We woke late. The sun was streaming through the skylight and bathing our naked bodies. I found the control and closed the roof. Tommy stirred beside me.

"Good morning, my love."

"Morning." He gave me a beautiful smile that made me want to melt into him.

"Coffee?"

"I love you."

"I love you too, Tommy." I gave him a quick kiss then wrapped my arms around him. After last night, I wanted more. Since we had first made love, Tommy had brought out a side in me I never dreamt existed. I licked his lips with the point of my tongue in a deliberately provocative way.

"Mmm..." he groaned as our kiss turned decidedly fiery. "If we keep that up, we might have to go back into the pool."

My hand drifted over his thigh and closed over his swelling cock. "It is our honeymoon. Aren't we supposed to be like rabbits?"

"Yes. And I'm not objecting, but you don't want to wear me out on the first day."

I nodded. Then removed my hand. "Okay, I'll settle for coffee and a promise."

Tommy grinned at her. "You have it, but what exactly am I promising?"

"That you will drive me wild later today." I put my hands under my breasts and lifted them.

Tommy leant forward and suckled gently on the left, then the right. His cock was rigid and twitching against my leg. "Maybe we could..."

I stood and walked past him, brushing her finger down his chest and stomach before walking on. "Too late. We're having coffee."

We sat in the shade on the deck as we sipped our lattes. The hotel had provided thin white kaftans to protect from the sun. They hid nothing. I felt Tommy's eyes on my breasts. I stood and stretched. As my arms lifted the cloth was pulled tight across my chest. I arched my back slightly so that it would pull flat against my hips. When I stopped, I noticed that Tommy's kaftan was tented over his crotch. I smiled. This was a game I intended to keep playing all day until he could resist me no longer.

"I'm going to have a shower." I saw his smile. "Alone."

"Spoilsport."

"I can't have you wearing yourself out."

Tommy had booked a catamaran and picnic lunch for the day. It was delivered to the pier below our chalet exactly at nine o'clock. The sports attendant quickly ran over the sailing instructions with him. He was a good sailor, if a little rusty, but on the quiet lagoon I knew we would have plenty of time for some fun. We cast off and waved to the instructor.

We were dressed in board shorts, white cotton long sleeved shirts rolled up at the wrists, and large hats. Mine was a floppy cotton number, but Tommy, ever the rakish earl, had brought his favourite straw hat. I shook my head and sighed.

"What?"

"All I can say is 'public school'. Or maybe Oxbridge. It looks like an oversized boater."

"It's Guatemalan pea straw. Much softer and entirely different in design."

"Oh, well, that makes all the difference." I laughed at the hurt look on his face then kissed him. "You look quite sexy if it's any consolation."

"Hmm, it is." He grinned at me as he trimmed the sails. "Now take off your sandals."

I raised an eyebrow. "A bit early to be getting amorous isn't it?"

"All yachts have a 'no shoes on deck' policy. I don't want you slipping into the sea."

"Then you'd have to dive in and rescue me. And your shirt would cling to your body..." I licked my lips.

Tommy growled. "And I would have to take yours off so you didn't catch cold."

"Cold is not a word I imagine gets much use in the Maldives. It's so hot already."

"I can catch the wind. That'll cool you down."

True to his word, Tommy spun the wheel until the wind filled the sails. Salt spray flew around us as we skimmed over the water at an exhilarating speed. My husband managed the sails and the rudder, but had me run around to redistribute weight when he tacked. Within an hour, the hotel had disappeared from view and we were approaching the uninhabited island on the other side of the lagoon.

He slowed the boat, and anchored about 50 metres from shore. "I've booked the island for the day. We won't be disturbed."

"You booked an island?"

"I booked the anchorage. The island came with it. Fancy a swim?"

"Yeah."

Tommy stripped off his shirt dived into the water. I watched as he stroked down towards the white sandy bottom, then curved back to the surface. He ran his hands backwards over his hair, flattening it and pulling it off his face. "Come on, it's glorious in here."

I moved back so he could not see me take off my shorts and shirt. I ran across the boat and leapt out over the top of him, splashing into the sea with an ungainly flop onto my back and a squeal that would rival a teenage girl at her first pop concert.

Tommy swam over to me. His arm went around me, and his lips closed over mine. His hands ran down my back and over my bum. He jerked in surprise to find it was not covered by anything. His fingers rapidly explored left and right then back to the centre.

"My wife has a G string?" His hands ran up my back then traced the string of my bikini top around to the front.

"It's Stuart's gift." As a joke he had given me the minutist of bikinis to 'inject some life into the old boy'.

His hands closed over my breasts. The two triangles of cloth barely covered my nipples. "Remind me to thank him." Tommy pushed me back into the water as he kissed me.

Before he could try to drown us, I laughed then pushed away. I swam around the boat and found the aluminium ladder at the back. "Have your swim. Burn off some of that testosterone. I'm going to laze about up here."

"I'll swim to shore and investigate."

"Okay. Take your time."

I grabbed my towel from the cockpit, then pulled on my hat and shirt. A finely woven boom net was rigged between the two hulls at the front of the catamaran. I spread the towel on it and lay down to get a little sun. I dozed off briefly, but woke when I heard Tommy climbing onboard. I quickly undid the shirt and tossed it on the deck. Stuart's gift was ludicrously small. In fact in England, I would be arrested for public indecency, but here it was just my husband I intended to torment.

"The island is... oh my. Thank you, Stuart."

"I grinned at him and ran my hands over my breasts and belly. "It's a bit skimpy."

Tommy's eyes roved everywhere. "I know. Like three postage stamps. Oh..."

"What?"

"You've shaved."

"I couldn't spoil the lines."

"Everything?"

"You'll have to find out, won't you?"

Tommy knelt on the net and it dipped almost into the water. He smiled as he ran the tip of is index finger from my belly down over my scar and across the narrow strip of emerald cloth. He hooked it under and moved the cloth aside and saw that a thin strip of strawberry gold was still intact. "Hmm, not everything. That's good."

"Mmm, it is," I agreed. Tommy continued to gently play as he kissed me. He was damp, and the water had dried on his skin leaving him tasting salty.

"Trust me."

I was unsure if this a a question, or a request. "Always."

"Just relax."

He reached under me, and while we kissed he undid my bikini top. I thought he would toss it aside. Instead, he used the small triangles to cover my eyes. "Lift up." I dutifully raised my head so that he could tie the string behind my head. It felt weird, but if it was his intention to turn me on, it worked. He chuckled to himself.

"Tommy?"

"You look a little strange like that."

"Then take it off." I reached up but he took my hands in his. "No, leave it. If you can't see, you can't anticipate. You can only react." His voice crooned against my throat as he kissed it.

"Oh, god." I could not help myself. "Touch me, Tommy."

"All in good time." He lifted my hands above my head, stretching me out on the net. "Stay there."

I didn't move. Tommy rustled above me and the net dipped and swayed. Cool water splashed my back. He was next to me again. I reached down and found his head. Tangling my fingers in his hair I pulled his face onto mine. Our kiss was deep but slow. I turned towards him. His cock was hard and unencumbered by his shorts. "You're naked."

"Yes, Sherlock, I am."

"Are we going to make love here? Outside? In public?"

"There's no one here for miles." He kissed me again, smothering my objections.

Tommy's hand had rested on my hip. Now he rolled me slightly the other way. It was only then that I realised he had undone the string on my bikini bottoms. He whipped them away. I felt exposed but alive. Tommy would protect me and I knew he was equally naked. "Ah, Tommy."

"Mmm?" He was kissing his way up my body. He started on my stomach and tracked a line up to my chin. He paused at my throat then nipped me. I jumped. The boat rocked and water splashed us both. Tommy laughed and moved away. I reached for him. The cord wrapped around my wrists, and my arms were gently stretched above my head. "Trust me, Barbara. I would never hurt you."

I nodded. "Okay."

Tommy tied my wrists to the net with my bikini bottoms. Now I was exposed and trapped. The bonds were loose and I knew if I needed to, I could free myself. "Are you okay, Barbara?"

"Yes. It's..." I rolled my hips to relieve the growing tension. "I never thought you would be into bondage, Lord Asherton."

"Neither did I, but I want to drive you crazy. I want you to scream for me to fulfil you. Do you want me to fulfil you, my love?"

"Yes," I groaned as he ran his fingertips down my front. One finger toyed with the thin strip of curls I had left under Stuart's ludicrously small gift.

"Good." He dipped his finger through the patch of fur. I spread my legs and his finger fell into the heat between them. He sighed heavily. "Oh, yes, you do don't you?"

"Yes!" Tommy ran his finger over my clit, down across my vagina and stopped. His finger pulled free with a wet slurp. I felt my face redden. "Sorry."

"Why?" His breath tickled my stomach. "She's just telling me she's ready."

I knew what he was about to do. "She doesn't have her own identity you know. 'She' is attached to me."

"Oh, I am acutely aware of that. But she's like him, sometimes they have a mind of their own."

His last words were muffled as he buried his face between my thighs. I knew how talented his tongue could be. I sighed in anticipation. His face moved away.

"Tommy?"

"He's jealous."

The net bounced and pulled the cord around my wrists slightly tighter. I felt heat near my face. Then Tommy's hard cock brushed my cheek. I turned my head and kissed the shaft. "I can fix that."

Tommy moved his leg so that I could reach him better. I ran the tip of my tongue up his length then broadened it to circle his head. It was wonderfully hot and quivered as I licked away the salty drop of liquid that had formed on the top.

"Oh, Barbara. Yes." Tommy moved closer then carefully moved his leg so that he was above me. He lowered his hips until I had access to all of him.

Tommy lay down over me, keeping his weight on his hands or forearms but letting his skin rest against mine. His head moved back between my thighs and his tongue mimicked mine with slow circles around my most sensitive bit. "I love you," I managed to say.

His initial reply was lost in my cry as he rapidly flicked my nub. He paused. "I love you, too."

I closed my lips around his shaft and slowly sucked him deeper into my mouth. Tommy's body shuddered. I wished I had my hands to caress him. I had an almost overwhelming desire to play with his balls.

His palms softly cupped my knees and massaged them. Between my legs I alternated between fire and calm as my husband's mouth teased me. This time though, I also had him at my mercy. I took him as deep as I could. My tongue focused on the area just under the tip, while I sucked gently on the shaft. Tommy rocked his hips slowly, monitoring my response. He found the pace that suited us both. His balls swung millimetres above my nose. I lifted my head and surprised him by nestling in between them. The skin tightened and moved around me as I traced random patterns across them. His mouth momentarily stopped its work as he lifted his head. "Oh, heavens, don't make make come."

I laughed. "Don't leave me hanging."

"No, ma'am." Tommy's head dived back down. This time he plunged his tongue into me repeatedly as his chin rubbed my clit. I began to lift my hips in a rhythm that would only have one end.

I was not going to keep his wish. In fact, I was determined that he was joining me. I tried to concentrate on his movements, matching them with my own. He groaned. His cock twitched against the back of my throat. He was close and I knew he would not be able to hold back. He would fight it, but I would win.

I thrust my hips up harder. Tommy's tongue's circled rapidly. "Come for me, Barbara." He used the groove of his tongue to cup me. With long strokes forward and back I moved inextricably towards his goal. My skin prickled. I could feel his heat against my stomach, and his soft chest hair tickled my belly. His hands moved up and tightened on my thighs, keeping them spread as he buried his head deeper.

My whole body shook. Tommy gasped. The rush of air before his mouth closed over me was almost enough. I sucked hard on his cock and thrashed my tongue from side to side. Tommy groaned and the vibration was enough. I arched into his face. He continued to move his tongue in and out, over me. I cried out around him as his finger slipped inside me.

Tommy tried to hold back. His cock shuddered and grew harder. The head swelled and got much hotter. He tried to pull free. I clamped my mouth around him and held him in place. His attempts to free himself just made his head brush my tongue and throat. His cock quivered, then he cried out against my clit as he started to come. Glorious vibrations reignited me and my orgasm grew stronger. Tommy thrust against my throat. I moved back and ran my tongue up his length. Liquid fire filled my mouth.

I sucked and milked him until he whimpered and begged me to stop. He pulled free. The net bounced as he swung around. My hands were freed and Tommy nestled me into his arms. "I love you so much."

"Only because I am good in bed."

"No." He sounded hurt. "Also in the pool, on a boom net..."

I softly punched him before he kissed me. It was tender and loving. He tasted of me, and I'm sure I tasted of him. Somehow that seemed right, as if we should merge completely.

When we broke away, I burped. "Sorry."

"Sorry it gave you indigestion. Are you hungry?"

"A bit," I admitted.

"Good, I arranged lunch."

Lunch was packed in a foam cooler which I pushed ahead of me as I swam to shore. Barbara had tried unsuccessfully to put her bikini back on, but gave up and settled for just her shirt which barely covered the essentials. Here she seemed so carefree and open. It was hard to believe that only a few months ago she had been painfully shy. Our first passionate kiss, I learned later, was her first ever. For reasons I have never understood, that turned me on every time I thought about it. Barbara affected me in ways I have never experienced. Ways I would never want to change.

"Come on, slow coach," she called from the beach.

I pulled the cooler onto the white sand then carried it up to the shade beneath arching coconut palms. In the top was a lightweight rug which I spread on the loose cover of grass. Then I handed her a beer. We sat and drank and watched dolphins frolicking just beyond our boat.

"Have I mentioned recently that I am completely besotted with you, Barbara?" I kissed her.

She ran her thumb along the line of my chin. "Maybe once or twice you gave me a clue."

"Are you sure you want lunch? We could..."

Barbara shook her head. "You might have been born with some sort of super sexual power, but this mere mortal needs a sandwich first."

"I think we can do better than that."

I had ordered a hamper with food I thought Barbara would enjoy. With my back against a palm, Barbara snuggled her back against my chest while we ate. We started with a polenta tart topped with balsamic glazed cherry tomatoes, followed by slices of toasted lavash with a trio of dips. I wondered if the spiced beetroot with hazelnuts and goats cheese might be refused, but Barbara wolfed it down. She also ate most of the pesto based pasta salad, but hesitated with the vegetable samosas.

"I once had very bad food poisoning with a samosa."

"Then I'll eat them. No problem."

"But they look nice."

I took a bite of mine. "They are."

"I'll risk it."

Desert was a tropical fruit panzanella with lemon cream. Having survived the samosa, Barbara wasted no time in devouring a little more than her share. I laughed and shook my head.

"What?"

"You. Anyone would think I starved you."

"Sex makes me hungry," she said flatly as if If should have been a self-evident truth.

"So, I need to create an appetite for you before dinner?"

She glanced up at me as my hand settled on her thigh. My fingers inched their way under her shirt and across her naked belly.

Barbara suddenly stood up. She looked back at me and laughed. "Don't look so wounded. With all that food we need some exercise."

"Exactly what I had planned."

"Me too." Barbara reached into the bottom of a plastic bag she had brought ashore and held up a yellow, red and blue lump of plastic. She tossed it to me.

I unfolded it to discover it was a large beach ball. I sighed knowing that I was expected to blow it up. "Not the ball I had hoped you'd be playing with."

"Tommy Lynley! Don't be crass." Her saucy grin undermined her reprimand.

For about half an hour we hit, kicked, tossed and caught the ball on the beach and the water. Barbara's white shirt clung to her skin and every time she jumped or lifted her arms I had a tantalising glimpse of that new mown patch of reddish blonde that hid nothing. Focusing on her body and not the ball, I threw it too high. It went over her head and blew up the beach. Barbara raced after it, and I followed her. Just as she bent to pick it up, she tripped on the sand and fell forward, landing on the ball. Her naked bum was sticking up in the air. Her legs fell either side of the ball and I had a view of heaven.

I ripped open the Velcro of my board shorts and let them fall. Before she could get up I had knelt behind her. I nudged my rapidly hardening cock against the entrance to the place I wanted to be more than anything else. Barbara jumped and the ball rolled forward taking her away from me. I followed and nestled back there.

"Hmm, I see," she said as she rocked forward and back on the ball. "Greedy boy."

I lifted her shirt and kissed the small of her back. "Is it greedy to love you?"

Barbara continued to roll us over the ball, nudging my cock but not letting me inside. "I feel greedy." She moved back suddenly and I slid inside her.

"Oh, yes..."

She sighed. "Oh yes indeed."

I stayed still as she rolled on the ball setting up a pace that would bring us both undone. I reached around and nestled my hand between her and the plastic. This was going to be quick.

"Stop."

I immediately froze. "What's wrong?"

"My ball is going flat."

I chuckled. "Mine aren't." I withdrew from her. "Come on, let's finish this on the towel. I would rather watch you anyway."

Barbara raced me across the sand. We collapsed onto the towel and made love. Slowly.

Heathrow

"Sir! Barbara!"

"Winston? Why are you here?" Tommy asked.

"The AC sent me. There's been a triple murder in Buckingham Palace..." Winston must have seen my face. He raised his hand. "Oh, no, the Family are safe. It was housekeeping staff."

I shook my head. "I thought they had their own security force."

"They've asked for us. Well, specifically Lord Asherton."

I squeezed Tommy's hand. "Off you go. I understand."

Tommy looked distraught. "I... don't want to you leave yet. We still have one day of our honeymoon."

Winston grinned like a child at Christmas. "The AC is making an exception to the rules until Lady A's promotion comes through. Buck House asked for both of you."

Tommy and I looked at each other. Even though we had pretended our new roles would work, we both knew this would be our last case together, and in that moment a silent decision was made. We would resign. Tommy bent over and gave me a disappointingly demure kiss.

"So," Winston said as he helped us with our bags. "How was the honeymoon?"

Tommy and I looked at each other and grinned. The chalet, the boat, and the beach flashed through my mind. "Hot, Winston. The Maldives were incredibly hot."