Kelly's Jellyfish Romance (Romantic Short Stories) by Kristina Belle Page B

out the
better you’ll feel." Running to his nearby chair to retrieve his wallet,
Alex pulls out a credit card. "I'm going to scrape them off. Then I’ll put
the baking soda paste back on. How’re you doing? Is your breathing alright? The
pain isn’t too bad?" Kelly confirms that although the stings still hurt,
her breathing is fine and she’s feeling much better now on dry land.
    Carefully Alex uses the credit card to scrape off the
jellyfish tentacles. Gently he turns her leg this way and that, holding it firm
with strong hands, checking to make sure he gets rid of every last one. Lola
fetches another ice bucket full of seawater and Alex applies a new layer of
baking soda paste to Kelly's injured limb. Feeling his tender touch on her leg
as he works, Kelly finds herself suddenly hoping she can somehow convince Alex
to apply some tender loving care to the rest of her body. All too quickly he
finishes applying the paste. Kelly almost wishes her other leg needs attention.
    Surveying his handiwork, Alex tells her "we need to get
you back to your room and out of this sun." Rather than give her a chance
to get up and try her weight on her leg, Alex sweeps Kelly up in his arms,
carefully placing his hands to avoid touching the sore leg. Giving in to
temptation, Kelly rests her head against his chest and listens to his heart
beat as Lola leads the way to their room.  Once they reach the door Lola
unlocks it and leads the way in. As they enter Alex begins to instruct Kelly on
what to do next. "Soak your leg in a hot bath for at least twenty minutes.
Make it as hot as you can stand. Then take some ibuprofen and get some
rest." Alex gently places Kelly on the bed. Then he stares at her with
soft deep blue eyes. "I just realized I didn't get your name. Things
happened pretty fast in the water and on the beach."
    Pleased he asks and giggling a bit, she tells him. "My
name's Kelly Brennen. Thanks for this, for everything. I really owe you big
time." Not wanting him to just walk out, Kelly grabs Alex's hand and gives
it a grateful firm squeeze. "I’d like to thank you more. Please let me
take you out for dinner. That’s the least I can do." She doesn’t take her
green eyes off him. "Oh, I think I can manage that." Alex answers
with another roguish grin. "How about we meet in the lobby at say,
seven?" Kelly agrees, hoping she’ll be feeling fine by then. Alex takes
his leave of the two women while again looking Kelly over on his way out.
    "If it wasn’t for how painful that red rash looks, and
how you almost drowned, I'd say you’re the luckiest lady I know!" Lola
giggles as she helps Kelly undress and into the piping hot bath. While Kelly
soaks in the bathtub, a loud knock sounds at the door. Kelly hears Lola raising
her infamous "angry" voice, while she speaks with whoever is at the
door. A few minutes later, Lola comes trouncing into the bathroom looking happy
and victorious.
    "That was some guy with hotel management. He was very
apologetic about your injury and wanted to know how you’re doing. When I
mentioned you nearly died, and that my brother is a litigation attorney, and
the hotel has no lifeguard, he began to look ill and became even more
apologetic." With a sigh, Kelly interrogates her friend with a knowing
stare. "What did you manage to get out of them, Lola?" Looking
triumphant Lola replies "A free hour long couple's massage, two tickets to
the dinner show tomorrow night, and a $100 gift certificate at the hotel gift
shop." Kelly rolled her eyes as her friend skips out of the bathroom.
"I'm surprised you didn't get a complimentary stay. That would’ve been
nice” she calls after Lola. "The day's not over!" Lola replies in a
merry sing song voice.
    After Kelly baths and takes a nap Lola helps Kelly get ready
for her dinner date. Although Kelly is limping, her leg feels much
better.  When she asks Lola what she plans to do with her evening, her
friend tells Kelly not to worry. "You remember that handsome