Chapter 4 FOUR

Deswany's sunrise embraced them as they left the beach behind. The path wound past whitewashed cottages, bougainvillea climbing latticework walls in brilliant magenta and coral. The air smelled of salt and blooming frangipani, and cicadas droned softly-an easy soundtrack for a day stolen from the world.

Their first stop was the clifftop lookout, where a wooden deck jutted over crashing waves. Marissa leaned on the railing, wind teasing the edges of her dress as the ocean rolled out in shades of turquoise and jade.

Lazar stood beside her, just close enough to feel his warmth. He pointed to a pod of dolphins arcing through the water. "They come here every morning," He said softly.

Marissa couldn't find words to respond, instead she looked ahead at the dolphins.

Lazar glanced at her, eyes shaded but tender. He enjoyed looking at her and he could tell he had an effect on her and she was running from it.

After a while there, they moved on, descending cobblestone steps into a sleepy village. Markets offered seafood plates, woven baskets, spices in glass jars. Fishermen mended nets beside colorful boats bobbing in the harbor.

Marissa was not surprised to see that the man knew almost everyone there, but she was more surprised to find herself taking his lead, agreeing with him, laughing at all his jokes and smiling at his side remarks. He had made her feel relaxed and comfortable. Something she had big been able to do in years.

They sampled grilled octopus dusted with chili and lime-one of the women had insisted on them having it. Lazar watched Marissa's first bite, the way her brow furrowed in concentration before she let out a delighted hum.

"How is it?"

"Delicious!" she said and handed him a skewer.

He smiled. "Spicy enough?"

"Just right."

Their banter felt natural-effortless, as they walked along wooden piers, lanterns overhead promising nighttime magic. Birds perched in palms, watching them like chaperons.

When the road ended, he guided her down a sandy trail into a hidden cove-white sand bordered by rocky cliffs, the ocean gentle and shallow here.

She sat on driftwood, toes digging into the warm sand. Lazar squatted beside her and turned his gaze to her while she kept her gaze in the distance ahead.

No further words needed. The solitude, the sun, the soft lap of waves spoke for them.

And the way he looked at her? Marissa's thoughts churned. His eyes held a lot and said too much. His lashes that rested on his cheeks as he let his eyes travel all over her face as though as he was memorizing it.

What is happening to me? She would ask herself, though she made sure not to turn and look at him.

It was wrong for heaven's sake! She gave herself a mental shake and tried to concentrate and enjoy the moment.

They left the cove behind and followed paths planked with coconut palms to a beachside café. Colorful umbrellas scattered in the sand, driftwood benches handmade and worn smooth.

He said they made the best snacks and would love for her to try them out. When they approached, she noticed how everyone greeted and smiled at him, leaving her to wonder what sort of relationship he had with the place.

While she sat, Lazar went to the café stand to place their order and she couldn't stop staring at him.

Who is this man by the way?

"Seems everyone knows you around here." She stated when he returned, sitting across from her, remembering they had both agreed not to ask personal questions.

Lazar shrugged and smiled with his eyes. "The island is a small place. If you stay here a while the locals would know you." He told her, his voice smooth and warm.

She dragged her eyes over his face while thinking to herself that she shouldn't be curious about the man.

"So–" he leaned closer, dropping his arms on the polished table, "I ordered the best thing you've ever tasted." Then his gaze dropped to her lips and innocently, she had run her tongue over them just when his eyes dropped.

She saw how his jaw tightened and she had shifted in her seat, the air between them getting tense.

This man belonged in a boardroom, she was sure. This Lazar was not a simple man and he definitely didn't belong in a place like Bevin, unless he was hiding away from something.

Just like she was.

"Where's your head at?" Lazar asked, piercing her with a hooded gaze.

She didn't respond, but was grateful when the plates came.

Truthfully, whatever he ordered looked great and seemed delicious but she was hesitant still.

"This is turkey and celery rolls." He pointed to a bread-like dough that had fillings. "Then, we have here the highlight of the menu. I call this The Bevin Special." His grin grew as he picked up a glass jar and dropped it before her.

Marissa followed his stare and looked down at the jar. It was a red colored juice. Or was it pink? And it had a flex straw in it.

She returned her gaze to the tray. "What are you having? The Bevin Regular?" she asked him, a lame attempt at making a joke-a dry joke by the way.

Lazar chuckled, and the sound awakened something that she thought was long dead.

"You should try the rolls first." He swallowed.

Pausing her lips, she picked up the rolls carefully with both hands. Holding his gaze, she leaned in and took a bite, noting how his eyes dimmed.

When the taste hit her, Marissa could only groan. It tasted heavenly, better than the lobster celery rolls she usually had in Bustrov. His eyes were still dimmed but there was now a glint in his gaze.

"So?" Lazar asked lightly and arched an eyebrow at her.

She swallowed and took another bite, loving every bite as she chewed. Or was she loving how his gaze never left her face?

Slowly, she swallowed. "This is really good." She told him and watched how the glint in his eyes spread.

"Glad you love it." He said and turned his attention to his plate.

Marissa wanted to say something. In fact, she had a lot of questions.

How was he able to read her so easily?

Her eyes stayed on him as he took bites of his rolls.

They had just met in less than twenty-four hours and here they were having lunch.

"Want a bite?"

Marissa's cheeks burned the brightest pink when he raised his eyes to find her eyes boring into him.

"What?" she asked the first thing that came to mind while dipping her head to take another bite.

"I asked if you want a bite." Lazar repeated, a smile pulling at the corner of his lips.

Their gaze held and locked. She chewed slowly and felt her skin burning up.

Without waiting for a reply, he dropped his gaze and continued chewing.

Reaching for the glass jar, she took a sip and avoided looking at him. When she swallowed, she stopped short to look at the jar. She could taste beetroot and pineapples and basically random fruits, but there was something else.

She took another sip, hoping to get it. It wasn't a sweet drink, but it had a taste that wouldn't leave your tongue and made you feel thirsty.

"What is it? You don't like it?" he asked her, watching her.

She dropped the jar and looked over at him this time, her eyes were steady. "There's something in it." She started, her brows deepening. "A really distinct taste I can't make out, but I know it's in it." She saw as his eyes flashed and she knew she was right about it. "It's not a sweet drink but I would really want more before I leave here."

"Could that distinct taste –" his voice was slurred. "be cloves?" Lazar asked, keeping his eyes on her.

There! It was definitely cloves!

She broke out into a smile. "Yea! Cloves! It is a nice blend and this drink is totally different from what I'm used to."

Lazar's lips upturned into a slow smile and his eyes narrowed. Leaning back into his chair, he crossed his arms across his chest and speared her with his eyes.

"What are you used to?"

His words fell into the space between them. The space that she knew she had to create for her own sanity. Resting her own gaze on him, the flush on her cheeks deepened. Her mind was reeling. Reeling the way her body was. Her senses were aflame and she needed to save herself before they were both caught in a web that they wouldn't break away from.

She hadn't seen a ring on his finger, but what if he was like her?

Shortly, another plates arrived, this time her drink was a frothy citrus mocktail rimmed sugar and mint; his, a dark espresso, for her sweet treat, he had chosen a warm vanilla-cream pastry, soft and light, scented with tropical fruit compote.

Their eyes met over the plates. She reached to stir her drink, fingers brushing the rim, the cool sugar melting on her skin. A slow, shared look passed, something shimmering just beneath the surface.

After a long bout of silence and chewing, she whispered. "I like it here."

He paused and spared her a cool glance. "This place can give you everything."

Marissa swallowed. "Even peace."

He met her gaze, ice-dark elsewhere but warm now. "Especially peace."

Lazar reached out, an inch from her hand, but paused briefly before letting his hand brush hers, just fingertips touching. Not enough to break her resolve, but electric and she felt it ripple through her.

Marissa hadn't realized how much time had gone, till they rose to leave the café behind them. The late afternoon sun cutting slanted shadows across the paths. Their pace matched unconsciously. There wasn't much words to share between them but the silence circled around deeper truths they couldn't share.

They paused at a garden gate with hanging lanterns in the resort. Lazar leaned close, his hand nearly ghosting her shoulder blade. She took in his scent---sun-washed line, faint cedar.

His voice lowered. "You smell like sunshine."

Her heart flipped, colliding with something like longing. She said nothing but her cheeks felt warm.

When they reached her villa wing, he walked her to the door.

"I want to show you more tomorrow," he said softly. "Deswany beyond the island."

Her breath caught. "You'll take me?"

He nodded, gaze steady. "I'll take you."

They stood there in that moment, just a promise between them. He reached out, but stopped an inch from her cheeks, he didn't kiss her. Not yet.

"Goodnight," she whispered.

He let his fingers linger near her skin. Then they both turned; she went inside, he lingered a moment, then walked away.