Season's End: A Forbidden Island Fling

By Lara Norman

Calliope, seeking a fresh start, dives headfirst into a new job at her sister's exquisite Fiji resort. Little did she know that this daring move would lead her straight into the arms of temptation.

 

From the moment Calli lays eyes on Grayson, her charming and irresistibly attractive coworker, desire ignites like a wildfire. The tantalizing glances they share soon become stolen kisses, and before they know it, they find themselves indulging in forbidden nights of passion. 

 

But as their burgeoning connection intensifies, Calli's heart begins to soar, while Gray's plans to leave the island at the end of the season cast a dark shadow over their passionate romance. With an unspoken expiration date looming ahead, they must navigate the treacherous waters of their desires, questioning if their captivating liaison is destined to be a fleeting fling or a love story worth fighting for.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LPN Publishing
• Release date: Nov 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201789176

Lara Norman

Lara used to scribble her fictional characters down on legal pads in high school, and then not show them to anyone. In recent years, she started posting her work in public forums for feedback, which gave her the courage to publish professionally.  She needs copious amounts of coffee and chocolate to survive. She enjoys eavesdropping on the character conversations in her head, which she has been assured doesn’t make her crazy. She always gets the best ideas while in the shower, driving, or about to fall asleep. Though she’s a Florida girl at heart, Lara currently resides in the Blue Ridge Mountains with her husband of twenty years and their three children, where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age fifteen.

Book preview

Chapter One

The plane banked to the left, and Calli tried to unclench her fists before she lost all feeling in her fingers. The Dramamine had helped her nausea, but it had done nothing for her anxiety. The sun and clouds seemed to melt into the cerulean water out her tiny window, but she found it hard to focus on the breathtaking vista.

Calliope Sutton was about to arrive in Fiji, a dream come true for almost anyone else. Her sister, Ida, lived there with her husband and children, but Calli had lived in Orlando all her life, never leaving the state of Florida. Flying absolutely terrified her, and she had no desire to visit a place she couldn't travel to by car. But recently, their father had lost his battle with pancreatic cancer, and his final request was for his youngest daughter to truly live. He had accused her of just existing since she was stuck with him in the house she’d grown up in. Though she enjoyed her simple life, she had to admit he was right.

The rugged coastline of Taveuni came into view, and Calli knew that meant they’d land at Matei Airport soon. She couldn't wait to put her feet on solid ground, and was fairly positive she’d never leave paradise once she arrived. The last time they'd spoken on the phone, her sister had been a little vague about who would pick her up, but she couldn't exactly focus on that at the moment. Without having the tiniest sip of alcohol, she felt drunk. Maybe she could blame it on the combo of meds she’d taken in the hopes of easing her nerves, but she stumbled as she rose to pluck her bag from the overhead bin. In the end, she had to have assistance from the flight attendant to pull her duffel down without beaning someone in the head.

She made it out of the plane and onto the tarmac without issue, dropping to her knees to thank every known deity for helping her arrive safely. Barely managing to stop herself from actually kissing the ground, she rose to her full—albeit short—height and scanned the area for someone she recognized.

Greeted by a large white sign with her last name on it, she headed in that direction. There was a guy behind the sign, wearing a loose white button down showing arms covered in ink, and blue shorts leading into more tattoos.

I'm Calli Sutton. Her words came out slurred, and she licked her dry lips.

The bearded man frowned. Kelly?

No. Calli, as in Calliope.

I thought that was what Ida said your name was. Your parents must have hated you and your sister. I’m Gray, by the way.

She snorted. Snot funny. Sides, what kinda name is Gray? It's a color, not a name.

It’s short for Grayson. He took her duffle bag from her, steering her in the direction of the doors.

Still not a name. They passed the signs for baggage claim and kept walking. I shipped my stuff.

I know.

I took meds. Stumbling over the curb, Calli nearly fell until Gray grabbed her upper arm to steady her.

Why?

Flying is scary.

He chuckled, and Calli liked the way it sounded. But she was exhausted.

He helped her into a white minivan with the logo of the resort her sister and brother-in-law operated written on the side. No sooner than Gray had pulled out of the parking lot did Calli fall asleep.

She woke to Gray shaking her shoulder. We're here.

Blinking, she rubbed her eyes and looked around. Holy moly.

Yeah. It never really grows on you.

Pushing out of the van, she gazed around her at the blinding white sand and sun-drenched sky. Palm trees dominated the landscape, surrounding low white buildings. Stone paths cut through luscious grass, leading to each building in sight. The soothing, incessant sound of the waves lapping at the sand dominated her senses.

Ida and Brent are waiting for you in their villa. There was an issue with a broken pipe this morning preventing them from picking you up, but they should be free now.

Nodding, Calli glanced over her shoulder at Grayson . . . and froze.

Somehow, she had failed to notice how incredibly sexy he was in her Dramamine/Xanax induced stupor. Quickly, she swiped her fingers under her eyes and smoothed her hands over her unruly hair. Gray had walked off, so she hurried to follow. For the love of God. His calves were noticeable as he walked, heavy designs leading up and down the backs of his legs. His hair was dark, sort of bushy and held together with a leather thong at his nape. As he paused to open a door for her, Calli noticed the full beard brushing his open collar. There was an easiness about his demeanor that sucked her in, begging her to start a conversation just to hear him speak.

How did I miss the walking god at the airport? Oh, God, she’d made a complete fool of herself. She’d made fun of his name and slurred her words. Most likely, she’d drooled in her seat while she slept. What a way to make a first impression.

Good thing she wasn't there to meet a man. She was there to be with her sister’s family, to become the full-time homeschool teacher for her nieces and nephew. Her goal was to fulfill the promise she made to her father before he died, and to enjoy a foreign location. Besides, she was probably too plain and boring to hang out with a guy as beautiful and clearly interesting as Grayson. Her previous boyfriends had always leaned on the preppy side, straitlaced and academic. But Good Lord, would it be fun to try with a new type.

Following him through the door, she spotted her sister’s blonde head across the room and practically ran to her. Ida!

Ida turned in time to catch her sister’s running leap. Oh, Calli!

I’m so glad to be here and off that plane.

Ida held her at arm’s length. See, you survived.

This time. Calli searched the room, but didn’t see the children or Brent. Where is everyone?

Brent just took the kids outside to accept a food delivery for the restaurant. It’s been crazy around here.

I heard there was a broken pipe.

Yeah.

As Ida launched into her story, Calli watched Gray leave the villa through the glass door. Most of the front wall consisted of floor-to-ceiling windows, letting in the amazing view. The room’s walls were a soft blue, similar to the sky outside. Everything was made of natural elements, and the feel, texture, and colors were airy, echoing the surroundings. Brent’s family had owned the Seacoast Resort & Spa for a very long time, and he and Ida had been in charge of running it for the past five years.

I’m sorry I wasn't there to pick you up.

At Ida’s statement, Calli brought her attention back around. That’s okay. Your, um, the, uh . . . guy there, he helped me.

Grayson Bishop. He’s the activities director.

Yeah, well. If I’d known to expect someone like him, I would have made an effort to be more coherent when I landed.

Ida snickered. It’s okay. You have plenty of time to make a better impression.

Calli caught her sister staring at her and shrugged her shoulders. It’s not like that.

Okay. Ida glanced away. Just in case it is, though, there’s a strict no fraternization policy.

Jeez, sis, I’m here to teach your children, not get my rocks off.

Laughing again, Ida reached out and smoothed a stray section of hair back into Calli’s ponytail. Yeah, what was I thinking? It wouldn't be like you to become involved with him, anyway.

Exactly. It wasn't like her. And yet, it was all she could do to keep from craning her neck to try spotting him walking by outside.

Well, would you like to see your new home?

Of course.

I’ll take you to your villa first, then give you a tour of the resort grounds. We gave you the smaller single villa two doors down, and the kids’ building is between ours. They have a room set aside specifically for their schoolroom.

I can’t wait to see them.

They stepped out into the sunshine, and Calli marveled again. Sun, salt and sea wasn’t new to her, but she’d never spent that much time at the beach. She would consider herself a homebody, someone into books and her job, not someone to hit up a beach club or bar on the weekends. She had a few acquaintances back in Orlando, but she didn't partake of the nightlife offered in her home city.