“Maria, bring drinks down to the pool” he asked before leading Kira upstairs, and opening the door to one of the many rooms on the landing.
“This is our room” he said moving into the large airy space. Kira swallowed the lump in her throat her eyes flicking around the wonderful space. Long white sheer curtains framed the ceiling to floor windows which let in a cool breeze causing the material to billow out surreally within the room. The furnishing was white simple cane which sat on cream tiles. However, it was the large bed in the middle of the room which caught her eye. Suddenly it all seemed so real and Kira had to clasp her hands in front of her to stop them shaking.
Craig watched her reaction. He remembered the first time she had stood with him in one of his bedrooms. She had been so innocent, trusting and young. He had taught her how to love and the memory stirred him as he saw the same frightened look on her face as the first night they had made love. She was as beautiful now as she had been then and he could feel his body react to her presence. Fighting the sudden desire in him he moved out onto the balcony calling her to join him
Kira appeared, gasping in delight at the view. The villa stood close to the edge of the cliff overlooking the azure sea below. She had always loved the water and the setting of the building took her breath away
“It’s beautiful” she whispered
She felt him move behind her and could feel his closeness even though he was not touching her.
“Yes it is” he murmured looking down on her
Pulling himself together he once more moved back into the room.
“The luggage will be delivered to the room later and Maria is bringing refreshments to the pool … so shall we” he gestured holding the door open for her to pass.
Kira paused for a second.
“Would you mind if I made a phone call first” she asked quietly
He looked reflectively at her
“Don’t be long” he said and then was gone
Smiling gently after her call Kira moved back out to the balcony. From her vantage point she could see to the left of the building the pool where Craig sat wearing white casual trousers and a blue t-shirt. Her heart flipped at the sight of him. God she thought after the way he had treated her she had every right to hate and distrust him, and yet it was he who treated her as though she had done him some terrible wrong.
Her mind went back to three years previously. A young exchange student in California she had been in awe at the wonderful buildings she had been able to visit. As part of the course, they had studied interior spaces and been encouraged to visit buildings of interest, sketching those elements of the building which they felt added to the effect.
So it was one sunny morning she had found herself sitting in one of the chairs within the Clarence Hotel sketching the ornate rose ceiling in the centre of the foyer. As she moved her hand across the page, she had become aware of somebody watching her, and turning she had come face to face with the most handsome man she had ever seen.
He had smiled softly at her
“A rose by any other name” he had said in a sensual American drawl making her laugh.
They had begun talking and soon he was inviting her out for dinner. Kira who normally didn’t accept dates from total strangers had made an exception to her rule, not quite sure why. However, the warm blueness of his eyes she felt had a great deal to do with it, along with his easy smile and laugh which sent small shivers up her back.
The evening had gone well, although she very quickly realised that Craig Kent was no ordinary man as waiters seemed to faun on him whenever he would appear. She had soon discovered just how rich he was, but the fact that this did not seem to bother her had fascinated him. She had continued laughing with him telling her bad jokes and listening to his and soon he was making dates with her every evening.
It hadn’t taken her long to fall head over heels in love with the enigmatic man and she had thought that he felt the same way about her. Her mind remembering the night they had come back into his mansion after a moonlit stroll in the garden. He had held her hand telling her stories of the stars and the heavens above and she had been totally in awe of him, her young body reacting to him in a way that was so unfamiliar. When he had kissed her goodnight, meaning to escort her to the room she was staying, she had held on to him her eyes sending signals to his of the need she was feeling. He had groaned against her mouth before leading her to his room.
As she had stood by the bed her body yearning for him she had been afraid, but he had gently assured her with the soft caresses of his mouth against hers. She knew that he had sensed long ago that she was an innocent and he had kissed her gently removing her clothing, setting her whole body on fire with an unfamiliar burning need for him. When they had finally stood together totally naked he had lifted her onto the bed and began to kiss her with real passion, which had sent her head reeling.