A Taste of Paradise

Disclaimer: New Tricks belongs to the BBC, I'm just letting them have a little fun in the sun.

Rated M, Yes M. Very much M.

A great big thank you to those who reviewed, just for you, here's another great big helping of Sandland. Would you like whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles with that? ;-D

/

Sandra slowly started to become aware of the sunlight streaming onto her face, she sighed, she could feel the warm body beside her, his breathing slow and steady, indecating he was still sound asleep. 'Hardly surprising after last night'. she thought, She remembered the night before. He had taken her by surprise, she would never have guessed he was as indcredible between the sheets as he had proven himself to be, several times in fact. She turned to face him, he was lying on his back, his face turned slightly towards her. He looked so much younger, especially with the shadow of stubble forming on his jaw and with his normally perfect hair tumbling over his face. The severe expression he usually wore, was replaced with one which was more relaxed and trouble free. She let her eyes wander down his body. She had obviously stolen the covers at some point in the night, because her boss was lying beside her in all his glory. He had taken very good care of himself, so many men she knew had got to forty then let their six packs turn to kegs, not this one though. She had admired his body while he had been sunbathing on the beach, but now, close up, she couldn't stop herself from visually feasting on him. He was well muscled, not overly so like a body builder, but toned, she was reminded of the statues she had seen on a visit to the Ashmolean last summer. In the entrance hall, several greek and roman sculptures in all their glory had greeted visitors, much to the amusement of several school parties. Unlike those statues, he was far better endowed, and like most men, blessed with a sunrise of his own.

She couldn't resist any longer. She reached across and gently ran her hand over his stomach. He stired at her touch, his breathing altered, he brought her hand up and laid it over hers, bringing it to his lips and kissing it gently. She looked up to see his blue eyes watching her, a shy smile on his face. She could almost read his mind, he was worried, worried that in the cold light of day, with the magic yesterday left behind, that she would decide he wasn't her white knight after all. She gave him a golden smile, leaning over him, capturing his lips, pouring all of her passion into the moment. She wanted him to know just how much she wanted to be here next to him. He responded to the kiss, bringing his hands up to her face, brushing back her hair, worshiping her. She placed her hand back onto his stomach, then let it wander lower, caressing him. He drew in a sharp breath, her hand pushing any logical thought out of his mind.

"Jeeeese!" He exclaimed, her hand driving him to the edge. "If you don't stop, I won't be able to." He gasped. She grinned at him, a wicked gleam in her eye.

"Maybe that's the plan." She smirked before kissing him hard. She broke the kiss and started to kiss her way down his chest, in very much the same way he had the night before. He had used his talented tongue and mouth to bring her to a frenzy, first on her breasts, then lower, driving her mad as he had worked her most sensitive areas until she had experienced one of the most incredible orgasms of her life.

Now it was her turn. She wasn't really very experienced at this, when she was younger, one of her boyfriends had become very agressive and she had almost gagged as he had held he head in a vice like grip, needless to say, he was an ex-boyfriend shortly after. Since then she had always balked at the thought of going down on a man.

She had told Robert that last night. After he had sent her on such an amazing voyage, she had felt like she needed to explain why she couldn't do the same for him. He had smiled at her and told her in that gentle voice of his, that it didn't matter, and he'd never ask her to do anything she wasn't comfortable with.

As she reached her target, she felt his hand brush her hair away from her face.

"Sandra, you don't have to if you're not comfortable. You know that don't you?" She looked up at him, her blue eyes glittering, she gave him a smile.

"I know, that's why I love you." She whispered. His eyes sparkled. Then widened as she reached her goal.

"Ooohh, Jeeesuuus!"

/

"We really should get up."

"Why, we're on holiday."

"That's true, but we can stay in bed all day at home. There's an island paradise out there. Besides, we need to eat, I don't know about you, but I've about used up my energy reserves."

"Mmmm." Sandra snuggled against him, he looped his arm around her shoulders "Ok, but I need to take a shower first."

"Maybe I'll join you?" He grinned. She smiled back.

"Again? Do you run on duracell or something?"

"You bring out the sexy beast in me. I've never felt anything like this before." He went quiet. Sandra pushed herself up onto one elbow, she could see a sadness in his eyes, and not just a little bit of fear.

"What is it? Please tell me." She begged. He swallowed, turning his face away slightly, as if he was trying to hide from her. She traced the line of his jaw with her hand, gently pulling him back to face her. "Please."

"There's this little voice inside me, it keeps on reminding me that good things just don't happen to me, I don't get to ride off into the sunset with the girl. I can't help it, but I know what you and the team think of me. I know the names I get called, not just by your lot, but by just about everyone. It's ok now, on this island we're anonymous, but when we get home... I just can't imagine you wanting to be with a tosser like me when you can have your pick of men." He paused, trying to explain, "I just don't want to drag you down. I don't want to be an embarassment to you.

She looked at him, trying to comprehend how a man who can stand in front of a room full of packed people and make a speach without a glimmer of nervousness, or can talk to news reporters and tv cameras without so much as flinching, could have so little self esteem.

"Rob. I could never be embarassed by you. I don't understand why you would even think that." She wasn't angry at him, she just needed to understand.

"You will be. When the guys start taking the piss out of you. When you start to get those little stares in the corridors, when the whispering stops as you walk into the room. I won't blame you, you know. If you decide you don't want to be with me when we get home. I will understand. You have a reputation, I don't. People already think I'm a waste of space." All the time he was talking, his hand was gently rubbing her back, as if he was trying to sooth her. Sandra wanted to cry, here he was, talking about himself as if he wasn't worth the effort, and he was trying to offer her comfort.

She sat up onto her knees, looking him in the eyes, she sat looking at him for a few moments, taking in every inch of his body.

"Rob, have you looked in the mirror recently." He looked at her, a confused look on his face. "You should. You're forty six, with one of the best bodies I have ever layed eyes on. You are handsome, and charming. In the past twelve hours, you've loved me like nobody ever has before. I've felt comfortable with you, like I have finally found somebody I can be myself with. I don't know what will happen when we get home, but you can be sure of one thing. I have never cared what other people think about me. They can go to hell for all I care. And I know the boys sometimes give you a hard time, but in the end, they'd be in our corner." She nestled back down next to him, kissing him softly. "Will you do something for me?"

"Of course, anything."

"Trust me. I'm not one of those people who've hurt you. And I will never intentionally cause you pain." She smiled at him, running her fingernails across his pecks, playing with the soft hair. "Now. We are on holiday. I don't want to think of home. I want to make love with you in the shower, then I want to see some of this paradise. In the brochure it mentioned a lagoon on the island where you can swim. Take me there, I want to swim with you."

He brushed the hair away from her face, caressing her cheek with one hand, while the other ran around her back.

"Mmmm sounds good to me." He released her and stood, offering her his hand. She took it and allowed him to lead her down the stairs to the large bathroom. He reached into the shower and turned on the water. The huge overhead shower started to cascade like a warm rainstorm. Robert held the glass door open for Sandra who stepped under the deluge, allowing it to fall over her face and down over her breasts. She felt him step up behind her, his hands snaking around her front, caressing her flat belly then traveling north, he kissed her neck and shoulder while he fondled her, teasing her nipples until they were so hard, she was sure she could cut glass with them. She could feel his erection against her lower back. She gasped, tilting her head back, exposing more of her neck to him, he responded by kissing her throat, she turned her head slightly so that she could capture his lips, the kiss was a bone melting, reality warping, time stopping sort of kiss which, when he pulled away left her gasping for air. The water cascaded down over them massaging their skin, setting their nerves tingling. Rob reached out and took the soap in his hand. He worked the soap until his hands were lathered up then started to rub the soft foam over her body, paying special attention to her breasts. He worked his hands lower, until he found her core. He slipped his middle finger inside her folds, slowly pushing inside.

"Oh God!" Sandra pushed against his hand needing to feel more of him. He added another finger, and started to work them in and out, she reached around him and gave his long hard length a squeeze, he grazed her shoulder with his teeth.

"Bollocks! I left the condoms upstairs." He exclaimed. She looked over her shoulder.

"My period only finished the day before yesterday. I'm in the safe part of my cycle. I want to feel you come in me." She braced her hands against the wall and opened her legs slightly, he moved behind her, he held her hips and entered her from behind in one long powerful thrust.

"Ooohhh, Yes!" She moaned as he pulled almost all the way out before pushing in again. "Harder!" He obliged by speeding up his thrusts, until he was pounding against her. It should have been painful, but Sandra was oblivious as she felt her climax building. She started to meet his thrusts with her own, increasing the intensity.

"Oh God! That's... fucking...amazing!" He gasped, as he could feel his own climax approaching. He reached around and squeezed her breasts, kneeding first one, then the other, his other hand grasping at her mound, pushing her back onto him as he impaled her. She cried out as her climax overtook her, he supported her weight as he came hard, filling her. He stilled, allowing her to come down gently, before turning her in his arms and holding her tightly against his chest. She wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder as she regained control of her legs and her heart rate settled, she could feel the thudding of his heart against her cheek. She looked up into his face, his dark blue eyes met her light blue, and she leaned in to kiss him. He kissed her back, so tenderly she almost wept. He washed her down, caressing every inch of her body. She did the same for him, until he shut off the shower and reached for the giant white towel on the side and wrapped them both in it. He kissed her sensuously.

"I could do with a shower like that every morning. What a superb way to get the day started." He smiled, his eyes twinkling. She grinned back.

"It would, but we'd be late for work every morning." She pointed out. He laughed.

"You're probably right. But then again, as the boss, you'd only be late if you arrived after me." He leaned in and whispered in her ear. "And I promise, I'll alway come last."

/

"Did you see where I put my sunglasses?"

It was soon after they were dressed and ready to go out. Rob was wearing a pair of pale green swimming shorts and a white t-shirt, Sandra had put on her bikini and had wrapped a sarong around her middle, both just had flip flops on, ready to go swimming in the freshwater lagoon nearby. Sandra had found herself hunting high and low for her shades, which seeing as she had only had them the evening before was somewhat puzzling.

"You had them when we got in the hot tub, did you leave them on the deck." Rob replied. She slid the door open and stepped into the carribean heat. Now she thought about it, she remembered putting them down on the table on the veranda. As she looked in that direction, her heart jumped. Her glasses were gone, but a single flower was there in their place, and she knew for a fact it hadn't been there last night. She picked it up and went back inside, looking over her shoulder as she went. Rob saw how her demeanour had changed.

"What's wrong sweetheart?" He joined her by the door. She held out the flower to him.

"My glasses are gone, this was in it's place."

"A rose. An english rose?" He sighed and took the rose out of her hand, laying it on the table. He pulled her into an embrace. "Maybe we ought to go and see the policeman on the card Dennis gave you." She nodded against his chest. Just then the shrill sound of a ringtone filled the room. Sandra looked around confused, before routing through her bag and pulling out her mobile. She frowned at the caller display.

"It's the office. I told them not to call unless it was an emergency." The phone stopped ringing as she spoke and the call was diverted to messages. She jumped as it started to ring again.

"They won't give up will they?" Rob smiled wryly. Sandra shook her head and pressed the accept button. She put the phone on speaker and layed it on the table.

"Sandra! I'm sorry for ringing you on your holiday, but we need some help." Brian's voice came over the speaker.

"What can I do? I'm not just up the road you know."

"We know. But we've been doing the preliminary on the Longton case. All the evidence seems to lead to this character called Sergei Kaladov. We did a search but hit a barrier. We need a clearance code to access his file. We wondered if we could try your code."

"My access won't work, It's not high enough." Sandra replied.

"Aye, that's what I thought." He sounded dejected.

"Brian, what time is it there?"

"Four in the morning. We worked through the night trying to find any alternative than to disturb your holiday. How is it by the way?"

"Fantastic!" She replied, looking at Rob.

"We sort of knew your access wouldn't work. We really need Strickland to pull some strings. But we're all to chicken to phone him." She looked over to where Rob was listening, an amused look on his face. He nodded to her.

"Hang on Brian, I'll put him on." She gestured to the phone on the table. Robert came and stood next to her and slipped an arm around her waist.

"Morning Brian."

"Sir? Is that you?" Brian's voice had gone up an octave, Rob and Sandra could hear muttered voices and movement in the background.

"How many other Strickland's do you know?"

"Right.. yes...sorry sir."

"An access code won't help. Go up to my office, in the top left hand drawer of my desk is an address book. Look for David Swan, He's a friend of mine, he'll be able to help you. Just tell him you are working for Bull."

"Bull?"

"It's a nickname. He'll know I've sent you."

"Ok, Thank you... Sir?"

"Yes Brian?"

"What are you doing there?"

"Helping me relax. Goodbye Brian." Sandra interrupted, before pressing the disconnect button. She turned to face him.

"Well, we're out." She shrugged. Rob smiled.

"At least we didn't hear any defibrilators."

/

About an hour later, they found themselves walking towards the little building the island called a police station. Sandra had her arm linked through his and if it hadn't been for the rose, carefully wrapped in a piece of tissue in her bag, she would have felt on top of the world. She glanced at his face.

"Why Bull? Except for the obvious." She asked, laughing. He blushed, then shrugged.

"It's not very interesting, I met David at university. In the little gang we used to hang about in, there was another Robert, so the others gave us both a nickname. A history student called Lucille came up with Bull."

"Why?"

"My name, Strickland. One of its origins is from the old English word stircland. which basically means cultivated land where young bulls are kept." He smiled at her. "Of course, it didn't hurt that when hitting the pubs and clubs around Oxford, Bull was a pretty good nickname to get the girls chatting."

"I bet it was. So what did the other Robert get called?"

"Curly. Please don't ask me why."

"Oh go on, why?" She needed to know now. He laughed.

"It had to do with his shape when he was ...Excited." She looked at him for any sign that he was joking. She started to giggle.

"Curly and the bull. Oh I wish I had been on those nights out."

"It seems like a lifetime ago. Lets see, besides me and Curly, there was Beans, Peck, Lettuce, Kipper, Parker, Vlad and Lulu. Bloody hell, we were so young."

"I know what you mean. I often wonder whether if I knew then what I know now, would I have done things differently."

"Joined the police you mean?" She nodded. "What do you think you would have done if you hadn't."

"I don't know. It was so much a part of me from such a young age. I never really considered doing anything else. What about you."

"I wanted to be a soldier. I couldn't wait until I turned eighteen and could get away from my 'family'" He said the word family as if it was the worst curse he could think of. "Of course, I mucked that up. There was a lad in my squad at sandhurst, he wasn't very macho if you get my meaning. Another cadet gave him hell, one day I caught him and his cronies standing over the lad. He was urinating over him, calling him all sorts of foul names. I broke the bastards jaw. Unfortunately, his father was the base commander." He smiled at Sandra. "That was the end of my army career. Three years at university, then three years at sandhurst, and I had nothing to show for it."

"How did you end up with the force?"

"The Commander tried to press assault charges. The DI in charge basically told him that his son was a racist bully who got what he deserved, and that I should have been given a medal instead of getting kicked out. He persuaded me to go to Hendon."

"I'm glad you did."

They entered the little police station and approached the desk. A young man in a tan uniform smiled up from where he was sat.

"Good Morning, Sir, Madam, I hope you are enjoying our island. How can I help you?"

"We've been told to ask for this man." Sandra handed the young officer the card.

"Captain Thomas. I'll get him for you." He stood and went through a door behind the desk. A few moments later he returned with an older man, mid fifties, his hair and moustache were greying, but his dark eyes twinkled.

"I hear you are looking for me. I am Dmitri Thomas."

"Captain Thomas, my name is Robert Strickland, I am very pleased to meet you." He held out his hand, and shook the older man's. "This is Sandra Pullman, my..." He paused, their relationship was so new, he really didn't know.

"Thank you for taking the time to see us." She rescued him, reaching to shake the man's hand. He nodded knowingly.

"How can I help?"

"We were given your card by Dennis, the manager's son from the Royale.." Sandra started, the policeman frowned, his previously jovial face darkened.

"I assume this is about Miquelle De Martinez?"

"Yes. Captain, I work in a very male dominated field, and as such, I can usually take care of people like him, however, he has set us on edge, and last night, I left my sunglasses on the balcony of our apartment. This morning they were gone, and I found this." Sandra took out the rose and put it on the desk. "He started calling me his English rose when I arrived yesterday." The policeman looked at his young assistant.

"Peter, can you fetch us some coffee." He opened the door and held it for them. "You had better come through." He showed them to a small office, he sat down behind the desk, indecating for them to take the seat opposite. He opened a drawer and took out a cream folder. "I do not wan't to scare you good people, but Miquelle is more dangerous than you might think."

"What do you mean?" Robert's copper's instincts were kicking in, he looked at Sandra and saw she had picked up on the same thing.

"As I said, I do not want to scare you, I want you to enjoy your holiday. But, in the past Miquelle has caused...difficulties for people."

Sandra felt Robert squeeze her hand. She looked back to the policeman in front of her.

"Captain Thomas, we are both police officers ourselves, so you can be frank with us." The older man raised his eyebrows.

"Police. Are you here on business?" She could see the Captain bristle.

"Oh no, we are here on holiday." Robert re-assured him. He could see he needed to keep the man onside. "We work together in London, and met here unexpectedly."

"That is a great co-incedence indeed." They could see he was suspicious.

"Not so much, one of our colleagues honeymooned here earlier this year. She enjoyed it so much she left some brochures in the canteen. We both picked one up." She smiled, "Robert's already been here a week, I arrived yesterday, we bumped into each other on the beach."

"So are you staying at the Royale?" He asked, he seemed to relax.

"Not any more. Miquelle's attitude worried Robert, I checked out."

"That is probably wise. If I may ask, where are you staying now."

"Ocean Horizon apartments."

"That is a beautiful place to stay, you were very lucky to get in, they are usually all full at this time of the year." Sandra blushed, glancing at Robert.

"Robert was already staying there. I have moved in with him." The Captain smiled slightly.

"Ahh, I see. Not to worry. We do not judge on this island, we have a reputation for being a romantic paradise after all." He grinned. "I am glad you have come away from the Royale, poor Raymond, that is Dennis' father, he has been plagued by Miquelle's presence since the owner of the hotel ordered him to give the boy a job eight years ago, he was only just eighteen then but it seems he was already in trouble in his native Portugal. He seems to latch onto lone female guests, and basically make a nuisance of himself until they either leave, or I put him into a cell for a few nights with a warning. Unfortunately, his father invests in most of the island, so he always gets away with a slap on the wrist."

"You said he has a dangerous side?" Robert probed, the older man nodded.

"You understand, I have no proof, or I would have already acted. In the past few months, Miquelle's behaviour has started to escalate, and there have been incedents of stalking, and at least two attacks."

"Attacks." Robert was on high alert now.

"The first, the young lady in question was on the beach in the evening, she was grabbed from behind, the attacker grabbed at her chest and tried to rip her top. A passer by saw and shouted and the attacker ran off. Neither could identify or describe the assailant. The second was more serious. This lady was attacked in her hotel room. She had left the Royale and checked into the Whitecove further down the beach. The attacker was waiting in her room, subdued her with chloriform and undressed her. He was interupted by the hotel maid, who screamed and raised the alarm. The victim was unable to describe her attacker, and though the maids description was very like Miquelle, she couldn't pick him out of a line up."

"You are sure it was this Miquelle?" Sandra asked. The policeman nodded.

"He was very smug about it, he taunted us. You see, he knows his father will buy him out of trouble, and he looks down on us stupid natives." They could see the anger in the cops eyes.

"Maybe we can help you." Sandra suggested, Robert looked at her.

"I'm not sure I'm going to like this."

"Miquelle has already set his sights on me, so we have a choice. Either we can lock ourselves away in our apartment and hide from him until our plane leaves on Saturday, which, by the way I have absolutely no intention of doing. Or we can entice him in, and nail the bastard so we can get on with enjoying our well deserved holiday." She looked at the two men, Robert looked slightly pale and she could tell he wasn't happy, but had realised there was no other option, the Captain had a grin on his face which was threatening to split his face in two. He addressed Robert.

"My friend, she is magnificent! Fearsome even!"

"You have no idea."

"If you can help me put this plague behind bars where he belongs, myself and my island will be eternally grateful to you." He sat back in his chair. "Do you have an idea."

"Well, as it happens, I do." Sandra smiled. She looked at Robert and gave his hand a squeeze. "Miquelle has obviously been watching us, so lets continue to give him something to watch." Robert smiled.

"I think I could manage that." Sandra blushed again.

"We may be able to push him into doing something stupid. You Captain will have your officers hidden around the vicinity, waiting for our signal."

"I can give you a whistle. My officers carry them on the beach to alert other officers, I can also give you some pepper spray. I will have at least two plain clothed officers not more that ten metres from you at any one time." He stood. "I'll go and get the spray and whistle from stores and arrange the officers, I'll be back very soon." He left the room, closing the door behind him. Rob stood and started to pace.

"He seemed very excited, he must be desperate to catch this bloke." Sandra joked, trying to lighten the mood. She stood and faced Rob, "I know this isn't ideal, but I don't want to spend our time here hiding. You know that's not my nature." He nodded and placed his hands on her shoulder's.

"Just promise me one thing."

"Go on."

"Promise me you won't go anywhere on your own until we've caught the bastard. Let me be your shadow." She saw the very real fear in his eyes and nodded.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"When you were introducing us to Captain Thomas, you hesitated. what were you going to introduce me as?" She smiled. His eyed twinkled.

"Oh I don't know, my floosey, my bit-on-the-side, strumpet, bird, ummm...OW!" He laughed as she playfully slapped him on the shoulder, "..My maybe-one-day fiance, the only woman I ever want to be with, the most incredibly beautiful, brave and generous woman who for some reason seems to have chosen to be with me..." He stopped talking as she slipped her arms around his neck, silencing him with a kiss. He smiled as she pulled back slightly. "Girlfriend just didn't seem enough." She could see the love in his eyes, it dazzled her, making her speechless. She tightened her arms around his back, laying her head on his shoulder. He returned the embrace. "I know you are quite capable of looking after yourself, but I promise you I'll kill that little bastard before I let him lay one grubby finger on you." She smiled against his chest.

"I know you will." She whispered.

They were interupted by the return of the Captain. He smiled as he saw the two of them.

"Are you sure you found each other here? You seem so much a pair, like two people who have been together for years."

"We've worked together for several years, I think this place helped us to open our eyes." Sandra smiled.

"I have here two whistles and two pepper sprays. I have contacted several officers who have all voluteered to work in rota to shadow you. When I told them what we are planning, they all wanted to help, we all want Miquelle De Martinez in jail." He handed over the items. "Do you have any plans for today?"

"We are going to the lagoon, then we'll probably get something to eat before going back to the apartment. Then probably spend the rest of the day on the beach." She explained as she put the spray and whistle in her bag.

"Ahh, the lagoon is beautiful. My people will give you your privacy, they will stay only close enough to hear the whistle."

"Thank you." Sandra replied.

"No my friends, it is I who must thank you. Now, please enjoy our island." He bid them goodbye and they left the building, walking out into the bright sunshine.

"Ok, we need to make another stop." Sandra stated.

"Where?"

"Over there." She indecated a nearby street vendor. "I need some new sunglasses."

/

Authors note: So it looks like this is going to be three chapters, so much for the hot little quickie. Next chapter will have action, danger and much more smut, a bit like a bond film but without the budget. Pleeeeeese review so I know people are reading. And a great big Thank you with virtual hugs to those who of you who follow my stories, you know who you are.. You make it all worth while. xxx S