Mark was due to arrive later in the evening, after he had finished up onboard the ship. There had been little information gleaned from the crew, even less from the passengers. Keeping an eye on the two spy couples the UNCLE agents had encountered proved less than informative, so that Slate felt his time as a steward had been nothing more than a missed opportunity to sail in style with his friends.
Napoleon bade Illya and April a good night and headed back to the lodge. He was intent on finding Sharon Landers, was anxious to find out more about the THRUSH activities and hopeful she might give him a few answers. He was also looking forward to seeing her again for more personal reasons.
The clouds on the horizon were taking on a pink glow as sunset began to shroud the island. The trade winds of summer would soon churn the waves, beckoning surfers to Bali from all over the globe. For some the surfing craze was merely a by-product of Hollywood movies depicting zany teenagers and summer romances. To the hardcore, the journey from beach to beach was a migration of the faithful, an almost religious zeal for a sport not as yet at the level of respect it would attain in coming years.
Napoleon, sans his normal suit and tie, arrived at the lodge wearing light grey trousers and a yellow polo shirt. He had gained a tan easily aboard ship, the benefits of sailing on the open sea. The effect was not lost on Sharon Landers as she watched him enter the bar, glad that he had returned and that there were no others close by; unsure about what might come next. She turned back towards the beach and watched the sun as it began its descent beneath the horizon.
It only took a minute to spot her just beyond the double doors that opened onto a large lanai. The setting sun sparkled on the water, creating a colorful backdrop for the beautiful brunette that reminded Napoleon of something out of a Disney animated movie.
Sharon's hair was casually pinned on top of her head, wisps falling around her face in an effortless manner, yet somehow very artfully arranged. Styled in this way, the effect of a backless linen dress was made even more beguiling. Napoleon felt his pulse quicken as he followed the outline of her body beneath the lightweight fabric, noting with satisfaction that the expanse of exposed skin indicated the absence of a brassiere, therefore the absence of at least one obstacle to what he now envisioned as a pleasurable encounter. Napoleon Solo had no qualms about doing whatever might be asked of him, for the sake of the mission.
Sharon turned towards Napoleon just as he was approaching, struck once more by his good looks and confident demeanor. This was a man she could find interesting, if only there weren't those pesky conflicts of interest.
"My goodness, if it isn't Mr. Napoleon Solo… in the flesh." She had a feeling those pesky conflicts of interest were only going to make things more interesting.
"Good evening Miss Landers.'' He took her right hand in his, lifting it to his lips for a kiss that lingered as his eyes locked on hers. Both of their pulses were racing now. This had nothing to do with spies or secrets, only the chemistry between two beautiful people in a setting made for romance.
A racing heart made her voice breathy, something not lost on Napoleon. He couldn't think of a good reason to not do what happened next. Effortlessly, his hands encircled around her waist, pulling her close to him. She offered no resistance as he kissed her, sighed with satisfaction when his fingers slipped inside the open back of her dress, moving around her body, seeking out more of her. She pulled back slightly to look in his eyes, then whispered to him, her breath hot on his ear.
"Don't you think we ought to find a place with a little more privacy?" Napoleon smiled, kissed her again before lifting her up into his arms and carrying her out onto the sand.
"Which way is your place?" She pointed him towards it, glad for the feel of his arms around her and the success of reeling him in so easily. She would enjoy this night that she had dreamt of since their first meeting.
Business could wait until morning.
