Chapter Seven
We landin Bangkok exactly eleven hours later, no head wind and a talented pilot has us arriving ahead of schedule. Apart from my rather enjoyable encounter in the bathroom with Bryce, the rest of the flight was uneventful. I slept a little, chatted with each of my men, ate some food, read some more and watched a couple of movies. Soon we were over the mainland and making our descent to the runway. Now, as I step off the plane into the midday sun, the intense heat and humidity hits me immediately. I instantly regret my decision to wearjeans.
“Holy cow, Louisa, it’s so hot!” Nisha says, linking her arm through mine as we walk across the asphalt. A shuttle bus is waiting for us, and we all pile on it. Inside it has plush, cream leather seats and air conditioning. We are the only passengers. Everyone else on the flight is heading to two not-so-new-lookingbuses.
“Welcome to Bangkok,” says the driver in perfect English. He is wearing a suit and a pleasant smile. “I understand you have a connecting flight to Krabi Internationalairport.”
“That’s correct. It leaves in about an hour,” Hudsonconfirms.
“Plenty of time to have your passports checked and your baggage transferred,” the driver explains with a polite nod of his head. “Please relax while I take you on the next part of yourjourney.”
Nisha grins at Calum, who is unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt. “This is the best fun I’ve had in years,” shesays.
Calum chuckles. “What, travelling in this shuttlebus?”
“Yep, that and flying. I mean, it’s so exciting.” Nisha talks animatedly for the rest of the short ride to the terminal. I, however, am feeling wrecked. I might have slept a little, but not nearly long enough. Max is sitting beside me, and I lean into hisarms.
“Hey, you feeling alright,Icy?”
“More like melty,” Iquip.
Max chuckles. “It’s not too much longer. A short wait for the plane, maybe an hour’s flight, then another hour’s journey to the resort. It’ll be worth it, Ipromise.”
“I know itwill.”
“Once we arrive at the resort you canrelax.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” I say as I run my finger down the tattoo on his arm. I have the sudden urge to run the tip of my tongue along its length. The heat is most definitely getting tome.
After gettingour passports and visas checked there is very little time until we need to board our connecting flight to Krabi. The flight is short and before long we are landing once again. By the time we leave the airport I am beyond exhausted. Even Nisha has lost a little of her enthusiasm. Two taxis have been arranged to collect us. A car for Nisha and Calum, and a seven-seater for us. Both are luxurious. I climb into the vehicle and sit next to Hudson this time. He doesn’t strike up conversation, he simply pulls my head into his lap, and lifts my feet up onto theseat.
“Sleep a little. You look done in,” he says, swiping my hair back from myface.
I don’t sleep. I doze. Somewhere between unconsciousness and wakefulness I dream of white sandy beaches, clear azure waters and three very nakedmen.
“Baby, we’ve arrived.” Hudson’s voice filters into my thoughts, and my eyes flutter open. Sitting up, I blink back the suddenly bright sunlight that glares just beyond the open door. Shading my eyes with my hand, I wait for them to adjust to the light. Bryce is talking to a Thai gentleman dressed in a white linen suit, who in turn instructs a young man to collect our luggage. Within a minute they are stacked on a gold luggage trolley and are being taken away, presumably to our accommodation for the next couple ofnights.
“Let’s get you to our bungalow,” Hudson says, pressing a kiss against my cheek. He gets out of the car, and I follow him. The temperature here is cooler, but not by a great deal. Less humid, I guess. I can smell the freshness of the air, and the salt of the sea just beyond the line of trees that run along the grounds of the complex. The main hotel is a double-story white building. It is far more modern than I’d expected and sits in well-tended gardens with beautiful exotic flowers brightening the borders. Nisha and Calum’s car pulls up, and the door is flung open. Nisha steps out, squealing inexcitement.
“Lou, look at this place. Isn’t it beautiful!” she says, twirling on herfeet.
Hudson takes my hand in his, whilst Max flanks me. I give him a tired smile and he raises his hand, resting it against the base of my neck. Max’s hands are surprisinglycool.
“It’s gorgeous,Nisha.”
“I can’t wait to take a look around.” She glances over her shoulder and points through the line of trees. “Is that thebeach?”
“Yes, a private beach for the residents of the complex,” Calum explains, his eyes twinkling with happiness. He looks at Nishaadoringly.
“Can we go to the beach? I’m dying to see the sea. I want to know whether the water is actually the colour of topaz and the sand the colour of linen.” She’s practically bouncing up anddown.
“Sure, why not,” Calum says. “Do you guys want tocome?”
Hudson looks at me and I must appear as exhausted as I feel because he shakes his head. “You guys go, we’ll catch you later atdinner.”
“Noproblem.”
“Before you go, take the key to your bungalow,” Bryce says, throwing him the set. Calum catches them. “Your bungalow is in the eastern portion of the complex by the spa. Ours is next door. Havefun.”