Little Temptation

Little Temptationa novellaRachel De Lune Copyright © 2023 Rachel De LuneAll rights reservedThe characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.Cover design by: Shower of Schmidt DesignsCopy Editing by Claire Allmendinger, BNW Editing Proofreading by Roxanne Leblanc Contents Title PageCopyrightLittle TemptationChapter OneChapter Two Chapter ThreeChapter FourChapter Five Chapter SixChapter SevenChapter Eight Chapter NineChapter TenChapter ElevenChapter TwelveChapter ThirteenAlso By Rachel De LuneAbout Rachel De Lune Little Temptationa novellaRachel De Lune Chapter OneAs we make our final descent, my stomach drops, and I grab the armrest, gulping a lungful of air. I’ve not flown for years – not from choice – but rather time and money.A little round of applause sparks up as the wheels finally touch down, and I can relax; we made it in one piece. I don’t know how Grammy must have coped. She’s never been abroad before, let alone flown. So when my brother, Eric, announced his beloved wanted to get married abroad, there was some debate as to if we could even attend given the venue change, let alone afford it.We don’t have a big family, and Grammy isn’t even our real grandmother, but it’s important she be part of this day, and we all celebrate together. I could tell my dad wanted to put his foot down, but he’s never been the disciplinarian, even when we were children. Why would it start when we’re adults? And my mother has been looking forward to all the trappings that come with a wedding since the day Eric said he wanted to ask Miriam to marry him.I can feel the pressure for a wedding in her eyes when she looks at me, and I’m only twenty-three.Of course, Eric had an answer to all the questions about cost. In the shape of Liam Ford.As I wait for the seatbelt sign to go out, I think about the last time I saw Liam, the best man. It’s been years now. Maybe when he came back to visit with Eric before they went travelling together after university?Until then, he was as much a constant in my life as my brother. Someone I grew to rely on, to trust. And to fall completely in love with.I shake that thought away, wrestle my case out of the overhead compartment, and wait with the other impatient passengers to be released from the tin can. As we start shuffling along, I smile at the flight attendant and then take a breath as the wall of dry heat smacks me in the face.My hands are full, and I can’t grab my sunglasses from my bag, so I squint to take my first look at the Greek island. Dry, desert-like hills greet me, and I can’t help but feel a little underwhelmed.It’s early evening, and the sun’s starting to set. The flight was due to arrive much earlier in the day, but even Liam couldn’t control the flights. I file along and onto a bus to take me into the arrivals building. The heat clings, even at this time of day, and I can already feel sweat gathering on my chest, threatening to drip down my cleavage.Thankfully, we are quickly whisked away, and the air conditioning of the building bathes my over-heated skin.A firm stamp follows a speedy inspection and check of my passport, and I’m free to find my lift.Liam has provided everything for the wedding on the island – his generous gift to my brother. The hotel is ours for the week of the wedding, including our rooms, suites, a private bay with our own beach, transport to the resort, food, and drinks… all thanks to my brother’s best friend. It’s just a shame I’m late – and not just a few hours late due to the flight delay today, but days late.Sure enough, a man dressed in what I assume might be the hotel uniform is holding a sign with ‘Little’ printed in neat black marker. I nod and walk over, dragging my carry-on case. The name brings a smile to my lips. My driver grabs my case and heads off toward the car. It’s as if he’s the one in a rush, and I have to quicken my pace to catch up.I’m already arriving three days later than the rest of the family and guests, so I only have a couple of days to enjoy the hospitality and celebrations. I should be grateful I made it at all, considering I’ve only just started my job, but looking at the time, I’ll be pushing it to arrive for the rehearsal dinner. I mean, it’s not a big wedding, so why do we need to rehearse, anyway?A black, sleek-looking car, completely at odds with the rest of the rental and family vehicles, sits waiting. He opens the back door for me, and after he gets in and starts the ignition, I say a little prayer for the blast of frigid air. The sweat on my boobs is tickling, and I’m pretty sure there’s a small river working its way down my spine. My t-shirt clings to my skin as I sit back against the leather, but I accept my fate and try to get comfy.I relax in the back of the car and gaze out the window as I’m driven to our destination. The roads are windy and small, but as I explore the landscape, I notice it’s greener than I first thought. Olive trees litter the fields against the dusty roads, and houses and shacks punctuate the countryside, some painted and finished like a Greek picture postcard, others worn and weathered by the sun.Eric hasn’t shared much about the resort, just that it’s ours to use and, of course, five-star, so when the