Chapter 15
JAX
“Hobbies?”
She stares at me like I’ve asked her an alien concept.
“Yes, you know, the things you do to unwind, relax?”
She grunts, but I see the moment she realises I’m serious.
“I run,” she says eventually.
“You always liked to run.”
I think about the morning almost three months ago, when I saw her running through the estate. She’s skinnier than she was then. The stress is not something she’s handling.
“Anything else?”
“I read magazines,” she says, her tone becoming defensive.
I chuckle. “Hospitality Design and Boutique Hotelier are not magazines.”
“I beg to differ,” she says, raising an eyebrow in challenge.
“They’re linked to your job.”
“Are you saying I’m boring? That I’m a workaholic?”
“If the shoe fits,” I say.
“Guilty as charged,” she admits, with a smile. “I love my job, what I do.”
“Do you still play the piano?”
Her smile fades, her hand dropping to her cutlery. She straightens it.
“Do you?”
“I haven’t played in a while.”
“Isn’t there a piano in the suite at the hotel?”
“What is this, twenty … questions?” She pauses, clearly trying not to swear.
I’ve touched a raw nerve.
Her eyes narrow. “What about you? What do you do as a hobby?”
“I swim, read crime novels, watch documentaries on the planet.”
“Ah, that could be classed as work,” she says, raising an eyebrow.
“Touché. But learning about whales and their mating habits is not really linked to my job. Only understanding the need to protect them from the human race.”
Her cheeks darken at the word mating, and I bite the inside of my lip to stop myself from smiling. My heart aches that Kat no longer plays piano, that she has shelved her talent.
“Anything else?” she asks.
“I ride, go out with friends, watch the football.”
“I’m surprised you have any time to work.”
“I make time for the things I enjoy. I think it makes me better at my job.”
“Each to their own,” she says, shrugging.
“There was a time when I’d stopped doing anything else,” I admit. “Then someone close to me had a health scare, it was enough to make me stop and take note of what I was doing to myself.”
Her eyes clash with mine. Whatever she sees there, has her sucking in a breath.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”
“Cal’s the only one who does. My old mentor, Dillon, was diagnosed with cancer last year.
He was told to reduce his stress levels.
His wife, Susie, stepped in and demanded it,” I say, with a smile.
“When I went to visit, she told me I needed to enjoy life, stop being a slave to my work. I decided to give it a go.”
“You’re still close to them?”
“You sound surprised,” I say.
“You were engaged to their daughter and broke it off. I just assumed—”
“Emma and I are still friends. She’s married now with a gaggle of kids. She got her happily-ever-after.”
“How’s Dillon now?”
“He’s in remission, but he said it was the wake-up call he needed.”
“If you’re all about relaxing and less work, why get involved in my project?”
I sit back.
“Because it intrigues me,” I admit. “And I didn’t say I don’t love my job, only I’ve cut back on the day-to-day running. Learned to delegate. It also means I can get involved in projects that really interest me, rather than being locked in mundane tasks.”
She sits back and inclines her head as if processing everything I’ve just said.
“I can see that,” she says, surprising me. “It’s why I’ve fought so hard for this project. It’s something I’m passionate about.”
“Tell me,” I say.
Kat comes alive as we discuss more of her ideas and thoughts on the project.
She was beautiful before, but animated, as she is now, she’s ethereal.
For someone not as heavily involved in the sustainability industry, she’s done her homework.
Some of the ideas she wants to integrate are cutting-edge.
I realise we barely scratched the surface on the plane.
Her eyes sparkle, her voice slightly breathy as she answers every question, her intentions are well thought out.
Our starters arrive, then the main course.
If she…we can pull this off, it really will be groundbreaking.
Hotels that are not only self-sufficient but also fully sustainable.
For countries where tourism is high but resources are scarce, these resorts will no longer simply take, but instead give back to their communities. The possibilities are endless.
We’re still talking when the waiter finally arrives to clear our dessert plates.
“Any coffee, tea?” he asks.
“I’m fine,” Kat says, looking at me.
“I’m okay, thanks,” I say.
He turns and leaves.
“Are you ready to head back?” I ask. “Or do you want another drink?”
“I’m good,” she says, pushing her chair back and standing.
I’m pleased to see she ate tonight.
Note to self, don’t wind Kat up at meal times.
I follow suit. We bid the staff goodnight before making our way back to the villa.
I step forward and use our key card. Another couple from the restaurant have followed us down.
“Goodnight,” they say.
Kat automatically turns around. “Goodnight, enjoy your evening.”
They grin, their hands clasped together. “You too.”
“Newlyweds,” I say, as we enter the room.
“What?” Kat says.
“That couple. They’re newlyweds.”
“How do you know that?”
I chuckle. “I’m a details man. They both have incredibly shiny rings on.”
Kat smacks her forehead. “And I just wished them an enjoyable evening.”
“They offered you the same,” I chuckle, and Kat groans. “At least they look happy. Obviously enjoying their stay.”
Kat pulls off her shoes and tosses them into the corner of the room. She sits down on the tiny bed and begins rubbing her feet.
“You okay?” I ask.
“Heat and heels don’t go well together,” she says. “I’m in mules from now on.”
I chuckle.
“Do you want to use the bathroom first, or shall I?”
“You can go first,” I say, taking a seat at the small table where Kat was sitting earlier.
I remove my shoes before getting up and placing them on the shoe rack next to the door. Old habits die hard. Mum never let us wear our shoes in the house.
When Kat disappears, I grab her shoes from the corner and place them next to mine.
However tempting, I don’t venture onto the balcony.
Once was enough. I don’t need to see Kathryn Frazer, wet and naked, while we’re sharing a room.
It took a long time, under the icy cold spray of the shower, to get my cock to calm down.
Despite our mental battles over the years, my body still responds to hers physically, and always has.
I didn’t think Kat or her brothers would appreciate me relieving my sexual frustration with her in the room next door.
I run a hand down my face at the memory. It took all my willpower to turn away. I didn’t think it was possible that Kat could become more beautiful, as she’s got older.
I look up as she enters the bedroom, wrapped once more in one of the hotel dressing gowns. Her hair is tied up in a messy bun, her face is shining, and makeup-free.
“All yours,” she says.
“Thanks.”
I grab my sleep shorts and t-shirt and head to the bathroom.
Tonight was not what I expected. Kat could have knocked me over with a feather when she said we were having dinner together. I was thinking of room service, but it makes sense. She needs to experience the hotel if she’s to put the FHG stamp on it.
More importantly, it looks like Kat meant it when she said we could be professional. Tonight was informative and surprisingly enjoyable, even if it was all work.
I take my time getting ready. When I return to the room, Kat is already in the tiny bed.
“Kat,” I say. “You should take the main bed.”
She looks up from her phone. “It’s okay. Besides, there’s no way you can sleep on this. Your legs would be hanging over the edge.”
“That’s not the point. You need to get a good night’s sleep.”
She frowns, and I kick myself.
“You do too,” she says. “I’m more likely to sleep on here than you are. Besides, I won’t get any sleep if you spend the entire night tossing and turning.”
I scowl, and she smiles.
“Thanks for the offer,” she says. “But honestly, I’m fine where I am.”
I look over at what is little more than a child’s bed. Kat is five feet ten, and her legs are hitting the end. She’s correct in her assumption. Mine would be hanging off.
“Besides, I’ve put an order in for full-sized single beds and mattresses. I’ve already sent off an email. We can’t be the first to have this problem.”
“Always super-efficient,” I murmur under my breath.
“It’s what keeps the cogs turning.”
I let out a huff of air, making my way to the luxurious bed I’m going to be sleeping in, alone.
I pull back the cover and sit down. The mattress gives beneath me, and I know this is going to provide one of the best nights’ sleep I’ve had in a while.
“Okay, goodnight then,” I say, putting on my headphones and connecting to my favourite podcast on my phone.
“Goodnight.”
I turn off the lights and settle down, my body relaxing as sleep takes me.
I’m not sure what disturbs me, but I find myself drawn out of my slumber.
I remove my headphones.
Damn, I fell asleep while listening.
Something woke me.
I lie still and listen.
It’s then I hear it. Kat moving. Turning one way, and then the other. Eventually, she gives a harrumph. I sense her move in the dark and watch as she grabs her duvet and blanket.
She makes her way to the door, stopping to look over at me. I lay still, wondering what she’s doing.
She sighs before opening the terrace door and slipping outside, closing it behind her.
What the?
I sit up and watch as Kat moves to one of the plush sun loungers. She sits down before pulling the covers over herself.
No way.
I get up and pad towards the door.
I open it, and she yelps, twisting to face me.
“Shit, you scared me!” Kat says, her hand going to her chest.
“What the hell are you doing?” I ask.
She turns and faces me, one eyebrow cocked. “What does it look like? I’m taking in the view.”
I fold my arms over my chest. “In the middle of the night? In the pitch black?”
She pinches her lips, but remains silent.
“You’ll be eaten alive,” I tell her, leaning against the door frame.
Her face sinks, she obviously hadn’t thought of that.
“I can’t sleep. This is comfier,” Kat says, spinning her legs back up and onto the sun lounger.
It’s then that the first drop of rain hits.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she says, dropping her head back and closing her eyes.
The wind picks up, and the heavens open. The joys of a tropical storm.
I race forward and grab Kat’s bedding before heading back through the open door.
Kat remains on the sun lounger.
I watch on from the doorway as she lifts her face towards the sky, her hair and nightdress clinging to her. She stands up and holds out her arms, spinning in the rain, her laugh filled with wonder and delight.
Her eyes sparkle as she turns towards me. I shake my head and smile. She always enjoyed the rain.
How had I forgotten that?
I carry her semi-damp duvet into the bathroom, draping it over the bath to allow it to dry.
I look out of the window. Kat has moved to the edge of the terrace and is staring out over the sea.
She tilts her head back again, her eyes closed. Her nipples protrude against the soaked material of her nightgown. The outline of her panties is clearly visible. She has swept her hair off her face, and it cascades down her back.
Lightning cracks overhead, lighting up the deck. She flinches at the sound before turning and making her way back inside.
I grab a towel and a robe and meet her by the door.
“Here, get inside,” I say, as another flash lights up the sky, followed instantly by a crack of thunder.
“Thank you. I love the rain,” Kat says, half talking to herself.
Kat grabs the towel and uses it to squeeze out her hair.
“You always did.”
I remember finding her in the pool after everyone had gone to bed. She was swimming laps in the rain. Kat, like all the Frazers, is an amazing swimmer, though, like Caleb, she has always preferred to run.
Kat peels her nightdress over her head, before I have a chance to look away, taking the robe I’m holding out.
“Thank you,” she says.
I open my mouth and close it again, as her body is enveloped in the white material.
“What?” she says. “It’s not like you didn’t get an eyeful earlier.”
This woman will be the death of me.
I glance at the clock. It’s three thirty.
There’s another clap of thunder, and Kat turns to face the window, the lightning illuminating her face and the sky. My breath catches in my throat at the sight, my body becoming warm despite the air con.
“You need to get dry,” I say.
“Yes, Dad,” she says automatically and with extra sass.
She draws up short when she remembers who she’s speaking to.
I move back towards her bed and grab the pillows.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m not going to argue with you,” I say, putting the pillows down the centre of the large bed, creating a barrier.
“I will not sleep in a bed with you,” she says.
I sigh.
“You won’t be, you’ll be sleeping on your side of an enormous mattress, and I’ll be sleeping on mine. Now, if you don’t mind, I want to get some sleep. Yesterday was a long day, and I’m tired.”
I get back into bed and roll over so I’m facing away from her.
I hear her sigh and head for the bathroom. Two minutes later, the hairdryer goes on as she dries her hair.
When she returns, I stay silent, closing my eyes, slowing my breathing.
I sense her stop at the end of the bed. I can almost hear the indecision swirling in her brain.
After a couple of minutes, common sense kicks in, and she moves to the other side.
I bite the inside of my cheek. The covers move, and I grin into the darkness as Kat slides into bed on the other side of the pillow barricade.
I lie still and wait for Kat’s breathing to even out before finally letting myself drift off.