Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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The plane descended on a small runway, and we had a jeep waiting for us.

While Duke put our suitcases in the back of the jeep, I noticed that the airport was small, with one runway, and the building itself had paint peeling off. The place cried for an update and the lack of people was a giveaway that this is a remote destination and not a traveling hotspot.

"Where is this?", I asked Duke when I got in the car, and he responded with a playful wink which told me he will not talk.

I exhaled helplessly and decided to stop asking. I will find out soon anyway… Maybe.

The sun was up in the cloudless sky, and the humidity was high, but it was not suffocating due to the pleasant breeze that did its magic relentlessly.

The dirt road took us through tall palm trees and exotic-looking bushes that had colorful blooms. It reminded me of Hawaii from the photos I saw. Definitely tropical.

Duke told me to pack a swimsuit, and I could see myself relaxing on the beach.

We passed through a small town, made out of fragile-looking rundown buildings.

The street was filled with pedestrians; most of them were dark-skinned and wearing casual (read: minimalistic) clothes that were appropriate for the warm and humid weather.

Denizens observed us curiously and smiled, some kids ran after the car and laughed, making us appear like some kind of attraction.

The carts filled with various food items on our right and left were open for customers to buy things right off the street.

It looked cozy and local, and I didn't see any polished tourists. I had a feeling that I will love it.

We left the town and about five minutes later, Duke took the turn to the left and started driving over a much bumpier road.

I had no idea how long the ride lasted, but I was glad when the car stopped moving because my butt was numb from all the bouncing on the car seat.

I got out of the car and rubbed my behind.

"Are you OK?"

"I will be.", I responded.

"Can I help you with that?", Duke asked with a smirk while eyeing where I was rubbing.

He made a step toward me, and I swiftly moved away.

"Behave, Duke...", I warned him. "We are outside."

"I can wait until we get in." Duke chuckled at my flustered expression and gestured to the left.

The building in front of us had a brown façade and thatched roof which blended well with palm trees that surrounded it.

I could hear the waves and I knew that the beach was nearby.

We stepped inside and we found ourselves in an older-looking, but clean space with white walls.

On the right was a kitchen with a small dining table and two chairs, and in front was a sitting area with wicker furniture.

The double glass door provided ample sunlight, and it opened to a terrace.

I noticed wooden stairs that went up, leading to an open loft which served as a bedroom, with one king-size mattress on the floor and two small dressers, one on each side.

"I thought of getting a villa with all the luxuries included, but I remember you saying how you like that my apartment is compact and simple, so I opted for this.", Duke said while gauging my reaction.

I loved it. It was on the smaller side, but it had everything we would need.

I could see us getting cozy up there in the loft, and Duke cooking for us while I help him wash and chop ingredients. I had only one question. "This is great but… Where is the bathroom?"

Duke gave me a meaningful look and opened the glass double doors.

We stepped on the terrace and my sight fell on the wooden deck that had stairs going down straight to the sandy beach that was a faint shade of pink. The perfectly calm blue sea beyond it was breathtaking.

"The bathroom, my lady…", Duke's voice got my attention, and I saw him gesturing toward the right.

The terrace had two steps down which led toward the open shower and next to it was a big tub nestled among tropical flowers.

"Restroom is when you take right after the shower…", Duke said.

I felt the excitement bubbling inside me. "When can we go to the beach?"

Duke's face exploded into a smile. "As soon as we change clothes. But let me show you a few more things first. It will only take a minute…"

Duke opened the refrigerator whose top third was a freezer that was filled with neatly stacked labeled containers.

"These are ready-made, and we only need to defrost them and reheat, if we don't feel like cooking…", Duke explained. "We can go to town and get fresh ingredients, but the fridge is stocked quite well..."

The fridge was also full, and on the right from it was a basket filled with fresh fruits.

We checked the cabinets in the kitchen that had all the dishes and utensils we might need.

Duke lifted our suitcases to the loft, and I dove into my suitcase in search of a swimsuit.

It didn't take me long to find my white bikini and I did my best to pretend I didn't notice Duke's scorching gaze on me. If we get handsy, we will never get to the beach.

I tied my last string and turned to Duke while pulling my hair in a high ponytail, thinking that the danger of getting distracted passed, but then I saw him standing in front of me in just swimming trunks and I felt myself getting heated as my sight traveled over the majestic landscape his perfect muscles created.

Sure, I saw him naked, but that tiny piece of fabric that covered his important parts made him look more seductive than usually and I ended up gaping at him with my mouth half-open.

That level of handsomeness should be illegal!

Duke gave me a half-smile which made my stomach flip. Damn! I forgot that he can smell my arousal.

"The beach…", I said weakly, reminding him (and myself) that we were supposed to go somewhere.

"Before that, I want to show you another thing…", Duke said and extended his hand toward me, palm up.

I put my hand into his and followed him down the stairs and outside, through the double doors.

We took to the left and behind the corner was another set of stairs, leading up, to the top of the house.

I inhaled audibly when we reached the top.

It was a rooftop terrace that was completely open on one side, providing an unobstructed view of the beach and the sea that stretched forever, while thatched roof provided shade and enclosed the other three sides.

There were two chaises, one side table, and a minibar with three barstools. Perfect spot for a party.

With this view from above, I could see the shower and the tub, and a bit further down was a hammock stretched between two palm trees.

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