Chapter Three
The island was even more beautiful than the photographs. White sand beaches, lush tropical vegetation, crystal-clear water in shades of blue and green. A pilot, not Syx, was waiting for me at the small airstrip after my plane landed, and he would transport me to the main house by boat.
Just as I exited, I got a breath of clear air evading my nostrils. I wasn’t surprised by any of the plans because Syx had sent me an itinerary via email with extensive detail down to how to wear my hair, what colored he wanted my nails and toes to be and what to eat.
With each step I took, my pink ombre pleated maxi dress from Celestia flowed in the wind and my booty jiggled between my thong which was Mina’s idea to wear as if anybody would see it here—anybody other than Syx perhaps, but judging by the way the guy was licking his lips and looking over my figure he approved too.
The boat ride was short, just ten minutes around the coast to a private dock. And there, standing at the end of the dock, was Syx.
A tightness seized my throat, and my heart began to flutter wildly.
He was tall, at least six-five, with light skin that gleamed in the afternoon sun.
He was muscular, but not bulky, with broad shoulders and a trim waist. He wore simple white linen pants and a white button-down shirt with sleeves rolled up.
His head was freshly cut, tapered with deep waves and a neatly trimmed beard.
But his eyes caught my attention. They were dark, warm, rich and intensely focused.
“Nyne,” he said. His deep and rich tone sent a rush down my spine that I wasn’t prepared for. Even in person he was just as fine as I knew he’d be. Coming to my aid he helped me carefully out of the boat. “I’m Syx.”
Extending his hand, I grabbed and held on to it firmly, but I wasn’t prepared for him to put his other hand on my back, inches above my ass as he led me to the luxurious villa.
“It’s nice to put a face with a name,” I grinned, looking up at him.
His upper extremity was exposed, showcasing his many intricate, colorful tattoos that started at his neck, but looked nothing like common jail house art, embedded in his toasted skin complexion.
My eyes trailed down to the eight-pack ridged into his stomach that led to a deep V-cut.
Before my eyes could trail any further his hand cupped my chin snapping me out of a deep trance.
Meeting his brown syrup-colored eyes, his bushy brows were dipped with concern.
“You straight?” He spoke in a southern accent but still spoke with proper mannerisms.
“Oh y-yeah I’m okay,” I stuttered.
“Are you feelin’ dizzy or lightheaded?”
“No, I’m okay. I guess the flight and the boat ride did a number on me,” I lied.
I was perfectly fine, just felt a little flushed.
“Can you walk?”
“Yeah, I can walk.” I nodded with assurance.
He stared me for a brief moment, reading me—gazing at me with a lingering curiosity as if he wasn’t playing into the bullshit I was leading on with.
“I’ll be back, don’t move.” He demanded and walked off giving me a whiff of his cologne. It wasn’t strong, but very enticing. It made me want to dab just a little bit on a pillowcase and drown in it.
I watched him intently, with my hands clasped in front of me, as I clutched my iPhone.
He’d grabbed my suitcase and tipped the pilot before walking over to join me again.
The distance between us was short but he walked with a bow legged, cocky stride.
When he reached me, he held out his hand for me to clasp on to it.
I felt something electric ignite through me.
“Let me show you around.” He stated.
The house was stunning. An open concept design that blended seamlessly with the natural environment.
Floor-to-ceiling windows offered views of the ocean from every room.
The furniture was comfortable and elegant, all-natural material and soft neutral tones like white, cream ivory, cream, mushroom, beige and French champagne.
Some of the artificial wall art was in gold and black, blending in perfectly with everything else.
“This the main living area,” Syx said, gesturing around.
A milli second ago, he held a door open for me that led to the kitchen that accompanied stainless steel appliances.
“You’re welcome to use any of it. The chef will be here in the morning, or I can cancel if you want to opt out and cook your own food.
Most people prefer the feel of luxury, so they never opt out.
” He glanced down at me momentarily, waiting for my response.
“Do you like to cook? Can you?” He grinned, revealing a set of porcelain white teeth.
Playfully I hit him on the side, releasing a laugh. “Of course I can cook. So, to prove you wrong I’d like to opt out of the chef.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” He joked.
“I’m with whatever you with, Mr. Syx,” I stated in a flirtatious manner.
“Im’a hold you to that Ms. Nyne. C’mon let me show you where you’ll be getting comfortable.”
Down the hallway, he led me to a spacious bedroom with its own bathroom and private terrace overlooking the ocean. The bed was enormous, covered in white lines that looked impossibly soft.
“This is beautiful,” I said as my eyes roamed over everything.
My hands grazed over the beautiful artwork like I was in a museum. All of it seemed so artificial and rich, yet so poised and arrogant.
“Of course, the sheets and comforter are new, along with the bath towels and everything else.” Syx said, as he placed my suitcase by the bed.
“Thank you,” I responded, glancing back at him.
“Why don’t you get settled in, maybe take a hot shower or a nap if you’re tired from the flight. We’ll have dinner at seven, and then we can talk about what the next two weeks will look like. Ain’t no pressure today, just relax and get comfortable.”
There was it again.
The heavy command in his voice.
Syx seemed he didn’t leave room for anyone to utter a peep. Whatever he said whether you agreed with it or not, you said, ‘yes sir’ and went on about your day. He had a heavy aura about him that screamed boss.
“Okay,” I murmured.
“Good girl,” he grinned. It transformed his face, making him appear youthful and more approachable than the scowl that was washed across it as he stood, waiting for me to exit the boat.
Just being enthralled in his presence for only a few minutes, I was reading him enough to know that he had a gentle nature but could appear rough if it fitted the occasion.
Most men have this double-sided persona about them that they keep concealed for business and this was probably business for him.
I was probably business and our facade would suit none other than a client transactional relationship.
“I know this is probably nerve-wrecking. But I promise you’re safe here. Everything we do will be at your pace, with your consent. If you’re ever uncomfortable, just let me know.”
After he left, I traced his exit until I was snapped out of a woozy trance.
Releasing a long breath was satisfying, considering I had been holding it as our fingers got entwined.
That flicker of electricity had died, like a flame and the only thing left was the hazy smoke, filling the air, smelling like smog.
Against my better judgement to appear fine, I was wrecked, and it turns out a hot shower may just be the key to calming my racing heart.
Every time I blinked, I couldn’t believe that I was actually here, tucked away with a man I knew nothing about.
On an island with a man who’d claim to know my body better than me and would guide me to my peak.
It all felt so surreal, but I’d make sure to bask in all of it and leave traces of this space inside me, to take home.
Before undressing myself, I walked over to my suitcase to find something to wear along with gold accessories and sandals that meshed perfectly with my strapless creamsicle ombre maxi dress.
Trotting over to the door, I closed it, though I knew privacy wouldn’t be an issue here because Emma had let that be known prior and Syx had confirmed it as well.
You’d think I was washing sins away, my skin was so red, but I wanted to wash off the flight off me.
Along with my caramel toasted body wash by Olay, I smelled so edible.
Before putting my clothes on I washed my face and brushed my teeth then applied minimal makeup—dewy rose blush, gold eye shadow in the corner of my eyes and I defined my brows with concealer, then lined my lips with dark brown lip liner meshed with some buttercream lip gloss.
The ensemble was grand and the boho braids topped it off, making me look tropical. The caramel and vanilla scents carried on through the room, making my heart flutter just a tad, because I was going the extra mile, appearing sexy for someone who didn’t know an inkling about me.
Carrying on enough with my thoughts, I ventured off into the house to explore.
It was even more impressive than I’d initially realized.
There was a library, a home gym, a meditation area, and what looked like a massage studio, also there was a wine cellar.
Off to the side there were many cigars—all of which I knew nothing about.
“I see you found my cigar collection.” Syx’s voice bounced off the walls making me jump out of my skin.
My head snapped so loudly that I heard it pop in my ear. He was standing in the entry way, on the steps with his hands in his pocket, eyeing me like he’d been doing it for a while—longer than he’d spoken.
My hands clutched my chest because my heart was skipping beats.