by S J Crabb
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Chapter 15
Finally, we locate the others. When we left the pool area we noticed that the whole hotel appeared to be deserted. Wondering where everyone was we asked at reception and were told that we had the use of the neighbouring hotel while the film crew were here.
We head across to the other hotel and I soon spy the others reclining near the magnificent pool. Jo sees us coming and I watch as a big smile breaks out across her face as she sees who walks beside me.
The others look up with similar expressions and somewhat smugly I introduce them to Luke. He nods and smiles at them and we settle down on some beds next to them.
Giggling I tell them what happened and Rachel laughs.
“It could only happen to you, Becca.”
I look at her with interest.
“How did you know to come here?”
She stretches out and laughs softly.
“At breakfast. We were told the hotel was closed today and to head over here. If you hadn’t slept in you would know too.”
I blush as Luke grins at me. Sleep! What’s that when it’s at home?
Rachel smiles knowingly and I throw her the look and shake my head in denial, hoping she gets the message that her perverted brain is wrong – mores the pity.
Looking around, I notice that Jenny is missing.
“Where’s Jenny?”
Jo squints and looks up at the sky.
“I think she’s the one in the pink lifejacket.”
I follow her gaze and then do a double take because above me is a paraglider. I look at her in shock.
“You are kidding me. That can’t be Jenny, she wouldn’t do anything remotely dangerous like that.”
Jo laughs loudly.
“Old Jenny wouldn’t but new Jenny is superwoman. She came down to breakfast a new woman. After helping herself to everything on the menu she informed us she had signed up for a morning of paragliding fun.”
I shake my head in astonishment as Luke looks at me questioningly. I quickly fill him in and he smiles.
“Sounds like this holiday is just what she needed. Even if she wasn’t really hypnotised her mind has taken over. Good for her.”
I sink back onto my towel in shock. Goodness, things are moving fast around here.
After an extremely pleasant morning, we head to a nearby café for some lunch. Jo and Rachel walk slightly in front of Luke and I and it feels so natural. Luke is good company and the best view a woman can get. He keeps us entertained with tales of life under the sea and we in turn spill the beans about what really goes on at 39,000 feet.
We are allowed to return to the hotel for the afternoon sun session and it isn’t long before Jenny makes an appearance.
“Hi guys, did you miss me?”
I look up from my sunbed and do a double take.
Jenny is not alone.
She is accompanied by a beefy blonde sun god with long blond hair-surfer style and startling blue eyes. He looks like the coolest dude in the world with his man bracelets and mirror shades. She giggles as she introduces him.
“Meet Flynn. He runs the water activities centre on the beach.”
I look at him with interest and notice Jenny’s sparkling eyes and flushed expression. Gosh, that was fast work, I’m impressed.
Jo sits up and smiles.
“Hi, Flynn. Now, can you tell me where the real Jenny is because she appears to be missing in action?”
Jenny laughs and grabs Flynn’s hand and Rachel’s eyes almost fall out of her head.
“You know, we have had the best morning ever. Flynn showed me the freedom of paragliding and this afternoon we are going on a Jet Ski safari. Do any of you fancy a ride?”
She giggles as Flynn squeezes her hand and grins at her and I look at the others in disbelief. This can’t be meek and mild Jenny who is afraid of her own shadow. The transformation is astounding.
Luke looks at me and smiles.
“Are you up for a ride, Becca?”
His eyes twinkle as I try to push away the perverted thoughts of what sort of ride I want from him and I nod.
“Sure, sounds like fun.”
Jo and Rachel nod in agreement and Jo jumps up. “Come on then. Show us where to go and what to do. All of this sun is bringing me out in blotches anyway.”
We follow them to the beach and I look at the scary machines in front of us. I have never been Jet skiing before and if I’m honest would rather not start now. Luke must notice my nervous looks because he leans down and whispers.
“You can come with me if you like. I’ve done this a lot and you’ll be perfectly safe.”
Well, as if I’m going to turn down the opportunity to spend any amount of time with my arms wrapped around this man beside me. This is turning into the best time of my life.
Flynn gives us all lifejackets and explains how it all works. Then we watch as Jo and Rachel get on one of the machines and set of squealing towards the horizon. Luke and I are next and for the second time today I feel skin on skin with Luke, as I cling onto him for dear life.
Soon we are off and trying to catch up with the others. This is exhilarating, not the jet ski, actually you can keep that. It’s the fact that I am face buried into Luke’s back and running my hands all over his muscly body as I cling on for dear life. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine this happening when he prowled down the tunnel to the plane.
I hear the others screams of joy and feel like joining in - although my screams are for a completely different sort of joy.
I notice with surprise that Jenny is the driver with Flynn wrapped behind her. She is laughing loudly and I smile to myself. Good for her. I’m pleased she has finally let herself go and is having some fun. If anyone deserves it, it’s her.
We must cover every inch of the bay and by the time we get back I am soaked.
As Luke lifts me off the Jet ski we stumble and I find myself falling into the sea. He catches me and pulls me beside him, grinning. “Steady, I nearly lost you there.”
I just gaze into his handsome face and my heart flutters like a romantic heroine. I feel a shiver run through my body as I look into his gorgeous blue eyes. He looks at me with that same wistful expression and I can almost taste the longing in mine. Then the spell is broken as Jo barks,
“Oh, for god’s sake, can’t I go anywhere without him following me?”
Looking towards the beach we see Pete waiting for us looking moody.
As we walk towards him he looks at Jo and says tersely,
“We need to talk.”
She rolls her eyes irritably.
“I have nothing to say to you. Just leave me alone.”
We watch as she stomps up the beach as he follows her, pleading for her to hear him out. Rachel sighs beside me.
“I wish she wasn’t so stubborn. She should give the poor guy a break.”
Luke looks interested and I smile sadly.
“I’ll fill you in later. Come on, I think we deserve a cocktail or two after all that activity.”
We follow Jo and Pete and head back to the hotel.
While Luke chats to Flynn at the bar, I fill in Rachel and Jenny about what has happened so far. They look at me with excitement and Rachel sighs. “You are so lucky. Look at him, why don’t things like that happen to me?”
I look at her in surprise.
“You’ve found your happy ever after with Lorenzo. Surely life doesn’t get any better than meeting your husband?”
Her face tightens and she gets a sad look in her eyes. Jenny looks at me with raised eyes and I feel worried. Quietly, I whisper,
“What’s the matter? You’ve been holding something in for the whole trip. Is everything ok with you guys?”
I watch in alarm as Rachel’s eyes fill with tears. She shakes her head sadly.
“No. I don’t think things are fine at all.”
Jenny sits next to her and puts her arm around her shoulders.
“What’s happened?”
Rachel looks so sad that I hold my breath.
“Things have changed since we got married. As you know we fell in love really quickly and almost became inseparable overnight. Lorenzo was - is everything I ever dreamed of finding and I fell hard. He was always fun and good company and we were happier than anyone has a right to be. The trouble is, now we are married it’s a different story. He works hard in his restaurant and I don’t see him as often as I’d like. He says it’s to build our future and make us secure. However, if it was just that I could understand it and support him. But it’s not and now he wants me to learn Italian and take cooking lessons from his mum.”
Jenny smiles sweetly.
“That’s not so bad - is it? I mean, he just wants to care for you and bring you deeper into his family. Italians are all about family, so I believe.”
The tears spill from Rachels eyes as she looks at us with a wretched expression.
“I wish that was all it was. He has now decided that this isn’t the job he wants his wife to have. He thinks it’s demeaning to him as my husband and paints him in a bad light. He should be the one to provide for his family and it looks bad that his wife is off flying around the world and not at home with him where I belong.”
I share a long look with Jenny. Oh no, this doesn’t sound good at all. I look at her kindly.
“Maybe he is just tired and irritable and wants you with him. He will probably come around when he is less tired.”
Rachel sniffs.
“No, he told me that we are to try for a baby and start our family as soon as possible. He wants at least four children and his wife to be a stay at home mum. I must resign from my job when we return and work with him until our first child arrives.”
She holds her hands up to her face and we watch the tears fall, helplessly. Jenny shakes her head at me and I look at her in disbelief. Poor Rachel.
Rachel looks up and her eyes are swimming in fresh tears.
“I can’t give up the job I love, even for him. Why would he ask me to? Surely, if he loves me he would want me to be happy. Am I such a bad person that I don’t want to put his needs above my own?”
I can see the guys looking at us with concern and just smile shakily at them. I pull Rachel towards me and rub her back, stroking her hair as I do so.
“It will be ok, Rachel. You must tell him how you feel. I’m sure when he sees how upset you are he will reconsider.”
Jenny murmurs reassuringly.
“Becca’s right. Lorenzo loves you and will want you to be happy. It doesn’t mean that you won’t have children in the future. Many couples work even when they do have a family and manage to lead happy lives. You must tell him how you feel because if you do as he says and give it all up you will resent him for it later on.”
Rachel sniffs and looks at us sadly.
“Thanks guys. I needed to get that out into the open. Maybe I can take the rest of the trip to work it all out. I know I’m not ready to give my job up yet but I must decide is if it’s worth giving up my marriage for.”
I look at her in shock.
“Surely it wouldn’t come down to a choice between the two? I mean, Lorenzo loves you and will want you to be happy. Maybe the two of you need this week to think about what is really important to you both. I’m betting that as soon as you step foot back inside the door he will be all over you and agreeing to anything you want. This will all have been a misunderstanding and a storm in a teacup.”
Jenny nods.
“Becca’s right. When you get home, it will all fall neatly into place and you will wonder why you got your knickers in a twist over nothing.”
Rachel smiles a watery looking smile and looks at us gratefully.
“Thanks guys, you’re the best. I knew you would make me feel better.”
I smile but feel the knot forming inside my chest. For some reason something is shouting a warning to me that I can’t ignore. I don’t think things will be ok. From the sounds of it, Rachel is in for the battle of her life when she gets home to save her marriage.
~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 16
I’m feeling quite subdued after my chat with Rachel. As I walk back to our rooms with Luke, he looks at me with concern.
“Is everything ok, Becca?”
I smile sadly.
“I’m not sure. Rachel is going through some stuff with her new husband which doesn’t sound good.”
I turn to look at him and smile sadly.
“It appears that relationships are complicated.”
To my surprise, Luke takes my hand in his and squeezes it gently. “I think you’re right. I mean, just look at my brother. It doesn’t stop us wanting one of our own though. Surely, it’s what life’s all about. Finding that special someone to build a life with. It may not always go according to plan but you would hope in the end you would be happy.”
I look at him in shock.
Goodness, not only is he drop dead gorgeous but a nice guy to boot. Maybe I should never let this hand go and hold onto him for grim death. I wonder if I could join the submarine service or whatever it’s called and be his right-hand woman? The thought of letting this hand go is choking me up inside.
We reach our rooms and he looks at me awkwardly, still holding my hand I am pleased to report.
I look into those seducing eyes and hold my breath. Something is happening and I hope to God it’s what I want it to be.
He pulls my hand towards his lips and kisses it gently.
“I’ve had a good time with you, Becca. When I saw you on that balcony last night something happened.”
I giggle nervously.
“You found out I was a crazy person who would become one of the X Factor rejects if she ever auditioned?”
He smiles slowly.
“No, although I wouldn’t fill out any applications for it if I were you.”
I pretend to look hurt and he laughs softly.
“No, I realised that standing in front of me was a woman I wanted to get to know, very much indeed. Even though you looked like you’d done ten rounds in a mud wrestling contest, I saw the most beautiful woman I have ever met.”
I hope they have a defibrillator handy because I think my heart just stopped. Me-beautiful? Those oysters messed with his brain and he was obviously hallucinating.
He draws me close and his mouth is inches from mine as he whispers.
“Can I kiss you, Becca?”
Resisting the urge to immediately crush his lips to mine and never let them leave, I just nod shyly.
As I close my eyes, I wait for the best moment of my life - it would appear this trip is riddled with them so far.
Before I feel the connection of lip on lip, I swear I hear music. In fact, I really do hear music. It’s the sound of some sort of guitar and someone is singing in a foreign language.
Surely, it’s not Luke?
I open my eyes in surprise and note the same expression in Luke’s as we look around us in surprise. Standing in the hallway is some sort of Mexican band. Three guys all wearing sombreros and little matador type suits. One is playing the guitar and one is shaking maracas. The third is beating on a mini bongo drum and they are singing some sort of love song beside us.
Luke grins and keeping a firm grip on my hand, pulls me into the Love Palace, closely followed by the three Amigos.
He pulls me down onto the waterbed and whispers,
“I’ve been expecting them. It’s all in the finer details of the package. Apparently, honeymooners get serenaded before dinner sometime during the week.”
I stifle a giggle as I watch the band filling the room and singing to their heart's content. Luke grins and pulls me up.
“Would you care to dance?”
I curtsey and smile sweetly.
“Thank you for asking kind sir.”
As Luke pulls me into his arms, we sway around the room to the sounds of god only knows what. If this is the song that marks the beginning of our relationship, I wouldn�
�t know what to Google on YouTube for our first dance wedding song. It doesn’t matter though because it could be the Birdy song for all I care. I am in Luke’s arms in a honeymoon suite being serenaded by a love trio. The fact that they interrupted the next best moment of my life doesn’t matter. I am just loving feeling his hard body pushed against mine as we spin around his decadent room. I shift even closer - shamelessly and allow myself to dream that this is our honeymoon and we have a whole life together to look forward to.
Then the miracle happens. Luke pulls back and looks deeply into my eyes. As if in slow motion I watch his lips lower towards mine and my heart races. This is it! It’s happening! Then I feel his soft lips claim mine in a toe-curling, life-changing moment of deepest joy. I sink into his mouth and never want to leave. It feels as if I’m home.
We kiss for ages, really, we do. The band left ages ago, but we didn’t even acknowledge them. Luke and I are locked at the lips and never letting go. I forget that I need air to breathe and just take my oxygen from him instead. Who knew kissing would be so good? If I did nothing else this week, I would be happy. However, as they say, all good things come to an end and he pulls apart and looks at me with a sexy gleam in his eyes.
“So, as first kisses go, that would be considered quite memorable - wouldn’t it?”
I laugh a little self-consciously.
“Yes, it would be difficult to top that one.”
He grins and tilts my face to his.
“I’m always up for a challenge. Let’s see if I can make this one even better.”
Then all praise to Aphrodite, we go at it again.
Reluctantly, I leave Luke and head back to my trashed room in a daze. I am in love. I don’t care that it has been five minutes, I know I am. Lust doesn’t come into it, ok well maybe a little, ok maybe a lot. The things is, I really do think I’m in love. Luke is everything I want in a man and strangely my heart seemed to know that the minute I saw him walk onto the plane. What I’m finding it hard to get my head around, is that he appears to like me too.
Taking extra care, I get ready for the evening ahead. Marcus will be shocked when he sees me with Luke. I’m not sure where he’s been today but I can’t wait to see the look on his face.