“How were you planning on getting around while you’re here?” Rand asked Ciara before slipping on some sunglasses.
“I had cabs lined up for the weekend. But we’re picking up a rental on Monday,” Ciara answered. “I wish we would have thought about renting a car sooner. By the time we talked about transportation, there wasn’t anything available for this weekend.”
“This is the end of the busiest tourist season,” Rand answered. “But Bali is getting more and more visitors from the U.S.”
“Here’s what it says online about the place we’re going,” Jack said, looking at his phone. “Showcasing unparalleled views from 14 meters above the Indian Ocean, Rock Bar is accessible via AYANA’s dramatic cliff side inclinator.”
“Hmm. Interesting. The place has a beautiful sunset view and rolling waves,” Rand answered. “What else does it say?”
Jack continued, “Perched atop distinctive rock formations along Jimbaran’s pristine sunset coast, Rock Bar Bali is widely respected as one of the globe’s most popular sunset, cocktail and entertainment venues. Featuring a glamorous sunset vibe, and a seductive after-dark ambiance, listen to premier international DJs as they heighten your experience from a custom DJ booth carved directly into the cliff face.”
“I read somewhere that eventually they’ll be able to host over 800 guests,” Janelle said.
“Yes, soon,” Rand murmured. “I noticed there was some construction going on further down the coast last time I was there.”
Another twenty minutes later, they arrived on the scene.
As they approached the structure, Rand muttered, “I’ll warn you. The parking’s not great – especially on a Saturday. Can I drop you guys off?”
“That’s alright,” Ciara answered. “It’s a beautiful night and most of us are wearing comfortable shoes. I don’t mind walking. What about you, Em?”
“That’s fine with me, too, even wearing high heels,” Emma replied. “I’m enjoying the change. It’s so warm and tropical. They were predicting early snow this weekend in Wisconsin.”
As Rand drove closer to the nightspot, he was lucky enough to be able to find a parking place vacated by a departing cab. ‘
“That wasn’t so bad,” Ciara said softly.
Soon, they were walking across the grounds towards the bar and being led to some empty seats on a faraway platform, which would give them a little privacy while enjoying the spectacular sunset. Rand had slipped some cash to one of the men standing behind the bar.
“The guests get first dibs, but I know the owner,” Rand said, smiling at Ciara.
As they were seated, Janelle growled, “That’s right, Rand, we want to pay you back for our dinners.”
Rand grimaced. “Tell you what, Janelle, since I’ve got the funds, can’t you just forget it for now? You’re going to need a lot of cash while you’re here. You can pay me back before you leave if you insist, but better yet, how about paying me back with a favor if I would ever need it?”
“What kind of favor?” Ciara asked suspiciously.
Rand waggled his brows, grinning widely at Ciara. “Well, I have a feeling that the favor I’d want from you would probably be a lot different from the favor I’d expect from Janelle or Emma.”
Everyone laughed as Ciara clamped her hands over her mouth, suddenly realizing how suggestive she’d been.
Still laughing, Jack shook his head, rolling his eyes. “Just let him take care of it, ladies. He’s said the same damn thing to me and Nick each time we’ve come to visit, but he never lets us pay for anything when we’re here.”
“Sometimes, he actually lets us pay for drinks,” Nick murmured. “Hopefully tonight?”
“Alright, already,” Rand growled. “Pay for the damned drinks.”
Nick grinned as the waitress appeared.
They settled in, and kept the conversation going for several minutes, until the sun fell low on the edge of the horizon, prisms of golden light streaming across the rolling ocean waves, casting a fiery haze while enhancing the magic of the night.
“No one seems to be dancing much tonight,” Nick observed.
“A lot of people will later,” Rand said. “It’s only the beginning of the evening.”
Eventually, Rand held out a hand to Ciara. “How about a walk?”
“I’d like that,” Ciara answered, standing and resting her hand within his.
As Ciara and Rand walked away, Nick turned to Emma. “How about it? Would you like to see the beach?”
Emma definitely looked taken aback.
There appeared to be lots of families scattered amidst the crowd, so many of the guests were beginning to depart once the sun had gone down. Music was echoing through the air as Nick and Emma made their way down the staircase, heading toward the beach, but turning in the opposite direction from Rand and Ciara.
Jack and Janelle sat alone at the table just listening to music and sipping their drinks.
* * *
Jack gave Janelle a side glance. She had such an amazing face, with high cheekbones and beautiful forest green eyes. It was what had drawn him toward her. Gracefully poised, she was probably about five-foot eight, but Jack still towered over her at six foot two.
She had a slim beautiful figure, with smaller breasts and a narrow waist. And then there were those legs…
She must have sensed his thoughts, because when she turned, there was a question in her eyes. “Is something wrong?”
“Not at all,” Jack answered, giving her a smile. “You’re just easy on my eyes.”
“The feeling is mutual.” She gave him what was obviously a mischievous smile. “You’re probably the prettiest man I’ve ever met.”
He blinked, and then snickered. “That’s telling me.”
Suddenly, the music went silent, and Jack had to ask, “How would you feel about dancing with me?”
She momentarily looked undecided, but much to his surprise, she stood and answered, “Alright.”
He closed the distance between them, and drew her into his arms, and with luxurious slowness, he pulled her intimately closer as slow music resounded through
