With annoyance she watched him smile


“mmmmm I was looking for someone casual….you know no strings……you just fitted the bill perfectly. I know that you won’t be expecting anything more from this. “


Kira looked away quickly so that he wouldn’t see the hurt in her eyes. He had used her this way in the past, she hadn’t deserved it then and she certainly didn’t deserve it now


“Well I guess that says more about you than me” she managed to mutter with as much dignity as she could muster, not seeing the angry look cross his eyes.


The flight over was short, lasting only an hour before they found themselves on a small tropical island. From the air she was able to see that it was one of several islands dotted on the green sea below. Exiting the small airfield they were driven to the large villa she had spotted as they were coming in to land. As they sat with the lush countryside passing them he became more animated, pointing out different landmarks to her.


Although trying hard to stay indifferent, Kira found that she was genuinely interested and also relieved that he seemed to have relaxed enough to talk nicely to her. After the stand-off with the phone she thought that she might have ruined everything for Bill, but she couldn’t face having to stay there with him without being able to make her calls back home. She knew that this was the only thing that would get her through what she would need to do over the next few days.


When the car swept up to the villa she held her breath in amazement. The building was stunning. It was the stereotypical Caribbean dream villa, surrounded by palm trees, which swayed hypnotically in the wind. The building itself was white with terracotta tiles and large windows which ran from floor to ceiling on the two floors. Majestic balconies ran around the top floor with open verandas for seating on the lower. Craig watched her reaction, her beautifully expressive eyes shining in wonder.


Placing his hand on the base of her back he had gently guided her into the house, an action which made her jump nervously, his lips had curled at her reaction and he had lent in to whisper in her ear


“Don’t worry Kira, I wasn’t planning on jumping you in the driveway” She bit back the response which jumped to her lips glaring at him.


Inside the building everything was as grand as the exterior. The large entrance foyer was magnificent in its ornate layout and she stood looking in wonder at the expensive trappings which were found everywhere. Her training as an interior designer often meant that she could be critical of buildings, but here she was stunned by the classic understated opulence all around her.


The house keeper appeared and smiling had asked after their health and trip. For the first time she saw Craig truly smile. It was one of those heart warming smiles which she remembered, and something fluttered in her chest. He had thanked the woman and introducing Kira explained that she would be staying for the week. The house keeper had seemed a little surprised, but smiled warmly at her. Kira had managed a return smile to the woman.


“Maria, bring drinks down to the pool” he asked before leading Kira upstairs, and opening the door to one of the many rooms on the landing.


“This is our room” he said moving into the large airy space. Kira swallowed the lump in her throat her eyes flicking around the wonderful space. Long white sheer curtains framed the ceiling to floor windows which let in a cool breeze causing the material to billow out surreally within the room. The furnishing was white simple cane which sat on cream tiles. However, it was the large bed in the middle of the room which caught her eye. Suddenly it all seemed so real and Kira had to clasp her hands in front of her to stop them shaking.


Craig watched her reaction. He remembered the first time she had stood with him in one of his bedrooms. She had been so innocent, trusting and young. He had taught her how to love and the memory stirred him as he saw the same frightened look on her face as the first night they had made love. She was as beautiful now as she had been then and he could feel his body react to her presence. Fighting the sudden desire in him he moved out onto the balcony calling her to join him


Kira appeared, gasping in delight at the view. The villa stood close to the edge of the cliff overlooking the azure sea below. She had always loved the water and the setting of the building took her breath away


“It’s beautiful” she whispered


She felt him move behind her and could feel his closeness even though he was not touching her.


“Yes it is” he murmured looking down on her


Pulling himself together he once more moved back into the room.


“The luggage will be delivered to the room later and Maria is bringing refreshments to the pool … so shall we” he gestured holding the door open for her to pass.


Kira paused for a second.


“Would you mind if I made a phone call first” she asked quietly


He looked reflectively at her


“Don’t be long” he said and then was gone


Smiling gently after her call Kira moved back out to the balcony. From her vantage point she could see to the left of the building the pool where Craig sat wearing white casual trousers and a blue t-shirt. Her heart flipped at the sight of him. God she thought after the way he had treated her she had every right to hate and distrust him, and yet it was he who treated her as though she had done him some terrible wrong.


Her mind went back to three years previously. A young exchange student in California she had been in awe at the wonderful buildings she had been able to visit. As part of the course, they had studied interior spaces and been encouraged to visit buildings of interest, sketching those elements of the building which they felt added to the effect.


So it was one sunny morning she had found herself sitting in one of the chairs within the Clarence Hotel sketching the ornate rose ceiling in the centre of the foyer. As she moved her hand across the page, she had become aware of somebody watching her, and turning she had come face to face with the most handsome man she had ever seen.


He had smiled softly at her


“A rose by any other name” he had said in a sensual American drawl making her laugh.


They had begun talking and soon he was inviting her out for dinner. Kira who normally didn’t accept dates from total strangers had made an exception to her rule, not quite sure why. However, the warm blueness of his eyes she felt had a great deal to do with it, along with his easy smile and laugh which sent small shivers up her back.


The evening had gone well, although she very quickly realised that Craig Kent was no ordinary man as waiters seemed to faun on him whenever he would appear. She had soon discovered just how rich he was, but the fact that this did not seem to bother her had fascinated him. She had continued laughing with him telling her bad jokes and listening to his and soon he was making dates with her every evening.


It hadn’t taken her long to fall head over heels in love with the enigmatic man and she had thought that he felt the same way about her. Her mind remembering the night they had come back into his mansion after a moonlit stroll in the garden. He had held her hand telling her stories of the stars and the heavens above and she had been totally in awe of him, her young body reacting to him in a way that was so unfamiliar. When he had kissed her goodnight, meaning to escort her to the room she was staying, she had held on to him her eyes sending signals to his of the need she was feeling. He had groaned against her mouth before leading her to his room.


As she had stood by the bed her body yearning for him she had been afraid, but he had gently assured her with the soft caresses of his mouth against hers. She knew that he had sensed long ago that she was an innocent and he had kissed her gently removing her clothing, setting her whole body on fire with an unfamiliar burning need for him. When they had finally stood together totally naked he had lifted her onto the bed and began to kiss her with real passion, which had sent her head reeling.


Closing her eyes she remembered every detail. Remembering how his tongue had tantalised every part of her body as he kissed her breasts pulling each nipple in turn into his mouth and then licked her stomach, hips and her sex. He had raised himself over her and spreading her legs gently looked deeply into her half opened desire filled eyes while slowly entering her. She had flinched, her eyes flying open wide as he pushed further into her his lips gently kissing her mouth as she gasped.


She could still remember feeling how he held himself back as he took his time so as not to hurt her. However, once he had fully penetrated her he had slowly began to thrust within her with short sharp movements. Kira had never before experienced such wonderful sensations and when her whole body had suddenly been overcome with a tidal wave of sensations which ran tingling throughout her entire body she had been unable to hold back the cries of the sheer ecstasy of it. She remembered how he had shivered at the feel of the waves running through her and thrust deeper into her before quickly joining her cries. She had felt his body trembling as he looked into her eyes which were shining brightly. His had looked back with a glow which had taken her breath away


When they had both stopped panting he had slid from her to cradle her in his arms. Kissing her hair he had asked if she was OK. She had looked back at him with such happiness and adoration that he had again kissed her with a deep sigh which once more ignited the need within their bodies.