(For my husband, with love)
Heat. The road shimmered in front of me as I swung my hire car onto the motorway that ran from the city of Palma up to the north of the island of Majorca. Overhead, an incoming holiday jet screamed its way to the airport and the intrusive noise heightened my feelings of stress and anger. I could feel tears gather behind my eyes but with speeding cars coming at me from all directions, I had to stay concentrated on the journey for now. The tears and despair would no doubt hit me later...
I settled into the far right lane and let my mind wander for a moment. Even though my foot was pressed against the accelerator my brain was telling me to stop, turn the car around and head back to the airport.
Despite the air-conditioning turned up high, I could still feel the full force of the sun, feel its rays beating down on top of the car as if it wanted to invade me. The heat and discomfort I was feeling finally made the tears flow, my vision blurring as I sped along, ignoring the curious looks of the other drivers who overtook me.
I shouldn't be here. I should be on my way to Ibiza now, not driving towards my parents' villa to spend four boring weeks with a group of strangers with whom I had nothing in common...
And Jake...I slammed my fists into the steering wheel in frustration at the thought of the house party that would be taking place every day at Gina's villa in the hills. He would be there, as would every single one of my friends...
The outskirts of Palma gave way to arid countryside, the occasional small finca surrounded by palm trees and olive groves. The mountains to my left were piled up, one against the other, their rocky peaks a stunning contrast to the intense blue of the sky. But even this familiar sight did nothing to lighten my mood. I was furious with my parents for making me travel out to see their new villa instead of allowing me to holiday with my friends. They had used subtle blackmail and every trick in the book to make me agree to their demands and at twenty years of age, I was also furious with myself for giving in.
"You can always catch up with your friends later," they had insisted. And with my father recovering from an operation and my mother pleading help, I had no choice but to agree.
Of course, they had said I could bring a friend with me, but nobody had fancied accompanying me to a remote villa in the countryside around the small Roman town of Pollensa. How could that possibly compare with the clubs of Ibiza?
I imagined my friends arriving at their villa, laughing and joking and preparing to dance the night away. Their days would be a mixture of sunbathing and sleeping, not a care in the world. And Jake would be there as well...Jake, who, without me by his side, would soon turn his attention to the sweet and pretty Alicia...
I could feel small beads of perspiration run down my back as I imagined him kissing her, his hands covering her smooth, perfectly formed body, the pair of them entwined on the bed in the villa, the morning sun shining down on them. It was bound to happen. I wasn't that naïve to think that he would wait until after the summer to resume our fledging relationship and I now regretted not sleeping with him when I had the chance.
I was so immersed in my tortuous thoughts that I nearly missed the exit sign for Pollensa and slammed the steering wheel again. My mother had hinted at a single man as part of the group who were staying and my heart sank. She had never been keen on Jake and I was certain that that was one of the reasons why she wanted me to go out to Majorca. He wasn't the type she wanted for her precious only daughter and I dreaded to think who she had invited that was more suitable.
The view of mountains had been replaced by pine forests on either side of the road and I concentrated on the signs, knowing that the villa was along a narrow, single track lane. I hadn't taken much interest when my parents were choosing their holiday home as I had been away at University and consumed with thoughts of Jake. Wishing now that I had at least accompanied them when they flew out to finalise arrangements, I searched desperately for a sign that would show me the way.
It was half an hour later when I eventually drew up in the large courtyard of an imposing new-build villa. My parents had recently come into some money, left to them by an ageing and distant relative and they were determined to enjoy their new-found wealth. No expense had been spared in the design and build of the house and its shuttered windows looked down on me impassively as I turned off the car engine.
I opened the driver's door and was hit by a blast of heat, the noise of the crickets the only sound in the silence of the afternoon. I had been warned by my parents that they might be out, but I had a key with me and as I struggled to the door with my luggage I noticed how quiet and remote the villa was. There were no other cars in the courtyard and I opened the heavy oak front door slowly, listening carefully for any voices but there was only a deep and heavy silence.
A note from my mother greeted me and pointed out which of the five bedrooms was mine. Sinking gratefully onto the bed I lay still for a few minutes before heading for the shower and welcome relief.
*
The feeling was intensely pleasurable...hands were stroking my body and my nipples responded as warm lips licked softly at them. I moaned and arched my body as the lips moved lower, drawing tiny circles over my skin. My fingers reached out to press a dark head closer, at the same time urging him to go further down and ease the ache that was threatening to make me explode...
"Ahem...it's Lorna, isn't it?"
My eyes flew open and I recoiled in shock at the dark figure looming above me. The sun was behind him so I couldn't see his face and for one moment I thought that I was at the mercy of an opportunist burglar.
"Who are you?" I gasped and hastily covered my body, which was naked apart from a tiny bikini bottom. I was aware of what I must look like, my nipples no doubt still erect from my delicious dream.
"Sorry to wake you, I'm Peter. Your mother invited me..."
I sat up in confusion and reached for my wrap. "I didn't think there was anyone here."
"There wasn't. I've just come back from the town."
My head hammered with the sudden movement but Peter made no move to avert his eyes from my body. I could now see him clearly and my heart sank once again. He was just as I guessed, lanky and spotty with a hopeful, almost dog-like expression on his thin face. He must have thought it was his lucky day and I wondered how long he'd been standing there ogling me before speaking.
Now covered, I stood up and made my way back into the villa, tiny hairs standing up on the back of my neck as he followed me. We were totally alone in the house and he was a complete stranger.
"I'm going to make a drink," I said, as he almost ran to keep up with me. "Would you like one?"
I looked back and he nodded, a grin on his face. "That's great, thanks. Your mother told me you were coming to stay. I've heard a lot about you."
I groaned quietly and opened the fridge which dominated the large kitchen. My parents had spared no expense here either and the room was stuffed with appliances and massed ranks of white, gleaming cupboards, the floor tiles cool on my hot feet. Searching around for glasses, I could feel Peter's eyes follow me.
