Chapter 4: A Taste of Something New

The sun had fully risen over the resort, bathing the cabana paths in soft warmth as Paul and Faith strolled hand in hand toward the open-air restaurant. The scent of sea air mingled with brewing coffee and ripe fruit, and the quiet hum of guests easing into their day set the tone for a leisurely morning.

The breakfast buffet was a vision. A long, elegant table gleamed with offerings: trays of freshly baked pastries still warm from the oven, bowls of glistening tropical fruit, platters of cheeses and cold cuts, and silver warmers filled with local delicacies and international staples — fried rice, garlic longganisa, eggs any way, smoked fish, crispy bacon, and creamy champorado with coconut milk.

Faith’s eyes sparkled as she surveyed the spread. “Oh my god, look at this ... is that rambutan? And mangosteen?” She pointed excitedly. “I’ve never had mangosteen fresh before.”

“You’re in fruit heaven,” Paul said, chuckling as they were led to a shaded table overlooking the water.

They settled in, ordering a mimosa for Faith and a strong black coffee for Paul. The air was perfect — warm but not yet humid, the breeze off the sea lifting the edge of Faith’s cover-up to reveal just a flash of her thigh as she crossed her legs.

Then Faith’s expression changed.

Paul followed her gaze and saw her — the same beautiful woman from the night before, walking slowly into the restaurant. She wore a soft sundress in a light peach hue that complimented her sun-kissed skin, her wavy dark hair loose around her shoulders. Her body moved with the same effortless elegance they’d glimpsed the night before, but there was something softer now in her eyes — a hint of nervousness, maybe, or curiosity.

As the hostess led her toward a table nearby, Faith stood without hesitation.

“Excuse me,” she said quickly, stepping away from their table and intercepting the beauty mid-path.

Paul watched, amused, as Faith’s confident smile lit up her face.

“Hi — I hope you don’t mind me interrupting,” Faith began, her English accent bright and warm. “I’m Faith, and this is my partner, Paul. We saw you dining alone last night and ... well, we thought it’d be lovely if you joined us this morning.”

The woman looked slightly stunned for a moment — brows lifted, lips parted — then her expression softened into a shy but genuine smile.

“I’m Kacie,” she said, her voice smooth and slightly husky. “And I’d love to.”

The hostess wasted no time in bringing over another chair, and soon the three were seated around the table.

There was a beat of silence — not awkward exactly, more like something charged hanging in the air.

“So...” Kacie said, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “I think I’m in the cabana next to yours.”

Paul raised an eyebrow. “How can you tell?”

Kacie laughed, eyes flicking toward Faith, then back again. “Well ... let’s just say Faith isn’t exactly quiet.”

Both Paul and Faith blushed — and then laughed out loud. Faith leaned back in her chair with a gleam in her eye.

“Sorry,” she said, utterly unrepentant. “We weren’t trying to put on a show ... but we don’t really mind if we did.”

“Oh, don’t apologize,” Kacie said, her voice lower now, more confident. “I’m just jealous.”

She looked at them both, her eyes lingering in turn — first on Paul, then on Faith — a slow, deliberate look that sent a pulse of heat through the air. For a second, none of them spoke.

Faith was the first to recover, glancing at Paul as their eyes locked.

Oh yes, his expression said. This is happening.

The dynamic shifted again, subtly, deliciously. The underlying question was no longer if, but when — and more intriguingly, who was seducing whom?