Sins in the Sand
Page 24
“George, why don’t I fill in for Isha? I have nothing that can’t wait and you look like you could use the help.”
George scratched his chin in thought. “It would help me out tremendously. Would your father mind?”
Tanvi smiled. “I’m sure he would be more than happy for me to assist. I’ll call him when we’ve concluded our meeting.”
* * * *
Alexander gazed around the busy Indira Gandhi International Airport. His usual driver, Sanjay, should be waiting for him. Finally, he spotted the little man bouncing around and waving his arms in the air, trying to be seen behind a group of other people. Alexander saw Sanjay easily—Alex’s height raised him above most of the locals.
“Mr. Alex. Boss,” Sanjay cried, his voice high with excitement and breaking through the din.
Alexander strode toward him, elbowing his way through the crowd. He’d visited India enough times now to appreciate that the only way to get anywhere was via a somewhat aggressive approach—after all, when in Rome…
He made it through the cluster of bodies and presented himself to Sanjay.
“Boss! You made it. Good flight?” Sanjay grabbed Alex’s suitcase and, ignoring the wheels, started dragging it toward the exit. Alexander winced as his Tumi luggage was unceremoniously hauled over the dirty airport floor.
“Yes, a good flight. Thank you, Sanjay. Here, let me.” Alex relieved the little man of the weighty case. “Why don’t you take this one?” He thrust his smaller onboard bag at the driver.
Sanjay grinned happily and started once more for the doors. As they walked through the exit, immediately the oppressive Delhi heat hit Alexander. It took his breath away for a moment and he had to stop in his tracks, the air burning his lungs. The smell of the city struck him next, a smell that he always detected when he first arrived but that seemed to disappear after a few minutes, probably because he adjusted to it. It wasn’t bad particularly, just—different.
Sanjay stopped by a black SUV. A good choice, Alex noted. He always paid Sanjay extra to hire a decent car, as he couldn’t abide traveling around the hot and chaotic streets without air-conditioned comfort. Sanjay had parked not far from the entrance with the two front wheels on the walkway, the back end jutting out precariously into the road. Alexander shook his head and placed his luggage in the trunk. It always amazed him how the local people parked anywhere and everywhere. However, he’d be willing to bet that the airport’s parking rules were stricter than elsewhere. Sanjay was lucky not to have been given a fine.
Alexander stepped into the back of the car and they took off, Sanjay providing a continuous commentary of events since Alex’s last visit. The traffic was standard and they made reasonable time. Again, it never ceased to amaze him that, even though the traffic was heavy and rules appeared to be for guidance only, cars actually moved. Of course drivers had to be aggressive to get anywhere, but rarely had Alex encountered a traffic gridlock like what was common in Sydney and London.
Soon they were pulling up in front of the Totally Five Star New Delhi. A porter opened Alexander’s door and another retrieved his luggage, instigating a comical tug of war with Sanjay.
Alexander rescued his baggage from Sanjay’s eager clutches and made quick arrangements with him for the following morning. He handed the suitcase to the waiting porter along with some rupee notes for a tip and strode up the marble steps to the terrace. Two enormous potted ferns stood either side of the wide stairway, their leafy fronds impressing upon guests a cool freshness. Marble elephants, trunks raised to the heavens, stood guard at either side of the automated glass doors and huge bamboo ceiling fans whirred above.
It was Alex’s third stay at the Totally Five Star New Delhi. Whenever he could, wherever he was in the world, he always booked into the Totally Five Star. They were different in every city and that was part of the charm. Here in New Delhi, the hotel was a modern building, built for purpose. The architecture was contemporary and designed to wear well in the harsh environment.
A security checkpoint, standard in all good Indian hotels, was positioned to the left of the doors with an X-ray machine and, beside it, a metal detector and two security guards standing nearby. Alex placed his briefcase on the conveyer belt and started to empty his pockets.
One of the security guards stepped forward. “It is okay, sir,” he said and motioned for Alexander to go around the metal detector.
“But I have metal in my pockets,” Alex told him, jiggling his change.
“Yes, I know. But we check your briefcase.”
Alex chuckled to himself. He’d forgotten about this amusing little quirk of the Indian security. Apparently only his briefcase was of interest, or perhaps it was because he looked like an honest guy. Who knew? He recalled an incident on his previous visit, when he’d purchased a box of wine from one of the shopping malls. When he’d arrived at the security point, the guard had helpfully held Alex’s box of wine while he walked through the metal detector, then he had handed it back to Alex once he was on the other side, the box of wine going completely unchecked. It was just one of the many things he enjoyed about India.
He entered through the doors into the cool interior and breathed a sigh of relief. Two women waited for him inside the entrance. One, he recalled, was the guest liaison officer, her name badge reading Hannah. She stepped forward, her brightly colored saree swishing as she moved.
“Welcome back, Mr. Banks. Namaste,” she greeted him with her palms placed together.
Alex returned the traditional greeting as the other woman placed a spot of ochre-colored powder between his eyes.
“Please, come this way,” Hannah requested.
Alex followed her to a cozy alcove. A jug of cold water with cucumber and orange slices sat on a low wooden table, a platter filled with Indian sweets sitting next to it.
Hannah handed him some paperwork. “I have your check-in information here. Please ensure we have the details correct. We have you booked into one of our suites as you requested. It’s ready for you. I’ll have the porters take your luggage up.”
Alexander scanned the paperwork and poured himself a glass of water, the cool, lightly scented liquid soothing his parched throat. He signed the documents where necessary and passed them over. “Thank you, Hannah.”
She blushed at the use of her name. “Is there anything else you need, Mr. Banks? Do you recall all the facilities and services we offer?”
He remembered their facilities perfectly. He’d used their state-of-the-art gym every morning, had experienced an Indian therapeutic massage when his shoulders had been particularly tight, had swum in one of their three pools every day and had dined in their Indian restaurant, which was rated number one in the country. He was aware they offered a host of other services, but was yet to use any of them, his stay always being related to business and not pleasure.
“I do, thank you. I think I’ll just head up to my suite.”
“Of course. Your valet is Deepak. He’ll be with you for your entire stay.” Hannah motioned to a man standing nearby attired in black trousers and a white dress shirt.
“Mr. Banks, sir, I will show you to your rooms.”
Alexander stood and followed Deepak to the elevator bank. The scent of incense wafting around the lobby gave him a sudden sense of déjà vu and took him back to his last visit at the hotel.
The elevator arrived and Alexander stepped in, followed by Deepak who proceeded to talk him through the security processes.
His suite was located on the twentieth floor. Deepak opened the door and ushered him in. Alex studied the rooms. He didn’t know anything about interior design but he liked what the decorator had done with the suite. The furniture, modern and in neutral shades in order not to detract from the colorful Indian artwork, was comfortable and elegant. A six-seated dining table took up most of the dining area and a sectional lounge, upholstered in a tan fabric, provided a comfortable sitting area. An Indian wood cabinet hid the large flat-screen TV and dark teak side tab
les stood at either end of the sectional sofa. White muslin curtains hung at the large windows. Indian cotton and silk rugs in deep blues and reds lay scattered across the tiled floor.
A kitchenette was located off the dining area. Alex recalled from his last visit that the valets would also cook for him, if he required it.
“I will unpack your bags, Mr. Alex. Can I get you anything?”
He hadn’t eaten in a while, preferring to sleep on the plane. “Perhaps a sandwich. I’ll retrieve my toiletries and a change of clothes before you unpack. I need a shower.”
Alexander strode into the bedroom and rummaged in his luggage for what he needed. He located his small personal bag. It contained sex toys that he was sure would send poor Deepak into heart palpitations. It was one of his things—whenever he traveled, he always packed a selection. He wasn’t sure what to expect or who to expect it with, but he had a number of women friends across the globe and one in particular who would often take time out of her modeling schedule to make a side trip. He was a man with needs, and hard fucking was the best way he knew to blow off steam after a particularly challenging business meeting.
He studied the king-size bed. It definitely had potential. The brass rungs on the headboard would be perfect to tie a woman up to. A white cotton bedspread covered the mattress and a mosquito net hung from the ceiling, enveloping the bed. It was a little whimsical for his tastes, but the ladies would love it.
Alex took his toiletries into the adjoining bathroom. It was spacious and tiled in white marble, a clawfoot tub sat under the window and a large shower recess took up an entire corner. Double sinks were on the right-hand wall, a selection of Indian aromatherapy products in a basket to the side. It was his kind of bathroom, unfussy and classy.
He was looking forward to washing the grime of the trip off his body, then he’d have a sandwich and a beer and an early night.
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About the Author
Kait was born and raised in the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest and started writing to entertain herself during the long winters as a child. Insatiably curious, with a love of learning new things, she’s picked up many random skills including three languages, and two martial arts. After traveling three continents (the other four are on her bucket list), she settled in England with her family where she spends most of her time cultivating her daughter’s love of reading and writing, scribbling ideas on every available scrap of paper, and trying out dialogue on her cat.
Email: author@kaitgamble.com
Kait loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.totallybound.com
Also by Kait Gamble
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Weathering the Storm
The Long Way Round: Grind
The Long Way Round: Ignite
The Long Way Round: Scorch
Totally Five Star: Fuel to the Fire