“The view,” I murmur.
We’re looking at the ocean, and it’s stunning.
“This was a good choice of destination,” Shively says quietly. I grin and take his hand in mind. “Alpha,” he adds quietly.
Grinning, we turn away and continue to follow the man who drops us off at reception. They have check-in down to a science with minimal waiting. It isn’t more than three or four minutes before we’re led outside and into a small eight-seater golf cart. There’s already a couple waiting when we join them. We’re barely seated before the last couple climbs in and the cart drives down the paved path.
I’m not sure where to look. There are buildings and lounge chairs and people with drinks everywhere. I’m staring right up until I catch Shively and the wonder on his face as he looks around. The island is still stunning, but it’s no longer the most beautiful thing I’ve seen. The man beside me is.
From the cart, we’re loaded onto a ferry. It’s not only the six of us who just checked in but the ferry where other resort guests load on to move between the islands. The driver hands Shively and I over to another employee for guidance to our accommodations.
It’s strange being surrounded by people with not a single one of them on their phones. No one has headphones or earbuds. There isn’t someone with a tablet or an e-reader.
And no one seems like they’re missing their technology either. Everyone is chatting, admiring the view, holding each other. Is this what life was like before technology overtook us?
I wrap my arm around Shively and pull him into my side as the ferry takes off from the dock. His hand rests on my stomach,and I smile. As much as he says he likes my thighs, and I don’t doubt he does, he also loves my stomach. He loves to trace my abdominal muscles.
“It’s hot without being gross,” Shively says.
I nod. “I imagine that we’ll stay somewhat comfortable since we’ll be right on the water and there’s probably always going to be a breeze of some kind.”
“It’s going to be strange not having to drive everywhere.”
“Very true. I’m marveling over this glimpse of a society where no one has any kind of electronic device on them at all. Look at all the smiles.”
“It’s pretty cool,” he agrees.
Definitely cool.
The ferry stops at Etsumi, Keone Reef, Bane, Sonder, then it’s our turn to get off. The man who leads us from the ferry explains that there’s a ferry every fifteen minutes from every island. That must mean there are a lot of ferries that are in constant circulation.
“Your cottage is relatively close to this dock, but there are little skiff boats that run the length of Nyoka since it’s so long.” He points to a couple waiting at the dock we were just dropped off at. There are drivers waiting there as well.
“This is pretty cool,” I say. “I’ve never seen an island like this.”
He smiles. “It’s cool, definitely. It was wild to watch it be built.”
“You live here? I guess everyone lives here.”
He chuckles. “Yes. If you work here, you live here. Commuting from any place off Kala would be far more than we make in a year, even the owners. So yes, I watched the islands being built. It’s incredible technology. I’m really excited to see our small chain of six islands more than double to thirteen.”
“We’ll have to return when it’s finished,” I comment.
Shively grins.
“Definitely. You think our guidebook is long now,” he says, nodding to the book in Shively’s hand. “Just wait until we add four more islands filled with things to do. Just a few years ago, that book was maybe eighty pages. It’s already more than doubled with the addition of just one more island, which is remarkable since only three percent of the plans for this island have been completed.”
“I honestly can’t imagine.”
“Here we are,” he says and leads us along a small path through thick foliage. “The way the beach winds in connection with the strategically placed foliage was designed to provide privacy for all the cottages facing this side of the island. As you can imagine, the plants need to grow, so there are some holes that will be filled in as time moves. However, no one should be walking across this expanse of beach. It’s all yours. Any kind of room service or concierge will be delivered through the back.”
He opens the door, and it’s honestly adorable as fuck. Just one area with no walls. A kitchenette at one end. A bathroom, primarily open except for the water closet, on the other. The suitcases we left back in the electronic removal room are sitting at the end of the large bed. Our escort shows us how the bank of glass windows folds away at the touch of a button to open the space up. Alternately, there are blackout shades that come down, also at the push of a button.
We receive a brief overview of features in the cabin, but he tells us to explore for ourselves to find all the secrets and hidden gems. He leaves us with the directive that if we have any questions, the phone connects to the concierge only.
Then we’re alone. Completely and utterly alone. I set my bag down and take Shively’s from his back. “Clothes off,” I instruct.
His eyes flicker to the wide-open wall, but he immediately begins to strip down. He doesn’t wait for me to tell him to graba pillow. He swipes one from a chair and drops it to the floor where he gets down on his knees, hands behind his back, and looks up at me with stunning blue eyes.
