Click (A Night Fire Novel Book 2) (3 page)

“Thanks for your concerns. I wasn't actually going to do anything with him. We met while waiting for the water taxi and he suggested meeting for a drink.”

Among other things.

“He's had that drink so that's the end of it.”

Austin's lips twitched with a slight smirk, barely recognizable.

“So you like the jungle?”

I nodded enthusiastically. Where I lived was a jungle of sorts. A concrete jungle. The vines that strangled the life out of the city was the glass and steel monstrosities. It lacked in plants, the animals were pigeons, rats in alleys and the occasional stray dog or cat. This place was at the far end of spectrum, complete opposites. Stand on the road and look around, it's pure jungle with a few spots carved out for roads and minor infrastructure.

“Want to see more?”

“Sure.”

He smiled and turned away, I was a little annoyed until I turned my head to see Monique climbing back onto her stool.

“Great timing.” I muttered.

“What?” She whispered.

“He was about to invite me somewhere.” I whispered back.

Monique rolled her eyes and I laughed.

“Ha! I saw that. You know the rules. Say it or I get to punch you.”

Her eyes darted around the room, it was nearly vacant. She would have to yell it for everyone to hear her.

“No, I can't. Please Ab, it's just wrong.”

“Going to punch you.”

She sighed and held out her arm, wincing with the jab.

“Baby.” I muttered as she rubbed the sore spot.

Monique looked at her watch, it was getting close to midnight. Soon the drunken louts would return from their little venture to the town center.

“Okay, time to plan this because the clock is ticking fast.” She hissed under her breath as she turned on her seat.

Her eyes darted to Austin who was restocking the refrigerator with beer bottles.

“I'm going to announce loud enough for him to hear that I'm going to pick a song at the jukebox. When he comes over and trust me, he will, make a serious play for him. Understand?”

“Yep.”

I agreed but I had my doubts as to my ability to do this. Monique slugged back her beer and put it back onto the counter.

“I am going to pick a song. Anything you want to listen to?”

She almost yelled it. I'm sure our parents probably heard her. I shook my head and sipped my beer, Monique slipped off the stool and sauntered over to the machine. She was crazy, she was trying to avoid the spills of drink that had dried on the floor, now sticky splotches. I turned back to my beer and nearly shrieked, Austin was standing there watching me.

“Are you crazy?” I gasped.

“Maybe.” He murmured. “Never been tested so I wouldn't know.”

He took Monique's empty bottle and dumped it into the trash below the counter.

“Six am, be waiting out the front of the hotel. Wear a jumper, long pants and hiking boots, it gets cold at that hour.”

I opened my mouth to say something, interrupted by the bus pulling up right outside the front door. The loud raucous people had returned, swarming into the bar. Austin looked at me, his eyes lowered, his lips curled into a slight smile. Without another word he turned and started to serve the people that were trying to find a spot at the bar.

“So?” Monique hissed far too close to my ear.

I shrieked which no one took any notice of. The bar was filled with the sound of people talking and laughing, the music Monique had selected was loud with a heavy bass beat. She frowned at me with a crazy grin.

“Did he say something?”

I nodded and she clapped excitedly.

“What time?” She shouted as she tapped at her watch.

“Uh, it's midnight?” I offered.

“No dumb ass, what time are you ditching me to hook up with mister wrong?”

“Oh. Six am.”

She stared at me, unable to understand what I had said. It was true to say that Monique did not know that there was a six am for rising. Her six am was for stumbling home drunk.

“Okay.” She said rather shocked. “I guess we had better go then. Get you back to the villa and in bed so that you're refreshed for your booty call.”

I rolled my eyes and she punched my arm.

“I know it's my challenge but it's only fair.”

“Sure.” I laughed. “Whatever makes you feel better.”

Chapter Four

It was dark when I got up at five am, my body ached from the lack of sleep and my stomach was protesting. It wanted food but it was constantly turning over. The thought of today, wondering where we were going, what we were doing. It had my mind in a spin. It also didn't help that after telling Monique what he had suggested, she asked if she would have to call the cops to search for a shallow grave in the jungle. 
Nice one, Monique.
 Coffee or maybe lunch, sure that worked. Walking through a jungle with a complete stranger? Freaky.

But still, I persisted. I had managed to drink a coffee as I packed my bag. Maybe once he had lulled me into a false sense of security I would be able to eat the apple that I had packed. Now I was standing outside the hotel, waiting for Austin. The man on the front desk looked at me curiously when I passed through, clearly no one in this hotel was ever awake at this hour.

The cold wrapped around my legs, I knew that Austin had said long pants but I didn't bring any. Funny thing about island holidays, the weather is usually hot and long pants generally aren't required.

I could hear Austin before I could see him, the thunderous roar of his motorbike broke the tranquility of the morning. It must make him really popular with the locals. He pulled up beside the footpath and turned the engine off, lifting the helmet off his head.

“Long pants Abigail.”

“I didn't bring any.”

“You are going to get eaten alive. Have you got any bug spray?”

I shook my head which earned me a sigh. He climbed off the bike and took my hand, dragging me back into the hotel. The skin was soft but nowhere near as soft as mine, almost like a masculine soft. Casually I glanced down, his hand held mine tight, fingers laced together. I could have gushed and swooned, it would have been completely appropriate. Instead I remained quiet and let him lead me into the hotel.

The guy behind the desk was like many of the staff in this place, incredibly good looking and dressed to perfection. He wore a full suit which I thought was rather cruel in this tropical environment even if it was air conditioned in here. I would have thought that a good uniform for a tropical resort would be cargo shorts and a funky shirt but clearly not. Full suits for the men and the women wore a similar outfit, only the pants were replaced by a knee length skirt. His mousy brown hair was slicked to the side, bright blue eyes gleamed at us as we approached.

“Good morning sir.”

His voice was cheery and far too bright for this hour of the morning.

“Knock it off Hal. Abigail needs some long pants for walking in the jungle.”

“Oh yeah sure. We have lots of clothes that we give out freely.”

Austin leaned on the reception desk and yanked Hal's tie, dragging him closer. He whispered something in his ear which made Hal rolled his eyes with a cluck of his tongue.

“Fine. Wait here.”

Hal scuttled off, turning a corner that led to restaurant. Beyond the glass door of the restaurant was another door, plain and marked with a little sign, 
Staff Only. 
Austin turned on his side to lean on the counter, smugness washed over him. A few minutes later Hal returned with a pair of black and white check pants.

“You can use the office to change.” Hal gestured to the door behind him.

“Chef's pants?” I frowned.

“It will look great with your hiking boots.”

I looked down at my canvas shoes, they were the only closed in shoes that I had brought. It hadn't been my intention to go walking too far, let alone the jungle. I would have been happy to take a few photos from the road or the beach and nothing more.

“Fine.” I sighed.

One change of pants later and I was walking out of the hotel looking like an idiot. The pants were far too big on me which made me look like I was wearing clown pants. Austin had a grin on his face that made me want to punch him. Stuff trying to get into his pants, I'd rather give him a black eye. Once we were outside the hotel Austin collected his bag and began to walk down the path. I followed after him rather confused, I had expected that he would take me somewhere deeper into the island, not a few steps from my hotel.

The path started off with a board walk, the sign at the entrance said that it would take ten minutes for the experienced walker. Considering it was all planks of wood and level paths, I think that it was a little over estimated. It continued on for a small distance and then the foliage fell away to expose the view. The path stopped as it formed a large circle to view the canopy below. On the horizon the sun was slowly rising over the water, a tiny peek of the glittering water between the valley.

“Wow.” I gasped, pulling out my camera. “This is amazing.”

I took the photo and turned to Austin, he was sitting on the wood balustrade quietly watching me. He nodded and turned his legs over to face the dark jungle.

“Where are you going?”

“To an even better spot. Hurry up.”

Better than this view? That didn't seem possible, the view was incredible. I stuffed my camera back into my bag and looked over the edge, the land fell away rather abruptly and the view down was rather stomach churning. Austin was climbing down a rope ladder, slowly being engulfed by the darkness. As I climbed over the edge I wondered if I was crazy. Going into the depths of a dark jungle with a guy I did not know. Definitely crazy.

I felt like groaning that we were lost except that I don't think that we were. We were on another wood plank path one that was a little less maintained but certainly usable. The plants around us loomed tall, shadowing our path. It was cold, a fine mist soaked the air and dampened my hair and clothes. After a few minutes of walking I could finally see the morning sun peeking through the trees ahead of us. Then the path stopped completely, Austin turned and looked at me with his smug smile.

I was about to say that his version of better was pathetic until I looked to the left of me. A platform had been built in a small opening between a couple of trees. Warily I stepped to it, there was nothing to stop me from going over the edge. But the view was magnificent, a panoramic view of the other side of the valley, a hill of pure jungle.

In the far distance to the left of me was the hotel, sitting among the trees like a little white blip. I could even see the beach below, the tiny cove that I had spent several hours yesterday exploring. It was like a hidden treasure, a beach that was a secret among the trees.

“It's amazing.” I grinned and turned back to him.

He was sitting on a faded lounge that was nestled against the exterior wall of a small shack. How did I not see that? Did I walk around with my eyes closed? It was tucked into the trees so I guess it was easy to overlook it. It was made of the same wood from the path, a small square building that had an overhang that protected his old lounge.

“Is this your place?”

Austin laughed. “No, this is where I come to chill out and draw, escape the hectic life.”

This island, hectic? Who was he trying to fool? As he rummaged through his bag I turned back to the platform, sitting on the edge with my legs dangling freely.

“How did you get all that stuff down here?”

I turned back to him, he was drawing in his book again.

“With great difficulty.” He murmured, never looking up.

“It's magical. I can see why you come here.”

Austin looked up at me, dark brooding eyes stared at me.

“Don't go telling anyone about it. I come here to find relaxation not to party.”

“I wouldn't.” I frowned at him.

He said nothing and went back to his drawing. I was beginning to think I was barking up the wrong tree with this guy. Maybe I should flutter my eyes at Brody. No, I did not want to be the other woman even if I was on a really long list of other women. I inwardly sighed and returned to the vista, taking dozens of photos, varying angles and different areas.

Occasionally I would look back at Austin who was always looking at what he was doing. Not once had I ever caught him looking up at me. It was infuriating to say the least. He offered smiles that made me believe that he held interest yet get him alone and he's got his nose stuck in a book. I was definitely barking up the wrong tree.

The sun was slowly creeping through the gap, soaking the trees it a golden hue. When my stomach rumbled I grabbed the apple out of the bag and started eating it, casting a sly glance back at Austin. His eyes had raised to me for a brief moment I saw the colour in his eyes. I turned completely and smiled.

“Want one?”

“I'm good. Got plenty of stuff in there.”

He gestured to the door, well it wasn't a door, it was an opening. There was no door. I got up from the platform, taking my bag and wandering over to him. As I dumped my bag beside the lounge I took a quick glance into the little shack. There was a couple of cupboards under a window and a mattress on the floor. Bed sheets were haphazardly laying on the mattress and I wondered if he slept here. Beyond the mattress was another opening, one that was a little larger and the view was just as good as the view from the platform.

“Do you sleep here?”

“Sometimes if I'm tired.”

“How do you stop being bitten by bugs when you're sleeping?”

“There's netting in there.”

I sat on the lounge facing him, flicking through the pictures on my camera. When I reached the beginning of the jungle images, I held the camera out to him. His eyes raised to the camera then to me.

“You said you didn't get to see the pictures.”

He shut the book and put it onto the ground beside the chair. Okay so I guess he wasn't going to show me his drawings then. He reached for the camera and I quickly pulled it away, his eyes raised to me.

“The book Austin.”

His face flickered with a twitch, reaching over to the book. As he passed it over I looked at it, the one he had been drawing in had a black cover, this one was brown. I wanted to say something but held my tongue, maybe the others were personal. Maybe he didn't show them off until they were done. We swapped items and I placed the drawing book onto my lap, turning the cover over. His drawings were incredible, the pictures were so realistic. Trees, vines, leaves, even animals. Page after page I was astounded by his work. I looked up to say something and was a little shocked, he had the craziest grin on his face as he flicked through the pictures on my camera.

“What?”

“Your pictures of the land and vegetation is great, the wildlife is pretty amazing too. Not so sure about this particular wildlife though.”

He grinned and turned the camera around, showing me a picture of myself, asleep. It was a terrible photo where I was half off the pillow, mouth opened and my hair looked like a rat had set up home in it. Damn Monique to hell.