Fire - Betrayal Read Free

connections between us.  Ben collected my luggage and we swiftly exited the airport in a taxi.
    I felt exuberant at the change of weather.  Instead of freezing cold blizzard conditions, we had arrived to glorious sunshine, blue sky and warm temperatures.  My head felt light and free.
    The traffic was sparse as I looked out and about, soaking up the tropical oasis and the magnificent colours of the sunset against the greenery of the rainforest, the blues of the ocean and white sand made the island feel magical.
    I marveled at the light filtering through the rainforest canopy, creating rich and vibrant colours to stand out in the vast variety of plants on the forest floor. I adored the creation of the waves that would rise to a great height, and then curl over before crashing down as it approached the shallow waters of the beach.  I admired the golden glow of the grains of sand on the beach, imagining how it would feel under my bare feet.
    Finally, the taxi stopped.  A beach house sat before my eyes.  It was one of many, but aptly positioned so that it was secluded from the others.
    I faced the beach house and admired its symmetrical design.  It had a high pitched       off-white metal roof with a matching cupola. The gabled porch at the entrance of the house was supported by large timber posts. The house bricks had been bagged and painted a parchment tone, while the large sash windows were framed in timber that matched the porch timber posts.
    My eyes were drawn to the beautiful colour of the double doors that led into the beach house.  They were french blue, with three long vertical panels balanced with three square glass panels at the top of each door.
    Ben walked around me, amused by my scrutiny of the architecture, and then he walked to the double front doors and stopped momentarily.
    I looked up at him from the pathway and giggled, and skipped my way to his side.  He smiled shyly at me, then locked eyes with me as he unlocked the door to the beach house.
    As the brightness from inside the beach house greeted me , my eyes were drawn away from Ben and into the entrance hall. It had views that flowed through the generous great room, and out to the terrace beyond, finishing with a vibrant view of the white beach sand and ocean.  The cupola above the great room let in an enchanting light.
    Ben reached for my hand, taking it with a gentleness in his a s we walked together over the polished timber floors towards the rear covered terrace. We found that the master bedroom was to the right with amazing views of the beach, and to the left, the kitchen and dining room, again with the wonderful views.
    The second bedroom and a study room of the beach house were situated at the front of the beach house on either side of the entrance hall.
    After I had recovered from the captivating, unbelievable ocean views, I felt confused by the lack of furniture in the beach house.  In fact, I found it particularly odd that a holiday house would be rented out without furniture.
    I turned and walked towards Ben who was fussing about in the kitchen by now.
    “Ben, were you aware that this beach house was unfurnished?  Not that we need furniture, but it would make it a little more comfortable,” I questioned.
    “Mmmm,” replied Ben, with a mouthful of fruit.
    “I’m confused.  I don’t get it. Is there a reason for a furnitureless beach house?  I mean, I’m not complaining, but you must know what’s going on because you brought me here,” I commented.
    “Mmmmm,” replied Ben, smiling.
    “You’re not going to tell me are you?” I said.
    “Let’s go for a walk on the beach first Cate, before the sun completely sets,” Ben said enthusiastically.
    He grabbed my hand and pulled me out the back french doors, across the covered terrace and onto the grass that led to the beach.
    I closed my eyes in pleasure as I felt the cool grains of sand underneath my feet, massaging every arch and curve.
    Then I breathed in deeply,