Page 114 of Crazed

23

Katiya

Massimo guidesme to the door of the plane, and I gasp. Clear turquoise water sparkles only a few feet from the runway. A fluffy cloud moves across the sky, and the sun shines even brighter. The warm air feels too good to be true after the cold New York winter that's slowly ending.

I've never seen anything so majestic. It's beyond breathtaking, and I continue gaping, at the top of the stairs.

Massimo chuckles, boasting, "Pretty amazing, huh?"

I tear my eyes off the landscape, turning toward him. "This is incredible. Pinch me so I know it's real!"

"It's real, dolce." He pinches my ass.

I jump, screeching.

He laughs again and states, "I guarantee you it's more fun if we're off the jet."

"Oh! Sorry!" I reply, flustered. I make my way down the staircase, and he follows.

Massimo leads me to a black sedan. The driver opens the door. We get inside, and Massimo says, "Get comfy. It's about an hour to our destination."

There's so much to take in during the trip, I barely take my eyes off the window. White sand beaches, palm trees, and greenery are everywhere. By the time we get to the resort, I can barely contain my excitement.

Then we pull up to where we're staying. A dozen secluded bungalows perch over the water. Each one is about half a mile away from the other. They have private pools, hot tubs, and lounging areas. You can be under the shade or get full sun. I get out of the car and utter, "Holy crap!"

Massimo follows, glancing around. "Not bad for a change in plans. I imagine it feels the same as Bora Bora."

"It's amazing! Who needs Bora Bora when you have the Maldives!" I exclaim, reach up, pull his face toward me, and kiss him.

He grins and squeezes my ass. "I think it's time for you to get that bikini on."

"Don't have to tell me twice!"

"Mr. Marino. Ms. Nikitin.It's nice to have you here. I'm your butler, Dekel. Can I offer you a drink?" a dark-haired man, with an Indian accent, holding a tray of champagne, asks.

Massimo takes two and hands one to me. "Nice to meet you. I assume that's ours?" He points to the bungalow in front of us.

Dekel nods. "It is. Do you want me to show you the main building, or would you prefer to see your bungalow?"

Massimo glances at me in question.

Excitement expands all around me. I clasp my hands together, as if I'm praying, and assert, "Bungalow, please."

Massimo's grin widens. He kisses my hand then says to Dekel, "You heard the woman. Bungalow it is."

I clap then take Massimo's arm. Dekel leads us down a wooden dock. The water's so clear, I can see different brightly colored fish swimming around us. Pockets of soft corals, forming a boulder-type appearance, have a palette of different pastels. Fiery reds and oranges dance among lavender, pink, yellow, and blue species.

We get to our bungalow, and Dekel takes us to the private deck in the front. A dolphin jumps high in the air, creating a splash in the water only a few feet from us.

"Oh my gosh!" I blurt out, overwhelmed with all the tropical beauty.

"That was awesome," Massimo states as two baby dolphins soar through the air simultaneously.

Dekel laughs. "Looks like you've got a show."

"Are they always here?" I ask.

"Quite a bit. We keep a supply of small fish and squids for the guests to feed them," he answers.

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