HOTR - Prologue

Thursday, May 17th, 2018

Kimberly's POV

"Ladies, today is the day we start our two-week vacation in Maui. I can't wait for it."

"And, we need to thank your dad for letting us take the jet for our trip," Marta says.

My mom and dad even had a limo take us to the private airport. We saw the plane waiting for us, so the limo drove us to it.

"Ladies, I'll bring your luggage aboard the plane."

"Thank you, Virgil."

"You got it."

Marta, Roshawna, Livia, and I boarded the plane. My dad's captain came to greet us.

"Good morning, Kim and friends. Ready to leave for Maui?"

"I sure am, Russ. Thank you so much."

"You're welcome. Strap yourselves in your seats, and we will take off shortly."

Once the plane was in the air, we asked the flight attendant for drinks.

"Ladies, let toast to a stress-free, great time in Maui. Cheers."

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Ryder's POV

I can't believe this day is finally here. Two, whole glorious weeks away from the hustle and bustle of the advertising industry. And, no money grubbers batting their eyelashes in my face.

I am meeting my guys at the airport to take my family's private jet. Thank goodness for that because I did not want to be annoyed on a flight by screaming babies, kids kicking the back of my seat, grown-ups talking me to death, flirty flight attendants, etc.

My father's flight attendant knows not to even try anything.

I saw my guy's SUVs, so I parked mine next to theirs.

"Gentlemen, let's get the heck out of Cali, and make our way to Maui." We then boarded a minibus that was waiting for us. After boarding, we made our way to my father's private jet.

My father's captain came into the cabin. "Ryder, how are you doing?"

"I'm great now that I am going on vacation."

Steph chimed in, "Yeah, and can't wait to see the women in bikinis."

"Steph, get your mind out of the gutter."

"Gentlemen, buckle up. We are cleared for takeoff."

"Thank you, Andrew."

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Kim's POV

"Ladies, we have arrived in Maui! Yes! My dad says a limo will be waiting to take us to our resort." I looked out and saw a limo approaching my dad's plane.

"It looks like our limo has arrived." We stepped off the plane and prepared ourselves to get our luggage.

"Ladies, we'll take care of the luggage. Please have a seat in the limo. My name is Luke. And, my assistant is Matt."

"Thank you, Luke and Matt."

We took our seats in the limo. Within 10 minutes, the luggage was loaded, and we were on our way to the resort.

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"This place is amazing, Ro! We need to let you plan all of our vacations!"

"Why, thank you, Ms. Forester," Ro says while pretending to bow at me. We all had a good laugh.

"Girl, stop it. Let's check-in. I'm ready to relax by the beach."

Right after checking in, we made our way to our suites, which were right next to each other on the 24th floor of the tallest building on the resort. I changed into one of the bikinis that I bought for the trip.

I am an impulsive shopper and often will go overboard in my spending. I bought all new outfits for this trip. I haven't really had a vacation like this in years. And, I buy name brand clothes only.

After changing into my bikini, I went to meet the ladies, who were all in the hallway.

As soon as we walked off the elevator to the lobby all eyes were on us. Even when we put our feet in the sand, we were gawked at, stared at, and several men were drooling.

I would never date most of these guys that are staring. First off, some of them are married because their wives gave them death glares. Look, I am not a cheat because I despise it. Thankfully, I have never been cheated on. But I did get dumped because the guy said I was boring. Like seriously? A Forester called boring?! The nerve of that twat. I am a CFO at my parents' Advertising company - Forester Advertising Agency, LLC. I don't have much time for fun and games.

But I sure am going to enjoy the next, two weeks.

Ryder's POV

"Welcome to Paradise, gentlemen." We landed safely in Maui. Our trip was paid for by the resorts we are staying at. My parents' company has helped them with advertising, which was quite a successful campaign.

We all descended down the plane stairs after retrieving our luggage. Transportation from the resort was waiting to pick us up. We boarded the minibus, and we are on the way.

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The guys and I agreed to meet in the lobby once we changed into our swim trunks. I am showing off this body for the next, two weeks.

I was the first one waiting in the lobby. Some of the women that walked by were totally hot but looked clueless. Yeah, I said it. Like, they probably couldn't go 5 minutes without saying something dumb. I'm very picky and judgmental when it comes to dating. Several times I have walked out of dates after hearing them talk.

And, race certainly doesn't matter. I have dated African American women, Asian, etc. Discrimination is not in my vocabulary. I am an equal, opportunity man.

The guys came off the elevator at the same time. "Let's get this party started."

As soon as we stepped in the sand, I saw the woman of my dreams, laying on a blanket with her sunglasses on. The bikini is making me want to carry her off this beach. I am totally smitten.

"I see the mother of my future children." The guys followed my line of vision. "Dang!!" They loudly proclaimed.

"Good luck trying to get with her. The guy that just left her is crying," Koby laughs out of his mouth.

"No woman alive will make Ryder Ellis cry. I'm the one who has them crying. I have a daughter, remember?"

I love my daughter very much. Ryley is the only good thing to come out of my relationship with her mother, Vanessa. I have tried over and over to take Ryley to see her mom, but she wants nothing to do with her. She even was too willing to sign over her parental rights. Even sadder is that Vanessa didn't want to hold Ryley when she was born. Vanessa's parents love Ryley, so I do take her to visit with them. How can anyone not love her adorable, little face?

Vanessa is the reason I am picky when it comes to dating. But this beauty laying on the blanket that I am staring at is making me change my mind.

"Uh, Ryder peace out dude. Hot chick in the red bikini is calling me," Stephon says. I turned around to see Stephon slyly walking over to the woman he is interested in. Laki and Koby did the same thing.

By the time I turned back around, my bikini beauty disappeared. Dang! That's the woman I want. I spent an hour walking up and down the beach, trying to find her. But I found nothing.

I found a seat at the beach bar and made a Skype call to Ryley. Yeah, I bought my 5-year-old daughter a phone. It's nobody's business but mine.

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"Daddy, I miss you."

"I miss you too, my favorite girl. Are you behaving for grandma and grandpa?"

"Of course, I am, daddy. Can you bring me something back from your trip?"

"You know I will. I'll do anything for you."

"Yay! Thank you, daddy."

"You're welcome, sugar. Tell grandma that daddy and his friends made it safely. And, I'll see you in two weeks."

I heard my mother in the background say, "Glad you made it safely. Enjoy your vacation."

"Bye, bye baby girl. I love you."

"I love you too, daddy."

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As soon as I finished talking to Ryley........

"Aww, your daughter is so cute!" I know whoever this chick was didn't just stand there and listen to my conversation!! I turned around to see a makeup, plastered wannabe model standing too close to me.

"Lady, you have 5 seconds to get away from me! Read my lips - I don't want you!"

"Whatever! You aren't that hot anyway," She mumbled as she walked away.

As the bartender approached me with another drink, I saw the guys approaching with three, beautiful women.

"Ryder, meet Marta, Roshawna, and Livia."

"It's nice to meet you, ladies."

Steph then says, "These ladies are friends with your bikini beauty."

"I'm, Roshawna. I hear you are interested in our best friend, Kim. The guys suggested that we go on a group date tomorrow so everyone can get to know each other. So, we'll help set you up with Kim."

I have no idea why the guys think I need help. I know how to approach a woman. But it did perk me up. I can picture it now - Mrs. Kimberly Ellis. It has a nice ring to it. But, if she doesn't like Ryley, that is a relationship breaker. My daughter comes first.

"Oh, I will be there. I spent an hour looking for her but couldn't find her. Thank you, ladies."

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Narrator's POV

Later that evening.

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Kim's POV

The lobby receptionist let us know the best club to go to was Club Cacao, so that is where we are going to tonight. And, they provided us with VIP access. Yes!

After showering, putting on my makeup, and fixing my hair, I stepped into my outfit.

Now that I am stylishly dressed, it's time to head out to meet the ladies. And, speaking of, that is them knocking on the door. So, I answered it.

"I'll just grab my bag." I picked up my bag off the couch, then locked the door.

"Off we go to Club Cacao."

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The club was packed! But, fortunately for us, we secured VIP passes, so that is the entrance we entered.

Immediately, several dopes walked over our way. They looked like player's that was time-warped from the '70s. Please! As if I would date or even dance with either one of them.

"Excuse me, beautiful are you a piece of cake? Because I want a piece of that."

"Grandpa, not even in your dreams! I have standards, and you don't meet any of them."

The other one approached Livia, and said, "I must be in a museum because you truly are a work of art."

Livia replied, "Twat, please. Beat it."

We took several more steps, and another fool approached us.

"My lips are like Skittles. Want a taste of the rainbow?"

I smacked him right in the face! "Want a taste of my fist?! Get away from me! I'm a lady." We then walked away.

"Ladies, let's hit the bar. Excuse me, can you point us to the bar?" I asked one of the waitresses that passed by.

"I noticed you entered through the VIP entrance. I'll take you to your booth. What's your name?"

"Kimberly Forester."

"Okay, Ms. Forester and friends. Follow me, please."

We followed her up a spiral staircase to the VIP section to what I am guessing is our booth.

"Drinks and food are on the house for the VIP section. If you need refills or anything, press the button that is on the table in the center of the room."

"Thank you so much for your help." I gave her a nice tip because I know how hard it is to be a waitress. That was the very first job that I had. My parents paid for my schooling but spending money I had to earn it.

I sure did press that button because, after those corny, pickup lines, I am thirsty.

Ryder's POV

As soon as we entered, I was already bored. "Remind me fellas why I have to wait until tomorrow to see my future woman?"

"Because that is what we agreed too. And, they wanted to have a male-free girls' night."

"I can tell you right now that I will not be staying here much too long. Here we go, already."

Some chick with makeup caked on her face walked our way.

"Miss, let me save you some time. The answer is absolutely, positively NO. So, try another sucker." I waved my hands, so she got the point.

"Well, you aren't all that anyway," she says as she walks away.

"Let's go to the VIP area right now," I asked one of the waitresses where was the VIP section. She asked for our names. We then followed her up a spiral staircase. Then, she escorted us to our booth.

"Here you are, Mr. Ellis and friends." She then went over instructions for us to order drinks and food. I will be in here most of the night. I gave her a nice tip. She seems like a very, hard worker, earning money for her family or college.

I ordered a drink and something to eat. Then, I sat back and watched the circus of a dance floor - plenty of too-tight dresses and loud outfits that look like they are from the '70s, etc. Ewww. No way am I dancing with that group of clowns.

I saw the guys' girls dancing on the floor. And, holy mother of pearl! That red dress fits my girl perfectly! Screw waiting for tomorrow. Time to make my appearance.

"Uh, Ryder, don't look now but somehow and someway Brandy is here."

"What the heck?! Did she plant a bug on me or something?! Why can't your sister take a hint, Koby?"

"Mate, I have told her over and over again that you are not interested in, and you see her as nothing but a sister. She can't take a hint."

"Well, this needs to stop." I knew she saw me, so I waved her up. I'm tired of being stalked.

"Go as easy as you can, Ryder," Koby says.

"Have a seat, Brandy. This is the last time I am going to say this. You need to understand that I am not romantically interested in you whatsoever. I only see you as a sister."

"But why? I have known you longer than any girl you will ever date."

"Because it's my choice. And, you're stalking me. I don't have time for it. I have a 5-year-old daughter to raise, and a business to help run. And, I am looking for someone who can potentially be a mother to Ryley. You just don't fit what I'm looking for. Now either we remain friends, or I will get a restraining order placed on you. Are we friends or what?" She thinks I'm playing.

"Fine, friendship it is."

"Good night, everyone. I'm going back to my room."

Kim's POV

We had a blast at the club - dancing, drinking, and eating. I'm going to need the resort gym tomorrow morning.

I think I had too much to drink because I felt myself getting dizzy. So, right now I'm sitting in our booth, watching the ladies dance.

I heard a knock on the door. I knew it was someone trying to get their mack on. Please.

"I noticed you seemed dizzy. Your hands look heavy. Here, let me hold them for you." This nut came into our booth, sat next to me, and tried to hold my hands.

I may be drunk, but not too drunk to punch him in the mouth. "Take your corny pickup line down to the dance floor with those suckers because I'm not the one."

"Ouch!" The idiot had the gall to say.

"SECURITY!!!" I yelled as loud as I could. Thankfully, someone heard me. Two, huge bouncers entered the room. "This man was touching me."

"Ma'am, are you okay?" One of the bouncers said. The other bouncer carried the loser away.

"I'm (hiccup) fine. I had a little (hiccup) too much (hiccup) to drink. My friends are on the dance floor."

"I'll stay with you until they come back."

"Thank (hiccup) you."

Within 20 minutes, my friends came back to the booth. "Hey Kim, we are getting ready to go so you can get some rest."

"Thank (hiccup) you, Mr. Bouncer."

"You're welcome, ma'am. Get home safely."

Livia and Roshawna helped me to the limo. Then, we headed back to our resort.

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Friday, May 18th, 2018

Kim's POV

Skip the resort gym. Oh my gosh! My head is killing me! Too much to drink last night. It hurts to even move anything. Kimberly Arianna Forester, next time, drink responsibly.

It's going to hurt, but I need some water and headache medicine. "OUCH!!" I walked like an old lady to the mini kitchen to get some water. Then, slowly walked to grab my bag for some pain meds.

I heard my phone going off, making my head feel worse. I grabbed it out of my bag and saw a text notification. I quickly read it. The girls said that I can rest until it is time to get ready for dinner tonight.

I didn't bother texting back. I went straight back to bed.

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6:30 pm

I feel much better after resting in the bed all day, and now finishing my nice, long shower. I dried myself off then, proceeded to get dressed.

I'm not bothering with makeup because whoever it is may not ever see me again after tonight. So, I got myself dressed.

Shortly after I finished, I heard the doorbell ring.

"Hi, ladies. I'm ready. I'll grab my bag and phone." I went back into my room to grab my things, then we left for the restaurant.

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"Your date for tonight is total eye-candy. And, the guys are in the same resort as we are," Roshawna boasts cheerily. A little too cheery for my taste. They know darn well I don't like blind dates.

We approached the hostess stand.

"Hi, ladies. How many for your party?"

Marta answered, "Hi, we are with the Barber party. They are already seated. Actually, I see him coming this way."

"Stephon, you already met Roshawna and Livia. This beautiful lady with us tonight is Kimberly."

I shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too, Kimberly. You can call me Steph if you would like to. Your date for tonight is with my friends, whom I will introduce you to. Follow me, ladies."

We followed him to a table of totally, gorgeous men. Even the ones I couldn't see were handsome from behind.

"Gentlemen, I want you to meet Kimberly......" Was all that I let him say.

"Ryder Ellis?! What is he doing here?! He better not be who I am supposed to go out on a date with!"

"Uh, uh, yes he is," Marta stutters out of her mouth.

"Over my dead body are you setting me up to go on a date with Ryder Ellis!!"

"Why? What's wrong with him? He's totally hot," Livia says.

"The feeling is mutual, Kimberly Forester!"

"You want to know why?! Mr. Ellis here is the douche bag of a son for our rivals - Ellis & Associates Advertising Agency! That's why!"

"Oops."

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Pictures of courtesy Can Stock Photos:

1. Portrayal of Kimberly - © Can Stock Photo / racorn

2. club picture - © Can Stock Photo / fiphoto

2. purple dress - © Can Stock Photo / SonneOn

4. halter top dress - © Can Stock Photo / Kapai

Picture of Ryan Paevey is courtesy of Wikipedia Commons - author of the picture is Greg Hernandez

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