Red-Hot Honeymoon: The Honeymoon Arrangement / Marriage in Name Only? / The Honeymoon That Wasn't

‘Ah—got it.’

Finn watched as Callie pulled out a large jewellery box and, cradling it in both hands, walked back towards him. She skirted the bed and sat on the side closest to him, on top of a pile of jackets, putting the box down next to her. A wistful, sad, wary look passed across her face and he straightened, all thoughts of sex and lingerie gone. This box meant something to her, and he wasn’t sure if it was a good or bad something. Probably a mixture of both.

Then, very surprisingly, she stood up, picked up the box and thrust it towards him. Finn caught it as it hit his chest and she dropped it from her grasp.

‘Look in there and see if you can find something that I can wear. If there isn’t anything then I’m afraid you’re out of luck. I’ll be downstairs.’

Finn frowned as she slipped past him and ran down the stairs. Putting the box on the bedside table, he switched on the light and flipped the lid. His breath caught at the blink of gold inside. It was a pirate’s treasure box, he thought, bubbling with thick gold chains and bracelets and the occasional flash of a precious stone in a pendant.

Lifting up a handful of chains, silver and gold, some with pendants and some without, he saw that there were smaller boxes below and dumped the chains on the bed. The first box held earrings—mostly old-fashioned, but there was a nice pair of diamond studs he could see Callie wearing. The next box held rings, and he pulled in his breath as he ran his fingers over the jewels.

Of the eight or so in the box there were at least four that would pass as engagement rings, and three had matching wedding bands. One ring fascinated him: it looked older than the others—a big diamond, with spikes of platinum radiating in another circle embedded with tiny diamonds. A thin band sat under the diamond and he presumed that was a wedding band.

Finn held it under the light and on the inside could just make out the date: June the sixth, 1909.

That’ll do, he thought, tucking it into the pocket of his pants.

He quickly replaced the boxes he’d taken out and dumped the tangle of chains back inside the larger box. Snapping the lid shut, he walked across to the near empty cupboard, found a shoebox and tossed the shoes inside on to the floor. Sliding the jewellery box into the shoebox, he used his height to stretch up and hide the box behind another pile of shoeboxes.

He wondered why he was bothering. If any thieves broke in and found themselves in Callie’s bedroom while she was away they’d think she’d been ransacked already and leave.

Finn tried to close the cupboard doors and wondered why Callie wouldn’t deal with the box herself. Why would a woman who obviously loved clothes—and, he presumed, accessories—ignore a box full of such amazing jewellery? Why couldn’t she even open it to look inside for a ring she needed?

Strange. But interesting. Curiosity, he reminded himself, and he didn’t need to indulge it. Not where Callie was concerned.

Finn rubbed the back of his neck, thinking that she couldn’t do the jewellery box and he couldn’t do his bedroom. Maybe they deserved each other.

Finn left the room and jogged down the stairs. He found Callie sitting on a chair in her hallway, legs crossed and her foot jiggling.

She looked up at him with those amazing reticent eyes. ‘Did you find something?’

‘Lots of things,’ Finn said, keeping his voice easy. ‘That’s quite a little treasure trove you’ve got there. That box should be in a safe, by the way.’

Callie lifted a bare shoulder. ‘I wouldn’t know. I’ve never looked inside.’

‘Why not?’ Finn asked the question although he knew that she wouldn’t answer.

‘It’s complicated and I have my reasons.’ Callie stood up and held out her hand. ‘Let’s see it.’

Finn pulled the two rings from his pocket and dropped them into her hand. He watched as she stared at them. She looked as though she was trying to place them, but after she’d given the tiniest shake to her head she picked the wedding ring up to take a closer look.

‘It’s really pretty.’

‘It has a date in 1909 inscribed on the band,’ Finn told her.

‘It must be my great-grandmother’s—Seb told me that some of the family pieces were in the box,’ Callie replied, sliding both rings over the ring finger on her left hand. ‘They fit. Yay.’

‘Good.’ Finn smiled lazily. ‘That was easily sorted. Just promise me you’ll get the box into a safe deposit box or just a safe. There were quite a few bigger and better diamonds and precious stones than that one.’

Callie shifted on her feet. ‘Maybe.’ She nudged a suitcase with her foot. ‘Shall we go?’

‘Yep.’ Finn looked at the pile of suitcases on the floor and sighed. Okay, they were going for a while, but two large cases and a carry-on seemed a bit excessive. But judging by what had been left behind she probably thought that this was—what had she called it the other day?—a capsule wardrobe. He thought it looked like backache waiting for a place to happen.

‘Okay, grab your stuff and I’ll wait for you in the car,’ he said, teasing her.

Callie looked surprised, then confused, and then her eyes cleared as he realised he was joking. ‘Carry on like that and I’m going to cut you off from fake sex.’

Finn slung the tote bag over his shoulder and pulled the bigger of the two suitcases up onto its wheels. ‘Fake married for two seconds,’ he grumbled as she opened the front door for him, ‘and I’m already on rations for sex I might not even get. This is a tough gig.’

‘You were the one who wanted to get married,’ Callie reminded him. ‘Didn’t I tell you that it was a bad idea? I’m sure I said something about it being a long stupidity …’

Six hours later Callie stood in the tasteful lobby of the Baobab and Buffalo, sipping a welcome glass of champagne while Finn took care of the details surrounding their stay at this first six-star resort.

According to their itinerary they would be staying in the honeymoon suite for one night before being moved to another room for the rest of their three-night stay. Since bookings at the Baobab and Buffalo were harder to come by than hen’s teeth, and since this entire ‘honeymoon’ was sponsored—and fake—Callie knew that they were in no position to complain.

And, really, what was there to complain about? The resort was utterly fantastic. The main building was built in grey stone and lavishly but tastefully decorated. Judging by the discreet signs, there was a business room, a library, various lounges and dining rooms. Callie walked across the lobby, intrigued by the double-volume doors and the view beyond the glass.

Stepping onto the long veranda, she gasped at the endless view of bush beyond her. Wild and wondrous. There was a watering hole for wildlife at the bottom of the cliff below, and verdant green terraces led to an infinity pool that seemed to cling to the edge of the cliff.

Well, wow.

Callie turned at a touch on her shoulder. ‘Mrs Banning?’

Callie turned and looked into the eyes of a gorgeous redhead. ‘No. I’m Callie—’ Then she remembered that she was supposed to be married and flushed with embarrassment. Her brain kicked up a gear as she tried to explain her gaffe. ‘Sorry—I’m still operating on my own name.’

The redhead grinned. ‘I absolutely understand; I’m recently married myself. I’m Clem—welcome to the Two B.’

Callie had read her fair share of celebrity magazines and instantly recognised this ex-model, who’d once been engaged to one of the world’s most notorious musicians. From socialite to living on an upmarket game reserve. Now that was a life-change.

‘Thank you. It’s beautiful.’

Clem sighed. ‘It really is. I’m still in awe of what Nick’s managed to build here.’

Clem jammed her hands in her khaki shorts and gestured to a dark-haired man who stood at the other end of the veranda, talking to a man dressed in the same uniform of khaki shorts and navy polo shirt.

‘That’s Nick and his right-hand man, Jabu. They are the heart and soul of the Two B. Sorry, that’s what we call this place. The Baobab and Buffalo is such a mouthful.’

Callie watched as Nick and his wife exchanged a look across the veranda that blazed with passion and lust. Callie felt as if she needed a fan or a long drink of water when they finally looked away from each other, but Clem turned back to Callie, acting as if she hadn’t just eye-bonked her husband.

‘What are you hoping to do here? Or are you just planning to hibernate in your room and … well, do what honeymooners do?’

How the hell was she supposed to answer that question? She didn’t even know the answer to any of the questions she had with regard to her and Finn’s relationship—the fake one or the real one!

Were they going to sleep with each other? Duh. That was a no-brainer—as soon as they had to share a bed they’d be all over each other … there was no way they’d be able to resist. And that would be the start of their three-week fling. It would be hot and sexy and rollercoaster-crazy and she had to remember to keep her emotional distance. No spilling the secrets of your soul, Hollis!

Callie frowned at the rogue thought. What was wrong with her? She had always been able to separate sex and emotion—why was she worried that she wouldn’t be able to do it with Finn? Because you like him, Callie admitted reluctantly. Because you’d like to be his friend, have him be yours. And that meant taking a step away from being ‘safe’ and unattached; it would take her into uncharted territory …

‘Callie?’

Callie blinked at her hostess. ‘Sorry, I zoned out. Tired …’

Clem laughed and patted her arm again. ‘No problem—I understand. I was so exhausted after my wedding day I could barely string a sentence together.’

Yeah, that wasn’t it. Looking into Clem’s beautiful, open, happy face, Callie felt the urge to spill her secrets.

Actually, I’m not really married. I’m running away from reconnecting with my long-absent mother.

And I want to sleep with Finn; he’s exciting and intriguing and the first man in for ever who I can imagine myself falling for. But I’m scared that he’s the one man that I will like more after I’ve slept with him—not less. I already like him more than I should. Hell, I knew that I liked him more than was wise on the plane home from JFK—and this is all very scary for me. And he’s on the rebound and I never, repeat never, sleep with men I can fall for.

So I’m confused. And more than little terrified.

And I really don’t like being either.

Callie suspected that Clem would understand.

Callie sighed her relief as she saw Finn walking towards them, a Two B butler two steps behind. She gathered her wits and made the introductions. ‘Finn Banning—meet Clem. She and her husband own and run the Baobab and Buffalo.’

Clem’s eyes narrowed slightly and her smile was a little cool. ‘You’re the journalist doing an article on us?’

Hmm, it seemed that the fiery redhead wasn’t fond of journalists—then again, with her history with the profession Callie couldn’t blame her.

‘I am,’ Finn said easily, his hand resting low on Callie’s back, his fingers just above her butt cheek. It was a very possessive, familiar gesture—one perfectly suited to a newly married man.

‘We don’t normally allow reporters to write about the Two B; we’re booked for years in advance and don’t need the publicity. We’re doing this as a favour to the owner of Go Travel who’s a regular visitor.’

Clem kept the smile on her face but there was a note of protectiveness in her voice that was unmistakable. Finn’s fingers flexed on Callie’s back and Callie knew that he’d heard Clem’s warning too.

Finn sent her an easy smile. ‘I’m morally bound to write on my personal experiences and I already know that my experience here will be utterly fantastic. We’re so lucky to start off our honeymoon here.’

Clem relaxed and Callie released her pent-up breath. Finn casually sipped from the glass of champagne he’d been handed on walking through the front door.

Clem nodded at the papers in his hand. ‘I’ve tweaked your itinerary to showcase the best of what we can offer honeymooners—which is an utterly unique and memorable experience.’ Clem pulled a face, humour back in her eyes. ‘I’m sorry, it doesn’t leave much time for long, lazy mornings spent in bed, but it will be exciting and amazing.’

Wow. If all the lodges were going to pull out the stops the way Clem was doing then Callie was in for one hell of a holiday.

‘We’re grateful for your personal touch,’ said Mr Charmer at her side.

‘Then Sarah, your personal butler, will take it from here. Enjoy your stay,’ Clem said, before turning away to walk towards her husband.

Nick immediately opened his arms and Clem snuggled up into his side. Callie briefly wondered what it would feel like to love a man like that—to be loved like that. To feel so absolutely, utterly secure in yourself and in his love that you could slide into a conversation and into his arms without either of you missing a beat, as if it was the most natural action in the world.

Love, it seemed, could work for some. But Callie knew that she wasn’t one of the lucky few. No, she was better off on her own, walking her own path.

That way she could be in control and could stop her heart from walking off the side of a cliff and splattering on the rocks below.

CHAPTER SIX

INSTEAD OF WALKING them to their room, as he’d expected, Sarah led Finn and Callie to an open game-viewing vehicle and invited them to climb inside. As he hoisted himself up into the vehicle he noticed that their luggage was neatly stowed in the back of the vehicle, just behind the second row of bench seats.

Finn settled himself next to Callie, conscious that the sun was starting to set and the temperature was falling; the day’s heat was giving way to the chill of the first, unexpectedly early cold front, suggesting that autumn was just around the corner. Callie pulled out a shawl from her bag and wound it around her shoulders as Sarah accelerated away.

When they drove back through the impressive entrance Finn realised that they were leaving the security of the electric fenced estate and were heading into the reserve itself—wild and beautiful.

This is more like it, he thought, his eyes scanning the bush for signs of wildlife.

Within five hundred yards of the gate they saw a herd of springbok and a female warthog with her piglets. Then they saw a fish eagle in a tree, and Sarah pointed out a reclusive eland bull in a thicket of acacias.

This is Africa, he thought, breathing deeply. The sounds and sights of the bush.

A part of him wished that Sarah would dump them in a clearing and pull out a tent. He needed the solitude and peace of nature. After this crazy couple of weeks he wanted to wind down, and he couldn’t think of a better way to do it than being alone in the bush. But because this was the Buffalo and Baobab he suspected that their idea of getting up close and personal with nature would be much better.

He’d barely finished that thought when Sarah veered off the dirt road onto a grassy track. Within a hundred metres she’d stopped in a clearing and Finn looked around.

They were on the edge of a cliff, and he could hear the muted sound of a river smacking on rocks below them. In one of the huge wild fig trees overlooking the river he could see a tree house, nestled into its strong branches. Except that it was less house and more platforms—three of them in all, staggered up the tree. The bottom platform looked to be a bathroom, complete with shower, the second held couches and a table, and the highest one, he presumed, would hold a bed. A bed that was open to the African sky and the elements.

Finn hopped out and slapped his hands on his hips, grinning wildly. ‘Oh, this is so cool! But what happens if it rains?’ he asked Sarah, taking a moment to be practical.

‘Retractable roofs and screens. We monitor the weather pretty closely, and if there’s a chance of rain we come down and secure the platforms. Tonight is clear, though,’ Sarah said. ‘Cool, but no rain.’

‘Excellent,’ Finn replied. He turned to look at Callie, who was looking at the tree house in horror. ‘Callie …?’

‘My room is up there?’ she whispered, staring at the huge tree.

Oh, so this wasn’t what she was expecting. Finn hoped that she wouldn’t make a scene—not on their first night. Besides, thousands of people all over the world would give their right arm and a considerable portion of their bank account to sleep under the stars in a luxury tree house on an African game reserve.

‘Problem, honey?’

Out of the corner of his eye he could see Sarah stiffening, her welcoming face turning wary. Please don’t turn out to be a city girl diva, Callie, he silently begged her.

‘Look, I think the idea of sleeping in a tree house is seriously wonderful, but—well, this is a game reserve, right? And game reserves have wild animals. And some of those animals—like leopards—like to climb trees! I do not want to be a leopard’s breakfast!’ Callie stated, with a touch of hysteria in her voice.

Sarah bit the inside of her lip to keep from smiling. ‘The tree house is completely animal-proof, Mrs Banning.’

Whoah—Mrs Banning. That sounded weird.

But Callie didn’t seem particularly fazed about what she was being called. She was still fixating on ending up on the local leopard’s menu. ‘You’re sure?’

‘Very. We would never put our guests at risk,’ Sarah assured her. ‘Obviously we ask you to confine your movements to the platforms. If you do so, you’ll be absolutely safe. And I’ll leave you with a radio and a mobile phone to call me if there is any problem at all.’

A hyena barked in the distance and Callie jumped.

Sarah looked around. ‘That being said, I’d prefer that we get you into the tree house. It’s not safe to hang around in the bush.’

Callie practically scampered off the seat to stand between Sarah and Finn. Finn took her cold hand in his and linked their fingers together. Sarah walked around to the back of the Land Rover and looked at their pile of luggage. Well, Callie’s pile of luggage. He just had one suitcase.

‘Let me see you inside and then I’ll come back for the luggage.’

Finn shook his head. ‘Nah, I’ll help. Cal, do you need all these suitcases or can you get away with just one?’

Callie pointed to the smaller case and her tote bag. ‘I just need those two.’

Sarah looked relieved as she reached for Callie’s bag.

Finn leaned past her and snagged his suitcase and Callie’s tote bag. ‘I’ve got it,’ he told Sarah, who had started to protest.

‘I’ll store your other bags at the lodge, Mrs Banning.’

Mrs Banning. Still weird.

‘We’ve set out a picnic dinner for you, including some wine and beer. There is also a selection of spirits and mixers. If you are unhappy with our selection please just call Reception and we’ll have someone deliver anything you require,’ Sarah said as she led them to the tree house.

As they walked up the stairs Sarah secured a gate behind them, and Finn could see the unobtrusive but strong netting under the first platform that would prevent leopards or any other creatures from making a nocturnal visit. He pointed out the animal-proofing to Callie and watched her shoulders drop a half-inch. He allowed himself a small grin as Sarah showed them the facilities, which included a shower, his and hers basins, and a slipper bath on the edge of the platform that overlooked the river and the valley below.

The second floor held comfortable couches and chairs, a hammock strung between two branches, and a small dining table covered with cloche dishes and champagne bottles in ice buckets. There was a small chest freezer containing soft drinks and beer, and a steel wine rack holding five bottles of exceptional red wine.

How much did they expect them to drink in one night? Finn wondered.

‘I’ll leave you to explore the bedroom on your own,’ Sarah told him, gesturing to the mobile and the radio on a side table. ‘You’ll hear lions and hyenas, typical bush noises, but do not hesitate to radio or call me if you are uncomfortable or encounter a problem. Nick will collect you at six a.m. for a guided tour—which is a pretty big deal because he rarely does them any more.’

‘Why not?’ Callie asked.

‘Pretty wife in his bed …’ Finn explained, and was enchanted by her blush.

‘Also the fact that he has two kids under the age of three who are up and roaring around at that time,’ Sarah added, before bidding them goodnight and leaving them to their night under the African stars.

Within minutes they heard the Land Rover pulling away and Finn turned to Callie and gestured to the view. ‘So, what do you think?’

‘Pretty shoddy digs …’ Callie teased. ‘They’ve gone to absolutely no trouble at all.’

Finn watched as she walked to the edge of the platform and placed her hands on the safety railing. ‘Want some champagne?’

Callie looked at him over her shoulder and wrinkled her nose. ‘No, thanks. Actually, I’d love a beer.’

Finn poured beer into a glass for her and brought it and his own bottle over to where she stood. In silence they scanned the river, saw a pod of hippos on the far bank, and watched as the sun tossed ribbons of gold over the treetops.

Finn saw her shiver as the temperature dropped further and allowed the backs of his fingers to drift over the bare skin of her shoulders. ‘You’re cold … This wind has a bite to it. Why don’t you change into something warm and I’ll start a fire in the pit?’

Callie looked around. ‘Where are our bags?’

‘Sarah took them to the bedroom area,’ Finn replied.

‘Ah, the bedroom area. Bet you it’s a massive bed covered in white linen and a mosquito net, surrounded by candles.’

‘That’s a sucker bet,’ Finn replied.

Callie took a nervous sip of her beer before lifting her eyes to Finn’s. ‘So, are we still paying it by ear?’

He’d never met a woman as direct as Callie before. He liked that—respected it. He didn’t need to play games with her.

But she wasn’t ready to share herself with him yet, Finn realised. He could see reluctance in the hitch of her shoulders, the slight shake of her fingers—although that might be from the cold—and in the worry in her eyes. She would share his bed one of these days—just not yet. And that was okay. He could wait until the time was right.

And, in the spirit of honesty, he knew the more time he had between his break-up and sleeping with her, the better handle he’d have on this entire situation. Damn, it would all be so much easier if he didn’t like her quite so much—and if she didn’t make his junk want to do a happy dance whenever she breathed.

So. Much. Easier.

Finn’s expression turned serious. ‘I have the sense that your flirty nature doesn’t often translate into bedtime fun.’

Callie tipped her head. ‘How do you figure?’

‘Well, if it meant less to you then we’d have already ripped each other’s clothes off.’

Callie looked out at the stygian darkness. ‘It wasn’t always like that. I was a lot more impetuous when I was younger.’ She held up her hand to explain. ‘I wasn’t a slut—I just didn’t take sex as seriously as I do now. It used to just be a romp … some slap and tickle … fun …’

‘It still can be,’ Finn said, his eyes locked on her face.

‘I know, but these days I prefer to have a little bit of friendship with my sex. Just a smidgeon—I don’t expect more than that—but liking is a prerequisite, respect is a bonus.’

‘I like you.’

‘I like you too, but …’

Finn quirked an eyebrow. ‘But?’

‘But …’ Callie sighed. ‘I’m just not—’

Callie stopped speaking and Finn waited for her to finish her thought. She just wasn’t what?