Chapter 16

Two weeks had passed since Alex had seen Jon. He had finally left the country for New Zealand just a few days before and she was glad for it. For, while he hadn't tried to see her again after that morning at her apartment, as long as he was in the country she had been tempted to pursue him. She often wondered what he made of the situation at her apartment that morning with Rick, her leaving so early with another man. But then the anger would take over, what did it matter what he thought; he was the one who went off and got married.

Alex was busily packing for her holiday, well working holiday. Her boss had told her just the evening before of an assignment in Far North Queensland that would be tantamount to a week off work. There were one to two days of photography required and the rest of the time would be her own. Alex didn't even ask about the subject, she had jumped at the chance. She was still having difficulty sleeping; her nights interspersed with nightmares of Abbie, and thought that the break could only do her good. Who knows, she thought, I might even met the man of my dreams.

The trip was a mystery to Alex, she had not asked for any details nor had Bob volunteered them. All she knew was that she would be flown via private jet to Queensland, that her transfers and accommodation had been taken care of and that she required all of her equipment and a costume. Well, the costume wasn't a job requirement, but she sure as shit wasn't swimming naked and she wasn't going all the way to Queensland to sit idly by in a hotel room and watch every one else swim.

Days hot and humid anywhere up north at this time of the year so she packed lots of light clothing; shorts, tank tops and T's were prevalent, nights could get cool so she also threw in a couple of light weight jackets. She threw in her new halter neck sun dress and a long jade green fitted formal gown just in case, thinking to herself that she really should have asked Bob some more questions about the exact location. She knew that some of the resorts in Queensland were very casual, while others were luxurious exclusive affairs, and wondered which her destination would be. Her usual work attire was packed last, thrown in on top of the two new bikini sets she had purchased a couple of week's prior ready for the summer. As an afterthought, unsure of the islands sleeping arrangements, she threw in her old BJ Tour T Shirt in lieu of nightwear, Alex slept naked and as such had no need for pyjamas, but the T, oversized as it was, reached just below her buttocks and was modest enough if she had to share a room. The bulk of her equipment was still packed from assignment the day before, so all she needed was some extra film, some reflecting screens and her light kit which was packed in its own case. When she was satisfied she moved all of the bags to the foyer ready to go.

With her packing complete, Alex made her way into the shower, thanking the heavens that she had been to the beauty parlour only the week prior for her waxing, hopeful that she would get some time to relax on the beach. Soap tended to dry Alex's skin, so she used a delicate moisturising body wash in her signature fragrance of green apple. She washed her hair with a similarly fragranced shampoo and conditioner then stood under the steaming hot water, letting it wash away the frustrations of the last couple of weeks, it was time to unwind.

Less than an hour later, Alex was getting out of a limousine on the tarmac of the airport and being ushered down a red carpet to a Gulfstream jet. Her bags were stowed in the luggage hold and she was shown to a comfortable leather lounge and served the beverage of her choice, Coke. Not Diet but real honest to goodness Coke. The jet was upholstered in tones of black and grey. It seemed to Alex to be an awful extravagance to use for just one person but who was she to argue, she sat back and enjoyed the ride. The flight was a pleasant one, how could it not be in a private jet, right? It was early afternoon when the plane was landed at Cairns Airport and she was being shuffled once again into a waiting limousine.

Alex settled in for the drive to the resort, enjoying the crisp ocean air that was such a contrast to the smoggy city she had left behind. The driver had offered to drive take her on the scenic drive to the resort and she had accepted eagerly; after the month she had had she was grateful for the opportunity to rediscover beauty in nature. On arrival at the resort an hour or so later a porter came to collect Alex, and show her directly to her villa. She was informed that she was already checked in as part of the VIP party and her bags would precede her to her room while she was taken on a quick tour of the resorts facilities in the managers gold golf cart.

The resort, a prestigious new development, was set in a lovely tropical paradise, it was unobtrusive in its surroundings; constructed of three large buildings, one housing reception and the restaurant another standard hotel rooms. Many smaller out buildings completed the resort, being various forms of accommodation, all surrounded by lush gardens, shady palm trees and many overlooking the magnificent Pacific Ocean. The resort pools were large man made lagoons, crystal clear and inviting.

Alex was finally driven to her villa by the porter, passing several attractive female patrons lounging about the pool and in the gardens, giving credence to her earlier assumption that it would be a model she would be photographing the next morning. She was driven to a set of four somewhat isolated buildings. Each was a freestanding deluxe villa containing four bedrooms, or so it had been explained to her, and she wondered why she had been granted such luxurious accommodation. She was escorted to the largest in the cluster, it also being the most isolated.

The villa was lavishly furnished. She entered into a sprawling living area scattered with assorted groupings of plush lounge chairs. A hostess kitchen was revealed as she moved further into the luxurious space. On the opposite side of the room Alex followed a marble tiled staircase to the upper floor containing the bedrooms. Each were similarly decorated, an inviting king size bed sat in the middle of the room, a tropical print coverlet setting the mood. It was flanked by two cane and rattan bedside tables that matched an upholstered cane bed head. A large mirrored robe stood on one wall, an equally large glass door leading to a balcony was opposite. The door to a marble lined ensuite, containing a shower, spa bath, toilet and basin, was off to one side of the wardrobe.

The furnishings in only one room differed from the others. This was quite obviously the Master Suite. It contained a large king size four poster bed and matching side tables in plantation timber. The room was also slightly larger than the others accommodating a lounge area complete with a plush leather couch and a single reclining arm chair. Otherwise the amenities were the same. Alex moved from room to room and found that her bags had been placed in the room adjacent to the Master Suite. A smile spread across her lips as she stepped out onto the balcony. This will do quite nicely!    

There was an information pack on the table containing Alex's itinerary for the week. She was expected on the beach at dawn the next day for a photo shoot and there was another later in the week but other than that her time seemed to be her own. She made note of the shoot the next morning that would require an early start. That meant an early night. Alex decided that she would leave her unpacking for later and take a quick walk on the beach before dinner.

The long strip of beach on which the resort sat was pristine and largely untouched. She walked the length of it paddling her feet in the cool water as she went, before turning and heading back to the villa. Guests had arrived in her absence. Scantily clad females were in abundance and were now scattered across the beach, some alone, some in pairs, others huddled in small groups. Alex made the presumption that these women, at least the majority of them, would be her subjects the following morning, all were attractive...most were gorgeous.

On arrival at her villa Alex found the door to the master suite now closed. The other rooms from what she could see were still unoccupied. She was sure she would meet her neighbour soon enough. She supposed that it was one of the bevy of beauties scattered across the beach. She let herself into her room slid open the balcony door and began the tedious chore of unpacking her bags.

Jon had finally arrived at the resort where he was escorted to the serenity of his villa. When alone he kicked off his shoes, took his guitar out of its case and placed it on the bed and its case in the wardrobe before opening the balcony doors, breathing deep the salty air and collapsing on the day bed just outside the sliding doors.

While laying there he pondered all that he had discovered in the last couple of weeks, and what, if anything, he could or would do about it. Alex now had a man in her life. Why hadn't she mentioned it? That discovery had explained a lot; her cool behaviour towards him, her lack of response to the flowers he had sent. Not to brag, but women, all women; young or old, married or committed, gay or straight, usually fell at his feet. It had been like that since he hit puberty; fuck almost before he hit puberty and certainly long before he was a rock star.

He had lived the rock star life. After leaving Alex behind two years before, he had gone through a period where he drank to excess and fucked a different girl every night, sometimes more than one. Of course he was always careful, AIDS was raging, so there was no such thing as a free fuck anymore, one way or another you paid. So he was always sure to use condoms and had regular blood tests. When promiscuity hadn't managed to purge Alex from his mind he had tried monogamy. He married his high school sweetheart Dorothea and managed to remain faithful to her for a whole six months, having finally given into the temptation of a voluptuous leggy brunette, who bore a striking resemblance to Alex, while on tour a couple of months before. Once again he had been careful and had even had the blood test done as well. Nothing, NO ONE satisfied him.

After seeing Alex again at the first show, Jon's relationship with Dorothea had been further strained. During her visit to the tour she could not understand why he had not wanted to make love to her. He excused his lack of interest, telling her that the tour was taking its toll; that he was exhausted and incapable despite his interest and her allure, and tried regardless to show her some affection. Most of what he said was true; the tour had taken its toll, as it always did by this stage; he was exhausted, beyond exhausted; and he was incapable, but that was where the lie began, for it was not caused by exhaustion as he had led his wife to believe.

It was clear to him that he was no longer sexually attracted to his wife, because even the mere thought of Alex had his dick reacting violently, almost painfully as it was now, straining against the zipper of his cut offs. Yet his wife, the beautiful creature though she was, could stand before him naked and wind her body enticingly around him and not illicit the slightest reaction at all. Dorothea had left for home, to his great relief, after only a few days, leaving him with the option to sort himself out this tour or she would leave him. For all intents and purposes they should have been on their honeymoon, but for Jon that time had long passed.

Jon heard the balcony door open in the next room and knew that she had returned. Now was his chance to fix things. He knew, that if he fucked it up this time, that she would be lost to him for ever. He had to tread very carefully, he considered his next move, then padded quietly back into his room and picked up his acoustic guitar, returning quietly to the balcony and his position on the daybed and began to play.

Next door Alex heard the first strains of a guitar play a familiar tune, then a soft muffled voice made its way to her ears.

Wise men say only fools rush in
but I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay
would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you

She moved out onto to the balcony to listen better, a screen divider lay between her and the source of the music but Alex would have known that voice anywhere. Great she thought, the neighbour had to be a Bon Jovi fan, but damn did they have great taste in music. She wondered when they had recorded Can't Help Falling In Love. It wasn't on any of her records and she thought she had them all. Alex was a diligent collector when it came to Bon Jovi. The guitar started again, the same
familiar tune. Oh God she thought, they are obsessed...

Wise men say only fools rush in
but I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay
would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you

Once again the tune played, still the same verse. Alex decided she would introduce herself to her neighbour and see if she could get a copy of the recording. Despite everything that had happened and what she had expressed to him to the contrary, her feelings for Jon had not changed and neither had her interest in his music. She made her way to the door of the Master Suite and knocked lightly. The door swung open of its own volition. She knocked again but there was no response.

"Hello" she called from the door. The music paused momentarily but then resumed. Still that same song, only this time it continued past the first verse.

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
some things are meant to be
take my hand, take my whole life too
for I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
some things are meant to be
take my hand, take my whole life too
for I can't help falling in love with you
for I can't help falling in love with you

She could still here the strains of guitar coming from the balcony. Alex took in the scene bags were now piled near the door, but otherwise the room was undisturbed. Obviously this guest hated unpacking as much as she did. Curiosity got the better of her as she made her way through the stranger's room to the source of the music. She got to the door of the balcony and looked out to find Jon sitting on a day bed, his back leaning on the wall behind. He looked up at her with a huge grin on his face.

"What took you so long baby?"