The scent of tuberoses drifted to my nostrils as I climbed the steps. Two gigantic earthenware pedestal vases filled with slender stalks of flowers with a heavenly fragrance flanked the stairs. The building was open and airy, constructed like a traditional Balinese village house. Huge wooden beams carved in intricate patterns graced the structure. Contemporary sofas wrapped in neutral tones sprawled across the place. A few guests lounged on them, sipping cocktails from tall, narrow glasses.
The sun had hidden behind the clouds and a fresh mountain breeze quickened past us. A ma
n in creamy gold livery offered us hot towels. I took one and headed to the check-in desk. A young woman in a similar outfit greeted me behind the marble counter.
“Hello, there. I have a reservation for Declan Cairne and Jessica Knapp.” I eyed her nametag. “Putu, right? I believe we’ve talked on the phone before?”
Her eyes bore signs of recognition. “Ms Knapp, yes?” Her accent was thick and a little bit hard to understand, just like I remembered. “Welcome to Chedi. How was your flight, Ms Knapp?”
“Too long, I’d say.”
She giggled politely. Her voice sounded like a song bird. “I will make it quick, then. Wayan will take your luggage to your villa. It’ll be just a minute while I check you in.” Her fingers danced on the keyboard.
“Villa?” I frowned. I didn’t remember booking any villa. Declan had told me to book two deluxe rooms, side by side. “You mean rooms?”
Putu’s smile turned to a frown. She shook her head weakly. “No, Ms Knapp. Your reservation has been changed to a villa.”
“A villa?” I echoed again like an idiot. “I didn’t change the reservation. Could you check it again?”
“Is there a problem here?” Declan had sneaked up behind my back.
“There’s a mix-up with the reservation,” I said.
Declan looked at me, unfazed. “I changed the reservation.”
“What?”
Then it hit me. This man had planned everything all along. Nookie in the car. Changing the reservation to one room instead of two. He wanted to mix business with pleasure.
“Why would you do that?”
Declan ignored me. He turned to Putu. “Miss, can we have the keys? I’d like settle in as soon as possible. It’s been a long flight.”
“Certainly, Mr Cairne.” Putu’s fingers danced again as she typed madly. She produced a print-out for Declan to sign.
Declan scribbled his signature and grabbed the keys.
“Enjoy your stay, Mr Cairne. Ms Knapp. Chedi is thrilled to have you as our guests,” Putu said, inclining her head.
“Oh, we will.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and tugged me along. “Come on, babe.”
I resisted the urge to give Declan a hard smack. Since I didn’t want to make a scene, I kept my mouth shut. I planned to give him a piece of my mind in private.
Wayan and another bell boy had beaten us to the villa. Declan generously tipped them and asked them to put our luggage in the foyer. As soon as they were out of sight, I pounced on my boss.
“Well? What do you have to say for yourself, mister?”
Declan only chuckled and reached for me. I swatted his hand away. He sighed.
“I have a confession.”
“You changed the reservation so you could have your way with me. How devious is that? What will your colleagues think if they find out we’re staying in the same room? You have a reputation to uphold. For God’s sake, you’re the CEO.”
“There is no company meeting. I made that up. I brought you here so I could seduce you, up close and personal. I wanted to have you all to myself. Purely for selfish reasons.”
It took a few seconds for my brain to register. Everything just clicked. The bastard. This time, I did smack him. I didn’t care that he was my boss. My fist hit his shoulder. He snatched it and pulled me into his arms.
“Let me go. You’re not getting away with this so easily.”