Emma and Pete got out of the car and walked into the building. It had high, lofted ceilings and a huge fan slowly oscillating in the middle.

“Welcome.” A woman who had been sitting at a desk stood. “We’re happy to have you.” She held out her hand. “You must be the Slaters. I’m Mona. I run things here. Come, have a seat.” She gestured at two open chairs on the other side of the desk.

Emma and Pete shook her hand and took a seat. The room wasn’t much bigger than their living room at home, and other than the desk, there were a few potted plants and not much else.

Mona sat back down. “Your luggage is being taken to your villa as we speak. Once we finish the check-in process, I’ll have one of our staff show you to your room. It’s always tiring after a long day of travel, and I promise to be brief.”

“We are a little tired, thank you,” Emma said. “Your resort looks beautiful.”

The woman’s laugh sounded like tinkling chimes. “Why, thank you. This island is very special to me. It has belonged in my family for over a hundred years. This is just the intake area, and we keep it very small on purpose. You’ll find that the rest of the resort is much more generous in its style and accommodations. This keeps prying eyes out, so to speak.” She winked.

“Is your resort always full?” Pete asked.

“Not always,” she said as she shuffled some paperwork. “As you know, we were able to get you in on short notice. You came highly recommended, which helps. The time of year also makes a difference. But we cater to a very small group of individuals, so it’s never been an issue.” She separated some papers out of the group she was holding. “Here are some information sheets for you to go over once you get to your villa.” She handed them to Emma. “Each suite has its own private dipping pool, two showers, one outdoors and one inside, and as Henry was telling you, you have access to a golf cart anytime you wish. Simply call the front desk, and one will be delivered here to this location. There are some beaches on the other side of the island that are worth seeing, and they are very private. You can also bike anywhere you wish. We have a full fleet of bikes and a small paved path that leads around most of the island. The island itself is only five miles long and two miles wide.” She handed Pete a key card and a few more papers.

“Thank you,” Pete said. “We’ll go over everything once we get to the room.”

“We only have a few rules here,” she said conversationally as she folded her hands on the desk. “But we make sure they are upheld utterly and completely. The entire island is clothing optional, except the restaurants. We have one formal dining room, one casual restaurant with a bar, and one beach bar, which serves breakfast and lunch only. Clothing is mandatory at every meal. The beach bar is located by the communal swimming pool, and that’s where you’ll find most of the clientele who wish to socialize. The pool area is always clothing optional, and the beach bar is after five p.m. when we stop serving lunch. The bar is the main spot for mingling, especially in the evening hours after the sun sets. You need not make any reservations at any of our restaurants. There are twenty tables, as we have twenty rooms. Nonpaying guests are never allowed on the grounds at any time. If you don’t feel like dressing up, you can easily order room service. Our menu is extensive, and anything can be made, at any time of the day or night, and delivered to your door free of charge. We are semi-all-inclusive. You are allotted three meals a day. The formal restaurant is only open for dinner. Anything above and beyond that is set at a reasonable price. All water, soda, and juice are free at all times. Alcohol is extra, but we charge wholesale prices.”

Emma nodded along. She was getting excited. This sounded like their kind of vacation. Sexy and relaxed.

Mona continued, “Beach towels are provided. They are in your rooms and at the pool. Feel free to take as many as you’d like. Leave them outside your front door, and housekeeping will pick them up. Housekeeping will only clean your room if you leave the card on the door handle. If you don’t, they will leave fresh towels and toiletries on a shelf outside. That means you’ll never have housekeeping knocking on your door. If you know ahead of time you won’t want your room cleaned the entire stay, we can make a note of it.”

“Thank you,” Emma said. “I’m sure we’ll want it cleaned, but we’ll play it by ear.”

“The last rule is no sex in the staff areas of the resort or restaurants, except the beach bar after ten p.m.,” Mona said. “There are many places to meet up, including the main pool at any time. Anything on your own balcony is fine. You are also free to have sex anywhere on the island, just as long as you’re not on the grounds of the resort. The delineation is our carefully manicured lawns. We have this rule to cater to the staff here who we hire from some of the bigger islands. Not everyone wants to stand witness to another’s sexual act, so we hope you understand.” She stood. “Everything else is in order. We have your credit card on file. I hope you enjoy your stay. Welcome to Paradise.” Mona gestured toward the door. “Henry should be waiting outside. He will see you to your villa.”

9

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The grounds were just as lush as they were on the drive in. Everywhere Pete looked there were flowers, bushes, trees, and grass. The salty ocean breeze felt cool on his face and tempered the humidity nicely. They could hear waves crashing into the shore as they moved along a path closer to the villas. Pete couldn’t believe how nice it was. And it was extremely private. The wooden footpath they’d been walking on wove through the resort, vegetation on both sides. It was made of some kind of dark teakwood. They saw some out buildings, but had yet to see a villa.

Pete and Emma had never had extra funds to spend on something extravagant like this. They’d been building a house, among other things. The opening to come here came at the right time. Both Pete and Emma had gotten bonuses last winter, and Pete had gotten a promotion six months ago.

Emma clasped his upper arm, leaning in. “I feel like we’re in a dream,” she murmured. “This might be the most romantic thing we’ve ever done.”

“I agree. It’s too good to be true.”

Henry turned down another path, and they followed. This time it led to a door made out of dark wood. It was huge. Big bushes bracketed either side of the entryway to give it privacy. The shelf Mona had mentioned sat to the right.

“This is your villa.”

Pete noted the number seven hanging beside the door.

“Everything is inside already,” Henry said. “I saw to it myself.” Pete tried to give him a tip, but he waved it away. “No, we’re paid well and don’t accept tips. Everything is covered in your room rate. No worries from here on out. Just enjoy yourself.” He bowed once and then turned and left.

Pete took the key card out and smiled at Emma. “Are you ready?” he asked. “It’s all been built up so much. I hope we’re not going to be disappointed.”

“We won’t be. There’s no way. Hurry up!” she urged. “I can’t wait another second.”

There was no slot to put the card in.

Pete waved the card in front of the metal plate, and they heard a pop. “This is more high-tech than I’d thought an island this small could get.” He turned the lever and opened the door, ushering Emma in first.

The villa did not disappoint.

“Oh, my,” Emma commented as she walked in. “It’s all so sleek and modern!” They walked through a short hallway and emerged into a small living area. All the furniture was dark leather with cream accents. The floor was green slate. All the art and knickknacks were modern, most of them silver. Everything had its place.