SILENT DESIRES

Thank goodness, she thought.

At least they could give each other some space now. How come he always knew what to say and she never did? How come he never seemed to feel awkward?

He unbuckled his seat belt and leaned across to do hers. “Let’s move,” he said. “The helicopter is waiting.”

The first thing that hit her when she stepped out onto the island was the intense heat and the colors. Deep green palm trees shaded milky white sand, and a parrot added a flash of exotic red as it took refuge in the trees clustered in the center of the island. The hot sun was a ball of orange and the sea was a magic carpet of glittering jeweled blue.

“It’s so beautiful,” she said. Matt nodded and took her arm and drew her away from the helicopter. “Here we are. Home sweet home… well, not really home home, but you get it. Otherwise known as Paradise Villa. All the bedrooms open onto the terrace and overlook the sea. Take your pick.”

Feeling hot and sticky in her jeans, Savannah walked into the house and stopped dead, stunned by what she saw.” “Oh, it’s-beautiful,” she said.

“Yes it is” Matt said.

Savannah gazed around her. The outdoor living area was cleverly designed to offer maximum shade while making the most of the breathtaking views. Exotic plants swayed lazily in the breeze and deep cream sofas invited relaxation and indulgence. The only sound was the swish of the sea as it rushed onto the sand. It was another world.

“Who can afford to stay here?”

“We can.” Matt urged her forward. “Most of the living space is outdoors, obviously, because of the view. Terrace, infinity pool, hammocks-you’ll find everything you need to chill out and do nothing. If you get bored doing nothing, there are water sports.”

Savannah felt faint. “So when people come here, they book the whole island?”

“Indeed they do. They come here for peace and quiet and to experience the unique challenges of having hot sweaty sex in a hammock.” His smile was slow and sexy. “Ever tried sex in a hammock?” he asked.

Savannah gave him a look. “You’re not funny.” she said. Feeling as though she’d been plunged into a furnace, she pulled off her jumper. “Is there somewhere I can buy some clothes? Next time you intend to force someone into going on a trip with you, warn them to pack for hot weather. I’m boiling to death wearing jeans in this heat.”

Or maybe it wasn’t the heat. Maybe it was him … That disturbing dark gaze was slumberous.

“The staff were instructed to put some clothes in your room.” Matt said.

Great. Her worst nightmare. Someone else choosing her clothes.

Speculating on the sort of woman the staff would have expected to see with Matt Bradford and sensing major embarrassment, Savannah’s heart sank. She’d rather wear jeans and risk heatstroke. “I can tell you now that nothing will fit.” she said.

“If nothing fits, then you can walk around naked,” he replied.

“You’re still not funny.” Savannah replied.

Lifting her chin, she walked across the terrace and back into the villa. “I presume the bedrooms are this way?” she asked.

“That’s the master suite. Unless you want to share it with me, you need to turn left.”

Savannah turned left so sharply she almost fell over. She heard Matt giggle but decided to ignore that.

The door to another bedroom suite was open and she escaped inside, her eyebrows lifting as she saw the rose petals sprinkled on the white silk bedcover and the candles clustered around bowls of scented flowers.

It was a room for romance. A room for loving.

“Miss Savannah?” A smiling woman ambled slowly into the room carrying soft fluffy towels. “I’m Rosa, and if there’s anything you need during your stay, you just have to ask.”

Savannah frowned, confused. “I thought-He said…. Matt said we were on our own.” she said.

Rosa laughed, her smooth brown face alight with amusement. “Bless you. This place has a staff of twenty. But we all live on the mainland. We arrive in time to make breakfast and leave after supper. So you have the best of both worlds. I arranged for some clothes for you, but if they’re not right just let me know.”

They were going to be too tight, all the wrong colors and it was going to be hideously embarrassing. Coming here with Matt was one thing, but letting him get her a whole new wardrobe? This was beginning to get a bit much. But Savannah was too polite to complain to the nice lady.

“I’m sure they’ll be perfect. Thanks very much.” she said. Perfect or not, it was a relief to peel off her jeans. After a deliciously cool shower in a luxurious bathroom with one side open to the beach, she wrapped herself in a soft fluffy white towel and wandered into the walk-in closet. Oh, to live like this. An array of colorful bikinis had been spread out for her and she gave them a single horrified glance and reached for a primrose sundress.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Yellow was too bold a color for her, but it was better than squeezing into a bikini in front of Matt.

She slipped on the dress, relieved to find it fitted perfectly. It was extremely pretty-in fact, the only thing wrong with it was the color. It was so bright. And she never wore bright clothes. She preferred to blend into the background.

With a short laugh, Savannah looked in the mirror and shook her head.

No chance of blending in dressed in yellow. Slipping her feet into a pair of pretty flip-flops, she walked back onto the terrace feeling as conspicuous as a sunflower in a vegetable patch.

Matt had stripped off his shirt and was sprawled unselfconsciously on the white sun lounger in nothing but a pair of low-slung board shorts that showed off his rippling abs.

“It’s going to be hard to swim in a dress, wardrobe.” he said.

Feeling about as appealing as a piece of uncooked pasta, Savannah sat down neatly on the sun lounger furthest away from him. “I’m not swimming.” she replied

Strip almost naked and parade in front of him. Hell no, she thought. Definitely not a good idea and there was no point in making this situation worse.