I look away, raise my eyebrows, shocked at her words.
Looking back, I ask, “Are you scared?” Lifting my glass of champagne, I drink it all in one go.
“No, excited.” And her eyes show it, they are twinkling with nervous energy, but she is animated as well, showing her enthusiasm.
“You should be. This is one of the nicest islands in Australia. It’s absolutely beautiful and not overly crowded.”
After we land, we deplane and board a boat that will take us on the last leg of our trip to the island. The boat also serves more champagne and cheese platers.
“This is so …” her eyes are round with excitement, “… so posh, and probably something I would never have had the opportunity to experience.” She turns to me. “Thank you for letting me come.” Her voice is genuine, and I have to wipe my hands on my pants at her words because, for some reason, they have become sweaty. What’s with that?
“This is a work trip. Just remember that.”
She nods and looks out at the Great Barrier Reef. Her eyes take everything in as we head toward our final destination.
When the boat arrives, I watch her. It’s fascinating to see something through someone else’s eyes. I’ve been here so many times that I’m used to all the glitz, glamor, and opulence.
“Beckham, Jacinta.”
We turn, after we pick up the keys to our villas, to see Adam and James. They each have a cocktail and a smile on their faces.
“Seems you got here safely,” I say.
Adam offers the other cocktail in his hand to Jacinta, who takes the exotic-looking drink eagerly and thanks him.
“I’m afraid what all this drinking could do to me.” She giggles and sips the colorful liquid after she takes a few bites of the cherry on top.
“Meet us down at the pool bar after you’re settled?” They both address Jacinta, and she eagerly nods her head while still holding the cocktail in her hand.
When we get to our villas, which are right next to each other, she looks over to me.
“I’m right to go to the pool bar?” she asks.
“Yes, enjoy yourself.” I walk in and shut the door quietly behind me. The villa is exquisite, one of the best five-star hotels I have ever been to.
I requested villas with pool access, so from both of our villas, you can walk straight out into the large resort pool area and swim up to the bar. The bedroom has a large king bed with four posts. The colors are natural, but the room is anything but plain. The living area has a couch in the corner, and there is a large flat-screen television hanging on the wall. As I continue to check out the villa, I step into the bathroom, which includes a bathtub that could easily fit two people and a shower with two showerheads.
Walking back to the bedroom, situated on the beds in every villa, I have organized a welcome basket. I use the same company every year, and now I don’t even bother asking what they will put in them because I know they are that good.
Looking over at mine it says …
Welcome, boss.
There’s a small bottle of vodka, a voucher to the five-star spa, robe, slippers, eye mask. All custom-made. All personalized with the guest’s name on them.
Changing out of my work clothes, I ring and order a drink to be sent to my room while I step out onto the balcony that has access to the pool and take a seat on the lounger.
“Are you sure it’s okay?” I turn to see Jacinta standing there, her robe wrapped around her and a hesitant smile on her face. “That basket is amazing, by the way. Loved it.”
“Is what okay?”
She motions over to some of our clients.
“You said to mingle and make them happy, but is it okay that I drink with them? Is that professional?”
“Yes. Go.”
She nods, but pauses. “Do you plan to come?”
“Later. I have some calls to make first.”
“Anything you need me to do?” she asks, ever so helpful.
“No.”
She nods, drops her robe, and beneath it is a bright yellow one-piece swimsuit.
Her ass, round and perfect, is almost on full display as the back of her swimsuit only covers half her skin.
Fuck.
She’s beautiful.
More than beautiful.
And I have to remember …
… do not fuck my employee.
That would be an incredibly bad mistake.
My cock stirs as Jacinta dives into the water. I watch her, unable to take my eyes off her as she swims over to a group of our clients. But then she turns back, and there’s a wide smile on her face.
“It could be a cracker of a time if you just tried.” I freeze at her words. And then somehow, somehow, I’m back to six and a half years ago, with a woman who stole me in more than one way.
How could someone be so beautiful?
“It could be a cracker of a time if you just tried.” She was attempting to convince me to go into the abandoned house. I was not keen on stepping inside that place at all. I had heard the stories, but wherever she went, I seemed to follow.
Our relationship started with friendship first, then somewhere along the way, I realized I saw her as more than that. When I told her, when I first kissed her, she laughed in my face and told me she was glad I could finally see what she had seen all along.
That we were perfect for each other.
“Not happening. Let’s go back to the car.” I turned back, but her hand laced itself in mine, and she pulled gently enough that I turned to look at her. Her smile could light up the sky. It sure as fuck lit up mine.
“If you make it inside, I’ll let you touch my boobs.”
I look down at said boobs. “I’ve touched and tasted them before.”
She shrugged. “So you know what a prize they are then,” she sung, pulling me with her, and I went because I was a teenager and the thought of touching any part of her made my cock incredibly hard. She used that to her advantage. If her father knew what we were doing, he would probably have killed us. But that never stopped Paige. Not in the slightest.
The front door was old and broken, she pushed it a little wider so we both fitted through, and the minute we were inside, she dropped her hand from mine and started stepping back.
“I did tell you … you could touch.” The dress she wore fell to the floor. Paige was shy unless it came to me. With me, she was anything but.
Maybe it’s because she realized how much I idolized her, treasured the ground she walked on.
“I would prefer it if you touch somewhere else as well.” I almost forgot where we were.
“Someone could see us.”
“Isn’t that where all the fun is.” A sinister smile touched her lips.
“I think … I love you.”
I expect her to say it in return, but she always surprised me with her words.
“I know that, you fool. You just had to catch up.”
And I did. I caught up.
Until ...
Until I could no longer breathe.
Until she was taken.
My sweet Paige, who was anything but sweet.
I would give this all up for her to be back in my arms.
Chapter 10
Jacinta
I almost forgot what a cheap drunk I am. When they hand me my third cocktail, I have to ask for a glass of water. Turns out, everyone here can drink way more than me and still be sober.