A Likely Story...

Tropical Treasure pits our clever heroine, Buttery  Deedles, against our witty hero, Rob  Williams, in the reality TV game show, TreasureQuest!

 

Sit back and relax as we take you to the magnificent tropical island of St. Isabelle...

*********************************

Buttery and Rob meet and the games begin!

"You realize it's first come, first served, right?"

Buttery Deedles turned away from the open window. She'd thought she was alone in the cottage, the first of the TreasureQuest contestants to arrive from the mainland. But one look at the man standing in the doorway changed that impression.

     He was striking, with dark brown hair that highlighted his shining brown eyes. And he was wearing nothing but a towel.

     Buttery blinked her hazel eyes. She couldn't help but be taken aback, not only by his sudden appearance, but by the fact that he was so at ease with being practically naked in front of a stranger. Not that he had any reason to be ashamed of his looks, or the way the water dripped from his damp, dark brown hair down to his shoulders and chest...

     Whoa, girl, get a grip, Buttery told herself in annoyance. You've got three weeks on a tropical island. Start drooling after every half-naked guy you see, and you'll lose track of the whole reason you're playing this game. Then again, maybe that was the point of this man's scantily-clad appearance - to throw her off balance right from the start.

  Buttery clasped her suitcase handle tightly, smiling at the stranger. "I know it's first come, first served. That's why I'm here early. Wanted to grab the best view." She held out her free hand. "I'm Buttery Deedles by the way."

     The man reached over to shake her hand, his own warm and strong. "Rob Williams. It's good to meet you, but you missed my point. I'm afraid this room's taken already," he added, as if the proprietary way he was leaning against the doorframe wasn't making that clear enough.

     Buttery couldn't help but notice that his lips were curled into a one-sided smile, somehow merging self-deprecation and arrogance into one charming package. Buttery felt a faint irritation warming her face. Great, another guy who thinks women exist to find him attractive. "I hadn't noticed. And look Towel Boy, if your things aren't here, how do I know you claimed this room first?"...

**********************************

Buttery receives a simple TreasureQuest clue 

Buttery looked down and read the TreasureQuest riddle aloud.

          Many challenges you have faced
          The prize still lies ahead
          But first, Buttery, meet your destiny
          Return to that which you dread

Frowning, Buttery glanced up at Rob. "That's it? That's the only hint I get?"

     "Yes. I'm surprised you didn't figure it out immediately. I'd thought it was crystal clear."
     "Return to that which I dread," she murmured, not liking the sound of whatever it meant.

And then it hit her like a ton of bricks. "The rope bridge. I have to cross Pont Purgatoire."

     Rob sarcastically patted her shoulders like a proud pet owner. "Now that's why you're in first place. It's the challenge you abandoned earlier this week. Who would've thought they'd send you back?"

     "A girl can dream, can't she?" Buttery joked, although her stomach had suddenly become queasy as she felt panic settle in.  "This may be the easiest word puzzle, but the challenge is far from simple..."

***********************************

Buttery , Rob and a TreasureQuest broadcast

Clive Patterson flashed his brilliant white teeth towards the television camera and began.

"Spiders and sand crabs and snakes, oh my! It's been some week for our gang here on St. Isabelle, hasn't it? Ready to hear what the audience response has been to our offshore antics?" The TreasureQuest host turned and presented a far-less-toothy smile to his contestants. The television cameras followed Clive's every move, and the large television monitor in the corner gave a colorful display of what the viewers at home were experiencing.

     "We're waiting with bated breath," Rob sarcastically piped back from across the room

     Clive laughed. "You may be cynical, but it appears the viewers aren't. Rob, how are you doing over there? Things are going well for you, aren't they? And the polls are pretty supportive of you and Buttery."

     Rob had been caught off-guard, and he shifted his position on the sofa between Buttery and Giselle. "I'm doing all right, but what's this about a poll?" Rob shifted uncomfortably again.

"We conducted a poll on the TQ website asking everyone to predict when you two will consummate your affair." Clive was on a roll. "We've all seen the chemistry between you and Buttery. Some of the emails we've received are rooting for you guys... others aren't quite as supportive."

    Buttery frowned, tucking her brown hair behind her ears in nervous irritation. She was now suddenly aware that her friendship with Rob might be cause for some...  misunderstanding.

     Without missing a beat Clive turned and was again talking to the cameras. "And Buttery has received raves from both our men and women viewers for being the best friend and most desirable girlfriend. We've received a lot of emails and love poems from some incurably romantic guys."

Buttery covered her mouth, blushing but feeling flattered. 

     Clive continued. "Also, there's a lot of media buzz about Giselle. Screenshots of her have become extremely popular downloads from the TreasureQuest website."

     Giselle smiled and crossed her legs. "Sorry Buttery," she said with a laugh, leaning back in her chair, she stared into the camera with a come-hither smile. "Screen-grab this, guys."

     Clive grinned then proceeded. "It's kind of a mixed bag, though, Giselle. I'm afraid you're also the player that the audience most wants used as shark bait."

Rob couldn't hold back a bark of laughter. Giselle, however, pretended to be indignant.

     "That is so unfair," she said vehemently. 

     "Absolutely, but consider yourself lucky," Buttery said, peering around at the other contestant, "sharks won't eat one of their own..."

****************************************

Buttery and Rob in the heat of competition

It was a cliché to feel a shock at his touch, but Buttery couldn't help the tremor that ran through her. His hand was strong and warm, and his brown eyes were so steadying, so electric with life and intelligence.

Buttery suddenly couldn't catch her breath, feeling her heart race at his nearness, she found herself dearly wanting to hold him even tighter.

     Rob bent down to her, lightly brushing her lips with his own, a teasing gesture that seemed like an invitation. Buttery surprised herself by responding without thinking or doubting whatsoever. She closed her eyes and leaned into him, seeking his mouth with a hunger she hadn't anticipated. As she kissed him, she felt him smiling beneath her. He's surprised too, she thought in amusement.

     Rob pressed forward, keeping pace with her own growing fervor, and moved his hands to the back of her head, entwining her silky brown hair with his fingers. Buttery opened her hazel eyes, almost sleepy with longing, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

     But when she leaned into his body, she was brought up short at the sight of the cameraman, his lens trained on the two of them like a leering peeping tom...

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