Plan frequently. Carlos had got hold of the copy of the blueprints I had given Tank, and he and Marco began to mark and draw on the blueprints as they planned the renovations the building would require.

Tank joined the discussion as we moved into more detail, and we outlined a plan to begin getting architect quotes in New Jersey. Carlos knew a couple of contractors in Newark he also wanted to contact, and I was aware of two more in Trenton, although one of them I knew through house renovations, so may not be able to do a large-scale project like this. After an hour, the discussion wound down and Ramon stood again, shaking all of our hands, and promising to have a banker's draft for the deposit to Carlos within two days. Tank went back to his office to call the realtor and advise him of our intention to purchase the building. Carlos said he would contact his lawyer in Newark about a recommendation for a firm in Trenton, so we could start applying for the relevant permits and documentation.

Carlos, Marco, and I all grinned like fools at each other as the door closed. I was ridiculously excited about the plans to move forward with the building, and Carlos seemed equally pleased, although he hid it a little better. Marco turned to leave but hesitated with his hand on the door. He half-turned back and said to Carlos, "You're doing the right thing, Carlos. This is going to be another amazing venture for Rangeman. And I'm so happy for the two of you as well." He flashed us a slightly wistful smile as he left.

I let out a soft sigh, and Carlos pulled me into his side. I looked up at him and he leaned down to kiss me tenderly and reverently. "You better go and get ready for your spa appointment, Babe. Lester will meet you in the lobby in fifteen minutes to drive you to the hotel." I nodded and reached up on tiptoe to return his tender kiss, then headed out of the meeting room to the elevator.

Lester was leaning against a black Ford Explorer and grinning at me as I exited the elevator fourteen minutes later. He glanced down at his watch and feigned shock that I was on time. I stuck my tongue out at him and he chuckled quietly.

As we drove toward the beach, where the hotel was located with the spa resort, I wondered how to approach Lester about the club. I decided to just ask about where we were going. "So, Carlos said you're the organiser for our club night. What's the club like? What should I wear?" I was proud of myself for this; knowing what to wear was a natural question.

"Amnesia opened about three years ago, and it's amazing. Indoor-outdoor and always hopping! Tonight is Latin night, so lots of salsa dancing and girls in short, swirly skirts." He grinned at me lasciviously. I rolled my eyes at him.

I eyed him suspiciously, "Carlos said it is infamous. Why?"

He glanced at me quickly, and said too innocently, "Well they do foam parties. Maybe that's what he meant. It's pretty popular, so not sure why it would be infamous."

I shook my head, "What's a foam party?"

"Just what it sounds like, they fill the club with foam. Soapy foam."

I wrinkled my nose and asked, "Why is that a thing? Wouldn't it just be messy? Are they going to do that tonight?" If they were, I would not be buying anything expensive to wear, it would just be ruined. Frankly, I couldn't see the appeal in trying to dance in sticky, wet foam.

"No, they don't do it on Latin night. It's a separate thing. As to why, well…" he trailed off and looked at me again. "It gets a bit… rowdy. You know, a thick layer of foam covering everywhere, everyone dancing and having fun in the bubbles." He paused a moment, and continued, "Lots of people go topless beside the beach. Maybe more than topless…" he trailed off again, the innuendo thick in his voice. I blushed at the implication; and the clear reason for the 'infamous' tag. Public sex was not something I had ever even considered. Obviously, though, Lester thought it was fun. I blushed even deeper and decided to drop the subject.

"Ok," I said, "I'll look for something to dance in."

Lester grinned at me again, "Go for something sexy, Steph. They might do a Bachata or a Tango, you never know!" I just rolled my eyes again as I blushed slightly again.

Lester found a park right outside the spa entrance of the hotel (of course!) and led me in to introduce me to a beautiful Latina woman in a pristine white uniform dress, who was waiting at the reception area. Louisa smiled at me warmly and brushed very light kisses against both of my cheeks as she enthused about meeting Carlos' girlfriend. Louisa immediately put me at ease, and I could tell we would get along very well. She was bubbly and warm and very kind. Lester waved us off and left as we moved toward the treatment rooms.

Two hours later I felt relaxed like I was floating on warm clouds. My treatments had included a mani-pedi, a full-body massage, and a facial treatment that left my skin feeling like satin. Louisa had provided me with two mimosas, sparkling wine and orange juice, and I was feeling no pain at all. She had chatted casually with me during the treatments but did not pry or prattle on. As we finished up, and I redressed in my jeans and top, Louisa met me again in the reception area, now wearing casual clothes like me.

She led me out to the terrace restaurant attached to the hotel, where we had a view out over the turquoise swimming pools, white sands, palm trees, and deeper aqua ocean. The view was spectacular, and we enjoyed a late lunch of Spanish tapas and sipped rich coffees. Over lunch, I remembered to invite Louisa and her husband to the club tonight and she agreed happily, mentioning that Lester had also told her about it. She rolled her eyes when I mentioned the club's name, and I felt like I had found a kindred spirit when she just murmured that she was glad it was Latin night.

After lunch, Louisa led me to her car and drove to the nearby Ocean Drive, which was filled with colourful shops and boutiques. We browsed in several expensive-looking boutiques that Louisa recommended. I eventually found a dress that I knew would knock Carlos' socks off. It was a gorgeous mid-turquoise minidress, tight to my hips and flared out to fall several inches above my knees in a soft, swirly style. It was silky and soft. It was also rather daring, with a halter top, a bare back, and a diamond-shaped cut out below my breasts down to my belly button. The colour was perfect with my eyes, and I was thrilled with it. I nearly had heart failure at the price though, it cost nearly four hundred dollars! I felt guilty spending that much when Carlos was paying for it, but in the end, I could not resist the dress or the way it made me feel.

Louisa then took me several stores down to an amazing shoe shop. I looked around dazed; I love shoe shopping and I could get lost in this store! Louisa urged me to show my dress to the sales assistant and he smiled delightedly and exclaimed he had the perfect shoes. I sat on a plush sofa, and he brought over a box with a pair of strappy sandals with a soft bow that tied around the ankle. They had three-inch heels that I felt I could dance in, and to my amazement, they matched the dress perfectly in colour. Even more to my shock, they fit perfectly too.

I looked up at the smiling assistant and exclaimed, "They fit! You didn't ask my size! How did you do that?"

He gave me a smirk, "Honeybun, I do this all day! I know everyone's shoe size! You're a standard seven and a half." He leaned forward to say conspiratorially, "Just as well too. I only have the nine and this one in stock!" I laughed with him and was thrilled that it had worked out too. The shoes were perfect.

The last stop Louisa took me was a lingerie boutique that also had me swooning. I quickly found a pair of ice-blue, cheeky silk shorts panties that would be perfect under the dress. I could not resist picking up a couple more sets of bras and panties in royal blue and lavender, as the style and cut of the lingerie was exquisite.

Louisa drove me back to Rangeman Miami, and promised me that she and her husband, Raul, would see us at Amnesia at 10.30pm. I was simmering in excitement as I made my way to the elevator to take my purchases up to Carlos' penthouse and to take a short nap before getting ready for our evening. I couldn't help feeling like it was going to be a wonderful night.

I awoke to soft kisses and the scent of Bulgari. I smiled even before I opened my eyes, feeling content and happy. "Babe," came Carlos' amused voice, "You need to get up if you want to have plenty of time to get ready before we go." I nodded sleepily, still not opening my eyes, but still smiling. "Or I can just climb in there with you, and we can forget about everything else."

This caused me to open my eyes, and I murmured, "As tempting as that sounds, Carlos, I think we'd better get ready and join the party. Otherwise, they might come looking for us."

Carlos snorted, "Yeah, Santos probably would. I had Carol bring up a snack with some fruit and cheese. Would you like to eat a little something now, or after you get ready?"

"Now, I think," I agreed, "Then I won't mess up my makeup or hair." Carlos held out his hand to me and helped me sit up and stand. I had had a quick shower before my nap, and braided my hair before lying down, so I could style it into soft curls with a roller brush and curling iron.

We moved out into the kitchen, where I saw a tempting selection of berries, apples, soft and hard cheeses on a platter. There were also some crackers and a jug of sparkling water beside two tall glasses filled with ice. I hadn't eaten since my late lunch with Louisa, so I sat on a barstool at the kitchen counter and gladly filled a small plate with fruit and cheese while Carlos poured the water and handed me a glass. Conversation was desultory as we ate the tasty snacks, and I told Carlos a little about the spa day and shopping. I mentioned that Louisa and her husband would join us at the club, and he nodded and smiled. Carlos in turn told me a little about his meetings with clients, and his calls to two architectural firms in Trenton to talk about the building renovations.

At six-thirty, I moved into the bathroom to start working on my hair and makeup, while Carlos moved into his home office area to read some reports before he started to get dressed. By seven, I was happy with my face and hair. I had brushed my hair over to one side and secured it into a tie at my neck, falling in soft curls down my shoulder. I made my eyes smolder with eye liner and smoky shadow, but kept my other makeup subtle, except for deep, red lipstick that was sexy and seductive. As I moved into the dressing room, Carlos came into the bathroom to have a quick shower before getting ready. He gave me a soft smile and a playful tug on the bathrobe I was wearing.

I pulled on the lacy shorts and shimmied into the sexy, turquoise dancing dress. I took a few minutes to smooth the material and check myself from all angles in the dressing room mirrors. Then I moved out into the bedroom to put on my shoes and add some essentials to my small, black clutch I had brought from Trenton. I had also bought a lacy, black shawl this afternoon, and I laid it ready with the clutch so I could pick it up as we left. I wanted to give Carlos the full effect, so I moved to the kitchen to pour myself another glass of the sparkling water, and stood, sipping it, with my back to the bedroom door.

I could hear Carlos moving around in the dressing room and the stomp of his feet into his shoes. He moved into the bedroom for a couple of minutes, probably to add any other essentials like a watch. He kept a gun safe in his dressing room, and I had no doubt he would add at least a couple of weapons. Finally, I heard him open the bedroom door and move out into the living room. I heard a deep intake of breath followed by an explosive gasp and turned to look over my shoulder in a sultry gaze. I had to hold in my own gasp, as he stood in the living room wearing tight black trousers and a silky midnight-blue, button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His hair was down in a silky black curtain, and I saw the glint of a diamond in his ear. He looked incredibly sensual and edible.

I looked up into his eyes and saw them completely black with lust. "Babe," he growled. And I turned more fully to give him the effect of the front of the dress as well. His eyes riveted onto the diamond expanse of skin exposed under my breasts and stalked forward toward me, like a big cat with mesmerised prey in its sights. I had no desire to escape. As he reached me, his hands slid up my belly, over the bare skin and around to continue sliding up the bare expanse of my back. He leaned in to kiss my mouth gently, careful not to smear my lipstick, but easily conveying his passion and desire. I had no doubt; it was pressed against my stomach, and I could not help a soft moan. Carlos' eyes darkened impossibly further at that moan, and he took a reluctant step back. "If I don't let you go now, we won't be going anywhere," he added.

I nodded and took a deep breath and turned back to take another deep swallow of the cool water before I moved over to collect my clutch and shawl where I had left it on the back of the sofa. I noted with a slight smirk that Carlos had gulped down the rest of my water. He just raised an eyebrow at me and came over to gently drape the shawl around my shoulders. He kissed my nose softly and led me out to the elevator.

Please review if you can. I love to hear your thoughts, they are motivating and inspiring for my muse.