The clamour of the gathered crowd jarred Chloe back to earth after the breath taking approach to the hotel.

The boat had skimmed across the sea, salty water spraying against her flushed skin and the sun shining overhead. Even over the roar of the engine she had felt it – peace. Slowly, the tension in her shoulders had unfurled and by the time the boat had docked on the other end, a real smile had been on her lips. Thoughts of annual inspections and demanding parents were a distant nightmare.

And then this. What now?

Pink skinned and sweating, Chloe bent her head to awkwardly swipe the back of her hand across her brow, the bundle of fabric no longer as light as it had been before. Then, with a huff, she peered at the barricade between her and her destination.

A large group of men and women lingered outside of the hotel's foyer successfully blocking the entrance. Cameras in hand or phones held aloft in anticipation, they looked towards the hotel with a strange fervour. Yet there was no mistaking them for an amateur photographer club. They eyed the lobby door hungrily each time they opened and closed only to grumble loudly when a uniformed member of staff stepped outside instead.

Paparazzi.

"Excuse me." Chloe said loudly after several attempts to get around them. When they ignored her presence, she let out a huff. Then, leading with her elbows, offering half hearted apologies at the disgruntled swears at her hand.

Finally, she emerged on the other side and hurried the few steps to the lobby doors. A rush of cooler air enveloped almost immediately, sending a shiver down her spine as the sweat cooled on her brow. Then, her breath stilled in her chest.

"Wow."

Chloe had seen pictures of high-end hotels. Who hadn't googled a five-star hotel and dreamed of visiting paradise for themselves. Yet, actually being there?

Chloe shifted on her feet. The gleaming white marble floor squeaked beneath her knock off trainers. She swallowed loudly. She raised a hand to her head and attempted to make it lay flat with little success. Her stomach churned. With her windswept hair, sweat dampened clothes, and her meagre holiday wardrobe in hand, she had never been so out of place.

"Welcome to Heart of Maldives, how can I help you?"

Chloe jumped, her arms reflexively tightening around her bundle of clothes. She turned on her heel to face a tall woman in a grey suit, her dark hair elegantly twisted back on her head.

"I need to check in." The words were said with more certainty that she felt. Still, Chloe half expected to be guided towards the door with a security guard escort. Instead, the bronze skinned beauty only smiled and nodded her head. "If you will just follow me."

Chloe winced with each squeaky step across the floor, her eyes drinking in the luxury with wide eyed appreciation.

At the desk, Chloe carefully set her bundle of clothes on the floor and then dug the golden envelope out of her bag. Then, with much hesitation, she slid the booking slip across the desk.

With efficiency, the woman tapped away at the computer. "Okay, Ms Morgan."

"Oh, just Chloe is fine."

"We've booked you in to one of the water bungalows. One of our staff will bring your luggage."

"Oh, this is all I have." Chloe gestured at her feet, her cheeks heating under the kind stare. "The airline lost my luggage. They said they would arrange delivery to the hotel should they find it."

"Of course, well, we'll make sure it is delivered to your accommodation as soon as possible."

"Great."

"Here is your key. You are staying in Oceana, one of our prestige bungalows. I do have to warn you that we have a wedding on the island this weekend which has caused some irregular disruption. We are attempting to keep this to a minimum but please do raise any concerns with staff."

"Oh, that's no bother." She accepted the key.

"Now, if you wait just a moment and one of the attendants will show you to your lodgings." She raised her hand. She then dipped her hand beneath the desk and produced a woven beach bag, 'The Heart of Maldives' scrawled across its side. "For your clothes."

"Oh, thank you. I had a bit of an accident." Chloe scrambled to stuff her clothes into the tote, uncaring about the numerous creases that would undoubtedly be permanently etched into the fabric.

"You're welcome. Now, these documents give you information on the various activities on offer. You can choose to dine at your water bungalow or you can eat in the main restaurant. The wedding is due to take place on Sunday and some of the beachfront will only be accessible to guests during that time."

Chloe nodded her head.

"Now, Milo will show you to your accommodation. And, from all of us here, have a pleasant stay. Oh, and congratulations."

Before Chloe could respond, a tall man swept forwards and deftly lifted the tote from her hand. "If you want to follow me."

"Oh, uh, of course." She glanced back at the woman at the desk and offered a smile. "Thank you for your help."

The young man, only a few years older than her students, walked at a leisurely pace as if sensing her fatigue. He walked slowly along the wooden pathway, the line of trees on either side giving away to sand before dropping away into crystal clear waters. It was beautiful.

Chloe couldn't remember the last time she had been in the sea. Despite living less than twenty miles from the nearest beach, she had little inclination to go. The beaches near home were murky at best, more often than not the victim of sewage purges. They were also over crowded and covered in litter. Yet, here, the water had never looked so inviting.

"Here we are. You'll need your key to access the room and the spa facilities."

Chloe nodded her head but, instead, her mind was reeling. The water bungalow stood a few feet above the water, waves gently lapping at the stilts beneath it. It was also twice the size of the other bungalows they had passed.

"Are you sure this is the right room?"

"Of course, this is Oceana."

Chloe moved towards the door, key card in hand. Her hand trembled as she held it to the lock.  A part of her expected it not to work.  Instead, it beeped and, as she pressed her hand on to the handle, the door opened with ease.

"Did you need me to bring your bag inside?" At the shake of her head, Milo set the canvas tote at her feet. "Well, if you need any further assistance."

"Thank you."

Chloe hastily dipped her hand into her bag and drew out a crumpled note. She thrust it into his hands with little ceremony and another muttered thanks. With a last nod of his head, he retreated down the wooden walkway leaving her alone on the doorstep. 

Turning, Chloe picked up her bag of clothes and pulled the door open wide. She stepped inside and allowed her bag to thump to the floor with a loud thud. She kicked off her shoes by the door and flexed her feet, the cool floor a welcome relief after the confines of her trainers.

A smile immediately curled at her lips. She had stepped into heaven. 

Polished wood stretched from wall to wall beneath her feet. All of the furnishings were light and inviting. Though style was clearly a consideration, there was nothing clinical about it. It was all light fabrics and warm woods. Even the sofa looked so damned comfortable.

Unable to stop herself, a large smile stretched across Chloe's face before rushed across the room and threw herself onto the plush cushions. Her body immediately sank into the cream-coloured fabric, her travel-tired body grateful for the soft cushions.

"I could get used to this," Chloe muttered to herself.

She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. Within moment, her lack of sleep started to catch up with her. It would be so easy to give in.

She tensed. What the-?

Her eyes sprang open. Pushing up on her elbows, she strained her ears as she peered over the back of the sofa towards the door she hadn't noticed before. She held her breath as she waited. 

Yet, there was nothing. She was just being paranoid. It was her first time travelling alone. She could just hear the water beneath the villa. That's all it was.

She slowly started to lower herself back down, a loud sigh escaping her lips. Her eyes were just about to slip closed when she heard it again. 

Then, the door across the way slid to the side and crashed into the wall with a bang. A wave of steam billowed outwards and, from the midst of it, a man appeared. Her gaze involuntary travelled downwards, taking all of the scenery. No. Not just a man. A very naked and very wet man.

Chloe screamed even a warm flush moved throughout her body. Get a grip, Chloe.

Scrambling up from the sofa, Chloe held her hands up before her eyes to block the view.

It didn't matter. She could still see every beautiful inch of him. From the tattoo swirling up the side of his ribs, to his strong thighs, to the part of him she most definitely hadn't seen too much of.

She shook her head. Nope. She hadn't seen anything at all.

Not a thing.

Who was she kidding? Two seconds was enough to imprint the image in her mind forever. Each and every inch of him was burned into her brain as if she had spent months studying every ripple of his muscles. She could almost imagine how his skin would feel under her hand.

She shook her head and clenched her free hand at her side. 

"What are you doing in my room? Get out!" She demanded, parting her fingers to glare at him. Her gaze immediately shifted downwards as he took a menacing step towards her. Her mouth dropped open and she glanced away. 

Chloe's cheeks burned hotter, a red flush starting from her chest. It's been too bloody long.

She blinked and abruptly lifted her gaze upwards to the fury etched upon his face. A face she recognised in an instant. Tall, dark, and moody stood before her in all of his naked glory.

He was just as approachable with his clothes off as he was with them on. The 'fuck off' aura she had witnessed at the airport was almost palpable. It was an oppressive wave that filled the room from wall to wall.  Deep down, Chloe had the sudden urge to apologise and make a hasty retreat.

Instead, she scowled back between her fingers.

"Your room? On what planet could you afford this?" He shook his head. "My god, groupies are getting crazier every day. Can't you all give me a fucking break?"

"Groupie?!" She shook her head as she dropped her hand down to her side. "Who the fuck do you think you are? Other than an entitled arse, that is?"

"Don't try to pretend you don't recognise me. It's the oldest play in the book and I'm not in the mood for games." He growled, his voice taking on a dangerous rasp.

He stormed towards her before she could respond. She swallowed and kept her eyes on her face even if her curiosity demanded she look down once more. His 'fuck off' energy went up a notch, inflamed by his anger.  She shifted back a step. It was unsettling up close. Her heart leapt into her throat, tensing as she waited for him to strike.

At the last moment, Chloe jumped aside. She sucked in a sharp breath as he drew close in all of his beautiful and very naked glory. A part of her wondered if he would try and manhandle her out of the door. 

With that thought in mind, she flinched as he brushed past. Only he didn't stop. He didn't throttle her like his expression suggested he would very much like to do.

Instead, he carried on straight past her and into one of the other rooms. It was only when his bare arse disappeared through the open doorway that she allowed herself to exhale.

Fuck. Chloe pressed a hand to her chest, her heart thudding rapidly within her rib cage while her other pressed to her flushed cheeks.

What was that? She dropped her hands to her side and drew in a deep breath before releasing it on a slow exhale. Leah was right, she really needed to get out more.

"... Security. Now." Chloe's head snapped towards the open doorway. "There's a stalker in my room and I want her removed. Now."