As his memory problems had begun to seriously affect his daily life, Kai had put a plan into place to control the last days of his life. All of his needs had been accounted for, and then he’d dropped the bomb, the kind that Zachary had prayed would never explode while on his watch. Discovering that Kai had a child had been a surprise. Learning that Kai and his offspring were estranged had been difficult. Promising to never let Kai’s daughter be affected or burdened by her father’s illness had been Zachary’s last act of selflessness. He’d sworn on everything he cherished that he would honor the oath he had pledged to his friend. And now that bomb had imploded, everything suddenly going boom!
* * *
“We’re going away for a few days,” Kenzie said. She tossed a pile of T-shirts into her carry-on bag.
“Away where?” her friend Stephanie asked.
“Zachary didn’t say, and I didn’t ask.”
“So when are you planning to come back home?”
Kenzie paused as she took in the question. She’d been asking herself the same thing but hadn’t made any plans to return to the United States. She liked being in Thailand. And she loved the time she was spending with Zachary. She didn’t want it to end, and as long as he was happy with her being there, she saw no reason to leave.
“You are planning on coming back home, aren’t you, Kenzie?”
“I’m sure I’ll be back to get my things at some point.”
“You have lost your mind. You don’t know anything about his man.”
“That’s not true. I know a lot about him. I did just write a whole six-page article about him, and we’ve been spending all of our spare time together. I think I know him very well.”
Kenzie imagined Stephanie rolling her eyes skyward before she responded. “I swear, Kenzie. This is taking impulsive to a whole other level. You’re going to drive me crazy.”
“I’m really not that bad.”
“Yes, you really are.”
“Zachary is just a great guy, Stephanie, and . . . well . . . I . . .”
Her friend interjected. “Don’t you dare say it!”
“What?”
“Do not use that four-letter word I think you’re going to use.”
Kenzie laughed. “But it’s how I feel. I love him.” “How many times do I have to tell you about that foul mouth of yours?”
“Love, love, love, love, love,” Kenzie quipped. “I love him.”
Stephanie laughed. “Someone bring me some damn soap and water, so I can wash this heifer’s mouth out!”
Kenzie laughed with her friend. “Girl, Zachary and I are good together. Hell, we’re great together, and he’s so good to me!”
“Your article makes him sound like he might be a little bit of a narcissist.”
“He’s actually a lot narcissistic. But I like that about him.”
“You’re killing me! And I’m happy for you, but you really do need to come home. Let that nonsense go!”
“Thank you. I appreciate all that love and support. You know I do,” Kenzie responded, a hint of teasing in her tone.
“I still want to know where he’s dragging you off to. Just in case you don’t come back or something.”
Kenzie laughed. “I wish I could tell you, but it’s a surprise.”
“You don’t like surprises, remember?”
“I love Zachary’s surprises!”
* * *
Kenzie sat out on the patio, her luggage packed and ready. After disconnecting the call with Stephanie, she’d finished throwing a few things into her carry-on bag and had even packed a suitcase for Zachary. He was off somewhere handling his business, fulfilling the last of his training obligations before they’d be able to leave. He had told her to be ready when he got back, and she was, her excitement brimming like a bubbling pot on the stove.
Kenzie was overwhelmed by the wealth of emotion that had claimed her soul. It was almost as if she’d been claimed by a body snatcher from some sci-fi drama. No man had ever had her feeling so out of sorts. But what she was feeling for Zachary was voluminous. It filled the air around her, swelling full and thick like the mist after a monsoon of rain. An outsider looking in would have thought she had tossed Christmas, New Year’s, and her birthday into one big balloon, and Zachary had popped that bubble, showering her with confetti of enthusiasm and energy. He was steering the cloud she was floating on, and Kenzie was gladly following after him. Clearly, she suddenly thought, she had lost her damn mind.
She reached for her computer and turned it on. A lengthy list of email messages was awaiting her attention. One by one she went through them, appreciating that over half required absolutely nothing from her. She couldn’t focus and had no interest in anything that might require her to be fully engaged. Kenzie was beside herself with giddiness; it was unlike anything she’d ever experienced before. As she sat reflecting on all the things she attributed to her emotional overload, she was suddenly grateful that she had never been in love before. Going through this time and time again would have driven her crazy. She couldn’t begin to imagine how women who went from relationship to relationship managed to do it.
Zachary coming through the door pulled her from her thoughts. Her smile was canyon-wide as she jumped excitedly from her seat. “Hey, baby!”
Zachary kissed her mouth, his lips lingering sweetly. “Hey, are you ready?”
Kenzie nodded. “So, are you going to tell me where we’re off to?”
He hesitated as his eyes locked with hers. “I just wanted you all to myself for a few days,” he said, his voice dropping to a loud whisper. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly.
Kenzie sensed that something was on his mind, his spirit floating in a sea of turmoil. A wave of anxiety pierced her midsection, and concern washed over her expression. “What’s wrong? You seem out of sorts.”
Zachary shrugged. He kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose, and her cheeks. “Just a lot of stuff on my mind, baby. That’s why I need to get away for a few days. So let’s get out of here. Let’s go have some fun!”
* * *
The drive was quiet as they meandered through downtown Phuket and out of the city. Neither spoke as Zachary headed north, driving along one of the most scenic coastal routes in Asia. The landscape was a panorama of limestone hills densely covered with jungle and thickly planted greenery along limestone boulders. It was breathtakingly beautiful, a feast for the eyes.
Taking it in, Kenzie had no need for words. She was comfortable, and being in Zachary’s presence felt all kinds of right. She was glad to be there, and he knew it without her having to say so.
There was so much to see as they took in the sights. They passed Thai people working massive rice fields, large Buddha statues in the most obscure places, amazing displays of flora, and children skipping in rows of dust. Kenzie found herself drafting a travel article in her head. By the time they made it to the Sarasin Bridge that connected the island to mainland Thailand, she had written a pitch in her mind, excited about passing it by her agent.
Around the base of the bridge, there were fish trawlers and anglers bobbing in the deep blue water, hoping to catch dinner. In the distance, there were views of the tropical forests, lush vegetation, and stands of mangroves. Wherever they stopped, everyone recognized Zachary, and people were excited to shake hands with their champion. He spoke to each of them in their native tongue. Continuing on, they stopped at the infamous Phang Nga Bay where the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun had been filmed, then stopped at a beautifully secluded beach to take a quick swim. They reached their destination in under five hours, just in time to see the sun beginning to set in the distance.
Kenzie wasn’t expecting the hustle and bustle of Krabi Town. The area had a quirky feel with the sheer volume of buildings that were packed into the compact area. Everything about the downtown area belied what she’d come to know and love about Thailand, with its white sand beaches and blue waters. The town was congested with cars and crowd
ed with natives and tourists.
Kenzie didn’t know what to expect when Zachary left the downtown area and turned onto a private road. She sat forward in her seat as she spied the beachfront villa at the end of the roadway. The meticulously landscaped property was extraordinary with its tropical fruit trees and lush vegetation.
“This is beautiful,” Kenzie exclaimed as she cut an eye in Zachary’s direction.
He winked an eye at her. “I think so.” He pulled the car into a parking space and shut down the engine.
Before either could comment, the front door of the villa flung open and a man rushed outside to greet them. He was robust and gregarious, reminding Kenzie of the Pillsbury Doughboy, with a balding head and a thick, blue-black mustache and matching goatee. It was his lengthy lashes, blue eyeshadow, meticulous makeup, and silk kimono that threw her off guard.
He rushed to shake Zachary’s hand, clearly excited to see him again as he pumped the man’s arm up and down.
“Zachary, welcome! Welcome! I was just about to worry. We were expecting you hours ago,” he said, his accent clearly European and extremely feminine.
“We took our time. Kenzie wanted to enjoy the sights,” Zachary answered as he gestured in her direction. She had moved to his side, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Kenzie, meet my friend Franklin Smith. Franklin and I have been friends since forever. Franklin, this is Kenzie Monroe. The woman I was telling you about.”
Kenzie cut a quick eye in his direction, surprised to hear that he’d been talking about her. She smiled as she greeted his friend. “Hello!”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kenzie,” Franklin said as he grabbed her hand. “But call me Barbie. Or Doll! All of my good friends do, and I answer to both. This one is the exception!” He winked an eye at Zachary, his smirk causing her to laugh out loud. “Zachary didn’t lie about you being so beautiful! You are absolutely exquisite!”
“Thank you,” she said, her smile widening. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, too, Barbie!”
“Come inside!” he said as he pulled her along, Zachary following on their heels. “You must be famished by now. We have plenty of food and drink ready for you.”
She laughed. “Thank you. Something to drink would be very nice.”
The home’s interior was as stunning as the outside. Kenzie was instantly taken by the cathedral ceilings and the floor-to-ceiling windows, which allowed impressive panoramic views of the outside.
“Zachary, the beer is cold, just like you like it. Kenzie, what can I get you to drink?” Barbie questioned as he moved to the bar. “I can make any pretty drink your heart desires. I’ll even dress it with one of those pretty umbrellas, if you want. Just name it! Your wish is my command!”
Kenzie was still grinning from ear to ear. “Actually, a beer would be perfect. I don’t do a lot of pretty drinks.”
Barbie clasped his hand to his chest. “A woman after my own heart!” he exclaimed as he grabbed a bottle for each of them. He passed one to Kenzie and one to Zachary, then gestured for them to take a seat.
“Kenzie, Zachary tells me you’re a journalist. What made you want to write a story on this scoundrel?”
“He and his brother are somewhat of an anomaly in the sporting world—beautiful black athletes making names for themselves in business. They had a story that needed to be told, and I wanted to tell it.”
“Yes!” Barbie exclaimed. “I hope you spilled the tea on a few of his secrets! This one can be very guarded when he wants to be.”
Zachary rolled his eyes skyward as he took a sip of his drink.
Kenzie laughed. “I think I probably should have met and talked to you before I turned in my article,” she said.
Barbie nodded as he fanned a hand in her direction. “Darling, the stories I could tell you!”
“He has no stories,” Zachary interjected, shaking his head at his friend. “Nothing!”
Kenzie and Barbie both laughed. “We’ll talk later,” he said as he tapped her knee.
“So what do you do, Barbie?” Kenzie questioned.
Barbie suddenly jumped to his feet and practically ran from the room.
Kenzie’s eyes widened. “Was it something I said?” she whispered, leaning toward Zachary.
Zachary laughed, amused by her confusion. Before he could explain, Barbie suddenly rushed back into the room. He had donned a Marilyn Monroe wig and stiletto heels that were easily five or more inches high. He swept the skirt of his kimono aside to expose one extremely hairy bare leg. “Cabaret, darling! I own the premiere cabaret club in the area featuring the prettiest kathoey to be found! It’s called Club She, and it’s chic, divine, and absolutely spectacular!” He took a deep bow, his arm gesturing in front of him.
Kenzie nodded, chuckling warmly. The kathoey, or lady boys, were popular in Thailand. They were transgendered women or gay men with feminine qualities who were seen as a third gender in Thai culture. “Zachary will have to take me to a show before we leave,” she said.
Barbie dropped back down into his seat. “If you’re looking for an interview, I’m available. Just ask me anything!” he gushed. He quickly changed the subject. “How long will you be staying this time? I want everyone to meet your beautiful woman, so we should throw you both a party at the club to announce your engagement!”
The couple cut their eyes at each other. Zachary laughed. Kenzie stammered. “We’re not . . . it’s not . . .”
Barbie looked confused. “What?” he said as he looked from one to the other.
“We’re not engaged,” Kenzie quipped.
Barbie fanned another dismissive hand. “Oh, please, this one always said the day he brought any woman here would be the day he burned his little black book. Only the woman he intended to marry would ever gain entry to his private circle. And you are the only woman he has ever brought here. You, darling, are something special!”
Barbie jumped again, steeling a quick glance down to his wristwatch. He reached for her hand and pulled her to her feet. “Let me give you a tour and get you settled in before I have to go to work.”
Barbie’s enthusiasm was infectious. As he pulled her from room to room, he excitedly told her about how he and Zachary had become acquainted, a casual encounter that turned into a lifelong friendship.
“He was so green, that one! Like a cute little puppy. He and a mutual friend had come to my club to drink, and one of my dancers had taken a serious liking to him. He was a big, hulking stud, and these girls love their farang dam.”
Kenzie smiled at his use of the term for black foreigners.
“It was his first time being up close and personal with a lady boy, so you can imagine his surprise when he discovered she was actually a he!” Barbie laughed. “Most foreigners know what to expect, and the few who don’t and get surprised are sometimes mean and abusive to the girls. But not Zachary. He was the perfect gentlemen, and he let her down gently. It broke that beauty queen’s heart!
“But he had some choice words for me! Oh, the names he called me that night! And then he laughed and apologized, and we had this wonderful conversation and have been the best of friends ever since. He comes to stay every month now.”
“Every month?” Kenzie looked surprised.
“Yes! He comes to stay every time he visits . . .”
Zachary suddenly interrupted their conversation. “Can I have my woman back, please? Or do you plan to talk her ear off?”
Barbie giggled. “So afraid he’s going to miss out, that one,” he muttered as he winked an eye at her. “You and I will talk more later,” he said. He leaned in to kiss Kenzie’s cheek.
He swept his robe around him as he moved past Zachary, brushing a single, manicured nail over the man’s chest. “Be good to her,” he commanded. “I like her! She’s absolutely adorable!”
As Barbie moved down the length of hallway, Zachary shook his head, bemusement painting his expression. “So, now you’ve met my old buddy.”
“He’s a riot! And
such fun! I really like him.”
Zachary smiled. “I’m glad. He’s been a good friend, and I really want you two to like each other. So, what do you think of the house?”
“The house is gorgeous!” she exclaimed.
And it was. All of the rooms had unparalleled views from the oversized windows. There were ocean views on one side and mountain views on the other. In the backyard there was a private infinity pool. The deck surrounding the pool had steps leading down to landscaped gardens bordering a private beach. The entire property had been designed for privacy, intimacy, and comfort.
There were four individual, air-conditioned suites situated around a central, open-air living and dining space and a television and media room. The fully equipped island kitchen was a chef’s dream come true, and the adjoining dining area was a convivial communal space boasting its own views over the water. Their luggage had been taken to a master suite with direct access to the swimming pool from the terrace. There was a circular Jacuzzi tub in the marbled bathroom, along with an oversized dressing room. All of the bedrooms came with plush, king-size beds and were lavishly decorated from floor to ceiling.
Kenzie had been surprised when Barbie told her there was a private chef, an on-call masseuse, and a driver at their beck and call. “I don’t think I’ve ever stayed any place as pretty as this,” she added.
Zachary nodded. “Well, that’s good, because I own it. It’s ours.”
“You own this?” Kenzie questioned, her expression incredulous. “I thought Barbie . . .”
“Barbie manages the property for me. He actually lives in the guest house on the other side of the property. I rent the house out to guests when I’m not here, and Barbie makes sure the tourists don’t burn it down during their stays.”
“Wow!” she exclaimed. “I’m surprised.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. The property in Phuket seems more like you. This is extraordinary, but I would never have imagined you to have invested in such a luxury home.”
Perfect Pleasures Page 12
