Page 53 of Javier

Our “treehouse” stood at the top of the hill, perched on stilts and surrounded by old growth forest on three sides. Orchids, bromeliads, Birds of Paradise, ferns, and Elephant Ears grew around the place. A nice breeze carried the scents of ozone and green, combined with a floral spice.

The bellman unlocked the gate. A half-dozen steps led us to the door. The attendant guided us inside our accommodations and busied himself setting the suitcase on a stand. A long hallway opened up to a space even an ape like me could appreciate. Lots of windows brought light into the room, flanked by luxurious draperies. The exquisite tonalities of tropical walnut surrounded us, enlivening the floors, walls, and the soaring high ceilings.

In passing, I caught a glimpse of a spa bathroom with a screened-in, outdoor shower. A bar-slash-kitchenette, a sitting area, and a bedroom occupied the open plan. When Missy’s gaze fell on the king-sized bed that anchored the room, her eyes widened.

Goddammit. Was there only one bed?

An artfully carved wooden headboard rose high upon the wall, cased by the transparent, gauzy nets gathered at either side. Red rose petals formed a heart upon the crisp white linens and a pair of terry cloth folded swans sat entwined in the middle of the heart.

My guts yanked, my heart soared, and my dick came to full attention.Oh, shit. I knew what the bellboy was gonna say before he said it.

“Welcome to the honeymoon suite,” he announced, flashing a big smile.

I was screwed.

***

Missy

Either fire ants had attacked my face or my cheeks had gone into total combustion. We were in the honeymoon suite. I couldn’t shake the shock, because what did honeymooners do in the honeymoon suite?

The exact thing I’d dreamed I was doing with Javier before and after I met him.

The heat spread down to my chest and trickled lower still until it was downright uncomfortable to stand up. I pressed my thighs together and glanced at Javier. Was he thinking what I was thinking?

The answer was a rotund no. He whirled away from the bed, tipped the bellboy, then disappeared into the bathroom. I heard water running. Oh, well.

This place catered to lust, encouraged it, was built for it. Yet it was clear there would be nothing close to honeymooning in this lovely suite. I was fine with that, or I would be, once I worked this attraction out of my system.

The space was stunning. A set of panoramic pocket glass doors fronted the full width of the room and opened up to an expansive veranda, furnished with a table, a pair of chaises, and a matching set of colorful hammocks. I slid open the doors, did the same with the screen sliders, and stepped out onto the wooden deck only to discover I stood at the top of the world.

So this is why they call it a treehouse.

The forest spread around and below me, a sea of rich, deep greens that soothed my eyes and filled my lungs with fresh air. A cacophony of life sang all around—the occasional chitter of a monkey, the call of a hidden macaw, the buzz of the dragonflies as they flew past my ear. Laying my hands on the banister, I took a deep breath and allowed the sights, sounds, and smells to filter through me.

After three years of hardship and the dangers of the last few days, this moment of serenity felt surreal. Were we really safe? Had my time in hiding really come to an end? Was I ready to close this chapter of my life and open a new one?

An ethereal mist drifted below, lingering over the forest’s hollows in wispy veils. The waters of a blue lake sparkled in the distance, refracting the afternoon light. Beyond the lake, cased by the hints of a distant ocean, the spectacular cone of a majestic volcano presided over the landscape.

“Striking, isn’t it?”

I turned around to find Javier leaning against the wall by the doors. He crossed his arms over his chest and pulled up the side of his mouth into the sexy smile that made me smolder inside. A few water droplets clung to his hair, revealing he’d washed his face. The shadow of a beard remained untouched on his jaw, enhancing his roguish appearance.

The way his jeans rode his hips and thighs to perfection had me admiring him instead of the volcano. I envied his T-shirt. It hugged his muscular torso and his wide shoulders with a closeness my arms craved.

I let out a quiet breath. I had to stop thinking like this.Get over him. So he looked like sin turned to flesh.So what?

If I didn’t know better, I could’ve confused the soft gaze he brushed over me with desire. But I knew better. My lust was working overtime and since we’d crossed the border, he’d made it clear he wanted little to do with me.

To him, I was a plain young woman who fainted too often and had zero sex appeal. He didn’t fancy me. Sister Janet had been wrong, but then again, could I blame her? She was a nun, for God’s sake. I didn’t expect she’d know a lot about reading the hidden desires of men and needy women like me.

“Well?” he said. “Do you like the place?”

“It’s very nice,” I cleared the cobwebs from my throat.“The view is magnificent.”

He widened his smile. “Can’t argue with truth.”

The way his eyes gleamed when he said that confused me. Here I was, rejecting Sister Janet’s observations when I wasn’t much more experienced than she was at reading men in general, and this man in particular. What if I was reading him wrong?

---