Chapter 16
KAT
Iwake up dazed, and it takes me a moment to remember where I am.
Shit, what time is it?
Reaching for my phone, I realise it’s by the other bed.
I roll onto my back, staring up at the ceiling before pressing my thumb and forefinger into my eye sockets.
Inhaling deeply, I turn my head. Jax’s side of our pillow barricade is empty, the duvet pulled up and into place.
Lying still, I listen intently to my surroundings. The villa is silent, no sign of the man himself.
My muscles begin to relax, until memories of the night before come flooding back.
Not being able to get comfortable on the bed, deciding to move outside onto a sun lounger, the rain, and me stripping off my nightdress, standing there naked. Him handing me a robe.
My heart rate picks up.
What the hell was I thinking!
Bolting upright on the bed, I look around, my skin tingles at the realisation, Jax managed to sneak out without waking me.
I’m not sure how to feel about that!
I must have been dead to the world, although I’ll admit, I haven’t slept this soundly in what feels like forever!
Pushing back the duvet, I swing my legs off the bed before moving to throw open the curtains, allowing the morning sunlight to flood the room.
I take in the cloudless sky and sunlight shimmering off the calm waters of the ocean surrounding us. It’s then I hear the gentle lap of the waves against the jetty, the sound soothing, almost hypnotising.
Snapping myself out of a trance, I collect my phone from the cot bed, before making my way to the bathroom.
It’s just past eight.
My stomach grumbles, letting me know it’s time for breakfast
I shower in record time, pulling on one of my sundresses and sandals. Stopping by the door, I check my reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirror. Perfect. Summer chic, with a professional twist.
There’s still no sign of Jax, but I need to eat. My body doesn’t mind fasting, but when I start to eat again, it lets me know.
Grabbing the lone keycard from the side, I head towards the main restaurant where breakfast is served.
One of the waiters greets me at the door.
“Good morning, Ms Frazer. Can I show you to your table?”
“Thank you,” I say.
I follow him in silence, taking in the atmosphere. The restaurant is alive. The gentle hum of conversations and the hotel team working to meet everyone’s needs.
My eyes and ears are on full alert as I take my seat.
“Can I get you a tea or coffee?”
I focus back on the moment.
“Coffee, would be lovely, thank you. A strong latte.”
My server smiles. “I’ll be right back. Please help yourself to whatever you’d like at the buffet.”
I take in my surroundings. The buffet is split into different areas. Fresh, hot, chilled, fruit, cereals, and pastries. There’s something for everyone.
I get up and move towards each section, eavesdropping on guest conversations as they discuss the food and their rooms, and listen to see if anything is off.
The FHG has built its reputation on customer excellence.
We’ve only just acquired this hotel, and although a team has been on site for the transition, I want to check everything is in order.
“Still in CEO mode?”
I jump slightly at the voice next to my ear. I turn my head to see a very refreshed and smiling Jax.
“I told you yesterday, I’m here to work.”
“You’re going to make yourself ill.”
He tuts.
My mind wanders back to one of my last GP appointments, where they said the same thing after my blood pressure was elevated.
I shrug.
“Have you eaten?” I ask.
“No,” he says.
“Would you care to join me?” I ask, before I can stop myself.
Jax’s eyes light up as a smile breaks.
“Thank you,” he says, grabbing himself a plate and piling on a number of the delicious-looking fresh pastries.
My mouth waters at the sight, but instead I move to the fresh fruit counter. Piling up on pineapple, melon, and dragon fruit. I grab a Greek yoghurt from the chill counter and make my way back to the table.
Jax arrives at the same time as my waiter with my drink.
“An iced coffee, please,” Jax says when asked.
“Certainly, sir.”
“How did you sleep?” Jax asks when we’re finally alone.
I look up, “Very well, thank you. You?”
“Like the dead,” he says.
It takes me back to another time and a place. It was Jax’s favourite saying. He always slept like the dead. It’s why I was so surprised he woke up last night while I was moving.
“What are your plans for today?” I ask.
“I’ve been for a swim, the water around here is amazing, definitely a selling point for swimmers.”
I make another mental note.
“Once I’ve finished breakfast, I’m going to go through everything we discussed at dinner. I had some additional ideas while I was swimming that I’d like to run through with you. But, before I do that, I want to be able to show you something concrete.”
He places a small slice of each of the pastries onto a side plate and pushes it towards me.
“Kat, you really have to try these,” he says, leaning forward, his eyes glowing. “I’ve never tasted anything like them.”
My mouth waters at the sight.
I take a small bite and smother my groan. Jax isn’t wrong. The pastry flakes off, and the filling is like an explosion on the tongue.
“Good, right?” he says with a grin, motioning to the rest of the plate.
I nod, trying to downplay my love for all things sweet.
“Let me know when you’re ready, and we can meet this afternoon to go through your ideas.”
I want, no need to get us back onto the topic of business. Our conversation last night was surprising. Jax appeared as passionate about my ideas for the new resort as I was. It was refreshing after spending months battling certain members of the board.
“Yourself? Do you have anything planned?”
“I’m meeting with the general manager, Mr Baskin, after breakfast,” I say.
“Then I’m hoping to meet with his management team.
The FHG transition task force was on site for over a month, working with the current team.
I’m hoping to gain an understanding of any outstanding issues.
The team we sent in raised a few concerns. I need to know if they’re still valid.”
Jax nods.
His iced coffee arrives, and he disappears off to get more food, returning this time with a mixture of Asian and British food.
“Where do you put it all?” I say, before I can stop myself. “You’re like Elijah.”
Jax grins. “I’m a growing lad.”
I shake my head and raise an eyebrow.
“Hey,” he says, holding up his hands. “I swam, the equivalent of one hundred lengths this morning, in open water.”
He taps the watch on his wrist.
“I’ll let you off,” I say sarcastically, his smile widening.
It reminds me that I need to head to the gym. I could run laps of the island, but I prefer the idea of a treadmill. Less chance of twisting my ankle on the sand.
I don’t say anything, just return to eating my fruit and yoghurt.
We continue in silence, but it’s not the awkward silence I feared. Instead, it’s comforting. Like being around an old friend.
When we’re done, I bid Jax goodbye and head to the manager’s office, situated inside the staff compound.
This is the hub, at the centre of the island.
It includes staff living quarters, the island’s filtration and sanitation units, water purification, a staff restaurant, and a shop.
It has everything, or appears to have everything, that the staff may want.
There’s even an undercover area where plants and vegetables are growing.
I pass the staff gym, where members of last night’s serving team are working out. Tam, our server, waves and smiles.
I return his greeting.
The general manager’s office is on the outskirts of the staff area. Still, I wanted an unfiltered look behind the scenes.
I knock on the office door.
It opens, and I’m greeted by a much less flustered Don Baskin.
“Good morning, Ms Frazer,” he says, with a bright smile, although it does not quite reach his eyes.
I don’t take it personally. I have that effect on people, it goes with the territory.
“Mr Baskin. Shall we get started?”