The tea with Tai was tense although the woman did her best to keep the chatter light. She told them that some of the children of the island attended the mainland boarding school for part of the year when they were about six. It was a hardship, and no, not many families could afford it, so those who stayed home made do with the subsidized partial schooling supplied by the government. To help pay for the schooling, the children helped out in government-run factories or the mainland hotel. Her other granddaughter, Malee, was being educated for part of the year, she added proudly. Mika saw Alejandro’s jaw harden when he heard about the young girl working at the hotel.
“Oh, don’t look so stern, Sir. It’s fine. She a good girl. She will do school and do well. She will be a teacher. Not hotel worker all the time. She will come back and help with the other children of the village.” Tai smiled with pride.
Alejandro softened. “Of course she is. You must be very proud.”
Just then, Tong came to the door of the little hut, smiling and smelling of fish.
“Good to see you. We need those directions to the waterfall,” Alejandro said.
“No problem. Let’s go to my office.” Tong replied.
Mika turned to Tai. “Thanks for the tea.”
“No problem, Miss. I will have lunch packed for you and have dinner in your huts later.”
They followed Tong to his office, finding a surprisingly modern setup. There were generators, two computer terminals, and Tong definitely had phone and Internet service. Mika spied one of his sons chatting it up on a cell while surfing the Net.
“You get cell service here?” Mika asked.
“Sure, we get good service,” Tong said. Then he paused, nodding his head side to side. “Though it not always work all the time.” He pointed to the sky as if saying it was all up to the gods.
Mika gave Ale a look that said “thanks for bringing me to paradise,” and he just shook his head.
“Don’t worry, you’ll live.”
“You think?” she said, not able to keep the sarcasm from her voice. He knew how much she hated living without her cell. At least her laptop worked with her portable Net connection.
Tong offered to take them to the waterfall, but Alejandro declined, saying he’d rather find his own way there. Mika had her reservations but kept them to herself. And judging by Tong’s face, so did he. He handed a walkie-talkie to Alejandro. “Just in case,” he said with concerned eyes.
“If we’re lost, we can’t very well tell you where we are, now can we?”
Tong shuffled some papers on his desk and pulled out a dusty old compass. He tapped it a few times before handing it to Ale. “Just remember the beach is this way. You head that way for home. You lost, you get on the radio and describe where you are. I know this island. I will find you. No worries,” he said without fanfare and a wave of his hand.
And with that they headed out carrying snorkel gear, a map, compass, the walkie-talkie and lunch from Tai. Mika would have preferred the weathered old man over the compass but, pulling up her big girl adventure shorts, she went with it. She fell into step behind Ale one more time.
Chapter 7
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Mika hated the slight whine in her voice, but they’d been walking for over an hour and what had seemed like an easy route to the waterfall was now getting frustrating. “How will we ever get a crew and models up here without transportation? They’ll all be bitching and moaning.”
“You mean more than you are now?” Alejandro said, turning toward her.
“Hey, that’s not fair,” she whined, then wanted to kick herself for it. Mika cleared her throat and changed her tone. “I’m just being the realist here. Somebody has to bring you back down to earth.”
“And that somebody is always you?”
She seemed to have gotten a hitch in her chest along with his words. “No, not always.”
“Well, it sure seems that way,” he mumbled, continuing to walk ahead.
She reached out and pulled him by the arm.
He turned, sweat glinting on his skin.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I don’t mean for us to constantly fight. I’m just pointing out that this is a tough location. It’s my job.”
“Well, must you always do your damned job so well?”
She inwardly winced. Damn. He was right. She knew deep down this wasn’t just about the location, no matter how much she tried to hide it. It was all there in the way he looked at her. Like he saw all her fears deep in her soul. No, this wasn’t about the toughness of the terrain. It was about the toughness of dealing with him in the real world of New York fashion. He was a god in that realm, and she was a nobody. This private idyll was fine for now, but once the real world caught up to them, they’d be back to their usual places: him with his models and her moving on at Stylist.
“Trust me,” Ale said, his voice softening. “I know this will be worth it once we get there.”
“But how?” Mika asked as she followed behind, knowing she wasn’t talking about the location.
They both stopped as they heard it: rushing water, loud and clear through the wall of trees. Ale turned and gave her a smug smile before reaching for her hand and pulling her through and into the clearing. They looked up in unison. It was breathtaking, and they both stared, enjoying the awestruck moment together. There must have been more than five hundred feet of water rushing down to a ridge and then a smaller waterfall of about a hundred feet surrounding them in a semicircle of beautiful blue and white majesty, framed by lush green. At the bottom lay a gorgeous pool of aqua blue water so clear you could see the rocks embedded in the floor.
Mika had never seen anything so gloriously unspoiled. This was nothing like the gritty city. It was a magical movie set come to life. This needed no special filter. No special coloring. It was perfection. She was almost afraid to photograph it, as if it were a secret she should keep close to her heart. This place had to be as close to heaven as she was ever going to get. Still, her fingers practically itched to capture it before it disappeared, remaining only a figment of her imagination. As if by some calling, both she and Ale raised their cameras in unison and starting clicking furiously.
After a few moments, Mika looked deeper and noticed a cave behind the fall that begged to be explored. Seeing it too, Alejandro grinned wider. Uh-oh. Her stomach flipped with unchecked excitement.
“Damn you. You are always so sure of yourself aren’t you?” she said with a nudge in Alejandro’s side.
“So what if I am? Indecision is a waste of time,” he said without hesitation. That was Ale, always going at what he wanted full throttle.
She gave him a light punch, and he pulled her forward hard, into his arms and tight to his chest. “Oh.”
He was hard against her everywhere.
“‘Oh’ is right,” he grumbled. There was that vibration again. Dangerous. Rolling through her body.
“Ale, we came here to work,” she said, trying to push herself back. But he wasn’t loosening his grip.
“And we will, but first, you have to admit I was right. This is amazing.”
She looked around. It was a secluded location, and the colors of the blue water against the brown and gray of the rock and with the clear sky overhead was awe-inspiring. She turned back to him and looked up into his eyes. “Okay, boss, I will concede. You were right—this is a perfect spot. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful, but,” she paused, “for the shoot, you have to admit it won’t be easy to get everyone up here.” Mika pushed out of his arms, reaching hers wide. “How will we get makeup and hair, plus all our equipment here? And this location is wet and slippery. It’ll be a nightmare.”
He reached out for her, turning her around and pulling her back to him. “Well, it’s a good thing you don’t have to worry about all that today, isn’t it? Today all you have to worry about is how deep that pool is.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Why?”
He grinned. “Because you’re about to get wet.” He mov
ed closer.
“No!”
“Oh yes. The question is, do I give you a chance to take off your clothes or not?”
She crossed her arms over her chest, half of her wanting to protest and half wanting to rip his clothes off first. “What if I refuse?”
“You won’t.”
“And what makes you so sure?”
“You’ve been pushing this ridiculous fight all day, Mika. You want this just as much as I do. So take what you want. Let loose. Have some fun. Let’s enjoy ourselves. You were the one with the fantasy yesterday. Today it’s my turn.”
She stilled. He had a fantasy too? With that, heat rushed to her core. She knew she couldn’t deny him. Besides, he was right—she didn’t want to.
She didn’t miss the tightening of his hand around her waist or the hardness she felt pressing against her center. “Okay, fair is fair. Let’s get wet.”
Mika pushed up on tiptoe at the same time she wrapped a hand around the back of Alejandro’s head, gently twining her fingers into his hair. It felt so good touching him like this that she had to fight to keep control. She pulled him down toward her lips, her hands slightly shaking. This embrace had been way too long in the making. She ran her tongue across his lips, gaining the entrance she wanted, taking his tongue in her mouth and sucking long and hard. She caressed the length with long, languid strokes as their breaths merged.
But now it was his turn to pull back, and make her give chase, and she did. Sinking further into him, Mika pulled him closer, taking her other hand and molding it to his backside. He responded by grinding against her, showing her she was playing him just right. But then he confused her by pulling back again and taking both of her hands in his and putting them in front of her.
Ale looked into her eyes, his going soft, and he gave her a sweet smile. “You know what? Let’s slow down. We have all day.” He stripped off his shirt and hiking sandals, leaving only his swim trunks hanging low on his hips. Not that she was looking—much.
She frowned. Maybe the kiss today didn’t measure up to what they had yesterday. At least, in his eyes.
She hated the insecurity that went churning through her and fought to shake it off. “I don’t know. That water looks awfully cold.”
*
Alejandro looked down at the water. Cold was just what he needed right now. He didn’t bring Mika up here to just lay her on the grass and have sex with her again. Well, maybe part of him did. It would be fantastic. But he had to change tactics. He saw that now as the picture came more into focus. She only saw him for his reputation: a playboy photographer who sexed them and left them.
And maybe it was kind of warranted if you read the tabloids and followed his early track record. But the women he’d met so far hadn’t had much of a problem with it. It wasn’t like he left anyone pining away. After him, they were usually onto the next big fish. The next man who would take them higher up that ladder of success. Such an old story—his own mother did it with his father, moving on to a more successful husband, going so far that she left him and his brother behind with nothing but a view of her back and a closed door in her wake.
Alejandro frowned at the memory despite all the beauty around him. Mika was now frowning too, concern in her big brown eyes. He shook his head. These thoughts were useless. He wasn’t bitter like his father. Just smarter. And right now he’d be smart about Mika. He’d play this right and not let his emotions get the best of him. She wasn’t after him for what he could do for her, how far he could take her. And though she tried to put herself in the “sex and on to the next” category, she was wrong there. She was so much more. How much remained to be seen, but he definitely wanted to see it through and, yes, enjoy the fantasy. He grinned, forcing the dark thoughts of the past to the back of his mind. “So, how about it? You want to swim first or take a few shots?”
Mika sighed and looked around. “How about we get the shots first?”
Alejandro smiled. “You know you’re my kind of girl,” he said, immediately going for his camera.
*
“How does your mother like teaching at the school?”
They’d been silently taking pictures for about a half an hour, and his question threw her a little off her balance from the rock she’d perched on. She wobbled and Ale instantly jumped, reaching out to steady her from where he was just below.
“I’m good. I won’t fall,” she said.
“Just making sure,” he replied. “So, your mother?”
She frowned. Why was Alejandro asking about her mother? He never asked about her personal life. It was, well, personal and not his concern. And how did he remember that her mom worked at a school?
She lowered her camera, and looked at him with confusion. “Um, she’s just fine, thanks.”
“She’s an artist, right?”
“No, she’s an art history teacher. She paints on the side, well, not so much anymore.” Why was he bringing this up? She didn’t want to be reminded of her mother and her failed dreams of being a great artist and having to give it up as a single mother with mounting bills when her father walked out on them. Not today. She pushed the thought aside.
“So how’s your dad, Mr. Small Talk.”
Ale smirked. “He’s fine, I guess.”
“You guess? Well, I guess from that answer that it’s been a long time since you’ve spoken to him. Why don’t you return his calls? It’s tough to keep putting his secretary off.”
Ale sighed, lowering his camera from the waterfall and turning to her. “You know how he is. You talk to his secretary more than I do. And it’s not like he’s calling himself. Don’t worry, I’ll give him a call soon. I promise. And he’s definitely not small talk, Mika.”
“And my mother is?”
“Sorry. I guess both our families are sore spots. It’s just that it’s so quiet out here. After a while you start to miss the sounds of the city.”
She looked around. “I hear you. And you have nothing to be sorry about. Thanks for asking about my mom. She’s fine. I’m sure missing me. I need to give her a call soon. We usually talk a few times a week. I try to not skip talking to her for more than a day.”
Ale looked away. Going for another shot. “It’s good you two are close like that.” His voice was low.
She gave him a sideways glance. “You really should call your dad.”
“Don’t push it, Mika. I’ll see him in a month at that dinner you made me RSVP to.”
She grinned. “It was for the children’s hospital charity, and you couldn’t turn down donating to that.”
He gave her a glare that didn’t quite make it. “As you very well know, I wouldn’t, but my generous donation could have been sufficient. Those things are a bore. I should make you come with me as my date. That’ll show you.”
He laughed, but she couldn’t help but stiffen. In a month, she’d be off at her new job, and Ale would have some model on his arm at that charity function. She, and this conversation, would be long forgotten.
She smiled, waving a hand. “No way you’re punishing me that badly.” Mika turned away to collect herself. When she turned back, she caught Ale taking another picture of her. “Okay, enough of that, Mr. Vargas. That was so yesterday.”
Just the word yesterday was a trigger—instantly, each knew where the other’s mind went. Ale looked her over then said lightly, “How about that swim?”
Mika scrunched her face, leaning over the rock to look at the water below, but Ale took her camera from her before she could protest. He tucked both cameras away in a hollowed-out section under a tree, along with the rest of the equipment. Then, to Mika’s horror, he kicked off his shoes, took a running jump and flew over the rock she stood on down to the pool below.
Mika’s scream hung in her throat as she watched Ale go over the edge. It wasn’t a long drop, but watching him disappear down into the water below made her stomach flip. She ran to the edge but didn’t see him. Where did he go? Could he have hit his head on the rocks? In a flash
her memory of going over the side of Tong’s boat came to mind. Was this how he felt? She kicked off her sneakers and was about to jump over when his head broke through the water like a dark, glistening star.
“You scared the hell out of me,” she yelled down to his smiling face.
“Come on in. It’s wonderful.”
“I ought to come in and throttle you!”
“If that’s what will get you down here, then so be it,” he yelled, teasing her.
She folded her arms.
“Come on, don’t be scared!”
“That’s okay. I’ll take the long way down, thanks.” She pointed to a winding pathway.
“Just jump. Live a little. Stop always playing it so safe.”
She narrowed her eyes. Safe, huh? There was a definite challenge there. And yes, she knew he was trying to goad her. And yes, it was working. But what was wrong with playing it safe? Safe was the smart thing. The right thing. Playing with Ale was anything but safe. She looked over at him, now floating on his back like a toasted treat, just waiting to be tasted.
Mika backed up, slowly took off the rest of her clothes and put them by the backpacks. ”You’d better watch out down there. I’m on my way,” she yelled. Then she went over the edge feet first, eyes shut, one hand holding her nose. She went down deep and when she came up sputtering, Ale was there with a huge grin.
“You did it! That’s my girl! Never backing down. I’m so proud of you.”
She looked around, eyes wide. “I sure did. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”
“I think I do,” he said, eyes suddenly full of mischief.
She smiled at him, her heart full, as a wicked surge of power swept through her. “Oh, do you now? Care to share it with me?”
He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in close. “You don’t have to ask twice, Ms. Walters.”
Through The Lens (Creative Hearts Book 1) Page 8