They kicked off their honeymoon two days later with a trip to a private island near Fiji. It was a tropical paradise with white sand beaches, ocean front houses that were built wide apart to give each occupant some privacy from their neighbors.
It was an exclusive luxury hideout that only the wealthiest folks in the world can afford.
They’d come along with Zoe and Elaine, of course, and Yasmin and the unknown guy that she had referred to as her companion.
The house they were staying in was a huge all-white building with six bedrooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a cinema room, a library, a huge kitchen and dining area, two living rooms, and an in-house spa.
“Well, this place gives luxury a new meaning,” said Rachel after the facility manager gave them a tour of the place. “I love it!”
“I’m glad you do,” said Derek with a happy smile. “So, what would you like to do first? Go to the beach?”
“Uh… I don’t know,” she laughed. “I feel like sitting on the patio outside and just staring at the water. I mean, look at the view. It’s awesome!”
Derek laughed. “I can never get enough of your excitement over the things you appreciate. Ok, we could do that – sit on the patio, watching the beach while sipping a cold drink.”
“Are you two kidding? Both of you want to just sit down and stare at the beach all day when you can be doing something fun like actually going to the beach?” Yasmin asked them.
“It’s our honeymoon, Mom. We can do whatever we like,” said Derek with a wink.
Yasmin rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Sam and I are going to the beach, and I think Zoe and Elaine should come with us too, except you’re planning to bore them to death too with beach-gazing.”
Rachel laughed. She loved how the relationship between Derek and Yasmin had grown so much within days and they were exchanging playful banters that were typical of mother and child friendships.
“I’ll go change into my swimsuit,” she said and hurried toward her room.
“I’ll join you,” said Sam, following her.
“I don’t like this thing going on with my mom and that dude,” said Derek when the odd couple was out of earshot. “How old is he and where did she meet him?”
“I may be wrong but he does look like one of the waiters at your birthday party,” said Rachel. “However… I think you should cut Yasmin some slack and let her have a little fun. Her happiness is all that matters, right?”
“Yeah, but I’m not comfortable with the age difference. I hope he’s above 21.”
Rachel laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. That’s a whole man you’re talking about.”
Just then, Yasmin emerged from her room wearing a bright pink cut-out bathing suit that contrasted sharply with her fiery hair and left very little to the imagination, while her partner, Sam, wore only a pair of tight briefs that highlighted his junk in front in a way that made Rachel blush and Derek frown. He seemed to have applied baby oil on his body because his bulging muscles glistened with an oily sheen.
“What are you two wearing? Are you going to a nudies beach nearby or what?” Derek complained.
Yasmin giggled. “I know it’s weird for you to see me this way, but aside from being your mother, I’m also a woman,” she said and wiggled her eyebrows.
Derek groaned and walked away. Rachel laughed heartily and complimented Yasmin’s banging body.
“Thanks, boo,” said Yasmin. “My body is an example of money well-spent. Come on, Sam. Let’s hit the beach.”
Rachel wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she could have sworn that Sam gave her a hot look and a discreet wink as he followed Yasmin out of the house. She ignored the suspicious look and went to the back of the house to look for Derek.
“There you are!” She exclaimed when she found him standing by the pool, staring off into the distance. “Are you ok?”
“Yes,” he said and smiled at her. “I have never felt this much peace in my life.”
“Aww, I’m glad you feel that way,” she said, embracing him.
“Come on, let’s go inside and see what Elaine and Zoe are up to. The island manager will be sending in our private chef later today. In the meantime, I’m sure we can make do with whatever is in the kitchen for now.”
“I don’t think anyone is hungry yet. This place is too good for you to think about eating.”
“Zoe may not agree with you,” he said with a grin. “My daughter is a certified foodie.”
“She got it from her momma,” said Rachel.
“I’m not going to argue with that,” said Derek and he received an elbow jab in the ribs from his wife.
They found Zoe and her nanny in the cinema room watching Moana. Derek and Rachel were immediately captivated by the exciting animation movie, and they too sat down to watch it.
When it was over, they all left the room together and went into the kitchen to hunt for snacks. Their new chef showed up just as they began to munch on cookies and sip processed fruit juice.
“My name is Javier and I will be your chef throughout your stay here,” said the gorgeous Hispanic man.
“Pleased to meet you,” said the Frasers.
“I have a brochure here that contains over 50 recipes that I would love to make for you but please, feel free to let me know if you have any specific meals that you’d want me to prepare for you at any time and I will do my best to make it for you.”
Rachel liked his singsong accent and that permanent smile on his attractive face. “Sounds good to me,” she said. “So, family, what should we have for lunch?”
“Pizza!” Screamed Zoe.
“Honey, that’s not real food,” said Derek. “Let me see the brochure, please,” he said to Javier.
“I want pizza,” said Zoe.
“I can make that for you, princess,” said Javier. “Who else wants pizza?”
“I’ll have whatever Zoe is having,” said Elaine, diplomatically.
“This looks exciting,” said Derek, with his eyes on the brochure. “Espinacas con Garbanzos.”
“Ooh, sounds exotic!” Said Rachel.
“I can make it for you,” said Javier confidently. “Trust me, you will love it. It is a very delicious meal.”
“Sweet Jesus!”
Ten pairs of eyes swung in the direction of the shocked voice and they all saw Yasmin standing there and staring at Javier with huge eyes. Her hair was damp and hung limply around her face and shoulders, her makeup was smudged and her bathing suit clung to her like a second skin.
“Nana!” Zoe screamed excitedly, breaking the awkward silence in the kitchen. She ran to meet her grandmother and wrapped her small arms around her wet legs.
“Hi, honey,” said Yasmin, bending down to greet Zoe. When she straightened up, her eyes swung back to Javier who was smiling at her appreciatively. “And who’s this deliciously looking man?”
“That’s a very apt description,” joked Derek. “This is Javier, our new chef. Javier, that’s my mom, Yasmin.”
Javier’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Your mom? I could have never guessed it. It’s a pleasure to meet you, madam.”
“Oh no, Javier. The pleasure is all mine,” she drawled suggestively.
Derek cleared his throat. “Where is Sam?”
“Right here,” said Sam, coming into the kitchen. When he saw Javier, his brows furrowed with instant dislike. “Who’s this?”
“Our chef,” answered Rachel. “He’s going to be making our meals throughout our stay here, beginning from right now. Javier, we’re going to vacate your domain now and let you work your magic.”
“I want pizza!” Zoe reminded him.
“Of course, dear. I’ll make one just for you,” said Javier and was rewarded with a cheer from Zoe.
“All right, folks. Let’s leave the kitchen and give Javier some space,” said Derek, leading everyone out of the kitchen.
“Do you need help?” Yasmin asked the chef. “I could go and change and then come back here to join you. I really know my way around a kitchen.”
“I’m sure he can handle the cooking alone, can’t you, Javier?” Asked Sam with a look in his eyes that dared the chef to say otherwise. He wrapped his arm around Yasmin’s small waist to mark his territory.
“Absolutely, I can,” replied Javier with a grin that didn’t reach his eyes.
“Great, now that that’s settled, let’s all leave the man to do his job, shall we?” Said Derek, eager to diffuse the brewing tension in the kitchen.
Everyone left the kitchen and they spread out across the house; Elaine and Zoe decided to go and explore the backyard of the house together, Yasmin and Sam went into their room to change out of their wet swimsuits, and Derek and Rachel reverted to their original plan to sit on the porch and watch the ocean.
“I think it was a bad idea to bring my mom and that guy with us on our honeymoon,” he mused.
Rachel laughed. “Are you kidding? This is exciting! I can’t wait to see Sam and Javier knock each other’s teeth out over Yasmin.”
That got him laughing. “I would have never imagined you to be the type that likes violence.”
“I’m not, but I’m not going to walk away from a chance to see two Alpha males battle each other over a strong female.”
“Ugh, you’ve read too many werewolf stories.”
“I have, and I’ll like to see them played out in real life.”
“You’re such a freak,” he said affectionately.
“It takes one to know one,” she grinned.
“I won’t argue with that,” he said and kissed her. “I’m going to show you just how freaky I am tonight.”
“I can’t wait,” she whispered and deepened the kiss.