Guilty Pleasures

by Deborah Fletcher Mello

  “Excuse me?”

  “Sarai and I are going with you. She’s missing her father. I would like to see where you’ve spent half your life, and when you step into the ring to defend your title I plan to be right there by your side supporting you. Look.” He moved to his brother’s side, his hands extended to punctuate the point he was trying to make. “We’ve lost too much time already. Don’t think that I don’t see that things are getting harder for you, because I do. You never did well with change, and now, suddenly everything that made you comfortable is changing.

  “When your wife left, Sarai was there to help you get through it. She kept things moving so it didn’t feel hard. Now she’s moving on and you’re uncomfortable with that because you don’t want anything to be different. But rather than face it, instead of embracing what the future might bring, you’d rather disappear. That’s how you’ve always operated but not this time.”

  “So you plan to just pack up and leave your business for the next six weeks? What’s going to happen with Champs?”

  “It’s going to run like the well-oiled machine that it is. I don’t need to do any hand-holding at my gym. I’ve put together a stellar team that will keep it up and running. And with technology, I’ll be updated on a regular basis. So don’t you worry about my business! Be concerned about our relationship. That’s more important to me and it should be important to you, too.”

  “Our relationship is fine. We’re good, right?”

  Alexander blew a heavy sigh as he shook his index finger in his brother’s face. “You don’t get to leave me again. You don’t. You came back here and begged me to help you. You made me love you again and I refuse to miss you. I will not worry about what’s happening to you or be scared that I’m not going to see my twin brother ever again. So no . . . hell no . . . you don’t get to just pick up and leave and go live your life without me. No! ”

  * * *

  Hours later the couple lay side by side, both lost in thought. Sarai was curled up against him, her bare breasts pressed tight against his broad back. Her arms were wrapped around his torso, her fingers resting against the hard lines of his abdomen. His buttocks were cradled in the warm pocket of her crotch and both marveled at how perfectly they fit against each other, like two pieces to a puzzle. Their breathing had synced, both inhaling and exhaling on the same beat, and there was no missing the easy rhythm that balanced one with the other.

  Sarai pressed a damp kiss against the curve of his shoulder, the length of her hair brushing against his arm. “Why aren’t you asleep?” she asked, her voice soft.

  Alexander took a deep breath in, filling his lungs with the room’s cool air. “I was just thinking that I probably should have asked you if you wanted to go to Thailand with Zachary. Just because I feel like I need to go doesn’t necessarily mean you do.”

  Sarai laughed, the warmth of it filling the slight space between them. “Yes, you probably should have.”

  Alexander rolled his body toward her until they were facing each other. The dim light in the room illuminated her face, the effect giving her an angelic aura. Her eyes were bright as they danced with his.

  “So you don’t want to go home to Thailand?”

  She smiled. “I didn’t say that. I miss my home and my father. I would love to go back. And I agree that we should support your brother. But it would have been nice if it had been a conversation between the two of us.”

  Alexander nodded. “I get it. We should have discussed it before I committed us.”

  Sarai trailed her finger across his cheek. “It’s important to me that you see me as your partner. I want us to work together, to be equals, but ultimately I will follow you wherever you want us to go. I am . . . how they say . . . ride or die? I will be that woman for you.”

  He smiled, a low chuckle rumbling from somewhere deep in his chest. He could only nod his head, words to express what he was feeling caught deep in his heart. Time stood still as they eyed each other. There was an unspoken bond that existed between them, the intensity of their connection so powerful that it felt as if it had taken on a life of its own.

  He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close as he pressed his lips to her forehead and kissed her gently. His warm breath blew gently against her ear. “I love you, Sarai. I love you with everything in me. I want you to trust that and to trust me, even if I do get it wrong sometimes.” He kissed her again, his lips moving to hers as he captured her mouth beneath his own.

  Soon they were an entanglement of tongues, hands dancing over each other, skin heated from the intensity of their connection. When that connection was lost, Sarai pulling from him, the infraction felt voluminous. She felt tears burning hot behind her eyelids, her thick lashes stopping them from flowing over her cheeks. Her gaze was misted with joy and delight as she looked into his eyes, falling headfirst into the promises that gleamed from his intense stare.

  “I love you, too, Alexander,” she whispered. “I love you too. And then she kissed him again, both dropping into the wealth of emotion that embraced them.

  * * *

  Mama Lynn stood at her bedroom window, staring out at the yard. It had begun to snow, the first sign of a harsh winter coming down fast and furious. The gust of warm air she blew past her full lips billowed into a thick cloud of energy. She turned to stare at her husband as he called her name.

  “What’s bothering you, woman?” Westley questioned. He sat upright in their bed, pulling off his reading glasses as he dropped the book he was reading onto his lap. “Why are you over there looking like you lost your best friend?”

  “I told you that girl was going to come between our boys. I told you. Now Zachary is leaving. We just get our family back together and now he’s headed back to Thailand. You and I both know it’s because of Alexander and that girl. She done gone from one to the other like she’s changing her drawers. It just ain’t right!”

  Westley shook his head. Mama Lynn had been on a rant since Zachary had stopped by to share the news that he was leaving Boulder to return to his gym in Thailand. In Westley’s mind, Sarai’s role in their son’s decision had never entered his thoughts. But maybe his wife was right. As he pondered the possibility, he just didn’t agree. Despite the thought, he didn’t bother to share his opinion with his wife.

  “You can’t blame Sarai for what those boys do. You can’t. She loves Alexander and . . .”

  “She loves Zachary too. She even said so!” Mama Lynn shouted her frustration.

  Westley shouted back. “She and Zachary are friends. She and Alexander are much more than that and you know it!”

  “It’s a mess! That’s what I know. I see how Zachary looks at her.”

  “Zachary is still feeling himself over his divorce. He hasn’t rebounded yet and once this fight is over and he’s out of training mode he can start dating again. Once he starts meeting new women and putting himself out there things will be back to normal.”

  “So you think it’s okay for him to go?”

  Westley gestured for her to come sit down beside him. She crossed the room and climbed onto the bed, leaning her thick body against his side. As she did, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “I think that Zachary and Alexander both have to do what makes them happy. What I also know is that our sons will work things out. They have a bond that no one will ever understand and I don’t think either one of them will ever let anyone else come between them again. Not even that girl. They made that mistake once and once was all it took. That lesson has been learned.”

  She shook her head. “Have you spoken to Alexander? Maybe he can talk to his brother.”

  Westley sighed. “I’ll call him tomorrow. I know Zachary was going to talk to him tonight. I’ll see what he thinks and we can take it from there. Until then, you need to stop worrying.”

  Lynn nodded her head as she leaned against her husband’s chest. Westley planted a wet kiss against the top of her head. Together they stared out at the snow falling outside, both wishing a sil
ent prayer that God would direct all of their steps in the right direction.

  Chapter Twelve

  As the flight attendant prepared them for landing, a wave of anxiety blew through Alexander’s gut. For a quick second he feared losing his lunch, and then just like that all was well again. Beside him, Sarai was jubilant. She looked eagerly out the plane’s window as their descent brought them closer to land.

  Zachary eyed them both with amusement as he fixed his reclined seat upright. There was an air of contentment that flooded his spirit, and no need to tell anyone how overjoyed he was to be back in Thailand. It was written all over his face.

  As Sarai stared out to the landscape below, she was in awe of her homeland. She loved everything about the region, and over the years had met people from all walks of life who came to experience the lush jungles, amazing beaches, and world-class diving. Because Thailand was known to be an inexpensive vacation spot, tourists came in droves.

  “Is my father coming to the airport?” she asked, leaning forward to look across the aisle at Zachary. “Did you talk to him?”

  He nodded his head. “I think so. As long as there’s nothing going on at the gym, he’ll be there to pick us up. Otherwise he’ll send one of the guys and we’ll see him when we get there.”

  She nodded as she reached for Alexander’s hand and turned to stare back out the window. The two men exchanged a look, but neither had anything to say.

  Alexander sensed that Sarai was concerned about coming home. Worried how her father was going to react to their relationship. He had tried to discuss it with her as they’d packed for the trip, but she’d brushed it off. Zachary had told him to be concerned.

  “It’s a cultural thing,” his brother had said. “And he’s very protective of her.”

  “But he let her leave and come to the United States with you. And he let you send her away to go to school.”

  “He trusted me but that didn’t happen overnight. He knew I wasn’t going to let anything happen to her. He doesn’t know you.”

  Alexander had nodded. “It’ll be fine. He’s going to love me!”

  And he wanted to believe that. He hoped that he would prove himself worthy and that Sarai’s father would soon trust him as much as the patriarch seemed to trust his brother.

  It felt like they’d been flying since forever, the journey taking them from Denver to Tokyo to Shanghai. Two days of travel finally had them landing in Phuket, the largest island and province in Thailand. The newly renovated airport was large, but Sarai and Zachary easily navigated them through the extended lines in immigration to the carousels at luggage pickup. The lines had been lengthy, but the airport staff had been efficient and friendly. Outside, the air was warm and humid, the tropical climate feeling like a vacation dream come true. The sky was a brilliant shade of blue, the surrounding waters a calming turquoise, and there was a gentle breeze blowing lazily about. Standing under the midmorning sun, Alexander could easily understand the island’s attraction.

  Sarai suddenly jumped up and down excitedly. There was no missing the familial resemblance between her and the older man moving in their direction. Sarai’s father, Gamon Montri, had contributed significantly to his daughter’s DNA. Despite his age, he was still a very good-looking man, distinguished with a conservative flair. He was dressed in a collarless shirt, linen slacks, and brown leather sandals. His dark hair was peppered with gray, and his skin was weathered from the sun. He wore wire-rimmed glasses, and his mouth was turned down in a slight frown. The only hint of excitement in his expression was the light that shimmered in his dark eyes.

  Rushing to meet the man, Sarai threw her arms around her father’s neck. She hugged him tightly, joyous tears spilling past her lashes. “Hello, father!” she said, speaking in their native Thai.

  The old man hugged her back, his own gaze misting with tears. “Welcome home, daughter,” he responded.

  Alexander and Zachary both stood back as they allowed the family their moment. Gamon kissed his daughter’s cheek before letting her go. He extended his hand in Zachary’s direction, pumping his arm up and down.

  “It’s good to see you again, Gamon,” Zachary said in Thai, surprising Alexander with his proficiency with the language.

  “Welcome home, sir!”

  Zachary gestured toward his twin. “This is my brother, Alexander Barrett. Alexander, this is Sarai’s father, Gamon Montri.”

  There was a moment of hesitation as the patriarch stood staring at him. Something in his expression put Alexander on guard and he felt himself tense. Gamon tilted his head in a slight nod as he shook Alexander’s outstretched hand. His eyes were narrowed, his stare cold, and there was nothing welcoming in his stance.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Montri,” Alexander said.

  The man responded in perfect English. “The pleasure is mine, sir. Welcome to Thailand.” The comment was polite but not necessarily truthful.

  Not seeming to notice, Zachary gave the patriarch an endearing slap on the back. “How are things going here, Gamon? Is everything still standing?”

  “Yes, sir! All is good. Business is good. Everyone is working hard!”

  “That’s what I wanted to hear.”

  * * *

  The ride through Phuket Town was sensory overload at its very best. As Gamon drove, Sarai and Zachary pointed out landmarks and sites, giving Alexander a mini tour of the tropical location. The journey was a plethora of sights and sounds interspersed with animated conversation between them and Gamon. It quickly became apparent to Alexander that the language barrier would sometimes be to his disadvantage. More than once he sensed them talking about him, the older man shooting him strange looks.

  Reading his mind, Sarai gave him a warm smile as she gently brushed her hand against his before snatching it back into her lap. He wanted to reach out to hold her, but there was something in her demeanor that held him at bay. He sensed that she was uncomfortable with any public display of affection with her father looking on. He didn’t like it, but he would respect it.

  Gamon turned onto a gravel road lined with lush foliage. Coconut palms and banana trees were abundant, the thick, verdant vegetation looking like a postcard pictorial. About a mile in, the road opened onto a clearing, and Revolution, Zachary’s MMA training camp, came into view. With a reputation for being a premier destination for Muay Thai, MMA, and fitness training, the facility had been featured in many a documentary and travel show, but nothing had prepared Alexander for the extraordinary facility that had been his brother’s dream come true.

  On the left side of the property was an extensive open-air gym. The space hosted multiple fight rings and was equipped with training bags, free weights, isolation machines, and other assorted gym equipment. The entire area was covered with a high thatched roof that allowed the breezes to flow through from the beach area that bordered the property.

  On the right side of the property was a fully equipped indoor gym, rooms for dance and yoga training, and an on-site cafeteria. The back part of the property featured Zachary’s private residence and thirteen additional bungalows to accommodate paying guests. Dozens of people were working out, a team of well-trained, hardworking trainers putting them through their paces.

  It didn’t begin to compare to the place Sarai and his brother had described. Alexander was impressed beyond measure, and he said so. “Wow!” he exclaimed. “This is really something!”

  Zachary grinned. “Thanks. It’s still a work in progress but I’m proud of it.”

  His brother nodded. “You should be.”

  For the next few hours, Zachary gave him an in-depth tour of the facility, introducing him to his friends and staff. When the names and faces had become a muddled mess in his head, Alexander feigned a headache, needing a reason to retire from the chatter and excitement of the athletic champ returning home.

  Sarai and her father had disappeared, leaving the two men to themselves. Her departure had been swift, a quick wave of her hand before she
’d disappeared out the door. He still wasn’t sure what to read into the distance that had suddenly sprung up between them, but he didn’t like anything about it. Not one thing. Clearly something wasn’t kosher, but he wouldn’t know what until he and Sarai could have a moment alone to talk.

  His brother’s cottage was the last stop on the tour. As they entered the comfortable space, he saw that his luggage sat in the center of the room.

  “You can have the back bedroom,” Zachary said. “I’d give you one of the cottages but they’re all rented out.”

  “Where’s Sarai staying?” Alexander asked.

  Zachary tossed him a look. “With her father. Their home is south of us in the township of Rawai.”

  For a brief second the two men stood staring at each other. Zachary suddenly laughed, his head waving from side to side. “What? Did you think you two were going to be able to cozy up with each other in some love shack or something?”

  “That did cross my mind.”

  Zachary was still shaking his head. “Welcome to Thailand. Now let me school you. What you and Sarai could do and get away with in Boulder can’t be done here in Phuket. Not if she’s going to save face and honor her father. She’s a ‘good’ girl and here in Thailand ‘good’ girls don’t fool around with or get involved with farangs.”

  “What the hell is a farang?”

  “It’s the Thai word for Europeans, or non-Thai men. It’s mostly used to describe white guys. Since we’re black, you and I are actually farang dam.”

  Alexander stared at his twin for a moment. “Well, damn!” he said, suddenly laughing.

  Laughing with him, Zachary shrugged. “Farang is also the word for guava fruit. Go figure!”

  He continued. “Now, the Thai women you do see being touchy-feely are usually prostitutes and you’ll have to pay for the privilege. And of course there are always a few European women visiting who are always looking for a fling while they’re here on holiday.