by Tamsin Baker
Etienne slowly lifted his head and kissed her. “Double wow.” He pulled out and stared at her naked body. “I’d love to keep you like this forever.” He gently took down her legs. “Such a shame to hide this wonderful body.”
He helped Amy stand up on unsteady legs and tidied her clothing. “I’ll be back.” Etienne removed the condom and headed inside, tucking his cock inside his jeans.
Amy sighed. I can’t believe we did that. Her body shivered with weakness, yet her lust-filled blood zinged through her body. I want to do it again. Now.
Etienne returned and wrapped his arms around her. His hard chest warmed her back. “Are you tired?”
“No.” She laughed. “Do you want to go inside and have some more fun?”
He took her lips in a quick, hard kiss. “Don’t tempt me.” He led her towards a path. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
He winked. “I’m going to show you around my island home.”
“I can’t believe how amazing this resort is.”
“Yes, it is.” Etienne smiled. “I wouldn’t live anywhere else.”
They walked past the tennis courts filled with guests and staff. The area was brightly lit as if midday, and not closer to midnight. “You have solar-panel lighting everywhere?”
He nodded. “We have some generators for emergencies or bad weather. Otherwise, we’re totally off the grid. It’s the only option, considering the island is far in the Indian Ocean.”
“Well, whoever came up with this resort idea needs a medal.”
Etienne stopped. “Why?”
“I’ve been to many resorts and their focus sometimes is on profit and not the environment. Here, there are great facilities, yet the tropical surroundings are protected.”
“True. It would be stupid to ruin nature that people pay to enjoy.”
“Not all people think like you.”
Two staff members bobbed their heads towards Etienne as they passed. One whispered, “My Lord.”
Third time that’s happened. Amy studied the mysterious man beside her. “You maintain the guest bungalows, all the facilities, and the staff quarters?”
“Yes. With some help.” Etienne headed towards the reception building. “I need to do something first, then I’m taking you to a special place.”
“Sure.”
They entered the building, which was well-furnished and full of bustling staff, some of whom she’d seen over the past days. Others were new faces.
A tall woman came toward them. Amy tried not to stare. Sandy-coloured hair cut pixie-style close to her skull and piercing, clear blue eyes with long lashes and full lips made her totally gorgeous.
Amy brushed hands down her rumpled sundress and fought the compulsion to check her possibly sex-mussed hair. Etienne brushed against her and she shivered. I may look rumpled but I’m very satisfied.
“Etienne.” The woman turned to Amy. “Hello, I’m Chantelle. Nice to meet you.”
“Hi, I’m Amy.”
“Chantelle is the night manager. I couldn’t survive without her.”
Prickly, jealous rage flamed up Amy’s body at Etienne’s words, despite the crisp, cool breeze from the several air conditioners dotted around the room. No need for jealousy. Remember what he was doing to you a few minutes ago.
“You’re too kind.” Chantelle lifted a file and handed it to him. “I’m sorry to interrupt your evening. This needs your urgent review.” She flipped to a tagged page.
“Amy, I won’t be long.”
“Sure.” She moved towards the large stone pool set up in the building’s corner. How lovely. Surrounded by large ferns and palms, water cascaded down rocks to plunge onto the pool surface and the many bobbling heads and open mouths of multi-coloured fish. I must bring my camera here tomorrow.
“Please accept my apologies for taking Etienne away from you.”
“No problem.” He leant on the reception desk, reading the file. He then stopped and called to Thierry, who’d entered the building.
Chantelle stared, her brow furrowed.
“What are you doing?”
“Trying to work out what’s special about you.”
What? “Excuse me?”
“Something about you is different. I’ve never seen Etienne with anyone—guest or staff.”
Warmth unfurled inside Amy. “I’m not special, just enjoying my time with him.”
Etienne pointed to the file and spoke to Thierry.
“Have you been here long?”
“Over ten years. Thierry brought me over from France especially to work with Etienne.”
“And I’m sure he’s pleased with your work.”
“Yes, he is. We knew each other in the past.” Chantelle paused. “Where are you from?”
Annoyance rose up. What’s with the personal questions? “Melbourne, Australia.”
“You resemble someone I’d met in France.” She shrugged. “I wondered if you were related.”
“Who?”
“Etienne’s wife.”
Piercing pain slammed into her stomach. “He’s married?” He lied to me? I’ve been having sex with a married man?
“He didn’t tell you. I thought…” Chantelle fidgeted. “No, she died many years ago.”
He was married and I look like her. The men stood beside each other, heads bent in discussion. Etienne turned and smiled at her. Is that why he wants me—because I resemble her? Amy’s stomach churned. Do I want to be with him if I’m a poor substitute? “He didn’t tell me.” She took a deep breath. “And there was no reason to. I’m only a friend, and I’ll be gone in a few days.”
“I apologise. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.” Worry and fear filled Chantelle’s eyes. “Don’t say anything.” She shuddered, her focus on Thierry. “Please.”
She’s terrified of Thierry. “What does Thierry do here? Is he a handyman like Etienne?”
“Handyman? Etienne?” Chantelle’s mouth pursed. “Who dared say this?”
“He did. I thought it strange that you’d be seeking approval from a handyman.”
“He created this—our home, our haven.”
“Then—”
Chantelle’s eyes widened. “I’ve said too much. Please excuse me.” She hurried away.
Amy stood alone. Why didn’t Etienne tell me the truth? Does he think I’d treat him differently knowing he’s rich? Or were his lies self-preservation?
“Amy?”
“Hi.” The man seemed vaguely familiar. “How are you?”
“Good. Do you remember me? Roger.”
The guy who wanted to interview her. “Yes, I do. Are you enjoying your stay?”
“It’s been interesting.” He shuffled his feet. “Are you well?”
He’s strange. “Yes, fine.”
“Good.” Roger stared at her neck then picked up one wrist then the other and scanned her skin. He released a deep breath and rubbed the fading bruise on his own left wrist. “I need to talk to you.” He glared at Etienne and Thierry. “Things are not what they seem.”
Amy stepped back. “For the article?”
“Yes.” Roger blinked several times and his jaw twitched. “What I’ve found is beyond belief.” He grabbed her hand. “Promise you’ll stay safe. Stay away from him.”
“Roger, what are you talking about?” Amy tugged her hand away. “I don’t understand.”
Roger flinched. Etienne and Thierry walked towards them. “You will. I’ll find you later.” He fled through a side door.
Etienne stopped beside her, his brow furrowed. “Who is that man?”
I don’t really know. “Another guest. He’s doing an article on the resort and wants to interview me.”
“What?”
“You didn’t know about it?”
“No. Thierry, I’ll leave you to handle this.”
“Yes.”
Amy’s gut jumped. “Where’s Olivia?”
“Resting.” Thierry paused. “Don’t worry, she’s in go
od hands.”
Something isn’t right. “Thierry, remember what you told me a few days ago?” He waited. “I’ll say the same to you. Don’t hurt her—or you’ll have to deal with me.”
Thierry’s jaw tightened.
She faced Etienne. “Etienne, let’s go.”
Amy’s mind swirled with questions as they left the reception building. Is Olivia safe? What was Roger talking about? “You’re not a handyman, are you?
His brow rose. “Maybe I am.”
She stopped. “No, you’re more important than you make yourself out to be. I’ve seen the way all the staff treat you.” She moved closer. “This place belongs to you.”
His face became a mask. “It belongs to everyone who lives here and all guests that visit to share in the natural wonder.”
Amy fisted hands to her hips. “Do you use that in your marketing?
Etienne laughed. “No, but I might. Does it make a difference between us?”
“No.” She swallowed. “I’d prefer learning the truth from you and not someone else.”
“Who told you?”
“Does it matter?” And I won’t ask you about your wife. Her stomach churned. Until you tell me—but will you?
“No. I don’t want anything to spoil our time together.”
She sighed. I don’t either… “Me too.”
He cupped her face and kissed her. “Come on, I want to show you something.”
“What?”
“Patience, my lovely Amy.” He winked. “Patience.”
I have patience. His face, alight with happiness and mischief, made her heart beat faster. I’ll give you my trust. Amy sighed. Please don’t destroy it.
CHAPTER SIX
“Eti, where are you taking me?”
“Nearly there.”
His sparkling eyes and husky, French-tinged voice kept her moving through the dense, humidity-drenched forest. The path was a gap between the trees wide enough for her, but the fronds brushed at Etienne’s shoulders. The bare ground appeared flattened from years of traffic.
The thick, palm frond canopy blotted out the moonlight, with only an occasional sliver shining through. “How can you see where you’re going?”
“Great eyesight.” He chuckled. “Don’t worry. I won’t let you fall.” Etienne brought her close and kissed her. “Do you trust me?”
Amy traced fingers over his stubble-darkened jaw. Did she, with what she’d learnt in the last hour? He was still a mystery man—one she wanted to unravel. “Yes.”
They walked for several minutes and a furious roar echoed louder around them with every step. “What’s that sound?” His tall, broad shoulders blocked her view.
He stepped aside. “Look.”
The trees opened up to a large grotto featuring a high waterfall. The source of the roar coming from the turbulent vertical water stream. Chilly spray hit her, cooling her skin.
A deep pool sat at the waterfall’s base, the crystal blue water churned by the water chute. Solar-charged lanterns around the grotto beamed light on the oasis.
Amy’s mouth curved up. “I can’t believe it.” Large white and grey boulders dotted the pebbly sand beach and the lush, green forest surrounded and cocooned the oasis. “It’s stunning.”
“It’s my favourite place.”
“I can see why.” Amy spun around. “Thank you for sharing it with me.”
“My pleasure.” Etienne unbuttoned his shirt. “Let’s go in.”
“I don’t have any bathers. What if someone…”
“No one will see you except me.” His fingers plucked at her dress straps. “And I’ll never get enough.”
Etienne stripped off her dress. “Touching you.” He cupped her breasts and squeezed. Lowered his head and took her mouth in a deep, too quick kiss. “Tasting you.”
Etienne held Amy’s shoulders as she swayed. “Don’t faint.”
“As if.”
He threw off his shirt and jeans and ran to the pool. Surfacing after a quick dive, he floated on his back, his tanned, naked body in clear view. “Come on.”
Amy tossed her briefs on the pile of clothes then followed him in. She floated in the cool water. “Oh, it’s wonderful.”
Etienne swam towards her before disappearing under the water. He resurfaced and rubbed his body against hers. “Not as wonderful as this.” He slowly brushed his lips against hers. “Or this.”
Amy sighed. I could get addicted. “Yes.” I think I already am.
Etienne brushed wet hair from her face, his expression solemn. “I know your body like my own, but I don’t know your soul.”
“Didn’t you read my application form?”
He shrugged. “Those forms are formulated, structured. Boring. Tell me about the real Amy Evans.”
He knows my surname. He has read it.
His brows rose, clearly wanting and expecting an answer.
“I was born in Melbourne, Australia, the only child of two great, slightly eccentric parents. Both were born in Australia from European parents.” She traced fingers over his cool, wet biceps. “Not sure where, so I started to research my family tree a few months ago. Haven’t got far yet.” She nodded towards him. “What about you?”
He paused. “I was born on a family estate outside Paris, the eldest of three children from a family lineage that went back centuries on both sides. My parents were aristocrats, proud and arrogant in their station and wealth. As was I.” A bark of laughter filled the grotto, the sound low and heavy with sorrow. “It means nothing now.”
“Why?”
“I came here many years ago and never saw them again. They’re dead now.”
Sadness hit her. “How terrible.”
He shrugged. “I don’t know if my siblings married and had children. I assume the family line is dead.”
“Are you sure there’s no one?” He makes it sound like it happened a long time ago. She caressed his face. “Have you tried to find them?”
His face hardened. “My past is a dark one. I did things I…” He shook his head. “They wouldn’t want to see me as I am now. To them, I died a long time ago.”
She linked her arms around him and hugged him tight. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. We are given trials in our lives that we must endure. For you, it was your illness. For me, many things.”
What things? Please tell me. “What made you come here?”
“To get away. To die.”
Shock speared through her. She dropped under the water and came back up spluttering. “W…what?”
“I came here to escape, from my life, from others. I had many inner demons I couldn’t control and didn’t want to anymore.” He sighed. “Fate had different plans for me. Someone found me and showed me how to live again. How to fight my demons.”
Had he been on drugs? “Was it Thierry?”
“No.” Etienne shook his head. “He arrived much later, bringing more people with him. That’s when he came up with the resort idea.”
“Was it his idea to employ staff that offered special benefits to guests?”
“Yes. He’s always been popular with the ladies, so he thought people would pay for a great holiday and he’d have some extra fun along the way.”
As he’s doing with Olivia. “A crazy idea.” Amy shook her head. “It’s working. The resort’s popular and now I know why.”
“I didn’t agree with it at first, but necessity made it the only choice.”
“Necessity?”
“Yes.” He gestured above him. “We were on an uninhabited island in the middle of nowhere that no one knew about. We had to eat, survive and flourish—by whatever means we could.” He shrugged. “This is it.”
“What about—”
Etienne dropped under the water and swam away. He resurfaced, a wide, wicked smile on his face. “Enough talk.” He wiggled his fingers, motioning her forward. “Come here.”
Amy’s pussy spasmed. I want his fingers on me, in me. Her breathing echoed loud arou
nd her. I want him now. She swam forward, reached for Etienne, but he swam backward towards the waterfall.
“Where are you going?” Heavy water drops pounded on her hair and she brushed strands off her face.
“Wait and see.” He melted into the waterfall downpour. His face appeared moments later through the cascade, his arm and hand outstretched towards her. “Come inside.”
Amy didn’t hesitate and swam through the wall of water. She gasped. The waterfall hid a vast cave, surrounded by rock shelves with a small, sandy section in the distance. The area was dimly lit by reflections from the mirror-like water hitting the walls and roof.
Sparkling lights danced around them. “How…”
“Thought you’d like it.”
“Why does it shine like that?”
“I think it’s the natural rock minerals.” He swam to her. “Nature is superb.”
“Yes.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’ll never forget this.”
He pressed his lips to her brow. “I’m glad.”
“This place. You.” She paused. “I realised I’ve been half living my life, playing it safe—always with my cancer battle on my mind—and missing out on life.” She shook her head. “No more.”
“Good.” Etienne hugged her close. “Whatever the future holds—even if you forget me—live your life with full joy and in the sunshine.” He caressed her cheek. “Say what you want, do what you need to do. Don’t let anyone hold you back.”
“I will.” She leant into his hand. “I’ll never forget you.”
“You may.” Etienne’s arms tightened and he kissed her, hard, long and deep. He cupped her head and entwined his fingers in her hair. “I won’t forget you.”
“Oh, Eti.” She kissed him, her lips hard against his. Desperate for him. I don’t want to forget you. Blinking constantly, she tried to not let the tears flow. I don’t want to leave you. “Let’s make new memories to last us forever.”
Etienne’s arms surrounded Amy and he swam towards the cave wall. He sat on the wide rock shelf and lifted her onto his lap. Took her mouth in a deep kiss as his hands teased her body. He rubbed his heavy cock against her pussy, the hot smooth skin and cool water surrounding them setting off sparks.
Amy rocked on him, swayed back as his mouth tickled down her neck to her breast. She gripped his shoulders and threw back her head. “Eti, don’t stop.”
