First Stop in a Lifetime of Travel

Hello, great people!

This first part is just the introduction to this story. No sexy stuff happens yet, but it will on coming parts. Hope you enjoy it, I had a blast writing it!

Blessings!

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OK, I'm standing in front of a travel agency in the middle of town. I just turned 25 last month, and I have been working since 18. Never took any vacation time because money was flowing and I had no reason to.

Until one of my colleagues died a month ago. 50 years old, never took a sick day, dedicated most of his best years to corporations, and what for? The guy died of a heart attack, had no life, practically no family, a huge bank account, sure, but in the end, he got nothing out of it. He basically lived to work. Tragic.

That was my wake-up call. I was not going to end up like that, so I decided the first step to a better life would be a vacation to Cancun. A lot of my college friends had been there to all inclusive resorts, and based on their experiences it wasn't for me: I wanted something simpler.

I went into the travel agency and the lady that helped me told me about staying in a boutique hotel in the heart of Playa del Carmen, surrounded by people of all kind. No frills, nothing fancy, and a few steps from the beach. Perfect.

I closed the deal, got my travel itinerary and waited. Since I was traveling in November, hotel occupancy was pretty light and I would have access to all the great places and very little crowds.

Fast forward to me sitting on an almost empty plane, which is awesome. I decided to get my seat in the emergency exit area, because I would be able to get more leg room, and I figured nobody else would pick the seat next to me. I figured wrong.

I'm terrified of flying, so when I got to my seat, I sat down, put on my headphones and closed my eyes. I was listening to classical music, trying to not get all panicky about the takeoff when I felt someone sit next to me. I was thinking how unlucky that having an almost empty plane, someone else would sit next to me. I sighed loudly and annoyed as I opened my eyes to peep my seat neighbor. Oh boy, was she a nice surprise!

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you." said the beautiful girl sitting next to me. Her skin had an incredible olive tone, and the most expressive gray eyes I had ever seen. In that moment I understood what people meant when they said someone smiles with their eyes. Her dark, curly hair framed her face perfectly.

My annoyance turned to butterflies in my stomach and I felt my cheeks flush. I tried to say something, but I think I just made a mumbling noise, which caused her to smile. She completely lit up and my brain just stopped working. Great.

She extended her right hand and told me her name was Kai. Fortunately my brain kicked in and I shook her soft hand and told her my name was Santiago.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Santiago. Please, don't let me keep you from your nap, I know how awful it is to be woken up abruptly," she said drily.

"No, don't worry, I'm sorry if I came off as a jerk, it's just that I'm kind of terrified of flying, and I was just psyching myself up."

"That's sweet! Don't worry, I'm sure the flight will be OK. Do you want to talk to keep your mind off the takeoff?"

"Yeah, that would be great," I said, with the most shit-eating grin on my face.

"So, what do you want to talk about, the Hindenburg, the miracle of the Andes, that Denzel Washington movie where he plays an alcoholic pilot?" she said with a mischievous grin on her face. I was starting to like this girl more and more

"Oh, you are cruel! How about we talk about the places you want to visit in Cancun?"

"You're not a stalker or a crazy person that will follow me around are you?" She was smiling as she said this, but for a moment I saw a hint of fear in her eyes.

"What? No, no, I'm sorry if it sounded like that, just trying to make small talk." Her shoulders tensed for a second and then relaxed.

"Sorry, it's just that I've had a couple of bad experiences in the past. Um, why don't you start telling me first about your vacation plans?"

As I was starting to talk, the plane had begun taking off. I was so absorbed in the conversation I didn't even remember when I put on my seat belt. I sunk into my seat and had a death grip on the armrest. As we climbed higher I got more and more agitated. I would have had a panic attack if Kai hadn't placed her warm hand on top of my own.

"Hey, look at me, it's going to be okay, we'll be enjoying the Caribbean in no time at all." The calmness in her voice was hypnotizing.

I exhaled and I felt a warming sensation all over my body. My breathing normalized and my heart rate lowered little by little. Was I grateful for her soothing words!

After a while the plane reached its flight altitude and I finally relaxed. Kai was super chill and that made me feel better.

"So, you were about to tell me your plans for Cancun, still up for that?"

"Yeah, sure. First of all, I'm not going to Cancun, I'm headed to Playa del Carmen. Second, I have no idea. I made no plans at all, I just want to relax and see where the wind takes me. And you, what is a gorgeous girl like you doing in paradise?"

"What a coincidence, I'm also headed to Playa. A friend was supposed to come with me but she had a last minute emergency, and I decided to come here anyway. It's not weird, is it?"

"Of course not! I'm traveling by myself as well! Only brave, adventurous souls dare do this!"

We continued talking the rest of the flight, and before we knew it, we were waiting for our luggage next to one of the many carousels. I couldn't believe it, time just flew when I was taking to this girl.

"Hey, Kai, since we're headed to the same place, do you want to share a cab?" I asked nervously.

"Sure, especially at these prices! Didn't think they would be so expensive!"

As the cab drove us to PdC, I learned we were staying in the same boutique hotel on Quinta Avenida. I began to feel butterflies in my stomach when she told me this. I mentally ordered myself to take it easy.

After about an hour, we were dropped off near our hotel. We walked a couple of blocks, taking in the sights, sounds and flavors of this beautiful city. We got to the front desk and began to do our check in. Kai got her room key and went ahead to drop off her luggage.

As I was getting registered, the manager came up to me with a worried expression on his face. He told me that they would be unable to give me my room because a water pipe in the bathroom had burst and the whole room was flooded. He told me the room would be ready by tomorrow morning and he would get me a room in a nearby hotel. I began to argue angrily with him, I don't know why. I mean, it was just one night. I'm a really laid back guy, I don't know why this situation had bothered me so much.

"Hey, Santi, is everything OK?" asked Kai warmly as she lightly placed her right hand on my shoulder.

Crap. I know why I was so flustered. I wanted to be near Kai. I was starting to fall for a girl I had just met a couple of hours ago. Crap.

As I told her the situation I must have come across as desperate, because Kai suddenly offered to crash with her that night. I was simultaneously relieved and anxious, if that is even possible. What the fuck, you only live once, I told her yes.

A smile drew on her beautiful face, and then it turned into a frown. Did I screw it up, maybe came across a little too eager?

"Listen, before you crash with me tonight, we need to talk..." She looked somber. I began to worry.

"Sure, let's go to the sidewalk cafe next door, I'll buy you an ice coffee..."

We sat and got our drinks, her face still tense. My gut was tight with anxiety. Was this over before it even began?

"Listen, I'm just going to say this straight. I'm a trans woman, okay? I don't know how you might feel about this, but if you are not okay, we can leave it like this." Her face was filled with tension as she told me this, and her beautiful eyes began to tear up. I placed my hands on top of hers and told her there was no problem at all, that she was a beautiful girl and she had nothing to worry about.

Her blinding simile broke out on her face, and she began to cry.

"Oh, my god, I feel like a weight has been taken of my chest. I had to tell you his, because I have been hurt in the past, and I didn't know if I could go through with that again. Thanks for being so understanding," she said in a relieved tone.

Our eyes locked, and I don't know what came over me, but I lunged towards her face and gave her a very soft peck on her warm lips. As I sat back I felt panic. Was that inappropriate, did I make her feel worse, did I mess up?

"Oh, god, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have done that. Please don't hate me, I don't know what came over me, I didn't want to make you uncomfortable, but I think I'm falling for you, you know? On the cab ride he-," I couldn't finish my rambling because her lips were locked with mine. After what felt an eternity, she leaned back on her chair.

"I thought I was crazy for feeling that way too. I'm so glad to know you feel the same," she whispered. Her lips lightly grazed my ear, sending shocks through my whole body.

We stood up and I held her in my arms. She nuzzled against my neck and hugged me back. I could feel her breathing on my skin and all the tension on her body just melt away. As we stood there, time stopped. I began to take in her intoxicating scent, and it was making my brain go haywire, but in a really good way. I knew in that moment that I wanted to be with this girl for the rest of our lives.

"So, is this a yes on crashing with me tonight?" she asked, her voice having regained its confidence.

"Sure, but you have to take me to dinner first. I'm not that easy!" Oh, god, that came out super cheesy.

"We'll see about that!" she said mischievously.

As we walked to the hotel we locked hands. Her warmth felt divine to the touch.

I'm never going to skip any vacation time again, I swear!