7. Chapter 7
The moment I clear customs and step into the arrivals area at the small island airport, I”m greeted by a tall, thin stranger in a suit. ”Miss Petrov?” he inquires politely.
I nod at the man, wondering how he”s able to wear an immaculate white shirt and long slacks in the humidity and heat that have enveloped me since the moment I stepped off the plane.
”Mr. Cranshaw sent me to collect you, ma”am.”
Interesting. I guess I”d expected Gerald to greet me himself. The man must notice my confusion as he follows up with, ”He had an important business meeting and wanted to make sure he wasn”t late in picking you up.”
I nod. ”I see.. well, thank you for coming to get me.”
”Of course,” he beams. ”Anything for Mr. Gerald. Did you have a good flight?” He chitchats as I identify my luggage on the carousel and he helps me to grab it and place it on a large cart. ”I”m Kenneth, by the way.”
”Yes, it was really nice, thank you!” Everything went as scheduled from the time I woke up and headed to the airport, Yara and the nanny waving as I walked out the door and hopped into my waiting taxi. As if the universe was giving me yet another sign that I”m absolutely on the right path.
I felt like a movie star the whole way here, drinking mimosas and chatting with the flight attendants throughout our flight. It”s been years since I last flew—not since the early days with Luchenko when he”d take me on short local flights to fancy boutique hotels—and I was worried I might be afraid. But the only part that frazzled me a bit was when I arrived on the tiny tropical island and had to make my way through customs and immigration clearance.
There”s something about authority—particularly men in uniform—that always puts me on edge. It’s a tickle of discomfort, a fear that I”m suddenly going to be hauled away, even though I”ve done absolutely nothing to warrant that, to my knowledge. I”m not sure if it”s the uniforms, the firearms, the serious expressions on the men”s faces, or something else, but it had me tense even here. Where I’m from, we’re taught not to trust law enforcement for a reason, after all.
Kenneth loads my luggage into a sleek black SUV and opens the back door for me. I hop in, inhaling the rich scent of leather upholstery. A driver and a fancy car to pick me up... so far, Gerald seems to be the wealthy man he claims to be. Not that his money is the only reason I”m here. But you never know—with so many catfish stories and horror tales of bait-and-switch schemes, I”m relieved to see that Gerald appears to be who he says he is
”How long have you known Gerald?” I ask Kenneth as we make our way down the palm tree-lined road on the way to the hotel. I figure I may as well take this opportunity to gather any insights. I am here partially to vet him after all, so I may as well see what Kenneth knows. Or rather, what he”s prepared to share.
”I”ve worked with Mr. Gerald for about three years now, ma”am,” Kenneth beams, the pride evident in his voice. ”He took me under his wing when I was assigned as his driver, and I”ve been working for him ever since. I accompany him all over, really. Including on his vacations.” With his free hand, he gestures at the palm trees that line the highway.
”And does Gerald invite lots of ladies to these islands for romantic vacations?”
A concerned look passes over Kenneth”s face, but just as rapidly he seems to recover. ”I, uh—I”m not meant to discuss Mr. Gerald”s private life, ma”am. I hope you can understand.”
I quickly wink and smile in an attempt to put him at ease. ”I”m only teasing, Kenneth. If that was a test of loyalty, you just passed with flying colors.”
Kenneth laughs awkwardly. Shit. I hope it doesn”t get back to Gerald that I”m inquiring about other women. I don”t even really know why I asked. It just kind of came out.
I change the subject, asking Kenneth more benign questions about where he”s from and what he likes to do for fun.
He seems relieved by the change in conversation and I decide not to press things further.
It”s important that I start this vacation out on the right foot, and—who knows—Kenneth could end up being an ally down the road if I need one.
We enter a winding driveway through a large, ornate gate emblazoned with the luxury resort”s prestigious logo. Immaculately curated vegetation and vibrant flowers line the roadway, and I wind my window down to inhale the strong, pleasant scent of hibiscus and jacaranda.
We pull up at the valet stand and I go on ahead while Kenneth figures out the luggage and vehicle situation.
”Alina!” Gerald”s voice echoes through the grand lobby of the luxurious hotel, his eyes gleaming with excitement. I recognize him immediately, just as handsome as he was in his photos and during our many video calls, but the 3D version with muscles and angles that the sunlight hits in all the right places.
After a warm embrace that gives me pleasant tingles, he places his hands on both of my upper arms and steps back to take in the full length of my appearance. He beams. ”Wow, Alina, just look at you. You are so very beautiful. I knew you were stunning, but video calls don”t do you justice.”
I find myself blushing. He”s just as smooth in person as he was on our calls and via text.
His energy is also contagious. He”s as comfortable here as I imagine him to be in a boardroom, securing one of his mysterious business deals. He takes my hand with confidence and leads me towards the reception desk, his tailored suit swishing with each step.
”Sorry for the uptight outfit,” he gestures at his clothing. ”I”ll change into something more appropriate later. I just had a business meeting on Zoom and needed to look the part. Didn”t want them to think I was running around playing golf instead of making wise investment decisions on their behalf.”
Again, interesting. So he brought suits. I thought this was a trip where we could get to know each other, not for me to sit in the room or by the pool or whatever while he talked commerce.
He must notice the look of slight confusion on my face. ”Don”t worry,” he says. ”I”ve scheduled plenty of time for us. I just have a few things I need to take care of that couldn”t be moved.” He smiles at me and places a hand on the small of my back. ”I hope you understand… and I can assure you that getting to know you is my top priority.”
His eyes roam down my body, and it”s hard to explain how it makes me feel. Admired, I guess. But also in a slightly predatory way. I don”t entirely hate it, but I don”t love it either. Maybe I”m just slightly irritated after the flight and news of his work obligations.
”I have a surprise for you as well. Several, actually,” he grins.
I eye him warily, my past experiences with surprises leaving a sour taste in my mouth. ”What surprise?” I ask, half-joking, half-serious. ”You’re not about to tell me we’re jumping out of a plane or something, are you?”
”Ah, you”ll see,” he says, winking at me. ”But first, let me check us in.” He turns to the receptionist and flashes a charming smile, his fingers tapping on the marble counter impatiently.
As we wait for the keys to our room, I take in the opulent surroundings: sprawling gardens dotted with palm trees, a glistening pool that stretches as far as the eye can see, and a pristine private beach that shimmers under the tropical sun. It”s all so overwhelming, so out of my league.
I”ve been to a couple of nice hotels before, but those were all back in the home country, and it was with Luchenko. Thankfully, those memories are now well in the past and fleeting at best. Thank goodness for the power to forget.
”Here we go,” Gerald says, handing me a key card. ”Our suite is this way.” He gestures towards a grand staircase, his hand brushing against mine.
I swallow nervously, the walk to our shared hotel suite suddenly making things very real. I hadn”t really thought about the fact we”d have one room to share right off the bat. But we have been talking for a while, and he is a handsome man.
I need to stop being so uptight. Yara and my mother are both safe and sound back at home, and I deserve to let my hair down a little. Gerald is a successful, powerful man, and he wants to spend his time with me. I should be grateful.
We ascend the stairs, my heart racing with anticipation. The door to our suite looms before us, and Gerald pauses for effect. ”Ready?” he asks.
I nod, my palms sweating.
He swings open the door and leads me inside, his hand on the small of my back. My eyes widen as I take in the plush furnishings, the panoramic views of the ocean, and the king-sized bed that beckons seductively.
”Wow,” I breathe, feeling a lump form in my throat. ”This is... amazing. I think this might be the most breathtaking sight I”ve ever seen.”
”Only the best for you,” Gerald murmurs, his lips grazing my ear. I shiver, my senses on high alert. ”And, forget this view, I think you might be the most breathtaking sight I”ve ever seen.”
My stomach flip-flops at his words, making me realize I”m not used to this type of attention. He threw a lot of compliments my way via video and text, but these kinds of things just hit differently in person.
As the day wears on, we explore the hotel grounds, lounging by the pool and sipping cocktails under the shade of a parasol. Gerald is the perfect host, attentive to my every need and desire. Our conversation flows easily, and I admire the way the sun hits his well-defined body. He”s an attractive man, and I”m here on a free vacation with him. I should be relaxed, carefree.
But as the sun begins to set, I can”t help but feel a twinge of unease.
”Do you really have to work tonight?” I ask him as we watch the sky turn pink and gold.
”Unfortunately, yes,” he says with a sigh. ”I”m sorry, I know it”s not ideal. Especially this being our first day together and all. But the time zones make it difficult to schedule things, and—don”t worry—I”ll be back soon enough.”
I nod, trying to hide my disappointment. ”Okay, I”ll just... hang out here for a bit.”
”Good girl,” he says, planting a kiss on my cheek before disappearing into the hotel. Although I”m still disappointed by his work obligations, his use of those words get me thinking about what might happen when he”s done with work for the evening, and I feel a pleasant twinge deep in my core.
Left alone, I wander towards the beach, my toes sinking into the soft sand. The waves crash against the shore, their rhythm lulling me into a sense of peace.
But as the darkness creeps in, so does my fear. What if this is just what it”s like to be with Gerald? A lifetime of mysterious business meetings and time spent alone?
I shake my head, trying to dispel the negative thoughts. This is supposed to be a romantic getaway, a chance for us to connect and explore our feelings for each other. I”m such an overthinker, I”m extrapolating one unfortunately timed business meeting into a lifetime of clandestine meetups and a neglectful partner. And yet, I can”t shake the feeling that something isn”t quite right.
As I make my way back to the suite, I hear a commotion coming from one of the nearby restaurants. Shouts and crashes ring out, sending a chill down my spine. I quicken my pace, my heart racing with fear.
As I pass the restaurant, I see Gerald at the center of the chaos, his eyes blazing with anger. He”s shouting at a group of men, their faces twisted in fury.
I freeze, unsure of what to do.
”Alina!” he calls out as he notices me, his voice piercing through the noise. ”Get over here!”
I hesitate for a moment before hurrying toward him, my heart in my throat. As I reach his side, he grabs my hand and pulls me close.
”Stay with me,” he says, his eyes blazing. ”No matter what happens, don”t let go.”
I nod, my fingers trembling in his grasp. The tension in the air is palpable, the danger real. And yet, I can”t help but feel a thrill of excitement at being by Gerald”s side in this moment of crisis.
But who are these men, and why are they here? How does Gerald even know anyone on this small tropical island? I”m so confused.
As the men close in, I brace myself for whatever comes next. For better or for worse, I”m in this with him now.
I inhale sharply to steady my nerves as the men approach, their hostility rolling off them in waves. Gerald”s grip on my hand tightens, but his face remains an impassive mask.
”Let”s talk this through,” Gerald says calmly, though I can detect an undercurrent of danger in his tone. ”There”s no need for violence.”
The apparent leader of the group, a burly man with a scar down his cheek, spits on the ground. ”You think you can hustle us and just walk away, Cranshaw?” He cracks his knuckles menacingly. ”I don”t care how rich you are, you”re gonna pay.”
My heart pounds in my chest. Gerald”s expression is cold and calculating, even in the face of a threat. A thrill of fear and excitement runs through me.
Gerald smiles, but it doesn”t reach his eyes. ”I won fair and square. Just accept you lost.”
In a flash, the scarred man throws a punch, but Gerald dodges it smoothly. Chaos erupts as the men all rush at Gerald at once.
I”m shoved to the side as Gerald meets them blow for blow, his tailored suit soon spattered with blood.
I watch in awe at his vicious grace, mesmerized despite the violence. With an efficient combo, he drops the last man groaning to the ground.
Gerald turns to me, his chest heaving, his eyes alight. He pulls me close again, the thrill of the fight still surging through him.
”Do you see?” he murmurs in my ear. ”I want you to remember this night for the rest of your life. And that I”m not one to be crossed.”
I feel his heart pounding against mine, and realize my own is racing to match it. Being with him suddenly seems dangerous, but not for the reasons I thought it might be. And it”s kind of exciting.
Gerald takes my hand and leads me away from the groaning men. Adrenaline still courses through me as we walk back toward the main lobby.
”Let”s get out of here,” Gerald says, his voice low and controlled once more.
We head outside into the warm tropical night.
The sounds of steel drums float on the breeze as we stroll along the beach, hand in hand. Torches flicker, casting a golden glow over Gerald”s handsome face. He gazes at me intensely and I feel weak in the knees.
”Dance with me,” he murmurs, drawing me close. We sway together under the stars to the island rhythms. Gerald runs his hands along my body and I melt into him.
”Any requests?” he asks.
”Your choice,” I smile.
”As you wish,” he grins. ”Don”t say I didn”t give you a warning,” he says over his shoulder as he approaches the band between songs.
As he walks back, the sounds of a steel drum version of a popular song strike up behind him.
I laugh with joy as he takes both of my hands in his and we dance together, my head on his chest.
Gazing up at him, under the star- and moonlight, a surge of emotion hits me. His eyes meet mine and I sense he feels the same.
”I—” I begin to speak, but Gerald silences me, dipping his head until his mouth meets mine in a passionate kiss.
His lips are soft, his kiss commanding, causing my pussy to clench as a dozen butterflies are released in my stomach.
”Are you hungry?” Gerald asks as the song ends.
His question makes me realize I”m famished, and my stomach grumbles in response. He hears it and laughs. ”I take that as a yes. Come with me, beautiful,” he says, taking my hand once again and leading us back to our suite.