Romance in Color

by Synithia Williams

  Lalita dug in her bag and pulled out her phone. Two minutes later, she put it down on the table and picked up her brandy, taking another sip. She relaxed again into Jeremy’s arms.

  “Where are we going?” All she had said to her secretary was that she needed to get away and to email her the details when confirmed.

  “A remote resort I escape to when I want to disappear from my life. There are no phones in the rooms, internet, or faxes. And just enough electricity to blend a really good cocktail at the bar.” A hint of a smile curved Lalita’s lips. “I’ll get Grace to email you the emergency contact details so you can pass them on to your mother.”

  “Sounds interesting. There is one caveat, however, to my coming with you.”

  Lalita sat upright, her eyes wary.

  “Yes?”

  “This isn’t a business trip. I’m not the Director of Marketing accompanying the Director of Asian Operations. Jeremy Lakewood is going away with Lalita Evans. What happens will be between us and have nothing to do with Evans International.”

  “Something is going to happen?” The smile that had started with the faint lifting of her lips formed into a full-on grin, taking Jeremy by surprise.

  “Almost certainly.” Jeremy didn’t know whether he should warn her — or himself.

  “In that case, I had better get my beauty sleep, while I can.” Lalita downed the rest of her drink in one swig. She put her soft, elegant hand on Jeremy’s cheek before kissing the other side of his face. “Good night, Jeremy Lakewood,” she whispered in his ear.

  Jeremy sat dazed as Lalita glided from the bar, more sway in her hips than he’d seen in the past week. He could still smell the brandy from her breath. A shiver raced through his body. It hit him that he should be more worried about extricating himself from this affair, his soul intact, than keeping his job.

  He let out a long sigh and finished his brandy before heading up to his room.

  • • •

  “Lalita, welcome back!” The tall, blond Australian proprietor greeted Lalita with a kiss on both cheeks. Far too friendly for a mere hotel owner and his guest, in Jeremy’s opinion.

  Jeremy put down the overnight bag slung on his shoulder. He was hot, sweaty, dusty, parched, and a little nauseated. They had been travelling for over fourteen hours in various modes of transport, each one becoming less comfortable than the last. Now, seeing the tanned, fit host manhandle Lalita, his temper was about to boil over. A young, barefoot boy clad in a long skirt offered him a glass of ice water. He took it and downed it in one. It helped his thirst, but not his anger.

  “Thanks for accommodating us at the last minute, Steve. I really appreciate it.” Lalita smiled up at the Australian, doing nothing to dissipate Jeremy’s ire.

  “Anything for you, Lalita. You seem even more tired than usual. Come on, hand them over.” The proprietor put his palm out.

  She reached into her bag and pulled out her phone and laptop, handing them over to Steve. Calling over a small, dark skinned native man, he spoke to him in the local language. The man took Lalita’s equipment and stepped into the office behind them. He returned and picked up her case and Jeremy’s bag, disappearing in the opposite direction with them.

  “You’ve brought someone with you this time.” The Australian man finally acknowledged Jeremy’s presence.

  “Jeremy, this is Steve Harding, the owner. Steve, this is Jeremy Lakewood.”

  “Nice place,” Jeremy commented, feeling he should at least try to sound gracious.

  “I hope you enjoy your stay.” Steve appraised Jeremy before turning back to Lalita.

  “You’re in Villa Two. Come by and have a drink after you’ve settled in.” Steve kissed Lalita again. Jeremy gritted his teeth.

  Lalita led the way along palm bordered stone pathways to a secluded thatch-roofed villa. Jeremy climbed the five stone steps and stood on the balcony. Large date palms fringed a perfect view of a pristine white sand beach and azure water. Even the surf seemed to break at the right spot for a subdued crashing sound, as though designed exclusively to soothe. His anger dissipated, leaving him somewhat drained.

  A wall of glass windows were open and a gentle breeze stirred the white cotton curtains. Jeremy stepped through the door. Lalita had kicked off her shoes and was pulling her t-shirt over her head, revealing a white lace bra.

  “My suitcase is in here.” She indicated the bedroom to the right. “I guess that means you’re sleeping in there.” Lalita nodded her head toward another room on the left before tossing her shirt on the bed and undoing the button on her trousers. “I’m going for a swim,” she declared before walking through then shutting the bedroom door.

  Jeremy stared at Lalita’s closed bedroom door, reenergized. She’d thrown down a challenge and every masculine fiber in his body refused to let it pass.

  Before he had time to enter his own bedroom, Lalita was back, wearing a brightly patterned cover-up, a hat clutched in her hand.

  “See you at the pool,” she called out as she strode from the villa, barefoot.

  “Are you trying to kill me?” Jeremy asked fifteen minutes later. Lalita stood in front of his lounge chair. Rivers of water raced down her curves, taunting him. She was wearing the most provocative swimsuit he’d ever seen, although it might not be the fault of the bathing costume, but the body within.

  “Whatever do you mean, Jeremy?” Lalita’s face was full of innocence. It was rather obvious the effect she was having on him. She laughed.

  Jeremy willed his body to relax. Having waited five years, a few more hours would finally see the realization of his fantasies. He could hold on — he hoped.

  For the moment, however, he needed to cool off. He jumped in the pool and swam ten lengths without pausing. As he emerged from the water, he caught Lalita’s warm gaze on his body. She licked her lips, whether consciously or not, it was almost his undoing.

  • • •

  Lalita swallowed. She might have thrown the gauntlet down, but now she didn’t know whether she would be able to withstand the onslaught. To remain aloof while both of them were dressed in business suits with a boardroom table between them was one thing. Scantily clad in one of the world’s most romantic locations was another thing entirely.

  The muscles she’d imagined hidden under Jeremy’s clothes were nothing compared to the real deal. He always asked for the location of the fitness center when they checked in to a hotel. Obviously, he’d made use of it. A smattering of curly, dark hair peppered his chest before forming a line over his bumpy stomach to disappear under the band of his low-riding swim trunks. She licked her lips again, her mouth dry.

  “I’m thirsty. Shall we have a drink?” Without waiting for his response Lalita picked up her wrap and padded over to the bar. “Something pink, I think, Samuel.”

  Jeremy strode in a minute later, T-shirt clinging to his wet torso, emphasizing his broad shoulders. Lalita took a long sip of her drink, but it wasn’t the alcohol that made her head swim.

  Steve appeared out of nowhere, placing a frosty hurricane glass on the bar in front of Jeremy. Lalita was surprised at the glare Jeremy gave the proprietor.

  “Where is Suzanne?” Lalita inquired after the owner’s wife.

  “She’s resting. The baby is due in six weeks and she finds the warm afternoons exhausting. So she usually has a nap between three and five. She’ll be around at dinner time.”

  “Suzanne is Steve’s wife, and they’re expecting their first baby.” Lalita clarified for Jeremy’s sake. He seemed to relax and took a sip of his drink.

  “This is very good,” Jeremy commented. He raised his glass to the bartender.

  The bartender smiled and called out something in his native language. Steve laughed.

  “He says it contains an aphrodisiac, not that you’ll need it,” the proprietor translated.


  Lalita’s cheeks went warm. Steve lounged against the bar, his eyes darting between her and Jeremy. The Australian laughed again.

  “The sun will set in half an hour. Why don’t you take your drinks and go for a walk on the beach? Then, an early dinner, I think. I’ll tell the chef.” Steve whispered something in Jeremy’s ear before standing. “I need to check on my wife.”

  “Shall we?” Jeremy held his hand out to her.

  Lalita picked up her drink and followed Jeremy from the bar. As soon as they got to the beach, he put his arm around her waist, pulling her against him so her hip rubbed against his thigh with each step. She might catch fire but she doubted friction would be to blame.

  “What did Steve say?” Lalita took a fortifying sip of her drink. Her well-ordered life was spinning out of control. Surprising her, though, was that rather than being terrified her whole body pulsated with excitement.

  “He said to take care of you. That you are special and deserve the best.” Jeremy stopped and Lalita searched his face. There was something else, but seeing a strange look in Jeremy’s eyes she didn’t pursue it.

  Taking her now-empty glass from her hand, he placed it next to his in the sand. Jeremy tilted her face up. He gazed at her for a long minute as if memorizing her features. Then in slow motion his head descended, his lips touching hers in a gentle caress. Lalita tried to deepen the kiss, ready to be swept away by the waves of desire rolling through her veins. Jeremy resisted, however, sipping at her lips as though they were a rare vintage — unready or unwilling to give in to the need she could feel humming through his taut muscles.

  “Slowly. We have all night,” he whispered. His trailed kisses across her cheek and found the sensitive spot under her ear.

  His lips wandered down her neck to her collar bone before tracing their way back the way they came. After another long, languorous kiss Jeremy lifted his head, resting his chin on the top of Lalita’s hair as he held her close. His breathing was ragged; his pulse, next to her ear, raced. A smile curved her lips. Jeremy had won. She was at his mercy, putty in his hands. For once, losing felt like winning.

  Lalita was surprised to glance down and see that the glasses Jeremy had placed in the sand were now gone. They wandered over to a hammock strung between two curving palm trees. Their bases were close together, the trunks had then grown in opposite directions until near the top they had come together again. Was it figurative of her relationship with Jeremy? The passion of five years ago had driven them apart, now they were together. But for how long?

  Lalita shut her mind to the day after tomorrow. The day when they would have to say goodbye. His life was in London, hers in Singapore. Tonight and tomorrow were all that mattered — for now.

  Jeremy stretched out on the hammock, pulling Lalita down in front of him. They lay there, swaying in the gentle breeze, watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean. As the last dying traces of pink disappeared from the sky, Jeremy stirred.

  “I’m starving. Let’s eat dinner first,” he said. His husky voice was thick with restrained passion.

  They managed to get out of the hammock without either of them face-planting in the sand. Torches lit the way along the beach and the path to the bungalow.

  “You can have the bathroom first,” Jeremy offered as they climbed the stairs to their villa. Lalita was surprised at Jeremy’s chivalry. She’d expected him to be ravishing her the moment they stepped through the doorway. Instead, he seemed determined to make her wait. What did they say about anticipation? Well, she’d had five years of it: enough already.

  Dazed, Lalita went into her bedroom, trying to think what, in her limited wardrobe, she could wear to a romantic dinner with her soon-to-be-lover. Coming to the resort had been a last minute decision and not one she’d packed for. She stopped, surprised to find a knee-length white dress on her bed. A note lay next to it.

  This helped me catch my man. Happy hunting, Love, Suzanne

  Lalita held the dress up against her. Suzanne was the same height, however the former fashion model was less curvy. Still it should fit. Problem was that Lalita hadn’t brought any underwear that wouldn’t show. She’d have to go without; after all, it wasn’t as if she’d be cold, the heat of their earlier kiss still warmed her. Tonight was the night; business be damned, she was going to be a woman.

  • • •

  Jeremy leaned against the bamboo balcony railing, staring into the black night. The warm breeze caressed his cold skin. He’d stood under an ice-cold shower for as long as possible, hoping to delay the moment when he burst into flames.

  Steve’s parting words echoed in his brain, making his heart fibrillate. After cautioning him to take care of Lalita, he had cheekily added ‘thank you for choosing the resort for their first time.’ But it was the Australian’s closing remarks that caused the consternation. He had finished by saying that he hoped the next time they returned it would be for their honeymoon.

  Jeremy dwelt for a minute on the vision of Lalita gazing into his eyes with love. She was glowing with the same look that was on the face of many of the newlyweds he’d caught a glimpse of wandering around the resort.

  “Jeremy?” Lalita’s husky voice came to him through the warm night air. He turned. Any remaining chill on his skin was instantly replaced by molten heat. He’d been a fan of the red dress of a few nights ago. The white dress Lalita wore now was nothing short of scandalous. Fastening at the back of the neck, the soft material clung to her full, luscious breasts before plunging to a deep v, almost to her belly button. She took a step forward, and Jeremy caught a glimpse of leg almost to her hip bone. Lalita wasn’t wearing anything underneath. Damn.

  He cleared his throat. Twice.

  “There was a note on my bed saying dinner would be waiting for us in the yoga retreat. Do you know the way?” he managed to get out.

  “Of course,” Lalita answered. Her eyes appraised him, seeming to like what they saw. He’d been surprised to find a set of clothes on his bed when they returned from their stroll on the beach. At first reluctant to wear another man’s garments, he was now glad for the loose-fitting trousers. A certain part of his anatomy tended to expand at even a smile from Lalita.

  Lalita turned and Jeremy’s breath evaporated in his lungs. The dress had no back, and the folds of the skirt were so low he could see the dimples at the base of her spine. Dinner had better be quick.

  Lalita took his hand and led him along a path away from the beach, up the hill to a bamboo hut set right into the jungle. They climbed the stairs and as they gained the top, Lalita kicked off her sandals. The floor was strewn with red and white flower petals, candles in glass vases provided the illumination. In the center of the room a table was set up, low to the floor, two massive pillows on either side.

  Lalita glided over to the table, melting onto one of the cushions. As she wriggled to get comfortable, the slit in the skirt of the dress opened, revealing her entire leg. Jeremy kicked off his shoes and joined Lalita at the table.

  A waiter appeared a minute later with a bottle of wine and two silver dome-covered plates. Placing one before each of them, he then whisked away the domes. Jeremy stared down at his plate. Three large oysters sat on the half shell, embedded in ice. He glanced over to Lalita’s plate to find three ripe figs, cut in half, drizzled with honey. His discomfort increased.

  Lalita laughed. “I guess this is what comes of owning a resort that specializes in honeymoons.”

  “How did you find this place? Been here on honeymoon?” Jeremy tossed back an oyster while he waited for her reply.

  “No, I’ve always come alone before. I read about it in a magazine. Aside from honeymoons, Steve has a program where you can spend a day or two helping the local community. Work at the school or help dig a well, that kind of thing. It’s completely different from what I normally do and you know what they say about a change bei
ng as good as a rest,” she finished with a shrug.

  She picked up a half fig with her fingers, pulling the juicy flesh away from the skin with her teeth. Eyes closed, a trickle of juice and honey perched on the edge of her lips, threatening to run down her chin. Her tongue darted out, catching the drip before it could escape. Jeremy grabbed for his glass of ice water.

  “You have to try one of these,” Lalita said, opening her eyes.

  She sat up on her knees and leaned across the table, holding out a half fig for him. Putting her hand on his shoulder to keep herself from toppling over, she put the fruit to his lips. Jeremy gazed into her eyes, now dark brown with passion. He took the fig from her hand and kissed her wrist instead. His lips pressed against her throbbing pulse.

  The hand on his shoulder tightened its grip. He licked the sweet fruit juice and honey from her finger tips before releasing her. She sank back on her cushion, her face flushed, her breathing unsteady.

  Jeremy no longer cared how long dinner took.

  “Tell me one thing about Lalita Evans that it will take me years to learn on my own,” he said.

  Lalita shook her head as if trying to restart her brain.

  “Um … after I fire someone, I go home and cry,” she replied after a lengthy pause. Her voice was husky, unsteady.

  “Really?”

  “Yes, even if I don’t like the person and have good reasons for terminating their employment. Within my first year as DAO, I had to sack the entire staff at the Hong Kong office, there was so much corruption. I wept a lot that year.”

  “Interesting, but that doesn’t count. That’s work-related. Remember, I said nothing to do with Evans International. Tell me something personal.”

  Lalita lounged on her pillow, abandoning the rest of the figs.

  “Don’t you think you’ve found out enough personal things about me in the past few days?”

  Jeremy watched as she withdrew into herself. The austere businesswoman struggled to emerge.

  “No go, Lalita. We are about to become lovers, maybe more.” The last two words came out unbidden. He waited for her reaction but she seemed not to have heard.