Heat: A Monsoon Island Novel

By Itu Menthonia

It was love at first sight when Jason met Reece two years ago when his brother married her sister. With limited contact during the interval, their love affair resumes when she visits their shared family home for the summer. Paused passion resumes and sizzles to new heights. Infatuation takes a turn. But with challenges and complications at every turn, they chose to focus on the heated passion between them rather than entertain the drama around them. Passion fuels this love story mixed with family dynamics.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Itu Menthonia
• Release date: Sep 28, 2016
• ISBN: 9780992174163

Itu Menthonia

Itu Menthonia is a writer who enjoys writing about romance, love, success, and all the other things that inspire each of us to wake up in the morning.

Book preview

Heat: A Monsoon Island Novel

by

Itu Menthonia

Copyright © 2016

All Rights Reserved by Itu Menthonia

Published by: Itu Menthonia

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination, or have been used fictitiously, and the events are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locations, or organizations is entirely coincidental. All rights are reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author or, upon her incapacity or death, the author’s authorized representative or her publishing rights holder.

It’s passionate, wild, intense, territorial… Love is in the details.

– Itu Menthonia

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

About Itu Menthonia

Connect With Itu Menthonia Online

Itu Menthonia’s Library

Prologue

He laid inside the two hundred thread count sheets of his colossal king size bed, gazing up the ceiling while reminiscing about the weekend he spent with her. It had been two long years but she remained stuck in his mind. He thought about her soft smile, her pretty face, and the sway of her hips whenever she strutted away. Intoxicating memories filled his mind.

Theirs was, once upon a time, a passion that should have lasted more than a weekend. But fate had other plans, it seemed. Or maybe she did.

Trying to shake off thoughts of her would not do the trick now no more than it did days after she left. How he still ached for her. His heart rate increased at the memory of her sweet lips on his, her delicious scent that made him want to devour her even more. He swallowed at the memory.

Drifting his focus to the present were stiletto footsteps sounding on his marble tiled bedroom floor. Atop the six inch heels were long smooth legs that led up to a pancake-flat waist, a slim figure and a heavy chest.

She had on a skimpy dress, the type a young woman would wear to an upper-class night club with the intention to draw men’s attention, a scanty, body-hugging bandage dress that accentuated her slim figure.

Even without the layers of mud she had on the previous night, her face was beautiful still, a shimmering post morning glory glow. Not that he noticed her beauty. His mind was focused on the past, nostalgic over the one that got away.

She was not his Reece, but one of many night caps that kept him warm for yet another lonely night.

She stood at the edge of the bed, twirling her golden hair while shooting him a smile. With his arms behind his head, he politely smiled back.

Take off your shoes, he urged as he got out of bed.

She grinned suggestively. Thought you like them on.

He glanced at his wristwatch. It’s almost six am. We have to leave before my family is up. And we don’t want to wake them, do we?

She nodded, giggling as she pulled him toward her. I think we do.

Ignoring her seductive act, he pointed to her shoes. Those things are loud on the floor, please take them off, he muttered, his tone was now adamant.

Oh, you’re serious.

Her smile disappeared as she did the math. Her shoes sounding on the floor would cause his family to wake, and then they’d see her, ask questions. Ask to be introduced. He obviously had no intention to do such. Despite the faint insult, she got the point.

While he rummaged his top drawer for something to wear, she sat on the edge of the bed taking off the six inch long stilettos. He grabbed a white t-shirt and wore it then turned to face her. With a mocking stance, proper posture, one hand behind him and chin raised, he put out his hand. Shall we?

She giggled at his formality, clutching the straps of her shoes in one hand, her other arm hooked across his.

Chapter 1

It had been four long vigorous months of freezing temperature and icy climate. After the long harsh winter, rain poured nonstop for days. No thunder, no lightning, no strong winds blowing trees out of their roots, just cold pouring showers. When the rain finally stopped pouring, the cold breeze also dissipated.

For most of the winter, Monsoon Island’s beach shores experienced a drought of the usual beach bums that usually filled the shorelines. Due to the icy temperature, tourism had slowed as most island visitors usually came to bask in the warm weather, and to ogle at the plethora of tanned torsos and bikini-clad bodies that frolicked up and down the warm sandy beaches of the beautiful island. Due to the chilly weather, residents and tourists were stuck indoors, forced to be confined within the parameters of their homes and hotel rooms.

Small boats and a few luxurious yachts bobbed up and down the deep blue waters, some docked permanently for residential purposes, and others temporarily moored to the pier by the Palm Beach Marina.

A mile away from the beach was the Palm Beach Grand Hotel, a deluxe hotel wholly owned and managed by the Mora family. A walking distance from the shorelines of the frequented Palm Beach, a grand beach house stood on a large piece of land, resting on fifty thousand square footage of land with a lap pool, a guest house with its own pool and lush green manicured landscapes.

Quiet reined inside this lush double story mansion where an elderly man and woman – the soon to retire head of the family business, Dutch Mora, and his homemaker wife, Hilary Mora – slept peacefully inside the vast master bedroom on the east wing.

Down the hall from the master bedroom, a door opened slowly. A man wearing suede loafers and a barefoot woman clutching her heels walked out the room together. They made sure to close the door with minimal sound. The hand-held couple tiptoed down the marble-tiled floor hallway with care to ensure they made no noise and woke no one as a result. The pair tiptoed down the stairs and sauntered past a sleeping Cocker Spaniel named Pooch without so much as a bark or a growl out of him. Typical of Pooch to watch obliviously as people came in and out the house, choosing to bark lazily whenever it suited him.

In the corner of the west wing was a luxurious en-suite bedroom complete with a large terrace overlooking the entrance of the house. Luxurious three hundred-count Egyptian cotton sheets covered a beautiful young married couple – Ben and Vanessa – who lay asleep facing the same direction, with Ben tenderly clinging on to his wife’s waist. Even in their slumber, the fully clothed couple looked like the picture perfect match they truly were.

Lying on top of the left night stand – Ben’s side of the bed – were stacks of business books, a silver tablet, and a cell phone. Lying on top of the right night stand – on Vanessa’s side of the bed – was a family photo, a baby monitor, hand cream, and a lip balm.

The sound of an engine revving woke up Ben from a deep slumber. Irritated, he ripped off the covers and marched over to peep through the window only to catch a glimpse of his younger brother speeding off in his two-door vintage roadster convertible.

I don’t know why he insists on driving that loud jalopy when he can afford a perfectly new car, Ben barked as moved away from the window and went back to bed. He pulled up the covers and snuggled back inside the warm sheets.

Jason again? Vanessa asked, sleepily. Eyes still shut.

Ben sighed heavily as he clung to her waist. I don’t know why he bothers sneaking his conquests out of the house so early in the morning.

He obviously doesn’t want to introduce them to the family. She was now awake, thanks to a poke from under the sheets.

Then he should get his own place so he can come and go as he pleases, Ben spat. He moaned as he snuggled closer to his wife.

Vanessa turned around to face her husband. Ben, leave your brother alone. He’s young and free to do as he pleases, allow him to be wild, she offered before pulling up the covers.

Ben sneered while staring at her for a few seconds. He then shifted his gaze while contemplating his next move before returning his eyes to face her. His curious gaze turned to an adoring smile as he removed her curly charcoal hair from her face, and then began caressing her face.

Speaking of wild, he suggested, flirtatiously biting his bottom lip.

Vanessa giggled sweetly when she realized his seductive intentions. Noticing her enthusiasm, he began gently kissing her, moaning in anticipation as they snuggled closer. Just as the two were getting heated, a baby cry sounded from the baby monitor on the night stand, instantly shifting Vanessa’s attention away from Ben.

Just ignore it, she’ll stop eventually, he urged desperately through the kiss.

No, it’s your turn to get her, she pressed, pulling away from him. Go! she ordered gently.

Reluctant to shift his focus from her warmth to daddy-mode, Ben shook his head, eagerly begging to continue a moment longer.

You know how much I need your morning love, he begged as he caressed her chest.

But Vanessa’s hard stare was all it took for him to get the point, that what he needed was not about to happen, at least not at that moment.

Ben grunted as he ripped off the covers. He ripped his robe from the chair and wore it over his boxer shorts then stormed out of the bedroom while Vanessa watched his temper-tantrum in amusement.

###

Later during the day, Vanessa busied up and down between the vast Chef’s kitchen, pantry, and scullery as she prepared the famed Mora family Sunday lunch. As usual, gossip and laughter filled the kitchen.

A delicious aroma coming from the kitchen lingered throughout the house. The aroma roamed into the lounge where two of the three men of the house, Dutch and his eldest son Ben, sat as they watched a basketball game on television while casually discussing business in between.

Dutch shifted in his seat multiple times. His gaze darted from the television to the kitchen and back and forth. He sniffed the air, moaning as he took in the delicious aroma. He licked his lips and swallowed.

I can’t wait to eat whatever Vanessa’s cooking in there. You married well, son.

Ben smiled broadly, proudly acknowledging the undisputed fact. I’m a lucky man, don’t I know it.

A moment later, the aroma had taken over Dutch’s senses. He turned a desperate gaze to Ben. I don’t want to have to wait till lunchtime, he admitted shamelessly. Can you go in there and steal a piece of meat for me?

Ben turned to face him with a raised brow and then shook his head. Not a chance, old man. You know Vanessa’s rules, no fiddling with her pots and no tasting until meal time.

Dutch and Ben sighed simultaneously as they both swallowed empty air in anticipation of lunch.

Rushing home to indulge in Vanessa’s delicious homemade food was a big reward after long hours spent passionately slaving away at the hotel on weekdays.

Weekends were the worst. They had to endure long hours of torturous wait while smelling the aroma as the women prepared the food. Because the food was so delicious, having to wait anxiously until meal time for a taste was a small price to pay.

Inside the vast Chef’s kitchen – complete with marble counter tops and state of the art modern appliances – the slender apron-clad Vanessa slaved away joyfully as she did what she loved with passion, preparing delicious, succulent, mouthwatering food. She minded the 6-plate stove full of sizzling pots while humming a sweet tune. The olive skinned beauty radiated as she chorused joyfully while doing what she loved most, baking succulent cakes and cooking delicious food.

Mixing bland ingredients she then turned into a sweet aroma was something that came naturally to her, and whatever she cooked was often at best mouth-watering.

Her soon to be one-year old daughter, Kelley, sat on a high chair, thoroughly preoccupied with a fascinating toy and giggling delightfully while playing solo. Vanessa moved away from the pots to feed a mashed baby food substance to Kelley, whose sparkling eyes radiated at the sight of her mother.

While feeding Kelley, her cell phone sounded with its catchy ring tone. She stretched her hand, reaching to grab the phone while continuing to feed Kelley with her other hand.

She pressed the cell phone to her ear and continued to mind the baby with both hands.

Hey sis, you found a flight yet?

One could tell she was a pro at being a multitasking homemaker from the way she juggled feeding the baby, minding the pots, while entertaining the phone call with ease.

The matriarch of the family, Hilary, smiled sweetly at her daughter in law as she sauntered inside the kitchen. Clad in a beautiful colorful summer dress, her makeup applied to perfection, she was radiant and confident. She’d straightened her curly black hair which was now slightly past shoulder-length and pulled back into a ponytail, revealing her beautiful face.

Due to her slender figure and a face that was slow to age, one would assume Hilary was in her forties. What gave her away was her graying hair, the only evidence she was past her prime. At 55 years of age, she was still energetic, beautiful, and very much alert.

At the sight of Hilary walking in, Vanessa smiled softly and trickled her fingers to greet her while continuing to attend to the phone call.

Good morning darlings. Hilary’s greeting was warm and friendly. She pecked a gentle kiss on Vanessa’s cheek before turning her attention to Kelley. She beamed at the sight of her adorable and bubbly grandchild, kissing her chubby cheeks and playing with her before taking over the feeding. Kelley willingly gobbled down the mashed food in anticipation, relishing the attention of her grandmother.

Can’t wait for you to get here and meet her, travel safely, sis.

Just as Vanessa was ending the call, a naturally tanned man walked in. Normally, he was bad boy movie-star gorgeous mixed with boy next door charm. But lately, his handsome mien and natural swag were swallowed by his casual clothing and rugged hairdo.

Who’s coming over? Jason asked curiously with a smooth silky voice.

Vanessa leaned her elbows on the island countertop. You remember my sister, Reece?

Jason gulped, nodding a little too eagerly. Reece is on her way here?

She’s visiting for the summer, Vanessa replied with a nod, joy and enthusiasm written all over her face. I haven’t seen her since the wedding. I can’t wait to spend time with her.

Jason instantly blushed. Oh crap, he mumbled under his breath.

Mind your mouth, Hilary chastised.

She just boarded a flight and will be here in a few hours. I could go fetch her but I have my hands full with lunch and Kelley. If you’re not busy today, I’d appreciate it if you picked her up from the airport? Vanessa asked.

The shock had worn off by now and Jason shrugged nonchalantly. Sure, I don’t mind.

If it’s not too much of an imposition, we know how busy you are, Hilary said.

Said I don’t mind, he pressed.

He marched out of the kitchen and mounted the stairs, taking them two at a time while Vanessa watched with confusion.

What’s going on with him? she asked, narrowing her brows.

You don’t know, do you? Hilary said, amused at the thought.

Vanessa shrugged and shook her head. Know what?

Those two might end up making a baby on the way home.

Vanessa winced, shaking her head incessantly. I don’t believe it. Reece is well aware of Jason’s reputation with girls. She’s smart enough to stay away from him. Not to mention she has a boyfriend.

Hilary giggled, like a mother with a deep knowing. We’ll see.

Minutes later, Jason came back dressed in fresh dark blue designer jeans, a tucked-in long sleeved cream shirt with the sleeves folded down to the elbow, and flat suede black loafers. He’d cut his charcoal afro to the bare minimum. The scent of his masculine cologne arrived well before he did, destroying the women’s sense of smell.

He stepped into the kitchen like a man on a mission, eager and ready for what was coming. Hilary and Vanessa exchanged glances. Neither one of them had ever seen him so well put together.

What’s Reece’s number? he asked, gazing at Vanessa.

Why do you need her number? Vanessa’s voice was filled with concern. With this new information, she regretted asking him for the favor. But there was no turning back.

So I can call her when I get to the airport.

He was a little too eager, and it showed in his nerve-wrecked actions. Vanessa secretly wished she hadn’t asked Jason for the favor, but nonetheless, spilt milk had prevailed. She pointed over to her cell phone on the counter. It’s in there under her name.

Jason sauntered past the women toward the counter, the whiff of his expensive cologne berating their sense of smell. Vanessa and Hilary exchanged glances as he grabbed Vanessa’s phone. He perused the phonebook, and copied Reece’s digits into his cell phone.

Hilary elbowed Vanessa before shooting her a look, who nodded in return, smiling softly as if they