I had seen him walking around the pool on several occasions. He strutted around as if he owned the place. This was not true, I had asked around and found out he was the cousin of the owner. Either way, he seemed to be a nice guy, even if he was full of himself. You know the type; looks great and thinks they are more than that.

I’d seen him watching me every chance he had. I liked him looking at me, it was more than okay, but in truth, I was looking at him just as much. His gorgeous dark hair and his bedroom-naughty, steel-gray eyes, they just melted women when he looked at them a certain way.

I had seen them in action around the pool, when he had talked to the guests. And no matter what age they were, they had gone from what seemed to be confident girls and women, to gibbering wrecks of wanting. Just from talking to him. Unreal.

It would take more than a look from those eyes to get into my panties, I knew that for certain. I was much stronger than that. It was close though, I had found myself biting my bottom lip and thinking of myself writhing and bucking under his body on a few occasions.

The days had been easy to control, but at night I had seen him strolling around the hotel complex, and that was a different thing altogether. I had no other recreational activity that was better than looking at him. The thoughts had welled up inside until I could find something to take my mind off of his gaze.

A tall drink full of ice cubes had been my solution. I could shove a cube in my mouth to divert my thoughts away from him. It wasn’t natural to want it that bad. To want him that much.

I was sure I could have him when I wanted, but he thought I was his prey. But, this was not true and he would be mine when I wanted. It would be my decision of when and where, or that was what I kept telling myself, for now. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if it was fate or a mistake that I went to the club. I had no idea he would be there. I walked in and stood at the bar. The dance floor was full. I could see some really sexy moves going on, many coming from the local girls who were dancing with the single guys. Most of those guys had come on vacation for some naughty, adult fun.

It was quite hot to see; all the pussies being rubbed on thighs to the sound of the thumping music. In a way, it’s much more of a thrill than watching a staged porn film.

The music fades, and a few of the dancers make their way back to their tables. I pick up my glass and take a sip. That was when I saw him sitting at one of the larger tables. I try not to openly stare, and instead, I peek from the corner of my eye. I can see he is with another guy who has his arm around a younger, local girl. Then there’s another guy, he’s the one I’ve seen with a pencil wedged firmly behind his ear most of the day. He looks to be enjoying himself with two girls sitting extremely close to him.

I look into my glass and notice I don’t have any ice cubes to chomp on. I look up and see the barman is busy. Shit, I only have my own defenses to stop myself from being drawn to him. Please don’t come and talk to me. Please. Do. Not. Come. And. Talk. To. Me.

I can’t turn away, ugh… body language. He will know that I feel something. I’m sure he is smart enough to know that. I can’t walk out, that is a sure sign I am attracted to him.

Grin and bear it, just keep calm.

I hear the music getting louder again. The dance floor starts filling. I have the urge to raise my arms and shout and sing, but the night is still young. To be honest, I’m not sure how many ice cubes I can shove in my mouth over the course of an evening.

I see a chance to turn my face away from the dance floor. I spin on my stool and catch the attention with the barman. Keep him talking…

“How long have you worked here?” I ask.

The barman starts pouring my drink. “About two years, it does go by quick sometimes, but I hear dat da new owner is building a place dat will be busy all year,” the barman explains.

“That will be much better for everyone who works here,” I say.

“It will, dis part of da island only has limited tourism, so a place dat is all year ‘round will certainly boost da lives of di locals,” he replies. The barman hands me my drink. “You sure you want dat many ice cubes in your glass?” he asks.

“Yeah, I have a bit of a liking for crunching ice.” I smile.

“You do know, da guy da new owner has sent is watching you.” The barman tilts his head toward the dance floor.

“I have noticed, I just don’t want to look back at him,” I say, now grinning.

“I can see why, he is a good-looking guy, all da girls keep looking at him, but I see he only has eyes for you,” the barman says. He gives a wide, kind smile.

“That is my problem, I don’t just want to be another mark on his card for holiday romances,” I reply.

The barman smiles again. “Da way he is looking at you, dat is no holiday romance look,” he says.

“What is your name anyway?”

“Akoni.”

“That is really traditional, what does it mean?” I ask.

“It means, someone who has leadership qualities and is brave,” Akoni replies.

“Is that right?”

“I tink it is all bullshit, I work behind da bar in a club, where is my leadership quality?” Akoni says, laughing loudly.

“Maybe the new owner will see something in you, you could get promoted.”

“It would be about time, I ‘ave been here longer dan anyone,” Akoni says.

“If I have chance, I will put in a good word for you,” I say.

“Speak to da guy, maybe he can say sometin?” Akoni says.

“God, I love your accent. I will when I have a chance.”

Akoni leans over the bar. I see the whites of his eyes as he whispers and says, “I tink you ‘ave da chance now, he is walking dis way.”

“Crap, don’t go too far away, I might need your help,” I say plainly. My stomach jumps with butterflies.

“I will get you some more ice cubes,” he says. He walks to the far end of the bar.

I pick up my glass and sip on the cold juice. I can feel the vodka cutting through the citrus flavor of the fresh orange. My tongue searches for an ice cube, but they have all gone.

I see from the corner of my eye. The guy leans over the bar and waves at Akoni. “Bartender,” the guy calls.

I open my mouth completely by accident. “Akoni. His name is Akoni.”

I sit and stare at the top of my glass. I slowly spin around in my stool and look at him. Shit, those gray eyes, I feel my foot moving on the stool… another involuntary movement.

“Would you like another drink?” he asks.

“Sure, same but with lots of ice,” I say, very nervously.

Akoni walks back to the end of the bar. “Whiskey on the rocks and whatever the lady is having,” he says.

“Vodka and orange wid lots of ice,” Akoni says.

I see the guy smile. He turns to me. “Alex,” he says, oozing confidence.

“Sorry?” I ask huskily.

“My name is Alex, and you are?”

I cough and splutter. “Brooke, my name is Brooke.”

“So, what do you think of the club?” Alex asks. God… he smells so good.

“It’s okay, I’ve seen a lot worse.”

“I suppose you’ve heard of the plans for this place?” Alex asks. Akoni returns with the drinks. I quickly shove an ice cube in my mouth.

“I have heard you are building some sort of bigger club.” The ice cube bangs against my teeth.

“Yes, my cousin and her boyfriend are transforming the whole thing, they already have two clubs in New York,” Alex explains.

“They know what they are doing, obviously.”

“It appears so, they have a real insight into what people want.”

“You make it sound like their clubs are not typical clubs?” I ask

I watch as Alex scratches his head and rubs his chin. “Have you just started to say something you will regret?”

“Keep it to yourself, but their two clubs are secret clubs,” he says

“What do you mean secret clubs?” I ask

“The first was men only. They have lesbian shows and high-class hookers,” he explains.

“Ah, that sort of secret club.”

“Yeah, and the second which has not long been open caters for couples,” he says

“You mean, men and women on stage performing together?” I ask

Alex shrugs his shoulders. “Yeah, that was what my cousin explained to me,” he says

Without realizing I answered, and as soon as I had said it, I knew it was the wrong answer.

“How fucking hot is that, watching live sex shows.”

“Lust can be a real bitch, it leads a man to your promised land.”