“For takeoff?” she asked.
“Yes.” He’d heard that takeoff and landing were when he could have issues with his ears.
She must’ve sensed his unease because her face softened in sympathy when she smiled. “Your first time flying?”
He nodded.
“It’ll take about fifteen minutes before we reach cruising altitude. You might want to chew a piece of gum.”
He winked at her as he took a piece out of his shirt pocket and popped it in his mouth.
The flight attendant’s smile widened. “Before you know it, we’ll be in Chicago.”
“Then it’s on to Seoul, and then Bali.”
“Wow! You’re going to love it there, but it’s a long flight. Pretty brave for a novice.”
“It wasn’t my choice. If I’d had my way, I would’ve stayed in Nebraska.”
“Meeting your wife there?”
He chuckled. “Hardly. Not married.”
She raised a brow. “Girlfriend?”
“Nope. I’m taking part in a promotional campaign for a new matchmaking travel agency. One week in Bali—selected by my match—whom I’m going to meet for the first time when I get there. A little risky, I know, but all expenses are paid, including this first class flight.”
“Are you talking about Perfect Match? I see it advertised all over the place. You’re a lucky guy to have been chosen.”
“That’s yet to be determined.” He wasn’t sure if this would wind up being a good idea after all. He was already worrying about the farm, and he’d only been gone a few hours.
“Well, I wish you the best.”
After she left, Jayce stretched out his legs, happy to have plenty of room to do so, and shifted his thoughts away from the farm and onto his match. He wondered what she’d be like. He’d always been attracted to petite blonde, athletic type women. Closing his eyes, he imagined someone with long, curly hair, flying out behind her as she walked along the beach. Her fair skin was tinged pink by the sun, and her shapely legs accentuated with each step she took. Would he meet his ideal woman in Bali, or was he expecting too much?
Knowing it wasn’t wise to conjure up an image of what he hoped his match would look like, once he was able to unfasten his seat belt, Jayce took the book on Bali he’d purchased the other day out of his duffel bag and leafed through it. There certainly wouldn’t be a lack of things to do on the island. Of course, water sports were huge there, and despite never having gone kayaking, windsurfing, or snorkeling, he was up to trying them all. Would she want to as well? They could go hiking, charter a boat, and take a bike tour too. The more he read, the more excited he became.
Aside from dozing some during the flight from Seoul to Bali, he spent the rest of it learning about the island. By the time his thirty-two-hour trip was over, he was more than ready to enjoy himself.
Perfect Match had a limo waiting at the airport in Denpasar to take him to Nusa Dua, on the Southern-most tip of Bali, where the weather was dryer and a little hotter than the rest of the coastal areas. The twenty-five-minute ride went by quickly as he peered out the window to take in the fantastic scenery. The island was a mix of agricultural land with massive rice fields, terraced rice paddies, forests, beaches, lakes, and volcanoes.
Once they entered the Blue Fin Resort, they passed rows of palm trees. The property sat on eight hectares, which is nearly twenty acres, and consisted of eighty suites and villas, two restaurants, and two bars. All with a fabulous view of the Indian Ocean. The limo pulled up in front of the resort’s main building, and when Jayce got out to go check-in, a group of Balinese dancers approached. One came up to him, placed a fresh flower lei over his head, and then rejoined the group who performed a dazzling traditional dance.
Inside, he was given a refreshing coconut drink. “Welcome to Bali, Mr. Owens,” the front desk clerk said. “I hope your stay at the Blue Fin will be enjoyable.”
Jayce took a sip of his drink, then looked around at the luxurious surroundings and couldn’t imagine how it wouldn’t be.
“You’ll be staying in our best residence, the Royal Villa,” the clerk added. “Pak will take you there.”
A young Balinese man came from around the counter and handed him a large manila envelope. “This from Mr. Dawson Yates. Said not to open until in your villa.”
“Okay. I won’t.”
“Come with me. We take a buggy to your residence,” Pak said.
Jayce followed him out the front door and over to what looked like a giant golf cart. It was parked behind the limo, and his duffel bag and suitcase were already inside.
Pak got behind the wheel, and Jayce climbed in beside him. He’d barely sat down when they were off and barreling down a narrow path, passing villa after villa at a speed that Jayce found a little reckless. He tucked the envelope between his legs, gripped the side of his seat with one hand, and tried hard to keep from spilling his drink with the other.
Pak grinned. “No worries. I’m a good driver.”
Jayce shot him a questioning look. “I know one thing, you’re a fast driver.”
“I have more clients to take to villas. No time to waste.”
A few minutes later, they pulled up in front of a substantial residence that looked like a palace. Perfect Match certainly was going all out with their promotion. Jayce slung his duffel bag over his shoulder, and Pak grabbed his suitcase and then headed toward the villa.
“Careful,” he advised when they came to a stone walkway set over a lovely water feature that led to the front door.
Inside, the first thing Jayce noticed before taking in his surroundings was the intoxicating scent of lemon and spice. “It smells amazing in here.”
Pak set the suitcase down in the living room in front of an ornately carved wooden chest. On top was a porcelain bowl full of essential oil. “The housekeeper puts in new scent every day. If you not like one, you tell her, and she change it.”
“I’m sure that won’t be necessary,” Jayce replied as he gazed at his luxurious surroundings.
Pak handed him a cell phone that had been next to the bowl of oil. “This is for butler. You call him any time for any need, okay? You need food; you call. You want massage; you call.”
“Thank you.”
Pak opened a sliding glass door that led out to a deck. Beyond that was a gazebo, a huge swimming pool, and then a short walk to the ocean. “Beach is only for you. Very private.” Pak gave him a sly look as if imagining Jayce would be spending a lot of time out there with his match.
“I go now. You have a wonderful stay at the Royal Villa, okay?”
“Yes. I will. Thanks.” Jayce held the envelope and drink in one hand so that he could get his wallet out of his pant pocket to tip Pak.
When he handed the man some money, Pak said, “No need for that, Mr. Owens.”
But Jayce wasn’t about to be dissuaded. He stuffed the bills into Pak’s open hand. “Please. I want you to have it.”
The young Balinese man closed his fingers around it. “Thank you very much then.”
Once Pak left, Jayce deposited his things in the first-floor bedroom, setting his drink and the manila envelope on a bedside table. After that, he explored the rest of the place. There was a massive kitchen with an equally large pantry, another water feature with stone steps that led to a dining room, a library, and a terrace. Upstairs was a second bedroom with a balcony that overlooked the ocean. He’d assumed he’d be staying in a beautiful place, but never in a million years did he think it would be like this. Although anxious to sink his toes into the white sand beach and feel the waves lapping at his ankles, the first thing he needed to do was take a shower. After that long flight, he couldn’t be smelling too great.
Jayce quickly opened his bags, threw some clean clothes onto the bed, just missing spilling the coconut drink onto the envelope. There was no doubt, inside would be information on his match, and despite wanting to tear it open right now, it would have to wait. A nice relaxing shower was calling to
him.
Chapter Five
Bree couldn’t remember ever being this exhausted after a flight. Probably because she rarely flew commercial. If she’d been smart, she would’ve taken her father’s plane to Bali, skipping the annoying layovers. All she wanted was to bathe and then stretch out on the deck in one of the Blue Fin’s luxurious lounge chairs.
When Ketut pulled the buggy up in front of her favorite villa, she barely waited for it to stop before hopping out. The driver shot her a worried look, but she was already racing to the front door before he could say anything. She slipped her key in the lock, and upon opening the door, the breeze from the ceiling fan cooled her sweat-soaked skin, and the intoxicating scent of essential oils soothed her senses.
A minute later Ketut was behind her with her bags. “Miss Wilson, where would you like these?” he asked.
“Right here in the hall is fine, and you don’t need to show me around. I’ve been here many times.” She set her coconut drink down on a table, tucked the manila envelope she’d been given at check-in under her arm, and then reached into her handbag to take out a ten dollar bill. “Please accept this,” she said, handing it to Ketut.
“Thank you much, Miss Wilson.”
After Ketut left, she grabbed her carry-on bag—she’d come back for the other later—and headed toward the stairs. As she was about to take a step, she thought she heard a voice. Was she so tired she imagined it? Bree set her bag down on the first step and then headed into the living room where she now could hear water running. Was someone else here? As she stood there too stunned to move, she heard the voice again. It was a man’s voice, and he was singing if she could even call it that because it was so off key. What in the world was going on here? Had they double booked her villa?
Bree groaned. Just what she needed after her horrible flight. Well, this was going to get straightened out and now. She went over to the wooden chest where the resort cell phone was always kept and groaned again. It wasn’t there. The other guest must have it. She snatched her phone out of her handbag, but before she could dial, she spotted a tall, well-muscled hunk coming down the hall wearing nothing but a resort towel. Her face grew warm, and her pulse quickened. He didn’t see her at first, but when he did, he stopped cold and tightened the towel around his waist. His tanned skin was still damp from the shower, and it glistened from the sunlight streaming in through the skylights above like molded bronze. Deep chocolate eyes held hers; then his gaze shifted down to the envelope in her hand. His brow furrowed, marring his handsome face.
“You’re in the wrong villa.” His tone was pleasant but firm.
“I don’t think so,” Bree responded as firmly. “I always stay in this one. The Royal Villa is always available to me.”
“Well, someone’s made a mistake.”
“Obviously.” Bree tried redialing the Blue Fin but her mind went blank, and she couldn’t remember the number. In frustration, she tossed the phone back in her handbag. “It’s easier to use the resort cell phone. Do you have it?”
“Yep.”
The man disappeared down the hall, returning a few minutes later clad in a pair of well-worn jeans that emphasized the slimness of his hips, and the rich outlines of his shoulders strained against the fabric of his white T-shirt. Along with the phone, he was carrying an envelope similar to hers. She swallowed hard. He couldn’t be her match, could he?
Without waiting for another second, she tore open her envelope and pulled out a picture, along with a Perfect Match profile. Oh, yeah! It was him all right, but as she read her heart sank. Jayce Owens was from Nebraska. He was thirty years old, owned a dairy farm, and was looking for a sweet country girl to share his life with. Hardly her match. Had Dawson lost his mind? Why would he pick this hottie, knowing he was the complete opposite of what she wanted? Her breath burned in her throat, but when she looked over at Jayce, her anger subsided some. He’d opened his envelope too, and the expression on his face portrayed his disappointment equaled hers.
“I’m not exactly what you were hoping for, am I?” she asked.
“I don’t like to prejudge people, but I gotta be honest. New York is a long way from Nebraska, and a city girl like yourself most likely won’t enjoy milkin’ a cow.”
“You’re right about that. I can’t say that’s anywhere on my “to do” list.”
“So what now?” he asked.
“I could call Dawson and tell him to get us flights back to the states as soon as possible.”
He stared, complete surprise on his face.
“What? You don’t like that idea?”
He ran his hand through his golden blond hair. “I never go back on my word. I promised to stay a week, and that’s what I’d like to do.”
“Oh! Okay. Well, enjoy Bali.” She turned to get her bags, but his hand on her arm stopped her.
“Wait. We might not be a match, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a week here. I’d love to have someone to see the island with. We’re already here, so why not?”
He had a point. Besides, if Bree left now, she’d be breaking her promise to Dawson, and despite being upset with him for selecting someone the complete opposite of her type, she didn’t want to jeopardize their friendship. And she’d never convince her dad that she didn’t come home early because of him. Plus she did want to check on the progress of the Wilson Cliffside Resort. “You’re right. It wouldn’t be right to leave now. But I am going to call check-in to get the villa situation straightened out.”
“Here.” Jayce handed her the cell phone.
She dialed zero and said, “I’d like to speak with the front desk manager, please.” A few seconds later, he was on the phone, and she began to explain the situation. However, she was caught off guard when he told her it wasn’t a mistake. Perfect Match had booked the Royal Villa for them both, and unfortunately, there weren’t any additional residences available.
Her voice was hoarse with frustration when she relayed the manager’s response to Jayce.
“I don’t mind that we’re sharing the villa. It’s certainly large enough. And there are two bedrooms.”
Bree puckered her lips. “I’m going upstairs to freshen up and unpack.”
“Is there anything special that you’d like to do later?”
“Yes. Order dinner in and then go to sleep.”
“Sounds good to me. Here, let me help you with your luggage.” He followed her into the hall.
“You don’t have to. I can do it.” But when she tried to lift her suitcase, and it barely budged, he scooped it up effortlessly. Of course, it was easy for him to pick up, he was a big strong guy, she thought as she headed toward the stairs. At least she could handle the carry-on case she’d left on the step earlier. Picking it up, she then followed him up to the bedroom.
“Where would you like this?’ he asked, holding her suitcase up in front of him as if it weighed no more than a feather.
“In front of the closet is fine. Thanks.”
His powerful body moved with a surprisingly easy grace as he walked across the room. “There you go,” he said putting the bag on the floor. “I’ll be out on the deck. Let me know when you’d like to order dinner.”
Once she was alone, she put her carry-on case and handbag on the bed and then plopped down beside them. “Thanks for nothing, Dawson,” she mumbled to herself while fishing in her purse for her phone. When she found it, she dialed his number but got voicemail. “I’m not surprised you’re not answering. I’m sure you knew I’d be calling. You’d asked me to trust you. You’d find my perfect match. Well, it’s sure not a dairy farmer from Nebraska. I wanted someone who could travel the world with me. What were you thinking?” She let out a long sigh, then hung up the phone. “Despite what you’ve done, I’m going to try to enjoy myself.” With that proclamation, she marched into the bathroom.
Chapter Six
Jayce’s disappointment in his match tore at his heart, and a flash of loneliness stabbed at him. Would he ever find someone to s
hare his life with? Bree sure was gorgeous, and even though he’d always been attracted to petite blondes, when he spotted the tall, shapely brunette, he got a tingling in the pit of his stomach. An attraction could’ve been there if she hadn’t been a city girl from New York. There was no way to make that work. He’d been down that road before with Susan. Look how that ended, and she didn’t live twelve hundred miles away. Nope. There was no way a relationship with Bree was in his future. It’s too bad he’d gotten his hopes up that Perfect Match would find him, someone, he could fall in love with. He should’ve known better. It wasn’t an easy job finding a match for him.
He fought back the sinking despair that threatened to overwhelm him and slipped on his sunglasses. Jayce wasn’t entirely sorry that he’d taken the trip. Bali was terrific, and he’d never been to the ocean before. Without wasting another minute, he headed out the sliding glass door onto the deck. It was a short trek beyond the gazebo and swimming pool before Jayce reached the beach. As he walked to the water’s edge, the silky sand felt good between his toes. He waded in enough to let the waves lap over his ankles and wet the bottom of his jeans. The crystal clear water sparkled like turquoise glass. The sound of the waves mesmerized him so much so that he lost track of time and didn’t realize Bree was beside him until she said hello.
“I’ve been here so many times, yet I never get over the beauty of this place.” Her voice was like velvet.
“I’ve never been to the beach before.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You haven’t?”
“Nope. Never left Nebraska.”
The heavy lashes that shadowed her cheeks flew up. “Your profile said you weren’t a traveler, but I had no idea that meant you’d never left your state.”
He shrugged. “Never had reason to, I guess. Runnin’ a dairy farm doesn’t leave much time for anything else.”
“Yet you left now in the hopes of meeting your perfect match.” Her green eyes were serenely compelling, and he imagined many guys in her past had been mesmerized by them. “I’m sorry we’re not right for each other,” she went on to say, “but I’m not sorry that you’re here. And I’m happy that you decided to stay. Everyone needs to experience this paradise. At least once in their life.”
Bree (Perfect Match Book 1) Page 3
