Page 33 of The Sounds of Her
“No, no, Mr Harris. We have ensured it is a guest. Would you like me to arrange transport back to your villa?” Bart asks.
“I’m good,” I say, wondering who it is that’s changed plans about getting here, but before I can ask, Bart half bows, wishes me a restful night and gets into the golf cart.
I’m sure they’ll take whoever it is straight to the villa, so I set off back towards mine. I pick up the pace because it’s nearing midnight and I should get some sleep. I’m planning to go on the cave expedition in the morning.
I’m close to my villa when I hear the golf cart coming up behind me. I turn as it slows and realise we’re right by the last villa before mine. The cart comes to a stop, and the driver jumps off to help get the bags from the back.
Curious, I walk towards them. I can help and find out who it is at the same time. Brooke steps out of the cart. As we’re right by the villa, there are extra lights on the pathway, she looks exhausted, holding a large purse with sunglasses on her head.
I can’t help but eye her legs in the tiny jean shorts. She’s wearing a fluffy cardigan wrapped around her upper half. She jumps when I come out of the darkness.
“Only me, sorry,” I half laugh.
“Jesus.” She blows out a heavy sigh, her hand to her chest.
“Everything alright?” I walk closer.
“Yeah, I got an earlier flight. I wasn’t expecting them to come pick me up tonight, but I’m glad they did. The only hotel available was kind of,” her nose crinkles. “Anyway, here I am.”
“Yeah,” I remain still with my hands in my pockets, watching as she bends over and kicks off her sandals, her toes squishing in the sand. Her eyes lift and she looks down towards the water, which is an inky black sheet right now.
“Why are you still up?” she asks. The driver comes back and holds out the key to her villa. “Oh thank you,” she takes it and rummages around in her purse until she finds some cash to give to him. He thanks her with a bow.
We watch as he turns the cart around and drives away.
“Can’t sleep?” she asks after I don’t answer her question.
“Enjoying the peace and taking a walk,” I tell her.
“Please tell me there is alcohol in there,” Brooke pushes some hair back off her neck.
The cardigan sweeps open, revealing a tight low-cut top that does all kinds of great things for her tits. My eyes jump back up to her face, realising I’m staring at her chest, but how can I not when they’re displayed so nicely?
“Yeah, fully stocked bar,” I nod.
“Amazing. I need at least a bottle of tequila right now.”
“That bad?” I frown. Brooke shrugs and shifts her cardigan, so it covers her body again. “Well, enjoy that bottle,” I tell her. “See you tomorrow.”
I’m turning when she calls out. “Do you want to get fucked up, Archer?”
My lips twitch. For a second, I heard something different. She isn’t propositioning me.
“Right now?”
“If you want to be an old lady and go to bed at midnight,” she smirks. “I’ve been travelling alone for seventeen hours, I could do with the company. Who the hell wants to drink alone?”
I shouldn’t, but I’m not tired. Jet lag has always been an issue for me, even with all the travelling we do, my body never gets attuned to it. Plus, I like Brooke. She’s funny, sharp and I am genuinely curious about what is going on to have her get here a day early.
So I agree and follow her down the stone path to her villa. The driver left the door open for her with low lights on inside. It’s identical to mine, except turned around so the bed is on the other side of the room. The back doors are closed and covered with screens.
We step over the threshold and, after glancing around, Brooke beelines straight to the bar.
What in the fuck has got her so desperate to get shit-faced?
If I’m hanging out with her, I intend to find out.
Chapter Nine