She rolls her eyes. “Yeah. I remember. Shame about that perfect right-hander out there. I hope you’re not gonna show me more waves I can’t surf.”
“No.” I start to smile. “I’m going to show you somewhere better than that.”
A short while later we’re on my Vespa, heading out through the village. It’s another beautiful sunny morning, warm air kissing my cheeks. Jade’s body presses against mine, her arms around my waist.
I’m completely aware of every warm inch of her.
This is going to be a long day.
Jade
I must have tried on about five different outfits before I settled on a T-shirt with my new cargo trousers. It’s to protect my leg, I tell myself. That’s why I bought them. Plus, I know they make my ass look great.
The T-shirt is part of a new diffusion label from Ocean’s Curl. Zara and I worked as consultants on the design side of things. The top is sheer and stretchy, printed with a photographic image of palm leaves in different shades of green. Perfect with my eyes.
Why I’m making so much effort is beyond me.
Or at least, I’m denying it to myself.
I just broke up with my boyfriend of four years. I do not need to throw myself at the first available man, no matter how hot he is, or how strong his arms felt wrapped around me.
But as I straddle the scooter, pressing myself against Axel, it feels pretty damn good to be that close to him again.
As we speed along narrow roads, I remind myself that I’m his guest, and he probably does this for everyone who comes to visit. I would, if I lived somewhere this beautiful. The roadsides are thick with green vegetation and colourful flowers, and I catch the occasional glimpse of a traditional house, timber-built and surrounded by palms, or fields with more of the glossy brown cows.
The land starts to rise, the hillside dropping away on one side of the road, the view opening up. The ocean is turquoise shading to dark blue, fringed with white where it breaks on the golden curve of beaches. Warm wind tangles in my braid, kisses my cheek as we turn inland and the view is lost, jungle rising around us.
After a little while Axel slows, then pulls in at the side of the road.
“Come on.” He glances back at me, taking off his helmet, running a hand through his sandy blond hair. I catch another whiff of his sexy bonfire scent and resist the urge to close my eyes and breathe it in. Come on, Jade. Leave it alone.
He gets off the scooter, offering me his hand. I take it, leaving my helmet on the seat. He lets go as soon as I’m standing. This is probably a good thing.
He leads me along a small path through the trees.
“Oh, wow.” I pause, pulling out my phone. The trees have opened up and we’re standing at the edge of a valley. The land drops away below us, ridged into terraces, each one edged with tufts of bright green vegetation. The opposite side of the valley is the same, the terraces undulating as the land curves, a beautiful pattern of light and shade, as though the hills are made of stacked layers of green felt.
“Rice terraces.” Axel is standing next to me. “I’ve seen the famous ones in Ubud, but I think these are just as good.”
“They are.” I’ve also been to Ubud, but these terraces feel different, I suppose because there’s no one here apart from me and Axel. It’s how I imagine Bali used to be, before tourism took over. I take a few photos, mesmerised by the colours, the curving stacked shapes. Then I glance at Axel. “Sorry. Can I… I mean, I know you want to keep this place secret. At least, that’s the impression I get. I won’t post them to my socials or anything. I’m taking a break from all that.”
“Why do you think I don’t upgrade the Wi-Fi?” Axel grins, his eyes twinkling. “Can’t have you influencers spoiling the place.”
“I’m not an influencer!” As his grin deepens I realise he’s messing with me. “Hey!”
“Come on,” he says, taking my hand again. “Need to keep going.”
I let him pull me along another path, taking us away from the terraces and deeper into the jungle. Brightly coloured birds dart overhead, vines like entwined snakes hanging from the trees. Larger shapes crash through the branches, and I realise what they are.
“Monkeys!” I pause to watch them play, laughing.
Axel tugs my hand. “A bit further.”
“Do you bring all your guests here?” I say, as he takes me deeper into the jungle. We’re heading downhill again, the path winding through the deep green.
He turns back to me. “No, Jade. Only you.”
It’s as though thunder rumbles between us, a moment of deep connection.
