CHAPTER EIGHT
SUNITA’S EYES STRETCHED so wide she wondered if her eyeballs would actually pop out of her head.
‘This is incredible.’
In truth it was beyond incredible—and she hadn’t even seen the inside of the villa yet.
The drive itself had been unexpected—their chauffeur-driven car had traversed remarkably peaceful roads until they’d reached an idyllic village seemingly untouched by tourism. Winding lanes had displayed a number of villas draped with greenery, and now they had arrived at Sangwan Villa.
The Portuguese-built, newly renovated building was nestled amidst verdant grounds where teak and jackfruit trees thrived, giving the air an evocative smell of leather with a hint of pineapple.
Her gaze rested on the structure itself. With its pillared verandas and high roof it looked like a vision out of a fairy tale.
The thought jolted her. She needed to remember that fairy tales were exactly that—tales, fiction. And most fairy tales had a dark side, a grim under-story, and the myths they were built on didn’t have any happily-ever-afters.
‘How on earth did you get it at such short notice?’
‘It was closed for maintenance—I made it worth the owners’ while to postpone the work.’
A woman walked towards them, a smile on her face, her white and green sari very much in keeping with the verdant backdrop.
‘Your Highness. Welcome. I am Deepali and I will be looking after you during your stay. Your staff have been settled in and your suites are ready, if you will follow me. I will show you your rooms and then I thought you may wish to have an evening drink by the pool before dinner. There are menus in your rooms—just call through when you are ready.’
‘That sounds wonderful,’ Sunita said. ‘And thank you so much for making this available at such short notice.’
Minutes later she was looking around a sumptuous suite. ‘It’s beautiful...’
But it was more than that—it was quirky and cosy, wit
h its warm aura countered by the cool of the tiled floor. The sitting area boasted comfy overstuffed armchairs, where she could imagine curling up with a book and a cup of coffee, or simply gazing at the courtyard outside, resplendent with shrubbery. Two steps led down to the bedroom, where a luxurious wooden bed sprawled against decadent red walls.
Her suitcases had been deposited by a large lacquered wardrobe and she opened one, needing the confidence fresh clothes would give her. A floaty dress with a vivid bird print gave her instant cheer, and as she made her way out to the courtyard she allowed herself to revel in the sound of kingfishers and the sight and scent of the opulent lilies in the ornate pond.
Frederick sat on a recliner chair, a frosted beer bottle on the small table behind him and his blond head slightly tipped back to absorb the rays of the evening sun. Her breath caught as her gaze snagged on the strong line of his throat, the strength of his jaw—Adonis could eat his heart out.
But enough voyeurism...
He turned as she approached and smiled, and for a moment the clock turned back, transported her to two years before, when that smile had quite literally bewitched her, causing her to forget common sense and every promise she’d made herself.
Not this time. This time she had her sensible head on.
So she forced her toes to uncurl and sat down next to him, stretched her legs out and exhaled. ‘This is a fabulous place.’ She swiped a sideways glance at him. ‘And you’ve surprised me.’ Again.
‘Why?’
‘It’s not what I expected.’
‘What did you expect?’
‘Something busier—a five-star hotel on the beach, with a nightclub.’
‘Is that what you wanted?’
‘No.’
‘I told you, Sunita, I’ve changed. Plus, this time needs to be for you and me. No distractions. You wanted to get to know me better. Here I am.’
So he was—and the thought had her reaching for the lime drink she’d ordered.